Lance Corporal 8840, 3rd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. Killed in action 13 November 1914. Born and enlisted Haverhill. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 34.

The following kindly supplied by Sorrel Mason:

Lance Corporal, 8840
3rd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment serving with 3 Division Cyclist Company
Place of birth: Helions Bumpstead
Killed in action
Date of death: Friday, 13th November 1914
Aged 27 years
Memorial: Menin Gate, panel 34

Ernest Andrews was born on the 21st November 1886, at Helions Bumpstead, the son of Eliza Andrews. The family was long standing in the village and Eliza was then living with her parents, James, an agricultural labour, and Ann, a shirt maker, at Pale Green. Sharing their cottage were Eliza’s three other children, Martha, Walter and Mary.

Eliza worked as a smock maker, then jacket maker and in 1891 was a tailoress supporting her family of seven children, six of whom were living with her in their cottage on the Helions Bumpstead Road. Her eldest, Martha, was then working in service in London, as Eliza may have once done, as Martha was born at Edmonton. A year later they had moved to Haverhill and living at 10 Croft Row. By 1901 Eliza’s family had grown to nine children with Ernest now 15 years old and learning his mother’s trade working with jackets. Eliza was housekeeper to widower Harry Jobson and his four children living next door. Harry was a carter for a clothing manufactory, probably Gurteens, and Eliza and Ernest’s likely employers too. Eliza and Harry were married in 1909.

Ernest joined the army and by 1911 was serving in India, as a Lance Corporal with the 4th Worcestershire Regiment. The regiment had moved there, from Malta, in 1908 and stayed until 1912. Ernest returned to Haverhill where he was well known as a boxer. Upon the outbreak of war, he was soon to re-enlist, at Haverhill, as Private No. 8840, in the Worcestershire Regiment.

Ernest was in the 3rd Division Cycle Company and part of the British Expeditionary Force that sailed for France on 14th August 1914. They spent eight gruelling days, by boat, train and on foot, arriving in the small hours of 23rd August at their destination of Ciply, close to the Belgium city of Mons. Almost immediately they were called into action in the Battle of Mons, the first major action of the war.

Although Ernest survived this, much fighting continued, and he was killed in the trenches during the Battle of Ypres on 13th November 1914 just days before his 28th birthday.

Private G/24518, 17th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment). Killed in action 13 November 1916. Aged 27. Born and resident Haverhill, enlisted Bury St Edmunds. Son of Mrs. Alice Backler, of Haverhill, Suffolk; husband of the late Alice Maud Miller (formerly Backler). No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 12 D and 13 B.

Serjeant 8931, 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died of wounds 9 August 1918. Boirn and enlisted Haverhill. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 1 C and 2 A.

Private 8767, 2nd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. Killed in action 5 November 1914. Aged 29. Born and resident Haverhill, enlisted Bury St Edmunds.Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Barber, of 65, Burton End, Haverhill. Suffolk; husband of Mrs. A. R. Barber. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 34.

Lance Corporal 35446, 12th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, Died 16 June 1917. Aged 24. Born and enlisted Haverhill. Son of John and Emma Boyden, of 11, Oddery Rd., Haverhill, Suffolk. Formerly 2788, Suffolk Regiment. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 2 and 3.

Private 16123, 11th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 28 April 1917. Aged 23. Born and enlisted Haverhill. Son of Albert E. and Emily A. Brown, of 12, Croft Row, Haverhill, Suffolk. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 4.

[Listed as HANEY on CWGC] Rifleman 3668 [3608 on CWGC and as Haney BROWN], 8th (City of London) Battalion (Rifles)[SDGW], London Regiment or 1/6th Battalion, London Regiment (City of London Rifles)[CWGC]. Killed in action 30 April 1916. Enlisted London, resident Haverhill. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 9 and 10.

Lance Corporal 3028, 6th (City of London) Battalion (Post Office Rifles), London Regiment. Killed in action 15 September 1916. Born and resident Haverhill, enlisted London. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 9 C and 9 D.

Private 15986, 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action between 26 and 27 March 1918. Aged 22. Born Weston Colville, enlisted Haverhill. Son of Martha Chapman, of 2, Little Cottages, Little Wratting, nr. Haverhill, Suffolk. No known grave. Commemorated on POZIERES MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Addenda Panel.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918 - Section 4 Page 29:

CHAPMAN, VICTOR FULLER, Private, No. 15986, 7th (Service) Battn. The Suffolk Regt., s. of the late James Chapman, by his wife, Martha (21a, Hamlet Road, Haverhill, co. Suffolk), dau. of James Minns; b. Weston Colville, co. Cambridge, 27 Sept. 1897; educ. Haverhill aforesaid; enlisted 9 Nov. 1914; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 22 July, 1915, and was killed in action near Albert 26 March, 1918. Buried at Albert. His Capt. wrote: "The loss of such a good soldier is indeed great; I am sure it will be most difficult to replace him. He was a man highly respected by both officers and men, one that could be relied upon to do his duty nobly and well." Unm.

Private 326290, 1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Killed in action 15 November 1917. Enlisted Cambridge, resident Haverhill. Son of Alma Claydon, of Endway, Steeple Bumpstead, Essex. Awarded the Military Medal (M.M.). Formerly 3520, Cambridgeshire Regiment. No known grave. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 148.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918 - Section 4 Page 33:

CLAYDON, JOSEPH STANLEY, M.M., L.-Corpl., No. 328290, 1st Battn. (Lewis Gun Section) The Cambridgeshire Regt. (T.F.), s. of W. Claydon, of 17, Hamlet Road, Haverhill, co. Suffolk; b. Haverhill, co. Suffolk, 29 March, 1897; educ. Board School there; joined the 1st Battn. The Cambridgeshire Regt. 2 April, 1915; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders, and was killed in action 15 Nov. 1917. His Commanding Officer wrote: "He was a good soldier, and would have no doubt very shortly have risen in the ranks but for this misfortune. Greatly liked and respected by both officers and men of his company, his loss is most deeply felt and mourned. He died a soldier's death, bravely sticking to the post of duty regardless of danger." He was awarded the Military Medal for gallant and distinguished service in the field; unm.

Private 8612, 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 25 May 1915. Born Haverhill, enlisted Colchester. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 21.

Second Lieutenant, 10th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Killed in action 1 July 1916. Aged 24. Son of George V. and Mary Cummins, of 22, Macaulay St., Grimsby. School Teacher by trade. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 1 C.

Private 48116, 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Killed in action 10 August 1917. Born Haverhill, enlisted Sturmer, resident Colchester. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 6 and 18.

Private 8233, 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment. Killed in action 14 July 1916. Born and resident Haverhill, enlisted Colchester. Formerly 22820, Hussars. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 3 A.

Private 7052, 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. Killed in action 19 October 1914. Born and enlisted Haverhill. No known grave. Commemorated on LE TOURET MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 13.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918, Section 3 Page 96:

FARRANT, F., Private, No. 7052, 1st Battn. The Cheshire Regiment; served with the Expeditionary Force in France; killed in action 19 Oct. 1914.

Private 45082, 1/5th Battalion (Territorial), Northumberland Fusiliers. Died 26 October 1917. Born Haverhill, enlisted Colchester. No known grave. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 19 to 23 and 162. See also Liverpool Street Station, London

Second Lieutenant, 6th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. Killed in action 12 April 1917, Aged 23. Son of Thomas Herbert and Mary Goodman, of 39, High St., Haverhill, Suffolk. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 6.

Private 8801, 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. Killed in action 8 July 1916. Born and enlisted Haverhill. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 5 A and 6 C.

Private GS/49149, 32nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Killed in action 27 June 1917. Aged 30. Enlisted Newmarket. Husband of Nellie Bowter (formerly Lazell), of 5, King Edward Rd., Exning Rd., Newmarket, Suffolk. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 6 and 8.

Private 16142, 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 8 May 1915. Aged 41. Born and enlisted Haverhill. Son of Ellen Tilbrook (formerly Malyon), of Nunn's Yard, Haverhill; husband of Mary Ann Malyon, of 3, Peas Hill, Haverhill, Suffolk. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 21.

Private G/19277, 11th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Killed in action 14 June 1917. Born Haverhill, enlisted Leeds. Son of Charles Mead. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 45 and 47.

Rifleman R/21094, 2nd Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps. Killed in action 17 August 1916. Aged 19. Born and resident Haverhill, enlisted Barking, Essex. Son of Sarah Mills, of 11, Eden Rd., Haverhill, Suffolk, and the late R. P. Mills. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 13 A and 13 B.

Corporal 40944, 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 28 April 1917. Born and enlisted Haverhill. Formerly 1416, Suffolk Regiment. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 4.

Private 16669, 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 24 April 1915. Aged 23. Born and enlisted Haverhill. Son of Frederick and Mary Ann Perry, of 12, Primrose Hill, Haverhill, Suffolk. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 21.

Corporal 320700, "C" Company, 2nd/6th (City of London) Battalion (Rifles), London Regiment. Killed in action 21 May 1917. Enlisted London, resident Wood Green. In 1911 Harold Robert Edgar Potter was resident at 14 High Street, Haverhill, born Haverhill circa 1897, son of Robert and Lilian Mary Potter. Son of Robert and Lillian M. Potter, of 34, Barrington Rd., Brixton London. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 9 and 10.

Private 16124, "A" Company, 9th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 16 September 1916. Aged 24. Born and enlisted Haverhill. Son of Louisa Rising, of 22, Crowland Rd., Haverhill, Suffolk, and the late Arthur William Rising. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 1 C and 2 A.

Guardsman 14345, 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Killed in action 29 october 1914. Aged 22. Born Haverhill, enlisted Stratford, Essex. Regular Soldier. Son of George Shipp, of 22, Brettenham Rd., Edmonton, London; husband of Louisa Sophia Shipp, of 5, Froude St., Silverthorne Rd., Battersea, London. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 9 and 11.

Lance Corporal 7799, 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 24 April 1915. Aged 25. Born Haverhill, enlisted Bury St Edmunds. Son of Elijah and Frances Siggs, of 79, High St., Haverhill, Suffolk. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 21.

Private 41403, 13th Battalion, Essex Regiment. Killed in action 22 February 1917. Aged 19. Born, resident and enlisted Haverhill. Son of Mrs. Emily Reader, of 85 Vine Cottages, Haverhill, Suffolk. Formerly 6686, Cambridgeshire Regiment. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 10 D.

Private G/43927, 17th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment). Killed in action 13 November 1916. Aged 28. Born Haverhill, enlisted Hounslow, Middlesex, resident Southall, Middlesex. Son of Mrs. B. Webb, of 46, Duddeny Rd., Haverhill, Suffolk. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 12 D and 13 B.

Private M2/047856, Advance Base M.T. Depot, Royal Army Service Corps. Died in Egypt 10 September 1917. Enlisted Ipswich, resident Haverhill. Husband of E. M. Webb, of 26, Cumberland Terrace, Regent's Park, London. Buried in CAIRO WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Egypt. Section F. Grave 302.

Private 1982, 5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died of wounds at Gallipoli 1 October 1915. Born and enlisted Haverhill. Buried in EMBARKATION PIER CEMETERY, Turkey. Special Memorial Section D. Grave 7.

Note: There are now 944 Commonwealth servicemen buried or commemorated in the cemetery. There are special memorials to 262 casualties known or believed to be buried among them but 662 of the burials are unidentified.

1939-1945

Corporal 7647055, 4th Ordnance Store Company, Royal Army Ordnance Corps. Died 20 July 1943 as a Prisoner of War of the Japanese. Age 24. Son of Harry Ambrose and Edith Ashard, husband of Hilary Margaret Ashard of Haverhill. Buried in KANCHANABURI WAR CEMETERY, Thailand. Plot 8. Row J. Grave 3.

Private 5827897 4th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Son of Ernest Edward and Marie Helene Barrett of Haverhill. Died during the fight for Singapore in the massacre at Singapore Hospital 5 February 1942. Age 22. No known grave. Commemorated in SINGAPORE CIVIL HOSPITAL GRAVE MEMORIAL, Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore. Column 3.

Lieutenant 145394 1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment (Suffolk Regiment). Died during the fight for Singapore 15 February 1942. Age 21. Son of Samuel Austen and Ruth Bigmore, husband of Ellen Bigmore. Buried in KRANJI WAR CEMETERY, Singapore. Plot 7. Row B. Grave 6.

Private 5834551, 5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, Died udring the fight for Singapore 13 February 1942. Age 30. Husband of V. N. K. Bradford. Buried in KRANJI WAR CEMETERY, Singapore. Plot 11. Row D. Grave 15.

Private 5831149 1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment (Suffolk Regiment) Son of Mrs B. L. Buttle of Haverhill. Died 21 September 1944 as a Prisoner of War of the Japanese. Age 28. No known grave. Commemorated on SINGAPORE MEMORIAL, Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore. Column 58.

[Spelt CHISNALL on memorial] Private 5828663, 5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died 5 November 1943 as a Prisoner of War of the Japanese. Aged 31. Son of George Chisnell, and of Kate Chisnell, of Haverhill, Suffolk. Buried in CHUNGKAI WAR CEMETERY, Thailand. Plot 9. Row K. Grave 7.

Sergeant 565537 Royal Air Force. Died 3 April 1945 as a Prisoner of War of the Japanese. Age 29. Son of Clifford and Florence Freeman, husband of Violet Doreen Freeman. Buried in LABUAN WAR CEMETERY, Malaysia. Plot T. Row D. Grave 2.

Private 5833097 1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment, Suffolk Regiment. Died 21 September 1944 as a Prisoner of War of the Japanese. Age 27. Son of Richard Chapman and Minnie F. Radford. No known grave. Commemorated on SINGAPORE MEMORIAL, Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore. Column 60.

Private 5828399 5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died 15 August 1943 as a Prisoner of War of the Japanese. Age 24. Son of Harry and Elizabeth Ann Turner of Haverhill. Buried in CHUNGKAI WAR CEMETERY, Thailand. Plot 5. Row P. Grave 7.

Lance Corporal 888701, 5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, Died 12 November 1943 as a Prisoner of War of the Japanese. Age 31. Buried in CHUNGKAI WAR CEMETERY, Thailand. Plot 6. Row H. Grave 15.

Private 5778554, 5th Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment, Died 31 January 1944 as a Prisoner of War of the Japanese. Age 24. Son of George and Theresa Webb of Haverhill. Buried in CHUNGKAI WAR CEMETERY, Thailand. Plot 3. Row E. Grave 13.