Suffolk Regiment

[Walwyk]

Starting a new research on practically no information. My Great Uncle joined the Suffolk Regiment aged 31 so that would be 1914/15. A Private., reg no. 202841. He fought at Ypres, I think there were two or three different battles during the war years? Wounded, he returned home, he was back in Surrey about 1918. Any info greatly appreciated. There are no War Records on Ancestry apart from his medal record which tells me nothing.

Thank you. Susanne

[8055Bell]

Walwyck,

I'm trying to find data on 7th Suffolk Btn. as they fought at Flers alongside the 17th Manchesters.

A little bit of a taster on War Diary on the latter:-

12th October 1916. Flers Trench near Flers.

Today at 2.5pm we attacked BAYONET TRENCH.

Last night the assembly trenches were completed + all the battalion

lay out in them from 5 a.m. this morning until the attack.

The attack was carried out with all four companies in the line,

disposed in depth, one platoon behind the other, D on the right C,B,A.

On our right, 7th Suffolk Regt and on our left 2nd Royal Scots,

30 Divison. Battn HQ remained in BULLS ROAD. The object was to attack

was first of all to capture BAYONET+SCABBARD TRENCH and then to sweep

up + take LUISENHOF FARM and establish a line beyond it.

At 2.5 pm our artillery barrage commenced + our men advanced to the

assault. After advancing about 50 yards, the Hun opened fire with M.G.s

from both flanks + from in front. Our troops continued to advance but

before reaching the enemy's trench ran into barbed wire which had not

been cut. The wire coupled with the M.G fire prevented any further

advance, and our men lay down in shell holes from where they brought

rifle fire to bear on the Germans who were standing up in their

trenches shooting at them. We caused considerable casualties in this

way to the enemy.

After dark we made a further attempt to cut a way through to the

enemy;trench but the line proved too strong.

The survivors then crawled back to our own line and then reformed.

The 9th Essex Regt.then relieved us +the Suffolk Regt.

In the front line + we came back to FLERS TRENCH,

which we are sharing with the Suffolk Regt.

If anyone else has reports on the assault, I would like to hear details. I have somewhat confused reports.

Tim

[Chris_Baker]

There are no War Records on Ancestry apart from his medal record which tells me nothing.

Au contraire, it tells you a great deal.

The fact that he has no entitlement to a Star tells you he did not go overseas before 1916.

The fact that he has the number he does tells you he was a Territorial and did not go overseas before this format of number was issued in 1917.

It gives you the page and number of the medal roll in which he is entered - and that roll will give you his battalion(s). His number suggests 4th Battalion but he may have gone on to others.