Frederick James Willgoss & Harry Willgoss, Suffolk Regt.

[midshipmanrayley]

Frederick James Willgoss and Harry Willgoss were brothers and came from Lowestoft. Both joined the 1st battalion Suffolk Regiment on the same day. Frederick being private 16553 and Harry private 16554.

Frederick died in France 4th May 1915 and Harry is a Silver Badge holder who later served as private 481192 in the Labour Corps.

Their brother-in-law was Alfred Edward Dowson 1896-1920 also of the Suffolk Regiment and served as corporal 12858 and awarded the Military Medal.

Can any member help me discover Alfred's battalion and MM citation?

Also where Frederick was killed and where his brother Harry was wounded?

Big ask I know but any guidance gratefully received.

[Michelle Young]

Frederick is remembered on the Menin Gate

Michelle

[Sniper]

1st Battalion Suffolks were on garrison duty at Khartoum in August 1914.

They returned to England and became part of the 84th Brigade, 28th Division which formed at Hursley, Pit Hill and Magdalen Hill camps near Winchester in December1914 - January 1915.

The division landed at Le Havre 16 -19 January 1915 and were sent to concentrate between Bailleul and Hazebrouk.

Frederick was most likely killed during the second Battle of Ypres (22 April - 25 May 1915)

Do you have any information on a date when Harry was wounded?

I'm sure that the experts on medal citations and silver badges will be along shortly.

Sniper

[Langdon]

This from the London Gazette for Alfred Dowson "for bravery in the Field".

According to the Rolls on Ancestry he was in the 8th Battalion.

Mike

[little bob]

Alfred Henry Dowson London Gazette 21st December 1916.

The Great War Medal Collectors Companion - Howard Williamson.

Awards in this Gazette are, largely, for operations on the Somme in September and October 1916, including the capture of Thiepval, Regina Trench, Bayonet Trench and Delville Wood, amongst others. Dates noted 1st September -21st October 1916.

Bob

[midshipmanrayley]

Michelle, Sniper, Mike and Bob.

Many thanks for your input.

[Verrico2009]

FMP has a very faded typed sheet listing injured men. Unfortunately it's very faint and badly damaged. I can make out:-

Willgoss, Harry Pte. Suffolk Rgt. [chunk torn away] Laz. [Lr?]

Dortmund 16.5.15 shoulder

[midshipmanrayley]

Thank you Verrico2009.

Dortmund 1915, POW?

[helpjpl]

Harry M Willgoss

Medal Index Card -

Suffolk R:16554

Lab Corps: 481192

Enlisted: 28/11/1914

France: 16/05/15

Discharged: 01/02/18

Cause of Discharge: A0265/17 Para 2AII

Individuals entitled to the "War Badge" -

Name: Harry Willgoss

Regt No: 481192

Unit Discharged from: 1st Suffolks, A.C.L.C. ex

No. of Badge and Certificate: 318076

Enlisted: 28/11/14

Discharge: 01/02/18

Age on Discharge: 22

Cause of Discharge: Wound

POW -

Prisoners of the First World War | International Committee of the Red Cross - Details about the person

JP

[midshipmanrayley]

Many thanks JP.

[Verrico2009]

Dortmund 1915, POW?

Sorry - it doesn't say. It's a typed list in two columns with no heading. It contains men whose surnames start with a W from a variety of regiments. Unfortunately, your man is at the very bottom and a large chunk is missing. I think it may be a list of POWs as it has such information as "Wilgose, William Pte 1 Yorks Lancaster Res. Lz.5 Hannover 21.5.15. Shot in renal region. Another entry is for Woodbrine-Cottage Oliver Charles [sgt] 8 Durham Light I Rgt Transferred from [ ?]ilfslz H[?]enz Park Magdeburg to Gefl Altengrabow 25.5.[??]

[helpjpl]

Sorry - it doesn't say. It's a typed list in two columns with no heading. It contains men whose surnames start with a W from a variety of regiments. Unfortunately, your man is at the very bottom and a large chunk is missing. I think it may be a list of POWs as it has such information as "Wilgose, William Pte 1 Yorks Lancaster Res. Lz.5 Hannover 21.5.15. Shot in renal region. Another entry is for Woodbrine-Cottage Oliver Charles [sgt] 8 Durham Light I Rgt Transferred from [ ?]ilfslz H[?]enz Park Magdeburg to Gefl Altengrabow 25.5.[??]

Some of the details referred to in #7 are recorded on PA2380 and PA2411 on POW link - #9.

JP

[midshipmanrayley]

Harry's medal index card.