The population of Hasketon in 1914 was about 400, of which at least a hundred were to serve in the armed services by the end of 1918. Many joined the Suffolk Regiment, notably the territorial 4th Battalion, but the contributions were very varied. For example, retired East India Merchant and National Reservist, Guilliame Prier de Saone, who lived at the Red House in Blacksmiths Road, joined the Royal Defense Corps as a Captain the Guard at the Lyddite explosives works in Stowmarket; recent emigrant to Australia Frederick Denny joined the Australian Light Horse in Melbourne and served in Egypt and France; and regular soldier Fred Lanham was captured in France after the Battle of Le Cateau on August 26th 1914, and spent the rest of the war as a prisoner.

We’ve compiled this list to complement our earlier study of the 26 men remembered on the Hasketon War Memorial. We’ve provided a short biography of each person, including an outline of their military service and some domestic information. All of them were prepared to put themselves in harms way in service to their country, and it seems appropriate that they also receive recognition. Whilst doing so we identified 6 more villagers who were killed during the war, but not mentioned on the Memorial. This makes a total of 32 men who never came home. Details of these man can be found here.

We’ve used fairly broad criteria eligible for inclusion in this list: people had to be either born in Hasketon, living in Hasketon in 1914, or had given Hasketon as their home address in enlistment documents.

The list is almost certainly incomplete, partly because many Army Service Records were destroyed during WW2, but also due to transcription errors and other mistakes. There is also a vast amount of information here, so even a tiny percentage of mistakes will lead to some issues. Please let me know if you discover anything wrong or missing. I’d be delighted to make any correction.

Currently the list contains just 3 women. This low figure is primarily because we’ve been concentrating on the Army and the Royal Navy up to this point, and their records are relatively easy to search, rather than any deliberate oversight. Women were not allowed to fight as soldiers of course, but increasingly as the war went on they served as nurses, doctors and ambulance drivers, both in Europe and at home. They also served in the Red Cross, the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY), and the Princess Royal’s Volunteer Corps (PRVC). They also took over a vast number of ‘male’ jobs in factories, munitions works etc. to free up the men to join the army. Of course, many were simply fully occupied in raising their family on their own. The story of Hasketon women in WW1 is likely to be very interesting and would be well worth studying in its own right. It might make a good A-level extended project, or even an undergraduate project. Please let me know if you have any more information or would like to help.

Sources.

The sources used to compile this list are all freely available and in the public domain. They include:

• The Village Memorial
• Rolls of Honour in Booths Almanac in 1915 & 1916. (These are indicated by ‘Booths15’ and ‘Booths16’)
• Rolls of Honour in The Woodbridge Reporter Newspaper. (Suffolk Archives).
• Military Records searched via both the Ancestry and Find My Past websites.
• National census data via the Ancestry website. (Census were taken every 10 years, starting in 1841, and the data is released after 100 years. The 1921 census data was released in January 2022).
• Suffolk Regiment archives held at the Suffolk Records Office in Bury St. Edmunds.
• Articles from the British Newspaper Archive website.
• The ‘1939 Register’. This register was compiled at the start of WW2, and was intended to list every adult living in the UK. One of its major purposes was to control food rationing, so it was in everyone’s interest to be on it.

Abbreviations / glossary.

• Anc: Ancestry.co.uk website.
• ASC:  Army Service Corps. Responsible for Army admin, transport, provisions etc. 
• AWOn: Acting Warrant Officer class ‘n’.
• B. Born, or birth place.
• Booths15 and Booths16 refer to Booths Almanac 1915 or 1916 editions.
• Btn:  Battalion.  Subdivision of a Regiment.  Typically about 1000 men.
• DoB:  Date of birth.
• Embodied and disembodied:  refers to a part time TA soldier joining and leaving full time service.
• FMP:   Find my past website.
• GSW:  Gun Shot Wound.
• KIA:  Killed in Action.
• Labour Corps: Large army organisation of unarmed non-combatants, working under military control, carrying out crucial tasks behind the lines in all theatres of war. Mostly comprised of men not fit for frontline service, in many cases due to wounds suffered earlier in the conflict.
• Para 392(nn):  Paragraph 392 of Kings Regulations provides reason for a soldier’s discharge. The complete list is here.
• RAMC: Royal Army Medical Corps.
• REC:   Royal Defence Corps.  Local defence based in the UK.
• RFA:   Royal Field Artillery. 
• RFC: Royal Flying Corps.
• RHA:  Royal Horse Artillery.
• RGA:  Royal Garrison Artillery.
• RNAS: Royal Navy Air service. Later combined with the RFC to form the Royal Air Force.
• ROH:  Roll of Honour.
• S. Source
• SR: Service Records.
• SWB: Silver War Badge, usually followed by a number. Worn on civilian clothes to indicate the wearer had been honourably discharged from service due to wounds or other incapacity.
• TA:  Territorial Army.  Part-time soldiers attached to regular army regiments.  The 4^th Btn. Of the Suffolk Regiment was a TA unit.
• WIA: Wounded in action.
• WRnn:  Woodbridge Reporter newspaper, number indicates year.

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Medals.

There were several campaign medals awarded to soldiers in WW1. This is a brief explanation of them, more details are available on the Great War Website.

• 1914 Star Medal. Also called the Mons star, it was awarded to troops who fought in France or Belgium between 5th August and 11th November 1914. An additional clasp with roses was awarded to those who saw front line action during this time.
• 1915 Star Medal. Awarded to troops who fought in any sphere against Germany before 31st Dec. 1915.
• The British War Medal. Awarded to all troops who served overseas in a theatre of war between 5th August 1914 to 11th November 1918.
• The Victory Medal. Awarded on a similar basis to the British War Medal, but a little more restrictive since the recipient had to have served in an area of active fighting. In practice most soldiers received both British and Victory medals.
• The Territorial Medal. Awarded to those in the TA before 30th Sept 1914, who fought in France or Belgium but were not eligible for the Star medals. (I don’t think this applies to any of the Hasketon men).
• The Silver War Badge. Awarded to soldiers who had been honourably discharged following injury, physical incapacity or sickness. To be worn on civilian clothes only. It was introduced as an award of ‘the king’s silver’ for having received wounds, but also to protect the wearer from accusations of cowardice.

The Medal Roll Index Cards are a valuable research source, and have survived unscathed. They give the date of arrival abroad if before 1916, soldiers numbers and their regiments. Nearly all recieved the Victory and British medals, though some were not eligible for the Victory medal due to it’s more restrictive criteria. Soldiers whose service was entirely in the UK were not eligible for these medals.

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The list.

Arthur Ablett. (B. Burgh 1877). S. Booths16. Probably Private No.3740, 3/4Btn Suffolk Regiment and later 596081 Labour Corps, but no positive military ID.
Arthus’s parents were Eliza & Alfred Ablett. Pre-war he lived in Hasketon, was working as a ‘Horseman on farm’, and was married to Anne Maria with 4 young children: Eva, Arthur, Florence, Spencer. Post war, according to the 1921 census, Arthur was living in Manor Farm Cottages and had continued working as a horseman at Church Farm, where his employer was Fred Smith.

William George Ablitt. (B. Burgh 1882). S:Anc. Pioneer 22536/WR40160, Royal Engineers. Called up 18/1/1917. Posted to Royal Engineers Jan 1917. Briefly in France 4/2/1917, then home 18/7/1917. Discharged medically unfit (para 392 (xvi) ) on 24th May 1918. Awarded British and Victory medals.
William was living in Seven Gardens, Burgh in 1911 with wife Ethel, who sadly died in October 1917 from ‘Phthisis Pulmoralis’ (tuberculosis) whilst living in the School House, Hasketon. Occupation in 1911 was ‘Horseman in farm’. Parents: Charles and Mary. Post war in 1921 his location is uncertain, but may have been boarding in Ipswich, working as a labourer. George appears in the 1939 Register, living in Bramford Lane, Ipswich.

Note: There seems to have been extended ‘Ablett’ family and ‘Ablitt’ families living in and around Burgh during this period. This similarity has led to numerous transcription errors in the the census data, to the extent that a clear picture of the relationships cannot be obtained.

William Adams. (B.Hasketon 1891). William was killed in action on 18th August 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. Click here for more details on William Adams

Arthur Airey. (B. Hacheston,1876). S.Booths16. Private, 3101/320668, 4th Btn. Suffolk Reg. He was in the TA pre-war, and embodied 21 Sept. 1915. Discharged as medically unfit due to retinitis on 12th Dec. 1916.
Married, wife Emma. Lived at Church Cottages and Home Farm, Hasketon. So yes, he has moved from Hacheston to Hasketon! Post war in 1921 he and Emma were living in Woodbridge and working for Colonel E. Groom at Seckford Hall.

Walter Baker. (B. Leiston 1880). L.Corp, 3101/ 320668, 4th Btn. Suffolk Reg. May have been in TA pre-war. Arrived in France 14th April 1915. His entry in the Suffolk Reg. Nominal Roll states: “WIA 14/5/15 Sh.Wd. Chest. Hospital in St Omer 19/5/15 and then to England on hospital ship St. Patrick 1/6/15. Returned Btn. 2/12/15. Wounded again 3/2/16, GSW L Arm R Leg. Compound fracture ‘fibula’. To England 18/2/16”. Disembodied 15 March 1919.
Lived in Fairfield Cottages, Hasketon with wife Anne and daughter Lilly. Post war in 1921 he was Boulge Road, Hasketon, working for Henry Goddard as a haybinder.

Note: the Blake family is a little difficult to unravel owing to some confusion as to who was related to who. E.G, see the letter from the War Office on Charles Blake page.

Arthur Blake. (B. Hasketon 1877). Private, 4186, 2nd Btn, Suffolk Regiment. Professional soldier and farm labourer. First enlisted in 1895 after first serving a year in the local militia, and was discharged on medical grounds (melancholia) whilst serving in India (Karachi) in 1905. Re-enlisted 201196, 7th Btn. Suffolk Reg.in October 1915, and arrived in France on 31/12/1916. Wounded (GSW, thigh L), on 9th Sept 1917, returned to unit on Oct. 1st. Wounded again (GSW foot, R) on 1/12/1917. Wounded a 3rd time (GSW Thigh) and captured during the German Spring Offensive on 27 March 1918. POW in Germany, repatriated 1st Jan. 1919. Disembodied and discharged on 24th April 1919, with 20% disability allowance due to 3rd wound. Post-war in 1921 Arthur was living with his parents George and Angelia (sp) in Dallinghoo, working as a labourer.

Charles Blake. (B. Hasketon 1887) . Killed during the Battle of the Somme on Aug. 20th 1916. Click here for more details on Charles Blake.

Ernest George Blake. S. Anc. Private 13435, 9th Btn. Suffolk Regiment. Service records exist, but are badly damaged. Medal index cards indicate he entered France on 30th Aug. 1915. In 1918 he was posted to the Labour Corps. Records indicate he wounded with a ‘GS Wd. back’, and discharged as physically unfit for service on 26th November 1918.
His father, George Blake [B. Hasketon 1855] was John Blake’s younger brother, so Ernest is Charles Blakes’s cousin. He’s called George in 1901 census, living in Dallinghoo. Post-war in 1921 Ernest was living with his parents George and Angelia (sp) in Dallinghoo, working as a labourer.

Frank Henry Blake. (B. Hasketon 1884). S: WR14 ROH. Gunner 19309/RGA202527, RFA. Arrived in France 24th Dec. 1914. Possibly a regular, given this early date. Medals, 15 Star, British, Victory. No Service Records.
Living in Hasketon in 1911,1901,1891. Horseman on farm. Unmarried in 1911. Parents Henry and Ellen, Sister May.

Post-war in 1921 Frank is living with his parents at Gull Corner, Hasketon. He is employed as a ‘Roadman’, working for ‘Mr. Barr’, who was employed by Woodbridge RDC.

James Henry Blake. (B. Hasketon, 1873). S: Booths16. Private 37170, ASC. He was previously in the Territorial 4th Btn. Suffolk Regiment from 1908. Joined in Ipswich. Granted 4 year extension of service in May 1912 and transferred to the RDC. Discharged on 6th June 1917 (aged 46) on termination of service.
He was Charles Blake’s older brother. He was boarding in Ipswich in 1911. James’ family were all born in Hasketon. His parents were agricultural labourer John Blake [B. Hasketon 1851] and Elizabeth Blake (nee Moss) [B. Hasketon 1853].

Samuel Alfred Bloomfield. (B. Leiston 1892). S. FMP. 1654/320103 Suffolk Yeomanry and 15th Btn. Suffolk Reg. Native of Leiston, but Register of Soldiers who died in WW1 has his enlistment place as Hasketon. Medals: 15Star, Victory, British. Served in the Balkans and France. Died from wounds, 28/11/1918. No other service records survive.
Son of George William and Hannah Elizabeth Bloomfield, of 28, Valley Road, Leiston, Suffolk. No obvious Hasketon connection, so we suspect he enlisted with the Suffolk Yeomanry while they were stationed at various locations in the Woodbridge area, including some camping at The Shrubbery in Hasketon.

Charles Walter Boggis. (B. Hasketon 1900). S. FMP. No. 58505, 57th Btn. Rifle Brigade. Initially enlisted on 25 May 1915, claiming his DoB was 1896. Joined RFA as gunner 102743 and went to France 26/8/1915. Discovered to be under age in May 1916. Posted to base in UK and discharged in October 1916. Medals 15 Star, Victory and British. Enlisted again 28/3/1918, discharged 21/1/1919.
Enlistment address given as, Boot Inn, Gt Bealings. He was a Hasketon native, lived here in 1901 and 1911. Brother of Arthur William Boggis. Post-war he married ‘Hattie’, and settled in Gt. Bealings, working as a carter.

William Arthur Boggis. (B. Hasketon 1899). S. Anc. Drowned when hospital ship HMS Warilda was torpedoed en route from Le Havre to Southampton on 8th Aug 1918. Click here for more information on William Arthur Boggis.

Leonard Borrett.
(B.Hasketon 1893). S.Booths15. Private, 6274, 4th Btn. Suffolk Reg, later 243236, 17 Btn. London Regiment. (NB. Possible error here). No other records. British and Victory medals.
Leonard [1893], Murray [1897] and Percy [1895] – all brothers. Lived in Hill House Hasketon. See Percy Borrett page for family details. Post-war in 1921 Leonard returned to live in Hill House with his father Arthur.

Murray Borrett. (B. Hasketon 1897). S. Booths16. Gunner, 60987, RGA. His service records exist, but are badly damaged. Enlisted, 2nd Nov. 1915. Probably initially home service due to his age, but later in France. Discharged Jan 1919. British and Victory medals.
Leonard [1893], Murray [1897] and Percy [1895] – all brothers. Lived in Hill House Hasketon. See Percy Borrett page for family details. Post-war in 1921 Murray returned to live in Hill House with his father Arthur.

Percy Borrett. (B.Hasketon 1895). Killed in action on 22nd August 1917. Click for more details on Percy Borrett.

Walter Bruce. (B. Hasketon, 1888). No. 172899, Machine Gun Corps. Service records are badly damaged, but he appears to have enlisted in Ipswich in March 1915, but was not called up until June 1918. He joined the MGC and was posted to Clipstone Training Camp on 15th Auguest 1918. We can’t find him in the Medal Roll index cards, which probably indicates the war ended before he was posted abroad.
Lived in Hasketon in 1891 and 1901, Police constable, lived in Beccles Police Station in 1911, and later in Hoxne. Wife was Daisy Mabel. Post-war in 1921 he continued as a police constable living in Hoxne, Suffolk, and at that stage had 5 children.

Christopher Charles Burch. (B. Hasketon 1887). Sergeant and later AWO2. No. 21011, Suffolk RGA. Enlisted in on July 10th 1904, aged 17. Arrived France 18/10/1915. No other records. 15Star, British and Victory medals.
In 1901 census as ‘Barch’ living in Hasketon. Parents Maria and Henry. Can’t find in 1911, possibly in the Army. Post-war in 1921 he was living in Dulwich with his wife, Ethel and 2 children, and working for the Empire Typewriter Company.

Harrold Charles Burch. (B. Hasketon 1896). S.Booths16. Private, 3602 4th Btn. Suffolk Regiment. Enlisted June 24 1915. Transferred to S.Staffordshire Regiment 18th March 1918. Victory and British medals. Discharged medically unfit, 24th Jan 1919. Parents were George (profession: ‘Pig killer’ in 1911 census!) and Emily. Lived in Boulge Road in 1911, working as a ‘milk seller’.

Harry Edward Burch. (B. Hasketon 1876). Private 47803 7th Btn. Suffolk Regiment. Enlisted on 1st Dec 1915, but not called up until 14th Feb 1917. Arrived France 19/4/1917, posted to 7th Btn. 25/5/1917. 14 days leave 19/2/1918; Injured (Rupture and Rheumatism) in April 1918, contracted influenza in June/July 1918. In July 1918 he was transferred and later promoted to Corporal. 613123 Labour Corps. Discharged: 7th May 1919.
He was a Hasketon native, appearing in all census records. Worked as a dairyman. Lived at Cherry Tree Cotttage. Married to Bessie. Post-war in 1921 he returned to Hasketon and continued working as an independant dairyman.

Aaron Buttrum. (B. Hasketon 1895). Killed during the Battle of the Somme on 15th July 1916. Click here for more details.

Chisnel Herbert Buttrum. (B.Hasketon 1893). S. Booths. Lance Corporal 43394, initially 4th Btn, then 3rd, 6th and 7th Btns. Suffolk Regiment. Enlisted 10th Oct. 1914. The 6th Btn, was mostly home defence in 1914-5, then batches of men sent to France 1916 onwards. Discharged with TB on 3rd Aug 1918, Silver War Badge no. 379643.
His father was Moses Buttrum (Aarons older brother). Possible 1911 location: Herbert Buttrum, Footman at St. George Hanover Sq. London.

Ernest Edward Buttrum. (B. Hasketon 1894). S. WR14 ROH. 1641/320098 Suffolk Yeomanry, which became the 15th Btn. Suffolk Regiment in 1917. In October 1916 the 15th Battalion was posted to Egypt and fought several actions in the Eastern Mediterranean. Ernest suffered severely from ill health throughout 1918, with a severe bout of diarrhoea whilst abroad, followed by malaria whilst on home leave in Ipswich (presumably also contracted abroad), and he was then caught up in the Spanish flu epidemic in November 1918. 15 Star, Victory and British medals.
Aaron Buttrum’s brother. Post war he is worked as a gardener in Bealings, where he was living with his mother, Mary Jane Buttrum.

Robert Chandler. (B. Cratfield 1884) S. [Linda Camper, family member]. T/289687 Army Service Corps. Living in Kennel Cottages in 1911, but later moved to Home Farm Cottages. Occupation: horseman on farm. Robert married Hannah Groves, mother of Leonard, William Richard and Charles Groves in 1910. See separate entries in this list. Awarded British and Victory medals. Post-war in 1921 he was living in Stratford-St-Mary where he worked in a Xylonite factory. Xylonite is an early form of celluloid.

Arthur Edward Clarke. (B. Laxfield 1892). S. Booths16. Probably Driver, 62333/1005101, RHA. Arrived France on 15th Aug 1914, so probably already in the Army. (Possible alternative is Gunner Arthur Clarke, RHA 64180). Awarded 14Star, Victory and British medals.
Probably Stanley Clarkes older brother. Living in Peasonhall in 1901. Can’t find him in 1911, so probably already in the army. Hasketon connection not known. Post-war in 1921 he was living in Barrack Road, Woodbridge, working as a horseman.

Stanley Clarke. (B. Stradbrooke 1894). Killed on 10th April 1917 during the 1st Battle of the Scarpe. Click here for more details on Stanley Clarke.

William Edward Gunnel Connolly. (B. Charlton, London. 1866). Major, Royal Marine Light Infantry. Retired 16th May 1911, but in late 1914 re-enlisted to work in the Irish Fusiliers Recruitment Office in Dublin. Married Ethel G Harris in Q3 1913, and was living in Hasketon Grange in 1914. His son Patrick Connolly was born Woodbridge Q3 1914. Post-war the family has been difficult to trace, though we know Patrick served in the RAF during WW2 and was killed in 1944. Major Connolly died 1946.
See also the story of the Princess and the Major.

Evan George Crane. (B. Hasketon 1885). S. WR ROH. Gunner, 39700, 23/40 Brigade RFA. Entered France on 19th Aug 1914, so probably already in the Army. Killed in action on 19th April 1917 during the Battle of Arras. Click here for more details on Evan Crane.

Ernest George Crooks. (B. Eyke, 1886). S. Booths16. Private 543080, RAMC. Service record exists, but is mostly illegible. Awarded British and Victory medals.
Parents were George and Charlotte. Hasketon connection unknown. Can’t find him in 1911 census. NB. It would be good to get some clarification on Private Crooks!

Wallace Culpeck. Served with honour in the RN, but lived in HACHESTON, so no cigar!

David Denny. (B. Helmingham 1895). Died 20th August 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. Click here for more details on David Denny.

Frank Denny. (B. Helmingham 1890). Died 18th October 1916 during the last phase of the Battle of the Somme. Click here for more detail on Frank denny.

Fred Denny. (B. Woodbridge 1885). S. Booths16. Private 15296, 4th Btn. Suffolk Regiment. Possibly also in 2nd Btn. Arrived in France 19th Jan 1915. Victory, British and 15 Star medals. Later became Sergeant, 665205, Labour Corps. Harry Denny’s brother, Parents Fred and Eliza. Hasketon resident, living in Boulge Road in 1901, and High Road in 1911. In 1921 he is out of work and living with his parents in Kingston Road, Woodbridge.

Frederick Charles Denny. (B. Helmingham 1897). Australian Light Horse Regiment. Younger brother of David and Frank Denny, both of whom were killed during the Battle of the Somme. (See their entries for family details). Frederick had emigrated to Australia just before the war began. Joined the Australian Imperial Forces on 16th June 1915 in Melbourne. Service record exists, but it’s difficult to read. Appears to have gone to Gallopili, then to the ‘Hogsback,’ near Ismailia, Egypt with the 23rd Btn. Moved to France and was transferred to the 57btn on 20/4/1916. Discharged in London on 1/11/1919, papers state he intended to reside at 55 Wyke Road Trowbridge. There appears to have been a change in plans since, according to the 1921 census, he settled, with his wife Selena and young son Gordon, in Wood Green, London where he was employed as a policeman. He was David Denny’s brother.

Harold James Denny. (B.Hasketon 1899). Private 42025, 1st Btn. Bedford Regiment. Younger brother of Harry and Fred Denny. Enlisted June 1917 and discharged in Feb 1919 with 70% disability (GSW to head, fracture of left occipital bone). British and Victory medals. No further army details are available. In 1921 he is out of work and living with his parents in Kingston Road, Woodbridge.

Harry Denny. (B. Woodbridge 1889). S. Booths16. Private 24114, 4th Btn Suffolk Regiment. Later joined the Machine Gun Corps, no. 140847. British and Victory medals.
Fred Denny’s Brother. In 1921 he is out of work and living with his parents in Kingston Road, Woodbridge.

Gertrude Agnes Dow. (B. London, 1875). Quartermaster at Red Cross Hospital Melton from 1st September 1914 to 19th March 1916. See entry on husband, Roderick Dow, for more information.

Roderick Dow. (B. Middlesex, 1865). Formerly in the Scottish Volunteer Rifle Corps, was made Lieut. in Territorial Force Reserve on 8th Oct. 1914. Became 1st Lieutenant, Guard of Lyddite works in Stowmarket. (NB. some confusion here – WR Nov.26 1914 says this is wrong – sort this out when Records Office re-opens!).
Roderick’s mother was Caroline, Father James. This is James Ramsey Dow, boss of Dow and Co. port wine shippers. See Dows Port website.
Lived in Hasketon 1911, living at Lowood. Previously lived in Hampstead (1891) and Kensington (1901). Occupation is given as ‘retired port wine shipper in both 1911 and 1921 census.

Frederick John Dunnett. (B. Hasketon 1894). S. Anc. Private, 1208 and 83966, RAMC. Joined 1st East Anglian Field Ambulance Territorial RAMC on 4th Jan 1911. No.1208. signed for special reserve about a year later. Mobilised as 20510, No.11 Field ambulance RAMC 4th Division. To France 23rd Aug 1914 and invalided home in June 1915. Posted to Malta, 30 Comp. RAMC, on staff at St. David’s Hospital. Discharged on termination of service on 1/11/1916. Re-enlisted July 1916, Reg. no. 83966, Private RAMC. Returned to Malta on Nov 1916 – July 1917. Discharged Feb 1919. Eligible for British, Victory and 14Star, plus Territorial Efficiency Medals.
Father, also Frederick, was a Balliff, Mother was Eliza. Resident at Foxborrow Cottages Melton in 1911, and in Debach in 1901. Living with his parents in Bromswell in 1921, working as a male nurse at St. Audreys Hospital. The 1939 register records him working as a male nurse at Sunnyside, Deben.

Thomas Henry Farrow. (B. Waldringfield 1889). S. WR14 ROH. Suffolk Yeomanry. Can’t find any military record. Boarding with William Crapnel, in Hasketon in 1911.

Harry Albert Forsdick. (B. Grundisburgh 1878). S. Booths15. Private, 3196, 4th Btn. Suffolk Regiment. Enlisted in 25 Jan 1915. Noted as wounded in Booths 1916. Medal roll index cards say discharged 4/5/1916, ‘sickness’. 15 star, British, Victory medals. Silver badge holder no.15059. Nominal Roll has: 10/5/15 ‘Cont L Thigh’. to 12 stat Hospital Rouen 12/5/15. Sp back (slight). To England 14/5/15.
Harry wrote newspaper articles describing his experiences in the Army, and poetry using the pen name, “The Hasketon Soldier”, or “Happy Harry”. Despite the name, there’s no record of him actually living in Hasketon. He was born in Grundisburgh, lived in Woodbridge in 1901, and worked as valet for Eustace Barlow at the Shubbery, Hasketon. Eustace Barlow also had a home in Pately Bridge, Yorkshire, and sometime prior to 1911 Harry moved there. After leaving the army in 1916 his whereabouts are unclear – the 1921 Census records him as a ‘visitor’ with independent means in the house of Rebecca Freestone in Newark. He died June 1942 in Deben district.

David Friend. (B. Hasketon 1883). S.FMP. Driver, 070497, Army Service Corps. Enlisted 8th March 1915. Wounded in France, 31st March 1917, ‘gun shot wound to foot, shell explosion’. To England (for treatment?). May 1918, posted ‘Park Royal’ (Depot, London). 19th Sept. 1918, promoted Acting corporal. Discharged, 27th Sept. 1919.
Parents were Parham born Agricultural worker William Friend and his wife, Eliza. David was the 4th of 6 children. Living in Martlesham in 1891, and boarding in Ipswich in 1901. By 1911 he is living in Limehouse, London, and post-war according to the 1921 census he was living with his wife and 5 children in East Clandon, Surrey.

John Alfred Frost. (B. Grundisburgh 1885). S.WR14 ROH. At HMS Ganges, 2nd Aug 1912 to 25th March 1913. Served on HMS Lancaster 16th September 1913 to 4th June 1915. Left the RN on 28th May 1915.
John’s parents were probably Master Thatcher, James Leech and Kezia Frost. He was 7th of their 9 children. All the family were born in Grundisburgh, and they lived at ‘The Gull’. We can’t find details a formal marriage, but after James died in 1909, Kezia describes herself as a ‘widow’ and also ‘Mrs. Leech’ in 1911. No Hasketon connection discovered so far, so possibly a mistake by the Woodbridge Reporter unless he moved here after 1911. Post-war in 1921 he was living with his parents in Grundisburgh, and is an out of work thatcher.

Ella Gammage (nee Rose). (B. Stutton 1895). Living in Tendring Essex in 1911. Engaged as ‘Spec. Service’ at Red Cross Military Hospital, Fulham on 23rd May 1917. Service was terminated on 23rd July 1917, shortly after she changed her address to The White House Hasketon on 25th June 1917. Married Frank Gammage in Q1, 1916 at Woodbridge. Post-war in 1921 she is living with her parents and 2 children in Palgrave, Diss. Husband Frank is living in Ipswich.

Arthur William Girt. (B. Hasketon 1884). S. FMP, Private 7996 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment, later 581084, Labour Corps.
Father William [b. Hasketon 1863], mother Emma [B. Hasketon 1862]. Several siblings, including brother Albert Richard (see below). Moved to Bramford Lane Ipswich by 1891. Enlisted aged 17 in 1901, living in Barracks in Bury St. Ed. Discharged from the army in 1904, but later re-joined. Entered France on 22nd September 1914, and appears to have fought through the whole war. Medals: 14 Star (with clasp), Victory and British medals. Discharged in 1919. Post-war in 1921 he was living in Bramford Lane, Ipswich with wife Elise and 21 month old daughter Violet.

Albert Richard Girt. (B. Hasketon 1888). S. FMP, Private 7073 1st Btn. Suffolk Regiment.
Father William [b. Hasketon 1863], mother Emma [B. Hasketon 1862]. Several siblings, including brother Alfred William (see above). Moved to Bramford Lane Ipswich by 1891.
Enlisted Aug 1904. In Egypt in Aug 1914, shipped home and then to France in Jan 1915. ‘C’ Coy found themselves stranded in an overcrowded trench in the front line near Ypres on Feb 15th 1915. During the night they suffered heavy casualties and by morning all the remainder had been captured. Held in POE camp at Munster 3. Later interned in Chateau de Lac, Switzerland suffering from ‘paralysis’. Later repatriated in 1918, and discharged in Jan. 1919.

Henry Goddard. (B.Hasketon 1891). S.Booths15. Corporal. 200786 4th Btn. Suffolk Regiment, later 550307, Labour Corps. Victory and British War medals.
Lived in Hasketon in 1911. Corn merchant. His father Henry is ‘miller and thresher’. Wife Anne. The 1924 phone directory registers H Goddard and Son, Millers and Farmers. “Grundisburgh 10”. The family is buried in Hasketon Churchyard (Senior – 1944, son 1940, Anne 1935). The mill is known as Goddards Mill – the mill at the top of Mill Lane. Post-war in 1921 and also 1939 he continued as a miller and Corn Storage Merchant, living at ‘Oaklands’ with his wife Dorothy May.

George Grimwood. (B.Willisham1895). S. Booths15. Royal Navy, HMS Albemarle. Can’t find any records of this. George was living in Hasketon in 1911. Farm Lab. Parents George and Mary.

Charles Edward Groves. (B. Vauxhall, London. 1898). Killed in Action 15th July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme whilst fighting at Bazentin-le-Petit. Note he was underage. Click here for more details on Charles Edward Groves.

Richard William Groves. (B. Lambeth 1894). S. Booths16. Was initially Private, 3734, 4th Btn. Suffolk Regiment, enlisting on 10th Sept 1915 and subsequently discharged on medical grounds on 25th November 1915. The official reason being KR para392(iii)e. (“Soldier of local battalion abroad considered unlikely to become efficient”). However, in March 1916 he enlisted in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps (no. R39607) where he was later diagnosed with Tuberculosis. He was discharged on medical grounds on 16th August 1917, and sadly died 3 years later on 30th August 1920 in Stratford St. Mary, aged 25. He was Charles and Leonard Groves brother. For family details, see page on Charles Groves.

Leonard Luke Groves. (B.Lambeth 1896). S.Booths16. Private, 201090. 4th Btn. Suffolk Regiment. Later Labour Corps, 552813. British and Victory medals. He was wounded towards the end of the war and was nursed in Yorkshire by his future wife. He later settled in Stratford St. Mary with his wife and 2 children. Died in 1956. Brother of Charles Edward and Richard William Groves. For family details, see page on Charles Groves.

(Note: many thanks to family member Linda Camper for the phorograph of Leonard and additional information on the Groves brothers.)

Fred Hall. (Probably B.Wickham Mkt. 1884). S. WR14 ROH. Essex Royal Horse Artillery. NB. The ERHA is a territorial force, posted to Woodbridge in August 1914 – he may have joined them then! There’s too many “Fred Halls” to make a positive ID in the military during WW1, but a pre-war SR indicated he served in the local Militia, No. 2859, between 1903 and 1905. Lived in Ufford in 1901, ‘Farm Labourer’.
We can’t find him in the 1911 or 1921 census. No obvious Hasketon connection, but may have moved here.

Godfrey Norman Harris. (B. Hasketon 1898). Sgt. 87006, 192 Company, Machine Gun Corps. Enlisted 31 May 1916 at Bury, aged 18 and 1 month. Posted France 26th April 1917 and joined the Coy 13th May 1917. Survived the war unscathed, but was suffering from Pyrexia in March 1919. Discharged 22nd Sept 1919.
Hasketon native, but living at 46 Wallace Road Ipswich in 1911. He was Leonard Hubert’s younger brother. His parents were Robert (B. Hasketon 1858 and Mary (B. Melton 1863). May have farmed at Home Farm. Post-war in 1921 he is living with his parents in Wallace Road Ipswich and working as a salesman.

Leonard Hubert Harris. (B. Hasketon 1892). S. FMP. Enlisted 8th April 1916 in Suffok Regiment at Ipswich. Later joined the 10th Rifle Brigade A Company on 6th Oct. 1916 and 3rd company Rifle Brigade on 6th Feb.1918. Wounded Arm and left shoulder 21/11/1917. Later wounded again, GSW to Jaw 23rd March 1918. Posted ‘missing’ on 28th May 1918, captured and became POW. Repatriated on 7th Dec. 1918, and discharged 31st March 1920.
Leonard was Godfrey Harris’s older brother. Post-war in 1921 he is living with his parents in Wallace Road Ipswich, and working as a steel frame repairer for the Great Eastern Railway.

Albert Hawes. (B. Hasketon 1894). Killed in the Ypres area during the 3rd Battle of Ypres on 4th November 1917. Click here for more details.

Charles Francis Hawes. (B. Hasketon 1895). Died from wounds whilst on active service in Salonica (Thessalonia) Greece. Click here for more details on albert Hawes.

Henry Walter Hawes. (B. Grundisburgh 1890). 505575 Army service Corps. Died 23rd August 1918 at home. Click here for more details on Henry Hawes.

John Ireland. Discharged November 1914 due to being no longer physically fit. Hasketon is transcription error.

Alfred Bertie King. (B. Hasketon 1896). S.FMP. L.Corp. 2875/200718, 4th Btn. Suffolk Reg. Enlisted 18/11/1914. Joined unit in France in 16/1/1916. Wounded during the Battle of the Somme – GSW to back 18/8/1916 in attack at High Wood. This was the same day that William Adams was killed. See Hasketon men at the Battle of the Somme. Rejoined unit 13/11/1916. Promoted L.Corp 16/1/1917. Reported missing 23rd April 1917 during the Second Battle of the Scarpe, and later found to have been taken prisoner. Repatriated 14th December 1918 and discharged 14th April 1919. Complained about back pain disability, but received a nil assessment.
Parents were Sara Jane and Charles. Lived in Hasketon in 1901 and in Boot Street, Gt. Bealings in 1911 and 1921, working as a gardener and farm labourer.

Arthur Jeptha King. (B. Hasketon 1879). S.FMP. Enlisted in Royal Artillery on February 1896, no. 13813, but bought himself out (£10) after just 3 days. (Maybe he sobered-up!). Living in Hasketon in 1891 and 1901. In 1911 he is recorded as living in Stamford Lincs. with his wife Edith and 3 children. We can’t positively identify him in any WW1 records. Postwar location unknown. Later became Chelsea Pensioner.
Parents were Arthur and Eliza King, both born in Sutton, but moved to Hasketon in about 1875.

Samuel Jarrold King. (B. Hasketon 1894). Killed in Action on 18th February 1918. Click here for more details on Samuel.

Ernest Albert Lanham. (B. Bredfield 1883). Killed whilst serving in the trenches near Nieuport, Belgium on 7th September 1917. Click here for more details on Ernest Lanham.

Fred Lanham. (B. Hasketon 1894). S. WR14 ROH. Private 8611, 2nd Btn. Suffolk Reg. Part of the original BEF, moving to France from Ulster in 1914. Reported in the Suffolk Chronicle as captured during the Battle of Le Cateau on 26th August 1914. Held at Doeberitz POW Camp.
Fred was Henry Lanhams brother. Mother Mary, Father Isaac. However, in 1911 both brothers were living with their aunt and uncle Henry and Maria Burch. Postwar in 1921 he is living in Watery Lane, Hasketon. After the war he made an application for the 14 Star Medal from Offord Road, Barnsbury N1. Possibly living in Ongar in 1939, also a possible marriage registry entry in Ipswich 1925.

Henry Isaac Lanham. (B. Hasketon 1893). S. Booths16. Gunner, 43474 RFA. Possibly previously in 6th Btn. Middlesex Regiment. Joined RFA in Hereford 12 July 1915 and arrived in France on 25th August 1915. Would probably have fought in many subsequent military actions. Pension record exists. Put on Army Reserve in May 1919, recalled April 1921 (Ireland?). Discharged as medically unfit in May 1921. Also applied for pension in 1919 – rejected. 15Star, Victory and British medals.

William Leech. (B.Hasketon 1870). S. Anc. 2188580, Canadian Expeditionary Force. Enlisted in Regina, Canada on 21st June 1917. States he was in the TA in the UK for 2 years. No other records, so may not have been actually called-up. (He was 47 years old).
Was living in Hasketon in 1871 and 1881, then lodging in York whilst working as a Railway wagon builder. Can’t find in 1901 or 1911, so presumably he had emigrated to Canada by then. Canadian Residence Regina, Saskatchewan. Relative: ‘Margaret’.

Rhodolpho William Leggett. (B. Hasketon 1887). (NB. Rudolph on War Memorial). Died from wounds on 28th September 1918, possibly after taking part in an attack on Flesquieres during the Battle of the Canal du Nord. Click here for more details on Rhodolpho.

Charles Edwin Mallett. (B. Hasketon, Debach or Boulge, 1881). S. WR14 ROH. 1138 and 80216, Essex Yeomanry and later 9th Lancers. Enlisted 11th Aug 1914. (Note: Essex Yeomanry were stationed at Woodbridge and Melton in Aug 1914). Transferred to 9th Lancers by end of the war. Discharged 22/3/1919 but temporally disabled by ‘kick from horse’ 6/3/1919.
Parents Bertha (nee Ablitt) and William Mallet, but living with Grandparents David and Betsy Ablitt in Hasketon in 1881 census. By 1901 William has died, family living in ‘Woodbridge Rd. Hasketon’. 3 sisters, Elizabeth, Maud, Kate. In 1911 census is working as a ‘domestic groom’ for Thomas Tye in Shrubbery Cottages.

William Richard Mallett. (B. Hasketon 1890). S.FMP. Private, 276140, Sherwood Rangers. Enlisted 29th November 1915, posted 28th December 1915. Served in Salonika (9 months), Egypt (19 months). Contracted malaria in the Jordan valley on. 11th Aug 1918. Transferred to reserves, 2nd July 1919.
Charles Mallett’s younger brother. Working as a ‘journeyman gardener’ at Wollerton Hall Gardens, Notts in 1911. Lived in Lowell, Notts in 1915

Walter Markham. (B. Hasketon 1882). Killed in Action on 21st August 1917 during 3rd Battle of Ypres. Click here for more details on Walter.

George Martin. (B. Gt. Bealings 1891). Killed in Action on 30th May 1915 during the Battle of Loos. Click here for more details on George.

Frank Moss. (B.Hasketon 1881). S. FMP. Private 31484, 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment. Enlisted 27 July 1916. Initially posted to 13th Service Btn, on 5th Dec. 1916. Reported missing at Fampoux, Arras on 28th March 1918, reported POW on 22 April 1918. Repatriated 1st Dec. 1918, and finally transferred to Army Reserve in March 1819.
Frank was a Hasketon native, living here in 1911, 1901, 1891. Later living in Great Bromley, Essex, with wife Hannah Mary. Parents were Sarah and Samuel Moss (Turks Head landlord).

Charles B. Mulley. (B. Hadleigh, 1890). S. Booths16. Gunner 98253/1045698, RFA. Arrived in Egypt, 19th July 1915. Victory, British and 15 Star medals. Later awarded GSM with clasp ‘Iraq’. 18-2-1930. No other military records survive. Hasketon connection unknown, assumed to have moved here after 1911. No positive ID – Best candidate is Charles Benjamin Mulley, Hadleigh 1890. Worked as Groom and gardener in Crettingham.

Albert Newby. (B. Hasketon 1875). S. Booths15&16. Private 1446, 4th Btn. Suffolk Regiment, later transferred to the Labour corps, no. 243326. Had earlier served for 14 years in the Suffolk Millita.
Wife Blanche, Mother Hannah, Father William. Groom and domestic gardener. Post-war they are living in Ivy Cotage in Hasketon with daughter Evelyn, Albert was gardener at the Hasketon Rectory.

Arthur Herbert Newby. (B. Hasketon 1894). Killed in action, 4th October 1917, presumably during the 3rd Battle of Ypres. Click here for more details.

Thomas Oxborrow. (B. Hasketon 1879). Had previously served in the 1st Btn Suffolk Regiment pre-war. Enlisted in Suffolk Regiment again on 7th September 1914, joining the 9th Btn. Discharged on 22nd November 1914 under Kings Regulations. para392(3)c: (Not likely to become an efficient soldier… unfit for service).
Lived in Hasketon until 1901, but later moved to Ufford by 1911. Single, listed as ‘farmers son’. Post-war in 1921 he is living in Church Road, Ufford. Later in 1939, working as ‘jobbing gardener’, married to Elsie.

Samuel Oxborrow. (B. Clopton 1890). S. WR14 ROH. Private, 2680, 305712, 8th Btn. Sherwood Foresters. Living in Newport Pagnel in 1911 and Hasketon in 1901. Enlisted on 16th October 1914 in Newark. Served in France 2/3/15 to 23/12/15, Home 24/12/15 to 9/6/17 (18 months – wounded?), France 10/6/17 to 8/11/17, Italy 9/11/17 to 24/10/18. Discharged 11th November 1919 with 80-100% disability due to GS wounds to both thighs and amputated left arm. Victory, British and 15Star medals. SWB 122002. Unfortunately cannot find him in 1921, but no record of his death either.

Alfred Percy Pollard. (B. Brundish 1891). Killed in Action, 28th April 1917, probably during the Battle of Arras. Click here for more details on Alfred Pollard.

Eric Victor Pollard. (B. Baddingham 1897). Killed on 19th November 1916 at the end of the Battle of the Somme. Click here for more details on Eric Pollard.

Harry Pollard. (B. Badingham 1899). S.Booths16. Private, 26950, 4th Btn, Suffolk Regiment, and later London Regiment 241666. would have been under age until 1918. No service record available, but was awarded both British and Victory medals. Percy Pollard’s brother. Lived in Hasketon in 1911. In the 1921 census he was living with his widowed mother Emma in Doncaster where he was working as a railway shunter.

Guillaime Prier-de-Saone. (B. Lyddenham, Surrey, 1863). Previously in Bombay Rifles. Captain in RDC, Captain of the Guard at the Lyddite works in Stowmarket. Relinquished his rank early 1918 when ceased to be employed. Silver War Badge holder 384163. This number indicates it was awarded march-sept 1918.
He was a retired East India merchant and Lived in the Red House, Hasketon in 1911 and 1921. He died aged 66 in 1929.

Jean Prier-de-Saone. (B. Sunderland 1898). 2nd Lieut, Essex Yeomanry. Was in France during June and July 1916, but returned to England after a short time, possibly due to health issues. Awarded the Silver War Badge no. 22610 on 18/5/1918. Later relinquished his commission on 24th October 1916 due to ill health. (London Gazette). Commissioned into Docks and Inland Waterways, November 1917. In 1921 he was a student in the Foreign Office. Son of Guilliame Prier de Saone, lived in the Red House Hasketon in 1911 and 1921, and later in Bredfield Lodge in 1939. Awarded the British War Medal but not the Victory Medal.

Frederick William Quinton. (B. Grundisburgh 1884). Died of wounds in hospital in Rouen, France on 2nd May 1917. Click here for more details on Frederick Quinton.

John George Race. (B.Hasketon 1882). Killed in action, 23rd May 1917, probably during the Battle of Arras. Click here for a full page on John Race.

Ernest Rose (B. Shotley 1887 – probably). S.Booths16. No positive ID in military or home at present. Best candidate is Ernest E Rose, (B.Shotley 1887) No.115838, but there are 6 Ernest Roses in the RGA. Possibly Ernest E Rose B.Shotley 1887, lived in Framlingham in 1901. WIP.

Alfred Smith. (B. Hasketon 1883). S.FMP. Private, 20328, 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment. Enlisted in Bury St. Edmunds on 11th Dec. 1915, mobilised 5th June 1916. Joined regiment in France in October or December 1916. Discharged as no longer physically fit for service, para 392 (xvi) K.R. on May 23rd 1917. British and Victory medals, Silver War Barge no. 222509.
Moved to Berkely Cottage Grundisburgh before 1891, Farm Labourer. Single, parents Alfred and Annie.

Arthur William Thompson. (B. Hasketon 1887). Killed in action, 21st March 1918 during the German Spring Offensive. Click here for more information on Arthur Thompson.

Ernest Thompson. (B.Hasketon 1878). S. Booths15&16. Private, 201665/4928, 4th Btn. Suffolk Regiment. No Service Records, British and Victory medals.
Arthur, Walter and Harrys brother. Married, Emily, 3 children May, George, Hilda. Parents Joseph and Elizabeth. Siblings Morris,Andrew,Alice,annie Jonah, Ernest. Post-war in 1921 he returned to his family in Hasketon where he continued in his job as a general farm labourer.

Harry Thompson. (B. Hasketon 1880). S. Booths15 & 16. Private, no. 2993, 200776. 4th Btn. Suffolk Regiment. Enlisted on 8th December 1914, leaving his wife Emily and 6 children, Arrived in France 28th Feb. 1915. Wounded, 15th May 1915, GSW right forearm. Transferred back to England. Rejoined Btn, 21th September 1917. 14 days leave 27th Jan. 1918. Came back in time to be captured during the German Spring Offensive, on or about the 22rd March 1918 (SR hard to read). PoW, repatriated 30th Nov. 1918 and taken on strength TF Depot Ipswich. Finally demobilised 15th Feb. 1919.
He was Arthur William Thompsons brother. Living in Hasketon in 1911 working as a farm Labourer. Post-war in 1921 he returned to his family in Hasketon where he continued his career as a bricklayers labourer

Stanley Morris Thompson. (B. Hasketon. 1896). Killed on 20th July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. Click here for more information on Stanley Thompson.

Walter Thompson. (B. Hasketon 1889). Killed on 20th July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. His uncle Stanley also died in the same action. Click here for more information on Walter Thompson.

George Ernest Townsend. (B. Hasketon 1894). S. FMP. SR exists, but is incomplete and a little confusing. As far as we can establish, George enlisted on 2nd December 1915, and was mobilised into the Royal Engineers on 17th Nov. 1917. However, in June 1916 his profession of ‘telephone engineer’ had been categorised as a Class ‘W’ occupation. This meant he was considered to be more useful at home: i.e. it was a reserved occupation. Thus he was transferred to Class W “Army Reserve for Signal Services” at Ipswich on 18th Nov. 1917. He was eventually discharged on 14th December 1918.
George and his parents and 4 siblings were living in Leicester in 1901 and 1911. George is an ‘electrician apprentice’ working for the National Telephone Company. Post-war in 1921 he is living in Mary Moore House, Howard St. Ipswich with his wife Florence Amelia and children Lona and Sidney.

John D. Turner. (B. Woodbridge 1896). Killed in Action on 23rd April 1917, the 1st day of the 2nd Battle of the Scarpe. Click here for more information on John Turner

Percy William Tye. (B. Great Glemham 1900). S. Anc. Private 69134 or 62380, Kings Royal Rifle Corps. Enlisted Bury St. Edmunds, May 1918, aged 18 and 1 month. Then transferred to Army Service Corps. SR exists, but is only partly legible. Discharged, 2nd Jan 1920
Oldest of 6 children, parents Frederick and Annie Tye. Lived at Kennel Cottages, Hasketon in 1921 census, Percy was employed as a labourer at Willow Farm, Hasketon.

Fred James Vincent. (B. Bideford, Devon. 1865). S. WR14 ROH. Royal Navy (Retired), Royal Navy Reserve in 1907. Joined RN in Oct 1879, served on many ships, rising to rank of Chief Petit Officer. Posted to HMS Excellent (shore station at Portsmouth) on 2nd Aug 1914, then to HMS President in Dec 1918. WR14 ROH has him working in ‘RN Transport’. Living in Hasketon in 1911. Was also ‘Instructor, Rifle Range’ in 1911 census. This was probably at the rifle range in Rendlesham near Woodbridge. Member of Hasketon Rifle Club. Wife, Alice, born in Nacton. Post-war in 1921 he returned to retirement, living in Top Road, Hasketon with his wife Alice, and father-in-law David Rush.

Charles Wells Wait. (B. Upper Clapton, 1895). Lieut, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Killed by shellfire in Bazentin-le-Petit on July 15th 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. Click here for more details on Charles.

Percy Wells Wait. Midshipman, RN. Killed on 31st May 1916, serving on battlecruiser HMS Queen Mary at the Battle of Jutland. Click here for more details on Percy Wells Wait.

Arthur Stanley Ward. (B. Hasketon 1891). 29130, 1st Btn. Grenadier Guards. Enlisted 12th Jan. 1917, joined his Battalion in France on 16th Nov. 1917. Wounded (no details) on 3rd April 1918 during the German Spring Offensive. Home leave on 8th Nov. 1918. Discharged 31st March 1919.
Before the war he lived in Notting Hill, London, and was a Policeman. His father was Hasketon born ‘Horseman on farm’, Arthur Ward, his mother, Agnes was born in Martlesham. The family lived in Hasketon until 1911. Post war in 1921 he is still a policeman, living at 150 High St, Notting Hill, London with his wife Emma, and children Jack and Joan. Arthur Stanley Ward, Harold William Ward and Kenneth Ward were brothers.

Harold William Ward. (B. Hasketon 1892). S.Booths16. According to the RN register of Seamans services, he enlisted in June 1915 in Roehampton whilst in the Metropolitan Police and joined the RNAS. After serving at home in Roehampton and Crystal palace he was posted to Egypt at No. 2 Balloon Base, working on barrage balloons to protect the port from air attack. Became a member (No. 205502) of the RAF in April 1st 1918 following it’s creation out of the RCF and the RNAS. Demobilized 15-7-1919. Post-war he continued his career as a policeman in Hannover Square. For family details see Arthur Stanley Ward.

Kenneth Ward. (B. Hasketon 1895). S. WR14 ROH. Private. 2882, 12th Btn. Middlesex Reg. Also London Reg. 82568, and Royal Fusiliers. Entered France 25th July 1915. SR not available. Stable lad.
For family details see his brother Arthur Stanley Ward entry. Post-war in 1921 he was working as a ‘Joint Footman’ for the Earl of Ancaster at his house in Hanover Square, London.

Maggie Watling. (B. Hasketon 1898). S.Fmp. No. 38641, Women’s Auxilliary Army Corps. Applied in April 1918. (A complicated business requiring 3 references!). Initially requested to be a ‘washer’, then to train as a cook . Posted to the Connaught Club in London on 15th May, and then on 17th June 1918 posted as a cook to the Bostell Camp Training Centre at Abbey Wood, London.
Her parents were Harry and Julia Watling, and she was their 4th child out of 8. The family lived in Campsea Ashe in 1901 and Rendlesham in 1911. Maggie gives her address as Wantesden, Tunstall. Her older brother William George (B. Grundisburgh) served in the Worcestershire Regiment.

Walter Whiting. (B. Hasketon 1880). S. FMP. Private, 20665, initially Royal Artillery, enlisted in Yarmouth on 19th Feb 1903 for 3 years service plus 9 years in reserve. His Service Record states he was discharged in 1911 due to, “convicted by civil power felony”. No actual evidence he served during WW1, so should be deleted.
Census details: Hasketon 1881, Alderton 1891. Not found in 1901,1911, 1921.

John Williams. (B.Hasketon 1895). Died of wounds on 3rd March 1915. He had been in France for just 34 days. Click here for more details on John.

Walter Woods. (B. Woodbridge 1900). S.FMP. Joined the Royal Navy in January 1918, giving his birthplace as Hasketon. Served in many ships as Able Bodied Seaman until 1927. RN service record exists, but is very confused! No independent evidence he had any connection with Hasketon. Parents were Albert and Maria Woods, The family was living in Kirton in 1901. Not found in the 1921 census (obviously) since he was still serving in the RN.

Archibald Wright. (B. Melton 1894). Killed in action fighting during the battle of the Somme on 15th July 1916. Click here for more details on Archibald.

Frank Wright. (B. Benhall, 1888). Killed by shelfire whilst serving in the trenches near Neuve Chapelle, 21st June 1915. Click here for more information on Frank.