No.G/15095, Private, Philip ROLFE
Aged 19
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Philip Rolfe was born on 22nd July 1897 in Shippea Hill, (Mildenhall Q3-1897 4A:837), son of Charles and Mary Anne ROLFE (née FOREMAN). 1901 census...Aged 3, he was at Station Drove, Prickwillow with his father Charles ROLFE [30] horse keeper on farm born Mildenhall; his mother Mary A. [26] born Mildenhall and brother Victor J [2] born Ely Trinity. 1911 census...Aged 15,a farm labourer, he was at Low Barn, Soham Fen with his parents (father a farm labourer), brothers Victor James [13] a farm labourer, Charles Edward [9] born Ely and Walter [5 months] born Soham; sisters Bessie [6] born Mildenhall and Dora Margaret [2] born Soham On 3rd September 1919 his father declared the family at Beck Row to be his father, mother Mary Ann, brothers Victor James [20], Charles Edward [18] and Walter [8]; sisters Bessie [14], Dora Margaret [11] and Sophie [6]. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket, when living at Robbs Cottages, Burnt Fen. By the time of his death his father had moved to Beck Row . Attesting in Newmarket on 15th November 1915, he gave his age as 18years 5 months (actually recorded he would be 19 on 22nd July 1916). He was 5 feet 5.75 inches ( 167 cm) tall, weighed 117 lbs (53.2 kg) and chest was 36.5" to 39" (92.7 to 99.1). His next of kin was recorded as father, Charles ROLFE of Robbs Cottages, Burnt Fen. Posted to the reserves on 16th November 1915, he was mobilised on 11th May 1916 and posted to the Royal West Kent depot. Posted to the 9th battalion on 15th May and the 3rd battalion on 1st September 1916. He was posted to the B.E.F.Infantry Depot on 13th September and to the 6th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regt on 29th September. Posted missing on 7th October 1916, his death is officially recorded as on or since that date. The war diary:- "Guedicourt- 7th Oct.- Heavily shelled during the morning and lost 18 men by a shell which landed in trench. Attack at 1:45 pm was met by fierce machine gun and rifle fire and held up under the bank about 150 yards from our trench. C" Coy who were on the left managed to get as far as the sunken road and hung on until night and then withdrew, bringing their wounded with them During the afternoon the enemy kept up a constant barrage on the front line. Relieved by the 6th Queen's at 12 midnight - Casualties 2 officers killed 2/Lts J S Longuelaye and GM Gray - 3 officers missing Captain AK Hall, Lieut S Wilks and 2nd Lt WEM Stuart. 6 Officers wounded Capts Williams and Carre, 2/Lts P. Paulson, HN Deakington, RB Dunt, FR Hogbin. Other ranks killed 23, missing 89, wounded 185. In the final reckoning, CWGC record 98 of the battalion killed and only 12 have identified graves. The Bury Free Press of 16th December 1916 reported:- BURNT FEN MAN MISSING We much regret to hear that Prvt.Philip Rolfe, son of Mr. and Mrs.Charles Rolfe, of Burnt Fen, has been missing since Oct.21st.Much sympathy is felt for the parents in the anxiety they are experiencing concerning his fate. The Bury Free Press of 25th August 1917 reported:- BURNT FEN SOLDIER REPORTED KILLED Prvt.Philip Rolfe, 6th Batt., Royal West Kent Regiment, was reported missing on October 7th 1916. A field postcard was all that his parents ever received from their son. The parents, Mr. and Mrs. Rolfe, Burnt Fen, Mildenhall, have now been officially notified that the Army Council is reluctantly compelled to believe he was killed about the date mentioned. Sympathy is felt for the parents. Although referred to by the Army and the Press as of Burnt Fen, Philip is not named on the memorial there, but is on the memorials of Mildenhall and Beck Row.
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