No.12954, Private, Willie BLYTH
Aged 38
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Willie Blyth was born in 1876 in Flempton (Thingoe Q4-1876 4A:530), baptised in St Catherine's, Flempton on 4th February 1877, son of Arthur Robert and Emma
Mary Ann BLYTH (née PERRY ).
1881 census...Aged 4, Willie Blythe was at Flempton Street with his father Arthur R BLYTHE [29] wheelwright and postmaster; his mother Emma [30] born Clare and brother Edwin [6] and sister Lilian [2]. All except his mother were born in Flempton. 1891 census...Aged 14, a wheelwright, he was at Church Street, Flempton with his parents, brothers Edwin James (invalid), John Arthur [9] and Frederick [2]; sisters Lilian, Dora [7] and Ella Bertha [4]. The new siblings were all born in Flempton. In 1899 he joined the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, Newmarket Branch (406) 1901 census...Aged 24 he was in the Army in South Africa (Army Ordnance Corps) His father died in 1904. 1911 census...Aged 34, he was still in the Army, in Chatham a carpenter in Army Ordnance Corps. An Army form after his death gives his sister Ella as Mrs Clift and Lily as Mrs Bellamy |
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He enlisted in Ipswich on 18th April 1900 in Army Ordnance Corps, No.4177, giving his age as 22 years 4 months, born and lived in Flempton. He was 5 feet
5 inches (165.1 cm)tall, weighed 132 lbs (60.1 kg), chest 34" to 36" (86.4 to 91.4 cm), blue eyes, light hair, Church of England. He went to Woolwich Depot on 24th April 1900. He extended his service on 20th March 1904 to 8 years in the colours, 4 on Reserve and then on 9th March 1908, at The Curragh, Ireland, he extended to 12 years in the colours. He was Home Service 18-4-1900 to 14-1-1901, South Africa 15-1-1901 to 27-8-1904 and Home Service 28-8-1904 and was discharged at Chatham at the end of his 12 years on 17th April 1912 He enlisted in the Suffolk Regiment at Bury St.Edmunds for the Great War, but his service records have not been found. Dying of his wounds at a Base Hospital there is no way of knowing exactly when or where he was injured. During April 1915 the 1st Suffolks were fighting in the Ypres Salient,in fact at one stage only the 1st Suffolk and the 12th London Regiment and a few Canadians stood between the enemy and a break through into the town. He died at Rawaldpindi British General Hospital in Boulogne |
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