No.27159, Private, Edward John FOREMAN
Aged 19
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Edward John Foreman was born in Lidgate ( Newmarket Q4-1896 3B:508), baptised on 29th November 1896, son of James Mitson and Fanny FOREMAN
(née DAWSON).
1901 census...Aged 4, he was at Front Street,Lidgate with his father James FOREMAN [47] builder in wood, born Wickhambrook; his mother Fanny [44] born Great Bradley; sisters Eva Harriett [15], Amy Alice [13], and Effie Annie [8]; brothers Humphrey James [12], Charles Dawson [10], Thomas Stephen [6] and Frank Mitson [3]. All the children were born in Lidgate. 1911 census...Aged 14, a scholar, he was at Near Street, Lidgate with his parents (father now a wheelwright); brothers Humphrey (wheelwright), Charles (groom) and Frank (scholar) and sister Effie. All eight children survived. Brother Frank later emigrated to the USA. |
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He enlisted in Epping. Thanks to Anthony Foreman, author of "Happy Lidgate", we have the photographs and the letter here:- A letter from a friend to his parents included, "He was killed by a shell when taking rations to his Company. He was a very brave lad and I am sure he never suffered. I saw him the previous day reading his pocket Testament in the trench." The 2nd Suffolks, on August 16th 1916, were ordered to carry out an attack in co-operation with the French, with an unusual zero hour time of 17:30.A heavy bombardment preceded the battalion's move forward to objectives that were difficult to recognise. On the right there was success, 250 yards of Cochrane alley and a party of men from the German 124th regiment being captured. On the left however they were brought to a standstill by heavy machine gun fire and at night the battalion withdrew to its original line. According to CWGC figures, this raid cost the 2nd Suffolks 38 men killed, only seven having identified graves.
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
