No.325051, Corporal, William James ROLPH M.M., MiD
Aged 28
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William James ROLPH was born in Bottisham in 1888 (Newmarket Q3-1888 3B:500) son Frederick and Sarah Ann ROLPH (née LEADER).
1891 census...Aged 2, he was at Bell Road, Bottisham with his father Frederick ROLPH [26] farm labourer, born Bottisham, his mother Sarah [25] born Great Eversden and brother Henry [4 months] born Bottisham. 1901 census...Aged 12, farm labourer, he was at Town Street, Bottisham with his parents and sisters Margaret [8] and Charlotte Ann [3] both born in Bottisham 1911 census...Aged 22, farm labourer, he was in Bottisham with his parents (father now a horsekeeper), sister Lotte (Charlotte) and sister Mary [9] and brother Albert [5], both born in Bottisham. One child, Henry, had died in 1895. On 6th October 1916 he married Grace Dorothy BRASHER, later of Whitehall Farm, Brigstock, Thrapston, Northants. |
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He enlisted in Swaffham Prior. An entry on Ancestry states he died of wounding from an accident.
Thanks to relatives and an enquiring mind, the following was turned up in records appertaining to awards of the Cambridgeshire Regiment. "773 Cpl William James Rolph - Bottisham. For saving a comrade under shellfire (Pte Salmon at St Eloi, 14-3-15) with Cpl Gatward (gazetted 11th Oct 1916). "A" Company, stretcher bearer, also MiD for same incident. Cpl, accidentally wounded & Died of wounds 14-4-17, attached 118th TMB, buried Houtkerque Churchyard, France." Local press cuttings appear to have "promoted" William's Military Medal to the D.C.M. It also appears that he was Acting Sergeant, but of course his substantive rank is that used by CWGC. He was however also mentioned in despatches:- Cpl William James Rolph No 773. - Bottisham - Gallant conduct 14/15-3-15, St Eloi, Belgium. (Supplement to LG 22-6-15).
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