No.18440, Private, George Henry MINGAY
Aged 21
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George Herbert Mingay was born in Worlington (Mildenhall Q1-1895 4A:831), baptised 26th February 1882, son of George and Matilda MINGAY (née ABERY).
1901 census...Aged 6, he was at Freckenham Road, The Green, Worlington with his father George MINGASY [45] Under groom at stud farm, born Dullingham; his mother Matilda [43] born Kentford; sisters Caroline [15] and Florrie [11] both born in Moulton. 1911 census...Aged 16, he was hall boy, living in Dalham with his parents (father now Hall man) and sister Florence. His sister Florrie, married to Arthur CORNWELL, corresponded with the CWGC regarding George's headstone, his father having died in 1924. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket. The 2nd battalion Suffolk Regiment were in the line south west of Trones Wood, near Malz Horn farm. They had captured 250 yards of Cochrane trench on the 16th, spending the 17th clearing up. Then on the 18th they were sent to support the 10th Royal Welch Fusiliers in an attack but the tapes had been carried away and after much confusion, the attack failed. The 1st Gordon Highlands and others then took over and two Suffolk companies stood aside to make room, while two companies in Cochran provided supporting fire. This attack was more successful so much so that the Germans turned on a battery of 5.9s on to Cochrane Alley, in the evening, causing havoc for a couple of hours. This action cost the 2nd Suffolks 30 killed. George was initially buried as shown below, and moved to Guillemont Road cemetery in 1919/1920
photo: Rodney Gibson click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
