No.59481, Private, Ernest Frederick JEFFERY
Aged 19
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Ernest Jeffery was born on 5th June 1899 in Dullingham,(Newmarket Q3-1899 3B:497), baptised in Woodditton on 4th September 1899, son of Alfred and Alice
JEFFERY (née HONEYBALL).
1901 census...Aged 1, he was at Hill Farm Cottages, Dullingham, with his father Alfred JEFFERY [31] stock man, born Woodditton; his mother Alice [30] born Denston, Suffolk and sisters Edith May [5] and Alice Louise [5], both born in Woodditton. 1911 census...Aged 11, still at Hill Farm Cottages with his father, sister Alice, brother Harry [7] and sister Clara [4] both born in Dullingham. His mother was possibly in hospital in Fulbourn and died in 1912. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket. War Diary :- 4 am - 29 September 1918 "Coys took up positions on forming up line between LEMPIRE POST and TOMBOYS FARM facing NE. 5:30 am the Bn advanced behind Americans A and D Coys in front line, B Coy in support and C Coy in Reserve.Owing to dense smoke barrage our Coys got mixed up with the Americans. Objective of the Bn MACQUINCOURT TRENCH was taken but owing to lack of support on the right, A Coy fell back and formed a defensive flank. 10 am - 5 of the 8 officers who were with the Coys had become casualties, including B and D Coy Commanders, therefore 2 Coys only were organised . A and B together and C and D together. A number of American stragglers were attached to our Coys.Owing to heavy MG fire from both flanks the forward Coy, A Coy were forced to abandon position and withdraw to TOMBOYS SUPPORT.On account of the dense smoke and mist the troops had not mopped up thoroughly and the enemy still held posts behind our troops on the flanks." CWGC have 44 of the battalion killed. |
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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