No.201782, Private, Orriss Conrad CORNELL
Aged 19
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Orriss Conrad Cornell was born in Withersfield (Risbridge Q1-1898 4A:774), son of Samuel and Emily CORNELL (née COOTE).
1901 census...Aged 3, he was at Temple End, Little Thurlow with his father Samuel CORNELL [26] horsekeeper born Withersfield and his mother Emily [26] born Kedington. 1911 census...Aged 13, farm labourer, he was still at Temple End, Little Thurlow with his parents, brother Cyril [7] and sister Lily Lena [2] both born in Little Thurlow. Three siblings, Harold (1901-1902), Margaret (believed to be Lilian (1907-1907) and George (1911-1911) had died. There were 2 Harolds, one born 1901 and died-1902, and another born 1915. |
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He enlisted in Colchester. On his pension card, on enlistment he had his mother as being at Temple End, Little Thurlow, but this was crossed out, annotated deceased
and his father Samuel entered as living at Almshouse Hill, Haverhill. This must be a very late alteration as his parents were at 2, Almshouses, Thurlow in the 1939
register and his mother died in 1944. His pension record card exists, but it looks as if the Eastern area's ledgers have gone missing . Lt Col Murphy's "History of the Suffolk Regiment" gives us the picture:- Zero hour on 23rd April was fixed for 04:45, the British attacking on a 9 mile front. The 4th Suffolk with two companies in the front line and two in support were to attack southwards down its trenches as far as the Sensee valley, and then link up with the brigade making a frontal attack on that part of the Hindenburg line. Some were detailed to mop up in the tunnel, an almost impossible task, driving the Germans back on the surface as well as underground. All was well at first, pushing forward to the edge of the valley they brought in 650 prisoners, a granatenwerfer and 5 machine gun. 'A' company was within 200 yards of the Sensee valley, 'D' company almost level with them. The enemy counter attacked vigorously and the two companies, unsupported on their flanks were forced to fall back. The tunnel now proved to be the weakness as it concealed a large force which surfaced when the counter attack began. Cut off, part of 'D' company withdrew across country. The maze of communications and support trenches, impossible to guard or even watch, gave the Germans excellent cover. Despite reinforcement from 2 companies of the 5th Scottish Rifles 'C' and 'D' companies had to withdraw to their original starting position by 3 pm. Twice during the day even Battalion HQ was forced to man the parapet. Another barricade was hastily constructed to the rear and a fresh attack was even being launched at 6pm, but was cancelled. The enemy retaliated vigorously, but it quietened down by 10 pm. This small operation had cost the battalion 74 dead, only 14 having identified graves. The fact that he is named on the Arras memorial indicates that his grave was lost during later fighting or that he was last seen to be wounded and never found again.
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
