G/51654, Private, Albert Edward CUFF
Aged 29
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Born in Tarrant Crawford, Dorset,in Q2-1887 (Blandford 5a:255), baptised 26th June 1887, son of John and Ann Randall CUFF (née MULLETT). His mother died in Q2-1889 and father re married to Georgina DALE on December 3rd,1890 in Tarrant Crawford. 1891 census...Albert [3] was at Tarrant Crawford with his father John [36], a shepherd, born Shapwick; his step-mother Georgina [37] born Surrey; brothers Henry W [12]; Charles L [10]; George [6] and sister Annie C [7]. All the children were recorded born in Shapwick (nearest village to Tarrant Crawford). 1901 census...Albert [13] was at Tarrant Launceston with his parents, brothers Charles; George and Willie [7]. Albert and brother Willie are recorded as born in Tarrant Crawford, also their grandfather William CUFF [82]. 1911 census...Albert was 23, a stableman at Clarehaven Stables,(trainer Peter Gilpin) Bury Road, Newmarket. His parents were then in Gussage St Michael, Dorset. He enlisted in Market Harborough. "Soldiers Died" states he was originally in the RASC # B/4/19586.(it was only the Army Service Corps until late 1918 when it received it's Royal prefix). There is some confusion over his service number and medal index card. His name is variously recorded as Coff, Cuff, even Cliff. The only place his name is given as Cuffe is on the memorial |
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extract from http://archive.org/stream/royalfusiliersin00onei/royalfusiliersin00onei_djvu.txt Oppy. — The attack was continued on April 29th, and four battalions of the Royal Fusiliers made another attempt to conquer the Oppy defences. The Canadians took Arleux on the left and the 24th Battalion formed the left of the attack on Oppy Wood. They went forward at 4 a.m., and A and B Companies reached their objective, the sunken road between Arleux and Oppy, capturing 64 prisoners, only to find that the right battalions had not reached their positions in the wood. Their right flank was therefore in the air. A furious bombing attack took place on the left flank, and such were the losses that it was decided to swing the right flank back to Oppy Trench, west of the sunken road and gradually retire along it. This was successfully accomplished. C and D Companies were sent that night to relieve the 2nd Highland Light Infantry, immediately north of Oppy Wood, who had suffered very terribly from the fire from Oppy Wood. The 17th Battalion, who had been supporting the 24th during the day with B Company, finding their right in the air, formed a defensive flank. The line along this front was, in fact, pitted with gaps. The 17th battalion had 7 men killed in this attack, none has an identified grave. |
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