12784, Private, James GRUBB
1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Aged 26
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Born in Newmarket in Q2-1889 [Newmarket 3b:537] to Thomas and Jane GRUBB (née BOOTS) of Links Cottages, Newmarket.
1891 census...James [2] was at Links Cottages, Newmarket with his father Thomas [40], a blacksmith on farm, born Buscot, Berks.; his mother James [43] born Buscot; brother Thomas William [17] driver of portable engine, born Buscot, and sisters Mary [13] born Quinnington, Glos.; Florence [10] born Horsley , Glos.; Louisa [6] born Wodditton, and Amy [4] born Woodditton. 1901 census...James[12], alone of the children, is home with his parents at Dullingham Road, Woodditton. 1911 census...James [22] was an engine driver,living at 21 Lowther Street,Newmarket with his brother in law Harry Tilbury. Sister Mary had married Harry Tilbury. In both the 1901 and 1911 census his place of birth is given as Woodditton, but Dullingham is also recorded . Since the family were at Links Cottages in 1891, and Woodditton is often the used for Newmarket, it seems the real answer should be Dullingham Road, Newmarket. The cottages originally known as Links Cottages are just over the railway line on the Dullingham Road out of Newmarket. The current Links Cottages are the old grandstands at the Golf Links, which after racing ended there in 1905, were converted to housing. |
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On the 24th April 1915 the 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment were at Ypres. On the night of 23rd/24th Apri, the battalion had been relieved and were back in the
reserves between Frenzenberg and Verlorenhoek. That was swiftly changed and the 1st Suffolks were ordered to take up defensive position on the Frenzenberg Ridge
and they were soon hard at it, digging in. This was swiflty interrupted when news came of a German break through in the north of the town and now only 12th London
and 1st Suffolks stood between the Germans and Ypres. They were then instructed to proceed towards Fortuin, which they did, under heavy shelling. Finding on the
way that a Canadian formation was about to be overcome, which would leave the left flank completely exposed, Capt Balders, in the absence of any more senior command,
sent A and B companies (150 bayonets) to reinforce the Canadian left flank, drawing back the rest of the 2 battalions to cover Fortuin. Later in the next day, 25th,
the situation looked so desperate that orders were given to destroy all maps and documents. Fortunately reinforcements arrived and the German attack lessened The 24th was also the first time the Battalion experienced a gas attack. Of the 50 men of the 1st Suffolks killed or missing that day, only 6 have a known grave, the rest are recorded on the Menin Gate in Ipres. The Newmarket Journal of 22nd May 1915 reported that:- KILLED IN ACTION:- "We regret to state that Mrs J.Grubb, who lives with her daughter, Mrs. Taylor at No.31 Lowther Street, received a notification from the War Office that her son, No.12784, Pte. James Grubb, 1st Battn. Suffolk Regiment, had been killed in action (place not stated) on April 24th Last. The Army Council express their sympathy and regret and the following note was also enclosed in the letter, "The King commands me to assure you of the true sympathy of his Majesty and the Queen in your sorrow. Kitchener." Pte. Grubb joined the 3rd Suffolks immediately after the outbreak of the war, and was subsequently transferred to the 1st Suffolks. He had been at the Front only 24 days. Previous to the war he was employed at the Newmarket Baths for several years. He was 26 years of age and un-married." |
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