6829, Sergeant, William Ernest SEAL
Aged 26
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Born in Aldershot in Q1-1889 [Farnham 2a:126] to Ernest and Julia SEAL (née O'LEARY), later of Laurel Cottage, Park Lane, Newmarket.
1891 census...No sign of the family in this census. Given they were an Army family there are a great number of possibilities.Regarding the birth of his sister Alice, they may well have been in Egypt. 1901 census...William E [12] was at Simons Place, St. Anns, Alderney with his father Ernest [36] Colour Sgt Infantry, born Erith, Kent, his mother Julia [31] born Cork,Ireland, and his two sisters, Henrietta [13] born Curragh Camp, Kildare,Ireland, and Grace C.[10] born Alexandria, Egypt. 1911 census...William [22] was an Army private 2nd Battalion Suffolk Regiment, at Stanhope Lines, Barrosa Barracks, Aldershot. His parents and sisters Henrietta and Grace were in Newmarket at Laurel Cottage, Park Lane. One child had died. In the Newmarket Journal of 27th February 1915 William was home on leave visiting his father, Sergeat Major SEAL, when the family were living at Laurel Cottage, Park Lane, Newmarket. He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. Around the time of his death his parents were at 141 Lansdowne Road, Seven Kings, Ilford. |
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The 2nd Suffolks landed at Le Havre on 15th August 1914. At the end of September 1915 they were in the Sanctuary Wood lines, to the east of Zillebeke on the
Ypres Salient. On the 29th the Germans exploded a mine under the 4th Middlesex and a party of Suffolks attempted, but failed, to seize the crater. On the 30th,
a fresh supply of grenades having been received, a counter attack was ordered for the afternoon. Artillery bombardment of the crater ceased about 3:15 pm and
three companies of the 4th Middlesex, 2nd Royal Scots and the Suffolks (on the left) began to advance. In spite of heavy machine gun fire and grenades, they
reached the lip of the crater and were then held up by barbed wire and were forced to retire. Amongst the 120 or so casualties, Sergeant Seal was killed.
According to International Red Cross records, William was buried by the Germans in the German Military Cemetery "Nachigal" (The French called it Vieux Chiens) just north of the N8 from Geluveld to Menin There are several conflicting cards, but it does appear he was actually buried on 13th October 1915. This cemetery was emptied and the British casualties re-interred in Perth China Wall in 1924. The Cambridge Independent Press of 15th October 1915 reported:- Death of Sergt.W.E.Seal, Newmarket As previously announced, Sergt.W.E.Seal, No.6829, of the 3rd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, was killed in action on September 30th. His mother, Mras Seal of Park Lane, Newmarket, has received many letters of condolence, and among them the following:-- "British Expeditionary Force, 3rd October 1915. Dear Mrs Seal -It is with the deepest regret that I have to inform you of your son's death. He was killed in action on the 30th September.He died as he lived, a brave and gallant soldier. By his death the Battalion has lost one of its very best non-commissioned officers. He was marked for further promotion and had he lived would have obtained a commission. In him I have lost a personal friend, but I know my loss is nothing compared to yours. I hope and trust the knowledge of his glorious end may help you to bear this terrible blow. If there is any further information you would like ro anything I can do for you,please let me know - Yours very sincerely A.W.Parkinson R.S.M. 3rd batt., Suffolk Regiment". "British Expeditionary Force, 1st October 1915. Dear Mrs Seal - What I have to tell you nearly kills me with grief.It falls to my lot to break the cruel news to you, but as I am complying with Willie's last request, I feel sure you will pity and pardon me.He had confided in me his every ambition, and I was very much upset that he should have to go to the trenches when there was "something expected". However he insisted, adding that it depended entirely on his action there whether he would obtain his much desired commission. He was a brave and fearless lad, a good comrade and friend, and a pal of mine entirely. Willie and Major Turner (in command) died side by side. I have little to add except that you will probably receive many letters from Willie's friends, as he was universally beloved - Your very faithfully, Frank Hall, Company Q.M.S. "A" Company 3rd Suffolk Regiment". " Red Cross Hospital, Sudbury, 6th October 1915. Dear Madam - Just a line with my deepest sympathy in your great loss of your dear son, who fell on the battlefield while he and I were side by side in a charge on the German trenches. I hope it will be a great comfort to you all to know that he suffered no pain, as he was shot through the head and died instantly. All the boys of his platoon wished me before I left them to send their deepest sympathy to you and your family as he would be missed by them all, as he was such a good N.C.O to them, and they knew it.He was thought a lot of by the whole Company. I am in hospital in Sudbury suffering from an injured right eye. But it is going on as well as could be expected. I think you will hear that your son is buried in Sancturay Wood as there is a nice graveyard erected there, and a cross with names fixed on them, Yours faithfully, Segt A.Reeve |
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