No.12326, Private, Robert AVELEY
Aged 21
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Robert Aveley was born in Soham (Newmarket Q1-1895 3B:548), baptised in Soham on 20th March 1895, son of Frederick and Mary AVELEY (née SEAL) of Clay Street, Soham. His father was an Army pensioner.
1901 census...Aged 6, he was at St John's Square, Soham with his widowed grandmother Elizabeth SEAL [58] born Soham and his sister Agnes AVELEY [7] born Soham. His parents have not been identified in this census. His father's death has not been identified. His mother married James GILBEY in 1907 1911 census...Aged 16, a farm labourer, he was at Townsend, Soham with his stepfather James GILBEY [47] farm labourer born Soham and his mother Mary [37] born Brotton, Yorkshire. His sister Agnes was a nursemaid at 188 Brockley Road, Brockley SE. His mother was still at Townsend on the pension card. |
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He enlisted in Soham. The "Ely Standard" recorded that " "Robert enlisted in Soham in August 1914 and was one of the first volunteer's from the town. He had been on foreign service for about a year, serving in the machine gun section of the regiment and was considered a crack shot in his company, receiving presentations from his superiors. Robert was critically wounded in the head from an enemy sniper shot and died later of his wounds". When casualties died of their wounds it is seldom possible to find out exactly where or when, but the battalion were in the Sailly-Labourse area in March-April in support trenches mostly, but mining activities occupied both sides during this period. Local press report:- Official information has been received by Mrs. James Gilbey, of Town-End, Soham, of the death of her son, Pte.Robt Aveling {mis-spelt}, of the 7th Suffolk Regt. The late private was one of the first volunteers from Soham in August 1914. He had been on foreign service for about a year, serving in a machine gun section of his regiment, where he had done excellent work. He was considered one of the crack shots of his company, and had received presentations from his superiors on one or two occasions. The first news of the serious condition of Pte.Aveling [sic] was contained in a letter from the Chaplain, who wrote:-" I am writing to let you know that Pte.R.Aveling [sic] has been wounded in the head, and lies in a serious condition. Everything possible is being done for him from a medical point of view." The following day Mrs.Gilbey received a letter from Pte. Harry Leonard, another Soham soldier, stating that her son was shot by an enemy sniper whilst on duty. The official announcement of his death, together with a letter of condolence from the King and Queen were subsequently received.
Robert's last letter home, he was dead 8 days later photo: Rodney Gibson photo:Rodney Gibson click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
