No.8/2862, Sergeant, Joseph Leonard W.ROLFE
Aged 21
11th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment
formerly 4th Battalion
originally 15183, Bedfordshire Regiment
Died of Illness at home on Wednesday, 16th October 1918
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Joseph Leonard W. Rolfe was born in Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen, King's Lynn in 1896 (Downham Q4-1896 4B:352), son of Frederick William and Mary Ann
ROLFE (née SAINTY).
His father was first married to Mary Ann SAINTY in Mutford Q4-1888. She died in Q3-1899 and Frederick married Julia Ann McKICHNIE (Downham Q4-1900) 1901 census...Aged 4, he was at Porter's Fen, Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen with his father Frederick William ROLFE [39] farmer born St Mary Magdalen; his step-mother Julia Anna [30] born Ixworth Thorpe, Norfolk; sister Evelyn E [7] and half sister Dora Victoria [2 months]. The three children were born in Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen. 1911 census...Aged 14, he was at Station Road, Soham with his uncle Wiseman GAMBLE [48] GER signalman born Magdalen, Norfolk and aunt Rachel GAMBLE (née ROLFE) [46] born Magdalen, Norfolk. His father and step mother were still living in Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen with their children, Dora Victoria, Albert Edward [9] and Cecily Iris Maria [4] born in Magdalen. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket on 7th September 1914, posted to Bedfordshire Regiment No.15181, but posted to 4th Battalion East Surrey Regiment No 8/2862, on 8th September.
He gave his age as 19 years, a grocer's assistant. He was 5 feet 7 inches (170.2 cm) tall, chest 37.25" to 39" (94.6 to 99.1 cm), weighing 134 lbs (60.8 kg), blue eyes, brown hair.
Promoted Lance Corporal 4th December 1914, then to Corporal on 12th January 1915, Lance sergeant on 19th July 1915 and Sergeant on 25th August 1915. Taken ill in August 1915 and admitted to Colchester Hospital 9 weeks later with pneumonia.. On 10th March 1916 he was discharged as no longer being physically fit for war service due to Tuberculosis from exposure during ordinary military service. He was awarded silver war badge No 143267 and a pension of 24 shillings per week [£ 1.20). He was considered permanently unfit and totally disabled. At a medical board on 24th January 1917 he was "given the benefit of doubt" as to whether his condition was related to military service. Further boards at Brompton Hospital (12-9-1917) and Trimley (17-10-1917) confirmed his condition and another in March 1918 gave him as 70% disabled, this was increased to 100% by yet another board in May 1918. He died at home on 16th October 1918. With no overseas service, he was not entitled to any medals.
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