No.GS/34652, Private, Ernest SHELDRICK
Aged 37
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Ernest Sheldrick was born in Swaffham Prior in 1881 (Newmarket Q3-1881 3B:514), baptised in Swaffham Prior on 20th November 1881, son of George and Rebecca SHELDRICK (née MANN).
1891 census...Aged 9, he was at Blincoes Row, Swaffham Prior with his father George SHELDRICK [42] farm labourer born Swaffham Prior; his mother Rebecca [34] born Reach; sisters Mary [13] and Clara [2] and brothers James [8], Charles [6] and Frederick [4]. All the children were born in Swaffham Prior. 1901 census...Aged 19, single, teamster on farm, he was still at Blincos Row, Swaffham Prior with his parents (father now a shepherd), brother James and Charles were teamsters and Frederick was a farm labourer, sister Clare was a nurse maid. In addition there were brother George [3] and sisters Mabel [10], Jessie [8] and Maud [6], all four born in Swaffham Prior. 1911 census...Aged 29, single, a teamster, he was at High Street, Swaffham Prior with his parents, brothers Charles, Fred and George and sister Jessie |
The memorial places him in the Royal Fusiliers and the medal roll gives the details here.
From his war gratuity he seems to have enlisted in May 1916. The medal roll has him serving first in the 8th, then 1st, 11th and 3rd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers A real mystery as a pension card has his mother'a address and his rank and number but no date of death. His medal index card also has no date of death Listed as "Wounded" on the Casualty List issued by the War Office from 30th August 1916. This man was entitled to wear a "Wound Stripe" as authorised under Army Order 204 of 6th July 1916. The terms of this award being met by their naming in this list. On 4th October the war diary has :- "Monterehain - Bn ordered to attack, zero hour 06:50 hrs, jumping off line road running west to east southern portion of A.10.a [D442?] objective was redoubt at RICHMOND COPSE S.28.d. Objective was reached at 07:30, Bn came under heavy enfilade M.G. fire from LE CATELET and VENDUILE and received many casualties. Owing to battalions on our flanks not being so successful the Bn had to withdraw to vicinity of jumping off line. The operation in itself was very successful, about 300 enemy, mostly machine gunners, were taken prisoner despite the fact that the Bn had to withdraw. The enemy positions were cleaned up and he was prevented from occupying them again. Thus allowing the 4th KRR to advance over the same ground in the evening with very few casualties indeed. Our casualties was 9 officers killed, 2 officers wounded 32 OR killed, 103 wounded and 4 missing."
He has no CWGC entry Attempts will be made to rectify this, but much evidence will be needed |
