Suffolk regiment – Thiepval memorial.
I just thought it was worth recording this little collection of grief, rolled down through 100 years, a whole family and one friend all commemorated at Thiepval, under the Suffolk Regiment’s Panel. Whenever you go to any of the big memorials, someone will have gone to the trouble to do this, always. Moving stuff from a trip in April 2012. I’ve since visited William Wilderspin at Gordon Dump.
The 11th Suffolk’s are the Cambridge Battalion (as was).
Two of them are here at Histon Methodist Roll of Honour
Comments from K a family member on the original post:
“I was the person who actually put this at the Thiepval Memorial after forefilling a dream that I would revisit the places where my great uncles fought and unfortunately, mostly died after researching my family history. William Wilderspin was actually buried in Gordon Dump Cemetery nearby, his brother and best friend are at Thiepval Memorial. Another brother and brother in law were in the 2nd battalion of the Suffolks. The brother was taken prisoner and ended up at Doberitz Prisoner of War Camp for the rest of the war. Although he survived in died in 1922. I would be interested if anyone knows anything about the POW camps. The brother-in-law is commemorated at La Ferte sous Jourre Memorial. Fortunately for me my Grandfather joined the Royal Garrison Artillery and was hit by a bomb from an aeroplane and was shipped back to blighty with shrapnel injuries to his arms and right thigh. Even with these injuries he still managed to bring back two spent shells! My discoveries have ignited a passion to find out all I can about 2nd and 11th Bn of Suffolk Regiment, Royal Garrison Artillery (heavy battery), pow camps.”
“Two of my great uncles were in 2nd bn of Suffolks before WW1 finished their service in March 1914 only to get called up in August! Apart from my grandfather who was in the RGA before www1 (luckily I am a member of Ancestry and they have his army records!!) his brothers all joined Kitchener’s army and joined 11th bn of Suffolks. It is amazing how not just whole families were lost but villages too. My family came from Histon in Cambridgeshire which lost a lot of its young men. It is sad that stories like mine are common throughout the country.”
Another poignant piece of people’s history. Made all the more so by the date on which I read it.
My wife’s maiden name is Wilderspin and we have just returned from the Battle Fields of France having visited the grave of William Wilderspin at Gordon Dump Cemetery. We have a comprehensive family tree going back several generations including John Wilderspin, born in Elsworth, lived in Cambridge who was in the Cavalry. Would like to hear from the writer of this post as we may be able To exchange information. John was one of eleven children!
I’m afraid I can’t really help much, but the person who posted the comment I’ve recorded is in this thread here on Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/osborne_villas/6950002696/ if that helps at all.
William Joseph Wilderspin (for example) was my 1st cousin 3 times removed, and have a Wilderspin tree that goes back to the mid 17th century if of interest. The local paper printed this when news of his death reached home
“August 11th 1916 Histon – War (killed)
News has been received from the War Office that two more Histon lads have fallen in the fight. They are Private William Wilderspin, youngest son of Mr Fred Wilderspin of High Street and Private Cecil Diver, son of Mr William Diver of Cambridge Road. Both belonged to the Suffolk Regiment, and had been in France for some time. They were taking part in the big advance, and were both killed on the same day, July 1st. It had been rumoured for some time that these two lads had been killed but official information has only just been received. Both lads were very well known throughout Histon and district, and both were members of the Histon Court of the Ancient Order of Foresters. Private Wilderspin was a former member of the Histon and Impington Company of the Boys’ Brigade, of which Company nearly all the old members are on service. Four of his brothers are serving with the Colours, and one is a prisoner of war at Doberitz. A brother-in-law was killed in action early in the war. Private Diver, too, was much respected throughout the community, he being of a very cheery disposition.”
There was also various otehr updates regarding these brothers, and Sidney Young, such as
“November 6th 1914 Histon -War ( Wilderspin family)
Mr Fred Wilderspin, of School Hill, is to be congratulated upon the fact that he now has five sons who are serving with the colours. At the outbreak of the war his two eldest sons Charles and Frank, who are reservists were recalled. A short time ago two more, Archie and Albert enlisted, and during the past week William, the youngest has joined. Beside this Mr Wilderspin’s son-in-law S Young is serving at the front. This is a record to be proud of.
“
My maternal Grandfather Frederick Reeve was captured on 26th August 1914 at Le Cateau where the Suffolk Regt were detailed with holding back the advancing enemy to allow the rest of the BEF to withdraw. He was also sent to Camp Doeberitz for the duration of the war and got home to Soham eventually in the Spring of 1919. I keep coming across Wilderspins family trees when doing my own family tree but haven’t yet found any actual connections. I too would like to know more about the POW camps.