No. 20196, Private, John BASSETT
Aged 20
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John Bassett was born in 1897 in Cavenham (Mildenhall Q2-1897 4A:810) son of David and Mary Ann (Miriam?) BASSETT (née COE).
1901 census...Aged 4, he was at Lark Hall, Cavenham with his father David BASSETT [38] horse keeper born West Row; his mother Mary Ann [41] born West Row; sister Ellen [10] born West Row and brother Charles [8] born Cavenham. 1911 census...Aged 14, fame labourer, he was in Cavenham with his parents and brother Charles, also a farm labourer. he pension card indicates that after his mother's death, his father was at 11 The Street, Cavenham |
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He enlisted in Guildford. On April 28th 1917 the 7th Suffolks were part of the 12th Division attack, launched in conjunction with Canadian troops, between the Scarpe and Monchy. Going over the top at 16:45, passing through the 5th Royal Berks to attack the Blue Line. They immediately came under intense machine-gun fire from Roeux. Small parties from some companies reached their objective but could go no further. All the officers except the colonel and adjutant were killed or wounded and as soon as it got dark these small parties returned to Black Line. and at 1 am the battalion, now reduced to 190 effectives, withdrew to the support lines. CWGC records 93 of the battalion killed on the 28th and only 8 have identified graves. The Bury Free Press of 8th September reported CAVENHAM SOLDIER WOUNDED AND MISSING We regret to hear that Prvt.John Bassett, youngest son of Mr.and Mrs. Bassett, of Lark Hall, Cavenham, near Mildenhall, has been posted as wounded and missing. Prvt Bassett joined the Suffolks in May 1915, and the following December he was sent to France. In May 1916 he was wounded in the right ankle and was in consequence invalided home, but upon his recovery he was sent to France and was attached to the 7th Suffolks. Soon after his return to France his parents were notified that he had been slightly wounded on April 25th, but later a report was received which contained the grave news that he was wounded and missing. The anxious parents have made every possible enquiry concerning their son's fate, but so far without result.......
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
