No. 14458, Lance Corporal, Charles SCOTT
Aged 22
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Charles Robert Scott was born in Thetford in 1891 (Thetford Q1-1891 4B:380). He was the son of Thomas and Martha Ann (née PLATFOOT).
1891 census...Charles Robert was at Abbey Green, Thetford St Peter, with his father Thomas [41] born Wymondham, Norfolk; his mother Martha Ann [40], brothers William [14] agricultural labourer, John [10]and Harry [6] and sister Emily Eliza [12]. All bar his father were born in Thetford 1901 census...Aged 10, Charley was at Warren Hill, Herringswell with his parents and brothers William [23] a shepherd, John [20] agricultural labourer, and Harry [16] domestic groom. 1911 census...Aged 20, Charley was a farm labourer at Field Farm, Tuddenham, with his parents (His father was an invalid), brother William (shepherd) and brother Harry (farm labourer). Another on the Herringswell Memorial is his neighbour, Percy Sparkes, at the same farm. It seems quite likely that Field Farm was previously known as Charity Farm and lying on the border of Herringswell and Tuddenham, it's location was shared between the two villages depending on who recorded it. |
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Enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds The Bury Post of 17th December 1915 has this to report:- "After having been reported as missing on May 8th, an official intimation has just been received announcing that L Cpl C.Scott is a prisoner of war at Cellilager, in Germany. During all these months many attempts have been made at different times to obtain definite news about him, but with no result, and his parents had practically given him up as lost until the official news came that he was a prisoner of war in Germany. His many friends in the district are very pleased to hear of him once more, and trust that his lot as a prisoner will not be too hard. L Cpl Scott enlisted in the 1st Suffolks soon after the commencement of hostilities, and the circumstances of his capture are told in a letter from his Commanding Officer to the Rev. E.Hugh Wright of Herringswell Rectory. He wrote as follows:- I regret inability to give you any further information re L Cpl C.Scott. During the short time he was out here he was very well liked by his officers, and respected by his comrades. He was one of a number of men who disappeared on 8th May when resisting heavy attack against superior numbers. In all probability he is a prisoner of war". From that time nothing else was heard of him until now. L Cpl Scott was very popular in the district. At one time he was a most useful member of the Cricket Club, and brought off many good bowling and batting performances. Later he went back to Herringswell and kept wicket for them in a most brilliant manner. All his friends and acquaintances hope to meet him again after the war". It has since been accepted that he died in action on the 8th, just six weeks after going into action. The 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment were in the Ypres salient. The night of 7th/8th passed in stillness but with a sense of foreboding and Captain Balders warned them to be ready for an attack at any time, adding that no ground was to be given, to stand to the last. The warning was not in vain and at dawn a tremendous barrage burst over Ypres and at 10 am a determined attack was launched against to point of the salient and the battle for Frezenberg Rdge had begun As Lt Col Murphy puts it in his "History of the Suffolk Regiment" "Every engine of war, every invention of the devil, every device and wile of hell seemed to be in action against the Allies." The Colonel, Adjutant, most of the officers and the R.S.M were casualties, battalion HQ was destroyed. The enemy succeeded in forcing a breach on their right and before noon the battalion had been overwhelmed. Casualties were over 400, indeed when the new reinforcement draft arrived from Felixstowe on the 9th,they were met by the remnants, two junior officers, the quartermaster and 27 survivors from the trenches. 94 had been killed and not one has a known grave. |
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