No.722971, Private, Isaac FORD
Aged 37
Queen's South Africa Medal and clasps
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Augustus Isaac Ford was born in 1881 (Mildenhall Q1-1881 4A:616), son of William Noakes and Fanny Sarah Eliza FORD (née WILLIAMSON).
1881 census...Aged 2 months, he was at John Ford's Corner, West Row with his father William Noakes FORD [32] threshing engine driver; his mother Fanny Sarah Eliza [35] born Hertford; brothers Charles John [9], Herbert William [7] and Ernest Abraham [2]; sisters Florry [6] and Ethel Mary [4]. All except his mother were born in Mildenhall. 1891 census...Aged 10 he was at The Green, West Row with his parents, brothers Charles J (engine driver dredger), Herbert W, labourer, Ernest A and Rowland [1]; sister Ethel M, Sarah J [8] Nelly C [5] and Josephine A [3]. All the new siblings were born in Mildenhall. 1901 census...Aged 20 he was in the Suffolk Regiment in South Africa. His parents were still at The Green, West Row with Sarah, Josephine and Rowland. 1911 census...Aged 29, a labourer, he was at Thistley Green, West Row with his parents and brother Ernest (labourer). One sibling had died. The pension card has his mother at The Green, West Row.
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Seemingly always known as Isaac only in the Army, he attested in Mildenhall on 19th November 1898 for the Suffolk Regiment # 5242. He was already in the militia. Giving his
age as 18 years 2 months, a labourer from West Row, he was 5 feet 5 inches (165.1 cm)tall, weighed 119 lbs (54 kg), chest 33" to 34.5" (83.8 to 87.6 cm), hazel eyes, brown hair, Church of England.
He was engaged for 7 years in the colours, 5 years on Reserve. His father was named as Noakes Ford of West Row. Posted to 1st Battalion on 21st February 1899, then to Depot on 11th November 1899, rejoined the 1st Battalion on 30th August 1900 in South Africa where he served until 4th March 1902, gaining the Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps for Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902. He then served in India with the 2nd Battalion from 5th March 1902. He extended his service to 8 years on 1st April 1904. Suffering ill health, in Karachi on 9th November 1904 a medical declared him insane and he was invalided home in January 1905, being discharged at Netley Hospital by reason of no longer being medically fit for service on 21st March 1905. He was then 26 years 6 months old, 5 feet 6 inches, 35" chest. There were many medical conditions at that time that may have resulted in him being declared insane. He gave as his intended address, The Green, West Row. On 13th December 1915 he attested in Bury St Edmunds for the 3rd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, given No 76661. He gave his age as 36 years 11 months, a labourer from West Row. He was 5 feet 5.5 inches (166.4 cm)tall, chest 33.5" to 35.5" (85.1 to 90.2 cm). Next of kin was his father William Noakes Ford of West Row. He was placed on the Reserves. On 23rd March 1916 he was mobilised at Bury St Edmunds. On 7th June 1916 he was transferred to the 3rd/12th Bn, London Regiment, then on 15th June 1916 posted to the British Expeditionary Force in France where he was posted to the 1st/24th Battalion, London Regiment (The Queen's) with the number 72291 He was wounded in the right hand on 31st July 1918, attended 4 Field Ambulance, then 41 Casualty Clearing Station before being taken to 3 General Hospital Le Treport. Discharged, he joined Infantry Base Depot at Le Havre on 24th September 1918, and rejoined his unit in the field on 1st October, then on 14th October he received gunshot wounds in his right groin, right buttock and left arm and succumbed to his injuries that day at 51 Casualty Clearing Station at Estaires. His father, at The Green, West Row, was sent his personal effects of 2 Discs, broken pipe, bet, 4 numericals, mirror, comb, coin, three pencils and 2 cap badges. On the living family form completed by his mother on 24th November 1920, his living family at that date were his parents at West Row, Brothers Charles [49] in Uxbridge, Ernest [47] in West Row and Rowland [31] in Wisbech; sisters Florry Macgrow [46]in Australia, Ethel Brown[44] Wylde Street, Mildenhall, Nellie Lambert [39] at Leighton and Josephine Mackinnon [34] in London. 24th Bn, London Regt war diary 14th October 1918:- "06:00 D Coy carried out a strong reconnaissance under cover of artillery barrage.Objective, railway embankment ERQUINGHEM, objective gained 06:10. At06:15 a strong hostile counter-attack from both flanks developed and D Coy were forced to retire under cover of a Lewis gun post, which failed top return. 2/Lt A C S BEAN missing and wounded OR killed 15, missing 11, wounded 15. D Coy relieved by a company of 22nd Bn. Evening Bn relieved by 23 Bn and returned to [?]. Relief completed by 21:30." The Bury Free Press of 26th October 1918 reported WEST ROW DEATHS Mr. and Mrs.Noakes Ford, of the Green, West Row, received the sad news on Friday that their son Prvt Isaac Ford,London Regiment, had died of wounds at a Casualty Clearing Station in France.The Sister in Charge says that Prvt Ford was admitted to the station suffering from gunshot wounds in the head and groin. He was quite unconscious. Everything possible was done for him, but he never regained consciousness, and died quite peacefully. Prvt Isaac Ford went through the Boer War, and was drafted from South Africa to India, afterwards coming home. He joined the Suffolks in March 1915 and as subsequently transferred to the London Regiment. Much sympathy has been expressed by the villagers to Mr.and Mrs. Ford in their sad loss...... On the 9th November the same paper published the above photograph and a very similar article.
and commemorated on the war memorial in Mildenhall click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
