SHIPP, [BEAVIS] William


No.10950, Guardsman, William SHIPP
Aged 32


2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards
Killed in Action on Monday, 11th October 1915

An Old Contemptible


William BEVIS was born in Haverhill, (Risbridge Q4-1883 4A:588), son of Susan BEAVIS). The 1911 census says his parents married in 1886, so that seems to be Susan BEAVIS to Harry SHIPP (Risbridge Q4-1885 4A:945). He was always SHIPP in the census and the Army

1891 census...Aged 9, he was at 50 Burton End, Haverhill with his father Henry SHIPP [31] hair weaver; his mother Susan [29] tailoress; brother Fred [7] and sister Sarah [1 month]. All were born in Haverhill.

1901 census...Aged 17, a brickyard labourer, he was at 84 Burton End with his parents; brother Frederick (mat maker) and sister Sarah.

As William BEVIS he married Alice Mabel Annie COE [9-7-1889](Edmonton Q3-1910)

1911 census... Aged 26, he was visiting Charles and Kate NORMAN (née SHIPP) and their family at 60 Ascot Road, Edmonton,together with his wife Alice [20] born Enfield and their daughter Florence Alice BEAVIS [15-11-1910] born Edmonton. Their daughter appears to have been registered as Florence A BEAVIS.(Edmonton Q4-1910 3A:628) His parents were still at 84 Burton End with his sister Sarah. His mother had lost 3 of her 6 children.

The pension card has all three children as BEAVIS, Florence Alice [15-11-1910], Eleanor Rose [16-11-1912] and Louisa Maud [10-2-1915]. At that time they were at 5 Sandgate Road, Edmonton

His widow was at 2 Lorenco Road, Tottenham after marrying John L.DELANEY in 1919



The South West Suffolk Echo on 16th November 1915 said:-
"Those who knew him will regret to learn that Pte.William Shipp, of the 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards, has been killed.The son of Mr. and Mrs.H.Shipp, who now resides at 22, Withersfield Road, he first joined the Grenadier Guards in 1903, and had almost finished his full time when war broke out and he was called up as a Reservist. At first he was attached to the 1st Battalion, preparatory to going to France, and was afterwards transferred to his old Regiment. He had seen active service from the commencement of the war, and never missed an engagement with his Regiment during the whole time.He had been expecting to receive leave, but was killed on October 11th."


For the Great War he was mobilised at Bury St Edmunds. The 2nd Grenadiers war diary has them in the old German lines between Vermelles and Hulluch. Their dairy has:-
"11th Oct 1915 - A quiet day until 5 pm when the trenches were bombarded heavily for two hours and were badly knocked about. Battalion worked hard all night to repair damage. Lord Henry Layman left to take command of the 4th Battalion.".


CGWC gives the killed as 17. These together with some others (unknowns) were buried near the action and in 1919 moved to St Mary's A.D.S. (Advance Dressing Station) cemetery, William amongst them. Where he rests now there are 3 cemeteries with a couple of hundred yard of each other, St Mary's ADS, Ninth Avenue and Bois Carre.




photo from pierreswesternfront.punt.nl
Standing in Bois Carre, with Ninth Avenue in centre ground and St Mary's ADS by the trees

William Shipp is now buried in St. Mary's A.D.S. Cemetery,Haisnes, grave 9:D:10

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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