No.TF/242586, Private, George Edward CALVER
Aged 25
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George Edward Calver was born in Bardwell (Thingoe Q3-1892 4A:744), son of George Edward and Melinda Emma CALVER (née PALFREY).
1901 census...Aged 8, he was at 5 Maltings Yard, Bardwell with his father George E.CALVER [40] domestic groom, born Honington; his mother Melinda E. [38]; sisters Edith C [10], Annie L [3] and Jessie Pretoria [10 months]; brother Alfred Ernest [5]. All except his father were born in Bardwell. 1911 census...Aged 18, a baker, he was at Spring House, Bardwell with his parents;brother Ernest; sisters Louisa (Annie L) and Jessie and Ivy [7] born Bardwell. |
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He enlisted in Stanton on 3rd September 1914 and attested for the Suffolk Regiment at Bury St Edmunds
giving his age as 22 years 2 months,single, a baker, born in Bardwell.
Next of kin father George Calver of Spring House, Bardwell. He was 5 feet 6 inches tall (167.6 cm), weighed 150 lbs (68.3 kg), chest
34.5" to 36" (87.6 to 91.4 cm), blue eyes brown hair, Church of England.
Posted to the 8th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment on 10th September. He was rapidly promoted to Lance Corporal, on 22nd September, perhaps too quickly since he voluntarily reverted to Private on 12th November 1915. He arrived with the BEF on 26th July 1915. Having received a gun shot wound in the back he was evacuated on 1st July 1916 from Rouen back to UK (1st day of battle of the Somme when the 8th battalion suffered badly but he must have been wounded at least 2 days earlier. From the Depot he was posted to the 3rd Battalion on 9th January 1917 and then transferred to the East Surrey 2nd/6th on the 25th January. On 14th September 1917 he was once more back in the BEF, this time with the 13th East Surrey Regt., moving to the 7th Battalion a few day later. All this moving between units means he has two medal index cards, one for his 1914-1915 Star and one for the War Medal and Victory Medal. The Battalion were in the Monchy-Reoux area in the front line and suffered a heavy spell of trench Mortar fire on 20th July, suffering some 5 or 6 casualties. Wounds to his legs saw him admitted to No.55 Casualty Clearing Station at Tincourt on 20th September where he died 2 days later. The Bury Free Press of 12th January 1918 reported :- BARDWELL MAN'S DEATH FROM WOUNDS Our photo is that of Lance-Corpl.Edward Calver of the East Surrey Regiment,who died from gunshot wounds in the 55th C.C.S., France, on Nov.22 last. He was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. George Calver of Spring Cottage, Bardwell, and was assistant to Mr. H.W.Markham, baker, until his enlistment on the 3rd September 1914. He was 25 years of age
photo: Rodney Gibson click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
