No.6952, Private, Archibald Oscar PLUMMER
Aged 20
no medals
2nd/6th Battalion, Essex Regiment
Died of Illness on Friday, 4th May 1917
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Archibald Oscar Plummer was born on 26th December 1896 in Bardwell (Thingoe Q1-1897 4A:826) son of William Percy Wallace and Lavinia
Maria PLUMMER (née RUDD).
1901 census...Aged 4, he was at 6 Knox Lane, Bardwell with his father Percy PLUMMER [27] rural postman; his mother Lavinia [24] born East Harling; brother Victor [3] and sister Sybil [1]. All except his mother were born in Bardwell. 1911 census...Aged 14, a bricklayer's labourer, he was at East Harling with his grand parents Henry and Ellen RUDD and his 2 uncle William and Harry RUDD. Still in Know Lane were his parents (father now recorded as William Percy Wallace PLUMMER and job master); brothers Percy Victor, david Jack [9], Hubert Claude [4] and Willie Bloss [11 months]; sisters Sybil Elsie; Ivy Caroline [7] and Ada Eveline [4]. All the new siblings were born in Bardwell. |
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He attested in Bury St.Edmunds on 17th February 1916 and was placed on Reserve. He gave his date of birth as 26th December 1896, a horse man from Knox Lane, Bardwell.
He was 5 feet 2.25 inches (158.8 cm) tall, weighed only 92 lbs (41.8 kg), chest 29.5" to 32.5"(74.9 to 82.6cm), next of kin, his father Percy.
Mobilised on 3rd April 1916 he was first allocated to the 10th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment No.27205 before being transferred on 17th April to the 2nd/6th Battalion, Essex Regiment. In accordance with Army Council Instruction 1026-1916 he was granted one months leave from 9th August to 8th September but on 6th September in Bury St Edmunds hospital he was diagnosed as suffering from TB which according to his records was both severe and rapid. His records show that the origin of his illness was that soon after joining the 2/6 Essex at Thetford he began to cough, which got worse. Medical report was that he had a great deal of cough and temperature at night. Had not gained any flesh. TB present in sputum. This was attributed to ordinary military service, got a chill while under canvas in cold and wet weather which started his cough. Permanent and total incapacity. He was therefore discharged from the Army on 23rd November 1917 as being physically unfit for war service He was tended to by the Sanitorium at Bury St Edmunds and his home address was Vine Cottage, Knox Lane, Bardwell. He is buried in a large family grave behind the Baptist Chapel in Bardwell. The chapel is now a private dwelling. With no overseas service he was not eligible for any medals.
The chapel is now a private house click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
