No.2055, Private, Harry Victor RUMSEY
Aged 18
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Harry Victor Rumsey was born in Brandon in 1896 (Thetford Q3-1896 4B:359) son of Samuel and Rosina RUMSEY (née DYER). 1901 census...Aged 4, he was in Town Street, Brandon with his father Samuel RUMSEY [40] labourer in wood yard, born Lakenheath; his mother Rosina [33]; brothers William [10] and Robert [6]; sisters Ethel [8] and Lily [2]. All except his father were born in Brandon. 1911 census...Aged 14, as all the siblings, a rabbit skin furrier, he was at 15 Town Street, Brandon with his widowed mother; brother William and Robert; sisters Ethel and Lily. |
click here to go to the Brandon at War website for more information
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He attested in Brandon on 31st March 1914 for the 4th TF Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. He was born in Brandon, living at 15 Town Street, working for George Woods
& Son, Brandon. He gave his age as 17 years 7 months. He was only 5 feet 3.5 inches (161.3 cm)tall, chest 32.5" to 34.5" (82.6 to 87.6 cm)
Several pages of records for another Rumsey are intermixed with his but these details are his, several of the usual forms are missing. Embodied on 5th August 1914, he embarked in Liverpool on HMT 'Aquitania' on 29th July 1915, reaching Mudros on 5th August , transferring to smaller vessels and reaching Imbros on the 8th and then to Suvla Bay where they landed on 10th. Unfortunately he was killed within 4 days of arrival. By the end of the 14th they were exhausted from hard work in the heat, food had been sent to them and they had plenty of water from 4 nearby wells, albeit it was very dangerous to get to it. Most activity was from enemy sniper fire. From the link above there is more, he had written his last letter home to his mother on 11th August saying that his brother had been on the same ship. CWGC records have 3 men of the battalion killed on the 14th.
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
