FULLER, Alfred


No.16888, Private, Alfred FULLER
Aged 34


11th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Died of Illness on Friday, 18th July 1919


Alfred FULLER was born in Bury, Ramsey, Cambs (St. Ives Q2 1885 3B:276)) son of George and Mary Ann FULLER (née PAPWORTH).

1891 census...Aged 6, he was at New Town, Ramsey, with his father George FULLER [28] stationary engine driver, born Burwell; his mother Mary Ann [26] born Somersham; brother Charles W [3] born Bury, Ramsey.

1901 census...Aged 16, a baker's apprentice, he was at North Street, Burwell with his father George FULLER,now labourer in manure factory; his mother Mary A [38]; brothers Charles W, and Andrew [7] born Ramsey; sister Eliza [10] born Ramsey. His mother appears to have died later this year.

1911 census...He has not been found in this census. Brother Andrew, farm labourer, seems to be at Mandeville, Burwell boarding with Harry and Elizabeth SHIPP and their two daughters, and his brother William [21] general labourer, born Ramsey. His parents and other siblings have not yet been found

The pension only records his name, regiment, rank and number.

His brother Andrew was killed in action in France in 1918, click here


He enlisted in March, on 24th November 1914, when resident in Isleham. He gave birth place as Ramsey, age 28 and 92 days (why he shrunk his age is unknown). He was a cement factory hand, 5 feet 8 inches (172.7 cm) tall, weighed 146 lbs (66.2 kg), chest 34.5" to 37" (87.6 to 94 cm).Next of kin, father, George.
He was posted to the 11th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. The Suffolks were overwhelmed by volunteers at the start of the war and set up a camp in Cambridge to deal with recruits from the Fens. Initially known as the Cambridgeshire (despite a regiment already of that name) the unit was to become officially the 11th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. He spent a month in hospital in Ripon with inflamation of the lymphatic glands (27 July to 26th August 1915) and another spell in Sutton Veny military hospital from 22 Oct to 30 November.
He was sentenced to 7 days field punishment (being manacled) for using obscene and insubordinate language to a superior office, in Cambridge on 21st June 1915.
On 12th February 1916 he embarked at Folkeston to join the B.E.F. joining his unit in the field on 6th March.
He was wounded near Albert on the 1st day of the battle of the Somme (1st July 1916), his left left sustained a fractured femur and damage to the knee, taken to 103 Field Ambulance, and he was evacuated to England by hospital ship on 8th July.
While in hospital in England it is reported that he developed a cough, which developed further in Leicester where he was declared to have phthisis (T.B.) unfit for active service. He was was discharged on 19th January 1917, proceeding to Parson's Lane, Burwell. Apparently his health deteriorated further and he died on 18th July 1919 and was buried in St. Mary's churchyard, Burwell




Alfred FULLER is buried in St Mary's churchyard, Burwell, nr SW boundary

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


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