No.12885, Private, Major Gascoigne EDGELEY
Aged 29
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The family name may be Edgley or Edgeley Major Gascoigne Edgley was born in Wickhambrook in 1888 (Risbridge Q2-1888 4A:659), baptised in Wickhambrook on 30th September 1888, son of James and Betsy Jane (née SHAVE). 1891 census...Aged 3, he was at 101 Attleton Gardens, Wickhambrook with his father James EDGLEY [38] shoemaker; his mother Jane [37]; sisters Clara [9] and Annie M [6]. All were born in Wickhambrook. 1901 census...Aged 13, he was at Mole Hill, Wickhambrook with his parents; brothers Adolphus [9] and Harold [7] both born in Wickhambrook In 1907 he married Florence HAYGREEN. 1911 census...Aged 23, farm labourer, he was at Ingham Dairy with his wife Florence [23]; son Douglas [3] and daughter Annie [11 months]. Wife and children born in Wickhambrook. Their son, Victor Adolphus, was born in 1916. His brothers Adolphus and Harold emigrated to Australia and Adolphus see here joined the Australian Army and was killed in Gallipoli in 1915. |
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He enlisted in Culford.
Unable to find the May 1917 war diary, but Lt Col Murphy's "History of the Suffolk Regiment" relates that after heavy losses at the end of April 1917, the remnants of the battalion were organised into two weak companies that went into Reserve at Railway Triangle and Orange Lane till the middle of May, when they returned to Arras, marching two days later to Simoncourt and Fosseux for a month's rest and training. The battalion lost only 2 other men in the field over the previous 7 days The Bury Free Press of 26th May 1917 reported:- LOCAL SOLDIER'S DEATH IN ACTION Mrs. J.Edgeley, of Wickhambrook received the sad news on Tuesday morning that her son, Pvt M.G.Edgeley, 12885, 7th Suffolk Regiment, has been killed in action in France. His widow, Mrs. M.G.Edgeley, of Ingham, had a letter from his chum, saying that he was killed by a shell, and was buried just behind the firing line.This is the second son who has made the great sacrifice, and much sympathy is felt for his parents, his young widow and three children.
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