No.12529, Private, Edward Percy KING
Aged 32
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Edward Percy King was born in Herringswell in 1883, (Mildenhall Q2-1883 4A:655), son of Robert and Rachel Emily KING (née WOODROFFE).
Just to confuse the researcher he is referred to in 2 census as Percy! 1891 census...Aged 8, he was at Cheveley Street, Cheveley with his father Robert KING [36) farm labourer, born Soham; his mother Rachel E. [36] born Chippenham; sisters Emily [13] born Soham, Florence [6] and Elizabeth [3] both born in Cheveley, and brothers William [11] born Soham and Harry J. [2 months] born Chippenham. 1901 census...Aged 18, a farm labourer, he was at Main Street, Cheveley with his parents, brother William (stud groom), sister Elizabeth and brother Harry and sister Gertrude [3] born Cheveley. 1911 census...Aged 28 and still single, a farm labourer he was at Cheveley Street with his parents, brother Harry James (farm labourer), sister Gertrude Irene and brother George William [7] born Cheveley. The family later moved to 5 Broad Green, Cheveley. Edward's younger brother Harry James KING was killed on the third day of the Somme in 1916. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket. On the 13th October after an intense bombardment for 2 hours an assault was launched on a front of about a mile against the Quarries. The objective for the 7th Suffolks was the Hairpin. This was two trenches running for 250 yards from the old German line to the current one, at the British end only 50 yards apart, in some places only 15 yards. Starting under a smoke screen 'B' Company advanced but met very heavy machine gun fire when the smoke lifted and they failed to achieve their objective, losing 75 casualties. 'A' and 'D' Companies then simultaneously attacked, 'A' up the left arm, accompanied by some of the 7th Norfolks, and 'D' Company up the right arm. Gradually they eased their way up to the edge of the Quarries, but could advance no further. Captain Thomas then ordered a trench to be dug connecting the two arms to complete the Hairpin and consolidate their position, which was later handed over to the 9th Essex. All told the 7th Suffolks had 51 killed on the 13th. Another Cheveley man, Harold Cornelius Foreman was killed this day near Albert, with the 8th Suffolks
photo: Rodney Gibson click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
