No.6294, Private, Frederick Arthur HARVEY
Aged 28
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Frederick Arthur HARVEY was born in Kirtling in 1886 (Newmarket Q4-1886 3B:520), son of Lucy HARVEY. His mother married Alfred BRADY in Q4-1888 Newmarket 3B:1083
1891 census...Aged 4 he was at 13 Hymer Street, North Ormesby, Yorkshire, with his stepfather Alfred BRADY [27] labourer born Cowlinge; his mother Lucy [23] born London, half sister Edith M BRADY [1] born North Romesby and a lodger George BRADY [25] labourer, born Cowlinge (presumably step-uncle) 1901 census...Aged 14, teamster on farm, he was at Chapel Row, Ashley cum Silverley with his grandfather James HARVEY [70] gardener's labourer, born Cowlinge; grandmother Harriet [66] born Lidgate; uncles Arthur HARVEY [39] bricklayer's labourer born London, Surrey, and John HARVEY [19] bricklayer's labourer born North Crosby, Yorkshire and his grandfather's sister, widow Fanny ELLIS [62] born Cowlinge. His stepfather Alfred BRADY [39] horse man on farm, born Cowlinge; his mother Lucy [32] born London; half sisters Edith May [11] born North Ormsby, Yorkshire and Harriet Mabel [3] born Kirtling; half brothers James [9] born North Ormsby, Yorkshire and John [6] born Cowlinge, were in Cowlinge at Thrifty Farm. 1911 census...He has not been found in this census but he may well be the 24 yrs old Frederick Harvey (born Middlesborough) who is in the 1st Battalion Suffolk Regiment in Egypt (North Ormesby being nr Middleborough). His mother had died in 1901 and his widower step-father, half brother John and half-sister Mabel were still at Thrifty Farm, Cowlinge. Half-brother James had joined the Navy and was in Portsmouth. No pension card has been found for either Frederick or John Brady His Army Soldiers Effects entry gives his sole legatee as half sister Mabel Harriet BRADY. His half brother John BRADY was killed in Belgium in 1918 see here |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. His medal Index card wrongly gives the year of death as 1916. Thanks to Gwyn Thomas, Curator at the Suffolk Regiment Museum,
it appears he enlisted at the end of 1902,according to his regimental number. The war diary from 9th April to 9th May 1915 appears to have gone missing, so we must use Murphy's "History of the Suffolk Regiment":- April 22nd was the first real use of gas by the Germans. On the night of 23rd/24th the battalion went back into reserve between Frenzenberg and Verlorenhoek, no billets, they had to bivouack under hedges. On the morning of 24th they were put to work digging in on the ridge astride the Ypres-Zonnebeke road. An officer appeared from Division to say the 1st Suffolks and 12th Londons were to advance northward, adding the Germans had broken through and only these two battalions stood between the Germans and Ypres. Captain Balders sought advice from Brigade and was given authority to advance and try to establish a base in the ruins of FORTUIN. As soon as they set out the enemy barrage increased. On the way to FORTUIN, they came across a hard pressed Canadian unit and the decision was made to assist them. Being made aware that the Germans were already in St Julien. "A" and "B" Companies reinforced the Canadian left flank, whilst the rest took up a position covering FORTUIN, the 12 London being on the right.After digging all night the Suffolk who were put in the open managed to construct a fire trench over 4 feet deep with traverses. The 24th was the Suffolk's first experience of gas. Had the Germans realised the effect of their gas attacks and pushed their Reserves forward, they very well may have taken Ypres. CWGC put the deaths in the 1st Suffolks on 24th at 50, only 6 have known graves.
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
