No.252378, Private, Albert Victor MUNNS
Aged 17
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Albert Victor Munns was born in Fordham 21st September 1899 (registered as Victor (3rd qtr 1899, Newmarket 3b:521), baptised in Fordham on 29th October 1899, the son of Charles and Jemima MUNNS (née BULLEN). His father was first married to Mary Louisa BUTTRESS (Newmarket Q4-1888) by whom he had a son Arthur, born and died Q4-1889, and then another Arthur born Q1-1891. Mary Louisa died in 1893. Arthur was with his parents in Chippenham Road, Fordham for the 1891 census, and in 1901 was next door to his father, with aunt Eliza BUTTRESS His father married Jemima BULLEN, Q1-1894. 1901 census...Aged 1 (entered as MUNSES) he was at Church Street with his father Charles MUNNS [35] chimney sweep; his mother Jemima [27] born Kingston, Cambs; sisters Dorothy Ellen [6], Harriet Emma [4], Edith Mabel [3] and Frances Victoria [1]. 1911 census...Aged 11, he was at Church Street, Fordham with his parents, brother Arthur (grocer's assistant); sisters Edith Mabel and Victoria and new siblings, brothers George Edward [9] Wilfrid Curl [6], Sidney Alfred [6] and Frederick Charles [1], and sisters Margaret Gertrude [4] and Lilian Jessie (under 1 month]. All the new children were born in Fordham. Apparently there were two sets of twins, Albert Victor and Frances Victoria born in 1899, and Wilfrid and Sidney born in 1905. His family were later at Summerfield, Fordham. The penson card has them i market Street, Fordham. Brother, Arthur, (born 1891) who served as a driver from 1915 to 1920 in the Army Service Corps. Three cousins, the Munns brothers also died as a result of the Great War. Edward Charles Munns who was actually TURNER see here and Samuel Munns died of illness in UK in 1919. see here and William John Munns killed in action in France in 1915 see here |
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He enlisted in Cambridge, and died in Ripon Military Hospital, Yorkshire.
An article in the Newmarket Journal, of 9th June 1917, reported as follows :- "Gallant young soldier:Death- We regret to state that Pte. Albert Victor Munns, 232387, 'A' Coy., 2nd/5th Essex Regt., passed away after a painful illness extending over two months, at the Military Hospital, Ripon, Yorks., on May 21st. Pte. Munns was only 17 years and 8 months old, and enlisted on September 13th.1915, in the Suffolk Regt., and went to France in May 1916. He was wounded on July 1st of that year, and after lying on the field for four days, was brought in by an officer and sent from the field clearing station to a hospital in Boulogne on July 6th. Afterwards he was sent to Duston, Northampton. He was not able to do any further drill, although in other ways he helped to serve his country. Pte. Munns belonged to a well known Fordham family, who wish to return their heartfelt thanks for the many expressions of sympathy which they have received. Writing from the Ripon Military Hospital to Mrs. Munns, the Rev. H. Mammersley (chaplain) said :"You will have heard by now that your dear boy has passed away; it was at 10:30 last evening. I had seen him at different times in the day..he was not in pain, but tired and sometimes restless and troubled with his breathing. I told him I should be writing to you, and he sent his love to you and all at home. I read to him and prayed, and then he said he would like to go to sleep, and the Sister who was with him said he just passed away peacefully in sleep. Now we can feel his poor tired body is at rest, and his soul has passed into the nearer presence of Our Saviour. One of the hymns I read to him was "Thine for ever" (A&M 280), and it seemed so true of him, for he showed himself indeed a true son of God - so patient and cheerful and unselfish in all his sufferings. There are many the better for his short life. As a nurse said to me, "I am better for his example". I do hope the knowledge of his goodness will be some comfort to you in your great sorrow, for you can fell that after his life here on earth, he now rests victorious and happy in Christ..Before his body leaves here we will show every respect and comfort to a young soldier who has bravely fulfilled his calling and given his life for us, and the cause of goodness. The Internment took place at Fordham on Saturday week, amid general indications of respect and sympathy, a number of the principal residents in the village attending the obsequies.". July 1st 1916 of course being the horrific first day of the Battle of the Somme when around 20,000 Allied soldier died and a further 40,000 were injured on just one day. Although he was in the 2nd/5th battalion at his death, that was a home battalion. Which battalion he served in on the Somme is not yet known. The 1st, 2nd and 10th Essex were in the front line on 1st July 1916, having a total of 206 men killed between them.
He is buried side by side with his cousin Samuel Munns and George Nicholls with the one monument click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
