No.12147, Private, William John MUNNS
Aged 17
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John William MUNNS was born in Fordham on 22nd April 1898, (Newmarket Q2-1898 3B:533) baptised in Fordham on 11th June 1899, son of Walter and Eliza
MUNNS(née TURNER).
1901 census...Aged 2, as William John, he was at Fyson's Yard, Fordham with his father Walter MUNNS [39] bricklayer's labourer; his mother Eliza [37] born West Row; sister Sophia [14] and half brother Edward Charles [17] (bricklayer's labourer); brothers George William [12], Charles [10], Frank [9] and Albert Arthur [7]. All except his mother were born in Fordham. 1911 census...Aged 12, as William John, he was at Church Street, Fordham with his parents (father now farm labourer); brothers George Willie, Francis and Ernest (all farm labourers), Samuel [10] and Lionel [6] and sisters Annie Eliza [8] and Charlotte [3]. The new siblings were all born in Fordham. His mother had lost 3 of her 13 children. He was one of three brothers to die as a result of the Great War. Edward Charles - actually TURNER see here and Samuel Munns died of wounds/illness in UK in 1919. see here and cousin Albert Victor Munns died of his wounds in UK in 1917 see here |
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He enlisted in Mildenhall.
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, at least 7 of them local men
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