No.329209, Private, William DEBENHAM
Aged 35
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William Debenham was born in Glemsford on 19th March 1882 (2nd qtr 1882 Sudbury 4a:602) son of Alfred and Agnes Annie DEBENHAM (née NUNN)
1891 census...Aged 9, he was at Tye Green, Glemsford with his father Alfred DEBENHAM [37] bricklayer; his mother Agnes A [38]; brothers Harry [15] bricklayer, Walter H [13]; sister Annie R [3].All were born in Glemsford. His mother died in 1893 and father married Poslingford born Julia ATKINSON later that year 1901 census...Aged 19, a bricklayer, he was at Tye Green with his parents and sister Annie. His father died in 1903 1911 census...From his Suffolk Regiment number he would have just enlisted in the Army. His stepmother was a cook for Ralph and Mary Thompson at 6 Belsize Square, Hampstead On the pension card his widow was at North End Cottage, Hartest. He married Mabel BRADNAM [6-12-1890] in 1914 |
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He enlisted in Sudbury.
They were at POLDERHOEK..The war diary has : 15/11 ..At 5:30 am the enemy put down a barrage of artillery, trench mortars and rifle grenades on the front line and about the same time the SOS was sent up on our left. At 5:40 am the barrage liftedon to support Coys and HQ pillboxes. The SOS was repeated from Bn HQ and a message sent out to Bde HQ via battalion on our right "SOS MENIN ROAD" which appeared to be the centre of activity. Parties of the enemy, abut two companies in all, approached out lines on the MENINROAD about this time and were fired on. Two prisoners were taken, wounded., the remainder retired to their trenches. At 6:30 am the situation being quieter "STOP SOS" ws sent to Bde HQ via right battalion Signal communication was bad, the line to Bde has been "dis" all night. Visual signalling also faile, the ;lamp having been disturbed. Our casualties are roughly between 30 and 40 killed and wounded. One prisoner sent to Bde HQ and the other was evacuated to the Field Ambulance. They are both Prussinas, belonging to 31st R.I.R. In the event, CWGC recorded 9 killed.
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