No.17217, Private, James FULLER
Aged 30
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James Claud FULLER was born in Burnt Fen in Q3-1885 (Mildenhall Q1-1885 4A:674) to Sophia FULLER. His mother married Charles BRAND (Ely Q1-1888 3B:681) and James was brought up by his uncle and aunt, Alfred and Eliza FULLER (née MIZEN), taking his aunt's maiden name locally (Alfred was Sophia's brother). Many thanks to Richard Alecock for solving this mystery
1891 census...Aged 5, he was at Boarded Cottage, Stock Corner, Mildenhall with his grandfather James Fuller [55] farm labourer, born Norwich Thorpe; grandmother Ann [52]born Lakenheath; uncles Charles W [32], George [28] and Alfred [24] all farm labourers; aunt Mary Ann FULLER [14]. All the children were Mildenhall born. His mother [23] and step-father Charles BRAND [27] labourer, born Ely together with their daughter Annie M [2] born Lakenheath, were at Sedge Fen. 1901 census...Aged 15, a farm servant, he was at Smith Flander Cottages, Sedge Fen, Mildenhall with his widower grandfather James FULLER, uncle George; uncle Alfred (now married to Eliza MIZEN [25] born Eriswell). His mother and stepfather were at Prickwillow with their children :Annie M; William [8] born Lakeheath, Walter P [5]and Emma [3] both born Burnt Fen 1911 census...Aged 24, a farm labourer, he was at Sedge Fen, near Burnt Fen with his uncle Alfred, aunt Eliza; uncle George; cousins Sidney George [9], Doris Rosalie [3] His mother and stepfather (now plate layer on railway) were now at Shippea Hill Station with children William, Walter and Emma |
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He enlisted in Ely whilst resident at Burnt Fen. His "Soldier's Effects" record shows Charles Brand as 'father'. From http://www.hellfirecorner.co.uk/burgoyne.htm we learn that:- The Germans had intermittently shelled the front line at Morteldje Estaminet throughout the 19th April, becoming intense at 5 p.m. At 7 p.m. a green rocket rose from the German lines, and their bombardment then lifted to Clifford Tower, Vicar Lane and The Willows. German infantry swarmed from their trenches and captured the following trenches:-D.20, D21, the Ducks Bill, Willow Walk, S.18 and S18a from the 8th Bedfordshire by 8.30 p.m. The 2nd York and Lancs. were ordered from the canal bank to the support line, whilst the K.S.L.I. troops at Chateau des Trois Tours, and Work L.2 moved forward to join those already stationed at the canal. At 2 a.m. on the 20th a company each from the 2nd York & Lancs and 8th Bedfords, launched a counter-attack. The York & Lancs. company got into D.21 and D.20 but could only hold on to the left part of D.21. The Bedfords on the right, thought that they had re-captured Willow Walk and S.18a but they had in fact mistaken part of Gawthorpe Road for their objective. Patrols reported that the Germans still held the captured trenches in strength. Another counter-attack by the York & Lancs & Bedfords was planned for 10 p.m., the K.S.L.I. carried up supplies and ammunition to these battalions, however the attack was cancelled so that a thorough bombardment could be carried out. Meanwhile the York & Lancs relieved the Bedfords from B.16, B17.a and support trenches during the night. The 8th Bedford had 13 killed in this engagement and of course, many more injured. For what ever reason, despite his connections with Burnt Fen and Eriswell, he was only recognised, under his assumed name, on the Mildenhall memorial and that was deleted some time after WW2
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
