This at present seems to be the most likely man, with Burnt Fen connections, father born in Mildenhall
The William POWELL from Kenny Hill survived the war
No.R/38070, Rifleman, Samuel William POWELL
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Samuel William Powell was born in Prickwillow (Ely Q1-1895 3B:561), son of William and Tabitha POWELL (née DORLING).
1901 census...Aged 6, he was at Mildenhall Road, Prickwillow with his father William POWELL [28] cattleman on farm,born Mildenhall; his mother Tabitha [26], born Prickwillow; sister Lily [3] born Burnt Fen. 1911 census...Aged 16 (now recorded by his father as William) he was at Burnt Fen with his parents, sister Lily and brother Bert [9] born Littleport. The pension card puts his mother at New Barns, Ely |
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Enlisted in Ely. On 24th August the war diary has them at CLAPHAM JUNCTION:- 24 Aug 17 - All "B" Coy and "D" Coy and 2 platoons of "A" Coy had been relieved and had marched to ZILLEBEKE BUND when SOS signals went up from the front line and the enemy counter-attacked -The dispositions of the remainder of the 8th KRRC at that time were as follows: HQ and Communications section in CLAPHAM JUNCTION tunnel, under the MENIN ROAD, 2 platoons of "A" Coy in JAM RESERVE, just behind STIRLING CASTLE. "C" Coy forming a defensive flank facing south from INVERNESS COPSE to STIRLING CASTLE. The counter attack was a failure except on the left between GLENCORSE WOOD and INVERNESS COPSE where enemy patrols were pushed forward. These did not get far, but during the day we had to withdraw from INVERNESS COPSE and held the western edge of it. The Bn suffered badly from shell fire during the day and lost 6 officers killed and 3 officers wounded. Major BOURDILLON, Cap HARDY (Adjutant), Capt LEE, Lt SIMPSON, 2/Lts BARRETT and SPILLING were killed, while amongst the OR there were about 100 casualties. The casualties were mainly caused by shell fire and owing to the weakening of the ridge from this cause, the remainder of the Bn was recalled from ZILLEBEKE BUND. About one haour after their arrival the whole Bn was relieved and marched back to ZILLEBEKE BUND. The estimated casualties were 9 Officers and 230 OR. |
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