KINSEY, Walter Simon


12706, Private, Walter Simon KINSEY
Aged 19


2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Killed in Action on Thursday, 20th July 1916

Walter Simon KINSEY was born in 1897 in Kirtling (Newmarket Q3-1897 3B:496), son of Robert and Rhoda KINSEY (née ENNALS).

1901 census...Aged 3, he was at Bagsham Lane, West Row with his father Robert KINSEY [39] shepherd born Hintlesham, Suffolk; his mother Rhoda [35] born Polstead; brothers Stanley [10] born Old Newton, Robert [9] born Ardleigh, Essex and David [1] born Mildenhall.

1911 census...Aged 13, farm labourer,he was at Shepherd's Cottage, Nowton, Bury St.Edmunds with his parents; brothers Stanley (farm labourer), David and Edward [8] born Mildenhall; sister Rose [6] born Mildenhall.

No connection has yet been found with Balsham. He was in Shotley in 1914. His parents were later at Monewden,Framnlingham, Suffolk.


Walter enlisted at Ipswich.
The 2nd Bn. Suffolks, as part of 76th Brigade, on 20th July attacked enemy positions in Longueval in an operation to relieve what was left of the South African Brigade still defending the Delville Wood salient.
After an artillery bombardment, the attack began at 3:30 am. Thick mist and the smoke caused a loss of direction and confusion set in. When they eventually reached the outskirts of Longueval heavy machine gun fire and snipers caused heavy casualties as they tried to take the machine gun position The attack began in the early hours of 20 July at 3.35am following an preliminary artillery bombardment. A thick mist that morning however caused part of the battalion to loose direction and the attack became confused. At 4am as the battalion approached the enemy positions on the outskirts of Longueval they encountered heavy machine gun and sniper fire that impeded the advance and many lives were lost in an attempt to take the machine gun emplacement. Eventually, by the end of the day the battalion, with the 6th Royal Berkshires did manage to reach Delville Wood and relieve the surviving South African.

The South African Brigade had gone into battle here on 15th July 1915 with a strength of 121 officers and 3,032 other ranks. At roll call on 21st July they numbered only 29 officers and 751 other ranks.

CWGC figures show 115 of the 2nd Suffolk were killed on 20th July, only 26 have identified graves



Walter Kinsey is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial, pier/face 1C/2A
also commemorated in St Mary's Church, Shotley.

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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