No.235338, Private, George BIDWELL
Aged 39
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Born 1879 in Hessett (4th qtr Stow 4a:608) son of Isaac and Sarah BIDWELL (née OSBORNE). His father was 1st married to Susannah FROST (died 1st qtr 1875) and married Sarah SPARROW in 3rd qtr 1875
1881 census...Aged 1, he was at The Street (east sde) Hessett with his father Isaac [38] woodman born Welnetham; his mother Sarah [46] born Denham; brothers William H [17] born Barrow, a woodman, Walter [14], Edward [11], Thomas [9]; half brothers James [4] and Isaac [3]. The 6 youngest all born in Hessett. There is an error, Thomas not on GRO register, but on index (Stow 1st qtr 1872 4a 562). An Isaac was born in 1874 to Susannah but died 1st qtr 1875, 1891 census...Aged 11, he was still at The Street, Hessett with his parents, half brother Thomas, brothers James and Isaac, all three woodsman. In Qtr 3 1899 he married Annie DEBENHAM [24-9-1879] 1901 census...Aged 21, a hurdle maker, he was at Eldo Cottages, Rougham with his wife Annie [23] born Bury St.Edmunds 1911 census...Aged 31, hurdle maker, he was at Clay hall, Great Saxham with his wife Annie; sons James Edward [9], Isaac [7] and Charles [3] and daughter Daisy [1] All the children were born in Bury St.Edmunds. An un-named son was born and died in 1900 ( born 3th qtr Stow 4a:892, died 4th qtr page 486) Daisy died in 1913 The pension card has Annie and Isaac and Charles at 50 Whiting Street, Bury St.Edmunds. James Edward was too old to qualify for a pension. It gives the cause of his death as an appendix abscess and pneumonia. |
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He enlisted in the Suffolk Regiment in 1914, but was later transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers. Contrary to the newspaper report, it seems George was not wounded in action, but taken ill. The 1st/5th battalion were reduced to cadre on 15th Juy and sent to Dieppe area as Lines of Communication troops.T
and commemorated in Great Saxham click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
