No.G/18054, Private, Sidney George BRAY
Aged 19
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Born in 1897 (2nd qtr Bury St.Edmunds 4a:795) son of Sidney and Caroline BRAY (née ROSIER)
1901 census...Aged 4, he was at 10 Vinefields, Eastgate, Bury St.Edmunds with his father Sidney BRAY [39] farm labourer; his mother Caroline [40]; brother Bertie [14] labourer;,sisters Sarah [13], Frances [11], Harriett [9] and Ellen [7]. All were born in Bury St.Edmunds. 1911 census...Aged 14, he was at 12 Vinefields with his parents; sisters Fanny (Frances), Hettie (Harriett) both mineral water maker's assistants and Nellie (Ellen); brothers Albert [6] and Tommy [2].2 of his mother's 10 children had died. He married Alberta Constance WILSON [10-7-1898] in Brentford on 10th June 1916, their son Sidney George was born on 30th July 1916. Thye were at The Street, Pakenham. Whe his medals were posted Dec 1919) to his widow, she was at 3 Pest Cottages, Hardwick Footpath, Bury St.Edmunds. |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds on 25th November 1915, (2637 Suffolk Yeomany) giving his address as 11 Vinefields, Bury St.Edmunds, aged 19 years 8 months a horseman. He was 5 feet 5.5 nches tall, chest 35" to 37.5". He was posted to BEF 27/8/1916 (Folkestone - Boulogne). He was transferred to the 7th Royal West Kent Regment on 7th September 1916. Posted initially as wounded and missing on 4th October 1916 The war diary has:- 2:30 am- Relief of C Coy reported complete; C Coy less two platoons in dug outs in original German front line at 6 am. 8 am Message received from 2/Lt C Lebon A Coy that Germans attacked point R.20.c.15 at 6:15 am. We hold on between point 15 and point 17 and are bombing up trench. 9 am Message from 6th Royal Berkshire Regt on our right states 7th Buffs just bombed up as far as the Pt R.20.c.27.3 ad we ae co-operating. Orders sent to C Coy (less 2 platoons) and 7th Buffs in the Bosche front line to come up to R.25.b.6.0 9:30 am Commanding Officer ordered to report to Bn HQ for a conference with Gen.Maxse. 9:40 am Situation reported well in hand, bombing up to R.10.d.99 10:42 am Message received from 2/Lt CD Hayfield, all trenches lost this morning have been retaken. We are now up to point R.19.d.99. Reserve platoons both put into the line; can a platoon of C Coy be sent up as a reserve. 12 noon Message received from Bde the whole of SCHWABEN redoubt is to be captured by bombing. Bombing to be continued vigorously throughout the day and night and bomb stops to be down all the communication trenches leaving northwards. Officer commanding 16th Notts and Derby Rgt came up to reconnoitre line with a view to taking over. 2:53 pn Message from front line says all positions held and no counter attack made. Bombing continuous, garrison of SCHWABEN REDOUBT A Coy 1 Officer 30 men - B Coy 2 Officers 32 men - D Coy no officer 2men. 2/lt DM Taylor reported killed, 2/Lts AS Hayward, L Carman, Lt MRK Borge wounded; Capt HA Dyson Lt JG Hands slightly wounded still at duty. OR killed 6, wounded 14, missing 8 3.45 pm Message from Bde repeated to C Coy. Hold on to positions you have gained and do not advance further. 1 platoon of C Coy being sent up to support under 2/Lt Kerr. 8 pm Message from C Coy saying C and D Coys hold from R.19.d.99 to R.20.c.15 and A Coy from R.20.c.15 to R.19.d.46 11:40pm Message received from Bde, 8th Norfolk Regt will attack with bombing parties from Pt R.19.d.45 along western face . Stokes and Vickers guns co-operating. 7th Buffs remain holding the line. Zero time 6 am.
The faint marks in the fields are where there were trenches
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