No.202485, Private, Henry William CLOVER
Aged 25
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CWGC have his age as 40, but if we have the right man here, and every thing points to this being the right man, he was only 25.
Born in Mildenhall in 1892 (4th qtr 4a:712) son of James and Sarah Clover (née RISBY) 1901 census...Aged 9, he was at Grindle Farm, Hardwick Road, Bury St.Edmunds with his father James CLOVER [34] horse keeper, born Sicklesmere; his mother Sarah [32] born Rushbrook; brothers James [6] and Albert P [3]; sister Julia [4]. His siblings all born in Bury St.Edmunds. 1911 census...Aged 19, a farm labourer, he was at Almons Barns Farm, Grindle, Bury St.Edmunds with his parents; brothers James (farm labourer) and Albert (telegraph messenger) and sister Julia. The pension card has his mother at 4 Grindle Cottages, Southgate, Bury St.Edmunds |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. The 6th R Berkshires were at Zillebeke, the War Diary :- 1:55 am... Head of Bn arrived in assembly area in I.17.d.and I.3.a and c. 3:05 am... Bn reported present in assembly area. Message sent to Bde HQ to this effect. 3:55 am... Zero hour. 5 am Bde report Blue line captured. 5:50 am... Patrols under 2.Lts HR Hooper and PH Ligar sent forward to get in touch with 17th Manchesters 6:50 am... Black line reported captured unofficially. 7:15 am... Bn moved from assemlby area in artillery formation towards forming up line. 8:30 am... Bn passing through SANCTUARY WOOD in I.13.c. Fairly heavy MG fire and artillery barrage drected against Bn. No Manchesters met up to this point and captured trenches did not appear to be gasrrisoned. 8:45 am... JACKDAW RES TR reached.Owing to MG fire from Ypres-Menin Road and direction of GLENCORSE WOOD Bn deployed to extended order. Advance resumed and the line of the YPRES-MENIN Road made good. 9 am... Attack on the Black line determined on and commence by rushes under cover of rifle and MG fire. Suffolks and their attd T co-operated with fire on S.P at J.14.a.30.25. 9:50 am... In spite of strong oppositon and without assistance from our own artillery which was unaware of the situation, the line X roads J.7.d.9.1.JARGON SWITCH and SURBITON VILLAS captured. Touch gained with 2 Lincolns at bank in J.7.d. 10:10 am... British barrage opended behind the lne of resistance holding up theBn. Efforts to advance were stopped by rifle and MG fire from the JARGON TR line. 10:30... Consolidation of the line J.7.d.9.4. to X rd J.7.d.9.1.= to JARGON SWITCH - J.13.b.9.6. to junction rds at J.13.b.9.5. to E of SURBITON VILLA where touch was gained with the SUFFOLKS. The work of consolidation was difficult owing to hostile MG fire and aeroplanes dropping bombs on troops consolidating. 3 pm... Enemy seen massng for counterattack in GLENCORSE WOOD. SOS Barragec called for- artillery opened fire and attack did not materialise. renauinder of day fairly quiet but enemy kept up continuous shellfire on consolidang troops and B HQ on YPRES-MENIN Road in the tunnel at J.13.b.3.1. 8:30 pm... Order for relief by 17th K.L.R. received. Details arranged direct with BN. Midnight... Relief commenced. Completed 2:50 am. Bn withdrew to DICKEBUSCH. CWGC have 73 of the battalion killed that day, only 17 have a known grave, the rest are named on the Menin Gate
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