No.3/8870, Private, Edward CORNISH
Aged 18
|
Born in 1896 (2nd qtr Bury St.Edmunds 4a:808) son of Edward and Annie Elizabeth CORNISH (née TURNER) His mother married Edward CORNISH in Bury St.Edmunds in 1893. 1901 census...Aged 5, he was at 8 Battleys Yard, Westgate Street, Bury St.Edmunds wth his widowed mother Elizabeth CORNISH [37] a tailor's machinist, born Attleborough; half-brothers Harry TURNER [18]printer/compositor and Arthur TURNER [13]; brother William CORNISH [3]; grandfather widower Charles TURNER [79] bricklayer's labourer born Higham. All the children were born in Bury St.Edmunds. 3 children, Herbert Harry, Arthur Robert and Annie Elizabeth TURNER apear to be illegitimate. 1911 census...Aged 15, a telegrah boy, he was at Westgate Place, Westgate Street, Bury St,Edmunds with his mother; invalid grandfather Charles TURNER; half sister Annie RICHARDSON (married) [25] a cook; half brother Arthur (miller) and brother William (errand boy) The pension card has his mother moving to Risante House, Lynn Road, Ely, ad later back at 9 Westgate Place, Westgate Road, Bury St.Edmunds. His brother William died in 1917 see here |
|
He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds.
The 25th May saw a second attack attempted, having suffered badly on 24th. The War Diary has:- The enemy were supposed to be in Bellewarde Farm and this farm was to be taken at all costs. Suffolks on extreme right, C and D Coys in firing line, A and B in support. Farm to be taken at all costs 25/5 12:30 am..The attack commences.The battn was formed up I.17.ab (green line on map below) and moved off in force. Band D Coys leading on to Menin Rd, from thence north to west side of WITTEPOORT FARM facing east. The Welch Regt being on the left but not in touch. KOYLI on right but not in touch. Orders were given to fix bayonets and advance - we advanced to within 60 paces of the wood, reformed in the sunken road in front of enemy's position. The Welch Regt (2 Coys) being then in touch on the left. Orders were given to charge. Maj.Maycock DSO, C.O. of 1st Suffolks leading the charge himself and almost immediately a murderous fire was opened by the enemy with MG and rifle fire from SE corner of wood. The men were mowed down and somewhat demoralised, but 2 Lieut Packard with CSM Pye and six men of the Suffolks succeeded in digging themselves in on the S side of the wood where they were joined by details from other Regts (making altogether 100 men).This position was held through the day until relieved at night by the other Division..(followed by a list of names of those recognised for their efforts, unusually mentioning ORs by name). CWC records 42 of the battalion killed on 25th, only 2 have known graves.
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
