No.240713, Private, Albert Victor GILL
Aged 20
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Born in 1897 in Sudbury (3rd qtr 4a:782) son of Thomas Andrew and Annie GILL (née KEMP)
1901 census...Aged 3, he was at 74 Risbygate Strret, Bury St Edmunds with his father Thomas Andrew GILL [41] clothier born Whitehaven, Cumberland; his mother Annie [37] born Leicester; brothers George W [15] carpenter's apprentice born Northampton, Thomas F [12] and Horace W [9] both born Bedford; sister Hilda M [7] born Bedford. 1911 census...Aged 13, he was at 34 Whiting Street, Bury St.Edmunds with his parents (father now a commercial traveller); sister Edith Maud [9] born in Bury St.Edmunds, and grandfather Thomas KEMP [68] widower paver born Leicester. When his mother died his father moved to 107 Fornham Road. |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. It was a week since the Germans started their Spring Offensive, the Kaiserschlacht. This operation overan many Allied units and forced retreats in most areas. From 21st to 29th March the 2nd Suffolks casualties amounted to 14 officers and 428 other ranks. 66 OR died on the 28th, 55 having no known grave. They were in the Neuville Vitasse area, in trenches overlooking Wancourt. In point of fact the trenches had just started on, and were seldom as deep as three feet and the glaring white chalk was excellent markings for the German artillery which caused considerable losses. Despite some valiant efforts the battalion was decimated and at the end of the day was ordered to withdraw to Neuvlle Vitasse.
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