No.8378, Corporal, Charles Henry HEEKS
Aged 24
|
Born on 27th September 1893 at 14 Gibbons Street, Ipswich (4th qtr Ipswich 4a:809) son of James and Susannah HEEKS (née PECK). Baptised at St.Matthew's, Ipswich on 11th April 1894.
1901 census...Aged 7, he was at 41 Prospect Row, Bury St.Edmunds with his father James HEEKS [39] wood machinist born Pershore, Worcester; his mother Susannah [39] charwoman born Stowlangtoft; sister Ellen [14] and brother Alfred [11]. The children all born in Ipswich. 1911 census...Not found in this census but presumably in the Suffolk Regiment somewhere, probably Aldershot His parents and brother Alfred were still at 41 Prospect Row, father and son both insurance agents. He married May Lilian BASS [15-5-1893] in Bury in 1915, later of 94 Queens Road, Bury St.Edmunds. Their daughter Joyce Kathleen was born on 20th March 1916. |
|
He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. The Bury Free Press of 6th July 1918 recorded:- A BURY CORPORAL'S DEATH ..We sincerely regret to announce the death in action in France on June 15th of Corpl. Chas. Heceks, 2nd battalion Suffolk Regiment, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs.J.Heeks,of 41 Prospect Row, Bury St.Edmunds. The following letter has been received by the widow from the Captain of the battalion:- "It is with a sad heart that I have to inform you of the death of your husband, who was killed instantly by enemy shellfire on the night of the 14th inst. in an operation our Battn took part in. He was a good soldier and a brave man. He had many friends and was liked by everyone who came in contact with him, and all the officers, NCOs and men join with me in tendering to you our sincerest sympathy in your sad loss" " A letter has been received from the Chaplain, part of which reads as follows -"I have no doubt that you have already heard from the Company Commander how splendidly your husband behaved.I regret to say that owing to the exposed nature of the ground it has been impossible to bring his body back to a recognised cemetery, but his body was buried where he fell. May God give you strength to bear this heavy blow bravely, knowing he gave his life in a great cause, doing his duty nobly and well" " The above letters prove the warm regard with which the deceased soldier was held and some consolation may be afforded the bereaved relatives to know he died like a true British soldier. Corpl Heeks had served with the colours for over seven years.He went out to France at the beginning of the war and after a time was sent back to England suffering from enteric fever. After recovering he was sent overseas again, just two years and three months ago, rendering good service to his battalion as a sniper. About eight months ago he was sent to hospital at |Calais suffering from exposure. On May 15th he was discharged from the hospital and sent into the lines where he met his death as stated above, at the early age of 24 years. DSincere sympathy is extended to the widow and little daughter and the bereaved parents in their loss.Mr.and Mrs.Heeks have one other son in the Middlesex Regiment on active service.
also commemorated on the Garland Street Baptists memorial. click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
