No.202544, Private, Albert Edward HOUGHTON
Aged 19
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Born in 1898 (2nd qtr Bury St.Edmunds 4a:822) son of Benjamin and Alice HOUGHTON (née REYNOLDS)
1901 census...Aged 2,he was at 4 Peckham Street, Bury St.Edmunds with his father Benjamin HOUGHTON [40] basket maker; his mother Alice[38]; brothers Benjamin [14] grocer's porter; Herbert A [6]; sisters Annie F [9] and Elizabeth P [10 months]. All were born in Bury St.Edmunds. 1911 census...Aged 12, he was still at 4 Peckham Street with his parents; brothers Benjamin (bricklayer) and |Herbert (jobbing gardener); sister Elizabeth. His mother had lost one of her 8 children. His brother Joseph Arthur was killed in August 1917 see here |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. On 28 April, formations north of 12th Division undertook an operation to capture Roeux. 35th Brigade took part and attacked Rifle and Bayonet Trench but owing to heavy enemy shellfire and machine guns firing from Roeux - which was not captured - fell back to its start point. The battalion war diary has:- " In the line - 28th - Brigade attacked lines in front of PELVES, Norfolks right, Berks left, Suffolk to pass through Berks and capture far objective. Zero was at 4:25 am. Battn left SUNKEN ROAD just behind front line at 4:45 am in artillery formation. Heavy barrage and M.G. fire and attack failed, unable to advance beyond BAYONET TRENCH" Bayonet, Rifle and Bomb Trenches were immediately south of Roeux and in German hands at this time. CWGC records show 94 killed of the 7th Suffolk and only 8 have known graves.
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
