No.2995, Private, Ernest Harry MIDDLEDITCH
Aged 29
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Born in 1887 (3rd qtr Bury St.Edmunds 4a:693) son of Simon and Sarah MIDDLEDITCH(née COPPING). Known in the family as Harry.
1891 census...Aged 3, he was at 1 St.Martins Place, Bury St.Edmunds with his father Simon MIDDLEDITCH [25] farm labourer; his mother Sarah [22]; sisters Gertrude [2] and Violet [1 month]. All were born in Bury St.Edmunds. 1901 census...Aged 13, he was at 40 Long Brackland, Bury St.Edmunds with his parents, sisters Gertrude, Violet, May [8], Ethel [5] and Florry [2]; brother George [4] 1911 census...Aged 23, a timber yard labourer, he was at 7 Klondyke, Bury St.Edmunds with his parents; brothers George, Felix [7] and George ALLEN [19 months] (son of sister Gertrude); sisters Violet, May and Florry The pension card, in addition to his mother at 7 Klondyke, has Miss L.Bennett, of Shop Corner, Drinkstone, guardian of an illegitimate child (not named but possibly Gertrude Elizabeth BENNETT b.1911) His brother George Simon was killed in April 1918 see here |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. According to Lt Col. Murphy's "History of the Suffolk Regiment" .the Battalion from 18th to 27th August were in local reserve trenches, working hard and constantly harassed by snipers and shrapnel. CWGC records show however that on the 21st they had 53 die, only one with a known grave. However no roll call had been taken for some days and it is firmly believed that many of these 53 had in fact died in a fierce action on the 12th. Harry's "Soldier's Personal Effects" entry actually states death "presumed on or since 21st August 1915". Obviously it is often impossible to accurately date such events.
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