No.9126, Sergeant, Percy Claude RIDGEON
Aged 28
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Born Percy Claude LAWRENCE in Bury St.Edmunds (3rd qtr 1889 4a:690) son of Louisa LAWRENCE. His mother married Arthur RIDGEON in 1893
1891 census...Aged 1, Percy LAWRENCE was at 58 Eastgate Street,Bury St.Edmunds with his grandfather William LAWRENCE 54, farm labourer born Sicklesmere; his grandmother Amelia [48] born Welnetham; aunts Amelia [22],and Emily [21] and Annie [13]; his mother Louisa [19] and his brother ? Henry Cyril [2]. All except the grandparents were born in Bury St.Edmunds 1901 census...Aged 11 (now RIDGEON) he was at 8 Ipswich Terrace, Bury St.Edmunds with his stepfather Arthur RIDGEON [29] labourer, his mother Louisa [26]; half sisters Florence [9] and Annie [7] and half brother Arthur [5].All were born in Bury St.Edmunds 1911 census...Aged 21, he was a private in the 2nd battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment in Malta. Still at 8 Ipswich Terrace were his step father, mother, sister Annie and brother Arthur. It is recorded there were 2 children of the marriage. He married Elsie Maud ELMER [17-9-1889] on Christmas Day in 1915, later of 36 Cannon Street,Bury St.Edmunds. His father died in 1915. |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds on 28th March 1905 in the 3rd Batalion (Militia) Suffolk Regiment giving his age as 17 years 6 months, of 8 Ipswich Terrace, Bury St.Edmunds, an errand
boy for Mr Saunders, Bury St.Edmunds. He was 5 feet 4/5 inches tall, weighed 107 lbs, chest 30 to 33.5 inches, grey eyes, dark hair, Church of England. Next of kin Arthur Ridgeon, father,
elder brother Arthur and sisters Florence and Annie. He was discharged on 7th June 1908
( presumably in order to join the Regular Army)
The Bury Free Press on 6th July 1918 carried the following article(the photograph is un-usable here) BURY SERGEANT REPORTED MISSING...We regret to learn that Mrs. P.Ridgeon of 36 Cannon Street, Bury St.Edmunds has officially been notified that her husband, Sergt. Percy Claude Ridgeon 9126, 2nd Batt. Northamptonshire Regt.,had been missing since 27th May. The following letter has also been received by Mrs.Ridgeon from the Lt.Col. "I much regret to inform you that your husband has been missing since May 27th. I am sorry that you have not heard before but no information could be sent from here , as a very large number of the Battalion are missing. I think it very probable that he is a prisoner of war." The missing soldier is a native of Bury St.Edmunds. He has nine years of service with the colours to his credit. At the outbreak of the war he was in Egypt and from there was drafted to France. He was wounded at the battle of La Bassee on May 1915. In the fighting between the River Somme and Castel from 23rd March to 1st April 1918 Sergt Ridgeon displayed conspicuous bravery. When his platoon officer became a casualty he handled his platoon with the utmost efficiency and coolness in very difficult situations and, he himself being slightly wounded. For his gallant conduct and devotion to duty he was awarded a parchment certificate by the General Officer. Mrs Ridgeon would be exceedingly grateful if any officer or regimental comrade could give her any information concerning her missing husband. The 2nd Northants suffered 4 hours of bombardment from 1am on 27th may, much of it gas, and also falling in the rear areas. A surprise attack by the Germans on the right completely surrounded the Battalion. Only 2 Officers escaped. 4 Officers and 76 other ranks returned from a Lewis Gun course and brigaded under Lt Col Davidge, 1st Worcester Regt.and proceeded up the line as reinforcements. Details Transport moved to MONTIGNY via VENTELAY at 1 pm A guard was left behind to take charge of Baggage etc, which eventually had to be destroyed by fire. At 7pm all details moved forward as reinforcements under Major FORSTER DSO MC and took up position between VENTELAY and BOUVENCOURT. 15 officers were missing, one wounded plus several attached officers. Here the war diary is badly torn. CWGC however record 67 killed of which only 7 have known graves.
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
