SAPEY, Ernrst


No.43209, Private, Ernest SAPEY
Aged 25


7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
formerly 2362, Suffolk Regiment
Killed in Action on/since Saturday, 28th April 1917


Born in 1891 (4th qtr Bury St.Edmunds 4a:743) son of Frederick and Emma SAPEY (née HIPKIN)

1901 census...Aged 10, he was at 8 St.Andrews Street North, Bury St.Edmunds with his father Frederick SAPEY [55] domestic gardener; his mother Emma [52]; brothers Edward [20] barman and William [18] baker's assistant, all born Fakenham, Norfolk; sister Minnie [12] born Bury St.Edmunds.

His father died in 1905

1911 census...Aged 20, book shop assistant, he was still at 8 St Andrews Street with his widowed mother and sister Minnie.


He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds.

On 28th April 1917 the battalion was part of an attack on an 8 mile front between the Scarpe and Monchy. They went over the top at 4;45 am to attack the Blue Line and passed through the 5th Berkshires who had captured Bayonet Trench. They came under intensive fire from the direction of Roeux and suffered heavily. Parts of some companies reached the first objective but were unable to go further. All the officers except the Co and adjutant were killed or wounded and the troops returned to the Blue line when it became dark. The remaining 190 effectives withdrew to the support line at 1am on 29th. During the night a few stragglers managed to find their way back

CWGC records the 7th Suffolk having 94 killed on 28th, only 8 with known graves.





photo C.W.G.C.


Ernest Sapey is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Faubourg d'Amiens bay 4

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


BACK