No.34567, Private, William Ernest SIMMONDS,
Aged 32
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Born on 1st December 1888 in Great Barton (1st qtr 1889 Thingoe 4a;704) son of Samuel and Ellen SIMMONDS (née CHANNELL)
1891 census...Aged 2, he was at Taylor's Farm, Terling, Essex with his father Samuel SIMMONDS [30] farm labourer born Rougham; his mother Ellen [25] born Great Barton; brother Roland J [4] born Great Barton; sister Annie C [5 months] born Terling. 1901 census...Aged 12, milk boy, he was at 12 Chapel Road, Bury St.Edmunds with his parents (father now stockman);brother Roland J (under gardener), David J [8] born Cressing, Walter E [5] born Rougham and George [1] born East Barton; sisters Annie [10] born Terlings and Charlotte [3] born East Barton 1911 census...Aged 22, a domestic groom, he was at 151 Cemetery Road, Bury St.Edmunds with his parents; brothers David (farm labourer), Walter [18] ()house boy born Rougham) and George [10] born East Barton; sister Charlotte [13] born East Barton. His wife to be was at Combs Lane, Stowmarket with her son [5]. He married Combs born Annie L PRYKE [22-3-1881] (3rd qtr 1915 Stow 4a:2726) later of 3 Combs Lane, Stowmarket. She already had a son, Phillip Adrian PRYKE [13-12-1905] His brother Walter was killed in action in 1914 see here |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. The German Spring Offensive (The Kaiserschlacht) began on 21st March 1918 and initially caused havoc. In the Blairville- Bienvillers-St Leger area from 23rd several companies of the 12th Battalion, Suffolk found themselves cut off and captured. Some parties did manage to escape, only to be caught again later. The battalion 367 was withdrawn on 26th having suffered a total of 367 killed, wounded or missing during the battle for Bapaume The German records have William as taken, unwounded on 28th March at St.Leger.
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