No.12052, Corporal, George Henry SNELL
Aged 25
|
Born in 1891 (3rd qtr Bury St.Edmunds 4a:742) son of Alice SNELL. Alice Elizabeth SNELL married William Charles JOHNSON in 1896 (3rd qtr 1896 Bury St.Edmunds 4a:1315)
1901 census...Aged 9, he was at 46 Raingate Street, Bury St.Edmunds with his grandfather Robert SNELL [69]farm labourer born Bradfield St.George; his grandmother Sarah [48] born Rougham; cousins John [23] farm labourer born Bradfield St.George, Agnes [22] born Bradfield St.George, Frederick [13] and Charles [10] both born Bury St.Edmunds. 1911 census...Aged 19 a draper's porter, he was at 148 Southgate, Bury St.Edmunds, boarding with Philip POTTER [54] coal carter born Bury St.Edmunds and Sarah POTTER [57] born Rougham. Sarah was previously SNELL (née COCKSEDGE) and sister in law of his mother Alice SNELL, a sister of Frederick SNELL. His cousin Frederick SNELL died of wounds in 1918 see here |
|
He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. Easter Monday being April 9th in 1917, we can see that George was wounded in the action undertaken by the Battalion that day. The battalion marched into the cellars in Arras and through the tunnels until they reached the cave and debouched into trenches, awaiting zero hour. Strong resistance had prevented the Blue Line from being taken but 35 Brigade were ordered to advance, hoping their appearance would force the Germans still holding out to surrender. At 12:15 pm with the 7th Norfolk right, 5th R Berks left and followed by the 7thn Suffolks and 9th Essex, 35 Brigade passed through 37th and 36th and by 1:5pm the Blue Line was ours. Opposition was expected at Maison Rouge and German batteries were known to be in the valley. The plan now was to take FEUCHY CHAPEL. The 9th Essex and 7th Suffolks pressed on and the Essex gained FEUCHY CHAPEL but the bulk of the attack was stalled by uncut wire and machine guns. Attempts were made unsuccessfully to cut the wire by hand so a line was taken up along the Feuchy Road. The bad weather then deteriorated even further and closed the day. 4 OR had been killed, wounded numbers are unknown.
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
