No.19915, Private, Arthur WOODROFFE
Aged 39
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Born in 3rd qtr 1878 Bury St.Edmunds 4a:579, son of George and Maria WOODROFFE (née KING)
1881 census...Aged 2, he was at 8 St Edmunds Place, Bury St.Edmunds with his father George WOOROFFE [40] draper's porter; his mother Maria [37]; brothers George [18] (porter) and Charles E [5]; sisters Martha A[14], Annie L [10] and Jane [7]. All were born In Bury St.Edmunds. 1891 census...Aged 12, he was at 6 Westgate Place, Bury St.Edmunds with his parents; brother George (disabled); sisters Elizabeth [9] (disabled) and Florence M [3] He married May Emily SNELL [2-5-1877] in Bury St.Edmunds 4th qtr 1898. 1901 census...Aged 23, bricklayer's labourer, he was at 10 Battleys Yard, Westgate Road, Bury St.Edmunds with his wife May [22] (stay factory hand); daughters May [2] and son Charles [14 days]. All born in Bury St.Edmunds 1911 census...Aged 32, bricklayer's labourer, he was at 25 The Butts, Bury St.Edmunds with his wife; daughters Daisy Ellen [12] and Ethel Myra [5]; sons Charles Edward [10] and George Robert [10 months]; mother in law Ellen SNELL [56] Laundress. All born Bury St.Edmunds. There are many unanswered question regarding the child May or Daisy Ellen. The children on the pension card are Ethel Maria [1-7-1906], George Robert [19-5-1910], Arthur Jack [5-8-1913], Reginald Walter [6-1-1916] and James Arthur [25-9-1918]. The earlier children would be too old to qualify for pension purposes. The family lived at 25 Cullum Road, Bury St.Edmunds |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds.
Just before the Kaiserschlacht, the German Spring offensive, the British Army was weakened so far as to reduce divisions from 13 to 10 brigades and brigades from 4 battalions ( 2 in and 2 out of the line) to three, 2 in and one out, hence 2 tours in the line and only one out. Added to which the Germans were able, since the Russian Revolution, to move many battle hardened troops from the Eastern to the Western Front. The German offensive began on 21st March. On the 28th the 2nd Suffolks were in the front line overlooking Wancourt. At 3 am a violent bombardment was opened on them, continuing until 6:45. The 15th Division on the left were seen retreating, followed by the Germans, which left the Suffolks left flank open and by 11 am the Germans had penetrated their line. Two German batteries then came up and knocked out the Suffolks' machine guns. The situation deteriorated still further and at 4 pm the order was given to withdraw to a line just north of Neuville Vitasse (which was occupied by the Germans). They were eventually relieved by the Canadians on the 30th. The 2nd Suffolks had 67 killed on 28 March 1918, only 12 have identified graves.
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
