No.130233, Private, Samuel James PETTITT
Aged 20
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Samuel James Pettitt was born in Ramsholt, near Woodbridge (Woodbridge Q3-1898 4A:981), son of Samuel and Selina PETTITT (née SMITH).
1901 census...Aged 2, he was at Needham Street, Gazeley with his father Samuel PETTITT [28] horse man, born Orford; his mother Selina [25] born Birmingham; uncle George H SMITH [15] born Burton on Trent. 1911 census...Aged 12, he was at Dunstall Green, Dalham with his parents and brother George Frederick [8] born Gazeley. CWGC have his parents after his death at Rose Cottage, 58 Crown St., Stowmarket (Newmarket on original CWGC document). His residence on enlistment was Dunstall Green ("Soldier Died") |
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He enlisted in Bury St Edmunds, resident in Dunstall Green. 52nd Battalion MGC was formed 28 April 1918 and was part of 52nd (Lowland) Division. They had just broken through the Drocourt-Queant line just west of Cambrai. They do not seem to have been involved in any big action, only two of his unit were killed that day. His body was found at 57c.D.17.b.4.7 . Thanks to modern technology it is now possible to find this on line using http://rdf.muninn-project.org/TrenchCoordinates.html. This seems only to work on Chrome at present (Feb 2015). Most war diaries only give the last 5 co-ordinates the sheet number being missing but as the website is proactive, this is easily sorted.
Samuel was found here. The field can only be approached via Inchy-en-Artois photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
