No.59560, Private, John Alec KING
Aged 20
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John Alec King was born in Hartest (1st qtr 1898 Sudbury 4a:804) son of George and Kate KING(née FISHER) His father died in 1900
1901 census...Aged 3, he was at Laurel House. Hartest with his widowed mother Kate KING [43] farmer/malster born Poslingford; sisters Bertha [17], Kathleen [15] and Eleanor [11]; brothers Philip [9], Edwin [7] and Frank [5]. All the children were born in Hartest.. 1911 census...Aged 13, he was at boarding school at 7 Angel Hill, Bury St.Edmunds. His mother was still at Laurel House with his sisters Bertha and Eleanor; brothers Harry, Edwin and Frank. |
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He enlisted in Ipswich.
War Diary :- 4 am - 29 September 1918 "Coys took up positions on forming up line between LEMPIRE POST and TOMBOYS FARM facing NE. 5:30 am the Bn advanced behind Americans A and D Coys in front line, B Coy in support and C Coy in Reserve.Owing to dense smoke barrage our Coys got mixed up with the Americans. Objective of the Bn MACQUINCOURT TRENCH was taken but owing to lack of support on the right, A Coy fell back and formed a defensive flank. 10 am - 5 of the 8 officers who were with the Coys had become casualties, including B and D Coy Commanders, therefore 2 Coys only were organised . A and B together and C and D together. A number of American stragglers were attached to our Coys.Owing to heavy MG fire from both flanks the forward Coy, A Coy were forced to abandon position and withdraw to TOMBOYS SUPPORT.On account of the dense smoke and mist the troops had not mopped up thoroughly and the enemy still held posts behind our troops on the flanks." CWGC have 44 of the battalion killed.
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