No.G/15618, Private, Albert HECKFORD
Aged 25
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Albert HICKFORD was born at 11 Chauntry Place, Haverhill on 25th October 1891, (Risbridge Q4-1891 4A:679), baptised in St Mary's on 29th
November 1891, son of Arthur and Emma HECKFORD (née WHIFFIN). The surname switches at times from HICKFORD to HECKFORD and back. 1901 census...Aged 9, Albert was at 14 Chainey Pieces, Haverhill with his father Arthur HICKFORD [36] cellarman at brewery; his mother Emma [40] sewing machinist; sisters Gladys [7] and Catherine L [2]. They were all born in Haverhill. 1911 census...Aged 19, a cutter's trimmer, he was at 16 Chainey Pieces, Haverhill with his parents and sisters Gladys (sewing machinist) and Kathleen (scholar).There had been one other sibling who sadly had died. They are all now recorded as HECKFORD. The pension card has them still there. |
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He enlisted in Haverhill. The South West Suffolk Echo reported on 24th March 1917:- "Mr. and Mrs. A.Heckford, 16 Chainey Pieces, Haverhill have officially been notified that their son,.Pte Albert HECKFORD of The Buffs ( East Kent Regt.) was killed in action in France on November 18th last.Though the casualty occurred so long ago, the official intimation is only dated March 16th. Pte Heckford, who was 25 years of age, enlisted on February 17th 1916 and proceeded to France on July 26th last The following letter has been received from one of his comrades:- "I am very sorry to have to write to you under such circumstances, but I think it my duty to let you know I am very sorry indeed to say it is not good news. The photos I have forwarded to you point out that they belong to your brave son, and I can assure you that you have the deepest sympathy of myself and all his comrades. Your son died a glorious death, and he was buried by myself and comrades. I am forwarding his correspondence, etc to you, and his pay book I am giving to our officer, so you will have further details regarding him later. I hope you will not upset yourself, for I am sure if we could see things in the right way he is far better off out of this strife. We all know that life is sweet, and I can only trust to the One above; it is His will, therefore we must be ready, for I think it is for the best." On the night of 17th/18th A Coy was in REGINA TRENCH, B Coy in HESSIAN TRENCH and C and D Coys moving up from OVILLERS HUTS. The plan was to attack and take DESIRE TRENCH right in front of them. On their left were the 7th Royal West Kents and on the right the 7th Queen's. They moved forward at 6:10 am under the cover of our shrapnel barrage, some of which were "shorts" and wounded one of our officers and a sergeant. The enemy opened a very heavy and accurate barrage on REGINA TRENCH. Communications back to HQ failed so two runners were sent, but they were both killed. Wounded coming back said things looked OK, so two more runners were sent forward, but one was killed and the other wounded. Three more were sent but one returned with useless information and the other two were never seen again. There was a certain amount of confusion as HQ had no clear idea of what was happening and all the time German snipers were picking off men, from the shell holes in which they had concealed themselves. It was arranged to sent two platoons from the 7th Queens and 7th Buffs to clear the ground between REGINA TRENCH and DESIRE TRENCH and gain touch with the leading waves.About 4:15pm 2 platoons moved forward from HESSIAN, it was getting dark and misty, but still the German snipers were effective and hostile fire increased as they approached DESIRE TRENCH and these platoons had to withdraw. The CO went to Brigade HQ at Mouquet Farm where he was told that that DESIRE TRENCH "must be taken" on the 19th." CWGC figures put the total battalion dead at 68, "only" 23 have no known grave. . |
approximate scene of the action in 18th photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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