No.201461, Lance Corporal, Ernest CATCHPOLE
Aged 38
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Ezra Ernest Catchpole was born in Hesset on 23rd November 1878 (1st qtr 1879 Stow 4a:601), son of John and Isabella CATCHPOLE (née GROOM)
1881 census...Aged 2, he was at Newport's Lane, Hessett with his father John CATCHPOLE [39] horsekeeper born Hessett; his mother Isabella [31] born Bradfield St. George; sisters Mary Ann [11] born Hessett, Isabella A [7] and Emma A [5] both born Little Saxham and Miriam E [3 months] born Hessett; brother William J [9] born Little Saxham. His mother died in 1889. 1891 census...Aged 12, now Ernest, he was at Elms Farm, Hessett with his widower father; brothers William (farm labourer), Elijah [8] and Joseph [3] both born Hessett; sisters Isabella, Ellen(Miriam) [10] and Susannah May [1] born Hessett. 1901 census...Aged 22, a general labourer, he was working at The Crown, Station Road, Ely. His father was at Elm Farm, Hessett with brothers William, Elijah and Joseph (farm labourers) and sister Emma and Ellen. His father died in 1908. 1911 census...Aged 32, a farm labourer, he was at Green Farm, Hessett boarding with the family of David and Alice Bullett. His "Soldier's Effects" entry gives his legatees as brothers William J, Harry E ?, Francis J ? and John ?, sisters Mary E GREEN, Isabella A STURGEON, Emma A MANN and Susannah M SCASE. |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds on 1st April 1916.
It had been planned to attack on 26th but they could not even reach their assembly point thanks to the damage to the ground by artillery. The war diary has, from position taken up on a line northwards from Fiztclarence Farm to Glencorse Wood:- "Trenches - Sept.26th - An advance could not be made before 5:45 am owing to the Bn on the left not being ready and at about 5:30 am the shelling became most intense and heavy casualties were suffered. The heavy shelling, thick mist and darkness caused confusion and it was impossible for the men to keep touch, but Platoon rushes were made and some Platoons made progress. Capts Lake and Scrimgeour with about 20 men succeeded in reaching the front line and later made a further advance, capturing 2 M.Gs and 13 prisoners who gave valuable information. Bn began to reform round xx? on LONG LANE." CWGC have 58 killed of which only 10 have identified graves.
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