No.59454, Private, Stanley AVES
Aged 19
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Stanley Aves was born in Isleham in 1899 (Newmarket Q1-1899 3B:516), the son of Matthew and Mary Jane AVES (née HOUGHTON).
1901 census...Aged 2, he was at West Street, Isleham with his grandparents, Charles [64] and Susan [59] HOUGHTON, and aunt Rose HOUGHTON [35], all Isleham born. His father, Matthew AVES [27] cattle tender on farm; mother Mary [25] and sister Lilla [1] (all Isleham born) were further along West Street, Isleham. 1911 census... Aged 12, still at school, he was with his other grandparents, William [71] and Mary Ann [59] AVES who also lived in West Street, Isleham. His parents and sister Lilla were now in High Street, Isleham, with new siblings, William Redvers [9], Walter [7] and Rosie [1] all born in Isleham. One child had died. On the pension card his father was at High Street, Isleham but after his father's death, his mother moved to 82 Ramsden Street, Cambridge |
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He enlisted in Cambridge. A large part of the army in the later part of 1918 was made up of young men, "Men of 18 in 1918" they were called, sent out to France after a few months training soon after their 18th birthday. A draft of 50+ young men from Suffolk and Cambridgeshire (nearly all around 18 and a half) embarked for France on 18th September 1918, joining the 6th Northamptonshires around the 23rd September 1918. The battle at Ronssoy was their first action. Stanley's number indicates he was probably enlisted a bit earlier than these lads though. Certainly "Soldiers Died " has him as Lance Corporal. probably his acting rank, whereas CWGC tend to use only the substantive rank. 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. |
photo Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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