No. 12813, Private, Stephen Samuel MENDHAM
Aged 23
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Stephen Samuel Mendham was born in Kentford (Mildenhall Q1-1893 4A:807) and baptised at St Mary's, Kentford on 2nd April 1893. He was the son of John and
Eliza MENDHAM (née SMITH).
1901 census... Aged 8, he was at Bury Road, Kentford with his father John [50] horse keeper on farm, born at Herringswell; his mother Eliza [48] born Freckenham, brother John [20] groom in racing stables, born Kennett; brother George W [17] agricultural labourer, born Kennett; sisters Rosa A [14] and Ann E. [11], both born in Kentford. 1911 census... Aged 18, a farm labourer, he was still at home in Kentford with his parents. One sibling had died. His father died in 1913 and his mother in 1919. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket. Lt. Col. Murphy's "History of the Suffolk Regiment" has:- The 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment moved into assembly trenches on March 1st 1916, halting near Bedford House on the Ypres-St.Eloi road to draw bombs. Had the enemy but known of the mass of troops blocking the road there for half an hour, he could have prevented-with a few shells- the 76th Brigade from much of account in the attack. The assembly trenches were reached just after midnight, "A" Company, on the north side of the Bluff, finding theirs in a shocking state as a result of the bombardment of the previous days. That was known as Boche Trench, very deep, strutted overhead with timber but in places impassable. B, D and C companies were in that order on the south side of the Bluff. The attack was ordered for 4:30 am. As our men rose from the trenches a tremendous roar of rifle and machine gun fire burst forth from the brigade on the right of the 76th. The German immediately sent up a shower of Very lights and for a few seconds it was as bright as day. At this warning signal, the enemy artillery opened upon the attackers, our batteries immediately putting down a heavy barrage on the German second line. Our leading troops, however, who had assembled within a few yards of the German front line, were already through, having taken the enemy by surprise. On the left the attack was not so fortunate, "A" Company being caught by the counter barrage before they had time to debauch from Kings Street. By 7am the lost trenches had been recaptured. Our front trenches, which had been entirely destroyed, were now partially re-dug, but the ground, churned up by the shells, was in a chaotic state. The line was therefore but lightly occupied, all the men who could be spared being sent back to the assembly trenches. At about 8 the Germans began a bombardment which lasted all day and night. At dusk a bombing party entered the craters and captured 49 Germans who had been hiding in the saps all day. The attack was a conspicuous success and by evening the brigade was holding an even better line. Casualties however were 250 out of the 500 taking part. This was the first time the battalion had worn steel helmets, which the troops did not take kindly to at first." Of the 53 killed, only six have identified graves. |
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