No. 4955, Private, Nelson FLACK
Aged 19
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Born in Lakenheath, registered Mildenhall Q3-1896 [4A:803].
1901 census...Aged 4 he was living at Undley, Lakenheath with his father- Thomas FLACK [50] Farm Labourer; mother Betsy [45] (née BROWN); brother- Fred [18] farm labourer; brothers- Turrell [16] farm labourer, Mayes [13], Ebenezer [10], Alfred [9]and Thomas [2]; sisterHilda M [6]. All were born in Lakenheath. 1911 census...Aged 14 he was a farm labourer, still living at Undley, Lakenheath with his parents and brothers Mayes, Alfred and Thomas. There were 11 children in the family. The pension card for the brothers has their mother at Lindley ? Road, Lakenheath. It incorrectly records them killed on the same day. His brother, Alfred FLACK, was killed in Belgium in 1915. see here |
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He enlisted in Lakenheath. The 4th Suffolks had moved into Trones Wood late in October, occupying some poor trenches in front of Les Boeufs. The time was spent in minor attacks, the batle of the Somme was close to its end. They made their last attack on 1st November, before moving back to the Flers line. The Battalion had been subjected to heavy artillery shelling throughout this tour of duty. They had 21 killed on 1st November, none have an identified grave, all are named on the Thiepval Memorial. The Bury Free Press of 2nd December 1916 reported:- THREE BRAVE LAKENHEATH LADS - ONE KILLED - ONE MISSING A few days since a letter was received by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Flack,the Common, informing them their youngest son, Prvt Nelson Flack, 4th Suffolk Regiment, had been killed in action. This has now been confirmed by an official notification that he was killed on November 1st. He enlisted on March18th and left for active service on August 27th this year. He was 19 years of age. Hi brother, Prvt Alfred Flack, enlisted 25th November 1914, and was reported missing on May 8th 1915, and nothing has been heard do him since that date. The eldest brother, Prvt Turrel Flack, 19th Manchester Regiment, joined the Army on April 6th and left England for active service on July 5th this year........ |
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