8588, Private, Jacob RUTTERFORD
Age 24
Suffolk Regiment, 1st Battalion
Killed in Action on Tuesday 25th May 1915
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Born in Lakenheath (Mildenhall Q4-1891 4A:754)
1901 census...Aged 9, he was living at Sandpits, Lakenheath with his father- Henry RUTTERFORD [57] farm labourer; mother- Emma (née RUTTERFORD) [52]; sister- Olive [18] and sister- Bertha [12]. All were born in Lakenheath. 1911 census...Aged 19 , labourer, he was lodging at Lode Street, Brandon with Henry and Mary Ann Dyer. He was entered in the census as KUTTERFORD. His parents, sisters Olive and Bertha and niece Minnie were still at Sandpits, Lakenheath. It is recorded that 2 of his 7 siblings had died. After Jacob's death the family address was Vine Cottage, Station Road, Lakenheath |
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He enlisted in Bury St Edmunds. Positioned near Witte Poort Farm on the 24th, and having been un-successful that day, the battalion was ordered to take Bellewaarde Farm at all costs. Thus, shortly after midnight the battlion again moved up to the west side of Witte Poort Farm, but not in touch with either flank unit.The attack was to be on a front of 400 yards. Two companies were put in the firing line, two in support the order was given to charge but they immediately came under withering fire. Men fell in heaps everywhere and the attack failed. A few then managed to dig themselves in on a sunken road and they were gradually joined by stragglers until their number rose to nearly 100. They held this position throughout the day despite heavy shelling. The remnants of the battalion, now only 3 officers and 181 OR were relieved that night, marching back through Ypres to Balloon Wood. CWGC shows 41 of the 1st Suffolks were killed on 25th May 1915, not one has an identified grave. |
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