46691, Private, John TUFFS
Age 24
Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), 20th Battalion
Died of his Wounds on Thursday 17th May 1917
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Born in Lakenheath 19th July 1893 (Mildenhall Q3-1893 4A:777)
1901 census...Aged 8, he was living at Eriswell Road, Lakenheath with his father Elijah TUFFS [41] gravel raiser; mother Hannah (née BENNETT) [40]; brother Charles J BENNETT (TUFFS in previous census) [18] labourer; brother Peter [16] labourer; brother William A.[12]; sister Hannah [9]; sister- Ethel [4]; brother- Ernest [4] and brother Arthur [1]. All were born in Lakenheath. 1911 census...Aged 18, farm labourer was still living at Eriswell Road, Lakenheath with the same family unit. He married Ada COOPER [27-10-1893] in Mildenhall Q3-1913. Their daughter Edna Ruby was born on 15-4-1914 and son James Roland on 27-8-1916. They lived at Eriswel Road, Lakenheath. Thanks go to his family, who sorted out which of the 2 John Tuffs he was. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket. Being wounded and with no Army record surviving, it cannot be stated where or when he was wounded. The cemetery is near Boisleux-au-Mont, due south of Arras. VII Corps Main Dressing Station was posted near for the Battles of Arras. It was followed by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, which remained at Boisleux-au-Mont. The Bury Free Press of 2nd June 1917 :- A LAKENHEATH MAN DIES OF WOUNDS -We regretfully record the official news received by Mrs Tuffs, Eriswell Road, on May 25th, that her husband Prvt John Tuffs, 20th Northumberland Fusiliers, died of wounds received in battle on May 17th. He was the fourth son of Mr.Elijah Tuffs, Eriswell Road, and was 23 years of age. He leaves two children. Last October he went to France. Again, on 9th June 1917,:- A LAKENHEATH SOLDIER DIES OF WOUNDS It is our painful duty to have to record the death of Prvt John Tuffs, fourth son of Mr. Elijah Tuffs, of Eriswell Road, Lakenheath. Prvt Tuffs fought like a true British hero in the severe engagement on May 17th, sustaining wounds to which he has since succumbed. He was attached to the Northumberland Fusiliers. He leaves a young widow and two children, and with these, as with the bereaved parents, deep and heartfelt sympathy is felt. His untimely death helps to swell the already list of Lakenheath patriots who have fallen in this terrible conflict. |
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