ROLFE, William


No.42753, Private, William ROLFE
Aged 26


14th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
formerly 6968, 2/6 Essex Regiment
formerly 24450 Suffolk Regiment
Killed in Action on 12th October 1916


William Rolfe was born in Little Saxham on 14th September 1891 according to Army forms, but registered 3rd qtr 1890 Bury St.Edmunds 4a:648 son of Emma ROLFE.

1891 census...Aged 6 months, he was a visitor at 10 Reed's Buildings, Bury St.Edmunds with Susannah ALDERTON and her children. One record gives his place of birth as Garland Street Baptist Chapel, Bury St.Edmunds but the birth certificate has mother as Emma ROLFE a domestic servant and birth on 14th September 1890 at 10 Reed's Buildings, Chalk Lane, Bury St. Edmunds, Informant S ALDERTON on 28th October.

1901 census...Aged 10, he was with his widowed grandmother Sarah ROLFE [58] born Saxham; uncle Robert ROLFE [28] farm labourer born Saxham

1911 census...Aged 21, a farm labourer, he was in Little Saxham with his grandmother Sarah ROLFE

In 1919 the Army had his mother at 3 Toftwood, East Dereham, and in 1920 she was c/o Miss Jarred, Rose Cottages, South Green, East Dereham. The pension card causes more confusion, introducing another Army number and having Sarah Rolfe in Dereham as his grandmother





He attested in Bury St.Edmunds on 20th November 1915, giving his date of birth as 14th September 1891, a single labourer from Little Saxham. Next of kin his mother Sarah. Height 5 feet 5.5 inches, chest 32 to 35 inches, weighing 119 lbs, Church of England.
Initially in Suffolk Regiment No.24450, then 2nd/6th Essex Regiment 6968,(17/4/1916) before transfer to the Durham Light Infantry. Posted to 6th Bn and the BEF on 28th August 1916, then to 14th Bn on 16th September 1916.
Army form 5090 (living full blood relatives) (28/8/1919) records his grandmother Sarah Rolfe of Little Saxham, uncle Robert Rolfe (Little Saxham), William Rolfe (Haverhill) and aunt Annie Sillitoe (Halstead). Also annotated that Willie was raised by Emily Rolfe, wife of Robert Rolfe.
Another completed 5080 by his mother ? on 16th June 1920 has father dead, mother ? Sarah at South Green, East Dereham, brother Robert [49] in Little Saxham and Frederick [51] in Haverhill; sisters Emma Jarred [45] at South Green, East Dereham and Annie Sillitoe [47] at Halstead.

The battalion were operating around Longueval and Geudecourt. The war diary unfortunately details a successful attack on the night of the 11th/12th October but does not locate it.



William Rolfe is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme pier/face 14A/15C

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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No.421753, Private, William ROLFE [42753] This man's history is very confusing, I suggest the following theory grandson of Sarah ROLFE. [His mother's name is unknown and he was raised by his grandmother Sarah, and her son Robert. He probably never knew he was illegitimate and was raised believing his grandmother was his mother and then by aunts Annie and Emily when Sarah could no longer cope. In the 1891 census (APRIL 5th) ...Aged 6 months, would make his birthdate iro July, August or Sept 1890 The letter from the Rector states "We have not mentioned mother's name as Willie Rolfe was her illegitimate child before marriage by another father. She has ignored W Rolfe altogether & has nothing to do with him. His uncle Robert has always acted as father for him so would you kindly send anything belonging to Willie Rolfe to Robert Rolfe Little Saxham. signed Rev H I Kilner, Little Saxham Rectory. I knew W Rolfe all his life. (54 Sent) Form sent to Mrs Sarah Rolfe, 3 Toftwood, East Derewood (sic)" William Rolfe (Haverhaill) ... Sarah at South Green, East Derham, The pension card causes more confusion, introducing another Army number (???) and having Sarah Rolfe in Dereham as his grandmother Sarah Rolfe has always been his grandmother. I would suggest more research before changing anything Sarah (his grandmother was born 1853? and died 1932 age 79