No.13218, Private, William Robert MIDDLEDITCH
|
William Robert Middleditch was born in Moulton in 1893 (Newmarket Q2-1893 3B:528), baptised at St Peter's Moulton on 11th June 1893, son of Louisa MIDDLEDITCH
(born 1873 in Moulton, daughter of John and Lydia MIDDLEDITCH of Dalham Road, Moulton).
1901 census...Aged 7, he was at Play Green, Moulton with his widowed aunt, Susan A. TAYLOR [53] born Cheveley and cousins Harry C TWEED [25] labourer born Exning, George BRIGHTWELL [12] born Exning and Violet BRIGHTWELL [7] born Moulton. His mother was a parlour maid for Edward WEDD at White Hall, Great Wakering, Essex. His mother married George Arthur CLARK (Newmarket Q2-1902 3B:985) 1911 census...Aged 17, a farm labourer, he was still at the Playground, Moulton, with his aunt and his cousin George Brightwell (a shepherd). His mother was in Great Wakering with her husband and four children. The Playground, the Play Green or just The Green seem to be the same area. His aunt's house was No.2 The Green. |
|
He enlisted in Newmarket on 9th September 1914 in the 9th Suffolks. He was wounded at Ginchy in 1916, returning to France on 13th December 1916 and transferred to the 7th Suffolks. The 7th Suffolks had been rehearsing in the Monchy area over dummy trenches designed from aerial photographs. On 9th August they were part of three Brigades (in the 35th Brigade) that attacked simultaneously. As soon as it was light the artillery opened a barrage on a belt of enemy trenches 2,000 yards long, 300 yards deep. 350 strong, the battalion left their caves in their HQ line and at 0745, accompanied by demolition parties from the Royal Engineers, moved forward under a creeping barrage. Heading towards Bois du Vert and the Mound, the prisoners soon trickled in. As soon as the German 1st line was reached a box barrage was put down and his second line raided. Although the casualties were heavy, valuable information was gained, 69 prisoners and two machine guns were brought back CWGC records show 39 were killed of the battalion, 29 having no known grave.
photo: Rodney Gibson click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
