No.10358, Sergeant, James CORNISH
Aged 24
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Geoffrey James Cornish was born in Rougham on 8th April (2nd qtr 1890 Thingoe 4a:691) son of Mildred Sarah CORNISH. His mother married Jeff
CATCHPOLE in 1899.
1891 census...Aged 11 months, Geoffrey was at Kings Hall Green, Rougham with his mother Mildred CORNISH [27] single, and brother (Jesse)Francis [4]. All were born in Rougham. He also had a brother Archibald Emmanuel CORNISH [1881]. 1901 census...Aged 10, James was at The Green, Hessett with his stepfather Jeff (Zephtha) CATCHPOLE [34] farm labourer born Gedding; his mother, brother George CORNISH [6] and half brother Geoffrey CATCHPOLE [6 months] born Hessett. 1911 census...Aged 19, an under-gamekeeper, he was at Norton Road, Thurston, boarding with the SIMKINS family. His mother, brother George and half brother Jeffrey were at Drinkstone near the Post Office On the pension card his mother was at the Post Office, Drinkstone, when she died (1950) his father Zephtha CATCHPOLE was at 55 College Street, Bury St. Edmunds. This card has him still in the 3rd Battalion. |
| "Soldiers Died" has him born in Bradfield and resident in Drinkstone. He enlisted in Bury St. Edmunds on 16th February 1909 for six years in the Reserves. He gave his age as 18 years 1 month, single, a gamekeeper born in Bradfield, Suffolk. He was 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighed 125 lbs, chest 31 to 33.5 inches, Church of England. He was placed in the 3rd battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, No,10358. Mobilised on 5th August 1914. Promoted Lance Corporal 5th June 1911 and to Corporal 29th July 1912. In 1919 his Army Form 5080 his full blood relatives were his mother Mildred Sarah CATCHPOLE, nr. Post Office, Drinkstone and brother George CATCHPOLE [24] No.12909 Munster Fusiliers in France; half blood Jeffery CATCHPOLE [18] nr Post Office, Drinkstone. No father named. His next of kin were his mother, brother Archie CORNISH of Newmarket and Alan Frank Cornish of Rougham who may be recorded elsewhere as Jesse Francis or just Francis. Promoted Acting Sergeant at Fort Purbrook on 4th September 1914, posted to BEF 11th December 1914 and promoted Sergeant on 12th December 1914 and posted to the 2nd Battalion. At the beginning of March 1915, the Meerut Division, including the 2nd Leicesters, lined up before the village of Neuve Chapelle, which was held by German forces, half way between Bethune and Lille, south of Armentières. The plan was to form up overnight 9th/10th March. The 2nd Leicesters were in position by 5 am. A sustained artillery bombardment of the German lines was due to begin at 7.30 am to discourage resistance and to cut the enemy's wire. As soon as the barrage was lifted, the advance was to begin. The 2nd Battalion of the Leicesters gave a good account of themselves and remained in the line, in the thick of the battle, until 13th March, when it was relieved. At roll call on 13th March, the first possible since the start of the battle, his name remained unanswered.
also commemorated on the Drinkstone war memorial. click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
