No.565, Corporal John Edgar HUMPHREY
Aged 22
|
John Edgar Humphrey was born in Steeple Bumpstead (Risbridge Q1-1895 4A:755), son of James and Alice HUMPHREY (née SCOTNEY).
1901 census...Aged 6, he was at Church Street, Steeple Bumpstead with his father James HUMPHREY [37] gardener/coal dealer; his mother Alice [36] born Thorney Fen, Cambs; brothers Charles [15] grocer's assistant; Reginald [14], Harold [12] and Norman [8]; sisters Ellen [10], Doris [4] and Olive [1]. All except his mother were born in Steeple Bumpstead. Sister May S. was not at home. His father died in 1910 1911 census...Aged 16, grocer's assistant, he was at The Post Office, St Marys Road, Frinton on Sea with his brother Reginald (grocer) and wife Ethel [26] born Stretham, Ely and their son Donald [4 months] born Frinton. His widowed mother was shopkeeper in Church Street, Steeple Bumpstead with his sisters May Searle, Doris Scotney, Olive Mary and Kathleen Irene [6] born Steeple Bumpstead. One of 10 siblings had died. |
|
Walter enlisted in Bengigo, Victoria on 29th February 1916. he was living in Cohuna, Victoria. Giving his age as 21 years 2 months, a labouer, he was 5 feet 10 inches (177.8 cm)tall,
weighed 142 lbs (64.4 kg), chest 33" to 36"(83.8 to 91.4 cm) grey eyes, brown hair, Church of England. His next of kin was mother Alice who moved from Harkstead, Ipswich, to Sutton, Ely (where she
received his personal belongings, to Isis Street, Garratt Lane, Earlsfield London SW18) Placed in the 38th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. He embarked on 20th June 19164 in Melbourne on the HMAT "Runic", arriving Plymouth on 19th August and proceeded to Larkhill. He joined base depot at Etaples, France on 17th September and was transferred to the 60th Battalion,joining them in the field on 12th November. Promoted Lance Corporal on 16th January 1917 and to Corporal on 19th February 1917. He was wounded in action on 12th May 1917 and taken to 29 Casualty Clearing Station at Grevillers with a gunshot wound to the back which had perforated his abdomen and he died on 14th May. |
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details