No.s/12018, Rifleman, Benjamin WALLIS
Aged 24
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Benjamin WALLIS was born in Stetchworth in 1892 (Newmarket Q2-1892 3b:526) to to George and Sophia WALLIS (née ALLEN)
1901 census...Aged 9, he was at 4 New Cottages, London Road, Stetchworth with his father George WALLIS [47] horsekeeper on farm, born Lackford, Suffolk; his mother Sophie, [45] born Dullingham; brothers Arthur [25] stableman in racing, Raymond [17], general labourer, Allen [11],and Percy [5]; sisters Florence [23], Jessie [17], Minnie [12], Bertha [7], Ivy [ 3] and Rose [6 months]. 1911 census...Aged 19, he was an racing apprentice with Richard Marsh at Egerton House, Stetchworth. His parents, brothers Allen and Percy, sisters Bertha, Olive (Ivy) and Rose and cousin Albert were all at 4 London Road, Stetchworth. By March 1917, after Benjamin was killed, his father's address was 91 Horton Hill Terrace, Epsom which may account for him not being named on any Stetchworth war memorial. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket on 2nd September 1914, giving his age as 22 years 3 months, a stableman employed by Mr. R.Marsh since 1912, born in Dullingham (?). He joined the 7th Reserve Cavalry Regiment (No. 12522) on 16th September and was transferred to the 6th Battalion, Rifle Brigade on 3rd June 1915, then posted to the 9th Battalion on 29th June on joining the B.E.F. in France. He was wounded on 22nd August 1916, while the battalion were in Reserve at Montauban Alley, providing carrying and working parties by night. He soon recovered and returned to duty, only to be killed on 15th September. He has no identified grave. The war dairy available for the 9th battalion does not cover the 15th September 1916, but they were in the Delville Wood area. |
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