|
5501 Depot Suffolk Regiment
2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Oliver Ratcliffe (registered as Percy Oliver) was born in 1882 in Sudbury, the eldest son of Edward and Florence Ratcliffe. His father was a carpenter and the family lived at 19 Melford Road, Sudbury. After his father’s death his mother lived in Meadow Villa, Meadow Lane where she was described as a ‘boarding house keeper’.
Oliver enlisted as a regular soldier in February 1900 and served with the Suffolk Regiment during the Boer War being awarded a medal and five clasps. He saw service in India and was awarded three Good Conduct badges during his service. His service record describes him as a steady, honest and sober with an exemplary military character. He was 5ft 4¼ ins in height, weighing 117lbs with a 32 inch chest. He had blue eyes, brown hair and a fair complexion.
Oliver was serving in Curragh, County Kildare when war broke out and was one of the first to go over to France. He first served in France with the battalion when they landed at Le Havre on 17 August 1914 as part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). The battalion fought a heroic rearguard action at Le Cateau (26 August – 1 September 1914) refusing to surrender until they were finally overwhelmed from the rear. Most of those still alive were taken prisoner.
Between January and March 1915 the battalion was on a constant state of readiness carrying out tours in the Vierstraat sector in Belgium. Although not required to attack or repel any serious advance by the enemy the battalion suffered 140 casualties. The Suffolk and Essex Free Press reported that Oliver ‘was gassed twice. After the first attack he was in hospital for three weeks, he then returned to the front line and was gassed for a second time’. After a stay in hospital in France he was sent back to England in June 1915. He was medically discharged from the Army on 9 September 1915 as no longer physically fit for war service suffering from ‘chronic nephritis as a result of active service exposure’..
Oliver died aged 34 on 11 March 1916. The funeral with full military honours took place in Colchester and he lies buried in Colchester Cemetery. The newspaper report at that time stated ‘He was a fine soldier, and had an excellent regimental record.’ ‘ After going to Colchester, where he visited some friends, he showed signs of mental trouble after his terrible experience, and he was admitted to the Essex County Hospital, where he died.’
Oliver was awarded the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Percy Ratcliffe who is also remembered on the Sudbury War Memorial was Oliver’s cousin (their fathers were brothers).
Back to Roll of Honour
|
