C/JX 151660 HMS Veteran, Royal Navy

Reginald French was born around 1920. He was the second son of Charles William and Ethel Annie French. The family lived at 5 Middleton Road, Ballingdon, Sudbury. Reginald joined the Royal Navy at the age of 16 and trained at HMS Ganges at Shotley, Suffolk and later served onboard HMS Veteran.

HMS Veteran was a ‘Modified ... more

C/J30310  HMS Pembroke, Royal Navy

Harry was born in Bures St. Mary, Suffolk in 1898, the son of Harry Charles and Eliza Alleston.  His father was a gardener/labourer and in 1901 he was living with his parents and younger sister Maud in Sudbury Road, Bures St. Mary.

Harry was married to Doris Louise, they and their 3 children, 2 girls and a boy lived at 4 ... more

C/J 110244 HMS Chakdina, Royal Navy

Joseph Moore was born in Darsham, Suffolk in 1909; he was the middle son of Robert John and Bessie Moore. The family moved to Sudbury when he was a small boy and he attended North Street School. Joseph had 2 brothers and 3 sisters and the family lived at 1 Gardenside, Croft Road, Sudbury. His father was employed on the railway.
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C/JX 129070  HMS Heythrop, Royal Navy

Basil was born around 1912, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. William Sandford.  He and his sisters lived with their parents at 9 Inkerman Row.  Basil joined the Royal Navy on leaving school.  He later married Phyllis.

HMS Heythrop was a ‘Hunt’ Class Escort Destroyer built by Swan Hunter and Wigham Ric ... more

Assistant Commandant First Aid Party

Harry Everitt was born around 1922. He was the son of Sidney Charles and Kathleen Maggie Everitt. The family lived at 21 Station Road, Sudbury. Harry had his call up for military service deferred because his employment as an engineer’s fitter at Bruntons was classed as essential war work. He was among many Sudbury men and women wh ... more

770453 58 Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery

Cyril Johnson, known as Jim as he disliked the name Cyril was born in Sudbury in May 1913. He was the son of Alfred James and Ethel Johnson. His father was employed as a sheet metal worker. Jim was one of 12 children and the family lived in Gregory Street. Jim’s father was injured in the First World War and should have had ... more

5828303 5th Battalion Suffolk Regiment
Attached ‘D’ Company

Robert McIntyre was born 23rd April 1910 in Glasgow, Scotland.  He was the son of Archibald and Margaret McIntyre.  Robert was a textile designer and married to Cecilia (Celia?).  The family lived at The Retreat, Cornard Road, Sudbury.  

In October 1941 the 5th Battalion ... more

Charles Golding was born around 1909, the son of Alfred and Amelia Golding. He had 4 brothers and a sister and the family lived in Sudbury and later moved to Long Melford. Before the war Charles saw service with the Royal Air Force in India. After leaving he remained a reservist. Charles was married to Joyce Muriel and they lived in Plough Lane, Sudbury. He was employed at Arlington ... more

6022816 6th Battalion Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment

William Hurst known as Billy was born on 20th January 1920 at the family home, in Mill Lane, Sudbury. He was the son of George William and Rose Hurst and had 2 sisters Florence and Lucille. His father was employed on the railway. Billy attended Mill Lane Council School. He was a good friend of Jimmy Pilgrim, ... more

152245 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Eric Fillmore was born on 9th June 1922, the son of Marcel George and Mabel Mary Fillmore. His father was the stationmaster and the family lived at 17 Queen’s Road, Sudbury. Eric attended North Street School before entering Sudbury Grammar School in September 1933. He left in January 1940 after gaining the Cambridge Certificat ... more

109027  36 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Verdun Scott was born in Halstead around 1916.  He was the only son of Alfred and Ethel Scott.  Verdun never knew his father, who died when he was a baby.  He and his mother lived at 10 Upper East Street, Sudbury, close to other family relatives and he attended North Street School. On leaving school he was employed as a ... more

145336  627 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

John Douglas was born around 1921.  He was the youngest son of Reverend Canon John Frederick Hughes MA and Elsie Hughes.  His father was inducted as the Rector of St. Gregory’s Church, Sudbury on 31st July 1929 and the family lived at The Rectory until 1957.  He was also the Mayoral Chaplain.
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170386  106 Squadron Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

John Marshall was born in 1920, the son of John Samuel and Alice Maud Marshall of St. Andrew’s Street North, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk.  John was educated at King Edward VI School in Bury St. Edmunds.  On leaving school he spent a year as a civilian clerk with the Metropolitan Police.  When he was ... more

152754 161 Squadron Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Arnold Dean, known as Keith was born on 22nd September 1923, the son of Ernest F. and Helen Agnes (nèe Arnold) Dean. His father was a Chartered Accountant. Keith attended Sudbury Grammar School from September 1934 – July 1940 and belonged to the Air Training Corps. His first employment on leaving school was ... more

1781858  9 Coast Regiment, Royal Artillery

George Seal was born around 1921, the son of Arthur and Susan Elizabeth Seal.  The family lived at 81 Ballingdon Street, Sudbury.  

George was serving in the Far East.  Just before the fall of Singapore in February 1942 he had sent a telegram to his mother stating  ‘All well and safe.  Pl ... more

11425020  411 Battery, 124 Lt. AA Regiment, Royal Artillery

Reginald Seal was born in 1923, the son of Arthur and Susan Elizabeth Seal.  The family lived at 81 Ballingdon Street, Sudbury.   Before the war Reginald was employed by Mr. Woods, a butcher in Ballingdon.  He was engaged to Phyllis Palmer.  

Reginald was injured by an explosio ... more

891751 58 Medium Regiment Royal Artillery

Hubert Bayfield lived in Sudbury in Priory Walk. He was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Bayfield. His parents had a ladies wear shop in King Street, where Winch and Blatch Ladies fashions are today.

Hubert was in the Territorial Army before the war. The Drill Hall was based in Gainsborough Street, and members came fro ... more

837220  58 Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery

Sydney Reeve was born around 1914.  He was the son of Charles Walter and Emma Reeve.  The family lived at 16 Humphry Road, Sudbury.  Sydney had 5 brothers and 2 sisters.  Before the war he was employed at Rippers of Hedingham.  

Sydney was also a member of the Territorial Army.  The Drill ... more

1781889 197 Battery, 61 Light A.A. Regiment, Royal Artillery

Frank Bear was born 16th June 1905. He was one of nine children of Alfred and Florence Bear (née Ward). Frank was married to Olive Maud East on Christmas Day 1928. They had 4 children, 3 girls and 1 boy and lived at 8 New Street, Sudbury. Before the war Frank was employed as a van driver for Mr. Wash of N ... more

5828492 5th Battalion Suffolk Regiment

Albert Bear was born around 1921 and was the younger son of Walter Henry and Jane Bear. The family lived in Melford Road. On leaving school Albert was a reporter for a time with the Suffolk and Essex Free Press and was very keen on junior football. He was then employed at Vanner and Fennells Silk Mills as a clerk. During the war Vanne ... more

796474 HQL of ‘C’ Corps of Military Police

Donald Theobald known as Don was born in 1913. He was the only son of Herbert and Lily Theobald. He and his 4 sisters lived with their parents at 21 Humphry Road, Sudbury. His sister Ella enlisted in 1941 and served as a Lance Corporal in the Auxiliary Territorial Service working in an Ordnance Depot preparing equi ... more

2720228  3rd Battalion Irish Guards

Douglas Stock was born on 21st November 1919.  He was the foster son of Mr. and Mrs. F Rudd.  The family lived at 17a East Street, Sudbury.  Douglas attended Sudbury Grammar School.   His first employment on leaving school in 1936 was as a newspaper reporter with the Suffolk and Essex Free Press, where he worked ... more

6020492 4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment

Robert Moore known as Jimmy was born around 1917. He was the youngest son of Robert John and Bessie Moore. The family lived at one time in Darsham, later moving to Sudbury. Jimmy had 2 brothers and 3 sisters and the family lived at 1 Gardenside, Croft Road, Sudbury. His father was employed on the railway.

Jimmy married M ... more

1442978  Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Jack Cresswell was born around 1921 and was the son of George and Priscilla Cresswell.  The family lived at Girton Terrace, Prince Street, Sudbury.  He had an older brother who served in the Royal Air Force overseas during the war and a sister.  Jack went to North Street School and was a member of St. Gregory&rsquo ... more

1232638  Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Robert Pettit was born on 19th January 1922, the only son of Robert and Florence Pettit.  The family lived at St. Olaves, Priory Road, Sudbury.  His father was the Town Clerk and during the war held the position of Local Billeting Officer as well as being Chairman of ‘Sudbury Wings for Victory’.  Robert ... more

C/JX 352080  HMS Goodall, Royal Navy

Alexander Pearce, known as Alex was born in Barking on 8th August 1923.  He was the youngest of 7 children of Edward and Elizabeth Jennie (nèe Reid) Pearce.  His father came from Norfolk and his mother from Bethnal Green.  The family lived at 15 Denham Way, Barking before moving to Park Lodge, Newton Road, Sudbur ... more

C/LX 21256  HMS Hunter, Royal Navy

James Rowe was born on 19th September 1912, the son of James and Mabel Rowe.  The family lived at one time at No.62 Queen’s Road, Sudbury, and later moved to No.88.  James attended Sudbury Grammar School from September 1923 – July 1929 and joined the Royal Navy on leaving school.  He was married to Kathleen.&nb ... more

127303 Royal Army Pay Corps

William Barnes was born around 1896 in Hampshire. His father served in the army and as a boy William went with his parents to Egypt. He returned home to England at the age of 12 and attended school in Lavenham, while his parents were in London. On leaving school he joined the Stock Exchange but at the outbreak of the First World War he joined 2/ ... more

C/JX 245694 HMS Phoebe, Royal Navy

George Henderson was born around 1925 and it is believed came from a large family. He was a ‘Barnardo’s Boy’ and was fostered by Mrs. Horsley of 49 Newmans Road, Sudbury.

George served onboard HMS Phoebe, a Dido class cruiser built by Fairfield shipbuilders on Clydebank, Glasgow and launched in 1939. In April ... more

C/JX 191239  HMS Fiji, Royal Navy

Emrys Bird was born around 1921, the son of Harry and May Bird.  He was married and they lived at 14 Garden Row, Sudbury.

HMS Fiji was a ‘Fiji’ Class Cruiser built by John Brown Shipbuilders, Clydebank, Glasgow.  She was launched on 31st May 1939 and completed on 5th May 1940.  In the early months of ... more

C/JX 159696 HMS Bullen, Royal Navy

Albert Heard was born around 1922, the son of Bert and Florence Heard. The family lived in Assington before moving to Sudbury where the family of 3 boys and 3 girls lived at 60 Ballingdon Street, Sudbury. His father was employed as ‘a roadman’. Albert was known by his family nickname of ‘Douggie’ and he attended St ... more

6020179 1/4th Battalion Essex Regiment

Paul Death was born around 1918, the fourth son of Charles and Eva Death. The family lived at 65 Friars Street, Sudbury. Paul enlisted at the age of 22, his four brothers also served; two in the army in the Middle East, one in the R.A.F. and one in the Royal Navy. His father Charles was a Special Constable and a Senior Warden with the ... more

5828528  2nd Battalion Cambridgeshire Regiment

George Risby was born around 1921; he was the son of George and Grace Lily Risby.  The family lived at one time at 16 Cross Street, Sudbury and later moved to No. 87.

The Cambridgeshires were the last regiment to cease fighting defending Singapore.  The Japanese attacked the island on 9th February 1942 an ... more

1692004 1st Battalion The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)

Joseph Plampin was born around 1912. The family lived at 2 The Mount, North Street, Sudbury.

In February 1944 the 1st Battalion saw action at Anzio in Italy and was among the first to cross the Arno River near Florence, later joining the 1st Armoured Division on the Adriatic coast. In February 1945 the ... more

6019037 4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment

James Pilgrim, known as Jimmy was born in January 1918. The son of Mrs. Maud Pilgrim and the family lived at 34 Mill Lane, Sudbury. He was a good friend of Billy Hurst, who lost his life serving with the army in Italy; they worked together at Bakers Mill, Great Cornard.

The 4th and 5th Battalions Suffolk Regiment landed in S ... more

5828494 5th Battalion Suffolk Regiment
Attached HQ Company

Philip Cahill, known as Ronald was born around 1918, the son of Mrs. E. Cahill, who later remarried to become Mrs. Boutell. The family lived at 3 Cross Street, Sudbury. Before the war Ronald was employed at Clover’s mill in Sudbury and was a member of the Territorial Army. His brother Leslie served durin ... more

5827402  1st Battalion Suffolk Regiment
Transferred to 5th Battalion Suffolk Regiment

Reginald was born in Sudbury the son of John Thomas and Mary Ann Cansdale. The family lived at 26 Constable Road.   His father was killed at Passchendaele during the Third Battle of Ypres in August 1917 and is remembered on the Sudbury War Memorial.  His widowed mothe ... more

5828305 5th Battalion Suffolk Regiment
Attached A Company

George Cecil was born around 1921, the youngest of 5 sons of Thomas Henry and Mary Amelia Louisa Cecil. The family lived at Ballingdon Grove Cottage, Middleton Road, Sudbury. Before the outbreak of war George was a member of the Territorial Army and he was employed as a machinist at Rippers of Hedingham. All hi ... more

5832534 1st Battalion Cambridgeshire Regiment

Thomas Codling, known as Tom was born around 1914, one of twins. His parents lived in St. Catherine’s Road, Long Melford. Tom was married and he, his wife and their young daughter lived at 61 East Street, Sudbury.

The Cambridgeshires were the last regiment to cease fighting defending Singapore. The Japanese a ... more

5956609  5th Battalion Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment

Ephraim Cole was born around 1916.  His family lived at 11 Garden Place, Sudbury.  

In January 1941 the battalion was sent up to Galashiels, Scotland to prepare for service overseas.  On 27th October 1941 the battalion left Lichfield, Staffordshire for Liverpool where they embarked on ... more

7933954  9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

Frederick Pepper known as ‘Freddie’ was born around 1913, he was the only surviving child of Frederick Charles Bateman Pepper and Maud Lottie Pepper. His father was the Chief Clerk at the goods yard at Sudbury Railway Station and the family lived at 20 York Road.  It is believed that his parents lived in or nea ... more

5828307 5th Battalion Suffolk Regiment
Attached ‘B’ Company

William Nunn, known as Billy was born in 1921. He was the eldest son of William Charles and Ella May Nunn. His father Billy senior was an antique dealer and was well known in the Sudbury area. Billy had 4 brothers and 3 sisters and the family lived at 3 Church Street, Sudbury where the family busine ... more

5822243 5th Battalion Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment

Sidney Mumford was born 11th April 1904 at 81 Melford Road, Sudbury. He was the son of William and Ellen (nèe Sparrow) Mumford. His father was employed as a cocoa mat weaver. Sidney was married to Evelyn (Eva) Lydia. The family were living in 1935 at 81 Queens Road, Sudbury, they later moved to 4 Orchard ... more

S/94010 Royal Army Service Corps

Ernest Smith (Ernest William on CWGC) was born in Sudbury around 1915, the son of Walter and Annie Smith. The family of 4 boys and 1 girl lived at 42 Upper East Street. His father was a regular soldier serving in the Suffolk Regiment as an officer’s batman and spent very little time at home. Ernest is remembered as being a very mild m ... more

5828659 5th Battalion Suffolk Regiment
Attached ‘HQ’ Company

Robert Sargeant, known as Joe was born around 1916, the youngest son of Joseph and Ellen Sargeant. He had 2 brothers and 3 sisters and the family lived at 16 Curds Lane (now Weavers Lane), Sudbury. He attended North Street and Mill Lane Schools.

Joe was a Territorial soldier before t ... more

6031285 4th Battalion Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Leslie Everitt was born in 1920, the middle son of Albert Henry and Esther Elizabeth Everitt. His father was a grocer with a shop at No. 77 North Street and his mother had the sweet shop next door. Along with his two brothers Charles Albert and Ashley George the family lived ‘over the shop’ at No. ... more

2116686 11 Field Company Royal Engineers

Frederick Griggs was born around 1920, the son of Fred and Grace Griggs. He, his brother and sisters lived with their parents at 1 Orchard Place, Sudbury.

Frederick served with the Royal Engineers whose motto is ‘Ubique’ – ‘Everywhere’. The Royal Engineers Regiment covers an extensive range of ... more

14509854 91 Field Company Royal Engineers

Charles Heard was born in Sudbury around 1924, the only son of James Henry (known as Harry) and Marie Louise Cornella Heard (née Foequensey). His mother was Belgian and came from Poperhinge near Yprés. His parents married in Belgium before returning to Sudbury. His father served with 3rd Battalion Suffolk Regiment dur ... more

1883617 7 Field Squadron, Royal Engineers

Edward Wordley was born 7th June 1916 and was the youngest child of Henry Charles and Kate Wordley (née Green). He was born on Derby Day and was known in the family by his nickname of ‘Derby’. He had 2 brothers, Henry and Robert and a sister Agnes and the family lived at 5 Cross Street, Sudbury.

His fat ... more

975594 61 Squadron Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Kenneth was born around 1918. He was the eldest son of Marcel George and Mabel Mary Fillmore. His father was the stationmaster and the family lived at 17 Queen’s Road, Sudbury. He attended North Street and Sudbury Council Schools. On leaving school Kenneth was employed at the International Stores on Market Hill, S ... more

347442  Royal Air Force

Jack Mulley was born in Elmswell in September 1902.  He was one of at least 4 sons and 2 daughters of Sidney Herbert and Florence Mulley.  His parents were married in Stow in 1902 and lived in Elmswell.  His father was employed as a bricklayer.  Jack was married to Dorothy May, (known as May) from Stowmarket.  They had 2 so ... more

960650  12 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Benjamin Dove, known as Ben was born on 12th October 1919, the son of Albert John and Jennie (nèe Hills) Dove.  The family lived at 6 King Street, Sudbury.  Ben had 2 older brothers Edward and Ronald and a younger sister Mary.  The eldest brother was in full term service with the Fire Service in ... more

1152060  Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Harold Mills was the younger twin son of Mr. and Mrs. W Mills of 63 Melford Road, Sudbury.  He was married to Ethel Collar from Cuckoo Hill, Bures, Suffolk.

A report was published in the Suffolk and Essex Free Press on 14th September 1944 that Harold was ‘missing, believed killed, in an accident in France&rs ... more

755991 84 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Kenneth Ridgewell was born on 25th October 1920 in Sudbury. He was the son of Frederick Charles and Ada Lily Ridgewell, who had moved to Sudbury from Halstead after the First World War. His father was a foreman baker at the Sudbury branch of the Halstead Co-operative Society. Kenneth had a younger sister Audrey and the ... more

538981 204 Squadron Royal Air Force

William Lillie, known as Bill was born in Sudbury in January 1919, the second son of Charles Henry and Ethel May Lillie. The family lived at one time at The Railway Bell public house in Station Road, later moving to 28 Girling Street. His father was a painter and decorator. Bill had 3 brothers, 3 sisters and a stepbrother. He attended No ... more

1184110 12 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Findon Row (F D W Row on War Memorial) was born around 1915. He was the son of Herbert Newton Edward and Margaret Dora Row. The family lived at 4 York Road, Sudbury.

Findon served with No.12 (Bomber) Squadron, whose motto was ‘Leads the Field’. In 1942 the squadron was based at RAF Binbrook in Li ... more

1333609 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Owen Bacon was born around 1922, the youngest son of Charles and Ida Bacon. The family lived at 39 Acton Lane, Sudbury. Owen attended North Street School and then Mill Lane School. One of his friends from that time recalled him as ‘a nice pleasant fellow’. He had an older brother who worked for the Electricity Board. ... more

780932  58 Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery.

Thomas Johnson was born in Sudbury around 1910 and he lived at 20 Girling Street, Sudbury.  Before the outbreak of war Thomas was employed at Bruntons Ltd. and was a Sergeant for several years in the Territorial Army.  

The Drill Hall was based in Gainsborough Street, and members came from Haverhill every w ... more

37542 102 Squadron Royal Air Force

John Flowerdew served with No.102 (Bomber) Squadron, which in 1943 was based at RAF Pocklington in Yorkshire. The squadron motto was ‘Tenate et Perficite’ – ‘Attempt and Achieve’. It was equipped with Halifax Mk2 bombers and took part in operations over Europe including the Ruhr, Hamburg and Berlin.

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14310633  49th Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps

Gerald Mumford was born around 1924.  He was the son of Bertie and May Louisa Mumford and the family lived at 18 Garden Row, Sudbury.

Gerald died aged 21 on 30th August 1945.  His death was reported in the Suffolk and Essex Free Press on 27th September as due to ‘an acciden ... more