COLCHESTER

WAR MEMORIAL

 

FIRST WORLD WAR

Abbott, Charles Abbott, Claude Ablitt, George W Ablitt, Harry E Ablitt, Harry E Ablitt, Henry E Ablitt, Walter Ablitt, Wm George Adams, Harry Adams, Irwin Robert Adams, Wm Albert Adams, William Arthur Adams, William W Addy, Edward Adron, Geo Alexander, C W Alexander, G W Alexander, H C Allen, C Allen J E Allen, Marshall Claude Allen, Shirley Allchurch, Arthur Wesley Allston, Claud Ashton Anderson, J F Appleby, C George Appleby, Claud Wm Appleby, Reginald Arnold Appleby, Stanley Appleby, T Appleby, Walter Charles Appleyard, Fredk James Archer, Daniel C Arey, J H Armes, H C Arnold, Fred Arnold, F Arnott, George Aaron Arnott, - Arthy, C J Ashburn, Walter Atkinson, J Attle, Henry Walter Austin, Reginald Jas Austin, R J Backhouse, H E Bacon, Arthur S Bacon, Geo Bailey, A C Bailey, C Bailey, Edward Bailey, F W Bailey, Hector G Bailey, Rowland Baines, A H Bains, W Baker, James Edward Baker, Percy Reginald Baldwin, A G Ballie, G Balls, George Balls, Samuel Balls, Victor Balls, W Banes, Charles E Barber, Claud Wm Bareham, E S Bareham, Harold Edward Barker, Arthur Barker, Charles Abraham Barker, James Barker, John Barker, Percy Barker, Reginald Harold Barker, Wm Barlow, A E Barnard, Leslie Barnard, Wm H Barnes, Alan Barnes, Francis, Barnes, Geoffrey Gabbett Barratt, J C G Barrell, Harold Stanley Barrell, L F Barrell, Victor Henry Barrington, A L B Bartholomew, S Bashford, Charles E C Bates, Harold Bather, E H Bawtree, David Edward Baxter, John Henry Beard, Edwin C Beaumont, Evelyn T Beaumont, Ralph Edwd Bedwell, Ernest Wm Bedwell, Henry J Beeson, Albert A Beeton, Frank Beetson, Frank Bell, Percy Bell, William Bennell, Arthur Bennell, Harry Bennell, Wm Bennett, Lester Stone Berbridge, Claude Rose Berry, J H Berry, Leslie Wm Beverly, Stanley Bews, Arthur James Bilner, F Birch, J W Bird, S T Bishop, - Blackmore, John Blake, Charles Bland, George Bland, George Henry

Blowers, C S O Blyth, William James Boileau, R Boley, W M Bond, G Bones, C E Bones, F S Bones, T H Boon, Charles William Boore, J Booth, John Henry Boreham, Edward Stanley Borley, A J Bottoms, William Bourne, C A Boutell, Fredk George Bowring, A H Boyce, J Boyden, Hugh Cecil (Brace, Frank) Bracey, Frederick Sidney Branmer, James Brand, Eric Jermyn Brennan, Martin Bridge, Walter F Brighty, James Henry Broadstreet, C W Brock, Harry Brock, Stanley H V Brook, Ben Brook, Robert J Brooker, Edward James Brown, Arthur James Brown, Arthur John Brown, David Westcott Brown, Frank Brown, George Archer Brown, Percy Victor Bruce, James (D.C.M.) Bruce, Norman Brunwin-Hales, Greville Oxley Brunwin-Hales, Henry Tooke Bryant, Herbert William Bucke, J Buckley, F Buckman, C Buckman, G Buckman, Wm Pentney Bugg, C M Bultitude, Frank Stanley Bunting, Frank Ellis Bunting, G Bunton, Clifford C Burch, John W Burgess, George Burke, J Burleigh, Ernest Burns, W J Burrells, E Burrells, R Burrells, V H Burrells, William Burton, N J Burton, Rowland Bush, Montague Bye, H J Byford, Fred Bygrave, W Byrne, Gerald Wm Byrne, Leslie Noel Cahill, S Wm Robert Calver, Claud Hilton Calver, Fredk James Canham, Archibald G Canham, Claude W Cann, Charles E Card, Lewin Henry Cardy, A (M.M.) Cardy, Alfred John Cardy, Francis Cardy, Percy V Cardy, R W Cardy, Victor Cardy, W G Carlo, Ernest Victor Carlo, Jack Carman, A W Carmon, A W Carr, F Carr, George Carter, Wm Harvey Catterwell, Wm Cawley, H F Chadwick, F Chamberlain, Ranson R Chandler, Percy T Chaplin, Robt Wm Charlotte, - Cheeseman, Thomas John Cheshire, Wm Robert Chinnock, H J Chisnall, Henry Charles Chisnell, P F Christopher, Herbert Churcher, Charles Churchyard, D Ernest John Clark, Elston Charles Clark, Henry Clark, Leslie William Clark, Reginald George Clark, W J Clarke, Ernest Edgar Clarke, Frederick Stanley Clarke, F Clarke, Jack Stanley Clarke, William Clay, Charles Edgar Clay, William Henry Clayden, Arthur Charles Clayden, Walter

Clayton, Norman (B.A.) Clements, Victor Clements, V C Clifton, Alfred H Clover, Bertie John Coates, Thomas James Cobb, F W Cole, Edward P Cole, Frederick C Cole, Reginald Charles Collier, Robert King Collins, J Collison, George Coltson, Chas Sydney (D.S.O.) Connellan, Peter M Conville, C Cook, Albert Cook, A Cook, A S Cook, Bertram Gordon Cook, Chas F Cook, Frank Edward Cook, Frederick Cook, Frederick Cook, George Samuel Cook, H J Cook, Horace Claude Cook, John Walford Cook, Percy Cook, Sidney Arthur Cook, Thomas Cooper, George William Cooper, S Coote, Ernest Frederick Corkerton, Frederick Russell Cornelius, Cyril Montague Cornell, Ebenezer James Cottis, Frank Coulson, Archer Coulson, Arthur Cousins, Arthur Cousins, P G Coventry, C W Coventry, Harry Cowell, William Cracknell, Fred G Craig, J A Crane, B Crane, George W D Crane, George Creek, H E C Crisp, Harry Croft, T A Cross, Cyril Gordon Crosby, E H S Crossman, Fredk Elijah Crossman, Arthur Crowe, W Crumley, Ernest Crumley, Thomas Cudmore, Fredk James Cullum, Albert Victor Curran, F J Curran, M W (M.M.) Custance, W R Cusworth, Albert Cusworth, Jack Cuthbert, Frank Dagger, A Daldry, Herbert Wm Daniell, Sydney Dansey, Alfred Charles Dansey, William Davey, James Henry Davies, Edwin Gilson Davis, A E Davis, Harry Davis, Percy W Davis, Samuel Eason Dawes, C B Dawkins, Henry Dawkins, N Day, Albert Eustace (D.C.M.) Day, Bert Day, Frank Joseph L Death, William George Denny, Alfred W F Dennis, Thomas N Denton, Arthur Denyer, L H Diaper, Wm Archibald Diggins, Fredk John Dines, Elvin James Dines, Frank Ernest Dines, H Frank Diss, Ernest Diss, Frank Dobson, Bertie Dobson, William Doe, Harold Geo V Doggett, A Double, Hylliard Downing, Charles Ernest Downing, Harry Driscoll, Arthur J Driver, Fredk E (M.M.) Driver, Frederick J Drury, W T Du Boulay, Arthur H (D.S.O., etc) Du Bouley, Hubert L H Duckett, Anselm (D.C.M.) Dunnett, Lawrence Dunnett, R Fredk Durrant, Arthur Durrant, Henry Durrant, Sidney Edward Dyer, G H

CAHILL, WILLIAM ROBERT

Rank: Company Quartermaster Serjeant

Service No:4800

Date of Death: 12/05/1915

Age:35

Regiment/Service: Essex Regiment "H" Coy. 1st Bn.

Grave Reference: S. 873. Cemetery: ALEXANDRIA (CHATBY) MILITARY AND WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY

Additional Information: Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. Son of John and Louisa Cahill;

husband of Harriett Cahill, of 69, Northgate St., Park Terrace, Colchester. Served in the South African Campaign.

William is commemorated on his father John' grave in Colchester Cemetery and it states that William died of his wounds in the Dardanelles. John Cahill was late Quartermaster Sergeant in the 2nd Manchester Regiment

 

 Clark, Reginald George

This information sent by Karen Waddy in December 2001, but no record to Reg could be found in the CWGC website. Was he killed in action?

 

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 FRANK BRACE - Colchester Borough Police.

Served from 20th March 1914. Died 13th March 1915.

Born at Croxton in Cambridgeshire in 1888, Frank was the son of Francis and Ethel Brace of Croxton Kennels in Cambridgeshire. He joined the Colchester Borough Constabulary on 20 March 1914 and later that same year was married to Emily.

He served in the force until 4 August 1914 when he was compelled on the outbreak of war to rejoin the Colours (he had enlisted into the army in St Neots). Frank served as Corporal 9001 in ‘C’ Company of the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, and died at Boulogne on 13 March 1915 of wounds received in action. He was aged 27 and married.

He is buried in grave III.D.5 of the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery in Pas de Calais, France, and is remembered on the roll of honour at the church at Croxton.

Police Constable 458

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In memory of

Company Serjeant Major

HERBERT WILLIAM BRYANT

6338, ''G'' Coy 1st Bn., Northamptonshire Regiment

who died 16 January 1915

Husband of Ethel Victoria Bryant, of 20 Magdalen Street., Colchester

Remembered with honour

LE TOURET MEMORIAL

My great grandfather Herbert was born 9th January 1882 and married Ethel at St. Botolph's Church, Colchester October 11th 1909. My grandmother Kathleen Victoria Bryant was born 16th March 1910 in Colchester and she would have been so proud to see this commemorated if she were still alive today.

Elaine Stephens

bothfeet40@yahoo.co.uk

1st February 2006

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In Memory of

JAMES BRUCE

Private

10299

2nd Bn., Essex Regiment

who died on

Sunday, 2nd May 1915. Age 22.

Additional Information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Bruce, of 33, Parson's Heath, Colchester.

Commemorative Information

Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium

Grave Reference/ Panel Number: Panel 39

Location: Ypres (now Ieper) is a town in the Province of West Flanders. The Memorial is situated at the eastern side of the town on the road to Menin and Courtrai, and bears the names of men who were lost without trace during the defence of the Ypres Salient in the First World War.

Historical Information: A description of the Memorial and an account of the military operations in the Ypres Salient is contained in a separate Introductory part to the Registers.

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In Memory of

NORMAN CLAYTON

Second Lieutenant

1st/4th Bn., Royal Berkshire Regiment

who died on

Sunday, 23rd July 1916. Age 29.

Additional Information: Son of the late William and Clara Clayton, of Hapton, Burnley; husband of Peggy Clayton, of 22, Winsley Rd., Colchester.

Commemorative Information

Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France

Grave Reference/ Panel Number: Pier and Face 11 D

Location: The Thiepval Memorial will be found on the D73, off the main Bapaume to Albert road (D929).

Further details at:

mysite.orange.co.uk/hapton_war_memorial/ClaytonBR.htm

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In Memory of

CHARLES SYDNEY COLTSON DSC

Captain

Royal Air Force

and, Royal Navy

who died on

Monday, 25th November 1918. Age 22.

Additional Information: Son of the late Mrs. Ellis Reid (formerly Coltson), and the late Col. Ellis Ramsay Reid, C.B., D.S.O. (stepfather), of Blenheim, Colchester.

Commemorative Information

Cemetery: BERECHURCH (ST. MICHAEL) CHURCHYARD, Essex, United Kingdom

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In Memory of

ARTHUR CARDY

Private

8124

2nd Bn., Essex Regiment

who died on

Saturday, 1st July 1916. Age 31.

Additional Information: Son of George and Charlotte Cardy, of Wormingford; husband of Rosetta Eliza Cardy, of Wormingford, Essex.

Commemorative Information

Cemetery: SERRE ROAD CEMETERY No. 2, Somme, France

Grave Reference/ Panel Number: I. H. 8.

Location: The village of Serre is 11 kilometres north-north-east of Albert. Using the D919 from Arras to Amiens you will drive through the villages of Bucquoy, Puisieux then Serre Les Puisieux (approximately 20 kilometres south of Arras). On leaving Serre Les Puisieux, 1.3 kilometres further along the D919, Serre Road No.2 Cemetery can be found on the left hand side.

Historical Information: The "Serre Road" was, in June, 1916, the road leading out of Mailly-Maillet, in British hands, and entering No Man's Land about 1,170 metres South-West of Serre, which was held by the Germans. The 31st and 4th Divisions attacked North and South of this road on the 1st July, 1916; parties of the 31st Division reached Serre, but the attack failed. The 3rd and 31st Divisions renewed the attempt, without success, on the 11th November. The Germans evacuated Serre on the 24th February, 1917, and the 22nd Manchesters entered the village on the following morning. In the spring of 1917 the battlefields of the Ancre were cleared by the V Corps and a number of cemeteries made, three of which are named from the Serre Road. They fell into enemy hands on the 25th March, 1918, but were recovered on the following 14th August. In the cemetery, Plots I and II, containing 489 graves, were made by the V Corps in May, 1917; the remainder is due to the concentration of graves (mainly of 1916) from the battlefields of the Department of the Somme, and from certain other cemeteries, during the years 1922 and 1926-34. There are now over 7,000, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, over two-thirds are unidentified. Twenty-one soldiers, whose graves in the cemetery are closely but not exactly identified, are commemorated by headstones superscribed "Buried near this spot". Six French and two German graves have been removed to other cemeteries. The cemetery covers an area of 27,429 square metres and is enclosed by low stone rubble wall. In the immediate neighbourhood are the HEBUTERNE FRENCH NATIONAL CEMETERY, containing the graves of 817 French soldiers, and the SHEFFIELD-SERRE MEMORIAL PARK, a memorial to the 12th York and Lancaster Regiment. British graves from the following cemeteries were brought to Serre Road Cemetery No.2:- BAIZIEUX COMMUNAL CEMETERY (Somme): one United Kingdom grave of March, 1918. BOISMONT CHURCHYARD (Somme): one United Kingdom grave of October, 1914. BUCQUOY COMMUNAL CEMETERY (Pas-de-Calais): 25 United Kingdom graves of August, 1918. ERCHEU CHURCHYARD (Somme): United Kingdom grave of March, 1918. FRETTECUISSE CHURCHYARD (Somme): one United Kingdom grave of September, 1916. HERVILLY CHURCHYARD (Somme): one R.F.C. grave of September, 1916. HOLNON COMMUNAL CEMETERY (Aisne): five United Kingdom graves of April, 1917. LABOISSIERE CHURCHYARD (Somme): one United Kingdom grave of April, 1917. LE SARS GERMAN CEMETERY (Pas-de-Calais): one United Kingdom grave. MADAME MILITARY CEMETERY, CLERY-SUR-SOMME (Somme): three United Kingdom graves of February, 1917. MEAULTE CHURCHYARD (Somme): one United Kingdom grave of April, 1916. POZIERES COMMUNAL CEMETERY (Somme): one Canadian grave of September, 1916. REMIENCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY (Somme): one United Kingdom grave of April, 1918. SOMME AMERICAN CEMETERY, BONY (Aisne): two United Kingdom graves of July and October, 1918, and one Australian of September, 1918. VOYENNES CHURCHYARD (Somme): seven United Kingdom graves of March, 1918. YTRES CHURCHYARD (Pas-de-Calais): 14 United Kingdom and four New Zealand graves of September, 1918, mainly from the 15th Field Ambulance.

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In Memory of

EDWIN GILSON DAVIES

The following information was provided in 2023 via a Colchester Royal Grammar School project that researched ex-pupils of the school.

 

Colchester Cemetery, W. 5. 72

Edwin Gilson Davies was born on 19th January 1892, the son of Herbert, a printer, who was later to set up his own business, and Emily Davies of 27 Roman Road, Colchester. The 1901 census, taken when Edwin was aged 9, records three older siblings, Katharine, 17, a milliner, Margaret, 15, and William, 12. Also living with them was Edwin's widowed aunt, Annie Gilson, from whom he evidently took his middle name.

Edwin entered CRGS in January 1906 at the age of 14 into Form IV, North Town House. In 1908 he is recorded in the 'Colcestrian' as passing his Cambridge Junior Local Exams. He left the school in the summer of 1909, having played 1st XI football as well as House football and cricket.

The 1911 census reveals him as working as a Civil Service Clerk in London. He was boarding in Lambeth, along with his sister, Margaret, at the house of a Louise Eleanor Yorston and her mother, Eliza, at 27 Trigon Road, Clapham Road, London SW. He appears to have still been active as an OC, as the 'Colcestrian' records that in early 1912 he was appointed to a sub-committee to organise fixtures for the coming season for the OC Football Club. Perhaps he had left his job in London and returned temporarily to Colchester at a loose end, for on 10th June 1912 he joined the Royal Navy, signing up for 12 years as a '3rd Writer' - a ship's junior accountant. After his initial training at 'HMS Pembroke', the naval barracks at Chatham in Kent, he joined the battlecruiser 'Indomitable' on 26th August 1913.

'HMS Indomitable' was one of three 'Invincible-class' battlecruisers built for the navy before WW1. Her first task, in 1908, had been to take the future King George V to Canada for the Tercentenary celebrations for the city of Quebec. Following several refits, she was transferred to the Mediterranean on 27th August 1913 with Edwin Davies amongst the crew. As Britain and Germany moved towards war in August 1914, the 'Indomitable' was involved in shadowing German battlecruisers in the area. On 3rd November 1914, on Churchill's orders and along with 'HMS Indefatigable', she carried out the first British attack on the Dardanelles, designed to test the Turkish fortifications in advance of the Gallipoli campaign of 1915.

After returning home in December 1914, the 'Indomitable' next saw action at the Battle of Dogger Bank in the North Sea on 24th January 1915. This took place following an attempt by the German Admiral von Hipper to clear the Dogger Bank of British fishing boats and smaller craft which might be able to collect intelligence on German ship movements. The British were reading the Germans' coded messages and set out with a large force, commanded by Admiral Beatty, to intercept the German battlecruisers. Hipper eventually spotted the British ships and turned south in an attempt to escape. There was a brief engagement which saw the 'Indomitable' fire 134 shells and sink the German battlecruiser 'Blucher' before having to tow Beatty's flagship 'Lion', which had suffered heavy damage, back to port.

This was the last action which Edwin Davies saw during the war. Remaining with the 'Indomitable' until 25th June 1915, he was then transferred back to 'HMS Pembroke' on land. Thus he was not among the crew of the 'Indomitable' for the great Battle of Jutland in 1916. Ironically, he was to see out the war in the safety of the naval barracks at Chatham, only to suddenly fall ill in January 1919, two months after the end of hostilities. He was taken to hospital in Rochester with 'intestinal obstruction and toxaemia' where he died from this and resultant heart failure on 16th January, three days before his 27th birthday. His body was brought back to Colchester for burial. Although he did not die in, or as a direct result of, military action, it was decided to include his name on the CRGS memorial - the last of the Old Colcestrians to die while on military service from WW1.

 

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In Memory of

ALBERT EUSTACE DAY DCM

Private

3064

7th Bn., London Regiment

who died on

Sunday, 26th September 1915. Age 20.

Additional Information: Son of the Rev. John and Mrs. Day, of 34, Ruabon St., Wrexham.

Commemorative Information

Cemetery: NOEUX-LES-MINES COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France

Grave Reference/ Panel Number: I. C. 5.

Location: Noeux-les-Mines is a town 6 kilometres south of Bethune on the main road to Arras. The Communal Cemetery is on the northern side of the town, on the south-east side of the road to Labourse.

Historical Information: The Communal Cemetery was used by the British Forces (in succession to the French) from June, 1915, to August, 1917. The earlier burials were carried out by units and Field Ambulances, but in April, 1917, the 7th Casualty Clearing Station began to use the cemetery. There are now nearly 1,000, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. The British Plots cover an area of 2,188 square metres.

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In Memory of

A DUCKETT DCM

Private

31520

9th Bn., Essex Regiment

who died on

Tuesday, 29th October 1918.

 

Commemorative Information

Cemetery: COLCHESTER CEMETERY, Essex, United Kingdom

Grave Reference/ Panel Number: S. 2. 19.

Historical Information: Colchester Cemetery was opened in 1856 and now belongs to the Corporation. It originally covered about 30 acres, but was enlarged in 1940 to 67 acres. The newer part is on the western side of the original burial ground, and behind it is the site of a Roman Way. There are war graves of both world wars in this cemetery. The 1914-1918 burials total over 300, of which 50 are in the War Plot, while 11 Australian graves are together in a group nearby, the remainder being scattered. After the war a Cross of Sacrifice was erected on a site overlooking both the plot and the group of war graves, in honour of all the servicemen buried here. In the early months of the 1939-1945 War, shortly after the enlargement of the cemetery, land was set aside in the newer part for service war burials. This is now the War Graves Plot. Among these casualties are men who were killed at sea after being evacuated from Dunkirk. The non-war graves are those of a man of the Merchant Navy and two ex-servicemen who were buried in the War Graves Plot although their deaths were not due to war service. The plot is enclosed by a hedge of cotoneaster frigida and a Cross of Sacrifice stands on the western side. The graves are set in level mown turf, with continuous flower borders along the rows of headstones in which are polyantha roses and other seasonal flowers.

In September 2005, the following was posted on eBay.

Anselum Duckett was my Great Uncle and he died of wounds aged 38 in 1918. He received the DCM for bravery. The entry in the London Gazette [28.3.18] reads "31520 Pte A Duckett Essex Regt Colchester. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the occasion of a bombimg attack by the enemy he kept up a rapid rate of fire on the trench behind the hostile bombers, thus cutting off their supply of bombs. Later he rendered great assistance in firing another gun on the enemy, who were advancing in the open on the flank, but who were completely repulsed by the intensity of the fire from this gun. His gallant behaviour, enterprise and resource were worthy of the highest praise."

Sadly Pte Duckett died soon afterwards and his award was sent to his home at 40 Ipswich Road Colchester in a package within which it has been kept since, along with his war medals which are all impressed with his name and number and ribbons. They have been kept with a letter from the King and an official scroll, along with his medal commemorating the 60th anniversary of Victorias reign "Borough of Cochester- Egerton Green Mayor" and "On War Service" medal number 97011 by Mappin and Webb. We have the 1901 census information and the Gazette extract. We will not sell these well preserved and treasured possessions for less than £1500.

The scroll has the wording "Pte Anselum Duckett D.C.M. Essex Regt." written in red ink at the bottom.

The post tube is marked OHMS FRAGILE. It has on it a reference number 878010. It is addressed to Mr R Duckett, [Next of kin] 40 Ipswich Road Colchester and the stamp is a red two pence Edward V franked Brentwood returnable to Warley No 2 Records.

The death plaque is - as far as we are aware - long since lost. No-one left even recalls it.

Although, as a child 50 years ago, I was always led to believe that my Great Uncle's gallantry award was a posthumous one we have been advised that the facts [of which we were till this week in ignorance] do not support this. The facts, insofar as we have them [and there is no family member alive for us to check with], indicate that Pte Duckett was seriously wounded and did die of his injuries but as he was awarded the DCM and this was Gazetted prior to his death the term posthumous is legally incorrect. We have been advised that this is probably a conclusion at which the majority of serious "watchers" will have arrived already and as the reserve has not yet been met we will, on advice, allow the auction to continue on the basis of this correction. The facts will be repeated to a winning bidder who meets the reserve [if there is one] before any sale is completed. With apologies - always in good faith.

Particular thanks are due to the Curators of the Essex Regiment museum and of the Colchester Library archives for what follows.

Although the newspaper records of the period towards the end of the war had been checked by volunteers we were advised that they may not have been checked thoroughly so we have done this and have found the following was printed at page 4 of the Essex Chronicle on 4th April 1918.

" Pte Anselm Duckett DCM Essex Regiment of 40 Ipswich Road Colchester awared the DCM for conspicuous bravery in the field on Dec 1st 1917 at the battle of Cambrai" [there follows the citation as above] "Being in Canada when war broke out, he volunteered for the first Canadian Overseas contingent, but was rejected. He returned to England and was called to the colours in July, 1916, landing in the November of the same year in France, where he is still serving" [my emphasis]. With the article is a photograph of Pte Duckett - we have never seen an image of him before. He is in uniform with a handsome moustache. Although the library copy of the micro record is poor, a copy will be included with the items for sale.

As a result of the surprising evidence emphasised we have sought a copy of the original death certificate and have today received one - which also forms part of the sale item - and this states that Anselum Moses Brunsdow Duckett a Bricklayer and Plasterer and private in the Essex Regiment died as a result of "Suicide by hanging himself whilst temporarily insane" at Eastern Command Depot Shoreham Camp Kingston Way Shoreham -by-Sea.

The death according to the certificate was on 30th October and the Coroner held the inquest on the 31st.

A family tragedy now much clearer. It is now partially understood why the man was spoken of so little and that euphemism was used although we may never know what physical and mental scars there were. There are still many unanswered questions.

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