FREDERICK WILLIAM RUMSEY

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

Image from the Suffolk Chronicle and Mercury – 1917.

Born: 1881, Raydon, Suffolk.

Died: 17th February 1917; age 36; KiA.

At the end of March 1917, Louise Rumsey was informed that her husband, Private Fred Rumsey, who had previously been reported wounded on the 17^th February, was now officially reported as killed in action in France.

Residence: 347, Cauldwell Hall Road, Ipswich.

Occupation: Postman in the Borough of Ipswich.

Enlistment under the Derby Scheme.

Enlistment Location: Ipswich.

Rank: Private; Service Number: 50214

Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 8th Battalion.

Formerly Tr/9/5200, T.R.

Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.

The body was exhumed in April 1919, identified (first as Private F.W. Humsey) by a wooden cross marking the grave before reburial by a Canadian Burial Party at Regina Trench Cemetery.

Grave Reference:

VI.G.14.

Regina Trench Cemetery,

Grandcourt,

Somme,

France.

Relatives Notified & Address: Husband of Louise M. Rumsey, of 347, Cauldwell Hall Road, Ipswich.

CENSUS

1881   New Cottages, Wherstead, Suffolk.

Frederick was 7 weeks old and living with his parents & siblings.

William Rumsey, 40, an Agricultural Labourer, born Wilby, Suffolk.

Elizabeth Rumsey (nee Bickers), 32, born Laxfield, Suffolk.

Ellen Jane Rumsey, 6, born Raydon, Suffolk.

John James Rumsey, 4, born Raydon.

Alice Caroline Rumsey, 2, born Raydon.

1891   St. Clement’s, Ipswich.

Frederick was 10 years old and living with his parents, siblings & cousin.

William, 50, a Horseman on a Farm.

Elizabeth, 40, a Dressmaker.

John, 14, a Labourer on a Farm.

Alice, 12.

George Rumsey, 6, born Wherstead, Suffolk.

Mary Rumsey, 10 months, born St. Clement’s, Ipswich.

Walter Bickers, 10, born Laxfield, Suffolk.

1901   2, Lawson Cottage, Kemball Street, Ipswich.

Frederick was 20 years old, a Shoemaker. He was living with his widowed mother & brother.

Elizabeth, 51, a Laundress.

George, 16, a Merchant’s Clerk.

1911   8, Tomline Road, Ipswich.

Frederick was 30 years old, a Bootmaker – Dealer & Shopkeeper – own account. He was married and the head of the household.

Louise, 29, Assisting in the business.

Phyllis, 1.

Frederick’s father, William Rumsey, died in 1898 in Ipswich.

Frederick’s mother, Elizabeth Rumsey, died on the 2^nd July 1907 at her home, 9 Kemball Street, Ipswich.

In 1908, in Ipswich, Frederick married Louise Marion Stowe, born in July 1882 in Polstead, Suffolk – daughter of John Stow, a horseman on a farm, and Mary Ann Stow (nee Cousins), of Priory Cottages, Shelly, Suffolk.

Louise and Frederick had three children:

Phyllis Elizabeth Rumsey, born September 1909, Ipswich.

Barbara Marion  Rumsey, born April 1911, Ipswich.

Dennis Frederick Rumsey, born October 1914, Ipswich.

Soldiers’ Effects to Louise Rumsey – widow.

TOWN MISSION BANDSMAN’S DEATH IN ACTION

During the last twenty years, Frederick did much public work in connection with the Ipswich Town Mission, playing a prominent part in connection with the band.

In the evening of Sunday, 8^th April, in the Lecture Hall at Tower Street, a special service was held in Frederick’s memory. The service was conducted by Mr. A. Olding, “The Leader of the Mission,” who paid a brief tribute to the work and faithfulness of the departed during his many years of membership.

Frederick is also remembered on the war memorial at the Royal Mail Centre, Commercial Road, Ipswich and at St. John the Baptist church, Ipswich.

Suffolk Regiment, 8th Battalion:

17th February, the 8th Battalion: extracts from Suffolk Regiment records:

“On the 17th, the advance towards Miraumont began,8th battalion 05:45 am under very trying weather conditions, severe frost which lasted for a month suddenly breaking on the eve of the battle and rapid thaw converting the ground into a morass of the worst description. Very few duckboard tracks existed there at the time, and the nearest hut being over two miles from the front line, the carrying parties had a most difficult task. The process of forming up for attack had to be carried out at night in a thick mist and under a hostile barrage as well, zero hour having become known to the enemy. The battalion gained its objectives quickly despite stubborn fighting in the front of the uncut wire, and the leading waves succeeded in establishing themselves within a few hundred yards of Petit Miraumont. The work of consolidation was rendered less difficult by the mist, which prevented enemy observation and permitted freer movement across the open than normally possible.

In the action, which reflected the greatest credit on all ranks of the 8^th Battalion, one incident stands out conspicuously. Seeing his company held up by the wire, L/Cpl. W. Savage, with seven men having discovered a small gap therein, rushed fearlessly through into the enemy’s trench, killing with his own hands the first four Germans he met and effecting the surrender of the rest of the party, which consisted of fourteen men with a machine gun L/Cpl. Savage received the DCM.  The casualties in the Battalion amounted to 130 men. This victory marked the beginning of the retreat to the Hindenburg line.”

Suffolk Regiment 1914-1927 by Lt-Col. C.C.R.Murphy

Suffolk Regiment Battalion movements

Friends of The Suffolk Regiment