GEORGE ALFRED VALE
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.
Born: 1885, Aldeburgh, Suffolk.
Died on or since: 20th July 1916; age 31; KiA.
E.A.D.T. – Wednesday, 22nd November 1916 – 13006 Private George Vale, of 1, Little Gipping Street, Ipswich, was reported missing on the 20th July 1916 from the Suffolk Regiment.
Residence: Little Gipping Street, Ipswich.
Enlistment Location: Ipswich.
Date of Entry Therein: 3rd December 1914 – France.
Rank: Private: Service Number: 13006
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1915 Star.
Memorial Reference:
Pier & Face 1C & 2A.
Somme,
France.
CENSUS
1891 Aldeburgh.
George was 5 years old and living with his widowed mother & sisters at the home of his widowed grandfather.
William Tye, 59, a Farm labourer, born Great Glenham, Suffolk.
Rebecca Vale, 29, a Laundress, born Great Glemham.
Elizabeth Mary Frances Vale, 7, born Aldeburgh, Suffolk.
Alice Emily Vale, 2, born Aldeburgh.
1901 Holywell’s Road, Ipswich.
George was 16 years old, a Farm Labourer. He was living with his mother & brother at the home of his mother’s employer.
Charles Balls, 53, a Dock Labourer, born Newbourn, Suffolk.
Rebecca Vale, 38, a widow and housekeeper to Charles Balls.
Arthur Alfred Vale, 10, born Ipswich.
1911 7, Lawrence Court, Curriers Lane, Ipswich.
George was 26 years old, a Dock Labourer. He was married & head of the household.
Selina, 25.
Emily, 2.
George’s father, Alfred Vale, was born in 1855 in Saxmundham, Suffolk. Alfred was a brewer’s labourer. He died in January 1890, at Aldeburgh, aged 34.
In 1909, in Ipswich, George married Selina Jane Potkins, born June 1885, Ipswich – daughter of James Potkins, a bricklayer and Harriet Potkins (nee Garnham), of Little Gipping Street, Ipswich.
Selina and George had six children:
Eveline Emily Elsie Vale, born March 1909, Ipswich.
George A. Vale, born 1910, Ipswich – died 1910, Ipswich.
Elsie M. Vale, born 1912, Ipswich.
Lily Elizabeth Vale, born September 1913, Ipswich.
Caroline Vale, born Christmas Day, 1914, Ipswich.
Irene Violet Vale, born 25th November 1916, Ipswich.
Soldiers’ Effects to Selina J. Morphey – widow.
George is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Peter’s Church, Ipswich.
George is also remembered on the handwritten war memorial at The Mission Free Church, Curriers Lane, Ipswich.
Evening Star – Monday, 12th September 1910 – TRESPASSERS – On Monday, 12th September, at the Ipswich Police Court, George Vale, of Curriers Lane, and William Harvey, of Bell Lane, were before the Mayor of Ipswich, Mr. Alexander Gibb, Mr. William Alexander, Mr. William Orford White, Mr. Roderick Donald Fraser, Mr. John Henry Grimwade, and Mr. William Parker Burton, charged with trespassing in the daytime in search of game. Mr. Stanley Ward appeared to prosecute on behalf of Lord Gwydyr, upon whose land – Gosford Hall Farm, Belstead Road, the offence took place.
It was last Sunday afternoon when the defendants were observed on the land with a lurcher dog, on the lookout for game. They were seen by Amos Smith, woodman, and Albert Page, under-gamekeeper, and the latter said the dog worked a barley field like a trained animal. William Harvey said the dog did not belong to either of them; it followed them. They never left the path. William Harvey, who had a list of convictions against him, was fined 20s., including costs, or 14 days, and George Vale 7s. 6d. or seven days.
E.A.D.T. – Tuesday, 7th October 1913 – George Alfred Vale, a labourer, of Lawrence Court, Currier’s Lane, answered a summons charging him with using indecent language. William Morphew, an insurance agent living on Wherstead Road, said on Friday afternoon he was in New Cut West, near the Griffin Wharf, when he heard the defendant use the most filthy language. P.-c. Bloomfield gave evidence of arrest, and George, who said he remembered nothing about it, was fined £1 and 15s. 6d. costs, or one month’s imprisonment.
Day 19 of the Somme Offensive
2nd Battalion The Suffolk’s regimental records show: On the afternoon, the Germans counter-attacked, forcing their way with fine courage but at great cost into Delville Wood and the northern end of Longueval, which troops of the third division had just cleared. In consequence, two companies were sent up to Longueval Ridge to support the attack of the 1st Gordon Highlanders on Longueval. The remainder of the Battalion moved from the wood into Caterpillar Valley itself, where they were shelled persistently.
Early on the 19th, Captain and Adjutant Trollope and Lt. Pickard-Cambridge were wounded, 2nd Lt Russell taking over the duties of adjutant. Throughout this time of stress, Captain Marshall R.A.M.C., medical officer to the battalion, always proved himself equal to the occasion; he was subsequently awarded the D.S.O. in recognition of his splendid service. On the 20th, the battalion assembled for the renewed attack on Longueval and Delville Wood. The casualties were to be high.
Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion
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