AMBROSE SILLITOE

Born: 1870, Sudbury, Suffolk.
Died: 6th January 1900; age: 29; KiA at Colesberg, Northern Cape, South Africa.
Residence: 79, North Street, Sudbury, Suffolk.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 2299.
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 1st Battalion, South Africa Field Force.
Clasp Awarded: Cape Colony.
CENSUS
1871 79, North Street, Sudbury, Suffolk.
Ambrose was 6 months old and living with his parents & siblings.
James Sillitoe, 33, a Butcher’s Assistant, born Sudbury.
Emma Sillitoe (nee Cook), 32, a Dressmaker – own account, born Sudbury.
George Sillitoe, 9, born Sudbury.
Alice Emma Sillitoe, 7, born Sudbury.
James Sillitoe, 4, born Sudbury.
Elizabeth Sillitoe, 2, born Sudbury.
1 butcher’s servant.
1881 79, North Street, Sudbury, Suffolk.
Ambrose was 10 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
James, 44, a Butcher.
Emma, 42, a Dressmaker – own account.
George, 19, a Mat Weaver.
James, 14, a Baker’s Boy.
Emma Sillitoe, 7, born Sudbury.
Harry Sillitoe, 4, born Sudbury.
One of the notable Battles with a large loss of Suffolk life was the “Battle of Suffolk hill” at Colesberg, Northern Cape 5th- 6th January 1900. The hill was originally called Red or Grassy Hill. The Suffolk regiment was ordered to make a night attack on a Boer position on the heights, four companies, 354 of all ranks, set out at midnight under the command of Col. Watson. The Suffolks were met by a storm of bullets. The Colonel was amongst the first to fall, and the party later retired with 11 officers and 150+ men killed, wounded or captured.
Leave a Reply