CHARLES RANSOME
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 Evening Star – 13th April 1942
Born: 30th April 1920, Ipswich.
Died: 21st September 1944; age: 24; at sea on board ‘Hofuku Maru’ as a Japanese PoW.
Captured: 15th February 1942 during the Fall of Singapore.
Residence: 59, Campbell Road, Ipswich.
Occupation: a Metal Machinist.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 5833862.
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion – Infantry.
Final resting place unknown.
Memorial Reference:
Column 56.
Kranji,
Singapore.
Fourth son of:
Father: Charles Ransome, born May 1888, Lidgate, Suffolk. A Baker.
Mother: Annie Martha Ransome (nee Double), born January 1889, Ipswich.
ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939
Charles was a Metal Machinist. He was living with his parents & siblings at their family home – 59, Campbell Road, Ipswich.
Charles, a Master Baker.
Annie, unpaid Domestic Duties.
Frederick Ransome, a General Labourer – Wine & Spirits, born March 1922, Ipswich.
Ronald James Ransome, a General Labourer – Sack Factory, born August 1924, Ipswich.
Gladys May Ransome, at School, born April 1926, Ipswich.
Frank Ransome, born August 1928, Ipswich.
Edith Grace Ransome, born March 1930, Ipswich.
Leslie C. Ransome, born June 1931, Ipswich.
Probate to Charles Ransome – father, a Baker.
4th Battalion:
The Battalions were attached to the 18th East Anglian Division.
15 February 1942: After the fall of Singapore, approximately 620 of the Battalions were taken POW and later mostly died on the Burma-Thailand Railway.
SUFFOLK REGIMENT MUSEUM
Friends of The Suffolk Regiment
21st September 1944
The Hofuku Maru cargo ship carried 1,289 British and Dutch prisoners of war in squalid and inhumane conditions. The ship being part of a convoy consisted of 10 other ships 5 of which carrying a total of 5,000 POWs. Most of the men had been captured in Singapore in 1942 and were being used as slave labour. The Japanese decided to move the POWs to Japan to work in factories, mines and shipyards.
80 miles north of Corregidor in the Philippines. The ship was sunk by an American aircraft, which they believed the ship to be carrying cargo for the Japanese war effort. 1,047 POWs died on board unable to escape from the hold. Those who were able to break out spent five days at sea clinging to wreckage, most were recaptured by the Japanese. All 11 ships were sunk.
Hofuku Maru
Hofuku Mar
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