CHARLES STOCKS
Born: 1887, Norwich, Norfolk.
Died: 30th November 1917; KiA.
Enlistment Location: Ipswich, Suffolk.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 30846
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 7th Battalion.
Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.
Memorial Reference:
Panel 4.
Louveral,
France.
CENSUS
1891 Market Place, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.
Charles was 4 years old and living with his parents, siblings & paternal aunt.
Alfred Stocks, 34, a Travelling Showman – employer, born North Walsham, Norfolk.
Martha Ann Stocks (nee Hall), 30, born Derbyshire.
Alfred Stocks, 9, born Sheffield, Yorkshire.
Sidney Stocks, 7, born Beccles, Suffolk.
Elizabeth Stocks, 5, born Lowestoft, Suffolk.
Mary Ann Stocks, 26, a Showman’s Assistant, born North Walsham.
5 Showman Assistants.
1901 Cattle Market in caravans, Norwich, Norfolk.
Charles was 12 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
Alfred, 46, a Traveller’s Fair – own account.
Martha, 42.
Alfred, 18.
Sidney, 16.
Elizabeth, 15.
Walter, 9.
Bertie Stocks, 8, born Gorleston, Norfolk.
Arthur Stocks, 2, born Aylesham, Norfolk.
1911 Show Vans, Lowestoft, Suffolk.
Charles was 23 years old, Traveller – Steam Circus. He was living with his brothers.
Sidney, 26, a Traveller – Steam Circus – employer.
Alfred, 29, a Traveller – Steam Circus.
Walter, 20, a Traveller – Steam Circus.
Bertie, 17, a Traveller – Steam Circus.
Arthur, 14, a Traveller – Steam Circus.
Charles’s mother, Martha Ann Stocks, died March 1905, Norfolk. His father, Alfred Stocks, died December 1905, Norwich, Norfolk.
Soldiers’ Effects to Lizzie Shaw – sister.
ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR – written by Zoah Hedges-Stocks about the heritage and traditions of the Stocks travelling showmen.
https://zoahwrites.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/my-family-history-article.pdf
Suffolk Regiment, 7th Battalion:
During the Battle of Cambrai 20th November – 30th December the Germans counter attack, 30th November – 3rd December 1917.
The 7th Battalion the Suffolk Regiment following the success of the opening of the Battle of Cambrai the 7th Battalion move back half a mile from the front, overlooking the Scheldt canal for a rest and were put into reserve following 3 weeks of fighting on the front line on the 29th of November. The Battle had been a success with the use of large tank formations which had crossed barb wire into the German lines and had caught the Germans by surprise. The tanks had crossed the Hindenburg line but had drawn to a halt with large gains of lands, most were knocked out or stuck in the mud. The 7th battalion in reserve had bivouacked in a sunken road with little cover or trenches to take shelter. Early in the morning of the 30th a heavy barrage commenced from the Germans followed by a mass attack by the Germans, with German planes over head dropping bombs and machine gunning the British lines. The 7th Battalion and the 12th Division were soon over run, out flanked and surrounded the men banded themselves together to fend off the attackers, making a stand around the headquarters at the Cheshire quarry. The battalion amounted 232 casualties.
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