EDWARD THOMAS RUFFLE
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, St. Peter’s, Ipswich.
Died: 2nd October 1915; age 30; died of a shrapnel wound to the spine, received at Hill 60 on the 16th June 1915, and paraplegia, at Norwich Military Hospital, Thorpe, Norfolk. Served three years with the colours and nine with the reserve.
Residence: 38, Vernon Street, Stoke, Ipswich.
Occupation: Journeyman Baker and Confectioner.
Enlistment Location: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 6545
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War and the 1914 Star + Clasp.
Grave Reference:
BA.1.53.
Ipswich.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of James & Ellen Ruffle; husband of Elsie May Ruffle of Ideal Dwellings, Bramford, Suffolk.
CENSUS
1891 20, Great Whip Street, Ipswich.
Edward was 4 years old and living with his parents, siblings & cousin.
James Ruffle, 34, a Labourer – Foundry, born Great Coggleshall, Essex.
Ellen Ruffle (nee Smith), 32, born Stoke by Nayland, Suffolk.
Annie Elizabeth Ruffle, 7, born St. Peter’s, Ipswich.
William James Ruffle, 2, born St. Peter’s, Ipswich.
Minnie Kate Wade, 18, born Great Coggleshall, Essex.
1901 20, Great Whip Street, Ipswich.
Edward was 14 years old, a Messenger Boy. He was living with his parents & siblings.
James, 44, an Iron Foundry Labourer.
Ellen, 42.
Annie, 17, a Dressmaker.
William, 12.
Frederick Sharman Ruffle, 4, born St. Peter’s, Ipswich.
1911 38, Vernon Street, Ipswich.
Edward was 24 years old, a Baker and Confectioner. He was living with his parents, siblings, nephew & niece.
James, 54, an Iron Foundry Labourer.
Ellen, 52.
Frederick, 14, an Apprentice – Upholstering.
Annie Oxborrow, 27.
Reginald Frank Oxborrow, 2, born Great Holland, Essex.
Elsie May Oxborrow, 1, born Lower Kirby, Essex.
In 1912, at Ipswich, Edward married Elsie May Read, born July 1891, Kirton, Suffolk – daughter of Charles Read, a farm labourer, and Susannah Read (nee Taylor), of Hill House, Kirton.
Elsie and Edward had two daughters:
Marjorie Ellen Ruffle, born on the 29th April 1912, Ipswich and baptised on the 13th October 1912, at St. Peter’s Church, Ipswich – family home at 38, Vernon Street, Ipswich.
Gladys Irene Ruffle, born on New Year’s Day, 1915, Ipswich and baptised on the 26th March 1916, at St. Peter’s Church, Ipswich – family home at 38, Vernon Street, Ipswich.
Soldiers’ Effects to Elsie Ruffle – widow.
Evening Star – Friday, 8th October 1915 – FUNERAL OF A 2nd SUFFOLK – The funeral took place at Ipswich on Thursday of Private Edward Thomas Ruffle, of the 2nd Suffolk Regiment. He was wounded on the 16th June at Hill 60 and sent to the Military Hospital at Norwich, where he died on the 2nd October, the remains being brought to his father’s house, of 38, Vernon Street, Ipswich. The coffin was of polished elm, with black fittings.
The mourners were: The widow; Mr. and Mrs. Ruffle (father and mother); William James and Frederick Charles Ruffle (brothers); Mrs. Annie and Mr. Frederick Oxborrow (sister and brother-in-law); Mr. Read (father-in-law); Mr. Rozier (brother-in-law); Miss Minnie Wade (cousin); Mrs. and Miss Brown.
The gun-carriage with six black horses was supplied from the R.F.A. Barracks, and the firing party by the 2/8th City of London Rifles. The bearers and following contingent came from the 6/4th Suffolks, the officiating clergyman being the Reverend William Francis Kerr, of St. Peter’s Church, Ipswich.
The deceased was a married man and leaves a widow and two children. He had been three years with the colours and nine with the reserve. In private life, he was a journeyman baker.
The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. E. S. Singleton, Ltd.
Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion:
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