EDWIN ARTHUR FORD

Born: 1894, St. John’s, Ipswich.

Died: 4am on 8th August 1916; age 21; Died of Wounds Gun Shot Wound to head – 8 General Hospital, Rouen. Served 3 years & 40 days.

Father notified 9th August 1916.

Enlistment Details: Date: 1st July 1913; Age: 18 years & 10 months; Occupation: Plater – Engineers. Signed up for 6 years. Height: 5ft 2 3/4ins, brown eyes & brown hair + scar top of head.

Reference: On the 1st July 1913, Mr Matthews, a Foreman at Ransomes & Rapier Ltd, Waterside Works, Ipswich, completed forms to aid Edwin’s enlistment. Mr Matthews wrote that Edwin had started his employment straight from school, had been at the company 3 years, was an Assistant Plater and that Edwin had left on his own accord. He had last spoken to Edwin in May 1913.

Medical: Norwich – 26th September 1913 – Dental Treatment at own expense – 3 extractions – cost 3/-.

Norwich Military Hospital – Tonsillitis – 17th August 1913 – 25th August 1913 – 9 days.

Service: Home: 5th August 1914 – 2nd December 1914

France: 3rd December 1914 – 5th Infantry Base Depot – Proceeded to front from Rouen – joined Battalion. 29th December 1914 – 15th Field Ambulance – admitted – Hernia – 2nd January 1915 – 14th General Hospital – Hernia – Boulogne – Transferred to H.S. Oxfordshire – Boulogne.

Home: 3rd January 1915 – 11th May 1915

Embarked for France from Southampton: 12th May 1915 – Roll of Draft. 22nd May 1915 joined 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment – 3rd July 1915 – 15th Field Ambulance – Myalgia – 10th July 1915 – rejoined battalion. Furlough – 11th January 1916 – 18th January 1916. 29th January 1916 – Field Ambulance – 29th January 1916 – re-joined Battalion. 3rd August 1916 – Wounded in Action- Longueval – 4th August 1916 – admitted Gun Shot Wound – head – Longueval – 5th August 1916 – 38th Casualty Clearing Station – G.S.W. – head – Longueval – August 1916 – 8th General Hospital – G.S.W. – head – 8th August 1916 – Rouen – died 4am – 8th General Hospital.

Offences: 14th September 1914 – Absent from trenches – 7 days C.B.

26th September 1914 – Not Complying with an order – 7 days C.B.

Rank: Private; Service Number: 3/7611; Regiment: Norfolk Regiment, 1st Battalion.

Grave Reference:

I.C.5A.

Bois-Guillaume Communal Cemetery,

Seine-Maritine,

France.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Sophia & the late Charles George Ford, of Ipswich.

CENSUS

1901   Foxhall Road, Ipswich.

Edwin was 6 years old and living with his parents & siblings.

Charles George Ford, 49, a Carpenter & Joiner, born Palgrave, Suffolk.

Sophia Ford (nee Meadows), 47, born Sudbourne, Suffolk.

Minnie Sophia Ford, 24, a Dressmaker, born Orford, Suffolk.

George Charles Ford, 23, a Printer – Compositor, born Sudbourne.

Charles Harry Ford, 21, a Bricklayer, born Walsham le Willows, Suffolk.

William Cecil Ford, 20, a Carpenter, born Walsham le Willows.

Thomas Lackin Ford, 17, a Grocer’s Assistant, born Ipswich.

Horace Nathaniel Ford, 16, an Electrical Engineers Apprentice, born Ipswich.

Annie Victoria Ford, 13, born Ipswich.

Lilian Ellen Ford, 12, born Ipswich.

Frances M. Ford, 9, born Ipswich.

Aubrey Leonard Ford, 7, born Ipswich.

1911   1, Pearce Road, Ipswich.

Edwin was 16 years old, a Platers Assistant – Engineering Works.

Charles, 60, a Carpenter & Joiner.

Sophia, 58.

William, 30, a Builder.

Annie, 24, a Dressmaker.

Leonard, 17, a Clerk – Brewery.

Edwin’s father, Charles George Ford died 14th October 1916, Ipswich.

On the 6th January 1917, Edwin’s personal effects were sent to his mother, Sophia Ford, of 1, Constable Villas, Pearce Road, Ipswich:

Pocket Book with letters & cards, pair of scissors, belt, purse, compass (broken), comb, pipe, razor, ring, 2 knives, shoulder badges, cigarette case, cloth case with Testament, wrist watch (broken).

Sophia Ford received her late son’s British War & Victory medals. On the 20th October 1920, Sophia, received Edwin’s 1914 – 1915 Star.

Soldiers’ Effects to Sophia Ford – mother.

Norfolk Regiment, 1st Battalion:

http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/norfolk-regiment/