HENRY ARTHUR HEWKE

Born: 1890, Ipswich.

Died: 12th March 1915; age 24; KiA at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle

Residence: 48, Vernon Street, Ipswich.

Enlistment Location: Ipswich.

Date of Entry Therein: 8th November 1914.

Rank: Private; Service Number: 2119.

Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion.

Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1914 Star.

Grave Reference:

IX.E.2.

Guards Cemetery,

Windy Corner,

Cuinchy,

Pas de Calais,

France.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Hannah Hewke, of 48, Vernon Street, Ipswich.

CENSUS

1891   10, Tyler Street, Ipswich.

Henry was 7 months old and living with his parents & siblings.

William Henry Hewke, 32, an Iron Moulder – Iron Foundry, born Ipswich.

Hannah Hewke (nee Serjeant), 31, born Ipswich.

Frederick William Hewke, 4, born Ipswich – died 1899, Ipswich.

Nellie Harriet Hewke, 2, born Ipswich.

1901   10, Tyler Street, Ipswich.

Arthur was 10 years old and living with his parents & siblings.

William, 42, an Iron Moulder.

Hannah, 41.

Nellie, 12.

Bertha Mary Hewke, 8, born Ipswich.

Harry Robert Hewke, 6, born Ipswich.

1911   10, Tyler Street, ipswich.

Arthur was 20 years old, a Moulder – Foundry. He was living with his widowed mother & siblings.

Hannah, 51, a Dressmaker – own account.

Bertha, 18, a Dressmaker – own account.

Harry, 16, an Apprentice Pattern Maker – Foundry.

2 boarders.

Arthur’s father, William Hewke died 1905, Samford, Suffolk.

Soldiers’ Effects to Hannah Hewke – mother.

The Battle of Neuve Chapelle 10th – 13th March 1915 was the first planned British offensive of the war. The objective was to take the German line at the Village of Neueve Chapelle and break out and head towards the City of Lille, with the main objective taking the Aubers Ridge beyond which was of strategic value. The Battle started well with a heavy bombardment of the German line (more shells fired on this occasion than the entire Boer War) with an advance which successfully took most of the first and second line trenches, but due to poor communications stalled once the village had been taken. The Germans then had time to set up more defensive lines outside of the village and hold the British advance. 40,000 British and Indian troops took part in the Battle with over 10,000+ Casualties.

Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion

The 4th Battalion the Suffolk Regiment entered the battle on the 11th of March taking up positions on the out skirts of the Neuve Chapelle facing the Bois Du Biez which later were ordered to occupy. The 4th Battalion lost many men through shelling on their positions followed by a counter attack on the 12th by the Germans. In total the Battalion sustained 217 casualties.

Suffolk Regiment Battalion movements

Friends of The Suffolk Regiment