OCTAVIUS WILLIAM GEORGE ROBERTS
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: 1888, Old Newton, Suffolk.
Baptised on the 29th April 1888, at St. Mary’s Church, Old Newton – family home at Old Newton.
Died: 21st November 1918; age 30; died of Neurosyphilis – Syphilitic disease of the brain (aggravated by active service), at St. Audry’s Hospital, Melton, Suffolk. Served 11 years & 83 days.
Residence: Clogheen Cottage, Monastervin, County Kildare, Ireland.
Occupation: a Groom
Enlistment Details: Location: Ipswich; date: 13th July 1907; age: 18 years & 4 months; religion: CofE. Height: 5 ft 3 in, fresh complexion, hazel eyes & dark brown hair.
Date of Entry Therein: 19th August 1914.
Service:
Joined at Ipswich – 17th July 1907.
Home: 13th July 1907 – 17th August 1914
France: 18th August 1914 – 25th September 1917
Home: 26th September 1917 – 3rd October 1918.
Honourable Discharge – Character – Exemplary – 3rd October 1917, to St. Audry’s Hospital, Melton, Suffolk.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War, 1914 Star + Clasp.
Rank: Driver; Service Number: 47734
Regiment: Royal Field Artillery, 28th Brigade, ‘D’ Battery.
Formerly 49987.
Grave Reference:
BA.I.3.
Ipswich.
CENSUS
1891 12, Chevallier Street, Ipswich.
Octavius was 3 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
William Roberts, 25, a Bricklayer, born Old Newton, Suffolk.
Sarah Davey Roberts (nee Clarke), 27, born Old Newton.
Mary Eliza Fanny Roberts, 4, born Old Newton.
Frank Wilfred Roberts, 8 months, born Ipswich.
1901 435, Bramford Road, Ipswich.
Octavius was 13 years old and living with his widowed father & brothers.
William, 34, a Bricklayer.
Frank, 9.
Clifford James Roberts, 8, born Ipswich.
Albert Edward Roberts, 7, born Ipswich.
Harold John Roberts, 5, born Ipswich.
William James Roberts, 4, born Ipswich.
1911 77, Woodbridge Road, Ipswich.
Octavius was 24, a Soldier- Officer’s Groom – Royal Field Artillery. He was living with his father & brothers and his father’s wife of less then a year.
William, 45, a Bricklayer.
Emily Frances Roberts (nee Price), 38, born Brighton, East Sussex.
Jack, 17, a Bootmaker’s Assistant.
William, 15, a Point Boy – I.B.C. – Electric Cars.
Octavius’s mother, Sarah Davey Roberts, died in 1899 in Ipswich.
On the 13th January 1913, in Monastervin, County Kildare, Ireland, Octavius married Catherine (Kate) Anne Meecham, born May 1895, County Kildare.
Catherine and Octavius had two daughters:
Elizabeth Roberts, born July 1913, Monastervin, County Kildare.
Mary Josephine Roberts, born October 1914, Monastervin, County Kildare.
On the 15th December 1918, Mrs. Kate Roberts, of 15 Stone Buildings, Winson Street, Winson Green, Birmingham, applied for her late husband’s Victory, British War, 1914 Star & Clasp.
On the 22nd September 1919, Mrs. Kate Roberts received her late husband’s 1914 Star; on the 22nd November 1919, the Clasp; and on the 18th November 1921, the Victory & British War medals.
Soldiers’ Effects to Katie Roberts – widow.
Octavius is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Michael’s Church, Ipswich.
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