WILLIAM FAIRWEATHER

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.

Image from the Suffolk Chronicle And Mercury – 1918.

Born: 19th June 1894, Ipswich.

Baptised: 10^th April 1898, at St. Mary Stoke Church, Ipswich, with his brother, Harry Fairweather, born 7^th February 1898 – family home at 52, Pauline Street, Ipswich.

Died on or since death presumed: 28th April 1917; age: 22; died of Wounds.

E.A.D.T. – Saturday, 16^th March 1918 – Private William Fairweather, reported missing on the 28^th April 1917, is now officially reported killed on that day. William, the dearly loved second son of George and Emily Fairweather, of the Railway Tavern, Burrell, Ipswich, aged 22.

Residence: The Railway Tavern, Burrell Road, Ipswich.

Enlistment location: Ipswich.

Rank: Private; Service Number: 43177

Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 7th Battalion.

Formerly 994, Suffolk Regiment.

Medals Awarded: Victory, British War + Territorial Force War Medal.

Memorial Reference:

Bay 4,

Arras Memorial,

Pas de Calais,

France.

CENSUS

1901   111, Ranelagh Road, Ipswich.

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

George Thomas Fairweather, 40, a Telegraph Worker, born Ipswich.

Emily Fairweather (nee Gant), 38, born Groton, Suffolk.

George Frank Fairweather, 15, born Ipswich.

Elizabeth Fairweather, 13, born Ipswich.

Elsie Kate Fairweather, 11, born Ipswich.

Harry Fairweather, 3, born Ipswich.

1911   317, Cauldwell Hall Road, Ipswich.

William was 16 years old, an Apprentice Tailor. He was living with his parents & siblings.

George, 56, a Retired Telegraph Worker – G.E.R.

Emily, 48.

George, 24, a Clerk – Wholesales Grocer.

Elizabeth, 23, a Domestic Servant – Housemaid.

Harry, 13.

Mabel Fairweather, 6, born Ipswich.

Soldiers’ Effects to George T. Fairweather – father.

William is also remembered on the war memorial at the Presbyterian Church formerly on London Road, Ipswich, and at St. Mary at Stoke Church, Ipswich.

IPSWICH ODDFELLOWS LODGE WW1 MEMORIAL

Suffolk Regiment, 7th Battalion

The Battle of Arleux.

The 11^th Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment, as part of the 101^st Brigade, formed an attack on Roeux chemical works on the Northern edge of the town, just south of the railway line. At 4:27 on the 28^th of April 1917, the attack by the 11^th began. The troops pushed forward but came under heavy machinegun fire, which drove the men back. A small group pushed on into the quarry on the eastern edge of the chemical works, being unsupported. At nightfall, they returned with 3 prisoners. The opening barrage had failed to destroy the machine gun posts and the enemy trenches, causing the attack to fail. The enemy counter-attacked from Roeux. They were taking Mount Pleasant wood, part of the Ceylon trench, at 9:45 a.m. The Battalion took over 300 casualties. The same fate was to happen to the 7^th Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment, taking 190 casualties. 13 Ipswich men were killed on this day.

Suffolk Regiment Battalion movements

Friends of The Suffolk Regiment