WILLIAM HENRY WISBY

image from 1918 Suffolk Chronicle & Mercury newspaper

Born: 1896, Ipswich.

Died on or since: 9th August 1917; age 21; KiA.

Residence: 7, Kingston Road, Ipswich.

Enlistment Location: Ipswich.

Rank: Sergeant; Service Number: 12714

Regiment:Suffolk Regiment; 7th Battalion.

Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.

Memorial Reference:

Bay 4.

Arras Memorial,

Arras,

Pas de Calais,

France.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Frederick & Caroline E. Wisby of 7, Kingston Road, Ipswich.

Brother-in-Law to ARTHUR SIDNEY STRUGNELL.

CENSUS

1901   13, Waterloo Road, Ipswich.

William was 5 years old and living with his parents & siblings.

Frederick Whiting Wisby, 37, a Bricklayers Labourer, born Ipswich.

Caroline Wisby (nee Sheppard), 37, born Ipswich.

Frederick James Wisby, 14, an Office Boy, born Ipswich.

Lily Maud Wisby, 12, born Ipswich.

Florence May Wisby, 7, born Ipswich.

Laura Wisby, 1, born Ipswich.

George Edward Wisby, 3 months, Born Ipswich.

1911   7, Kingston Road, Ipswich.

William was 15 years old, a Coal, Oil & Wood Salesman. He was living with his parents & siblings.

Frederick, 37, a Bricklayers Labourer – Builders.

Caroline, 47.

Frederick, 23, a Coal, Oil & Wood Salesman.

Laura, 11.

Grace Olive Wisby, 8, born Ipswich.

Violet Rose Wisby, 6, born Ipswich.

Stanley Charles Wisby, 5, born Ipswich.

Soldiers Effects to Frederick Wisby – father.

William is also remembered on the war memorial at the Museum Street Methodist Church, Ipswich, and also on the memorial at SPRINGFIELD SCHOOL, Ipswich.

9^th August 1917 The 7^th Battalion the Suffolk Regiment

Throughout the summer months, the 7^th battalion remained in the Arras sector following the April action (Battle of Arras) the remnants were organised into two weak companies and used in the Monchy sector in raiding activity. On the 9^th August As soon as it was light the artillery began to bombard a belt of enemy trenches 2000 yards long and 300 yards deep, the bombardment being continued throughout the hours of daylight. While this was in progress the front line was very thinly held, the bulk of the battalion being in caves in its own headquarters line. During the evacuation of the front line Captain L.A.G. Bowen, MC and 2^nd Lieut. A. Green were gassed with phosgene shells. At 19:45 p.m. the strong patrols and raiders began moving forward under a creeping barrage, the 7^th Battalion heading towards Bois du Vert and the Mound. Within a short time, prisoners began to trickle in. As soon as the German first line had been reached a box barrage was put down and his second line raided. The operation was a marked success, and though the casualties were heavy, valuable information was obtained and great damage inflicted. The Battalion brought back sixty-nine prisoners and two machine guns. Captain Morbey was killed on his own parapet after the raid was over by fire from a German aeroplane.

Extracts from The History of the Suffolk Regiment 1914-27 Lieut. Colonel C.C.R.Murphy

Suffolk Regiment; 7th Battalion

Suffolk Regiment Battalion movements

SUFFOLK REGIMENT MUSEUM

Friends of The Suffolk Regiment