WILLIAM FREDERICK JEFFRIES
Laid to rest at the Field of Honour.
Born: 1887, Ipswich.
Died: 22nd January 1921; age: 33; died of Erysipelas due to the effects of Gas in the field, at the Borough Isolation Hospital, Ipswich.
William’s brother Frederick Jeffries, of 36, Gymnasium Street, Ipswich, was at his bedside.
Residence: 45, Windsor Road, Ipswich.
Occupation: a Malster’s Labourer.
Enlisted on the 19th October 1915.
Discharged sick on the 4th June 1917 – had served overseas.
Rank: Driver; Service Number: 16106.
Regiment: Royal Engineers, 510 Field Coy.
Medals Awarded: Victory & British War and the Silver War Badge.
Funeral and burial service was held on the 27th January.
Grave Reference:
BA.IA.28.
Ipswich.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of William & Sarah Jeffries, of 45, Windsor Road, Ipswich.
CENSUS
1891 40, Rendlesham Road, Ipswich.
William was 4 years old and living with his parents & brother.
William Jeffries, 38, a Bricklayer, born Eye, Suffolk.
Sarah Ann Jeffries (nee Pipe), 32, born Helmingham, Suffolk.
Frederick William Jeffries, 5, born Ipswich.
1901 45, Windsor Road, Ipswich.
William was 14 years old, an Errand Boy. He was living with his parents & siblings.
William, 48, a Bricklayer.
Sarah, 42.
Fred, 15, a Shop Lad – Grocer.
Winifred Lilian Jeffries, 7, born Ipswich.
Margaret Nellie Jeffries, 5, born Ipswich.
1911 Butt Road, Colchester, Essex.
William was 23 years old, a Soldier, ranked as a Private/Telegraph Linesman in the Royal Engineers.
During World War One, large-scale use of chemical weapons was used to demoralise, injure, and kill entrenched defenders. Gases such as tear gas and lethal agents like Phosgene, Chlorine, and Mustard gas sank into the trenches, suffocating and burning skin, eyes and lungs, forcing the defenders to retreat unless able to use gas masks. The gases were reliant on wind direction and wind strength for effectiveness. There were more casualties than deaths through gas attacks, causing blindness and respiratory problems, scarring lungs and blistering skin, debilitating the lives of the soldiers in later life.
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