This caption and picture appeared in the edition of the Norwich Mercury dated Saturday September 8 1917.
MORLEY, GEORGE
Rank:………………………….......Lance Serjeant
Service No:…………………….203133
Date of Death:………………..31/07/1917
Age:……………………………......33
Regiment:………………………..Suffolk Regiment, 8th Bn.
Grave Reference:……………Enclosure No.2 II. B. 17.
Cemetery:…………………….....BEDFORD HOUSE CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Mrs. Rebecca Morley, of Lakenheath; husband of Mrs. M. A. Morley, of Cemetery Yard, Lakenheath, Suffolk
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/483429/MORLEY,%20GEORGE
Soldiers Died in the Great War records that Lance Sergeant George Morley Died of Wounds on the 31st July 1917 whilst serving with the 8th Battalion Suffolk Regiment. He had previously been 2751 Suffolk Regiment.
The Medal Index Card for Corporal 203133 George Morley, Suffolk Regiment, is held at the National Archive under reference WO 372/14/92587
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D4138926
His Service Records do not appear to have survived the incendiary attack during the Blitz on the Warehouse where all the Army service records were stored.
No match on Picture Norfolk, the County Image Archive.
The Government Probate Service holds a Soldiers Will for 203133 George Morley who died on the 31st July 1917.
probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Wills?Surname=Morley&Sur...
The Lakenheath Remembers website has a mini-biography for him and has pictures of his Medal Index Card and Headstone. His younger brother Charles was Killed in Action on the 28th April 1917.
www.undyingmemory.net/Lakenheath/Morley George.html
26th March 1884 - Birth and Baptism
The birth of a George Morley was registered with the Civil Authorities in the District of Mildenhall, Suffolk in the April to June quarter, (Q2), of 1884. Mildenhall District included Lakenheath.
The baptism of a George Morley, born 26th March 1884, took place at All Saints Lakenheath on the 4th December 1887. His parents were Edward, a Labourer, and Rebecca. The family lived in Lakenheath.
www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/581865a3e93790eca305e3e...
Other family baptisms, All Saints, Lakenheath
Elizabeth May Morley, no date of birth recorded, baptised on the same day as her brother George. Parents Edward, a Labourer, and Rebecca. Family resides Lakenheath.
www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/581865a3e93790eca305e3f...
William Morley, no date of birth recorded, baptised 2nd June 1878. Parents Edward, a Labourer, and Rebecca. Family resides Lakenheath.
www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818659fe93790eca305d89...
Ernest Edward Morley, no date of birth recorded, baptised 5th March 1882. Parents Edward, a Labourer, and Rebecca. Family resides Lakenheath.
www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/581865a1e93790eca305ddc...
Lily Morley, no date of birth recorded, baptised 6th October 1895. Parents Edward, a Labourer, and Rebecca. Family resides Lakenheath.
www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/581865a6e93790eca305e96...
Charles Morley, no date of birth recorded, baptised 6th October 1895. Parents Edward, a Labourer, and Rebecca. Family resides Lakenheath.
www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/581865a6e93790eca305e96...
1891 Census of England and Wales
The 7 year old George Morley, born Lakenheath, Suffolk, was recorded living at a dwelling on Anchor Lane, Lakenheath. This was the household of his parents, Edward, (aged 39, a General Labourer, born Lakenheath) and Rebecca, (aged 38, Born Lakenheath). As well as George their other children living with them are:-
William…..aged 13….born Lakenheath….Agricultural Labourer
Ernest…….aged 9……born Lakenheath
Elizabeth…aged 4……born Lakenheath
“Voilet”….aged 2…….born Lakenheath
1901 Census of England and Wales
The Morley family were still living on Anchor Lane. Along with parents Edward, (48) and Rebecca, (46), children still single and living at home are William, (23, Ordinary Agricultural Labourer), Ernest E, (19, Ordinary Agricultural Labourer), George, (17, Ordinary Agricultural Labourer), Elizabeth, (14), Violet, (12), Lily, (9), Charles, (6) and Alice, (4) – all born Lakenheath.
His future wife, the 12 year old Mary Mole, born Croxton, Norfolk, was recorded living at a dwelling on Watton Road, Croxton, Norfolk. This was the household of her uncle and aunt, Stephen Linge (44, Gamekeeper, born Thetford) and Emily Linge, (44, born Croxton). As well as a 1 year old son of their own, also in the household is Stephens’ step-son Albert Mole, (aged 18, an Agricultural Labourer, born Croxton). Mary however is shown as a niece of the couple.
1908 – Marriage
The marriage of a George Morley to a Mary Ann Mole was recorded in the Thetford District of Norfolk in the April to June quarter, (Q2), of 1908.
1911 Census of England and Wales
The 27 year old George Morley, a Fruit Farm Labourer, was recorded as the married head of the household at Cemetey Road, Lakenheath, (the census enumerator has shown the address as Mill Road, Lakenheath, although that may be the address the form was originally sent to). He lives there with his wife of 2 years, Mary Ann, (aged 22, born Croxton, Suffolk). So far the couple have had just the one child, and as yet unnamed daughter who was then just a month old.
His widowed mother, the 57 year old Rebecca, was recorded as the head of the household at Anchor Lane. Although this was the first census in England and Wales intended to be completed by the householder, in this case someone else has completed it on her behalf as the declaration has been signed with an “X” (her mark). Rebecca supports herself by Charing. Still single and living with her are her children Charles, (16, Farm Labourer) and Alice, (14, help on farm).
Until September 1911 the quarterly index published by the General Registrars Office did not show information about the mothers maiden name. A check of the General Registrars Office Index of Birth for England and Wales 1911 – 1983 shows three possible additional children of George and Mary, all recorded in the Mildenhall District, all with mothers maiden name Mole. (Note with the daughter on the 1911 that would give the four children referenced in the original caption to the photograph.)
Reginald…………..Q2 1913
Ellen………………Q4 1914
Alfred G………….Q4 1916
On the day
31st July 1917 - Day 1
The Battle of Passchendaele
18th Division
53 Bde
53 Bde’s task was to leapfrog 30th Div once Glencorse Wood had been taken.
8th Bn, Suffolk Regt arrived in Jackdaw Trench at 8.10am to find Glencorse Wood still in enemy hands despite reports to the contrary. They dug in near Clapham Junction. Meanwhile 6th Bn, Berkshire Regt bogged down on the Menin Road also under fire from Glencorse Wood. With the help of 79 Coy, RE they destroyed some pill boxes between road and wood. Five tanks sent to assist bogged down in mud and were destroyed by shell-fire. By 10am they had dug in at the cross roads north west of Glencorse Wood.
forum.irishmilitaryonline.com/showthread.php?t=11535
Page 239 - 241 “The History of the Suffolk Regiment 1914-1927” by Lieutenant-Colonel C.C.R.Murphy
The battles of Ypres of 1917 began on the last day of July, the main blow being delivered by four Army Corps of the Vth Army, under General Sir Hubert Gough, attacking on a front of nearly eight miles. The front allotted to the IInd Corps (Lieut.-General Sir Claude Jacob) to which the 8th Battalion, belonged, extended from the Menin road to the Zillebeke-Zandvoorde road. This difficult stretch of country, especially the part when the Menin road crosses the ridge, was perhaps on the whole the scene of the most desperate fighting in the opening battle, although the depth of the British advance was greatest in the direction of Langemarck.
The intention was that as soon as the 30th Division had gained the Black Line, the 18th Division who were in support should go through them and carry on. The 53rd Brigade (Brig.-General H.W. Higginson) were then to attack the Green Line, and, if the situation developed favourably, the Red Line also. The 8th Battalion reached its assembly positions about 2 a.m. on July 31st, and by zero hour (3.50 a.m.) had established its headquarters at Wellington Crescent. During the latter stages of this move, enemy shells set fire to some dumps and a tank, lighting up the ground with remarkable effect. As “C” Company was passing through Zillebeke a shell burst amongst them, killing and wounding several of the men.
The troops of the attacking division, which the 53rd Brigade were to leapfrog when the first objective was taken, moved forward between the 8th and 24th Division. The 8th Suffolks and 6th Royal Berkshire Regiments, ready and expectant, waited for the front-line reports that would tell them the way was clear for their advance. “By a tragic mistake the 30th Divisional infantry wheeled to their left and assaulted Chateau wood instead of Glencorse wood. The misleading information that Glencorse wood was in our hands caused the 53rd Brigade to plunge into a fatal gap. One of the Suffolks’ scouts met, near the Menin road, an officer of the 17th Manchesters who reported that Glencorse wood had been captured. Contradiction came from Lieut. R.C. Bolingbroke who, before being wounded, penetrated as far as the line of the first objective. Bolingbroke reported that the enemy was still holding ground west of Glencorse wood.” (Source cited “History of the 18th Division” (Blackwood)).
Early in the morning Lieut. Bolingbroke went forward with the battalion scouts to clear Sanctuary wood and place signposts to guide the companies. They came under fire from a corner of the wood, Cpl. Fletcher being twice wounded. This was the work of a daring sniper, who did much damage before he was killed. Soon after 6 a.m. Lieut. Bolingbroke sent back a message to say 30th Division were on the north side of the Menin road, an in Chateau wood.
As the troops advanced a barrage was encountered in the splintered remains of Sanctuary wood, on the further edge of which they came under a destructive machine-gun and rifle fire. A platoon of “B” Company, under Lieut. Chibnall, was the first to get up to Lieut. Bolingbroke. These two officers decided to attack the second line (Surbiton Villa) with such troops as they could collect, and without waiting for support. The line was taken, Lieut. Chibnall and Sgt. J. Mason, M.M., being killed, and Lieut. Bolingbroke wounded, at the head of the platoon. In the course of the severe fighting in the vicinity of Surbiton Villa, Pte. F.J. Read with a small party of “A” Company (Major H.A. Angier, M.C.) rushed a German machine-gun, killing the whole team.
The battalion got on to the Menin road near Clapham Junction and advanced several hundred yards beyond it, where they were checked and forced to take up a line of shell-holes. The attack practically finished here, as by this time the enemy were in great strength round Glencorse wood. While Major Fache was crawling up the Menin road with a runner, a cock pheasant alighted about fifty yards ahead of them, though shells were dropping everywhere. The runner shot the bird, carrying it out of action at the end of his rifle with great pride. It was possibly not the first time he had killed game without a licence.
By this time all our tanks had been put out of action. The battalion having advanced altogether nearly a mile and made a hard but availing fight to get still further, now dug themselves in. Thus ended, as far as the 8th Battalion was concerned, the battle of Pilckem Ridge, in which they sustained 177 casualties including the following officers:-
Killed: Lieut. R.S. Chibnall; 2nd Lieuts J.D. Wheeler and A.C. Savage.
Wounded: Captain G.L. Crandon, M.C.; Lieut. R.C. Bolingbroke, M.C., D.C.M.; and 2nd Lieuts W. Brown and L.C. Rae, the last named remaining at duty.
lib.militaryarchive.co.uk/library/infantry-histories/libr...
(A check of the CWGC database reveals 59 fatalities on this day).
From the War Diary of the 6th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment.
All references to Sheet ZILLEBEKE 1/20,000.
1.55AM - Head of Bn arrived in assembly area in I.17d and I.23a & c. 3.5 - Bn reported present in assembly area. Message sent to Bde HQ to this effect.
3.50 - Zero hour.
5AM Bde report Blue line captured.
5.50 - Patrols under 2/Lts HR Hooper and GH Tigar sent forward to get in touch with 17th Manchesters
6.50AM. Black line reported captured unofficially.
7.15 - Bn moved from assembly area in Artillery formation towards forming up line.
8.30 - Bn passing through SANCTUARY WOOD in I.13c. Fairly heavy MG fire & artillery barrage directed against Bn. No Manchester met up to this point and captured trenches did not appear to be garrisoned.
8.45 - JACKDAW RES TR reached. Owing to MG fire from YPRES-MENIN Rd and SURBITON VILLAS Bn deployed to extended order. Advance resumed and the line of the YPRES-MENIN road made good.
9AM - Attack on the black line determined on and commenced by rushes under cover of rifle & MG fire. Suffolks and their attd TM co-operated with fire on SP at J14a3.21/2. 9.50 - In spite of strong opposition and without assistance from our own Artillery which was unaware of the situation the line Xrds J7d91 JARGON SWITCH and SURBITON VILLAS captured. Touch gained with Lincolns at bank in J7d. 10.10 - British barrage opened behind the line of resistance holding up the Bn. Efforts to advance were stopped by rifle & MG fire from the JARGON TR LINE.
10.30 - Consolidation of the line J7d9.4 - Xrds J7d9.1 - JARGON SWITCH - J13b9.6 - junction rds at J13b9.5 - E of SURBITON VILLA where touch was gained with the SUFFOLKS. The work of consolidation was difficult owing to hostile MG fire & aeroplanes dropping bombs on troops consolidating.
3pm - Enemy seen massing for counter attack in GLENCORSE WOOD. SOS barrage called for - Artillery open fire and attack did not materialize. Remainder of day fairly quiet but enemy kept up continuous shell fire on consolidated troops & Bn HQ on YPRES MENIN Rd in the tunnel at J13b3.1.
8.30pm - Orders for relief by 17th KLR received. Details arranged direct with Bn - Relief orders attached.
12MN - Relief commenced. Completed 2.50AM Aug 1st. Bn withdrew to DICKEBUSCH.
www.thewardrobe.org.uk/research/war-diaries/detail/7413
BEDFORD HOUSE CEMETERY
Location Information
Bedford House Cemetery is located 2.5 Km south of Ieper town centre. The cemetery lies on the Rijselseweg (N336), the road connecting Ieper to Armentieres.
Historical Information
Zillebeke village and most of the commune were in the hands of Commonwealth forces for the greater part of the First World War, but the number of cemeteries in the neighbourhood bears witness to the fierce fighting in the vicinity from 1914 to 1918.
Bedford House, sometimes known as Woodcote House, were the names given by the Army to the Chateau Rosendal, a country house in a small wooded park with moats. Although it never fell into German hands, the house and the trees were gradually destroyed by shell fire. It was used by field ambulances and as the headquarters of brigades and other fighting units, and charcoal pits were dug there from October 1917.
In time, the property became largely covered by small cemeteries; five enclosures existed at the date of the Armistice, but the graves from No.1 were then removed to White House Cemetery, St. Jean, and those from No.5 to Aeroplane Cemetery, Ypres.
ENCLOSURE No.2 was begun in December 1915, and used until October 1918. After the Armistice, 437 graves were added, all but four of which came from the Ecole de Bienfaisance and Asylum British Cemeteries, both at Ypres.
In all, 5,139 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War are buried or commemorated in the enclosures of Bedford House Cemetery. 3,011 of the burials are unidentified but special memorials commemorate a number of casualties known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials name casualties buried in other cemeteries whose graves could not be found on concentration. Second World War burials number 69 (3 of which are unidentified). There are 2 Germans buried here.
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/55502/BEDFORD%20HOU...
(Mildly photoshopped to minimise the visual impact of damage that was present on the original image.)
