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David George Gravelles

A Lance Corporal with 1st Bn., David died on 13th of May 1915 at the age of 28. 

David was born at 1 September 1886, a son of Edward and Eliza Gravelles. He was baptised at Saint Peter's Church, Kirkley, on 1 May 1887, and his family lived at 4 Saint George's Road, Lowestoft. By 1891 they were living at 62 Lorne Park Road. In 1901 they were living at 29 Selby Street, Lowestoft, and David worked as a shoemaker. Later his family lived at 10 Avondale Road, Lowestoft.

In 1911 David lived at 78 North End Road, West Kensington, and was a Master Bread Baker.

David was working as a baker when he volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Waltham Green Town Hall on 2 September 1914. He joined the Rifle Brigade and was posted to the 1st Battalion, in France, on 5 January 1915. David was promoted to Acting Corporal on 5 May 1915. 

On 9 May 1915 the 1st Battalion took over positions in the vicinity of Shell Trap Farm, near Ypres. The Battalion War Diary for 13 May 1915 has:

Shelling started at 4 a.m. and enemy subsequently attacked at 7 a.m. but were driven off. At 12 noon a company of South Lancashires arrived to support. Relieved by Royal Irish Regiment at night and marched to canal bank.
Casualties: 130.  

David was reported missing on 13 May and later presumed to have been killed in action on that date. 

Lived at

David Gravelles
10
Avondale Road
Lowestoft
United Kingdom

52.4775446, 1.7414282

CountryOfService
United Kingdom
BranchService
Army
Regiment
Rifle Brigade
ServiceNumber
Z/884
Burial/Memorial
Belgium
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 46.

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