Victor Claude Tripp

A Private with the 7th Battalion, Victor died on 12th of October 1916 at the age of 21. 

Victor was born at Kessingland in 1895, a son of William and Maria Tripp. He was baptised at Saint Edmund’s Church, Kessingland, on 21 July 1895, and his family lived at The Beach, Kessingland. In 1901 his family lived at Dambrook House, Church Road, Kessingland, and this was still their home in 1911 when Victor worked as a marine insurance clerk, connected with the fishing industry. 

Victor volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft in later September/early October 1914. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 1849, and served with the 6th (Cyclist) Battalion. Harry was posted to the 7th Battalion in France, with service number 43289.  

The War Diary for the 7th Battalion has:

10 October 1916

Relieved 11th Middlesex in Bulls Runs, near Flers, four companies in front line.

12 October 1916

Attack to be made on Bayonet Trench and Luisenhoff Farm. Morning very quiet.
5 a.m. Battalion lying in shell holes in front ready.
10 a.m. Major Henty went forward to advance Battalion Headquarters in Grass Street to receive reports.
2 p.m. Zero. Attack started. German barrage very intense. Battalion proceeded in four waves, each company with a platoon front.
No definite report until 6 p.m. when Battalion was back in front line having failed to attain objective.
B and D Companies gained objective, but were driven out by superior numbers.
1st Essex on right gained objective but were unable to hold it, finally and they managed to keep part of it.
Battalion withdrew to reserve in Flers Trench. 

Colonel Murphy, in history of the Suffolk Regiment, felt that the attack failed because the enemy wire had only partially been destroyed and that the British barrage was ineffective.

All fifteen officers that went over the top became casualties: eleven killed and four wounded. Ninety two other ranks were killed and, in total, the Battalion had over 500 casualties.  

Victor was killed in action on 12 October. He received a battlefield burial at map reference 57c.N.20.c.6.4. By mid-1920 he had been reburied at Bancourt.