John Amos Waller

A Private with the 2nd Battalion, John died on 20th of July 1916 at the age of 21. 

John was born at Pakefield on 18 February 1895, a son of Arthur William and Rhoda Waller. From 18 February 1898 John was pupil at Kirkley School. In 1900 his family lived at Wellington Road. For a short time, in 1900, he attended Cunningham School, Pakefield. In 1901 his family lived at 33 Saint Peter's Street, Norwich. By 1911 John’s mother had died and his family lived at 10 Roaches Court, Fisher's Lane, Norwich, and John worked as a porter for a hardware dealer. In 1914 Thomas' family lived at Saint Martins Alley, Norwich, and by 1916 his father was living at 42 Essex Road, Lowestoft. 

John enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 18476 and, in 1916, was posted to France to join the 2nd Battalion. 

Colonel Murphy’s ‘The History of the Suffolk Regiment 1914-1927’ has the following account of the 2nd Battalion’s attack at Longueval 20 July 1916:

It was still dark when the artillery bombardment lifted and the advance began. The two Suffolk companies in the forward line marched in double lines of platoons with a front of 140 yards each. Much bitter fighting followed, which, although indecisive locally enabled a footing to be gained in High Wood by the 33rd Division. 

The battalion’s losses were:
Officers: four killed, two wounded, six missing
Other ranks: 108 killed – with an unrecorded number wounded and missing.

John was killed in action on 20 July. 

John’s brother Thomas served with the 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment and died in 1915.