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People of Lowestoft 1914-45

Also Rifle Brigade

10th Bn.

James Alfred Ayers

A Rifleman with the 10th Battalion, James died on 23rd of September 1917 at the age of 39. 

James was born at Lowestoft in 1877, a son of William James and Caroline Jackson Ayers. In 1881 his family lived at 34 East Street and by 1891 at 265 Raglan Street. By 1911 his parents were living at 4 Mummerys Buildings, Whapload Road.

Between 1901 and 1911 James began using his middle name, Alfred, as his first name. 

16th Bn.

Joseph Clarke

A Rifleman with 16th Battalion, Joseph died on 21st of March 1918 at the age of 25.

Joseph was born at Wingrave, Aylesbury, in 1893, a son of George and Sarah Clarke. In 1901 his family lived at 8 Winslow Road, Wingrave. By 1911 his family were living at 1 Winslow Road and Joseph worked as a bricklayer's labourer. Later his parents lived at 67 Ravenstone Road, Hendon, London.

Joseph married Violet Nettie Saggers at Lowestoft in 1917. Violet lived at 4 Freemantle Road, Lowestoft. Violet remarried in 1920. 

1st Bn.

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.

Reginald George Whale

A Rifleman with 1st Battalion, Reginald died on 1st of November 1918 at the age of 20. 

Reginald was born at Lowestoft on 12 January 1893, a son of George and Mary Ann Whale. In 1901 his family lived at 85 Oxford Road, Lowestoft, and later lived at 22 Kimberley Road, Lowestoft. Reginald attended Church Road School and, from 27 September 1909, became a pupil at Saint John’s School. Lowestoft. By 1911 his family were living at 19 South Elmham Terrace, Victoria Road, Oulton Broad. Later his parents lived at 18 Wellington Road, Pakefield, Lowestoft.   

2nd Bn.

Charles Robert Balls

A Corporal with 2nd Bn., Charles died on 25th of September 1915 at the age of 30. 

Charles was born at Somerleyton in 1885, a son of Charles and Ellen Balls. In 1891 his family lived next to the Post Office, The Street, Somerleyton. This was still their home in 1901 when Charles worked as a gardener. 

3rd Bn.

Birkwood George Willie Boon

A Private with 3rd Battalion, Birkwood died on 21st of March 1918 at the age of 20. 

Birkwood was born at Corton on 16 December 1897, a son of George William and Alice Margaret Boon. He was baptised at Saint Bartholomew’s Church, Corton, on 6 February 1898. In 1901 his family lived at Church Lane, Corton, and by 1911 they were living at Sandpit Cottage, Corton.

Birkwood enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Rifle Brigade, service number S/29495 and was posted to the 3rd Battalion in France, joining VII Platoon in B Company. 

6th Bn.

George Henry Sutton

A Lance Corporal with 6th Battalion, George died on 11th of December 1915 at the age of 27. 

George was born at Gorleston in 1888, a son of George and Harriet Sutton. In 1891 his family lived at 143 South Quay, Great Yarmouth, and by 1901 at 104 Trafalgar Road West, Great Yarmouth. By 1906 they were living at 9 Church Lane, Gorleston. In 1911 his parents lived at 3 Seamen’s Cottages, Oulton Broad. Later his father lived at 2 Infirmary Court, Saint Margaret’s Plain, Lowestoft.  

8th Bn.

Harry Stanley Rouse

A Rifleman with 8th Bn., Harry died on 30th of July 1915 at the age of 23.

Harry was born at Croydon on 19 August 1892, a son of Henry Lewin and Ada Rouse. He was baptised at Wortwell, Norfolk, on 14 November 1892. From 6 September 1897 to 9 September 1904 Harry was a pupil at Wortwell School.

9th Bn.

Lovewell Bertie Bryant

A Lance Corporal with the 9th Battalion, Lovewell died on 3rd of May 1917 at the age of 27. 

Lovewell was born at Lowestoft in 1890, a son of George Henry and Harriet Emily Bryant. He was baptised at Saint John’s Church, Lowestoft, on 25 March 1890, and his family lived at 44 North Raglan Street. By 1901 they were living at 48 Milton Road, and later at 12 Cathcart Street.

Herbert Henry Lambert

Herbert Henry Lambert

A Rifleman with 9th Bn., Herbert died on 25th of September 1915 at the age of 24. 

Herbert was born at Lowestoft in 1891, a son of Herbert John Arthur and Fanny Lucy Lambert. In 1901 his family lived at 49 Mariners Street, Lowestoft. By 1911 they were living at 1 Compass Street, Lowestoft, and Herbert assisted in his father's carting business. 

Herbert served with D Squadron of the Suffolk Yeomanry for five years.