Edward Arthur Church

A Lance Corporal with the 1st Battalion, Edward died on 23rd of April 1917 at the age of 26. 

Edward was born at Kirkley in 1891, a son of George and Louisa Church. In 1891 his family lived at 2 Sayers Cottages, Carlton Road. In 1901 their address was 2 Aston Cottages, Carlton Road. In 1911 Edward worked, and lived, at Wheatacre House, Carlton Colville, where he was a domestic gardener. Edward was a brother of Flora Harriet Lennox, formerly Church, and Charles Church, of Myrtle Cottages, Barnby, Beccles, Suffolk.

Edward volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 13526. He was posted to eth 8th Battalion and arrived in France with the battalion on 25 July 1915. At some point he was transferred to the Bedfordshire Regiment, service number 32046, and posted to the 1st Battalion. 

On 23 April 1917 the 1st Battalion attacked the German lines at La Coulotte, near Arras. By 5.15 a.m. the battalion had reached their first line German trench. About 7.55 a.m. the second wave had passed through the German second line and met with strong resistance including machine-gun fire from houses and a minenwerfer. Around 10 a.m. the advance was being held up on the right and a defensive flank had to be formed. A and C Companies had reached Water Tower Trench and Triangle, but were only around 100 strong and needed both reinforcements and ammunition. By 1.30 p.m. a retirement was ordered. Although the battalion captured several prisoners and machine-guns, this came at heavy cost with casualties amounting to eleven officers and 320 men.

Edward was killed in action on 23 April.      

Edward’s sole legatee was his sister Flora Harriet Lennox. 

Edward's brother Harry died in 1917 in the loss of H.M.S. Vanguard.

Note: On Edward’s military records his middle name is given as Arthur, however, it may actually have been Herbert.