Cornelius Gillings

A Private with the 7th Battalion, Cornelius died on 13th of October 1915 at the age of 24. 

Cornelius was born at Blundeston in 1891, a son of Charles Elijah and Ellen Gillings. He was baptised at Saint Mary’s Church, Blundeston, on 7 June 1891. In 1891 his family lived at High Street, Blundeston. By 1901 their address was The Street, Blundeston. By 1911 they were living near The Plough, Blundeston, and Cornelius was a gardener. 

Cornelius married Emma Melinda Atkins in 1914: this was registered in the Erpingham district. Their home was at The Street, Blundeston. Emma married Arthur Riches in 1920. 

Cornelius volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 18528. He was posted to the 7th Battalion, in France, on 12 August 1915. 

The War Diary for the 7th Battalion has:

12 October. 5.45 p.m. Parade to take over trenches from 1st Guards Brigade near Hohenzollern Redoubt.

13 October. 12 noon. Intense bombardment of German lines by our artillery.
2 p.m. Attack commences in accordance with Battalion order.
B Company under cover of smoke attacked German trenches . .advancing over fire trench. Owing to smoke lifting and very heavy machine-gun fire . . this attack did not reach its objective but was instrumental in keeping out bomb attacks on (our) sap.
Major Currey, 2nd Lieutenants Hartopp and Lee were killed. Lieutenant Daveron wounded and about 70 other ranks killed and wounded. 
At the same time A Company supported the Norfolk bombers in attack a sap. Great opposition was encountered at first and many casualties occurred. The party eventually rushed the German barrier and proceeded to bomb a trench.
The machine-guns were ordered to follow this party and support advance with fire. 
Captain Cobbold was killed whilst leading the party of Suffolk bombers and 2nd Lieutenant Smith severely wounded.
As the Suffolk bombers had become expended when the point G.5.d.10.3 was reached and the attack checked in consequence. O.C. A Company was ordered to consolidate his position on the line gained. 
At the same time D Company supported the Norfolk bombers in attacking a sap. This attack was temporarily held up by German bombers at their barrier which was eventually rushed by D Company.
Captain Henty was wounded and Captain Sorley and Lieutenant Wood killed whilst leading the attack. 
Lieutenant Deighton then took command and by bombing down the trench drove the enemy back . . when this point was reached it was reported that the bombs had been used up. D was ordered to consolidate this position.
As soon as points G.5.d.10.3 and G.6.c.2.1 were reached there were pushed forward 3 Suffolk and 1 Northamptonshire machine-guns with the object of establishing a strong point at G.5.d.9.1 and commanding the approach from the enemy’s trenches which had been closed by us with double stops. This arrangement proved quite satisfactory as by it the German bombers were easily kept at a distance by rifle and machine-gun fire. 
Casualties: eight officers killed and three wounded. 150 Other Ranks killed and wounded.    

Cornelius was killed in action on 13 October.

Cornelius’ brother Sydney served with the 2nd Battalion Suffolk Regiment and died in 1916. His nephew, Sydney Charles Gillings, served in the Royal Army Medical Corps and died in 1944.