ALBERT VICTOR GRAINGER
Trevor Harkin: On the 14th/15th July 2026, Albert Victor Grainger’s memorial plaque “Dead Man’s Penny” will be sold by auction at Lockdales Auctioneers and Valuers, Suffolk, and can be viewed here:
NABS
Born: 16th October 1889, Ipswich.
Died: 13th March 1915; Age: 25; died of wounds at No. 7 Clearing Hospital after wounds received in action at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle on the 11th March.
Residence: 4, Tennyson Road, Ipswich.
Occupation: a Boiler Maker.
Volunteered after the outbreak of war.
Enlistment Location: Ipswich; Date: September 1914.
Date of Entry Therein: 8th November 1914.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 2336
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1914 Star.
Grave Reference:
I.A.3.
France.
Relatives Notified & Address: Husband of G. A. Grainger, of 4, Tennyson Road, Ipswich.
CENSUS
1891 Kemball Street, Ipswich.
Albert was 2 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
Henry Rampling Grainger, 41, a Labourer – Foundry, born Hadleigh, Suffolk.
Hannah Grainger (nee Brown), 41, born Ipswich.
Annie Kate Grainger, 19, a Corset Maker, born Ipswich.
Amy Elizabeth Grainger, 17, a Corset Maker, born Ipswich.
George William Grainger, 16, a Labourer 0 Foundry, born Ipswich.
Harry Rampling Grainger, 9, born Ipswich.
Lily Rampling Grainger, 6, born Ipswich.
Daniel Albert Grainger, 4, born Ipswich.
1901 50, Kemball Street, Ipswich.
Albert was 11 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
Henry, 51, a Boilers Maker’s Labourer.
Hannah, 51.
Harry, 17, a Labourer – Plough Shop.
Lily, 15, a Stay Machinist.
Arthur, 13.
1911 94, Kemball Street, Ipswich.
Albert was 22 years old, a Boiler Maker – Engineering Works. He was living with his parents & siblings.
Henry, 63, a Market Gardener’s Labourer.
Hannah, 63.
Harry, 28, Labourer – Plough Manufacturer.
Lily Trew (nee Grainger), 26, a Mother’s Help – Domestic.
Arthur, 24, a Plough Fitter – Plough Manufacturer.
Albert was educated at St. John’s School, Ipswich.
On the 1st March 1913, at St. Mary’s Church, Bucklesham, Suffolk, 23 year old Albert, a boiler maker, married 21 year old Grace Annie Colthorpe, born January 1892, Kirton, Suffolk – daughter of William Edward Colthorpe, a horseman on a farm, and Ellenor Emma Colthorpe (nee Carver), of White House, The Street, Bucklesham.
Grace and Albert had two children:
Florence Grace Grainger, born March 1913, Ipswich and baptised on the 4th May 1913, at St. John the Baptist Church, Ipswich – family home at 94, Kemball Street, Ipswich.
Albert Victor Grainger, born January 1914, Ipswich and baptised on the 29th November 1914, at St. Mary’s Church, Bucklesham – family home at Ipswich. Albert was a soldier and in France.
Soldiers’ Effects to Grace A. Grainger – widow.
Albert is also remembered on the war memorial at St. John the Baptist Church, Ipswich.
Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion:
The Battle of Neuve Chapelle 10th – 13th March 1915 was the first planned British offensive of the war. The objective was to take the German line at the Village of Neuve Chapelle, break out, and head towards the City of Lille, with the main objective of taking the Aubers Ridge, beyond which lay strategic value. The Battle started well with a heavy bombardment of the German line (more shells fired on this occasion than the entire Boer War), with an advance which successfully took most of the first and second line trenches, but due to poor communications, it stalled once the village had been taken. The Germans then had time to set up more defensive lines outside of the village and hold the British advance. 40,000 British and Indian troops took part in the Battle with over 10,000+ Casualties.
The 4th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment entered the battle on the 11th of March, taking up positions on the outskirts of Neuve Chapelle facing the Bois Du Biez, which later were ordered to occupy. The 4th Battalion lost many men through shelling on their positions, followed by a counter-attack on the 12th by the Germans. In total, the Battalion sustained 217 casualties.
Suffolk Regiment Battalion movements
SUFFOLK REGIMENT MUSEUM
Friends of The Suffolk Regiment
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