ARTHUR REGINALD JACOBS
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Born: 27th September 1891, Ipswich.
Baptised on the 2nd December 1891, at St. Matthew’s Church, Ipswich – family home at Gaye Street, Ipswich.
Died: 12th March 1915; age 24; KiA near Neuve Chapelle
Residence: Coe’s Cottages, 6, Bramford Lane, Ipswich.
Enlistment Location: Ipswich.
Date of Entry Therein: 8th November 1914.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 2368
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1914 Star.
In 1920, the body was discovered, exhumed, and identified by a Cross on the grave before reburial among many unknown/unnamed soldiers at Guards Cemetery.
Also found at the same map reference were the bodies of James Robert Liffen, 73 (identified by clothing and numerals), William Robert Mortimer, 2305, and John Edmund Podd, 106, (both bodies identified by an erected Cross), all Ipswich men.
Grave Reference:
VIII.E.45.
Windy Corner,
Cuinchy,
Somme,
France.
CENSUS
1901 76, Wallace Road, Ipswich.
Arthur was 9 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
Arthur James Jacobs, 37, a Sawmill Machinist, born Sproughton, Suffolk.
Alice Jacobs (nee Baker), 37, born Benhall, Suffolk.
Alan James Jacobs, 14, born Ipswich.
Herbert George Jacobs, 13, born Ipswich.
Lilian Ada Jacobs, 1, born Ipswich.
1911 Coes Cottages, 6, Bramford Lane, Ipswich.
Arthur was 19 years old and living with his father, siblings, & stepmother.
Arthur, 48, a Wood Machinist Planer.
Emily Emma Jacobs (nee Smith), 44, born Woolwich, Kent.
Herbert, 23, a General Quay Labourer for a Corn Merchant.
Lilian, 11.
Arthur’s mother Alice Jacobs, died 1904, Ipswich.
Soldiers’ Effects to Arthur James Jacobs – father.
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 and break out and head towards the City of Lille, with the main objective taking the Aubers Ridge, beyond which was of strategic value. The Battle started well with a heavy bombardment of the German line (more shells fired on this occasion than the entire Boae War) with an advance which successfully took most of the first and second line trenches, but due to poor communications stalled once the village had been taken. The Germans then had time to set up more defensive lines outside the village and hold the British advance. 40,000 British and Indian troops took part in the Battle, with over 10,000+ Casualties.
Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion
The 4th Battalion, the Suffolk Regiment, entered the battle on the 11th of March, taking up positions on the outskirts of the Neuve Chapelle facing the Bois Du Biez, which were later ordered to occupy. The 4th Battalion lost many men through shelling on their positions, followed by a counterattack on the 12th by the Germans. In total, the Battalion sustained 217 casualties.
Suffolk Regiment Battalion movements
Friends of The Suffolk Regiment
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