CHARLES ERNEST THIRKETTLE
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.
Image from the Evening Star – 13th April 1942
JACK
Born: 7th May 1917, Ipswich.
Died: 14th May 1943; age: 26; died of Indigestion as a Japanese PoW – Thailand/Burma Railway.
Captured: 15th February 1942 – Fall of Singapore.
Residence: 113, Ranelagh Road, Ipswich.
Occupation: Butcher’s Shop Assistant with the Ipswich Co-operative Society.
Rank: Lance Sergeant; Service Number: 5829803.
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion – Infantry.
The body was originally buried at Chungkai Cemetery Extension. On August 13, 1948, it was exhumed, identified by a cross on the grave, and reburied at Chungkai War Cemetery.
Grave Reference:
9.N.4.
Thailand.
Relatives Notified & Address: Youngest son of George Ernest & Harriet Ellen Thirkettle, of Ipswich.
Father: George Ernest Thirkettle, born 1876, Moulton St. Mary, Norfolk. A Carpenter.
Mother: Harriet Ellen Thirkettle (nee Wymer), born March 1881, Moulton St. Mary, Norfolk.
ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939
Charles was employed as a Butcher’s Shop Assistant. He lived with his parents at their family home – 113, Ranelagh Road, Ipswich.
George, an Electrical Plant Attendant.
Harriet, unpaid Domestic Duties.
One other.
Probate to Harriet Ellen Thirkettle – mother.
Charles is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Mary at Stoke Church, Ipswich.
4th Battalion:
The Battalion were attached to the 18th East Anglian Division.
15th February 1942: After the fall of Singapore, approximately 620 of the Battalions were taken POW and later mostly died on the Burma-Thailand Railway.
2 Comments
My name is Gayle Byth. My mothers name was Joyce Elizabeth Thirkettle. Her parents names were Herbert Thirkettle and Beatrice Ellen Brett. Just wondering if we may be related. I live in Brisbane Qld.
Hello Gayle
Herbert Thirkettle and George Edward Thirkettle were brothers.
I am the granddaughter of George. My father, Henry George b Lympne 1918-2005 Perth WA only child of Charlotte Kennett and George. We are aware some family members migrated to Queensland.
We migrated from Kent in 1955.
Edna Thirkettle