CHARLES HAROLD RATLIFF
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.
Photographs courtesy of Peter & David Routh
Image of former sergeant – Suffolk Regiment uniform taken on 30th September 1917.
Born: 1892, Ipswich.
Died: 22nd August 1918; age 26; KiA. Served 3 years and 8 months.
Residence: 31, Ainslie Road, Ipswich.
Enlistment Location: Ipswich.
Rank: Corporal; Service Number: 200869
Regiment: Cambridgeshire Regiment, 1st/1st Battalion.
Formerly 3181, Suffolk Regiment.
Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.
Grave Reference:
II.J.6.
Sailly-Laurette,
Somme,
France.
Brother to LESLIE CYRIL RATLIFF.
CENSUS 
1901 1, High Street, Ipswich.
Charles was 8 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
Charles John Ratliff, 35, a Jeweller – employer – at home, born Ipswich.
Emily Jane Ratliff (nee Pinner), 31, born Nacton, Suffolk.
Dorothy Emily Ratliff, 5, born Ipswich.
Leslie Cyril Ratliff, 3, born Ipswich.
Victor Frank Ratliff, 1, born Ipswich.
1911 36, Mumford Road, Ipswich.
Charles was 18 years old, a Boot Shop Assistant. He was living with his parents & siblings.
Charles, 45, a Jeweller – for the trade & private work – own account.
Emily, 41.
Dorothy, 15, Domestic Service.
Leslie, 13.
Victor, 11.
On the 18th October 1914, at All Saints Church, Ipswich, 22 year old Charles, a shop assistant, of 93, Century Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, married 22 year old Florence May Webb, born April 1892, Crowfield, Suffolk. – daughter of Isaac Webb, a stockman, and Emily Judith Webb (nee West), of The Street, Capel St. Mary, Suffolk.
Florence and Charles had two daughters:
Marjorie Emily Ratliff, born January 1915, Ipswich.
Joyce Evelyn Ratliff, born February 1918, Ipswich and baptised on the 10th March 1918, at All Saints Church, Ipswich – family home at 31, Ainslie Road, Ipswich.
Soldiers’ Effects to Florence M. Ratliff – widow.
Charles at Gordon Camp December 1917
3 Comments
This is my great, great grandfather. I am on a school trip in Frace visiting and learing places of world was 1 and 2, thanks to thus I have manged to vist his grave. I am the first family member to visit the grave
Charles Ratliff was my grandmother’s first husband. He married Florence May Webb and had at least three children. Their son Cedric Clarence was killed in El Alamein in Egypt in 1941.
I am the Granddaughter of Dorothy Emily Routh (nee Ratliff), of Ipswich, Suffolk, Charles’ younger sister. Fascinating to learn this family history.
Mums Grandad Charles, the jeweller, made her a little silver pansy for her Baptism. She was always known as Pansy by the family.