CLAUDE JOHN EDWARD ROUTLEDGE

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: 1895, Ipswich.

Baptised on the 2^nd August 1895, at St. Nicholas Church, Ipswich – family home at 2, Westgate Court, Ipswich.

Died: 19th May 1915; age 20; died in hospital from wounds whilst a German Prisoner of War.

Residence: 7, James Street, Ipswich.

Enlistment Location: Ipswich.

Date of Entry Therein: 3rd December 1914 – France.

Rank: Private Service Number: 3/8979

Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 1st Battalion.

Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1915 Star.

The body was exhumed from St. Jean Communal Cemetery, Courtrai, in January 1928, identified by a cross on the grave and a small German headstone, and by a German dossier and plan. A comprehensive report and cross. Like all the First World War burials at this cemetery, the body was nude. The body was reburied in a new plot in the south-west part of the cemetery.

Grave Reference:

A.58.

Kortrijk (St. Jon) Communal Cemetery,

West Vlaanderen,

Belgium.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of John & Kezia Routledge, of 9, The Crescent, Town Street, Bramley, Leeds, West Yorkshire.

CENSUS

1901   7, James Street, Ipswich.

Claude was 5 years old and living with his maternal grandparents and uncles.

Benjamin Baldry Finch, 67, a Wood Sawyer, born Ipswich.

Mary Ann Finch (nee Hearne), 65, born Diss, Norfolk.

Richard Henry Finch, 25, a Compositer – Print, born Ipswich.

Henry Baldry Finch, 24, a Cabinet Maker, born Ipswich.

1911   7, James Street, Ipswich.

Claude was 15 years old, an Errand Boy – Confectioners. He was living with his widowed grandmother & uncle.

Mary Ann, 75.

Henry, 34, a Telegraph Wireman – Great Eastern Railway.

Claude’s father was John Routledge, a Leather Dresser, born in 1870 in Otley, Yorkshire.

Claude’s mother was Kerzia Routledge (nee Finch), born October 1872, Colchester, Essex.

Claude’s parents and siblings lived in Bramley, Leeds, Yorkshire.

Claude’s grandfather, Benjamin Baldry Finch, died on the 2^nd March 1906 at his home, 7 James Street, Ipswich.

Soldiers’ Effects to Mary Ann Finch – grandmother.

Claude is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Nicholas Church, Ipswich and St. Peter’s Church, Bramley, West Yorkshire.

Suffolk Regiment, 1st Battalion:

Suffolk Regiment Battalion movements

SUFFOLK REGIMENT MUSEUM

Friends of The Suffolk Regiment