FREDERICK CHARLES LEONARD VARLEY
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 Suffolk Chronicle And Mercury – 1917
Born: 1884, Ipswich.
Baptised on the 7th June 1885, at St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church, Aldeburgh, Suffolk – family home in Ipswich.
Died on or since: 13th November 1916, age 32; KiA.
Previously reported missing on the 13th November 1916 – officially reported killed in action in July 1917.
Residence: Vine Cottage, 13, Dyke Street, Ipswich.
Occupation: John Fisher Limited.
Enlistment: Ipswich.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 43368
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion.
Formerly 2333, Suffolk Cyclist Battalion.
Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.
Memorial Reference:
Pier & Face 1C & 2A.
Somme,
France.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Louisa Maria Varley, of Vine Cottage, Duke Street & the late Charles James Varley.
CENSUS
1891 8, Salem Street, Ipswich.
Frederick was 6 years old & living with his parents & brothers.
Charles James Varley, 30, a Plumber & Gas Fitter, born Ipswich.
Louisa Maria Varley (nee Fisher), 29, born Aldeburgh, Suffolk.
Maurice Gordon Varley, 5, born Ipswich.
Percy Edward Varley, 1, born Ipswich.
1901 8, Salem Street, Ipswich.
Frederick was 16 years old, a Hosier’s Apprentice. He was living with his widowed mother & siblings.
Louisa, 39, a Housekeeper.
Violet Varley, 9, born Ipswich.
Charles Louis Varley, 5, born Ipswich.
1911 32, High Street, Montlake, Surrey.
Frederick was 26 years old, a Clothier’s Assistant. He was 1 of 6 members of staff living & working together.
Frederick‘s father, Charles James Varley, died in April 1900, at his residence, 8, Salem Street, Ipswich and was buried on the 21st April 1900 at Ipswich Old Cemetery.
Soldiers’ Effects to Louisa M. Varley – mother.
E.A.D.T. – Saturday, 1st June 1918 – Mrs. Louisa M. Varley, of 13, Dyke Street, Ipswich, has been officially informed that her youngest son, Sergeant Charles Louis Varley, 43364, of the Suffolk Regiment, has been reported missing since the 28th March.
Frederick is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Matthew’s Church, Ipswich.
Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion
The Battle of Ancre in the Serre sector was the last of the 1916 Battles of the Somme for the 2nd Battalion. The weather had been very poor with flooded trenches, and many communication trenches being abandoned. The Battalion was sent into the line on the 6th November for an attack but was later cancelled through more bad weather and rescheduled for the 10th, this too was cancelled. On the night of the 12th, the Battalion moved out onto open positions, moving off at 05:00 hrs on the 13th. Moving in extremely muddy conditions making slow progress through “no man’s land” taking the first wave 45 minutes to reach the German lines. The weather had given them good cover, but all officers on the first wave were casualties, despite this, the Suffolk’s reached the second line. Holding it the rest of the day the battalion was unable to move more men up through the mud and wire failing to reorganise. The battalion returned to the line taking 272 casualties.
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