RODERIC PURCELL LIVESEY

Born: 1894, Forest Gate, Essex.

Died: 12th October 1917; age 23; KiA.

Residence: 129, Foxhall Road, Ipswich.

Employed: at Ransomes & Rapier Ltd., Ipswich.

Enlistment Location: Ipswich.

Rank: Sergeant; Service Number: 41061

Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 8th Battalion.

Formerly 5518, Suffolk Yeomanry.

Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.

Memorial Reference:

Panel 40 to 41 & 162 to 162A.

Tyne Cot Memorial,

West-Vlaanderen,

Belgium.

Son of Regimental Sergeant Major Charles Livesey

CENSUS

1901   Gordon Road, Woodford, East London.

Roderic was 6 years old and living with his mother & maternal aunt.

Frances Lucy Livesey (nee Purcell), 30, born Valetta, Malta.

Anna Amelia Purcell, 29, born Long Parish, Hampshire.

1911   129, Foxhall Road, Ipswich.

Roderic was 16 years old, an Articled Pupil – Draughtsman – Engineer. He was living with his mother & brother.

Frances, 40.

William Charles Ross Livesey, 21, an Articled Pupil – Civil Engineer, born Bristol, Glocestershire.

Father: Thomas Banbury Livesey (known as Charles Livesey), born 1853, Preston, Lancashire – died 10th May 1925, Khandallah, Wellington, New Zealand. Charles was ranked a Regimental Sergeant Major, for the 1st New Zealand Rifle Brigade – Head Quarters Staff. He resided at the Gladstone Hotel, Dunedin, South Island of New Zealand.

Sister: Frances Mary D. Livesey, born 1888, Chelsea, Middlesex.

Probate to Frances L. Livesey – mother.

Roderic is also remembered on the Ransomes & Rapier Ltd. war memorial, Bourne Park, Ipswich and at St. Pancras Catholic Church, Ipswich, and Northgate High School. Formerly Ipswich Grammar School for Boys.

Extra information by Graham Jones:

At 05.25am on 12 October 1917, a British attack was launched between the Ypres-Roulers railway and Houthulstforest. An hour later the 8^th Battalion was moved forward in the wake of the 55^th Brigade. A considerable enemy barrage and heavy machine gun fire was encountered. Shell holes were full of water and the men had to struggle to prevent themselves fromdrowning. Due to the very severe conditions, the advance was haulted. The Battalion suffered 232 casualties.

Suffolk Regiment, 8th Battalion:

Suffolk Regiment battalion movements

SUFFOLK REGIMENT MUSEUM

Friends of The Suffolk Regiment