VICTOR CHARLES RUFFLES WELLS

FIELD OF HONOUR

Born: 15th September 1890,  St. Mary le Tower, Ipswich.

Died: 21st October 1915; age 25; died of wounds at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Folkestone, Kent. Gunshot wound to the skull, temple & face received in action on the 8th September 1915. Served 1 year & 24 days.

Residence: 95, Tower Ramparts, Ipswich

Occupation: Barman

First Enlistment: in the Leicestershire Regiment – 8th December 1908; age: 18 years & 1 month; occupation: Skilled Labourer. Height: 5ft 4ins. Tattoo of an anchor on right forearm.

Injury – 15th September 1909 – on Parade – a spin of the left foot during drill – mild injury – soldier not to blame.

Discharged 1st July 1914 – by purchase –  served 5 years & 206 days. Character on discharge – Good.

Re- Enlistment Details: Location: Greys, Essex; date: 28th September 1914; age 24 years & 14 days; religion: Congregationalist. Next of Kin: Abraham Ruffles, 95, Tower Terrace, Ipswich. Signed up for 1 year. Height: 5ft 6 1/2ins, grey eyes & light brown hair.

Date of Entry Therein: 11th January 1915 – France.

Rank: Private; Service Number: 12647

Regiment: Leicestershire Regiment, 1st Battalion.

Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1915 Star.

Funeral and burial service held on Wednesday, 27th October.

Grave Reference:

BA.I.52.

Ipswich Old Cemetery,

Ipswich.

CENSUS 

1891   47, St. George’s Street, Ipswich.

 Victor was 6 months old and living with his mother & maternal grandparents.

William Wells, 64, a Jobbing Gardener, born Stonham, Suffolk.

Mary Wells, 64, born Great Finborough, Suffolk.

Eliza Wells, 26, a Corset Maker, born Whitton, Suffolk.

1901  61, Tower Ramparts, Ipswich.

 Victor was 10 years old and living with his parents and sister at the home of his paternal grandmother.

Hannah Cage, 65, a widow, a Laundress, born Sudbury, Suffolk.

Abraham Ruffles, 39, a Cloth Presser for a Tailor, born Sudbury, Suffolk.

Eliza Wells, 36, a Stay Machinist.

Ida Mary Ruffles Wells, 5, born Ipswich.

1911   95, Tower Ramparts, Ipswich.

Victor was 20 years old and living with his parents, sister & grandmother.

Abraham, 50, a Tailor & Presser – Philip & Pipers.

Eliza, 46, a Machinist – Corset – W. Pretty & Co.

Ida, 15, a Domestic.

Hannah Cage, 76, a Laundress.

 The War Office would not send Abraham Ruffles his son’s medals, questioning the differences in surnames. Abraham politely wrote back to explain why his son Victor had a different surname and assured the War Office that Victor was and always would be his son.

 Abraham Ruffles received his son’s 1915 Star on 22nd February 1921; then, on 24th October 1921, the Victory and British War medals were sent to the family home at 95, Tower Terrace, Ipswich.

Soldiers’ Effects to Abraham Ruffles – father.

Evening Star – SOLDIER’S FUNERAL AT IPSWICH – The remains of Private Victor Charles Wells were interred this Wednesday afternoon at Ipswich Old Cemetery. The deceased belonged to the 1^st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. Previous to joining the above, he was in the Special Reserves of the same regiment, of which corps he was bought out in July 1914, but re-enlisted again in September of the same year, saying it was his duty, as he knew how to use his rifle to fight for his country. Crossing to France on the 10^th January, he was wounded on the 30^th August – a gunshot wound in the head – from which he died on the 21^st October. The mourners were – Mr. and Mrs. Ruffles – parents, Ida M. Wells – sister, Mrs. Cage – grandmother, Mr. and Mrs. Coveney – aunt and cousin, Mr. and Mrs. Wells – uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, Mrs. Pollard, and Mrs. Shalborne. Many floral tributes were sent.