VICTOR PERCY SYMONDS
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: 26th November 1884, Ipswich.
Baptised on the 8th March 1885, at St. Margaret’s Church, Ipswich – family home at 6, Charles Street, Ipswich.
Died: 31st December 1917; age 32; drowned at sea when H.M.S. Osmanieh struck a mine laid by German U-Boat UC34 at the entrance to Alexandria.
Residence: 204, Cemetery Road, Ipswich.
Occupation: Packer – Tobacco Factory.
Enlistment Location: Scotton Camp, Yorkshire.
Rank: Gunner; Service Number: 631788
Regiment: Royal Field Artillery, 874th Trench Mortar Battery. Territorial Force.
Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.
Grave Reference:
F. 55.
Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery,
Egypt.
Father of DOUGLAS JOHN CHARLES SYMONDS, kia WW2
CENSUS
1891 6, Charles Street, Ipswich.
Victor was 6 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
John Shields Symonds, 48, a Boot Maker; born Gorleston, Norfolk.
Leah Symonds (nee Smith), 47; born Dallinghoo, Suffolk.
Eleanor Elizabeth Symonds, 21, a Nurse (domestic), born Ipswich.
Humphrey Percy Symonds, 20, a Letter Carrier, born Ipswich.
Kate Charlotte Symonds, 14, Mother’s Help, born Ipswich.
John Charles Symonds, 13, born Ipswich.
Frank William Symonds, 11, born Ipswich.
Mabel Symonds, 9, born Ipswich.
Archibald Benham Symonds, 7, born Ipswich.
1901 6, Charles Street, Ipswich.
Victor was 16 years old, a Confectioner’s Assistant in a sweet shop. He was living with his parents & siblings.
John, 59, Shoe & Boot Maker.
Leah, 58.
Humphrey, 29, a Letter Carrier.
Kate, 24.
John, 23, a French Polisher.
Frank, 21, a Chemist Assistant.
Mabel, an Upholstress.
Archibald, 17, a Tinker.
1911 14, Charles Street, Ipswich.
Victor was 27 years old, a Packer. He was living with his mother & siblings.
Leah, 68.
John, 33, a French Polisher.
Frank, 31, a Chemist Manager.
Mabel, 29, an Upholsterer.
Victor’s father, John Sheilds Symonds, died on the 7th November 1908, at his home 14, Charles Street, Ipswich and was buried at Section B, Ipswich Old Cemetery.
On the 21st March 1914, at St. John the Baptist Church, Ipswich, 29 year old Victor, a warehouseman, of 14, Charles Street, Ipswich, married 28 year old Kate Beatrice Ditcham, born October 1884, Ipswich – daughter of George Charles Ditcham, a boiler maker and Margaret Ditcham (nee Cloud), of 15, Upland Road, Ipswich.
Kate and Victor had two sons:
Humphrey James Symonds, born June 1916, Ipswich.
Douglas John Charles Symonds, born February 1918, Ipswich, died – killed in action 27th August 1945, Cologne, Germany, aged 27. He was Lance Corporal, 139083, in the Royal Army Service Corps.
Soldiers’ Effects to Kate B. Symonds – widow.
Victor is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Margaret’s Church, Ipswich.
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