WILLIAM ARTHUR BLOOMFIELD
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 Wellington Journal – Saturday, 5th June 1915
Born: 1887, All Saints’, Ipswich.
Died: 4th May 1915; age 27; KiA – near Ypres. Served 10 years & 220 days.
Residence: 11, Wellington Road, Horsehay, Shropshire.
Parents’ home: 3, Austin Street, Ipswich.
Occupation: Postman.
Enlistment Details: Location: Ipswich; date: 27th September 1904; age: 18 years; occupation: milkman; religion: CofE. Height: 5ft 6ins, fresh complexion, hazel eyes & brown hair.
Service:
Home – 27th September 1904 – 7th November 1905.
Malta – 8th November 1905 – 26th December 1906.
Offences:
25th May 1907 – Falling out on the line of march without permission to obtain water – 8 days C.B.
2nd October 1907 – Found asleep on his post when on sentry duty – 168 hours detention – 7 days C.B.
Granted one G.C. Badge – 27th September 1906.
Date of Entry Therein: 24th August 1914.
Appointed Lance Corporal – 24th September 1914.
Rank: Lance Corporal; Service Number: 588
Regiment: The Rifle Brigade, 1st Battalion.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1914 Star + Clasp.
Memorial Reference:
Panel 46 – 48 & 50.
West-Vlaanderen,
Belgium.
CENSUS
1891 Stoke Street, Ipswich.
William was 3 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
Alfred Bloomfield, 27, a Shoemaker, born St. Nicholas, Ipswich.
Mary Ann Bloomfield (nee Staff), 27, born St. Peter’s, Ipswich.
Alice Maud Bloomfield, 1, born St. Peter’s, Ipswich.
Walter Robert Bloomfield, 9 months, born St. Peter’s, Ipswich.
1901 43, Stoke Street, Ipswich.
William was 13 years old, an Errand Boy. He was living with his parents & siblings.
Alfred, 37, a Shoemaker.
Mary Ann, 37.
Alice, 11.
Walter, 10.
Ellen Gertrude Bloomfield, 5, born Ipswich.
Frederick Charles Bloomfield, 3, born Ipswich.
1911 Fort William, Calcutta, India.
William was 24 years old and a Soldier ranked Rifleman for the Rifle Brigade, 2nd Battalion.
On Christmas Day, 1913, at Ipswich Register Office, William married Emily Agnes Crapnell, a general domestic servant, born February 1890, Swilland, Suffolk – daughter of Joseph Crapnell, a horseman on a farm, and Lucy Emma Crapnell (nee Farnish), of Rushmere St. Andrew, Suffolk.
Emily and William had one daughter:
Agnes Mary Ellen Bloomfield, born July 1914, Madeley, Shropshire.
Mrs Emily Agnes Gough received her late husband’s 1914 Star at her home at 11, Wellington Road, Horsehay, Shropshire.
Soldiers’ Effects to Mrs. Emily Agnes Bloomfield – widow, of Coalmoor, Horsehay, Shropshire.
William is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Margaret’s Church, Ipswich.
Wellington Journal – Saturday, 5th June 1915 – There are upwards of 100 men from the parish of Dawley Parva serving with the colours, and the first to lay down his life in the Great War is Acting-Corporal William Arthur Bloomfield. He was a Reservist of the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade, and was called up for service on the outbreak of the war. In civil life, he was a postman and came to reside at Horsehay in March 1914, being married only a short time previously. He died a hero’s death on the 3rd May, and leaves a widow and one child, with whom sympathy is felt. Writing to the widow informing her of her husband’s death, a comrade at the Front referred to the late soldier as “a hero and a gentleman.” A memorial service, touching and very impressive in character, was conducted by the Vicar, Reverend F. A. Smith, at St. Luke’s Church, Horsehay, on Sunday evening, when a crowded congregation attended to pay a heartfelt tribute to the memory of William Bloomfield. About 40 postal officials in the Wellington area were present, including Mr. S. H. Tranter, postmaster of Wellington, Mr. S. Russell, sub-postmaster, Mill Bank, Wellington and Mr. E. Dabbs, sub-postmaster, Horsehay. Special prayers, psalms, lessons, and hymns were used, and the Vicar preached a sympathetic sermon from the words, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” At the conclusion of the service, the “Dead March” from “Saul” was played on the organ by Mr. R. Candlin, the congregation standing.
The Rifle Brigade, 1st Battalion:http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/the-rifle-brigade-1914-1918/
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