WILLIAM GEORGE STEPHEN TRUSLER
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.
Photographs courtesy of Auntie Vera
BILLY
Born: 8th March 1900, 19, Bell Lane, Ipswich.
Died: 25th November 1916; age 16; On board H.M. Trawler ‘Burnley’ Killed by mine from the German submarine UC-4 (Commander Hans Howaldt) off Orford Ness, Suffolk.
Residence: 14, Kemp Street, Ipswich.
Employed: as an Engine Cleaner at Messrs. Cranfield’s Flour Mill, Ipswich.
Enrolled: 21st July 1916. Height: 5ft, blue eyes & fair hair. Tattoo – Flag & Scroll with “Bill” on left forearm.
Confirmed in rating 21st July 1916 – Granges – Boy Cook. Ability – Satisfactory, Conduct – Very Good.
Rank: Boy Cook, Service Number: 602
Regiment: Royal Naval Reserves, H.M. Trawler ‘Burnley’.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of George & Sarah Trusler, of 14, Kemp Street, Stoke, Ipswich.
Memorial Reference:
Chatham,
Kent.
Nephew to WALTER TOWNROW BARHAM JUBY and maternal cousin to DENNIS EDWARD DENCH.
CENSUS
1901 14, Kemp Street, Ipswich.
William was a year old and living with his parents & sisters.
George James Trusler, 32, a Labourer – at Gas Works, born Upper Hale, Farnham, Surrey.
Sarah Ann Juby Trusler (nee Barham), 30, born Ipswich.
Ethel Sarah Barham Trusler, 7, born Ipswich.
Annie Edith May Trusler, 3, born Ipswich.
1911 14, Kemp Street, Ipswich.
William was 11 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
George, 43, a General Labourer – Gas Works.
Sarah, 40.
Annie, 12.
Alice Emily Trusler, 8, born Ipswich.
Stanley James Trusler, 5, born Ipswich.
Charles Ernest Trusler, 2, born Ipswich.
William was caught “playing football on the highway to the annoyance of passengers” with his friends 15 year old Joseph Allison and 14 year old Robert Beeston. P.C. William Simpson was the complainant when the boys appeared in court on the 3rd February 1916. They were found guilty, fined 5 shillings each or faced 6 days imprisonment.
William is also remembered on the war memorial at Dance East, Jerwood, Dancehouse, Ipswich, formerly Cranfield’s Flour Mill. And on the Harwich Royal Naval Reserve & Royal Volunteer Reserve Auxiliary and Minesweeping Patrol Memorial, at Harwich Seafront.
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