Have You a Tiger In Your Family?

Rank : Private

Army Number : 16783

Unit : 9th Bn

Biography :

The son of Mrs M A and the late Thomas Joyce of Wytchley Warren, Ketton, Rutland. He moved to Edith West after his father’s death. Embarked for France on 22 July 1915 and was killed by a sniper’s bullet on 4 September 1915 aged 25.

Lt A S Bennett, his Platoon Commander wrote: “By a piece of great misfortune he placed his head over the parapet for a fraction of a second instead of using the periscope, the German sniper fired on him . . . He was the kindest and most unselfish lad in my platoon and leaves a gap in the ranks which will take a long time to refill.
“He was exceedingly popular among his comrades and earned the respect of both the non-commissioned officers and officers by the willing and painstaking manner in which he performed his various duties. He was buried on the Sunday morning in the first grave to be dug in a new cemetery south west of Bienvillers”.

Enlisted 11.1.1915 and served with the 9th Battalion during World War One, entering France 22.7.1915. Killed in action France and Flanders campaign 4.9.1915. He is buried at Bienvillers Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

Date of Birth : 1.6.1890

Place of Birth : Ketton, Rutland

Date of Death : 4.9.1915

Place of Death : France

Civil Occupation : Farm Worker

Period of Service : 1910s

Conflicts : WW1

Places Served : France and Flanders