William Charles Russell Berry, Service no 14225, Suffolk Regiment, “W” Coy, 2nd Battalion.
Rank: Corporal
William Charles Russell Berry was the son of Henry Berry and Jane Brooks, He was born 1893 in Sternfield. On 1891 census his father was an agricultural labourer and the family were living at Snape Watering Cottages. William’s father died in 1900 and by 1901 William aged 7 was at school. In April 1911 his mother Jane had taken work as a cleaner at the local school and his brother Bertie aged 24 was a brick carter at Snape brick making works.
William, now aged 17 was a farm labourer. The family were then living at Snape Common, near the Old School.
In 1914 William and his brother Bertie were recruited at Snape.
1914 Postcard, recruiting at Snape. William C.R. Berry incorrectly stated as William C.B Perry in newspaper article below.
From the East Anglian Daily Times, 28th August 1914:
RECRUITING AT SNAPE
On Thursday evening a public meeting was held on Snape Green to bring before the inhabitants the need for Army Recruits. Mr. E. Nicholl, chairman of the Parish Council, presided.
One verse of the National Anthem was sung and Major G.H. Garrett, J.P., explained the genesis of the war and detailed the present situation, showing the need for more men. Miss E.Fisher, of the N.S.L., also addressed the meeting in an effective speech.
Twenty recruits were enrolled, the majority being a particularly fine stamp of sea-coast man and fit for the guards.
Sergt.-Major Calvesbert and Sergt.-Instr. Harrison were busy by the light of motor lamps filling up attestation papers. The names of the recruits are as follows:- Joseph Lee, Sidney Read, Chas. Woolnough, Herbert Last, Samuel Ling, Archie Watson, William Airey, Charles Bates, George King, Reginald Foreman, George Smith, William Smith, Horace Wright, Herbert Hudson, Walter Read, William C.B. Perry, Alfred Smith, Bertie Berry, J. Richardson and – Harling. A few more names are expected to-day when the recruiting car will pay another visit to the neighbourhood.
William Charles Russell Berry was aged 23 when he was killed in action on 13th November 1916 at Serre, being one of the last attacks of the Somme Campaign. In the days that followed 2nd Suffolk’s attack the Battalion Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel G.C. Stubbs, was asked by his superiors to provide a report of the actions that day. He concluded: I attribute the cause of failure of the attack to:
- Loss of direction and mixture of lines owing to the mist
- Officers falling early in the advance
- Muddy state of the ground especially near the German trenches
- Rifles caked in mud (therefore unusable)
In the years that followed 2nd Suffolk veterans talked of it being the worst battle of WWI.
Commemorative Plaque – Ablain-Saint-Nazaire courtesy of geneanet
From Berry family. Commonwealth War Grave at Luke Copse British Cemetery, Puisieux
UNTIL THE DAY BREAKS AND THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY
