News has been received of the death Lce.- Corpl. George Robinson, son of Mrs. Robinson, of Red-row, Soham, which occurred on March 10th. Lce.-Corpl. Robinson, who was a Reservist at the outbreak of the war. had seen much active service with the 2nd Loyal Scots Fusiliers Regiment. He had served through tho South African War and was recognised as first-class signaller with his company. The news of the death was received by Mrs. Robinson, his wife, who resides in East Fen Common, last Tuesday week, and was conveyed in the following letter from the officer in charge of records at Hamilton Station: “It is my painful duty tp inform you that a report has this day been received from the War Office notifying the death of No. 6073 Lance-Corporal George Robinson, of the 2nd Loyal Scots Fusiliers, which occurred on the 16th day of March, 1915, and I am to express to you sympathy and regret of the Army Council at your loss. The cause of death was killed in action.”

The following message has also been received from Lord Kitchener: “King commands me to assure you of the true sympathy of his Majesty and the Queen in your sorrow.— Kitchener.”

Much sympathy is expressed towards the widow who is thus left with three little children, the youngest being only six weeks old.

We regret to announce the deaths of three Soham soldiers.

Lance-Corpl. Bertram Rouse, who was killed in action, is the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Rouse, of High-street, to lay down his life in the service of his country. Lance-Corpl. Rouse joined the Royal Sussex Regiment at the beginning of the war, and had been in France for about two months.

Information has been received by Mrs James Gilbey, of Town End, of the death of her son, Pte. Robert Aveley, of the Suffolk Regiment. This soldier belonged to the machine gun section, and had been on active service for about a year, having joined the Army soon after the outbreak of war.

The death has also taken place in a Devonshire hospital of Pte. Arthur Gilbey, only son of Mr. and Mrs. William Gilbey, of “The Piece.” Pte. Gilbey enlisted in the Suffolk Regiment on March 8th, 1915, and arrived in France on October 4th. On April 1st of this year he was seriously wounded, and was brought to England, where he died on April 30th.

Official notification has been received of the death of Pte. Sargent, the adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. George Bailey, “The Piece,“ Soham. Pte. Sargent enlisted about 12 months ago in the 2nd Suffolk Regiment, and was drafted to Ireland. On the outbreak war he went to France, and in the early stages received a slight wound, and was invalided home. On his recovery he again returned to the firing line. News was received last Wednesday, in an official note from the War Office, that he had been killed in action on May 5th. A letter of condolence from the King and Queen has also been received. Pte. Sargent was 21 years of age.

SUFFOLKS’ LOSSES.
The past week has brought news of the t death at the front of many local soldiers, chiefly belonging to the Suffolks.

Pte. James Steadman, Soham.

Pte. James Steadman, of the Suffolk Regiment, son Mr. and Mrs. James Steadman, of East Fen Common, Soham, was recently killed at the front. Steadman, who was only 24 years ago, had served in the Suffolks for seven years, and had spent eighteen months of that time Egypt. The last time he saw his people was on December 14th, when he spent a week with them. Much sympathy is felt for the parents, who received news some time ago that another son, Corpl. Tom Steadman, is a prisoner in Germany.

Mr. Steadman, sen., has received the following official communication: —” Sir. —It is my painful duty to inform you that the report has this day been received from the War Office notifying the death of No. 7637 Pte. James Steadman, of the Suffolk Regiment, which occurred February 18th—the place is not stated. And l am to express to you the sympathy and regret of the Army Council at your loss. The cause of death was given as ‘killed in action,’ and he was buried in the trenches south of Ypres.— Your obedient servant, G. W. Fitzgerald.”

News has reached Soham of the death from wounds of Bombardier Saddler A. Stittle, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Stittle, of Hall-street, Soham. He enlisted on September 2nd as a gunner, and it was not long before he was promoted to bombardier-saddler. A month after his promotion he was drafted to France with a company of smiths, fitters, etc., and took part in a great many of the hottest engagements of the war. He had been home twice since his enlistment, the last time being just after Christmas. Bombardier-Saddler Stittle was 30 years of age.

Mrs. Stittle has received the following communication:—“France. June 5th. Dear Mrs. Stittle.— I am extremely sorry to tell you that your son, Saddler Stittle, R.F.A., died of wounds yesterday at No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station. He had been wounded by shrapnel in the head and body, and asked me to let you know about him. He did not seem to be very bad when I saw him yesterday, and had written a letter to tell you of his wounds, but now I am sorry to say he has gone. His end was quite peaceful, and I do not think he suffered much at the end. Please accept my deepest sympathy in your loss. The wives and mothers of England are suffering heavily, I fear.—accept my deepest in your lose he wives and mothers of a nd are suffering honvily. I fear.—Yours truly, Alitt Selwyn, chaplain.”

Bombardier Stittle was very popular in Soham and the news of his death was received by all with deep regret.

Lance Corporal 1111, Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars, landed Gallipoli 19th August 1915, killed in action 21st August 1915, age 21. Enlisted Churn, resident Soham. Son of Mrs. Ellis Taylor, of Eye Hill, Soham, Cambs. Commemorated on Helles Memorial, Turkey.

From Andy Pay's research into the Marquis de Ruvigny's Roll of Honour the following: Volume 1, Part 2, Page 291:

TAYLOR, John Ellis - Lance Corporal, # 1111, Buckinghamshire Yeomanry ( Royal Bucks Hussars ) (T.F.) Eldest son of Ellis Staples Taylor of Eye Hill House, Soham, Cambridgeshire, by his wife Annie Cole, dau of Cole Ambrose of Stuntney Hall, Ely; Born Eye Hill House aforesaid, 13th Jan 1895,educated Kings School, Ely; volunteered after the outbreak of war, and enlisted 31st Aug 1914, went to Egypt with his Regiment in April 1915; left for the Dardenelles 13th Aug and was reported missing on 21st Aug, after the charge of the Yeomanry at Burnt Hill, under Lord Longford. Major W.E.St John wrote that the spot was a very inferno, a sort of No Mans Land, shelled by enemy and friend alike, adding "He (Taylor) was just one of the best. I knew him to well to doubt that he died anyway but as a gentleman and in just the way he would like to die." Later in Dec 1915, one of his comrades wrote through the Red Cross Society to say that he saw him instantly killed whilst charging up the hill. He was a very good shot and was full marksman in the Regiment. Unm.

Not on memorial

Greater Love Hath No Man Than This
That A Man Lay Down His Life For His Friends
In Honoured Memory of
the men of Soham who gave their
lives for Liberty and Justice in
the Second World War
1939 - 1945

Mr. and Mrs. A. Edwards, of 135, Down Field, Soham, have received notification that their eldest son, Pte. Jack Edwards, of The Cameron Highlanders, died in Burma on Feb. 26th as the result of wounds. The deceased soldier, who was in the employment of Mr. H. Fisk, joined the Forces in March, 1943. In a letter received by the parents, the Padre of the Regiment states: “I am writing to express my deepest sympathy in your loss and sorrow. The campaign in which your son gave his life has been a notable one, and reflects great credit on his Battalion, but the cost has been heavy. Your son was a fine soldier and very popular as a man with all his comrades. We miss his bright presence here, but I know it is in the home circle that the loss is felt most keenly. May Almighty God give you richly of His comfort.”

Marine Vincent Edwards (241), youngest son of Mrs. S. A. Edward,, East Fen Common. Soliam, who ha4 died of wounds sustained on war service, "on Jan. 25th, during operations in South-East Asia. Before joining, the Forces, he was employed by Mr. A. H. Worth. of Soharn Fen. Mrs. Edwards has two other sons in the Forces; one is a prisoner in Germany and the other is serving in the R.A.F.

MISS DENSON, of 142, Scotland Road, Cambridge, has received official notification that her brother-in-law, Pte. Stanley Gilbey, of the Suffolk Regt., was killed in Malaya on Jan. 19th. From the time that he was 14 he worked at Clark and Butcher's flour mill, Soham. He leaves a little girl aged 5 years, his wife having died a year ago.

The interment with full miltary honours of Sergt. Frederick Howe, whose tragic death was recorded last week, took place in Soham Cemetery on Saturday. A large number of friends and relatives gathered to pay their last tribute to this young Soham Airman.

Members of the Soham Grammar School A.T.C. Cadets formed a guard of honour at the entrance to the Cemetery church and P/0 C. C. Copland read the lesson at the funeral service. The Vicar (Rev. P. F Boughey) was the officiating clergyman.

[There followed a list of floral tributes and those attrending.]

The news of the death of L/Cpl. Stanley Gordon Peacock, of the 8th , Indian Division Provost Unit, fifth son of Mrs. W. Peacock, of 6, Qua Fen Common, Soham, and the late Mr. Peacock, has been received by his mother. Deceased, according to an official intimation, was killed in what was described as a battle accident on March 3rd. Previous to joining the Forces in January, 1940, he had been in the employment of the Eastern Counties Lubricants for eight years. In 1941 he saw service abroad at Egypt, and subsequently at Iraq, North Africa and Italy. Another brother is still serving in Italy and it was only In January of this year that these two brothers had the joy of meeting each other.

Pte. Jim Steadman, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Steadman, of 130, Downfields, Soham, who was wounded and taken prisoner in Italy on Sept. 8th last, died from pneumonia on Oct. 2nd. He had served with the Eighth Army for just over four years. Before going into the Forces he was employed at the brickworks at Burwell.

Following the receipt of the sad news that his son, L/Bdr. William James Steggles, of the R.A., had been killed in action at Burma on March 15th, Mr. Charles Steggles, of 58. Down Field, Soham, has received the following letter from the O.C. the 2nd Battn. Dorsetshire Regiment: “I am writing to express to you my very deepest sympathy in the loss of your son. I cannot tell you how sorry I am that he should have lost his life after transferring from his old regiment to us, but I do want you to know how splendidly and gallantly he had been doing with us as an infantry N.C.O. I am afraid he was killed instantly during an attack by a Japanese sniper at close range, but when he and his section first came under fire—there were quite a few of them—his leadership and steadiness could not have been better. He has always been a great success with us, and kept cheerful and undepressed in the moat trying circumstances, and his loss is to us as well, a great one. You will be notified later of the location of his grave, but if in the meantime I can be of any assistance to you, please do not hesitate to write and ask me.” L/Bdr. Steggles, who joined the Forces at the beginning of the war had seen service abroad for three years in India and thence on the Burma front.

May they Rest in Peace