January 2nd 1918

The funeral of Pte.Archie Bareham of the London Scottish took place at the cemetery, Clare, he died in Napsbury hospital, St Albans, from wounds received in the battle of Cambria. Chief mourners were Mr and Mrs H.Bareham, father and mother, Mrs Wright and Mrs Smith, sisters.

January 9th 1918

George Frost a labourer of Twistead was fined 5s for being drunk at Bulmer. Mr Frank Nott, one of the magistrates, said one night during the the recent sharp weather, he was driving home from Sudbury when he saw a man lying on the road side, he got him into the car and drove him to the police station as he was certain if he had been allowed to lie there all night he would have been dead in the morning.

January 9th 1918

At West Suffolk Appeal Tribunal a farmer of 214 acres applied for a 18 year old man, ha said he had had soldier ploughmen but some of them could not harness a horse, the chairman said there were ploughmen at the barracks.

January 9th 1918

Information has been received from the War Office that Pte T.Martin of Borley who was reported missing is a prisoner of war in Germany.

January 9th 1918

Melford War Agricultural Committee. The chairman said that the main reason he had called them together was that the executive had still to find over 2000 acres. The parks had been reported on in the parish of Leavenheath, Shimpling, Stoke, Chadacre and Melford were to be dealt with also at the back of Stow Hill, Pear tree farm and Place farm at Hartest and Mr Bear's park at Acton was also reported on.

January 16th 1918

It is widely alleged that farmers are holding back on beef in the Sudbury area. The farmers in the Sudbury District repudiate the allegations. Mr Grey, a well known Essex farmer visited Sudbury market and put some questions to the farmers and the answer was no!. Mr R.T.B.Payne said we often have 100 fattening beasts, today none. Frank Nott replying for himself and brothers who farm 3 to 4 thousand acres it is absolutely false. J.P.Brand of Foxearth it is certainly not true.
A.V.C.Lambert of Foxearth said on behalf of the Sudbury branch of the Cambs.farmers federation there are no foundations for the insinuations.

January 16th 1918

Major Roy Victor Cutler M.C. of the Australian Engineers,(son in law of Mr C.H.Westropp of Melford Place) has been awarded the British Empire Medal for his services in reconstruction work in England, he has seen much active service and was for nine months in command of the Australian Engineers in England.

January 30th 1918

A correspondent writes.- I am a native of Cavendish and was enjoying a visit the other day when I was struck by the number of soldiers about, some on leave from foreign service and some from home service. On making enquiries I found my little village has sent over 126 men to help it's country and alas 30 will never return, a very interesting group drew my attention as I walked up the street, one poor fellow had lost his leg up to his thigh and another had an artificial foot and had been wounded elsewhere as he had two wounded stripes up, a third has lost an arm also the use of one leg, four of them had wounds in the leg and another was shell-shocked, I suppose they were fighting some battle over again and getting some fun out of it not withstanding their wounds and having a hearty laugh. I found by enquiry it does not exhaust the number of wounded. My little village is a place to be proud of as it has done it's level best for it's country, I found that at the first recruitment meeting 30-40 recruits went into the waggon to join up and out of that lot only two have been left unhurt in this ghastly struggle.
Yours, an old inhabitant

January 30th 1918

Francis Jesset, an Australian soldier, was charged with stealing a linen collar and a pair of kid gloves from the landlord of the Christopher Hotel, Sudbury, where he had been staying. The prisoner said he was drunk. The bench said they would temper mercy with justice on the understanding that he paid the costs of 15s and that he left the town, never to return and that would give him a chamce to retrieve his position. The Inspector requested that he leave the town by the 2-30 train.

January 30th 1918

Pte.William Hickford of Clare has written to his mother to inform her he has been awarded the M.M.for gallantry in the Gaza battle, he is in hospital with bullet wounds in his left leg and right foot. We congratulate him on being the first Clare boy to be decorated.

February 13th 1918

About 100 German prisoners arrived at Halstead on Wednesday, they are to be quartered in the diused warehouse premises, they will be employed on farms in the neighbourhood.

February 13th 1918

West Suffolk recorded excellent results from a unit of 8 tractors, one of which was idle for a week, the 7 accounted for 134 acres of ploughing in a week, averaging 19 acres each at a fuel consumption of 8 gallons an acre.

February 13th 1918

Melford War Agricultural Committee. With regards the P.O.W., the Glemsford factory has been inspected but no applications have been received for prisoner labour. A circular about German ploughmen has been issued.

February 20th 1918

Mr and Mrs Jefferies of Bulmer Tye have been told that their second son, Corporal James Jefferies, has won the M.M. by an act of gallantry in carrying important despatches on foot, a distance of 2© miles in a fire swept zone in a quarter of an hour last August during a desperate engagement.

February 27th 1918

A boy named William Rulton, son of a farm labourer was killed at Yeldham station, he had been allowed to ride on a waggon belonging to Mr Wakefield, a farmer in the district. When the station was reached, he somehow lost his hold and fell off the waggon, the wheels going over him.

February 27th 1918

Belchamp Tribunal. Foxearth. James Cutmore, brewer, 2 months. Walter Martin, drayman, 2 months. J.Rayner, earthware manufacturer, Gestingthorpe, 3 months. George Rowe, Bulmer, machinist on own account, conditional.

March 6th 1918

A wedding took place at Clare between Farrier Private Edwin David of Somerset and Miss Eliza Martin of Clare. The bridegroom is on 14 days leave from France.

March 6th 1918

The price of wheat is now fixed at 62s 9d per quarter.

March 13th 1918

At a meeting of Essex Local Government Committee it was stated that difficulties had arisen over the appointment of an assistant overseer at Foxearth, up till 1900 Foxearth had a parish council but had been without one since then. It was suggested that Mr Ward appoint one.

March 20th 1918

There was a memorial service at Foxearth church to the late Rev Kendric Foster, the service was conducted by the Rev Carpenter who made sympathetis allusions to Mr Foster's life, he had spent 20 years in India as a Chaplain of India and just before his death he received the distinction from the Archbishop of Lahore of becoming an Archbishop of the cathedral there. He intended coming to Foxearth next year, having purchased the advowson of Foxearth and has built several houses there.
The war was directly responsible for his death at the age of 51, he had experienced shell shock in France. A year ago while acting as chaplain to the Indian forces in France the King awarded him the bronze cross of India. His death sever a long connection with Foxearth extending over 50 years. The memorial service was held the anniversary of the death of his uncle, the Rev John Foster.

March 20th 1918

George Sparkes, a young labourer of Glemsford was summoned for assaulting Arthur Ballard of Cavendish. Complainant said he had been to Glemsford, when near the station Sparkes came up and struck him. Inspector Goodchild said that it seems there is a grievance between Glemsford and Cavendish lads. 9s.

March 27th 1918

At a meeting of the Common Lands Trust at Sudbury the chairman said in regard to the turning on, fairly long notice should be given to the turners on and that they should return to the old procedure of allowing only working horses actually working to be turned on as unbroken horses and those not in regular work were nuisance, getting among the cattle and kicking them.

March 27th 1918

In order to encourage good work by tractors and their teams, the food production dept.have issued a series of competitions in West Suffolk. 1st Titan tractor-driver-L/cpl MacMaster driver and ploughman L/cpl Johnson, ploughed 61© acres and cultivated 52© acres in 230 hours using 4.3 gallons per acre-2nd, Mogul tractor, driver V.Dann and ploughman W.Warner,-3rd Universal tractor, driver Pte Hall, ploughman L.Stainer.

March 27th 1918

Melford Tribunal. The executors of Charles Fincham of Swans Hall, Hawkedon, for Herbert Finch, ploughman of Cavendish, refused.
Adam Sagon of Yorley farm, Cornard, for Albert Sagon, horseman, refused.

April 24th 1918

Mr and Mrs W.Perry of Clare have received notice that their son, Pte Jack Perry is now a prisoner of war in Germany, he was wounded in September but returned to France and took part in the recent great battle.

April 24th 1918

There was an inquest at Sudbury Town Hall on the death of Selwyn Norton of Moores farm, Cavendish, whose death took place at St Leonards hospital. Mrs Norton said her son was aged 6 years, while at home at Moores farm on Saturday 13th at about 4-30 she was at the back of the house when she heard a moan, on going round the front she met Frederick Golding, a workman, carrying the child with blood streaming out of his left leg, Golding said he had slipped off the load of straw, he would ride on the load, Dr Ritchie came later and he had him removed to St Leonards hospital, he died on Monday afternoon, he had been under the doctor with pneumonia. Frederick Golding of Brook Street, Glemsford, said he was carting short straw for Mr Norton on Saturday afternoon, the boy wanted to get into the tumbril but he warned the boy not to but when he was in he said no more, there was short tined four tined fork in the tumbril, when he got to the edge of the yard there is a slight rise, the tumbril tilted a little, he went into the yard and turned round, missing the child, he called out " Jack you aint got off the load have you", but he got no reply, he found the boy with a fork through his knee, he removed the fork from his knee, he called the boy's mother, the road from the stackyard was rather rough but it did not jolt as the load was light and not above the side boards. Has he been with you before?," yes several times, he was a daring child". Doctor Ritchie said he gave the boy anti tetanus serum. Verdict-exhaustion and shock-purely accidental.

May 8th 1918

Captain Harbord, son of Mr Philip Harbord of Bulmer has been awarded the M.C.for distinguished conduct in Palestine while temporary in charge of a yeomanry battalion in action. Some time ago Mr Harbord's had another son who had also been decorated for great gallantry but he fell in action.

May 15th 1918

William Hartley, 18, Albert Watkinsom, 17, labourers, Walter Oakley, 13, Ben Oakley, 12, were summoned for day poaching at Shimpling on land in occupation of the War Agricultural Committee, Mr Ince being the informant. Laurence Stiff of Dales cottage, Stanstead, a member of the Metropolitan police force who has been released for agricultural work said he was going in the direction of Mount farm when he heard a dog barking and chasing something, he saw two soldiers and got their assistance and went after the defendants who ran off, Trooper Williams caught Ben Oakley and asked him his name and address but he gave the wrong ones. Hartley and Watkinson 10s, the Oakley's 10s between them.

May 15th 1918

There was a large attendance at Gestingthorpe church for the funeral of Sapper Walter Nice a native of Gestingthorpe who died at Dover in hospital as a result of wounds. Deceased who was in the Royal Engineers had been shot in the stomach, after treatment in France he was brought to Dover where his wife was summoned by telegram, she went to see him but a day or two later intelligence was received in Gestingthorpe that he had passed away, he was aged 28 years. He belonged to a family long residents of Gestingthorpe, his father was village blacksmith for many years and well known in the neighbourhood. Deceased was a gas fitter for Messrs Portway in Sudbury but was employed elsewhere when he joined the army. 12 months ago he married Miss Downs who was assistant teacher at Gestingthorpe school.

May 29th 1918

The Great Henny Estate for sale. Grove farm with picturesque old fashioned commodious residence, approached by park like meadow and entrance lodge, also Snells and Lowerhouse farm, the whole 17 acres? 1r 5p, now in occupation of Col.Fulton and C.A.Rolfe, also Great Hickbush farm with seven cottages and 40 acres.

May 29th 1918

On Wednesday last as C.Wells the son of Mr S.Wells of Hall farm, Pentlow, was superintending the sowing of artificial manure, he had his gun with him and one of the men spoke to him as he was taking the cartridge out, he swung round and inadvertantly pulled the trigger shooting himself in the foot. Doctor Ritchie amputated the big toe.

June 5th 1918

There was a cricket match between Sudbury Grammar school and the Glemsford Flax campers, the visitors who mostly hailed from London won by one wicket.

June 12th 1918

The funeral took place at Lyston church of 2nd Lt.
Kenneth Finlay of the R.A.F. who died as a result of a flying accident last week. The young officer who was not yet 19 years was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Finlay of " Ye Olde House" at Melford.

June 19th 1918

At a meeting of the Belchamp Rural District Council Captain Miller complained about the condition of the footbridge between Gestingthorpe and Belchamp Walter at North End. The surveyor said it was the responsibilty of the parish councils to repair the bridge.

June 19th 1918

Messrs Balls and Balls have received instructions from the trustees of Eliza Rippingale to sell at the Four Swans, Sudbury, the Lion Inn at Gestingthorpe which is in the centre of the village with stabling-coach house-store shed, now let to to Messrs Adams at £ 40 per annum also four cottages in occupation of A.Finch and G.Coe.
July 3rd 1918. Sale of Gestingthorpe Lion. The auctioneer was greeted with laughter when he asked £ 1000 for the Inn, when the bidding reached £ 625 the auctioneer smiled saying when peace comes more money will be turned over in this house in one hour than what you are offering. The final bid went to Mr D.Ward of Foxearth with £ 850. The four cottages were purchased by Mr Ruffle for £ 155.

June 26th 1918

On Saturday morning, William Ives of Cavendish, shepherd to Mr Ray, was returning from Belchamp St Pauls where he had been attending his sheep, he was riding in a small tumbril drawn by a pony and accompanied by another man when the reins broke on Belchamp green, the pony dashed along at a furious rate, on turning the corner near the Green Man, it ran up the bank, throwing the men out, Ives had several bruises but the other man was unhurt.

June 26th 1918

On Saturday afternoon a family consisting of three people and one child by the name of Eagle were suddenly taken ill, as they live at an out of the way place three miles from Cavendish, no-one was about, fortunately Miss Norton who lives next door to them arrived home and found them lying in the cottage in a state of exhaustion, she sent for Dr Ritchie who found they had eaten a tin of salmon, they rallied and are now out of danger.

June 26th 1918

At a meeting of the Melford War Agricultural Committee the question of German prisoners again came up regarding the establishment of a camp in the neighbourhood, there seems to be no demand for the prisoners in the Sudbury district, a local factory had been inspected by an officer who said it would cost no more to adapt for 100 prisoners that for 30. It appears that the prisonrs work shorter hours and this upsets the other men on the farms. The prisoners could be sent without guards if the farmers took responsibility for them. The chairman said it was serious matter to refuse labour as more men had to be found for the army. Mr Miller referred to the shortage of horsemen as nearly all had been taken for the army, it was decided that 50 men be applied for and that another camp be set up on the Essex side of the border.

July 10th 1918

A Melford man, Pte Wilfrid Kemp of the Middlesex Regiment who been reported missing since April 12th, last week sent word home that he is a prisoner of war in Germany. Private Kemp who was slightly wounded, states he is being well treated.

July 17th 1918

Cuckoo Tye farm at Acton was purchased by Messrs Branwhite for £ 1950

July 17th 1918

A Bulmer man, Capt.J.H.Harbord M.C. of the Yeomanry has died of wounds in hospital abroad. He won the M.C.in Palestine but was transferred to another front where he met his death.

August 21st 1918

For sale - Hole farm at Ovington and Huntsmans farm at Foxearth.

September 18th 1918

Live and Dead Stock at Huntsmans Farm Foxearth.
8 Shorthorn cows and heifers-300 poultry-10 coulter steerage drill- waggons-2 tumbrils-millers van-2 pony carts-Warrens horse hoe-2 Bentalls ploughs-Deering binder.

September 18th 1918

Mrs Bellingham of Cavendish and her three children Margaret aged 11, Howard, 9, and Clare were passengers on the ill fated Galway Castle when it was torpedoed. She was on her way to join her husband in Africa who farms in Southern Rhodesia. Cavendish received the news that she and her youngest child landed at Plymouth, her two eldest children had dissappeared. The mother and child were on a life raft for nine hours before they were eventually rescued.

September 25th 1918

Much sympathy is felt in Melford for Mr and Mrs Tolchard who have received news that their son, Pte Leslie Tolchard of the 1st Herts Regiment has been killed in action on August 23rd. Pte Tolchard was well known in the village, playing cricket and football, he was assistant master at the schools in Melford, he had served in Italy and it was in France that he made the supreme sacrifice.

September 25th 1918

Sale at Newton. Live and dead stock. On instructions of Edmund Nott who has sold the Hall and Brook farm estate.
24 horses-350 sheep-100 swine-machinery for 600 acres. At Nether Hall, Lt Waldingfield on instructions of Walter Johnson. 10 horses-20 cattle-100 poultry.

September 25th 1918

Public Notice. Messrs Ward of Foxearth inform customers who they supply with ales and stout that they cannot continue to supply them unless all casks are corked and pegged and returned sweet and in a satisfactory condition, corked and pegged. Corks and pegs supplied free of charge.

September 25th 1918

A fire took place in the interior of Hedingham Castle. The interior of the ancient ruin was entirely burnt out. The old keep was built by the earls of Oxford in the reign of King Stephen. This historical place which is visited by people from all parts of the country stands on commanding eminence was occupied by the military and used as a signaling station for aircraft. it is supposed the fire originated in a hut erected on the top for accomodation of the soldiers.
the fire spread readily from one floor to another, entirley burning out the interior, only the massive walls remain intact.

October 2nd 1918

Frederick Broad, a retired inkeeper of Glemsford was summoned for stealing a quantity of barley at Glemsford. Defendant said he was gleaning but a witness said that gleaning did not extend to barley and oats. The prosecutor, John Goodchild, pressed his case, there was a cross summons for assault, Broad complained that Goodchild came up behind him and struck him behind the ear, this was dismissed and Broad was fined 10s.

October 9th 1918

Sale of Live and Dead Stock at Huntsmans farm, Foxearth for Mrs Brand who is reliquishing the farm. Black Shire mare, 12years, 77 gns. Black Shire gelding, 5 yrs, 119 gns. Bay Shire mare, 10yrs, 61 gns. Bay Shire mare, 7 yrs, 107 gns. Chestnut Suffolk mare 13 yrs, 50 gns. Bay gelding, 100 gns. Shire Gelding, 2 yrs, 100 gns. 2 steers, 20 gns each. Cow in calf 40gns, Ditto, 35 gns. 300 poultry, 5s 6d a head.

October 16th 1918

Much sympathy is felt in Melford for Mr and Mrs John Palmer of Hall Street who received news that their son Pte.Austin Jarvis Palmer of the Scots Guards was been killed in action on September 27th.
Pte Palmer was a fine lad of 19 years, he was educated at Sudbury Grammar School, on leaving he worked at Barclay's Bank in Sudbury. He proved an excellent shot, winning 2 medals and a cup, he joined up on his 18th birthday. His Captain wrote to his father saying he was a brave soldier and his loss is deeply felt by his company.

October 16th 1918

Melford War Agricultural Committee. Attention was called to the order that women are not to be allowed to work with prisoners but must be engaged on another part of the farm. Mr Miller called attention to the number of stacks unthatched due to difficulty in getting threshing machines, seed was also in short supply. It was reported that all the German prisoners were at work and that no more prison camps to be formed at present, the secretary directed to write to the Food Production Department that 30 men were required in the Bures Assington area and camps should be set up in that area. Farmers were pleased to hear that the soldier ploughmen belonging to agricultural companies are not to be withdrawn at present and every effort was being made to find more skilled soldier ploughmen to assist with the autumn work.

October 23rd 1918

There was a fair supply of wheat at Colchester market which was sold at the Government rate, there is a good deal of damp wheat owing to the difficulties with thatching.

October 30th 1918

Mr W.Smith of Cavendish died last week after a long illness. Deceased was for a number of years, the brewer at the Cock and Crown hotels in Glemsford.

October 30th 1918

Mr Long of Robbs farm in Cavendish has received the following notice from the War Office saying that the Military Medal has been presented to his son, L/cpl Long for gallant conduct during operations near Eaults on August 22nd, he was in the 16th Infantry Brigade and was attached to the French Motor Battery.

October 30th 1918

Belchamp Tribunal. Mrs Brand of Foxearth for H.J.Rolph, groom, 46, refused. M.Wilson of Henny for E.Chinnery, 42, 6 months. R.St G Burke for A.Raymond, 48, carpenter, adjourned for agricultural voucher. Mrs Oates of Gestingthorpe for E.Turner, 44, labourer, employer produced a voucher. Messrs Ward for W.Sutton, motor driver, 43, 6 months.

November 13th 1918

There was a military funeral at Pentlow for Pte Charles Chambers, aged 31, who was laid to rest in Pentlow churchyard with full military honours. Some years ago he joined the Suffolk Regiment then passed into the reserves, when the present war broke out he rejoined and was sent early to France where he took part in the battle of Mons, he was wounded and gassed and had trench fever, he was invalided home but was a shattered man, he had only been home 10 weeks when the end came. He leaves a widow and 4 children.

November 14th 1918

There was much rejoicing at Foxearth on the signing of the armistice, the bells rang out and were " fired" several times. At the village club there was a large number of men present and a speech by Mr Ward was cheered loud and long.

November 20th 1918

It is feared that an old Gestingthorpe boy, Pte J.Finch, the youngest son of Mr Peter Finch is among those who has made the supreme sacrifice. Before going to Canada he worked for Mrs Oates at Gestingthorpe Hall, he joined the Canadian forces and came to France. His sister, Mrs Pearson of Mosses farm at Little Maplestead, made enquiries and the other day received a letter from the Chaplain of the regiment stating Pte Finch was last seen going into action in a tank near Ameins on August 9th, the tank was afterwards found burnt out and the charred bodies were still inside. He was married with a widow and children living in Hamilton, Canada.

December 11th 1918

George Clarke, son of Arthur and Mrs Clarke of Fern Hill, Glemsford, is home on two months leave. With others of the Manchester regiment he was taken prisoner on March last year, he was not taken to Germany but kept behind the lines where he helped gather the hay and the harvest. He was in such a state of starvation that he could hardly stand, apart from that he is not complaining about his treatment by the Germans.

December 18th 1918

A motor car decorated with the union jack was the cause of an accident at the bottom of Cavendish green. Two waggons with three horses each were standing at the foot of the green, the man in charge was making some enquiries for his employer, Mr Bettinson of Robbs farm, whilst the other looked after the horses. A motor car dashed past with the union jack on it frightening one set of horses, they immediately turned and made for home, the man in charge, George Brown did his best to stop them but was knocked down and kicked.

December 18th 1918

A little boy named Fred Brown met with a nasty accident on Saturday afternoon at Cavendish, he was standing near the fire on which was a saucepan of boiling water, by some means he knocked the saucepan over scalding the poor little chap down one leg from his knees to his toes.
He is going on satisfactory.