This is one of the saddest stories I have come across. Edwin was the youngest of four sons, all of whom fell. Their parents were William D. and Emma Pipe, of 9, Queen’s Rd., Beccles, Suffolk.
Name: Edwin George Pipe
Birth Place: Beccles, Suffolk
Residence: Oxford
Death Date: 10 Sep 1917
Enlistment Location: Beccles, Suffolk
Rank: L/Corporal
Regiment: Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
Battalion: 2/4th Battalion.
Number: 200937
Rank:Lance Corporal
Service No:200937
Date of Death:10/09/1917
Age:21
Regiment/Service:Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry 2nd/4th Bn.
Panel ReferencePanel 96 to 98. Memorial TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Type of Casualty: Killed in action
The following letter was sent by Lance Corporal Edwin George Pipe on 26th August 1917, a few weeks before he himself was killed. The letter was to the parents of Private Lewis Heath. The letter was kindly provided by Peter Heath.
Lance Corporal E. G. Pipe, B. Company Signals, B.E.F.
August 26th, 1917
Dear Mr & Mrs Heath
It is my very painful duty to inform you that your dear brave son was killed in Action on the morning of the 22nd. I send you my deepest sympathy and may almighty God comfort you in your great loss. I feel his loss greatly, a better lad one couldn’t find. We had reached our objective when he went with an important message to Battalion Head Quarters. I heard afterwards he got there in 10 minutes. Eager to do his duty he returned to come back when he was hit by shell fire. Our Lane Corporal Stretcher Bearer found him and was with him till the end. Before leaving us with the message he was with me It may comfort you to know that he did his duty bravely. I know how you must feel. It was only a few weeks back that a dear brother of mine was killed. He was always a cheerful lad everyone liked him and we feel his loss very much. I again offer you my deepest sympathy. Believe Me.
Yours Sincerely
Edwin George Pipe
The brother he was referring to was William John Pipe. Two other brothers, Percy Dalby Pipe and Robert Henry Pipe died in 1918. They were the sons of William Dalby Pipe and Emma Starland.
William John Pipe
Rank: Private
Service No: 9764
Date of Death: 03/05/1917
Age: 28
Regiment/Service: Honourable Artillery Company, 2nd Bn.
Panel Reference Bay 1.
Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL
Additional Information:
Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Dalby Pipe, of 9, Queen’s Rd., Beccles, Suffolk; husband of Elizabeth Marion Pipe, of 47, Sutherland Rd., Tottenham, London.
Percy Dalby Pipe
Rank:Private
Service No:200938
Date of Death:21/03/1918
Age:32
Regiment/Service: Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry 2nd/4th Bn.
Panel ReferencePanel 50 and 51.
Memorial: POZIERES MEMORIAL
Sergeant Robert Henry Pipe
Rank: Serjeant
Service No: 200939
Date of Death: 29/03/1918
Age: 26
Regiment/Service: Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, 2nd/4th Bn.
Grave Reference II. B. 11.
Cemetery ETRETAT CHURCHYARD EXTENSION
From the Woodbridge, Suffolk Roll of Honour
Sergeant 200939, 2nd/4th Battalion, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. Died 29/03/1918. Age 26. Son of William Dalby Pipe and Emma Pipe of 9 Queen’s Road, Beccles, Suffolk. Buried at Etretat Churchyard Extension (near Le Havre).
From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War. Against Robert H Pipe it says:
Robert H Pipe, assistant teacher at the Council School, died of wounds received in action on 29th March 1918. He was 26 years of age and joined the forces in September 1914.
Please see:
The Attack on Pond Farm, 22nd August, 1917
The Attack On Pond Farm and Other Strong Posts, 21st -24th August 1917
Attack on Strongpoints, South East of St. Julian, 22nd August 1917
The Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele)
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16th August 1917,
2/4th Oxfords,
22nd August 1917,
26th August 1917,
2nd Battalion,
Beccles,
Elizabeth Marion Pipe,
Emma Pipe,
Emma Starland,
Honourable Artillery Company,
Lance Corporal Edwin George Pipe,
Lewis Heath,
Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry,
Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 1/4th,
Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 2/4th,
Percy Dalby Pipe,
Private Lewis Heath,
Robert Henry Pipe,
Suffolk,
Tyne Cot Memorial,
William Dalby Pipe,
William John Pipe |
