Private Duce and Sapper Parmenter • Long Melford

I haven't come across this too often, but we have half-brothers with a joint Commonwealth War Grave Commission headstone.

Private Bertrum Duce ~ 2263

He was born 4th September 1888. Before the war he had been a Maltsters Labourer. He had already served in 3rd (Militia) Bttn, Suffolk Regiment before the outbreak of war. In September 1914 be became a Private  in 'B' Company, 1/5th Bttn, Suffolks. In August 1915 they were posted to Sulva Bay, Gallipoli. They would suffer months of illness while there, with the majority of the men around his coming down with dysentery. 

Bert contracted pulmonary tuberculosis and was eventually granted his pension in May of 1916.

On 3rd September 1916 he died of his illness and was buried in Holy Trinity Church. He was 28 years old.

Sapper Harry Parmenter ~ 180137

His older half-brother, Harry, was born on 10th March, 1883.

Before the war Harry had married and been working as a house painter. 

He joined N⁰ 8 Depot Company, Royal Engineers. Unfortunately, I couldn't find much about his war.

Sadly he died from a self inflicted wound to the throat at the Military Hospital in Bangor, Wales on 21st August, 1917. He was 34 years old.

May they both rest in peace 🕊

He was returned to Long Melford and shares a headstone with his half brother.

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Much of this information comes from the Long Melford Heritage Centre which you can read more about HERE.

///flask.diamonds.sped

GRID REF: SS 99960 04157