Name
Edward James Rolph
5/04/1890
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/08/1918
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
245256
London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
2nd (City of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL
Panel 10.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Printers Memorial, Watford, Sun Engraving Company Memorial, Watford, Not on the Aldbury memorials, Wealdstone War Memorial, Middlesex, Wealdstone Clock Tower Memorial, Wealdstone Company of Church Lads Brigade WW 1 Memorial Holy Trinity Church
Pre War
Edward James ROLPH was born in Kentish Town, London/Middlesex, on 5th April 1890, son of Frederick William Rolph, a Railway Plate Layer and Emma Rolph (nee DELDERFIELD). One of their three sons.
His parents married on 22nd April 1889 at St John the Baptist, Aldbury, Herts.
He was Baptised on 25th May 1890, in the Parish Church, Aldbury, Herts, his address is recorded as living in Kentish Town, London/Middx.
1891 Census, records Edward aged 7 months, living with his parents, in St Pancras, London.
1901 Census, Edward aged 11, is living with his parents, brothers William (9) and Frederick (7), at N N W Railway Cottages, 2 High Street, Wealdstone, Middlesex. The family had a boarder, Edward Dell.
1911 Census, Edward aged 20, is employed as a process engraver, in the print Industry, living with his parents, brothers William (19) and Frederick (17), at 3 High Street, Wealdstone, Middlesex.
Wartime Service
Edward enlisted in Willesden, London, posted to the 9th Battalion, Duke of Cambridges Own (Middlesex Regiment) and issued with the service No. 3044, later 269591.
He was transferred to the 2nd (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) with the service No. 245256.
Edward saw action on the Western Front. He was Killed in Action on the 23rd August 1918, aged 28, at the time he was attached to the 13th Battalion, London Regiment. He has no known grave; he is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial to the missing in France. Panel 10.
Additional Information
His effects of £22-05s-04d, pay owing and his war gratuity of £16, went to his father Frederick Rolph.
His brother Frederick Rolph, served with the Duke of Cambridges Own (Middlesex Regiment) and survived the war.
Unfortunately, Edward’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
His mother Emma died 7 December 1939 in Northchurch, Herts, aged 76; and his father Frederick died 11 May 1945 in Hemel Hempstead, Herts, aged 79.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk), Jonty Wild
