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3/7957 ‘H’ Company, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Charles Risby was born in Sudbury in 1891, one of eight children of Alfred and Mary Ann Risby. His father was employed as a labourer for the Town Council and the family lived at 70 Cross Street. Prior to enlisting in Sudbury with the Suffolk Regiment Charles was employed by builders Mauldon and Sutton in Sudbury.
Charles first served in ‘a theatre of war’ on 10 October 1914 in France. His battalion formed part of 8th Brigade, 3rd Division. It is likely that Charles was a reservist and was sent to replace the heavy casualties lost by the battalion at Le Cateau. The battalion saw action at the First Battle of Ypres (19 October – 30 November 1914) when both sides fought for the town of Ypres, the resulting stalemate led to both sides becoming entrenched around the Ypres Salient and along the western front for 440 miles for the next four years.
In October 1915 the battalion was transferred to form part of 76th Brigade. It is not known when Charles was injured but the Suffolk and Essex Free Press reported that he was wounded three times, once severely in the stomach. The first time he was wounded he stayed in France but later he was invalided home. He returned to the front where he was listed as ‘missing’ in January 1917.
Charles was captured by the enemy and he later died aged 25 on 18 March 1917 as a prisoner of war. He lies buried in Hamburg Cemetery in Germany.
Charles was awarded the 1914 Star and clasp, British War Medal and Victory Medal. The clasp "5TH AUG - 22ND NOV 1914" was awarded with the 1914 Star for any soldier who came under enemy fire or within range of enemy mobile artillery in France or Belgium between those dates. This was to differentiate between those who were also serving in France or Belgium but behind the lines.
His brother also served with the Suffolk Regiment, he was taken prisoner in the retreat from Mons in 1914 but survived the war.
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