Born in 1893 at Woodford, son of Henry (Warehouseman for a Grocer, and subsequently a Manufacturing Chemist) and Agnes Godbehear. 1901: With his family at 2 Hadleigh Villas, Grove Hill. 1911: His family remained at 2 Hadleigh Villas, but Ralph was an assistant in an outfitters shop, boarding with Edmund Ashby (Coffin Maker) and family at 106 Beckenham Road, Penge.
He initially joined 9 London Regiment, but was later transferred to 20 London. In 08-17 he was involved in the Third Battle of Ypres, more generally known as Passchendaele, although strictly speaking the fighting in that location began in October 1917.
On the night of 18/19 August 1917, 47 Division which included 20 London moved forward to relieve 8 Division in front line defences between the Westhoek and Zonnebeke Road, and the Ypres to Roulers railway. The Division was then engaged in “”local operations” against various German fortified positions around the St Julien area. Although not major engagements, that description should not detract from the severity of the fighting, which took place “in an abyss of mud and water”. “He was killed in action two days later along with 11 other members of the Battalion.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com
Divisional & Regimental Histories