2nd Lieut A.B. Trower - St Peter - Thorington, Suffolk. - Specific Veteran Memorials on Waymarking.com

A wooden battlefield cross of 2nd Lieut A.B. Trower in St Peter's church, Thorington.

The inscription reads -
2ND LIEUTENANT ALFRED BENCE TROWER
1ST SCOTS GUARDS
MAY 29TH 1918

"Son of the late Percy and Agnes Marian Bence-Trower.

BENCE-TROWER, Alfred, 2/Lieutenant, 1/Scots Guards Alfred Bence-Trower was born on 10 August 1880 at Hyde Park Gardens, London, England. He was the son of Percy Trower and Agnes Marian Bence. He died on 29 May 1918 at age 37. Agnes Marian Bence-Trower was born in Scotland in 1852. She married Percy Bence-Trower (1846-1908) at St James', Piccadilly, on 6 July 1876. She lost two sons in the First World War on successive days: The first was Alfred. Second Lieutenant Alfred Bence-Trower, 1st Battalion, Scots Guards. Born 10 August 1880 at 7 Stanhope Street, Hyde Park Gardens, London. Educated at Charterhouse. He was killed in action on 29 May 1918, aged 37. He is buried in St Amand British Cemetery, Somme, France. He is also commemorated in Thorington Parish Church, Suffolk, where his original battlefield cross is on display. Member of the MCC, he appears on the MCC Role of Honour at Lords. Her other son was Major Edward Bence-Trower MC [Military Cross], 5th Battalion, South Wales Borderers. Born 16 March 1891 at 11 Bolton Gardens. Educated at Charterhouse. He was posted missing, presumed killed in action, on 30 May 1918 at Romigny, France, aged 27. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial. Although Edward was posted as 'missing' it is clear that by 1918 the public were clear about the probable meaning. The impact of losing two sons in two days cannot be imagined. The Masonic Rollof Honour 1921 lists his name in error as Alfred Bence TROWER.

21 March - 4 July 1918. The Battles of the Somme in 1918 were mostly concerned with stemming the German advance which started in March 1918 and which made considerable gains in the Somme/Arras sector. Utilising surplus troops which had become available following the surrender of Russia after the October Revolution, the Germans gambled on a massive campaign that could win the war in the west before the USA could bring its resources to bear. Initial gains were in places spectacular but eventually dogged resistance coupled with supply problems and sheer exhaustion closed down the battle. Other attacks were launched along the front to probe the Allied defences but the same pattern of initial gains followed by stalemate prevailed. British casualties were almost 345,000."

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