1st Suffolk Regiment
He was born in Higham, Suffolk in 1865. Birth registered in Q1 1866. Recorded as 38 in Comrades in 1903 (so 1865) He could have joined up around 1879-1881 aged 14-16, consistent with him coming up through the ranks and being promoted to sergeant by 1888.
In 1891 he was in recorded on the registers of the United Grand Lodge of England having been initiated into Rock of Gwalior Lodge, located at Jhansi in Northern India. He was a colour-sergeant by rank and therefore probably had around 10 year’s military experience by this stage.
By Q3/Q4 1893 Amos married Ada Fenning at Colchester Ada Halls, aged 32 is shown in 1901 to be residing at 51 East Hill (the Post Office) where her mother was Postmaster. There were three children with the same name of Halls, Ellen G (3) and George G (1) and also Ada Joyce (3mo.) Amos’s absence is possibly explained in that he had been posted to South Africa to the Boer War. The 1911 Census shows an “Army Pensioner” married to Ada Halls living at Beck Row, Soham with Sister, Son, Daughter and Niece. He is a School Attendance Officer working for the County Council. They had been stated as married for 17 years at this point (so betrothed as we know late 1893) and had 5 children, two of which had died.Probate: Amos Halls of 23 Well Street, Bury St. Edmunds died 24th January 1954 at St. Marys Hospital, Bury St. Edmunds. Probate Ipswich 24th February to Margaret Emma King (wife of Ernest Edwin King). £8644 15s 6d. [Probate: Ada Halls of 72 Fordham Road, Bury St. Edmunds widow died 17th February 1957] Administration Ipswich 13th March to Margaret Emma King (wife of Ernest Edwin King). £426 10s 3d.] Assuming these two are correct people, Amos and Ada would have been about 89. Perhaps at this stage they were being looked after?
Family
- Ada 1869 - 1957 (Nee Fenning) Born Great Bromley to Robert and Ellen Fenning. Father was in the Metropolitan Police, but from Colchester. Ellen was from Lambeth. Moved to Hadleigh from Great Bromley.
- Ellen Gertrude. 1897 Born Bury St. Edmunds. Married Norman Doiley Dennis at Lexden 1921
- George A. 1900 Born Bury St. Edmunds
- Ada Joyce 1901 She was born at Colchester and was 3 weeks old at the time of the 1901 census. She died soon after perhaps surviving a few months when her sad and unfortunate death was recorded.
- Zillah Matilda 1908 Born Norton, Nr. Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. Married 1939
Military:
Regimental No. 716 Following the movements of 1st Suffolk Regiment: - Jhansi, Bengal (1892), Colchester (1892), Aldershot (1897), Dover (1899), South Africa (1899), Colchester (1902). When initiated into Rock of Gwalior in 1891, he was stationed at Nowgong. Awarded the India Medal (1854) with Hazara Clasps – Suffolks were engaged in the actions at Thakot & Pokal. Awarded the Queens South Africa Medal with Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal clasps. Also the 1901 and 1902 Clasps, but he was not entitled to the Kings South Africa Medal.Military Milestones
- 1888 Sergeant (UK Campaign Medal Roll 1793-1949)
- 1888 Posted to India, Hazara Campaign (UK Campaign Medal Roll 1793-1949)
- 1891 Colour Sergeant (Rock of Gwalior)
- 1900 Battle of Colesberg Hill
- 1901 Sergeant Major, Boer War(UK Campaign Medal Roll 1793-1949)
- 1903 Sergeant Major 1st Suffolk Regiment, Meanee Barracks (United / Comrades Lodge)
Masonic
One of the 25 petitioners not named individually on the Warrant of Constitution. Last GL dues for United Lodge was in 1904 so by 1905 he had been erased from the Lodge under Rule 175.Masonic Milestones:
- L1066 E.C. Rock of Gwalior 18th July 1891 – 29th February 1892 (resigned)
- Initiated: 18th July 1891
- Passed: 20th October 1891
- Raised: 16th February 1892
- Grand Lodge Certificate: 13th August 1892
- L697 United Lodge 11th Feb 1903 -1905 (Erased)
- L2976 Comrades Lodge 6th August 1903 – 15th November 1911 (resigned)