Diss Family History Group

James Robert SAGE, son of John SAGE ( - ) and Eliza UNKNOWN ( - ), was born circa 1881 in Rickinghall, Suffolk. He was baptised on 6th November 1881 in Redgrave, Suffolk , the ceremony was conducted by Rev. B H GRIGSON, Rector, James and Elizabeth HOLDEN had marriage banns published on 5th June 1910 in South Lopham, Norfolk - other dates banns read were 12.06.1910 and 19.06.1910; the groom from Botesdale, bride from South Lopham - and married her there on 19th June 1910. He served with the Suffolk Regiment in The Great War and was killed on 25th May 1915, age 34, and commemorated at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

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Last updated: Mon, 08 Jun 2026
SAGE, James Robert
Family Historian Individual Narrative James Robert SAGE, son of John SAGE ( - ) and Eliza UNKNOWN ( - ), was born circa 1881 in Rickinghall, Suffolk. He was baptised on 6 November 1881 in Redgrave, Suffolk , the ceremony was conducted by Rev. B H GRIGSON, Rector - parents John (horseman) and Eliza. At the time of the 1891 Census, James was living at Back Hills in Botesdale, Suffolk - 9, scholar, living with parents John (40, maltsters labourer) and Elizabeth (31), siblings Wesburgh (7, scholar), Robert (6, scholar), Frederick (4, sc..... View full FH text (See notes below) View Family Tree (See notes below)
Birth:	1881 : Rickinghall, Suffolk
Baptism:	06.11.1881 : Rickinghall, Suffolk
Banns:	05.06.1910, 12.06.1910, 19.06.1910 : South Lopham, Norfolk
Marriage:	19.06.1910 at South Lopham, Norfolk to Elizabeth HOLDEN : 1910 Q3 Thetford Norfolk Vol 4B Page 783
1891 Census:	Botesdale, Suffolk : 9, scholar, living with parents John (40, maltsters labourer) and Elizabeth (31), siblings Wesburgh (7, scholar), Robert (6, scholar), Frederick (4, scholar) and Mary (10m), and Sarah (widow, 82, grandmother?). (RG12 Piece 1459 Folio 3 Page 1 Schedule 3)
1901 Census:	Fort George, St. Peter Port, Guernsey : He was a Private in the British Army in the 3ed Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment. (RG13 Piece 5323 Folio 116 Page 4 Schedule 0)
1911 Census:	Botesdale, Suffolk : 29, carrier, living with wife Elizabeth (30). (RG14 PN10716 RD210 SD2 ED1 SN5)
Death:	25.05.1915 : France
Memorial:	Belgium : Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial
Military:	Other than the CWGC information, register of soldiers' effects and a census return, no useful detailed documentation on James' military service has been found. From the entry in the 1901 Census it appears that James was in the regular army for a period around 1900, in the Suffolk Regiment serving at Fort George on Guernsey for some of that time. By 1911 he had left and was a resident in Botesdale. At some point he must have re-enlisted or was called up as he was killed in action in France, with the 1st Battalion Suffolk Regiment. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission grave registration entry for James was “SAGE, Pte. James Robert, 17953. 1st Bn. Suffolk Regt. 25th May 1915. Age 34, . Husband of Elizabeth Sage, of Primrose Lane, South Lopham, Diss. Norfolk.”
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Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial (CWGC)

Suffolk Regiment

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