The war memorial located inside Madingley Parish Church is a constant reminder of the great loss of life suffered by this small village during the First World War. As the nation remembers the thousands of men who fought and died during this battle, the Parish of Madingley will remember in particular Private Frederick Albert Saxby aged 20, of the 11th Suffolk Regiment, who died on 1st July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
Frederick was born in 1897 in Fressingfield, Suffolk. The 1911 census lists him working as a farm labourer in Weston Colville. He was the son of William and Caroline Saxby of Madingley. He is commemorated in France on the Thiepval Memorial. He has no known Grave. Frederick was one of five brothers who served in the First World War – only two came home.
and then on 24th July we will remember Private Isaac Alfred Johnson on the centenary of his death. Isaac was a farm labourer living with his parents Isaac and Alice in Park Lane, Madingley (formerly at High Haden Farm House – now Park Farm) until he enlisted in Cambridge. He served with the 8th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment and fought during the Battle of the Somme. Isaac died from his wounds on Monday, 24th July 1916 aged 22. He is buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery, Somme, France. Grave VI. A. 10.