BILLINGTON, F., Shoeing-Smith, 133rd R.F.A.

When war broke out in August 1914, he was already in the Army, and was stationed in India. Whilst proceeding to the scene of activities in Mesopotamia he contracted dysentry, and was invalided to England in 1915. On his recovery he was sent to the Western Front, and, after taking in part in many important engagements, was taken prisoner at Cambrai in March 1918. After the cessation of hostilities he was released, and in 1920 was still serving, holding the General Service and Victory Medals.

The Common, Aspley Guise, Bedford. - Z1303.

*** NOTE *** There are differences between the above and the entry below - above is possibly more correct.

COOK, C., Private, 1/5th Bedfordshire Regiment.

He volunteered in January 1915, and later in the same year was drafted to France, where he took part in much severe fighting at the Battles of Loos, Albert and on the Somme. He died gloriously on the Field of Battle at Arras on April 24th, 1917, and was entitled to the General Service and Victory Medals.

"The path of duty was the way to glory."

West End, Cranfield, Bedford. - Z1781.

Private 22903, 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Died of wounds Tuesday 7th November 1916 in France & Flanders. Age 25. Born and resident Cranfield, enlisted Bedford. Son of William George and Annie Elizabeth Evans, of High St., Cranfield. Buried in ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Grave XII. C. 3.

EVANS, P.W., Private, 8th Bedfordshire Regt.

Shortly after joining in 1916, he proceeded to the Western front. where he saw much severe fighting in the Ypres and Arras sectors. Mortally wounded in action on the Somme in September 1916, he unhappily died on November 7th of that year in the Canaadian General Hospital at Etaples. He was entitled to the General Service and Victory Medals.

"A costly sacrifice upon the altar of freedom."

Cranfield, Beds. - Z2112/A-Z2113/A.

Private 25179, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Died Wednesday 19th February 1919. Age 22. Son of John and Martha Evans, of Cranfield. Buried in CRANFIELD (SS. PETER AND PAUL) CHURCHYARD, In North-West part.

[From National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]

EVANS, J., Private, 2nd Bedfordshire Regiment.

He volunteered in 1915, and in the following year was drafted to the Western Front, where he saw heavy fighting in various sectors. After taking part in the Battles of Albert and the Somme and some other engagements, he was severley wounded in action at the Somme during the Retreat of March 1918, and invalided home. He unhappily died of wounds in hospital at Wolverhampton on February 19th, 1919. He was entitled to the General Service and Victory Medals.

"His memory is chrised with pride."

High Street, Cranfield, Beds. - Z1830/B.

FORD, G., Sapper, Royal Engineers; and Private Cheshire Regiment.

He volunteered in June 1915, and after completing his training was retained with his unit on important duties until 1917. He then proceeded to France and took an active part in engagements at Neuve Chapelle and Somme sectors, but was unfortunately killed in action on May 14th, 1917. He was entitled to the General Service and Victory Medals.

"He passed out of the sight of men by the path of duty and self-sacrifice."

High Street, Cranfield, Beds. - Z1830/B.

FOSTER, F., Private, Bedfordshire Regiment.

Volunteering in 1915, he was drafted overseas in the following year. Whilst on the Western Front he took part in the Battles of Ypres and the Somme, and was wounded and taken prisoner. He was held in captivity in Germany, but was eventually released after the Armistice, and returned home. He was demobilised in 1919, and holds the General Service and Victory Medals.

Cranfield, Beds. - Z2188.

See also Stewartby and Martson Moreteyne

LANCASTER, T., Private,10th Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment).

He joined in March 1916, and on completion of his training, was six months later drafted to the Western Front. During his service there he took part in the Battles of Arras and Ypres, and saw heavy fighting at Cambrai until September 1917, when he was reported missing. Subsequently it was reported that he was killed in action on that date. He was entitled to the General Service and Victory Medals.

"A costly sacrifice on the altar of freedom."

Cranfield, Beds. - Z3285/A-Z3286/A.

LOVESEY, H., L/Corporal, Royal Engineers..

He volunteered in October 1915, and completed his training in the following April, was drafted to Egypt, whence he advanced into Palestine. He then saw much fighting at Gaza, on the river Jordan and at the fall of Jerusalem. He made the supreme sacrifice, being killed in action at Jaffa on November 30th, 1917. He was entitled to the General Service and Victory Medals.

"The path of duty was the way to glory."

Mount Pleasant, Aspley Guise, Beds. - Z3393/A.

WHITE, E.W., Sapper, Royal Engineers.

He joined in 1916, but owing to his being physically unfit for service in a theatre of war, was retained on special duties in connection with the air-raid service in London. He, nevertheless, rendered valuable service until the cessation of hostilities, and was demobilised in March 1919..

Cranfield, Beds. - Z2367.

Private 3946, 5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Died at home Friday 15th January 1915. Aged 29. Resident Cranfield, enlisted Bedford. Son of William Frederick and Mary White, of 1 Sunny Side Cottage, Cranfield. Buried in CRANFIELD (SS. PETER AND PAUL) CHURCHYARD. In Loving Memory of William Herbert WHITE the Beloved Son of William and Mary WHITE who died January 15th 1915. Aged 29 years. "For Ever With The Lord" "Yet We Will Not Forget Thee Nor Forsake Thee".

[From National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]

WHITE, W., Private, Bedfordshire Regiment..

Volunteering in August 1914, he underwent a period of training at Bedford and Bury St Edmunds, but unfortunately contracted an illness, from the effects of which he unhappily died on January 15th, 1915..

"His memory is cherished with pride."

Sunnyside Cottage, West End, Cranfield, Beds. - Z2365/A.

326955 Private Cambridgeshire and Suffolk Reserve Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died at home Thursday 15th February 1917. Age 35. Born Cranfield, enlisted Bedford. Son of James and Ann Garner, of Poplar Cottages, Cranfield. Buried in CRANFIELD (SS. PETER AND PAUL) CHURCHYARD.

[From National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]

GARNER, H., Private, Bedfordshire Regiment.

He joined the Army in 1917, but after only five weeks training at Tring his health broke down, and he was sent to hospital. Later in the year he was discharged as medically unfit for further military service, and in August 1917 unhappily died..

"His memory is cherished with pride."

High Street, Cranfield, Beds. - Z2560/C.

For further details of the air crews listed here see Colin Mackenzies AIRCREW CASUALTY INFORMATION which details the events concerning the death of these aircrew.

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