POTTON - Roll of Honour

Drawing Copyright © Ken Lawson 2001

Photographs Copyright © Martin Edwards 2002

BAKER

William

Private G/14509. 2^nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment. Killed in action Saturday 16 December 1916. Born & enlisted Potton. Commemorated: Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Ref. Pier & face 7C.

BLANE

Horace

Private 5855. "B" Company, 2/5^th Battalion (Territorial) Gloucestershire Regiment. Killed in action Saturday 1 July 1916. Age 22. Born & Enlisted Sandy. Son of Henry & Janet Blane of Sun Street, Potton. Buried: Merville Communal Cemetery, Nord. Ref. IV.P.9.

BONESS

Arthur John

[Transcribed as W BONESS from the memorial] Private 18787, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 27th July 1916. Aged 31. Born and resident Biggleswade, enlisted Bedford. Son of the late John Boness and of Alice Boness, of 3, London Rd., Biggleswade; husband of Bertha Boness, of Hitchin St., Biggleswade, Beds. His wife was Bertha, she is buried in Plot E081 in Potton Cemetery. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 2 C.

BOSTON

Charles H

Corporal G/2922. 9^th East Surrey Regiment. Killed in action Sunday 3 September 1916. Born Potton. Enlisted Biggleswade. Buried: Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval, Somme, France. Ref. VIII.B.4.

BREED

Frederick C

Private 23417. 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. Died of wounds Thursday 10 October 1918. Born and lived Potton. Enlisted Bedford. Son of Mrs. E. Breed of Brook End, Potton. Buried: St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France. Ref. S.II.Q.5.

CARTER

Frederick

Private 8283. 8^th Battalion East Surrey Regiment. Killed in action Saturday 1 July 1916. Age 24. Born Potton. Enlisted Biggleswade. Son of Frederick Carter of King Street, Potton. Commemorated: Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Ref. Pier & Face 6B & 6C.

CARTER

Harry

Private 23431. "B" Company, 1^st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. Died of wounds Friday 14 June 1918. Age 27. Born & lived Potton. Enlisted Ampthill. Son of Frederick & Mary Ann Carter of Potton. Buried: Aire Communal Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France. Ref. III.C.21.

CLARK[E]

William Walter

[Spelt CLARKE on memorial] Private 31995. 117^th Company, Machine Gun Corps (Inf). Formerly 23434 Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Saturday 7 October 1916. Age 21. Born Gamlingay, Cambs. Lived Potton. Enlisted Ampthill. Son of William John & Sarah Clark of Everton Road, Potton. Commemorated: Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Ref. Pier & Face 5C & 12C.

COLLINS

Sam

Private 27468. 1^st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Sunday 23 July 1916. Born Holbeck, Yorkshire. Lived Potton. Enlisted Bedford. Buried: Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, Somme, France. Ref. XVI.G.18.

COMPTON

Boston Leopold

Signaller 159089. 1^st/1^st (Warwick) Bty. 15^th Bde. Royal Horse Artillery. Killed in action Saturday 28 September 1918. Age 20. Lived Potton. Enlisted Woolwich, Kent. Son of Young Boston Compton & Louisa Compton of Horslow Street, Potton. Buried: Potijze Chateau Lawn Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Ref. G.4. (Inscription in Potton Cemetery Memorial Plot F44-46: In the Great War 1914 – 1918 Boston Leopold, who was accidentally killed. 28^th Sept. 1918. Aged 20. Buried at Potijze Chateau Lawn Cemetery, N.E. Ypres)

DARLOW

Albert

Private 51607. 1^st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. Formerly 12764 Bedfordshire Regiment. Died Wednesday 2 October 1918. Age 27. Born & lived Potton. Enlisted Bedford. Son of Fred & Amelia Darlow of 20 Bury Hill, Potton. Buried: Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, Pas-de-Calais, France. Ref. XVII.E.20.

DEEBLE

Samuel

Private 49257. 1^st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. Formerly 34831 East Surrey Regiment. Killed in action Friday 23 August 1918. Born & lived Potton. Enlisted Bury St. Edmunds. Commemorated: Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Pas-de-Calais, France. Ref. Panel 4 & 5.

DELANEY

J

Probably: Joseph Delaney. L/Corporal 1279. 9^th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London) Regiment. Killed in action Friday 7 July 1916. Born & lived Sheffield (? Shefford). Enlisted Biggleswade. Commemorated: Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Ref. Pier & Face 8C, 9A & 16A.

DENNIS

John

Sergeant 33557. 14^th Army Bde. Royal Field Artillery. Killed in action Wednesday 15 August 1917. Age 29. Born Hertford. Enlisted Potton. Son of Samuel & Fanny Dennis of Potton; husband of Florence Annie Dennis of Cherry Croft, High Street, Sandy. Buried: Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, Pas-de-Calais, France. Ref. I.U.29.

FELTS

Percival Claude

2^nd Lieutenant 6^th Sqdn. Royal Flying Corps. Killed in action in RE.8 A3545, with 2nd Lt. T. M. O'Neill (wounded) on Monday 23 July 1917. Age 22. Son of James William & Aagnes Maria Felts of The Laurels, Potton. Buried: Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinge West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Ref. XIII.B.21. (Inscription in Potton Cemetery Memorial Plot No F49: Percival Claud Felts, 2^nd Lieut. 6^th Squadron Royal Flying Corps. Killed in action in Flanders. 23^rd July 1917. Aged 22 years. Interred Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.)

FOSTER

A

No further information available at present.

FOSTER

Ernest

Private 23437. 4^th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. Died of wounds Sunday 15 April 1917. Born & lived Potton. Enlisted Ampthill. Buried: Orchard Dump Cemetery, Arleux-en-Gohelle, Pas-de-Calais, France. Ref. VI.A.16.

FREESTONE

J H

Probably: Harold Moulton (Meulton on CD) Freestone. Private 114640. 17^th Company Machine Gun Corps (Inf.). Formerly 23467 Essex Regiment. Killed in action Thursday 19 September 1918. Age 20. Born & lived Potton. Enlisted Biggleswade. Son of Alfred & Harriett Freestone of Sun Street, Potton. Commemorated: Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Pas-de-Calais, France. Ref. Panel 10.

GATES

William Henry

GIDDINGS

Harry K

L/Corporal 32199. 6^th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Sunday 29 April 1917. Age 21. Lived Potton. Enlisted Bedford. Son of Thomas and Emma Giddings of "Ivydale", Potton; grandson of Henry Austin. Buried: Chili Trench Cemetery, Gavrelle, Pas-de-Calais, France. Ref. D.19. (Inscription in Potton Cemetery on Memorial Plot No. B8. Harry Giddings. Killed in action in France, April 23^rd 1917, Aged 22. Interred in Chili Trench Cemetery, Gavrelle).

GINN

Frederick William

Driver 182822. 62^nd Bty. 38^th Bde. Royal Field Artillery. Killed in action Thursday 25 April 1918. Age 25. Born & enlisted Potton. Son of Frederick & Alice Ginn of "Brookside", Potton; husband of Dorothy May Ginn of Royston Street, Potton. Commemorated: Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Ref. Panel 4 to 6 & 162. (Inscription in Potton Cemetery on Memorial Plot No. F197. Frederick William Ginn Killed in Action France April 25^th 1918. aged 25 years.)

GURNEY

Albert G

Sergeant 28160. 259^th Siege Royal Garrison Artillery. Died of wounds Sunday 22 July 1917. Age 26. Born & lived Potton. Enlisted Sutton Park. Son of Thomas & Sarah Gurney of 3 New Town, Potton. Buried: Nieppe Communal Cemetery, Nord. France. Ref. III.B.1. (Inscription in Potton Cemetery on memorial Plot BA57. Albert, Sergt. R.G.A. Killed in action in France July 22^nd 1917. Age 26 years. Buried in the Civil Cemetery, Neippe.)

HILL

W

No further information available at present.

HUTCHINSON

Herbert

[Hutchison on CWGC] Private 9271. 2^nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. Died of wounds Saturday 24 October 1914. Born & lived Potton. Enlisted Sutton Park. Buried: Ypres Town Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Ref. A1.13.

HUTCHINSON

(Charles) Nicholas

Private 8196. 1^st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Tuesday 13 October 1914. Age 28. Born, lived and enlisted Potton. Son of Charles & Ann Hutchinson of Everton Road, Potton. Commemorated: Le Touret Memorial, Pas-de-Calais, France. Ref. Panel 10 & 11.

HUTCHINSON

George

Private G/8320. 9^th Battalion East Surrey Regiment. Died of wounds Sunday 5 March 1916. Born Potton. Enlisted Biggleswade. Buried: Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France. Ref. VIII.D.70.

HUTCHINSON

William

[Hutchison on CWGC] Sergeant 13370. 47^th Company, Machine Gun Corps (Inf.) Formerly 8319 Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Saturday 9 September 1916. Born & lived Potton. Enlisted Biggleswade. Commemorated: Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Ref. Pier & Face 5C & 12C.

INSKIP

Bert William

Private G/14547. ‘C’ Company, 2^nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment. Killed in action Saturday 9 September 1916. Age 19. Born Potton. Enlisted Bedford. Son of George & Annie Inskip of Station Road, Potton. Buried: Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, Somme, France. Ref. XIII.J.3.

KITCHENER

James

Private 133841. 2^nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers Labour Corps. Formerly 35187 Middlesex Regiment. Died Sunday 3 November 1918. Born Potton. Enlisted Biggleswade. Buried: St. Andre Communal Cemetery, Nord. Ref. I.A.90.

LINFORD, MM

Alfred William

Company Sergeant Major G/20279. 12^th Royal Sussex Regiment. Killed in action Tuesday 25 September 1917. Born Potton. Enlisted Hertford. Commemorated: Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, France. Ref. Panel 86 – 88. (Commemorated in Potton Cemetery on Memorial Plot F134. Footstone F.E.L A.W.L.

MANNING

John

L/Corporal L/8831. 8^th Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Killed in action Sunday 27 May 1917. Age 28. Born Potton. Enlisted new Cross, Kent. Son of Mrs. E. Winters of The Orchard, Mill Road, Potton. Commemorated: Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Ref. Sp. Mem. C.32.

MARSDEN

George James

[Transcribed as D J Marsden] Private 29213. 11^th Battalion Essex regiment. Killed in action Thursday 6 December 1917. Age 28. Born Leighton Buzzard. Lived Potton. Enlisted Sandy. Son of Caleb & Jane Marsden of Royston Street, Potton; husband of Florence Marsden of Everton Road, Potton. Buried Ribecourt British Cemetery, Nord, France. Ref. I.F.6.

MARSDEN

Fred

Sergeant 39316. 11^th Battalion Essex Regiment. Attd. 6^th Div. H.Q. Formerly 07704 R.A.O.C. Died Saturday 2 November 1918. Age 22. Born & lived Potton. Enlisted Bedford. Son of Mrs Minnie Marsden of Sandy Road, Potton. Buried: Premont British Cemetery, Aisne, France. Ref. I.E.9.

MOORE

F

MUNKMAN

Frank

Private 30946. 1^st Battalion Hertfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 11 July 1918. Age 26. Born & lived Potton. Enlisted Bedford. Son of Mr. Henry Munkman (died 1920) and Mrs. Ann Munkman of Potton; brother of Martha Eizabeth Munkman. Buried: St. Amand British Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France. Ref. IV.A.20. (Inscription in Potton Cemetery Memorial Plot E30/31. No longer readable, but Potton History Society records Frank Munkman, Killed at Bugguoy, France. 10 July 1918. Aged 26. Interred St. Armond.)

PAYNE

Walter

Private 27644. 8^th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Thursday 19 April 1917. Age 36. Born and lived Potton. Enlisted Bedford. Brother of Joseph Payne of Horslow Street, Potton. Commemorated: Loos memorial, Pas-de-Calais, France. Ref. Panel 41.

PEACOCK

William Henry

Private 29558. 1/4^th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment. Formerly 46472 Yorkshire Regiment. Born Potton, Beds. Enlisted Newcastle-on-Tyne. Commemorated: Ploegsteert Memorial, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium. Ref. Panel 4.

REYNOLDS

Arthur George

Private G/25785. 1^st battalion Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action Tuesday 8 October 1918. Born and lived Potton. Enlisted Bedford. Buried: Bellicourt British Cemetery, Aisne, France. Ref. VII.E.2.

REYNOLDS

J F

Probably Frederick J. Reynolds. Private 25135. 4^th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Sunday 29 April 1917. Age 19. Born and lived Biggleswade. Enlisted Ampthill. Son of Jack & Mary an Reynolds of 52 Sun Street, Biggleswade. Commemorated: Arras Memorial, Pas-de-Calais, France. Ref. Bay 5.

REYNOLDS

W E

No further information available at present.

RICHARDSON

E G

No further information available at present.

RICHARDSON

James

Private 3/8288. 7^th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. Died Saturday 10 February. Age 34. Born Gamlingay. Lived & enlisted Potton. Son of James & Emma Richardson of Potton. Buried: Varennes Military Cemetery, Somme, France. Ref. I.H.81.

RICHARDSON

Wilfred Ernest

Private 2711. 2^nd East Surrey Regiment. Died Saturday 24 April 1915. Age 18. Born Potton. Enlisted Biggleswade. Son of Frederic William & Ellen Richardson of Denver House, Potton. Commemorated: Le Touret Memorial, Pas-de-Calais, France. Ref. Panel 18 & 19.

SHEARMAN

William

Private 23436. 4^th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 13 November 1916. Age 23. Born & lived Potton. Enlisted Ampthill. Son of Charles & Eliza Ann Shearman of Biggleswade Road, Potton. Commemorated: Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Ref. Pier & Face 2C.

SPRIGGS

Frederick Harry

Driver 177485. ‘D’ Bty. 38^th Bde. Royal Field Artillery. Killed in action Saturday 13 April 1918. Age 29. Born and enlisted Potton. Son of Harry & Mary Spriggs of Potton; husband of Louisa Ellen Spriggs (nee Keeling) of Bull Street, Potton. Commemorated: Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Ref. Panel 4 – 6 & 162.

(Inscription in Potton Cemetery on Memorial Plot C272. Fredk. Spriggs, Killed in action April 13^th 1918, Aged 29 years) Newspaper reports: From The Bedfordshire Times & Independent. Friday 3^rd May 1918. Village reports: Everton: The members of the Wesleyan Chapel heard with regret on Saturday that Private Fred Spriggs was killed in the fighting on the western front, for although belonging to Potton, he was frequently one of the congregation. Mrs. Spriggs was organist for many years before her marriage, and for several years he acted as instructor and conductor for the musical festivals. The deepest sympathy is felt for Mrs. Spriggs who now resides at Heath Road. Potton: The friends of Signaller Fred Spriggs, R.F.A. have heard that he was killed in action about a fortnight ago. He was the son of Mr. & Mrs. H. Spriggs of Royston Street, and before entering the Army was in the employ of Messrs. F.W. Braybrooks, Ltd.

From Andy Pay's research into the Marquis de Ruvigny' s Roll of Honour the following:

Volume 2, Part 4 , Page 194, Signaller Frederick Harry SPRIGGS, number 177485 , 38th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Son of Harry Spriggs of Royston Steert, Potton county Bedford by his wife Mary daughter of John Jones. Born Sawston county Cambridge 3-8-1888, educated Potton Council school, was a parchment maker and splitter.

Enlisted 1-10-16, served in Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 27-6-17. Was twice gassed and was killed in action between Neuve Eglise and Dranoutre 13-4-18.

He was recommended by his commanding officer for the Military Medal for taking important messages to H.Q under heavy shell fire 23-9-17 150 yards from the German lines. Unfortunately his Colonel was killed.

He married at the Wesleyan church, Potton 18-3-11 Louisa Ellen.

SURTEES

Richard Barron

Private 2720. 2^nd Battalion East surrey Regiment. Killed in action 28 April 1915. Age 18. Born St. Neots, Hunts. Enlisted Biggleswade. Son of John & Lizzie Surtees of Spencer Farm, Potton. Commemorated: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Ref. Panel 34.

SYMONDS

James Howard

Private F/2805. 16^th Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex regiment). Killed in action Tuesday 22 May 1917. Born Potton. Enlisted Bedford. Brother of Agnes Mary Symonds. Commemorated: Arras memorial, Pas-de-Calais, France. Ref. Bay 7. (Inscription in Potton Cemetery on Memorial Plot F18/19. James Howard, Killed in France May 23^rd 1917. Potton History Society records read: Son of George & Annie Symonds. Born 23^rd March 1880.)

WHITFIELD

Frederick

Private 141584. 21^st Battalion Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment). Died Saturday 22 April 1916. Age 33. Son of Jonathan & Naomi Whitfield of Horslow Street, Potton. Commemorated: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Ref. Panel 10 – 26 – 28.

WHITFIELD

Allen Pettengell

WOODS

F T

No further information available at present.

APTHORPE

Arthur Walter

COBB

George William

DAISLEY

Arthur William

Gunner 863416. ‘D’ Bty. 3^rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery. Died Thursday 24 April 1941. Age 22. Son of Walter & Sarah Ann Daisley of Potton. Buried: Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery, Egypt. Ref. 15.D.7.

EDWARDS

R

No further information available at present.

HUTCHINSON

A

No further information available at present.

JAKES

Dick

Driver T/187282. 64 Bulk Petrol Transport Company, Royal Army Service Corps. Died Sunday 29 August 1943. Age 28. Son of Sydney & Ada Jakes; husband of Sylvia Grace Jakes of Gamlingay, Cambs. Buried: Medjez-el-Bab War Cemetery, Tunisia. Ref. 7.B.15. (Inscription in Potton Cemetery on Memorial Plot E101 reads: Our dear Son Dick who was killed in North Africa 28^th August 1943, Aged 28)

KIDD

V

Probably: Victor Alfred Kidd. Private 6409423. 2/7^th Battalion The Queen’s Royal Regiment (W. Surrey). Died Thursday 9 September 1943. Age 21. Son of Herbert C. & Mary Anne Matilda Kidd. Buried: Salerno War Cemetery, Italy. Ref. I.A.17.

KITCHENER

Macdonald

Trooper 10602953. 4^th Regiment Reconnaissance Corps. R.A.C. Died Wednesday 2 August 1944. Age 25. Son of Walter & Ada Kitchener; husband of Margaret Elizabeth Kitchener of Sandy. Buried Arezzo War Cemetery, Italy. Ref. V.E.9.

LANGLEY

G T

Possibly: Gordon Thompson Langley. Flt/Lt. 83713. 68 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died Monday 14 June 1943. Age 27. Son of Frank & Lucy Thompson Langley; husband of Marjory Langley (nee Burgoyne) of County Oak, Crawley, Sussex. BA Hons. (Oxon). Buried: Scottow Cemetery, Norfolk. Ref. 303.

MONTEITH

E W A

Trooper 14991645. 3^rd Carabiniers (POW Dragoon Guards), R.A.C. Died Thursday 27 June 1946. Buried: Karachi War Cemetery, Pakistan. Ref. 11.B.11.

NORMAN

Stanley Edmund

Gunner 845570. 65 (The Norfolk yeomanry) Anti tank Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died Tuesday 8 October 1940. Aged 26 years. Buried: Potton Cemetery Memorial No. G231..

TRUNDLEY

Leonard Gordon

Private 5952150. 2^nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. Died Sunday 26 March 1944. Age 26. son of Charles E. Trundley & Edith Trundley; husband of Nellie Trundley of Biggleswade. Buried: Delhi War Cemetery, India. Ref. 5.G.1.

NOT ON THE WAR MEMORIAL, BUT RECORDED IN THE CEMETERY

Either buried there, or an inscription on a family gravestone.

CHARTER

Albert

Private 20639. 2^nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Saturday 21 September 1918. Born and lived Bletchley. Commemorated: Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Pas-de-Calais, France. Ref. Panel 4 & 5. (Inscription in Potton Cemetery on Memorial Plot D03. Also their son, Albert Charter. Killed in France August 21 1918. aged 20 years)

EMERY

F

GARDINER

Stanley Tysoe

2^nd Lieutenant 55^th Field Company, Royal Engineers. Killed in action Tuesday 27 June 1916. age 24. Son of William & Sarah A. Gardiner of Kendal, Westmoreland. Buried: Brandhoek Military Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Ref. I.J.13A. (Inscription in Potton Cemetery on Memorial Plot D57. Stanley Tysoe Gardiner. Killed in action June 27^th 1916.)

HARE

William Charles

EMERY

Jack

Inscription in Potton Cemetery on Memorial Plot G214 reads: Also of Jack, Died 7^th August 1943 whilst a Prisoner of War in Malaya. Aged 30.

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