Lance Corporal G/14220, 7th Battalion Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Killed in action 8th August 1918 in France & Flanders. Born and resident great Wakering, enlisted Southend.

Southend Standard 29-8-1918

AYLETT, Albert Edward - L/Cpl, No G/14220, 7th Queens, Royal West Surrey Regiment

L/Cpl Aylett was the youngest son of Mr & Mrs A. Aylett of The High Street, Great Wakering. He was in business with his father as a greengrocer, and was on leave in January 1918 when he was received as a member of the Congregational church on the sunday evening before his return to France. He had been at the front for two years, and had been wounded twice and gassed once when he was killed in action on 8th August 1918 aged 22. He is Commemorated on the Great Wakering War Memorial. At the time of his death, one of his brothers, Rifleman Frank Aylett of The London Rifle Brigade was a prisoner of War, and the other, Private F. J. Aylett was serving in the R.A.M.C. in France.

Sergeant 265740, 1st/7th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Killed in action 8th October 1917 in France & FLanders. Born Great Wakering, enlisted Coventry, resident Leamington, Warwickshire.

Southend Standard, 1-8-1918

BAILEY, Frederick George - Sergeant, No 265740, 1/7th Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

Sergeant Bailey lived in The High Street, Great Wakering. He enlisted in September 1914, and was killed in action in France on 8th October 1917 aged 26.He had volunteered to lead a small working party onto No Mans Land when he was severely wounded. A stretcher bearer later found him, and with another carried him back to our lines. They had just reached apparent safety when a shell burst overhead, killing Sergeant Bailey and one bearer and wounding the other. His name appears on the Great Wakering War Memorial. According to Soldiers Died he lived at Leamington and enlisted at Coventry.

Acting Sergeant 107647, 285th 285th Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers. Died 10th November 1918 in Italy. Age 26. Born Barling, Essex, enlisted Southend-on-Sea, resident Great Wakering. Awarded the Military Medal (MM). Buried in GIAVERA BRITISH CEMETERY, ARCADE, Italy. Plot 6. Row B. Grave 2. See also Little Wakering

Southend Standard, 21-11-1918, M.M. 6-9-1917

BAILEY, Thomas William - A/Sgt, No 107647, 285th A.T. Coy, Royal Engineers

Acting Sergeant Bailey was born at Little Wakering where he was educated, and lived at "Erewhon", Alexandra Road, Great Wakering. He was employed at the Southend Waterworks until he enlisted in November 1915. After serving sometime he was transferred to Italy, winning the Military Medal in August 1917, as a Lance Corporal, for bravery in the field and devotion to duty under fire. He was soon after promoted to Sergeant. He was accidentally killed in Italy on the 10th November 1918, after the Armistice between Italy and Austria had been signed, and one day before the Armistice with Germany. His officers letter to Mrs. Bailey says that " He was accidentally killed yesterday by the premature explosion of an Austrian shell he was carrying at the time, and two other men were severely wounded..........He was buried under the Union Jack will full military honours in a little British cemetery near Treviso." He was 27 years old and his name appears on the Great Wakering War Memorial.

Details to follow

Southend Standard

BARTON, Ernest - Sergeant, No 46637, A Battery, 124th Brigade, 37th Division, R.F.A.

Sergeant Barton was the adopted son of Mr & Mrs Cerson of The High Street, Great Wakering, having been born at Maidstone in Kent. He had served two years in the Army when he was sent to France at the start of the war, and fought in numerous engagements including The Battle of Mons. He was killed in action on the 24th March 1917 aged 24, and was buried at Walincourt. He is commemorated on the Great Wakering War Memorial.

Lance Corporal 31574, 13th Battalion, Essex Regiment. Killed in action 28th April 1917 in France & Flanders. Born and resident Great Wakering, enlisted Warley, Essex.

Southend Standard 7-2-1918

BEADLE, Thomas Swain - L/Cpl, No 31574, 13th Essex Regiment

Lance Corporal lived with his wife at 2, Nile Cottages, New Town, Great Wakering. Prior to the war he ws employed at Mr A.U.Kemsleys greenhouses at Great Wakering. He enlisted at Southend in 1916, going to France in June of that year. He was reported missing in France on 28th April 1917, and was later presumed to have been killed on that date. He was 36 and is listed on the Great Wakering War Memorial.

Rifleman S/12979, 9th Battalion, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's OWn). Killed in action 15th September 1916 in France & Flanders. Born and enlisted SOuthend, resident Great Wakering.

Southend Standard 16-11-1916

BENSON, Sidney Caleb - Rifleman, No S/12979, 9th Rifle Brigade

Rifleman Benson was born at Southend and lived with his cousin Mrs.Brown in The High Street, Great Wakering, being employed at Mr.Kemsleys nurseries. He was a member off the Peculiar People, and attended their chapel at Great Wakering. He enlisted in June 1915, and had been one year at the front when he was killed by a bursting shell. On 15th September 1916 his regiment made an attack from Delville Wood towards Flers, and lost heavily from enfilade machine gun fire from the right flank while approaching Bulls road. Rifleman Benson was killed by a shell, one of the 294 casualties suffered by this battalion. The C.O. and every other officer, except for one junior subaltern were wounded. He was 23 years old and is commemorated on the Greatt Wakering War Memorial.

Details to follow

"The Southend & District Roll of Honour"

BROWN, Charles E - Charles E. Brown is named on the Great Wakering Memorial, no further information is known.

(Note: It perhaps relates to 9543 C.S.M. C.E. Brown, 11th Essex Regiment who the C.W.G.C. record as having been killed in action on 24th March 1917 and who is buried in grave I.N.9 in Philosphe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, France)

Details to follow

Southend Standard, 7-2-1918

BURGESS, Christopher Charles - Private, Australian Contingent.

Private Burgess was born at Great Wakering, the third son of Mr & Mrs John Burgess of Holly Cottage, Great Wakering. Some years before the war he emigrated to Australia for health reasons where he joined the Australian Forces in 1915. He was sent to The Dardenelles where he was wounded in October 1915, returning home for treatment. Upon his recovery he was sent to France, it being known that a splinter of a bomb was still in his head. This may have been the cause of his death of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis in a hospital in France on 29th January 1918. He was 30 years old , and is commemorated on the Great Wakering War Memorial. His younger brother Lance Corporal A.H.Burgess, Royal Fusiliers has been in the army for two years and had been wounded in September 1917.

From the Australian on line database the following :- No 2005, 12th Battalion, Enlisted Waratah, Tas. Buried Lougueunesse (St.Omer) Souvenir Cemetery.

Gunner 24518, Royal Garrison Artillery. Killed in action 19th September 1916 in France & FLanders. Born and resident Great Wakering, enlisted Wollwich, Kent.

Southend Standard 28-9-1916

BURLES, James - Gunner, No 24518, R.G.A

Gunner Burles was the second son of Mrs.Burles of 3,Newtown, Great Wakering where he was educated. He joined the Army at nineteen, serving eight years in India, Suvla Bay and France where he was killed in action on 20th September 1916 aged 30. His name appears on the Great Wakering War Memorial.

[Listed as BYGREAVS on SDGW] Private 702479, 23rd (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment. Killed in action 16th September 1916 in France & Flanders. Born Enfield Wash, Middlesex, enlisted Southend, resident Great Wakering. Formerly 24652, Essex Regiment.

Southend Standard 14-6-1917

BYGRAVE, John W. - Private, 1/23rd London Regiment

Private Bygrave was the son of Mrs. Swaine who lived in The High Street, Great Wakering and was employed by Mr. Rivers, coal merchant. He enlisted in January 1916, and was reported missing on the Somme on 16th September 1916, aged 22. His Battalion had attacked east of High Wood at 9.25 am encountering heavy fire, and of the attacking companies A, C and D never returned. His name appears on the Great Wakering War Memorial

[BURRELL inside church, BURRELLS outside] Private 26888, 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment. Killed in action 10th October 1917 in France & Flanders. Born benfleet, Essex, enlisted Southend-on-Sea, resident Great Wakering.

Southend Standard 23-5-1918

BURRELS, William John - Private, No 26888, 2nd Essex Regiment

Born at North Benfleet, Private Burrels was 26 years old, and lived at May Cottage, Shoebry Road, Great Wakering. He was invalided home suffering with Shell Shock and Trench Fever, returning to France in the summer of 1917. He was reported missing presumed killed on 10th October 1917. His na,e appears on the Great Wakering War Memorial.

Private 37558, 9th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Killed in action 3rd September 1918. Born Great Wakering, enlisted Warley, Essex.

Southend Standard 12-9-1918

CRIPPS, Reginald Richard - Private, No 37558, 9th East Surrey Regiment

Private Cripps was the son of Mr.R.J.Cripps of the High Streey, Great Wakering. He was educated at the local Council School and at night classes. Until he joined up at Warley in 1817 aged 19, he was employed in his fathers bakery business. He was sent to France in April 1918, where he was killed by a sniper on 3rd September 1918 aged 19. He was buried at Aix Noulette, west of Lens. His officer wrote: "As officer in charge of the attacking party I cannot speak too highly of your sons conduct...... He was a brave lad and a fine fellow." His name appears on the Great Wakering War Memorial.

Private M/221654, Royal Army Service Corps. Died 19th July 1917 in Mesopotamia. Born Fowlmere, Cambridgeshire, enlisted Southend, resident Great Wakering.

Southend Standard 2-8-1917

FOWLER, Robert James - Driver, No M2/221654, Army Service Corps (M.T)

Driver Fowler was born at Fowlmere, Cambridgeshire, the son of David and Eliza Fowler,and lived at Whitehall Cottage, Great Wakering, where he was employed by Mr. E. A.Wedd J.P. as a coachman and chaffeur. Prior to his inheritance of the Whitehall estate in 1877 Mr Wedd had farmed 573 acres at Fowlmere, and Robert Fowlers family had probably brought him to Great Wakering at the same time, his father being shown in the 1891 census as Mr Wedds coachman and groom. Robert Fowler was married with two children and hed a one time been a bell ringer in the parish church, enlisting at Southend in September 1916. His experience as a coachman and chaffeur made him perfect material for the Army Service Corps Motor Transport, and he subsequently served with them in The Middle East. He died of heat stroke in Mesopotamia on 19th July 1917 aged 41, and was buried at Baghdad. In the letter of consolation written to his wife his officer wrote: "The life he led here was one of great usefulness, especially his way with young boys." His name appears on the Great Wakering War Memorial.

Details to follow

Southend Standard 2-11-1916

GOULD, William - Private, No 19795, 1st Essex Regiment

Private Gould lived at Nursery Cottage, Great Wakering, and was employed at Mr.Kemsleys nurseries. He served in Egypt and then France, where he was killed on the Somme on 20th October 1916 aged 29 and was buried at Heilly. A fellow employee William Elliott who had enlisted with him was at the time of the report in a Military Hospital in Clapton, having been very seriously wounded.

According the "Southend Roll of Honour" the Soldiers died states Private Gould was born at Nurslem,Yorks, enlisted at Southend and lived at West Hampett, Sussex.

[Spelt GRIGGS on SDGW] Private 14459, 9th Battalion, Essex Regiment. Killed in action 3rd July 1916 in France & Flanders. Born and resident Great Wakering, enlisted Southend-on-Sea.

Southend Standard 26-10-1916

GRIGG, Arthur - Private, No 14459, 9th Essex Regiment

Private Grigg lived in the High Street, Great Wakering, and was employed by Mr. Hatley of North Shoebury. He enlisted at the outbreak, and was posted as missing on 3rd July 1916. He had been abroad for twelve months, and was subsequently presumed to have been killed on that date near La Boiselle. He was 21 years old, and his name appears on the Great Wakering War Memorial.

Details to follow

Southend Standard 28-6-1917

GRIGG, George William - L/Cpl, No 702499, 1/23rd London Regiment

Born at Hawkwell, Lance Corporal Grigg lived in the High Street, Great Wakering, and initially enlisted in the Essex Regiment (No 26196) in February 1916. He died of wounds on the 22nd June 1917, having been shot by a sniper on the 7th June. He was buried at Brandhoek, Vlameertinghe, Poperinghe. He was 24 years old and engaged to be married.

Private 270208, 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 31st July 1917 in France & Flanders. Born and resident Great Wakering, enlisted Warley, Essex.

Southend Standard 13-9-1917

GRIMES, Arthur James - Private, No 270208, 1st Hertfordshire Regiment.

Private Grimes was the son of Mrs. Ward of Seaview Cottage, Alexandra Road, Great Wakering and was employed by Mr. A. Kemsley. He enlisted at Warley on 27th October 1916, and was sent to France on the 1st January 1917. He was reported missing on the 31st July 1917, and was later presumed killed on that date. His anme appears on the Great Wakering War Memorial.

Acting Sergeant 4750, 3rd (King's Own) Hussars. Killed in action 30th October 1914 in France & Flanders. Born and enlisted Stratford, resident Great Wakering.

Southend Roll of Honour

GRIMSHAW, Walter - Sergeant, No 4750, 3rd Kings Own Hussars

Born at Stratford, Sergeant Grimshaw lived at Great Wakering and was serving at the outbreak, earning the Mons star. He was killed in action on 30th October 1914 and was buried at Klein Zillebeke. His officer wrote that he was "A great loss to the Regiment.....A very gallant soldier and, as a non commissioned officer, he was a credit in every way to the 3rd Hussars." He was 31 years old and is commemorated on the Great Wakering War Memorial.

Details to follow

Southend Standard 13-12-1917

HOOKEY, William George - Rifleman, No 372909, 1/8th London Regiment (Post Office Rifles)

Rifleman Hookey was the eldest son of Mr.G.Hookey of Whitehead Lodge, Great Wakering. He was born at Downton, Wiltsand was educated at Great Wakering School, subsequently being employed as a postman at Rayleigh, living at Ivyglen, Rayleigh Road, Thundersley. He enlisted in the Post Office Rifles with the first married groups under the Derby scheme. He had been in France for seventeen months, and had only recently returned to the front from 14 days home leave when he was killed in action on 5th December 1917, aged 28. His officer, Lieutenant B.C.Wright wrote " It is with a very great regret that i have to write and announce your sons death. He was killed outright, with nearly the whole of his section, only one of them escaped. It was a great blow to me and the whole company, as he was reallyu a fine man. Although he was so young he was one of the very bravest, and it must be a great blow to you."

His name appears on the Great Wakering War Memorial.

Details to follow

Southend Roll of Honour

JUNIPER, Ralph Henry - Private, No G/48164, 17th Coy, Labour Corps.

Private Juniper was the son of Mrs.J.Juniper and the late John Juniper, and was the husband of Mrs.A.Juniper of Foulness Road, Great Wakering. He was transferred to the Labour Corps following service with the Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment. He died of Phthisis on 4th January 1920, and was buried in Great Wakering Churchyard, his name appearing on the Great Wakering War Memorial, he was 30 years old.

Private 21404, 9th Battalion, Essex Regiment. Killed in action 20th July 1917 in France & Flanders. Born Battersea, Surrey, enlisted Warley, resident Great Wakering.

Southend Standard 8-11-1917

KIRBY, William Henry Charles - Private, No 21404, 9th Essex Regiment

Private Kirby was born at Battersea and had lived at 38, South Avenue, Southend and at Great Wakering. He enlisted at Warley in October 1915 and was reported missing in action on 20th July 1917. He was later reported to have been killed in action by a sniper while loading his rifle near Monchy le Preux, aged 19. His name appears on the Great Wakering War Memorial.

Sergeant 6667, 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment. Killed in action 6th June 1915 at Gallipoli. Born Hackney, Middlesex, enlisted SOuthend-on-Sea, resident Great Wakering.

Southend Standard 8-7-1915

LIQUORISH, William Edwin

Sergeant, No 6667, 1st Essex Regiment

Born at Hackney, Sergeant Liquorish had lived at Great Wakering for six years, his father being a surveyor in Southend. He joined the Army at 16, and had served for thirteen and a half years, thirteen of them in India. He left home on 1st November 1914, and went with his battalion to the Dardenelles in the following April. On 6th June 1916 he was killed when he was hit in the stomach by a bullet while urging his men forward and was buried at Fir Tree Wood, Gallipoli. He was 29 years old, and had two brothers serving. His stepfather had been injured and invalided out. Sergeant Fred Axcell, 1st Company, 1st Essex Regiment writing to his sister at 63, St.Anns road wrote: "Just a few lines to let you know I am still all right, but we dont know from one minute to another what is going to happen. I suppose you know that poor old SergeantLiquorish is dead. He got killed on the 6th June. He was cheering his men on, and fighting for all his worth when a Turkish bullet struck him in the stomach and he died. I heard about him whilst i was in the hospital, and i did not believe it until i got back to the front lines and found out it was right. I may tell you it upset me for a bit after being with him for sixteen years. He was like a brother to me. I am sitting in a dug out in the support trenches now, and every now and again we get a "Jack Johnson" or "Whistling Rufus" over our heads so we all keep pretty low. I have plent of "Company". I took my shirt my shirt of this evening, and you should have seen them trying to get into the cover of the seams. I reckon they would fetch fourpence each if they were shown in Garons window, and they might be taken for lobsters. But we must not grumble........I think there is only one hotter place than this and that is not heaven."

Sergeant Liquorish's name appears on the Great Wakering War Memorial.

Bombardier 21431, Royal Garrison Artillery. Died of wounds 13th July 1917 in France & Flanders. Born Great Wakering, enlisted Maidstone, Kent.

Southend Standard 2-8-1917

MASON, John - Bombadier, No 21431, 9th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery

Bombadier Mason lived at Alexandra Villa, Foulness Road, Great Wakering. He was unmarried and had served in the Army for thirteen years. His elder brother was serving with the Canadians. He was killed in action on 13th July 1917 aged 33, and was buried at Coxyde, Belgium. His officer wrote that he was "A respected and capable non-commissioned officer." His name appears on the Great Wakering War Memorial.

Lance Corporal 26884, 9th Battalion, Essex Regiment. Killed in action 11th July 1917 in France & Flanders. Born and resident Great Wakering, enlisted SOuthend-on-Sea.

Southend Standard 9-8-1917

MOBBS, Edward George - L/Cpl, No 26884, 9th Essex Regiment

Lance Corporal Mobbs was the second son of Mr & Mrs Mobbs of 2, Suunyside, Newtown, Great Wakering and was employed on the new ranges, Shoeburyness. He enlisted in Southend in March 1916 and was shot through the head at Monchy le Preux while helping to defend a position during an attack on 11th July 1917 aged 22, after one year in France. His officer wrote " Until hit he was doing marvelous shooting and making the Germans pay dearly. In his enthusiasm however, he exposed himself too much and was killed...........He was one of the best N.C.O.s and was marked for promotion as soon as we came out of the line." He is commemorated on the Great Wakering War Memorial.

Gunner 178129, Royal Garrison Artillery. Killed in action 21st March 1918 in France & Flanders. Born Great Wakering, enlisted Grays, resident Stanford-le-Hope, Essex.

Southend Standard 25-4-1918

MOORE, Isaac John - Bombadier, No 178129, 170th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery

Lance Bombadier Moore was the son of Mr & Mrs Moore of Great Wakering and lived at the Poplars, Southend Road, Rochford. He later moved to Stanford Le Hope where he was employed for two years as a patrol at Messrs Kynochs prior to joining up ay Grays in September 1917. He was killed by a chance shell fro a long range gun in France on 21st March 1918, leaving a widow and little daughter. His Officer wrote that he was "Considerded the best man of his draft". His brothe A.B.Philip Moore was lost on H.M.S.Formidable on 1st January 1915. His parents have also lost a son in law and had had several family members wounded. He is commemorated on the Graet Wakering War Memorial.

Details to follow

Southend Standard 14-1-1915

MOORE,Philip - Able Seaman, No 213625, Royal Navy

Philip Moore was the son of Mr & Mrs W.Moore of Great Wakering and had joined the Royal Navy in 1900. He was lost at sea in the English Channel 1915 when H.M.S.Formidable was torpedoed near the Isle of Wight. Of the 780 men on board , 35 officers and 512 men were drowned. He was 29 years old and is commemorated on the Great Wakering War Memorial.

Driver 103402, Royal Field Artillery. Died in England 10th September 1918. Born Great Wakering, enlisted Southend.

Southend Standard 19-9-1919

MOSS, Edward - Driver, No E.103042, Mo.3 Cadet School, Royal Field Artillery

Driver Moss lived in the High Street, Great Wakering, and had been employed at the Shoebury brickfields until his enlistment in April 1915, even though he was 48. In a lower medical category, he was stationed at Woolwich and laterly at Weedon. Following an injury he required an operation which had recently been performed, and was apparently recovering when he contracted double pneumonia and died on the 10th September 1918. He was 51, and left a widow, daughter, and twin sons aged 14. He was buried in Great Wakering churchyard.

Rifleman R/21304, 7th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps. Killed in action 4th December 1917 in France & Flanders. Born Bermondsey, Surrey, enlisted London, resident Great Wakering.

Southend Standard 17-1-1918

PADDINGTON, William John - Rifleman, No R/21304, 7th Kings Royal Rifle Corps

Born at Bermondsey, Rifleman Paddington was the son of Mrs. Chapman of Sea View Cottages, Great Wakering and was employed as a carman in London until his enlistment in April 1915. He was killed in action in Belgium on 4th December 1917, and was buried at Oxford Road cemetery, Ypres. His officer wrote that he was "A fearless soldier with a keen sense of duty." He was unmarried and is commemorated on the Great Wakering War Memorial.

Private 270220, 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 21st September 1917 in France & Flanders. Born and resident Great Wakering, enlisted Warley, Essex.

Southend Standard 18-10-1917

RAYNER, George - Private, No 270220, 1st Hertfordshire Regiment

Private George Rayner was born at Great Wakering on 9th July 1893, the third son of Thomas and Amelia Rayner of the Homestead, Great Wakering, and was engaged in farming with his farmer. He enlisted in Warley in October 1916, and was killed instantly by a shell during a heavy bombardment on the trenches on 24th September 1917 aged 24. He was unmarried. His name appears on the Great Wakering War Memorial and on his parents grave in the churchyard.

Private G/10110, 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Killed in action 28th May 1915 in France & Flanders. Born and resident Great Wakering, enlisted Shoeburyness.

Southend Standard 3-6-1915 and 17-6-1915

RIVERS, Walter Samuel - Private, No G/10110, 4th Fusiliers

Private Rivers lived in the High Street, Great Wakering, where he was employed by his father. He enlisted in Shoebury in the week before Christmas 1914, and was sent to the front in April 1915. He was accidentally killed near Hill 60, Belgium on 28th May 1915 aged 21. He was sitting next to a friend Private Langley of Great Wakering when a rifle was accidentally fired, the bullet first passing through Rivers and then wounding Langley, who at the time of the report was in hospital. Private Rivers was buried at Reningheist, and is commemorated on the Great Wakering War Memorial.

Private 35026, 12th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Killed in action 24th March 1918 in France & Flanders. Born Harwich, enlisted Southend, resident Great Wakering.

Southend Standard 20-6-1918

SHILLING, William Edward - Private, No 35026, East Surrey Regiment

Born at Harwich, Private Shilling lived at Great Wakering and enlisted at Southend on 10th January 1917. He was killed in action in France on 24th March 1918 aged 19, and is commemorated on the Great Wakering War Memorial.

Sapper 551059, 227th Fiedl Company, Royal Engineers. Died of wounds 21st August 1917 in France & Flanders. Born Great Wakering, enlisted Southend-on-Sea, resident Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

Southend Standard 30-8-1917

SIMPSON, Sidney F - Sapper, No 551059, 227th Field Company, Royal Engineers

Sapper Simpson was born at Great Wakering, the son of the landlord of The Exhibition Inn, and lived at 8 West Street, Leigh on Sea. He had been employed as a plumber by the Southend Water Company for eight years before going into business on his own. A member of the Leigh Fire Brigade, he joined the Royal Engineers at Southend on 21st May 1916 and was sent to France on the 26th May 1917. On the 21st August 1917 he was in a working party which received a direct hit by a shell. He received severe wounds in his back, penetrating his stomach, buttocks and head. He died peacefully one hour after his admission to hospital, and was buried at Reuingheist, Poperinghe, Belgium. He was 30 years old and left a widow who had already lost a brother, Private A.Potton on 12th May 1917. His family received a letter written on the day he died in which he said he was merry and bright and that the war would soon be over. His name appears on the Great Wakering War Memorial.

Details to follow

Southend Standard 9-7-1918

SMITH, Daniel - 1st Class Stoker, R.N.V.R, R.N.D. Hood Battalion

Daniel Smith lived at 5, Shoebury Road, Great Wakering and was called up with the reserve in August 1914. He served in the defence of Antwerp and was later killed at Gallipoli on 4th June 1916 aged 26. His brother Sydney was killed in action in France on 27th September 1915.

Lance Corporal 21421, 13th Battalion, Essex Regiment. Killed in action 28th April 1917 in France & Flanders. Born Prittlewell, Essex, enlisted Warley, resident Great Wakering.

Southend Roll of Honour

SMITH, Ephraim G - Private, No 21421, 13th Essex Regiment

Born at Prittlewell, Private Smith lived on Potton Island and enlisted at Warley in September 1915. He was reported missing, presumed killed, at Oppy Wood, France on 28th April 1917.He had previously been wounded at Ypres.He is also mentioned on the Prittlewell memorial.

[Spelt Sidney on SDGW] Private 14100, 11th Battalion, Essex Regiment. Killed in action 26th September 1915 in France & Flanders. Born and resident Great Wakering, enlisted Southend-on-Sea.

Southend Standard 30-9-1915 for poem, 18-11-1915 for letter, 30-11-1916 obituary

SMITH, Sydney Morris - Private, No 14100, 11th Essex Regiment

Private Smith was the son of Mr & Mrs Smith of 5, Shoebury Road, Great Wakering and enlisted at Southend in August 1914. He was reported missing after Loos, and was subsequently presumed to have been killed at Hulloch on 27th (26th) September 1915 aged 24. He had the following poem published in the Southend Standard three days after he was killed:

Twas early in September
I saw it, by the way
"Your King and Country need you,
Enlist my lad today"
I thought the matter over
A soldier I would be,
And help across the water,
To keep old England free.

So off I went to Southend,
A pleasant town nearby,
I saw the colour Sergeant,
And told him I would try.
I went before the doctor,
And - Well, you know the rest
He put me on the scales mate,
And measured round my chest.

Ah well!! A years gone by,
Things are changed with you and me,
But still I am busy fighting,
Somewhere far across the sea.
So "Land of Hope and Glory",
For ever we will sing,
May God give England Victory
And save our gracious King.

The following letter was sent to the Southend Standard by Private W.F.Letton, H.Q.Section, 11th Essex Regiment, and was witheld by them until Private Smiths family had been officially notified that he was missing: "I have read with great interest the few verses in your Issue of the Standard of September 30th, by Private S.M.Smith, of the Essex Regiment. Being one of our signallers, and knowing him so well as I do, I think it only fair to tell you that we have had the misfortune to lose him. We went into action on Saturday evening last, and on Saturday had a share in one of the greatest battles in the war. When the roll was called on Tuesday he was found to be missing, and, therefore we cannot say really what happened. He may have been wounded and taken to hospital, and if this is so it will be a little consolation for us. He is missed very much by the signallers of the 11th Essex Regiment."

His brother Daniel was killed at Gallipoli on 10th June 1915 and his mother had two other sons on active service,one in France and another in Salonika, also three sons in laws.

Details to follow

Southend Standard 6-1-1916

VENTRIS, William - Petty Officer, Royal Navy

Petty Officer Ventris lived at Great Wakering and joined the navy in 1897. He took part in the Battle of Dogger Bank, and was killed on board H.M.S.Natal when she exploded in Cromarty harbour on 30th December 1915, aged 36.

Lance Corporal, 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment. Died of wounds 29th November 1914 in England. Born and resident Great Wakering, enlisted Warley, Essex.

Southend Standard 3-12-1914

WADE, George - Private, No 8150, 2nd Essex Regiment

Private Wade lived at the New Town, Great Wakering, and was called up with the reserve in August 1914.He was wounded in the First Battle of Ypres and was invalided home to hospital in Birmingham where he died on the 29th October 1914 aged 32.

Captain, Essex Yeomanry. Killed in action 13th July 1918. Born 1st September 1885. Son of Edward Arthur and Katherine Wedd. Awarded the Military Cross.

Southend Standard 13-6-1918 for MC, 25-7-1918 obituary

WEDD, Edward Parker Wallman - Captain (MC), R.A.M.C. attached R.G.A.

Captain Wedd was the eldest son of Mr. Edward Arthur Wedd J.P. of Whitehall, Great Wakering. He was born at Great Wakering and was educated at Mr.Fosters school, Stubbington, Cheltenham College, and Caius College, Cambridge. In 1905 he rowed for Cambridge against Oxford in the University Boat Race. On leaving University he joined the Essex Yeomanry and held several medical appointments at St. Bartholemews hospital, London and elsewhere. In November 1914 he went to France with his regiment, and held a staff appointment for fifteen months, transferring to the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1917. In January 1916 he was mentioned in despaches, and in April 1918 was awarded the Military Cross. On 13th July 1918 he was killed by a stray shell at Ypres while Motor Cycling to tend some wounded at a casualty clearing station. He was buried at Canadian Farm Cemetery, Poperinghe. His brother Aubrey Pattison Wallman Wedd served as a Major in the Royal Engineers.

Details to follow

Southend Standard 2-8-1917

WILLDER, Herbert - Bombadier, No 14515, 92nd Brigade, R.F.A.

Born at Southend, Herbert Willder lived with his parents at Newtown, Great Wakering. He was a prominent local amateur footballer, and played for two seasons with Great Wakering amateurs in the Southend and district league. He enlisted in September 1914, and was killed instantly in action at Ypres on 22nd July 1917 aged 20, and was buried at Canada Farm, east of Poperinghe, Belgium.

His officer wrote: "Every man of them loved and respected your son... A good sportsman and a gallant soldier. He must have been a good, loving son."

Private 174719, 5th Battalion, Canadian Infantry. Killed in action 29th April 1917.

Southend Standard 17-5-1917

WOODS, Sidney - Private, 5th Canadian Infantry

Sidney Woods was the youngest son of Mrs. Woods of High Street, Great Wakering. He lived in the district until he emigrated to Canada in about 1907. He was killed in action on 29th April 1917 after seven months in France, and nearly two years with the Canadian Contingent. He was 36 years old, and left a widow and four children in Canada. His mother had three other sons and a grandson serving.

Private 15771, 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment. Killed in action 13th September 1915 in France & Flanders. Born and resident Great Wakering, enlisted Shoeburyness, Essex.

Southend Standard 30-9-1915

WYATT, David George - Private, No 15771, 10th Essex Regiment

Private Wyatt was the son of Mr & Mrs J.Wyatt of the High Street, Great Wakering. He enlisted in the 12th Essex Regiment at Shoeburyness on 1st November 1914, and was later transferred to the 10th. He was sent to the front on the 2nd September 1915 and was killed in action eleven days later on 13th September 1915, aged 19. He was buried at Bray, France.

Sapper 323051, 98th Light Railway Train Crew Company, Royal Engineers. Died 31st December 1917 at sea. Born and resident Great Wakering, enlisted Southend-on-Sea.

Southend Standard 14-2-1918

WYATT, Henry - Sapper, No 323051, 98th Railway Crew Coy, Royal Engineers.

Henry Wyatt lived at Dorothy Cottages, Seaview Road, Great Wakering, and was the son of Mr & Mrs J. Wyatt of the High Street, Great Wakering. He was employed at the government works at Shoebury, and enlisted at Southend in September 1917. He was on his way to Egypt on H.M.T. Aragon when it was torpedoed outside Alexandria Harbour on 30th December 1917. He was known to have received a blow to the head and did not answer the roll call when the survivors were landed. He was 32 years old, and left a widow and two young children. His brother David had been killed on 13th September 1915.