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The Royal British Legion

ALDENHAM WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Dai Bevan 2008

The Aldenham War memorial is situated on the Village Green in Letchmore Heath. It is in the form of a Celtic Cross on a square section plinth, the whole mounted on a three-step base. Manes are inscribed on two opposite faces. Just along the road, on Grange Lane, the Village Hall is also inscribed “1914 Aldenham + War + Memorial 1918".

Photographs Copyright © Dai Bevan 2008

TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN MEMORY OF THE MEN
OF ALDENHAM
WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
IN THE GREAT WAR
1914 - 1918

ADAMSON

Henry

No further information currently

BAKER

Harold

No further information currently

BENGER

Frank

No further information currently

BIRD

Albert

No further information currently

BIRD

William

Rifleman S/13019, 9th Battalion, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own). Killed in action 18 January 1916. Aged 16. Born St Albans, enlisted London, resident Watford. Son of Thomas and Louisa Bird, of High Cross, Aldenham, Watford, Herts. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 46 - 48 and 50.

BIRKENSHAW

Ronald

No further information currently

BLAKE

Arthur

Private 20728,8th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Killed in action 12 August 1916. Aged 27. Born Hertford, enlisted Bedford, resident Aldenham. Husband of Annie Sumner (formerly Blake, of Delrow Cottages, Aldenham, Watford, Herts. No known grave. Commemorated on PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium. Panel 6.

BREWER

George

No further information currently

BURNELL

Arthur

Sapper 180018, 218 Field Company, Royal Engineers. Killed in action 3 November 1918. Aged 37. Born and resident Letchmore Heath, enlisted Radlett. Son of George and Sarah Burnell, of "Woolwards", Letchmore Heath; husband of Alice Maud Mary Burnell, of "Bernardene", Letchmore Heath, Watford. Buried in ORS BRITISH CEMETERY, Nord, France. Plot/Row/Section B. Grave 26.

CAMP

Stanley Beale

Private 14076, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 18 May 1915. Aged 18. Born Aldenham, enlisted Watford, resident Letchmore Heath. Son of Edward and Martha Camp, of Lander Cottages, Letchmore Heath, Watford, Herts. No known grave. Commemorated on LE TOURET MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 10 and 11.

CAMP

Edward 'Ted'

Private 39169, 8th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Killed in action 10 October 1917. Aged 24 on sign or 19 [CWGC], 1911 census lists him as born 1898. Born Debden, Essex, enlisted Hertford, resident Much Hadam. Son of Henry and Emily Camp, of Hoppitts Cottage, Much Hadham, Herts. No known grave. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 50 to 51.

CAVILL

Charles

[Transcribed as CAVELL] Lance Corporal 12214, 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 23 April 1917. Aged 27. Born Hatfield Broad Oak, Essex, resident harlow, Essex, enlisted Watford, Hertfordshire. Son of Mrs. Drucilla Cavill, of Parvills Farm, Down Hall, Harlow, Essex. In the 1891 census he was new born, born Essex, son of William and Drusilla Cavill, resident Parvalls, Ardleigh End, Hatfield Broad Oak, Dunmow, Essex. In the 1911 census he was aged 20, born Harlow, Essex, a Horseman on Farm, boarding at Letchmore Heath, Aldenham, Hertfordshire. No known grave. Commemorated at ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 5.

CHILDS

Thomas [William]

[Listed as CHILD on CWGC] Private G/9255, 10th [SDGW] or 11th [CWGC] Battalion, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Killed in action netween 20 and 22 September 1917. Born London Colney, enlisted Watford, resident Aldenham. Buried in HOOGE CRATER CEMETERY, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot XIX. Row B. Grave 1.

COOK

Alec

No further information currently

COOK

Charles

No further information currently

COOKE

Alan

No further information currently

DAVIDSON

Horace

Sergeant 283635, 224th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Died of wounds 3 November 1917. Aged 38. Born Hammersmith, Middlesex, enlisted Watford, resident Aldenham. Husband of Agnes Maud Davidson, of 10, Blenheim Steps, Park Street Lane, Park Street, nr. St. Albans. Buried in NINE ELMS BRITISH CEMETERY, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot VII. Row C. Grave 9.

DICK

Norman

No further information currently

EAMES

George

No further information currently

EVERETT

[Thomas] William

Private 12208, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 23 August 1918. Aged 28. Born Bushey, enlisted and resident Watford. Son of William Everett, of 7, New Cottages, Aldenham, Watford. No known grave. Commemorated on VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 4 and 5.

FLUX

Charles

No further information currently

FLUX

Frederick

No further information currently

FORD

Herbert

No further information currently

FOX

Robert

No further information currently

GIBBS

Ronald

No further information currently

HART

Henry 'Harry'

Private G/28133, 4th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment). Killed in action 23 April 1917. Aged 19. Born Alderham (sic), enlisted Bedford. Son of Henry and Sarah Jane Hart, of Ivy Cottages, Aldenham, Watford, Herts. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 7.

HAWKINS

Arthur

Private 14349, 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 19 April 1916. Born and resident Letchmore Heath, enlisted Watford. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 31 and 33.

HECKFORD

Frank

No further information currently

HUTCHISON

John

No further information currently

INWOOD

Walter [Samuel]

Lance Corporal 2066. 23rd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Killed in action 13 November 1916. Aged 24. Born St. Albans [SDGW] or Aldenham [CWGC], enlisted Watford, resident High Cross, Aldenham. Son of John and Sophia Inwood, of 23, Buckingham Rd., Watford, Herts. Buried in SERRE ROAD CEMETERY No.2, Somme, France. Plot I. Row F. Grave 27.

KEEN

[Harry] Walton

Private 132307, 25th Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). Killed in action 17 April 1917. Aged 19. Born and resident Letchmere Heath (sic), enlisted Watford. Son of John and Rachel Keen, of Letchmore Heath, Watford. No known grave. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 154 to 159 and 163A.

On a house opposite the Village Hall, inscribed on the wall is "Harry Walton Keen left this house April 25 1917 to fight for his King and Country and fell in action in France April 18th 1918 aged 19".

Note: the SDGW and CWGC give date of death as 17 April 1917.

KEKEWICH, MiD

Arthur [St John Mackintosh]

Old Etonian. Captain, 8th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Killed in action 25th September 1915. Aged 28. Son of Charles Granville Kekewich and Mary Kekewich, The Hill House, Hatfield, Herts; husband of Kathleen Cecil Turner (formerly Kekewich, nee Stirling), of Bacton Rd., Felixstowe, married 3rd August 1914 at Exeter, St David, Devon. Left Eton College in 1904. Matriculated 1905 Christ Church, Oxford University. Mentioned in Despatches (MiD). In the 1911 census he was aged 23, unmarried, born Eltrace, Hertfordshire, a Second Lieutenant, 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, Lucknow, Mooltan & Lucknow Barracks, North Tidworth Andover, Wiltshire. No known grave. Commemorated on LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 35 to 37. See also Lords Members World War 1

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll Of Honour 1914-1918, volume 2, page 188:

KEKEWICH, ARTHUR ST. JOHN MACKINTOSH, Capt., 8th (Service) Battn. The Devonshire Regt., eldest s. of Charles Granville. Kekewich, by his wife, Mary Marion, dau. of Æneas Mackintosh, of Inverness. J.P., D.L.; and gdson. of the late Right Hon. Sir Arthur Kekewich, P.C., M.A., Judge of High Court of Justice 24 June. 1887; educ. Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, where he graduated BA. In 1909, and M.A. in 1911, and while there was attached to the Seaforth Highlanders as a University Candidate 'for the Army, being gazetted 2nd Lieut. Devonshire Regt. 18 Sept. 1909; promoted Lient. 16 Aug. 1911, and on the formation of the 8th Battn. after the outbreak of war, was appointed Adjutant 20 Aug. 1914, and Capt. 20 Nov. following, and was killed in action at the Battle of Loos 25 Sept. 1915. Capt. Kekewich was mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette, 1 Jan. 1916] by F.M. Sir John (now Lord) French, for gallant and distinguished service in the field. He was a keen sportsman, and while at Oxford steered the Christ Church Eight in 1906, 1907 and 1908, being head of the river at Oxford for the last two years, and steered them at Henley Regatta when they won the Grand Challenge Cup in 1908; was also well known in the hunting field, and was the winner of several point-to-point races. He m. at St. David's, Exeter, 2 Aug. 1914, Kathleen Cecil, dam of General James Wilfrid Stirling, of Rochbeare, Devon, C.M.G.

Extract from Exeter and Plymouth Gazette - Friday 15 October 1915, page 10:

The Devons.
LATE CAPT. KEKEWICH.
SPECIAL MEMOIR.

The Devonshire Regiment, particularly its 8th and 9th Battalions, played a big part in the recent fighting in France which resulted in substantial advance in front Vermelles and Grenay and at the village of Loos. But the regiment was called upon to sacrifice many brave lives. Among those who fell was Captain Arthur St. John Mackintosh Kekewich, who, since its formation, had been Adjutant of the 8th Battalion, and was killed in taking the first German trench alongside of Lieut.-Col. Grant, the officer commanding the regiment, and Major Carden, D.S.O., the second in command. Captain Arthur Kekewich belonged to the family of that name which has for generations been honourably associated with Devon and Exeter. Their military service may be recalled by the heroic charge at Inkerman of the 20t!h Foot, then recruited from East Devon, in which Ensign Lewis Kekewich received wounds of which which died, and in later years by the many campaigns honours, and wounds of General Kekewich, C.B. Deceased's father is Mr. C. Granville Kekewich, of 10, Vicarage Gate, London, who is the eldest son the Right Honourable Sir Arthur Kekewich, the second of Mr. Samuel Kekewich, formerly M.P. for Exeter, and at the time of his death M.P. for South Devon. Captain Arthur Kekewich's mother is the eldest daughter of the late Mr. Æneus Mackintosh, J.P., D.L., of Daviot, Inverness-shire, and through his mother, Captain Arthur Kekewich was connected with the Clan of Mackintosh and others of the leading families of the Highlands of Scotland. He was born on the 24th June,1887, and, after having been at Mr. Tabor's Preparatory School at Cheam, he went to Eton in 1900. and matriculated atb Christ Church, Oxford, in 1905. When he went up to Oxford he became coxswain of the Christ Churcn Eight. He steered them at the head of the river for two years, and when they won the Grand Challenge Cup a Henley Regatta in 1908, and in 1909 he rowed in his College Torpid and entered for 'the University Sculling Race.

While at Oxford he determined upon the military profession, and became attached to the Seaforth Highlanders as a University candidate. He took his degree of B.A. in 1909, and subsequently proceeded to M.A., and in due course he was offered a commission in the Devonshire Regiment, which, owing to the family associations with the county, was gladly accepted. and his commission as a second lieutenant was in September, 1909. He became a lieutenant in 1911 and captain this year. He was to have been married on the 16th August 1914, to Kathleen Cecil, daughter of Colonel Stirling. pf The Grange, Rockbeare, but owing to the mobilisation of the regiment on the impending outbreak war, the weddiong took place on Monday, 3rd August, at St. David'e Church, Exeter, in the prescence of a few relations, friends, and brother officers. Soon aftterwards when the new Armies were in course of formation, Captain Arthur Kekewich was appointed adjutant of the 8th Devons. which formed part of the first New Army, and throughout short, strenuous preparation of elevn months he devoted the whole of his energy to the work of making them as efficient as possible. His life and character were marked by the zeal and enthusiasm which he threw into at subject which occupied him for the time being. He had often been engrossed in sport, and had distinguish himself in fishing, deer stalking and hunting. He was known a fearless rider to hounds particularly with the East Devon Fox hounds, and had ridden winners in several Point-to-Point races in the district. But the whole of his energy was devoted during the last year of his life to the 8th Devons; their cares were his cares, and nothing gave him greater pleasure than when their efficiency received commendation from superior officers. They went to France in July, 1915, were very soon in the trenches, and took part in the great attack of Saturday, the 25th September, when Captain Arthur Kekewich was killed at the first German trench that they took. He was shot in the head. having come under machine-gun flre, and fell unconcious. Three of his men carried him a little distance when he passed away, but the battalion went on, and played an important part in the success of the day.

The remaining officers and men of the battalion have expressedtheir grief of his loss, and say how gallantly he died. Capt.Roberts, son of Mr. C. T. K. Roberts, of Exeter, the senior surviving officer, has written to the widow expressing, on behalf of the officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the Regiment, the deep - sympathy which they feel for her on account of her husband's death in action. The letter goes on : “Throughout the months of preparation at home and during the two monthsof active service in Prance he gave all his energies and all the thoughts to the good of the battalion, There is not a man of us left who does not realise how much hard work and care he exercised for us. As he was for a long time stationed at the Depot in the Higher Barracks, he was well known in Exeter and neighbourhood, with those who only knew him a little, his straight-forward look, cheery manner and quick intelligence made him very populatr, while by those who knew him better he was beloved because of the conscientious and enthusiastic way he carried out what he took in hand and of his character of a Christian gentleman, as well as keen soldier. We had him recorded not long ago in these columns as attending the funeral, at Exminster, of his cousin. General Kekewich, C.B.; and more recently when a letter was read from him from the Front, at the meeting of the East Devon Hunt, in which he said that he hoped the Pack would be kept together, and sent a subscription from the wife and himself. Devon has reason to be proud of her sons, and no one had a greater right than Captain Arthur Kekewich to bear the motto of Exeter city and of the Devonshire Regiment,“"Semper Fide.”

KENT

Peter [Francis]

Second Lieutenant, 3rd Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. Killed in action 6 February 1918. Aged 19. Son of Ernest Neild Kent and Lily Margaret Kent, of "Woodlands," Hadley Wood, Barnet. Native of Aldenham, Herts. Buried in H.A.C. CEMETERY, ECOUST-ST. MEIN, Pas de Calais, France. Plot VIII. Row D. Grave 13.

LARKIN

Walter [J]

Driver T/422660, Heavy Transport, Royal Army Service Corps. Died 7 February 1919. Buried south of the tower in ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCHYARD, ALDENHAM, Hertfordshire.

LEE

Bernard [Edmond]

Private 518, 9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Killed in action 7 July 1916. Aged 25. Born Bletchley, Buckinghamshiure, enlisted Hammersmith, resident Aldenham. Son of Harry and Agnes Mary Lee, of Delrow Cottages, Aldenham, Watford, Herts. No known grave. Commemorated on THEIPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 8 C 9 A and 16 A.

MOLYNEUX

Fred

No further information currently

NEALE

John [William]

[Spelt NEAL on SDGW] Lance Corporal 16989, 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 10 July 1916. Born Aldenham, enlisted and resident Watford. Buried in GORDON DUMP CEMETERY, OVILLERS-LA BOISSELLE, Somme, France. Plot V. Row J. Grave 10.

ROLAND

Sidney

No further information currently

SCOTT

Ernest

No further information currently

SHEPHERD

Reginald

No further information currently

SMITH

Jack

No further information currently

SMITH

William

No further information currently

SWABY

Stanley

No further information currently

TATE

John

No further information currently

THARBY

George [William]

Private 58618, 2nd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. Died in Salonika 23 July 1918. Aged 39. Born Cuffley, enlisted Watford, resident Aldenham. Formerly 30123, Bedfordshire Regiment. Son of William and Emma Tharby, of Northaw, Herts; husband of Jane Tharby, of Delrow Cottages, Aldenham, Herts. Buried in SARIGOL MILITARY CEMETERY, KRISTON, Greece. Plot/Row./Section A. Grave 48.

TIDMAN

Richard

No further information currently

WILLIAMS

Robin

No further information currently

1939-1945

BEAL

Leslie

Private 5880038, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Died 12 December 1942. Aged 39. Son of Susan Beal; husband of Florrie Letitia Beal, of Letchmore Heath, Hertfordshire. No known grave. Commemorated on MEDJEZ-EL-BAB MEMORIAL, Tunisia. Face 15.

GOWERS

Alfred Pemberton

[Listed as Albert Penman Gowers on CWGC] Corporal 844507, 907 Balloon Squadron, Royal Air Force (Auxiliary Air Force). Died 20 December 1940. Aged 52. Son of Richard and Amelia Gowers; husband of Francesca Mary Gowers, of Aldenham. Buried in ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCHYARD, ALDENHAM, Hertfordshire. Row 15. Grave 8.

GREGG

William [Alexander]

Second Lieutenant, 22nd Middlesex Battalion, Home Guard. Died 23 March 1943. Aged 37. Son of David and Mary Gregg; husband of Janet M. H. Gregg, of Aldenham. Buried in ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCHYARD, ALDENHAM, Hertfordshire. Row 13. Grave 3.

KITCHIN

Alfred

No further information currently

PRIEST

Denzil Laborden

No further information currently

PRITCHARD

Leslie

No further information currently

JONES

Laura

Civilian, aged 48. Died at The Bricklayers Arms, Letchmore Heath 26 September 1940.

EVANS

Irene [Hilda]

Civilian, aged 15. Died at The Bricklayers Arms, Letchmore Heath 26 September 1940. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Evans, of Clarendon Cottage, Letchmore Heath.

JOINER

Charles Granville

No further information currently

Last updated 17 May, 2021

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