
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".
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Photographs
Copyright © Dai Bevan 2008 |
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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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