ESSENDON WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Susan Rees 2009

ALLUM

William John

Private 32095, 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Died of wounds in France and Flanders, 7th April 1917, aged 24. Born Newgate Street, 1893. Son of Joshua and Rose Allum, of Birthwood cottage, Tylers Causeway. Buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Plot XX11. Row E. Grave 7a.

ALDRIDGE

William Nathaniel

Private G/99, 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Killed in action 7th July 1916, aged 24. Born Stapleford, Hertfordshire, 1892. Resident of Tunbridge Wells. Son of James and Sarah Aldridge, Rose Cottage, Essendon. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 7C.

BARCLAY

David Frederick

Lieutenant, A Squadron, 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queens Bays). Returned from Canada with Lord Strathcona’s horse 1914. Killed in action 2nd April 1918. Born Bletchingley, Surrey 1895. Son of Hubert Frederick and Edith of Orchards, Letty Green formerly of Epping House, Little Berkhampstead, and old Rectory Essendon. Buried in Fouilloy Communal Cemetery, Somme, France. Plot/Row/Section A. Grave 5.

Hubert was commanding officer of 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment from 13th November 1914 until 22nd August 1915 and went on to command 23rd Army Corp.

BLANCHETT

Charles Alfred

Rifleman B/201443, 1st Battalion, The Prince Consort’s Own (Rifle Brigade) formerly M/301271 Royal Army Service Corps. Killed in action 1st November 1918. Enlisted Cricklewood, resident of Willesden. Born Essendon 1899. Son of Charles and Sarah of Hanbury Cottages Essendon. Buried in Preseau Communal Extension, Nord, France. Plot/Row/Section C. Grave 5.

CLARK

Edward Daniel

Private 132988, Machine Gun Corp (Infantry). Killed in action 13th October 1918. Enlisted Hatfield. Born 1899 Essendon. Son of William Andrew and Emma deceased, lived with his grandparents Daniel and Emma Humberstone, of Mill Green Essendon. No known grave. Commemorated on Vis-En-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 10

COOLEDGE

Henry

Corporal TF/5146, 1st/7th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment). Killed in action 7th October 1916. Enlisted Essendon. Resident of Barnet. Born Bayford, 1887. Son of Henry and Ellen of Essendon. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 12D and 13B.

CRACKNELL

Frederick George

Rifleman 206430, 24th Battalion, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort’s Own). Died 13th May 1917 in India. Enlisted Hatfield. Born West End Essendon, 1875. Son of William Oliver and Emma, husband of Elizabeth Martha. No known grave. Commemorated on Karachi 1914-1918 War Memorial, Pakistan.

FARMER

Harry James

Private 266125, 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 28th April 1918. Born 1889 at Hatfield Hyde. Resident of Essendon. Son of George and Hannah, husband of Clara. Buried in Voormezele Enclosure No. 3, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot V. Row. BB Grave 3. Also commemorated on the Hertfordshire Regiment Memorial in All Saints Church, Hertford.

FARMER

John George

Private G/66938, 13th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) formally 47053, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in action, 4th September 1918. Enlisted Essendon. Born in Hatfield in 1898. Son of George and Hannah. Buried in Hermies Hill British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Plot IV. Row C. Grave 13.

GRAY

Daniel Charles

Private 4/7291, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 21st April, 1915. Enlisted Essendon. Born Queen Hoo Hall Farm, Tewin, 1886. Son of Arthur and first wife, Augusta. Stepson of Emily Gray of Howe Green. No known grave. Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 31 & 33.

GRAY

William

Private 4/6698, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Died 26th April, 1915. Enlisted Essendon. Born Queen Hoo Hall Farm, Tewin, 1896. Son of late Arthur and 2nd wife Emily of Howe Green. Buried in St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France. Plot A. Row 8. Grave 11.

JARVIS

Charles William

Rifleman 5433. 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort’s Own). Killed in action, missing at Rouges Banco, 9th May 1915. Went to France in October 1914. Born at Camfield Place, Essendon in 1896. Enlisted Hatfield. Son of William and Sarah, Keepers Cottage, Camfield Place Essendon. No known grave. Commemorated on Ploegsteert Memorial, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium. Panel 10.

LAURIE

Walter

No further information currently available

LINES

Ernest

Private 33651, 9th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Killed in action 3rd August 1917. Born 1884 in Hertford. Son of George and Harriet, of 28 Wellington Street, Hertford, and husband of Adelaide, resident of Essendon. Also listed on Hertford War Memorial, Parliament Square, and Christ Church Bengeo Church Memorial. No known grave. Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 54.

MANSFIELD

John

Private 14577, 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 3rd May 1917. Born 1887, in Little Berkhampstead, enlisted Hertford. Son of the late Thomas and Jane of Stoney Yard Essendon. No known grave. Commemorated on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 5.

MOWER

William Charles Henry

Lance Sergeant 3180, Hertfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 18th May 1915. Born Yoxford, Suffolk, enlisted Hatfield. Son of Lydia Sarah, and the late Frederick, Mower, of New Villa, Market Weston, Diss. No known grave. Commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 47. Also commemorated on the Hertford Regiment Memorial in All Saints Church Hertford.

NEWTON

Herbert Oliver

Private G/2602, 8th Battalion, Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment. Killed in action 25/26th September 1915. Born Woodhill, Essendon, 1894, enlisted South Godstone, resident of Redhill Surrey. Son of David and Florence, of 19 Barfolds, North Mymms. No known grave. Commemorated on Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 13 to 15.

PALLETT

Charles

Private 8687, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Wounded and taken prisoner August 1914 on retreat from Mons. Died in Germany of Tubercular Meningitis 17th November 1916. Born in Essendon 1889. Son of Hammond and Fanny. Enlisted Essendon. Buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery, Kassel, Hessen, Germany. Plot V. Row B. Grave 7.

PLUMB

Arthur

Private 4542, 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Killed in action 24th October 1917. Born in Tottenham 1893, enlisted Harringay. Son of Arthur and Lucy, of 45, Culcross Road, West Green South, Tottenham. Buried in Minty Farm Cemetery, Langemark-Poelkapelle, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot 1. Row A Grave 2.

RACHER, M.M.

Roland Charles

Private 10547, D Company, 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 28th April 1917. Born Holwell, Essendon, 1894. Enlisted Hatfield. Son of Stephen and Mary Jane 87 Embankment Grove Victoria Australia. Emigrated 1920. Listed in the London Gazette 19th February 1917 10547 Pte. R. C. Racher Bedfordshire Reg. Military Medal awarded to N.C.O. for Bravery in the Field. No known grave. Commemorated on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 5.

SCALES

Arthur

Private G/15535, 11th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regimen. Killed in action 24th September 1917. Born Hatfield, 1891, resident of Essendon. Son of Ann and the late Joseph of Essendon. Employee of Messrs Norton and Sons, builders of Essendon. No known grave. Commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 86 to 88.

SCALES

David

Private TF/201029, 1st/7th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment). Killed in action 20th May 1917. Born Hatfield 1894, enlisted Hornsey, resident of Hornsey. Son of Ann and the late Joseph of Essendon. No known grave. Commmeorated on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 7.

TRUSSELL

Gerald Theodore

Private 203295, 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 30th October 1917. Born in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, 1898, enlisted Essendon. Son of Edgar John and Evelyn. No known grave. Commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 48-50 and 162a

WELCH

James William

Private 14628, 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action near Ypres 4th May 1916. Born Essendon 1897, enlisted Essendon. Son of Joseph and Martha, of Mill Green, Essendon. Buried in Bienvillers Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Plot IV. Row B. Grave 8.

Roll of Honour Board in St Mary the Virgin Essendon
dedicated 1986, Soldiers as above plus

SEDGE

Harry

Private 19636, 1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. Killed in action 6th December 1917. Born Bearstead Kent, resident of BayfordSon of the late Alfred Sedge and 1st husband of Mrs Sarah Norton Tower road Essendon. No known grave. Commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 92. Also listed on Bayford War Memorial.

TAYLOR

Thomas Horace

Corporal 22325, 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed by sniper 30th October 1917. Born in Essendon 1891 to John and Rose. Enlisted Essendon and worked for Messrs. Norton and Sons Essendon. Wounded 1916 returned to France March 1917. Buried in Poelcapelle British Cemetery, Langemark-Poelkapelle, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot XV. Row E. Grave 5.

Essendon St Mary the Virgin, churchyard

Commemorated on the grave Stone of Alfred King Evangelist of Essendon died age 65 14th January 1908; I. L. M. of his 2 Sons. Cecil King Killed in action 30th October 1914 age 25 and Harold King Killed in action age 20. 22nd September 1918.

KING

Cecil

Trooper 1636, Royal Horseguards. Died 30th October 1914 age 25. Son of Alfred and Eliza King of 42 Warwick Road St Albans. No known grave. Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 3

KING

Harold

Gunner 889567 D Battery, 161st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Died 22nd September 1918 age 20. Son of Eliza and the late Alfred 42 Warwick Rd St Albans. Native of Essendon. Buried in Trefcon British Cemetery Caulaincourt, Aisne, France. Plot/Row/Section C. Grave 7.

St Marks Woodhill Churchyard

RUTHVEN

John Stanley

Electrical Artificer 4th Class M/8859, H.M.S. Invincible, Royal Navy. Killed in action 31st May 1916 at the Battle of Jutland. Aged 22. Son of Mrs M. A. Ruthven, of 5 Horseshoes, Little Berkhampstead. No known grave. Commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire. Panel 20. Also commemorated on the Little Berkhamstead War Memorial.

1939 - 1945

BURTON

Joseph William

Flight Sergeant 1287499 (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner), 201 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died on active service when a Sunderland flying boat DD848 crashed on Mt Brandon, Republic of Ireland, 22nd August 1943, aged 23. Son of Joseph and Florence of Essendon. Born in Essendon 1925. Buried south of the church in Essendon Churchyard.

EDGECOMBE

Piers Richard

Second Lieutenant 87192, 12th Royal Lancers, Royal Armoured Corps. Killed whilst leading an armoured car patrol during the withdrawal from Dunkirk, 25th May, 1940. Son of Kenelm (6th Earl Mount Edgcumbe 1944) of Holwell Court, Essendon. No known grave. Commemorated on Dunkirk Memorial, Nord, France. Column 3.

FRANKLAND

John

Trooper 7929779, 6th Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps. Killed at Tobruk during the desert campaign 21st November 1941, aged 21. First husband of Daisy Cannon married April 1941. Son of Charles. One of several people from the North brought to work for village landowners after the 1930 Depression. No known grave. Commemorated on Alamein Memorial, Egypt. Column 22.

PALLETT

Hammond Geoffrey

Flight Sergeant 1399270, 249 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Mustang fighter pilot. Reported missing, believed killed in action over the Adriatic sea off the coast of Dalmatia, 30th October 1944, aged 20. Son of George Hammond and Jessie of Essendon. No known grave. Commemorated on Malta Memorial, Malta. Panel 15, Column 2. Also listed on the Richard Hale School Memorial, Hertford.

PRYOR, DFM

Geoffrey Victor

Pilot Officer 142021 (Air Gunner) 106 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Served in Wellington bombers. Mentioned in despatches and awarded the DFM. Shot down over Holland during a bombing raid, 30th March 1943. Son of Thomas Victor and Edith Mary of Essendon. Buried in Lichtenvoorde General Cemetery, Gelderland, Netherlands. Grave 24.

SMITH

Roland Jack

Sergeant, 158 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 20th July 1942. Son of John James and Floris, husband of Hilda Joyce. Buried in Texel (Denburg Cemetery), Noord-Holland, Netherlands. Plot K. Row 5. Grave 107.

WILSON

Edgar Wisbey

Private 14296143, 2nd Battalion (Glasgow Highlanders), Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment. Died 24th September 1944), aged 20. Son of Frank Walter and Ellen of Ware Park, Hertfordshire, late of Essendon. Born Saffron Walden 1924. Buried in Mierlo War Cemetery, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands. Plot IV. Row B. Grave 1. Although listed on the Essendon War Memorial he is not on the Roll of Honour in St Mary’s Church, Essendon.

BLOUNT, CB OBE MC

Charles Hubert Boulby

Air Vice Marshall, 24 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Died in the service of his country, 23rd October 1940, in an aircraft crash on his way to Ireland. Also served as second Lieutenant in 1913 with the Royal West Surrey Regiment. Career path was Major 1917, RAF Captain 1918, Air Vice Marshall 1939. Born 1893 in India. Buried in the south-west corner of Essendon Churchyard. Also commemorated on Felixstowe War Memorial, Suffolk.

HODNET

George Edward

Gunner 1028570, Royal Artillery. Died 4th August 1940, aged 39. Buried in in St Marks Churchyard.

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