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HERSTMONCEUX WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Transcribed Janet Graves, Researched Chris Comber 2004

All Saints Church, Herstmonceux is about 12 miles from Bexhill, and about 1 mile from the village.

Photographs Copyright © Janet Graves 2004

1914 – 1919

TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN DEAR MEMORY OF
THE MEN OF HERSTMONCEUX WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR
THEIR COUNTRY IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1919.

ALLCORN

Alan

Private G/18040, 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. 12th Division. Died of wounds in base hospital at Etaples 18th October 1916. Aged 34. Son of Henry & Mary Allcorn of “The Chestnut” Herstmonceux. Born in Hailsham & enlisted in Hastings. Buried in Etaples Military Cemetery F. 40

ALLCORN, MM

Alfred

Private 27761, 2nd Battalion, The Suffolk Regiment. 3rd Division. Died of wounds 23rd August 1918. Aged 19. Son of Mr. & Mrs. G. H. Allcorn of Chapel Row, Herstmonceux. Born in Herstmonceux & enlisted in Hastings. Formerly with the Middlesex Regiment. Awarded the Military Medal (M.M.). Commemorated on The Vis en Artois Memorial MR. 16.

AUSTIN

Edmund John

Private 65157, Royal Army Medical Corps. Died in Marseilles 8th November 1915. Aged 29. Son of Samuel William & Anne Austin. Born in Shepherds Bush & enlisted in Hampton, Middlesex. Buried in Mazargues War Cemetery, Marseilles.

BATES

Frederick George

Private G/20623, 8th Battalion, The Royal West Kent Regiment. 24th Division. Died 4th July 1918. Aged 19. Born in Horsham & enlisted in Eastbourne. Next of kin, Herstmonceux. Formerly with the Royal Sussex Regiment. Buried in Hautmont Communal Cemetery F. 934

BILLENESS

Wallace Hayward

[Spelt BILLINESS on war memorial] Private 65017, 11th Field Ambulance, The Royal Army Medical Corps. Died of wounds 12th May 1918. Aged 22. Son of William John & Mary Billeness of Herstmonceux. Born in Wartking Hill & enlisted in Hastings. Buried in Pernes British Cemetery. F. 10

BURCHETT

Charles John

Royal Sussex Regiment. Charles John Burchett was born on the 20th April 1892 in Herstmonceux, one of the children born to David Robert Burchett and Harriet (nee Hunnisett). His family can be traced back in Herstmonceux for many generations and he was a cousin of William Henry Burchett who is also listed on the war memorial (Charles's father was a brother of William's mother). He attended the local school and then worked as a gardener before he began making trugs (a local industry Herstmonceux is well known for).

Charles survived the fighting and returned home to Herstmonceux where his mother had been widowed two years previously. He took up work as a trug maker but died on the 21st December 1919 from pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), little more than year after the end of the war. TB is an infectious disease which had only been recognised as a contagious illness in the late 19th century and as an airbourne disease it passed quickly amongst soldiers living in close proximity whose immune systems were already weakened as a result of living in trenches in less than sanitary conditions.

Charles was buried in Herstmonceux graveyard on Christmas eve 1919, the parish magazine of February 1920 reported that "Mrs Burchett wishes to thank all kind friends for their sympathy in her bereavement and also for the beautiful flowers which were sent to her".

Charles John Burchett may not be one of those who officially died in the First World War but there can be little doubt that he died as a direct result of the war.

[Details kindly used by permission from the Sussex Ancestors Blog]

BURCHETT

William H

Private SD/143 11th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. 39th Division. Killed in action on Beaucourt Ridge on the Somme 3rd September 1916. Aged 25. Born in Herstmonceux & enlisted in Eastbourne. Next of kin, Herstmonceux. Buried in Ancre British Cemetery F. 339

Grave marker in the graveyard records:

IN
LOVING MEMORY
OF
HENRY BURCHETT
WHO DIED FEB. 8TH 1922
AGED 62 YEARS
ALSO OF
ADA ELIZABETH
WIFE OF THE ABOVE
WHO DIED MARCH 1ST 1917
AGED 61 YEARS
AND OF
WILLIAM HENRY
THEIR SON
KILLED IN ACTION SEPT. 3RD 1916
AGED 25 YEARS
“REST IN PEACE”

CATT

Reginald

Sergeant SD/3073, 13th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. 39th Division. Killed in action near the Schawben Redoubt 21st October 1916. Aged 20. Son of Mr. & Mrs. James Catt of Woodbine Cottages, Victoria Road, Herstmonceux. Born in Hertsmonceux & enlisted in Hastings. Commemorated on The Thiepval Memorial MR. 21

CARR

Arthur Benjamin

Private 48353, 12th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. 41st Division. Killed in action 21st July 1918. Enlisted in Chichester. Next of kin Warbleton. Buried in Sanctuary Wood Cemetery Belgium B. 453

CLARK

William

Possibly either William CLARK Private G/6900, 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. 12th Division. Killed by a direct hit on billets in Vermelles 15th March 1916. Born in Brighton & enlisted in Eastbourne. Buried in Vermelles British Cemetery F. 423. Or Private William Henry CLARKE SD/3746, 12th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Killed in action 30th June 1916. Aged 29. Son of Mr. & Mrs. William Clarke Husband of Mrs. Sarah Clarke of Rushlake Green, near Warbleton. Born in Heathfield & enlisted in Hastings. Commemorated on The Loos Memorial MR. 19.

COLEMAN

Ernest Edmund

Private SD/157 11th Battalion, Royal Sussex 39th Division. Killed in action at Beaucourt Ridge 3 September 1916. Born in Hailsham & enlisted in Eastbourne. Commemorated on The Thiepval Memorial. MR. 21

COLEMAN

Thomas

Company Sergeant-Major SD/568, 12th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. 39th Division. Killed in action on Beaucourt Ridge 3rd September 1916. Aged 40. Son of Charles & Harriett Coleman. Husband of Mrs. Charlotte Coleman (remarried) of Rockland Cottages, Victoria Road, Herstmonceux. Born in Hailsham & enlisted in Herstmonceux. Commemorated on The Thiepval Memorial MR. 21

COOPER

James Ashley

Private G/404, 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. 12th Division. Died in base hospital at Rouen 4th November 1915. Aged 22. Son of Ashley & Ruth Cooper of Herstmonceux. Born in Herstmonceux & enlisted in Eastbourne. Buried in St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen F. 145

CROZIER

Herbert Thomas

Lance Corporal 132172, 73rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry (The Quebec Regiment). 4th Canadian Division. Killed in action near Arras 10th April 1917. Aged 20. Son of Thomas & Emily Crozier of 1014 Hammond Avenue, Flint, Michigan USA. Buried in Canadian Cemetery No, 2.

DAWES

James Charles

Private SD/587, 11th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. 39th Division. Killed in action on Beaucourt Ridge 3rd September 1916. Born in Worthing & enlisted in Eastbourne. Commemorated on The Thiepval Memorial MR. 21

DULY

William Charles

Sergeant SD/3090, 13th. Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. 39th Division. Killed in action at “The Boars Head” 30th June 1916. Aged 36. Son of William & Esther Duly of “Eversley”, Herstmonceux. Husband of Mrs. Alma Duly of Fairlight Bungalow, Herstmonceux. Born in Herstmonceux & enlisted in Eastbourne. Commemorated on The Loos Memorial MR. 19.

DYER

William

Private SD/585, 11th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. 39th Division. Killed in action at Mailly Wood 30th August 1916. Brother of Mr. George Dyer of Reeves Cottage, Northiam. Born in Battle & enlisted in Herstmonceux. Buried in Englebelmer Communal Cemetery Extension. F. 1013

ELPHICK

Walter

Private SD/589, 11th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. 39th Division. Killed in action near Cambrin 30th August 1916. Born & enlisted in Herstmonceux Next of kin Herstmonceux. Buried in Cambrin Churchyard Extension F. 114

HARRIS

Alfred Thomas

Sergeant SD/1887, 12th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. 39th Division. Killed in action at “The Boars Head” 30th June 1916. Aged 32. Son of John & Elizabeth Harris of Herstmonceux. Husband of Mrs. Lilian Maria Harris. Born in Salehurst & enlisted in Bexhill on Sea. Commemorated on The Loos Memorial Mr. 19.

HARMAN

William Alfred

Private 137354, ‘B’ Company, The Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). 29th Battalion. Killed in action 4th September 1918. Aged 19. Son of Robert Alfred & Annie Harman of Corner Houses, Gardner Street, Herstmonceux. Born in Hurst Green & enlisted in Eastbourne. Formerly with The Bedfordshire Regiment. Commemorated on The Ploegsteert Memorial Mr. 32

HUTCHISON or HUTCHINSON

Edward

Private 27707, 9th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers. 18th Division. Killed in action 4th August 1916. Aged 20. Son of Herbert & Kate Charlotte Hutchison of School Hill, Burwash. Born in Hailsham & enlisted in Hastings. Commemorated on The Thiepval Memorial MR. 21

HONEYSETT

Robert

Lance Corporal SD/599, 11th Battalion, Royal Sussex. Regiment. 39th Division. Killed in action at Beaucourt Ridge 3rd September 1916. Aged 24. Son of Mr. Honeysett & Mrs. Harriett Honeysett of 6, Sea View, Harebeating, Hailsham. Born & enlisted in Herstmonceux Commemorated on The Thiepval Memorial MR. 21

ISTED

James Henry

Lance Corporal SD/603, 11th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. 39th Division. Killed in action near Cambrin 11th July 1916. Aged 20. Son of Henry & Jane Isted of “Fairseat”, Herstmonceux. Born & enlisted in Herstmonceux. Buried in Cambrin Churchyard Extension F. 114

JARVIS

Albert George

Private 65703, 13th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers. 37th Division. Died of wounds 12th September 1917. Aged 19. Son of Frank & Mildred Jarvis of ‘Arnocks’, Herstmonceux. Born in Herstmonceux & enlisted in Chichester. Formerly with the Royal West Surreys. Buried in Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension, Bailleul F. 193

PAYNE

Richard

Private 65483, 103rd Field Ambulance, The Royal Army Medical Corps. Died of wounds 14th April 1918. Born in Herstmonceux & enlisted in Hastings. Commemorated on The Ploegsteert Memorial Belgium MR. 32

POST

Arthur

Guardsman 12691, 3rd Battalion, The Coldstream Guards The Guards Division. Killed in action 11th September 1917. Born in Darton, Yorkshire, enlisted in Arundel. Next of kin. East Grinstead. Commemorated on The Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium MR. 30

POST

James

Private 48845, 1/7th Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers 42nd Division. Killed in action 23rd August 1918. Born in Barnsley, Yorkshire & enlisted in Chichester. Next of kin, Hailsham. Formerly with the Royal Sussex Regiment. Buried in Queens Cemetery, Bucquoy F. 514

SAUNDERS

Ernest S

Private 50631, 2nd Battalion, The Suffolk Regiment. Died of wounds in base hospital at Etaples 22nd May 1917. Born in Hailsham & enlisted in Aldershot. Formerly with the RASC. Buried in Etaples Military Cemetery F. 40

SKINNER

Arthur

Private G/1454, 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. 1st Division. Killed in action at Richebourg L’Avoue 9th May 1915. Aged 18. Son of Samuel & Eliza Mary Skinner of Chapel Row, Herstmonceux. Born in Herstmonceux & enlisted in Eastbourne. Commemorated on The Le Touret Memorial MR. 22.

SMITH

William Stephen

Private SD/3692, 13th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. 39th Division. Killed in action on the “Rue de Bois” 30th June 1916. Aged 39. Son of Mr. & Mrs. George Henry Smith of Gardner Street, Herstmonceux. Husband of Mrs. Caroline Smith (remarried) of Upper Dicker. Born in Herstmonceux & enlisted in Hastings. Commemorated on The Loos Memorial MR. 19

STEVENS

Charles

Private G/2304, 8th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. 18th Division. Killed in action at Bernafay Wood 14th July 1916. Born in Hellingly & enlisted in Eastbourne. Included on Westham Parish Church & Stone Cross Memorial. Buried in Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval F. 402

STREDWICK

Lester Leonard

Driver 85398, 107th Battery, 23rd Brigade, The Royal Field Artillery. Died in base hospital at Rouen 28th October 1918. Born in Hailsham & enlisted in Eastbourne. Buried in St. Sever Communal Cemetery Extension, Rouen. F. 146

VENESS

George G

Private SD/632, 11th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. 39th Division. Died of wounds 22nd May 1916. Aged 26. Son of Thomas & Philadelphia Veness of Oak Cottage, Gardner Street, Herstmonceux. Born & enlisted in Hestmonceux Buried in Le Touret Military Cemetery F. 727

VENESS

Robert Charles

Lance Corporal SD/4120, 13th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. 39th Division. Killed in action at “The Boars Head” 30th June 1916. Aged 21. Son of Thomas & Philadelphia Veness of Oak Cottage, Gardner Street, Herstmonceux. Born in Herstmonceux & enlisted in Hastings. Commemorated on The Loos Memorial MR. 19.

WATERS

[William] Leslie

Lance Corporal 10960, 2nd Battalion, The Coldstream Guards. Died 7th July 1915. Aged 19. Son of Arthur & Kate Waters of 4, Esmond Terrace, St. Mary’s Road, Ealing. Born in Preston( Sussex) & enlisted in Eastbourne. Buried in Lillers Communal Cemetery. F. 201

WATERS

R

Private Royal Sussex Regiment.

WALTHO, DCM

William

Corporal TF/203393, 4th Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment. Died of wounds 27th September 1918. Aged 18. Son of John & Elizabeth Hannah Waltho of Studdens Farm, Herstmonceux. Enlisted in London. Formerly with the London Regiment. Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.). Buried in Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux F. 214
Not on memorial but buried or commemorated in churchyard

DALE

John William

Private 35059, 23rd Battalion, The Northumberland Fusiliers. Died of wounds in base hospital at Boulogne 14th May 1917. Aged 30. Son of Mr. & Mrs. John Dale of Huestmonceux, Born in Herstmonceux & enlisted in Burgess Hill. Formerly with the West Yorkshires. Included on Burgess Hill War Memorial. Buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery F. 102. Commemorated in ALL SAINTS CHURCHYARD, HERSTMONCEUX, Sussex.

IN MEMORY OF
JOHN DALE
DIED APRIL 11TH 1902
AGED 69 YEARS
ALSO
JOHN WILLIAM
SON OF THE ABOVE
WHO DIED OF WOUNDS
IN BOULOGNE HOSPITAL MAY 14TH 1917
AGED 30 YEARS

JACKSON

William

Airman 2nd Class 3427, Royal Flying Corps. Died in England 16th October 1917. Aged 23. Son of William David & Kate Jackson of 12, Althorp Road, Luton, Beds. Born in Herstmonceux. Buried in Herstmonceux Churchyard.

3427 2nd AIR MECH.
WILLIAM JACKSON
ROYAL FLYING CORPS
16TH OCTOBER 1917 AGE 23

1939–1945

TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND DEAR MEMORY OF
THE MEN OF HERSTMONCEUX WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR
THEIR COUNTRY FROM 1939–1945

ALLCORN

Alan James

Sergeant 563048, Royal Air Force. Died 25th February 1941. Age 28. Buried in ALL SAINTS CHURCHYARD, HERSTMONCEUX, Sussex.

563048 SERGEANT
A. J. ALLCORN
ROYAL AIR FORCE
25 FEBRUARY 1941 AGE 28

ANSLOW

Denis Richard

East Surrey Regiment.

BRETT

Edward George

Royal Army Service Corps.

CROUCH

Alfred Alan Howard

Gunner 1737621, Royal Artillery. Died 22nd June 1941. Age 31. Buried in ALL SAINTS CHURCHYARD, HERSTMONCEUX, Sussex.

1737621 GUNNER
A. H. H. CROUCH
ROYAL ARTILLERY
22ND JUNE 1941 AGED 31

DELVES

George William

Hampshire Regiment.

GREEN

Cyril Francis

Royal Air Force.

HARVEY

John Douglas

Royal Air Force.

HINCKS

John Hawksford

Royal Sussex Regiment Regiment.

HINCKS

Thomas Stewart

Ceylon Auxiliary Pioneer Corps

HOWE

Ernest Henry

Royal Sussex Regiment.

HOWARD

Richard Paul

London Irish Rifles.

HUMPHREY

Albert George

King’s Own Scottish Borderers.

HUTCHINSON

Charles William Henry

King’s Own Royal Regiment.

JARVIS

Robin

Highland Light Infantry.

LULHAM

Oliver

Oxford And Buckingham Light Infantry.

RELF

Harry David

Royal Engineers.

SINDEN

Kingsley Frederick

Royal Tank Regiment.

SMITH

Frederick

Royal Navy.

WHITTLE

Alfred R

Lance Corporal 7685998, Corps Of Military Police. Died 11th May 1941. Buried in ALL SAINTS CHURCHYARD, HERSTMONCEUX, Sussex.

7685988 LANCE CORPORAL
A. R. WHITTLE
CORPS OF MILITARY POLICE
11TH MAY 1941

CATT

Frank

Civilian.

MUNN

Alfred Henry

Civilian.

There are also several individual panels around the church.


IN MEMORY OF
HENRY CHARLES GREENAWAY
MAJOR
10TH BENGAL (DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE’S OWN) LANCERS
BORN MAY 31, 1840 DIED JANUARY 31, 1879
THIS TABLET IS ERECTED BY THE BRITISH AND
NATIVE OFFICERS AND MEN OF HIS REGIMENT
IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE OF
AN HONOURED COMRADE AND TRUE FRIEND

Individual Panel


PRAISE GOD
FOR THE LIFE & WORK OF
FRANCIS ROSSLYN
COURTENAY BRUCE
DOCTOR OF DIVINITY
14 AUGUST 1871
19 JANUARY 1956
RECTOR OF THIS PARISH CHURCH
OF HERSTMONCEUX 1922 - 1956
ASSISTANT CURATE OF ST ANNE’S, SOHO 1899
RECTOR OF CLIFTON, NOTTS 1904
VICAR OF ST AUGUSTINE, EDGBASTON 1912
CHAPLAIN TO THE FORCES (T.A.)
NATURALIST - SPEAKER
SPORTSMAN - WRITER
ALSO HIS WIFE RACHEL 1 MAY 1886
16 SEPTEMBER 1973
GREATLY LOVED & RICH IN GOOD WORKS

Individual Panel


“WHATSOEVER THY HAND FINDETH TO DO, DO IT WITH THY MIGHT”
THIS STONE IS PLACED TO RECORD WITH LOVE,
THE LIFE’S WORK OF
DOUGLAS MCGAREL HOGG
1ST VISCOUNT HAILSHAM
BORN 28TH FEBRUARY 1872
ELDEST SON OF QUINTEN AND ALICE ANNA HOGG
SERVED GOD AND THE KING TRULY
AS SOLDIER, LAWYER, STATESMAN
SOUTH AFRICAN WAR: A TROOPER OF THE LOTHIANS & BORDER HORSE
FIRST WORLD WAR: CAPTAIN & GROUP ADJT LONDON VOLUNTEER REGT
HONORARY COLONEL OF THE INNS OF COURT REGIMENT 1936 - 1950
BARRISTER OF LINCOLN’S INN 1902. K. C. 1917. BENCHER 1920
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR THE ST MARYLEBONE DIVISION 1922 - 1928
ATTORNEY-GENERAL 1922 - 1923 AND 1924 – 1928
SWORN OF HIS MAJESTY’S MOST HONOURABLE PRIVY COUNCIL 1922
LORD HIGH CHANCELLOR OF GREAT BRITAIN 1928-1929 AND 1935-1938
MEMBER OF COUNCIL OF STATE 1928 – 1929
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR
AND LEADER HOUSE OF LORDS 1931 1935
LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL 1938
THE LONDON POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE, FOUNDED BY HIS FATHER
WAS ONE OF THE MAIN INTERESTS OF HIS LIFE
HE WAS VICE-PRESIDENT 1903 – 1950 CHAIRMAN 1944 – 1950
FOR MANY YEARS HE WORSHIPPED IN THIS CHURCH

Individual Panel


THE DACRE TOMB WAS RESTORED IN 1970
BY ELIZABETH FRANCES DACRE J.P.
IN MEMORY OF HER HUSBAND
AIR COMMODORE
GEORGE BENTLEY DACRE. C.B.E., D.S.O.
WHO DIED IN 1962 AGED 70
HE SERVED HIS COUNTRY IN TWO WORLD WARS AND HIS
COUNTY AS DEPUTY LIEUTENANT OF SUSSEX, HIGH SHERIFF,
VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE TERRITORIAL AUXILIARY FORCES
ASSOCIATION & COUNTY PRESIDENT OF THE BRITISH LEGION
A gallant officer of the highest integrity

Individual Panel


This tablet is erected to the memory of
Lt. Colonel CLAUDE WILLIAM HENRY LOWTHER
By his two sisters.
He was Lord of the Manor of Herstmonceux
from 1911 until June 16th 1929 when he died aged 57.
He partly restored Hurstmonceux Castle which
he found a ruin and left a monument of beauty.
He served in the Boer War in 1899 and was
recommended for conspicuous gallantry.
He was Conservative M.P. for North Cumberland
from 1910 to 1918 and afterwards for the Lonsdale
division of Lancashire until 1922.
At the outbreak of the war in 1914 he raised and
equipped five Battalions of the Royal Sussex
Regiment known as Lowther’s Lambs.
He was a man of many gifts with an inspired and
poetical sense of beauty.
A generous master and a witty companion.
His memory will linger in some hearts.

Individual Panel


TO THE MEMORY OF
ENSIGN WILLIAM MICHELL
OF THE
HONBLE EAST INDIA COMPANY’S SERVICE
WHO DIED IN BENGAL
JULY 27TH 1825
AGED 16 YEARS

Further graves in the churchyard.


IN
LOVING MEMORY OF
ARTHUR ALLCORN
DIED DEC. 1949
ALSO OF MILDRED
WIFE OF ABOVE
DIED SEPT 1951
ALSO OF ALWYN (DOT)
BROTHER OF ARTHUR
KILLED IN ACTION


IN EVER LOVING
MEMORY OF
“JACK”
DEAR SON OF THE LATE
JOHN WATKINS J.P. OF ABERYSTWYTH
AND BEATRICE ADELAIDE, HIS WIFE
WHO FOUGHT FOR HIS COUNTRY
IN PALESTINE
DURING THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1918
ENTERED INTO REST OCTOBER 4TH 1927
AGED 31 YEARS

3 July 2004

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