WORLD WAR ONE

See below for researched details

6/11/17

21/11/18

7/10/15

5/4/18

5/7/17

21/3/18

7/8/16

6/7/16

17/12/17

6/6/16

15/9/17

11/9/16

24/9/16

5/10/17

24/4/17

3/4/18

25/9/15

23/10/18

24/4/18

26/3/17

17/11/16

22/2/19

20/4/17

10/9/15

23/3/18

WORLD WAR TWO

See below for researched details

Private TF/200764, 1/4th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment Born about 1897. Son of William and Emily Jane Barnett of Croucher’s Cottage, Partridge Green. Enlisted in Horsham. Died 6th November 1917. Buried in Grave G 49 in Beersheba War Cemetery

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead. Brother of William Barnett (below)

Shoeing Smith D/3091, 4th Dragoon Guards (Royal Irish) Son of William and Emily Jane Barnett of Croucher’s Cottage, Partridge Green. Died 21st November 1918. Buried in Grave I B 19 in Don Communal Cemetery, Annoeullin. This is 7 miles south west of Lille.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

He is one of only two members of the regiment buried here and is one of the last regimental casualties of the war. Brother of John Barnett (above)

Captain, 7th (Service) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders Born about 1870 in Northfield, Worcestershire. Son of Pynson Wilmot Bennett and his wife, Mabel, of Pomeroy Lodge, Totnes, Devon and previously of South Road, Harborne, Staffordshire. Husband of Mrs D C Bennitt (later Hodgson) Served in the Somaliland campaign of 1903-4. Later served with the Devon Royal Field Reserve Artillery and then to the General Reserve in 1909. Died of wounds 7th October 1915. Buried in Grave I B 10 in Etaples Military Cemetery.

The 1881 and 1901 censuses spell the name ‘Bennett’.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Lance Corporal G/6244, 7th (Service) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment Born in Sutton, Surrey, enlisted in Southampton. Killed in action 5th April 1918. Buried in Grave IT J 8 in Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery, Albert

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Rifleman 654411, 21st (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (First Surrey Rifles) Born Marylebone, London. Living in Tooting when he enlisted in Camberwell Died of wounds 5th July 1917. Buried in Grave III D 191 in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension near Albert.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Private Edward J, 18200, The Buffs, attached to the 217th Company, Labour Corps, service number 127003 Born in West Grinstead and living there when he enlisted in Horsham. Killed in action 21st March 1918. Commemorated on Panel 94 of the Pozieres Memorial.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Private G/9202, 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment Born about 1896 in Godalming, Surrey. Son of Edward and Emma Eldridge of ‘Sunnyside’, Partridge Green. Enlisted in Piccadilly Killed in action 7th August 1916. Buried in Grave IV E 7 in Brewery Orchard Cemetery, two miles south of Armentieres.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Private 2648, 51st Infantry Bn, AIF. Born at North Mundham near Chichester about September 1898. Son of George and Ellen Fairs of Collier Road, Bayswater, Perth, Western Australia. Went to Australia with his parents aged 13. Died at age of 17 years, 10 months. Apprentice Upholsterer. Enlisted 16th August 1915. Sailed from Freemantle 2nd November 1915 on the transport ‘Ulysses’ as part of the 28th Bn. Transferred to ’B’ Company of the 51st Battalion, and went to France on 12th June 1916. The battalion did not arrives at the front line trenches until the end of June. He was one of the earliest casualties. Died of wounds at Fleurbaix 6th July 1916. Buried in Grave III F 15 at Estaires Communal Cemetery.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Photograph courtesy of Australian Roll of Honour

Private TF/ 200393, 1/4th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment Born about 1894 in West Grinstead. Son of Mr J and Mrs Isobel Fairs of Peacocks Cottages, Partridge Green. Enlisted in Worthing. Died of wounds 17th December 1917. Buried in Grave O 73 in Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Lieutenant, 1/4th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment Born about 1887. Son of Robert John Frank J.P and his wife, Lucy, of Jolesfield House, Partridge Green. Educated at St Ronans, Worthing and Haileybury College. Joined the battalion in 1912. Served with them at Gallipoli until the battalion was evacuated in January 1916. Died of wounds 6th June 1915. Buried in Grave B 45 in Ismailia War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead. There is also a brass memorial to him at St Michael’s

In ever loving memory of
Robert James Brownlow Frank,
Lieutenant 4th Battalion Royal Sussex
Regiment. Third son of Robert John
and Lucy Maud Frank, who gave his
life for his God, King and Country at
Ismailia, Egypt on 6th June 1915
aged 28, having served all
through the Suvla Bay operations.
‘Greater love hath no man than this
that a man should lay down his life
for his friends

There is a further memorial to him in St George’s Church, West Grinstead This memorial is placed by his devoted parents, brothers and sisters.

Airman 2nd Class, 44580, Royal Flying Corps attached to 142nd (Durham) Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery Born about 1898. Son of John and Mary Hoadley of ‘Pinland’, Partridge Green. John Hoadley was a farmer Died 15th September 1919. Buried in Grave IV H 8 in Bard Cottage Cemetery.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead. Probably a wireless operator attached from an artillery observation squadron to pass the details of where the shells fired by the battery were bursting.

Private TF/6081, 1/8th (Service) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment Born in Cowfold about 1886. Son of Mrs Jane Jenkins of Partridge Green. Living in Partridge Green when he enlisted in Horsham. Killed in action 11th September 1916. Buried in Grave XX O 2 in Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Second Lieutenant 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment Born about 1882. Son of General John (formerly of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry) and Mrs Edith John. Husband of Mrs Muriel A John) later Gay) of Snape, Wadhurst, East Sussex. Died of wounds 24th September 1916. Buried in Grave IV F 25 in Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L’Abbe. Previously served in a ‘Public Schools’ battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, service number PS/3818

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Trooper 2046, Household Battalion Born about 1916 in Partridge Green. Son of Mr & Mrs Philip Kensett of ‘Oxford House’, Partridge Green. Living in Partridge Green when he enlisted in Horsham. Killed in action 5th October 1917. Commemorated on Panel 3 of the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Corporal 14270, 71st Brigade Royal Field Artillery. Born in Henfield. Son of Mr E & Mrs J Millham of 5, Minster Terrace, Partridge Green. Enlisted in Hayward’s Heath. Killed in action 24th April 1917. Buried in Grave III A 19 in Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery, Wancourt. Served in ‘D’ Battery. Awarded the Military Medal for bravery.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Private TF/200758, 11th (Service) Battalion, (1st South Down) Royal Sussex Regiment Born about 1898. Son of William and Alice Jane Millham of 2, Firle Cottage, South Street, Partridge Green. Enlisted in Horsham. Killed in action 3rd April 1918. Commemorated on Panel 46 & 47 of the Pozieres Memorial.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Private G/1182, 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment Born about 1889 in West Grinstead. Son of Thomas and Ruth Norman of Dean Cottage, Partridge Green. Enlisted in Hove Killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Loos, 25th September 1915. Commemorated on Panel 39 to 73 of the Loos Memorial.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Private 49478, 160th Company, Machine Gun Corps Born Aston, Birmingham. Son of Longstaff and Marian Jane Preston. Enlisted in Partridge Green. Died in Egypt 23rd October 1918. Buried in Grave E 52 in Hadra War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. Also served with the Royal Sussex Regiment, service number 1627.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Private 41581, 7th (Service) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment Born in Willingdon, Sussex. Resident in Partridge Green when he enlisted in Horsham. Killed in action 24th April 1918. Commemorated on Panel 28 & 29 of the Pozieres Memorial

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Private TF/201099, 1/4th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born in Shermanbury. Enlisted in Horsham Killed in action 26th March 1917. Commemorated on Panels 26 & 27 of the Jerusalem Memorial.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Private 28169, 8th (Service) Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Born in Shermanbury. Resident in Partridge Green when he enlisted in Horsham Killed in action 17th November 1916. Commemorated on Pier and Face 6B & 6C of the Thiepval Memorial on the Somme. Also served in the Royal Sussex Regiment, service number 9177.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead. These are possibly sons of Edwin Sayers, a carpenter of Partridge Green.

Private 238113, 2/5th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’ Own) Born about 1888. Son of Frederick Tasker. Husband of Harriet Maria Tasker of 210, Hollingdean Terrace, Brighton Died 22nd February 1919. Buried in Grave V 85 in Brighton and Preston Cemetery.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Private, G/18242, 8th (Service) Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) Born in Steyning. Living in Partridge Green when he enlisted in Horsham Died of wounds 20th April 1917. Buried in Grave VI D 40 in Bethune Town Cemetery.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Private TF/2004, 1/4th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment Born at West Grinstead. Enlisted in Horsham Died ‘at sea’ 10th September 1915. Commemorated on Panel 125 of the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Private 6457, 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment Born in Grafton, Wiltshire. Resident in Partridge Green. Enlisted in Collingbourne Wiltshire. A regular soldier or reservist. Killed in action 26th October 1914. Commemorated on Panel 33 & 34 of the Le Touret Memorial.

The battalion was in trenches at Neuve Chapelle and had been under shellfire for several days. On the evening of the 26th an enemy attack was beaten off, but with increasing casualties. This continued the following day until they were relieved. From 23rd to 27th October the battalion had suffered 2 officers killed, 5 wounded and 7 missing together with 45 other ranks killed, 45 wounded and 150 missing. Ernest was one of the latter.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

No further information currently available.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

No further information currently available.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

1939-1945

Sergeant 1882405, 612 Field Squadron, Royal Engineers Born about 1911. Son of George and Jane Budd of Brighton. Husband of Mildred Mabel Budd of Brighton Died 28th June 1944. Buried in Grave V E 18 in St Manvieu War Cemetery, Cheux, Normandy, France

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Either Leslie William Finch, Sergeant 1255107, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Born about 1914. Son of William Walter and Frances Sarah Finch. Died 5th November 1945. Commemorated on Panel 18, Column 2 of the Malta Memorial.

Or Leonard Finch Private 14531709, 1st Battalion, The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey) Born about 1922. Died 6th September 1945. Commemorated on Face 4 of the Rangoon Memorial

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Sergeant, 648878, 229 Squadron, Royal Air Force Born about 1921. Son of Joseph and Anne Lucy Gander of Partridge Green. Died 24th December 1943. Commemorated on Panel 150 of the Runnymede Memorial.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

229 Squadron fought in the Battle of Britain, before being transferred to North Africa in 1941 and disbanded in Malta in April 1942. They were reformed there 4 months later and flew Spitfire VC‘s on fighter bomber missions over Sicily while still being based on Malta. In April 1944 the squadron returned to the UK.

Aircraftman 2nd Class 1194884, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Born about 1922. Son of Herbert Alfred and Caroline Ellen Knight of Partridge Green. Died as a Prisoner of War 29th November 1943. Commemorated on Column 430 of the Singapore Memorial

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Sub-Lieutenant (A), HMS Colossus, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Son of Herbert and Rose Margery Mitchell of Partridge Green. Died 30th May 1945. Commemorated on Bay 6, Panel 4 of the Lee On Solent Memorial.

HMS Colossus was an Aircraft Carrier, completed in September 1944. In March 1945 she sailed for the Far East, but spent the next two months in the Mediterranean on flying exercises. It is probable he died in a flying accident.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Private 6404733, 2nd Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry Born about 1915. Son of William and Lilian Sayers. Husband of Dorothy Rena Sayers of Fittleworth, Sussex. Died 15th September 1944. Buried in Grave XVI C 4 in Coriano Ridge War Cemetery, Italy.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

Also included on the Old Comrades Memorial, West Grinstead.

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