
RUSPER
WAR MEMORIAL
World
War 1 & 2 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © John Harrison 2004
additional information Gill Cannell & Andrew Dishman
Rusper
is about four miles north east of Horsham and the parish consists of
the village of Rusper, but some casualties are also included from the
nearby area. There are twenty three names on the memorial with a further
local residents as listed on Soldiers Died in the Great War and one
private memorial consisting of a window in the parish church, St Mary
Magdelen. The War Memorial is outside St Mary Magdelen church, near
the entrance, and consists of a dark grey stone plain obelisk on a four-sided
plinth with the inscription and names inset on a white stone standing
on a three-stepped base. The memorial was unveiled on 21 August 1921
with a Roll of Honour in book form within the church.
|
From
an old postcard |
In thankful remembrance of the men of this parish
who gave their lives in the Great War 1914 1919.
ADAMS
|
Herbert
|
Lance
Corporal 32039 1st Bn Bedfordshire Regiment. Died on
23rd April 1917 and his body was not found for burial
He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. Enlisted in Bury St Edmunds,
originally enlisted into the Suffolk Regiment, service number 23146,
resident in Horsham. Born in Marylebone about 1871, son of Charles
and Frances Adams, father was a House Painter. Herbert was married
and was Headmaster at Rusper School. |
BROOKER
|
Ernest
|
Private
G/3235 9th (Service) Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment.
Killed in action on 25th September 1915, the first day
of the Battle of Loos, commemorated on the Loos Memorial. Enlisted
at Worthing, born in West Grinstead, south of Horsham, about 1895,
son of Harry and Fanny Brooker. Father an Agricultural Labourer.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission note his parents were living
at Picts Cottages at Cowfold. Killed during attack on Fosse
8. |
CASSWELL
|
Eric
Denison Seymour |
Captain
6th Bn Rifle Brigade attached to 102 Squadron RFC. Died
on 7th November 1917 buried in Tourcoing (Pont-Neuville)
Communal Cemetery. Understood to have been shot down over German
lines. Observer on FE2b light bombers. Born in Sachel Court, Alfold
in Surrey about 1894, son of Henry and Anna Casswell. Father a Rural
District Councillor and Guardian for Rusper and a member of the
School Committee. Parents lived at Old Park (now Old Park Farm)
at Rusper and later at Stammerham Cottage, Holbrook just north of
Horsham. |
COCKS
|
Christopher
|
Rifleman
5750 3rd Bn Rifle Brigade. died on 25th September
1914 and understood to have been blown up in a Red Cross Hospital
although the 3rd Bn Rifle Brigade were in combat that
day. Commemorated on the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial. born about
1880, the son of George and Emma Cocks. The spelling of his name
is unusual and has led to it often being misspelt as Cox. Willetts
Directory lists him under this spelling as a Gardener living at
3 Hills Place in Rusper. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
also use this spelling and show his wife, Dora Annie, also at this
address. He had a daughter, Mabel and also a son. |
DOWLING
|
Geoffrey
Charles Walter |
Captain
2nd Bn attached 7th (Service) Bn Kings
Royal Rifle Corps. Died on 30th July 1915 and is commemorated
on the Menin Gate. Listed on the War Memorial as Guy, which appears
to be a nickname, and is understood to be the son of Joseph and
Rose Dowling. born in Melbourne, Australia about 1891. His father
was born in Tasmania and his mother, as Rose Tuenich, was born in
Blandford Forum, Dorset. They married in Australia. Father died
and mother remarried Colonel Foster Cunliffe. He lived at the Nunnery,
a country estate south west of Rusper. Killed during a German flamethrower
attack at Hooge. See also Charterhouse
School, Godalming, Surrey. |
EVES
|
Frederick
C |
Staff
Sergeant A/1307 Royal Army Ordnance Corps. He died on 9th
January 1918 and is buried in the south western part of Rusper Churchyard.
Soldiers Died in the Great War notes he died at home and that he
was an Armourer Staff Sergeant. It also states he was born in Westminster
and enlisted in Woolwich. No further details traced so far.
|
FARLEY
|
Frank
|
Private
30610 1st Bn East Surrey Regiment killed on 4th
October 1917, commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial. Enlisted in
Chichester, Rusper resident. Born in Slinfold, a village west of
Horsham, son of William and Emily Farley. Father an Agricultural
Labourer. The local Rusper directory for 1914 lists a Frank Farley
living at 2 Canonbury Villas. |
HOLCOMB
|
Charles
James |
Corporal
K/1271 23rd (Service) Bn (1st Sportsmans)
Royal Fusiliers. Killed in action 23rd February 1918
and is buried in Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery at Villers Plouich.
Enlisted in Horsham and this was originally into the 22nd
(Service) Bn Royal Fusiliers (Kensington) The 22nd Battalion
was one of the units selected for disbandment in February 1918.
It is likely that Charles would have spent virtually all his war
service with the 22nd Bn, only moving to the 23rd
Bn for his final few weeks.. Born in the village of Capel, just
over the Surrey border about 1896. Son of Charles and Mary Holcomb..
The elder Charles was a Wheelwright and later an Estate Carpenter.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission note his parents were living
at Petworth at Greyhound Cottage; perhaps on the Petworth estate.
|
HUGGETT
|
Thomas
Harold |
Private
41740 1st Bn South Staffordshire Regiment. killed in
action on 25th October 1917 and is buried in Perth Cemetery
(China Wall) near Ypres. Born in Horne, Surrey about 1898 and was
the son of Albert and Fanny Huggett. Albert was a Farmer. The Commonwealth
War Graves Commission give Albert and Fannys address as Broadbridge
Cottage, Rusper. |
KEMPSHALL
|
John
|
Private
G/6925 7th (Service) Bn Queens (Royal West Surrey
Regiment). Killed in action 13th July 1916 and his body
was not found for burial Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
Enlisted in Guildford, resident in Capel. born in Newdigate, Surrey
about 1895. Son of Henry John Kempshall and his wife Alice. Father
a Carter on a farm. His parents later lived at The Alms
Houses in Capel and his sister, Mrs Miles, lived in Rose Cottage
(now Michaelmas Cottage), Rusper. |
KETCHELL
|
J
|
Although
listed on the Rusper War Memorial it has not been possible to trace
him (or a similar name with a Rusper connection) in the casualty
details of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission or in Soldiers
Died in the Great War. It may be that his parents or other relatives
moved to the area shortly after the war. This has been found with
other memorials. |
KING
|
Jex
|
Private
G/41709 24th (Service) Bn (2nd Sportsmans)
London Regiment. Died of wounds on 10th July 1918 and
is buried in the St Hilaire Cemetery Extension, Frevent, France.
Born in Rudgwick to the west of Horsham about 1882, the son of David
and Mary Ann King. Father was a Farmer. Jex appears in Willetts
1916 Directory as a Gardener in Lambs Green, living at Ivy Cottage
with his wife Louisa Ellen.. This latter information is from the
Commonwealth War Graves Commission who also note his parents had
died. |
MERRITT
|
William
[Thomas] |
Private
5392 13th (Service) Bn Royal Fusiliers Died of wounds
on 18th November 1916, buried in Contay British Cemetery.
Born Rusper about 1882, the son of William and Jane Merritt. In
1901 William is recorded on the census as a Carter on a farm
living with his family in Rusper. In the local Blue Directory for
1914 a William Merritt is recorded at Gardeners Cottage and in Willetts
Directory 1916 he is listed as a Labourer living in East St. However
it is not clear which William this is as The Commonwealth War Graves
Commission gives Rusper as the address for father and son. The younger
William also lived there with his wife Edith. Wounded during an
attack on Beaucourt Trench on 14th November, died of
wounds four days later. |
MILES
|
George
|
Private
1433 22nd (Service) Bn (Kensington) Royal Fusiliers.
Died on 20th September 1917 and is buried in Bethune
Town Cemetery. Born in Rusper about 1888, son of William and Mary
Miles. William was a Woodman on a local estate and also the local
Sexton. Willetts Directory for 1916 records William at Rose
Cottage in Rusper. Georges brother Leonard was also killed
in the war, see below. |
MILES
|
Leonard
|
Private
SD/4048 13th (Service) Bn (3rd South Down)
Royal Sussex Regiment. Died on 30th June1916 and is buried
in St Vaast Post Military Cemetery, Richebourg LAvoue. This
assault at Richebourg was a diversionary attack for the Battle of
the Somme. It was a total failure and almost 1100 men from the four
Royal Sussex battalions comprising the South Down Brigade that took
part became casualties. Born in Rusper about 1894, son of William
and Mary Miles. William was a Woodman on a local estate and also
the local Sexton. Willetts Directory for 1916 records William
at Rose Cottage in Rusper. Leonards brother George was also
killed in the war, see above. |
RHODES
|
George
Ernest |
Private
G/12145 11th (Service) Bn (1st South Down)
Royal Sussex Regiment. Died on 31st July 1917 and is
buried in New Irish Farm Cemetery. Born in Shipley, south of Horsham,
about 1887, the son of Henry and Charlotte Rhodes. Father an Agricultural
Labourer. Willetts Directory for 1916 lists George as a Gardener
at Church Cottages, Rusper. Another local directory in 1914 gives
his address as Gardners Cottage in East St, Rusper. George is listed
as a Gardener at Church Cottages, Rusper. The Commonwealth War Graves
Commission record he was married and that his wife, Alice Martha
later lived at 43, Greenside Road, West Croydon. |
SHARP
|
John
|
Company
Sergeant Major 200497 4th (Ross-Highland) Bn Seaforth
Highlanders. Died between 20th and 23rd November
1917. His body was not found for burial and he is commemorated on
the Cambrai Memorial at Louverval. Born about 1894, the youngest
son of Mr and Mrs John Sharp who, both Kellys Directory in
1905 and Willetts Directory in 1916 note, was the Farm Bailiff
to Lady Bell at Culross Farm in Wimlands Road, Faygate. The Commonwealth
War Graves Commission note his parents later moved to Horsham where
they were living at 35, Crawley Road in Roffey. It also records
John as a Sergeant, his permanent rank. |
SINGLETON
|
William
|
Lance
Corporal K/1323 22nd (Service) Bn (The Queens)
Royal Fusiliers. Died on 17th February 1917 and is buried
in Queens Cemetery, Bucquoy. Little is known of William at
present. The 1901 census has been checked for men of this name aged
under 40 born in Rusper. None has been found. Soldiers Died in the
Great War states he was born in Rusper and enlisted in Horsham.
A W Singleton is listed in Willetts Directory in 1916 as living
in Courthouse Lodge, Rusper as a Gardener. |
SPENCER
|
[Walter]
George |
Captain
1/23rd (County of London) Bn London Regiment. Died of
wounds on 26th March 1918, buried in St Sever Cemetery,
Rouen. Born about 1888, the elder son of Walter John and Mary Sarah
Spencer of The Nook (later known as Applegarth), Rusper.
However it has not been possible to trace the family on the 1901
Census. The younger Walter was married and lived with his wife,
Constance Winifred, at Wandsworth Common. His parents are listed
at The Nook in Kellys Directory., 1905 and Willetts
Directory, 1917. Originally a Corporal in the London Rifle Brigade
in 1914 and mentioned in despatches in 1917. |
STEERE
|
Jesse
|
Private
SD/2029 12th (Service) Bn (2nd South Down)
Royal Sussex Regiment. Died 17th May 1916 , buried in
Le Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourg-LAvoue. He is one
of 17 members of the Regiment buried here. Born in Billingshurst
about 1878, son of David and Mary Steer. Father an Agricultural
Labourer. Jesse was an early casualty as the division only arrived
in France in March. |
STONE
|
Percy
|
Private
G879 2nd Bn Royal Sussex Regiment. Killed in action 22nd
November 1917. Commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial. Born in Rusper
in 1894, son of John and Olive Stone. Father was a stockman on a
farm. Family lived at Orltons Cottages, Rusper. |
TALOR
|
W
E |
No
details so far traced for this casualty. |
WALDER
|
Albert
|
Lance
Serjeant 1262 22nd (Service)Bn (Kensington) Royal Fusiliers.
Killed in action 3rd May 1917. Commemorated on the Arras
Memorial. Born in Faygate about 1895, the son if William and Clara
Walder. Father a Game Keeper living at Lambs Green. |
WATKINS
|
A
|
No
details so far traced for this casualty. |
WEAVER
|
Robert
Norris |
Leading
Seaman London Z/98, Nelson Battalion, Royal Naval Division, Royal
Naval Volunteer Reserve. Died 10 August 1918. Aged 22. Son of Frederick
and Emma Anne Weaver. Buried in Rusper (St. Mary Magdalebne) Churchayrd,
Sussex. Special Memorial (South-West part). |
1939-1945 |
BIRNEY |
David
Leslie |
Captain
75991, Rifle Brigade and No. 2 Commando. Died of wounds 28 April
1942. Aged 27. Born 11 June 1914 and baptised 18 July 1914 in Simla,
Bengal, India. Resident Sussex. Son of Colonel Charles Folliott
Birney, D.S.O. and Rachel Dorothy Dallas Birney; husband of Cecilie
Mercedes Randell (nee Wood) Birney, of New Milton, Hampshire, married
1940 in Westminster. Buried in Escounlac-La-Baule War Cemetery,
Loire-Atlantique, France. Plot 2. Row C. Grave 9.
Extract
from West Sussex County Times - Friday 28 July 1944:
CAPT.
D. L. BIRNEY
Capt.
David Leslie Birney, Rifle Brigade, of Pucks Croft, Rusper, who
won the King's Prize at Bisley in 1937, died in April, 1942, (son
of Col. C. F. Birney, D.S.O.). leaving £814 11s. 7d.
|
DE
LA RUE |
Victor
St George |
Lieutenant
153350, King's Royal Rifle Corps attached to 77th Indian Infantry
Brigade. Missing, believed killed in action 28 April 1943. Aged
24. Son of Sir Evelyn Andros de la Rue, 2nd Baronet, and of Lady
de la Rue (nee Francklin), of Rusper, Sussex. Served with the Royal
Artillery then gtransferred to The Queen's Regiment 15 March 1940
then the Kings Royal Rifle Corps. Buried in Taukkyan War Cemetery,
Myanmar (Burma). Plot 19. Row G. Joint Grave 1-2.
Extract from West Sussex County Times - Friday 18 February
1944:
MISSING
FROM THE WINGATE EXPEDITION
Lady de la Rue Seeks News of Her Son
Sir
Evelyn and Lady de la Rue, of The Normans, Rusper, are anxious
for news of their son Lieut. Victor St. George de la Rue, who
has been missing from the Wingate expedition in Burma since April,
1943.
Lieut.
de la Rue, after taking his degree in History at Oxford, joined
the 60th Rifles in 1941. Shortly afterwards, the War Office asked
for volunteers to officer Indian regiments, and, having been advised
by his uncle, Lord Harris (the famous cricketer), he volunteered.
On
arriving in India he joined Brigadier Wingate's expedition into
Burma. After indescribable difficulties, the river Irrawaddi was
crossed on March 20, 1943, and immediately, the expedition was
attacked by the Japanese. It was in this engagement that Lieut.
de La Rue's Colonel, Col. Alexander, was wounded in both legs.
Lieut.
de la Rue refused to leave his Colonel although Lord Wavell's
instructions to the expedition had been, "Every man for himself."
He was joined by a New Zealand officer. Flt.-Lt. Edmonds, and
between them they carried Col. Alexander from March 20 to April
27, fighting and hiding alternatively.
By
this time. they had reached the Mu River, and it is thought that
they may have been ambushed at this point. Nothing has since been
heard of them.
Extract
from West Sussex County Times - Friday 18 October 1946:
LOCAL
WILLS
LIEUT. V. G. de RUE
Lieut.
Victor George de la Rue, of Normans, Rusper, son of Sir Evelyn
A. de la Rue, died on war service in April, 1943, leaving £11,931
17s. 3d. Subject to some specific bequests he left his property
as to 2/5ths to his sister Diana, and 1/5th each to his mother,
father and brother Ian. Probate has been granted to William R.
Francklin of The Kennels. Gonalston. Notts., and Brig. Elmer T.
L. Speed, of Westfields. Moreton Morrell, Warwickshire.
LEGAL
NOTICE
VICTOR ST. GEORGE de la RUE Deceased
PURSUANT TO THE TRUSTEE ACT 1925
ALL
persons having claims against the estate of Victor St. George
de la Rue late of - "Normans," Rusper, Sussex. Lieutenant
H.M. Army who died on the 28th day of April 1943 on War Service
and whose Will was proved by William Robert Francklin and Elmer
John Leyland Speed the Executors named in the said Will on the
25th day of July 1946 in the Principal Probate Registry are required
to send particulars thereof in writing to the undersigned on or
before the 18th day of December next after which date the Executors
will proceed to distribute the assets having regard only to the
claims of which they shall then have had notice.
Dated this 11th day of October 1946.
BRISTOWS,
COOKE AND CARPMAEL,
1 Copthall Building,
London, E.C.2.
Solicitors
for the Executors
|
FARLEY |
Ronald
Eric |
Private
14442502, 2nd Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. Died of wounds
25 November 1944. Aged 18. Born 1926 in the Horsham Registration
District, Sussex, resident Sussex. Buried in Venray War Cemetery,
Limburg, Netherlands. Plot IV. Row D. Grave 8. |
GANDER |
William
Roy |
Sergeant
2358931, Royal Corps of Signals. Died on service 8 June 1945. Born
1920 in the Horsham Registration District, Sussex, resident Sussex.
Buried in Rusper (St. Mary Magdalene) Churchyard, Sussex. |
HART,
DFC |
Jack
Percy |
Flight
Lieutenant (Navigator) 131826, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Died 7 April 1945. Aged 28. Born 7 September 1916. Son of Herbert
Thomas Hart and of Kate Eliza Hart (nee White); husband of Constance
Mary Hart (nee Vale), of Harrow, Middlesex, married 1943 in Romford
Registration District, Essex. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
(D.F.C.). In the 1939 Register he was single, a Farmer, resident
with his parents at Higham Farm, Horsham R.D., Sussex. Buried in
Becklingen War Cemetery, Niedersachsen, Germany. Plot 19. Row A.
Grave 12. |
RAPPOPORT |
John
Gerald |
Flying
Officer 117641, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 21 April
1943. Aged 28. Born 1914 in the Hendon Registration District, Middlesex.
Son of Frederick Gerald Rappoport and of Vera Rose Rappoport (nee
Tweedie); husband of Winifred Eve Rappoport (nee Trevaskis), of
Horsham. Buried in Rusper (St. Mary Magdalene) Churchyard, Sussex.
|
WATTS |
Wilfred
Herbert |
Marine
PO/X109054, H.M. L.C.G. (L) 15, Royal Marines. Died 25 April 1943.
Aged 18. Born 15 November 1924. Son of Sidney Herbert and Daisy
Alexandra Watts, of Horsham. In the 1939 Register he was single,
a Private Gardener, resident with his mother at The Garage, Nunnery,
Rusper, Horsham R.D., Sussex. Buried in Rusper (St. Mary Magdalene)
Churchyard, Sussex. |
WICKHAM,
DFC |
Antony
Trelawney |
Flight
Lieutenant 103011, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 14 June
1944. Son of Colonel Thomas E. P. Wickham, Royal Horse Artillery,
and Betty Wickham, of Rusper. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
(D.F.C.). Buried in Rusper (St. Mary Magdalene) Churchyard, Sussex.
|
ALSO
NOT ON MEMORIAL BUT POSSIBLE |
TIDEY
|
Frank
Edwin |
Private
21142 9th (Service) Bn East Surrey Regiment. Died on
26th September 1917. Commemorated on of the Loos Memorial.
Born about 1892 in Ifield, the son of Simeon and Elizabeth Tidey.
Father a Domestic Gardener. The family lived at the lodge to The
Beeches, now Beechwood in Faygate. Battalion hit
by German artillery fire on second day of Battle of Loos. Battalion
War Diary lists 442 casualties. |
Last
updated
5 July, 2023
|