Photographs Copyright © Martin Edwards 2002

ALLDER

Charles Richard

Shoeing Smith 54648, 3rd (Lahore) Division, Ammunition Column, Royal field Artillery. Died of wounds Monday 4th November 1918 in Palestine. Born Stewkley, enlisted Bedford. Buried in RAMLEH WAR CEMETERY, Israel. Plot EE. Grave 5.

BAINES

Sidney

Private 83889, 18th Squadron, Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry). Died on service 19th October 1918 in Egypt. Born Heath, enlisted Luton. Formerly 8785, 5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. In the 1901 census he was agd 14, born Heath, Bedfordshire, son of William F and Anne Baines, resident Heath, Heath and Reach, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. In the 1911 census he was aged 24, born Heath, Bedfordshire, a Sand Pit Labourer, resident with his parents, William Fench and Annie Rebecca Baines in Heath and Reach, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. Buried in DAMASCUS COMMONWEALTH WAR CEMETERY, Syria. Plot B. Grave 111. See also Luton

BAKER, M.M.

James

Private 80513, 7th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps. Died at home Tuesday 10th July 1917. Aged 23. Born Linslade, enlisted Bedford. Son of George and Hannah Sarah Baker of Sandy Lane, Heath Rd., Leighton Buzzard.Awarded the Military Medal. Buried in HEATH AND REACH CEMETERY, Heath and Reach, Bedfordshire.

BANWELL

William

Sergeant 17156, 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Thursday 3rd May (SDGW says August) 1917 in France & Falnders. Born Tilsworth, enlisted Leighton Buzzard, resident Heath & Reach. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 5.

BATES

George

BATES

Thomas J

Private 268731, 12th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment). Died Monday 17th December 1917 [SDGW states 21st January 1918] in France & Flanders. Born Heath, resident and enlisted Leighton Buzzard. Formerly 30448, Bedfordshire Yeomanry. Buried in LE CATEAU MILITARY CEMETERY, Nord, France. Plot V. Row C. Grave 2.

BIGGS

Joseph Wright

Private G/82005, "C" Company, 26th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Died on Wednesday 23rd October 1918. Aged 19. Son of Joseph and Kate Biggs, of Thomas St., Heath and Reach. Buried in HARLEBEKE NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, Harelbeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot VI. Row D. Grave 11.

BLEWITT

Arthur

probably Arthur BLEWITT, Lieutenant-Colonel (Temporary), King's Royal Rifle Corps, attached 5th Labour Corps. Died of wounds 4th September 1917. Aged 56. Son of William and Jane Blewitt, of Pinner, Middlesex. Buried in LONGUENESSE (ST. OMER) SOUVENIR CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot IV. Row D. Grave 66.

BOTTERILL

[Richard] Edward

Private 78826, 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Killed in action Tuesday 6th August 1918 in France & Flanders. Formerly 37026, 4th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Buried in FRANVILLERS COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Somme, France. Plot II. Row B. Grave 10.

BRANTOM

Arthur

[Listed as BRANTON on CWGC] Private 42791, 7th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Died of wounds Monday 29th April 1918 in France & Flanders. Born and resident Leighton Buzzard, enlisted Luton. Buried in VARENNES MILITARY CEMETERY, Somme, France. Plot I. Row K. Grave 26.

CHEVEMS

John

[Listed as CHEVERS on CWGC and CHEVENS on SDGW] Lance Corporal 13648, 10th (Service) Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment. Died of wounds Sunday 2nd July 1916. Aged 27. Born Bamford, Derbyshire, enlisted Shefield, resident Leighton Buzzard. Son of Ben Chevens; husband of Nora B. Chevens, of Bird's Hill, Heath and Reach. Buried in HEILLY STATION CEMETERY, MERICOURT-L'ABBE, Somme, France. Plot I. Row B. Grave 18.

CROCKFORD

Frederick

No further information currently.

DANCER, M.C.

Alfred Christopher

Acting Captain, 5th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. Killed in action Thursday 4th October 1917. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 92.

FREEMAN

John

Private L/7552, 16th (The Queen's) Lancers. Died on Saturday 27th March 1915. Aged 30. Son of William and Frances Elizabeth Freeman, of Checkley Wood Farm, Hockliffe, Bedfordshire. Buried in CURRAGH MILITARY CEMETERY, County Kildare, Ireland, Republic of Ireland. Grave 1210. The farm at Hockliffe is almost equidistant from both the Heath & Reach and Battlesden memorials. See also Battlesden.

FREEMAN

William

Lance Corporal 19196, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Tuesday 11th July 1916 in France & Flanders. Aged 20. Born and resident Heath & Reach, enlisted Ampthill. Son of Edward W. Freeman, of I, Thomas St., Leighton Buzzard. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 2 C.

HAGGERWOOD

Henry

Private 14315, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Wednesday 21st April 1915 in France & Flanders. Aged 27. Born Sandon, Herts, enlisted Heath & Reach, resident Sandon. Son of Joseph Haggerwood, of Mill End, Sandon, Royston, Herts. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 31 and 33.

HANKIN

Frederick Bernard

Private 4131, 25th Battalion, Australian Infantry, A.I.F. Killed in action Saturday 5th August 1916. Aged 25. Son of Charles F. and Mary Ann Frances Hankin, of Thomas St., Heath and Reach. Brother of Robert, below. Buried in SERRE ROAD CEMETERY No. 2, Somme, France. Plot XXIX. Row B. Grave 5.

The article is taken from the Edmonton Bulletin published on 1st March 1930 and reads:

Missing Soldier's Body Identified After Many Years.

After a silence of nearly 11 years Mr and Mrs Charles Hankin, of Heath, Bedfordshire, have been informed of the finding and identification of their elder son, Frederick, who was reported missing on August 5, 1918 (sic), while serving with the Australian contingent in France.

Articles in his possession which led to his identification were a gold ring on his finger, bearing his name, and the photograph of a girlliving at Brisbane. These and several letters have been sent to his mother.

Mr. and Mrs Hankins were formerly in business in High Street, Islington. Their only other son, Robert, who joined the Bedfordshire Regt., was reported missing during the great offensive of March 1918.

HANKIN

Robert Hayes

Private 203211, 2nd/5th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). Killed in action Thursday 21st March 1918. Aged 20. Born Islington, Middlesex, enlisted Bedford, resident Leighton Buzzard. Son of Charles F. and Mary Ann Frances Hankin, of Thomas St., Heath & Reach, brother of Frederick above. Formerly 30391, Bedfordshire Regiment. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 7.

HOLMES

George Walter

Private 13577, 10th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Died at home Friday 20th November 1914. Born, resident and enlisted Heath & Reach. Buried in DOVERCOURT (ALL SAINTS) CHURCHYARD, Essex. Plot III. Row E. Grave 10.

HORLEY

Albert

Private 18132, 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Sunday 22nd October 1916 in France & Flanders. Born and resident Heath & Reach, enlisted Bedford. Buried in POZIERES BRITISH CEMETERY, OVILLERS-LA BOISSELLE, Somme, France. Plot I. Row D. Grave 12.

MONEY

Harry

Private 112095, 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles (Quebec Regiment). Died on Monday 5 June 1916. Aged 22. Son of Amos and Emma Money, of Heath Reach. National Archives of Canada Reference: RG 150, Acc. 1992-93/166, Box 6291 - 13. Buried in ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot V. Row D. Grave 21A.

NEALE

Ralph

Private 33066, Hertfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Friday 23rd August 1918 in France & Flanders. Aged 28. Enlisted Leighton Buzzard, resident Heath & Reach. Son of George and Emily Neale, of Reach Green, Heath and Reach. Buried in SERRE ROAD CEMETERY No. 2, Somme, France. Plot X. Row G. Grave 17.

PARAGREEN

Frederick Arthur

Gunner RMA/10860 (RMR/IC/41), R.M.A. H.M.S. "Good Hope", Royal Navy. Died on Sunday 1st November 1914. Commemorated on PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire. Panel 5.

PEARSON, MC

Arthur John

2nd Lieutenant, Pilot, 29 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, ex-Northamptonshire Regtiemnt & Machine Gun Corps. Born July 1887. Son of Charles W. & Esther Pearson, of Shenley House, Heath, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. Educated at Royal Latin School, Buckingham, & City & Guilds Institute, London. Employed by Western Electric Co., Woolwich; worked on installation of telephone exchanges in China (incl. Imperial Court at Peking), S. Africa, Australia & Belgium. Enlisted as Private in Royal Fusiliers September 1914. Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in 8th (Reserve) Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment 27th March 1915. Transferred to Machine Gun Corps 1916. Awarded the Military Cross (MC) (gazetted 19th August 1916) in Battle of the Somme: "For conspicuous gallantry during operations. When held up by the enemy's fire after an advance through heavy fire,he established himself in a shell hole and held on for five hours. He then withdrew, bringing back his gun and a wounded man." Then transferred to Royal Flying Corps and trained as a pilot at Central Flying School, Upavon. Joined 29 Squadron (France) December 1916. On 4th March 1917, shared in bringing down an Albatros D.II, flown by Ltn. Max Bohme of Jasta 5 (POW), in British lines. Shot down in flames and killed, 9th March 1917, flying DH.2 A2571, by Ltn. Manfred von Richthofen of Jasta 11 (his 25th victory), between Roclincourt & Bailleul-sir-Berthoult, North East of Arras. No known grave; commemorated on Flying Services Memorial, Arras. (See 'Under the Guns of the Red Baron' - Franks, Giblin & McCrery - Grub Street, London, 1995 - for further details & photo of Pearson.).

PRATT

Horace

No further information currently.

ROLLS

Frederick [Joseph]

Acting Lance Corporal 22937, Hertfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 8th October 1918 in France & Flanders. Aged 22. Born Bedford, enlisted Ampthill, resident Woburn. Son of Thomas and Sarah Jane Rolls, of Sandhouse, Woburn. Buried in NAVES COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Nord, France. Plot III. Row C. Grave 6.

ROSE

Percival [Percy]

Private 406381, 19th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment). Died on Sunday 23 January 1916. Aged 24. Son of John and Louisa Rose, of Heath Green, Heath and Reach. National Archives of Canada Accession Reference RG 150, Acc. 1992-93/166, Box 8460 - 50. Buried in RIDGE WOOD MILITARY CEMETERY, Heuvelland, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot I. Row M. Grave 3.

SPROAT

Robert

STONE

Alfred

Lieutenant 3rd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died on Friday 17th October 1919. Aged 25. Son of George and Sarah Ann Stone, of I, Woburn Rd., Heath and Reach. Buried inETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot XLV. Row D. Grave 1.

STONE

Edward

Private 241391, 425th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps. Died on Wednesday 13th November 1918. Aged 24. Son of Mr. and Mrs Stone, of Heath and Reach; husband of L. Smith (formerly Stone), of 5, Cowley Cottages, Cowley. Buried in COWLEY (ST. LAURENCE) CHURCHYARD, Middlesex.

STONE

Joseph

Rifleman A/205169, 16th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps. Killed in action Wednesday 17th July 1918 in France & Flanders. Born Heath & Reach, enlisted Luton, resident Leighton Buzzard. Formerly TR/13/53479, 17th Training Reserve Battalion. Buried in AVESNES-SUR-HELPE COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Nord, France. Row B. Grave 9.

STRONG

Benjamin Clarence

Private 10486, 9th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Died Friday 17th May 1918 in France & Flanders. Aged 22. Born Seaford, Sussex, enlisted Kingston, Surrey. Son of Mrs. E. Turner (formerly Strong), of Gig Lane, Heath and Reach, Leighton Buzzard, and the late Robert Bennett Strong. Born at Hampstead, London according to CWGC. Buried in ANNOIS COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Aisne, France. Plot II. Row A. Grave 3.

STRONG

Francis William Cooper

Private 9597, 2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment. Killed in action on Sunday 29th July 1917. Aged 29. Served as John STEWART, born Thornton Heath, Surrey, enlisted Hounslow. Middlesex, resident Leighton Buzzard. Son of Elizabeth Turner (formerly Strong), of Gig Lane, Heath and Reach, Leighton Buzzard, and the late Robert Bennett Strong. Native of Hampstead, London. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIALIeper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 53.

STRONG

Robert Harold

Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Died 12th March 1915. Aged 29. Son of Mrs. L. E. Turner, (formerly Strong), of Woodbine Cottage, Gig Lane, Heath and Reach, Leighton Buzzard, and the late Robert Bennett Strong. Acting bandmaster in India previous to war. Scholar of R.M.S.M., Twickenham. Buriedm in LOKER CHURCHYARD, Heuvelland, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot II. Row C. Grave 20.

Extract from The Bond of Sacrifice - Part 2 January to June 1915:

2nd LIEUTENANT ROBERT HAROLD STRONG, 2nd BATTN. THE EAST SURREY REGIMENT, the eldest son of the late R. B. Strong, Esq., and Mrs. Turner, of 31, Pond Street, Hampstead, N.W., and the grandson of Mr. T. Cooper, of Heath, Bedfordshire, was born at Merton, Surrey, on the 15th August, 1886. At the age of fifteen he enlisted in the 2nd Battalion East Surrey Regiment, and gained the Army 1st Class Certificate of Education. He passed through the various non-commissioned ranks to Drum-Major. In November, 1914, he received his commission in the East Surrey Regiment and was posted to his old Battalion. He went with it to France and was killed in action near Ypres on the 13th March, 1915.

Four of his brothers are also in the service, and two have been wounded.

2nd Lieutenant Strong was an all-round sportsman, being chiefly known for his prowess as a runner and a football player. He was the winner of a shield, a silver cup and sixteen medals, and was Battalion Champion of the Athletic Sports held in Burma in 1911, 1912 and 1914.

He was also well known to his Battalion for his musical talents; and while stationed at Shurbo, Burma, he managed the musical part of the services in the Garrison Church.

Writing of his death his Captain said: “With regard to the death of your son, 2nd Lieutenant Strong, of the Battalion under my command, I have to inform you that he was doing duty with the 3rd Middlesex Regt. at the time he was killed. I understand that he was walking round the billets when the enemy started shelling. He was observing the results of the bursting shells when one pitched close to him and mortally wounded him. I do not think that he suffered much before he died. He is a great loss to the Battalion, and his death is mourned by many who have known him as a good sportsman and a fearless soldier. He died for his country; more than that a man cannot do. He was buried in Locre churchyard in Belgium, and a cross marks his grave.”

TEW

William Henry

Private G/29676, 1st Battalion, Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Killed in action Saturday 21st September 1918 in France & Flanders. Born Heath & Reach, enlisted West London, resident North Kensington, Middlesex. Buried in VILLERS HILL BRITISH CEMETERY, VILLERS-GUISLAIN, Nord, France. Plot VI. Row D. Grave 18.

TOMPKINS

Nora

No further information currently.

T[H]OMPSON

Amos

WEBB

[Frederick] George

Private 15580, "D" Company, 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Friday 15th September 1916 in France & Flanders. Aged 21. Born and resident Rushmere, Beds, enlisted Leighton Buzzard. Son of John Holmes Webb and Elizabeth Webb, of Thomas St., Heath and Reach, formerly of Picket Lodge, Rushmere, Heath and Reach. Enlisted Sept. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 2 C.

WOOLHEAD

Thomas

Private 27085, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action Saturday 16th June 1917 in France & Flanders. Aged 35. Born Heath & reach, enlisted Luton. Son of William and Sarah Ann Woolhead, of 8, Bryant's Row, Heath and Reach. Buried in MONCHY BRITISH CEMETERY, MONCHY-LE-PREUX, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row F. Grave 14.

BOND

John

Private 5952560, 5th Battalion, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment. Died as a Japanese Prisoner of war on Tuesday 12th January 1943. Aged 23. Born 7 February 1919 in Belfast, resident Bedfordshire. Husband of Mrs. Winifred E Bond, of 7 Reach Green, Woburn Road, Heath & Reach, Leightn Buzzard, Bedfordshire, married 1941 in the Leighton Buzzard Registration District. In the 1939 Register he was an Agriculutral Labourer, unmarried, resident 6 Linslade Road, Luton R.D., Bedfordshire. Buried in KANCHANABURI WAR CEMETERY, Thailand. Plot 4. Row F. Grave 10.

PUDDEPHATT

Frank David

STONE

Frederick John

Trooper 5834205, 142nd (7th Battalion. The Suffolk Regiment) Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps. Killed in action on Saturday 23rd September 1944. Aged 31. Son of Joseph and Annie Stone, of Heath and Reach. Buried in CORIANO RIDGE WAR CEMETERY, Italy. Plot XIX. Row C. Grave 6.

HACK

William James

Sergeant 6094808, 56th Regiment, Reconnaissance Corps, Royal Armoured Corps. Diedas a result of an accident on Saturday 14th April 1945; previously wounded 28th October 1944. Aged 26. Born and resident Bedfordshire. Son of Joseph and Edith Hack; husband of Hilda Mary Hack, of Linslade, Buckinghamshire. Buried in FAENZA WAR CEMETERY, Italy. Plot II. Row C. Grave 19.

WHITING

John William

Private 5831314, 2nd Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Died as a Prisoner of War of the Japanese, working on the Burma-Thailand Railway, on Tuesday 16th February 1943; captured in Singapore 15 February 1942. Aged 27. Born 23 March 1916, and resident, Bedfordshire. Son of Frederick Thomas Whiting and Rosa Whiting, of Leighton Buzzard. In the 1939 Register he was a Sand Quarries Locomotive Driver, unmarried, resident 23 Bird's Hill, Luton R.D., Bedfordshire. Buried in CHUNGKAI WAR CEMETERY, Thailand. Plot 12. Row F. Grave 12.