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The Royal British Legion

BUCKDEN WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Martin Edwards 2001
The memorial stands in the front of the churchyard of St Mary's Church looking down onto the Offord Road. It akes the form of a wheel cross, with a shaft with a sword of sacrifice in relief, rising from a plinth. Either side are additional blocks containg the names of the fallen in World War 2. There are 33 names for World War 1 and 14 for World War 2. The memorial was unveiled in 1920, the sculptor were Messrs G Maile and Son Ltd. See also the History of Buckden Village
Photographs Copyright © Martin Edwards 2001

IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE
BUCKDEN MEN WHO HAVE FALLEN
IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919

ALLSOP

Thomas Charles

[Spelt ALLSOPP on CWGC and SDGW] Private, 23435, 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment who was killed in action on Monday, 1st October 1917. Age 29. Born Buckden, enlisted Kettering, Northants. Son of Frederick and Lydia Allsopp, of Church St., Buckden. Buried in Prowse Point Military Cemetery, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium. Grave IV. B. 3.

BUNTON

Jack Stanley

Private probably Private 15393, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Died of wounds 6th June 1915 in England. Buried in St Mary Church Cemetery, Steeple Bumpstead, Essex. Son of Mr. H. Bunton, of Steeple Bumpstead.

BURTON

Samuel

Private, 13498, 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment who was killed in action on Monday, 22nd May 1916. Born Ramsey Hollow, Hunts, enlisted Huntingdon, resident Buckden. Buried in Essex Farm Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Grave II. K. 7.

Letter from Private Burton's Sergeant J Lovel:

No 13150 Sgt J Lovel
8th Beds Regt
France
23-5-16

To Mrs Burton

Dear Mrs Burton

It is with deep regrest that I write these few lines as I have some rather bad news for you. But the awful truth is that your son Pte Burton was killed in action in the evening of the 22nd inst. Dear Madam I know this will be an awful blow for you, as I can imagine how much your son must have been to you the same as he was to us out here, he was a fine specimen of a British Soldier and never saw the least fear and we shall miss him very much as he was thought a lot of by his pals and was under my charge, I knew him as well as anyone and always thought him one of my best men, he was shot through the head and died instantaineously (sic) suffering not the least pain, he is buried well behind the line and a cross marks hist last resting place with his name Regt and etc upon it, trusting you will bear up in your great loss which is great I know, but you have the satisfaction of knowing he died doing his duty and he answered his King and Country as a Hero, all the boys send their sympathy in your great loss and if I can be of further use to you I will do so with pleasure at any time.

Yours sincerely,

J Lovel, Segt.

(Letter by kind courtesy of Les McPherson.)

CLARK

Tom Slade

[Spelt CLARKE on CWGC] Private 235232, 7th Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment). Killed in action 15th October 1917 in France & Flanders. Age 38. Son of George and Elizabeth Clarke; husband of Alice Clarke, of Silver St., Buckden, Hunts. Born Buckden, residence Hull. Commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial. Panel 52 to 54 and 162A

COPE

Ernest Arthur George

Private, 30246, 14th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment who was killed in action on Tuesday, 8th May 1917. Age 19. Born Camden, Lodon, enlisted Huntingdon, resident Hardwick, Hunts. Formerly 1286, Hunts Cyclist Battalion. Son of William Thomas and Grace Emma Cope, of Hardwick, Buckden. Commemorated on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 3.

GALE

George Henry

Corporal, 10157, 16th (The Queen's) Lancers who was killed in action on Tuesday, 26th March 1918. Age 37. Born St. Neots, enlisted Huntingdon, resident Buckden. Son of George and Mary Gale, of View Cottage, Buckden. Commemorated on Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France. Panel 5.

GREEN

Alan Edward

Lieutenant probably Second Lieutenant, 5th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. Died 13th October 1915. Son of John George and Florence May Green, of St. Mark's Lodge, Cambridge. Commemorated on Loos Memorial. Panel 73 to 76.

GREEN, V.C.

John Leslie

Captain, Royal Army Medical Corps attached 5th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regt.) who was killed in action on Saturday, 1st July 1916. Age 26. Born at Buckden, Hunts. Son of John George and Florence May Green, of St. Mark's Lodge, Cambridge. Educated at Felsted School and Downing College, Cambridge, and Bartholomew's Hospital. Buried in Foncquevillers Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Grave III. D. 15.

An extract from the London Gazette, No. 29695, dated 4th Aug., 1916, records the following:- "For most conspicuous devotion to duty. Although himself wounded, he went to the assistance of an officer who had been wounded and was hung up on the enemy's wire entanglements, and succeeded in dragging him to a shell hole, where he dressed his wounds, notwithstanding that bombs and rifle grenades were thrown at him the whole time. Captain Green then endeavoured to bring the wounded officer into safe cover, and had nearly succeeded in doing so when he himself was killed."

See the Chapter One, Victoria Cross Reference site maintained by Mike Chapman.

From Huntingdonshire Heroes of the First World War by John Bell ISBN 0 946965 21 8. Letter to Mrs. Green Leslie's wife from the Commanding Officer.

139th Brigade.
August 1916.

Dear Mrs.Green,

I have seen the letter you wrote to the officer Commanding 5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, asking for news of your husband.

I am deeply grieved to tell you that I am afraid there is no doubt your husband was killed on the 1st of July, and I would like you to know how much I feel for you in your sorrow, but at the same time I must express my intense admiration for the manner in which he met his death.

He was advancing in the rear of his battalion in their assault on the German trenches.

On reaching the German wire he found an officer lying seriously wounded. He moved him under fire, into a shell hole, and dressed the wound under continuous fire and bombing from the German trenches.

He then carried him back towards our lines, still under fire, though wounded himself.

Just before reaching our advanced trench his brother officer was hit again. His brother officer was brought into our trench, and then told a relation of his story.

I regret to say that this officer since died of his wounds in hospital.

I am sure this account of your gallant husband's death will bring comfort to you in your deep sorrow, and make you feel proud of having been the wife of such a man.

Yours sincerely,

General Commanding.

See also HELLFIRE CORNER - Nine VCs of the First day on the Somme and Find A Grave

HILL

Arthur Ro[w]land

Private, 201179, 4th Battalion, Essex Regiment who was killed in action on Monday, 26th March 1917. Age 23. Born Buckden, enlisted Harpenden, resident Stirtloe. Son of Joseph and Sarah Hill, of Stirtloe, Buckden. Formerly 22346, Bedfordshire Regiment. Commemorated on Jerusalem Memorial, Israel. Panels 33 to 39.

HILL

John Philip

Able Seaman R3732, Drake Battalion, Royal Naval Division, Royal Navy. Killed in action 7th November 1918. Age 20, born 30th June 1898. Hometown Buckden. Mother, Sarah Hill of Stirtloe. Buried in Wiheries Communal Cemetery (WSW Mons). Grave II. A. 3

HOWSON

John Frederick

[Frederick John on CWGC] Lieutenant, 126th Battery, 29th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery who died on Friday, 18th October 1918. Age 26. Son of Mr. and Mrs. V. C. Howson, of Tuck's Lane, Buckden. Native of South Africa. Commemorated on Kirkee 1914-1918 Memorial, India. Face A.

HUBBARD

Henry [Harry]

Lance Corporal, 290279, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment who died of wounds on Wednesday, 18th September 1918. Born Buckden, enlisted Huntingdon, resident Stirtloe. Buried in Doingt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. Grave I. A. 16.

LEADEN

Albert Edwin

Private, 892595, 8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regt.) who died on Saturday, 10th November 1917. Age 23. Born 29th January 1893 in Buckden. Enlisted 10th November 1916 in Winnipeg, Manitoba aged 23 years 10 months, passed as fit 23rd November 1916. Height 5 feet 6½ inches, girth 37 inches, complexion dark, eyes grey, hair dark brown, religion Church of England. Son of John and Elizabeth Jane Leaden, of Offord Rd., Buckden. Brother of Ernest Ivon below. Resident Snowflake, Manitoba, Canada. Farmer by trade. Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 24 - 26 - 28 - 30. National Archives of Canada Accession Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 5484 - 25

LEADEN

Ernest Ivon

[Lance Corporal on the memorial] Private, 123107, 18th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regt.) who died on Tuesday, 3rd October 1916. Age 20, born 1st April 1896 at Buckden. Ironsmith by trade. Enlisted 4 September 1915 at London aged 19 years 5 months, passed as fit the same day. Height 5 feet 6½ inches, girth 35 inches, complexion dark, eyes grey, hair dark brown, religion Methodist. Son of John and E. J. Leaden, of West Cottage, Hardwick, Buckden. His brother Albert Edward [Edwin] above also fell. Commemorated on Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. National Archives of Canada Accession Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 5484 - 26

LIVETT

Arthur

Private, 14582, Bedfordshire Regiment transferred to (530459) 683rd Agricultural Company, Labour Corps who died on Friday, 15th November 1918. Son of Neville Livett, of Silver St., Buckden. Buried near the North boundary in Buckden Cemetery.

LIVETT

[Charles] Henry [Harry]

Corporal, 27390, 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment who died on Thursday, 8th February 1917. Age 29. Son of William and Sarah Livett, of Huntingdonshire; husband of Emily Dorothy Livett, of 21, Stobart Mansions, Kimpton Rd., Camberwell, London. Buried in Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No.1, Somme, France. Grave IV. G. 18.

LIVETT

John

[Corporal on memorial] Sergeant 6786, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died of wounds 18th June 1915. Native of Chatteris, Cambs. Son of John and Rose Hannah Livett; husband of Jessie Richardson (formerly Livett), of 608, Blackburn Rd., Rising Bridge, Baxenden, Accrington. Born Chatteris, enlisted March. Buried in St Sever Cemetery, Rouen. Grave A. 7. 27.

LIVETT

William

Private, 9846, 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment who was killed in action on Thursday, 28th March 1918. Born and resident Buckden, enlisted Bedford. Commemorated on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 7.

MURDEN

Frank

Corporal, 3/9443, 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment who was killed in action on Thursday, 17th August 1916. Age 22. Born Conington, enlisted Peterborough, Northants. Son of Henry and Jenny Murden, of New Rd., Buckden. Native of Conington, Cambs. Commemorated in Bazentin-le-Petit Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. Special memorial C.7.

MURDEN

Sidney Richard

Private, 9507, 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment who died of wounds on Wednesday, 21st June 1916. Age 24. Born Ramsey, enlisted Northampton. Native of Ramsey, Hunts. Son of Henry and Jenny Murden, of New Rd., Buckden. Buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Grave V. E. 59.

PEPPER

Horace

Private, 10261, 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment who was killed in action on Saturday, 1st July 1916. Born and resident Buckden, enlisted Bedford. Son of E. Pepper, of School Lane, Buckden. Buried in Serre Road Cemetery No.2, Somme, France. Grave II. A. 34.

PRATELY

Reginald Charles

[Spelt PRATLEY on CWGC and SDGW] Private, 202961, 2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment who was killed in action on Tuesday, 31st July 1917. Age 20. Born Ascot, Berks, enlisted Huntingdon, resident Buckden. Son of Emma Pratley, of Church St., Buckden. Formerly 6301, Essex Regiment. Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 53.

PYWELL

Charles

Private, 307733, 1st/8th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment who was killed in action on Monday, 27th August 1917. Enlisted Huntingdon, resident Buckden. Formerly 1578, Hunts. Cyclist Battalion. Buried in Poelcapelle British Cemetery, Langemark-Poelkapelle, West-V., Belgium. Grave LI. C. 11.

PYWELL

Frederick

[On memorial as Lance Corporal] Private, 33352, 4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment who died of wounds on Friday, 10th May 1918. Age 36. Born Buckden, enlisted Ipswich, resident Bristol. Son of John and Martha Pywell, of Buckden; husband of Florence E. Pywell, of Norton, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. Formerly 4216, Suffolk Regiment. Buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Grave LXVII. B. 10.

RISELEY

Charles Henry

Private, 14839, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment who was killed in action on Friday, 23rd August 1918. Born and resident Buckden, enlisted Huntingdon. Buried in Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France. Grave IV. U. 1.

SABEY

Herbert George

[On memorial as Private] Gunner, 210921, "H" Bty. 7th Bde., Royal Horse Artillery who was killed in action on Tuesday, 8th October 1918. Age 28. Resident and enlisted Buckden. Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Sabey, of Luck's Lane, Buckden. Buried in Beaurevoir British Cemetery, Aisne, France. Grave C. 22.

SEE

Albert Edward

[Listed on memorial as Lance Corporal] Private, 5086, 28th Battalion, Australian Infantry, A.I.F who died on Thursday, 20th September 1917. Age 32. Son of Thomas and Mary Anne See; husband of Mrs. M. M. See, of 31, State St., Victoria Park, Western Australia. Enlisted Jarrahdale, Western Australia. Native of Buckden. Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 7 - 17 - 23 - 25 - 27 - 29 - 31

SHARP

Frederick

[SHARPE on SDGW and CWGC] Private, G/40845, 19th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment who was killed in action on Saturday, 25th November 1916. Born and resident Buckden, enlisted Bedford. Formerly G/14689, Royal West Kent Regiment. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 12 D and 13 B

SHARP

Herbert William

[Spelt SHARPE on NA Canada and CWGC] Private 55701, 19th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regt.) Died on 14th September 1916. Aged 21, born 15th June 1896 [Enlistment papers state 1890] at Buckden. Enlisted 26th January 1915 in Toronto aged 19. Son of William Dennis and Margeret Sharp [although the CWGC states Florence Annie Sharpe], of Church View, Brampton, Huntingdon, England. Farmer by trade. Height 5 feet 5 inches, girth 32 inches, complexion fair, eyes brown, hair fair, religion Church of England. Tattoos of and anchor and "H Sharpe" on right forearm, mole on chin, mole on upper chest and mole on back of neck. Four (4) vaccination marks on his left arm. Commemorated on Vimy Memorial. National Archives of Canada Accession Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 8805 - 7

TOWNSEND

Horace

Private, 26039, 8th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment who was killed in action on Wednesday, 7th August 1918. Age 36. Son of Mr. C. and Mrs. J. Townsend, of High St., Buckden. Enlisted Bedford. Buried in Beacon Cemetery, Sailly-Laurette, Somme, France. Grave IV. F. 8.

THURLEY

George [William]

Private, 49619, 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment who was killed in action on Thursday, 25th April 1918. Age 18. Born Buckden and enlisted Huntingdon. Son of Matthew and Eliza Thurley, of Buckden. Buried in Hangard Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. Grave III.E.6

USHER

Henry Thomas

Private, 267575, 2nd/1st Bucks Battalion, Oxford. and Bucks Light Infantry who was killed in action on Thursday, 16th August 1917. Age 32. Born and resident Buckden, enlisted Huntingdon. Son of Henry H. and Elizabeth Usher, of High St., Buckden. Commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 96 to 98

WHITE

George E

[Listed as Sergeant on memorial] Lance Serjeant, 11367, 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards who died on Monday, 26th March 1917. Born Buckden, enlisted St. Neots. Buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France. Grave O. VIII. K. 13.

AND THOSE WHO FELL
IN THE WAR 1939-45

ANDREW

John

Northamptonshire Regiment. No information currently.

BOWYER

Thomas James

Trooper, 4983194, 163rd (13th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regt.) who died on Monday, 11th January 1943. Age 21. Son of William Temple Bowyer and Mabel Gifford Bowyer, of Buckden. Buried in Madras War Cemetery, Madras, India. Grave 8. B. 16.

BROWN

Bernard

R.A.F. probably Bernard Edward Brown, Sergeant, 1281447, 455 (R.A.A.F.) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve who died on Friday, 6th February 1942. Commemorated on Runnymede Air Forces Memorial, Surrey. Panel 79.

DUBERLEY

James Arthur Grey

[spelt DUBERLY on CWGC] Second Lieutenant, 320937, Scots Guards. Killed by a flying bomb while on duty at Wellington Barracks on Sunday, 18th June 1944. Age 18. Son of Maj. Montagu Richard William Duberly O.B.E., and of Lady Eileen Duberly (nee Stopford), of Buckden. Buried in St. Andrew churchyard, Great Staughton.

DUDLEY

Stanley Eric

Able Seaman, S.S. Nailsea Court (Cardiff), Merchant Navy who died on Wednesday, 10th March 1943. Age 21. Son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Dudley, of Buckden. Commemorated on Tower Hill Memorial, London. Panel 71.

GADSBY

John Wilfred

Pilot Officer, 85017, 82 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve who died on Thursday, 10th April 1941. Age 30. Son of John Topham Gadsby and Edith Mary Gadsby. Commemorated on Runnymede Air Forces Memorial, Surrey. Panel 32.

GEERING

Ronald William

Private, 5884887, 5th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment who died on Sunday, 15th April 1945. Age 25. Son of William Edwin and Rosalena Geering, of Brighton, Sussex. Buried in Berlin 1939-45 War Cemetery, Brandenburg, Germany. Grave 11. D. 14.

JOSLIN

John Davies Clement

Squadron Leader, 34158, Pilot, 79 Squadron, Royal Air Force who died on Sunday, 7th July 1940. Age 24. Son of Davies Clement Joslin and Elizabeth Joslin; husband of Louisa Margot Joslin, of Buckden. Born Russell, Manitoba, Canada. Buried in Beckden Cemetery.

KING

[Norman] Eric

probably Able Seaman D/JX 558728, H.M.S. President III, Royal Navy. Died 29th April 1944. Commemorated on Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Panel 86, Column 3.

LINE

Patrick John

Rifleman, 14441356, 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade who died on Wednesday, 11th October 1944. Age 19. Son of Arthur and Amy Line, of Buckden. Buried in Heesch Roman Catholic Cemetery, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands. Grave 22.

RISELEY

[John] Stanley

Lance Corporal, 5886015, 5th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment who died on Sunday, 8th August 1943. Age 22. Son of John William and Mary Elizabeth Riseley, of Buckden. Buried in Catania War Cemetery, Sicily, Italy. Grave IV. J. 14.

ROBINSON

Peter Dennis

Lieutenant, No. 41 R.M. Commando., Royal Marines who died on Monday, 7th August 1944. Age 20. Son of Arthur Thomas Robinson and Dorothy Annie Robinson, of Buckden. Buried in Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France. Grave IVA. O. 3.

SEAMAN

Austin Alec Middleton

Sergeant, 1516234, 44 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve who died on Wednesday, 24th November 1943. Age 22. Son of George and Agnes Seaman, of Buckden. Commemorated on Runnymede Air Forces Memorial, Surrey. Panel 164.

SEAMAN

Leslie Alfred

Serjeant, 7617739, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers who died on Saturday, 16th June 1945. Age 28. Son of George and Agnes Seaman; husband of Phyllis Victorine May Seaman, of Lowestoft. Buried in Coriano Ridge War Cemetery, Italy. Grave III, C, 11.

WADHAM

[John] Mylan

Lieutenant, 162766, Royal Artillery who died on Friday, 3rd September 1943. Age 23. Son of Nicholas Wyndham Wadham and Barbara Morley May Wadham; nephew of Mr. G. C. Wadham, of Paddington, London. Buried in Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel. Grave 3. G. 10.

WILDERSPIN

Joseph

Lance Corporal, 6457943, 5th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment who died on Saturday, 22nd July 1944. Age 29. Buried in Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France. Grave IX. C. 2.

Last updated 11 November, 2008

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