SISSINGHURST WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Gill Cannell & Andrew Dishman 2022

The Sissinghurst memorial is to be found in the grounds of Trinity Church, Sissinghurst, near Tunbridge Wells; it is in a state of very bad repair and some names almost unreadable. It takes the form of an octagonal cross on a four-sided plinth and two stepped base with a possible Masons mark on the reverse. There are 25 names listed for World War 1 and 25 for World War 2. The names here have been sorted into alphabetical order within conflict.

Photograph Copyright © Gill Cannell & Andrew Dishman 2022

TO
THE MEN OF
SISSINGHURST
WHO
GAVE THEIR LIVES
FOR
KING & COUNTRY
IN THE
GREAT WAR
1914 - 1919

AUSTEN	Frederick	Private 205303, 1st Battalion, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Killed in action 25 September 1917. Aged 27. Born and resident Biddenden, Kent, enlisted Canterbury, Kent. Son of the late Alfred and Ann Austen, of Biddenden, Kent; husband of Emily Austen, of Whyborn's, Minster-on-Sea, Sheerness. Buried in HOOGE CRATER CEMETERY, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot VI. Row E. Grave 8. See also Cranbrook War Memorial
BURDEN	Victor John	Private 203067, 5th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died April to June Quarter 1918 in Cranbrook Registratrion Distrioct, Kent. Aged 19. In the 1911 census he was aged 12, born Sissinghurst, Kent, grandso of Ebenezer Curtis, son iof Arthur and Emily Burden, resident Golford Place, Cranbrook, Kent. Attested 2 October 1915 at Cranbrook, Kent, resident Golford, Cranbrook, Kent. Embodied 5th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) 2 October 1915, posted 3rd/5th Battalion 6 October 1915, served in United Kingdom 2 October 1915 to 25 May 1917, discharged under para 392 (xvi) King's Regulations 22 May 1917 due to Pulmonary Tuberculosis, no longer physically fit. Religious denomination Church of England, aged 19 years 1 month, height 5 feet 6½ inches. Buried 4 April 1918 in CRANBROOK, ST DUNSTAN CHURCHYARD, Kent. See also Cranbrook War Memorial
CHEESMAN	Arthur Edwin	Captain, 1st/5th (The Weald of Kent) Battalion (Territorial), The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died on service 26 September 1916. Aged 39. Son of the late Capt. Edwin Thomas Cheesman (R.A.V.C.), and Mrs. Cheeseman. Buried in AMARA WAR CEMETERY, Iraq. Plot IX. Row E. Grave 26. See also Cranbrook War Memorial Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1917: CHEESMAN Arthur Edwin of Sissinghurst Castle Kent captain 5th East Dents died 26th September 1916 at Mesopotamia on active service Probate London 9 October to Thomas Barton Cheesman farmer and the reverend Reginald Phillips Ernest Cheesman clerk. Effects £10924 12s. 2d.
CHURCHILL	Harry Charles	Private M2/054649, 52nd Mechanical Transport Company (Aldershot), Royal Army Service Corps. Died of Dyspaoca in the West Ham Auxiliary Military Hospital 3 November 1915. Born Cranbrook, Kent, enlisted Holborn. Attested 22 March 1915 in London, resident Leyton House, The Common, Cranbrook, Kent, aged 43 years, a Motor Driver and Mechanic, a widower. Originally married Anna Maria Bennett 6 March 1895 in Lambeth. Next of kin Ellen Anna Churchill (daughter), of Leyton House, The Common, Cranbrook, Kent.Height 5 feet 5½ inche, chest 34½ inches, religious denomination Church of England. Buried in ALDERSHOT MILITARY CEMETERY, Hampshire. Grave refe-38 rence AF. 1931. See also Cranbrook War Memorial
COLLINS	Charles Henry	Private G/69464, 6th Battalion, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) formerly 38305. East Surrey Regiment. Killed in action 23 August 1918. Aged 18. Born and enlisted Cranbrook, Kent. Son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Collins, of Golford Place, Golford, Cranbrook, Kent. Buried in MORLANCOURT BRITISH CEMETERY NO.2, Somme, France. Row B. Grave 16. See also Cranbrook War Memorial
DAY	Ernest John	Gunner 54147, 22nd Reserve Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Died from Cerebro Spinal Meningitis in the Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich, Midnight 18 February 1915; in hospital 23 days, improved then suddenly collapsed. Aged 20. Born 18 October 1894 in Ashford, Kent [SDGW] or Egerton, Kent [Recruitment document/Medical documents], enlisted Maidstone. Baptised 14 April 1895 at Egerton, St James, Kent, son of Horace and Sarah Day, resident Egerton, Kent, later of Ivy Cottage, Sissinghurst, Kent. His sister Myrtle Mary Day lived in Sissinghurst Vicarage, Cranbrook. In the 1911 census he was aged 16, born Egerton, Kent, a Baker's lad, son of Horace and Sarah Day, resident Ivy Cottage, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent. Attested 20 November 1914, aged 20 years 1 month, a Gardener by trade, single, parents deceased,height 5 feet 8¼ inches, weight 147lbs, chest 36-38 inches, fresh complexion, blue eyes, fair hair, religious denominaion Church of England. Next of kin listed as Mrs. S. Day, Ivy Cottage, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook. Cremated and buried in GREENWICH CEMETERY (Shooters Hill Cemetery), London. Screen Wall. 3 "C." A. 107. See also Cranbrook War Memorial
DROWLEY	Charles Stephen	Sapper 230534, 6th Signal Company, Royal Engineers. Died on service 26 October 1918. Aged 34. Born and resident Sissinghurst, Kent, enlisted Canterbury, Kent. Buried in TERLINCTHUN BRITISH CEMETERY, WIMILLE , Pas de Calais, France. Plot VI. Row C. Grave 41. See also Cranbrook War Memorial
ELDRIDGE	Frederick Harry	Private G/3918, 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died of wounds in United Kingdom 5 August 1918. Aged 27. Born Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent, resident and enlisted Cranbrook, Kent. Husband of Florence Eva Turner (formerly Eldridge), of Satin's Hill, Sissinghurst. Buried in SISSINGHURST CEMETERY, Kent. Grave reference Gc. 6. See also Cranbrook War Memorial
ELDRIDGE	Percy [Edward]	Lance Corporal L/7267, 1st Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Killed in action 27 October 1914. Aged 30. Son of the late Edward Frederick and Esther Eldridge; husband of Agnes Isabel Eldridge, of 1, Horsey Bank, Eastbourne. Born Cranbrook, Kent, Canterbury, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on LE TOURET MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 30 and 31. See also Cranbrook War Memorial
EVENDEN	Clarence S	Private T/241666, 1st/5th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died on service with Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force 15 December 1917. Born, resident and enlisted Cranbrook, Kent. Buried in BAGHDAD (NORTH GATE) WAR CEMETERY, Iraq. Plot XVI. Row H. Grave 8. See also Cranbrook War Memorial
EVENDEN	Victor	Private T/241618, 5th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died of wounds 26 February 1917. Aged 30. Born, resident and enlisted Cranbrook, Kent. Son of Thomas and Fanny Evenden, of Sattins Hill, Sissinghurst; husband of Emily Evenden, of Spongs Lane, Sissinghurst, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on BASRA MEMORIAL, Iraq. Panel 6. See also Cranbrook War Memorial
GURR	Benjamin	Rifleman 45926, 5th Batalion, Rifle Brigade. Died in United Kingdom 10 November 1918. Born Golford, Kent, resident Cranbrook, Kent, enlisted Canterbury, Kent. Buried in SISSINGHURST CEMETERY, Kent. Grave reference Dd. 16. See also Cranbrook War Memorial
GURR	William [Henry]	Private G/24455, 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Killed in action 3 May 1917. Born and resident Cranbrook, enlisted Maidstone. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 3. See also Cranbrook War Memorial
HATCHER	Frank W	Private L/7046, 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died of wounds 23 September 1918. Born, resident and enlisted Cranbrook, Kent. Buried in ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN, Seine-Maritime, France. Section R. Plot IV. Row D. Grave 10. See also Cranbrook War Memorial
HATCHER	James	Lance Corporal 22951, 7th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Killed in action 10 November 1916. Born Sellinghurst [sic - s/b Sissinghurst], Kent, enlisted Canterbury, Kent. Son of jesse and Esther Hatcher. Buried in HUMBERCAMPS COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row E. Grave 4. See also Cranbrook War Memorial
HONESS	Frank	Private G/15515, 6th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Killed in action 24 November 1917. Born and enlisted Cranbrook, Kent. In the 1891 census he was aged 2, born Cranbrook, Kent, son of John and Emily Honess, resident The Hill, Cranbrook, Kent. In the 1901 census he was aged 12, born Cranbrook, Kent, son of John and Emily Honess, grandson of Caroline Parks, resident Bowling Green, Cranbrook, Kent. In the 1911 census he was aged 22, born Cranbrook, Kent, a Grocers assistant, son of John and Emily Honess, resident Waterloo Crescent, Cranbrook, Kent. Buried in FIFTEEN RAVINE BRITISH CEMETERY, VILLERS-PLOUICH, Nord, France. Plot III. Row B. Grave 15. See also Cranbrook War Memorial
LING	Percy John	Fleet Paymaster Percy John Ling © IWM (HU 124173) Fleet Paymaster, H.M.S. Formidable, Royal Navy. Lost with his ship when it was sunk by a submarine in the English Channel 1 January 1915. Born 9 May 1871 at 4, Suffolk Street, Haymarket, London. In the 1891 census he was aged 19, born London, Middlesex, a Clerk, Crew member of H.M.S. "Asia", resident Portsmouth, Portsea Island, Hampshire. Married Gladys Kthleen Erskine in the April to June Quarter 1903 in the Isle of Wight Registration District, Hampshire. Promoted Fleet Paymaster April 1910. No known grave. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 9. See also Cranbrook War Memorial Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1915: LING Percy John of H.M.S. Formidable Fleet paymaster Royal Navy died 1 January 1915 in action in the English Channel Probate London 1 March to Gladys Kathleen Ling widow. Effects £630 1s. 6d.
LUCK	Harry	Private G/6260, 2nd Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action 28 September 1915. Aged 22. Born Bickley, Sussex, resident and enlisted Cranbrook, Kent. Son of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Luck, of Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 15 to 19. See also Cranbrook War Memorial
MARTIN	Alfred Henry	Private 3416, 48th Battalion, Australian Infantry, A.I.F. Died from Broncho Pneumonia in a French Hospital 11 December 1918. Aged 34. Born 31 December 1881 in Wittersham, Kent. Son of Richard and Sarah Martin, of Three Chimneys, Cranbrook, Kent formerly of Sissinghurst. Resident Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. Porter on Chatham Railway while in England, Porter on Railway in Australia. Emigrated aged 29. In the 1891 census he was aged 10, born Hawkhurst, Kent, grandson of John and Jane Martin, resident The Moor, Hawkhurst, Cranbrook, Kent,. Buried in TERLINCTHUN BRITISH CEMETERY, WIMILLE, Pas de Calais, France, Plot XII. Row C. Grave 27. Australian Circular Record. See also Cranbrook War Memorial
NEVE	Amos William	[Luisted as Lance Corporal on memoria] Private "A" Company, S/62, 6th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action 18 March 1916. Aged 37. Born and resident Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent, enlisted Cranbrook, Kent. Son of Mrs. Eliza Ellen Hayter, of 2, Cottage, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 15 to 19. See also Cranbrook War Memorial
RANDALL	Ernest	Corporal Wheeler 30926, 8th Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Died on service in Turkey arena 21 April 1917. Aged 36. Born Tonbridge, Kent, enlisted Woolwich, S.E. Son of Fredrick and Rosa Randall, of Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent. Buried in BAGHDAD (NORTH GATE) WAR CEMETERY, Iraq. Plot XXI. Row Y. Grave 39. See also Cranbrook War Memorial
REED	Walter	Private 493141, 1st/13th (County of London) Battalion (Princess Louise's Kensington Battalion) London Regiment formerly 6488, 7th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment). Killed in action 16 August 1917. Aged 22. Born Lessinghurst, Kent (sic - s/b Sissinghurst), resident and enlisted Folkestone. Son of Algernon and Emily Reed, of Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panels 52 to 54. See also Cranbrook War Memorial
SANTER	William	Private PW/6109, "A" Company, 17th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment). Killed in action 28 April 1917. Aged 31. Born Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent, enlisted Cantebury, Kent. Son of Owen and Jamia Santer, of Golford, Cranbrook; husband of Edith Annie Santer, of The Bridge, Cranbrook, Kent. In the 1891 census he was aged 5, Biddenden, Kent, a scholar, son of Owen and Jamia Santer, resident Galford Road, Cranbrook, Kent. In the 1911 census he was aged 25, born Cranbrook, Kent, a Road Labourer, married to Edith Annie Santer, resident Rats Castle, Biddenden, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 7. See also Cranbrook War Memorial
UNDERDOWN	Alfred	Private 43127, 2nd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment formerly 26830, Hampshire Regiment. Killed in action 29 September 1918. Aged 34. Born Benenden, Kent, resident Rye, Sussex, enlisted Canterbury. Baptised 26 October 1884 in Benenden, St George, Kent, resident Hinksden, son of Charles and Harriett Underdown. Brother of Mrs. H. Heritage, of Cadbourgh Farm, Rye, Sussex. In the 1891 census he was aged 6, born Benenden, Kent, a scholar, son of Charles and Harriet Underdown, resident Cottage, Mill Street, Benenden, Cranbrook, Kent. In the 1901 census he was aged 16, born Benenden, Kent, a Waggoners mate, servant to John and Mary Bridgland, resident Beston Farm, Benenden, Cranbrook, Kent. Buried in PIGEON RAVINE CEMETERY, EPEHY, Somme, France. Plot II. Row C. Grave 17. Also commemorated on St Michaels Church Choir and Bellringers Memorial, Maidstone, Kent. See also Cranbrook War Memorial
VOUSDEN	Richard	Private L/10654, 6th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Killed in action 9 March 1916. Aged 21. Born Paddock Wood, Kent, resident Cranbrook, Kent, enlisted Maidstone. Son of Richard Vousden, of 22, Hadrian St., Greenwich, London. In the 1901 census he was aged 6, born Yalding, Kent, a scholar, son of Richard and Emily Vousden, resident Waggon Lane, Yalding, Maidstone, Kent. In the 1911 census he was aged 16, born Paddock Wood, Kent, a Farm labourer's mate, son of Richard and Emily Vousden, resident Friezley Farm, Cranbrook, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 95 to 97. Also listed on St Dunstan's Church Memorial, Kent. See also Cranbrook War Memorial
THANKS BE TO GOD WHICH GIVETH US THE VICTORY   1939 1945
BUNCH	Walter Raymond	Petty Officer Steward C/LX 20445, H.M.S. Martin, Royal Navy. Died at sea 10 November 1942. Aged 38. Born 12 October 1905 in Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent. Son of Walter and Isabelle Bunch; husband of Sarah Bunch, of Sheffield, Yorkshire. In 1921 he was resident Cranbrook, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 64, Column 3.
CLARKE, DSO	Andrew Board Stephenson	Lieutenant Colonel 36319, King's Own Scottish Borderers commanding 9th Bn. Durham Light Infantry. Died 23 July 1943. Aged 37. Born 11 September 1906 in Sussex, resident Kent. Son of Douglas and Mary Clarke; husband of Betty Clarke (nee Knox). Awarded the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.)[London Gazette 17 June 1943]. In the 1911 census he was aged 4, born Haywards Heath Sussex, boarding at 12, Gladstone Houses, No 1 Clarence Parade, Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire. In the 1939 Register he was Captain to King's Own Scottish Borderers, Adjutant to 8th Durham Light Infantry, resident Whitwell Grange, Durham, Durham R.D. Buried in CATANIA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY, Italy. Plot III. Row C. Grave 34.
CLARKE	C D	possibly Cecil Douglas CLARKE, Lance Corporal 1883605, 199 Railway Workshops, Royal Engineers. Killed at 21:40 hours on the 28 June 1947, Police were informed by an anonymous telephone call in English that shooting had occurred in Allenby Road, Tel Aviv. On investigation it appeared that some fifteen shots had been fired at four British soldiers. Aged 32. Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Lewis Clarke; husband of Dorothy May Clarke, of Stanway, Essex. Buried in RAMLEH WAR CEMETERY, Israel and Palestine (including Gaza). Plot 9. Row H. Grave 14.
DIAMOND	Percy Edward George	Guardsman 2613212, 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Killed in action 6 October 1944. Aged 38. Born 2 August 1907 in Kent, resident Kent. Baptised 7 November 1907 in Halling, St John the Baptist, resident Loughton Terrace, Halling, son of John Thomas and Emily Frances Diamond. Son of John T. and Emily F. Diamond; husband of Annie Irene Diamond, of Biddenden, Kent. In the 1911 census he was aged 4, born hailing, kent, son of John Thomas and Emily Francis Diamond, resident 16, Orchard Place, Faversham Within, Kent,. Buried in SANTERNO VALLEY WAR CEMETERY, Italy. Plot II. Row B. Grave 17.
THOMSON	W A	No further information currently available

Last updated: 10 June, 2025