GARDINER

Alec

Major, The Royal Engineers. Killed in action at Givenchy 20 December 1914. Aged 41. Son of Col. R. Gardiner and Agnes Hay Gardiner. Husband of Mrs Edi May Gardiner. Served in Egypt 1896. Decorated for St. John Ambulance work in India 1913. Officiating Agent Oude and Rohilkund Railway India. No known grave. Commemorated on LE TOURET MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 1.

From the Marquis de Ruvigny's Roll of Honour Volume 1 Page 147.

Major, R.E., elder son of Lieutenant-Colonel Richard GArdiner, of 28, Barkston Gardens, S.W., R.E.(ret), by his wife, Agenes Hay, daughter of Major-General Alexander Irving, C.B., Royal Artillery, who served right through the Siege of Sebastopol from start to finish; born Ulwar, Rejputanan, India, 28 June, 1873; educated privately and at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich; gazetted 2nd Lieutenant to the R.E., 24 July, 1891, and promoted Lieutenant, 24 July, 1894, Captain, 24 July, 1902, and Major, 24 July, 1911. After completing the usual course at Chatham he was ordered to India, and joined the Railway Branch of the Government of India, and continued to serve on the Construction and Administration of Railways up to the outbreak of the present War, with a short interval of war sservice at Suakin (British and Egyptian medals). When War was declared in AUgust 1914, Major Gardiner was officiating Agent (Chief Administrative Officer) of the Oudh and Rohilkund State Railway, and had been since 1909 Lieutetant-Colonel commanding that railway's Volunteer Rifle Corps, devoting bis spare time to training the Corps to a recognised state of efficiency ehile under his command. The services of Major Gardiner were placed at the disposal of the Military Department, and he was ordered to England, but was intercepteed in the Mediterranean, and sent straight to the Front, where he was appointed a field engineer, and was mentioned in Despatches by F.M. Sir John (Now Lord) French [London Gazette, 22 June, 1915]. He was reported to have been last spoken with near the fighting kine of the morning of 20 Dec. 1914, when the Grermans broke through and carried the British lines up to Givenchy village. He was included in the list of missing, and it was long hoped he might be in the enemy's hands, but his fate was ultimately set at rest through the discovery of his body by the 176th Mining Company, R.E., during operations carried on by them in front of Givenchy. The body was exposed by the explosion of one of the German heavy shells, was identified, and was buried near the Red House, on the sunken road to Givenchy. All who knew him spoke highly of his untiring devotion to his work and duty. One of his senior officers wrote: "No braver or better soldier fought for England, and so nobly died - I knew him well - absolutely fearless for himself, his whole mind concentrated on the success of the undertaking, he nobly met his death. Not only at the Front but through the whole of his career work and duty came first. No man ever maintained such untiring zeal or devoted his life more unselfishly to the work he undertook for his country. His death is a grievous loss to all who jnew him officially and unofficially." He was a keen rifle shot, and interested himself in the members of his Volunteer Corps becoming first-class shots. In Oct. 1913 he was appointed to the Executive Council of the Bengals Presidency Rifle Association in recognition of his interest and work in connection with musketry. He attended the Annual Meetings held at Meerut, won the Field Officers' Cup in 1912, and his teams of Volunteers won the Army versus Volunteers Competition. Major Gardiner was also conspicuous in connection with the work of St. John Ambulance Association in India, especially in the training of the men of the O.R. Ry. Vol. Rifles, teams of whom successfully carried off the Railway Shield in 1911, 1912 and 1913. In recognition of his srvices he was made a Serving Brother of the order of St. John of Jerusalem and received the decoration of the order from the Viceroy of India. In the English Railway World Major Gardiner was known as having, in 1908, brough forward a system of cab signals and the automatic electrical control of moving trains as a safeguard against the failure of the human machine. He was a member of the Institution of civil Engineers and also of the Institute of Electrical Engineers. He married at Lucknow, 24 March, 1897, Edi May (The Retreat, Sutherland Avenue, Bexhill), daughter of Campbell Thompson, M.I.C.E., late Chief Engineer of the N.W. of India State Railway, and had three children: Richard, born 28 Oct. 1900; John campbell, born 20 Nov. 1905; and Dorothy Agnes, born 11 April, 1903.

GAYLER

Ernest

Private G/11246, 11th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment. 41st. Division Killed in action 15 September 1916. Born in Clapham and enlisted in Bromley Kent. Next of kin West Wickham Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 11 C.

Extract from Bexhill-on-Sea Observer - Saturday 20 January 1917, page 10:

NOW REPORTED KILLED

Private E. Gayler. of the Royal West Kent Regiment, who was reported as missing in September, has now been officially reported killed in action.

He was the son Mr. and Mrs. Gayler, of 53, Cornwall-road, who have two other sons also serving.

Private Gayler was formerly a gardener to Mr. Mellin. West Wickham, Kent.

GAYLER

Robert

Deck Hand 17210/DA/PO, Royal Naval Reserve. H.M. Minesweeping Trawler "Balfour". Killed in action 28 November 1917. No known grave. Commemorated on PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire. Panel 27.

Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Died 11 July 1916. Age 21. Son of Thomas William and Frances Georgina Gibson, of 29, Linden Gardens, Bayswater, London. Buried in PERONNE ROAD CEMETERY, MARICOURT, Somme, France. Plot I. Row C. Grave 31.

GILHAM

Frederick Stephen Michael

Sergeant GS/127, 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. 12th Division. Wounded in action during "The Battle of the craters" in the Hohenzollern Redoubt and died on the 4 March 1916. Aged 25. Son of Stephen and Ellen Gillham of Peach Cottage Little Common. Born in Little Common and enlisted in Bexhill. Special Reservist. Buried in BETHUNE TOWN CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot VI. Row G. Grave 65. - See also Little Common

GOLDSMITH

Frederick James

Private 931347, "C" Company, 54th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (The Central Ontario Regiment) 11th Brigade. 4th Canadian Division. Killed in action 28 September 1918. Aged 36. Born 23 August 1882 at Hastings. Enlisted and passed fit 1 May 1916 at Nelson, British Columbia, Canada, aged 32 years and 8 months. Height 5 feet 5 inches, girth 36 inches, complexion fair, eyes blue, hair brown. member of the Salvation Army. Resident Nelson, British Columbia, Canada. Carpenter and Motorman by trade. Prior to his enlisted ment he had spent 4 years in the Royal Engineers. Son of Frederick James and Rebecca Goldsmith. Husband of Mrs Catherine Goldsmith of Nelson, British Columbia. Buried in QUEANT COMMUNAL CEMETERY BRITISH EXTENSION, Pas de Calais, France. Row C. Grave 8. Nation Archives of Canada Accession Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 3615 - 6

Private, Royal Fusiliers. - See also Bexhill-on-Sea - St Mary Magdelene

GOODWIN

Harold Desborough

Lieutenant, 16th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment). 33rd. Division. Killed in action on the Somme 1 July 1916. Aged 25. Son of Albert Goodwin, R.W.S., and Alice Goodwin. Baptised 29 September 1890 at Ilfracombe, Ss Philip & James, Devon. In the 1901 census he was aged 10, born Ilfracombe, Devon, boarding at Ellerslie, Fremington, Barnstaple, Devon. In the 1911 census he was aged 20, born Ilfracombe Devon, a Student, son of Albert and Alice Godwin, resident Ellerslie, Little Common, Bexhill, Sussex. Admitted Trinity College, Cambridge, 1908. Buried in HAWTHORN RIDGE CEMETERY NO.1, AUCHONVILLERS, Somme, France. Row A. Grave 88. - See also Little Common and also Trinity College, Cambridge.

Extract from Bexhill-on-Sea Observer - Saturday 5 August 1916, page 4:

LIEUTENANT GOODWIN MISSING

Lieutenant H. D. Goodwin, Midx. Regiment, son of Mr. A. Goodwin, E??- is missing. He was first reported "missing believed killed." A communication from the Chaplain says that he was last seen wounded, but the ground where he fell was searched by artillery fire for several ??? after.

Private GS/799, 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Killed in action 25 January 1915 with British Expeditionary Force. Age 29. Born Ramsgate, enlisted Bexhill. Son of Mrs. J. Freeman, of 10, Edinburgh Rd., Bexhill-on-Sea; husband of A. Gower, of 20, Salisbury Rd., Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex. Served in the South African Campaign. No known grave. Commemorated on LE TOURET MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 20 and 21.

Extract from Bexhill-on-Sea Observer - Saturday 13 February 1915, page 7:

LOCAL MEN KILLED AND WOUNDED.

Yet another son of Bexhill has sacrificed himself on the altar of his country's supreme need. The news reached Mrs. Freeman, of West View, Belle Hill, Tuesday, that her son. Private A. R. Gower, B Company, 2nd Battalion. Royal Sussex Regiment, had been killed in action on January 25th. The news reached the dead hero’s mother through the kindness of a comrade, Private C. H. Overton, who is in the same Company. The letter runs as follows: —

“I deeply regret to inform you of the death of your son. He w« killed upon the 25th inst., whilst in action against the enemy. As his friend, I opened the letters addressed to him by you and his wife, and now return same herewith. Will you convey my deepest sympathy to Mrs, Gower? I miss him very much. He was a man I liked and respected greatly.—Believe me, yours very sincerely. C. Overton.”

Private Gower was a trained and seasoned soldier, who tasted his baptism of fire many years ago, for he went through the South African War without receiving much as scratch. On leaving the Army at the end of that War, he found employment at the Giant Syphon Company, Bexhill, for whom he has worked for the past twelve years. When the present War broke out, however, he, like many another old soldier, loyally and patriotically offered his services to his country once more. For some months after his re-enlistment Private Gower was retained on the home service list but eventually received orders to proceed to France, sailing January 11th—only a month ago. His life was only spared just a fortnight, however, for on January 25th, exactly fourteen days after he sailed, a German bullet cut short his life.

Private Gower leaves a wife and five children (who live at 20, Salisbury-road), and to them and his mother we offer our deepest sympathy in their sorrow, an expression in which every Bexhillian will join. The loss to his relatives is an irreparable one, but we rejoice at our fellow-townsman long and honourable career as a humble member of the British Army. He died doing his duty, and today we mourn the death of another national hero, who not long ago lived and moved among us. A brother of the dead soldier, Private J, E. Gower, the 10th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment, stationed at Dover.

Private TF/1524, 1/5th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. 48th Division. Died of wounds on the Somme 19 July 1916. Aged 26. Son of The Rev. Herbert and Mrs Grantham of Halton Rectory, Tring, Hertfordshire. Born in Tring and enlisted in Tewkesbury. Resident of Bexhill. Buried in WARLOY-BAILLON COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Somme, France. Plot V. Row C. Grave 6. - See also Bexhill-on-Sea - St Mary Magdelene

Extract from Bexhill-on-Sea Chronicle - Saturday 29 July 1916, page 7:

DIED OF WOUNDS.

We regret to record the death of Private "Ted" Grantham, Royal Sussex Regiment, youngest son of the late Rev. Herbert Grantham and of Mrs. Grantham, of 41, Dorset- road, Bexhill.

The young soldier, who would have been 27 years of age on the 8 October, was well known in Bexhill, having been formerly at Holmwood School, his relatives residing at Bexhill for the past twelve years. He was in a bank in Gloucestershire, and was subsequently at the London and County Bank, St. Leonards. He had been at the Front since February, 1915, with the exception of a month's holiday last November.

He received a severe wound in action, and was taken to the Field Ambulance, but inspite of all that medical attention could do he died on the 19th inst. without regaining consciousness. A Sister at the Field Ambulance communicated the sad intelligence to his relatives. He and his comrades had been on pioneer work for some time, and he was a sapper.

He was buried in a little cemetery close to where he passed away.

In a letter to Mrs. Grantham, Captain Langham says:—"It is with the deepest regret that I have to tell you that your son, Private Grantham, was fatally wounded on the morning of the 19th inst., and passed away quietly a little time later. 1 cannot tell you how greatly we feel the loss of so old a friend, and so true and brave a man, and how deeply we one and all sympathise with you in your bereavement. Your son has already been conspicuous for his steadiness under fire, and we can ill-afford to lose so good a comrade. He was very bright and cheerful to the last. and I had a short chat with him before he was carried back. I again offer you my heart-felt condolences."

Extract from Bexhill-on-Sea Chronicle - Saturday 29 July 1916, page 7:#

GRANTHAM.—On the 19 July, of a severe wound received in action, "Ted" (Private, Royal Sussex Regt.), dearly-loved son of the late Rev. Herbert Grantham and of Mrs. Grantham, 41, Dorset Road, Bexhill.

Extract from Bexhill-on-Sea Chronicle - Saturday 29 July 1916, page 14:

An Old Holmwood Boy.

The death of Private Edward Grantham. of the Royal Sussex Regiment, is announced. He was the son of the late Rev. Herbert Grantham, and Mrs. Grantham who is at present residing at 41, Dorset Road. The deceased soldier was well known in Bexhill. he being an old Holmwood boy. Previous to the war he served in the Territorials for about eight. years, and his time was expired when the war broke out, so he immediately enlisted as a private in the Royal Sussex Regiment.. He was only 27 years of age. The sad news was brought by a letter from a i Sister of the Field Ambulance, in which t was stated he had received a serious wound in the abdomen about 10 a.m. on the 19th inst. He was immediately attended to, but paSsed away at 11.30, having never regained consciousness. The letter arrived on Monday last. His ninny friends will greatly regret his untimely death.

Commanding Officer's Message.

Since the news was received Mrs. Grantham has had a most kind and appreciative letter from his Commanding Officer, in which he writes:—

"It is with the deepest regret that I have to tell you that your son, Private E. Grantham, was fatally wounded on the morning of the 19th inst., and passed away quietly a little time later. I cannot tell you how greatly we feel the loss of so old a friend. and so true and brave a man. and how deeply we one and all sympathise with you in your bereavement. Your son has always been conspicuous for his steadiness under fire, and we can ill afford to lose so good a comrade. He was very bright and cheerful to the last, and I had a short chat with him before he was carried back."

Extract from Bexhill-on-Sea Observer - Saturday 14 October 1916, page 15:

Private Edward Grantham was also an Holmwood boy. He was the son of the late Rev. Herbert Grantham, and Mrs. Grantham who is at present residing at 41, Dorset Road. The deceased soldier was well known in Bexhill. Previous to the war he served in the Territorials for about eight years, and his time was expired when the War broke out, so he immediately enlisted as a private in the Royal Sussex Regiment. He was only 27 years of age.

Leading Stoker 299157, H.M.S. Aboukir, Royal Navy. Drowned in the North Sea when H.M.S. Aboukir was sunk by a German submarine 22nd September 1914. Born 10 November 1883 in Southampton, Hampshire. Husband of Mrs Margaret A. Grattage. 176 St Andrews Road, Tilbury, Essex. Enlisted 25 November 1901 for 12 years, height 5 feet 4 inches, bron hair, blue eyes, fresh complexion. No known grave. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 4. See also Edward Robert CHAPLIN.

Note: H.M.S. Aboukir was a Cressy Class cruiser of the Royal Navy. Displacement of 12,000 tons. Armament: two 9.2 ins guns (bow and stern), twelve 6 ins quick-firers in a central battery and many more small quick-firers and machine guns. Speed: 21 knots. Launched 16 May 1900. HMS Aboukir, along with HMS Cressy and HMS Hogue, were all torpedoed by the German U-boat U9 on 22nd September 1914.

[Listed as Sergeant Major on Bexhill memorial, National Archives of Canada spelt name GRAVENY] Sergeant 75004, 29th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment). Killed in action 26 September 1916. Age 28. Son of Elizabeth Green, of 12, Stodart Road, Anerley, London, and the late William Graveney; mother was cited as living at 40 Leonard Road, Penge, London at time of his enlistment. Born 15 November 1887 in Upper Norwood, Surrey. Enlisted in Vancouver, 6 November 1914, aged 37 (anomalie with his age at death), passed fit 7 November 1914, height 5 feet 10 inches, girth 35 inches. complexion fair, eyes blue, hair light brown, religion Church of England. Mechanical engineer by trade. Buried in ADANAC MILITARY CEMETERY, MIRAUMONT, Somme, France. Plot VII. Row E. Grave 15. National Archives of Canada Accession Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 3745 - 5

Extract from Bexhill-on-Sea Chronicle - Saturday 21 October 1916, page 14:

News has been received of the death in action of Company Sergeant Major William Killeen Graveney. The deceased, who was 28 years of age, was the eldest son of the late Mr. William Graveney, of Devonshire Road, Bexhill, and his younger days were spent in the town, where his family was well known. About 4½ years ago he went to Vancouver, and became associated with many ex-Bexhillians out there. At the outbreak of war he joined the Canadian contingent. His mother. who is now Mrs. E. Poland Green, of Beckenham, has received the following sad communication:—

“France, 7th Oct., 1916.

“Your son, Wm. K. Graveney, of "A" Company. was killed in action at Courcelette on 26th Sept. 1916. By his death you lose a loving son, we, a brave comrade, and the country, one of its finest heroes. I wish to convey to you my heartfelt sympathy in this, your time of sorrow. He died bravely doing his duty.

“G. W. Adams. Lieut., 29th Batt.”

Private, Bedfordshire.

possibly Private G/5050, 9th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. 24th Division. Killed in action at Loos 28 September 1915. Born in Kilburn and enlisted in Portslade Sussex. No known grave. Commemorated on LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 69 to 73.

Private 10/1505, Hawkes Bay Company, Wellington Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Died 8 August 1915 at Gallipoli. Age 27. Son of Eveline S. M. Griffiths, of "Glebeside," Bexhill-on-Sea, and the late Herbert T. Griffiths, M.D. No known grave. Commemorated on CHUNUK BAIR (NEW ZEALAND) MEMORIAL, Turkey. Panel 20.

Captain and Quartermaster, 1st/6th Battalion (Territorial), Lancashire Fusiliers. 11th Division. Killed in action at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli, 7 August 1915. No known grave. Commemorated on HELLES MEMORIAL, Turkey (including Gallipoli). Panel 59 to 73 or 218 to 219.

Extract from The Heywood Advertiser - Friday 20 Augst 1915. page 7 and The Rochdale Observer - Wednesday 18 August 1915, page 3:

CAPTAIN GRIFFITHS.

Captain William Henry Griffiths was the quartermaster of the 6th battalion. He began his military career in the 3rd Dragoon Guards, and was subsequently appointed sergeant-major to the Oldham troop of the Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry, with whom, under the command of Lord Rochdale, he went out to South Africa. Whilst in South Africa be received the rank of hon. lieutenant in the army. Some two years ago he was transferred as quartermaster to the 6th (Territorial) Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, receiving the hon. rank of captain.

Whilst in Rochdale Captain Griffiths resided at Wharncliffc Place, Manchester Road, Rochdale. Mrs. Griffiths has lately resided at King's Down, Deal, Kent

Private 28331, 8th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers formerly G/7397 Royal Sussex Regiment. 36th Ulster Division. Died of wounds 7 August 1917. Aged 19. Son of Thomas and Florence Gurr of 6, Alexandra Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex. Enlisted in Bexhill. Buried in BRANDHOEK NEW MILITARY CEMETERY, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot IV. Row E. Grave 10.

Extract from Bexhill-on-Sea Observer 24 February 1917:

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Gurr of Alexandra Road who was killed in action a short time back. The news was only received early last week and now the following from the officer commanding has come to hand:- “I would have written to you before about the death of your brave young son Jesse, but it has been a difficult matter to write lately, but I am grieved to say that he died of wounds on the 7th inst. On the night of the 5th-6th we were going into the trenches when a shell burst near us and a small piece hit his head. He was unconscious when we picked him up, and stretcher bearers immediately took him back to the dressing station, where he received every possible attention, but the poor boy had been too badly hit, and he passed away peacefully on the 7th. He was buried at once at - , about five miles west of - . Please accept my deepest sympathies in your loss. He was always bold and fearless and although so young, was one of the cleanest and best soldiers in the battalion. As you know he had distinguished himself before, and had been awarded a parchment certificate by the Divisional Commander. He had been in my company for over a year and we were all very fond of him. All his personal belongings are being sent to you. H.A. Green, Captain”.

Extract from Bexhill-on-Sea Chronicle - Saturday 18 August 1917, page 5:

Mrs. Gurr, of 6, Alexandra Road, received the news on Sunday last by telegram that her son, Pte. Jesse Gurr, Irish Inniskilling Fusiliers, had been killed in action. A communication had also been received from the Chaplain at the cemetery where the deceased soldier had been buried. He was only 20 years of age, and had been at the front for 18 months, while frequent letters had been received from him up to a short period before his death. He died from wounds in the abdomen and chest. Pte. Gurr was well known in the town, and quite recently he was the recipient of a honour in the field for devotion to duty. The honour, which consisted of a certificate from the Officer Commanding the Division, read as follows: " 28331 Pte. J. Gurr, R.I.F. I have read with much pleasure the reports of your regimental commander regarding your conduct and constant devotion to duty in the field in 1916, and have ordered your name and deed to be entered in the records of Irish Division. W. K. Hickie, Major-General Commanding Irish Division."

Extract from Bexhill-on-Sea Chronicle - Saturday 25 August 1917, page 5:

SIDLEY SOLDIERS FATE

Mrs. Gurr, of 6, Alexandra-road. has received the sad intelligence that her son, Private Jesse Gun, Inniskilling Fusiliers, was killed in action on August 7th, after serving in France for 18 months.

The deceased soldier had lately received certificate for devotion to duty.

A communication has also been received from the chaplain who buried him in the cemetery at Ypres.

Private Gurr joined up at the early age of 17, and had been wounded and gassed. He was for some time in his younger days in the employment of F. J. Parsons, Ltd., of Devonshire-road.

Mrs. Gurr has received the following in reference to the death of her son, Private Jesse Gurr, from his captain:--"On the night of the 5th-6th we were going into the trenches when a shell burst near us and a small piece hit his head. He was unconscious when we took him up, and stretcher-bearers immediately took him back to the dressing station, where he received every possible attention, but the poor boy had been too badly hit, and he passed away peacefully on the 7th instant. He was buried almost at once at (here follows the name of the place) west of Ypres. Please accept my deepest sympathies in your sad loss. He was always bold and fearless, and although so young was one of the cleanest and the best soldiers in the Battalion. As you know, he had distinguished himself before, and had been awarded a parchment certificate by the Divisional Commander. He had been my Company for over a year, and we were all very fond of him."