BEDFORD ST MARY'S WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © 2003 Martin Edwards

AYRES

Albert T

National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918 - Section XII - Bedford and Northampton

AYRES, A., Corporal, 26th Royal Fusiliers.

Volunteering in September 1914, he was engaged on Home Service duties for two years, and landed in France in September 1916. In the course of his service on the Western Front he was in action in the Battles of Beaumont-Hamel, Vimy Ridge and Bullecourt. He fell fighting near Messines on June 7th, 1917, and was entitled to the General Service and Victory Medals.

“His life for his Country, his soul to God.”

89, Pilcroft Street, Bedford. - X1123.

BAILEY

Albert E

BARKER

John William

BEAUMONT

Percy Victor

National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918 - Section XII - Bedford and Northampton

BEAUMONT, P. V., Private, Leicestershire Regt.

Volunteering in March 1915, he was drafted in the following December to the Western Front, where he took part in much of the severe fighting, but was unhappily killed in action at Vermelles on March 16th, 1917. He was buried at Philosophe, and was entitled to the General Service and Victory Medals.

"His life for his Country, his soul to God.”

5, Farrer Street, Bedford. - X1246.

BELL

Robert

BROWN

David Westcott

Captain, 6th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Killed in action 17th July 1916. Age 23. Born 1895. Son of the Rev. George Gibson Brown and Mrs. Nelly Brown, of St. Mary's Rectory, Bedford. B.A. Oxon. (Balliol College). One of the war poets. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 2 C and 3 A. See also Dragon School, Oxford War Memorial

From the Balliol College War Memorial Book, Volume 1 - David Westcott Brown

DAVID BROWN, son of a very loyal old member of the College, the Rev. G. G. Brown, Rector of St. Mary’s, Bedford, was born on December 19, 1892. From the Oxford Preparatory School he went to Marlborough as a scholar in 1907, and came up to Balliol in 1912. He took a Second Class in Classical Moderations in March 1914, and was reading for Greats when war broke out. He was a regular and useful helper at the Boys’ Club, and a keen member of the Officers’ Training Corps, and at once took a commission in the 6th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment. He went to France in July 1915, and became Captain in November. For the greater part of a year the Battalion was in the trenches north of Albert, opposite Monchy-au-Bois; in the great attack on the Somme on July 14, 1916, they captured the woods at Bazentin-le-Petit and Bazentin-le-Grand, with two lines of German trenches, but at a loss of over 600 men and officers. David Brown was last seen going out with his sergeant to reconnoitre, and both were killed. He was a fine warm-hearted man; military service greatly developed his qualities, and he took to his work in the Army with unaffected enthusiasm. Few who were getting so much out of life can have faced the prospect of death with a firmer determination, as he said, “not to shirk or dodge the thought of it,” and some of his later letters, while not less full of life and fun than the earlier, are noble expressions of his strong and deep religious faith. One or two poems which he wrote in France breathe the same spirit.

BROWN

Leonard

National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918 - Section XII - Bedford and Northampton

BROWN, L., Pte., 7th Royal Warwickshire Regt.

He enlisted in January 1917, and a month later was drafted to the Western Front, where he took part in much fighting in the Vimy Ridge, Passchciidaele and Cambrai sectors. He made the supreme sacrifice, being killed in action in October 1917, and was entitled to the General Service and Victory Medals.

"A costly sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.”

11, St. Leonard’s Street, Bedford. - X1455/B.

BROWN

William

National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918 - Section XII - Bedford and Northampton

BROWN, W., Private, Canadian Overseas Forces.

He was already in the Army when war broke out in August 1914 , and was retained for a time on important duties at various home stations. In February 1916 he was drafted to France, and fought at Loos, Vimy Ridge and on the Somme. He was reported missing on September 16th, 1916, and is now presumed to have been killed in action. He was entitled to the General Service and Victory Medals.

“A valiant Soldier, with undaunted heart he breasted life’s last hill.”

11, St. Leonard’s Street, Bedford. - X1455/A.

BUCKLE

Alfred George

BURRIDGE

Alfred Cecil

CARR

Alfred John

CHANDLER

James Thomas

National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918 - Section XII - Bedford and Northampton

CHANDLER, J. T., Private, Army Cyclist Corps.

Already in the Army when war broke out in August 1914, he was drafted to the Western Front in January of the following year and there saw much severe fighting in the Ypres sector. He died gloriously on the Field of Battle at Neuve Chapelle on March 14th, 1915. He was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, and the General Service and Victory Medals.

“A costly sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.”

2, Holme Street, Bedford. - X1621/A.

COBB

Percy William

DEWETT

Arthur

DILLINGHAM

Walter George

National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918 - Section XII - Bedford and Northampton

(Please note this entry has G W DILLINGHAM, Bedfordshire Regiment. The only DillIngham to have served with the Bedforshire Regiment was W G - also not the disparity in the dates).

DILLINGHAM, G. W., Private, Bedfordshire Regt.

At the outbreak of hostilities he was serving in the Army, and accordingly at once proceeded to France, where he was in action in the Battles of Mons, Ypres, Hill 6o, Vimy Ridge and the Somme. After taking part in fierce fighting at Cambrai he was reported wounded and missing on March 18th, 1918, and was subsequently assumed to have been killed on that date. He was entitled to the Mons Star, and the General Service and Victory Medals.

“He joined the great white company of valiant souls.”

33a, Pilcroft Street, Bedford. - X2011.

EDGELEY

John

National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918 - Section XII - Bedford and Northampton

EDGELEY, J., Private, 2nd Bedfordshire Regt.

He joined in March 1916, and later in the same year was drafted to the Western Front, where he took part in the heavy fighting at the Battles of the Somme, Ypres, Passchendaele and Albert. He made the supreme sacrifice, being killed in action near Cambrai on May 8th, 1918, and was entitled to the General Service and Victory Medals.

“A valiant Soldier, with undaunted heart he breasted life’s last hill.”

36, Pilcroft Street, Bedford. - X2065.

EMERY

Frederick James

EMERY

Harry Ernest

FULLER

Thomas

HARPER

Harold Sanders

HAYNES

Reginald A

National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918 - Section XII - Bedford and Northampton

HAYNES, R. A., Corporal, 1st Norfolk Regiment.

A time-serving soldier, he proceeded to France at the outbreak of war and fought in the Retreat from Mons. He also took a conspicuous part in others of the early engagements, but made the supreme sacrifice on October 24th, 1914, at La Bassée. He was entitled to the Mons Star, and the General Service and Victory Medals.

“His life for his Country, his soul to God.”

9, Ampthill Street, Bedford. - X2810/A.

HEMSLEY

Dudley Staunton

Trumpeter 9411, 18th (Queen Mary's Own Royal) Hussars [CGWC states 3rd (King's Own) Hussars, the memorial and SDGW state otherwise]. Died of wounds 26th March 1918 in France & Flanders. Age 21. Born Tipperary, Ireland, enlisted and resident Bedford. Son of Henry and Isabella Hemsley, of 39, London Rd., Bedford. Buried in DERNANCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Somme, France. Grave VII. AA. 16.

HOBSON

Owen Ellis

Captain, 6th Battalion attached 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 27th September 1918 in France & Flanders. Age 27. Son of James Walter and Rosamond Hobson, of Bedford; husband of Eileen Nora Roberts, of Lavenderhayes, Budleigh Salterton, Devon. Buried in MOEUVRES COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Nord, France. Grave III. B. 18.

From Andy Pay's research into the Marquis de Ruvigny's Roll of Honour the following:

Volume 2, Part 5, Page 85 - HOBSON, Owen Ellis - Captain, 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment

Only son of the late James Walter Hobson, of Cauldwell Cottage, Bedford; Timber Merchant, by his wife, Rosamond, dau. of the late W. H. Ellis, of Anstey Grange, Leicester, High Sheriff and deputy Lieutenant of the county; Born Bedford, 29th April. 1891; educated Penrhyn Lodge, Westgate on sea and Uppingham School; worked with his father until war broke out; joined the Bedfordshire Yeomanry 5th Aug. 1914; received a commission and was gazetted 2nd Lieut. 6/10th Bedfordshire Regt. 25th Jan. 1915; served with The Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 18th April. 1916; was wounded in the following Nov. and invalided home, returning to France in Jan 1917; was again invalided home in March; on recovery was attached to the 3rd Battn., and subsequently appointed Musketry Officer; rejoined his Battn in France 17th July. 1917, and on the disbandment of that Battn. was transferred to the 4th; was appointed to the American training staff from 22nd May 1918, to 6th July following, and was killed in action at Moeuvres 27th Sept. of the same year, during the attack on Cambrai. Buried there. He was mentioned in despatches by F. M. Sir Douglas Haig, for gallant and distinguished service in the field.

He married at St. Marys, Bedford, 2nd Jan. 1917, Ellen Nora, elder dau. of A. O'Brien, of Cheltenham, and had a dau., Suzanne, born 14th April, 1918

INSKIP

William James

Lance Corporal 524087, 481st Field Company, East Anglian Royal Engineers. Died 12th November 1918 in France & Flanders. Son of Mrs. Phoebe Churchman, of 43, St. Leonard's St., Bedford. Buried in BEIRUT WAR CEMETERY, Lebanon. Grave 110.

National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918 - Section XII - Bedford and Northampton

INSKIP, W. J., Corporal, Royal Engineers.

Volunteering in August 1914, he proceeded to Egypt in the following year and was there engaged on duties of great importance at various stations. He also served in Palestine, where he was present at the Battles of Gaza. He contracted malaria and influenza, and unhappily died in hospital at Alexandria on November 12th, 1918, and was buried at Beyrout. He was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, and tbe General Service and Victory Medals.

"Steals on the ear the distant triumph song."

43, St. Leonard’s Street, Bedford. - X1665/A.

JAKES

Frank Ernest

Private SD/5750, 13th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died of wunds 9th June 1917 with British Expeditionary Force. Age 20. Born St Mary's, Bedford, enlisted Bedford. Son of Mrs. R. Jakes, of 28, Grosvenor St., Bedford, and the late Mr. G. Jakes. Buried in MENDINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Grave II. D. 17.

KEDGE

Ernest Frank

[Listed as E J on memorial] Private 9787, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Died of wounds 8th June 1917 in France & Flanders. Age 24. Born Clophill, Beds, enlisted and resident Bedford. Husband of W. D. Kedge, of 27, Union St., Bedford. Buried in LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Grave XV. J. 1.

National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918 - Section XII - Bedford and Northampton

KEDGE, E. F., Private, 2nd Bedfordshire Regt.

A serving man, he proceeded to France in October 1914, and after fighting at La Bassée, was wounded in action at Ypres and again at Hill 60. He also took an active part in the Battles of Festubert, Loos, the Somme and Arras, and whilst engaged in severe fighting at Messines was badly wounded, and unfortunately succumbed on June 8th, 1917. He was entitled to the 1914 Star, and the General Service and Victory Medals.

“A valiant Soldier, with undaunted heart he breasted life’s last hill.”

27, Union Street, Bedford. - X3179-X3180.

KEECH

Sidney George

[Listed on memorial as Machine Gun Corps] Private 60169, 32nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Killed in action 7th August 1917 in France & Flanders. Born St Cuthbert's, Bedford, resident and enlisted Bedford. Formerly 6189, Bedfordshire Regiment. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 6 and 8.

KILPIN

Thomas Bennett

[Memorial states Lieutenant] Second Lieutenant, Royal Garrison Artillery attached 25th Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Died of wounds 15th June 1917 in France & Flanders. Buried in PONT-D'ACHELLES MILITARY CEMETERY, NIEPPE, Nord, France. Grave II. B. 3.

LAMBERT

George

Lance Corporal 12800, 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 19th April 1916 in Fance & Flanders. Age 26. Born, resident and enlisted Bedford. Son of Mr and Mrs. George Lambert, of 32, Melbourne St., Bedford. Commemorated in ESSEX FARM CEMETERY, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Special memorial B. 5.

LOCKEY

Percy

Private 22660, 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 14th October 1916 in France & Flanders. Born Sheeford, Bedfordshire, enlisted and resident Bedford. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 2 C.

MANTON

Harry Hector

[SDGW states Private] Sergeant TT/03540, 2nd Vet. Hospital, Royal Army Veterinary Corps attached 250th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Died 12 January 1917 in France & Flanders. Aged 22. Born 9 December 1895, baptised 6 January 1895, in Bedford. Enlisted Bedford. Son of Henry and Kate Manton, of The Hop Pole, Cauldwell Street, Bedford. Educated at Bedford Modern School (1906-08). In the 1901 census he was aged 6, at school, resident with his parents at 27, Alexandra Road, Bedford. In the 1911 census he was aged 16, born St. Paul's, Bedford, assisting his father who was a General Dealer, resident with his parents at 98 Tavistock Sreet, Bedford. Buried in HEILLY STATION CEMETERY, MERICOURT-L'ABBE, Somme, France. Plot V. Row F. Grave 42. See also Bedford Modern School

MASLEN

Percy Ormond

Private 22799, 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 31st May 1917 in France & Flanders. Age 25. Born Tansfield (sic), Bedfordshire, resident and enlisted Bedford. Son of Henry Ormond Maslen, of 27, St. Leonards Avenue, Bedford. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 5.

MEDCRAFT

Harry Morris

Private 202669, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 23rd June 1917 in France & Flanders. Age 24. Born Stanbridge, Bedfordshire, enlisted and resident Bedford. Son of Joseph and Emma Medcraft, of 19, St. Leonard's Avenue, Bedford. Buried in DICKEBUSCH NEW MILITARY CEMETERY EXTENSION, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Grave II. A. 41.

MYERS

Percy William

Private 42949, 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment. Killed in action 26th April 1918 in France & Flanders. Age 20. Born, resident and enlisted Bedford. Son of Arthur Myers, of 29, Little Butts St., Bedford. Formerly 10790, Bedfordshire Regiment. Commemorated on POZIERES MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Panel 51 and 52.

National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918 - Section XII - Bedford and Northampton

MYERS, P., Private, 10th Essex Regiment.

He joined in April 1917, and after a period of training was drafted to the Western Front in the foilowing year. He only served three weeks overseas before being unfortunately killed in action on April 26th, 1918. He was entitled to the General Service and Victory Medals.

“Great deeds cannot die: They with the sun and moon renew their light for ever.”

29, Little Butts Street, Bedford. - X3628.

NUTTING

Archibald

[Memorial states Private] Lance Corporal 24396, 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in action 16th August 1916 in France & Flanders. Age 19. Born and enlisted Bedford. Son of William Henry and Grace Nutting, of 11, Cauldwell St., Bedford. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 11 A and 11 D. See alsoSee also St Paul's Methodist, Bedford and Bedford Cemetery

PAGE

Frederick N

Private G/15848, 2nd Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died of wounds 31st October 1918 in Mesopotamia. Born and enlisted Bedford. Buried in BAGHDAD (NORTH GATE) WAR CEMETERY, Iraq. Grave V .C. 10.

National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918 - Section XII - Bedford and Northampton

PAGE, F. N., Private, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment).

Joining in June 1916, he proceeded in the same year to the scene of activities in Mesopotamia. In that theatre of war he took an active part in engagements at Kut-el-Amara and in the capture of Baghdad. In 1918 he was severely wounded in action, and unfortunately succumbed to his injuries on October 31st, 1918. He was entitled to the General Service and Victory Medals.

“Whilst we remember, the sacrifice is not in vain.”

34, Salisbury Street, Bedford. - X1158/A.

PAGE

Sydney Leonard

Private 3925, 1st/4th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 4th February 1917 in France & Flanders. Age 25. Born Bedford, enlisted Sudbury, Suffolk. Son of Henry and Sarah Page, of 3, Hardwick Rd., Bedford. Buried in PERONNE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Somme, France. Grave V. O. 1.

PARKER

Charles Edwin

PEAK

Alfred Edward

Private 3061, 1st/7th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment. Killed in action 25th September 1915 in France & Flanders. Enlisted Sun Street, resident Nunhead, London South East. Commemorated on LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 130-135.

POLLARD

Alfred Gordon

[Listed as Lieutenant on memorial] Second Lieutenant, 9th (The Dumbartonshire) Battalion (Territorial), Princess Louise's (Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders). Killed in action 16th May 1917 in France & Flanders. Age 27. Son of Mr. H. Pollard, of 8, Woburn Rd., Bedford. Buried in BROWN'S COPSE CEMETERY, ROEUX, Pas de Calais, France. Plot II. Row D. Grave 24. See also Bedford Modern School

POLLARD

George Herbert

[Listed as Lieutenant on memorial] Second Lieutenant 9th (The Dumbartonshire) Battalion (Territorial), Princess Louise's (Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders) attached Royal Flying Corps. Died of wounds in German hands 7th June 1917. Buried in HARLEBEKE NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, Harelbeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot XIV. Row A. Grave 1. See also Bedford Modern School

RAY

Frederick Lee

Second Lieutenant, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 16th May 1918 in France & Flanders. Age 24. Son of Frederick and Alice Ray, of Bedford. Buried in Tannay British Cemetery, Thiennes, Nord, France. Plot 2 Row C Grave 5 - also commemorated on Bedford St Leonard's Memorial

ROSS

William Ernest

Private 41060, 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment. Killed in action 28th March 1918 in France & Flanders. Born, resident and enlisted Bedford. Formerly 29546, Bedfordshire Regiment. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 7.

National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918 - Section XII - Bedford and Northampton

ROSS, W. E., Private, 2nd Essex Regiment.

He joined in May 1916, and in the following October proceeded to the Western Front. There he participated in severe fighting on the Somme front, and also in the Battles of Ypres (III.) and Cambral. After taking part in several engagements dunng the Retreat and final Advance, he was unhappily killed in action on October 24th. 1918, near Arras, He was entitled to the General Service and Victory Medals.

“Courage, bright hopes, and a myriad dreams, splendidly given.”

32, Great Butts Street, Bedford. - X4040.

SPRECKLEY

John Ralph

[Spelt SPREAKLEY on SDGW and listed as 5th Battalion on memorial] Private 32161, 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 28th April 1917 in France & Flanders. Age 22. Enlisted and resident Bedford. Son of John and Caroline Spreckley, of 10, Elstow Rd., Bedford. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 5.

STAPLETON

Charles Ernest

Private 3816, 1st/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Died in Malta 3rd November 1915. Age 22. Enlisted and resident Bedford. Son of Frank and Sarah Ellen Stapleton, of 14, Holme St., Bedford. Buried in PIETA MILITARY CEMETERY, Malta. Grave D. II. 2.

National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918 - Section XII - Bedford and Northampton

(Please note that this entry differs from the others as his intials are reversed - it is still the same person).

STAPLETON, E. C., Pte., 1/5th Bedfordshire. Regt.

A month after the outbreak of war he volunteered, and in July 1915 was drafted to Gallipoli. After taking an active part in the Landingat Suvia Bay he contracted dysentery, and unfortunately died on November 4th, 1915, at Malta. He was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, and the General Service and Victory Medals.

“His memory is cherished with pride.”

14, Holme Street, Bedford. - X4287/B.

STEELE

Arthur

Private 9315, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Died of wounds 24th October 1914 in France & Flanders. Age 22. Born Kempston, enlisted and resident Bedford. Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Steele, of 63, Muswell Rd., Bedford. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 31 and 33.

STRATTON

Sidney A

[Listed as Sergeant on memorial] Corporal 6333, 1st/4th Battalion (Territorial Force), Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. Killed in action 20th September 1917 in France & Flanders. Born SOuth HAckney, Middlesex, enlisted Colchester, Essex, resident Bedford. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 102 and 104.

TAYLOR

William George

Sapper 20483, 81st Field Company, Royal Engineers. Killed in action 19th November 1916 in France & Flanders. Born and enlisted Bedford. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 8 A and 8 D.

National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918 - Section XII - Bedford and Northampton

TAYLOR, W. G., Sapper, Royal Engineers.

Already in the Army when war was declared in August 1914, he was immediately drafted to the Western Front, where he served at Mons, and later took part in the Battles of Ypres, Loos and the Somme, being wounded in February 1915. He was reported missing, and is believed to have been killed in action on November 19th, 1916. He was entitled to the Mons Star, and the General Service and Victory Medals.

“And doubtless he went in splendid company.”

11, Holme Street, Bedford. - X4369/A.

TOMPKINSON

Percy Alexander

TRIBE, M.M.

George Holt

GREEN

St John

MILLS

William

HALLETT

John