COCKERTON

[Hugh] Aubrey

Private 2991, 1/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Died of wounds 2nd October 1916. Aged 17. Enlisted Cambridge. Son of the late John and Florence Holly Cockerton. Buried in Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No.1, Plot IV. Row F. Grave 15. See also Cambridge Guildhall and Cambridge St Paul's

COOKE

Christopher [Arthur Gresham]

Extract from de Ruvigny' s Roll of Honour 1914-1918 Volume 2, Part 4, Page 35

COOKE, Christopher Arthur Gresham - Midshipman, Royal Navy

Eldest son of Lieut-Col Arthur Cook, of Grove Lodge, Cambridge, R.A.M.C.(T.F) by his wife, Lucy Vivien, dau. of John Collyer; Born Cambridge, 16th June,1899; educated St.Peters Court, Broadstairs, and the Royal Naval College at Osborne and Dartmouth; joined the Navy in May 1912; served in H.M.S. Aboukir, which was torpedoed 22nd Sept, 1914; later he served in H.M.S.Vanguard; took part in the Jutland Battle and was killed in action 9th July,1917, by an explosion. His Commanding Officer wrote: "He was such an exceptionally brilliant young officer, and I know Capt. Dick had a vert high opinion of him; so much so that he specially selected him for his personal staff in action." Unm

See also Cambridge Holy Sepulchre and Cambridge St Mary Great.

COURTY

James

Probably: Pte. John Courty, 7th Bt. Border Reg., died 26/8/1918, age 23, Son of John Courty; husband of C. G. Courty, of 21, Derby St., Newnham, Cambridge. Commemorated VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL France.

DONNE

Leonard Rowland

Possibly: Rfm L Donne, 16th Bt. King's Royal Rifle Corps, died 23/6/1917, age 25. Son of William and Clara J. Donne, of "Rosedene," Limbury Rd., Luton, Beds. Buried NIEDERZWEHREN CEMETERY Germany.

ELGAR

Reginald [Jack]

Private G/17368, 16th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Killed in action 25th September 1918. Aged 20. Born Cambridge, enlisted Bury St Edmund's. Son of Mrs. L. H. Elgar, of 19, Doric St., Cambridge. Buried in TEMPLEUX-LE-GUERARD BRITISH CEMETERY, Somme, France. Plot II. Row B. Grave 21. See also Cambridge Guildhall and Cambridge St Paul's

FORD

Alfred

Possibly: 2nd Lt. Alfred Winn Ford, 45 Bty. 42nd Bde. Royal Field Artillery, died 18/9/1918 age 18. Son of Benjamin Winn Ford and Lilian May Ford, of 27, Clavering Avenue, Barnes, London. Born at Southampton. Educated at Hurst Leigh Boys' School and St. Paul's School. Exhibitioner of Magdalene College, Cambridge. Buried HERMIES HILL BRITISH CEMETERY France. See also Cambridge Guildhall

FORD

Herbert John

No further information currently available

HUTCHINSON

William Scrope

Probably: Sub-Lieutenant Royal Navy HMS "Invincible", died 31/5/1916 age 19, Son of George Ross Hutchinson and Ethel Rose Hutchinson, of The Manor Cottage, Seaton, Devon. Born at Blackheath, London. Commemorated Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

KING

Victor [Thomas]

Private 1611, 1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Killed in action 9th June 1916. Born Grantchester, enlisted Cambridge. Son of Mrs. M. A. King, of 50, Newnham Rd, Cambridge. In the 1911 census he was the on of George Lauril and Alice Maud King, aged 13, at school, born Grantchester, resident with his parents at 50 Newnham Road, Cambridge. Buried in GORRE BRITISH AND INDIAN CEMETERY Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row C. Grave 21. See also Cambridge St Mark’s, Cambridge University Press and Cambridge Guildhall

MOORE

Harold Thomas Pelham

Probably: Lt. Royal Field Artillery, died 4/11/1918 age 21, Only son of Col. E. J. Moore, C.B., M.D., and Helena his wife, of Park End, Blackheath Park, Blackheath, London. Buried RUESNES COMMUNAL CEMETERY France.

NOBLE

Samuel Albert Brookes

[Samuel Arthur on 1911 census] Private G/22187, 7th Battalion, Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Killed in action 28th September 1916. Aged 25. Born, resident and enlisted Cambridge. Son of Mrs. E. A. Noble; husband of Hilda Emily Noble, of 22, Marshall Rd., Cambridge. Formerly 26932, Middlesex Regiment. In the 1911 census he is the son of Samuel and Elizabeth Ann Noble, aged 19, a Horius Porter, born St Andrew the less, resident Babraham Dairy, Hills Road, Cambridge. He was baptised Samuel Albert Brookson 18 October 1891 at Cambridge, St Andrew the Less, son of Samuel (a adiaryman) and Elizabeth Ann Noble, of 50 Broad Street, born 20 September 1891. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 5 D and 6 D. See also Cambridge St John, Cambridge St Paul's and Cambridge Guildhall

PENDRICK

Albert John

Pte. 148499, 78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment), died 9th April 1917. From Canadian Archives: age 27, born Coton, son of John Pendrick of Coton. Commemorated Vimy Memorial, France. Brother of Harold and Percy below. See also Coton. Listed as John PENDRICK on National Archives of Canada Accession Records: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 7715 - 20

PENDRICK

Harold

Private 235410 1st/5th Bn., Northumberland Fusiliers who died on Saturday, 23rd March 1918. Enlisted Cambridge. Formerly 4472 Cambs Regiment. Brother of John above and Percy below. Son of Mr. J. Pendrick, of Whitewell Cottages, Coton, Cambridge. Commemorated on the POZIERES MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Panel 16 to 18. See also Coton.

PENDRICK

Percy William

Gunner 124503 "B" Bty. 153rd Bde., Royal Field Artillery who died of wounds on Tuesday, 21st August 1917. Age 26. Born Coton, enlisted Cambridge. Brother of Harold and John above. Son of Mr. J. Pendrick, of Whitewell Cottages, Coton, Cambridge. Buried in NEW IRISH FARM CEMETERY, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Grave II. D. 3. See also Coton.

POLLOCK

Louis

Probably: 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry, died 17/10/1918 age 19, Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Pollock, of "Clovelley", West Cliffe Rd., Roker, Sunderland. Buried BRANCOURT-LE-GRAND-MILITARY CEMETERY France.

RUTTER

Hugh Marsh

Private 201445, 7th Battalion, Tank Corps. Killed in action 14 April 1918. Aged 19. Born Cambridge, enlisted Warwick. Son of Augustus Emmanuel and Annie Elizabeth Rutter, of 20, Chesterton Hall Crescent, Cambridge. Formerly 32435, Machine Gun Corps. Birth registered in the October to December Quarter 1898 in Cambridge Registration District. in the 1901 census he is aged 2, son of Augustus E and Annie E Rutter, born Cambridge, resident 104, Tenison Road, Cambridge. In the 1911 census he is aged 12, a visitor, born Cambrdge, visiting the Coe family living at Pigs Lane Histon, Histon, Cambridgeshire. Buried in ST. VENANT-ROBECQ ROAD BRITISH CEMETERY, ROBECQ, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row F. Grave 21. See also Cambridge Guildhall and Cambridge County High School

SHAW

William

Lieutenant, second in command, "A" Company, 1/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Wounded 16th September 1916 during raid near St Pierre Divion. Prisoner of War, at Cambrai, died of his wounds on Wednesday, 27th September 1916. Aged 23. Son of William and Alice Shaw, of 2, Tanner's Lane, Soham, Cambs. Scholar at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. Buried in PORTE-DE-PARIS CEMETERY, CAMBRAI, Nord, France. Plot II. Row A. Grave 33. See also Cambridge St Giles, Cambridge All Saints and Soham.

SINDALL

Richard Edward

[Listed as Richard Ernest ISNDALL elsewhere] Captain, 1/1st Battalion (Territorial Force), Cambridgeshire Regiment. Died of wounds 1st July 1915. Age 26. Son of William and Henzell Margeret Sindall, of "The Elms," Great Shelford, Cambridge. In the 1911 census he was the son of William and Margaret Sindall, aged 21, a Builder and Confectioner, born Cambridge, resident with his parents at Wordsworth Grove, Newnham, Cambridge. Buried in BAILLEUL COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION (NORD), Nord, France. Plot I Row D Grave 30.

Extract from de Ruvigny's Roll of Honour Volume 1, Part 1, Page 328

SINDALL, RICHARD ERNEST, Capt. (Shelford Detachment), 1st Battn. Cambridgeshire Regt. (T.F.), 2nd s. of William Sindall, of The Elms, Shelford, Cambridgeshire, Contractor, and a Member of the Cambridge Town Council, by his wife, Henzell Margaret, dau. of Thomas Usher Crass ; b. Cambridge, 11 April, 1889; educ. Perse School, Cambridge; gazetted 2nd Lieut. Cambridgeshire Regt., 1 Oct. 1908, promoted Lieut. 1 March, 1910, and Capt. 23 June, 1913 ; left for the Front with his regt., 14 Feb. 1915, was seriously wounded by the bursting of a shell on 26 June near Armentièrcs, and died from his wounds, 1 July, 1915; buried at Bailleul; vnm. The 1st Battn. of the Cambridgeshire Regt. was warnily congratulated by Brig.-Gen. Longley for the part it took in the Battle of St. Eloi. He stated that the way that they advanced under very heavy shell and rifle fire towards St. Eloi was splendid and that they were of the greatest assistance in holding the village when the German attack was at its worst. Col. Copeman in a letter published by the Cambridge Daily News, said “We were in the thick of the great fight last Sunday, and I am proud to tell you that the regt. did very well, so the General told me, It was an unexpected attack, and we were hurled into the midst of terrific shell and rifle fire which lasted from 4.30 on Sunday to about 5 am. Monday” A special correspondent with the Cambridgeshire Regt. wrote: “The people of Camhridgeshire must not be allowed to forget that She 1st Cambridgeshires took part in what has been reported as the greatest engagement of the present war and the world’s history. At 10 p m. amid the dull boom of our artillery and the terrific, earsplitting explosions of the French 75’s, we went out ready to do our part. The officers in charge of the company were Capt. R. F. Sindall, Capt. Keenlyside, Lieut. Shaw, and Lieut. Bates., Lieut. Seaton and Lieut. Sir H. G. Butlin, also officers of the company, were already gaining experience in the trenches, and had a rough time of it, After drawing tools and sandbags, w e went forward. Ceaseless numbers of ‘flares’ were sent up, and when passing a gate, the man with the biggest laugh in our company, L.-Corpl. E. Vawser, was hit. He was promptly attended to, and hopes were expressed that he would soon be better. An R.E. officer took charge of us, and we were allotted our job. All the while bullets and shells were flying around us, and one could mark the passage of the shells through the air by a streak of light from them. It was rather a terrifying experience for us to be baptized with such a hail of bullets, and I must say that I iiever saw one case of funk in the whole company. The boys may be heartily congratulated on their sang froid, and the ‘Cambridgeshire people have good reason to be proud of them After our ‘spelt close up, we manned some reserved trenches, eventually arriving home’ at 8 a.m after a good hard night’s work.” His brother, Capt. H. T. Sindall, of the same regt., was invalided home from the Front on 6 April, 1916.

See also Great Shelford, Cambridge,Cambridge St Mark’s, Shelford Village Hall Memorial, Cambridge St Marks, Cambridge Guildhall and Perse School.

SMITH

William Hammond

From research by Andy Pay, from Tonbridge School and The Great War of 1914 to 1919, published in December 1923.

SMITH, Major William Hammond, 52nd Brigade, R.F.A. Killed in action at Athies, near Roeux, in the battles of Arras, April 12th,1917, aged 31. At the school 1899-1900 ( School House )

Capt. W.H. Smith was the third son of the late master of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, and Mrs Charles Smith, of Belvoir Terrace, Cambridge. He was only at Tonbridge for a year, from September 1899 to July 1900, when he left from the lower fifth and went to Blundells school, Tiverton. He went up to Sidney in 1904 with an Open Classical Exhibition, and also gained a College Exhibition and graduated in 1907,taking a 1st Div., Second class, in the Classical Tripos. Both at school and at college he was a keen athlete and gained his oar in the college boat in which he rowed 7, in June, 1905.

He became an artist by profession and was regarded as an exceedingly promising painter. One of his works, a portrait, is in the Guildhall at Cambridge.

On the outbreak of war he at once applied for a commission through the university O.T.C., and was gazetted to a temporary commission in the R.F.A., August 26th,1914.

After eight months training he went to the front and was through much of the heaviest fighting, was promoted Temporary Lieutenant September 12th, 1915, and was twice mentioned in Despatches, in January, 1916, and in January, 1917.

In 1915 he served at Festubert and elsewhere in the La Basse Sector, and then opposite the Hohenzollern Redoubt before and during the Battle of Loos, which began on September 25th. His battery was then transferred to the Ypres Sector, where they experienced severe fighting, especially opposite Hill "60".

In 1916 they suffered heavily in the neighbourhood of Montauban in the battle of Albert, the first of the battles of the Somme, and after a rest took part in the battles of the Le Transloy Ridges and of the Ancre Heights in October and November. In December, they were in the Arras Sector.

He had been for most of 1916 in command of the battery, and in December, 1916, though suffering from bronchitis, refused to go to the hospital till they were out of action. He had been detailed for a special course in gunnery, and having with difficulty obtained his discharge from hospital arrived home on Christmas Eve.

On completing this course he returned to the front, and had been acting Major in command of the battery for some time. On April 12th, 1917, towards the end of the first battle of the Scarpe in the battle of Arras, 1917, he was watching an attack and directing his battery from an observation post at Athies, near Roeux, when a large German shell burst close by and a splinter entered his head rendering him immediately unconscious, and he died before reaching the Dressing Station. He was buried ear Athies.

His Colonel wrote :- "I feel his loss very keenly, not only as the loss of a capable officer, but as the loss of a friend whose charming manners had endeared him to all of us, officers and men. No one could have thought less of personal danger than he did, and I cannot help wishing that he had been a little more careful of himself, even at the expense of the observation he was engaged in, for he had been exposing himself fearlessly in an attempt to locate the position reached by our infantry, and this undoubtedly drew the fire which was the cause of his death".

The following appeared in the Cambridge local paper :- "His death will be deeply regretted by a wide circle of friends at Cambridge and elsewhere, for he was a man of a lovable disposition, combined with high intellectual attainments and lofty ideals".

SPROXTON

Charles

Captain (Adjt.) 4th Bt. Yorkshire Reg., died 19/7/1917 age 26, Son of Arthur and Alice Sproxton, of 114, Lee St., Holderness Rd., Hull. B.A. (Hons. Cambridge). Buried ST. MARTIN CALVAIRE BRITISH CEMETERY, ST. MARTIN-SUR-COJEUL France.

STEARN

Frederick John

Pte. 238112, 1st Bt. North Staffordshire Reg., killed in action 9/10/1918, born and enlisted Cambridge. Formerly 9/5648, Cambridgeshire Regiment, buried ANNEUX BRITISH CEMETERY France. See also Cambridge Guildhall and also Cambridge University Press & College Servants

STEVENS

Arthur William

Private 203089, 4th Bt. Bedfordshire Reg., died of wounds 27/9/18, born, resident and enlisted Cambridge, buried in HERMIES HILL BRITISH CEMETERY, France. See also Cambridge Guildhall and Cambridge University Press