Roll of Honour - Cambridgeshire - Wisbech, Conservative Working Mens Club

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WISBECH CONVERVATIVE WORKING MENS CLUB WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 and 2 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Martin Edwards 2024

The memorial resides in The Conservative Working Mens Club, Hill Street, Wisbech. It takes the form of a sculptured plaque with wreath, flags and a crown with a carved marble wreath surmounted by crown and glag in the centre is the inscription and the names for those who fell in World War 1. A further two small wreaths for World War 2 sit either side of the main memorial at its base. All these are affixed to a single backboard. There are 25 names for World War 1 and 4 for World War 2.

Unknown Source

IN HONOURED MEMORY OF
MEMBERS OF THIS CLUB
WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR
1914-1918

ALCOCK	William Ernest	Private 2278, 1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Killed in action 5 May 1915. Aged 27. Born Chertsey, Surrey, enlisted Wisbech. Son of Arthur and Maria Alcock. No known grave. Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 50 and 52. See also Wisbech and Wisbech St Augustine
BENTHAM	Archibald Thomas	Sapper 194995, 14th Division Signal Company, Royal Engineers Died on service 22 September 1917. Aged 28. Born Haynford, Norfolk, enlisted Wisbech. Son of Supt. T. Bentham, of North Walsham, Norwich; husband of Lilian Bentham, of 19, Ramnoth Rd., Walsoker, Wisbech, Cambs. Buried in Bailleul Comunnal Cemetery Extension, Nord, Nord, France. Plot III. Row E. Grave 157. See also Walsoken
BLUNT	Thomas	Private 40867, 8th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers formerly 28057, Essex Regiment. Killed in action 16 August 1917. Born Walsoken, Norfolk, resident Wisbech, enlisted Norwich. No known grave. Commemorated on Tyne Cot memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 70 to 72. See also Walsoken
BODGER	William Shepherd	Sergeant 325579, 1st/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment formerly 2214, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Killed in action 31 July 1917. Aged 21. Born and enlisted Wisbech. Son of Grace Shepherd Bodger and late Richard Bodger. Lived 21 High Street, Wisbech. No known grave. Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 50. See also Wisbech and Wisbech Old Bartonians
BROWN	Frederick	Sapper 230572, 126th Field Company, Royal Engineers. Died of wounds 24 March 1918. Aged 35. Born crica 1882 in Manton, Rutlandshire, enlisted Wisbech 1917. Lived at The New Inn, Wisbech. Husband of Mary Brown (nee Figg). Buried in Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt, France. Plot I. Row E. Grave 5. See also Wisbech
BURGIS	Edward	Second Lieutenant, 3rd Battalion attached to 18th Battalion, Manchester Regiment. Killed in action 16 October 1917. Aged 32. Baptised 1 November 1885 in Docking, Norfolk, son of Richard and Eleanor Jane Burgis, resident Docking, Norfolk. Married Grace Wilson 14 April 1910 in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. Lived 58 Lynn Road, Wisbech. In the 1911 census he was married to Grace (nee Wilson) Burgis. aged 25, born Docking, Norfolk, a Timber Merchant's Saw Mill Manager, resident 85 Lynn Road, Wisbech, Wisbech St Peter, Cambridgeshire. No known grave. Commemorated on Tyne Cot memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 120 to 124. See also Wisbech and Wisbech St Augustine
BUSHELL	Daniel	Private G/11193, 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment formerly Cambridgeshire Regiment. Killed in action 24 April 1918. Aged 25. Born and enlisted Wisbech. Son of James and Ann E Bushell, of 4 Chapel Rd, North Brink, Wisbech. Buried in Mailly Wood Cemetery, Somme, France. Plot II. Row H. Grave 5. See also Wisbech
CROFTS	Archibald 'Archie' Bertram	Rifleman (Lance Corporal) C/8049, 2nd Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps. Died of wunds in the United Kingdom 30 November 1916. Born and resident Wisbech, enlisted Kingsway, Middlesex. Son of Henry and Charlotte Crofts, of Elm Bridge, Wisbech. Buried in Elm (All Saints) Churchayrd, Cambridgeshire. See also Elm
GILL	Walter	Private 326941, "C" Company, 1/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment formerly 4802, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Killed in action 14 October 1916. Aged 39. Born Wisbech, enlisted Cambridge. Lived Tinkers Drove, Wisbech. Son of late James and Mary Gill. Youngest brother in firm Gill Bros, of Tinkers Drove, Wisbech. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 16 B. See also Wisbech St Augustines and Wisbech
GOODWIN	John [Harry ]	Private G/14957, 12th Battalion, (2nd South Downs) Royal Sussex Regiment Formerly Cambridgeshire Regiment. Killed in action 25th September 1917. Aged 36. Born Manchester, enlisted Wisbech. Lived Old Bell, Nene Quay, Wisbech. No known grave. Commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium See also Wisbech
HALSTEAD	John William aka Jack	Coporal 2777, "C" Company, 1/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Killed in action 4 September 1916. Born Walsoken, Cambs, enlisted Wisbech. Son of Mr and Mrs Joseph Halstead, Grassgate Farm, Walsoken. Buried in Knightsbridge Cemetery, Mesnil-Martinsart, France. Row D. Grave 12. Also listed Walsoken and Wisbech.
HERCOCK	Sidney Wiles Wooll	[Transcribed as J W HERCOCK] Private P.S./9833, 8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Killed in action 3 May 1917. Aged 30. Born, resident and enlisted. Husband of C. J. Hercock, of 8, Elm Rd., Wisbech, Cambs. No known grave. Commemorated on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 3.
HOPKINS	Charles	[Listed on other memorial as HOPKIN] Private 235119, 11th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). Killed in action 5 October 1918. Born and resident Wisbech, enlisted Bury St. Edmund's, Suffolk. Buried in Guizancourt Farm Cemetery, Gouy, Aisne, France. Row D. Grave 22. Also listed on Wisbech, Old Bartonians and Wisbech St Augustines and Wisbech
JOHNSON	James Walter	Pioneer 130037, 5th Battalion Special Brigade, Royal Engineers. Killed in action 7 August 1916. Aged 36. Born Barnsley, Yorkshire, resident Wisbech, enlisted Cambridge. Husband of Mrs N E Johnson, 5 Golding St, Wisbech. Buried in Millencourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. Row C. Grave 10. See also Wisbech.
KETTLE	Reuben [Charles]	Able Seman London Z/5581, S.S. Westergate (H.M.S. President III), Royal Naval Violunteer Reserve. Drowned at sea 21 April 1918 when his ship was torpedoed. Aged 21. Born 15 May 1896 in Tydd, resident Fould Anchor, Tydd, Wisbech. Son of Rueben and Elizabeth Kettle, of Foul Anchor, Tydd, Cambridgeshire. Buried in Geffosses Churchyard, Manche, Faance. South part of the Cemetery near North wall of Church. See also Tydd St Giles and Wisbech Grammar School and Foulanchor
OGDEN	Lawrence [Victor] aka Laurie	Private 16273, 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 17 February 1917. Aged 24. Born Redcar, enlisted Wisbech. Son of James and Adeline Ogden; brother of William Walter Ogden. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 1 C and 2 A. See also Wisbech St Augustines and also Wisbech
OGLE	Bertie Edward	Rifleman 471888, 12th (County of London) Battalion (The Rangers), London Regiment. Killed in action 15 April 1918. Aged 23. Born Wisbech, resident Holloway, London, enlisted London. Son of Mr and Mrs G E Ogle, of 4 Lynn Rd, Wisbech. Husband of Mrs M Ogle; brother of Claude (below). Buried in Glisy Communal Cemetery, Somme, France. Grave lost. Special Memorial in South-West corner. See also Wisbech St Augustines and also Wisbech
OGLE	Claude	Private 235204, 8th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment formerly 4224, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Wounded 3 October 1917, died of those wounds 4 October 1917. Aged 20. Resident Wisbech, enlisted Cambridge. Son of Mr and Mrs G E Ogle, of 4 Lynn Rd, Wisbech; brother of Bertie (above). Buried in Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension, Bailleul, Nord, France. Plot I. Row D. Grave 55. See also Wisbech St Augustines and also Wisbech
OLDROYD	[George] William	Private 24647, 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died of wounds 6 December 1916. Aged 20. Born and enlisted Wisbech. Son of G. W. and M. A. Oldroyd, of Crooked Bank, South Brink, Wisbech, Cambs. Buried in Wanquetin Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row A. Grave 6. See also Wisbech
PITTS	George [Walter]	Sapper 84448, 89th Field Company, Royal Engineers. Killed in action 15 October 1917. Aged 33. Born and enlisted Wisbech. Admitted to 18th General Hospital 4 May 1917 with wounds to left anjkle and left shoulder, transferred out 7 May 1917 to 24 Casualty Clearing Station. In the 1901 census he was aged 18, born Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, a bricklayer's Labourer, son of George Pitts, resident 3, Short Street, Wisbech St Peter, Wisbech St Peter (Isle of Ely), Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. In the 1911 census he was married to Gertie Pitts with one son, George, aged 27, born Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, a Fruit growers labourer, resident 15 Lerowe Road, Walsoken Wisbech. Buried in Hooge Crater Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot XV. Row E. Grave 16. See also Walsoken
SAUNDERS	Herbert	Lance Corporal 650, "C" Company, 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade. Killed in action 18 May 1918. Born Wisbech, resident Norfolk Street, Wisbech, enlisted Peterborough. Buried in Le Vertannoy British Cemetery, Hinges, Pas de Calais, France. Row B. Grave 21. See also Wisbech and Wisbech Old Bartonians
STAGLES	Arthur	Private SD/5614, 9th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died of wounds 4 September 1916. Aged 26. Born Stanningley, Yorkshire, enlisted Wisbech. Son of Harry and Hannah Stages, of Wisbech; husband of Florence May Stagles. Buried in Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L'Abbe, Somme, France. Plot IV. Row B. Grave 63. See also Wisbech
THOMPSON	John	Private 26713, 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment formerly 26889, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 31 August 1918. Born and enlisted Wisbech, resident Norfolk Street, Wisbech. No known grave. Commemorated on Vis-En-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 6. See also Wisbech
THORPE	Albert Edward	Second Lieutenant, 11th (2nd Hull) Battalion. East Yorkshire Regiment. Died of paralysis 6 December 1918. Aged 26. Born 13 July 1892, baptised 4 August 1892 in Wisbech, St Peter, resident 8 Cannon Street, Wisbech. Son of George and Ellen Hannah Thorpe, of Wisbech; husband of Dora (nee Benton) Thorpe, of 30 Milner Road, Wisbech, married April to June Quarter 1917 (28 May 1917) in Wisbech Registration District, Cambridgeshire. In the 1911 census he was the son of George and Ellen Hannah Thorpe, aged 18, born Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, a Surveyors Assistant, resident 20A, Lynn Road, Wisbech, Wisbech St Peter, Cambridgeshire. Buried in Longuenesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. PlotV. Row E. Grave 74. See also Wisbech and Wisbech Old Bartonians
TOOKE	Albert Edward	Private G/14886, 7th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment formerly 4197 3/1st Cambridgeshire Regiment. Died of wounds 14 December 1917 (wounded 21 November 1917). Aged 20. Son of William and Alice Tooke, of 30, Mount Terrace, Wisbech. Enlisted Cambridgeshire. Buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. Plot III. Row F. Grave 14. See also Wisbech St Augustines and also Wisbech
1939-1945
COOK	Walter Randall	Sergeant (Flight Engineer) 1116625, 101 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Bomber Command). Killed in action flying out of Holme-on-Spalding Moor, Yorkshire, in a Avro Lancaster I, serial nmber W4919, when the aircraft, on a night raid to Dortmund, was shot down by a night fighter at Bergen (on the Dutch-German border) 4 miles southeast of Boxmeer 24 May 1943. Aged 31. Native of Lowestoft, Suffolk. Son of Harry and Rosemond Cook, of Lowestoft, Suffolk; husband of Winifred Maud Cook, of Lowestoft. Buried in Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Gelderland, Netherlands. Plot 16. Row C. Collective grave 4-7. Extract from England and Wales Government Probate Death Index 1944: COOK Walter Randall of Melrose Boyces-lane Wisbech Cambridgeshire died on or since 24 May 1943 on war service Administration Norwich 2 May to Winifred Maud Cook widow. Effects £409 15s. 7d.
JUDE	Harold Albert	Sergeant 2091253, Royal Engineers attached H.Q. 18th Division. Died as a Japanese Prisoner of War of cerebal malaria at at Sankra Camp,Thailand 26 August 1943. Aged 28. Born 14 June 1915, admitted to March Grammar school 17 September 1925, left 30 July 1929. After leaving March Grammar School, he went to Wisbech Grammar School. Son of Thomas William and Mary Ann Jude, of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. Employed as sorting office clerk and telegraphist at Wisbech Post Office. Buried in Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, Myanmar (Burma). Plot B4. Row G. Grave 17. See also Wisbech St Mary and also Guyhirn and Rings End and also March Grammar School Extract from Wisbech Standard 1945: TRAGIC BLOW FOR GUYHIRN FAMILY Sergt. H. A. Jude's Death in the Far East Mr, and Mrs. T. W. Jude, of Hall's Farm, Guyhirn, have received the tragic news that their third son, Sergt. Harold Albert Jude, died on August 24th, 1943, while a prisoner-of-war in the Far East. This information comes from a friend of their son, who was with him when he died, and the grieving parents are now expecting an official notification from the War Office. Sergt. Jude, who was serving with 18 Div., H.Q., R.E., is stated to have died, of cerebral malaria while a prisoner in Sonkra Camp, Thailand. Aged 28, Sergt. Jude was educated at March Grammar School for two years and at Wisbech Grammar School for four years; he was then employed as a sorting clerk and telegraphist in the Wisbech Post Office until the outbreak of war, when he joined the Royal Engineers. He was with the 287 Field Company until a few weeks before he sailed for Singapore, when he was transferred to 18 Div. H.Q. and left this country for the Far East on October 25th, 1941. Mr. and Mrs. Jude and family wish to thank all friends for kind inquiries during their anxious waiting, and for sympathy in their sad bereavement; also R.S.M. Morris for his great kindness.
SMITH	C W	No further information currently available
TAYLOR	Archie Frank	Sapper 2092138, 287 Field Company, Royal Engineers. Died of Avitaminosis as a Japanese Prisoner of War 6 September 1943. Aged 32 [discrepancy in age between records age should be 35]. Born 18 July 1908, and resident, Cambridgeshire. Son of Frank Jabez Taylor and Florence Taylor, of Wisbech; husband of Elsie Phyllis (nee Goode) Taylor, of 15, Orchard Drive, Wisbech, married June-September Quarter 1934 in Wisbech egistration District, Cambridgeshire. Enlisted 21 June 1939 in Wisbech. Cabinet Maker by trade. In the 1911 census he was aged 2, born Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, son of Frank J and Florence Taylor, resident 5 East Place Wisbech, Wisbech St Peter, Cambridgeshire. In the 1921 census he was aged 12, born Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, son of Frank and Florrie Taylor, resident 49, Cannon Street, Wisbech, Wisbech St Peter, Cambridgeshire. Buried in KANCHANABURI WAR CEMETERY, Thailand. Plot 2. Row D. Grave 68. See also Wisbech Extract from England and Wales Government Probate Death Index 1947: TAYLOR Archie Frank of 15 Orchard-drive Wisbech Cambridgeshire died 6 September 1943 on war service Administration Norwich 12 April to Elsie Phyllis Taylor widow. Effects £732 12s. 2d.

Last updated 21 September, 2025

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