30217, Private, 14th (1st Birmingham Pals) Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Died 3 September 1916, age 22. Formerly 1683 Hunts Cyclists Btn. Son of Charles & Catherine Barlow. Listed Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Also listed Somersham Baptist Chapel memorial plaque.

23175, Private, 9th East Surrey Regiment. Killed in action 5 August 1917. Born Woodhurst, enlisted Bury St Edmunds, living Somersham. Husband of Mrs C L Jeeps (formerly Chapman), Berrycroft, Willingham, Cambs. Listed Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, Belgium. Also listed Bluntisham/Earith memorial.

2nd Lieutenant, 1st King's Shropshire Light Infantry. Killed in action 21 March 1918. Listed Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

Private 17966, 2^nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 16 June 1915. Aged 32. Born Ely, enlisted Bedford, resident Somersham, Huntingdonshire. Son of John Freeman Dewey and Elizabeth Dewey, of Witchford, Ely, Cambs; husband of Annie Dewey, of Church St., Somersham, St. Ives, Hunts. No known grave. Commemorated on LE TOURET MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 10 and 11. See also Witchford Memorial.

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

DEWEY, W., Private, 2nd Bedfordshire Regiment. He volunteered in November 1914, and having completed a period of training at Felixstowe, was seven months later drafted to the Western Front. After only eight days' active service he was unfortunately killed in action in the La Bassée sector on June 16th, 1915. He was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, and the General Service and Victory Medals. "The path of duty was the way to glory."
Church Street, Somersham, Hunts.		Z1994.

G/18186, Private, 7th The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action 3 May 1917. Born St. Ives, Hunts, resident Somersham, Hunts, enlisted Huntingdon. Listed Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

A/3288, "E" Company, Sergeant, 9th King's Royal Rifle Corps. Died 20 March 1916. Listed Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

From Huntingdonshire Heroes of the First World War by John Bell ISBN 0 946965 21 8.

Letter to Mrs Hinkins Charles' wife from Captain M. Maltden of "E" Company.. 9th K.R.R.C.
R .E P.

31.3.16
Dear Mrs Hinkins,I am sorry indeed to be the man who should have to write to you about the sad death of your husband, Sergeant Hinkins.I very much regret to tell you that he was killed yesterday afternoon together with seven of his comrades by a shell.The offer of consolation at such a time can do no good, but it may help you in your trouble to know how much all the officers and men of his company respected and valued him.It must help you to know that his death was instantaneous and that our Padre was able, after dark, to hold a service over his resting-place.He died, as I believe a true English gentleman and soldier, such as he would wish in the defence of those he loved.Believe me, with deepest sympathy,Yours faithfully,M. Maltden.
Captain. 'E' Coy.

15329, Private, 1st Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 5 May 1915, age 20. Son of Richard & Annie Miller, of Park Hall Rd, Somersham. Listed Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, Belgium.

26205, Private, 4th Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 23 April 1917. Listed Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

2422, Air Mechanic 1st Class, Main Wings 13th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. Died in a motorcycle accident 9 September 1916, age 19. Son of Charles & Dora Ellen Norman, of Somersham. Buried Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France. Also listed Somersham Baptist Chapel memorial plaque.

From Huntingdonshire Heroes of the First World War by John Bell ISBN 0 946965 21 8.

Letter to Mrs Norman Eric's mother from the Douglas Percy Rolfe. R.F.C. B.E,F.
France.

Sept 10th. 1916.
Dear Mrs Norman, I hope you will forgive me a perfect stranger for writing to you, but I feel I must tell you the sad news of Eric. Last night he was returning from a run with two other chaps when he collided with another motorbike coming in the opposite direction. A car took him to hospital unconscious. It was with very deep grief that I tell you he never gained consciousness but passed quickly away at 10.45pm the same night. Eric and I were pals and I think that only a mother can appreciate what that means. It means that for nearly two years we have shared everything, slept near each other and made our plans for the future together in fact become precious to each other. His death leaves me heartbroken. Only yesterday we were arranging a little celebration of his promotion to first class air mechanic to take place tomorrow night. Tomorrow we were going to be photographed together and then without a word of farewell Eric is gone. He had no scratch on him and I think that death resulted from shock. Major Powell is writing to you I think. He is dreadfully upset as he thought such a lot of poor Eric. Indeed everyone did for his cheery nature and endearing ways and entire lack of malice gave no room for even a single enemy. I wish to God it had never happened or that I could have taken his place. It all seems a hideous nightmare.We all loved Eric, I am afraid this letter is very disjointed but everything seems upside down.
From his sorrowing friend. Douglas Percy Rolfe.

15161, Private, 1st Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 6 May 1915, age 23. Son of Mr T & Mrs L Rowell, of Garden Cottage, High St, Somersham. Listed Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, Belgium.

15340, Private, 6th Bedfordshire Regiment. Died of wounds 25 January 1916. Son of Emma Jane Thompson, of Drove House, Park Hall Rd, Somersham. Buried Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No 1, Somme, France. Also listed Somersham Baptist Chapel memorial plaque. From Huntingdonshire Heroes of the First World War by John Bell ISBN 0 946965 21 8.

Five letters to Mrs Thompson Joseph's mother from the Nursing Sister and Hospital Chaplain.

No 153/0
Field Hospital
6th. Beds.
20th. January 1916.
Dear Mrs. Thompson, Your son Joseph Thompson was brought into our station badly wounded in the abdomen and legs yesterday afternoon. The doctor had to operate at once and although he is dangerously ill he has had a wonderfully good night and we can hope and pray that he will be spared to you. With much sympathy for you. Nursing Sister. 21st. January 1916. Dear Mrs. Thompson, Your son is doing well, holding his own, and maintaining his strength. He will probably go the base soon and will write to you. Yours,
Hospital Chaplain.

23rd. January 1916.
Dear Mrs. Thompson, Your son is doing well and holding his own. He sends his love and every kind remembrance to his friends.
Yours,
Hospital Chaplain.

25th. January 1916.
Dear Mrs. Thompson, I am very sorry to say that your son has had a very serious relapse and is in the greatest danger. He has had every care and attention and was going on well until this noon, when very alarming symptoms occurred and developed so rapidly that an immediate operation of his leg was performed. In his weak state I fear that he cannot survive the shock and you must prepare for the worst. I am more sorry than I can say. We are all most disappointed after the good progress he was making. Yours truly, Hospital Chaplain 9th. February 1916. Dear Mrs. Thompson, I must regret to have to inform you that your son Joseph passed away last night after the operation. I saw him just before. He sent his love to you whenever t spoke to him. He was buried this afternoon (Wednesday) at 3 o'clock in the beautifully situated cemetery at Doullabs. There was a full escort officer and 24 men and every honour was shown him. The body was put in a coffin covered with the Union Jack and buried with full Church service. A cross with inscription was put at his head and after the war the Government intend to erect a permanent memorial over all these graves. I am so truly sorry for you in your great grief. May God bless and comfort you. Tell your Vicar what has happened. Yours sincerely, Frank Stone C.F.
(Hospital Chaplain)

6995, Private, 2nd Coldstream Guards. Army Reservist. Died 1 October 1914 at No 4 Clearing Hospital, Braisne, of wounds received at Troyon 29 September 1914. Age 29. Son of late Richard Wootten, of Somersham, & Mrs Rebecca Wootten.; husband of Florence Wootten, of Woodfields, Stansted, Essex. Special memorial B9 at Braine Communal Cemetery, Aisne, France.

From Andy Pay's research into the Marquis de Ruvigny' s Roll of Honour the following: Volume 1 , Part 1, page 385

WOOTTEN, Alfred, Private, 6995, 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards. Son of the late Richard Wootten, of Somersham, by his wife, Rebecca dau of James Ruff, of Somersham. Born Somersham , co Hunts, 14 July 191885, educated there. Enlisted at Lincoln 23 October 191906, and after serving seven years with the colours, was transferred to the Army reserve,23 October 191913, with "Exemplary" character. On mobilisation he rejoined on 6 August 191914, went to France with the Expeditionary Force, 9 August 191914 and died in number 4 Clearing Station st Braisne, 1 October 191914 from wounds received in action at Troyon 29 September 191914, during the battle of the Aisne. Brig - Gen H.W. Stubbs, Coldstream Guards, wrote " No more faithful, true, and gallant soldier gave his life for his country. He did his duty as a guardsman and lived and died a Coldstreamer". He married at Stansted, Essex, 10 April 191909, Florence (3, Gray st, Manchester Sq, W) dau of William Perry of Stansted, and had two children, Alfred Frank b 29 November 191911 and Florence Pamela b 4 March 191910.

T/155539, Driver, Royal Army Service Corps. Died 26 March 1942. Son of Mr & Mrs G A Butler, of Somersham. Buried El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt.

7963426, Tpr, 2nd Fife & Forfar Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps. Died 6 August 1944, age 20. Son of William & Fiona Dew, of Somersham. Listed Bayeux Memorial, Calvados, France.

5933830, Private, 1st Cambridgeshire Regiment. Died of beri-beri 31 August 1943, as Prisoner of War at Tamakan, Thailand, age 31. Buried Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand.

5831247, Private, 2nd Cambridgeshire Regiment. Died at sea 21 September 1944, Prisoner of War, age 24. Son of Mr & Mrs J C Whitfield, of Somersham. Listed Singapore Memorial, Singapore.