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STREAT WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Alan Seymour 2004

Approximately 3 miles east of Ditchling, along the B2116 Lewes Road, turn left into Streat Lane and about a mile along this road standing on rising ground hidden from view by trees is the:

PARISH CHURCH OF STREAT

In its original form it was built soon after the compilation of the 'Domesday Book', to replace two Saxon churches and almost certainly on the site of one of them.  Little Norman building remains, let alone the Saxon, following heavy restoration in the late nineteenth century when the Norman doorways were lost.

The church is quite small and pleasing to the eye, but has no outstanding features on the outside or in the churchyard.  Inside there are two interesting iron grave-slabs set into the floor.  One is thought to be the largest in the country. 

There are some good wall tablets also from the eighteenth century and the royal arms of Charles II dated 1660 above the chancel arch.

CHURCHYARD

There are no official war graves in this churchyard, but on the south side of the church is found the family grave of George & Louisa Richardson.  Louisa died aged 69 in 1926 and George died age 79 years in 1939.  Below their inscriptions there is also another that reads:-

"Also of their Son Ernest George 4th Batt. (Battalion) Royal Sussex Regt. killed in action 29 July 1918 aged 26 years"

GREAT WAR MEMORIAL

Across the small lane to the south of the church is found the churchyard extension.  Located at the eastern end is the Parish War Memorial to Streat & Westmeston.  No names are inscribed on this memorial but there is an inscription that reads:-

"To remember the war 1914-1918.  Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory."

INSIDE CHURCH - NAVE

On the north wall at the western corner of the Nave, are the War Memorials to both wars.  There are seven names commemorated for the Great War and eight for the Second World War.  The dedication on the Great War Memorial reads:-

"To the Glory of God and in honour of the men of the Paris who gave their Country in the Great War 1914-1918.  Erected by the people of Streat & Westmeston"

The seven names listed on this memorial are:-

2nd Lieutenant, Kings Royal Rifles
Driver, Royal Garrison Artillery
Rifleman, 20th Rifle Brigade
Driver, Royal Garrison Artillery
Lance Corporal, 8th Royal Sussex Regiment
Private, 4th Royal Sussex Regiment
2nd Lieutenant, 12th Rifle Brigade

On the west wall in the same corner is the framed Record of Service for Streat & Westmeston, the same list also found in Westmeston Church.  Listed in two columns are the names of 49 men and the details of their enlistment.  A note is made against a name of those who were killed or wounded.  Above the names is the following inscription:

'Record of Service' for 1914-1918, Streat and Westmeston

1914

ALDERSLADE  H. - 1st Battalion Royal Hampshire Regiment

1915

LEANEY  H. - Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment - killed

1914

AYLING  H. - Royal Sussex Regiment - wounded

1915

LEANEY  S. - Royal Artillery - wounded

1915

BAINES  F. A. F. - King's Royal Rifle Corps - killed

1914

LONGEY  F. - Royal Sussex Regiment - wounded

1915
BATEUP  A. - Royal Field Artillery

1914

MONEY  G. - Gurkha

1915

BATEUP  F. S. - Royal Sussex Regiment - killed

1914

MONEY  J. - Royal Navy

1915

BATEUP  S. - Royal Sussex Regiment

1914
MORTON  G. - Rifle Brigade

1914

BISH  J. P - The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)

1915

NEWNHAM  E. - Army Service Corps

1916

BOWLES  H. - Royal Fusiliers - wounded

1915

NEWNHAM  L. - Royal Sussex Regiment - killed

1916

BOYS  H. - Royal Field Artillery

1914

NEWNHAM  P. - Royal Sussex Regiment

1916
BRANSDEN  A. - Royal Sussex Regiment

1914

NORMAN  R. S. - Royal Navy

1915

BUCKMAN  S. A. - Royal Sussex Regiment - wounded

1914

OCKENDEN  J. - Royal Sussex Regiment

1916

COTTINGHAM  F. - Transport

1917

OCKENDEN  W. - Royal Marines

1916

DAY  E. - Royal Garrison Artillery

1915

PELLING  A. - Royal Sussex Regiment

1918

EADE  H. - Middlesex Regiment

1914

RICHARDSON  A. - Royal Sussex Regiment

1915

EDWARDS  B. - Royal Sussex Regiment - killed

1914

RICHARDSON  E. - Royal Sussex Regiment - killed

1914

FITZHUGH  T. C. - Royal Irish Fusiliers

?

SAWYER  A. D. - 7th Royal Sussex  Regiment - wounded

?

FITZHUGH  V. C. A. - T.C.F 4th Class

?

SAWYER  E. V. - 8th Royal Sussex Regiment - wounded

1914
FITZHUGH  V. W. - Royal Sussex Regiment - wounded

1914

STONER  F. - Royal Sussex Regiment

1916

GRINSTED  P. - Royal Field Artillery

1914

STONER  G. - Royal Sussex Regiment - wounded

1914

HAWKINS  H. E. - Royal Sussex Regiment - killed

1914

STONER  H. - Royal Sussex Regiment - wounded

1915

HOLLINGDALE  K. - Royal Sussex Regiment - killed

1915

STUBBS  C. - Royal Garrison Artillery

1915

HOLLINGDALE  R. - Royal Air Force

1914

STUBBS  W. - Royal Navy

1916

JOHNSON  J. - Royal West Surrey Regiment

1915

TORRY  J. S. A. - Rifle Brigade - killed

1915

LANDER  G. - Army Veterinary Corps

1915

TURNER  J. W. - Queen's Royal West Kent Regiment

   

1915

TURRELL  G. - Royal Sussex Regiment

MEMORIAL RESEARCH

The names listed here are from the memorial and the Roll of Honour. Those on the memorial are denoted 'M' and those on the Roll of Honour are denoted 'R'.

MR BAINES  Frederick Athelstan

Second Lieutenant, 4th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps

Frederick Baines, the son of Athelstan Arthur and Katherine Mary Baines, "The Old Rectory" Westmeston, Sussex.  He was killed in action 25th May, 1915.  Age 19.  Frederick, has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, Belguim - Panel 51 & 53. 

The following report of his death appeared in 'The Mid-Sussex Times' 1st June, 1915:- Second-Lieutenant  Frederick Athelstan Fanshave Baines, 4th Batt. Kings's Royal Rifle Corps, only son of Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Baines, of Westmeston, was killed in action on May 25th in Flanders.  He was educated at Winchester, where he was scholar, and Sandhurst.  Commissioned last February, he was sent to the Front on May 17th.  He was only 19 years of age. 

MR BATEUP  Samuel Frederick

Private, TF/3665 1st/5th Battalion T.F., Royal Sussex Regiment.

Samuel Bateup, the son of Stephen and Charlotte Bateup, 5, The Crescent, Keymer, Sussex.  He was born and enlisted for military service in Brighton.  He was killed in action 31st July, 1916.  Age 19.   Samuel, has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the THEIPVAL MEMORIAL, France - Pier & Face 7C.

MR EDWARDS  Bertram

Rifleman, S/32957, 20th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own), formerly 2299, Royal Sussex Regiment.

Bertram Edwards, the son of John and Ellen Edwards, Old Middleton, Hassocks, Sussex.  At the time of his enlistment for military service in Horsham he was living in Westmeston, Sussex.  Bertram, died whilst at sea on 15th April 1917, age 21.  He is commemorated on the MIKRA MEMORIAL, Greece

R HAWKINS H E Royal Sussex Regiment. Enlisted 1914. No further information currently available
R HOLLINGDALE K Royal Sussex Regiment. Enlisted 1915. No further information currently available
Mr LEANEY  Henry

Gunner, 102356, Royal Garrison Artillery.

Henry Leaney, the son of Martin and Eliza Leaney, of Ditchling Common, Sussex: husband of Mrs E. J. Leaney , 113, Church Road, Burgess Hill, Sussex.  Henry,  was born in Ditchling, Sussex  and when he enlisted for military service in Brighton, was living in Hassocks, Sussex.  He died 22nd December 1917, age 37.  He is buried in ACHIET-LE-GRAND COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, France - grave reference Plot II. Row D. Grave14.  Achiet-le-Grand is a village 19 Km. south of Arras. 

MR NEWNHAM  Leonard

Lance Corporal, G/2670, 8th (Service) Battalion (Pioneers), Royal Sussex Regiment.

Leonard Newnham, born in Ditchling, Sussex and enlisted for military service in Hurtspierpoint, Sussex.  He was killed in action 14th July, 1916.  He is buried in BERNAFAY WOOD BRITISH CEMETEMRY, France - grave reference Row H. Grave 63.  Bernafay Wood Cemetery is 10 km. east of Albert in the Department of the Somme.

MR RICHARDSON  Ernest George

Private, TF/200374, 4th Battalion T.F., Royal Sussex Regiment.

Ernest George Richardson, born Streat, Sussex the son of George and Louisa Richardson, North Acres Cottage, Streat, Sussex.  Ernest, enlisted for military service in Horsham.  He was killed in action 29th July, 1918, age 26.  He has no known grave and is commemorated on the SOISSONS MEMORIAL, Aisne, France.  The Soisson Memorial will be found in the public square of the town which stands on the left bank of the River Aisne, north-east of Paris. 

MR TORRY  John Shirley Archibald

Second Lieutenant, 12th Battalion, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own). Died of wounds 19 September 1915. Born 17 July 1889 in Matlock, Derbyshire. Matriculated 1908 in New College, Oxford University. In the 1911 census he was aged 21, born Matlock, Derbyshire, a Student, son of Henry John Claude and Lucy Charlotte Torry, resident Rectory, Streat Hassocks, Streat, Sussex. Married Pauline A Duleep Singh in the June to September Quarter 1914 in Kensington Registration District, London. Buried in MERVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Nord, France. Plot V. Row B. Grave 22. Also listed on Charterhouse School Godalming, Surrey

Extract from Rifle Brigade Chronicle, 1915, page 157:

2ND LIEUTENANT (TEMP.) J. S. A. TORRY.
12th (Service) Battalion.

JOHN SHIRLEY ARCHIBALD TORRY was the eldest son of the Rev. Henry John Claude Torry of Streat Rectory, Sussex and was born 17 July 1889. He was educated at Charterhouse and New College, Oxford where he served in the Public Schools and University Corps. In January 1915 he was gazetted to the 12th (Service) Battalion and proceeded with it to France in July. When on night patrol duty between the trenches he was wounded and he died of his wounds in hospital at Merville, France on 19 September 1913 (sic - s/b 1915).

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1915:

TORRY John Shirley Archibald of Street Rectory Hassocks Sussex second-lieutenant 12th battalion Rifle Brigade died 19 September 1915 at the 2nd London Clearing Station France Probate London 14 December to Princess Pauline Torry widow. Effects £2831 17s. 1d.

Extract from Mid Sussex Times - Tuesday 28 September 1915, page 1:

DIED OF WOUNDS.
SECOND LIEUT. J. B. A. TORRY—
STREAT.

The Rev. Claude Torry, Rector of Street and Westmeston, will have many sympathisers in the sad loss he has sustained by the death of his eldest son, Second Lieutenant John Shirley Archibald Torry, 12th Battalion Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own). This took place in France on September 19th, as the result of wounds received on the previous day. Lieutenant Torry was born in July, 1889, and was educated at Charterhouse (where he was a scholar) and at New College, Oxford. At the outbreak of the war he enlisted in the Public School and University Men's Force, and this year obtaineda commission in the Rifle Brigede. In 1914 he married Pauline, daughter of the late Maharajah Duleep Singh.

Extract from Sussex Agricultural Express - Friday 01 October 1915, page 12:

STREAT.

DEATH OF RECTOR'S SON.—Great sympathy is extended to the Rev. Claude Torry, whose eldest son was, as officially announced, killed in France on the 19th September. Deceased, Lieut. John Shirley Archibald Torry, who was about twenty-six years of age, was in India for some time, and leaves a wife to mourn his loss. He was the rev. gentleman's only son by his first wife. After coming home from India he received a commission as Second Lieutenant in the 12th Battalion Rifle Brigade, and was soon drafted to the Front.

Last updated 4 July, 2022

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