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WESTONING - WAR MEMORIALS

World War 1 and 2 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © 2001 Lynda Smith
additional information Henry Jennings

There are two memorials in the village, the village war memorial and the church war memorial. Listed here is the wording from the village then the church memorials followed by the names of the men that are identical on both memorials. The names here have been sorted into alphabetical order for ease of reading and research.

The external memorial stands by the roadside inside part of the village school grounds in Church Road, Westoning; the memorial has metal railing surrounds on three sides. The memorial takes the form of a plain stone cross standing on an octagonal drum base with panels attached, then whole stands on a concrete base. The memorial was unveiled by Mr. Howard and dedicated by the Reverends C. J. J. McCormick and J. A. Utley on 31 October 1920. There are 16 names listed for World War 1 and 5 names for World War 2.

Within the church of St. Mary Magdalene in Church Road, Westoning, is an engraved wooden, oak, plaque with laurel leaf moulding listing the same 16 names for World War 1 and 5 names for World War 2 as the external memorial. The names ofr each conflict are listed in two columns.


WESTONING VILLAGE MEMORIAL

Copyright © Lynda Smith 2002

This memorial is outside the school in the centre of the village.

TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF
THOSE FROM THIS PARISH
WHO MADE THE
SUPREME SACRIFICE
IN THE GREAT WAR
1914 – 1918

Around the edge of the memorial are the words:

REST ETERNAL GRANT TO THEM O LORD AND LET LIGHT PERPETUAL SHINE UPON THEM.

The men from the Second World War are inscribed beneath those from World War One, and under the names is

1939 – 1945


WESTONING CHURCH MEMORIAL

Copyright © Lynda Smith 2002

The memorial is situated on the wall of the St Mary’s church

TO THE
GLORY OF GOD
AND IN
GRATEFUL MEMORY OF

ANDREWS

Andrew George

[George on SDGW CD]  Private 10253,  6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment.  Died of wounds Saturday 22 July 1916.  Aged 23.  Born Steeple Claydon, Bucks.  Enlisted Northampton.  Son of Martha and John Andrews of Westoning, Bedfordshire.  Brother of Thomas Joseph Andrews (below). No known grave. Commemorated on Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France. Plot XIV. Row D. Grave 8.

Extract from Bedfordshire Times and Independent - Friday 28 July 1916, page 3:

WESTONING

Pte. Edwin Williams is now in France with the Bedfordshires.

Word has been unofficially received that Andrew George Andrews, 2nd Beds., is wounded. His brother. Pte. Thos. Joseph Andrews. 1st Beds., writes home on the 19th that he is well.

Extract from Bedfordshire Times and Independent - Friday 4 July August, page 2:

WESTONING

Pte. Andrew George Andrews, 6th. Batt., Northampton Regiment, we are sorry to learn has succumbed to his wounds, at No. 20 General Hospital, France. He was 23 years of age. The nurse wrote his mother stating that he had been ill in hospital since being wounded, his spine being injured, and was helpless. Everything possible was done for him.

ANDREWS

Thomas Joseph

[Listed as Thomas James ANDREWS on SDGW] Private 18858,  6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.  Died of wounds at home Tuesday 8 May 1917.  Born Steeple Claydon, Bucks.  Lived Westoning. Enlisted Bedford.  Baptised 29 March 1890 in Steeple Claydon, Buckinghamshire, son of John and Martha Ann Andrews, resident Vicarage Lane, Steeple Claydon. Brother of Andrew george Andrews (above). In the 1891 census he was under 1 years of age, born Steeple Claydon, Buckinghmahsire. son of John and Marha Andrews, resident Vicarage Lane, Steeple Claydon, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire. Buried 12 May 1917 in Westoning (St. Mary Magdalene) Church Cemetery, Bedfordshire. See also Ampthill Park

Extract from Bedfordshire Times and Independent - Friday 11 May 1917, page 2:

WESTONING

Pte. Thomas Joseph Andrews, Bedford Regt., third son of Mr. John Andrews, wounded in the left foot by gunshot, died suddenly on Tuesday morning at Wharncliffe Hospital, Sheffield. He was one of the first Westoning men to volunteer,was trained in Ampthill Park, and had seen two years service in France. He was wounded by a shell in August, 1916. It is expected that his funeral will take place on Saturday with military honours, at Westoning church. He is the second son to fall.

BASS

William George

Corporal 15339,  7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.  Killed in action Thursday 3 May 1917.  Born and lived Westoning.  Enlisted Toddington.  Son of Samuel G. and Kate Bass, of Stanley Cotts., Westoning, Bedford.  No known grave. Commemorated on Arras Memorial, Pas-de-Calais, France.  Bay 5. See also Sundon Cement and Lime Works Memorial

BAVISTER

William

Private 18577, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Died of wounds in United Kingdom 3 August 1916. Aged 23. Born Westoning, Beds, resident Luton, enlisted Bedford. Unmarried. Son of William and Mary Bavister of Westoning. Resident 121, Cambridge Street. In the 1901 census he was aged 8, born Westoning, son of William and Mary Bavister, resident High Street, Westoning, Ampthill, Bedfordshire. In the 1911 census he was aged 18, born Westoning, a Farm Labourer, son of William and Mary Bavister, resident Ashby's Cottages, Westoning, Bedfordshire. Buried in Westoning (St. Mary Magdalene) Church Cemetery, Bedfordshire. See also Luton

According to the National Roll of the Great War:

BAVISTER, W., Private, Bedfordshire Regiment.
He volunteered in December and was drafted to the Western Front in the following year. While in this theatre of war he fought at Hill 60, Ypres, Festubert and the Somme, where he was severely wounded. He died from his injuries on August 10th, 1916, and was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, and the General Service and Victory Medals.
Ashy's Cottages, Westoning, Ampthill.
1540

BONNER

Sidney Mathew

(Mathew Sidney on CD)  Private 31933.  6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.  Killed in action Thursday 12 April 1917.  Born Westoning.  Lived and enlisted Bedford.  Son of William and Elizabeth Bonner of 2 Coventry Cotts., Westoning, Bedfordshire.  Buried in Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, Pas-de-Calais, France.  Plot XXVIII. Row F. Grave 10.

DILLINGHAM

William David

Private 18919.  Scottish Horse Cavalry, Household Cavalry.  Died at sea Thursday 10 October 1918.  Aged 24.  Born and lived Ampthill.  Enlisted Bedford.  Son of Walter George and Martha Ann Dillingham of Ampthill.  Husband of Constance Dillingham (formerly Burton).  An employee of Messrs. Swaffield and Sons, Auctioneers.  One of five brothers who served.  Buried in Grangegorman Military Cemetery, County Dublin, Eire.  Grave 754.

DIX

Frederick

Private 62330,  2nd Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry formerly 7664, 12th Training Reserve Battalion.  Died of wounds Tuesday 29 October 1918.  Aged 19.  Born Ashley (sic) Guise, Bedford.  Enlisted Luton.  Son of John and Annie Dix of Westoning.  No known grave. Commemorated on St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, Seine Maritime, France. Section S. Plot III. Row G. Grave 13.

DIX

George Harold

Private 23576,  4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.  Died Sunday 8 February 1920.  Aged 24.  Son of Mr.Mrs. John Dix of Westoning.  Buried in Westoning (St. Mary Magdalene) Church Cemetery, Bedfordshire.

EVERARD

Henry Robert Hastings

[EVERED on CWGC and CD] Second Lieutenant, 27th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers.  Killed in action Saturday 1 July 1916.  No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.  Pier and Face 10B. 11B and 12B.

GAZELEY

Walter Frank

Private 28335,  7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment.  Killed in action Sunday 17 June 1917.  Born Westoning.  Enlisted Bedford.  No known grave. Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.  Panel 43 – 45.

HILLYARD

Charles James

Private 127197,  9th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (Inf).  Killed in action Monday 21 October 1918.  Aged 19.  Born and lived Westoning.  Enlisted Luton.  Son of James and Ellen Matilda Hillyard, of Westoning, Bedfordshire.  Buried in Harlebeke New British Cemetery, Harlebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.  Plot X. Row A. Grave 2.

HILLYARD

John W.

Private 19449, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.  Killed in action Monday 24 July 1916.  Aged 40.  Born and lived Westoning.  Enlisted Bedford.  Son of Mrs. E. Cox of Church Street, Westoning; husband of Mary Hillyard of  Laurel Villa, Westoning, Bedford.  No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.  Pier and Face 2C. See also Sundon Cement and Lime Works Memorial

PHILLIPS

Walter Fitzgerald

Private 6019,  2nd Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales’s Royal Berkshire Regiment.  Killed in action Sunday 9 May 1915.  Aged 32.  Born Ampthill.  Lived Luton.  Enlisted London.  Husband of Emily Phillips of 37 Queen Street, Luton.  No known grave. Commemorated on Ploegsteert Memorial, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium.  Panel 7 and 8.

SHORT

Charles George

Private 15157,  7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.  Killed in action Tuesday 18 July 1916.  Aged 19.  Born and Lived Westoning.  Enlisted Toddington.  Son of Charles Short of High Street, Westoning.  Buried in Perrone Road Cemetery, Maricourt, Somme, France.  Plot III. Row D. Grave 36.

SHORT

George W.

Private 17403,  2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment.  Killed in action Monday 27 May 1918. Aged 23.  Born Westoning.  Enlisted Luton.  Son of George and Ruth Short, of 3 Coventry Cotts., Westoning, Bedford.  No known grave. Commemorated on Soissons Memorial, Aisne, France. 

WILLIAMS

William Edwin

Probably Corporal 31484,  33rd Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry).  Died Tuesday 16 April 1918.  Aged 29.  Son of William and Sarah Williams of Flitwick; husband of Lucy Williams of the Post Office, Cardington.  No known grave. Commemorated on Ploegsteert Memorial, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium.  Panel 11.

THE WORLD WAR
1939 – 1945

DOWLER

Colin Henry

Ordinary Signalman C/SSX 33550,  H.M.S. Marigold, Royal Navy.  Died Wednesday 9 December 1942.  Aged 24.  Son of James and Beatrice Dowler; husband of Peggy Dowler of Luton, Bedfordshire.  No known grave. Commemorated on Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent.  Panel 59. Column 2. 

(Special note:  HMS Marigold was a Flower Class Corvette sunk on 9 December 1942 by Italian Aircraft off Algiers)

GILES

Francis George

Corporal 617858,  911 Balloon, Royal Air Force.  Died as a result of a bombing raid while in Coventry Tuesday 19 November 1940.  Aged 21.  Son of William and Ethel Giles of Church Road, Westoning, Bedfordshire.  Buried in Westoning (St. Mary Magdalene) Church Cemetery, Bedfordshire.

HILLYARD

Stanley Walter

Private 5951385,  5th Battalion, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment.  Died Monday 2 August 1943.  Aged 23.  Son of Arthur and Emily Hillyard.  Buried in Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, Myanmar.  Plot B3. Row F. Grave 13.

PUTTICK

Wilfred

Sergeant 929723, Pilot, 10 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died on Saturday 26th July 1941. Aged 27. Son of John and Mabel Puttick, of Ewell, Epsom, Surrey. Buried in Koersel Communal Cemetery, Beringen, Limburg, Belgium. Grave 5.

Monument in Flitwick extension churchyard, Bedfordshire:

In memory of Esther Gray who died June 11 1918 aged 71. Also in proud and loving memory of Sgt Pilot Wilfred Puttick RAFVR grandson of the above and dearly loved youngest son of John and Mabel Puttick who was killed in action July 26 1941 aged 27 years While there is light I will remember When the night comes I will not forget.

(Detail kindly supplied by Helen Butler)

RUFFELL

Henry Arthur Girling

Signalman C/JX 268941,  HMS Vimiera R.N.  Died Friday 9 January 1942.  Aged 39.  Son of Archibald and Beatrice Charlotte Ruffell; husband of Beatrice Phoebe Ruffell of Westoning. No known grave. Commemorated on Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent.  Panel 58. Column 3.

(Special note:  HMS Vimiera was a Destroyer sunk by a mine off the Nore, East Spike Buoy, in the Thames Estuary, whilst escorting a southbound east coast convoy.)

NORTHERN IRELAND 1988
HOWE David Robert
Corporal 24618142, Royal Signals. Killed 19 March 1988, while on duty in Northern Ireland as one of two corporals killed at the hands of a mob when their car became blocked in the funeral cortege of an IRA member in West Belfast. The two soldiers, both in plain clothes, were set upon by the mourners in front of news cameramen before being dragged away and murdered. Their bodies were later dumped on waste ground. Widely seen as one of the most shocking murders of the Troubles. Aged 23. Born 27 October 1964 in Westoning.

“REST ETERNAL GRANT
TO THEM O LORD”

Last updated 15 July, 2023

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