Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence

Lest We Forget
British Legion
The Royal British Legion

WOBURN SANDS WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © 2000 Martin Edwards

 

The Woburn Sands Memorial takes the form of a clock tower stading at Shelton Court, High Street, Woburn Sands. Originally it stood in The Square, Woburn Sands but due tio the increase in traffic volume it was oved 21st February 1972. It is described both as a Cenotaph and a Clock Tower. There are 43 names listed for World War 1 and 8 for World War 2. The memorial was unveiled in 1919 by the Duke of Bedford; the designer was W B Stonebridge. The names are not in a sorted order, for the purposes of this page the names have been left as they appear. See also Woburn Sands and Aspley Heath War Casualties and the Woburn Sands War Memorial and also Woburn Sands St Michael War Memorial. Those also on St Michael's memorial are marked ''. The names for World War 1 have been sorted into strict alphabetical order for ease of reading, research and comparison.

From a postcard circa 1920-30

LEST WE FORGET
THIS MEMORIAL
WAS ERECTED BY
INHABITANTS OF
WOBURN SANDS AND
ASPLEY HEATH IN
REMEMBERANCE OF
THOSE WHO'S NAMES
ARE INSCRIBED WHO
DIED FOR THEIR
COUNTRY AND THE
FREEDOM OF NATIONS
1914-1918.

ENROLLED ARE THEY
FOR HIGHER SERVICE NOW
1914-1918

BARKER Josiah [Septimus]
Private 29074 7th Battalion, Oxford. and Bucks Light Infantry killed in action on Saturday, 22nd September 1917. Aged 29. Born and resident Woburn Sands, enlisted Oxford. Youngest son of Josiah & Ann Barker; brother of L/Cpl Fred Frank (died New Gong India 9th November 1905, aged 20). Buried in KARASOULI MILITARY CEMETERY, Greece. Section D. Grave 869.
BOWLER Thomas George
Second Lieutenant, 6th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery killed in action at Messines, Belgium, on Saturday, 30th June 1917. Aged 25. Son of Thomas C. and Catherine Bowler, of High St., Woburn Sands; brother of Lillian, brother in law to C Herbert Richardson (see below). Buried in BERKS CEMETERY EXTENSION, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium. Plot II. Row C. Grave 22.
BRETT Benjamin
Private M2/100782 61st Ammunition Supply Park, Army Service Corps who died of wounds on Saturday, 4th August 1917. Aged 39. Born Gooderstaone, Norfolk, enlisted London, resident Woburn Sands. Husband of husband of Kate Maria Brett. Buried in BRANDHOEK NEW MILITARY CEMETERY, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot IV. Row B. Grave 16.
BURNIDGE William
Private 18240 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment killed in action on Saturday, 21st September 1918. Born Woburn, resident Woburn Sands, enlisted Bedford. Buried in UNICORN CEMETERY, VEND'HUILE, Aisne, France. Plot III. Row A. Grave 8.
BURT Frederick [J] George
[CWGC & SDGW is F G Burt] Private 31050 34th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers transferred to (60059) 101st Company, Labour Corps who died of wounds on Tuesday, 14th May 1918. Formerly 25212, Royal Berkshire Regiment. Born and resident Woburn Sands, enlisted Bletchley, Bucks. Buried in ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN, Seine-Maritime, France. Section Q. Plot I. Row D. Grave 20.
BURT Henry
Private 23071 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment who died of wounds on Thursday, 15th February 1917. Born and resident Woburn Sands, enlisted Ampthill. Buried in VARENNES MILITARY CEMETERY, Somme, France. Grave I. D. 39.
BURT James
No further information currently.
CAPP Edward G
Private 19861, 1st Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Killed in action Thursday, 6th April 1916 in Persian Gulf. Born and resident Woburn Sands, enlisted Bletchley. Commemorated on BASRA MEMORIAL, Iraq. Panel 26 and 63
CLAYTON George [Thomas]
Private 1401 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment who died on Friday, 8th October 1915. Aged 20. Born Aspley Guise, enlisted Leighton Buzzrd, resident Woburn Sands. Buried in ST. SEVER CEMETERY, ROUEN, Seine-Maritime, France. Plot A. Row 12. Grave 16.
COLLINS T G
No further information currently
COOKE Edgar George
Private 26213, 5th Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regiment). Killed in action Thursday, 29th March 1917 in Mesopotamia. Resident Woburn Sands, enlisted Bletchley, Bucks. Formerly 128346, Royal field Artillery. Commemorated on BASRA MEMORIAL, Iraq. Panel 30 and 64
COOKE John
Private 22415 11th Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regt.) killed in action on Friday, 18th May 1917. Aged 23. Son of John and Ellen Cooke, of 3, The Leys Villas, Woburn Sands. Born Woburn, enlisted Watford. Formerly 23065, Suffolk Regiment. Buried in GOUZEAUCOURT NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, Nord, France. Plot XI. Row A. Grave II.
DAVIS Percy E C
No further information currently
DAVIS Robert
Lance Corporal 19942 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment killed in action on Friday, 15th September 1916. Born Northampton, enlisted Bedford, rtesident Woburn Sands. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 2 C
DAY Frederick Herbert
Died for his country in Cowra Hospital, Australia, after 6 months service in Rabaul on 7 April 1915. Son of Frederick & Emma, brother of Alice Mary.
DICKINS Alfred
[CWGC & SDGW has DICKENS] Private 20760 5th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry killed in action on Monday, 9th April 1917. Aged 32. Son of Robert and Mary Dickens, of Stewkley, Beds; husband of Beatrice Ellen Rosier (formerly Dickens), of 60, Garfield St., Bedford. Born Stewkley, Bucks, enlisted Bedford, resident Woburn Sands. Formerly 31486, Suffolk Regiment. Buried in TILLOY BRITISH CEMETERY, TILLOY-LES-MOFFLAINES, Pas de Calais, France. Plot III. Row C. Grave 10.
DOLTON Horace [H]
Private 33621 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment killed in action on Monday, 23rd April 1917. Aged 24. Born Woburn, enlisted bedford, resident Woburn Sands. Son of Andrew & Elizabeth Dolton. Formerly 2459, Bedfordshire Yeomanry. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 5.
DRISCOLL Benjamin
Private 10089 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment killed in action on Friday, 1st October 1915. Born and resident Aspley heath, Leighton Buzzrd, enlisted Bedford. Commemorated on LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 41.
DRISCOLL Percy
Private 10339 2nd Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales' Own (Yorkshire Regiment) who died on Friday, 6th November 1914. Born Aspley Heath, resident Woburn Sands, enlisted London. Buried in HARLEBEKE NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, Harelbeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot XVIII. Row C. Grave11.
ELLIOTT Joseph
Private 261627 1st, Middlesex Hussars who died on Tuesday, 22nd October 1918 in Egypt. Aged 28. Born and resident Woburn Sands, enlisted London. Son of Joseph and Elizabeth Elliott, of Hill Farm, Charndon, Bicester, Oxon. Buried in ALEXANDRIA (HADRA) WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Egypt. Section A. Grave 211.
FARMER Arthur [Edward]
[Listed as Albert on St Michael memorial] Private 3/7302 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment killed in action on Monday, 19th April 1915. Aged 19. Son of William George and Emma Farmer, of Ivy Cottage, The Leys, Woburn Sands, Bucks. Born Aspley Hill, enlisted Bedford, resident Woburn Sands. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 31 and 33.
FISHER Clarence
Private 3/8534 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment killed in action on Friday, 29th September 1916. Born Woburn Sands, enlisted Northampton. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 11 A and 11 D
FREEMAN [Cecil] George
[Listed as George Cecil on St Michael's memorial] Private 3/6633, 1st. Battalion The Bedfordshire Regiment. 5th. Division. Killed in action at Wulverghem 28th/29th January 1915. Aged 21. Born in Peterborough and enlisted in Old Fletton. Wlder son of Alfred Herbert & Frances Elizabeth Freeman. Next of kin residents of Woburn Sands, Bedfordshire. Commemorated on The Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium MR.29
GRIFFIN Joseph
[Listed as John on St Michael's memorial] Private 3766, 1st/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Died from Pulmonary Tuberculosis 1 November 1918. Aged 29. Son of Rueben Griffin, of Woburn Sands and 64, Bradford Street, Coventry; husband of Violet May Seamark (formerly Griffin), of 10, Duckmill Lane, Bedford (they had two children). Born Aspley, Woburn Sands, Bedfordshire. Attested and passed fit at Luton 18 August 1914, aged 24 years 4 months, unmarried. Before enlistment he was a Labourer; he had previously served in the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment enlisting 27 July 1909. Discharged 6 October 1916 with Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Served in the United Kingdom 18 August 1914 to 29 September 1916, assigned Mediterranean 30 January 1916, embarked for Egypt 31 January 1916 on H.M.T. Ascania, disembarked to Base, Alexandria 14 February 1916, jointed unit at Mena Camp 22 February 1916. sent to hospital at El Kubri 3 July 1916, Admitted NYD, Suez 7 July 1916, Admiited with Tobercolosis of Lubng at Giza, Cairo 12 July 1916, invalided to England from Alexandria, on H.S. "Letitia, Pulmonary Tuberculosis, in United Kingdom 7 September 1916 to 6 October 1916. Height 5 feet 11 inches, weigth 11 stone, chest 39 inches, helathy complexion, blue eyes, fair hair; religious denomination Church of England. In the 1911 census he was unmarried, son of Reuben and Sarah Griffin, aged 22, Farm Labourer, born Woburn Sands, resident Aspley Hill, Woburn Sands. Buried N.W. of church in WOBURN SANDS (ST. MICHAEL) CHURCHYARD, Bedfordshire.
HEADY Percy Aarthur
Private 43502 10th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment killed in action on Sunday, 10th June 1917. Aged 23. Son of Frances A. Heady, of Aspley Heath, Woburn Sands, and the late Arthur Heady. Born Stewkley, Bucks, enlisted Aylesbury, Bucks, resident Bletchley, Bucks. Formerly 5711, Oxfordhsire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 3 and 4.
HEBBES Arthur Ernest
Lieutenant 4th Battalion (Territorial), Suffolk Regiment attached, Nigeria Regiment, R.W.A.F.F. killed in action on Wednesday, 28th November 1917. Aged 41. Son of Henry and Elizabeth Hebbes, of Aspley Heath, Woburn Sands. Commemorated on HOLLYBROOK MEMORIAL, SOUTHAMPTON, Hampshire.
HIGGINS Tom aka Thomas
Private 20168 "D" Company, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment killed in action on Friday, 27th July 1917. Aged 23. Son of Charles John and Alice Higgins, of Sandfield Cottages, Woburn Sands. Born and resident Woburn Sands, enlisted Bedford. Commemorated on the ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 5.
HOBBS Harry E
No further information currently
JENKINS Alfred Charles
Private 25557 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment who died of wounds on Sunday, 19th August 1917. Born Woburn Sands, enlisted Luton. Buried in LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot XVII. Row H. Grave 18A.
LAWSON Horace
Private TF/202194 23rd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment killed in action on Saturday, 22nd September 1917. Aged 28. Born Worksop, Nottinghamshire, enlisted Bedford, resident Woburn. Son of Thomas & Cecilia. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 113 to 115
MATTHEWS Harold
Lance Corporal 155740 182nd Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers killed in action on Saturday, 21st September 1918. Born Woughton-on-Green, Bucks, enlisted Doncaster, Yorkshire, resident Woburn Sands. Formerly 9849, Yorkshire Light Infantry. Commemorated on VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 3.
PAGE Harry
Private 23256 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment who died of wounds on Sunday, 3rd September 1916. Born and resident Woburn Sands, enlisted Ampthill. Buried in BARLIN COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row D. Grave 6.
PAXTON Frederick
Private 18128 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment killed in action on Friday, 15th September 1916. Born Potsgrove, enlisted Bedford, resident Woburn Sands. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 2 C
PERRY George
No further information currently
RINGROW William
Lance Corporal 14797, 9th Battalion, The Leicestershire Regiment. 21st Division. Killed in action on the Somme 14th July 1916 aged 29. Son of Mr & Mrs Henry Ringrow of Weybridge, Ellington. Hunts. Born in Alconbury and enlisted in Leicester. Commemorated on The THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. MR. 21
SMITH Albert
Private 26069, 10th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. Killed in action 13th October 1916 in France and Flanders. Born Bedford, enlisted Worthing, resident Woburn Sands. Formerly 15343. Hussars, 3/27441, Cavalry Reserve Regiment. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 8.
SMITH Frederick James
Private 19652 5th Battalion, Oxford. and Bucks Light Infantry killed in action on Friday, 15th September 1916. Born and resident Aspley Heath, enlisted Bletchley. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 10 A and 10 D.
SMITH Lawrence
Private 3628 51st Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) killed in action on Monday, 21st August 1916. Aged 19. Born Migham, Berks, enlisted Bedford, resident Woburn Sands. Son of Joseph Francis and Caroline Smith, of Russell St., Woburn Sands. Formerly 7766, Bedfordshire Regiment. Buried FONCQUEVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row M. Grave 8.
SMITH Walter H
Rifleman 5/469, 10th.Battalion The Rifle Brigade. 20th. Light Division. Killed in action at Ypres 14th. August 1917. Born and resident in Woburn Sands. Enlisted in Bedford. Formerly with The Bedfordshire Regiment. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. MR.29
SUMMERLEY Sidney William
Lance Corporal 4667 13th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers killed in action on Monday, 17th July 1916. Aged 23. Son of Sarah Ann Summerley, of Aspley Heath, Woburn Sands, and the late John Paul Summerley. Born and resident Woburn Sands, enlisted Hammersmith, Middlesex. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 8 C 9 A and 16 A.
TIDMARSH Francis John
Private 37590 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment killed in action on Tuesday, 30th October 1917. Aged 26. Son of Mary Tidmarsh, of Sutton Lodge, Cookham, Bucks, and the late George Tidmarsh; husband of Gladys, Winifred Phipps Tidmarsh, of Stadhampton, Wallingford, Berks. Born Tetsworth, Oxon, enlisted Luton, resident Woburn Sands. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 48 to 50 and 162A
WATSON Herbert Coleridge
Lance Corporal R/21218 1st Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps who died of wounds on Monday, 5th March 1917. Aged 37. Son of the Rev. Henry George and Lucy Eleanor Watson, of "The Wilderness," Aspley Heath, Woburn Sands. Born at St. Leonards, Bucks. Enlisted Hampstead, London, resident Walmer, Kent. Barrister of the Inner Temple, and Literary Critic on the staff of "The Daily Telegraph." Buried in ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot XXI. Row N. Grave 3A.
WHITE Sydney Charles
Private 23335 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment who died of wounds on Monday, 3rd July 1916. Born Wavendon, Bucks, enlisted Ampthill, resident Woburn Sands. Buried in LA NEUVILLE BRITISH CEMETERY, CORBIE, Somme, France. Plot I. Row A. Grave 64.
R.I.P.

1939-1945

THIS TABLET / WAS ADDED IN MEMORY OF

CLAYTON Bertram

Private 5835470, 2nd Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment who died on Monday, 26th January 1942 during the Japanese invasion of Malaya. Aged 32. Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Clayton, of Woburn Sands. Commemorated on SINGAPORE MEMORIAL, Singapore. Column 58.

HARDY Stanley Kilby
Master (Captain) S.S. Pass of Balmaha (London), Merchant Navy who died on Friday, 17th October 1941. Aged 28. Son of Albert and Florence Kilby Hardy. Commemorated on TOWER HILL MEMORIAL. Panel 80.
HOLLIER Francis Edward
Private 5951387 5th Battalion, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regt who died as a Japaense Prisoner of War on Tuesday, 19th October 1943. Aged 25. Son of Frank and Elizabeth Hollier, of Woburn Sands. Buried in CHUNGKAI WAR CEMETERY, Thailand. Plot 9. Row A. Grave 11.
JACKSON J
No further information currently
LUNNON Bernard William Frank
Stoker 1st Class P/KX 135648 H.M.S. Pakenham., Royal Navy who died on Friday, 16th April 1943. Aged 19. Son of William and Phyllis E. Lunnon, of Woburn Sands. Commemorated on PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire. Panel 78, Column 1.
POSTON Arthur Roy
Lieutenant 277884 2nd County of London Yeo. (Westminster Dragoons), R.A.C. who died on Sunday, 22nd October 1944. Aged 21. Son of Arthur Edward and Lilian Kathleen Poston, of Woburn Sands. Buried in HEESCH ROMAN CATHOLIC CEMETERY, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands. Grave 25.
WHITE Walter
Private 5952635 5th Battalion, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regt who died on Saturday, 26th June 1943. Aged 24. Son of Walter and Florence White; husband of Sybil Myra White, of Wavendon. Buried in KANCHANABURI WAR CEMETERY, Thailand. Plot 2. Row L. Grave 55.

WHO PAID THE SUPEME SACRIFICE
IN THE 2ND GREAT WAR
1939-1945
AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN
AND IN THE MORNING
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
ALSO OF
J SHELTON

Note: J SHELTON died in World War 2 but his name was added later; the reason can be seen below.
SHELTON John [Melville Scott]

Second Lieutenant, 1st (Perak) Battalion, Federated Malay States Volunteer Force. Died the day before the fall of Singapore 14th February 1942. Husband of B. A. Shelton, of Hanworth, Middlesex. Commemorated in KRANJI WAR CEMETERY, Kranji, Singapore. Special memorial Plot 31. Row B. Grave 1.

Details from the Woburn Sands Collection:

2nd Lieutenant John Melville Scott Shelton

Federated Malay States Volunteer Force, 1st Perak Battalion. Serving with the 135th Regt. of the Royal Artillery.
Died 14th February 1942.

John was the son of the Rev. Shelton of St. Michaels, (died April 1946). He had four sisters, Mary Elizabeth Beaufoy, born 1904 and Norah Patricia Eileen, 1905, and two other sisters.

Federated Malay States Volunteer Forces. A "Compulsory Service (Volunteer Force) Ordinance 1940" was passed in June 1940 in Singapore and almost immediately thereafter in FMS and Johore, Kedah and Kelantan, covering ages 19 - 55, in a potentially large sweep of nationalities. An Ordinance immediately following it was for "Volunteer Training", empowering widespread call-up for training purposes. But on 2nd July 1940, the Governor Sir Shenton, responsible to Secretary of State for the Colonies, (and who had been ordered to maintain high output earnings for the dollar-short UK), used his powers to proclaim that the Compulsory Ordinance would apply only to every male British subject and British protected person. He reduced the age range to 18 - 41. In practice, only Europeans were called up. At the surrender of Singapore there were more than 18,000 Volunteers in the armed forces, most of who were imprisoned as military personnel, although some were imprisoned as civilians along with many non-native women and children who had not been able to escape from Singapore.

Shelton was born in 1911 at Ampthill, Bedfordshire. He went to Malaya in 1930, and according to the 1935 & 1940 Directories he was an Assistant Planter, at the Tapah Estate, Perak. His wife Anne was evacuated to Hanworth, Middlesex. He was killed after being captured in Singapore. According to the diary of Ronnie McArthur, of the 2nd FMSVF / Argylls, he was bayoneted after being captured while wearing a civilian shirt. From www.malayanvolunteersgroup.org.uk

He was killed the day before the surrender of Singapore, when fighting was hand to hand through the streets, when most units split up, and stragglers with no supplies. He is listed in the Kranji War Cemetery in Singapore.

Before 1939, the Kranji area was a military camp and at the time of the Japanese invasion of Malaya, it was the site of a large ammunition magazine. On 8 February 1942, the Japanese crossed the Johore Straits in strength, landing at the mouth of the Kranji River within two miles of the place where the war cemetery now stands. On the evening of 9 February, they launched an attack between the river and the causeway. During the next few days fierce fighting ensued, in many cases hand to hand, until their greatly superior numbers and air strength necessitated a withdrawal. After the fall of the island, the Japanese established a prisoner of war camp at Kranji and eventually a hospital was organised nearby at Woodlands. After the reoccupation of Singapore, the small cemetery started by the prisoners at Kranji was developed into a permanent war cemetery by the Army Graves Service when it became evident that a larger cemetery at Changi could not remain undisturbed. Changi had been the site of the main prisoner of war camp in Singapore and a large hospital had been set up there by the Australian Infantry Force. In 1946, the graves were moved from Changi to Kranji, as were those from the Buona Vista prisoner of war camp. Many other graves from all parts of the island were transferred to Kranji together with all Second World War graves from Saigon Military Cemetery in French Indo-China (now Vietnam), another site where permanent maintenance could not be assured. The Commission later brought in graves of both World Wars from Bidadari Christian Cemetery, Singapore, where again permanent maintenance was not possible. There are now 4,461 Commonwealth casualties of the Second World War buried or commemorated at Kranji War Cemetery. More than 850 of the burials are unidentified. Source: Commonwealth War Graves Commission

His name was not originally carved on the Woburn Sands War Memorial in 1947, as there was confusion as to whether the Federated Malay States could be classed as H.M. Forces.

Woburn Reporter, 18th November, 1952
Arising out of the reading of the names of Service men from the War Memorial at the Remembrance Sunday service, a member asked why the name of John Shelton (son of the late Rev. J Shelton Vicar of Woburn Sands) was omitted. Mrs H. M. Hunt pointed out that Mr Shelton was not a member of H. M. Forces at the time of his death. That information was corroborated by other members, and it was decided that his name could not be added to those on the war memorial.

Woburn Reporter, 19th January, 1954
Council Discuss Omission of Name from Woburn Sands Memorial
Omission of the name of Mr. John Shelton, a son of the late Rev. John Shelton, who was Vicar of Woburn Sands for 33 years, from the list of Woburn Sands men who lost their lives while serving in the Armed Forces during the 1939-1945 War, on a War Memorial tablet, was discussed by Woburn Sands Parish Council at their meeting on 11th January.

The question was raised in a letter from Mrs. E. W. Marchant who gave reasons why the name should be included, and the Council decided that the name should be added, as it was not on any other War Memorial. In her letter, Mrs. Marchant stated that she would like justice done to Mr. Shelton's memory. She pointed out that though he was not living at Woburn Sands at the time of his death, he was born in the village and went to Malaya. To prove that he was a member of the Armed Forces. Mrs. Marchant enclosed a letter from the War Office which stated that Lieut. J. Shelton was in the Malay Federated States Forces, and at the time of his death was serving in 135th Regt. Royal Artillery. Mr. Shelton died in February, 1942.

Mr. G. Wesley proposed that the name should be added, and Mr. J. A. Pursell seconded. Mrs. H. M. Hunt (Secretary of the Committee in charge of the Welcome Home Fund, out of which the tablet was provided), did not agree with the proposal. It was contrary to the Committee's decision that names of men living at Woburn Sands within six months of the outbreak of war in 1939 should be included.

Still His Home

During a discussion it was pointed out that though the late Mr. J. Shelton had left the village before March 1939, it could still be regarded as his home. Referring to information contained in the letter from War Office, Mr. Wesley said that new information had now come to light, which the Welcome Home Fund Committee had not known when they decided to provides the tablet. Mr. J. A. Pursell said that when the subject was discussed at a meeting of the Parish Council in 1952, there was considerable doubt that Mr. Shelton was serving in the Armed Forces at the time of his death. Mrs. Hunt said that she had made known the decision of the Committee, but if it was going to please somebody to have the name added, it should be done.

It was agreed to ask Mrs. Marchant if Mr. Shelton's name was on any other War (Memorial, such as any place where he was married and might have lived for a time. If not, his name should be put on the tablet on Woburn Sands War Memorial.

Woburn Reporter, February, 1954
Since the last meeting, arrangements had been made for the name of the late Lieut. J. Shelton to be placed on the tablet on the War Memorial containing the names of serving men who lost their lives in the last war. Reporting this, the Clerk (Mr J Purcell) stated that Mrs E W Marchant had offered to pay the cost of the work. Members expressed appreciation of Mrs Marchant’s offer and confirmed the Clerk’s action.

Men mentioned on memorial inscriptions within the churchyard and inside the church but not on memorial
 BRADSHAW Frederick J
Died in France 24 May 1916. Aged 27.
 BUTCHER Alec Charles
Gurdsman 23865355, Coldstream Guards, Died 13 July 1962. Aged 20. Borth 15 July 1941. Buried in Woburn Sands Church Cemetery, Bedfordshire. Section C. Row South. Grave 26.
 CIRCUITT Graham Kenneth John
Private 24794344, Parachute Regiment. Died 10 February 1988. Aged 19. Born 12 September 1968. Buried in St Michaels Churchyard, Church Lane, Woburn Sands.
 HAMILTON Walter Gustavus
Killed in action near Kismay in East Africa 6th August 1893. Aged 26. Youngest son of Marianne Hamilton. Born 1867, baptised 31 March 1867 in Gresford, Denbighshire, son of Samuel Beamish and Marianne Hamilton. In the 1871 census he was the son of Samuel B and Marianne Hamilton, aged 4, born Denbighshire, resident Nant Y Gaer, Llay, Wrexham, Denbighshire.
 HARWOOD Frederick Walters
Private 7368923, Royal Army Medical Corps. Died 24th August 1947. Aged 29. Son of Frederick Walter and Agnes Harwood; husband of Josephine I. A. Harwood, of Aspley Guise. Buried in the North-west corner of St Michaels Churchyard, Church Lane, Woburn Sands.
 PEACOCK Alec [Arthur]
Lance Corporal 855064, Corps of Military Police. Killed while serving his country Sunday 30th March 1941. Aged 22. Son of Ellen Clare, of Bletchley, Buckinghamshire. Buried near the west boundary of St Michaels Churchyard, Church Lane, Woburn Sands.
PRICE Walter Everard
Rifleman S/30499, 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own). Killed in action 20th August 1918. Aged 32. Born Cardiff, enlisted Camberwell, Surrey, resident Hounslow, Middlesex. Son of Mrs. Susannah Price, of 2, Cambridge Villas, Pears Rd., Hounslow, Middx. Commemorated on his mother's gravestone in St Michaels Churchyard, Church Lane, Woburn Sands. No known grave. Commemorated on Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
RICHARDSON C Herbert
Royal Garrison Artillery. Killed in action in France 22nd May 1918. Aged 33. Son in law of Thomas & Catherine Bowler.
SKINNER Percy Augustus
Killed in action 1915. Aged 22. Son of Frank & Ellen, brother of Cecil Frank and Wilfred Thomas (below)
SKINNER Wilfred Thomas
Died of wounds 1916. Aged 21. Son of Frank & Ellen, brother of Cecil Frank and Percy Augustus (above)

Last updated 5 January, 2023

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