
WILLINGHAM WAR MEMORIAL
World War 1 & 2 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © 2000 Joanna Robb & Cliff Brown
The
Willingham war memorial stands in the grounds of St Mary and All Saints
Church, Willingham, and takes the form of a Celtic cross mounted on
a pedestal with a two-stepped base; the inscriptions are on the sides
of the pedestal. There are 39 names listed for World War 1 and 7 for
World War 2. The memorial was unveiled on 1 February 1920. In 2003 Private
Stephen Lucas was added. There is also a stained glass window in the
church of St Mary and All Saints with the inscription at the base "1914
- 1918 IN REMEMBRANCE 1939 - 1945"
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Photographs
Copyright © Phil Curme - 2000 |
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THIS CROSS WAS ERECTED IN
GRATEFUL AND HONORED MEMORY
OF THOSE FROM THIS PARISH WHO FELL IN
THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919
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ASKEW |
Fred
Burdakin |
Dvr,
93891, D Battery, 62nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. 29-1-18,
age 23. Son of David Bicheno Askew & Millicent Askew, Westfield,
Station Rd, Willingham. Willingham Cemetery, Cambs. Brother of below.
|
ASKEW |
Harvey |
Pte,
14419, B company, 11th Suffolk Regiment. 28-4-17, age 25. Son of
David Bicheno Askew & Millicent Askew, Westfield, Station Rd,
Willingham. Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Brother of above.
|
BARKER |
Thomas |
Queen's
Own (Royal West Kent Rgt). Pte G/18083. Enlisted BSE. Resident Willingham.
Died 14/11/16. DOW. Formerly 2533, Suffolk Yeomanry. Aged 25. Son
of William Thomas and Charlotte Barker of Willingham. Mont Huon
Military Cemetery, Le Treport, Seine - Maritime. |
COX |
Ernest E. |
Pte
13661, 11th Bn Suffolk Regiment. 34th.Div. Killed in action near
La Boiselle 1/7/16. Born Willingham. Enlisted Cambridge. Commemorated
on The Thiepval Memorial MR. 21 |
ELLWOOD |
James |
Pte,
202179, 1/4th Suffolk Regiment. 23-4-17, age 21. Son of Harry &
Minnie Ellwood, Lordship Terrace, Willingham. Arras Memorial, Pas
de Calais, France. |
FEW |
Frederick C. |
Pte,
36563, 6th Royal Berkshire Regiment. (Princess Charlotte of Wales)
killed in action on 11-8-1917, age 27. Son of Papworth Lingo Few
& Harriet Few, Church St, Willingham. Born Histon, Cambs and
enlisted Cambridge, resident Willingham. Formerly 4590, Cambridgeshire
Regiment. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, Belgium. |
FEW |
Frederick W. |
Able
Seaman, R/1507, Hawke Btn, Royal Naval Division. 25-5-18. Son of
Fred Few, Tower Cottages, Station Rd, Willingham. Englebelmer Communal
Cemetery Extension, France.
Extract
from Cambridge Daily News - Friday 7 September 1917,
page 3:
LOCAL
CASUALTIES
WILLINGHAM.
Mrs. H. Pew, of Church-street, Willingham, has recently received
official news that her youngest son, Pte. Frederick Few, of the
Royal Berkshire Regt., was killed in action on August 11th.
|
FEW |
Peter |
Gnr,
111943, 47th Company, Royal Garrison Artillery. died suddenly at
Tynemouth 24-2-17, age 32. So of Elijah & Elizabeth Few, of
Willingham. Husband of Clara Elizabeth Jeaps (formerly Few) 21 Council
Houses, Willingham. Willingham Cemetery, Cambs. |
FEW |
Richard |
Pte,
2543, 4th Grenadier Guards. 27-4-18, age 34. Son of the late William
Few, of Willingham. Husband of Ellen Pratt (formerly Few), of 9
Riley St, King's Rd, Chelsea, London. Boulogne Eastern Cemetery,
Pas de Calais, France. |
GADSBY |
Frederick William |
Pte.
10th Bt. Canadian Infantry (Alberta Reg.), d 27/9/1918, age 34,
buried: HAYNECOURT BRITISH CEMETERY, Nord, France. Son of Mrs Amelia
Gadsby, Willingham , Cambs. |
GARNER |
John William |
Gnr,
204939, Royal Garrison Artillery. 20-4-19, age 19. Son of James
Garner, Willingham. Willingham Cemetery, Cambs. |
GLEAVES |
Ernest O. |
Pte,
40326, 12th Suffolk Regiment. 22-3-18, age 31. Son of Edwin &
Martha Gleaves, Vine House Willingham. Grevillers British Cemetery,
Pas de Calais, France. |
GLEAVES |
Ronald Cecil |
Private
644, 3rd Regiment, The South African Infantry, South African Brigade.
Attached to the 9th Scottish Division Killed in action at Delville
Wood 19th July 1916, aged 25. Next of kin unknown. Commemorated
on The Thiepval Memorial MR 21 |
HART |
Alfred |
Sergeant
43261. 7th Bn, Beds Regiment. Born Willingham. Enlisted BSE. Resident
Willingham. Died 27/9/16. KIA. Formerly 8361, Suffolk Regiment.
Aged 23. Son of Mary Elizabeth Hart of Silver St, Willingham. Mill
Road Cemetery, Thiepval. |
HAYDEN |
[B] Manoah |
L/Cpl
10/714 Wellington Reg., New Zealand E.F., d 18/8/1915, age 31. buried:
EAST MUDROS MILITARY CEMETERY, Lemnos, Greece. Son of William and
Alice Hayden, of Willingham, Cambridge. |
HAZEL |
John W. |
Pte,
T/203047, 6th The Buffs (East Kent Rgt). 27-8-18, age 34. Nephew
of Mrs S Bowen, Wisbech Rd, Littleport. Daours Communal Cemetery
Extension, Somme, France. |
HUCKELL |
Walter William |
Listed
as HUCKLE in Cambridge Independent Press] Pte, 15702, 11th Suffolk
Regiment. 17-7-16, age 22. Son of William & Mary Ann Huckell,
Whites Path, Willingham. Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.
|
INGLE |
Albert
George |
Pte,
265548, 14th Hampshire Regiment. 24-10-16, age 32. Son of George
& Louisa Ingle, Church St, Willingham. Puchevillers British
Cemetery, Somme, France. |
INGLE |
William H. |
possibly
Pte, 202195, 1/4th Suffolk Regiment. 24-4-17. Warlincourt Halte
British Cemetery, Saulty, Pas de Calais, France. |
KING |
Frank |
4th
Bn Suffolk Regiment. Pte 202197. Born Willingham. Enlisted BSE.
KIA 23/4/17. Arras Memorial. |
PRIDHAM |
Charles |
L/Cpl,
12593, 2nd Northamptonshire Regiment. 9-5-15, age 25. Son of Mrs
Lois Jane King, Rampton Road, Willingham. Ploegsteert Memorial,
Belgium. Borther of below. |
PRIDHAM |
Ernest Edwin |
Pte,
13542, 11th Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 1-7-16, age 18. Son
of Lois Jane King (formerly Pridham), Rampton Rd, Willingham, &
late Charles Pridham. Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Brother
of above. |
POULTER,
MM |
Smith Stevens |
Sgt,
13573, 11th Suffolk Rgt, Killed in action 1-7-16. Thiepval Memorial,
Somme, France. |
PRATT |
Charles |
1st
Bn, Queen's Own (Royal West Surrey Rgt). Born Willingham. Enlisted
BSE. KIA 3/11/16. Pte G/13260. Thiepval Memorial. |
RAVEN |
Cornelius |
Pte,
26481, 8th Suffolk Regiment. 12-7-18, age 35. Willingham Cemetery,
Cambs. |
RIGBY |
John G. |
Gunner
212029, No 4 Depot, Royal Field Artillery transferred to 601st Agricultural
Company, The Labour Corps (523867). Died at home on the 16th March
1919, aged 30. Son of Frederick & Esther Rigby. Husband of Dorothy
May Rigby, 3, Lordship Terrace, Willingham. Willingham Cemetery,
Cambs. |
SCARTH |
Alan Edward |
Capt,
Indian Army Reserve of Officers, attached 53rd Sikhs, 22-4-17, age
21. Basra Memorial, Iraq. |
SMITH |
Charles Harry |
7th
Bn, Suffolk Regiment. Pte 47755. KIA 9/8/17. Arras Memorial.
|
SMITH |
George |
2nd
Bn, Suffolk Regiment. Pte 15627. DOW 18/6/17. Aged 21. Son of Charles
Smith of Schole Rd, Willingham. Husband of Susan Ann Winnup (Formerly
Smith) of Tea Garden, Elm Low Rd, Wisbech. Faubourg D'Amiens Cametery,
Arras. |
SMITH |
George |
2nd
Bn, Suffolk Regiment. Sergeant 8356. KIA 18/6/17. Born Willingham.
Enlisted BSE. Aged 24. Son of the late Mrs Rosina Smith. Arras Memorial.
|
STAPLEHURST |
George |
possibly
Pte 41915, 1st Norfolk Regiment. Born Horley, enlisted Newmarket.
2-9-18. Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. |
THODAY |
Albert Eric |
Second
Lieutenant, 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Killed in action 3 May
1917. Aged 27. Son of Ingle Few Thoday, of The Vineyards, Willingham,
Cambs. His brother Redvers Valentine Thoday also fell (see below).
Birth register in the January to March Quarter 1891 in the Ware
Registration Dsitrict, Hertfordshire. In the 1901 census he is aged
10, son of Ingle F and Emily Thoday, at School, born Ware, Hertfordshire,
resident High Street, Willingham. No known grave. Commemorated on
ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 3. See also Cambridge
County High School and Cambridge
Guildhall
Extract
from England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of
Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966 for Albert Eric Thoday:
THODAY
Albert Eric of the Vineyards Willingham Cambridgeshire
captain Royal Fusiliers died 3 May 1917 in France Administration
(with Will) London 1 April (1919) to Emily Thoday
(wife of Ingle Tew Thoday).
Effects £199 0s. 9d.
Extract
from Saffron Walden Weekly News, 21 November 1919, page
12:
THODAY.—In
very loving memory (his birthday, November 17th) of our dearly-loved
son, Albert Eric Thoday. Captain. 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers,
killed in action, near Arras, France. May 3rd, 1917.
"He died the noblest, death a man may die, fighting for God
and right and liberty; and such a death is Immortality."
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THODAY |
Laban |
Lance
Corporal 6052, 3rd Regiment, South African Infantry. Killed in
action at Delville Wood 15 July 1916. Brother of Will and Louie
Thoday. In the 1911 census he was aged 19. born Willingham.Cambridgeshire,
a Railway Porter, boarding at The Jamb, Corby, Kettering, Northamptonshire.
Also resident at Harston at one time. Buried in SUCRERIE MILITARY
CEMETERY, COLINCAMPS, Somme, France. Plot I. Row BB. Grave 36.
Extract
from Cambridge Independent Press - 20 July 1917, page
8:
WILLINGHAM.
THE LATE LCE.-CORPL. L. THODAY—A Willingingham correspondent
writes: I noticed in your last issue the photo of Lce.-Corpl.
Laban Thoday, South African Infantry, who was killed in action
on July 15th. 1916. He is described as of Harston. We know he
had acquired property there, a house and fruit garden, but Lce.-Corpl.
Laban Thoday is a Willingham, being the youngest son of the late
Mr. Ephraim Thoday. His widowed mother, to whom he had been a
great stay, still lives in Willingham. We know how unselfishly
patriotic he was in leaving a lucrative position in South Africa
to fight for his country. Many brave men perished in Delvin [sic]
Wood, but none more brave or true than Lce.-Corpl. Laban Thoday,
of whom Willingham is justly proud
Extract
from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index
1918:
THODAY
Laban of Johannesburg South Africa lance-corporal
South African Expeditionary Force died is July 1916 in France
Probate London 15 April to William Thoday fruit
grower. Effects £1208 14s.
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THODAY |
Redvers Valentine |
Private
GS/79881, 9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City Of London Regiment)
formerly TR/LON/136731 and 53rd (Y.S.), Royal Fusiliers. Died as
a German Prisoner of War 24 November 1918. Aged 18. Born and resident
Willingham, enlisted Cambridge. Son of Ingle Few Thoday, The Vineyards,
Willingham. His brother Albert Eric Thoday also fell (see above).
In the 1911 census he was aged 11, born Willingham, Cambridgeshire,
at school, son of Ingle Few and Emily Thoday, resident The Elms,
Willingham, Cambridgeshire. Buried in COLOGNE SOUTHERN CEMETERY,
Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. Plot XIV. Row A. Grave 25.
Extract
from Saffron Walden Weekly News, 21 November 1919, page
12:
THODAY.—In
very loving memory of our dearly-loved youngest child, Redvere
Valentine Thoday. 18 years of age, 9th Battalion Royal Fusiliers.
reported "missing," September 25th. 1915, lately received
official lnformation that he died on the 24th November, 1915,
a prisoner of war, in a Military Hospital, at Coblentz.
"In God's keeping, so, safe and best."
—The above two are the sons of Mr. and Mrs. I. F. Thodav,
Willingham. Cambs.
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TIBBIT |
Barker |
[Spelt
TIBBETT in Cambridge Independent Press and News] L/Cpl, 13653, 11th
Suffolk Regiment. 9-11-17. St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, Seine-Maritime,
France. Brother of James Edward TIBBITT below. |
TIBBITT |
James Edward |
Private,
18038, 2nd Bn, Suffolk Reg. d: Mar. 2, 1916 buried: Ypres (Menin
Gate) Memorial, Eiper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Panel 21. Brother
of Barker TIBBITT above. |
TURNER |
Spencer Tate |
Pte,
97019, 23rd Middlesex Regiment. 6-12-19, age 20. Son of William
Spencer Turner, & Annie Turner, Church St, Willingham. Willingham
Cemetery, Cambs. |
WEBSTER |
Fisher G. |
1st
Bn, Welsh Guards. Born Willingham. Enlisted BSE. Pte 3377. Died
1/12/17. Son of James Webster of Willingham. Husband of Emily Webster,
of 28 Victoria Street, Ely. Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery, Nord,
France. |
WILLIS |
Dorothy
Maud |
Munition
Worker. Died 7th July, 1916. Age 23. Daughter of George William
and Mildred Hart, of High St., Willingham. Buried in Willingham
Churchyard in the same grave as her sister Sarah Hart below.

Extract
from Cambridge Independent Press - Friday 25 August 1916
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Added
to the memorial later |
LUCAS |
Stephen
|
Private
202235, 1st/1st Battalion, The Cambridgeshire Regiment. Died 22nd
August 1918. Son of Jonah and Emma Lucas, Willingham, Cambridgeshire.
Commemorated on Vis en Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais. His mother
was to upset by his death and requested that his name not be included
on the memorial. |
Not
on memorial but buried in the churchyard |
HART |
Sarah
Frances Ruby |
Member,
Women's Royal Airforce, died 20/10/1919, age
19. Daughter of George William and Mildred Hart, of High St., Willingham.
Buried in Willingham Churchyard in the same grave as her sister
Dorothy Willis. |
1939-45
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BOLTON |
Victor Pearce |
Bdr,
940897, 135 (The Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Field Rgt, Royal Artillery.
23-6-43, age 24, Prisoner of War. Son of William John & Kate
Bolton, of Willingham. Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand.
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ELLWOOD |
Dermot Ezra Read |
Sgt,
745448, Pilot, 217 Squadron Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, based
St Eval, Cornwall & Carew Cheriton, Pembs, flew Beauforts. 13-5-41,
age 20. Son of Arthur & Laura Ellwood, of Willingham. Bayeux
War Cemetery, Calvados, France. |
ELLWOOD |
Fredereick James |
Able
Seaman, D/JX 172000, HMS Landrail, Royal Navy. 26-9-45, age 26.
Son of Arthur Crane Ellwood & Alice Maud Ellwood, of Willingham.
Willingham Cemetery, Cambs. |
GRANGER |
Derek Stuart |
Trooper,
7931704, 27th Lancers, Royal Armoured Corps. Died on 12-4-45, age
24. Son of Arthur George and Katherine Emily Granger, of Willingham,
Cambridgeshire; husband of Ruth Eveline Granger, of Willingham.
Faenza War Cemetery, Italy. |
HUMPHREY |
Muriel Christine |
Sister,
274079, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. 12-2-44.
Brookwood Memorial, Surrey. |
JEEPS |
Laurence |
Pte,
5933761, 2nd Cambridgeshire Rgt, Suffolk Regiment. 8-9-45, age 24,
Prisoner of War. Son of Hubert & Clara Elizabeth Jeeps, of Willingham.
Singapore Memorial, Singapore. |
PEACOCK |
Frederick Oswald |
Pte,
5832412, 5th Suffolk Regiment. 26-7-43, age 30, Prisoner of War.
Singapore Memorial, Singapore. |
WILLIS |
Dorothy Mary June Dorrie |
Leading
Aircraftwoman, 2107562, Women's Aux. Air Force, died on Tuesday,
9th July 1946. Age 21. Daughter of Harold Ernest and Kate Willis,
of Leicester. LEICESTER (GILROES) CEMETERY, Leicestershire, United
Kingdom. |
Also
listed for this parish in the Ely Cathedral Second World War Book
of Remembrance: |
GAUTREY |
Maurice |
Drv.
Royal Army Service Corps, d 23/10/1946, age 35, buried: MUNSTER
HEATH WAR CEMETERY, Germany. Son of Ezra and Anne Jane Gautrey;
husband of Doris Gautrey, of Willingham, Cambridgeshire.
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PLUCK |
Arthur
Douglas |
Pte.
2nd Bt. Cambridgeshire Reg., d 10/6/1943, age 25, buried: KANCHANABURI
WAR CEMETERY, Thailand. See also Oakington
Extract
from local paper:
Died
in Japanese Hands. Mrs. A. Pluck, of Green Street, Willingham,
has been informed that her husband, Pte. A. D. Pluck, of the 2nd
Cambs. Regt., aged 25 years, died of avitamin osis on June 10th,
1943, whilst a prisoner of war in Thailand camp. Pte. Pluck was
the third son of Mrs. Mary Pluck and the late Mr. F. Pluck, of
Oakington. He was well known in the district as a keen footballer.
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Last updated
3 August, 2025
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