Rye

Please see the Rye RBL website and the Sussex Roll of Honour linked on this site. Rye RBL hold a video of all faces of the memorial as a record in the event of damage.

IN MEMORY OF THE OFFICERS AND MEN FROM RYE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR MCMXIV – MCMXIX (1914-1919) Name: ADAMS, JOSEPH. Rank: Second Lieutenant. Date of Death: 23/07/1916. Age: 32 Regiment/Service: Royal Sussex Regiment. 3rd Bn. attd. 2nd Bn. Panel Reference: Pier and Face 7 C. Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL Additional Information: Son of the late Mr. J. and Mrs. K. Adams. The CWGC Additional Information implies that by then his father had died (Kate died in 1907, prior to his father becoming Mayor). Name: Joseph Adams. Death Date: 23 Jul 1916. Rank: 2/Lieutenant. Regiment: Royal Sussex Regiment. Battalion: 3rd Battalion. Type of Casualty: Killed in action. Comments: Att 2nd Battalion Name: Joseph Adams. Birth Date: 21 Feb 1882. Christening Date: 7 May 1882. Christening Place: Rye, Sussex. Father's Name: Joseph Adams. Mother's Name: Kate 1881 Census: Name: Kate Adams. Age: 24. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1857. Spouse: Joseph Adams. Born: Rye, Sussex. Family at Market Street, and corner of Lion Street. Joseph Adams, 21 printers manager; Kate Adams, 24; Percival Bray, 3, son in law (stepson?) born Winchelsea. 1891 Census: Name: Joseph Adams. Age: 9. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1882. Father's Name: Joseph Adams. Mother's Name: Kate Adams. Where born: Rye, Sussex. Joseph Adams, aged 31 born Hastings, printer and stationer at 6, High Street, Rye. Kate Adams, aged 33, born Rye (Kate Bray). Percival A Adams, aged 9, stepson, born Winchelsea (born Percival A Bray?). Arthur Adams, aged 6, born Rye; Caroline Tillman, aged 19, servant. 1901 Census: Name: Joseph Adams. Age: 19. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1882. Relation: Lodger Where born: Winchelsea, Sussex. Civil parish: Islington. Ecclesiastical parish: St Paul, Balls Pond Road, London. Living at 8, Ashby Road with the family of Police Constable David Lewis and 4 other lodgers. Joseph is a Provisions agent, as is another lodger, George M Frank, aged 27 born Notting Hill - perhaps same company? Death Registration: Name: Kate Adams. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1856. Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1907. Age at Death: 51. Registration district: Rye, Sussex. Volume: 2b. Page: 2. 1911 Census: Name: Joseph Adams. Age in 1911: 29. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1882. Birth Place: Rye, Sussex. Street Address: 7 High Street, Rye, Sussex. Marital Status: Single. Occupation: Secretary, Building Society, Rye. Joseph Adams, aged 52, widower, printer and stationer (and mayor of Rye 1908-1911); Joseph Adams, aged 29; Arthur Adams, aged 26, printer and stationer; Kate Phipps, aged 25, domestic servant; Ethel Phipps, aged 14, domestic servant. Joseph's Medal Index Card shows that he initially served as Private 5/2188 when he was sent to France on 18 February 1915, so either he was already in the Royal Sussex (5th Battalion) when War declared or very soon thereafter, to be trained sufficiently to go to France. His 1915 Star would be inscribed as Private, whereas his British War and Victory medals would show him as 2nd Lieutenant. His Card notes his Commission, but not the date. The Medal Rolls held at Kew may provide more information. Joseph died during on part of the Battle of the Somme, the attack on Pozieres Ridge. On Sunday 23rd July 1916, the Front Line cut the Albert Bapaume Road (D929) roughly at Pozieres War Cemetery and ran south east to the Contalmaison-Martinpuich road where it turned east almost to the D73 which is the road to Bazentin le Petit. Here the line turned south again. Pozieres Trench ran from the KRRC Memorial to the D73. From here it became Munster Alley and continued east. From the D73 running north between Pozieres and the Mill were the OG1 and OG2 trenches. The railway line approached Pozieres from the east crossing the D929 at its junction with the D73. The railway then skirted the northern edge of the village and continued west to Ovillers. North of Pozieres, 48th Div attacked the German trenches along the railway line with six battalions of Territorials. 1/5th and 1/6th Glosters suffered heavy casualties. On their left 1/4th Glosters managed to bomb forward some distance while on the right 1/4th Ox and Bucks LI and 1/4th Buckinghamshire Regt captured a trench south of the railway. A dawn counterattack from Pozieres cemetery was beaten back and then 145 Bde renewed its attack on the left capturing the railway track and a trench east of it. 1st Div attacked south east of Pozieres at 12.30 am. 1 Bde attacked the Switch Line Trench with 1st Bn, Cameron Highlanders and 10th Bn, Gloucestershire Regt. They were halted by MG fire. 2 Bde sent 2nd Bn, Royal Sussex Regt and 2nd Bn, King’s Royal Rifle Corps to capture the junction of the Switch Line and Munster Alley. They were reinforced at 2.30 am by 1st Loyal North Lancs but with no success. In conjunction with these assaults north and south of Pozieres, 1st Australian Div attacked the village itself from the south at 12.30 am. Four battalions (9th and 11th of 3 Bde and 1st and 2nd of 1 New South Wales Bde) quickly captured Pozieres Trench but the German trenches, OG1 and OG2, east of the village held out. By 3 am the support battalions 3rd, 4th, 10th and 12th had dug in along the Bapaume road. 3 Bde was enfiladed by OG1 however and had to throw back its right flank to face the German line. At 5.30 am a counterattack from there was repulsed. During the day patrols were sent north of the road and after dark the 8th Bn was moved up from reserve to occupy the remainder of the village. Battalion casualties that day were 2 officers (both 2nd Lieutenants, Adams and A C Smith) and 22 OR's. Only 2 have known graves, the rest may be Known Unto God due to the fighting that raged over the same piece of ground for the next two years. Name: ADES, ALFRED. Rank: Private. Service No: G/14805. Date of Death: 21/03/1918. Age: 39. Regiment/Service: The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). 1st Bn. Grave Reference: X. D. 19. Cemetery: NINE ELMS BRITISH CEMETERY. Additional Information: Husband of Emily Ades, of 6, Hylands Yard, Rye, Sussex. The cemetery was begun and used by the 3rd Australian and 44th Casualty Clearing Stations when they moved to Poperinghe (now Poperinge), from Brandhoek and Lijssenthoek respectively, in September 1917. Nearly all the burials in Plots I to IX came from these Casualty Clearing Stations, whilst they operated in this area during the 1917 Battle of Ypres, up until December 1917. Plots X, XI, XIII, XIV and XV cover the dates between the beginning of March, 1918 and the 12th October, 1918, the period of the German offensive in Flanders, the British counter attacks and the final advance of August-September. The burials in these cases were carried out almost entirely by fighting units. Died of wounds during the March retreat 21 March 1918 SDGW: Name: Alfred Ades. Birth Place: Beckley, Sussex. Residence: Rye, Sussex. Death Date: 21 Mar 1918. Death Location: France & Flanders. Enlistment Location: Rye, Sussex. Rank: Private. Regiment: Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Battalion: 1st Battalion. Number: G/14805. Type of Casualty: Died of wounds. Theatre of War: Western European Theatre. Comments: Formerly 42076, R. Fus. (no reference on Medal Card, so presumably his UK Training Battalion). Medal Index Card shows entitlement to British War and Victory medals, so not in a Theatre of War until after 1915. Birth: Name: Alfred Ades. Date: Jul-Aug-Sep 1878. District: Rye, Sussex. Volume: 2b. Page: 11. 1881 Census: Living at Kichenour Farmhouse, Beckley. Name: Alfred Addes. Age: 2. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1879. Father's Name: Aaron Addes. Mother's Name: Elizabeth Addes. Where born: Beckley, Sussex. Aaron Addes, aged 35, agricultural labourer; Elizabeth Addes, aged 26; Aaron J. Addes, aged 5; Alfred Addes, aged 2 1891 Census: Name: Alfred Ades. Age: 12. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1879. Where born: Beckley, Sussex. Father's Name: Aaron Ades; Mother's Name: Elizabeth Ades; Aaron Ades, aged 41; Elizabeth Ades, aged 35; Aaron J Ades, aged 15; Alfred Ades, aged 12; Edwin Ades, aged 8 (born deaf?); James Gladwish, grandfather, aged 76. 1901 Census: Name: Alfred Ades. Age: 22. Estimated Birth Year abt 1879. Relation: Boarder Where born: Beckly, Sussex. Living at 11, Church Square. Civil parish: Rye, St Mary. Walter Tomsett, aged 25, printer and compositor; Emma J Tomsett 30; George W Tomsett, aged 1; Louisa Tomsett 22 (Emma's sister, visiting). Alfred Ades 22, brewers drayman. Marriage: Oct 1911 - Rye, East Sussex (Sussex).Name: Alfred Ades.. Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1911. Registration district: Rye, Sussex. Volume: 2b. Page: 7. Parents: Aaron Richard Ades, Elizabeth Gladwish. Spouse: Emily Jane L. Carter Probate Calendar (1930!): Ades, Alfred, of 6, Hylands Yard, Rye, Sussex died 21 March 1918 in Belgium. Administration London 15 April 1930 to Emily Ades, widow. Effects £34 4s 3d. AERS, FRANK ERNEST. Rank: Leading Boatswain. Trade: Able Seaman Coast Guard. Service No: PO/142921. Date of Death: 08/08/1915. Age: 43. Regiment/Service: Royal Navy. H.M.S. 'India.' Grave Reference: Cemetery: NARVIK OLD CEMETERY. Additional Information: Husband of Edith Aers, of 9, Frith Rd., Dover. Awarded Board of Trade Bronze Sea Gallantry Medal (SGM) for gallantry in saving life at sea in October 1903, possibly one or both of these: 1903 October 25th: Emma Maria, Russian schooner, lost on Chesil with cargo of fire-clay. The Norwegian barque Patria was wrecked close to the Emma Maria on the following day and its crew taken off using the rocket apparatus. Name: Frank Ernest Aers. Rank: AB (Ldg Boatman CG). Birth Date: 19 Apr 1872. Birth Place: Portsea, Hampshire. Branch of Service: Royal Navy. Cause of Death: Killed or died as a direct result of enemy action. Official Number Port Division: 142921. (Po). Death Date: 8 Aug 1915. Ship or Unit: HMS India. Name and Address of Cemetery: Narvik Cemetery, Narvik, Norway. Relatives Notified and Address: Wife: Edith, 56, Alma Place, Maison de Dieu Rd, Dover. Name: Frank Ernest Aers. Age in 1911: 38. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1873. Birth Place: Portsmouth, Hampshire. Street Address: Coast Guard Station, Rye Harbour, Sussex. Frank Ernest Aers, 38Coast Guard, born Portsmouth, Hampshire; Edith Aers, 29, married 9 years, 4 children, 3 still alive, born Mevagissey, Cornwall; Dorothy May Aers, 6, born Portland, Dorset; William Ernest Aers, 4; Frederick Leonard Aers, 1, both born Sandgate, Kent. HMS India was a very fast pre-war P & O cruise liner employed on the Britain to Australasia run. During early 1915 she was commandeered by the Royal Navy, converted to military use and captained by a Royal Naval Captain, Commander Kennedy, RN. The ship was torpedoed by German submarine U-22 two and a half miles off the coast of Bodo, Vest Fjord, Norway, on August 8th 1915. This in itself was seen as a gross act of misconduct and the Norwegian Government complained bitterly to the German Government about this act of war within her own territorial waters. The records state that out of her total crew of 301 Officers and Men, 160 were lost in those icy waters. Survivors were taken ashore in one of 3 ways: 10 officers, 72 men and 4 dead were picked up by the Swedish ship Gotaland and landed in Narvik 8 officers, 52 men and 7 dead were picked up by the armed trawler HMS Saxon, and landed at Narvik. 48 men and 3 dead came ashore in 2 of HMS India’s ships boats at Helligver. According to the rules the men landed by the Gotaland were allowed back to Britain, but the rest were interned. HMS Saxon, again by the rules, was allowed to stay a maximum of 24 hours in a neutral port. She left within that time, but without the men from the India, as she would have been too overcrowded. Commander Kennedy of the India was offered the chance to sail with her, but decided to stay with his men. The 13 dead were buried with full ceremony in Narvik cemetery. AITKIN, James Samuel More correctly: Name: AITKEN, JAMES SAMUEL. Rank: Private. Service No: G/562. Date of Death: 03/05/1917. Age: 29. Royal Sussex Regiment. 'C' Coy. 7th Bn. Panel Reference: Bay 6. Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL. Additional Information: Eldest son of Robert & Cecilia Aitken, of 5, Wellington Terrace, Military Rd., Rye, Sussex. His Service Records survive. He was a navvy (labourer) and had previously been in the 5th Battalion Royal Sussex regiment from which he had resigned. He was 26 years and 5 months old on enlistment on 31st August 1914 in Hastings. After training with the 8th Battalion he was transferred to the 7th Battalion as a Lance Corporal on 14 October 1914. This was confirmed as paid L/Cpl in May 1915 when he moved to France, but he asked to revert to Private on 28 October 1915. Killed in Action 3rd May 1917. Father Robert in Sandgate Square, mother Cecilia at 5 Wellington Terrace, Military Road, Rye (may just be change of address at different dates). He was 5ft 9 inches tall, had a sallow, fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. His records note that he was 'deprived of L/Cpl stripe by the C.O. in the field' on 20 October 1915, so something quite serious seems to have happened. He also had a months leave from 5 November to 5 December in 1916. Killed in Action 3 May 1917. Annoyingly, for one of the few files to survive, his papers seem to be in at least quadruple copies! His records show the British War and Victory medals but strangely NOT the 15 Star although he was in France from May 1915. His Medal Index card, however, does confirm the 1915 Star. Name: James Aitken. Birth Place: Hammersmith, Middx. Death Date: 3 May 1917. Death Location: British Expeditionary Force. Enlistment Location: Hastings. Rank: Private. Regiment: Royal Sussex Regiment. Battalion: 7th Battalion. Number: G/562. Type of Casualty: Killed in action. Theatre of War: Western European Theatre. Birth Registration: James Samuel Aitken. Date: 2nd Qtr 1888. District: Fulham, London. Vol: 1a. P: 185. ALLEN, HERBERT MORTLEY. Rank: Sapper. Service No: 140856. Date of Death: 14/02/1916. Age: 31. Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers. 1st Provisional Coy. Grave Reference: 1362. Cemetery: FORT PITT MILITARY CEMETERY. Additional Information: Son of Charles Robert Allen of 8, Church Square, Rye, Sussex; husband of Beatrice Allen of 11, Ruskin Rd., Belvedere, Kent. Name: Herbert Mortley Allen. Birth Place: Rye, Sussex. Residence: Rye, Sussex. Death Date: 14 Feb 1916. Death Location: Home. Enlistment Location: Hastings. Rank: Sapper. Regiment: Corps of Royal Engineers. Number: 140856. Type of Casualty: Died. Theatre of War: Home. Comments: 286th A.T. Coy., R.E. No Medal Index Card located, possibly Herbert never served Overseas, given that the Provisional Field Companies were mainly comprised of Home Service only and lower medical grades. Provisional Brigades and Field Companies: Initially these were Coast Defence Battalions formed locally in May 1915 from Home Service personnel of the Territorial Force not available for overseas service or of low medical categories. These in turn became numbered Provisional Battalions in June 1915. They number up to at least 108 but not all existed at the same time. They were also grouped into Provisional Brigades along with newly formed companies of Royal Engineers, ASC, and Cyclists, a RFA Battery with Ammunition Column, a Yeomanry Squadron and a Field Ambulance. As there was no distinct regional bias to the formations they were later called Mixed Brigades. The name changes happened on January 1, 1917 under Army Council Instruction 2364 of 1916. 1st Provisional Brigade (based at Sandwich) became 221 Mixed Brigade. 1st Provisional Field Company Royal Engineers, 640th Lowland Field Coy. Royal Engineers Birth Registration: Name: Herbert Mortley Allen. Date of Registration: Apr-May-Jun 1884. Registration district: Rye, Sussex. Volume: 2b. Page: 6. Name: Herbert Mortley Allen. Birth Date: 21 May 1884. Christening Date: 7 Sep 1884. Christening Place: Rye, Sussex. Father's Name: Charles Roberts Allen. Mother's Name: Ann. 1891 Census: Living at 11 King Street, Rye. Name: Herbert M Allen. Age: 6. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1885. Father's Name: Charles R Allen. Mother's Name: Anne Allen. Where born: Rye, Sussex, Charles R Allen, 43, watchmaker and jeweller, born Rye; Anne Allen 44, born Peasmarsh. Henry E Allen 22, watchmakers apprentice; Charles Allen 19, outfitters assistant; William T Allen 16, hairdressers apprentice; Kate Allen, 15, dressmakers apprentice; Annie Allen, 13; Elisabeth Allen, 10; Frank Allen, 9; Herbert M Allen, 6; Mabel Allen, 2. All children born in Rye. 1901 Census: Living at Red Cottage, Ferry Road, Rye. Name: Herbert M Allen. Age: 16. Birth Year: abt 1885. Father's Name: Charles R Allen. Mother's Name: Anne Allen. Where born: Rye, Sussex. Charles R Allen, 53, watchmaker, own account; Anne Allen, 54; Annie Allen, 23, dressmaker; Elizabeth Allen, 20; Herbert M Allen, 16, plumbers apprentice; Louisa H Allen, 14; Mabel Allen, 12. 1911 Census: Name: Herbert Mortley Allen. Age in 1911: 26. Birth Year: abt 1885. Birth Place: Rye, Sussex. Street Address: 7 Sydney Villas, Rye, Sussex. Marital Status: Single. Occupation: House Painter. Charles Roberts Allen, 63, watch repairer; Anne Allen, 64, married 43 years 13 children, 10 still alive in 1911. Herbert Mortley Allen, 26; Louisa Harriet Allen, 24, drapers assistant. Name: Herbert M Allen. Spouse Surname: Mitchell. Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1912. Registration district: Dartford, Kent. Volume: 2a. Page: 1204. Name: Herbert M Allen. Birth Date: abt 1885. Date of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar 1916. Age at Death: 31. Registration district: Medway, Kent. Volume: 2a. Page: 1013. ALLEN, PERCY FRANCIS. Rank: Second Lieutenant. Date of Death: 04/10/1917. Age: 21. Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery. 59th Bde. (Spec. Reserve). Panel Reference: Panel 4 to 6 and 162. Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL. Additional Information: Son of Thomas and Frances Allen, of 'Allanholm,' Manchester Drive, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. Included on Brede Parish Church War Memorial. Name: Percy Allen. Death Date: 4 Oct 1917. Rank: 2/Lieutenant. Regiment: Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery. 59 Bd. Type of Casualty: Killed in action. Commissioned 6th May 1917 (L G 17 May 1917). [It was a hard job to find many references to Percy, but he was gazetted a 2nd Lt in May 1917, perhaps indicating an enlistment at the end of 1916. With his father being a gun action maker, Artillery would have been a keen interest for the lad. He was in the Special Reserve for officers, not being allocated to any specific battery. It may be that he therefore was a specialist and as no other member of the 59th Brigade died that day, may have been in the lines to check on wear or other technical issues. By late September of 1917, the Battle of Passchendaele had been in progress for eight weeks. The lower ground lying south-west of the ridge was the river valley of the Hanebeek stream. At this time the British and German Front Lines were located either side of the stream. Owing to the smashed up state of the ground in this valley the Front Lines, however, were no longer formal lines of trenches. As a result of heavy rain during August and September 1917, in conjunction with the high water table of the area and the fact that this was a river valley, the ground here was a morass of thick, slimy mud. Shell holes from artillery fire were filled with water. The German Front Line position was, therefore, heavily defended by a second position sitting on higher ground to the north-east of it. German trenches and concrete emplacements were built on the forward slope of the ridge. From its position on higher ground the German Army had a magnificent view towards Ypres and across the British positions in the lower ground of the Ypres Salient. This ridge of high ground was extremely important for the German Army to hold on to because it also afforded excellent views to the north and north east right across their own German rear areas. Percy may therefore be one of the thousands of “Known Unto God” unidentified burials in Tyne Cot Cemetery, which marks the high ridge that was won at such great cost that day. Birth Registration: Name: Francis Percy Allen. Date of Registration: Apr-May-Jun 1896 Registration district: Edmonton, Middlesex. Volume: 3a. Page: 299 1901 Census: Living at 4 Warwick Road, Stoke Newington. Name: Percy Allen. Age: 5. Birth Year: abt 1896. Father's Name: Thomas Allen. Mother's Name: Frances Allen. Where born: Stoke Newington, London. Thomas Allen, 31; gun action maker; Frances Allen, 27; Percy Allen, 5; Norman Allen, 1; Douglas Allen, 1 1911 Census: Name: Thomas Allen. Age in 1911: 41. Birth Year: abt 1870. Birth Place: London. Civil parish: Stoke Newington, London. Street Address: 4 Warwickshire Road, Stoke Newington N. Marital Status: Married. Occupation: Gun Action Maker. Thomas Allen, 41, born Bethnal Green. Married 19 years, 3 children, all still alive. Frances Allen, 37. Percy Allen, 15, Junior clerk in Insurance Company. Norman Allen, 11, Douglas Allen, 11 (twins). (Note: Most elusive. No Medal Index Card found. Cannot find any reason to link to Rye area. Parents were born in London and have an Essex address, so why on Brede Memorial? Maybe one of his younger twin brothers moved to the area?).   ALMOND, GEORGE R. C. Rank: Sapper. Service No: 112499. Date of Death: 28/03/1918. Age: 37. Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers. Fifth Army School of Instruction. Panel Reference: Panel 10 to 13. Memorial: POZIERES MEMORIAL. Additional Information: Son of the late Thomas and Henrietta Almond; husband of Ellen Almond, of Brickfield Cottages, Iden, Rye, Sussex. Name: George R. C. Almond. Birth Place: Rye, Sussex. Residence: Iden, Sussex. Death Date: 28 Mar 1918. Death Location: France & Flanders. Enlistment Location: Hastings. Rank: Sapper. Regiment: Corps of Royal Engineers. Number: 112499. Type of Casualty: Killed in action. Theatre of War: Western European Theatre. Comments: 5th Army School of Instruction., R.E. Medal Index Card shows British War and Victory medals so not Overseas before 1916. Name: George Reginald Chester Almond. Birth Date: 5 Feb 1881. Christening Date: 29 Apr 1881. Christening Place: Rye, Sussex. Father's Name: Thomas Almond. Mother's Name: Henrietta. 1881 Census: Name: Living with his parents in 36 King Street. George R. Almond. Father's Name: Thomas Almond. Mother's Name: Henrietta Almond. Where born: Rye, Sussex. Thomas Almond, aged 52, brewers drayman, born Beckley; Henrietta Almond, aged 41, born Iden; George R. Almond, 2 months, born Rye. 1901 Census: Name: George Almond. Age: 20. Birth Year: abt 1881. Relation: Boarder (employee?). Where born: Rye, Sussex. Current address: Seymore Place, St Marylebone, London. James E Walker, 53, carman and contractor (employer); Mary L Walker, 39, born Barnstaple, Devon; Nellie L Walker, 16, upholsterer; Catherine Titcombe 30, dressmaker; George Almond, 20, carpenter. George Ailsworth, 20, painter, also Rye. James Brennan, 47, artist, own account. ASHENDEN Frank Private G/16494 9th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. 24th Division. Died of wounds suffered at Messines 8 June 1917. Aged 41. Husband of Mrs Ellen Frances Ashenden of 6, Tillingham Villas, Rye. Enlisted in Hastings. Buried in Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium. 1881 Census: Name: Frank Ashenden. Age: 5. Birth Year: abt 1876. Father's Name: Arthur Ashenden. Mother's Name: Frances Ashenden. Where born: Northiam, Sussex. Arthur Ashenden, 39, master carpenter; Frances Ashenden, 39; Henry Ashenden, 12; Arthur Ashenden, 10; Frances Ashenden, 9; Emma Ashenden, 7; Frank Ashenden, 5; Herbert Ashenden, 4; Louisa Ashenden, 2; Elizabeth Ashenden, 2; Annie Ashenden, 1. Birth Registration: Frank Ashenden. Registration: 3rd Qtr 1875. District: Rye, Sussex. Vol: 2b. P: 10 Marriage Registration: Frank Ashenden. Date: 3rd Qtr 1902. District: Rye, Sussex. Vol: 2b. P: 11. AXELL Gilbert Private 41489, (Depot), Norfolk Regiment. Formerly with the Northamptonshire Regiment. Son of Frank and Harriett Axell of Heathfield. Born in Heathfield (Medal Rolls and 1901 census) No CWGC or SDGW details. A Gilbert Charles Axell is registered as born Hailsham, NOT Heathfield in 1899. No Death Registration for a Gilbert Axell until 1936 in Hailsham. There are only 4 Axell CWGC entries, none Gilbert. What connection to Rye OR the War Memorial? Medal Index Card: Name: Gilbert C Axell. Regiment or Corps: Northamptonshire Regiment, Regimental Number: 49326; Norfolk Regiment, Regimental Number: 41489. Entitled to British War and Victory medals so not Overseas until after 1915. No notation of KiA or DoW, however a separate Silver War Badge card shows he enlisted on 7th December 1917 and was discharged on 19 October 1919 from the Norfolks Depot due to what appears to be wounds. AXELL, SYDNEY. Rank: Private. Service No: G/4638. Date of Death: 09/05/1915. Regiment/Service: Royal Sussex Regiment. 2nd Bn. Grave Reference: II. H. 27. Cemetery: RUE-DU-BOIS MILITARY CEMETERY, FLEURBAIX. Additional Information: Son of John Axell, of 57, Calvert Rd., Greenwich, London. (also killed the same day was William Bourne) Name: Sidney Axell. Birth Place: Rye, Sussex. Death Date: 9 May 1915. Death Location: British Expeditionary Force. Enlistment Location: Brighton. Rank: Private. Regiment: Royal Sussex Regiment. Battalion: 2nd Battalion. Number: G/4638. Type of Casualty: Killed in action. Theatre of War: Western European Theatre. Medal Index Card shows he went to France on 24 March 1915 so entitled to the 1915 Star as well as British War and Victory medals. Noted KiA 9 May 1915, so in the trenches for under 2 months. Birth Registration: Name: Sydney Axell. Date: 4th Qtr 1894. District: Rye, Sussex. Vol: 2b. Page: 3. Name: Sydney Axell. Age in 1911: 17. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1894. Birth Place: Rye, Sussex. Street Address: 30 Cinque Port Street, Rye. Marital Status: Single. Occupation: Bargeman for Vidler and Sons, same as his father. John Axell, aged 45, widower; Emily Osborne, daughter, aged 24, married 3 years, 2 children, 1 still alive in 1911; Sydney Axell, aged 17; Eva Axell, aged 12; May Axell, aged 9. Sydney Osborne, grandson, 1 month. AXELL, WILLIAM HENRY. Rank: Private. Service No: TF/240646. Date of Death: 07/08/1917. Age: 20. Regiment/Service: Royal Sussex Regiment. 5th Bn. Grave Reference: I. A. 18. Cemetery: DUHALLOW A.D.S. CEMETERY. Additional Information: Son of William and Jane Axell, of Anchorlee, South Undercliff, Rye, Sussex. Name: William Henry Axell. Death Date: 7 Aug 1917. Death Location: British Expeditionary Force. Enlistment Location: Hastings. Rank: Private. Regiment: Royal Sussex Regiment. Battalion: 1/5 Battalion. Number: TF/240646. Type of Casualty: Killed in action near Ypres. Theatre of War: Western European Theatre. Medal Index Card: Name: William H Axell. Regiment or Corps: Royal Sussex Regiment, Regimental Number: 5/2692, Royal Sussex Regiment, Regimental Number: 240646. Name: BAGOT, FREDERIC SPENCER WELLESLEY. Rank: Private. Service No: G/18180. Date of Death: 21/10/1916. Age: 26. Regiment/Service: Royal Sussex Regiment. 13th Bn. Grave Reference: A. 48. Cemetery: GRANDCOURT ROAD CEMETERY, GRANDCOURT. Additional Information: Son of Arthur Greville Bagot, (late 60th Foot, K.R.R.), and Lily Bagot (stepmother), of Old Croft Cottage, Brimpsfield, Gloucester. The second marriage was in 1913.) Name: Spencer Bagot. Death Date: 21 Oct 1916. Death Location: British Expeditionary Force. Enlistment Location: Hastings. Rank: Private. Royal Sussex Regiment. Battalion: 13th Battalion. Number: G/18180. Type of Casualty: Killed in action. Theatre of War: Western European Theatre. Lieutenant Frederick Spencer Wellesley Bagot was born May 28th 1889. He was the son of Arthur Greville Bagot (ex Captain of 60th Foot) and Mary Isabella Scott. His grandfather was Vice Admiral Henry Bagot. He died in 1916, killed in action. He gained the rank of Lieutenant in the service of the Rifle Brigade. Medal Index card for Temporary 2nd Lieutenant FSW Bagot 12th Battalion Rifle Brigade. Gazetted 15 March 1915. It shows he was dismissed the service by General Court Martial on 16 September 1915. He had entered France on 22nd July 1915. He would have been entitled to the 1915 Star and British War and Victory medals. A second Medal Index card for Name: Spencer Bagot. Regiment or Corps: Royal Sussex Regiment, Regimental Number: 4138; Royal Sussex Regiment, Regimental Number: G/18180. Only British War and Victory medals noted. No cross reference to his Officers card, no notation about death. Probate Calendar: Bagot, Frederic Spencer Wellesley, of Rye, Sussex, Private 13th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment died 21 October 1916 in France on active service. Probate London 3 March to Ralph Player, engineer. Effects £1,208 17s 5d. Note: Major Hon. Walter Lewis Bagot was born on 22 April 1864. He was the son of William Bagot, 3rd Baron Bagot of Bagot's Bromley and Hon. Lucia Caroline Elizabeth Agar-Ellis. He married Margaret Jane Caroline Cadogan, daughter of Hon. Frederick William Cadogan and Lady Adelaide Paget, on 6 February 1892. He died on 26 March 1927 at age 62. He fought in the Nile Expedition in 1898, where he was wounded and won two medals with a clasp. He was decorated with the award of Companion, Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.). He gained the rank of Major in the Grenadier Guards. He fought in the Boer War between 1900 and 1902, where he was mentioned in despatches, and won two medals with six clasps. He was Staff Officer of the IVth Army Corps, British Expeditionary Force. He held the office of Director of the Ministry of Munitions. 2nd Lt. Edward Luke Henry Bagot was born on 18 October 1896. He was the son of Major Hon. Walter Lewis Bagot and Margaret Jane Caroline Cadogan. He died on 10 September 1916 at age 19 at Somme, France, killed in action. He gained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the Welsh Guards. Arthur Greville Bagot died, aged 65, at Rye, Sussex, on Monday, 7 June 1915. Frederic Spencer Wellesley Bagot, Sussex Regiment, was killed in action, aged 26, on Saturday, 21 October 1916. 1911 Census: Name: Frederick Spencer Wellesley Bagot. Age in 1911: 21. Birth Year: abt 1890. Birth Place: Marylebone, London. Street Address: Stanwell Place, Golf and Country House Club, Stanwell Moor, Stanwell, Staines. Marital Status: Single. Occupation: No Occupation. Arthur Greville Bagot, 61, Club manager; Frederick Spencer Wellesley Bagot, 21, visitor. BAILEY, CHARLES. Rank: Private. Service No: G/13955. Date of Death: 30/01/1917. Age: 38. Regiment/Service: Royal Sussex Regiment. 13th Bn. Panel Reference: Panel 20. Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL. Additional Information: Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. J Bailey, of Rye, Sussex; husband of Ethel Florence Bailey, of 7, Merivale Rd., Putney, London. There were 2 other casualties that day, and they are buried in adjacent graves. HOLDEN. HW. 16432. 13TH BN. 30/01/1917. ROYAL SUSSEX REGIMENT Plot V. F 12. PARTRIDGE, S. 5865. 13TH BN. 30/01/1917. ROYAL SUSSEX REGIMENT. Plot V F 11. Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery was started by French troops in 1914 and was taken over by Commonwealth forces in April 1915. It was used by fighting units and field ambulances until June 1917, when the land adjoining the cemetery was claimed for a military railway preventing further extension. The cemetery is remarkable for the care with which men of the same unit were buried side by side if they died at about the same time. There is also a very high proportion of graves of Territorial units, in particular Lancashire Territorials, who have nearly 250 graves in plots IV, V and VI. During the early months of 1917, whenever it was possible, the 55th Division brought their dead from the front for burial here. Charles appears to have been a 'Known Unto God' burial without identification. Name: Charles Bailey. Birth Place: Rye, Sussex. Death Location: British Expeditionary Force. Enlistment Location: Putney, Surrey. Death Date: 30 Jan 1917. Rank: Private’ Regiment: Royal Sussex Regiment. Battalion: 13th Battalion. Number: G/13955. Type of Casualty: Killed in action. Theatre of War: Western European Theatre. Medal Index Card shows British War and Victory medals. As Charles was in a Sussex Regiment, I feel he volunteered before conscription was introduced and was therefore able to serve in a Regiment of his choice. 1881 Census: Name: Charles Bailey. Age: 2. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1879 Father's Name: John Bailey. Mother's Name: Emily Bailey. Where born: Rye, Sussex, England. Civil parish: Rye, Sussex. Street Address: Mermaid St. John Bailey, 43, shipwright, born Rye. Emily Bailey, 41, born Rye. John Bailey, 8. William. Bailey, 5. Charles Bailey, 2. Hamilton Russell, 28, lodger, bankers clerk. Name: Charles Bailey. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1879. Age: 31. Spouse Name: Ethel Florence Wakeling. Spouse Age: 29. Record Type: Marriage. Event Date: 30 Jul 1910. Address: 43 Rigault Road. Parish: Fulham All Saints, Hammersmith and Fulham. Father Name: John Bailey (deceased). Spouse Father Name: Charles Wakeling. Register Type: Parish Register. 1911 Census: Name: Charles Bailey. Age in 1911: 32. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1879. Birth Place: Rye, Sussex. Address: Wandsworth, London. Street Address: 47 Bective Road, Putney, Wandsworth S W. Marital Status: Married less than 1 year. Occupation: Press operator at golf ball manufacturer. BAKER John William Henry Private GS/6950, 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment. 5th Division. Killed in action near Ypres 4 October 1917. Aged 25. Son of John Henry & Minnie Baker of 2, Magdala Terrace, Ferry Road, Rye. Enlisted in Hythe, Kent. Commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. Medal Index Card shows not in France till after 1915, British War and Victory medals. Name: John William Henry Baker. Death Date: 4 Oct 1917. Death Location: France & Flanders. Enlistment Location: Hythe, Kent. Rank: Private. Regiment: Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Battalion: 1st Battalion. Number: G/6950. Type of Casualty: Killed in action. Theatre of War: Western European Theatre. Name: John William H Baker. Qtr: Apr-May-Jun 1892. District: Rye, Sussex. Volume: 2b. Page: 2 Name: John William Henry Baker. Birth Date: 16 Mar 1892. Christening Date: 15 May 1892. Christening Place: Rye, Sussex. Father: John Henry Baker. Mother: Minnie Elizabeth Read. Name: John W Baker. Age: 8. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1893. Father's Name: John H Baker. Mother's Name: Minnie Baker. Where born: Rye, Sussex. Living at 12, Spring Crescent, Military Road, Rye. John H Baker, 37, fishing industry worker, born Ore, Sussex; Minnie Baker, 33, born Stone, Kent; Clary H Baker, 12; Eliza A Baker, 10; John W Baker, 8; Burt Baker, 6; Kennal J Baker, 5; Minnie Baker, 1; Henry Hicks, 67, father in law; Edward Goffin, 47, fisherman. Name: John W Baker. Age in 1911: 19. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1892. Birth Place: Rye, Sussex. Street Address: 12 Spring Crescent Rye Sussex. Marital Status: Single. Occupation: Assistant Fishmonger. John Henry Baker, 47, fisherman; Minnie Baker, 43, married 23 years, 7 children, all still alive in 1911 (where's Kennal, died 1903?); John W Baker, 19; Bert Baker 16, bakers assistant; Minnie Baker, 11; Donald Baker, 5. BALL, ALBERT GEORGE. Rank: Private. Service No: G/50642. Date of Death: 28/04/1917. Age: 33. Middlesex Regiment. 4th Bn. Panel Reference: Bay 7. Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL. Additional Information: Son of the late Charles and Thirza Ball, of Newbury, Berks; husband of Jessica L. Smith (formerly Ball), of The Steps, Playden, Rye, Sussex. Name: Albert G Ball. Age: 7. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1884. Father's Name: Charles Ball. Mother's Name: Thirza Ball. Where born: Burghclere, Hampshire. Charles Ball, 40, agricultural labourer. Thirza Ball, 39; Annie Ball, 10; Albert G Ball, 7; George Randall, 18, boarder. Name: Albert George Ball Date of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar 1884. Registration district: Kingsclere, Hampshire. Volume: 2c. Page: 226. Name: Albert George Ball. Birth Place: Burghclere, Hants. Residence: Westfield, Sussex. Death Date: 28 Apr 1917. Death Location: France & Flanders. Enlistment Location: Chichester, Sussex. Rank: Private. Regiment: Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment). Battalion: 4th Battalion. Number: G/50642. Type of Casualty: Killed in action. Theatre of War: Western European Theatre. Comments: Formerly 5998, Royal Sussex Regt. Albert died during the second phase of the battle of Arras. Important sectors had been taken, particularly the high ground of Vimy Ridge, particularly by the Canadian infantry, but there were still exposed areas of the line. Although the Canadian Corps had taken Vimy Ridge, difficulties in securing the south-eastern flank had left the position vulnerable. To rectify this, British and Canadian troops launched an attack towards Arleux-en-Gohelle on 28 April. Arleux was captured by Canadian troops with relative ease, but the British troops advancing on Gavrelle met stiffer resistance from the Germans. The village was secured by early evening but when a German counterattack forced a brief retreat, elements of the 63rd Division were brought up as reinforcements and the village was held. Subsequent attacks on 29 April were repulsed. Despite achieving the limited objective of securing the Canadian position on Vimy Ridge, casualties were high, and the ultimate result was disappointing. The fact that Albert has no known grave might indicate that he fell during the German counter offensive and may have been buried by them. He may however, be one of the thousands of Known Unto God burials in cemeteries near Gavrelle. Medal Index Card shows not in a Theatre of War until after 1915, British War and Victory medals. BARNES, ALFRED. Rank: Gunner. Service No: 102145. Date of Death: 26/09/1918. Regiment/Service: Royal Garrison Artillery. 195th Siege Bty. Grave Reference: VII. A. 10. Cemetery: DUISANS BRITISH CEMETERY, ETRUN. Name: Alfred Barnes. Birth Place: Brede, Sussex. Death Date: 26 Sep 1918. Death Location: France & Flanders. Enlistment Location: Hastings, Sussex. Rank: Gunner. Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery. Number: 102145. Type of Casualty: Died of wounds. Theatre of War: Western European Theatre. Medal Index Card shows not in a Theatre of War until after 1915, British War and Victory medals. Name: Alfred Barnes. Age: 6. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1885. Father's Name: Jesse Barnes. Mother's Name: Mary E Barnes. Where born: Brede, Sussex. Address Mount Pleasant (near Hare Farm). Jesse Barnes, 41, agricultural labourer, born Beckley; Mary E Barnes, 42; James Barnes, 16; Emily Barnes, 13; born Westfield; Edith Barnes, 11; Hannah Barnes, 8; Alfred Barnes, 6; Mary Barnes, 4; Joseph Barnes, 4 (twins). Name: Alfred Barnes. Age: 15. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1886. Father's Name: Jesse Barnes. Where born: Brede, Sussex. Address: Rectory Lane, near Manor Farm, Brede St George. Jesse Barnes, 51, widower, agricultural labourer; James Barnes, 26, teamster on farm; Elizabeth Barnes, 24. Alfred Barnes, 15, agricultural labourer; Joseph Barnes, 13, teamsters mate. Mary Barnes, 13. Name: Alfred Barnes. Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1909. Registration district: Hastings, Sussex. Volume: 2b. Page: 29. Attestation papers show marriage date as 18 November 1909. Alfred's RGA Attestation papers survive. He enlisted in Hastings on 5th June 1916. Address was 54, Bourne Walk, Hastings, occupation bottle sorter. Aged 31 years 2 months. 2 children, Alfred born 14 January 1910 and Philip William born 6 September 1912. 2 brother, James at Spotlands Farm, Brede and Joseph at Airy Farm near New Romney, Kent. 2 sisters, Edith Gutsell, Albert Road, Hastings and Elizabeth Rich, Goldfins, Brede, Sussex. His widows address was 7, Bourne Passage, Bourne Walk. The Declaration was signed by his brother in law, Philip Baker, 2 Garden Cottages, All Saints, Hastings. Alfred was posted to France on 4 December 1916. He served with No1 Siege Battery until 27 November 1917 and then with 195 Siege Battery from 9 December 1917. He was first wounded in his left knee on 20 September 1917 and then rejoined, being posted to 195 Siege Battery. He was granted 21 days leave from 25 June to 15 July 1918. Records show he died of shell wounds to right thigh, left ankle and head received in action on 25th September at No. 4 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station and was buried in Plot 7-A-10 at Duisans. BAYLEY, Thomas William. Rank: Corporal. Service No: 84. Date of Death: 16/10/1915. Regiment/Service: The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). 6th Bn. Grave Reference: IV. C. 53. Cemetery: LILLERS COMMUNAL CEMETERY. Lillers was used for billets and headquarter offices from the autumn of 1914 to April 1918. At that time it was a hospital centre with the 6th, 9th, 18th, 32nd, 49th and 58th Casualty Clearing Stations in the town at one time or another. These units buried their dead on the right of the central path of the communal cemetery, working back from Plot I. Died of wounds at Loos 16 October 1915. Name: Thomas William Bayley. Birth Place: Rye, Sussex. Residence: Rye, Sussex. Death Date: 16 Oct 1915. Death Location: France & Flanders. Enlistment Location: Folkestone, Kent. Rank: Corporal. Regiment: Buffs (East Kent Regiment). 6th Battalion. Number: G/84. Type of Casualty: Died of wounds. Theatre of War: Western European Theatre. Name: Thomas William Bayley. Birth: abt 1885. Age at enlistment: 29. Birth Parish: Rye, Sussex. Document Year: 1914. Regimental Number: 2138. Regiment Name: East Kent. Enlisted Folkestone 15 August 1914, aged 29. Light complexion and light brown hair, grey eyes, 5 feet 10 inches tall. Religion Baptist. Posted to France 1st June 1915. Appointed paid L/Cpl 27 August 1915 and promoted to Corporal when he died of wounds. As his Regimental Number indicates, a very early volunteer for General Service. Medals 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory. Birth: Thomas William Bayley. Date: Jul-Aug-Sep 1885. District: Rye, Sussex. Vol. 2b. Page: 4. 1891 Census: Name: William Bayley. Age: 5. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1886. Father's Name: George Bayley. Mother's Name: Sarah Bayley. Where born: Rye, Sussex, George Bayley, 49, master mariner (“Probity”, Rye); Sarah Bayley, 46; James Bayley, 18, ironmongers assistant. Sarah Bayley, 16; Mary Bayley, 13; William Bayley, 5; Robert Bayley, 4; Amy Bayley, 2. 1901 Census: Name: William T Bayley. Age: 15. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1886. Mother's Name: Sarah W Bayley. Where born: Rye, Sussex. Address: West Street, Rye. Sarah W Bayley, widow, 56; William T Bayley, 15; Robert O Bayley, 14; Amy Bayley, 12. Frederick Mansell, 28, boarder, ironmongers apprentice. Marriage 29 March 1910 to Rose R Watson. Address: The Conqueror, Rye Harbour. 3 children, Mary Ena Lily b.14 May 1910, Ronald Ernest b 18 Jan 1912 and John b 19 June 1913 in Belgium. Name: Thomas William Bayley. Age in 1911: 25. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1886. Birth Place: Rye, Sussex. Street Address: 2 Battery Gardens, Rye. Marital Status: Married. Occupation: Ironmonger's Manager (A & W Stocks). Thomas William Bayley, 25. Rose R Bayley, 23, born Rye Harbour; Mary Emily Bayley, 10 months. The Battle of Loos It arrived at the Loos front on 29 September and relieved outgoing units in the Gun Trench - Hulluch Quarries sector on the night of 30 September - 1 October. The Division commenced consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. The Officer Commanding, Major-General Frederick Wing CB, was killed in action on 2 October 1915. His ADC, Lieutenant Christopher Tower DSO, was killed by the same shell. On 8 October, the Division repelled a heavy German infantry attack. Five days later the Division took part in a large scale action to renew the offensive, now called the 'Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt'. The Division succeeded in capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3,237 men were killed or wounded. By the end of 21 October the Division had been relieved and moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune. It took over the Hohenzollern Redoubt front after a very short rest of five days and spent a cold, wet and miserable month here before being relieved on 15 November by 15th (Scottish) Division, whereupon it moved into reserve at Lillers. On 16 October, only 4 deaths were recorded, all appear to be from wounds sustained whilst in the front line trenches, presumably by shelling. One other is in Lilliers, the others are in Choques and Sailly la Bourse. Chocques was occupied by Commonwealth forces from the late autumn of 1914 to the end of the war. The village was at one time the headquarters of I Corps and from January 1915 to April 1918, No.1 Casualty Clearing Station was posted there. Most of the burials from this period are of casualties who died at the clearing station from wounds received at the Bethune front. The village of Sailly la Bourse was used for rest billets and by field ambulances for much of the First World War. It was close to the battlefield of Loos, but from October 1915 to September 1918, no considerable advance or retirement took place in this sector. BEECHING, G A. Rank: Private. Service No: 28090. Date of Death: 25/04/1918. Age: 18. Regiment/Service: Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). 7th Bn. Grave Reference: I. G. 5. Cemetery: HANGARD COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION Additional Information: Son of George and Mary Beeching, of Main St., Northiam, Sussex. Name: George Augustus Beeching. Birth Place: Rye, Sussex. Residence: Northiam, Sussex. Death Date: 25 Apr 1918. Death Location: France & Flanders. Enlistment Location: Hastings. Rank: Private. Regiment: Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Battalion: 7th Battalion. Number: G/28090. Type of Casualty: Killed in action. Theatre of War: Western European Theatre Comments: Formerly 48666, Suffolk Regt BEECHING, William. Private 16732, 8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. 12th Division. Died of wounds 3rd March 1916. Aged 24. Son of Henry Jesse & Mary Anne Beeching of Box House, Broad Oak, Brede. Born in Udimore and enlisted in Hastings. Next of kin Rye. A former cavalryman with the Hussars. Buried in Bethune Town Cemetery. BEECHING, WILLIAM THOMAS. Rank: Private. Service No: 16732. Date of Death: 03/03/1916. Age: 24. Regiment: Royal Fusiliers. 8th Bn. Grave: V. A. 66. Cemetery: Bethune Town Cemetery. Additional Information: Son of Henry Jesse and Mary Ann Beeching, of Box House, Brede, Broad Oak, Sussex.   BELL, JAMES EDWARD. Rank: Private. Service No: 2284. Date of Death: 06/10/1915. Regiment/Service: King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment). 41st Bn. (perhaps 1st/4th as nothing else close). Grave Reference: 4737. Cemetery: RYE CEMETERY. Name: James Bell. Birth Place: St. Mark's, Barrow. Death Date: 6 Oct 1915. Death Location: Home Enlistment Location: Ulverston. Rank: Private. Regiment: King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) Battalion: Depot. Number: 2284. Type of Casualty: Died. Theatre of War: Home. 1/4th Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment). August 1914: in Ulverston. (Part of North Lancs Brigade, West Lancs Division). April 1915: Brigade joined 51st (Highland) Division and become 154th Brigade. Landed at Boulogne in May 1915. From the above information, it seems that James would likely have been with the Battalion when it arrived in France, BUT there appears to be no Medal Index Card for him, which therefore means he didn't serve Overseas. Name: James Edward Bell. Age in 1911: 14. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1897. Birth Place: Barrow, Lancashire. Civil parish: Barrow in Furness, Lancashire. Street Address: 30 Thwaites St, Barrow. Occupation: Labourer at Wire Works. John Bell, 69, labourer, ship platers, born Ulverston. Hannah Bell, 45, married 20 years, 3 children all still alive. John William Bell, 18; James Edward Bell, 14; Agnes Matilda Bell, 11. Name: James E Bell. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1896. Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1915. Age at Death: 19. Registration district: Rye, Sussex. Volume: 2b. Page: 1. Local newspaper archives may resolve the conundrum, as why else would he be buried in Rye Cemetery unless he was convalescing? Possibly wounded during the attacks on Aubers Ridge or Givenchy. This chap may have been close to him. TYSON, R. Rank: Private. Service No: 2281. Date of Death: 02/07/1915 Regiment/Service: King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment). 1st/4th Bn. Grave Reference: VIII. A. 9. Cemetery: AUBERS RIDGE BRITISH CEMETERY, AUBERS Name: James Edward Bell. Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1896 Registration district: Barrow-in-Furness. Lancashire. Volume: 8e. Page: 835 BENNETT, WILLIAM. Rank: Lance Corporal. Service No: TF/240402. Date of Death: 12/10/1917. Age: 29. Regiment/Service: Royal Sussex Regiment. 'A' Coy. 1st/5th Bn. Grave Reference: XII. F. 8. Cemetery: DOZINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY. Additional Information: Son of Joseph Bayley Bennett and Hannah J. Bennett, of Rye; husband of Ann Bennett, of 4, Wish Ward, Rye, Sussex. Westvleteren was outside the front held by Commonwealth forces in Belgium during the First World War, but in July 1917, in readiness for the forthcoming offensive, groups of Casualty Clearing Stations were placed at three positions called by the troops Mendinghem, Dozinghem and Bandaghem. The 4th, 47th and 61st Casualty Clearing Stations were posted at Dozinghem and the military cemetery was used by them until early in 1918. Name: William Bennett. Birth Place: Rye, Sussex. Death Date: 12 Oct 1917. Death Location: British Expeditionary Force. Enlistment Location: Hastings. Rank: L/Corporal Regiment: Royal Sussex Regiment. Battalion: 1/5 Battalion. Number: TF/240402. Type of Casualty: Died of wounds. Theatre of War: Western European Theatre. Medal Index Card shows Name: William Bennett. Royal Sussex Regiment, Number: 240402 (previously Royal Sussex Regiment, Number: 5/2183). Entered France 18 Feb 1915 with 5th Battalion and entitled to 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. Birth: Name: William Bennett. Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1887. Registration district: Rye, Sussex. Volume: 2b. Page: 6 Name: William Bennett. Birth Date: 29 Nov 1887. Christening Date: 5 Feb 1888. Christening Place: Rye, Sussex. Father's Name: Joseph Bayley Bennett. Mother's Name: Hannah Jemima.   1901 Census: Name: William Bennett. Age: 13. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1888. Father's Name: Joseph B Bennett. Mother's Name: Hannah Bennett. Where born: Rye, Sussex. Joseph B Bennett, 45; Hannah Bennett, 48; Caroline L Bennett, 19; Joseph B Bennett, 14; William Bennett, 13. Maud E Summer, 16, domestic servant. 1911 Census: Name: William Bennett. Age in 1911: 23. Birth: abt 1888. Birth Place: Rye, Sussex Street Address: Mint Chambers, High Street, Rye, Sussex. Marital Status: Single. Occupation: Grocer Retail. Hannah Jemima Bennett, 58, widow; Caroline Bennett, 27; Joseph Bennett, 24; William Bennett, 23. Marriage: Name: William Bennett. Spouse: Ann Britt. Date of Registration: Apr-May-Jun 1917 Registration district: Rye, Sussex. Volume: 2b. Page: 9. The marriage means William must have been home either on leave or recovering from wounds (more likely as renumbered on rejoining). Like so many others, after years or months in the trenches, they are killed very soon after returning. Probate Calendar: Bennett, William, of 4, Wish Ward, Rye, Sussex. Lance Corporal died 12 October 1917 in Flanders on Active Service. Administration (with Will) London 23 April 1918 to Ann Bennett, widow. Effects: £70 4s 4d. BLACKHALL, HUGH BERT(IE). Rank: Engineman. Service No: 3790/ES. Death: 04/11/1918. Age: 29. Regiment/Service: Royal Naval Reserve. H.M. Drifter 'Seaflower.' Grave Reference: 4940. Cemetery: Rye Cemetery. Additional Information: Son of Thomas Blackhall, of Rye; husband of Agnes E. Blackhall, of 4, Tower St., Rye. [NOTE: It would appear that Hugh succumbed to the Spanish Flu pandemic that killed millions of the most fit and healthy men in their prime. Flu usually hits hardest amongst the elderly and frail, but this hit the strongest the hardest]. Name: Hugh Bert Blackhall. Rank: Engineman. Birth Date: 1 Mar 1888. Birth Place: Rye, Sussex. Branch of Service: Royal Naval Reserve. Cause of Death: Died from disease. Official Number Port Division: 3790. E.S. Death Date: 4 Nov 1918. Ship: HM Drifter “Seaflower”. Location of Grave: B.C. 4959. Name and Address of Cemetery: Rye Cemetery, Rye, Sussex. Relatives Notified and Address: Wife: Agnes E. 4, Tower Street, Rye Sussex. Death: Name: Hugh B Blackhall. Birth Date: abt 1891. Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1918. Age at Death: 27. Registration district: Rye, Sussex. Volume: 2b. Page: 1. RN Casualty Returns: Seaflower, Admiralty trawler, minesweeper. BLACKHALL, Hugh B, Engineman, RNR, ES 3790, illness, possibly at Mrs Jameson's Military Hospital, Rye. Salvage and Prize Money Awards: Seaflower, trawler, salvage of SS Athamas, 17 to 18 Nov 1915 (30273), SS Parkgate, 1 Jun 1916 (30161). Salvage of S.S. 'Athamas' on 17th and 18th November, 1915, by His Majesty's Ships 'Resono,' 'Electra,' 'Fervent,' 'Seaflower,' 'Sicyon,' 'Marloes,' 'Croupier,' Torpedo Boat 'No.9,' and 'Robust'. Salvage Money awarded to H.M. Torpedo Boats 'No. 8,' 'No. 9,' 'No. 20,' H.M.S. 'Walton Belle,' 'Duchess of Rothesay,' 'Aries II.,' 'Forsdyk,' ' Seaflower,' 'Alnmouth,' 'Jessica,' Hoppers 'Outpost' and 'Watcher' for Salvage of s.s. 'Parkgate,' 1st June, 1916. Birth: Name: Hugh Bertie Blackhall. Date of Registration: Apr-May-Jun 1888. Volume: 2b. Page: 1. Name: Hugh Bertie Blackhall. Birth Date: 1 Mar 1888. Christening: 10 Jan 1890. Christening Place: Rye, Sussex. Father's Name: Thomas Blackhall. Mother's Name: Eliza. 1891 Census: Name: Hugh B Blackhall. Age: 3. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1888. Father's Name: Thomas Blackhall; Mother's Name: Eliza Blackhall. Where born: Rye, Sussex. Thomas Blackhall, 44, bargeman, born Winchelsea; Eliza Blackhall, 37; Frank Blackhall, 20; Walter Blackhall, 18;Sarah Blackhall, 15; Albert Blackhall, 14; Florence Blackhall, 10; Eliza Blackhall, 9; George Blackhall, 6; Hugh B Blackhall, 3.   1901 Census: Name: Hugh Blackhall. Age: 13. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1888. Father's Name: Thomas Blackhall; Mother's Name: Eliza Blackhall. Where born: Rye, Sussex. Thomas Blackhall, 58. Eliza Blackhall, 44; Eliza Blackhall, 19; George Blackhall, 15; Hugh Blackhall, 13; Edwin Blackhall, 2; Mary Skinner, 22. Marriage: Name: Hugh B Blackhall. Spouse: Agnes Elizabeth Rhodes. Date of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar 1913. Registration district: Rye, Sussex. Volume: 2b. Page: 11. BLACKMAN, JOHN STEPHEN GEORGE. Rank: Private. Service No: TF/240166. Death: 07/08/1917. Age: 22. Regiment/Service: Royal Sussex Regiment. 5th Bn. Grave Reference: I. A. 17. Cemetery: DUHALLOW A.D.S. CEMETERY. Additional Information: Son of John and Margaret Blackman, of Ferry Rd., Rye, Sussex. Name: John Stephen George Blackman. Birth Place: Rye, Sussex. Death Date: 7 Aug 1917 Death Location: British Expeditionary Force. Enlistment Location: Rye. Rank: Private. Regiment: Royal Sussex Regiment. Battalion: 1/5 Battalion. Number: TF/240116. Type of Casualty: Killed in action. Theatre of War: Western European Theatre. Medal Index Card: Name: John S G Blackman. Regiment or Corps: Royal Sussex Regiment, Regimental Number: 240116 previously Regimental Number: 5/1568. Entered France 18 February 1915. Entitled to 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. Name: John Stephen G Blackman. Date of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar 1895. Registration district: Rye, Sussex. Volume: 2b. Page: 4. Name: John Stephen George Blackman. Age in 1911: 16. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1895 Birth Place: Rye, Sussex. Street Address: Ferry Road Rye Sussex. Marital Status: Single. Occupation: Carpenter. John Edward Blackman, 45, carpenter and builder, born Rye; Margaret Cecilia Blackman, 42, born New Romney, Kent; John Stephen George Blackman, 16, carpenter; Dorothy Abigail Blackman, 12; Frederick Rand Blackman, 5.Buried in Duhallow A. D. S. (Advanced Dressing Station) Cemetery Ypres, Belgium. BONE, DAVID. Rank: Lance Corporal. Service No: L/7608. Date of Death: 28/09/1915. Age: 31. Regiment/Service: The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). 'A' Coy. 2nd Bn. Panel Reference: Panel 15 to 19. Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL. Additional Information: Husband of Emma Amelia Bone, of South Undercliff, Rye, Sussex. Name: David Bone. Birth Place: Rye, Sussex. Residence: Rye, Sussex. Death Date: 28 Sep 1915. Death Location: France & Flanders. Enlistment Location: Canterbury, Kent. Rank: L/Corporal. Regiment: Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Battalion: 2nd Battalion. Number: L/7608 Type of Casualty: Killed in action. Theatre of War: Western European Theatre. Medal Index card shows David went to France on 7 September 1914 with the 1st Battalion, so entitled to the 1914 Star, clasp and rose emblem which were issued, as well as the British War and Victory medals. For David to have been posted so soon after War was declared, he had to have been either a regular soldier already with his unit, or a Reservist after completing his Service with the Colours. David's Service Papers survive, showing that he enlisted into the 2nd Battalion on 12 October 1903 for 3 years and 9 years in the Reserve. He was then 19 years and 5 months old. He had a dark complexion, brown hair and eyes. His widow, Emma was awarded a pension of 18s 6d a week for herself and 2 children, David James born 29 December and. Emma knew his mother was dead, but not the whereabouts of his father or any brothers. His sisters, Rose (Bridges) was living in Winchelsea Road and Annie (Pierce) in South Undercliffe (the same address as Emma?). Confusingly, his records states he enlisted on 5 June 1906, NOT October 1903. I don't know why. It looks as if he was firstly with the 3rd Battalion and transferred to 2nd Battalion on 14 April 1915 and appointed as paid L/Cpl on 8th May 1915. He was seriously wounded by shrapnel in his back on 20 October 1914 and was in hospital in the UK from 27 October at Cosham then Brockenhurst from 29 November to 13 April 1915, returning to France on 14 April.   The 2nd Battalion sustained 139 officers and men killed that day, of whom only 3 have known graves. It may indicate that the Battalion was in action near Vermelles. Vermelles was in German hands from the middle of October 1914 to the beginning of December 1914, when it was recaptured by the French. The cemetery was begun in August 1915 (though a few graves are slightly earlier), and during the Battle of Loos, when the Chateau was used as a dressing station, Plot I was completed. It was laid out and fenced by the Pioneers of the 1st Gloucesters, and known for a long time as 'Gloucester Graveyard'. The 2nd Battalion East Kents as part of 85th Brigade in 28th Division were hastily transferred from the Ypres salient on 27th September to provide much needed support to the wavering attack at Loos (pronounced 'Loss'). They were simply more meat into the mincer and suffered heavily in their attack, being thrown in with little preparation. 28 September 1915 Loos area: 9.30am: 85th Brigade of 28th Division, supported by 83rd Brigade, attacked at the Dump and Fosse 8. Many casualties were suffered by both sides in desperate fighting in the confined trenches around the Hohenzollern Redoubt. At around 4.00pm, 2nd Guards Brigade attacks Puits 14 bis, but after suffering very heavy casualties from machine-guns firing from in front of Bois Hugo they are ordered to halt. Name: David Bone. Date: Apr-May-Jun 1885. District: Rye, Sussex. Volume: 2b. Page: 3. Name: David Bone. Birth Date: 11 Apr 1885. Christening Date: 1 May 1885. Christening Place: Rye, Sussex. Father's Name: George Bone. Mother's Name: Barbara. Name: David Bones. Age: 6. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1885. Father's Name: George Bones. Mother's Name: Barbara Bones. Where born: Rye, Sussex. Civil parish: 10, Magazine Lane, Ashford, Kent. George Bones, 36, labourer, born Holton, Hampshire; Barbara Bones, 35, born Canterbury; Annie Bones, 14; Rose Bones, 13; George Bones, 11 all born Canterbury; David Bones, 6, born Rye. Name: David Bone. Age: 18. Birth Year: abt 1883. Father's Name: George Bone. Mother's Name: Bertha Bone. Where born: Rye, Sussex. Civil parish: The Mint, Chartham, Kent. George Bone, 46, farm labourer; Bertha Bone, 45; George Bone, 21 and David Bone, 18 farm labourers. He married Emma Amelia Williams at Rye Registry Office on 29 September 1914. David James was born 19 December 1914 and Jack Ernest 21 February 1902 (first wife?) both born in Rye. BOREHAM George Thomas Second Hand, HM Trawler “Margaret” of Rye, Mercantile Marine.. Lost on the 17th December 1916 Aged 51. Husband of Mrs Edith Anna Boreham of 6, Adelaide Terrace, Rye. Born in Hastings. Commemorated on Tower Hill Memorial. Birth: Name: George T Boreham. Date of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar 1866. Registration district: Hastings, Sussex. Volume: 2b. Page: 26. Marriage: Name: George Thomas Boreham. Birth Date: abt 1865. Age: 26. Father's Name: George William Boreham. Spouse's Name: Edith Anna Foster. Spouse's Age: 24. Spouse's Father's Name: Edmund Henry Foster. Marriage Date: 23 Feb 1891. Marriage Place: Rye, Sussex. Name: George S Boreham. Age: 26. Fisherman. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1865. Spouse: Edith A Boreham. Where born: Hastings, Sussex. Living at Fishermarket Road, 9, Clifton Place, Rye. Name: George Boreham. Age in 1911: 45. Birth Year: abt 1866. Birth Place: Hastings, Sussex. Street Address: 6 Bartletts Buildings Rope Walk Rye Sussex. Married. Occupation: Fisherman. 1901 Census: Name: George Boreham. Age: 36. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1865. Spouse's Name: Edith Boreham. Where born: Hastings, Sussex. Address: 22, South Undercliff, Rye. George Boreham, 36; Edith Boreham, 34; George Boreham, 9; Ernest Boreham, 6; Catherine Boreham, 2. Trawler Margaret Colebrook, 54 grt, 17 December 1916, Between Hastings and Dungeness, mined and sunk, 6 lives lost including Skipper Foord, William John, Son of William John Foord; husband of Elizabeth S. Foord, of 25, Mann St., Hastings. On 17th December 1916 the steam trawler 'Margaret Colebrooke' was blown up by a mine just off the Sussex coast. Six of the seven crew died in the sinking, they were J. Foord (Master), George Thomas Boreham, William Eldridge, John Hilder, James Hilder and Alfred Martin.   Thomas Henry Apps, serving onboard as an apprentice, survived. A memorial cross at Rye Cemetery records this disaster, and was financed and erected by the masters and crew of Margaret's fellow steam trawlers 'Kent Colebrooke' and 'Alfred Colebrooke'. All of the deceased from this tragedy are also remembered on the War Memorial at Rye Church. At the central entrance to the upper part of Rye cemetery, there is a memorial to the crew of the Margaret, it was erected to their memory by the masters and crew of the steam trawlers Kent Colebrook and Alfred Colebrook, the vessel was owned by Alderman William E Colebrooke. George Thomas (Sinbad) was a Master Mariner, the nickname obviously refers to 'Sinbad' the sailor and sadly another to be claimed by the sea. 1901 Census Master of the fishing boat “Daisy” RX90 (Rye, SusseX) with 3 crew. Richard Harvey, Mate 24, Henry Swaine, 3rd Hand, aged 35 and James F Buley, aged 54, 4th Hand. George Thomas owned 32 shares of the Daisy RX90 and George William (his father) the other 32 shares. The boat was built by James Collins Hoad in 1881 and the registration closed in 1910 when the boat was broken up. 1901 living at 22 South Undercliff, Rye, Sussex. George married Edith and they had five children. In 1909 they were living at Bartletts Buildings Rye. On 17th December 1916, the steam trawler 'Margaret Colebrooke' was blown up by a mine. Lost J. Foord (Master), George Thomas Boreham, William Eldridge, James Hilder, John Hilder and Alfred Martin. Thomas Apps serving as a boy survived. A memorial cross erected by the masters and crew of the steam trawlers 'Kent Colebrooke' and 'Alfred Colebrooke' now stands in Rye Cemetery. All the crew lost are remembered on the War memorial to all those who gave their lives in the Great War 1914 -1918 at Rye Church. The family gravestone in Rye Cemetery reads- 'George Thomas Boreham, Beloved husband E.A. Boreham who died 17th.December 1916 aged 51, also Albert Charles, their son died 28th April 1916 aged 15 years, also Catherine Beatrice, their daughter and beloved wife of PC Betteridge, who died 15th. July 1945 aged 47 years. Also in loving memory of our dear mother Edith Annie Boreham who passed. away 22nd September 1954 aged 88 years' The Alfred Colebrook was lost in WW2. September 9 1940 - Drifter Alfred Colebrook (56t, 1912), sunk as blockship, Richborough Channel, SE England. BOURNE, WILLIAM. Rank: Private. Service No: G/2142. Date of Death: 09/05/1915. Age: 26. Regiment/Service: Royal Sussex Regiment. 2nd Bn. Killed in action at Aubers Ridge. Panel Reference: Panel 20 and 21. Memorial: LE TOURET MEMORIAL. Additional Information: Son of Mrs. Harriett Smith, of 12, Mermaid St., Rye, Sussex. Name: William Bourne. Birth Place: Rye, Sussex. Death Date: