War Memorials - Surnames P
Index
Click on the name to jump to the relevant entryPAGE, L.A.
PAIN, H
PALMER, John Edward (Updated 27/06/2010)
PALMER, Thomas (Updated 27/06/2010)
PARKER, Albert Edward
PARKER, Fredrick
PASKELL, William (Updated 27/06/2010)
PAYNE, Ernest Victor.
PEARCE, Arthur William (New 24/04/2011)
PEARCE, Ernest John
PEARSON, Frederick Oliver
PENFOLD, Benjamin Thomas
PENFOLD, George (Revised 12/06/2011)
PENSON, Henry Lowe (Updated 16/01/2010)
PERKINS, Frank (New 26/01/2011)
PETCHEY, James William
PETERS, James Edward
PETERS, Walter
PINK, J (New 10/12/2010)
PIPER, Charles Arthur Matthews (Revised 13/09/2011)
PLOWMAN, F.J
PLUME, Frederick (Updated 27/06/2010)
PLUMRIDGE, Walter Joseph
POPLETT, William Henry
PORTT, George Sidney
POWELL, Edmond (Revised 17/02/2009)
POWLEY, Edward Gwinn (Updated 17/06/2010)
PRATTENTON, B
PRICE, F
PRIMROSE, Hon. Neil James Archibald (New 17/03/2009)
PRIOR, William James
PROCTOR, William John (New 19/04/2011)
PULLINGER. W.G
PYE, William, (New 03/05/2011)
If you are looking for someone whose name starts with a different letter please try:
Content
PAGE L.A.
Died N/K, aged N/KPending further research this is what we have discovered about this person
(Listed on the Ashley Road Memorial, Epsom).
PAIN H.
Died N/K, aged N/KPending further research this is what we have discovered about this person
(Listed on the Ashley Road Memorial, Epsom).
PALMER John Edward, Gunner. 338418.
Royal Garrison Artillery. 286 Siege Battery.Killed in Action 27 May 1918, aged 37.
John Edward Palmer was born at Walton on the Hill in 1881 (GRO reference: Mar 1881 Reigate 2a 166) to John and Jane Palmer (nee Penfold). He was to be the first of 10 children.
In the 1881 census the family lived at Tadworth Street, Banstead. John's father, also John, was a 21 year old bricklayer's labourer. His mother, Jane, was aged 19.
By the 1891 census the family had moved to Baker Street, Banstead, and John's father was a general labourer. John had four siblings: Thomas aged 9 (also killed in action in the Great War and commemorated on the Ashley Road memorial), Nellie aged 6, George aged 4 and Emma aged 2.
In 1901 they lived in Meadow Walk, Walton on the Hill. There were five more siblings: Frederic aged 10, William aged 7, Kate aged 5, Bertha aged 2 and baby Ella who was 7 months old . John was a house painter as was his father and brother George.
John married Ethel Louisa Ratcliffe on 19 June 1909 (GRO reference: Jun 1909 Epsom 2a 30). They had at least one child, Eric Edward registered in the March 1911 quarter in Reigate.
In the 1911 census the family lived at Boxted Cottage, Meadow Walk, Walton on the Hill, Surrey. John was working as a race horse reporter for the Epsom Grandstand Association.
The Surrey recruitment register does not show when or where John attested, but it does state that he was 35 years and 5 months old, so he would have attested towards the end of 1916. He was 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighed 176lbs, and had a chest measurement of 42 inches with an expansion of 3 inches. He was born at Walton-on-the-Hill, and lived at North Lane, Epsom (probably North Looe), His occupation is stated as foreman, probably of painters.
John, a Gunner in the 286 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery, was killed in action on 27 May 1918, and is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial to the missing. The Soissons memorial commemorates almost 4,000 men who have no known graves, who fell during the 1918 battles of the Aisne and Marne. Up to the 27 May 1918 this had been a quiet sector held by the French. Five British Divisions of the IX Corps had been sent there to 'rest and refit'. They occupied the eastern sector of the Chemin des Dames. On 27 May 1918 the Germans launched an offensive that pushed the British back across the river Aisne as far as the river Marne.
As stated above John's brother Thomas was also killed in the war. The St Martins Church Roll of Honour has entries for them both, and to assist understanding of the entries they are both shown below, with John's first:
"JOHN EDWARD PALMER, was reported missing and officially presumed killed in France in May 1918."
"His brother THOMAS PALMER, died of wounds in France on 9th October 1917."
John was awarded the British War medal and the Victory medal.
The CWGC states that he was the son of John and Jane Palmer; husband of Ethel Louisa Palmer, of Beech Cottage, North Looe, Ewell, Epsom.
EP SM
PALMER Thomas, Lance Corporal. G/75082.
16 Battalion Middlesex Regiment.Died of wounds 9 October 1917, aged 35.
Thomas's headstone in the Cement House cemetery
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2010
Thomas Palmer was born at Tadworth in 1882 (GRO reference: Dec 1882 Epsom 2a 11) to John and Jane Palmer (nee Penfold). He was to be the second of 10 children.
In the 1881 census before Thomas was born, the family lived in Tadworth Street, Banstead. Thomas' father John was a 21 year old bricklayers labourer, his mother was aged 19, and his brother John Edward was then aged 3 months. John was to die in the Great War and is also commemorated on the Ashley Road memorial.
By the 1891 census the family lived at Baker Street, Banstead, and Thomas' father was a general labourer. Thomas had three more siblings, Nellie aged 6, George aged 4 and Emma aged 2.
In 1901 they lived in Meadow Walk, Walton on the Hill, and Thomas had five more siblings, Frederic aged 10, William aged 7, Kate aged 5, Bertha aged 2 and 7 months old Ella. Thomas was a bricklayer, his brother John a house painter as was his father and brother George.
Thomas married Annie Adams on 7 January 1904 at St. Martin's Church, Epsom.
The 1911 census shows Thomas, his wife Annie and their 5 year old daughter Annie May, all living with wife Annie's mother Ann, a 66 year old widow, at High Street, Epsom.
The birth of Arthur H Palmer was registered in 1915.
Thomas died of wounds on 9 October 1917 during the third battle of Ypres, and is buried in plot I.G.13 Cement House cemetery. The third battle of Ypres, also known as the battle of Passchendaele, started on 31 July 1917 and lasted until 12 November 1917. Third Ypres was not really one single battle but a series of smaller battles along a front of about 20 miles. One of the series of smaller battles was the battle of Poelcapelle which commenced on 9 October. Cement House was the military name given to a fortified farm building, and it is likely that Thomas, wounded during the battle, was transported back here to a casualty clearing station. Plot I was used for burials from the end of August 1917 until April 1918. After the war many more graves were concentrated here in 20 other plots from various smaller cemeteries nearby.
Thomas was awarded the British War medal and the Victory medal.
As stated above Thomas' brother John Edward was also killed in the war. The St Martins Church Roll of Honour has entries for them both, and to assist understanding of the entries they are both shown below, with John's first:
"JOHN EDWARD PALMER, was reported missing and officially presumed killed in France in May 1918."
"His brother THOMAS PALMER, died of wounds in France on 9th October 1917."
The CWGC shows that Thomas was the son of John Palmer; husband of Annie Palmer, of 34, High Street, Epsom.
EP SM
PARKER Albert Edward, Driver. 54639.
Royal Field Artillery B Battery 115 BrigadeDied 18 October 1917, aged 21
Albert Edward Parker was born in 1896 (GRO reference: Mar 1896 Epsom 2a 23) to Thomas and Annie Parker (formerly Crawley).
Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece
Driver Parker's stone is in the 2 group on the left, first row sixth from centre
Copyright Image courtesy of Rob Carr 2007
In the 1901 census Albert is shown as 'Bertie'. The family lived at 5 Downs View Cottages, West Ewell (now demolished). Albert's father was a 'Stone Mason', and Bertie had six siblings. The oldest four siblings Rose 15, Thomas 14, George 12 and James 10 all bore the surname of 'Crawley'. There is a marriage recorded between a Thomas Parker and Annie Crawley (GRO reference: Dec 1893 Epsom 2a 24) so it is likely that Annie was a widow. Further evidence is that there is a marriage of a Thomas Crawley and Annie Geale (GRO reference: Jun 1878 Croydon 2a 363). There is also a record of the death, aged 30 of a Thomas Crawley (GROreference: Sep 1891 Epsom 2a 12). So it seems that Annie was a widow with four children when she married Thomas Parker. The birth of their first son, Arthur is registered in Dec 1894 and he was baptised at St Mary's Ewell. Unfortunately he died in 1895. The other siblings shown in the 1901 census were William 2 and Henry 4 months.
Driver Parker's inscription at Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece
Copyright Image courtesy of Rob Carr 2007
Albert enlisted at St Paul's, London E.C., and served in "B" Bty 115th RFA, in Salonika. He died on 18 October 1917 aged 21 and is buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece, C 451. He is also remembered on the All Saints memorial. Interrogating the 'Soldiers died' CD for Salonika, Albert was the only man from the RFA and RHA to die on 18 October. Additionally, throughout October 1917 20 men from the artillery lost their lives in Salonika, 2 died of wounds, but 18 are shown simply as having died. In the Salonika campaign many more men died from disease than from enemy action. The official book of 'Statistics 1914 - 1920' shows that of the total 9,717 officers and men to lose their lives, 5,367 (55%) were due to disease and causes other than enemy action.
PARKER Frederick, Lance Corporal. PW3004
18 MiddlesexKilled in Action 20 December 1916, aged 36
L/Cpl Parker's headstone at Delville Wood Cemetery
Copyright image courtesy of Clive Gilbert
The Soldiers Who Died CD lists a Frederick Parker 18th Middlesex Regiment born in Epsom, who enlisted in Swansea. I can find no entry in the General Register Office indexes for a Frederick Parker born in Epsom from 1865 to 1900, although there is an entry for a Frederick James Parker (GRO reference: Sep 1885 Epsom 2a 9). I suspect Frederick's birth may not have been registered.
The 1881 census has a 1 year old Frederick Parker living in a gypsy caravan, parked in Kingston Lane, Horton. He was born in Epsom, Maldon (Probably Malden Rushett). The head of the family, Henry, was a 31 year old 'Hawker'. Frederick's mother, Viletta, aged 36, was also a 'Hawker', as was his 15 year old sister Alice. He had four other brothers: Henry aged 10, Walter 7, Mark 5 and John 3. It must have been quite cramped with eight people living in a gypsy caravan!
In the 1891 census the family was still living in a caravan but had moved it to Pound Lane, Epsom. By then the head, Henry was no longer a hawker but listed himself as an agricultural labourer. There were four more children: Albert aged 9, William 7, Louise 4 and a baby, Mary, of 8 months. I cannot find Frederick.
In the 1901 census the family is shown as living in Horton Lane, but Frederick, now aged 21, is boarding at 120 Lorraine Court, Miles Road, Epsom, and working as a general labourer.
The 18th Middlesex was attached as pioneers to the 33rd Division. There were no major battles going on when Frederick was killed in action with another soldier from the 18 Middlesex on 20 December 1916. He was 36 years old. The Somme battle had officially ended on 19 November 1916 but minor offensive actions carried on somewhere on the Western Front more or less continuously. Perhaps a trench raid to gather intelligence or an attack to straighten the line or to silence a troublesome machine gun. He is buried at Delville Wood Cemetery, XXV R 1.
The Roll of Honour in the Epsom Observer recorded that the Council had sent letters of sympathy to Mrs. Parker, Mrs Gaunt, Mr J.H. Bridges, Mrs. Ayling and Mr. Warr on the loss of their sons.
PASKELL William, Private. 6957.
1/7th Battalion Middlesex Regiment.Killed in Action 3 May 1917, aged 20.
William Paskell
Image courtesy of Peter Collins Sutton Gammar School Archavist
William Paskell was born in 1896 (GRO reference: Dec 1896 St Saviour 1d 76) to William and Mary Anne Paskell (nee Burdin). His parents were married in the 1894 in the West Ham registration district.
In the 1901 census the family lived at 183, Scovell Road, Southwark. William's father was a 29 year old boot maker. His mother was aged 31 and he had two siblings, Ivy aged 2 and Winifred aged 1.
By the 1911 census the family had moved to 1, Miles Road, Epsom, probably after 1903. Two more siblings are recorded, Dorothy aged 9 and Albert aged 7. William's mother Mary stated she had given birth to eight children but that only four were alive in 1911.
William's 'burnt' service records have survived, and the earliest document dated 9 December 1915 is from the Admiralty where William worked as a clerk. It records that William had expressed a desire to join the Army, and that he may attest but he cannot be called up without the consent of the Admiralty.
William, aged 19 attested in Kingston on 10 December 1915 as No. 6957, in the 3/7 Battalion Middlesex Regiment. He was 5 feet 7½ inches tall, weighed 123lbs, had a chest measurement of 34½ inches with an expansion of 3 inches. He had been vaccinated in infancy and had a birthmark on the front of his left thigh. His eyesight was judged to be only 6/9 in his right eye but 6/6 in his left eye. He worked as a civil servant clerk, his religion was C of E, and he lived at 1, Miles Road, Epsom.
On 30 November 1916 William embarked from Folkestone and disembarked at Boulogne the same day. Then on 11 December 1916 he was posted to 1/7 Battalion Middlesex Regiment, 167th Brigade, 56th Division. On 5 January 1917 he was allotted a new regimental number, 202607 and joined his new unit.
Trench map of Cavalry Farm - click image to enlarge
William's battalion fought in the 'Third Battle of the Scarpe' (3 and 4 May), a phase of the Battle of Arras (9 April 1917 to 17 May 1917). They were ordered to attack at 3-40AM, in darkness. The 167th Brigade attacking between Cavalry Farm and Little Copse. The following is an extract from the War Diary for 3 May 1917:
The Battalion attacked in four waves having as their respective objectives (i) TOOL Trench (ii) LANYARD Trench (iii) a line of joined up shell holes beyond it (iv) the high ground behind LANYARD. A platoon of 'A' Coy moved on the left of 2nd wave to deal with SPUR Trench. As soon as the first wave topped the ridge between KNIFE & TOOL trenches it was obvious that the enemy front line had never been adequately dealt with by the artillery & had apparently escaped the barrage as it was full of infantry standing shoulder to shoulder ready for our infantry to come on. In consequence, whilst isolated groups broke into TOOL Trench at certain points & one body got as far as a Support line just behind TOOL Trench the great bulk of the Battalion as soon as it topped the rise was checked by a withering musketry & machine gun fire & pinned down into shell holes from which the men were unable to emerge until after darkness. The attack had unexpectedly been ordered to take place before daylight though arrangements had been made on the assumption it would take place in daylight. In consequence the four assaulting waves in their anxiety not to lose distance & to keep close up to the barrage tended to merge into each other thus causing a certain amount of confusion. At 5-30AM information was received that 1st Londons were back in their own front line and soon afterwards that the Royal Scots on our left were also back. At 7-35AM two Coys 3rd Londons were placed at disposal of O.C. 7th Middx to push home the attack if it was considered possible. These two Coys were removed satisfactorily into KNIFE Trench & SADDLE Trench in case of counter attack as it was not considered possible to drive home the attack. Throughout the day hostile shelling was almost incessant & of extraordinarily heavy volume, such as had never been witnessed by anyone present. Apparently there was either no counter battery work or enemy's batteries had not been properly located. In consequence by mid-day the nerve strain on all ranks was becoming almost unendurable and at 1-20PM the following message was forwarded to Brigade "I request that if possible the Battalion may be relieved early this evening, not only has it suffered heavy casualties but the incessant shelling has shaken it so severely that it is essential that it be taken out as soon as possible". At 6-10PM orders were received from Brigade that 3rd Londons were to take over the front line & support trench with 8th Middx in close support & the Battalion to withdraw to WANCOURT line with Batt. H.Q. at LA FOSSEES FARM & reorganise. At 9-30 PM the handing over was complete.
The Soldiers Died CD tells us that 69 men from 7th Middlesex died that day, including William, whose body was not recovered. Because of this his name appears on the Arras Memorial to the missing.
William's inscription on the Arras Memorial to the missing
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2010
On 23 November 1917 William's safety razor and blades were forwarded to his father at 1, Miles Road, these apparently the only personal effects to be returned to his next of kin.
In May 1919 William's father completed Army form W. 5080, giving information about living, close relatives. William had not married, but both parents were still living as were his sisters Joy Mary aged 21 and Dorothy Josephine aged 17, and brother Albert aged 16.
William attended Sutton Grammar School. The following is an extract from the school magazine 'The Suttonian':
Was at school from 1909 to 1915. Enlisting under the Derby scheme, he was kept back at his work at the Admiralty until June 1916, when he joined the Middlesex Regiment. Going to France in November last, he took part in the winter operations. His last letter home was dated April 20th, and the only later news is that from the War Office saying he was killed on May 3rd.
The Epsom Advertiser dated 25 May 1917 printed the following:
DIED FOR HIS COUNTRY.- At the Brotherhood meeting on Sunday it was decided to send a letter of sympathy to Mr. W.Paskell (a member of the Tribunal) on the death, killed in action, of his elder son, Pte. W.Paskell. The deceased, who was 20 years of age, was a clerk at the Admiralty when he joined up. When a boy he gained a scholarship at the Council Schools, and for five years attended the Sutton County School.
On 13 September 1921 William's father signed a receipt for his son's British War medal and Victory medal.
He is also remembered on the Sutton Grammar School War Memorial.
EP SGS EB
PAYNE Ernest Victor
Died N/K, aged N/KPending further research this is what we have discovered about this person
May have been Gnr, Royal Garrison Artillery. Killed in France or Flanders on 12 September 1917. (Listed on the Ashley Road Memorial, Epsom).
PEARCE Arthur William, Corporal. 424491.
Labour Corps (formerly East Surrey Regiment).Died of pneumonia 10 November 1918, aged 28.
Arthur William Pearce was born in Staines, Middlesex in 1890 (GRO reference: Dec 1890 Staines 3a 19), the son of Arthur William Pearce and Sarah Jane (nee Aitkenhead), who was known as Jane. Arthur's father was born in Little Missenden in Buckinghamshire in 1858 and his mother, Jane, was born in 1861 in Camberwell, Surrey. They were married in 1880 in Staines District and had eight children:
| Name | Born - Died | Baptised | Married |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellen Jane | Born: 1881 Staines | John Arthur Cornford, 1906 | |
| Alice | Born: 1886 Cobham | Frederick Edward Penfold, 15 Feb 1908 Christ Church Epsom |
|
| Arthur William | Born: 1886 Cobham Died: 12 April 1918 Wisbech |
14 November 1892 St Mary's Staines. Lived Edgell Road |
Annie Louise Asher, 3 January 1916 Poplar London |
| Rose | Born: 1893 Epsom | ||
| Albert | Born: 1895 Epsom | ||
| Annie | Born: 1897 Epsom | George E Macdonnell, 1918 Epsom |
|
| Elizabeth May | Born: 1899 Epsom (twin) | ||
| Beatrice Maud | Born: 1899 Epsom (twin) | Henry Payne 1925 Epsom |
In the 1881 census, before Arthur was born the family home was in George Street, Staines, where Arthur's 24 year old father worked in a butcher's shop. His mother was aged 21.
From the 1891 census it appears that Arthur aged 4 months, was living with an aunt, 45 year old Sarah Simpson, in Chesham, Bucks. Arthur's parents were living at the back of Richmond Road, Staines, and his father was still working as a butcher. Also living there were Arthur's two older sisters, Ellen Jane aged 9 and Alice aged 5. Charles John Simpson, a 50 year old plasterer was visiting the household on census night. Charles was married to Arthur's aunt, Sarah.
Arthur was baptised on 14 November 1892 in St Mary's church, Staines. The family was living in Edgell Road at the time. As the births of Arthur's five younger siblings were registered in Epsom, commencing in 1893, the family presumably moved to Epsom between the end of 1892 and 1893.
In the 1901 census the family was living at 45, East Street, Epsom. All of Arthur's siblings, with the exception of Ellen Jane, were living there. His father was still working as a butcher.
When Arthur's sister Alice married in 1908 she gave her address as 3, Upper Court Road, Epsom, and Arthur's father was no longer a butcher, but a gardener.
Arthur's 'burnt' service papers have survived albeit badly damaged. One of the three attestation forms shows that on 15 June 1908, at the age of 17 years and 6 months, Arthur signed up, stating that he was willing to serve in the 'East Surrey Regiment Special Reserve'. He gave his occupation as 'General Labourer'. A medical form filled out on the same day in London, tells us that he was 5 feet tall, weighed 113 lbs, had blue eyes, brown hair and his pulse rate was 96 beats per minute. He had a mole above his right nipple and some indistinct marks on his left forearm, and his religion was Church of England.
Another attestation form, on which the date has been destroyed, gives his age as 17 years and 11 months, and his occupation as 'milk vendor'. He states on this form that he was already serving in the special reserve. NOTE: 1908 was a time of great change for the British Army, and saw the demise of the Militia and the birth of the Territorial Army.
The third attestation form appears to be a copy of the second. All are stamped 'Kingston-Upon-Thames'. Another medical form, dated 15 November 1908 and completed in Kingston-Upon-Thames, shows that by then he had grown to 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighed 124 lbs and had a chest measurement of 34½ inches with an expansion of 2½ inches. He had a fresh complexion with blue eyes and brown hair. His pulse was now 70 beats per minute and he had a scar in front of his right ear and a mole over his right nipple. His religion was still C of E.
Because Arthur was under the age of 18, he needed his parent's permission to join the Army, and his father duly gave his consent on 16 November 1908, stating his address as 5, Grafham Cottages, Stafford Road, Epsom.
In the 1911 census the family was living at 5, Margaret Cottages, Epsom Common. Arthur does not appear in the census as he joined the army in 1908, and his battalion, the 2nd East Surrey's, was serving in India at the time. Arthur's father was still working as a gardener. His mother Jane stated that she had been married for 31 years, and had given birth to eight children, all of whom were still alive, although only the youngest five were still living with her.
Arthur, at the age of 23 years and 3 months, being of very good character signed on to extend his Army service beyond his initial agreed period. The year the form was signed is obscured, but the date was probably 26 February 1914.
In October 1914 the 2nd Battalion East Surreys embarked on the transport ship Malda for England, disembarking at Devonport on 23 December 1914. On 18 January 1915 the battalion sailed from Southampton for France in S.S. Maiden arriving at Le Havre at noon on 19 January.
Arthur was admitted to hospital on 14 March 1915 suffering with wounds to his hand and leg, and on 15 May 1915, after 62 days in hospital he was discharged to duty completely healed.
Arthur aged 26, married spinster Annie Louise Asher aged 29, on 3 January 1916 at St John's Church, Poplar. He was a Lance Corporal living at Oil Mill Barracks, Dover. His father was working as a male nurse (probably at one of Epsom's asylums), which was a change from his work as a butcher or gardener.
Arthur, No.9741 East Surrey Regiment was transferred to the Labour Corps, and given the new service number 424941 on 18 October 1917.
The following letter written on 26 January 1918, by John Wallace of Longdown Farm, Epsom has survived:
O.C. Labour Corps, Nottingham.
Dear Sirs
It has come to my knowledge that Corporal A.W. Pearce No 424941, 280th Area Employment Coy. B.E.F. might be available for farm work in this country.
If that be the case I can say that he has worked at my premises before joining up and I should be only too pleased to find a place for him with me should he be put into that Co.
Yours Truly
John Wallace
Apparently Mr Wallace's letter was to no avail as Arthur was billeted in March, Cambridgeshire, when he was admitted as a stretcher case to the 1st Eastern Command General Hospital, Wisbech on 28 October 1918 suffering with 'Double pneumonia (lobar)', from which he died on 10 November 1918.
Arthur is buried in grave D. 2617 in Cambridge City Cemetery. He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War medal and the Victory medal.
On 30 December 1918 the officer in charge of Labour Corps records asked the Medical Officer in charge of the hospital where Arthur died, to furnish him with a detailed medical report, and to state whether his death was caused or aggravated by his military service, as the information was urgently needed by the Ministry of Pensions.
On 19 March 1919 the Ministry of Pensions completed a 'Widows' Form 18' which stated that Arthur's widow was entitled to a pension. The Ministry completed another form on 20 May 1919 stating that Arthur's widow had been awarded a pension of 15/- (75p) a week, commencing on 2 June 1919, so presumably it was judged that the war contributed to his death.
Arthur's widow signed a receipt for her husband's memorial scroll on 28 August 1920.
It is possible that Arthur's widowed wife Annie married again, as there is a marriage entry in Epsom in 1925 to a Charles W Hills.
Arthur's mother, Sarah Jane Pearce died in 1930 aged 68 at 31, Stamford Green Road and his father Arthur William Pearce senior died in 1933 aged 77 at Middle House, Dorking Road (Workhouse), he was described as a gardener. Both are buried at Epsom Cemetery in Grave K452
EP CC
PEARCE Ernest John, Private. 31719.
3rd Battalion BedfordshireDied 19 February 1917, aged 36
Private Pearce's headstone in Watford Cemetery
Copyright image courtesy of Clive Gilbert
Ernest John Pearce was born in 1880 (GRO reference: Jun 1880 Epsom 2a 17) to John and Julia Pearce (nee Osborn).
In the 1881 census they lived at West Hill, Epsom. Ernest's father was a Medical Dispenser.
By the 1891 census the family had moved to Green Man Street, Ewell. Ernest's father is still shown as a Medical Dispenser, but Ernest now had three siblings: Edith Louisa M (GRO reference: Jun 1882 Epsom 2a 24), Agnes Hannah (GRO reference: Mar 1884 Epsom 2a 21) and Arthur William (GRO reference: Dec 1885 Epsom 2a 22). Ernest had lost his mother, as his father John is shown as a widower. There is a record of the death of a Julia Pearce in 1885 (GRO reference: Dec 1885 Age 37 Epsom 2a 20). As the birth of Arthur and the death of Julia his mother were both registered in December 1885, I wonder if she died in childbirth?
By the 1901 census Ernest was a lodger at 30 Eton Road, Plumstead working as a '????ing machinist'. His father John was still living in Green Man Street, a retired medical dispenser, and he had remarried to Emma Jane Milk (GRO reference: Jun 1891 St Geo East 1c 541). Emma Jane had been born in Great Massinghan in 1847 (GRO reference: Jun 1847 Freebridge 13 142).
Ernest J Pearce married Lilian Whiley on 1911 (GRO reference: Sep 1911 Watford 3a 1787).They had at least one child, Ella L Pearce (GRO reference: Sep 1914 Watford 3a 1706).
Ernest enlisted in Watford, and at the time of his death he was in the 3rd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. This was a reserve battalion and stayed in the UK throughout the war. Men trained with the battalion would have been sent as drafts to other battalions as required.
Ernest died on 19 February 1917 aged 36 and is buried in Watford Cemetery, plot L 9 703. CWGC states that he was the husband of Lilian Pearce, of 8 Copsewood, Road, Watford.
PEARSON Frederick Oliver, Gunner. 148285.
'D' battery 306 Brigade Royal Field Artillery.Killed in Action 20 September 1918, aged 34.
Gunner Fredrick Pearson's Gravestone in the Estaires Communal Cemetery
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2007
Frederick Oliver Pearson was born in 1884 (GRO reference: Jun 1884 Hackney 1b 494) to George James and Harriet Emma Pearson (nee Boon, GRO birth reference: Sep 1851 Braintree 12 16).
In the 1891 census the family lived at 75 Culford Road, Hackney. Frederick's father George, was a 37 year old carman. His mother Harriet was 37 years old. He had 3 siblings Susan aged 10, George aged 8 and James aged 5.
By the 1901 census they had moved to 3, Broadway, Maybury Road, Woking, and Frederick was a 'Butchers boy'.
In 1913 there was a marriage between Frederick O Pearson and Florence E Hurley (GRO reference: Sep 1913 Farnham 2a 263). I have been unable to trace any children of the marriage.
Frederick, aged 30 years 10 months attested at Kingston on 9 February 1915. He was a driver with the Royal Field Artillery. He was 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighed 157 lbs and had a chest measurement of 39 inches with an expansion of 6 inches. He is shown as living at 15 West Street, Ewell, having been born at Kingsland (Hackney).
The CWGC states that he was with 'D' Battery 306 Brigade Royal Field Artillery. 306 Brigade Royal Field Artillery was in the 61 Division.
Frederick was killed in action on 20 September 1918 and is buried in Estaires Communal Cemetery, II P 7.
BH EW
PENFOLD Benjamin Thomas, Private. 10485.
2nd Battalion, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment).Killed in Action 13 September 1915 aged 22.
Private Benjamin Penfold's Gravestone in the Vermelles British Cemetery, Loos
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2008
Benjamin Thomas Penfold was born in Leatherhead in 1893 (GRO reference: Mar 1893 Epsom 2a 27) to Henry and Harriett Penfold (nee Kemp).
In the 1881 census the family lived in a cottage on Downside Farm, Cobham. Benjamin's father Henry was a 29 year old farm labourer, his mother Harriett was 26 and he had three siblings, Henry aged 5, Annie M. aged 4 and Emily Jane aged 1. They also had a lodger staying with them, 80 year old farm labourer Henry Witton.
By the 1891 census the family lived at Moleside, Dorking, and Henry was now working as a shepherd. Benjamin, still yet to be born had another 6 siblings, William aged 8, Frederick aged 6, Albert aged 4, Ernest aged 3 and twins Sidney and Arthur aged 11 months.
The 1901 census shows them living at Gravel Hill, West Side, Leatherhead. Henry was still shown working as a shepherd, but by then he was a widower. There is a death registered of Harriett Penfold aged 41 (GRO reference: Jun 1897 Epsom 2a 23). Benjamin had two more siblings, Leonard aged 5 and Harriett aged 3 (GRO reference: Jun 1897 Epsom 2a 32). In view of the similarity of the GRO dates of the death of Harriett aged 41 and the birth of Harriett, one wonders if Harriett senior died during childbirth?
In the Soldiers Died CD, Benjamin is shown as Benjamin James No. 10485 West Surrey Regiment. As Benjamin J No. 10485 The Queens, on his medal card. As Benjamin James in the Surrey Recruitment Register, but as Penfold B. T. No. 10485 The Queens in the CWGC web site. In Free BMD, only Benjamin Thomas Penfold is registered Between 1875 and 1900. I suspect he simply preferred James to Thomas.
Surrey Recruitment Register shows that he attested at Leatherhead on 2 December 1913, into the Royal West Surrey Regiment for 7 years with the colours and 5 in reserve. He was 20 years and 10 months old, was 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighed 112lbs. His chest measured 35 ½ inches with an expansion of 2 inches. He had fresh complexion, grey eyes, dark brown hair, and had some unspecified scars. His occupation was shown as a waiter, and there is reference to a Mr Keeble, Spread Eagle Hotel.
In the 1901 census Henry Coleman Keeble was the 67 year old proprietor of the Spread Eagle Hotel, employing 6 people, but not Benjamin at that time.
The 2nd Battalion The Queens relieved the 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshires at 4.30p.m. on the 12 September, taking over front line trenches near Vermelles. This was just a few days before the major battle of Loos started on the 25 September 1915.
The Battalion war diary for September 13 states:
Officers 13 Other Ranks 1038 Lt Shelmerdines (RAMC) Killed 6 Attd to 2nd Queens Wounded 9 To Hospital 3
The German's "morning hate" generally lasts from 7a.m. to 9a.m., our artillery retaliates to the enemey's whiz-bangs, 4.2" & 5.9" with field guns 4.7" & 6" guns. Most of our shooting (registration etc) takes place from 3p.m. to about 6p.m. - when the sun is behind us i.e. in the west.
Benjamin Thomas (James) Penfold must have been one of the unlucky 6 killed as shown above.
Vermelles Cross of Sacrifice.
Image source Clive Gilbert © 2007
He is buried in Vermelles British Cemetery just outside Loos. He is also commemorated on the Leatherhead memorial.
EP.
PENFOLD George, Private. 67048
122 Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery.Killed in Action 4 August 1917 aged 34.
George's headstone in Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2011
George Penfold was born in Epsom in 1883 (GRO reference: Jun 1883 Epsom 2a 16) to George and Eliza Penfold (nee Sutton).
In the 1891 census the family was living at Crimea Cottage, The Common, Epsom. George's father, also George, was a 32 year old labourer. His mother, Eliza, was 29. There were two other sons recorded at this address:, William aged 4 and Charles aged 2. Another son, James aged 5, was staying with his grandmother at Woodnymph Cottage, Epsom. I have been unable to locate another son, John, in the 1891 census.
In the 1901 census the family was living in Rose Cottage, Epsom, and George had three more siblings, Thomas aged 10, Ernest aged 6 and Lilly aged 4.
George attested at Kingston on 8 November 1915, aged 32. He was 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighed 149lbs, and had a chest measurement of 38 inches with an expansion of 4 inches. His occupation was as a labourer, and he lived at 43, Rose Cottage, The Common Epsom.
The Royal Garrison Artillery was equipped with the larger and heavier artillery pieces, and was typically some 4 miles or so behind the front line. At first thought a few miles behind the front line might seem a relatively safe place to be. However, they would have been a high priority target for enemy heavy artillery, which would do its utmost to silence them. George was most likely killed by enemy shellfire. He was awarded the British War medal and the Victory Medal.
He was killed in action on 4 August 1917 and is buried in Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery, just south west of Ypres.
EP CC
PENSON Henry Lowe, Corporal. 2217.
17 Lancers (Duke of Cambridge's Own)Killed in Action 3 February 1918, aged 28
Corporal Henry Penson's headstone in the Hargicourt British Cemetery
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2007
Henry Penson was born in 1889 (GRO reference: Dec 1889 Epsom 2a 2) to Henry and Annie Penson (nee Blunden). Henry Penson senior was born in 1869 (GRO reference: Sep 1868 Spilsby 7a 554). Yet when he married Annie Blunden he is registered as Henry Low Penson, having added the 'Low'. By the time Harry Junior was killed in action he has acquired the second name of 'Lowe'.
The 1891 census shows a Henry Lowe Penson age 24, 'Carter', born Lincolnshire as head of the family, a wife Annie and an infant son Henry Penson all living at Diceland Road, Banstead.
By the 1901 census the family was living at Priest Hill Farm cottage. Henry had four new siblings Ada Mary aged 7, Annie aged 5, Edith Lucy aged 4 and George Low (not Lowe) aged 1 (GRO reference: Mar 1900 Epsom 2a 21)
.It seems that both the Henrys', senior and junior, added 'Lowe' or 'Low' to their names despite being registered simply as Henry. Wouldn't it be interesting to know why? Great niece Freda Proudley (nee Penson) provides the answer, she writes;
Henry senior was my Grandfather's brother, through an illegitimate birth in 1805, where an Anne Lowe gave birth to a George Lowe, Anne then married the boys father John Penson a month later. The line from George has caused quite a few problems as they seemed to have used both surnames, sometimes Penson Lowe's sometimes Low/e Penson's, My Grandfather was Walter Lowe Penson born in Lincolnshire.
In the 1911 census, Henry was a 21 year regular soldier in the 16th Lancers living at the Cavalry Barracks in Barrack Street Norwich. Henry's family lived on Priest Hill Farm, Ewell where Henry senior was a waggoner. Two more siblings had been born, William aged 8, and Eva Elizabeth aged 3. They also had a boarder, 18 year old Arthur Mansell, a porter on the railway.
The 1913 electoral roll shows the family still living in a Cottage on Priest Hill Farm.
Henry enlisted in London and served in the 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge's Own), which formed part of the 1st Indian Cavalry Division. He was sent to France on 8 November 1914, and was awarded the 1914 Star, British War medal and the Victory medal.
Ewell Parish Council; resolved to send a letter of sympathy to Mr Penson of Priest Hill Farm, he had 'lost a son who had been fighting ever since the beginning of the war. Advertiser 15 Mar 1918.
He was the only 17th lancer to die on 3 February 1918, killed in action and is buried at Hargicourt British Cemetery, 1 1 10. (Five died between 1 January and 31st March 1918.)
BH EW ES
PERKINS Frank Percival Cox, Private. M2/181060.
978th Mechanical Transport Company, Army Service Corps (ASC).Died 29 January 1918, aged 32.
Frank's headstone in Epsom Cemetery
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2011
Frank Percival Cox Perkins was born in Misterton, Somerset in 1885 (GRO reference: Mar 1885 Beaminster 5a 384), the illegitimate son of Bence Cox and Mary Camilla Perkins.
In the 1881 census, before Frank was born, his father Bence, aged 42, worked as a farm manager for his 76 year old mother-in-law Sarah Iles. At that time, Bence was married to Eliza (Ann Iles), aged 48, Sarah's daughter. They had married in 1870 in the Newport registration district. The Ancestry transcription of the 1881 census states that they lived at 'Pulpan' Farm in Christchurch near Newport, Monmouthshire. This was probably 'Pwll-Pen' farm, Pwll-Pen is still shown on modern maps (O.S. 2004), just east of Newport. Bence and Eliza Ann had four children. The death of an Eliza Ann Cox, aged 52, is recorded in the March Quarter of 1885, in the Abergavenny registration district.
| Name | Born - Died | Married |
|---|---|---|
| Emily Mary | Born: 1871 Christchurch, Monmouthshire | Ernest Alfred Stead 1905 Newport registration district |
| Thomas Iles | Born: 1872 Christchurch, Monmouthshire | |
| William Bence | Born: 1874 Christchurch, Monmouthshire | Charlotte ? 1894 Reading registration district |
| Frances Sarah | Born: 1875 Christchurch, Monmouthshire |
Frank Percival Cox Perkins was born in the early months of 1885 in Miserton, the home of his father's sister, Emma Jane Wheadon (nee Cox). Frank remained in Miserton and was brought up by his aunt Emma. Frank's parents, Bence Cox and Mary Perkins married towards the end of 1885 and had at least five more children. It seems that Bence Cox's wife Eliza Ann, probably died about the time Frank was born (see above).
| Name | Born - Died | Married |
|---|---|---|
| Frank Percival Cox (Perkins) | Born: 1885 Misterton, Somerset Died: 29 January 1918 Epsom |
Ellen Louisa Lunn 1911 Crookham, Hants |
| Ethel Georgina (Cox) | Born: 1886 Christchurch Monmouthshire | David Powell 1912 Newport Registration district |
| Sydney Victor (Cox) | Born: 1888 Christchurch Monmouthshire | Margaret G Edwards 1922 Newport Registration district |
| Edith Gertrude (Cox) | Born: 1890 Christchurch Monmouthshire | Herbert H Lewis 1922 Newport Registration district |
| Marian Cecilia (Cox) | Born: 1893 Christchurch Monmouthshire | |
| Minnie Doreen (Cox) | Born: 1894 Christchurch Monmouthshire | John J Richards 1915 Newport Registration district |
In 1891, Frank appeared in the census, living in Misterton, as part of Emma Wheadon's family, being listed as her 5-year-old nephew. Emma herself was 53 and a widow; her two sons, Henry aged 19 was a railway porter, and Richard aged 14 was a domestic under-gardener.
In the 1901 census Frank was still living with his aunt Emma in Misterton, but was now working as a groom and domestic gardener. His cousin Henry was still working as a railway porter.
By the time of the 1911 census, Frank had met his future wife, Ellen Louisa Lunn and was visiting her parents, Henry and Ellen Lunn, their son Harry and nephew Thomas Lipscombe, in Crookham Hampshire. Frank, aged 26 was working as a domestic coachman while Ellen Louisa, aged 27 was a self-employed dressmaker working from home.
Frank married Ellen Louisa Lunn on 15 July 1911 at Crookham. A transcription of the marriage entry made by the Latter Day Saints shows Frank's father as 'Bruce' Cox, but this should evidently be 'Bence'.
Frank and Ellen moved to Epsom shortly after their marriage, where their only child, Norman Frank Perkins was born on 31 May 1912. When he was baptised at Christ Church, Epsom Common on 4 August 1912, the family were living at 'Virginia', West Hill Epsom and Frank was described as a coachman.
Frank attested in Epsom on 11 December 1915 into the Army Service Corps. He stated that he was 31 years old, worked as a motor driver, had been born at Misterton, Somerset and that he lived at 1, Stamford Cottage, Epsom. Frank was 5 feet 7¼ inches tall, weighed 140 lbs and had a chest measurement of 36 inches with an expansion of 3 inches.
The CWGC record shows that at the time of his death, Frank was with the 978th Mechanical Transport Company ASC. This company was formed on 30 September 1917 at Claydon, Suffolk and was for home service only, so consequently never served abroad. As Frank's service papers have not survived we do not know if he served with other units before the 978th, but no medal record can be found, suggesting that he didn't see service overseas.
Frank died on 29 January 1918 in Horton War Hospital and was buried in grave D338 in Epsom cemetery, on 1 February 1918. We do not know the cause of Frank's death, but it is very likely that he was a victim of the great influenza pandemic that struck the world at that time, killing millions.
Although Frank may have been aware of his parentage, it is unknown whether or not he was in contact with or saw any of his immediate family. His mother, Mary Camilla Cox, died in 1901 aged 41 and his father, Bence Cox, continued to farm at Christchurch, Monmouthshire assisted by his other children, and died in 1922 aged 83.
EP CC
PETCHEY James William, Private. 15444.
1 Devonshire Regiment.Killed in Action 23 April 1917, aged 40.
Private James Petchey's inscription on the Arras Memorial
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2007
James William Petchey was born in 1876 (GRO reference: Sep 1876 Croydon 2a 263) to Joseph and Eliza Petchey (nee Duke).
In the 1881 census they lived in Beddington Lane, Beddington, Croydon. James' father, Joseph, was a 35 year old domestic gardener. His mother was 34 years old, and he had three sisters Edith aged 8, Eliza aged 6 and Ellen aged 2.
In 1891 they still lived in Beddington Lane but by now James was a 14 year old garden boy, and three more siblings had arrived, Alice aged 8, Harriett E. aged 5 and Albert E. aged 3.
By 1901 James had progressed from being a garden boy to being a domestic' gardener, living as a boarder at Ewell Court Farm Cottages, Ewell. It is believed that he later became the head gardener at Ewell Court.
I could not find him in the Surrey Recruitment Register, but in the Medal Roll he is shown a Petchy, without an 'E'.
James was in the 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment which was in the 95 Brigade 5 Division. On 23 April 1917 the 5th Division, along with the Canadian Corps took part in a subsidiary attack on La Coulotte, being part of the overall battle of Arras (9 April to 15 May 1917). The total number of soldiers killed on the 23 April 1917 was 4,271, of these, 79 were from the 1st Devonshire Regiment.
James was killed in action on 23 April 1917 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Bay 4. The CWGC states he was the 'Son of Joseph Petchey, of 10 Beddington Lane, Beddington, Croydon'.
BH EW
PETERS James Edward, Private.
8th East Surrey Regt 55th Brigade 18th DivisionKilled in Action 22 March 1918, aged 35
Private James Edward Peters was born in Ewell in 1882 (FRO reference Dec 1882 Epsom 2a 20) to James and Maria Peters. The 1891 census shows them living in Kingston Road Ewell. In 1891 his father, also James was shown as a 'Furnace Shotter'(?). By 1901 the family had moved to 12 Brickyard Cottages, Malden Rd, Cheam and the father (42) was listed as as a brickmaker foreman, and the eldest son James Edward (19) is shown as brickmaker's labourer. The rest of the household comprised the mother Maria (43), daughter Ellen (10) and second son Arthur (6) together with a boarder Joseph Wellington (26) also a brickmaker's labourer.
He married Eleanor Elizabeth Hendon in 1903 (FRO reference Jun 1903 Epsom 2a 20). It has not been possible to establish if the couple had any children.
He enlisted with the 8th East Surrey Regt on 9 December 1915 at Epsom whilst living at 11 Kingston Terrace Ewell. The Surrey recruitment register states that Private. 22431 was 5 foot 3 ¾ inches tall, weighed 130 lbs, had a chest measurement of 36 ½ inches with an expansion of 3 inches. Before enlistment he had been a 'Brick Burner'.
The 8th East Surreys were in the 55th Brigade of the 18th Division. On the 21 March 1918 the 18th Division was holding a front of 9000 yards from La Fère to Moy, about 10 miles south west of St Quentin. Two battalions of the 55th Brigade held the right side of the front, whilst the 8th East Surreys were held in divisional reserve.
The whole countryside was being drenched with gas and shattered by high explosive. The long expected all out German offensive, 'The Kaiser's Battle', the last desperate gamble to win before the Americans arrived in force, was about to begin. On the 21st, as dawn broke and under the cover of a thick mist the German assault began.
By 3am on the 22 March 1918 the 8th East Surreys had been ordered to withdraw and had arrived at Frières-Faillouel, and again the battlefield was covered by a thick mist. By the end of the day the 8th East Surreys, and especially B and C companies had sustained heavy casualties from enemy shelling at Mennessis. On the 22 March 1918 the 8th East Surreys had 21 men killed. Private Peters was killed in action (KIA) on 22 March 1918 and is commemorated on Panel 44 & 45 of the Pozieres Memorial to the missing.
PETERS Walter, Private.
5th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps.Died 11 January 1917, aged 24
Pending further research this is what we have discovered about this person
5th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps. Died in France on 11 January 1917. Buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery, France. Aged 24 years. Son of Edward and Annie Peters, Dorking, Surrey. (Listed on the Ashley Road Memorial, Epsom).
PINK James, Private. 13364.
8th (Service) Battalion Devonshire Regiment.Killed in Action 29 Sep 1915, aged 33.
James's inscription on the Loos Memorial to the missing
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2010
James Pink was born shortly after the 1881 census was taken, in North Warnborough, Hampshire (GRO reference: Jun 1881 Hartley Witney 2c 178), the son of Samuel and Alice Pink (nee Philpott). His parents were married in 1875.
Before James' birth, his family were living in Northwarnbro Street, (sic) Odiham, Hampshire where his father worked as a sawyer to support James' mother Alice and older siblings, Charles aged 4 and Frances Ellen aged 2. Charles had been registered as Samuel Charles but was known as Charles, presumably to save confusion between his father and himself.
Apart from James, three more siblings, David, John and Henry, were born over the next ten years and, in 1891, they appear with their 41-year-old mother Alice and older siblings as living in the grim four storey high Basingstoke Union Workhouse. Alice's youngest child, 2-year-old Henry, had been born there. Ellen [Frances] aged 12, James aged 10, David aged 7 and John aged 5 all attended the industrial school attached to the workhouse. Industrial schools were often run as boarding schools where children were taught ordinary lessons as well as a trade, so that they could become shoe menders, tailors, farm workers etc. and learn to support themselves. Their father Samuel was not with them. James' 13-year-old brother Charles was working as a cowboy and living with his aunt Wynifred Fulker (sic) in Odiham.
James was aged 20 when the 1901 census was taken and appeared with his 24-year-old brother Charles Pink, as boarding with Frank Mercer and his family at 38, Victoria Place, Epsom. Both he and Charles stated that they had been born in Basingstoke and worked as railway Carmen. Carmen were employed by railway companies for the local deliveries and collections of goods and parcels using horse-drawn vehicles.
Early in 1902 James married Harriett Mary Ratcliff in the Epsom district. Before her marriage to James, Harriett had had a son named Frederick Ratcliff on 23 February 1900, and had appeared in the Epsom workhouse with him in the 1901 census.
James and Harriett's eldest daughter Alice Maud Pink was born in 1905. Their second daughter Rosina Jane was born on 2 August 1907 and was baptised in Christ Church on 25 August 1907. The family were living at 27, Providence Place, Epsom at this time, and James was working as a labourer.
In 1911, James Pink recorded that he worked as a labourer for a coal merchant, and that he and Harriet M Pink, both aged 29, had been married for 10 years. Harriett stated that out of their five children born to them, that three were still living; Fredrick aged 12, Alice M aged 6 and [Rosina] Jane aged 4. The family's address by now was 18, Garden Cottages, East Street, Epsom.
18 and 20 Garden Cottages, East Street
Photographed in 1969 by L R James
Image courtesy of Surrey Libraries and is held in the
Epsom & Ewell Local And Family History Centre Collection
James' brother, Charles Pink, had married Minnie around 1907 and they were living at 27, Middle Lintons Lane, in 1911, having had no children. Charles stated then, that he was born in North Warnborough, Hampshire (near Basingstoke).
James and Harriett's daughter Edith was born in the June quarter of 1912 (mother's maiden name was recorded as Ratcliffe) but sadly died in 1913, aged 18 months. She was buried in the Ashley Road cemetery on 27 August 1913 in grave number B216. There is another birth recorded in the same quarter of 1912 of a George J Pink, mother's maiden name Ratcliff without an 'e', but I have as yet not found any baptismal evidence that is was the twin of Edith.
James attested in Epsom on 12 October 1914 into the Devonshire Regiment, stating that he had been born in Basingstoke and that he was 32 years and 5 months old. James was 5 feet 9¼ inches tall, weighed 170 lbs and had a chest measurement of 37 inches with an expansion of 2½ inches. He had a fresh complexion, brown eyes and hair, and he worked as a labourer. He served in the 8th Battalion Devonshire Regiment, which was in the 20th Brigade, 7th Division, and sailed with the battalion from Southampton on 25 July 1915, arriving in Le Havre, France at 2.30 a.m. on 26 July.
James fought in the battle of Loos. At 9.15pm on 24 September 1915 his battalion moved up to the front line trenches in front of Vermelles in readiness for the attack at 6.30am the following morning. Poison gas was first used by the Germans on 22 April 1915 north of Ypres. Although condemned at the time as barbaric, the British very soon followed, and Loos was to be the first battle in which the British used poison gas. The war diary of the 8th Devons is very coy about using the term poison gas, and instead refers to it as 'Accessory No. 1'. Prior to the attack, an intensive bombardment of the German lines was carried out, alerting them to the fact that an attack would soon take place, thereby initiating retaliatory fire that caused some casualties before the attack proper had commenced.
The men went forward crowded together, trying to get through the gaps that had been blown in the barbed wire in front of Breslau Trench, where they were a target for enemy rifle and machine gun fire.
Poison gas, to be effective, had to have the wind in the right direction to blow it towards the enemy. Unfortunately the wind on 25 September was somewhat fickle. On some parts of the front it blew just as required, fast enough and straight at the enemy. On other parts it blew in the wrong direction, back towards British lines. On the part of the front James was fighting on, the gas was blown too slowly towards the German line and caused casualties amongst the attackers. Despite this, Gun Trench was reached and four enemy guns were captured, still hot from constant firing. The advance reached the crossroads west of Hulluch and could go no further because the British barrage was firing only just in front of them, and no reinforcements came up. The remnants of the battalion dug in here and suffered losses from snipers.
At about 9.30pm it was realised that the Germans had got round behind them, causing a retirement to Gun Trench. During the retirement many losses were sustained from rifle fire and bombs from the enemy, but also unfortunately by fire from the Bedfords who mistook the Devons for the enemy.
The Soldiers Died CD tells us that 290 men from the 8th Devons were killed on 25 September, including James killed in action. We will never know exactly what killed James, gas, a shell, rifle fire, machine gun fire, or even what we would call today 'friendly fire'. The CD also tells us that on 25 September 1915, the first day of the battle of Loos, in France and Flanders 9,576 officers and men lost their lives.
James has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial to the missing. He was awarded the 1914 - 1915 Star, the British War medal and the Victory medal.
The widowed Harriett was living with her children in 18, Garden Cottages, East Street Epsom when her son Henry Robert Pink was born on 12 February 1916 (mother's maiden name recorded was Ratcliffe). When Henry was baptised in St Barnabas church, Temple Road, Epsom on 19 March that year, his father James was recorded as being a labourer and deceased.
Harriett married George Henry Kemp, a gas stoker, in the early part of 1917 in the Epsom registration district. Their daughter was born on 8 November 1917, (mother's maiden name Ratcliff was recorded, not Pink), and she was baptised Florence Lily Kemp on 30 December 1917 in St Barnabas church, Temple Road, Epsom. The family were still living at 18, Garden Cottages, East Street, Epsom.
On 7 May 1937 James' brother Charles Samuel Pink, a labourer aged 60, died in Epsom County Hospital, otherwise known as Middle House, Dorking Road Epsom. Before his death he was living at 18, Garden Cottages, East Street, Epsom. It is possible that he moved in with Harriet and her family on the death of his wife, Minnie, in 1924. He was buried on 11 May 1937 in grave number A780 in the Ashley road cemetery. Probate was given to Harriet Mary Kemp, wife of George Kemp, a gas work employee.
James is commemorated on the Ashley Road memorial, but it will be noticed that his name, and two others are out of sequence. It appears that three names were added after the first 262 were engraved; Coppard WT, Regan T and Pink J.
A period of almost 2 years elapsed between the unveiling of the cross on Sunday 11 December 1921, and the addition and dedication of the names on 11 November 1923. Thomas Regan's wife wrote to the Council in February 1924 seeking permission for her husband's name to be added, and obviously permission was granted.
Looking at the position of the names on the panels it appears that Coppard WT was the first to be added, followed by Regan T, and finally Pink J. Presumably then, James Pink was added after February 1924. What could have caused such a delay?
EP
PIPER Charles Arthur Matthews, Rifleman. 9555.
1/5 Battalion London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade).Killed in Action 15 May 1915, aged 21.
Charles's inscription on the Menin Gate
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2008
Charles Arthur Matthews Piper was born in Epsom in 1894 (GRO reference: Mar 1894 Epsom 2a 22a) to Charles Alfred and Ellen Mary Piper (nee Matthews). His parents had married in the September quarter of 1888 in the St George Hanover Square registration district.
In the 1901 census the family lived in 'Arlesford' Ashley Road, Epsom. Charles' father, also Charles was a 38 year old solicitor, his mother Ellen was 34. Charles had a 3 year old brother, Henry. The family employed a cook, a nurse and a housemaid.
On 13 December 1903, another brother had been born, John Egerton Christmas. John went on to enjoy fame as an artist.
The 1911 census found the family still living at 'Arlesford', Ashley Road. Charles and his two brothers were all still at school. Although it is not recorded on the census, Charles was a scholar at Epsom College, and is commemorated on the College memorial. Charles's mother stated that she had been married for 23¾ years and that she had given birth to four children, with three still living. Note: The birth of a 'male' Piper and the death of a 'male' Piper was registered in Epsom in the March 1895 registration quarter. The family employed three servants, a nurse, a cook and a housemaid. The census also recorded two visitors staying with the family.
In May 1913, Charles became a Territorial Army soldier, joining the London Rifle Brigade (LRB) at its Sun Street headquarters, having paid his £1 annual for the privilege of joining what was considered by many to be an OTC (Officer Training Corps).
Charles landed at Le Havre, France on 5 November 1914. On the day Charles was killed, 13 May 1915, the LRB was in the 11th Brigade, 4th Division. They were holding trenches on the Frezenberg Ridge in the Ypres Salient, which the Germans attacked, initially with heavy shellfire. The Official history states that:
'the front trenches of the 5/London (London rifle Brigade) and the 1/East Lancashire were flattened out and had to be evacuated'.
On 13 May 1915, 36 men from the LRB lost their lives, including Charles, killed in action, probably by shellfire. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate memorial to the missing.
The St Martin's church Roll of Honour states that:
CHARLES ARTHUR MATTHEWS PIPER, was killed in action in Belgium on 13th May 1915.
Charles was awarded the 1914 Star, the British War medal and the Victory medal.
Views of the Menin Gate
Images courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2008
EP EW COL
PLOWMAN F.J.
Died N/K, aged N/KPending further research this is what we have discovered about this person
(Listed on the Ashley Road Memorial, Epsom).
PLUME Frederick, Private. 38237.
17th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers.Died 6 November 1918, aged 30.
Frederick's headstone in the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2010
Frederick Plume was born in Epsom in 1888 (GRO reference: Dec 1888 Epsom 2a 15) to Frederick and Eliza Plume (nee Jolliffe). His parents married in the September quarter 1881.
In the 1891 census the family lived at Fawcette Cottage, Victoria Place, Epsom. Frederick's father was a 37 year old carpenter. His mother was aged 35 and he had four siblings, Louisa aged 8, Bessie aged 6, Harry aged 8 and Minnie aged 4 months.
Apart from being 10 years older in 1901 the family details are the same as in 1891.
By 1911 they were still at 15, Victoria Place, but sisters Bessie and Minnie were dressmakers, brother Harry was, like his father a carpenter, and Frederick himself was a house painter. His mother Eliza had given birth to five children, all still living.
In the September quarter of 1914 Frederick married Gertrude Etherington. It seems that they had two sons, Frederick born in the March quarter of 1915, and Ernest H in the September quarter of 1916.
Frederick does not appear in the Surrey Recruitment Registers, and his service record has not survived, so we know very little about him. He initially served as No. 30013 in the East Surrey regiment but later became No. 38237 in the Lancashire Fusiliers, 104th Brigade, 35th Division.
The St. Martin's Church Roll of Honour states that "FREDERICK PLUME, died in Hospital of pneumonia contracted on active service in France 6th November 1918."
Frederick was thus another victim of the deadly influenza epidemic of 1918 - 1919. He is buried in plot XXXV.B.13. Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.
He was awarded the British War medal and the Victory medal.
EP SM
PLUMRIDGE Walter Joseph, Bomdardier.
Royal Horse Artillery.Killed in Action 21 March 1918, aged N/K
Pending further research this is what we have discovered about this person
Royal Horse Artillery. Killed at Jeancourt on 21 March 1918. Listed on the Pozieres Memorial, France. (Listed on the Ashley Road Memorial, Epsom).
POPLETT William Henry, Private. 30152.
(listed as H W Poplett on the memorial)15th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Killed in Action 30 August 1918, aged 22
Private Poppet's headstone at the Vaulx Hill cemetery
Copyright image courtesy of Clive Gilbert 2007
I can find no birth records for a Henry William (HW) Poplett (as listed on the St Mary's and Bourne Hall Memorials). There are two possible entries for William Henry Poplett (GRO reference: Sep 1896 Fulham 1a 188) and William Henry Poplet. With only one t, (GRO reference: Mar 1896 Epsom 2a 23). I suspect that the Epsom entry is the relevant one and that the missing 't' was a clerical error.
In the 1901 census for Ewell there is a 5 year old Henry W Poplett, born in Epsom, living with his 46 year old, widowed grandmother, Emily Poplett (born Ewell) at Eight Bells Yard, Kingston Road. Her two sons William 21 (born Stepney) and Arthur 16 (born B. Green), also live there. It is possible that she referred to her grandson as Henry to avoid confusion with her son William.
The Surrey Recruitment Register shows a WH Poplett aged 19 years 1 month attesting in Kingston on 13 July 1915, into the Royal Fusiliers. He was 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighed 110 lbs and had a chest measurement of 32½ inches, with an expansion of 3 inches. It is noted that he had moles as distinguishing marks. He was a miller and he lived at 35 Adelphi Road, Epsom.
35 Adelphi Road in 2006
Copyright image courtesy of Clive Gilbert 2006
In Soldiers Died William is shown as originally being in the Royal Fusiliers, number 18373, and later in the 15th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, which was in the 13 Brigade 5 Division. This battalion was originally formed in Birmingham in September 1914 and was a 'Pals' battalion known as the 'Birmingham Pals'. With the coming of conscription in early 1916, and after the huge losses on the Somme, battalions were reinforced with men from anywhere in the UK with scant regard to regional allegiances.
The 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st Battalions of the Royal Fusiliers were all formed in Epsom and were all disbanded in France during February and April 1916. Presumably William was transferred at this time to the 15th battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
On the 30 August 1918 the 5th Division was fighting in the second battle of the Somme and was advancing west of Beugny near Bapume. William was one of eight men from the 15th Warwickshire regiment killed in action that day. He is buried in Vaulx Hill cemetery, I F 21.
PORTT George Sidney, Private
9th Bn, Royal Fusiliers.Died of wounds 20 August 1918, aged 20
Pending further research this is what we have discovered about this person
9th Bn, Royal Fusiliers. Died of wounds in France on 20 August 1918. Buried in the Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France. Aged 20 years. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Portt, Epsom. (Listed on the Ashley Road, Epsom and the St. Martin's, Epsom Memorials).
POWELL Edmund, Private. 28328.
7 Border Regiment.Died of Wounds 20 August 1918, aged 20.
Edmund's Headstone in the Mont Huon Cemetery, Le Treport
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2009
Edmund Powell was born in 1898 (GRO reference: Mar 1898 Epsom 2a 34) to James and Fanny Powell (nee Saunders).
In the 1901 census they lived at Bankside, Kingston Road Ewell. Edmund's father James was a bricklayer. Edmund had three siblings Myrtle Florence aged 5 (GRO reference: Mar 1896 Epsom 2a 28), Alfred James aged 4 (GRO reference: Mar 1897 Epsom 2a 30), and Stephen Philip aged 2 (GRO reference: Mar 1898 Epsom 2a 20). Stephen and the later siblings Ivy May 1902, Olive Rose 1906, Violet Doris 1909 and James 1913 are recorded in St Mary's church, Ewell baptismal register. Their address at the time of Olive's baptism is given as 11 North View Villas, Ewell. He was a member of the Ewell Old Boys' Association in 1913-1914, and at 11 North View Villas, Ewell.
North View Villas in 2007
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2007
The Surrey Recruitment Register shows an E Powell age 18 years attesting in Epsom on 15 February 1916, into the 4th Battalion East Surrey Regiment (No. 24689). He was 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighed 126 lbs and had a chest measurement of 34 inches, with an expansion of 2 inches. He was a gardener and he lived at 11 North View Villas, Ewell.
The 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion East Surrey Regiment remained in the UK throughout the war. It was employed on garrison duty and as a training unit supplying drafts to other units. The East Surrey history states that the battalion provided 4,732 men to other Battalions of the East Surrey, and other Regiments. Edmund Powell transferred to the 7th Battalion Border Regiment as Private 28328.
The 7th Border Regiment was in the 51st Brigade, 17th Division, and during June 1918 was near Auchonvillers where it suffered a good deal from Spanish influenza, which was widespread in 1918 and 1919.
The following is a quote from 'The Border Regiment in the Great Wear' by Colonel H.C. Wylly, C.B. printed in 1924.
"The Battalion war diary for the 3ist July contains the entry : " Nothing of importance to record," but if the last three months had been comparatively uneventful, August was to prove full of sufficient excitement, and the 7th Battalion The Border Regiment, though denied participation in the Second Battles of the Aisne and Marne, was at least to share in the hard fighting of the Second Somme Battle of 1918.
The weather turned very rainy towards the end of July and so continued during the early days of August, and the activities of the troops were consequently somewhat restricted; but at the 2nd of the month a reconnaissance, carried out by Second-Lieutenant Stewart of the Battalion, disclosed the fact that the enemy had evacuated his front system, and a general forward move was consequently made in the direction of the Ancre, a new line being established about 500 yards from the river with standing patrols on the Aveluy-Authuille road. Here the following message was found left behind by one of the late occupants of a German dug-out: " Dear Tommy. When you are coming we are gone, hoping you have many pleasures in our cottages. Why you send so many iron postcards, eat some yourself. Make peace next time, have you not enough ?"
After this the Battalion had a few days in rear at Vaux-sur-Somme, and then on the 12th August moved to Mericourt and there relieved the support companies of the 11th Infantry Brigade of the 3rd Australian Division, being in support now to the 7th Lincolns and l0th Foresters-" everything very quiet and the weather beautiful." But this peaceful condition of affairs was not to last, for on the very next day the enemy put over clouds of gas, which appear to have come upon portions of the Battalion before they had time to adjust their gas-masks, with the unfortunate result that over 200 casualties resulted, including 8 officers, " C " and " D " Companies suffering the most severely and having to be amalgamated temporarily into one company under command of Lieutenant Rennie, M.C. The other units of the Brigade also were affected, and the whole day was taken up in salving the rifles and equipment of the gassed cases, of whom upwards of 700 passed through the Regimental Aid Post.
The Division was now withdrawn on relief by the Australians and the Battalion marched away towards the N., leaving Rawlinson's Fourth Army to join the Vth Corps of Byng's Third Army, and, proceeding by Fouilloy, Vecquemont, Herissart, Toutencourt and Hedauville, arrived on the 24th at Thiepval and was at once sent forward into positions of readiness for an attack upon Courcelette."
It is not possible to say when Edmund was wounded, but it is likely that it was due to the gas attack on the 13 August. Three men from the battalion died of wounds on 20 August 1918 including Edmund. They are all buried in Mont Huon Cemetery, Le Treport which is many miles from Mericourt. Le Treport was an important hospital centre and by the middle of 1916 the town contained four hospitals and a convalescent depot.
The Epsom Advertiser dated 13 September 1918 printed the following:
EWELL PARISH COUNCIL: THE MEN WHO FIGHT FOR ENGLAND. The Chairman said that each of the following inhabitants had had a son killed in the war: - Mr. Tomsett, Mr. Powell and Mr. Walker (West Ewell). On the other hand he was glad to say that one of their Ewell boys who was taken prisoner in April had succeeded in escaping and was now back again. This lad, young Parker, living at Plough-lane, West Ewell, was 30 miles inside the German lines when he and five others got away through the barbed wire and succeeded, in three days, in reaching our lines. That, he thought, was an achievement of which Ewell might be proud. It was decided to send letters of sympathy to Messrs. Tomsett, Powell and Walker and to send a letter of congratulations to young Parker.
BH EW ES
POWLEY Edward Gwinn Private. 1511
1/20th Battalion London Regiment (Blackheath and Woolwich).Killed in Action 19th July 1915, aged 21
Edward Powley
Image courtesy of Peter Collins, Sutton Grammar School Archivist
Edward Gwinn Powley was born on 9 April 1894 in Compton Gifford, Devon (GRO reference: Jun 1894 Plymouth 5b 217) to Edward and Clara Powley (nee Gwinn). NOTE: He is shown as George, not Gwinn in the 'Soldiers died' CD.
In the 1901 census the family lived in Green Man Street, Ewell. Edward's father made boots by hand working on his own account at home. Edward had a brother George aged 6 (GRO reference: Mar 1895 Epsom 2a 23). The census also shows that 16 year old Thomas G Whitehouse lived at the address, and was an apprentice hand sewn boot maker. He was a British subject born in America.
Edward attended Ewell Boys School between 9 April 1894 and 2 May 1900, leaving to attend Sutton Grammar School. His brother George also attended Sutton Grammar School between 1 May 1901 and 11 September 1907, having won a scholarship.
In the 1911 census the family lived in High Street (previously named Green Man Street), Ewell. Edward's father was shown as a 'bootmaker - dealer' and was an employer. Edward's only sibling was his brother George.
Edward enlisted in Blackheath into the 1/20 (County of London) Battalion TF (Blackheath and Woolwich) of the London Regiment, and was sent to France on 9 March 1915. The battalion was in the 141st Brigade 47th Division.
On the day that Edward was killed the Battalion was in front line trenches at Mazingarbe. The war diary for Monday 19th July 1915 states:
The head of sap 18 was completely blown in by enemy's H.E. & rendered untenable. A block was erected at west end of breach behind which the post was established. This destroyed length patrolled every half hour, day & night.
As Edward was the only man from his Battalion to be killed on the 19th July, presumably the H.E. (high explosive) that destroyed sap 18 also killed him.
Even though the Battalion was just 'holding the line', and no major battles were being fought, during their 5 day stint at the front they still had 3 men killed and 10 wounded.
The following is an extract from Sutton Grammar School magazine, The Suttonian:
Was at the School 1907-12. Going on to Goldsmiths College he joined his College company of the 20th Co. of London about a year before the war. He left for France on March 10th, and it was not long before he was slightly wounded in the face. On July 9th, when near Givenchy, he had left his brother in a dug-out to fetch something from his pack further along the trench, when he stopped to answer a question as to the date. Doing this a small shell went right through his thigh, death being instantaneous.
Edward was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War medal and the Victory Medal.
Private Powley's headstone at Fosse 7 Military Cemetery, Mazingarbe.
Copyright image courtesy of Clive Gilbert
Edward Gwinn Powley was KIA 19 July 1915. he is buried in Fosse 7 Military Cemetery (Quality Street), Mazingarbe. 11 C 7.
Fosse 7 Military Cemetery
Copyright Image Courtesy of Clive Gilbert
The area of fighting around Loos in France was the centre of a large coal mining industry. As in any coal mining area a large amount of waste material is produced and dumped into large mounds called slag heaps. The French term for such slag heaps is Fosse. Much fighting went on around these mini hills, and many men lost their lives fighting to capture them. Fosse 7 Military Cemetery (Quality Street), was named after the Fosse that rises nearby. The 'Quality Street' part of the Cemetery name derives from the name of the trench which led into the cemetery during the war.
He is also remembered on the Sutton Grammar School War Memorial.
BH EW ES SGS
PRATTENTON B.
Died N/K, aged N/KPending further research this is what we have discovered about this person
(Listed on the Ashley Road Memorial, Epsom).
PRICE F.
Died N/K, aged N/KPending further research this is what we have discovered about this person
(Listed on the Ashley Road Memorial, Epsom).
PRIMROSE Hon. Neil James Archibald MC, Captain.
1st/1st Royal Bucks Hussars.Hussars.Killed in Action 15 November 1917, aged 34
Neil Primrose
The Sphere 24 Nov 1917
Neil James Archibald Primrose was born on 14 December 1882 in Dalmeny West Lothian Scotland, the second son and youngest child of Archibald and Hannah Primrose, nee De Rothschild. His father, Archibald Philip Primrose (1847-1929), the 5th Earl of Rosebery, not only had the title of Lord Rosebery but was also a member of the Order of the Garter and of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom. He was a Liberal Party statesman and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom between 1894-95. Neil's mother, who was known as the Countess of Rosebery, was an English social leader and philanthropist and the daughter of Baron Mayer Amschel de Rothschild and his wife Juliana, nee Cohen. When her father died in 1874 she became the richest woman in Britain.
Neil's siblings were:
Sybil Myra Caroline Primrose, (GRO: Dec 1879 St George Handover Square 1a 387) born in 1879 became a British writer, designer and an artist. Lady Sybil married on the 28 March 1903 to General Sir Charles John Cecil Grant, KCB, KCVO, DSO (1877-1950). On the death of her father in 1929, she inherited his estate, "The Durdans" at Epsom, which became her home. She died in 1955.
Margaret Etienne H Primrose, (GRO: Mar 1881 Epsom 2a 24) known as Peggy, born in 1881. On 20 April 1899 Lady Margaret Primrose married her father's old friend Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes, the Earl of Crewe, in Westminster Abbey. She became one of the first women magistrates in Britain. She died in 1967.
Lady Margaret Primrose
Illustrated London News 21 April 1899
Albert Edward Harry Meyer Archibald Primrose (known as Harry) who became the 6th Earl of Rosebery was born 8 January 1882. He became a UK politician who briefly served as Secretary of State for Scotland in 1945. He was known by the courtesy title of Lord Dalmeny from birth until he inherited the family peerages in 1929. He died on 31 May 1974.
In the 1881 census, before Neil was born, his parents lived at 107 Piccadilly London with 13 servants to look after them. This was the house that Hannah had inherited from her father upon his death. The family went each August to Dalmeny for the grouse shooting. In between, occasional days would be spent at their home "The Durdans" in Epsom.
Neil's mother Hannah died on 19 November 1890 in Dalmeny Scotland from Bright's disease and typhoid fever. Her funeral was held 25 November 1890 in the Willesden Jewish Cemetery. Shortly after his mother's death, his father left him and his grieving siblings and went alone on a tour of Spain. Neil's father, Lord Archibald Rosebery, died on 21 May 1929 in Epsom Surrey.
In 1909 Neil Primrose was commissioned into the Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars, which was a unit of volunteer cavalry, with roots back to the independent Yeomanry troops formed in 1794.
Neil entered Parliament in 1910 as Liberal member for Wisbech Cambridgeshire. Between 1910 and 1914 he travelled several times to New York, once accompanied by James Rothschild.
On 7 April 1915, he married Lady Victoria Alice Louise Stanley, daughter of Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby who was also an English politician around the turn of the 20th century. In this same year he was promoted to Captain and was awarded the Military Cross in 1916. The Military Cross is a military medal awarded to personnel of the Military of the United Kingdom, and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth of Nations countries, for distinguished and meritorious services in battle on land.
The couple had one daughter, Ruth Alice Hannah Mary, who was born on 18 April 1916. She later married Charles Wood, 2nd Earl of Halifax on 25 April 1936. Charles, who was a politician and peer, was the son of Edward Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax, statesman and once Foreign Secretary.
Neil was created a Privy Councillor of the United Kingdom in 1917. Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council is a body of advisors to the British monarchy.
At the age of 34 The Hon Neil James Archibald Primrose, Captain was killed by a gunshot wound on 15 November 1917 at Hill of Gezer during the Siniai and Palestine Campaign (this was a series of battles which took place on the Sinai Peninsula, Palestine, and Syria between January 28, 1915 to October 28, 1918) while leading his squadron against Turkish positions on the Abu Shusheh ridge during the Third Battle of Gaza where the forces, under the command of General Edmund Allenby, successfully broke the Turkey defensive Gaza-Beersheba line.
He is buried in the Ramleh Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery at Ramleh in Israel.
Neai's headstone in the Remleh Cemetery, Israel
Photographer Zev Gross, image source Wikipeada
Neil's Tablet in Christ Church, Epsom
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2009
The following appeared in the Surrey Comet dated 31 August 1918:
Earl of Rosebery has erected on the east wall of the north transept of Christ Church, Epsom an alabaster tablet: "To the beloved memory of Neil Primrose, a worshipper here with his father who has raised this tablet. He was born at Dalmeny Dec 14 1892, was killed in action Nov 15 1917 on Hill of Gezer Palestine and lies buried at Ramleh. He was the light of our eyes and the joy of all who knew him. The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."
EP CC
PRIOR William James, Corporal. 9818.
2nd East Surrey Regiment.Killed in action 3 April 1915, aged 24.
William Prior
Image Source: Epsom Advertiser
William James Prior was born in 1890 (GRO reference: Sep 1890 Epsom 2a 17) to Walter Alfred and Fanny Prior (nee Pratt).
In the 1891 census the family is shown as living at Epsom Common. William's father Walter was a 32 year old general labourer, and his mother Fanny aged 26 helped at a laundry. He had a brother Walter Alfred aged 3 (GRO reference: Mar 1888 Epsom 2a 21).
By the 1901 census the family lived at 6 Margaret cottages, Epsom Common. William's father was then a 41 year old gas stoker, and mother Fanny aged 36 has no occupation shown. There were no more siblings.
William is shown as having enlisted in London into the 2nd Battalion East Surrey Regiment. The 2nd East Surreys were in the 85th brigade, 28th division. William went to France on 19 January 1915.
On April 1st the Battalion manned trenches in the St Eloi area, relieving the 3rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment. It remained in these trenches until relieved during the night of 3rd April, by the 1st Lincolns, and returned to Dickebusch. During this three day period manning the trenches it lost 7 men killed. On the 3rd April 4 men were killed including William James Prior. As no major battles were raging at this time they were no doubt victims of the war of attrition, through shelling or sniping that went on more or less continuously. From the letter reproduced below, it appears that William was the victim of a sniper.
William's Headstone in the Voormezeele Enclosure Cemetery No.3.
Image Courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2008
William is buried in Voormezeele Enclosure Cemetery No.3.
The following letter from William's brother Walter, serving in the 1st East Surreys, to their parents was published in the 23 April 1915 edition of the Epsom Advertiser. They lived at 33, Marguerite Cottages, Epsom Common.
My dear Father and Mother, -- Just another few lines to you both, hoping to find all at home in the very best of health, and to try to cheer you up a bit. I know how much you grieve because of poor Willie's death, but, believe me, he has done his duty as a soldier and a man. I must specially say that he was well liked throughout the regiment, but more by the officers and N.C.O.'s and men of the company. They are all sorry because of his death, and grieve with me at the duty I had to perform to break the news to you. Only today the officer who was in charge of the trench at the time of his death told me how he was liked and what a good N.C.O. he was. He also told me not to worry, as he is at rest now. I often keep thinking about him, and miss him much more now than I did before. We were always together, but on the day he got killed he was in a trench with my chum, Sergt. Peterson, who told me how it occurred, and that he did all he could for him. It appears that the orders were given out that nobody was allowed to go behind the trench during the day and poor Bill, wanting to make some tea, took the fire pail outside for the wind to get at the fire and liven it up, quite forgetting the danger. I believe he was sitting down waiting for the water to boil, when he got shot through the head. The sentry said he heard three shots fired, and was staggered. Peter rushed out of the trench and pulled him in under cover and bound up his wound, but he was unconscious all the time, and Peter said he struggled hard for hi life. He must have done that, as I believe he went back with struggling. He lived two hours and twenty minutes afterwards. They would not keep him until I arrived in case I broke down, and naturally I should have done. They buried him with some more in a little cemetery which contains the remains of four fellows who have given their lives for their King and country, the same as poor Bill. I just saw the grave from the road we walked along. That was enough. Young Jack Goucher is also buried beside him, so there are two Epsomians beside each other. I sincerely hope you will keep a brave heart, and at the same time be proud to know that Bill died while fighting for a good cause. I will say this, he will never be out of my mind, for he always proved a good brother to me and a good son to you both. I am sending home his few things that were on him; his watch I gave to Peter as a keepsake, as he was a chum of Bill's and he did what he could for him. Cheer up, mother and dad; he sleeps in peace."
NOTE: I can find no record of a 'Jack Goucher' killed around that time.
EP CC
PROCTER William John, Private. 245136.
2nd Battalion London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers).Died of Wounds 14 June 1918, aged 35.
William's headstone in the St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2011
William John's surname is spelt Procter or Proctor in various official documents. He was born in 1882 in Fulham (GRO reference: Dec 1882 Fulham 1a 280) to John and Ellen Proctor (nee Butcher), who were married on 1 August 1880 at Kingswood, Surrey.
In the 1881 census, before William was born, his father John, born in Wyresdale, Lancashire, was a 36 year old builders foreman. His mother Ellen, born in Kingswood, Surrey, was aged 26. They were living with Ellen's parents in Reigate Turnpike Road, Kingswood.
In the 1891 census the family lived at 7, Pellant Road, Fulham. William's father John, was a 48 year old joiner foreman. William aged 9, had two siblings, James aged 10 born in Kingswood and Ellen aged 3 born in Fulham. Francis Comber, a 50 year old carpenter was boarding with them, and possibly worked with William's father.
At some date between 1891 and 1895 the family moved back to Surrey as William's brother, Thomas Percy was born in 1895 at Walton-on-the-Hill, Surrey.
By 1901 the family was living in one of two 'Tadworth Cottages' on Walton Street, Walton-on-the-Hill. William John's mother Ellen was then a widow, his father John, having died in 1900, aged 56. William, aged 18, had followed his father's trade and become a carpenter. Sister Ellen aged 12 was a school monitor and brother Thomas Percy was aged 6. William's maternal grandfather Richard Butcher was living with them, but sadly he died a few weeks after the census, aged 81, and is buried in Kingswood. William's brother James, was working as a carpenter in Ashford, Kent.
The 1911 census shows the family still living at Walton-on-Hill. William's mother Ellen, aged 56 was the head of the family. Brother James, aged 29 was a jobbing builder, sister Ellen, aged 22 was an elementary school teacher with Surrey County Council, and 16 year old Thomas Percy was a baker's assistant. William was a general carpenter.
William married Ada Mary Treadgold in Epsom in 1913 and they had one child, Ada J. Procter born in the Reigate registration district, in 1914, possibly at Walton. (She married Kenneth J. Mattick in 1935). Ada Mary was the daughter of John and Eliza Treadgold who lived at 5, The Folly, South Street, Epsom in 1911; at that time, she was 27 years old, was born in Epsom and had no occupation. The CWGC shows her address as The Folley, 8, South Street, Epsom.
William attested on 11 December 1915 in Epsom, and was initially assigned to the 5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, a Territorial unit. However, at some point he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion London Regiment, another Territorial unit. The 2nd Battalion was in the 169th Brigade, 56th (London) Division.
William died of wounds on 14 June 1918 and is buried in plot Q.I.E.8. St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen. Rouen was a huge centre of activity for British forces and accommodated several hospitals. In May and early June 1918, William's battalion was holding the line and not engaged in a major offensive. It did, however, carry out various raids and patrols, and was subjected to shelling and bombing by enemy aircraft.
William John was awarded the British War medal and the Victory medal.
EP CC
PULLINGER W.G.
Killed in Action N/K, aged N/KPending further research this is what we have discovered about this person
May have been William G., L/Cpl, 6th Bn, Royal Berkshire Regt. Killed on the Somme on 1 July 1916. Listed on the Thiepval Memorial, France. (Listed on the Ashley Road Memorial, Epsom).
PYE William Frederick, Private. 11682.
8th Battalion East Surrey Regiment.Died of Wounds 29 June 1916, aged 37.
William's Headstone in the St Sever cemetery Rouen
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert ©2011
William Frederick Pye was born in Fulham around 1879. That is according to his 'burnt' service papers, Soldiers Died CD and the Surrey Recruitment Register. However, I have been unable to find a GRO birth reference for him, neither have I been able to find him in the 1881 or the 1891 censuses.
He does appear in the 1901 census, as a 21 year old bricklayer's labourer, boarding with James Raggett at 6, Ellen Street, Woking. The census confirms that he was born in Fulham.
William married Hetty Ann Dunford on 1 July 1905 in St Martin's church, Epsom. They had three children, Winifred Ivy registered in the March 1906 quarter (died 1911 aged 5), Eva Catherine born on 24 December 1906 (died 1993) and William Alfred James born on 28 November 1908 (died 1989). All were registered in Epsom.
In the 1911 census the family lived at 1, Beaconsfield Cottages, Epsom. William was a 32 year old carman working for a coal merchant. William's 32 year old wife Hetty stated that she had been married for five years and had given birth to three children and that two were still alive. Boarding with them was 12 year old Annie Rhodes from Rochdale.
There are two entries for Pye WF in the Surrey Recruitment Registers. The first states that he attested on 25 May 1915, at Kingston into the Army Veterinary Corps (AVC). Aged 36, he was 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighed 147 lbs and had a chest measurement of 38 inches with an expansion of 3 inches. He was a labourer, had been born in Fulham and lived at 1, Beaconsfield Cottages, Epsom. This is the only reference to the AVC that I have been able to find for him.
The other entry states that he attested on 26 August 1915 into the East Surrey regiment. Aged 36, he was 5 feet 6½ inches tall, weighed 160 lbs and had a chest measurement of 39 inches with an expansion of 4 inches. He was a labourer, had been born in Fulham and lived at 1, Beaconsfield, Epsom. William's 'burnt' service papers refer only to the East Surrey regiment. The 'burnt' papers also tell us that his religion was Church of England, that he had been vaccinated in infancy and that he had perfect 6/6 vision in both eyes.
William was posted to the 10th (Reserve) battalion East Surrey regiment on 1 September 1915, and then on 31 December 1915 to the 8th (Service) battalion, which was in the 55 Brigade, 18th Division. He embarked for France on 2 January 1916. His conduct sheet is blank, so must have been a well behaved soldier.
William's battalion was due to 'go over the top' on 1 July 1916, the ill-fated first day of the Battle of the Somme, when some 60,000 British soldiers became casualties and around 20,000 of them died. The 8th Battalion East Surrey regiment boasted a certain Captain Neville who famously brought four footballs for the men to kick whilst going forward to attack the enemy.
William was destined to miss the great attack as he was wounded and later died on 29 June, in the 12th General Hospital at Rouen. Scrawled on a telegram are the words 'G S W and Fracture Femur'. G S W is short for Gun Shot wound. He was most likely the victim of the almost constant shelling that was a feature of the Western Front.
He is buried in grave A. 20. 49. St Sever cemetery Rouen along with over 3,000 of his comrades.
Whilst away his wife received a separation allowance of 17/6 (87½ p), and an allotment of pay of 3/6 (17½ p). After William's death she was awarded a pension of 21/- (£1-05 p) for herself and two children, commencing on 8 January 1917.
On 30 September 1919 William's widow, being his next of kin, completed an Army form which required details of all his living close relatives. The only living relatives she noted were herself and her two children. Parents, siblings, grandparents, nephews, nieces, uncles and aunts were all shown as 'NONE'.
William's widow Hetty married Charles Stephen Boxall on 4 September 1920 in Epsom.
On 25 August 1921, William's widow acknowledged receipt of her husband's medals. By the time the authorities wrote to William's widow regarding his plaque and scroll, she had moved to 8, Providence Place, East Street, Epsom.
The St Martin's church Roll of Honour states that:
"WILLIAM PYE, was wounded and died in Hospital at Rouen on 29th June 1916"
William was awarded the British War medal and the Victory medal.
EP SM
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