Monday, October 27, 2014

62615 Pte Frederick Stevenson, Labour Corps


Frederick Stevenson, a resident of Chailey, enlisted at Chichester (date unknown) and became 34229 Private Frederick Stevenson, Royal Fusiliers.  Chailey Parish Magazine first notes him as serving with the 36th Battalion in England in July 1916.  By January 1917, he was attached to the 10th Labour Battalion, Royal Engineers, and by December that year was serving with the 105th Labour Battalion of The Labour Corps. 

Frederick Stevenson died of sickness on April 12th 1918.  Chailey Parish Magazine reported that his death had taken place one day earlier and in France but he actually died in England and is buried in the now redundant church yard of St Mary’s Church, North Chailey.  His Labour Corps number was 62615, although his headstone (above) gives his Royal Fusiliers details.

1689 Trooper Alfred Stringer, Reserve Household Bn


Alfred Stringer first appears in Chailey’s parish magazine in a special list of attested men in April 1916.  He is noted as medically unfit but this does not appear to have deterred the military authorities from conscripting him into His Majesty’s forces. 

According to the three surviving pages of his service record held in the WO 364 pension series at the National Archives in Kew, Alfred was “deemed to have been enlisted” on 16th November 1916.  He was then nearly 34 years old and living at 2 Coppards Bridge, Chailey.  His trade is given as gardener. 

Alongside the question, “Have you any preference for any particular branch of the service, if so, which?” are scrawled the letters, R E (Royal Engineers). Alfred though, was assigned to the Reserve Household Battalion and given the number 1689.  

Alfred was five feet seven and a half inches tall and was a married man.  He had married Margaret Mackintosh in Bedfordshire on 19th October 1909 and the couple had two children: Doris Annie Stringer (born at Ilkeston, Derbyshire on 9th August 1910) and Eva Maud Stringer (born at West Hoathly, Sussex on Christmas Day 1913).

In January 1917 Chailey Parish Magazine notes that Alfred is attached to the 2nd Lifeguards as a trooper and on May 18th 1917, The East Sussex News reported that “Trooper A Stringer, whose home is at Coppard’s Bridge [Chailey], is in hospital with a wound in the shoulder, received in action.”  Chailey Parish Magazine duly reported the fact that he had been wounded the following month and this information was then repeated monthly up to and including May 1918.” 

Alfred enlisted on the 2nd March 1916 and his service record notes that he was in England until 23rd February 1917 and thereafter overseas.  He received a severe gunshot wound to his shoulder on 3rd May 1917 and was discharged from the army on 29th January 1918 as no longer physically fit for war service. He was 35 years old at the time of his discharge in 1918.
 
Medal index card courtesy of Ancestry.

Edwin Waghorn

Chailey Parish Magazine notes in April 1916 issue that Edwin Waghorn has attested.  This is the only reference to this man and it has not been possible to date to provide a link between him and Chailey. 

Charles Ventham

Chailey Parish Magazine notes in its March and April 1916 issues that Charles Ventham has attested.  These are the only two references to this man in this publication and it has not been possible to date to provide a link between this man and Chailey. 

J33944 Boy 1st Class William James Turner, Royal Navy

William James Turner was born in France on 3rd September 1898.  He joined the Royal Navy on 18th January 1915 and was recorded as being five feet, one inch tall with light brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion.  He gave his occupation as “motor boy”.  He was given the rating of boy 2nd Class, the service number J33944 and joined the training ship HMS Impregnable where he remained until 12th May.  The following day he was upgraded to the rating of boy 1st class and transferred to HMS Britannia.  He remained with HMS Britannia for a little over a month, returning to HMS Victory I on 7th June.  One month later he was invalided out of the navy with organic heart disease.  

Chailey Parish Magazine first notes him in March 1915 as serving his King and Country and in October 1915 correctly reported that he has been serving at HMS Victory I before being invalided on 7th July 1916. The parish magazine also reports (from August 1916) that he served aboard HMS Glory and was not invalided and discharged until November 1916 (at least, that is when that information was published).  However, I can find no reference to HMS Glory in his surviving service papers and am assuming that this information in the parish magazine is incorrect. 

During his short time with the navy, William Turner’s character was noted as very good and his character as satisfactory. 

HMS Impregnable was an old 121 gun ship from 1860, initially named HMS Howe. The ship was renamed HMS Bulwark and then, in 1886, was renamed again to HMS Impregnable, a training ship under the command of Captain D. H. Bosanquet. 

HMS Britannia was a battleship of the King Edward VII class but by t he time William Turner joined it she had suffered serious damage after running aground at Inchkeith.  It is conceivable that during its refit, the ship was also used as a training establishment as it was certainly more modern than HMS Impregnable.  A photo reproduced on www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk also shows “Young sailors receiving instructions in seamanship on HMS Britannia.  HMS Britannia was later sunk by a German U-Boat off cape Trafalgar and sustained a number of casualties due to toxic fumes.

Gunner T Turner, RGA

Chailey Parish Magazine notes in December 1916, Turner, Gunner T, RGA.  In January 1918 it adds Turner, Gunner T, AAA and this information is then repeated monthly up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919. 

T Turner is probably Thomas Turner who was born in Chailey around 1892.  He appears on the 1901 census as an eight year old living at McQueen’s Cottage, Chailey with his family.  The household comprised Thomas Turner (head, married, aged 41, working as a gardener), his wife Jane Turner (aged 39) and their three children: Harriet Turner (aged 12), Thomas, and George Turner (aged three). 

George died of wounds in August 1916.  Nothing else is known of Thomas other than that he survived the war.

SE/3722 Pte George Trigwell, RAVC


Chailey Parish Magazine notes in March 1915 that George Trigwell is serving his King and Country.  In October it reports, Trigwell, Pte G, RAMC, France but by February 1916 notes that he is serving with the Army Veterinary Corps in France.  This is updated the following month to note that he is serving in Salonica. 

George Trigwell’s name appears for the last time in the parish magazine in March 1917 where he is noted simply as Trigwell, Pte G, AVC. 
 
George's medal index card notes that he arrived overseas in France on the 23rd January 1915 and that his regimental number was SE/3722. The card also gives a reference for the silver war badge, although I have been unable to locate George on this roll. The roll for the 1914-15 Star notes that he was discharged on 21st January 1919.

I have been unable to establish a Chailey connection for this man.  He is possibly the same George Trigwell who appears on the 1901 census as a 13 year old living in Lewes with his parents and nine brothers and sisters but further research is necessary to confirm this.

Medal index card courtesy of Ancestry.

Timothy Towner

I know very little about this man.  He is noted by Chailey Parish Magazine once only and that is in November 1914 where it is stated that he is serving his King and Country. 

He is probably the same Timothy Towner who was born at Barcombe, Sussex in 1878 and appears on the 1881 census living at Barcombe with his family.  The household comprised: William Towner (head, aged 41, working as an agricultural labourer), his wife Sarah (aged 42), Timothy (aged three) and Kate Towner (aged eight months).  Sarah had been married before to George Heasman.  They were married in 1857 but in 1872 George had died.  Sarah then re-married William Towner in 1877.  Included on the 1881 census are the three children from her first marriage: Edward Heasman (aged 19, an agricultural labourer), Ellen Heasman (aged 17, a general servant) and Ruth Heasman (a ten year old scholar). 

William Towner died in June 1882 and the 1891 census shows a very much reduced household.  Sarah Towner (widow, aged 51, working as a charwoman) is recorded as the head of the household and with her are her daughter Ellen Heasman (recorded as 24 years old but actually aged 27 and working as a servant), Timothy (aged 13, working as a stable boy) and Kate (a ten year old scholar). 

By the time the 1901 census was taken, Timothy had moved away from Sussex and is recorded as a 23 year old police constable, one of many, resident at District Section House in the district of St John, St Margaret and Westminster in London 

Timothy is possibly related to Edgar Lancelot and Henry William Towner who also served their King and Country during the First World War.

 

Harry Wood, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

Harry Wood was born in Chailey in 1893, his birth registered at Lewes in the September quarter of that year.  He appears on the 1901 census with his three brothers: Edward Wood (aged 15), George Wood (aged 14) and Charles Joseph Wood (aged 11).  His parents were Edward Wood (aged 45 on the 1901 census but 30 on the one taken ten years earlier) and Mary Wood (aged 29 in 1891).  Mary does not appear at the family home address, (a farm in Chailey – unclear on the census), but Edward Wood is still noted as being married rather than a widower. 

Chailey Parish Magazine notes in October 1914 that Harry Wood is serving his King and Country and, twelve months later, notes that he is a private soldier with the 2nd King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in England.  The following month it reports that he is now a lance-corporal and serving with the 1st KOYLI in France.  By the following April it reports that he is in Salonika. 

Harry Wood appears to have served throughout the war, his name appearing for the last time in the magazine’s final roll call published in July 1919. 

In October 1914 the 1st KOYLI was en route from Singapore and did not arrive at Southampton until 9th November.  On 16th January 1915 the battalion landed at Havre as part of the 83rd Brigade in 28th Division.  It sailed from Marseilles for Salonika on 26th October 1915, arriving there on 7th December 1915. On 20th June1918 it left the 28th Division for France and was attached to the 151st Brigade in the 50th Division from 16th July 1918. 

Harry's brothers Charles and George also served their King and Country during the First World War.  Like Harry, Charles Wood also served with The King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and was killed in action whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion in October 1914.  It seems likely that both Harry and Charles were regular soldiers before the outbreak of war (although the KOYLI number listed above would not appear to be that of a pre-war regular soldier) and their brother George was also a career serviceman having joined the Royal Navy in 1904.

Gunner Richard Wood, Royal Garrison Artillery

Chailey Parish Magazine notes in March 1915 that Richard Wood is serving his King and Country.  In October 1915 it notes, Wood, Gnr R, RGA, France and then in December 1917, Wood, Bomb[ardier] R, RGA.  This information is then repeated up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919. 

The 1901 census of England and Wales reveals a three year old Richard Wood at North Common.  He and his nine year old brother Frank, are noted as the grandsons of 77 year old Joseph Hatfield.  The household comprised Joseph (noted as an agricultural labourer, despite his age), his 66 year old wife Susannah; a son, James Hatfield (aged 31 and working as a market gardener), a daughter, Lily M Hatfield (aged 18) and the two grandsons.  Whether this Richard Wood is the same man mentioned in Chailey’s Parish Magazine 13 years later is unclear.

SE/4483 Corporal Frederick Albert Jon Wood, Army Veterinary Corps


Frederick Albert Jon Wood is commemorated on the war memorial on Chailey Green but is not recorded on either the Commonwealth War Graves’ Commission’s (CWGC) Debt of Honour register or Soldiers Died in the Great War.  This suggests that he died of wounds or a war service incurred sickness after 31st August 1921; the “cut-off date” set by the CWGC for servicemen and women to be granted war grave status.  Chailey’s war memorial was unveiled on 2nd October 1920 and Frederick Wood’s name, appearing out of alphabetical sequence, seems to have been added at a later date. 

Frederick was born at Wivelsfield, Sussex in 1896, his birth registered at Lewes in the December quarter of that year.  He appears on the 1901 census of England and Wales as a four year old living at North Colwell Farm, Wivelsfield with his family.  The household comprised Frederick Wood (head, aged 32, a farmer), his 30 year old wife, Alice Mary Wood and their three children: Edith Grace Wood (aged five), Frederick Albert Jon Wood and Alice Ellen Wood (aged one).  

Chailey Parish Magazine first notes in March 1915 that Frederick Wood is serving his King and Country.  In October 1915 it notes, Wood, Pte F, AVC, Dardanelles and in December 1917 that his rank is now that of corporal.  This information is then repeated up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919.  There is no mention of him in the parish magazine’s roll of honour. 

Fortunately, Frederick’s medal index card at The National Archives in Kew fills in further details. He is recorded as SE/4483 Corpl Fredk Albert J Wood of the RAVC (the Army Veterinary Corps became the Royal Army Veterinary Corps on 27th November 1918).  He enlisted on 1st March 1915 and appears to have arrived in Gallipoli just thirteen days later on 14th March.  He was discharged as no longer physically fit for war service on 7th June 1919 and was entitled to a silver war badge as well as the 1914-15 Star and British War and Victory Medals.  
 
Frederick's entry on the silver war badge roll would appear to be incorrect as it contradicts the medal index card, stating that he enlisted on 1st February 1915 and did not serve overseas. His age (in 1919) is given as 23.

Frederick’s name does not appear on any of the Wivelsfield memorials and although I have not researched the church cemeteries in this area of Sussex, it seems likely that he is buried either in Chailey or Wivelsfield.
 
Medal index card courtesy of Ancestry.

WR/178250 L/Cpl William Albert Cottington, 2/2nd London Field Coy, RE


William Albert Cottington was born at Uckfield, Sussex in 1890, his birth registered at Uckfield District in the September quarter of that year.  He appears on the 1891 census living at Yew Tree Cottage, Mayfield with the Wilson family.  The household comprised: Mary Wilson, head, widow aged 73, living on own means; Lousia Wilson, daughter, single, aged 25, dressmaker; Louisa Wilson, granddaughter, aged 5 and William, aged six months and recorded as a “boarder”. 

Ten years later, William’s relationship to the head of the household is still recorded as “boarder” but by now he is living at No 2 Roeheath Cottage, Chailey village.  The head of the household is noted as 45 year old James Langridge and William (aged ten) shares the house with James and his 42 year old wife Ellen, their 22 year old son Herbert and an 84 year old boarder – John Diplock. 

On 3rd February 1912 William married Rosena Alice Evans at the Congregational Church, Uckfield and on 8th January 1914 a daughter, Ethel Cottington, was born. 

William was embodied on 23rd March 1915 at 10 Victoria Park Square, London as a sapper with the 2nd London Field Company, Royal Engineers (TF) in (what was then) the 1st London Division.  He was given the number 1974 (later changed to 548331 when the Territorial were re-numbered in 1917).  He gave his address as New Road, Buxted, Sussex and enlisted for the duration of the war. He stated that he had previously served with the Sussex Garrison Artillery (TF) until it been disbanded.  He was described as 24 years old, five feet, six inches tall and of good physical development.   

On 31st August 1915 he was appointed (unpaid) acting lance-corporal and this was upgraded to (paid) acting lance-corporal on 6th November 1915.  On 11th December 1915

He was promoted to acting 2nd corporal and this was duly noted in Chailey’s parish magazine in February 1916 which reported: Cottington, 2nd Corpl W A 2/2nd London Field Co, RE, England. 

On 11th March 1916 he joined the RE Base Records for duty and the following month was re-mustered as a clerk and granted proficient (1/-) rate of Engineer pay.  Although there is no visible note in his (badly burnt) records of when he went abroad, Chailey Parish Magazine notes in July 1916 that he is in France.  On 1st November 1916 he was raised to “Skilled” (1/4) rate of Engineer pay and on 1st July appointed paid acting corporal (19th Section GHQ, 1st Div). 

He was admitted to hospital on 20th August 1917 (the cause of the admission is unclear on his records) but it appears not to have been serious and as far as I can ascertain he remained overseas.  He was however granted leave bewteen 16th and 30th January 1918.  At a medical board at Rouen on 22nd March 1918 he was graded as B2 and the following day his war pay was raised to ( or maybe “by”) 3d a day.   

On 1st October 1918 he was appointed sergeant and given four days’ leave to Paris the same day.  Shortly after his return he attended a further medical board at Rouen where he was upgraded to B1.  He was granted leave to the UK between 3rd and 17th January 1919  and was finally despatched to the UK for release on 21st April 1919.  He appears to have been disembodied on 1st May 1919. 

He is probably related to Alfred Cottington and Harry Cottington but I have not yet been able to establish a link between these men.
 
Medal index card courtesy of Ancestry.

Harry Cottington, 7th Royal West Kent Regt

Chailey Parish Magazine notes in March 1916 that Harry Cottington has attested.  In October 1916 it records Private H Cottington (presumably the same man), serving with the 22nd Training Reserve in England.  The following month it notes that he is with the 26th Royal Fusiliers in France. 

In January 1917 it notes that he is serving with the 7th Royal West Kent Regiment and in January 1918 that he is attached to APM (an abbreviation I am not familiar with).  This information is then repeated monthly up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919.

I have been unable to find either a convincing census return for this man or a medal index card at The National Archives. 

He is probably related to Alfred Cottington and William Albert Cottington but I have not yet been able to establish a link between these men.

 

Alfred Cottington

Chailey Parish Magazine notes in October 1914 that Alfred Cottington is serving his King and Country.  This information appears for the final time in March 1915. 

I know nothing more about this man. He may be the 42-year-old Alfred Cottington recorded on the 1911 census as living in Uckfield and he may also be related to Harry Cottington and William Albert Cottington. At this point in time though, I have not yet been able to establish a link between these men.

P-5378 L/Cpl William Cottingham, Military Foot Police


In April 1917 Chailey Parish Magazine notes Cottingham, L-Corpl W, Mil Foot Police and this entry is then repeated monthly up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919.  The National Archives lists him as P-5378 Lance Corporal W Cottingham, Military Foot Police. 

W Cottingham is probably William Cottingham who was born at Chailey in 1887 and whose birth was registered in the December quarter of that year.  He was the son of William and Esther Cottingham of South Common Chailey and at the time the 1901 census was taken, was living at Chailey with his family.  The household comprised William Cottingham, head of the household, aged 53 and working as a tile maker, his 46 year old wife Esther Cottingham and their five children: James [Louis] Cottingham, aged 16, a brickyard labourer, William, aged 13, a brickyard labourer, his twin brother George Cottingham, aged 13, working as a carter boy on farm, Frederick [Samuel] Cottingham, aged nine, and finally Alfred Cottingham aged six.  The 1891 census also shows a daughter, Edith Cottingham aged five in 1891 but I could find no record of her on the census taken ten years later. 

All of the Cottingham brothers, (with the exception of George who was medically unfit), served during the First World War.  Frederick was killed in 1916 on the opening day of the battle of the Somme.  The brothers were also distantly related to Thomas Cottingham.
 
Medal index card courtesy of Ancestry.

J24158 AB Thomas Charles Cottingham, HM Submarines

Thomas Cottingham was born on 29th January 1897 at Chailey.  At the time the 1901 census was taken he was living at South Common, Chailey.  The head of the household is recorded as Frank Yeomans, a 37 year old brickyard labourer, and his wife Jane Yeomans (nee Johnson), aged 50.  Thomas Cottingham is recorded as the four year old grandson of the head of the household.  No other family members are noted. 

Thomas’ father (Charles Johnson Cottingham) and his mother Elizabeth Cottingham (nee Dumbrell) were also living in south Chailey and Charles was working as a bricklayer.  Thomas was effectively the step-grandson of Frank Yeomans.  For his grandmother, Jane Yeomans this was her third marriage.   

Her first husband was John Cottingham who she married in 1869.  At the time of that marriage she already had a son Thomas – probably by John Cottingham -  and Thomas assumed the Cottingham surname at some point after 1881.  He appears on census returns under a variety of names: James Charles Johnson (1871), John C Johnson (1881), Charles Cottingham (1891) and Charles J Cottingham (1901).  When he married Elizabeth Dumbrell in 1899, his name was registered as Charles Johnson Cottingham. 

John Cottingham died in 1881 (Jane is recorded as a widow on the census return for that year).  She then married George Cottington in 1885 but he died later that same year (the marriage was recorded at Lewes in the March quarter of 1885 and his death, at the age of 35, was recorded at Lewes in the December quarter).  She then married Frank Yeomans in 1892.  Coincidentally, when in 1871 she was the 25 year old wife of John Cottingham, her future husband, seven year old Frank Yeomans, was living next door but one.  

Thomas Cottingham joined the Royal Navy on 15th April 1913.  His occupation was noted as “under game-keeper”, his height as five feet four inches, hair brown, eyes brown, complexion fresh.  The only distinguishing mark worthy of note was a mole on his back. 

Thomas Cottingham was immediately posted to HMS Ganges, a boys’ training ship, where he remained until 12th November that year.  His initial rating was boy, 2nd class, upgraded to boy, 1st class on 12th November.  Between 13th November 1913 and 14th March 1914, Thomas Cottingham served aboard HMS Hawke and then, after two weeks ashore at Portsmouth, transferred to HMS Monarch on 7th April 1914.  On 29th April 1915, his eighteenth birthday, he was automatically promoted to the rating of Ordinary Seaman and signed on for twelve years.  His height, at eighteen, was noted as five feet seven inches and his hair as dark brown. 

Thomas served aboard HMS Monarch until 25th July 1917 when he joined HMS Dolphin, a submarine base and school.  One week later he was transferred to HMS Thames and then, on the 1st October 1917, to HMS Maidstone.  For the remainder of the war, Thomas spent time at HMS Dolphin, HMS Victory (Portsmouth) and finally HMS Amazon.

His service record extends to 30th November 1928 and it is noted that his record was transferred which presumably means that he continued to serve beyond that period.  On 23rd July 1925 it had been noted that he was “to complete [time in order to obtain a pension]” and this would have taken him up until 29th April 1935.

Throughout his time with the Royal Navy (up until 1928 at least), Cottingham’s character is noted as Very Good and his ability, latterly, as Superior.  He had been promoted to able seaman on 1st December 1915 and then to leading seaman on 1st April 1922. 

In addition he qualified as a seaman gunner on 28th March 1916, re-qualifying on 10th October 1916, 17th July 1923 and 22nd July 1927.  He also qualified as a diver on 5th June 1917, re-qualifying on 1st May 1919 

Chailey Parish Magazine first mentions Thomas Cottingham in October 1914, noting that he is serving his King and Country.  In October 1915 it notes that he is serving on HMS Monarch, in December 1917 aboard HMS Thames and in January 1918 aboard HMS Maidstone.  In June 1918 and thereafter up until the final entry in July 1919 it records him serving aboard HM Submarines. 

Thomas Cottingham is distantly related to James, William, George, Frederick and Alfred Cottingham.  John Cottingham (Thomas’ grandmother’s first husband), was the elder brother of their father (William Cottingham).

63717 WO Cl II James Louis Cottingham, Labour Corps

Chailey Parish Magazine notes in December 1916: Cottingham, Co Sergt Major J, 37th RF, and this information is then repeated monthly up until the final published roll call in July 1919. 

J Cottingham is probably James Louis Cottingham who was one of four Chailey brothers who served during the First World War.  He was the eldest child of William and Esther Cottingham of South Common Chailey and was born at Chailey in late 1884 or early 1885, his birth recorded at Lewes in the March quarter of that year. 

The 1901 census returns show him living at Chailey with his family.  The household comprised William Cottingham, head of the household, aged 53 and working as a tile maker, his 46 year old wife Esther Cottingham and their five children: James, aged 16, a brickyard labourer, William Cottingham, aged 13, a brickyard labourer, his twin brother George Cottingham, aged 13, working as a carter boy on farm, Frederick [Samuel] Cottingham, aged nine, and finally Alfred Cottingham aged six.  The 1891 census also shows a daughter, Edith Cottingham aged five in 1891 but I could find no record of her on the census taken ten years later. 

The 37th Royal Fusiliers was a labour battalion formed at Falmer, Sussex on June 6th 1916.  It went to France the following month as part of the Fourth Army.  In April 1917 it became the 107th and 108th Labour Companies of The Labour Corps.  The National Archives gives two designations for this man: 38338 Warrant Officer Class 2 James L Cottingham, Royal Fusiliers and (when the 37th Royal Fusiliers was re-designated), 63717 Warrant Officer Class 2 James L Cottingham, Labour Corps.

Harold Cooke

Chailey Parish Magazine has only two entries for Harold Cooke.  He appears in the January and March 1916 lists of specially attested men where he is noted as medically unfit. He is possibly related to the Cooke family which owned and farmed Bower Farm in Chailey.

Pte T Clayden, 25th Middlesex Regt

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2377157

Chailey Parish Magazine notes in December 1916 that Private T Clayden is serving with the 25th Middlesex Regiment (a reserve battalion) and this information is repeated monthly thereafter up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919.  This battalion remained in England throughout the war.

There is a 28-year-old Thomas Clayden noted on the 1911 census who was working as a servant for Colonel Frewen at his house, Brickwall, in Northiam, Sussex (above; the house is now Frewen College). Whether this is the same man who would appear on the Reverend Jellicoe's roll call for Chailey a few years later is currently a matter for conjecture.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

15030 Sergeant Harry Cottingham, Royal Field Artillery

Harry Cottingham does not appear in the Reverend Jellicoe’s monthly roll call of serving soldiers.  This is surprising as he was born in Chailey and served with the Royal Artillery – and later the Royal Field Artillery - on and off, between 1884 and 1920. 

He first joined the 1st Brigade, Cinque Ports, Royal Artillery at Dover on 16th January 1884.  He was eighteen years and six months old and was given the number 40828.  He was five feet six and a quarter inches tall and weighed 126 lbs.  His complexion is described as ruddy, his eyes grey and his hair dark brown.  A vaccination mark on his knee is also noted. 

On 1st February 1884 he was transferred to the 4th Brigade and on 15th January 1886, granted Good Conduct Pay at the rate of 1d.  He was promoted bombardier in February 1889 and corporal in March 1890.  He was transferred to the Army Reserve in December 1891, having served our years and 38 days with the Colours, and was discharged on the termination of his first period of engagement on 14th January 1896.  During his time with the artillery he spent over six years in India, (12th February 1885 to 30th November 1891). During his time in India he also passed his fourth class certificate of education (24th November 1885) and his third class certificate (18th June 1887).  His character is noted as good and his next of kin as his father, James, of South Common, Chailey. 

On 23rd May 1900, with Britain at war with South Africa, Harry Cottingham enlisted again; this time for a period of one year with the Colours.  He was now 34 years and nine months old and working as a labourer (possibly in the Chailey brickyards). He enlisted at Brighton with the Royal Field Artillery and was given a new number: 10525.  He attested as a gunner but was immediately promoted to corporal on the same day.  Two days later he was posted to the 115th Battery Royal Field Artillery, serving with this unit until his discharge on 22nd May 1901.   

Harry appears on the 1901 census as a married 35 year old corporal stationed at the District Royal Artillery barracks at Weedon Beck, Northamptonshire and I think he probably remained in England for the duration of his one year’s service.  He had married Laura Martin in 1895 and the couple had two children: Dorothy Cottingham, born in 1898 and Hector Cottingham, born in 1900.  Two more children would follow later: Leslie in 1902 and Charlie in 1908. 

When Britain declared war on Germany in 1914, Harry enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery for a third time.  This time he joined the Special Reserve for one year’s service and was given a third number: 15030.  He enlisted on 14th September 1914 aged 47 years and 104 days.  By now he weighed 137 lbs, a marginal increase of just 11lbs since he’d first enlisted twenty yeas earlier. 

There now began a period of service in England which would last until his final discharge from the Royal Field Artillery in February 1920.  He was posted to the 19th (Reserve) Battery on 17th September 1914.  His rank was again gunner but again he was promoted immediately to corporal.  He was posted to 4 “A” Reserve Brigade, RFA in October 1914 and promoted to sergeant that December.  Two years later, in December 1916, he was posted to the 20th Reserve Battery and three months later, in March 1917, was posted back to 4 “A” Reserve Brigade, to the Remounts Section.  In October 1917 he was posted again, this time to a Divisional Ammunition Column and then in May 1918 to the Command Depot of the 5th Reserve Brigade, Royal Artillery Tank Corps.  In March 1919, still not tired of army life, Harry volunteered for a further one year with the colours and was finally discharged on 28th February 1920.  He was now 53 years old and had served nineteen years with the Royal Artillery and Royal Field Artillery. 

Despite having served during both the Boer War and the First World War, Harry received no medals from either campaign as his service had been conducted entirely in the UK.

7979 Pte George Cottingham, Royal Sussex Regiment

George Cottingham and his twin brother William were born in Chailey in 1887, their births registered at Lewes in the December quarter of that year.  They were the sons of William and Esther Cottingham of South Common Chailey and the 1901 census shows George living at Chailey with his family.  The household comprised William Cottingham, head of the household, aged 53 and working as a tile maker, his 46 year old wife Esther Cottingham and their five children: James [Louis] Cottingham, aged 16, a brickyard labourer, William Cottingham, aged 13, a brickyard labourer, George aged 13, working as a carter boy on farm, Frederick [Samuel] Cottingham, aged nine, and finally Alfred Cottingham aged six.  The 1891 census also shows a daughter, Edith Cottingham aged five in 1891 but I could find no record of her on the census taken ten years later. 

Although George did not serve during the First World War, he was a regular soldier who had first enlisted with the Royal Sussex Regiment in 1904.  He enlisted for three years with the colours and nine on the Reserve and his papers survive in the WO 364 pension series held at the National Archives. 

A brick maker by trade, he enlisted at Lewes, Sussex on 23rd July 1904 aged 18 years and nine months.  He was five feet six and a half inches tall and weighed 166 lbs.  His complexion is recorded as fresh, his eyes blue and his hair red.  His religion is noted as Wesleyan.  He was given the number 7979 and saw service with the 2nd Battalion of The Royal Sussex Regiment.  He was awarded a Good Conduct Badge on 23rd July 1905 and two years later was placed on the Army Reserve. 

During his time in the army he remained in England and was discharged in September 1914.  His next of kin is noted as Mr W Cottingham, Norman’s Brickyard, South Common, Chailey. 

There is no indication on his service record why, as a reservist, he did not proceed overseas with the Royal Sussex Regiment when war was declared.  Chailey Parish Magazine though, helps fill in that detail.  He appears there twice: once in a special list of attested men published in March 1916 and then again the following month.  Next to his name the words “medically unfit” are written and he does not feature further.

George’s four brothers all served during World War One and Frederick was killed in 1916 on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme.

9835 Pte Alfred Cottingham, Coldstream Guards


Alfred Edward Cottingham was the youngest child of William and Esther Cottingham of South Common Chailey.  He was born at Chailey in 1894, his birth recorded at Lewes in the December quarter of that year. 

The 1901 census returns show him living at Chailey with his family.  The household comprised William Cottingham, head of the household, aged 53 and working as a tile maker, his 46 year old wife Esther Cottingham and their five children: James [Louis] Cottingham, aged 16, a brickyard labourer, William Cottingham, aged 13, a brickyard labourer, his twin brother George Cottingham, aged 13, working as a carter boy on farm, Frederick [Samuel] Cottingham, aged nine, and finally Alfred aged six.  The 1891 census also shows a daughter, Edith Cottingham aged five in 1891 but I could find no record of her on the census taken ten years later. 
 
Chailey Parish Magazine first notes that Alfred Cottingham is serving his King and Country in October 1914.  In October 1915 he is recorded as Cottingham, Pte A, 1st Coldstream Guards, France.  The following month though his designation is entirely different and he is reported as Cottingham, L-Corpl A, Cyclists’ Company, 1st Divisional Mounted Troops. 

This information is repeated up to February 1917 when the parish magazine notes that Alfred, now a corporal, has been invalided and discharged.  However, he continues to feature in the parish magazine.  In December 1917 he is reported as a sergeant and his final entry in the final published roll call in July 1919 reads: Cottingham, Sergt A, Cyclists’ Company, 1st Divisional Mounted Troops. 

Alfred's medal index card gives two numbers: 9835 for the Coldstream Guards and 862 for The Army Cyclist Corps. It also notes that he arrived overseas on 13th August 1914. In fact, Alfred had joined the Coldstream Guards in November 1912 and so would have had nearly two years' experience under his belt by the time he arrived in France with the BEF; one of the Old Contemptibles.

Medal index card courtesy of Ancestry.

Captain Charles Hext Cotesworth, 21st Lancers


Charles Hext Cotesworth, born in Dover in 1879, was the only son of William Greaves Cotesworth (born  about 1843 at Highgate, Middlesex) and Charlotte Hext (born 15th September 1847 at Morval, Cornwall).  The couple had married on 17th July 1877 and the following year, Charlotte gave birth to Susan Margaret Cotesworth at Torquay. 

The 1881 census shows the family living at 28 Waterloo Crescent, Dover.  William Greaves was a very wealthy man.  His occupation is simply listed as “Dividends” on the census return.  Aside from the four family members there were eight servants including a butler and a nurse for the two children.  Charlotte also had her own lady’s maid. 

The 1891 census shows the family living at Roeheath House, Chailey with William recorded as “living on own means”.  The family had grown by one – Barbara Mary Cotesworth, born around 1887 – and so had William’s army of domestics.  At Roeheath the family could count on the assistance of 12 domestics.  Susan (aged 12) and Charles (aged 11) had their own governess and were presumably being educated at home.  Their mother still had her own lady’s maid and William, now owning a house with stables attached, counted a stable helper amongst his servants. 

By 1901, the family had suffered a double bereavement however.  Charlotte Cotesworth had died suddenly at home on 10th September 1897 at the age of 49.  Her daughter Barbara Cotesworth had died two years later at the age of 12.  By the time the 1901 census was taken, William was living at home with Charles and Susan.  The governess and the nurse had departed but there were still ten domestic servants to look after the running of the household.  By this stage, William was a magistrate and is recorded as such on the census return.  His two children have no occupations noted against their names. 

Charles first appears in Chailey’s parish magazine in March 1915 when it is noted that he is serving his King and Country.  In October of that year he is noted as a captain with he 21st Lancers but by April 1916, the word “invalided” appears next to his name.  In July 1916, “invalided” disappears and Charles then appears continuously in the published roll up to and including July 1919.  Nothing further is known of his army service. I have not found a medal index card for him which suggests that he never served overseas.

Charles was obviously married at the time he was serving because in February 1916 he and his wife are noted in The East Sussex News as having donated a gift to the Chailey Relief Hospital – Hickwells – the commandant of which was his sister, Margaret Cotesworth (later Margaret Slessor). 

William Greaves Cotesworth died on 28th May 1924.  That September, The Times, reporting details of his will, noted that he was chairman of the Chailey Conservative Association and senior member of the Lewes Bench.  He left “unsettled property of the gross value of £95,060”, the equivalent of over £4 million today.

It would seem that Charles – if he was not already living there – took over the estate at Roeheath and spent the next two decades there until his death on 29th June 1944 at the age of 64.  The Times reported the news on 1st July, noting:

COTESWORTH – On June 29th 1944 at Roeheath, Chailey, CAPTAIN CHARLES HEXT COTESWORTH, late 21st Lancers, son of the late William Greaves Cotesworth and dear brother of Margaret Slessor.  Funeral private. No flowers.

The photo on this post is the copyright of the National Trust and show Charles as an infant. It was taken on 29th May 1880 at Dover.

Lt Horace Cornwell, Royal Field Artillery

Chailey Parish Magazine does not have much to say about this man, noting him for the first time in January 1918 as Cornwell, Lieut H, RFA.  This information is then repeated monthly up until the final published roll call in July 1919. 

His name appears at The National Archives as Horace Cornwell but unfortunately his service record does not appear to have survived.  A Horace Cornwell with Chailey connections does appear on the 1901 census but as a fifty-one year old so this is clearly not the same man although he could conceivably be the father of Lieutenant Cornwell.

2nd Lt Reginald Trench Copleston, King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regt)

Reginald Trench Copleston was born on Christmas Day 1885 in Colombo, Ceylon.  He was the son of The Most Reverend Reginald Stephen Copleston DD and Edith Copleston (nee Chenevix-Trench).  Reverend Copleston was the Bishop of Colombo between 1875 and 1902 and when he left that post in May 1902 to take up the post in India of Lord Bishop of Calcutta, his brother Ernest Arthur Copleston succeeded him and in turn was Bishop of Colombo until 1924.   

Bishop Copleston remained in India for a further 11 years and thus was only recently returned to England when the First World War broke out.  During his time in India and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), he wrote a number of books on Buddhism and had previously distinguished himself at Oxford University.  He was elected a Fellow of St. John's College, Oxford, in 1868 and was twice elected President of the Union. 

Reginald Trench Copleston does not appear on the 1891 census (presumably because he was in Ceylon with his parents) but he does feature on the 1901 census.  He appears as a 15 year old living with two maiden aunts, two sisters and three (female) servants at Abberton, Hurstpierpoint, Sussex.  The household comprised Jane E Copleston (head, single, aged 52 and living on her own means), her sister Mary E Copleston (aged 44, also living on her own means and their nephew and nieces: Frances M Copleston (aged 17), Anne R Copleston (aged 16) and Reginald.  All three had been born in Ceylon.  Jane and Mary, like the children’s father, had been born in Barnes, Surrey. 

Reginald Trench attested with Royal Fusiliers at Westminster on 29th September 1914.  His short service attestation paper gives his age as 27 years and eight months, his occupation as electrical engineer and his height as five feet, ten inches.  He had fair hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion.  He was given the army service number 221 and posted to the 19th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers.

On 17th July 1915 Reginald was appointed lance-corporal but may already have been contemplating somewhat higher office.  On 25th September he applied for temporary commission in the regular army (with a preference for the infantry, even though he could ride) giving his permanent address as 25 St John’s Road, Putney and Damerel, Newick in Sussex. (The 1915 edition of Kelly’s Directory of Sussex notes Bishop Copleston living at Damerel). Reginald noted his present address for correspondence as D Company, 28th (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, Farm Camp, Epsom.  Five days later his commanding officer approved his application and the following month, on 19th October, the War Office wrote back: 

“Sir, I am directed to inform you that Lance Corpl R T Coppleston, 28th Batt, Royal Fusiliers has been appointed to a Second Lieutenancy (on probation) in the Special Reserve of Officers and posted to the 3rd Battalion Royal Lancaster Regiment stationed at Fort Stamford, Plymouth, but prior to joining his unit has been selected to undergo a course of instruction at the Chatham School of Instruction and should report himself without fail to Fort Darland, Chatham on 31st October 1915 between 2 and 4pm. 

“He should provide himself with bedding and and camp kit before joining, but uniform, if not ready, can follow him.  He should draw his outfit allowance from his Army Agents or Paymaster.” 

Reginald was discharged from the 19th Royal Fusiliers on 26th October 1915 and granted a commission in the 3rd King’s Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment. 

Events over the next twelve months are unclear and there is nothing noted in his surviving service papers held at the National Archives in Kew.  In February 1916, Chailey Parish Magazine mentions him for the first time, stating Copleston, 2nd Lieutenant R T, King’s Own (Lancs) Regt, but it is not until 20th October 1916 that another note in his file appears.  This is to state that Reginal Copleston of the 3rd King’s Own (attached 7th King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment; 56th Brigade, 19th Division), left the battalion. 

From subsequent entries and Medical Board notes it appears that he probably went to France around the beginning of July 1916 and saw three and a half months’ active service.  On 3rd November 1916 he embarked for England from Boulogne aboard Tar Brydel; arrived at Dover the same day and went straight to the 4th London General Hospital.  A Medical Board, held at the hospital ten days later reported: “Scabies and Neurasthenia.  He has been three and a half months in France.  At Hebuterne at the beginning of October 1916 he had scabies on the arms, back and abdomen.  Treated in hospital two weeks at Boulogne.  This is now cured.  In addition he has had insomnia, loss of memory, dull headaches, unable to carry on.

Unfit General Service and Home Service 8 weeks.  Unfit Light Duty 6 weeks.  Grant leave 3.11.16 – 24.12.16.  Inform o[fficer] c[ommanding] Res Bn.  Condition caused by exposure to infection and stress of service.” 

Reginald obviously left London at some point during the next few weeks because on 13th December he was writing to The War Office from The Royal Albion Hotel in Brighton, enquiring about his next Medical Board.  This was duly held at Caxton Hall on the 6thJanuary 1917 where it was found that, “Although not sleeping fully he is much better and is fit for light duty at home. Unfit General Service [for] 2 months and Home Service [for] 1 month.  Fit [for] Light Duty at home. 

On 8th January 1917 he joined the 3rd Bn Royal Lancaster Regt at Fort Stamford, Plymouth and one month later, on 9th February, attended his third Medical Board, this time at the Military Hospital in Dorchester.  The Board reported, “He now sleeps very well.  Has occasional headaches in the morning.  He states he forgets what he has read easily.  Unfit General Service 2 months. Fit [for] service at home.” 

By the time he attended his next Medical Board (at Bath War Hospital), Reginald Coppleston was stationed with the 43rd Training Reserve Battalion at Sandhill Camp, Sutton Veny, Wiltshire.  The Board found that he was “anaemic and still complains of headaches.  Unfit [for] G[eneral] S[ervice] [for] 1 month.  Fit [for] Home Service.” 

Finally, in May 1917, his fifth Medical Board held at the Military Hospital at Sutton Veny found that he was fit for General Service. 

Again there is a gap in his service record.  It would seem that Reginald returned to his regiment but by 10th November he had been approved as a probationer for the Indian Army Reserve of Officers (IARO).  It could be that his father pulled some strings or perhaps Reginald pointed to his own background in Ceylon (and possibly India).

On 21st November 1917 he was seconded for service with the IARO and exactly one month later embarked for India at Devonport on the transport ship Walmer Castle.  On 9th February 1918, having completed his period of probation, he was admitted to the IARO and appears to have remained in India at least until January 1921at which point surviving correspondence in his army file at Kew ceases.