G/1672 Private John Henry Oliver, 10th Royal Sussex Regt

John Oliver of Chailey died on the opening day of the Battle of Loos, 25th September 1915. This is his story.

According to the Commonwealth War Graves’ Commission’s (CWGC) Debt of Honour register, John Oliver was a native of Chailey. This is not born out by the 1891 census however, which notes his place of birth as Lewes. John Oliver was a one year old infant when the census was taken and was living at 55 Bevenbridge, St Johns, Lewes, with his family. The family comprised John Henry Oliver (senior) aged 33, working as an agricultural labourer; his wife Mercy Oliver (aged 43) and their three children: Rebecca Oliver (aged five), Mary Oliver (aged three) and John Henry Oliver (junior). Ten years later, the 1901 census notes the family still living at Bevenbridge Cottages. John Henry Oliver (senior) is aged 44 and working as brickmaker. His wife’s age is noted as 52. John and Mary are noted as 11 and 13 years old respectively. Rebecca Oliver (aged 15) was working as a general domestic servant in East Chiltington.

Soldiers Died in The Great War further adds to the confusion over John’s place of birth by noting it as Hamsey, Sussex but it does also tell us that he enlisted at Lewes. His connection with Chailey could be through work. His father, as mentioned already, was working as a brickmaker and it is possible that he was working at the Chailey brickyards and that his son followed him there. There is also some confusion over his name. The Debt of Honour register and the tablet inside St Peter’s church Chailey refer to him as Henry J Oliver. All other reference point to the Christian names the other way round.

Chailey Parish Magazine notes in November 1914 that John Oliver is serving his King and Country, adding in October 1915 that he is serving with the 10th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment in France. In July 1915 Chailey Parish Magazine reported news of his father’s burial (on June 7th 1915) and before the year was out, Mercy Oliver would lose her only son as well when G/1672 Private John Henry Oliver died of wounds on the opening day of the battle of Loos.

News of his death (“the only son of the late Harry Oliver”) was reported on page 12 of The Sussex Express (October 22nd 1915) and again on 3rd March 1916; a photo accompanying the 1916 article. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission gives his battalion as the 2nd Royal Sussex Regiment whilst Chailey Parish Magazine, The Sussex Express and Soldiers Died, all quote the 10th Battalion. John Oliver is buried at Verquin Communal Cemetery, France. His somewhat chipped headstone carries the inscription, WE MISS THE HAND CLASP / MISS THE LOVING SMILE. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission notes that he was the son of Mrs Mercy Oliver of 17 St John’s Terrace, Lewes. In the space of four months she had lost both her husband and only son.

My thanks to Jon Miller for the photograph of John Oliver's grave.

Private A Brown, Norfolk Regiment

I know very little about this man and Chailey Parish magazine only gives the briefest details, noting first in April 1917 that Private Brown, A is serving with the 25th Norfolk Regiment, and repeating this every month thereafter up to and including July 1919.

Of course, there was no such formation as the 25th Norfolk Regiment and so the 2/5th Norfolk Regiment seems more likely. There are though, too many candidates for this Territorial Force unit to make a positive connection to Chailey's Private A Brown and so for the moment, Private A Brown remains a mystery.

Gunner A Brown, Royal Field Artillery

I know very little information about this man.

Chailey Parish Magazine notes, Brown, Gunner A, RFA in its April 1917 edition and this information is repeated up to and including the final roll call published in July 1919.

The 1901 census of England and Wales notes a seven year old Arthur Brown living at South Ham, North Common, Chailey. However, without further documentary evidence it is impossible to say whether this is Gunner A Brown or indeed, Private A Brown who is also mentioned in the parish magazine.

SD/1632 Sydney Arthur Brooks, 12th Royal Sussex Regiment

For some reason I'd only briefly referenced Sydney Arthur Brooks on the now defunct Chailey 1914-1918 website; an oversight I am now rectifying.

Sydney was born in Fletching, Sussex in late 1897 or early 1898. He appears on the 1901 census as a three-year old and we know from GRO records that his birth was registered at Uckfield in the first quarter of 1898.

For some reason, Sydney was not noted in the Chailey Parish magazine but we certainly know that he joined the 12th Royal Sussex Regiment at the same time as his brother, William Jared Brooks, and that he was one of the many Southdown battalion men killed in action on the 30th June 1916. William and Sydney joined the regiment on the 11th November 1914 and both arrived in France on 4th March 1916.

Sydney, recorded as Sidney Brookes on his medal index card, has no known grave and is commemorated by name on the Loos Memorial.

The image at the top of this page is courtesy Simon Stevens of Fletching and is reproduced from the notebook kept by John Oldaker of Newick School which Sydney and William attended between 1905 and 1911. The other image is taken from the Loos Memorial register entry, courtesy of CWGC.

SD/1633 Pte William Jared Brooks, 12th Royal Sussex Regt

William Jared Brooks was born in Fletching, Sussex in 1896. He appears on the 1901 census living with his family at Cherry Tree Cottage, Fletching Common. The household comprised: Jared Brooks (head, married, aged 32, a bricklayer journeyman), his wife Frances E Brooks (aged 33) and their three children: Frances E Brooks (aged six), William (aged four) and Sydney Arthur Brooks (aged three). Also living at the cottage was William's maternal grandfather, 82 year old William Hart.

Chailey Parish Magazine first mentions William in its April 1918 issue, stating Brooks, Lance-Corporal W J, 12th Royal Sussex. This information is repeated up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919. In fact, William had been in khaki for a long time. He and his brother Sydney had enlisted with the 12th (South Down) Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment at Brighton on 11th November 1914 and they had travelled to France together in March 1916. Sydney’s number was SD/1632 and William’s SD/1633. The 12th Sussex was thrown into action at The Boar’s Head on 30th June 1916 and the casualties were great.

When the roll call was taken later, Sydney was reported missing and later presumed dead. Soldiers Died in The Great War notes his date of death as 30th June but I have been unable to find his entry on the Commonwealth War Graves’ site. William appears to have come through the encounter unscathed. Certainly, his old headmaster, John Oldaker, of Newick school, makes no mention of it in the notes he jotted down about him (below). Both boys had been at the school between 1905 and 1911 and at some stage, William sent Mr Oldaker the photograph of himself that is reproduced on this page.

William remained overseas with the Royal Sussex Regiment until he was wounded on 23rd July 1918 and his war ended.

33870 Cpl Henry Alfred Brooks, 9th York & Lancaster Regt

Henry Alfred Brooks was born in Chailey about November 1895. When the 1901 census was taken, he was a five year old living at home in Balneath, Barcombe with his younger brother Ernest Edward Brooks (aged two) and his parents. His father, Alfred Brooks, born in East Chiltington, was a 26 year old brickyard labourer. His mother, Sarah Brooks, aged 27 had been born in Barcombe, as had Ernest. Later, a daughter – Daisy Margaret Brooks, born around 1902 – would complete the family.

According to Soldiers Died in the Great War, at the time of his enlistment Henry was living in Chailey although he actually enlisted at Brighton. This is confirmed by his surviving army papers which exist as a burnt document in the WO 363 series at the National Archives in London .

On 25th January 1915, aged 19 years and three months, Henry enlisted in the Army Veterinary Corps (AVC) at Brighton and was given the army number 4482. He was five feet six inches tall and weighed 148lbs. He gave his trade or occupation as “carter”. He was deemed fit and up to standard by the officer examining him and there was a recommendation which read that he was a “smart young man, intelligent and of good appearance.” The following day his enlistment for the AVC was approved and he was duly enlisted a few days later on 1st February. The following month, Chailey Parish Magazine noted that he was serving his King and Country.

At some point prior to embarking for France, Henry was appointed acting sergeant. He embarked at Folkestone on 19th July 1916, disembarking at Boulogne. On 4th October 1916 he was appointed paid lance-sergeant while in the field but was deprived of this stripe on 9th May 1917 for being absent from his stable at 5.35am and for handing over his party without permission. On 29th September 1917 he was transferred to the 9th York and Lancaster Regiment (70th Brigade, 23rd Division), although the reason for this transfer, given on his official papers, is obscured and damaged now. Chailey Parish Magazine noted in December 1917 that he was now a corporal with the Yorks and Lancs, Henry having been allowed to keep his NCO rank when he moved from the AVC.

In November 1917 the division moved to the Italian Front and it was here, on 15th June 1918, that 33870 Corporal Henry Alfred Books was killed in action. He is buried at Granezza British Cemetery (Plot I, Row D, Grave 10). The Commonwealth War Graves’ Commission’s Debt of Honour Register also notes that he was the son of Sarah Brooks of Gate Cottage, Balneath, Chailey near Lewes.

On 15th September 1919 on Army Form W. 5080 (a statement of the names and addresses of all the relatives of Henry Alfred Brooks then living), the following information was recorded: Father: Alfred Brooks, Gate Cottage, Balneath, Chailey Mother: Sarah Brooks [address as above] Full Blood brother: Ernest Edward Brooks, Age 21 [address as above] Full Blood sister: Daisy Margaret Brooks, Age 17 [address as above] The information was declared correct by Sarah Brooks. Henry’s younger brother Ernest Brooks also served his King & Country during the First World War.

The image on this post is taken from the Commonwealth War Grave register for Granezza British cemetery and can also be downloaded from the main CWGC site.

Private Ernest Edward Brooks, 3rd Royal Sussex Regt

Ernest Edward Brooks was born in Barcombe, Sussex about 1898.  When the 1901 census was taken, he was a two year old infant living at home in Balneath, Barcombe with his older brother Henry Alfred Brooks (aged five) and his parents.  His father, Alfred Brooks, born in East Chiltington, was  a 26 year old brickyard labourer.  His mother, Sarah Brooks, aged 27 was also a native of Barcombe.  Later, a daughter – Daisy Margaret Brooks, born around 1902 – would complete the family.

I know little about Ernest Brooks’ war service.  Chailey Parish Magazine first mentions him in August 1918, noting that a Pte E Brooks is serving with the 3rd (Reserve) Royal Sussex Regiment.  This information is repeated up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919.

Ernest Brooks died in 1965.  His brother, Henry Alfred Brooks was killed in action on the Italian Front on 15th June 1918. My thanks to Mr and Mrs Alfred E Brooks of Chailey for assisting me with my research.

Reverend Arthur Hamilton Boyd OBE MC TD

Arthur Hamilton Boyd was born in Edinburgh on 7th June 1869.  He was the son of Sir John and Lady Isabella Boyd (nee Lawson) of Maxpoffle, Roxburgh.  Sir John was Lord Provost of Edinburgh from 1888 to 1891.

Arthur had nine brothers and sisters including a twin brother, Alan Stuart Boyd.  One of his sisters, Bethia Theodora Boyd, the youngest of Sir John’s daughters, would later marry the vicar of St Peter’s Church, Chailey, The Reverend Thomas Harry Lee Jellicoe.

Arthur was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, graduating from Edinburgh Theological College in 1894 and at Woolwich Theological College.  From 1896 to 1898 he was curate at Chailey and from 1898 to 1901 was a clergyman at Hurstpierpoint, also in Sussex.

Presumably while he was at Chailey, Arthur met and married Penelope Elizabeth Blencowe of Bineham, Chailey.  Their marriage is recorded in the March quarter for 1898. The 1901 census notes Arthur (aged 31) and Penelope (aged 32) living at Hurstpierpoint with their two month old son, William Arthur Hamilton.  Later that year the family moved again, this time to Slaugham, where Arthur took up the position of rector, a post he would hold until 1928.

In 1903, Arthur and Penelope had a second son, James Hamilton, and two years after that, Arthur took up the post of Chaplain to the Forces, 3rd Class, attached to the 4th Royal Sussex Regiment.  There were various grades of chaplain, each grade carrying an equivalent army rank.  Fourth Class was equivalent to captain, Third Class to major, Second Class to lieutenant colonel and First Class to colonel. 

When war was declared, Arthur Boyd was appointed Acting Chaplain to the Forces 4th Class and posted to Divisional Troops, 3rd Cavalry Division British Expeditionary Force, France. In 1915 he was appointed Senior Chaplain 3rd Class, 3rd Cavalry Division and in November 1916 he was appointed Deputy Assistant Chaplain-General, 2nd Class, Cavalry Corps.

Chailey Parish Magazine first mentions Arthur Boyd in its November 1916 issue, noting that he is a temporary lieutenant colonel.

Arthur Hamilton Boyd led a distinguished military career. He was captain of the St Mary’s Slaugham company of the Church Lads’ Brigade and was decorated for gallantry.  He was awarded the Military Cross on 18th February 1915 for distinguished conduct in the field and was Mentioned in Despatches three times: 17th February 1915, 22nd June 1915 and 30th December 1918.  On 1st January 1919 in the King’s New Year’s Honours’ List, he was awarded the OBE (military) and this was followed up in August 1919 with the award of the Territorial Decoration.

On 23rd September 1919, the Reverend A H Boyd OBE, MC, TD, relinquished his commission and reverted to T/CF 3rd Class.  Arthur Boyd was also a member of the Junior Army & Navy Club, Whitehall and in 1921 was living at Slaugham Rectory, Haywards Heath, Sussex.

Arthur Boyd’s medals are held by The Royal Army Chaplain’s Department Museum (The Museum of Army Chaplaincy) at Amport House, Amport, near Andover, Hampshire.  The group consists of: OBE, MC, 1914 Star with clasp, British War Medal, Victory Medal with MID Oakleaf and his George V Territorial Decoration.  The photograph of his medals on this website is re-produced by kind permission of the trustees of The Museum of Army Chaplaincy. The photo of Reverend Boyd at the top of the is post is published with the permission of Alison Botterill to whom, many thanks.

Lt Robert Campion Blencowe, Royal Defence Corps

Robert Campion Blencowe was born at Hurstpierpoint, Sussex in 1858.  He appears on the 1861 census as the eldest son of John George Blencowe and Frances Campion Blencowe.  At the time the census was taken, Robert Campion was two years old and his younger brother, John Ingham Blencowe, was four months old.  The family lived at Bineham Mansion in Chailey.

John George Blencowe was the only son of Robert Willis Blencowe and had inherited a considerable sum of money plus the combined estates of The Hooke and Bineham.  When he married Frances Campion, an heiress in her own right, he received an additional marriage settlement of nine thousand pounds.  As well as being a significant landowner (the 1861 census notes that he owns 220 acres and is the employer of eleven men and two boys), John George Blencowe was also a Member of Parliament (1859-1865) and, like his father before him, a magistrate at Lewes, serving there from 1842 until 1897; the longest serving magistrate except for the Duke of Richmond.

Robert Campion Blencowe appears on the 1871 census as a 12 year old scholar staying at 40 Upper Brunswick Place, Hove, Brighton.

I have been unable to locate Robert Blencowe on the 1881 census return.  His parents, John George Blencowe and Frances Blencowe appear on the 1881 census still living at Bineham but by this time, their three sons (William Poole Blencowe was the third son, born in 1869) had obviously left the family mansion.  In 1881, the census recorded John George Blencowe, (aged 64), Frances Blencowe (51) and their five daughters: Florence C[harlotte] Blencowe (aged 21), Harriet Blencowe (aged 18), Frances I[sabel] Blencowe (aged 16), Mary Blencowe (aged 15) and Penelope E Blencowe (aged 13).

It is possible that by the time the 1881 census was taken, Robert was in India.  A copy of Dress Regulations for Officers of the 1^st Battalion (XX) Lancashire Fusiliers, offered for sale by Maggs Brothers military booksellers in August 2006, notes Robert Campion Blencowe as the book’s owner.  The Maggs Brothers website notes that Robert made full lieutenant in January 1880 and that the 2nd Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers embarked for Bombay the following year.

On the 1891 census, John George and his wife are still at Bineham with their daughters although by now, Florence C Blencowe had married and become Florence C Drummond. Her son, Frederick John Drummond (whose birth was registered in the September quarter of 1891) would later be killed in action in the First World War. 

Robert Campion Blencowe (aged 32) appears on the 1891 census living at The Grove, Basingstoke, Hampshire with his 36 year old wife Augusta Blencowe (nee Dickenson) and three servants.  The couple had married in 1886 and Robert Campion is noted on the census as “living on own means”.

On the 1901 census, Robert Campion Blencowe’s name appears under the ecclesiastical parish of St Michael and All Angels in Basingstoke.  He and Augusta were now living at Skippetts House with three servants.  Robert Campion is still noted as “living on own means”.  Augusta died in 1905 and Robert re-married Jessie Wright, a woman who was, according to Rob Tillard, “a formidable lady who seemed forbidding to small boys.

Robert Blencowe’s service record could not be found at the National Archives but it is possible to piece together a sketch history based on information contained in Chailey Parish Magazine and The London Gazette.

Supplement to The London Gazette, Page 8013, of the issue dated 7^th October 1914 notes that Robert Campion Blencowe, late Lieutenant of The Lancashire Fusiliers, is to be a lieutenant with the Territorial Force Reserve.

Chailey Parish Magazine first mentions him in March 1915, noting that he is serving his King & Country and then adding in October that year that he is a lieutenant with the Norfolk Regiment.  On 28^th June 1916, the Supplement to The London Gazette notes that Lieutenant Robert Campion Blencowe is promoted to Captain.

At some point thereafter, it would appear that Robert Blencowe transferred from the Norfolk Regiment to the Royal Defence Corps.  On 7^th November 1917, on page 13176 of the Supplement to The London Gazette, it was noted that Lt R C Blencowe of the RDC would retain his seniority.  Just over a month later, on 17^th December, he resigned his commission on account of ill health, and was granted the honorary rank of lieutenant.  His name appears for the final time in Chailey Parish Magazine’s roll of serving men in January 1918 where it is {incorrectly) noted that he is still serving with the Norfolk Regiment.

The Blencowe family was one of the most influential families in Chailey and the family name crops up time and time again in contemporary newspaper cuttings.  John Ingham Blencowe and Frances Isabel Blencowe in particular, also played significant roles in the village during the war years but Robert appears to have been the most influential member of the Bineham family.  The term, “pillar of the community” appears apt in his case and as well as involving himself in local affairs he also supported a number of worthy causes.  The Women at Work Collection held at The Imperial War Museum in London notes that he was a member of the RSPCA in 1914, contributed a £50 donation to the Soldiers’ Clubs Association in 1915 and 1916 and, also in 1916, donated £20 to Queen Alexandra’s Field Force Fund.

Captain John Ingham Blencowe, Eastern Command

John Ingham Blencowe was born at Hurstpierpoint, Sussex on 15^th December 1860.  He appears on the 1861 census as the second son of John George Blencowe and Frances Campion Blencowe.  At the time the census was taken, John Ingham was four months old and his elder brother, Robert Campion Blencowe, was two.  The family lived at Bineham Mansion in Chailey.

John George Blencowe was the only son of Robert Willis Blencowe and and had inherited a considerable sum of money plus the combined estates of The Hooke and Bineham.  When he married Frances Campion, an heiress in her own right, he received an additional marriage settlement of nine thousand pounds.  As well as being a significant landowner (the 1861 census notes that he owns 220 acres and is the employer of eleven men and two boys), John George Blencowe was also a Member of Parliament (1859-1865) and, like his father before him, a magistrate at Lewes, serving there from 1842 until 1897; the longest serving magistrateexcept for the Duke of Richmond.

I have been unable to locate the Blencowe family on the 1871 census.  John George Blencowe and Frances Blencowe appear on the 1881 census still living at Bineham but by this time, their three sons (William Poole Blencowe was the third son, born in 1869) had obviously left the family manison.  In 1881, the census recorded John George Blencowe, (aged 64), Frances Blencowe (51) and their five daughters: Florence C Blencowe (aged 21), Harriet Blencowe (aged 18), Frances I[sabel] Blencowe (aged 16), Mary Blencowe (aged 15) and Penelope E Blencowe (aged 13).

On the 1891 census, John George and his wife are still at Bineham with their daughters although by now, Florence C Blencowe had married and become Florence C Drummond. Her son, Frederick John Drummond (whose birth was registered in the September quarter of 1891) would later be killed in action in the First World War. 

John Ingham Blencowe (aged 30) appears on the census living at Court House, Lewes with his 29 year old wife Mabel Frances Blencowe and their daughter, Margaret P[enelope] Blencowe (aged one).  Mabel’s maiden name was Ingram and she was one of seven daughters living at Ades in Chailey.

On the 1901 census, John Ingham Blencowe’s name appears under the parish of St Michael’s in Lewes.  He and his family were living at Pelham House with John Ingham’s profession noted as Land Agent.  The family comprised his 39 year old wife Mabel Frances Blencowe and their daughter, Margaret P Blencowe (aged 11).  Staying with them was Thomas A Ingram, John’s nephew as well as his pupil.

According to John Ingham’s application for a commission in the Sussex Yeomanry (TF) which he completed on 18^th September 1914 (aged 53), he had previously served with the regiment as a sergeant between 1902 and 1905, being discharged in 1905 on the expiration of his time.  On his application he indicated that he had been educated at (what looks like) Bradfied College and Brasenose College, Oxford.  He gave his address for correspondence as Cinder Farm, Chailey and his profession as Land Agent.

John Ingham Blencowe was appointed 2^nd lieutenant with the 2/1^st Sussex Yeomanry on 5^th October 1914, temporary lieutenant on 18^th February 1915 and then temporary major on 6^th April 1915. 

In December 1916, Major John Ingham Blencowe was appointed as Assistant War Department Agent and Valuer for Eastern Command and continued in this role, gaining the final rank of captain, until his duties ceased on 10^th July 1920.

John Ingham Blencowe lived at Pelham House in Lewes (now the council offices) and eventually moved to Church House in Chailey where he died in 1945 at the age of 85.

The Blencowe family was one of the most influential families in Chailey and their names crop up time and time again in contemporary newspaper cuttings.  Robert Campion Blencowe and Frances Isabel Blencowe in particular, also played significant roles in the village during the war years.

G/24460 Private William Hugh Blanchard, 9th Royal Sussex Regt

Chailey Parish Magazine notes that a Private W Blanchard is serving with a Training Reserve battalion in April 1917.  In December 1917 the regimental information is updated to 3^rd Royal Sussex and in May 1918 it is updated again to 9^th Royal Sussex.

The National Archives in Kew has only one W Blanchard with the Royal Sussex Regiment noted and that is G/24460 Private William Hugh Blanchard.  In fact the National Archives holds two card for this man: one in the name of W Hugh Blanchard, serving with the 9^th Royal Sussex Regiment, and the other in the name of William H Blanchard, serving with the Royal Sussex Regiment (no battalion given). 

In July 1918, the parish magazine notes that Blanchard has been wounded and this information is repeated monthly thereafter until July 1919 which is the final entry for this soldier.

The 9^th Royal Sussex Regiment was a New Army battalion which was formed at Chichester in September 1914 and all original recruits were given the ‘G’ prefix to their regimental number.  However, although Blanchard too has the G prefix to his number, the fact that he appears for the first time in the parish magazine in April 1917, coupled with the fact that he spent an initial period of time with a Training Reserve battalion would appear to suggest that he was not an early volunteer. 

The 9^th Royal Sussex formed part of the 73^rd Brigade in the 24^th Division and first saw action at Loos in September 1915 where it suffered heavy losses.

In “This and That in Chailey and Barcombe”, Andrew Fayle recalls, “For years the post was delivered on walking rounds.  Old Mr Blanchard, an ex soldier who had only one eye and an artificial leg, was the postman.  He walked from South Common Post Office, all up through Norman’s Brick Yard, then South Street, along Markstakes Lane as far as High House and Tutts Farm, and back.  A long way.  Like all postmen in those days he would carry stamps which you could buy from him and you could ask him to bring a postal order by arrangement. He was also our own ‘Broadcasting Station’. If you saw cattle straying, or if you lost anything, you would tell him and he would broadcast the news. ‘Yes’, he would say, ‘I’ll pass the news on.’”

 
The Mr Blanchard referred to above may be the same Private W Blanchard noted in Chailey’s parish magazine in 1917.

Edwin Baldock

Edwin Baldock is noted in Chailey Parish Magazine in January, March and April 1916 as having attested. The remark, "medically unfit" is recorded next to his name and this was due to the fact that he had been kicked in the leg by a horse before the war. The injury was sufficient to prevent him being called up for military service.
 
Edwin's grandson recalls that he worked with horses but that his main occupation was that of a sign-writer. He had married Emily Page on 9th November 1907 and although initially based in Chailey Parish, the couple had moved to Brighton. Emily died in 1944 and Edwin died in May 1956.

Kelly’s 1915 directory for Sussex lists a Chailey Edwin Baldock as Farm Bailiff and Chailey resident Reg Philpott remembers that the Baldock family came from nearby Wivelsfield where they were butchers and blacksmiths.

Photograph of Edwin in later life courtesy of his grandson, Michael Baldock. Probate calendar extract taken from Ancestry.

John Baker

John Baker appears only twice in Chailey’s Parish Magazine and on both those occasions as one of several names in a special list of attested men published in March and April 1916. At this point in time I know nothing more about him.

Gunner J Avery, Royal Marine Artillery

I know very little about this man.  Avery, Pte J, Ry Marine Artillery  first appears in Chailey Parish Magazine in April 1916.  By October 1916, the magazine notes his rank as Gunner and it would appear that he served throughout the war, his final entry in July 1919 simply reading Avery, Gunner J, Ry Marine Artillery.

Three other Chailey men with the surname Avery served in the First World War – Arthur, Harry and Thomas -  and it is possible that J Avery was related to all or some of these men.

32967 Pte Harry Avery, 7th Norfolk Regiment

Harry Avery was born in Chailey around 1898.  When the 1901 census was taken, the family was living at 13 South Street, Chailey.  The family comprised Thomas Avery (head of the household, aged 48), his wife Caroline (42) and their seven children: Thomas (21), Edith (18), Rose (16), Frederick (13), Harriett (9), Arthur (6) and Harry (2).  Thomas senior worked as a carter on a farm.  His son Thomas was a brick-maker (presumably working at Norman’s, locally) and Edith worked as a general domestic servant.  The family also had a boarder, 22 year old Frank Funnell who worked as a labourer in at the local brickyard.

Harry Avery first appears in Chailey Parish Magazine in March 1916 where his name is one of several noted in a special list of attested men.  In April 1917 he appears again as Avery, Pte H, TR Batt.  In December 1917 he is noted as serving with the 3rd Norfolk Regiment and by January 1918 with the 7th Norfolk Regiment.  His last entry in the Parish Magazine appears in July 1919 where he is still noted as serving with the 7th Norfolk Regiment.  He was given the army number 32967.

The 7th Norfolk Regiment was a New Army Battalion formed at Lincoln in September 1914.  It formed part of the 51st Brigade in the 17th (Northern) Division throughout the war.

Chailey resident Reg Philpott remembered Harry Avery as Henry Avery.

Another Avery, J Avery, also served in the First World War and it is possible that Harry was related to him.  Like Harry, his brothers Thomas and Arthur both served in the army during World War 1 and both survived.

38838 Dvr Arthur Avery, Royal Engineers

Arthur Avery was born in Chailey around 1894.  When the 1901 census was taken, the family was living at 13 South Street, Chailey.  The family comprised Thomas Avery (head of the household, aged 48), his wife Caroline (42) and their seven children: Thomas (21), Edith (18), Rose (16), Frederick (13), Harriett (9), Arthur (6) and Harry (2).  Thomas senior worked as a carter on a farm.  His son Thomas was a brick-maker (presumably working at Norman’s, locally) and Edith worked as a general domestic servant.  The family also had a boarder, 22 year old Frank Funnell who worked as a labourer in at the local brickyard.

Arthur first appears in Chailey’s Parish Magazine in September 1915 when he is noted as serving King & Country.  In October 1915 he appears in the magazine as Avery, Pte A, RE, England and by December of that year his rank his noted as Driver.  He was given the army number 38838.

In April 1916, Avery is noted as Avery, Dvr A, RE, Salonica.

Arthur Avery survived the war.  His last entry appears in Chailey’s Parish Magazine in February 1919 where his rank and regiment are noted.

 
Another Avery, J Avery, also served in the First World War and it is possible that Arthur was related to him.  Like Arthur, his brothers Harry and Thomas both served in the army during World War 1 and both survived.

SE/21101 Private Thomas Avery, RAVC

Thomas Avery was born in Chailey around 1879. When the 1901 census was taken, the family was living at 13 South Street, Chailey. The family comprised Thomas Avery (head of the household, aged 48), his wife Caroline (42) and their seven children: Thomas (21), Edith (18), Rose (16), Frederick (13), Harriett (9), Arthur (6) and Harry (2). Thomas senior worked as a carter on a farm. His son Thomas was a brick-maker (presumably working at Norman’s, locally) and Edith worked as a general domestic servant. The family also had a boarder, 22 year old Frank Funnell who worked as a labourer in at the local brickyard.

Tom Avery appears in Chailey Parish Magazine for the first time in November 1916, noted as a Private, serving with the Army Veterinary Corps in France (regimental number SE/21101). He survived the war and appears to have served until the end, finally appearing in the parish magazine in July 1919. 

G/25996 Pte Victor Ashford, The Buffs

On his service papers dated 25th May 1918, Victor Ashford’s home address is given as Colonels Bank, Chailey.  Geographically speaking, I believe that Colonels Bank was in Newick rather than Chailey, but as the service record states Chailey, I am including Victor’s First World War service here.  Brothers Frederick and George Smith, also remembered on this site, lived at Colonels Bank too, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s site noting this as being in Chailey.

Victor was called up for service at the age of 18 years and 11 months and posted to the 3rd Buffs; number G/25996 (although his preferred regiment was noted as The Royal Engineers). He was five feet eight and a half inches tall, a farm labourer who gave his next of kin as his father, James Ashford. 

Victor remained in England for just over four months before being sent to France with on 28th September 1918.  He joined the 10th Battalion in the Field on 5th October 1918 and remained with it until 5th December when he was admitted to the 51st Casualty Clearing Station with bronchitis.  He was moved to the 53rd General Hospital at Boulogne two days later and then, on 17th January 1919, returned to England from Wimereux aboard the Hospital Ship Jan Breydel. The following day he was admitted to the 1st Western General Hospital in Liverpool where he remained until 21st February when he was granted leave to return home until the 3rd March.

On 27th November that year, medically classified as B2, Victor was demobilised and awarded a final pension of five shillings and sixpence a week for one year.

Albert Agate, Royal Sussex Regiment & MGC

Albert Agate was born in Keymer, Sussex in 1870.  His birth was recorded on page 149 of the Cuckfield (Sussex) register (2b) in June of that year.
 

By the time the 1881 census was taken, he was living at 2 Shaftesbury Cottages, Lye Lane, Keymer.  His father, Alfred, aged 33, was noted as a Bricklayer Journeyman and his mother (also 33), as a Bricklayer’s wife.  The couple had five children: Mary (13), Albert, Henry (6), Ellen (4) and Alfred (1).  The census gives Albert’s birth year as 1871.

 

Twenty years later, the 1901 census records 29 year old Albert as a Farm Labourer and the head of his own household at Glebe Cottage in Streat, Sussex.  With him are his 26 year old wife, Sarah Louisa and their four children: Alfred Albert Agate (6), Daisy May (3), Florence Esther (2) and Henry Robert (5 months).

In July 1915, Chailey Parish Magazine notes that Alfred Agate sen was serving King and Country and in October 1915 the magazine adds the additional information that he is serving with the Royal Sussex Regiment in England. By January 1916 the magazine notes that he is with the 3rd Battalion.

In April 1916, the magazine notes that Driver Agate senior is with the 3rd Royal Sussex MG in England and the following month that information is updated to note that he is in France.  As the 3rd Royal Sussex remained a Special Reserve battalion in England, Albert certainly would not have served abroad with them but was probably transferred to one of the service, territorial or regular battalions of that regiment shortly prior to going overseas. 

The next information update in Chailey’s Parish appears in December 1917 when it states that Driver Agate (senior) is now serving with the 62nd Machine Gun Corps.  This information is repeated over the ensuing months until the list of Chailey serving men ceased to appear in July 1919. 

 

Albert's medal index card (above, courtesy Ancestry) shows his MGC number as 4956 and his Royal Sussex  Regiment number as 6938. G/6938 would fit with an enlistment date of late May 1915 (which would tie in with the announcement in Chailey Parish Magazine shortly afterwards).

Albert’s oldest son Alfred also served in the First World War and died eight days after the Armistice on 19th November 1918 at the age of 23.  His entry in the Commonwealth War Graves Register records that he was the son of Albert and Sarah Louisa Agate who, at the time of that entry, were now living at Godley’s Green, Chailey.

8531 Driver Alfred Albert AGATE CXII Bde, RFA

Alfred Albert Agate was born in 1894, his birth recorded on page 171 of the Cuckfield (Sussex) register (2b) in December of that year.

Alfred was the eldest son of Albert and Louisa Agate and was named after his grandfather.  In 1901, the family was living at Glebe Cottage, Streat, Sussex, is father making a living as a Farm Labourer.  Alfred (aged six) had two sisters and a brother: Daisy May (three), Florence Esther (two) and Henry Robert (five months).

 

In October 1914, Chailey Parish Magazine notes an Alfred Agate serving his King and Country.  It is unclear however, whether this is Alfred Agate or his father Albert who is also listed as Alfred up until September 1915.  Alfred would have been 19 when war was declared, his father 44.  It seems more probable that Alfred, a young single man would have rushed to join up than his father who was getting on in years.

In October 1915 the magazine notes that Agate, Dvr A (jun) is serving with the Royal Field Artillery in France.  From December 1916 until November 1918, the entry simply reads, Agate, Dvr A (jun), RFA.

Alfred Agate survived the duration of the war only to die eight days after the Armistice.  In January 1919, his name was added to the Roll of Honour which appeared in Chailey’s Parish Magazine.  It read: Driver A Agate, RFA, died sickness, Nov 19th 1918 in France.  He was 23 years old and had served his King and county for over four years.

Alfred Agate does not appear to be mentioned in Soldiers Died In The Great War but the information held on him by The Commonwealth War Graves’ Commission fills in further detail.

At the time of his death he was 8531 Driver Alfred Albert Agate and was serving with C Battery in the 62nd Brigade of The Royal Field Artillery.  He is buried in Douai British Cemetery, France (above). My grateful thanks to Jon Miller for the photo.

T2SR/03145 Driver George Ernest Sparshott, Army Service Corps

George Sparshott appears on the 1901 census for Hurstpierpoint, Sussex as 11 year old George E Sparshott.  His birth was registered at Cuckfield, Sussex in the March quarter of 1890 as George Ernest Sparshott.

In 1901, the family members are recorded as George Sparshott (head, aged 35 and working as a labourer) and his wife, Selina (aged 32).  The couple had seven children: George (aged 11), Alice M (aged nine), Ellen (aged eight), Charlie (aged six), Gilbert (aged four), William (aged two) and Harry (aged one).  There were also three boarders: Seymour Smith (24), Alfred Heasman (32) and William Poole (25).  George, his mother and his siblings were all born at Hurstpierpoint.  His father was born at Ashington.

George appears in the Chailey Parish Magazine for the first time in January 1918 as Sparshott, Driver G, ASC.  That is all the information that the magazine yields and this is repeated up to and including the final roll call of local men in July 1919.  In the peace celebrations that took place in the village in August 1919, George Sparshott is mentioned as coming third in the cigar and needle race for soldiers and sailors.