82017 (later 1013273) Gnr (later Sgr) Benjamin Tingley, RFA

Benjamin Tingley was born at Chailey in early 1897, his birth recorded at Lewes in the March quarter of that year. He appears on the 1901 census as a four year old living at North Common, Chailey.  The household comprised, Moses Tingley (head, aged 33, working as a boot maker), his wife Mary Ann Tingley (aged 31) and their five children: Esther Tingley (aged seven), Ruth Tingley (aged five), Benjamin, William George Tingley (aged two) and Ebenezer Tingley (aged five months).

Chailey Parish Magazine notes in October 1914 that Benjamin Tingley is serving his King and Country.  In October 1915 it notes that he is a gunner serving with the Royal Field Artillery in France.  His medal index card notes his regimental number as 82017 and the medal rolls don't add an awful lot, the only point of interest being the roll for the British War and Victory medals which records his rank as signaller.

 

More complete service details appear in the Royal Artillery's enlistment books, published on Findmypast. Benjamin was a regular soldier who enlisted for 3 and 9 on the 13th August 1914. He was eighteen years old and attested at Brighton. His trade, on enlistment, was noted as "cycle merchants" and Moses Tingley was given as his next of kin. He served in France between 1915 and 1917 and in Egypt between 1917 and 1919. He was finally discharged at Woolwich on 12th August 1926 with the rank of signaller and a character described as "Very Good". By this time he had been given a new regimental number: 1013273.

 
Chailey Parish magazine mentions three other Tingley men who served their King and country during the First World War.  It is probable that these are William George Tingley (his brother), his uncle William Henry Tingley and his cousin, also William Henry Tingley.

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.

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.

Thomas Jesse Woodhams

I knew from a previous contact that Thomas Woodhams emigrated to the US some time before 1915. Now, thanks to Dennis Savage in Australia, I've been able to pinpoint that date (as well as the name of the ship on which he sailed) and I've consequently updated Thomas's page with this information. He served with the RFA during the First World War.