Lieutenant Albert Heasman MM,16th Australian Imperial Force

Digital copies of Albert Heasman’s World War One service papers can be viewed at The National Archives of Australia. The photograph, right, was taken after his commission as second lieutenant in January 1918.  A summary of Albert’s service history follows.

According to his attestation papers, Albert was born on 14th October 1888 in Hailsham, Sussex.  He was the oldest son of Edric Owen Heasman and Annie Heasman (nee Message) whose marriage was registered at Uckfield, Sussex in the December quarter of 1887.

Albert, born on the 14th October 1888, appears on the 1891 census as a two year old living with his parents and seven month old brother Frederick Heasman at White House, East Chiltington, Sussex.  His place of birth is noted as Bodle Street, Sussex.  Edric, 26 years old and working as an agricultural labourer, was born at Mayfield.  His 25 year old wife Annie was born in London.  Frederick was born at East Chiltington.

Ten years later, the 1901 census notes that the family is still living at the same address (reported as Whitehouse number one) with Edric’s trade now noted as “stockman on farm”.  There are also three more children: Gilbert Arthur Heasman (aged seven), Daisy May Heasman (aged five) and Grace Hilda Heasman (aged two).  A two year old boarder, John A Irquhart (possibly), born in Liverpool, is also living at the address, as is a 59 year old widower from Wivelsfield, George Mitchell.  Two further children would also be born: Beatrice Heasman in 1907 and Percival Heasman in 1910.

Albert emigrated to Western Australia in early 1911 followed by Gilbert in 1912 and Frederick in 1913.  Prior to enlisting in the AIF, Albert and Gilbert worked as fettlers, helping to lay the railway line from Geraldton to Mt Magnet, a gold mining town.  In 1914, war having been declared on Germany, Albert joined the Australian Imperial Force.

Albert’s records show that he attested on the 21st September 1914 with the 16th Battalion AIF.  He was given the number 595.  The 16th Infantry Battalion (Western Australia and South Australia) formed part of the 4th Infantry Brigade.  Albert gave his age as 25 years and 11 months, his trade or calling as labourer and his next of kin as W Heasman, Tutts Farm, South Common, Chailey.  He was five feet, eight and a half inches tall, weighed 142lbs, had a fair complexion and brown eyes and hair.

On 12th October he was appointed to C Company and the following day swore an oath of allegiance at Helena Vale, Western Australia.  He embarked at Melbourne aboard RMAT A40 “Ceramic” on 22nd December bound for Egypt.  After four months there he landed at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915 and was promoted lance-corporal the following month (13th).  Eleven days later, he was promoted to full corporal.

On 3rd October 1915 he was admitted to the 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital with influenza and then transferred to the 3rd General Hospital.   On the 18th he was transferred to the British Base, “Aquitania”.

On 22nd March 1916, whilst in Egypt, he was promoted sergeant and on 23rd October 1916 was awarded the Military Medal.

On 7th April 1917 he was Taken on Strength with the 70th Battalion and on the 29th April proceeded overseas to France via Folkestone as part of a draft to re-enforce the 16th Battalion.  The same day, Base Records Office AIF sent a letter to Mr Heasman at Tutts Farm stating, “I have much pleasure in forwarding hereunder copy of extract from Supplement No 29854 to The London Gazette of 8th December 1916 relating to the conspicuous services rendered by No 595 Sergeant A Heasman, 16th Bn… Promulgated in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No 62 of 19th April 1917.”

Sergeant Heasman re-joined his battalion on 3rd May 1917, but the following month (26th June), joined the 4th Training Battalion.  On 2nd July 1917 he arrived at Codford for duty with the permanent cadre.  Between 31st August 1917 and 15th September 1917 he attended a course of instruction in the Lewis Gun and qualified 1st class (Sgt).

On 1st October 1917 he was discharged from the permanent cadre of the 4th Training Battalion on proceeding overseas (the following day).  He re-joined his battalion on the 6th October, attended a week-long infantry training course at Aveluy on the 18th November and then attended a further course at an Officer’s Training College on the 27th December.

On 4th January 1918 he was commissioned as a second lieutenant at No 6 Officers’ Cadet Battalion, Oxford.  A confidential report on 23rd May that year reported that he had “shown good sound common sense, worked well and made good sound satisfactory progress.”

On 19th August 1918, 2nd Lieutenant Heasman again proceeded overseas, joining his new unit (unclear on his surviving papers) eight days later. He remained in France until 16th June 1919 when he returned to Australia aboard “Ormonde”.

Although no longer a native of Chailey, the Parish Magazine had also mentioned him during the First World War.  Under “Distinctions’ it recorded his name for the first time in November 1916 stating simply, Sergt A Heasman, MM, Australian Imp Forces, France.  This information was repeated up to and including the final published roll in July 1919.

After the war, for a short time, Albert and Gilbert ran a greengrocer’ shop in West Perth.  When Gilbert returned to England in 1920, Albert spent some time, in the words of one of his ancestors, “roaming around the north of Western Australia on horseback”.  He married Minnie Olive Griffiths in 1923 and in 1932 was granted a conditional purchase block of 1,000 acres of land at Moorine Rock.  He then began a career as a sheep farmer, buying up neighbouring land as the years progressed.  Albert and Minnie had three children: Edric John Frederick Heasman (born January 1925), Albert Charles Heasman (born May 1926) and Ronald Keith Heasman (born April 1928).  A fourth son, Robert, died shortly after birth in 1931.

In October 1968, still living at Moorine Rock, Albert wrote to the officer in charge at the Central Army Base Records requesting a Gallipoli Medallion.  It was acknowledged that he was eligible and he was duly sent it (to complement his Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal). 

Albert Heasman died in 1974 after a long and eventful life.  His medals are held at The Fremantle War Museum in Australia.

Beauty & The Beast

On Friday 9th February the East Sussex News published an article on "an entertainment" - Beauty and The Beast - which took place at The Parish Room, Chailey.  The full cast list was also printed, some of the players also appearing in Nurse Oliver's album.

The article and two subsequent articles are reproduced below.  Over time, I will add links for those men and women who appear in Nurse Oliver's album. For the others who didn't record an entry, all we know for sure is that they were convalescing at Beechlands in February 1917.

ENTERTAINMENT AT THE PARISH ROOM

An entertainment by the soldiers and staff of The Beechlands Red Cross Hospital, assisted by a few friends, took place at The Parish Room on Wednesday evening.  The proceeds are for The Prisoners of War Fund and, judging by the crowded room, the fund should benefit by a considerable sum.  Beauty and The Beast, a pantomime in three acts, proved very amusing and created roars of laughter.  It was preceded by comic songs by Mr Gus Avery. Songs by Miss Hoather and recitations by Miss Beauchamp Marshall.  The characters in the pantomime were represented as follows: Beauty, Pte Keenan; Beast, Lc-Sgt Croft; Languor, Pte Lucas; Vanity, Rfm Maginnis; Merchant, Lc-Corpl Smith (Canadians); Fairy Godmother, Lc-Corpl McCrorie; Folly, Rfm Hobbs; Commonsense, Gunr Bright; King Cole, Corpl Reynolds; Fiddler, Pte Flynn; Fiddler, S-S Atkinson; Fiddler and Farmer’s Boy, Lc-Corpl Stern; Highlander, Pte McKenzie; Queen of Hearts, Pte Oliver; Knave of Hearts, Pte Hubbard; Knight, Pte Lincoln; Wizard I, Pte Head; Wizard II, Pte Gray; Wizard III, Pte Washbourne; Bo-peep, Pte Proctor; Poppy, Pte Brassington; Bee, Lc-Corpl Smith (Buffs); Firefly I, Pte Robinson; Firefly II, Pte Jennings; Forget-me-not, Pte Hoidge; Fairies, Misses J and K Fenn.

Sunday February 18^th 1917 - Chailey [The Sussex Express]

ENTERTAINMENT

The Parish Room was crowded with a large and appreciative audience on Wednesday evening, when a variety entertainment, organised by Miss Cotesworth, was given.  The first part consisted of song and recitations.  The second half of the programme was composed of a short musical play in three acts written by Miss Hughes, entitled ‘Beauty and The Beast”.  The proceeds will be donated to the Prisoners of War Fund.

February 23^rd 1917 [The Sussex Express]

The variety entertainment which was held at the Parish Room a fortnight ago realised £9,17s for the Prisoners of War Fund.

Probationer Alice Kathleen Fenn, Sussex 54 VAD

Alice Kathleen Fenn (pictured above right with her younger sister Jessie), was born at Dover, Kent in 1876, her birth registered in the district in the March quarter of that year.  She appears on the 1881 census living with her family at 4, Camden Crescent, Dover.  The household comprised Edwin Fenn (head, married, aged 42, a Colchester born General Medical Practitioner), his wife Alice Anne (or Annie) Fenn (aged 42, born in Ardleigh, Essex) and five children: Ernest J Fenn (aged 13), Edwin Anthony Fenn (aged 11), Kathleen (recorded as Alice K Fenn, aged four),  William C Fenn (aged four) and Leonard H Fenn (aged one).  The two older boys had been born in Fletching (as had a sixth child, Grace Fenn, born about 1870); the other children had all been born in Dover. Lending a hand at the house were 18 year old Alice Watson, a general servant and 14 year old Ellen McPay, a nursemaid.   

By the time the 1891 census was taken the children’s mother had died, their father had re-married and the family had moved to 86 Maison View Road, Dover.  There was also a new half-sister for the Fenn children.    Alice had died in 1881 at the age of 42, her death recorded in the December quarter of that year.  Edwin had then re-married.  My research suggests that he married Mary Ann Oliver in North London in 1884, their marriage registered at Edmonton in the September quarter of that year.   The 1891 census notes Edwin as a physician and surgeon.  His wife Mary is recorded as 39 years old and born in Stratford St Mary, Suffolk.  Children noted are: Grace (aged 19), Kathleen (aged 15), William (aged 14), Leonard (aged 11) and the new arrival, Jessie Mary Fenn (aged four, born in Dover).  Also at the house were a 19 year old Swedish boarder (Adele Damfelt), a cook and a housemaid.  I have been unable to find Edwin but Ernest was working in London.   

Ten years later, according to the 1901 census, the family had moved to Ardleigh near Harwich in Essex.  Edwin Fenn, now aged 63, is recorded as a retired physician and surgeon.  With him in the house are his three daughters: Grace, Kathleen and Jessie.  Kathleen is recorded by her first name, Alice.  Although Edwin’s status is recorded as “married” rather than “widower”, Mary Fenn does not appear on this census return.  Ernest, William and Leonard had all moved away from home.  Edwin had died in Dover in 1895 at the age of 25.    

I am unsure when Kathleen and her younger half sister Jessie joined Sussex 54 VAD.  There was already a distant connection to Chailey Parish through their brother Ernest who had been born at Fletching and it could be that when their father died in 1911, the sisters moved away from Essex.  As a physician and surgeon I have wondered whether they picked up any of his skills but there is no mention of any trade or occupation against any of the girls’ names on the 1901 census and their father was presumably sufficiently well-off, even in retirement, to look after them.  

Kathleen appears on the 1911 census as a 35-year-old single matron working at Dulwich College.   

The two Fenn sisters are mentioned in the East Sussex News dated 9th February 1917.  Reporting on a pantomime staged at Beechland House, the unnamed journalist notes that “Misses J and K Fenn” took on the roles of fairies.   Nothing else is known about these two ladies.  Their brother Ernest attested for service with the army in January 1916 but does not appear to have been called up.

Probationer Annie Bertha Hoidge, Sussex 54 VAD

Annie Bertha Hoidge was born in Twyford, Hampshire in September 1882. She was the daughter of William Pearn Hoidge (1842-1885) and Elizabeth Pearn Crosley (1843-1886), and the youngest of six siblings: Emma (1868-1948),  William Crosley (1872-1947), Elizabeth Loveday (1876-1945), Alice Mary (1877-1966) and John Henry (1879-1945).  In 1901, the six siblings posed together for a photo at Alice's wedding. Annie is believed to be the woman, far right.

Annie is also believed to be the VAD probationer who also appears in the Sussex 54 VAD group photo (middle row) standing directly in front of Edith Oliver with her hand raised.

Annie's card from the British Red Cross Archives' file notes that she was engaged as a VAD between the 14th October 1914 and November 1916, and again between the 1st February 1917 and 31st August 1918. She was thus a long-serving member of Sussex 54 VAD and worked at both Hickwells and Beechlands. Her personnel card records her address as Sennocke, Newick; a house that had been owned by her late uncle, William Crosley. He had died in 1912 but it is not known when Annie moved to Newick - or indeed how she was employed. She was certainly mentioned in a report on Sussex 54 VAD which later found its way into Edith Oliver's autograph album.  The date of the report is unknown. 

INTERESTING CHAILEY DISPLAY

One of the strongest detachments of the Red Cross Society in Sussex is that of Chailey, the success of which is in a large measure attributable to the influence and energy displayed by the Commandant, Miss Cotesworth and the Quartermaster, Mrs J Blencowe.  Evidence of the good work of the Detachment was forthcoming at the annual War Office inspection, conducted in the newly erected Parish Room, Chailey, by Major Rattray, Brighton, yesterday afternoon.  Three Detachments - Lewes, Southwick and Chailey - compete for the distinction of representing the Lewes Division for the Duchess of Norfolk’s Cup, for which the whole of the Sussex Detachments are eligible, and yesterday’s interesting proceedings will decide whether divisional honours will fall to the Chailey Detachment.  The Parish Room was converted into quite a delightful little hospital.  It was all very realistic make-believe, but the work of the staff was, of course, undertaken as if the unreality were altogether absent.  The main building was divided into two wards for the treatment of surgical and medical cases, various supposed fractures, bullet wounds &c., being treated in the former, and diseases, such as rheumatic fever and pneumonia, in the latter.  In addition to this, an isolation hospital (in which a supposed cholera patient was under treatment), operating theatre, milk room, kitchen, camp fires, constructed with earth work, grease refuse pot &c., the principal idea of improvisation underlying the whole of the scheme.  The Quartermaster’s store was an ingeniously arranged hut adjoining the hospital, and no detail was overlooked in carrying out the idea of representation.  The members of the staff on parade were: Dr Orton (Medical Officer), Miss Cotesworth (Commandant), Mrs J Blencowe (Quartermaster). Miss Gander (Assistant Quartermaster), Sister Osmund (Lady Superintendent), Miss Holcroft (Clerk), Nurses Oliver, West, Pownall, Blencowe, M Blencowe, Sandford, Smith, Hancock, Greer, Grounds, U. Grounds, Smythe, Wilson, Gaston, Hoidge, and Rootes, and Cooks Curtis, Best, Bryant and Pointing.  Miss Campion, the Hon Secretary of the Sussex Division, was also present, and when the room was thrown open to the public later in the day, quite a number availed themselves of the opportunity of becoming acquainted with the useful work of the Detachment.

Sussex 54 VAD was also present at the Red Cross Field Day at Stanmer Park, Falmer in 1913 and I believe that the nurse who is 6th from the right is Annie Hoidge.

Nothing, apart from the scant information contained on her BRCS card, is known of Annie's service as a VAD during the First World War. What is known, however, is that she committed suicide at Sennocke in early 1921. The record office in Brighton has the coroner’s report which records death by strangulation (certified by the same Dr W S Orton with whom she had worked during the war years), the coroner ruling “Suicide during temporary insanity while suffering from neurasthenia, the result of overwork whilst serving upon the Army & Navy Canteen board”. 

The press cutting above was also in the same file. The coroner’s notes on Dr Orton’s testimony have a comment that the neurasthenia was brought on by her VAD experiences in Feb 1917, but there are no further details.

My sincere thanks to Annie Hoidge's great nephew, John Burd, for contacting me and providing me with the information that I have reproduced here.

602919 Pte James Bentley, 7th (British Columbia) Canadians

James Bentley was a patient at Beechland House, Newick in November 1916. His entry in Nurse Oliver’s album comprises a drawing of a maple leaf with the word CANADA written underneath, followed by a verse and text. His original entry has been heavily over-written in blue biro in later years. It can be viewed here in part 19 of The Hospital Way.

The entry reads:

THE MAPLE LEAF FOR EVER

[line drawing of maple leaf]

We’re the Boys from Canada
and we have come across the Sea
We’ve come to fight for Old England’s right
And to help win Victory
Don’t you hear our song
When they blow fall in
We’re on our way to old Berlin
For we are the boys of the Maple Leaf.

Pte J Bentley. 7th Canadians
Wounded at Ypres on June 16th ’16 Hill 60
Now under Convalescence at Beechlands

Nov 26th Newick

According to his attestation papers, James Bentley was born at Leicester on 15th February 1890. He attested with the 34th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, at Sarnia, Ontario on 16th August 1915. He gave his home address as 434 Russell Street, Sarnia and his next of kin as his father, Thomas Bentley. James gave his occupation as car repairer. He was unmarried, five feet nine and three quarter inches tall with brown hair, dark blue eyes and a dark complexion. The doctor examining him also noted scars on his knee caps, a burn on his left elbow and moles and brown marks on his shoulder blades.

His attestation was approved the following day and on 1st November 1915, 602919 Private James Bentley arrived in England aboard SS California. At Bramshott on 3rd February 1916 he was transferred to the 23rd Battalion and then on 25th May, overseas, transferred to the 2nd Battalion. The following day he was transferred again, this time to the 7th Battalion. Three weeks later, on 16th June near Ypres, he was hit on the left knee by a piece of shell. His medical notes written at Shornecliffe in Kent in February 1917 explain the subsequent sequence of events:

“Was hit by piece of shell on left knee cap producing fracture. Dressed at various aid stations taken to Poperinghe, then taken Boulogne 14 General. Patient was there 10 days. Had patella removed and excision of knee joint. One drainage tube. Then taken 2nd Eastern General Hospital Brighton where patient had four operations for the purpose of drainage – wound healed up except sinus on outside which still persists. Patients statement. Entry on MHS 26.6.16. Excision of patella and knee joint – residual abscess.”

MHS is Medical History Sheet and it is easy on reading the above statement to gloss over weeks of what must have been tremendous pain for James Smith. His medical notes in 1917 continue:

“Patient is lame and unable to bend leg. Curved scar seven inches on anterior portion femur. Old scars on under side of joint healed where tubes have been. Small sinus still discharging on external surface. Joint was opened. Patella fractured – present condition ankylosis of joint – atrophy of Quadriceps extension X-Ray 4013 Bony ankylosis knee. Left periodtitis inner side of knee involving both bones. Patella absent. No evidence of necrosis. All other organs healthy.”

It is unclear how long James Bentley spent at Beechlands. His medical records indicate that he first arrived at the 2nd Eastern General Hospital, Brighton on 26th June 1916 but then seems to have been almost immediately transferred to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre at Folkestone. It would appear from the date he writes in Nurse Oliver’s album that he was at Beechlands at some time between June 1916 and February 1917 (when he was transferred to Moore Barracks Hospital in Shornecliffe. I am not even convinced that 26th November, as over-written on his original album entry, is a correct date; it could just as easily be “Nov ‘16”.

James was discharged from hospital on 11th May 1917 and sailed from Liverpool for Canada two days later. His arrival date is unclear but he was admitted to a convalescent home in Canada on 21st May and started attending in-patient classes at MHCC (acronym unknown but the MH possibly stands for “Military Hospital”) on 6th June.

His last pay certificate, dated 30th September 1917 records him as being with F Unit MHC and notes his home address as 333 Wellington Street, Sarnia. His pay for the month of September amounted to $42.80 broken down as $1 per day for regimental pay, 10 cents per day Field Allowance, three days subs allowance at 60 cents per day plus and $8 clothing allowance. He was discharged as Class 3.

Chailey's VADs online

I don't think I've mentioned this before but even if I have done so, it won't harm for a repeat. The British Red Cross website is steadily populating with information about the volunteers who served during the First World War. The indexing leaves a lot to be desired and the cropping of the original images is amateurish, at best. Nevertheless, there are records there which many will find of interest. Commandant Margaret Cotesworth's card is above.

23610 Private Frank Peacock, 3rd Grenadier Guards

Chailey Parish Magazine first notes Frank Peacock in October 1915 listing him as, Peacock, Pte F, Grenadier Guards, England.  In December, it notes that he is in France.  Then, in February 1916, in its roll of honour section, it notes: Pte F Peacock, Grenadier Guards, killed in action, Dec 20th 1915. 

The Commonwealth War Graves’ Commission’s Debt of Honour register commemorates 23610 Private Frank Peacock of the 3rd Grenadier Guards who died on the date recorded in Chailey’s parish magazine.  It gives the additional information that he was 23 years old and the son of George and Margaret Peacock. 

The 1901 census notes him living at what looks like, Chafed Land, Chailey village.  The household comprised Janus C Smith (head, married, aged 36, working as a gardener), his wife Mary Ann Smith (aged 53) and three children: William C Smith (aged 21, also working as a gardener), Kate L Smith (aged 16) and Edith B Smith (aged 13).  Frank, aged eight, and born in Charlton, Kent, is noted as a nephew.  The household is completed by Cecil E Matthews, aged five and recorded as a grandson. 

Soldiers Died in the Great War records his place of birth as Cholton [sic] and the fact that he enlisted at Brighton.  No place of residence is given. The register of soldiers' effects records Mary A Smith as his aunt and sole legatee. She was sent a total of £7, 19 shillings and sixpence; a combination of money owing to Frank at the time of his death, and a war gratuity of £3.

Frank Peacock is buried in the Royal Irish Rifles graveyard at Laventie, grave reference VI. B. 6. My thanks to Colin Roberts for taking the photo.

E Levitt, Royal Navy

Chailey Parish Magazine notes E Levitt only once and only briefly. He does not appear in any of the monthly roll call listings of local serving men but he does feature in the August 1919 edition. There, in describing the peace celebrations in the village, E Levitt is noted as having come second in the 100 yards hurdles for sailors. Stephen King came first and one of the Tapp brothers – (probably Ashley Tapp) – came third.

The National Archives notes a 213891 Ernest Ralph Levitt born in Icklesham, Sussex on 1st January 1886 and indeed, this is the only E Levitt noted on the Seamen's database for WW1.  This is possibly the same man who came second in the 1919 hurdles race but if it was, he did well for a 33-year old. I know nothing more about this man.

Henry Bristow

There are a number of possibilities for the Henry Bristow who appears in a special list of attested men published in Chailey Parish Magazine between January and April 1916. 

He could be the Henry Bristow who was the brother of Charles and Erle Bristow and who would have been around 29 or 30 years old in 1916. 

Or he could be the Henry Bristow who was the brother of Richard Bristow and who would have been around 22 in 1916. 

Alternatively this man may be unrelated to either of the two families mentioned above.  Bristow was a very common name in Sussex at this time (and is still common) and without further information at this point in time it is difficult to pinpoint this man.

240818 Private Erle Bristow, 5th Royal Sussex Regt

Erle Bristow was born around 1894 in Chailey and at the time the 1901 census was taken, was living at North Common with his family.  The family comprised Henry Bristow (head, aged 37 and running his own market gardening business), his wife Emma Esther Bristow (aged 36) and their five children: Henry (aged 13 and working for his father), Ann Bristow (aged 12), Charles Bristow (aged nine), Erle (aged six) and Emily Bristow (aged four). 

Chailey Parish Magazine notes Erle Bristow serving his King & Country in its March 1915 issue.  In October 1915 it reports that he is serving as a private with the 5th Royal Sussex, that information repeated until the final roll call in July 1919. 

The 5th Royal Sussex was formed on 1st April 1908 as part of the newly constituted Territorial Force.  When war was declared in August 1914 the battalion became Army Troops in the Home Counties Division TF and in early 1915 was posted for duty at the Tower of London.  Erle's army number was 5/3109 and when the Territorial Force was re-numbered in February 1917 he was given the new number 240818.  He almost certainly enlisted with Frank Ford of Chailey as the two men’s numbers are almost identical.  Frank’s numbers were 5/3110 and later, 240819. 

The battalion crossed to France on 18th February 1915 and three days later was posted to the 2nd Brigade in the 1st Division.  On 20th August 1915 it became the pioneer battalion of the 48th (South Midland) Division. 

Erle’s brother Charles was killed in action during the First World War.  Chailey resident Reg Philpott recalled that the brothers had arranged to meet up in France but before they were able to do this, Charles was killed.

A A C Eldridge, Royal Fusiliers

Corporal Eldridge was a patient at Beechland House in 1916.  His entry in Nurse Oliver’s comprises a pen illustration of two pigs, underneath which he has written (in beautiful handwriting): 

The principal inhabitants of Newick. 

A A C Eldridge Cpl

Royal Fusiliers

Beechlands 1916 

At the time of writing, this man has confounded me for thirty years. There is too little information contained in his album entry and too many Eldridge possibilities on census returns, the civil registration birth indices and medal index cards to provide a positive match for this man. For that matter, I'm not even sure his name is Eldridge. I'd welcome further thought on this man.

Major William Wilson Grantham, 1/6th (Cyclist) Royal Sussex Regt

William Wilson Grantham was born on 7th January 1866 in South Norwood, Surrey.  He was the eldest son of William and Emma Grantham and appears on the 1871 census living with his family in Croydon.  The household comprised William Grantham (head, aged 35, a Lewes-born barrister at law), his wife Emma (aged 28) and four children: William Wilson (aged five), Emma L Grantham (aged three), Constance M Grantham (aged two) and Frederick William Grantham (aged eight months).  Also noted on the census are four servants including a nurse and under nurse to look after the children.  

By the time the 1881 census was taken, William was boarding at Harrow School and a few years later, in December 1885 he began his long association with The Militia (the fore-runner of the Territorial Force).  Surviving service papers held at The National Archives show that between 16th December 1885 and 17th November 1888 he was a lieutenant (and latterly captain) with the Cambridgeshire Regimental Volunteers.

There is then a two and a half year lull in matters military but by 6th May 1891 William was with the 14th Middlesex Regiment Volunteers as a second lieutenant.  He would remain with them until 31st March 1908 being promoted to lieutenant in May 1892 and captain in September 1900.   

In the meantime he had also married Sybil de la Rue on 17th July 1897.  In his booklet, “This and That in Chailey and Barcombe” Edwin Matthias quotes from Barcombe Parish Magazine for August 1897 which rejoices that: 

Mr W Grantham has chosen as his wife one who has already made a favourable impression upon the people of Barcombe and wishes Bride and Bridegroom all happiness and prosperity, and congratulations to Sir William and Lady Grantham on their son’s marriage.  In celebration Barcombe Place [purchased by William Wilson’s grandfather, George Grantham in 1839] opened its gates to offer welcome and hospitality to all.  A temporary ballroom was erected for a ball on Aug 31st; entertainment of the school children on the 1st and a ball for tenants on the 2nd.  The children were presented with Jubilee mugs by “Sir William and Lady Grantham on the marriage of Willie and Sybil”.  A Ladies’ Band provided the music. 

At the time the 1901 census was taken he was heading the household at 17 Cadogan Place, London.  The couple had two children: William Ivor Grantham (aged two) and Myrtle Irene Grantham aged eight months.  The house was also shared with eight domestic servants including a nurse and under nurse employed to look after Ivor and Myrtle.  In time, William and Sybil would have five more sons and two more daughters.   

For William, the Militia appears to have been a dedicated interest but a career with the military seems not to have been an option.  Like his father before him he was earning good money as a barrister. 

Between 1st April 1908 and 27th September 1911 he is noted as a captain at The Inns of Court OTC and from 28th September 1911 until 15th April 1913 as a captain in the Territorial Army on its unattached list.  On 16th April 1913 he joined the 6th Royal Sussex Regiment as a captain and remained with them until 1922.  Although he finished the war as a major, he appears not to have travelled overseas with the battalion.  He would have been 48 years old when war was declared on Germany and was presumably too old for active service.   Nevertheless, Chailey Parish Magazine published his name in its first published roll of honour in October 1914 and would continue to do so every month up until the final published roll call in July 1919. 

Major Grantham appears to have almost single-handedly revived the sport of stoolball during the First World War and there are a number of articles about this on the web. The following extract can be read in its full context here (http://www.sabruk.org/examiner/11/stoolball.html)

Major Grantham was serving on the Military Tribunal. His eldest son had been badly wounded in France, and the Major was moved to provide some sport for the "battered heroes of the war in our military hospitals". Cricket and tennis were deemed to strenuous for those who had lost limbs or otherwise handicapped; stoolball seemed to be the ideal game. A seminal match was played that year on the Sussex County Cricket Ground, between soldiers from the Pavilion Hospital "damaged by wounds" and a team of ancient lawyers, including Major Grantham, "damaged by age". The soldiers won. 

He also brought the game closer to home and there are a number of reports in local Sussex papers of recovering soldiers at Chailey playing games of Stoolball.  On 24th June 1917 The Sussex Express reported a game at “… Balneath Manor, the residence of Major W W Grantham, between officers of the Royal Flying Corps from Brook House, the new convalescent Hospital, and a team from Beechlands Convalescent Hospital.  Those from Brook House were easy winners.  Needless to say, Mrs Grantham entertained the company present to tea.” 

According to the East Sussex News, published five days later, The Royal Flying Corps officers were easy winners by 50 runs.  Major Grantham for his part appears to have taken his revived game on a tour of the county; in September 1917 there is a report of a match between Major Grantham’s team and Miss Norton’s team from Ditchling Red Cross Hospital.  The game also got as far as Lords as reported by www.stoolball.co.uk 

During the 10 years after WWI, Major W.W.Grantham organised, with the permission of the M.C.C. Committee, a series of annual games at Lord's Cricket Ground with the last game on Saturday September 24th 1927 played between Major Grantham's Own XI and the Japanese Embassy; Major Grantham's team won by 53 runs. 

The current National Stoolball Association was … formed to replace the "Stoolball Association for Great Britain" which ceased to function in 1942, possibly due to WWII and the death of Major W.W.Grantham. It was he who founded the original Association in 1923 and was instrumental in the phenomenal upsurge in the popularity of stoolball after WWI. In 1927 there were over 1000 clubs playing stoolball. 

On 19th January 1922, William wrote to the War office from his chambers at 6 Crown Office Row, Temple, London.  “Dear Sir”, he began, “… I was recently informed that I am now entitled to the Territorial Decoration as I have been an efficient volunteer and/or Territorial since, and including 1884.  I received the VD in the spring of 1907 and am told that my War Service from August 4th 1914 to November 1919 (ie five years and three months) counts double service towards the 20 years service for the TD.” 

The following month he received what must have been a disappointing reply.  “… as you have not completed the necessary 40 years qualifying service it is regretted that you are ineligible for the Territorial Decoration.” [He’d completed 37 years and 11 days]

William Wilson Grantham died on 18 Feb 1942.  There are a number of family papers lodged at The East Sussex records office at Lewes and also what is known as the “Grantham Collection of Number Ones” at the Institute of Education, University of London.  According to the university, the collection “consists of the first issues of a variety of journals on all subjects, first published in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was put together by Major William Wilson Grantham (1866-1942), at one time Deputy Chairman of the London County Council, and deposited at County Hall in 1933; it then passed to the Institute of Education, along with other materials from the Inner London Education Authority, in 1990.”

Sybil Grantham died in 1952.  In her will she left a plot of land known as Hoggs Mead upon which she desired houses to be built for elderly gentlewomen in distressed circumstances.  The flats were duly built and today Grantham Close and Nym Close opposite it provide housing for 35 pensioners. 

As previously mentioned, William Wilson’s son Ivor also served his King and Country during the First World War.  His brother, Frederick William Grantham and Frederick’s son Hugo Frederick Grantham were both killed in action during the First World War.  Frederick was killed in action near Richebourg L’Avoue on 9th May 1915.  His son Hugo was killed at Gallipoli a few weeks later on 28th June.

204321 Private Charles Godward, South Staffordshire Regt

According to his surviving Territorial Force attestation papers (Army Form E.501), Charles Godward was born at Southwater, Horsham, Sussex in about January 1893.  I could however, find no evidence of his birth on either the 1901 census return or the England and Wales civil registration index (1837-1983). 

Employed by The Reverend Theodore Harry Lee Jellicoe of Chailey as a groom and gardener, Charles Godward volunteered with the Royal Sussex Regiment at Brighton on 10th August 1914.  He gave his address as North Common, Chailey, stated that he was unmarried and previously belonged to the boy scouts.  He gave his age as 21 years and seven months and it was noted that he was five feet six and a half inches tall, had good vision and good physical development and was considered fit for the army. 

He was embodied in the 1/6th Sussex (Cyclist) Regiment on 10th August 1914 as 595 Private Charles Godward.  This was a territorial unit which had been formed four days previously at Montpelier Place, Brighton and which, between August 1914 and the end of 1915 would be stationed at Norfolk and attached to the 1st Mounted Division.  On joining the battalion, Charles Godward also certified that he was “able and willing to provide myself with a bicycle during my period of service as cyclist in the Cyclist Battalion” 

In October 1914, Chailey Parish Magazine noted that he was serving his King and Country and Charles Godward then spent the next fourteen months with the 1/6th Sussex before being posted to the 2/6th Battalion on 3rd December 1915.   

The 2/6th (Cyclist) Battalion TF had been formed at Brighton in November 1914 and between August and September 1915 it was attached to the 68th Division at Bedford.  In November 1915 it was moved to Chiseldon where it was converted to infantry.  On 4th February 1916 the battalion sailed from Devonport To India with the 1/9th Hampshire Regiment, 1/25th London Regiment and 1/1st Kent Regiment, these four battalions forming a brigade which had originally been intended for East Africa. 

Godward remained in India until 2nd September 1917 when he returned home sick.  He was discharged from the army on 10th November 1917 and issued with silver war badge number 313197 on 16th January 1918.  His total reckoned service amounted to three years and 93 days. 

On his King’s Discharge Certificate, sent on 25th November 1918. Godward’s address is given as The Cottage, Worthing Road, Southwater, Horsham, Sussex and his next of kin given as his mother, Mary Anne Godward, at the same address. 

His cause of discharge was noted as tubercule of the lung; a condition which had been aggravated by his war service. He was awarded a weekly pension of 27 shillings and sixpence. 

At some point, Charles Godward must have transferred to the South Staffordshire Regiment as this detail plus a new number – 204321 – is noted on his discharge certificate and his medal information card held at Kew in London.

Ambrose Gorringe

Ambrose Gorringe appears in a special list of attested men in January 1916 and appears for the last time in the same list in April 1916. 

He appears on the 1901 census as a 21 year old brick yard labourer living at home with his father, Amos Gorringe, at South Common, Chailey.  Amos is noted as the head of the family; a 61 year old widower also working as a brickyard labourer.

Durrants, Chailey c1905

My thanks to Hannah Dennison, a former inhabitant of Durrants on Chailey Green, for sending me this superb photo of Durrants which dates to around 1905. The house behind Durrants has long since disappeared. Does anyone know the name of it or when it was demolished?

Otto Gatland, born in 1847, owned the smithy to the left of Durrants and worked there between 1887 and 1913. He died in 1915. Durrants, now a four-bedroomed property, was last sold in 2013 for £650,000. The photo below appears on the rightmove website.

241664 Pte Charles Dudman, 8th Middx Regt

C Dudman first appears in Chailey Parish Magazine in June 1916 where he is noted as: Dudman, Pte C, 3/8th Royal Sussex, England.  In August 1918 he appears as Private C Dudman, 8th Middlesex and it is also noted that he has been wounded.  His final entry is in the July 1919 issue of the parish magazine which repeats the previous information, namely: Dudman, Pte C, 8th Middlesex.  Wounded. 

Chailey resident Reg Philpott remembers a Charlie Dudman and there are two possibilities for Charles Dudman amongst the medal index cards at the National Archives in Kew.  The first is 241664 Private Charles Dudman of the Middlesex Regiment, formerly 6143.  The second is G/19527 Private Charles R Dudman of the Royal Sussex Regiment.  

The number 241664 falls within the batch of numbers allotted to the 8th Middlesex Regiment when this Territorial Force Battalion was renumbered in early 1917.  This suggests that Charles did not actually serve abroad until then; information that is consistent with his entry in the parish magazine as serving with the third line formation of the 8th Middlesex in 1916.  

 

The medal index card above is of the type that was primarily intended for silver war badge recipients, the actual medal entitlement recorded by way of a stamp rather than pre-printed forethought. Nevertheless, from this alone we can see that Charles was discharged as a result of wounds, whilst his entry in the silver war badge roll gives us a date of enlistment: 6th March 1916. We also see date of discharge on the same roll, 21st September 1918.

The 1911 census only really records one possibility for Charles Dudman and that is the 16-year-old born in Hamsey, Sussex and living with his parents and siblings at 42 Beechwood Lane, Offham, Lewes. Charles's trade is listed as "cowman".

25752 Private Henry Stephen Daniel Downing, 1st East Surrey Regt

Henry Stephen Daniel Downing was born in the county of Berkshire in 1884, his birth recorded at Newbury in the September quarter of that year.   

He appears on the 1891 census as a six year old living at 62 Albany Road, Reading with his parents and siblings.  The household comprised Henry Downing senior, a 33 year old joiner and fitter from Pangbourne, Berkshire, his 27 year old Irish-born wife Mary J Downing and their three children: Henry Stephen Daniel, Florence E (aged four) and Arthur (aged two).  There was also a boarder: Maud Piggott (aged 12). 

By the time the 1901 census was taken the family had moved to 68 Belmont Road where Henry senior’s occupation is noted as “cycle engineer”.  Four more children had appeared since the 1891 census was taken and the household now comprised Henry and his wife and their seven children: Henry Stephen Daniel (aged 16 and working as a butcher), Florence (aged 14), Arthur (aged 12), Violet May (aged nine), Lilian Mary (aged six), Rose Gladys (aged four) and Beatrice (aged eight months). 

Henry Downing’s badly burnt service record exists at the National Archives in London and from this it is possible to piece together some of his service record.  He attested on 11th December 1915 and was placed on the army reserve the following day.

Living at Newick when he attested, Henry Downing gave his aged as 31 years and 62 days, his “Trade or Calling” as insurance agent and his marital status as widower.  A Baptist by religion, he had married Annie Jane (surname unknown) at Newick Parish church on 25th April 1911 and was the father of two girls: Queenie Lilian (born at Steyning, Sussex on 25th March 1912) and Gladys Annie May (also born at Steyning on 28th December 1913).  It is uncertain, at this point of time, when Annie Jane Downing died.

He was mobilized at Chichester on 1st June 1916 and posted to the Royal Sussex Regiment depot the following day.  On the 8th July he got married for a second time; to Daisy Heasman, sister of Albert, Frederick and Gilbert Heasman who are also remembered on this blog. Daisy would later bear him a third daughter, Winifred May, born on 5th June 1917 at Lewes. 

On 1st September, Henry was posted to the 3rd (reserve) Battalion and posted again (to the 14th Battalion) on the 24th October.  On 7th November 1916 he was posted to the 1st East Surrey Regiment in France and it was while serving with them that he was captured at Fresnoy on 8th May 1917. He was held at Dulmen PoW camp and. between 9th January 1918 and 11th January 1919, Merseburg.

Chailey Parish Magazine first notes Henry Downing in its July 1917 issue, recording that Pte H S D Downing is missing.  In September, it notes that he is a prisoner and in January 1918 that he is serving with the 1st East Surrey Regiment and is a prisoner.  That information is then repeated up to and including the final published role in July 1919. 

Chailey resident Mick Pateman remembers after the war, Harry Downing obviously picked up from where he had left off as Mick Pateman remembers him working for The Prudential and coming round on his bike to collect “tuppence a week” from people. 

The National Archives notes two numbers for Henry Downing:  6556 was his number when with the Royal Sussex Regiment and 25752 when he transferred to the East Surreys.  Henry Downing received the British War and Victory medals. My thanks to Jim Type for information and also the photo reproduced on this post.

Thomas Divall, Royal Engineers

Thomas David Divall was born in Ringmer, Sussex in late 1878 or early 1879, his birth being registered at Lewes in the March quarter of 1879.  He appears on the 1881 census of England and Wales living at Blunt Lane, Ringmer with his parents Thomas Divall (a 24 year old farm labourer from Ringmer), his mother, 23 year old Fanny Divall and his sister Jane Divall (aged three months).  Thomas’ age is recorded as two.

Ten years later, the family has moved to Norlington Lane, Ringmer and has grown considerably.  It now comprises Thomas and Fanny Divall (aged 35 and 34) and their seven children: Kate (aged 14), Thomas (aged 12), William (aged nine), Fanny (aged six), Frederick (aged four), Earnest [sic] (aged two) and Edith (aged one).  Jane (Harriet) Divall does not appear on the census having died in infancy aged one year old.  Her death was recorded in the March quarter for 1882 at Lewes.

I been unable to find a convincing match for Thomas Divall on the 1901 census of England & Wales.  Thomas would have been 22.  There is a 24 year old Ringmer-born Thomas Divall listed, living as a boarder at 160 Brassington Road, Paddington, West London and working as a bricklayer but I am not convinced that this is the same man.

Chailey Parish Magazine first notes T D Divall as one of several specially attested men in its January 1916 issue but he does not then re-appear until December 1917 when it is noted that Sapper T Divall is serving with the Royal Engineers.  This information is then repeated up to and including the final published roll call of Chailey-connected men in July 1919.

There is a medal index card for a Thomas Divall, giving the regimental number WR/327459. and this is possibly the same man.