Captain John Cecil Glossop Pownall, Royal Field Artillery

John Cecil Glossop Pownall was born in Kensington, London in 1891, his birth registered there in June that year.  He was the oldest son of Henry Harrison and Blanch Pownall and he appears on the 1901 census, living with his parents and siblings at Ades, Chailey.  Today, Ades still stands but has been divided into a number of individual flats.  At the time John was living there though, it was a sizeable estate comprising the main house, Hickwells house on the opposite side of Cinder Hill and acres of rolling Sussex countryside.   

Henry Harrison Pownall had bought the estate in 1899 after its previous owner, James Croft Ingram had been declared bankrupt as the result of some unwise investments by his business partner.  Henry practiced the law and in 1901 he was a successful 47 year old barrister living at Ades with his wife Blanch (aged 46) and their children Kathleen (12), John (10), Percy (8) and Lionel (5).  Henry had been born in Bloomsbury, London, his wife in Richmond, Surrey.  With the exception of Lionel who was born in Reigate, Surrey, all the other children had been born in Kensington, London. 

Henry also employed a sizeable contingent of domestics.  Appearing on the 1901 census are Katherine Murdock (governess, aged 42), Margaret Towan (cook, aged 27), Emma Daniels (house maid, aged 42), Jane Popple (house maid, aged 22), Laura Turner (house maid, aged 24), Constance Hobden (kitchen maid, aged 21), Agnes Hobden (Maid, aged 15), Eva Kempton (trade unknown, aged 46), Frederick Game (butler, aged 34), Jane Game (his wife, aged 30), Evelyn Game (daughter of Frederick and Jane, age 6), George Wheeler (footman, aged 23), James Izzard (groom, aged 22) and Albert Leeson, (groom, aged 21). 

In Chailey Through The Centuries, by Edwin Matthias (1996), W G Tharby (born in 1896) recalls that his father worked as a coachman for Mr Pownall.  He recalls Ades in some detail: 

It was like a self contained village with a large park, lake, home farm, coverts and large gardens.  In the stables my father had grooms to do most of the work while in the house, there was a large staff consisting of butler, housekeeper, footman, head parlourmaid, parlourmaids, housemaids, cook, kitchen and scullery maids.

In the servants hall the butler and housekeeper ruled with great dignity and everyone sat in order of rank for meals.  A head gardener and about a dozen under-gardeners looked after the extensive gardens and the glass houses while a bailiff ran the home farm.  There was also a game-keeper.  Father had a rent-free cottage with a well for water and oil lamps and candles.  In addition he received free milk, coal, vegetables, uniform and working suits, plus £2 a week.  When he drove the landau which had a crest on the highly polished door panels, he looked very smart in his blue uniform and top hat.  He wore a cockade on one side of his topper.  The groom who sat beside him with folded arms was similarly attired.  He had to jump down smartly to open the carriage door and let down the step when required.  On Sunday mornings, when old enough, I accompanied father to the stables.  He would see the horses were properly groomed and bedded with clean straw.  Everything had to be spotlessly clean.  The horses were better housed than some human beings at that time.  After his inspection we returned home to collect mother for church. 

At Christmas a large tree was installed in the billiards room.  It was brightly decorated and a large pile of presents stood nearby.  Every employee on the estate, also wives and children, were there to receive a present.  The butler handed them to Mr Pownall for the men and to his wife for the wives and children.  On November 5th each year, a miniature Crystal Palace illumination was laid on, even a framework to carry set pieces.  All employees and families assembled in the billiards room which had several large windows overlooking the park.  Here the display was staged and after the set pieces a large bonfire was lit and the rockets went up to an accompaniment of oos and ahs. 

When harvest was completed on the home farm a real Sussex Harvest Home was provided and a good roast beef and beer was enjoyed, followed by a sing-song which was an all male affair. 

John Pownall’s medal index card tells us that he arrived in France on 24th June 1916.  Chailey Parish Magazine notes him for the first time in October 1916 noting him as Captain C Pownall of the Royal Field Artillery (which presumably indicates that he was referred to as Cecil rather than John).  In December, the parish magazine records him as CG Pownall.   

On 14th June 1917 on page 5860 of the Supplement to The London Gazette, Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery, the following information is noted: “The undermentioned to be Lts.  1st June 1916, except where otherwise stated: 2nd Lt (Temp Capt) J C G Pownall and to retain temp rank of Capt.” 

Captain Pownall appears to have served throughout the war and his name appears in the parish magazine up to and including July 1919.  Precious little is known of his service however and to date I have not been able to find his service record at The National Archives. 

John Pownall’s younger brother, Lionel Henry Yorke Pownall, also served his King and Country during the First World War and was killed in action in May 1915.  The boys’ sister, Kathleen Etheldred Pownall was an active member of Sussex 54 VAD.

22754 Corporal John Peckham, Royal Field Artillery

In March 1915, Chailey Parish Magazine notes that John Peckham is serving his King and Country.  In October that year it adds: Peckham, Gunner J, RFA and the following month includes the additional information that he is in France.  In December 1915 it notes that he is a corporal and his name then appears in every subsequent issue up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919. 

John Peckham is possibly the same six year old John Peckham recorded on the 1901 census and living at Mayfield, Sussex with his family.  The family comprised Richard Peckham (a 39 year old Mayfield-born cattle dealer), his 38 year old wife Eliza (born in Ticehurst) and their seven children: Richard William Peckham (aged 17), Charles Henry Peckham (aged 15), Edward Peckham (aged 12), George [Alfred] Peckham (aged nine), John [Ernest] Peckham, Albert Peckham (aged three) and Emily Peckham (aged nine months).  

He is probably 22754 Saddler (and latterly, Corporal) John E Peckham whose medal index card can be found at The National Archives in London, and I list him as such, above.

124445 Gunner Thomas John Funnell, Royal Field Artillery

Thomas John Funnell was born at Chailey in 1881, his birth registered at Lewes in the December quarter of that year.  He appears on the 1891 census of England and Wales living with his family at North Common, Chailey.  The household comprised Alfred Funnell (head, married, aged 41, a grocer born in Newick), his wife Harriet Funnell (nee Simmons, aged 43, born in Chailey) and two children: Edward A (aged ten, born in Bolney) and Thomas. 

He appears on the 1901 census as a 19 year old wheelwright’s assistant living at North Common with his parents.  Edward (an agricultural labourer) is recorded at the home of his uncle and aunt, Edward and Alice Simmons of Middleton Farm House, Chailey village. 

On 12th December 1905, Thomas married Ellen Louisa Thompsett (a widow) at Chailey Parish Church.  Three children are recorded on his surviving army service papers: Thomas John Funnell (born at Wildfields Farm, Chailey on 4th October 1909), Caroline Mary Funnell (born at Wildfields Farm on 7th January 1911) and Winifred May (born on 10th March 1913 at Compt Hill, Chailey). 

Chailey Parish Magazine notes in January 1916 that he has attested and his name appears in an official list of the B reserve under Lord Derby’s Scheme.  He was obviously employed by Jesse King on Chailey Green (probably as a carpenter or wheelwright as noted in the census return of 1901) as his army file contains a letter from Jesse King to the military authorities, releasing Thomas from his employment.  The letter is dated  11th April 1916. 

Thomas enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery at Woolwich on 14th April 1916 (although his service reckons form the previous day when he attested at the RFA Depot number 4 and was postred to Woolwich).  He was given the army service number 124445.  His Short Service Attestation Form gives the information that he was married, 34 years old, five feet eleven and a half inches tall and had a deformed fifth toe on his right foot.  His home address is given as Wildfields Farm and his next of kin as Ellen Louisa Funnell. 

On 17th April 1916 a certificate of trade proficiency at Woolwich certified that Funnell had “been tested in the workshops of RM Repository Ordnance College, Woolwich and proves himself a Skilled Wheeler.”  Ten days later he was duly appointed Wheeler and posted to the 20th Reserve Battery, Royal Field Artillery.  Five days later he was in France. 

In June 1916, Chailey Parish Magazine reported that Thomas was with the Divisional Artillery Column (DAC) in France.  On 26th December 1916 his surviving army service papers confirm that he was posted to number 4 section of the 6th DAC. 

By 15th April 1917 however, Thomas was back in England and would not return to France.  From what Chailey resident Reg Philpott says, it would appear that he had been gassed although this information does not appear in his papers.  He was posted to a reserve brigade of the RFA (5/c) on the date of his return to England and subsequently posted to the depot at Ripon (August 1917).  From there, he was posted back to 5/c Reserve Brigade (in October) and then to the 395th Ammunition Column (in January 1918).  On 18th April 1918 he was posted again, this time to Reserve Brigade 2/a and was finally discharged from the RFA’s 8th Reserve Battery as physically unfit on 5th December 1918. 

On 6th December he was awarded a weekly pension of  8s/3d from 6th December 1918 which was to be reviewed after 52 weeks. 

Reg Philpott, born well after the First World War ended, clearly remembers that Tom Funnell had been gassed and told me, “My mother took me down the Common to walk to see him.  We went upstairs and he was laying in bed with a little saucer with powder in it.  He used to light this with a matchstick and sniff it.  Was it called Ridleys?  He had Winnie, Carrie and Jack.  Jack was in the Airborne in this war, with the gliders.  Mum went to see him because she knew his wife – Nellie Oden.  Her father was a blacksmith / wheelwright I believe.” 

Thomas Funnell may be related to the Edgar H Funnell or Henry Edgar Funnell who also appears on these pages.  He was a cousin of George Thomas Simmons who also served his King and Country during the First World War.

Driver Richard Bristow, Royal Field Artillery

Chailey Parish Magazine notes in November 1914 that Richard Bristow is serving his King and Country.  In October 1915 it records him as Bristow, Driver R, RFA, France.  When the magazine’s practice of recording locations ceased in December 1916 he is recorded simply as Bristow, Driver R, RFA and this information is then repeated monthly up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919. 

Richard Bristow is probably the same Richard Bristow who appears on the 1901 census as an eight year old living at Hole Cottage, North Common, Chailey.  The household comprised: Frederick Bristow (head, married, aged 43, a general agricultural labourer), his wife Elizabeth Bristow (aged 42) and their children: William Bristow (aged 14, working as a milkman on a farm), Albert Bristow (aged 11), Richard, Henry Bristow (aged six) and Lucy Bristow (aged two).  All of the children and their father had been born in Chailey.  Elizabeth Bristow had been born in nearby Wivelsfield.

106651 Corporal Shoeing-smith Ebenezer Walder, RFA

Ebenezer Walder was born in Chailey around 19th January 1896.  He is noted as a four year old on the 1901 census of England and Wales and is living with his family at Heath View, North Common, Chailey.  The family comprised Isaac Walder (head, married, aged 28 and running his own business as a gardener and pork butcher), his wife Emily (aged 31) and Ebenezer. 

Ebenezer attested (Short Service Form B2505) with the Royal Artillery on 17th September 1905 and was posted to Woolwich.  He gave his age as 19 years and 241 days, his trade as wheelwright and his home address as Glendale, Buxted, Sussex.  He was given the army service number 106651. 

In October 1915, Chailey Parish Magazine notes him for the first time as Driver E Walder, RFA, England.  On 9th November he was posted to 1B Reserve Brigade and, according to his records, appointed shoeing-smith on 18th February 1916.  Chailey’s parish magazine however, had already been reporting that fact since December 1915. 

On 13th March 1916 he was posted to 4A Reserve Brigade and six days later posted to Base Depot prior to proceeding overseas.  On 25th March, in France, he was posted to ‘D’ 163rd Brigade RFA from No 2 GB depot. 

Chailey Parish Magazine reported in May 1916 that Ebenezer was in France and that same month he was admitted to 107 Field Ambulance (on the 29th) and then to the 2/2nd Field Ambulance the following day.  On 2nd June he was admitted to Number 4 Stationary Hospital but was discharged to duty six days later. 

On 8th September 1916 he was posted first to ‘C’ 158th Brigade, RFA and then immediately to ‘D’ 159th Brigade RFA.  The next entry on his service record is for 29th August 1917 where it is noted that he has been promoted to corporal shoeing smith. 

He was granted leave to England on 23rd September 1917, returning to France on 4th October.  On 1st January 1918 he was attached to No 13 Veterinary Hospital but rejoined his unit two days later. 

He was admitted to hospital again on 24th May 1918, this time with PUO – Pyrexia of Unknown Origin and then to hospital 9 (Lakeside) General Hospital three days later.  On 22nd June he was admitted to Base Depot and hospital.

He appears to have recovered sufficiently however by 5th July 1918 and reported to D Battery.  Three weeks later he was posted to C Battery (27th July) and appears to have remained with them for the rest of the war.  He was granted leave to England again (via Calais) on 25th November and returned to France two weeks later on 9th December.  He was demobbed on 6th April 1919 and gave his home address as Heath View, Chailey. He received his British War and Victory medals in November 1920 and October 1921 respectively. 

Ebenezer Walder is not directly related to the other Chailey Walder brothers who served during the First World War.

R/986 Sergeant Harry Tapp, AVC

Harry Tapp was born around 1884 in Chailey.  He appears on the 1901 census as the second oldest child in a nine-strong household.  The family was living at South Common, Chailey and was headed by Joseph Tapp (a 48 year old thatcher from Barcombe) and his wife, Fanny Tapp aged 43, also born in Barcombe.  The family’s six children are noted as James Tapp (aged 18, an agricultural labourer), Harry (aged 16, working as an agricultural labourer), Fanny Tapp (aged 14), William Tapp (aged 11), Archie Tapp (aged seven), Aubery Tapp (aged four) and Ashley Tapp (six months).  A 28 year old James Tapp (Chailey born, boarding at Bridge Cottage and working as an agricultural labourer) is also noted on census. 

There were also two other children from the marriage.  The 1891 census for Chailey notes a May Tapp (aged 12) and a Kate Tapp (aged 10), both born in Chailey and living with the family on South Common.   By the time the 1901 census was taken, May was working as a cook in the household of James E Odgers of 145 Woodstock Road, Oxford while Kate, (recorded as Kate Taff on the census), was working as a housemaid at ‘The Elms’, the house of Walter Mews in Portslade-by-Sea. 

In October 1914, Chailey Parish Magazine notes that Harry Tapp is serving his King and Country.  In October 1915, it is stated that Sergeant H Tapp is serving with the Army Veterinary Corps, Royal Field Artillery in France.  In December 1917 that information is further updated to note that he is attached to Headquarters. 

Harry appears to have served throughout the war, his final entry appearing in Chailey Parish Magazine in July 1919 as: Tapp, Sergt H, AVC, RFA (att H-Qr).  The National Archives gives his rank as Sergeant and Acting Sergeant, his regiment as Army Veterinary Corps and his regimental number as R/986.

Harry’s brothers Ashley, Archie and Aubrey, and his cousins John and Frank Ford also served their King and Country during the First World War.

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.

82015 Gunner Percy Charles Pateman, Royal Field Artillery

Percy Charles Pateman was born in Chailey in 1890, his birth recorded at Lewes in the December quarter of that year.  He appears on the 1901 census of England and Wales living with his family at Holford Cottage, Chailey.  The family comprised Thomas Pateman (head, aged 44, working as an ordinary agricultural labourer, his wife Elizabeth Jane Pateman (aged 41) and their seven children: Alice Pateman (aged 18, working as a general domestic servant), Frank Thomas Pateman (aged 17 working as an ordinary agricultural labourer), Faith Nellie Pateman (aged 13), Charity Hetty Pateman (aged 11), Percy Charles Pateman (aged 10), George Cecil Pateman (aged five) and Walter Robert Pateman (aged four).  The parents had been born in Chailey, as had Alice.  Frank had been born in Plumpton and all the other children had been born in East Chiltington. 

Percy Pateman is first noted as serving his King and Country in the November 1914 issue of Chailey’s parish magazine.  In October 1915 it is reported that Gunner Percy C Pateman has been invalided and then the following month that he has been invalided and returned to active service. 

In December 1915, the parish magazine reports, Pateman, Gnr P, RFA, England quickly followed in January 1916 by the note that he is now in France.  Percy Pateman appears to have served throughout the war, his name appearing in the final published roll call published in July 1919. 

In June 1917, Percy was back in England, a fact reported in the East Sussex News on the 29th (Friday) of that month: 

SOLDIER’S WEDDING

At St Peter’s Church, Chailey – Gunner Percy Charles Pateman (RFA) second son of Mr Thomas Pateman of Holford Farm, Chailey and Miss Alice Edith Page (eldest daughter of the late Rifleman Samuel Page of Lewes).  Wedding took place on Monday.  The bridegroom left on Wednesday for France, the bride returning to London to resume her duties at a munitions factory. 

The wedding must have been heavy with sadness.  The bride’s father had died while on active service in India that same month.  The Commonwealth War Graves Commission reports his date of death as 6th June 1917 and his age as 42.  He was 206668 Rifleman S Page of the 24th Rifle Brigade, a Home Counties Battalion which had arrived in India in October 1916. It adds the additional information that he was the "son of Samuel and Sarah Page; husband of Martha Eliza Page".  Martha had died in May 1911 and Samuel’s cause of death, recorded on his death certificate, is “Tubercle of the Lung”.  His age at death is also noted as 45 rather than 42.  Samuel Page is commemorated on the Karachi 1914-1918 War Memorial.  His body lies in one of 24 cemeteries in what was then northern India but which is now Pakistan.  None of these cemeteries are now maintained by The Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the records identifying the one in which Samuel Page’s remains lie appear to have been lost.

 

The National Archives notes Percy Pateman’s army number as 82015.  His brother, Walter Pateman and his cousins Alfred Pateman, Charles Pateman and Thomas Pateman MM also served their King and Country during the First World War.

 

Percy's service record does not survive but a fragment does. Helpfully, this lists the following information: 82015 Percy Pateman, 12th Reserve Battery, MT Section of 6th Divisional Artillery Column, enlisted 14th August 1914 for 3 & 9. The period of enlistment is important because it shows that Percy enlisted as a regular soldier and not simply for the duration of the war. A record also survives for him in the Royal Artillery Archives which notes a post war number for him: 1013273. It also adds that when he joined up in August 1914 he did so at Brighton and was working as a farm labourer. His marriage to Alice is recorded, as are the births of three children: Evelyn Lilian Maud Pateman (1920), Elsie Kathleen Pateman (1921) and Samuel George Thomas (1923). He was finally discharged form the army on 13th August 1926, 12 years to the day since he had joined up, his character noted as "very good". 

Percy Pateman died in 1958 after a long illness; his wife Alice died in 1982.

Medal index card courtesy of Ancestry.

223381 Driver G Beal RFA

In January 1916, Chailey Parish Magazine notes that Beal, Pte G, RFA is serving in England.  This is probably George Beal who was born around 1884 in Balcombe, Sussex. 

The 1901 census of England & Wales reveals George living with his family at Shalford Cottage, Hurstpierpoint, Sussex.  The household comprised: Henry Beal (head, aged 49 and working as a carter on a farm), his wife Annie (aged 47) and their seven children.  The children are recorded as: Harry (aged 19, an agricultural labourer), George (aged 16, a carter boy on a farm), Caroline (aged 14), Charles (aged 12), Alfred (aged 10), Emily (aged eight) and Edith (aged four). 

In February 1916, Chailey Parish Magazine notes that G Beal’s rank is ‘Driver’ and that he is still in England.  The National Archives lists his number as 223381.  George Beal does not appear to have volunteered for active service and neither does he appear in the lists of attested men published by the parish magazine.  It therefore would appear that he was conscripted into the army around January 1916. 

George Beal appears to have served throughout the war, his details appearing continuously in Chailey’s Parish Magazine up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919.

239384 Driver Henry Rogers, Royal Field Artillery

Henry Rogers is almost certainly the Harry Rogers who appears on the 1901 census of England and Wales as a 16 year old stable helper boarding at the home of Mr and Mrs George Chantler at Skippetts Cottage (The Grove), Basingstoke.  Skippetts House was owned by Robert Campion Blencowe.  George Chantler was Robert Blencowe’s coachman and it seems quite likely that the latter took Harry Rogers with him to Basingstoke. 

Henry’s family lived at Pound House, Chailey.  The house was owned by the Blencowe family and William Rogers, the head of the household, appears on the 1901 census as a 48 year old farm bailiff.  With him were his wife Janet Helen (aged 52), and their two daughters: Maud Rogers (aged 18, working as a room maid) and Edith Rogers (aged 12). 

Harry first appears in Chailey’s parish magazine in the June 1917 edition where he is listed as Driver H Rogers, Royal Field Artillery.  It can be reasonably assumed that he was still in England as on the 22nd of that month, The East Sussex News reported his wedding to “Miss Kate King, only daughter of Mr and Mrs A King of Westland Cottage, North Common.  The Rector (The Rev T H L Jellicoe) officiated.”  The newspaper report mentions that Harry was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs W Rogers of Pound House but I cannot find an older brother (or brothers) noted on census returns.  There was certainly at least one older sister however, Olive Rogers born about 1879. 

In April 1918, Chailey Parish Magazine reported that Driver H Rogers has been wounded.  The following month it is recorded that he has been invalided.  This information then appears up to and including the final roll call published in July 1919.

 

Henry Rogers has extensive papers which survive in WO 364. His service record, in brief, is as follows:

 

4th December 1915: attests under the Derby Scheme

17th May 1917: joins with the RFA at Chichester and is given the regimental number 239384

5th January 1918: posted to 25th Divisional Ammunition Column

27th March 1918: Hospitalised with "inflamed Corn Tissue, Foot, Thigh, left"

31st March 1918: invalided to England

14th December 1918: compulsorily transferred to the Labour Corps and given new number 683184

Serves with no 696 Agricultural Labour Coy

22nd July 1919: discharged

 

Medal index card courtesy of Ancestry.

 

2nd Lt Richard John Deane, 117th Bty, 26th Bde, RFA

Richard John Deane was born in Fleetwood, Lancashire on 19th May 1898. He was the son of Richard Woodforde Deane of Bedford and Harriet Deane (nee Blencowe) of Chailey.

The 1901 census records the Deane family living at 145 Canterbury Road, Gillingham, Kent. His father, a career soldier, is recorded as a 41 year old major in the Lancashire Fusiliers. Other members of the family are noted as Harriet (mother, aged 38), Frances (daughter, aged six, born in Eccles, Lancashire), Michael W[allace] B[lencowe] (son, aged four, born in Eccles), Richard J[ohn] (son, aged two, born in Fleetwood) and Dorothea (daughter, aged one, born in Malta). In addition there were three servants: 22 year old Ellen Walder, a nurse, born in Chailey; 26 year old Louisa Philpot, a parlour maid from Rochester, and 18 year old Ada Knight, a nursery maid from Reading.

Harriet Deane was the daughter of John George Blencowe of Bineham. Her sister, Florence C Drummond, would lose a son – Frederick John Drummond – in the First World War and her siblings John Ingham Blencowe, Robert Campion Blencowe and Frances Isabel Blencowe – would all play leading roles in Chailey during the First World War.

Richard attended St Peter’s Court school Broadstairs and Marlborough College (April 1912 – August 1916). In June 1912 he joined the college OTC and had attained the rank of platoon sergeant by the time he left in 1916. He had served four years with the OTC, had attended one annual camp (in 1914), was a second class shot and overall marked as “efficient”. The photo below is from the Marlborough College Roll of Honour.

By 1916, Richard was already 18 years old and, on his eighteenth birthday, had been deemed as having attested. He had been placed on the Army Reserve. On 1st July 1916, the report by the first Medical Board that he attended, passed him as unfit, noting that his chest was under-developed and that he had a scar from a tubercular glands’ operation on the on the left side of his neck. It would appear that his father, by now a colonel, was not happy with the Medical Board’s findings. On 7th July he sent his son four guineas and directed him to attend another Board. This was duly held on the 18th and this time the Board members passed him fit. On 5th November 1916, Richard Deane applied for a temporary commission in the army, giving his home address as 129 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury. Acting headmaster at Marlborough College, Mr J R Taylor, attested that he had known him for the last three years and Lt Colonel Hall, commanding Marlborough College Officer Training Corps noted that he was a suitable candidate for a commission, that he had been captain of his House and should make a good officer. Richard was medically examined again at the Military Hospital, Shrewsbury on 18th November 1916 where it was noted that he was six feet, one inch tall and had perfect eyesight. He was considered fit for military service.

On 28th December, Richard was mobilised and posted to No 1 Royal Artillery Cadet School at St John’s Wood Barracks, London. His rank was Cadet Gunner. Five months later, on 5th May 1917, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery. Richard Deane proceeded overseas in July 1917, joining 117th Battery of the 26th Brigade, RFA on 9th July. Just nine days later, on 18th July, he was dead; discovered in his dug-out by Captain A E Rusher with a single bullet wound to his head. A court of enquiry into his death was held and concluded the same day. The transcripts below are reported in their entirety and are taken from Second Lieutenant Deane’s service record held at The National Archives in Kew.

Proceedings of a Court of Enquiry held in the Field to enquire into the circumstances attending the death of 2/Lieut, R J Deane, 26th Brigade RFA on the 18th July 1917.
PRESIDENT: Major V C HILDITCH, 117th Battery RFA
MEMBERS: 2/Lieut W T FORRESTER, 116th Battery RFA; 2/Lieut J A WARD A/26 Battery RFA

Captain A E RUSHER 117th Battery RFA states that 2/Lieut R J DEANE up to the time he went to bed last night 17th July, was quite normal and rational and seemed quite happy. The deceased officer appeared to have nothing on his mind either associated with his profession or personal affairs. He states further that at 8.50AM this morning 18th July, he heard a shot fired. He himself was at the time in his own dug-out and as there is a good deal of rifle fire at aeroplanes in the vicinity he attached no significance to the report. Wondering why the deceased Officer had not appeared Captain RUSHER states that he went to the deceased Officer’s dug-out. He found 2/Lieut DEANE lying in bed, with a revolver in his hand and bleeding from the nose. He at once called Captain C R RECKITT RAMC attached 26th Brigade RFA. Captain RUSHER also states that the pistol of the deceased Officer was used to shoot the wounded horse of an Australian driver about 2.30PM on the 15th July. (Sd) A E RUSHER, Captain RFA

Captain C R RECKITT RAMC attached 26th Brigade RFA states that the deceased Officer 2/Lieut R J DEANE RFA during the last few days seemed to him to be perfectly normal, rational and physically well. At dinner last night 17th July the deceased Officer was quite cheery, had a good dinner and was quite normal before going to bed. This morning at 9AM he states that he was called by Captain RUSHER to the dug-out of 2/Lieut DEANE. He states that he found the deceased Officer lying dead in his bed. Death was due to a wound in the head. In his hand he held a Webley Service Pistol, the chamber of which contained an empty cartridge case. (Sd) C R RECKITT, Captain RAMC

No 152033 Driver Green, HR Headquarters 26th Brigade RFA states that he was servant of the deceased Officer. He called the latter at 7.50AM this morning 18th July 1917. This Officer asked for his water and ordered a bath to be prepared and appeared to be quite well. He took the jacket of this Officer and repaired a certain part of it, brushed the Officer’s clothes and prepared his bath and returned at about 8.30AM and found 2/Lieut DEANE then alive. He did not see him again. He further states that on the afternoon of the 15th July this Officer lent his revolver to an Australian driver to shoot his wounded horse. For this purpose 2/Lieut DEANE loaded the revolver himself. (Sd) H R GREEN, 26th Brigade RFA

Examination of private papers and articles in the dug-out of 2/Lieut R J DEANE by the President and Members of the Court.

We the undersigned Officers, President and Members of the Court state that we have examined the private papers and articles of the deceased Officer. In his papers we find nothing to shew that this Officer was unhappy or had anything on his mind associated with his profession or his private affairs. We found on a shelf in his dug-out an opened packet of ball cartridges, two of the twelve rounds having been removed. In the chamber of the Webley Pistol in the deceased Officer’s hand we found one empty cartridge case. We state that we have seen the deceased Officer in the position he was first found by Captain A E RUSHER and found him dead from a wound in the side of the head. We have collected all the papers and articles associated with this Officer’s death and handed them with these Proceedings to Lieut Colonel G B HINTON CMG, RFA Commanding 26th Bde. (Sd) V C HILDITCH, Major RFA (Sd) W T FORREST 2/Lieut RFA (Sd) J A WARD 2/Lieut RFA

In the Field 18th July 1917 Headquarters 47th DA Forwarded.

I have carefully considered the evidence and am of the opinion that 2/Lieut R J DEANE was handling his revolver in bed and accidentally shot himself. (Sd) G B HINTON, Lieut Col RFA Comdg 26th Brigade RFA 18.7.17

I concur in the opinion of Officer Commanding 26th Army Field Artillery Brigade RFA. (Sd) E N WHITLEY X Corps No 21/322A

On 23rd July 1917, Colonel Deane received an official War Office telegram which simply stated that his son had been killed in an accident. Eight days later, Messrs Cox and Co shipped home a few personal items to Colonel Deane. There was a wrist watch, strap and guard, a fountain pen and an identity disc and chain showing the initials R J.

In France however, the matter of Second Lieutenant Deane’s death was far from over. On 29th July 1917, Surgeon General R Porter, Director of Medical Services for the Second Army, wrote that he was not convinced by the Court of Enquiry’s findings into the officer’s death.

“I am of the opinion,” he wrote, “that 2/Lieut R J DEANE died from a Self-Inflicted Wound. The Medical evidence is not complete; the positions of the wounds of entrance and exit need to be stated, and whether there was any burning or discolouration of the skin; this might help to elucidate the fact as to whether the wound was accidental or not.”

The following day, Captain Reckitt (RAMC), Medical Officer in charge of 26th Brigade RFA replied that, “the position of the wound of entry was about one and a half inches above and slightly in front of the right ear. The wound of exit was slightly behind the left ear. There was no burning or discolouration of the skin.” Surgeon General Porter was still not convinced however.

“I am still of the opinion,” he wrote on 8th August, “that this Officer died of a Self-Inflicted Wound. The further statement of the Medical Officer supports the view that it might have been accidental but there is no conclusive proof one way or the other.”

The army however, took the official view that as there was nothing to show whether Richard Deane’s death was a case of suicide or accidental death it would give the benefit of the doubt. His death was recorded as accidental.

Richard Deane is buried in Dikkebus New Military Cemetery Extension, near Ypres, Belgium. The inscription on his headstone is taken from Psalm XVI and reads, In thy presence is fulness of joy. He is also commemorated on the war memorial at Chailey although there is no evidence to show that he ever lived there. His association with the village appears to be purely through his mother Harriet who, as a Blencowe, presumably wielded enough influence to ensure that her son’s name was commemorated in Chailey. Chailey Parish Magazine, usually quite diligent in its reporting of local casualties and serving men, only makes mention of Richard Deane after he has been killed, including his name in The Roll of Honour for the first time in December 1917. Richard Deane’s brother, Michael Wallace Blencowe Deane, also served in the First World War and survived. After the war, the boys’ father, who would later be made a CBE, appears to have settled at Oldland, Hassocks, Sussex.

219181 Driver Oswald Richard Walden, Royal Field Artillery

Oswald Richard Walden was born in late 1888 or early 1889, his birth recorded in the March quarter of that year at Bridport.  He appears on the 1891 census as a two year old living at Shipton Gorge, Dorset (the place of his birth) with his father (28 year old George Richard Groves Walden; a farmer), his mother (29 year old Martha Joan Walden) and a cousin (22 year old Ellis Thomas Robert Walden, also a farmer and recorded as a nephew of Oswald’s father).  I have been unable to locate him on the 1901 census.

Chailey Parish Magazine first notes him in its February 1916 issue, stating: Walden, Dvr O R, ASC, France.  This information appears up to and including November 1916.  Thereafter, there is no mention of this man in the parish magazine.

Oswald's medal index card (above, courtesy of Ancestry) shows him arriving overseas in France on the 18th July 1915.

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.

94309 Dvr Thomas Jesse Woodhams, Royal Field Artillery

Thomas J Woodhams appears on the 1901 census of England and Wales as a thirteen year old living with his family at Twyford Lodge Cottage, Maresfield, Sussex. The family comprised Thomas Woodhams (head), a widower aged 38 and working from home as a gamekeeper. With him were his four children: Kate Woodhams (aged 15), Thomas (attending school), Jesse Woodhams (aged ten) and Frederick Woodhams (aged three). Thomas senior and the two oldest children had been born in Tunbridge Wells. Jesse was born at Chelwood Common, Sussex and Frederick at Twyford, Sussex.

Chailey Parish Magazine first mentions Thomas J Woodhams in August 1917 noting: Woodhams, Pte T J, RFA. This information is repeated up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919.

A search of the National Archives’ medal index cards suggest that he may be 94309 Driver Thomas Woodhams who subsequently served as a driver with the Labour Corps (number 425546), although this line of research needs to be investigated more thoroughly. Thomas’s two brothers: Jesse Woodhams and Frederick Woodhams also served their King and Country during the First World War.

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.

88802 Driver George William Deer, Royal Field Artillery

George William Deer was a patient at Hickwells in 1915. His entry in Nurse Oliver’s album reads:

No 88802 Driver G W Deer, Royal Field Artillery

May the owner of this book always succeed
For the kindness she showed me was great indeed
May her luck never fail through trouble and strife
And I will never forget her until the end of my life

He shares this page in Nurse Oliver’s album with 6334 Private John Thomas of the 2nd South Staffordshire Regiment and 33612 Sapper F Willmott of the Royal Engineers. His medal index card (above) notes that he served with the 94th Brigade Royal Field Artillery and gives his date of enlistment as 8th September 1914 and his date of discharge (due to sickness) as 14th August 1915. He did not serve overseas.

The silver war badge roll notes that George was 25 years old at the time of his discharge in 1915, giving an approximate year of birth of 1890. He is possibly the same 20 year-old George William Deer who appears on the 1911 census as a compositor, born at Mildenhall, Suffolk and living with his parents at Beck Row, Mildenhall. This man died in Greenwich in 1959.

Medal index card courtesy Ancestry.

Silent Heroes - Percy Galloway

Percival Albert Galloway was born at Lydd, Kent in 1885, one of nine children of Albert and Agnes Galloway.

By the time the First World War was declared, he was close to 30 years old, working as a butcher, married and with two children of his own. Nevertheless, he did what thousands of other men were doing and enlisted in the army to serve his King and Country. He attested with the Royal Field Artillery at Bordon, Hampshire on 5th August 1915, giving his address as 1 Chalton Street, Steyning, Sussex.

He was given army number 90415, the rank of gunner and posted to the 23rd Divisional Artillery Column (DAC). His surviving papers record that he was at home until 28th August 1915 and then in France between 29th August 1915 and 7th November 1917.

On 29th September 1915 he was appointed acting bombardier and promoted to full bombardier on 11th November. On 7th February he was promoted corporal. On 10th June 1916 he was posted to No 1 section of the Divisional Artillery Column and on 25th January 1917 appointed acting sergeant. He was confirmed as full sergeant on 10th March 1917.

On 5th May 1917 he was appointed section rough rider and later that year (on 8th November) moved to Italy where he would remain until 27th January 1919. On 10th February his record notes that he ceased to draw additional pay as section rough rider on appointment to acting battery sergeant major. The following day the appointment was confirmed and he assumed duties in his new role.

By 28th May however, he had reverted to the rank of sergeant on the posting of Battery Sergeant Major Parker. He was granted leave between 7th and 21st June and on 13th June a third child, Cecil Alfred Galloway, was born at Chailey. He re-joined his unit in Italy on the 21st June and remained in Italy until 5th January 1919 when he was again granted two weeks’ home leave. He remained in England after his period of leave was up and was discharged on 27th March 1919.

On 21st August 1920 he received the British War Medal at his home address of Appletree Cottage, North Common, Chailey. A year later, in September 1921, he received his Victory Medal at his new address: Elm Cottage, Morris Road, Lewes.

That's all I know of this man; an ordinary man like so many others but one who willingly left his family and his lifestyle behind when his country called him.

 

My thanks to Percy's niece, Lesley Busby, for sending me the photographs of Percy in later life. Medal index card courtesy of Ancestry.

Albert Padgham and William Padgham

I am thrilled to have been sent photographs of Albert Padgham and William Padgham in their army uniforms. The two brothers were amongst the youngest of Chailey's men to serve their King and Country.

Albert was in khaki probably just before war was declared and would have been seventeen or eighteen years old (it's possible that he joined the Royal Sussex Regiment on his eighteenth birthday). His brother William who was a couple of years younger than Albert, appears to have joined the army in late 1916 and served with the Royal Field Artillery.

Albert (pictured left), died of wounds in 1916 at the age of 19 and is buried in France. His brother William, survived. Today their young faces staring out of sepia tinted photographs recall the sacrifice of their generation.

I am delighted to be able to add Albert's and William's faces to the growing visual roll-call of Chailey's men and women and I am indebted to David Gordon, grandson of another Chailey veteran, Leonard Preston Gordon, for sending me these images and allowing me to reproduce these.