Private Charles Beard, 3rd Royal Sussex Regt

Chailey Parish Magazine mentions Pte C Beard serving with the 3rd Royal Sussex in August 1918 and this information is repeated monthly up to and including the final published roll call in July 1918. 

Nothing else is known about this man although it is likely that he was a young soldier, probably born around April or May 1900.

L7572 Officer's Steward Alfred Beard, HMS Zaria

Alfred Beard appears in Chailey Parish Magazine in January 1916 in a special list of attested men.  He is possibly the same A Beard who is listed separately as an Officer’s Steward with the Royal Navy. 

He was born at Chailey on 23rd February 1893 (although his surviving naval papers state Lewes).  He appears on the 1901 census living at Granthams Cottages in North Chailey.  The household comprised Henry Beard (head, married, aged 43, an agricultural labourer), his wife Mary Ann (aged 42) and six children: Frances Mariah Beard (aged 18, a domestic servant), George Beard (aged 13, a carter boy), Alfred (reportedly aged ten although his actual age was eight), Harriet Beard (aged seven), Rosetta Beard (aged five) and Florence Mabel Beard (aged two). 

On enlistment at Portsmouth on 25th October 1915 Alfred gave his occupation as gardener.  He was five feet, eight and a quarter inches tall, had light brown hair, hazel eyes and a fresh complexion.  A number of moles on his body were noted as distinguishing features. 

Alfred was given the rating of officer’ steward and the service number L7572 and sent to the shore based HMS Victory II where he remained until 6th December that year.  On the 7th December he was transferred to MFA Zaria and remained with this ship until 5th May 1919.  He then returned to Portsmouth where he was demobbed on 18th June. 

Throughout his career in the navy, Alfred’s character was noted as very good and his ability as satisfactory.  He was awarded a good conduct badge on 24th October 1918.

SS103893 Stoker Albert Beard, HMS Greenwich

Albert Beard enlisted in the Royal Navy on 22nd October 1906 for a period of five years with the colours and seven on the reserve.  He gave his date of birth as 5th August 1887, his place of birth as Chailey and his occupation as postman.  His height was recorded as five feet six inches, his hair as dark brown, his eyes as grey and his complexion as fresh. 

Although the birth date is not an exact match, it is possible that Albert Beard is the same Albert Beard recorded as a 14 year old on the 1901 census, living at North Common and working as general agricultural labourer.  His rank on joining was Stoker, 2nd Class.  Up until 8th December 1906 he was based at Portsmouth and then on the following ships (dates in brackets): 

HMS Ariadne (9th December 1906 – 16th March 1907)

HMS Canopus (17th March 1907 – 20th April 1907)

HMS Revenge (21st April 1907 – 24th June 1908)

HMS Crescent (25th June 1908 – 23rd September 1909) 

Between 24th September 1909 and 10th October 1910, Albert was at the Hong Kong Naval Base, HMS Tamar.  On 11th October 1910, he was posted to the Royal Naval Leadership School, HMS Royal Arthur.  By now, his rating was Stoker, 1st Class (having been promoted in 1907) and between 11th October 1910 and 31st August 1911, he spent his time at the leadership school and at Portsmouth naval barracks. 

On 1st September 1911 he transferred to HMS Jupiter and then back to Portsmouth naval barracks on the 21st October.  He was discharged to the Royal Fleet Reserve on 30th October 1911. 

Throughout his five years’ service, Albert's character was noted as Very Good and he had been awarded a Good Conduct Badge in 1909. 

When war was declared he was posted to HMS Glory and served on this ship as a Stoker, 1st Class, until 10th April 1916 when it was returned to Portsmouth for re-fit.  Albert Beard’s record notes that he was stationed at Portsmouth from 11th April 1916 before joining HMS Greenwich (although the date of his transfer to Greenwich is unclear).  He remained with HMS Greenwich until 19th May 1919 when he was finally discharged. 

Albert Beard’s character throughout his First World War service is recorded as Very Good and his ability ranging from satisfactory to superior.  He was awarded a second Good Conduct badge on 24th July 1917. 

 

The ships

HMS Glory was a Canopus Class Battleship that was built at Lair, Birkenhead.  It was laid down in December 1896 and completed in October 1900 at a cost of £895,814.  During the First World War, HMS Glory formed part of the Channel Fleet.  On 5^th August 1914 it was sent to Halifax, Nova Scotia as a guard ship to support crusiers in North American waters and in October 1914 it was put on escort duties for Canadian troop ships before being transferred to the Dardanelles in May 1915.  In December 1915 it formed part of the Suez Canal Patrol before being sent for re-fit at Portsmouth between April and July 1916.  From 1^st August 1916 until 1919 it was the flagship for the British North Russia Squadron based at Archangel and was finally sold for scrap in 1922.   

HMS Greenwich was a destroyer depot ship that was converted from a merchant ship and launched in July 1915.  It had four 4-inch guns and one 3-inch anit-aircraft gun and sereved throughout the First and Second World Wars.  It was finally converted back to a merchant ship in 1947, long after Albert Beard had ceased to sail on her.

Remembering Chailey

It's Remembrance Day 2014 and so my thoughts turn to my great uncle Jack Nixon, and to the men of Chailey whose weathered names are carved into the memorial outside St Peter's Church.

I have recorded these names before, but let them be recorded again now:

Alfred Albert Agate; died of sickness on 19th November 1918
Henry William Beard; killed in action on 19th September 1918
Alfred Bird; killed in action on 11th April 1917
William James Brazier; killed in action on 23rd March 1918
Charles Bristow; killed in action on 3rd September 1917
Charles Bristow; killed in action on 27th September 1917
Sidney George Augustus Bristow; drowned at sea on 31st May 1916
Henry Alfred Brooks; killed in action on 15th June 1918
Charles Buckwell; killed in action on 11th July 1917
Thomas Chatfield; killed in action on 25th August 1918
George Cheeseman; killed in action on 28th June 1915
John Henry Cornford; died on 19th November 1920
William Trayton Cornford; killed in action on 18th November 1916
Frederick Samuel Cottingham; killed in action on 1st July 1916
Richard John Deane; accidentally killed on 18th July 1917
Frederick John Drummond; killed in action on 3rd November 1914
John Ellis; killed in action on 10th August 1917
George Masters Emery; died of wounds on 15th December 1916
John Ford; killed in action on 3rd May 1917
Harry Gates; killed in action on 19th February 1917
Richard William Gibson; killed in action on 6th September 1916
Frederick Heasman; killed in action on 26th September 1917
Owen Hobden; died of sickness on 13th November 1918
Charles Hodges; died 8th November 1918
Thomas Homewood; killed in action on 30th June 1916
Gerald Sclater Ingram; killed in action on 21st October 1914
Claud Foord Ireland; killed in action on 12th October 1917
Robert Charles Jessop; killed in action on 23rd April 1918
Cecil Langridge; drowned at sea on 31st May 1916
William Alfred Lansdowne; killed in action on 26th February 1916
Charles Lee; killed in action on 2nd June 1917
Sigurd Harold Macculloch; died of wounds on 20th December 1915
Joseph Charles Miller; died of wounds on 29th September 1917
John Henry Oliver; died of wounds on 25th September 1915
Albert Edward Padgham; died of wounds on 24th August 1916
George Robert Page; died in India in 1919
Frank Peacock; killed in action on 20th December 1915
Albert Plummer; died of wounds on 2nd July 1916
Alexander Plummer; killed in action on 23rd April 1918
Ernest Plummer; died of wounds on 3rd September 1916
Owen Plummer; killed in action on 5th April 1917
Lionel Henry Yorke Pownall; killed in action on 21st March 1915
Magnus Rainier Robertson MC; killed in action on 22nd August 1918
Richard Roffe; died on 5th February 1917
George Saunders; killed in action on 17th August 1916
Henry Alfred Saunders; killed in action on 7th October 1916
Albert Henry Selby; died of wounds on 12th April 1917
Frederick James Smith; killed in action on 17th April 1917
George Spencer Smith; killed in action on 26th April 1918
Arthur Harry Snelling; died of wounds on 25th August 1918
William Henry Spice; killed in action on 18th July 1917
Frank Stevens; killed in action on 25th October 1918
William Stevens; killed in action on 27th May 1918
Frederick Stevenson; died of sickness on 12th April 1918
Albert Henry Thompsett; killed in action on 3rd April 1918
Arthur Tully; died of wounds on 23rd June 1918
Arthur Turner; killed in action on 27th November 1917
George Turner; died of wounds on 24th August 1916
George Trayton Washer; killed in action on 23rd October 1915
Edward Wells; killed in action on 5th April 1918
Alan Herbert Mainwaring West; accidentally killed on 7th January 1918
Charles Jarrett Willey; killed in action on 26th September 1917
Charles Joseph Wood; killed in action on 31st October 1914
Frederick Albert Jon Wood; died June 1920
Thomas Victor Wood; killed in action on 4th August 1916

The following men were nursed at two convalescent hospitals in Chailey: Hickwells and Beechlands. They were patched up, sent back to the front and subsequently gave all for their King and Country. 

William J Butters died of sickness on 25th January 1920
Stan Collins; killed in action on 18th August 1916
Joseph French; killed in action on 3rd August 1917
Robert Mearns Hobbs; killed in action on 28th November 1917
Ernest Arthur Malins; killed in action on 2nd July 1916
John William Sheridan; killed in action 11th October 1917
Thomas Clement Skurray; killed in action on 28th August 1915
James Sweeney; killed in action on 26th March 1918
John William Thurgood; died of sickness on 6th March 1919
Ernest Whitcomb; died on 10th December 1918

And I remember too, my great uncle who had no Chailey connections but who also laid down his life for his King and Country.

John Frederick Nixon; killed in action on 3rd October 1918

Seventy six men. The equivalent of two and a half First World War infantry platoons; or six village cricket teams (and four umpires). May they rest in peace. Thank you for your sacrifice.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.  

 

Tower of London poppies courtesy The Daily Mail.

39170 Private William Gaius Day, 3rd Norfolk Regt

William G Day is probably William Gaius Day who appears on the 1901 census of England and Wales (but is recorded on it only as William Day) as a twelve year old living at home with his family at South Street, Chailey and working as a shop assistant.  His birth was registered at Lewes, Sussex in the March quarter of 1889. 

In 1901, the family comprised Gaius Day (the head of the family, aged 34 and working as a farm labourer), his wife Ellen Day (also aged 34) and their five children: William,  Alfred Day (aged nine), Arthur Day (aged five), Edith Day (aged three) and Minnie Day (aged ten months).  Gaius had been born in West Hoathley, Sussex but his wife and their children, were all born in Chailey. 

In January 1916, William appears in a special list of attested men in Chailey Parish Magazine.  He does not reappear until November that year when Day, Private W, 3rd Norfolk Regiment is noted.  This information is then repeated up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919.

 

William’s younger brother Arthur Day also served his King and Country during the First World War

G/2829 Sergeant Arthur B Day, 8th Royal Sussex Regt

Arthur Day appears on the 1901 census of England and Wales as a five year old living at home with his family at South Street, Chailey.  The family comprised Gaius Day (the head of the family, aged 34 and working a s a farm labourer), his wife Ellen Day (also aged 34) and their five children: William Day (aged 12, working as a shop assistant),  Alfred Day (aged nine), Arthur, Edith Day (aged three) and Minnie Day (aged ten months).  Gaius had been born in West Hoathley, Sussex but his wife and their children, were all born in Chailey. 

In October 1914 Chailey Parish Magazine notes that Arthur Day is serving his King and Country and the following October adds the additional information that he is a lance-corporal serving with the 8th Royal Sussex in France.  In November 1916, the magazine notes that he is a full corporal and the following month, that he is a sergeant. 

Arthur appears to have served with the 8th Royal Sussex Regiment (a pioneer battalion), up to September 1918 when his name is mentioned for the last time in the parish magazine roll call in July 1919. As we can see from his medal index card above (courtesy of Ancestry), he was actually discharged on the 19th August 1918. His entry in the silver war badge roll confirms that he enlisted on the 5th September 1914 and was discharged as a result of wounds, aged 23 years and one month.

Arthur’s brother William also served his King and Country during the First World War.

Alfred Dancy

Alfred Dancy only appears once in Chailey’s Parish Magazine and that is in the August 1919 issue where it is recorded that he won first prize in the 200 yards walk for soldiers (held as part of the village’s peace celebrations).  Nothing further is known of this man although it is possible that he is the same Alfred Dancy whose birth was recorded in the September 1893 quarter for Cuckfield (volume 2b, page 161).

8002 Private Sydney Crowhurst, 17th Lancers

Douglas Sydney Crowhurst appears on the 1901 census living at 2, Cromwell Cottages, Clayton, with his family.  The household comprised John Crowhurst, head, aged 41, born at Pulborough, working as a Breadmaker/Baker. His wife Ann Crowhurst (nee Errington), aged 29, born at Walworth in London and their six children: John Crowhurst (aged ten, born in Pulborough, Sussex), Arthur Crowhurst (aged nine, born in Leigh, Kent), Douglas (aged eight, also born in Leigh), Hilda Crowhurst, (aged five, born in Hassocks), Ivy Crowhurst (aged four, also born in Hassocks) and Mary Marguerite Crowhurst (aged one, born at Burgess Hill). The children's maternal grandmother, Mary Errington (aged 72) was also at the house when the census was taken. 

Chailey Parish Magazine first notes Sydney Crowhurst in October 1914, stating simply that he is serving his King and Country. By October 1915 he is recorded as Crowhurst, Pte S, 17th Lancers and in January 1916 the additional information that he is in France is noted.  Three months later, in April 1916, the parish magazine records that he has been invalided, and in May 1916 that he is back in England. 

Sydney appears for the last time in the parish magazine in November 1916 where it is noted that he has been invalided and discharged.

 

Surviving papers in WO 364 confirm that Sydney attested at Roeheath, Chailey on the 3rd September 1914. Charles Hext Cotesworth of the 21st Lancers witnessed the attestation and William Greaves Cotesworth, Charles's father, authorised the attestation. Sydney was 22 years and five months old and working as a footman.

 

In actual fact, Sydney never served overseas. His papers indicate that he was discharged on 31st July 1915 as a result of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and served all his 331 days in England. A note by the Medical Board earlier that month states, "Result of ordinary military services. Was not strong enough to stand military training." Two years later, at the age of 25, it would be heart failure which would kill him.

 

My thanks to Geoff Hards for sending me the photo of Sydney and his family which dates to around 1910.

 

Montague Jesse Cox

In January 1918 Chailey Parish Magazine notes that M J Cox is serving with the Church Army as an NCO.  This information is then repeated monthly up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919. 

M J Cox is Montague Jesse Cox who appears on the 1901 census as the seven year old son of farmer Jesse Cox of Teagues Farm, North Common, Chailey.  The household comprised Jesse (aged 41), his wife Elizabeth Cox (aged 42) and four children: Elizabeth Martha Cox (aged 13), Mabel Cox (aged 11), Lucy Jane Cox (aged eight) and Montague.  All the children and Jesse, were Chailey born.  Elizabeth Cox had been born in Wivelsfield.

62615 Pte Frederick Stevenson, Labour Corps

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

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

1689 Trooper Alfred Stringer, Reserve Household Bn

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

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

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

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

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

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

Medal index card courtesy of Ancestry.

Edwin Waghorn

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

Charles Ventham

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

J33944 Boy 1st Class William James Turner, Royal Navy

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

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

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

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

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

Gunner T Turner, RGA

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

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

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

SE/3722 Pte George Trigwell, RAVC

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

George Trigwell’s name appears for the last time in the parish magazine in March 1917 where he is noted simply as Trigwell, Pte G, AVC. 

 

George's medal index card notes that he arrived overseas in France on the 23rd January 1915 and that his regimental number was SE/3722. The card also gives a reference for the silver war badge, although I have been unable to locate George on this roll. The roll for the 1914-15 Star notes that he was discharged on 21st January 1919.

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

Medal index card courtesy of Ancestry.

Timothy Towner

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

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

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

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

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

 

Harry Wood, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

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

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

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

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

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

Gunner Richard Wood, Royal Garrison Artillery

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fortunately, Frederick’s medal index card at The National Archives in Kew fills in further details. He is recorded as SE/4483 Corpl Fredk Albert J Wood of the RAVC (the Army Veterinary Corps became the Royal Army Veterinary Corps on 27th November 1918).  He enlisted on 1st March 1915 and appears to have arrived in Gallipoli just thirteen days later on 14th March.  He was discharged as no longer physically fit for war service on 7th June 1919 and was entitled to a silver war badge as well as the 1914-15 Star and British War and Victory Medals.  

 

Frederick's entry on the silver war badge roll would appear to be incorrect as it contradicts the medal index card, stating that he enlisted on 1st February 1915 and did not serve overseas. His age (in 1919) is given as 23.

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

 

Medal index card courtesy of Ancestry.