Army Archives - Page 7 of 488 - WW1 Roll Of Honour

Burgess, Fred

9th January 20229th January 2022
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Fred Burgess

Rank: Sergeant

Regiment: 7th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps

Address: 76 Ashburnham Road, Clive Vale, Hastings

Other Info: An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer on 23rd September 1916 reads: “We regret to announce that Sergeant F. Burgess, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, son of Mrs Noakes, 17 Hurrell Road, Ore, has been killed in action.

Sergeant Burgess joined the Army in 1906 and spent 5 years in India returning to England on November 8th 1914, and was sent to the Front on November 23rd 1914. He was invalised home in March 1915, suffering from frost bite. He returned to the Front on December 13th 1915 and was killed on August 18th.

In a letter which Mrs Noakes received from the Lieutenant of his company, the letter says that when Sergeant Burgess met his death he was gallantly leading his men forward. He was a most valuable N.C.O. and generally liked by all who knew him.

Deep sympathy will no doubt be extended to Mrs Noakes in her great loss.

According to CWGC, Fred died aged 27 on 18th August 1916 and is remembered at Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval, grave reference III.K.1.

Published: August 1916

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Titjen, Carsten Francis Henry

8th January 2022
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Carsten Francis Henry Titjen

Rank: Captain

Regiment: 3rd Battalion, Manchester Regiment

Parents: Mr & Mrs Titjen

Address: South Villas, Wykeham Road, Hastings

Other Info: An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer on 16th September 1916 reads: “Captain C. F. H Titjen, age 37, who died after an operation in a London Nursing Home on the 12th inst., was the eldest son of Mr & Mrs Titjen, South Villas, Wykeham Road, Hastings.

Educated at University School, Hastings, he was 20 years in the employ of the Capital and Counties Bank. He was a winner of many prizes for golf and tennis. He joined the Forces as 2nd Lieutenant in January 1915 , and was invalided home from the Dardanelles. He was promoted to Captain of a Manchester Regiment in March 1916. The funeral took place on Monday at the Borough Cemetery, Hastings”.

Carsten is remembered at Hastings Cemetery, Screen Wall. K. D. F1.

Published: September 1916

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Read, Arthur E

1st January 20221st January 2022
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Arthur E Read

Rank: Gunner

Regiment: 125th Battery, 29th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery

Parents: Mr Nelson & Mrs Elizabeth Read

Wife: Mrs Read

Address: 3 Crown Cottages, Hastings & 20 Scriven’s Buildings, Hastings

Other Info: Late of Orient Football Club.

An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer on 2nd September reads: “On August 6th Gunner Arthur Read, R.F.A. was killed in action after having been at the Front 14 months. He was 27 years of age, and leaves a widow and two children, who live at 20 Scriven’s Buildings, Hastings.

The Captain of the Battalion in which deceased was serving, writing to the widow, says: ‘He was killed at 8:30am. His battery was being heavily shelled, and Gunner Read was, with other men of his detachment, in their dug out. A shell burst about five yards away, and a piece came in at the entrance of the dug out, and hit him on his left side, penetrating to the heart, death being instantaneous.

He was buried in the evening in the English military cemetery, where the grave will be looked after and kept up. The body was covered with a Union Jack, and the Chaplain officiated. All the gunners of the battery were present, and the men of the deceased detachment acted as his bearers.

He had made many friends, but quite apart from that his loss is a serious one, as he was a first class layer, and would have in time become a non-commissioned officer”.

According to CWGC, Arthur is remembered at Ferme-Olivier Cemetery, grave reference Plot 1, Row C, Grave 1.

Published: September 1915 & September 1916

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Cowley, Henry

28th December 2021
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Henry Cowley

Rank: Private

Regiment: 5th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment

Address: Derwent Lodge, Maze Hill, St Leonards

Other Info: An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer on 19th August 1916 reads: “We are sorry to announce that Private Henry Cowley (whose family reside at Derwent Lodge, Maze Hill, St Leonards) has been badly wounded whilst fighting with the 5th Sussex Regiment at the Front. The bad news reached the family in a letter from a Church of England Chaplain. Since then a letter has been received from a nursing sister stating the Private Cowley was suffering from wounds in the head and leg. He is now at King George’s Hospital, London.

Private Cowley was for some time on the Editorial staff of this journal, and enlisted 19 months ago. He is now about 20 years of age.”

After being wounded, Henry Cowley was carried to a dressing station during heavy shelling by four comrades, including Private William Kent. Private Kent was killed by shrapnel when a shell exploded close to the stretcher bearers.

According to CWGC, Henry died on 31st August 1916. He is remembered at Hastings Cemetery, grave reference L.B. J12.

Published: August 1916

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Osborne, Laurence

26th December 2021
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Laurence Osborne

Rank: Private

Regiment: 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards

Parents: Mr Anthony & Mrs Fanny Osborne

Address: Pigeon Cove, Rock Lane, Guestling

Other Info: An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer on 12th August 1916 gave notice that Private Osborne was killed aged 20 on 7th July 1916. According to CWGC, Laurence is remembered at Essex Farm Cemetery, grave reference II.U.8. The inscription on his grave marker reads: “Short was the call, The shock severe, to part with him we loved so dear”.

Laurence is not remembered on either Guestling or Ore War Memorials.

Published: August 1916

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Thomas, Robert William

18th December 2021
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Robert William Thomas

Rank: Private

Regiment: 13th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment

Wife: Mrs R W Thomas

Address: 62 Sea View Terrace, Ore

Other Info: An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer on 5th August 1916 reads: “Official news has been received by Mrs R. W. Thomas, 62 Sea View Terrace, Ore, that her husband, Private R. W. Thomas of the Royal Sussex Regiment was killed in action on the morning of June 30th in France. He enlisted in November 1914 and had been on active service since March of this year.”

According to CWGC, Robert is remembered at the Loos Memorial, panel 69 to 73.

Published: August 1916

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Whittaker, Roger D’Arcy

18th December 2021
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Roger D’Arcy Whittaker

Rank: Captain

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force / 13th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment

Mother: Mrs Edith Frances Whittaker

Address: Rock St Michael, Hastings

Other Info: An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer on 5th August 1916 reads: “It is with great sadness that we announce that there seems to be little doubt that Captain and Adjutant Roger D’Arcy Whittaker, who was reported missing, fell on the 30th June. Mrs Whittaker has received many letters of sympathy from the officers of the gallant man’s regiment, in which they speak of high prise of him.

In a letter received from Colonel Spurrell, he says that: – He put his whole heart into his work, and thereby gained the respect of every officer and man in the regiment, and I might equally say of the Brigade, for Major Neville Lytton writes this morning: ‘Your old friend Whittaker was supremely courageous. He was wounded rather badly, and he went to have his wound dressed, then returned to his men, or tried to do so. Could you transmit to his people this expression of my admiration of the gallant fellow’. Your son’s loss is a bitter blow to all who knew him.

It is believed that he fell side by side with Captain Humble-Crofts, shot probably by machine gun bullet while leading his men.”

According to CWGC, Roger is remembered at the Loos Memorial, panel 69 to 73.

Captain Whittaker joined the CEF at the beginning of the war, his records can be searched for free by searching here.

Published: August 1916

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Box, Ernest

11th December 202111th December 2021
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Ernest Box

Rank: Private

Regiment: 1st Battalion, Canterbury Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force

Parents: Mr Richard & Mrs Sarah Box

Parent’s Address: ‘Clovelly’, Silverhill Park, St Leonards-on-Sea

Other Info: An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer on 29th July 1916 reads: “We regret to announce that Private Ernest Box, New Zealand Infantry, younger son of Mr & Mrs Richard Box, of Clovelly, Silverhill Park, St Leonards, has been killed in action.

Mr Box went all through the Dardanelles campaign without any serious injury. Mr Box has another son serving in France.”

According to CWGC, Ernest died aged 28 on 9th July 1916. He is remembered at Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, grave reference II.D.30. He is not named on Hastings War Memorial.

Ernest’s service records can be viewed for free by searching here.

Published: July 1916

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Collier, Sidney Alfred Proctor

4th December 2021
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Sidney Alfred Proctor Collier

Rank: Corporal

Regiment: 9th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment

Father: Mr A Collier

Father’s Address: 84 Sandygate Road, Folkestone

Other Info: An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer on 22nd July 1916 reads: “News has been received of the death in action of Corporal Sidney Alfred Proctor Collier, nephew of <text unclear> Collier of Cranford, St Peter’s Road, St Leonards.

Corporal Collier was only 27 years of age and belonged to the Devon Regiment. He was killed in the big push. He was held in the highest esteem by his comrades. Second Lieutenant J. G. Pocock, of the Devon Regiment, writing to the father, Mr Alfred Collier, brother of the late Mr W. Payne Collier of ‘The Briars’, Hastings says – ‘Dear Mr Collier, I am most distressed at the news of your son’s death in action, while leading his bombers, and I beg to offer you my deepest and sincere sympathies.

I knew your son when the battalion was raised till the Battle of Loos when I came back wounded. We picked him out of the ground in January 1915 I think, and I never regretted my choice. He wrote me several times since Loos and I followed his movements with utmost interest, because amongst many men in my platoon, there was none I liked more personally or appreciated more as an N.C.O. He was a good soldier, smart, and keen, and above all, cheerful, and I feel his loss very much.

In all his work your son was so quiet, and dependable, and all the officers in the Command shared my very high opinion of him. I feel certain he fell gallantly leading his men, and this helped to uphold the glorious tradition which the regiment holds.

We shall always be proud of him, and the others who paid the great price. If you have a copy of his photograph I should appreciate it very much. When I return to France there is none I shall miss more than him. It is hard to write all one feels, but I trust you will be comforted by the knowledge of our high opinion of you son, and that you will accept my sincerest sympathy in a loss which I fully realise is to you something greater than we can ever know.”

According to CWGC, Sidney died on 1st July 1916 is remembered at the Devonshire Cemetery, Mametz, grave reference A.6.

Published: July 1916

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Powell, John Stewart

27th November 2021
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John Stewart Powell

Rank: Captain

Regiment: 11th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment

Parents: Mr William Henry & Mrs Clara Powell

Parent’s Address: Cranford, St Peter’s Road, St Leonards

Other Info: An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer on 15th July 1916 reads: “Information has been received by Mr W. H. Powell that his brother, Captain John Stewart Powell of the Hampshire Regiment was killed in action on July 3rd. Captain Powell was the third son of the late Mr William Henry Powell, F.R.I.B.A. and Mrs Powell of Cranford, St Leonards. He was educated at Marizburg College, Natal, and at King’s College School, Wimbledon Common. For over ten years he was on the staff of Middlesex County Council, and obtained leave of absence early in the War.

He received his commission as Second-Lieutenant in April 1915 and Captain in September 1915. He went to the Front in December of the same year.

In a letter received by Mr Powell is is explained that Captain Powell was killed by a chance shell which burst close beside him, a piece entering his thigh and cutting the main artery. The letter also contained many references to the esteem in which Captain Powell had been held by his fellow officers and men, and a remark made by a subaltern in his regiment, “He was simply loved by all ranks, and his death has cast a gloom over us all”, testifies to the loss sustained. Sincere sympathy will be offered to the family in their bereavement.”

According to CWGC, George is remembered at Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery Extension, grave reference I.F.5.

Published: July 1916

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