War stories from the men and women of Hastings and St Leonards and the surrounding area who served their country during World War 1. The majority of these stories are taken from the Hastings and St Leonards Observer published during the WW1 years.
Arthur Hankey Rank: Private Regiment: 11th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers Wife: Mrs Susannah Hankey Home Address: 22 Cross Street, Waterloo, Liverpool Other Info: Arthur Hankey died aged 33 on 3rd December 1914. He is buried at Hastings Cemetery. He served…
B C Clark Regiment: 5th Dragoon Guards Father: Mr F R Clark Brother: Ernest James Clark Address: 23 Bexhill Road, St Leonards Other Info: At the Front. An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer dated 12th December 1914 reports: “Mr &…
Ralfe Allen Fuller Whistler Rank: Second Lieutenant Regiment: 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry Parents: Fuller Whistler & Mrs Gwenllian Annie Whistler (nee Robinson) Address: Caldbec House, Battle Other Info: In October 1914 he was wounded when serving with his father’s regiment in France. According to…
Henry James Morfee Rank: Private Regiment: 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment Mother: Fanny Hatch, of The Violet Nurseries, St Helens Woods, Hastings Sisters: Mrs Clara Annie Trusler & Miss E Morfee Brothers: William George Morfee & Albert Edward Morfee Brothers-in-Law: Frank George Trusler, Harry Trusler &…
Mr Hill Rank: Corporal Regiment: Coldstream Guards Wife: Mrs Hill Address: 15 Station Road, Hastings Other Info: On active service. An article printed in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer on 5th December 1914 states: “Corporal Hill, of the Coldstream Guards, in a letter from…
William P Stuteley Rank: Private Regiment: 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment Address: 104 Milward Road, Hastings Other Info: Wounded. An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer reads: “Private W. P. Stuteley, 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, is now at his…
Charles Rummery Rank: Private Regiment: King’s Own Scottish Borderers Parents: Mr William & Caroline Rummery (nee Blackford) Grandmother: Mrs Rummery Address: 2 Albion Street, Halton, Hastings Other Info: At the Front. According to CWGC, Charles later was promoted to Sergeant and he served in the 12th…
W Jones Rank: Private Regiment: E Company, Royal Sussex Regiment Address: 94 Manor Road, Hastings Other Info: Wounded in the left arm, which subsequently needed to be amputated. Recovering in hospital at Chatham. An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer on 14th…
Thomas Mepham Rank: Private Regiment: 2nd Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment Address: 3 Mann Street, Hastings Other Info: Wounded at the Aisne on 14th September 1914. The first wounded soldier received at East Sussex Hospital. Additional name information from the Lives of the First…
Thomas F Colbran Rank: Bandsman Regiment: Royal Lancaster Regiment (King’s Own) Father: Mr J Colbran Brothers: George F Colbran, Charles Colbran & J W Colbran Address: Bulverhythe Road, St Leonards Other Info: At the Front. An article published in the Hastings and St Leonards Observer on…
George Henry Cotton Rank: Able Seaman Ship: HMS Hawke Address: 144 Athelstan Road, Clive Vale, Hastings Other Info: Was one of 70 survivors from a crew of 594 aboard HMS Hawke when it was sunk by German submarine U9 on 15th October 1914. His friends…
Ernest L Kerswell Rank: Private Regiment: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders Father: Mr H J Kerswell Other Info: Mr H J Kerswell was Headmaster of Sandown School, Ore. An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer on 17th October 1914 reads: “Private E.…