Individual Records - Page 8 of 560

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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Army

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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Army

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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Army

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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Army

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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Army

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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Army

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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Army

Smith, George William

21st November 2021
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George William Smith

Rank: Sapper

Regiment: 491st Field Company, Royal Engineers

Parents: Mr George & Mrs William Smith

Parent’s Address: 11 Gladstone Cottages, Church Street, Cirencester

Other Info: An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer on 8th July 1916 reads: “We regret to have to announce the death of Sapper G. W. Smith, R.E. He was killed with a comrade by a shell on July 1st. His loss is deeply felt by the whole of the officers and men of the Company, among whom he was most popular, also by his many friends here.

He was very devoted to his work, and had previously had several very narrow escapes. Deceased, who was very well known locally, was for some time assistant to Mr J. Watson, jeweller and optician, Queens Road, and joined up soon after war broke out. Some time ago he brought over several souvenirs, which are still being exhibited in Mr Watson’s window.

According to CWGC, George died aged 25 on 1st July 1916. He is remembered at Wailly Orchard Cemetery, grave reference I.C.9.

Published: July 1916

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Army

Daniel, Walter James

20th November 2021
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Walter James Daniel

Rank: Sapper

Regiment: Balloon Kite Cable Section, Royal Engineers

Parents: Mr John & Mrs Emma Daniel

Born in: Hastings

Other Info: An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer on 1st July 1916 reads: “Another Local Casualty. Sapper Walter J Daniel, whose death from wounds took place in the Twelfth Stationary Hospital, France on June 22nd, was an old Hastings boy.

The fifth son of the late John Daniel, at one time florist of Clive Vale, he was educated at Halton Schools, and later attended the Evening Continuation Classes at Priory Road. For a short time he was on the Staff of Messrs F. J. Parsons Ltd, but passing a competitive examination, entered the local Post Office. A sorting clerk and telegraphist he made good progress and was popular with all his colleagues. Later he was transferred to the Newhaven Post Office.

On the outbreak of war he at once volunteered, but his services were retained on important Government work till last autumn, when he was enrolled in the Signal Section of the Royal Engineers.

After the usual strenuous course of training he left for France in good spirits, and found himself attached to one of the Army Headquarters. In less than a fortnight his active service terminated, and a life of great promise and usefulness closed. He leaves two brothers, the Rev John Daniel, Baptist Minister, Folkestone and Private Joseph H Daniel, of the Canadian Forces.”

According to CWGC, Walter died aged 29. He is remembered at St. Pol Communal Cemetery Extension, grave reference A. 12.

Published: July 1916

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Army

Howell, George Henry

13th November 202113th November 2021
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George Henry Howell

Rank: Private

Regiment: 30th Labour Company, Army Service Corps

Wife: Mrs Martha Jane Howell

Address: 77 Milward Road, Hastings

Other Info: An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer on 27th May 1915 reads: “Hastings Soldier Drowned. The many friends of Private George Howell, of the Army Service Corps, and late of 3 Gordon Road, Hastings will be sorry to hear of his untimely end. He was drowned on the 19th May whilst bathing with his company in a (text unclear) Havre. A sergeant who got into trouble at the same time was rescued. Private Howell, supposed to have been seized by cramp, was never missed until too late.

The same evening his body was recovered. The deceased, who was 40 years of age, prior to joining the Army was with Mr L. O. Glenister, wine and spirit merchant, for 25 years. The greatest sympathy is being felt for the widow and four children. The funeral took place on Monday with full honours.

According to CWGC, George is remembered at St. Vallery-sur-Somme Communal Cemetery.

Published: May 1916

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