Earl Stonham war memorial

To the Glory of God

and in Memory of the Men of Earl Stonham

who fell in the Great War 1914-1918

 

768683 Lance Corporal Manley Frederick Ashwin, 28th. Battalion, London Regiment (Artists' Rifles).

Born on 2nd. June 1887 in Dulwich, Camberwell, South London, the son of Edward Godfrey, an ordained priest, and Blanche M. Ashwin.

Educated at Dulwich College, Westminster School and Pembroke College, Cambridge, graduating in 1909 with a 3rd. Class Degree in Theology, before going on to train as a priest at Sarum Theological College, being ordained in 1911. He went on to serve stints as rector both in Wimbledon and at St. Peter’s in Southsea.

The 1911 census recorded Manley as a Clerk In Holy Order, Church of England, resident at 80 Barlow Street, Walworth, Southwark, London SE17.

On 23rd. September 1913 at St. Pancras Manley married Marjorie Edith Morgan.

Recorded, probably at his enlistment, Manley was 5' 8" tall, weighed 143 lb., with blue eyes, fair hair, fresh complexion, and 34½" chest

At 9 a.m. on Thursday 19th. December 1918 at Warley Military Hospital, Brentwood, Essex, Manley died, aged 31, from broncho pneumonia, contracted while on military service. He is buried in Grave: 99. 41269, at Highgate Cemetery, Camden, North London, the same plot as his wife, Marjorie, who had died one day earlier from the same virus. leaving a 2 year old daughter. The headstone is marked with the inscription,

'ALSO MARJORIE EDITH

WIFE OF THE ABOVE

18TH DECEMBER 1918

R.I.P.

* Note* No connection can be found with Earl Stonham but he is the only Manley F. Ashwin listed for that period.

 

.30705 Private William Edgar Brett, 11th. Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.

Born on 20th. August 1892, the son of Abram Edgar and Alice Jane Brett of Forward Green, Earl Stonham.

Prior to enlisted at Stowmarket, Suffolk, William was employed as a farm labourer.

William was killed in action, aged 26, on Friday 15th. March 1918. He is buried in Grave: II. A. 19. at Croisilles British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France with the personal inscription,

'TILL THE DAY BREAK

ADA

OUR BELOVED SON AND BROTHER

SHALL RISE AGAIN'

 

201256 Private William Samuel Chaplin, 4th. Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, formally 3865 Private, Suffolk's.

Born on 19th. August 1897, the son of Samuel and Mary Ann Chaplin of Forward Green, Earl Stonham.

Enlisted at Ipswich, Suffolk.

William was killed in action, aged 18, on Saturday 15th. July 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Pier and Face 1 C and 2 A of the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, Picardie, France.

 

33339 Private Henry Jesse Crowe, 6th. Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, transferred as 222497 Private, 213th. Area Employment Company. Labour Corps, formally 2358, Suffolk Regiment.

Born at Mendlesham, Suffolk.

Resident of Earl Stonham.

Enlisted at Ipswich, Suffolk.

Henry was killed in action on Friday 12th. April 1918. He is buried in Grave: V. A. 26. at Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

 

J/71444 Ordinary Seaman John Dolby Diaper, HMS Pembroke, Royal Navy.

Born on 1st. June 1898 in Stowupland, Suffolk, the second youngest of ten children and the older of two sons of George, a cattleman turned gardener, and Martha Diaper, later of Mill House, Forward Green, East Stoneham.

John enlisted on 6th. June 1917 for the duration of the hostilities, when it was recorded that John was 5' 4½" tall, chest 36", with brown hair, grey eyes and a fair complexion. Prior to enlistment he was employed as a stockman.

He was posted to HMS Pembroke, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham, Kent, for his training. He was billeted in temporary accommodation that was set up in the Drill Hall.

On the night of 3rd. September 1917, Chatham was bombed by a wave of German aircraft and the Drill Hall received a direct hit. John was badly injured and was admitted to the Royal Naval Hospital in the town. His injuries were severe and, although his treatment was ongoing, the impact on his overall health was detrimental. Ultimately, the air raid weakened his system, and he died, aged 19, of heart failure on Thursday 18th. April 1918, more than seven months after the bombing.

John is buried in Naval Plot 29, Grave 1518 at Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, Kent.

 

3591 Gunner Harold Eric Gray, 'D' Battery, 53rd. (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

Born at Greenstead Green, Halstead, Essex, one of eight children of Charles Wing Gray a farmer and MP for Maldon, Essex from 1886 to 1892, and Alice Julia Gray.

The 1911 census records Harold was resident with his mother at Deerbolts Hall, Earl Stonham.

Harold entered the war on 10th. May 1915 and was killed in action, aged 26, on Wednesday 27th. October 1915. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 5 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

 

52849 Private Charles Frederick Hubbard, 2nd. Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, formally 19860 Wiltshire Regiment.

Born in 1890 in Essex, the son of George and Charlotte M. Hubbard of Angel Hill, Stonham.

The 1891 census records the family resident at Perces, Halstead, Essex.

Charles was killed in action, aged 27, on Tuesday 31st. July 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 21 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

Charles is also commemorated on the church of St. James the Apostle War Memorial, Greenstead Green, Halstead, Essex.

 

27277 Private Samuel Charles Keen, 7th. Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City Of London Regiment).

Born at Wetheringset, Suffolk, the son of Mrs. J. Keen of Angel Hill, Stonham.

Resident of Earl Stonham.

Enlisted at Needham Market, Suffolk.

Samuel died, aged 20, on Wednesday 30th. May 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Bay 3 of the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

 

3242 Trooper Adolphus Kitson, 8th. Australian Light Horse, AIF.

Born 12th. May 1892, at Mendlesham, Suffolk, the son of Adolphus and Ada Kitson.

The 1901 and 1911 census records Adolphus resident with his parents at Fulchers Farm, Earl Stonham.

A farmer by trade, aged 19, he emigrated to Australia, residing at Middle Brighton, Victoria.

Aldolphus enlisted at Melbourne on 13th. December 1916 and advised that his next of kin was his aunt Mrs. Diana Kitson of 9 Trafalgar Street, Middle Brighton, Australia. He embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Morea on 20th. February 1917.

Adolphus died of heart failure, aged 26, in Egypt on Tuesday 15th. October 1918. He was buried the following day in Grave: E. 11 at Port Said War Memorial Cemetery, Port Said, Suez Canal, Egypt with the personal inscription,

'IN MEMORY OF

THE DEARLY LOVED NEPHEW OF

MR. & MRS. KITSON

MELBOURNE'

 

23833 Gunner Frederick John Last, 4th. Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

The son of Arthur and Annie Last of Middlewood Green, Forward Green, Earl Stonham.

Frederick died, aged 36, from the effect of wounds he received in 1914 on Friday 13th. December 1918. He is buried near the north boundary of St. Mary's churchyard, Earl Stonham with the personal inscription,

'GOD MOVES

IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY

HIS WONDERS TO PERFORM'

*Note* Frederick served as Alfred Lawrence.

 

24201 Private Walter William Peck, 11th. Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.

Born in 1892 at Creeting St. Mary Suffolk, the son of Henry Peck of Morgan's Yards, Stonham Aspal, Suffolk and Caroline Buckle.

Walter was killed in action, aged 26, on Friday 22nd. March 1918.He has no known grave and is commemorated on Bay 4 of the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

 

5763 Private Nathaniel Bailey Ringe, 2nd. Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.

Born in 1884, the son of Robert and Emma Ringe of Forward Green, Earl Stonham.

Nathaniel died of wounds, aged 32, on Saturday 4th. March 1916. He is buried in Grave: VIII. D. 72. at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France with the personal inscription

'HIS NAME SHALL LIVE FOR EVER'

 

267828 Rifleman Alfred William Rush, 1st/7th. Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), formally 1933, Suffolk Regiment.

Born in Stowmarket, Suffolk, the son of Jonathan William and Mary Ann Rush. Baptised on 9th. May 1897 at St. Mary's, Earl Stonham.

The 1911 census records Alfred as an errand boy, living with his grandparents, Charles and Mary Ann Chittock of Forward Green, Earl Stonham.

Enlisted at Stowmarket..

Alfred died on Saturday 26th. October 1918. He is buried in Grave: 128 at Erquelinnes Communal Cemetery, Hainaut, Belgium.

 

Second Lieutenant Oliver Jack Soames, 4th. Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.

Born on 17th. December 1894 in Medlesham, Suffolk, the son of Henry and Rachel H. Soames.

Admitted to Combs Ford County Primary School in 1900 and Earl Stonham Church/Voluntary Primary School in 1905.

The 1901 census records Oliver and his parents living in Combs Ford, Combs, Stow, Suffolk.

In August 1915 Oliver's was living on Carr Street, Ipswich and he was employed as a driver.

He enlisted at Blandford, Dorset on 29th. September 1915, becoming 5266 Sapper with the Royal Marines Divisional Engineers at Deal in Kent.

On 31st. January 1917 he transferred as 207805 Sapper with the Royal Engineers.

He was commissioned on 28th. August 1917 and later married H. K. Olive Soames, of 71 Norwich Road, Ipswich, Suffolk

Oliver was killed in action, aged 24, during an attack on a railway west of Albert on Wednesday 27th. March 1918. He was buried with a wooden cross at map reference W.20.A.O.8 and was later reburied in Grave: II. N. 11. at Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery, Albert, Somme, Picardie, France with the personal inscription,

'WHO DIES FOR ENGLAND

NEVER DIES

HE LIVES

ON BRITAIN'S ROLL OF FAME'

 

3864 Private Stanley Wilfred Wilding, 'A' Company, 4th. Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.

Born on 6th. April 1897, the son of Harry and Sarah J. Wilding of Forward Green, Earl Stonham.

The 1901 census records him as Wilfred Stanley Wilding.

Stanley died of wounds, aged 19, on Sunday 20th. August 1916. He is buried in Grave: III. D. 47. at Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L'Abbe, Somme, Picardie, France.

 

 

*Not name on the War Memorial but named on the Roll of Honour inside the church.

 

283395 Gunner Reginald James Diamond Baker, Royal Field Artillery.

Born 27th. June 1897 at Pettaugh, Suffolk, the son of Harry and Ellen Baker.

Brother of Alice Maud, b. 7th. November 1881, George Henry b. 15th. March 1885, Hamilton William b. 31st. March 1890, and Gladys Emmeline b. 22nd. March 1900.

The 1911 census records Reginald employed as a millers apprentice at Pettaugh Mill.

Upon joining the Army it is known that Reginald served on the Indian Frontier.

Reginald died of war related sickness on Saturday 11th. November 1922. He is buried in St. Mary's churchyard, Earl Stonham.

 

242560 Private (Acting Corporal) Albert William Stannard, 1st/5th. Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, formally 6622, Suffolk's.

Born in Thwaite, Suffolk, the son of Mary Stannard and the late Charles..

The 1911 census records Albert working on farm, and living with his widowed mother at Saxham Street, Stowupland, Suffolk.

Albert died, aged 23, on Thursday 19th. April 1917. He is buried in Grave: VIII. E. 10. at the Gaza War Cemetery with the personal inscription,

'THY WAY NOT MINE O LORD'

 

1939 - 1945

 

5834440 Private Basil Charles West, 4th. Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.

Born 19th. December 1910 at Crowfield, Suffolk, the son of Charles Henry and Ellen Florence West.

Husband of Gladys Ellen West, nee Wade, of Ipswich, Suffolk.

Father of Kenneth West.

In the 1939 Register he was recorded a general labourer, living with his parents at Forward Green, Earl Stonham.

After being captured at the fall of Singapore in February 1942 the Japanese held prisoners in Changi Jail in eastern Singapore. The 'F' Force was a group of approximately 7,000 prisoners of war, 3,400 British and 3,600 Australians, sent from Changi to Thailand in April 1943 to be forced to work on the Thailand - Burma railway. The journey was arduous, with many suffering from illness and malnutrition, leading to a high mortality rate, with estimates of 29% of Australians and 60% of British prisoners dying during their time in Thailand.

Basil was shipped from Changi to Thailand in 'Train 10' on 27th. April 1943. He died of diarrhoea, aged 32, on Wednesday 21st. July 1943 and was buried in Cemetery 1, Block C, Row -, Grave 59, (283) at Songkurai No.2 Camp, Burma. In December 1945 his remains were exhumed and reburied in Grave: B3. L. 14. at Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, Mawlamyine District, Mon State, Burma, now Myanmar, with the personal inscription

'BELOVED HUSBAND OF GLADYS AND DADDY OF KEN,

SON OF C. AND E. WEST. "REMEMBERED ALWAYS"

 

So they passed over and

let the trumpets sound

for them on the other side

 

The war memorial is in St. Marys churchyard, Earl Stonham. It takes the form of a marble floriated Latin Cross on a octagonal Portland stone column and stepped granite base. The memorial was unveiled on 16th. January 1921 by the Earl Cadogan and was reported in the East Anglian Daily Times on 17th. January 1921.

The memorial received Grade: II listed building status on 14th. January 2019.

Done