The 1921 Census of England & Wales - 50% discount!

That's right, 50% off the cost to view the 1921 Census of England & Wales - but be quick!

Those of us with an interest in the First World War and earlier will have eagerly awaited the release of the 1921 Census by Findmypast. I have enjoyed finding soldiers who served in the First World War back in their civilian environments - usually - by 1921.

Now, in a 'flash' sale, Findmypast has slashed the cost of viewing the census by 50%. However, you'll need to be quick because this offer ends at 9am BST on Tuesday 26th April. The normal cost to view a census image is £3.50, and to view a transcription it's £2.50. However, these prices have been halved and so it will now cost just £1.75 and £1.25 respectively.

Make the most of this offer. Remember, the sale ends at Tuesday at 9am BST. Click on this 1921 Census sale link to go straight to the Findmypast website. If you are not already registered with the site you will need to register first.

Remember too, that you can also conduct a 1921 Census address search and a 1921 Census Employer search. So not only can you now see where your ancestor worked, but who he or she worked with.

Medals Wanted - Herbert Nelson BASTON, Royal Welsh Fusiliers

3693 Herbert Nelson Masson BASTON was a long-serving soldier who enlisted with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in September 1892. By 1910 he had already served overseas in Malta, Crete, Egypt, China, India and Burma, and when Britain went to war with Germany in August 1914, he again served overseas in Egypt. In November 1915, and by now a regimental quarter master sergeant, he was discharged to commission and continued to serve with the 3/7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

I now seek the medals awarded to this man which are as follows:

China Medal 1900, 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Long Service Good Conduct Medal.

Herbert Nelson Masson Baston was born in India on the 9th October 1876, the son of Elizabeth Catherine Sophia McDougal Baston, and Edward Baston. Edward was employed as headmaster at the Diocesan School in Naini Tal, and Herbert was baptised at Naini Tal by his father, a deacon at the church, on the 12th November 1876.

When, many years later, on the 12th September 1892, Herbert enlisted with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Clonmel in Ireland, he gave his age as 17 years and 10 months. In actual fact though, he would have been a month short of his sixteenth birthday.

Surviving papers in series WO 363 show that when he enlisted, Herbert gave his next of kin as his father (by now a minister) as the Reverend Edward Baston of Dinorwic Street, Caernarfon. His description on enlistment was given as height 5 foot 8 inches, weight 115 Lbs; complexion fresh; blue eyes and dark brown hair. 

Service with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Herbert's papers show that he joined the army as Herbert N M Baston, although his second middle name 'Masson' is dropped from First World War medal records. The first of his many promotions took place on the 23rd March 1894 when he was appointed lance-corporal, and this was followed by promotion to corporal on the 31st March 1895.   He was appointed lance-sergeant on the 6th August 1896 and promoted to sergeant on the 12th August 1898. On the 23rd May 1905 he was promoted to colour sergeant and appointed orderly room sergeant. On the 10th July 1915, Herbert was appointed acting company sergeant major and on the 20th November 1915 he was discharged on appointment as quarter master and honorary lieutenant, continuing his service with the 3/7th Royal Welsh Fusiliers. There are papers held at The National Archives which chart his service as an officer.

Medal entitlement - medals wanted

Herbert earned campaign medals for China (China Medal 1900 with clasp, Relief of Pekin) and the First World War, (1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Inter-Allied Victory Medal). He was also awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in November 1915, and the Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal in April 1917. In addition to his medals, he was also awarded a silver war badge. If you know of the whereabouts of these medals and the silver war badge, or are the current owner and would be willing to sell them, please let me know: paul@britisharmyancestors.co.uk

Service with Frank Richards, Old Soldier Sahib

Author and Royal Welsh Fusiliers career soldier Frank Richards served overseas in India and Burma at the same time that Herbert Baston was in those countries and Frank would almost certainly have known of him. Frank Richards' account of life in India in the first decade of the 1900s is still arguably the best account of soldiering in the ranks and both Old Soldier Sahib which details those events, and his later work, Old Soldiers Never Die, which picks up the story in 1914, are well worth reading.

Herbert was twice married. He married Annie Gregory in Malta on the 22nd February 1897 and she bore him six children. Annie died in September 1909 and Herbert subsequently married Violet Gregory in August 1911 who bore him a further two children by 1913. Herbert and Annie's two youngest children, Isabella Annie Baston and James Nelson Baston died in infancy in 1907 and 1908 respectively. 

The image on this page is courtesy the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Museum and shows officers of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers either en route to or returning from China in 1900.

Medals Wanted - Lt David Radcliffe, 24th Royal Fusiliers

I am looking to purchase the medals awarded to the Late Lieutenant David Radcliffe of the 24th (Sportsman's) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers who was killed in action on the 18th March 1916. His medal entitlement was 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal and there would also have been a memorial plaque and scroll.

Born in 1894, David Radcliffe was the only son of Sir Frederick and Margaret Morton Radcliffe of Mossley Hill, Liverpool. He studied at Winchester College and subsequently attended Corpus Christi College, Oxford where he rowed in the College VIII in 1914.

"In spite of ill-health," so his potted biography reads on the Winchester College website, "he volunteered at the outbreak of war and was gazetted in December 1914 to the 11th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment.  After undergoing a serious operation, he was transferred to the 24th Battalion Royal Fusiliers and went to France in November 1915. At the time of his death he had been notified of his promotion to the rank of Captain, but had not yet been gazetted. He was killed near Loos on March 18th 1916."

The battalion war diary gives the details: “March 19th 1916: Enemy fired a considerable number of whizz-bangs on our left front; they were probably trying to hit a trench mortar battery located there. Captain Radcliffe went out to front trenches to observe the fire of our guns in retaliation and was killed, probably by a German sniper, being hit in the head by a bullet. This is a serious loss to the Battalion; he was a good officer and very popular with all ranks. He was buried at Bully-Grenay this evening.”

If you own these medals and plaque and would be willing to part with them, please contact me via the British Army Ancestors website or leave a message on this post. 

Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) medals for sale

Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) 

medals for sale

paulcanixon@yahoo.co.uk

G-68286 Pte. S. Mole. The Queen’s R.

G-68286 Private Sydney Mole, 6th Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment).

British War and Victory Medals (G-68286 Pte. S. Mole. The Queen’s R.) nearly very fine SOLD

Served overseas with the 6th Battalion, Queen's. The number dates to the 4th April 1918, and would have been issued in France from  J Infantry Base Depot at Etaples. At the time of arrival in France, this man was probably part of a draft from the 245th Infantry Battalion, formerly the 23rd Training Reserve Battalion. Survived the war.

27530 Pte. H. Gravett. The Queen’s R.

27530 Private Harry Gravett, Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)

British War and Victory Medals (27530 Pte. H. Gravett. The Queen’s R.) very fine SOLD

Born in Brighton in about 1885 (aged 31 when conscripted  on the 29th June 1916). Posted to 25th Middx Regt (1st July 1916) then to 99th TRB (1st September 1916). Transferred to Queen's (RWS) on the 11th September 1916. To Infantry Labour Company No 2 on the 1st January 1917 and then transferred to the 110 Labour Coy on the on the 9th May 1917. To Eastern Command Labour Centre on the 12th January 1918 and 302 Labour Coy on the 27th April 1918. To France on the 4th May 1918. Demobilised 3rd March 1919; intended address given as 45 Cambridge Street, Brighton. Papers in WO 363.

G-6355 Lance-Corporal William Johnson, 1st Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)

British War and Victory Medals (G-6355 Pte. W. Johnson. The Queen’s R.) good very fine SOLD

William Johnson a carman from Peckham, London was 29 years and nine months old when he attested with the Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment on the 5th August 1915. This places his date of birth as about November 1885. At the time of his attestation he was living at 32 Parsons Mead, West Croydon. He was the husband of Winifred Mary Johnson (nee Marshall) whom he had married in 1913, and the father of Nellie Johnson (born 9th January 1915) and Winifred Mary Johnson (born 19th April 1917).

William was initially posted to the 3rd Battalion and was appointed lance-corporal on the 10th December 1915, subsequently losing his stripe on the 30th March 1916.  He served overseas with the 1st Battalion from the 2nd February 1917 and was killed in action on 23 April 1917, four days after his second daughter was born. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France. William's effects were sent to his widow who, by August 1918, was living at 38 Bassett Road, Lavender Hill, Clapham Junction, London SW11. An alternative address of 59 Wickersley Road is also given.

Essex Regiment medals for sale

Essex Regiment medals for sale

paulcanixon@yahoo.co.uk

2409 Pte. C. Appleton. Essex R.

Private Charles Appleton, 6th Essex Regiment

1914-15 Star (2409 Pte. C. Appleton. Essex R.); British War and Victory Medals (2409 Pte. C. Appleton. Essex R.) good very fine, SOLD

2409, later 275392 Charles Appleton, the son of Sarah Appleton, was born on the 24th February 1897. He attested with 6th Essex Regiment at West Ham on the 5th Oct 1914 giving his home address as 137 Cathall Road, Leytonstone. Embarked for MEF  on 24th July 1915 and served Gallipoli and Egypt. Disembodied 23rd April 1919 aged 22. Address then given as 42 Leahall Road, Leytonstone, E10.  Married Edna Doreen Jolly in 1930 and died in May 1973. Papers in WO 363.

34000 Sjt. E. J. Ballinger. Essex R.

Sergeant Edwin John Ballinger, Essex Regiment

British War and Victory Medals (34000 Sjt. E. J. Ballinger. Essex R.) good very fine SOLD

Born: 25th April 1886 at Whitchurch / Symonds Yat, Herefordshire; married: 1914 to Florence Burton; died 1969. According to the silver war badge roll, Edwin John Ballinger attested  on the 13 November 1914. This must have been with a unit other than the Essex regiment as the Essex Regt number dates to December 1916.  Discharged on 6 September 1918 aged 32½.

3833 Pte. W. J. Bartrop. Essex R.

3833 Pte William John Bartrop, 5th Essex Regt 

Victory Medal (3833 Pte. W. J. Bartrop. Essex R.) very fine SOLD

William John Bartrop was born in Dunmow, Essex, in 1898, and attested for the Essex Regiment, under age, at Chelmsford on 10 August 1915. He served with the 5th Battalion during the Great War with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force from 18 May 1916, and was wounded at the First Battle of Gaza on 26 March 1917. He was disembodied on 8 April 1919.

3752 Pte. C. Button. Essex R.

2500 later 35172 Private Charles Button, 1/5th Essex Regiment

British War and Victory Medals (3752 Pte. C. Button. Essex R.) very fine SOLD

Charles Stanley Button was born in Ramsey, Essex, in 1892, and attested for the Essex Regiment in 1915. He served with the 1st/5th Battalion during the Great War in the Egyptian theatre of War and was wounded at the First Battle of Gaza on 26-27 March 1917, his name appearing in The Essex County Chronicle casualty list of 26 April 1917. Lived at 1, Front Lane, Cranham, Upminster. Papers in WO 363.

3287 Pte. T. Galley. Essex R.

3287 Pte Thomas Galley. Essex R. 

Victory Medal (3287 Pte. T. Galley. Essex R.) very fine SOLD

Thomas Edward Galley, of Great Henny, Essex, was born in 1896 and attested with the Essex Regiment on 22 February 1915. He served with the 5th Battalion during the Great War with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 9 August 1915, and was reported wounded in the thigh on 23 August 1915. Evacuated to Mudros, he returned to the Battalion in Gallipoli on 6 October of that year.

Galley transferred to the Machine Gun Corps on 14 July 1916, and served with 161st Company, M.G.C., a new company formed from the Machine Gun companies of the 4th, 5th 6th, and 7th Battalions of the Essex Regiment in the Middle East. He served the rest of the War in the Middle East and, embarking from Port Said on 20 May 1919, he was disembodied on 2 July 1919. A character statement in January 1919 lists him as a maxim gunner and describes him as ‘a capable soldier, steady in action, hard working and trustworthy.’

42645 Pte. E. W. Hopkins. Essex R.

42645 Private Edward William Hopkins, 2nd Essex Regiment

British War and Victory Medals (42645 Pte. E. W. Hopkins. Essex R.) SOLD

Enlisted on the 5th March 1917 aged 18 years and one month, the son of Edward Thomas Hopkins. At the time of enlistment he was working as a munitions worker. Mobilised at Woolwich on the 22nd May 1917. To 47th Training Reserve Battalion (34521), then to 3rd Battalion Norfolk Regt (37536) on the 11th December 1917 and finally to Essex Regiment (42645) on the 4th April 1918. Served overseas with the 2nd Essex Regiment from the 3rd April 1918 until the 5th September 1918. Returned to the UK with a sprained left ankle on the 5th September 1918. Discharged to class Z of the Army Reserve from the 3rd Essex Regiment on the 7th May 1919, home address given as Brambleberry Road, Plumstead, Kent, SE18.

5660 Pte. H. T. Turpin. Essex R.

Private Harold Thomas Turpin, 1/6th Essex Regiment

British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (5660 Pte. H. T. Turpin. Essex R.) good very fine SOLD

Born:  29th September 1896, the son of Frances and Albert Thomas James Turpin. Married: Emily C Craddock in 1922. Died: 1977

5660, later 275998 Harold Thomas Turpin attested at West Ham with the Essex Regiment on the 23rd August 1915 and served overseas with the 1/6th Battalion from the 1st Jun 1916. Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 30480, 16 January 1918). Address in September 1919 was 71 Gwendoline Avenue, Upton Park, London E13. Aged  22.  Papers in WO 364.

Royal Sussex Regiment medals for sale

Royal Sussex Regiment medals for sale

paulcanixon@yahoo.co.uk

John Thomas Hughes

Private John Thomas Hughes, 11th (1st South Downs) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment

British War and Victory Medals (SD-3943 Pte. J. T. Hughes. R. Suss. R.), above, together with three Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes Jewels, below; the first a Somerton Lodge Jewel, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse engraved ‘Presented to Bro. J. T. Hughes by the Somerton Lodge No. 2566 Raised to 2nd Degree Sept 2nd 1925’, with top ‘Primo’ riband bar; the second a Grove House Orphange, Harrogate, Donor’s Badge, gilt and enamel, the reverse inscribed ‘Presented to Bro. J. Hughes C.P., Donor’, with top ‘Donor’ riband bar; and the third a First Degree Jewel, silver-gilt and enamel, unnamed, with top riband bar, generally very fine

John Thomas Hughes' regimental number dates to early 1915. His name appears twice in casualty rolls, the first in a extensive list of Sussex Regiment casualties published in The Times on the 20th July 1916. This suggests that he was a casualty during the Boer's Head assault on the 30 June 1916. The second appearance dates to the 14th September 1917 and suggests that he was a casualty in August 1917. This gives his place of residence as Newport. The battalion took part in the 3rd Battle of Ypres which commenced on the 31st July 1917, sustaining 150 OR casualties on the 31st. No significant action or casualties noted after the 1st August and so almost certainly a 3rd Ypres casualty. Pair and RAOB jewels sold with copied research which will be emailed. Photos above. SOLD.

Albert Lilywhite

1914-15 Star (G-1809 Pte. A. Lilywhite. R. Suss: R.); British War and Victory Medals (G-1809 Pte. A. Lilywhite. R. Suss. R.) SOLD

Albert E Lilywhite was born in Holloway, London on the 10th August 1896, one of nine children born to William and Eleanor Lilywhite (nee Sealey) who had married in Poplar in 1891.  His birth was registered in the name of Albert Edward LILLYWHITE at Poplar in the September quarter of 1896 (Vol 01B, page 245). He is probably the same man who would later appear as a married caretaker on the 1939 Register, living at 6 Baranscraig Avenue, Brighton .

Albert  attested for the Royal Sussex Regiment at Horsham, Sussex, on 4 September 1914 and served with the 8th (Pioneer) Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 24 July 1915, qualifying  as a machine gunner on the 29th January 1916. He was wounded in action during the Battle of the Somme on 13 July 1916, at Trones Wood, suffering shrapnel wounds to his right arm, left wrist, and right leg, which necessitated his right arm being amputated four inches below the elbow. Owing to infection, he subsequently underwent a further amputation on the afflicted limb. His name appears in a list of wounded Royal Sussex Regiment men that was published on the 14th August 1916. Albert was discharged permanently unfit on 27 July 1917 and later claimed a silver war badge. Albert died in Sussex in 1993 aged 97. Sold with extensive copied research.

Bertie A Whiter

Private B. A. Whiter, 8th (Pioneer) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment

1914-15 Star (G-2023 Pte. B. A. Whiter. R. Suss: R.); British War and Victory Medals (G-2023 Pte. B. A. Whiter. R. Suss. R.) very fine. SOLD

Bertie Alfred Whiter was born at Stepney (1891 Census) or Old Ford (1901 and 1911 Census) on the 19th January 1888 (1939 Register).  He married Mary A Richardson (born 4th September 1887) in Poplar in the fourth quarter of 1912 and had at least two children: a son, Bertie A J Whiter, born on the 13th Nov 1914, and a daughter, Mary R Whiter (later BASTICK), born on the 15th December 1926.

Bertie attested for the Royal Sussex Regiment  in the first week of September 1914 and served with the 8th (Pioneer) Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 24 July 1915. He was wounded in late 1916, appearing in a casualty list published on the 11th Jan 1917 and, as evidenced by a contemporary newspaper report, he was certainly in the UK in February 1918 when he was assaulted by two policemen whilst queuing for food for his family. Following the cessation of hostilities he was discharged to Class ‘Z’ of the Army Reserve on the 25th February 1919.  By September 1939 he was a paper machinist living in Poplar. He died in Poplar in 1951 aged about 60. Sold with extensive research.

Arthur Turner

Victory Medal 1914-19 (G-21022 Pte. A. Turner. R. Suss. R.) extremely fine. £40

Arthur Turner was born in Little Horsted, Sussex. He enlisted in the Royal Sussex Regiment at Lewes, Sussex and was given the number G/21022. He served with the 8th (Pioneer) Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and died of wounds at No 4 Casualty Clearing Station on the 27th November 1917. He is buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium. 

Chailey Parish Magazine first mentions him in June 1917, recording him as Turner, Pte A, 3rd Royal Sussex. 

These details then appear every month up to and including September 1917.  In December 1917 he appears in the magazine’s Roll of Honour as: Pte A Turner, 8^th Royal Sussex Pioneers, killed in action, Nov 26^th 1917 in France. SOLD

Arthur Henry Brown

Private A. H. Brown, 11th (1st South Downs) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment

British War and Victory Medals (37381 Pte. A. H. Brown. R. Suss. R.) very fine £80.

Arthur Henry Brown attested with the Royal Sussex Regiment and served with the 11th (1st South Downs) Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front.  He later transferred to the West Riding Regiment (number 49605), and was ultimately discharged to Class ‘Z’ Reserve on 24 February 1919. SOLD

Harold James Chandler

SD-578 Sergeant H. J. Chandler, 11th (1st South Downs) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment

British War and Victory Medals (SD-578 Sjt. H. J. Chandler. R. Suss. R.) nearly extremely fine. SOLD

Harold James Chandler was born in Rotherfield, Sussex, the son of Charles and Elizabeth Chandler of Eastbourne, and the husband of Maud Elizabeth Mary Chandler of 107 Langney Road, Eastbourne. A chemist's assistant in Eastbourne, he was one of the first men to attest for the newly forming South Down battalions of the Royal Sussex Regiment, enlisting  at Hurstmonceux, Sussex and he served with the 11th (1st South Downs) Battalion (the poet, Edmund Blunden's battalion). He was killed in action on 18 September 1917 when a shell exploded on the exit of one of the trenches as the battalion was in the process of being relieved by the 17th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, killing seven men. He is buried in La Clytte Military Cemetery, Belgium, the words THERE IS A HEART THAT NEVER FAILS inscribed on his headstone. He was 25 years old.  Harold Chandler is commemorated on the war memorial in Eastbourne town hall and on one of the panels at Chichester Cathedral. 

Maud Chandler was subsequently awarded a pension of 21 shillings and 3d a week in respect of their daughter (born on the 3rd April 1916) and herself. Sold with research.

Charles Lee

Private C. Lee, 11th (1st South Downs) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment

British War and Victory Medals (G-6565 Pte. C. Lee. R. Suss. R.) very fine. SOLD

Chailey Parish magazine first mentions 6565 Private Charles Lee in its November 1916 issue, reporting him as Lee, Private C, 3rd Royal Sussex, England.  In the following month’s issue he is reported simply as Lee, Private C, 3rd Royal Sussex.

Soldiers Died In The Great War records that Charles Lee enlisted at Kenley in Surrey.  The 3rd Royal Sussex was the special reserve battalion which remained in England throughout the war.  Charles first served overseas with the 12th battalion, Royal Sussex regiment, subsequently posted to the 11th Battalion (116th Brigade, 39th Division) because he was killed whilst serving with this battalion on Sunday 3rd June 1917.  It was not until December 1917 however, that Charles's name was recorded in the Chailey Parish magazine roll of honour.  The information was recorded, incorrectly, as Private C Lee, 3rd Royal Sussex, killed in action, June 2nd 1917, in France.  His death was reported in a casualty list published on the 9th July 1917.

The 11th Royal Sussex was also known as the 1st South Downs Battalion and had been formed on 7th September 1914 by Lieutenant Colonel Claude Lowther MP.  All original enlistments (and there were 1,100 of them in under three days), were given an SD (South Downs) prefix to their regimental number.  The National Archives in London and Soldiers Died In The Great War record Charles' number as G/6565 although The Commonwealth War Graves’ Commission’s Debt of Honour Register omits this prefix.

At the time of his death, Charles Lee was married to Florence Lee and was living in Chailey.  He was 31 years old.  He was buried in Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery in Ypres (VII F 4).  On his tombstone are written the words: “UNTIL THE DAY BREAK / AND THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY”. Charles Lee is commemorated on the war memorials at Chailey and Chichester Cathedral. SOLD

Frederick James Panting

Private F. J. Panting, 11th (1st South Downs) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, and Machine Gun Corps

Wounded in action on 3 September 1916 (340 Pte. F. J. Panting. R. Suss. R.) nearly extremely fine. SOLD

Frederick James Panting was born in Brighton in 1891, and attested for the Royal Sussex Regiment at Eastbourne on the 7th September 1914. He served with the 11th (1st South Downs) Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and was wounded in action on 3 September 1916, on which date the Battalion was involved in an attack on the enemy’s position at Hamel, and suffered 299 casualties. He transferred to 116th Company, Machine Gun Corps (regimental number 75134) on 30th January 1917, and was discharged to Class ‘Z’ Reserve on the 22nd February 1919. Sold with copied research including extensive papers (x38) in WO 363. 

Francis Joseph William Preston 

British War Medal 1914-20 SD-220 Sjt. F. J. W. Preston. R. Suss. R. Very fine, SOLD.

Francis Joseph William Preston was born in 1890 in Deptford, London, the son of Henry John and Martha Sarah Preston. He was baptised at St Paul's Church, Deptford on the 29th October 1890. By the time the 1911 Census was taken he was living at 18 Sandowne Road, Charlton and working as a butcher.  The census reveals that, aged 20, he was still living at home with his mother and step-father (Henry James Sinclair aged 41, also a butcher), three step-brothers and a step-sister.  He attested with the 11th Royal Sussex Regiment at Eastbourne in September 1914, an early member of the 1st South Down battalion. No service record survives for this man but he was certainly back in the UK in 1917 as he married Hilda Florence Dean at St Mary (The Minster) in Reading, Berkshire on the 30th April 1917. His occupation is recorded as soldier. Francis Preston died in 1962. 

Albert Reid

Victory Medal 1914-19 G-36978 Pte. A. Reid. R. Suss. R.  Very fine.  SOLD

Albert Reid served overseas with the 11th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment; entitled to pair.

Leslie James Morgan

Captain L. J. Morgan, Royal Sussex Regiment

British War and Victory Medals (Capt. L. J. Morgan.) extremely fine. SOLD

Leslie James Morgan was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Sussex Regiment on 8 June 1915. His narrative appeared in 500 of the best Cockney war stories.

A Mission Fulfilled

On August 28, 1916, we were told to take over a series of food dumps which had been formed in the front and support lines at Hamel, on the Ancre, before a general attack came off.

On the following night Corporal W——, a true and gallant Cockney who was in charge of a party going back to fetch rations, came to my dug-out to know if there were anything special I wished him to bring.

I asked him to bring me a tin of cigarettes. On the return journey, as the party was crossing a road which cut through one of the communicating trenches, a shell struck the road, killing two privates and fatally wounding Corporal W——.

Without a word the corporal put his hand into his pocket and, producing a tin, held it out to an uninjured member of the party.

I got my smokes.—L. J. Morgan (late Capt., The Royal Sussex Regiment), 1 Nevern Square, S.W.5.

Alfred Edward Betts

Warrant Officer Class II A. E. Betts, Royal Sussex Regiment and Machine Gun Corps. 

British War and Victory Medals (11066 W.O. Cl.2 A. E. Betts. M.G.C.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (..7451 C. Sjt. A. E. Betts R. Suss. R.) heavy contact marks, polished, fair to fine. SOLD

H E Hughes

G-16921 Private H. E. Hughes, Royal Sussex Regiment

British War and Victory Medals (G-16921 Pte. H. E. Hughes. R. Suss. R.) mounted as worn, contact marks, nearly very fine. SOLD

Charles Turner

9089 Private Charles Turner, Royal Sussex Regiment

British War and Victory Medals (9089 Pte. C. Turner. R. Suss. R.) cleaned, good very fine. SOLD. Served Royal Sussex Regiment and Labour Corps (411683).

9089 Royal Sussex Regt; possibly 7th Battalion. The number does not belong to the regular series as this was issued to Leonard Brown in 1908, and not the 3rd Battalion as this was issued to William Piercy in August 1903. By default then the number is almost certainly G/9089 which would date to about the 29th February 1916 and suggests that Charles was probably a Derby Scheme volunteer mobilised (at Chichester) on this date.

411683 for the Labour Corps dates to 27th Oct 1917 and research indicates that Charles probably initially served with 891 Area Employment Coy.  Sold with research.

Lewis George Playle

British War Medal 1914-20: 16835 Pte. L. G. Playle. R. Suss. R. SOLD   

          

16835 Pte Lewis George Playle was born in 1898 and enlisted on the 25th May 1916. Served overseas with the Royal Sussex Regt (unknown battalion) and later Labour Corps (reg number 554686). He was entitled to a pair and SWB. Appeared in an official casualty list as a wounded soldier on the 25th September 1917; list notes place of residence as Ridgewell.  Discharged sick on the 18th July 1919. Married Ellen L Whatley in 1921 and died in 1923 (Sept qtr) at Halstead, Essex aged 25.  Sold with various research.

Frank Turner

Victory Medal 1914-19 G-22254 Pte. F. Turner. R. Suss. R. SOLD

Frank Turner was born in Holloway, Middlesex, and attested for the Royal Sussex Regiment at Mill Hill, Middlesex. He served with the 16th (Sussex Yeomanry) Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and was killed in action on 2 September 1918. He is buried in Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension, France and commemorated on one of the panels in Chichester Cathedral.

Payments to mother, Emily Turner of 54 Maldon Road, Edmonton who died on 20th May 1921. 

Sydney James Slade

315067 Pte. S. J. Slade. R. Suss. R.

Victory Medal: Sydney James Slade, 16th Royal Sussex Regt. Entitled to pair. SOLD

Believed to be the same Sydney James Slade who was born 24th August 1885 (1939 Register) in Stanwell Moor, Middlesex; a boot repairer when the 1911 Census of England and Wales was taken, and a part time gardener by 1939. Died in 1942. Sold with various research.

66533 Pte. C. N. Harman. M.G.C.

65533 Private Cecil Norris Harman, Machine Gun Corps.

British War and Victory Medals (66533 Pte. C. N. Harman. M.G.C.) mounted as worn, very fine SOLD

Cecil Harman attested with the Royal Sussex Regt at Crowborough on the 9th December 1915 (Derby Scheme) aged 25 years and 310 days (born circa Feb 1890). He was mobilised at Chichester on the 30th August 1916 and given the number G/13983.  His next of kin was his wife, Kate Harman (maiden name, Cramp), whom he had married at Crowborough on the 1st January 1910. Two daughters, Evelyn May Harman (born 14th May 1910) and Elsie Katherine Harman (born 2nd April 1916); home address: Stone House Cottage, White Hill Road, Crowborough, Sussex. Transferred to MGC on the 19th October 1916. Served overseas from 17th March 1917. Served with various units of the MGC:  286 Coy, 8th Reserve Bn and latterly 200th Bn, MGC. Demobilised 23rd November 1919.