1914-1918

BAKER

Alfred

Private SD/3828 11th Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born 29/6/1896. Killed in action 4/6/1916 Age 19. Buried in Cambrin Churchyard Extension, France. Grave: M.53

BAKER

Ernest

Private SD/3830 9th Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born 11/6/1897. Died of wounds 13/4/1917 Age 19. Buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, France. Grave: VI.D.12.

Two of the sons of Walter and Mary Baker of Brook Cottage, Horsted Lane, Danehill. The two brothers enlisted together with Edgar Stevenson (qv) in Haywards Heath and have consecutive service numbers. Both were posted to the 11th Battalion and a shell that also wounded his brother, Ernest, killed Alfred. Upon his recovery, Ernest was posted to the 9th Battalion and was killed at Cuinchy during the Battle of Arras.

BAKER

Matthias

Private 24225 'D' Coy, 7th Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born 14/4/1896. Killed in action 3/7/1918 Age 22. Buried Harponville Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Grave: C.10

Son of Elias and Mary Elizabeth Baker of Yew Tree House, Chelwood Gate. He is listed in a history of his battalion published in 1934 as being one of a platoon wiped out by a direct hit from an 8 inch shell east of Albert.

BAKER

Spencer

Lieutenant 114505, 46th Bn, Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment). Born 9/12/1879, National Archives of Canda state 9/12/1882, at Uckfield. Killed in action 26/10/1917 Age 37. Buried Passchendaele New British Cemetery, Belgium. Grave XI.C.12

Son of Spencer and Susan Baker of Forest Farm. Chelwood Gate. Joined the Canadian Army in August 1914 as a reserve with Saskatoon Light Horse, attested 28th December 1914. Church of England. Building Contractor by trade. Unmarried. Killed in the attack on Passchendaele. Passed fit for the Expeditionary Forces 26 September 1917. Height 5 feet 6½ inches, girth 36 inches, complexion fair, eyes blue, hair fair. National Archives of Canada Accession Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 377 - 51

BAXTER

Charles

Private 596241 'M' Coy, Training Depot, Australian Imperial Force. Born 28/2/1884. Died of pneumonia on 20/6/1915 whilst under training in Melbourne, Victoria. Age 31. Buried Pine Ridge Memorial Park, Melbourne, Australia. Grave: Plot CE D Grave 486.

Son of Ambrose and Elizabeth Baxter of Baxters Lane, Chelwood Gate. Husband of Beatrice Baxter of 1 Tonkins Lane, Richmond, Victoria, Australia. He enlisted in Melbourne on 26/1/1915. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission did not commemorate Charles Baxter until a resident of Danehill undertook research into his history and had him accepted for recognition in 1999. He was formerly buried in an unmarked grave but now has a CWGC official war grave headstone.

BENNETT

Reginald

Private G/3402 'B' Coy, 12th Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born 3/5/1889. Killed in action 31/7/1917 Age 28. Buried in New Irish Farm Cemetery, Belgium. Grave: XIV.A.5.

Son of Caesar and Charlotte Bennett of Field View, Chelwood Gate. Remembered on his parents' headstone in Danehill Cemetery.

BILLINGS

Charles

Lance Corporal P/13667 Military Foot Police. Born 3/09/1870. Died 10/10/1918 Aged 48. Drowned when RMS 'Leinster' was sunk by a German submarine in the Irish Sea. Buried Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Dublin, Ireland. Grave: CE New Plot 691.

Son of Edwin and Margaret Billings of Chapel Cottage, Chelwood Gate. Husband of Mahalia Billings of 112 Stanford Avenue, Brighton.

CALVERT

Lionel

Second Lieutenant 175 Tunnelling Coy, Royal Engineers. Born 1/7/1886. Killed in action 30/1/1917. Age 30. Buried Aveluy Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Grave K.6

His name was added to the memorial at an unknown date after its unveiling in 1920 and he is also recorded locally as 'Francis Calvert'. He was the son of James Calvert of Highfield, Church Hill, Danehill. He was married to Mary Adelaide Hatley Calvert (née Bacon), well-known actress, daughter of Mr & Mrs Hatley Bacon of Leeds and Harrogate. He was formerly a mining engineer in Southern Africa. Ironically, his son, James Lionel Calvert (Jimmie), born within a few weeks of his father's death, was killed as a Pilot Officer in the RAF on 20 September 1939.

COPPARD

Walter John

Lance Corporal G/1646 2nd Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born 3/1/1895. Killed in action 9/5/1915. Age 20. No known grave and commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, France.

Son of Walter and Laura Coppard of North Northlands Farm, Danehill. Killed at the Battle of Loos on the same day as Cpl William Wood (qv). His name is shown only as 'John Coppard' on the memorial.

CAMERON

Duncan

Serjeant 154 Bty, Royal Garrison Artillery. Born 2/6/1978. Died of phthisis and tuberculosis 22/10/1920 after discharge from the army. Age 42. Buried Danehill Cemetery. Grave: Unmarked and location unknown.

Husband of Mrs N.Cameron of The Corner House, Streeters Rough, Chelwood Gate. He is not recognised by CWGC as a war death but his name has been read out with all the others at the annual Remembrance Day service every year since 1920 as local residents at the time believed his death to be due his war experiences. Danehill Parish Council added his name to the Memorial in 2001.

CARTER

Fritz

Lance Corporal SD/3551 13th Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born 19/5/1897. Died of wounds 2/7/1916. Age 19. Buried Merville Communal Cemetery, France. Grave: V.A.7

Son of David and Sarah Carter of Nursery Farm, Chelwood Gate. He served with Jesse Stevenson (qv) who died on the same day that Fritz Carter was wounded - 30/6/1916.

CORBETT-WILSON

Denys

Lieutenant 3 Sqdn, Royal Flying Corps. Born 24/9/1882. Killed when his Morane L aircraft (serial No.1872) was shot down over German lines 10/5/1915. Age 32. Buried Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, France.

Son of the late W.H.C. and Ada Caroline Wilson (née Corbett) and born at Imber Court, Surrey. He was the nephew of C.H. Corbett of Woodgate, Danehill. Obtained his pilot's licence at Pau, France in 1912 and was the first man to fly St Georges Channel to Ireland. The Germans originally buried him with full military honours at Fournes.

DEACON

George

Private SD/5348 2nd Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born 2/9/1892. Killed in action 7/8/1916 Age 23. Buried Delville Wood Cemetery, France. Grave: XVIII.J.8

DEACON

Jack

Private PO/17344 Royal Marine Light Infantry, Portsmouth Bn, Royal Naval Division. Born 1/4/1898. Killed in Action 12/5/1915. Age 17. No known grave and commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hants.

Both the above were sons of Albert James and Amy Susan Deacon of Horsted Keynes. Their father worked as a gardener in Danehill and they went to school in the village. Both men's names also appear on the Horsted Keynes War Memorial.

DEACON

Gilbert

Private 14114 1st Bn, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). Born 20/3/1897. Killed in action 1/4/1918 at Peronne. Age 21. Buried Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Grave: III.M.4

Son of Frederick and Caroline Amelia Deacon of The Nursery, Chelwood Gate. He has a memorial plaque in Chelwood Gate Church.

DICKSON

Frederick G.

Private G/385 6th Bn, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action 13/10/1915. No known grave and commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France.

Born at High Brook and lived in Danehill. Danehill Parish Council added his name to the war memorial in 2001.

ETHERTON

Edmund Thomas

Serjeant PS/1795 18th Bn, Middlesex Regiment. Born 1/12/1882. Killed in action 13/4/1918 Age 35. No known grave and commemorated on Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.

Son of Edmund and Eliza Etherton of Lewisham. His uncle was George Etherton, the Danehill blacksmith. In 1912 he married Ethel Coppard, the sister of John Coppard (qv). His name is shown as simply 'Tom' on the memorial.

FARNCOMBE

Jesse Knight

Private 1498 13th Bn, Australian Infantry. Born 12/6/1892. Killed in action 10/8/1915 at Gallipoli. Age 23. Buried 7th Field Ambulance Cemetery, Turkey. Grave: Special Memorial A.66

Son of Charles James and Naomi Farncombe of Tanyard Farm, Danehill. Born in East Hoathly and emigrated to Australia aged 20 and lived at Terang, Victoria.

FOX

Herbert William

Private G/19136 9th Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Killed in action 10/10/1918. Buried St Aubert British Cemetery, France. Grave: III.B.10

Born in Danehill and enlisted in Brighton. Danehill Parish Council added his name to the war memorial in 2001.

FRANCIS

Frederick Charles

Private 28929 3rd Bn, Grenadier Guards. Died of wounds 17/11/1918. Age 20. Buried St Sever Cemetery Extension, France. Grave: S.III.R.11

Born in Danehill. Son of Joseph and Elizabeth Annie Francis of Cockhaise Farm, Lindfield. Danehill Parish Council added his name to the war memorial in 2001.

GOSLETT

John Southcote

Second Lieutenant 1st/1st Norfolk Yeomanry. Born 1895. Died 11/11/1915 in Egypt. Buried Alexandria (Chatby) Military & War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. Grave: Q.544

Son of George Goslett of Chelwood Gate. He had previously been invalided home with frostbite from Ypres.

HARDING

Ernest

Private 315387 16th Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Killed in action 6/11/1917. Age 42. Buried Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel. Grave: M.18

Son of William and Harriet Harding of Danehill. Husband of Mrs E.S.Harding of Marsh Green, Hartfield. Danehill Parish Council added his name to the war memorial in 2001.

HARDY

Ronald Montagu

Captain 'D' Coy, 7th Bn, Rifle Brigade. Born 12/4/1882. Killed in action 23/7/1915 at Hooge. Age 33. No known grave and commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

Son of Herbert and Adela Louisa Hardy of Danehurst, Danehill. Enlisted in 1914 in the Royal Sussex Regiment but was commissioned into the Rifle Brigade. He has a memorial in All Saints Church, Danehill.

HILLS

Ernest Arthur

Private S/43436 Seaforth Highlanders. Born 2/5/1885. Died of wounds 13/12/1918. Age 34. Buried Danehill Cemetery. Grave: 268

HILLS

Victor

Private G/11561 11th Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born 12/6/1897. Killed in action 3/4/1918. Age 20. Buried Ste. Emilie Valley Cemetery, France.

Two sons of Richard and Julia Hills of Chelwood Gate. Their sister, Agnes Henriette, was married to William Manners (qv).

HEARN

Frank

Private G/3582 9th Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born 17/4/1894. Killed in action 11/6/1917. Age 23. Buried Voormezeele Enclosure No.3, Belgium. Grave: XIV.A.5

Frank was born at Byfleet, Surrey and his brothers, Benjamin and Jimmie, worked in Danehill.

LEPPARD

Herbert

Private G/3385 9th Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born 16/9/1891. Killed in action 25/9/1915. Age 25. No known grave and commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France.

Son of John and Mary Leppard of Freshfield Lane, Danehill. Served with Frank Hearn (qv).

MANNERS

William

Private 241175 5th Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born 1879. Killed in action 12/10/1917. Age 38. Buried Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium. Grave: IX.F.25

Son of James Thomas and Caroline Manners. Husband of Agnes Henrietta Manners (née Hills), sister of Ernest and Victor Hills (qv). Initially from Chelwood Gate, they later moved to Horsted Keynes and his name also appears on that village's war memorial.

MILLER

George Verney

Private G/61658 23rd Bn, Royal Fusiliers. Born 25/9/1898. Died of wounds 3/5/1917. Age 18. Buried Douai Communal Cemetery, France. Grave H.23

Son of James and Mary Jane Miller of Chelwood Gate.

MILES

Arthur John

Private G/8434 'A' Coy, 7th Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born 13/11/1884. Killed in action 4/8/1916. Age 31. No known grave and commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

MILES

Alfred Edward

Private G/8433 'A' Coy, 7th Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born 4/8/1897. Killed in action 5/10/1916. Age 19. No known grave and commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Sons of Caleb and Mary Miles of Laurel Cottage, Chelwood Gate. The brothers were two of five in the army and they enlisted together in Hove.

MILES

George

Private 49749 13th Bn, Royal Scots. Born 1896. Killed in action 10/6/1918. Age 25. Buried Longueau British Cemetery, France. Grave: I.F.11

Son of George and Olive Miles of Danehill. He formerly served in the Army Service Corps and was almost certainly related to the two Miles brothers (qv).

NEAL

Lyall Marcus

Private 205868 2/4th Bn, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Born 8/5/1896. Killed in action 21/12/1917. Age 21. Buried Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel.

He has a memorial plaque in Chelwood Gate Church. His sister, Madelaine, was a teacher at Twyford School (now in the parish of Danehill).

NEWNHAM

William

Private 27146 2nd Bn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Born 2/1/1879. Killed in action 4/5/1917. Age 38. No known grave and commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.

Son of Thomas and Susan Newnham of Mount Noddy, Danehill. His one time occupation was as a rat catcher. He formerly served in the Lincolnshire Regiment.

PADGHAM

Fred

Private SD/5379 2nd Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Killed in action 18/4/1918. Age 25. Buried Woburn Abbey Cemetery, Cuinchy, France. Grave: I.G.24

Son of Thomas Padgham of Sheffield Green, Furners Green.

PEARSON

George

Driver 123053 1st Reserve Bde, Royal Field Artillery. Born 26/3/1891. Died of illness whilst under training 13/3/1916. Age 25. Buried Ipswich Cemetery, Suffolk. Grave D.23.4

Son of Henry and Lavinia Pearson of Doctor's Lane, Chelwood Gate.

STEVENSON

Ernest Edgar

Lance Corporal SD/3829 2nd Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born 3/6/1897. Killed in action 9/9/1916. Age 19. No known grave and commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

STEVENSON

James

Private SD/3226 13th Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born 27/3/1891. Died of wounds 17/4/1916. Age 25. Buried Bethune Town Cemetery, France. Grave: III.G.85

STEVENSON

Jesse

Private SD/3691 13th Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born 23/5/1895. Killed in action 30/6/1916. Age 21. Buried Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, France. Grave: XV.N.36

STEVENSON

Stanley Harold

Private 77244 17th Bn, Royal Fusiliers. Born 11/6/1899. Died of wounds 21/10/1918. Age 19. Buried Delsaux Farm Cemetery, France. Grave: II.D.22

Four sons of Richard and Alice Stevenson of Sweet Briar, Chelwood Common. The family had one further son, Richard Banjamin. His parents petitioned the King with the request that he be exempted from serving because they had already lost four boys to the war which devastated the parents and that they where unwilling give up the last one. This request was granted. After the war, the local residents made a collection to pay for Alice Stevenson to travel to France to visit the graves of her four sons.

STEADMAN

Charles

Private G/8421 7th Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born 21/6/1897. Killed in action 7/7/1916. Age 20. Buried Serre Road Cemetery No.2, France. Grave: XV.C.6

Son of Jasper and Fanny Steadman of Woodgate Cottages, Danehill. His father was coachman to Mr Corbett at Woodgate.

TURNER

Ernest

Private G/23335 6th Bn, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Born 1/8/1879. Killed in action 17/7/1917. Age 37. No known grave and commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.

Son of Trayton and Lucy Turner. Husband of Emily Turner (née Baker). His wife contacted men who served with Ernest for many years hoping that they would report that he had been taken prisoner.

TURNER

Michael Henry

Corporal 10303 2nd Bn, Royal Berkshire Regiment. Born 21/2/1895. Killed in action 30/1/1917. Age 21. No known grave and commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

TURNER

Walter Victor

Private 5293 12th Bn, Manchester Regiment. Born 24/8/1897. Killed in action 18/9/1915. Age 18. Buried Ridge Wood Military Cemetery, Belgium. Grave: I.J.9

Two sons of William and Emma Jane Turner of Danewood Cottages.

THOMPSETT

William

Private G/18940 6th Bn, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Born 24/5/1884. Killed in action 3/5/1917. Age 32. No known grave and commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

Son of Jesse and Sarah Thompsett of Danehill. Husband of Blanche Hannah Thompsett (née Turner).

VENN

John

Private 4185 13th Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died of illness 11/2/1915 at Bexhill. Age 23. Buried Danehill Cemetery. Grave: 210

Son of Mr and Mrs Venn of Godenwhich Cottage, Stone Cross, Lindfield. Danehill Parish Council added his name to the war memorial in 2001.

WHEELER

Sydney Eslie

Sapper 184662 87th Field Coy, Royal Engineers. Born 8/6/1887. Died of wounds 13/3/1918. Age 30. Buried Croix-du-Bac British Cemetery, France. Grave: I.G.4

Son of Charles and Mary Ann Wheeler of Laurel Cottage, Chelwood Gate. Husband of Henrietta Wheeler (née Turner) and cousin to John Coppard (qv).

WILSON

Frederick

Lance Corporal G/1717 10th Bn, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Killed in action 20/9/1917. No known grave and commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

Born in North Musham, Notts and was the husband of Mercy Wilson (née Gasson) of Kimbers Place, Chelwood Gate.

WOOD

Albert Vallance

Serjeant 2248 13th Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born 26/12/1891. Died of wounds 4/4/1918. Age 26. Buried Wimereux Communal Cemetery, France. Grave: X.A.7A

Son of Vallance Shadrack and Harriet Alice Wood of Chelwood Gate.

WOOD

Ernest

Private G/8449 1st Bn, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Killed in action 3/11/1916. Age 26. No known grave and commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Son of Charles and Caroline Wood of Greenfield Farm, Danehill. Danehill Parish Council added his name to the war memorial in 2001.

WOOD

Henry Charles

Private G/40300 16th Bn, Middlesex Regiment. Born 24/5/1887. Killed in action 31/5/1917. Age 30. No known grave and commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.

WOOD

William

Corporal L/7344 2nd Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born 28/11/1878. Killed in action 9/5/1915. Age 36. No known grave and commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, France.

Two brothers who were the sons of George and Annie Wood of Pear Tree Cottage, Freshfield Lane, Danehill. Henry is listed as 'Harry' on the war memorial and formerly served in the Royal Sussex Regiment. William was married to Clara Wood and, as a regular soldier, had formerly served in India. William's widow is listed as living at Forest Gate, Essex.

WISE

Charles

Corporal 9654 1st Bn, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). Born 18/3/1887. Killed in action 23/8/1917. Age 30. No known grave and commemorated on the Nieuport Memorial, Belgium.

Son of Charles John Billingham Wise of Laundry Lane, Chelwood Gate. He enlisted in Kilburn, London. His father was gardener to Lord Robert Cecil of Gale, Chelwood Gate.

YOUNG

Joseph Thomas

Stoker 1st Class SS/111807 Royal Navy. Born 29/9/1891. Died of a cerebral tumour 15/4/1915 in the Royal Naval Hospital, Chatham. Age 23. Buried Danehill Cemetery. Grave: 214

Son of Henry Humphrey and Maria Jane Young of Fairview, Danehill. He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 1/3/1912 and served on the following ships - 'Iphigenia', 'St George', St Vincent' and 'Leander'. He was stationed at HMS 'Pembroke' (Chatham Naval Dockyard) at his death. His name was added to the memorial at an unknown date after its unveiling in 1920.

1939-1945

BEAMISH

John Otway Hamilton

Captain 100220 99 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. Killed in action 31/1/1945. Age 25. Buried Taukkyan Military Cemetery, Myanmar. Grave: 18.G.23

Son of Rear Admiral Tufton and Margaret Antonia Beamish of Chelworth, Chelwood Gate.

BELFIELD

Albert Henry

Aircraftman 1st Class 1449186 RAF(VR). Born 3/5/1903. Died of pneumonia 8/12/43 at RAF Henlow. Age 40. Buried Danehill Cemetery. Grave: 616

Son of Albert and Fanny Belfied, the sister of Blanche Thompsett, widow of William Thompsett (qv), who later lived at Vale Farm, Boxes Lane, Chelwood Common. Husband of Ellen May Belgield of Golders Green, Middlesex.

BLACKALL

Hugh

Pilot Officer 60092 603 Sqdn, RAF(VR). Born 22/11/1914. Killed 23/7/1941 when his Spitfire aircraft (serial no. R7341) crashed returning from a mission. Age 26. Buried Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey. Grave: 20.B.13

Son of the late Rev Lewis and Gertrude Blackall. He was born in Canada and came to England after the death of his father to live at Jesmondene, Chelwood Gate. His mother later remarried Mr Harris, the former local headmaster, and became a teacher at Danehill School. Husband of Dorothy Blackall of Uckfield.

BURNS

Thomas Victor

Private 6400220 2nd Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born 2/1/1916. Killed in action between 24/5/1940 and 4/6/1940. Age 24. No known grave and commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial, France.

Son of Thomas and Minnie Rosa Burns of Rock Cottage, Furners Green.

GARDNER

Arthur John

Private 3321853 5th Bn, Highland Light Infantry. Killed in action 25/10/1944. Age 28. Buried Bergen-op-Zoom War Cemetery, Netherlands. Grave: 10.B.11

Son of Charles William and Alice Lily Gardner of Chelwood Gate where they moved from London in the early days of the war. His brothers, Albert and James, had both been prisoners of war.

LEIGH

Herbert Egerton Miller

Lieutenant 2nd Bn, 10th Baluch Regiment, Indian Army. Died 14/2/1942 when the Japanese sank the ship that he was onboard en route to Singapore with reinforcements. Age 26. No known grave and commemorated on the Singapore Memorial.

Son of Colonel Thomas Herbert and Ruth Eugenie Ellison Leigh of Holly Rough, Chelwood Gate. He was in India on business on the outbreak of war and joined the Indian Army.

PAYNE

James William

Lance Corporal T/199177 331 Armoured Bde Coy, Royal Army Service Corps. Born 2/9/1911. Killed in action 14/12/1944. Age 33. No known grave and commemorated on the Athens Memorial, Greece.

James Payne was at school in Danehill and 'was in the care' of Mrs Baker. He was a local sportsman and very much part of the life of Danehill. Unfortunately, as he lived a hundred yards or so outside the parish boundary, the war memorial committee decided not to place his name on the Danehill War Memorial. Danehill Parish Council added his name to the memorial in 2001.