Sutton Benger War Memorial

The War Memorial in the churchyard, a Grade Two listed monument, is in honour of all the men from Sutton Benger who gave their lives in the two World Wars.

James Barrington
Walter George Cole
Sutcliffe Cousens
Jesse Heath
Leonard Humphries
John Randolph Lea
Arthur Lewis
Harry Parsons
John Pollard
Francis Thomas Rose
Albert Russ
Alfred John Smith
Ernest John Cove
Jesse Horace Heath

(See below for more about each of these men.)

The Great War

The minutes of a parish council meeting on April 8th 1920 recorded that a faculty was applied for to the Diocesan Chancellor to erect a stone cross in the churchyard and a tablet in the church

Excerpts follow from the local Newspaper report about the dedication of the Great War Memorial, which took place on Sunday 31st October 1920.

Tablet and Cross Unveiled and Dedicated

Sunday will live long in the history of Sutton Benger for in the afternoon of that day the two memorials that have been erected to the memory of the men from the parish who gave their lives for King and country were dedicated. The memorials consist of a tablet in the church and a cross in the churchyard. The weather was very unfavourable, never the less a large congregation assembled; many being relatives of the dead heroes. The unveiling of the memorials was done by Sir Audley Neeld, and the dedication by the Archdeacon of Swindon.

The Rector (Rev. R. L. A. Westlake) said they gathered together to do honour to the brave and gallant men – 66 in number, in addition to two Red Cross nurses – who served in France and Egypt. All of them went forth at the call of their King to defend their country from threatened dangers. Their names would all be inscribed on a roll of honour and placed on the walls of their parish church. Twelve of them did not return; they had made the great and supreme sacrifice and died gloriously in the noble cause of freedom.

The tablet was then unveiled by Sir Audley Neeld, by the pulling aside of the Union Jack. It is on the north side of the church, and reads as follows:-

1914 – 1918

In honoured memory of the men who laid down their lives in the Great War.

James Barrington, Sutcliffe Cousens, George Cole,
Jesse Heath, Leonard Humphries, Randolf Lea,
Arthur Lewis, Harry Parsons, John Pollard,
Francis Rose, Albert Russ, and Alfred Smith

The memorial cross was dedicated, and the last post sounded, but owing to the inclement weather the congregation remained in the church.

The Second World War

In 1948 two public meetings were held by the village and it was decided to organise the provision of additions to the First World War memorials at Sutton Benger Church. The following letter was sent to all households.

As you are aware two men of this village gave their lives in the war of 1939-1945, and it is right and fitting that we should erect a suitable Memorial to their memory.

Two public meetings have been held with this end in view and at the second of them, a short time ago, a Committee was appointed to raise the necessary money and see the matter through. It was also agreed at that meeting that the Memorial should take the form of the addition of the two names and the appropriate dates to the existing Memorials on the inside of the north wall of the Church, and on the Cross in the churchyard, as shown on the plan at the meeting.

In the case of the Memorial inside the Church the names and dates will be inscribed on a fresh tablet in keeping with the one already there, and two Oak brackets for flowers one on each side will be erected. On the Cross in the Churchyard the names and dates will be inscribed on a tablet let into the step below it.

The cost of this work will be in the neighbourhood of £75 which will include some very necessary renovations of the existing Memorial outside.

We believe that every resident of this village will wish to take a share in the erection of this Memorial and we look confidently for a generous response to this appeal. We enclose a small envelope for your contribution. This will be called for about a fortnight after you receive this letter.

Yours very sincerely,
E. A. Newbery.
Chairman of the Sutton Benger War Memorial Committee

In Memory of

Corporal JAMES BARRINGTON Military Medal

5396, Machine Gun Section, 12th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
who died age 24 on 2 September 1916

Son of John and Rosa Barrington
of Rose Cottage, High Street, Sutton Benger

Remembered with honour

THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, FRANCE

The Thiepval Memorial bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave.

James was the oldest of six children. Father was a cattleman and mother Rosa took in the washing for Draycot House. Sisters Louisa and Betty became well known for running a grocery shop from a tin hut in front of 21 High Street.

Military Medal James was awarded the Military Medal; this is awarded to personnel of the British Army, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land An official citation from his commanding officer reads as follows:

The Divisional Commander wishes to bring to the notice of all ranks the exceptionally good work performed by No. 5396, J. Barrington, 12th Royal Fusiliers, when in charge of a Machine Gun Post, on February 2nd. When his part of the line was shelled and damaged, he took charge not only of his own post, but an adjoining post which suffered heavily. He showed gallantry and presence of mind under most trying circumstances and rose to the occasion in a very commendable manner.

From a Letter to His Mother from his Company Commander:

I write to assure you of my deep sympathy with you in the loss of your Son, No 5396, Corporal Barrington, who was killed in action whilst performing his duty with consummate bravery under the following circumstances. On the 2nd inst. we were holding a recently captured trench which was subject to almost incessant shell fire. The enemy launched an unexpected counter attack, in which we were hard pressed from both front and rear. Your Son placed his ‘Lewis’ machine gun on the parapet and gave us valuable help in driving back the enemy until he was killed instantaneously by a bullet wound in the head. I cannot tell you what a loss he is to us. As you know his bravery was recognised before by the well-merited decoration he received. It is only a few days since he performed a similar valuable service to his Company, when he remained in a forward trench with his ‘Lewis’ machine gun after the rest of his team had been either killed or wounded. The fact that he suffered no pain will be some consolation to you. The trench he gave his life for is still ours and likely to be so. My brother Officers desire to be associated with his comrades and myself in assuring you of our sense of loss both his country and you have sustained.

In Memory of

Private WALTER GEORGE COLE

50580, 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
who died aged 25 on 9 August 1917

Son of John Cole
of The Forge, High Street, Sutton Benger

Remembered with honour

ARRAS MEMORIAL

The Arras Memorial is in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery in the western part of the town of Arras.

The French handed over Arras to Commonwealth forces in the spring of 1916 and the system of tunnels upon which the town is built were used and developed in preparation for the major offensive planned for April 1917. The Commonwealth section of the Cemetery was begun in March 1916, behind the French military cemetery established earlier. It continued to be used by field ambulances and fighting units until November 1918.

He was born in Derry Hill and baptised Walter George, but was known as George; his father John was born in Langley Burrell and was recorded as an unemployed blacksmith. George was one of six children and his mother appears to have died whilst he was a child. The family moved to Sutton Benger and lived in the Blacksmith’s house known as the Forge, which is the cottage on the junction of Sutton Lane and the Christian Malford Road. Prior to the war George was living with his brother Frederick in Blackheath, London and working as a groom.

The 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment was formed as part of Kitchener's New Army to follow the Regulars into the war. The Battalion was formed in August 1914 and it landed at Boulogne on 30 May 1915. Between 17 May and 19 October 1917, the Division held positions east of Monchy le Preux, mounting several raids and small scale attacks and beating off some made against them, notably in the area of Hook Trench - Pick Avenue - Tites Copse. Much manual work took place, for the positions held were full of shell holes and disconnected parts of trenches, with few dugouts and no communications.

In Memory of

Private SUTCLIFFE COUSENS

7095, 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment
who died age 32 on 3 September 1915

Son of John and Elizabeth Cousens
of The High Street, Sutton Benger

Remembered with honour

YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, BELGIUM

The Menin Gate Memorial is situated to the eastern side of the town of Ypres (now called Ieper) in the Province of West Flanders.

Sutcliffe had an older sister and the family lived in the last thatched cottage on the left on the Christian Malford road. He was a professional soldier who had been in South Africa before the war with the Wiltshire Regiment, serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Mounted Infantry in Orange Free State.

From the Parish Magazine:

We were very glad to see that one of our men - Sutcliffe Cousens - who has been at the front since the very beginning, has had a few days leave of absence. Though he looks fairly well yet there were plain traces of the terrible strain and many privations which have been borne during the past 12 months.

We are beginning to realise what the war means for us, for two of our brave soldier lads have laid down their lives for their country. … had only just returned to duty when a bursting shell struck him down. He has been at the Front from the beginning of the War, and latterly was doing noble work as a stretcher-bearer, in rescuing the wounded and fallen from the field of battle. Both lie buried in a foreign field, but their names and their service will never be forgotten. They willingly offered themselves at their King’s call, and have now shed their blood in the sacred cause of patriotism. Truly a noble death; and though we mourn their loss, and sympathise with the bereaved families, we honour them for their devotion to duty and their self-sacrifice.

In Memory of

Private JESSE HEATH

14125, 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment
who died age 21on 3 September 1915

Son of Lewin and Emma Heath
of the Old Post Office, Sutton Benger

Remembered with honour

LONGUENESSE SOUVENIR CEMETERY, FRANCE

St. Omer is a large town 45 kilometres south-east of Calais; Longuenesse is a commune on the southern outskirts of the town.

Jesse was one of nine children who lived in the Old Post Office that is now known as the Rowans in the High Street. His last known occupation was a house-boy.

The 1st Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment were in the Hooge and Ypres area at the time of Jesse being taken ill. He was moved to St Omer, which was the General Headquarters of the British Expeditionary Force and had a considerable hospital centre, where he died from appendicitis.

From the Parish Magazine:

We are beginning to realise what the war means for us, for two of our brave soldier lads have laid down their lives for their country. Jesse Heath … was taken ill in the trenches and removed to the Hospital, where he died shortly afterwards from appendicitis. Both lie buried in a foreign field, but their names and their service will never be forgotten. They willingly offered themselves at their King’s call, and have now shed their blood in the sacred cause of patriotism. Truly a noble death; and though we mourn their loss, and sympathise with the bereaved families, we honour them for their devotion to duty and their self-sacrifice.

In Memory of

Private LEONARD HUMPHRIES

29870, 12th Labour Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment
transferred to (97604) 718th Company, Labour Corps
and who died age 27 on 1 March 1919

Son of Tom & Bessie Humphries
of High Street, Sutton Benger

Remembered with honour

TERLINCTHUN BRITISH CEMETERY, WIMILLE, FRANCE

Terlincthun British Cemetery is situated on the northern outskirts of Boulogne in the Pas de Calais. Rest camps for Commonwealth forces were established near Terlincthun in August 1914 and were used during the whole of the First World War. There were numerous base hospitals and medical establishments in the area. The cemetery at Terlincthun was begun in June 1918 and was used chiefly for burials from the base hospitals.

Leonard was the second of three brothers and the family lived in the house now known as Bell Hatch, which is opposite to Sutton Benger Church. Leonard worked in the family butcher business until sometime between 1911 and 1915, when he moved to Mount Pleasant Farm; this was located north of Draycot Cerne, and west of Draycot House across the current B4122. His father Tom died in 1917, but mother Bessie continued to live at Bell Hatch for some years after the war.

He enlisted into a Labour Battalion in the Royal Berkshire Regiment on 18 Nov 1915 aged 24 recording his occupation as a farmer. The following year he transferred to the Labour Corps. The Labour Battalions, and later the Labour Companies of the Labour Corps, carried out a whole range of defence works duties, especially in France and Flanders. These included road and railway building / repair, moving ammunition and stores, loading and unloading ships and trains, and burial duties. With the Armistice signed in November 1918 and Leonard doubtless looking forward to demobilisation, he contracted bronchial pneumonia whilst still on active service and died on 1 March 1919.

In Memory of

Private JOHN RANDOLF LEA

22309, 7th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment
who died age 20 years on 6 October 1915

Only son of John and Lucy Lea
of Poplar Farm, Sutton Benger

Remembered with honour

ALEXANDRIA (CHATBY) MILITARY AND WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, EGYPT

Chatby is a district on the eastern side of the city of Alexandria. The Cemetery (originally the Garrison cemetery) was used for burials until April 1916. Alexandria was the base hospital centre for the campaign in the Dardanelles.

Known as Randolph, he was a farmer’s son from Poplar Farm. The house is now known as The Starlings and the farmlands were south of Chestnut Road. He had an older sister Mary who tutored pupils privately. He enlisted at the start of the war, and because he could ride went into the cavalry. There is a private memorial commemorating him on the north wall of the church.

From the Parish Magazine:

We all deeply sympathise with our good Churchwarden, Mr Lea, and his family in the sad news they have received from the War Office that their only son, Randolph, had succumbed to an attack of enteric fever at the Dardanelles. He was taken ill in the trenches and removed to the base hospital at Alexandria, where he quietly passed away. He had been training with the Hussars from the very beginning of the War, and when they were told that the Cavalry would not be wanted, he, with others, promptly volunteered to join the 3rd Gloucesters and went to the Front.
We feel proud to think that there are young men amongst us who go forth bravely to their duty, who willingly give up all they hold dear, home and family, comforts and prospects, in order that their country may have heroic defenders in its time of need, and that the world may be freed from slavery and barbarism.

In Memory of

Private ARTHUR LEWIS

18233, 2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment
aged 25 who died on 8 July 1916

Son of Alfred and Annie Lewis
of the High Street, Sutton Benger

Remembered with honour

THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

The Memorial bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave.

Arthur lived in the thatched cottage now known as 66, High Street. He was the oldest child and had a brother and sister and worked as a gardener. He volunteered for the army and arrived in France in May 1915.

On 1 July 1916, supported by a French attack to the south, thirteen divisions of Commonwealth forces launched an offensive on a line from north of Gommecourt to Maricourt. Despite a preliminary bombardment lasting seven days, the German defences were barely touched and the attack met unexpectedly fierce resistance. Losses were catastrophic and with only minimal advances on the southern flank, the initial attack was a failure.

In the following weeks, huge resources of manpower and equipment were deployed in an attempt to exploit the modest successes of the first day. However, the German Army resisted tenaciously and repeated attacks and counter attacks meant a major battle for every village, copse and farmhouse gained.

From Battalion War Diary - 8 July 1916:

In the early morning we move forward and attack and gain connection with the French who are attacking on our right. The French ask for support. 'A' company at once advanced across the open and succeeded in taking trenches thus protecting the French left.

Meanwhile a re-bombardment followed by an assault succeeded in taking the southern half of the wood clearing it of Germans, taking many prisoners and establishing a line on the south half of the eastern face of the wood. During the evening many counter attacks by small parties of Germans are made from the north. These are all beaten off by our very thin line of men holding the ground taken.

In Memory of

Private HARRY PARSONS

9649, 2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment
who died on 8 August 1918 age 23

Son of Henry and Sarah Parsons
of High Street, Sutton Benger

Remembered with honour

LOOS MEMORIAL, FRANCE

The Memorial and Dud Corner Cemetery is about one kilometre west of the village of Loos-en-Gohelle and 5 kilometres north-west of Lens. The Cemetery stands almost on the site of a German strong point, the Lens Road Redoubt, captured by the 15th (Scottish) Division on the first day of the battle. The name "Dud Corner" is believed to be due to the large number of unexploded enemy shells found in the neighbourhood after the Armistice.

Harry was born in Calne and was one of nine children. He had an older brother Ernest who was already in the army and was a prisoner of war. The family home was the cottage now known as 54, High Street. His last recorded occupation was a farm labourer. He arrived in France in July 1915.

Battalion War Diary - 8 August 1918:

A Company's patrol pushed out in the early morning and entered Farm about 400 yards to their front but were enfiladed by enemy machine guns and forced to withdraw. About 3am a patrol from B Company got as far as Vertbois Farm and finding it unoccupied established a post there. This was found to be untenable during the morning owing to heavy shelling.

In Memory of

Private JOHN POLLARD

13954, 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment
who died age 23 on 7 July 1916

Son of Mr Ernest Walter and Mary Ann Pollard
of High Street, Sutton Benger

Remembered with honour

A.I.F. BURIAL GROUND, FLERS

The Burial Ground is 2 kms north of the village of Flers, in the area of the Somme.

Named as Fredrick John but known as John, he was one of seven children. His mother had died prior to the war. He followed his older brother Charles, a professional soldier who was a prisoner of war, into the army. The family home was in the High Street.

From the Parish Magazine:

We have all been sorry to hear that the ravages of this cruel war have taken away another of our brave soldier lads, John Pollard, who was killed in action on July 7th. This is the fifth casualty by death that we have suffered in this Parish, and the end of the war is not in sight yet. John Pollard was one of the quietest and steadiest of our young fellows, a regular attendant at Church, and for some time a member of the choir.

From Battalion War Diary - 7 July 1916:

Early morning orders were received that another attack would be made on the very strongest part of the Leipzig Redoubt. The enemy attempted to rush the trench from the front and both flanks, with the first sudden rush they managed to reach the very edges of the trench into which they dropped bombs and opened fire. This attack was beaten off and heavy casualties inflicted upon the enemy. Very heavy bombing followed. The assault was made and the trench successfully captured. This was not accomplished without difficulty as the enemy did not seem to be taken by surprise, manning their parapet very heavily as our troops arrived. Previous to the assault our snipers had been placed in the shell holes in front of their line and fired at the machine guns which had caused so many casualties in the previous attack. The captured trench was consolidated but being very wide afforded very little cover. The enemy opened a terrific bombardment with high explosive. There was practically no protection in any part of our position and our casualties were enormous.

In Memory of

Private FRANCIS THOMAS ROSE

21274, 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment
who died age 35 on 30 October 1917

Son of Isaac and Emma Rose of 53 Castle Street, Cirencester; husband of Florence Mary Rose of Sutton Benger

Remembered with honour

TYNE COT MEMORIAL, BELGIUM

The Tyne Cot Memorial is 9 kilometres north east of the town of Ieper (Ypres). It is one of four memorials to the missing, covering the area known as the Ypres Salient. The Salient saw battles for the town from October 1914 to March 1918, including the German use of gas, its first use in the war.

In early 1912 Francis, a gardener, married Florence Mary Weakley who was the assistant Postmistress, and daughter of a Sutton Benger bricklayer. They set up home in Holt and had two children, the second being born within weeks of his death. After Francis died Florence returned to live in Sutton Benger.

Francis was a conscript, and joined as a Driver with the Royal Field Artillery, later transferring to the Bedfordshire Regiment. After the disaster on the Somme in July 1916, more front line units were badly needed and the 4th, a Reserve Battalion, was sent to the Western Front. They landed in France on 25 July 1916 as part of 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. In 1917, they were involved in the continuing Operations on the Ancre, specifically at Miraumont in February. During the Battle of Arras they were heavily engaged in the Second Battle of the Scarpe and the phase of Arleux in April. In the Third Battle of Ypres the battalion was engaged in the Second Battle of Passchendaele in October and November.

Battalion War Diary for 30 October 1917:

Battn attacked at 5.50am 7RF on left, Artists Rifles on right, Canadian Corps on right of Artists. Canadians reached objectives but our attack was held up by very heavy and boggy ground and a total advance of about 150-200 yards only was made. Casualties: Officers; killed 2, wounded 7; Other Ranks; killed 52, wounded 180, missing 23.

In Memory of

Private ALBERT RUSS

9700, C Company, 5th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment
who died age 22 on 10 August 1915

Son of Henry William and Annie Mary Russ
of The Butcher’s Shop, High Street, Sutton Benger

Remembered with honour

HELLES MEMORIAL, TURKEY

The Helles Memorial stands on the tip of the Gallipoli Peninsula. The eight month campaign in Gallipoli was fought to defeat Turkey and to open a supply route to Russia.

Albert Russ was one of eleven children, and his last known occupation was recorded as a mason’s labourer. His father had died prior to the war but his mother continued to live at the cottage that is now 28, High Street.

From the Parish Magazine:

We are ... distressed at the news that Albert Russ, at the Dardanelles, has been reported wounded and missing for some time. It is quite possible that he may have been removed to some outlying hospital, or he may be a prisoner in the hands of the Turks.

(Because of the mistake of telling the soldiers to camp in no man’s land they were posted missing for some time.)

From Battalion War Diary - 10 August 1915:

... some distance in front of our salient. Here they arrived circa 0300 and the men were told to dig into dugouts and make themselves comfortable as the position was quite safe. Men therefore removed equipment and rifles. As soon as it was light machine guns opened on the men lying in their dug outs. About 1/4 of an hour later there was a rush of Turks from both sides which drove the men, unarmed and unequipped down the gulley. The bottom of the gulley commanded by machine guns and so escape was cut off. Three courses were possible: to rush past the machine guns but in nearly all cases proved fatal; to climb the northern slope of the ravine under fire and try to escape over the top which was done in a few cases with success; or hide in Gulley till night, this also was done with more success. A party of 5 men was rescued from the Gulley having been there 16 days. They reported numbers of men who were wounded, were unable to get away and died of exhaustion and starvation.

In Memory of

Private ALFRED JOHN SMITH

18229, D Company, 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment
who died age 28 on 3 September 1916

Son of John and Clara Smith; husband of Evelyn May Broom

Remembered with honour

THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

The Memorial bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave.

Alfred was born at Knowle St Giles in Somerset and was one of ten children. The family home was The Turnpike at Christian Malford and he was brother to the well known carpenter Gilbert who worked for Gregory Brothers, the local wheelwrights and undertakers. He married Evelyn May Broom in 1912 and it is believed that he set up home in Sutton Benger. Their youngest child Violet was christened at Sutton Benger in 1915.

From the Parish Magazine:

... The second loss was that of Private A. Smith, who was killed in action in France during the great advance. He had done good work with the Wiltshires since the very beginning of the war, and leaves a widow and two little ones behind him to mourn his loss. We condole with his family and friends in their sorrow, and remember him as a quiet, steady and reliable workman.

From Battalion War Diary - 3 September 1916.

Written orders were received … attack to be made …. This meant that both the flanks of this Battn were exposed. The Battalion arrived in position in trenches at 2.30 without casualty in spite of heavy shelling. The intense bombardment began at 5.10am and the troops moved out of the trenches and advanced upon their objective. As soon as they had left the trench they were met by a heavy 'whizbang' fire, and almost at the same time machine guns from either flank opened upon them. Company D got into the enemy trench and were wiped out by our own barrage which did not lift in time. The centre and left suffered heavy losses from machine gun fire from both flanks. By the time they reached their objective they were numerically inferior to the enemy. The few men who reached the enemy trench were forced to retire owing to their lack of numbers. The reserve Company was sent up to strengthen the line, but they were knocked out by machine gun fire from the flanks. Right and centre Companies got back with infinite difficulty and very few men … the attack had failed.

In Memory of

Gunner ERNEST JOHN COVE

872613, 9th Coast Regiment, Royal Artillery
who died age 26 on 25 November 1943

Son of Cecil Charles and Winifred Cove
of Brook Cottage, Sutton Benger

Remembered with honour

CHUNGKAI WAR CEMETERY, THAILAND

Chungkai War Cemetery is located just outside the town of Kanchanaburi, which is 129 kilometres north-west of Bangkok. The war cemetery is the original burial ground started by the prisoners themselves, and the burials are mostly of men who died at the hospital.

Ernest was a professional soldier and was part of the 9th Coast Regiment that formed part of the Singapore Fixed Defences. On the 15 February 1942 the garrison of Singapore surrendered to the Japanese. It was reported by the War office that, according to records, Ernest was serving in Malaya at the time of the surrender and would be posted as missing.

He became a prisoner of war and was set to work on the notorious Burma-Siam railway, built by prisoners of war; it was a Japanese project to support the large Japanese army in Burma. During its construction, approximately 13,000 prisoners of war died and were buried along the railway, together with an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 civilians. The Japanese began work in October 1942. The line, 424 kilometres long, was completed by December 1943. Chungkai was one of the base camps on the railway and contained a hospital and church built by Allied prisoners of war.

From a War Office letter March 1945 to Mr C Cove, Brook Cottage.

I am directed to inform you that as a result of further interrogation of the recovered men from the Far East it has been ascertained that Gunner Ernest Cove, 9th Coast Regiment, Royal Artillery, died after a leg amputation in December 1943 at Chunkai Camp, Thailand. Although no confirmation of this grave report has reached the Department from Japanese sources. It has now been concluded with regret that in view of the definite nature of the above report your son must be recorded officially as having died while a prisoner of war between 1st and 31st December 1943.

In Memory of

Guardsman JESSE HORACE HEATH

2736205, HQ 5th Guards Armoured Brigade, Welsh Guards
who died age 28 on 20 July 1944

Son of Edwin and Agnes Heath
of Park Lane, Sutton Benger

Remembered with honour

RYES WAR CEMETERY, BAZENVILLE, FRANCE

Bazenville is a village 8 kilometres east of Bayeux. The Allied offensive in north-western Europe began with the Normandy landings of 6 June 1944. Ryes War Cemetery is not far inland from the beaches at Arromanches, where the 50th Division landed on 6 June. The first burials were made there just two days after the landings. The cemetery contains 652 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War.

Jesse was an only child and lived in Park Lane at the house now known as the Old Bakehouse. He was named after his uncle Jesse Heath, who had been killed in the Great War.

Jesse trained as a baker and worked in the family business baking and delivering bread to the local villages. Although in a protected occupation he volunteered and enlisted in the Welsh Guards and went to France as part of the Allied Expeditionary Force.

From a letter to Jesse’s parents from the Commanding Officer.

He was one of the crew of a special bridge-carrying tank that was detached from the Welsh Guards to the Royal Engineers for an operation on the 20th July. The column with which they had been travelling was halted in a wheat field about a mile behind the front line. He and another member of the crew were leaning against the tank talking. A stray armour piercing shell hit the front mudguard of the tank and then struck your son. He was very seriously wounded and lost consciousness. He was evacuated to the dressing station where he died without regaining consciousness. He knew no suffering I am thankful to say.

With acknowledgments to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for photographs of the Memorials. https://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-cemeteries-memorials/