Finchingfield War Memorial

A brief memorial to those locals who gave their lives in two world wars.

1914 to 1919 "Their name liveth for ever more" 1939-1945

Other local war memorials

1914 -1918

ALLEN, ALFRED. Lance Corporal 8667 Essex Regiment 1st Bn. 88th Brigade in 29th Division. Died  09/06/1915  Born Finchingfield 1895. 1901 family lived Harrow Hill, Toppesfield. Son of Charles & Anna Allen, father and elder brother Bertie both farm labourers as Alfred also became by 1911.  PIETA MILITARY CEMETERY

Died of wounds on board hospital ship heading towards Malta.

1st Battalion based India when war began. Moved via England to Gallipoli March 1915, landing at Cape Helles.

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Adams, William: No information.

BROYD, H G.  Driver T/355326 Army Service Corps 239th Coy. Died Aged 38 on 22/07/1917. Born at Finchingfield.  FINCHINGFIELD (ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST) CHURCHYARD  Son of Mr. P. Broyd; husband of Minnie Broyd, of Bridge St., Finchingfield.

CHOAT, PORTER Private 16889 Essex Regiment 2nd Bn. 12th Brigade 4th Division. Died: 23/10/1916. Age:19. Thiepval Memorial. Son of the late John William and Kate Choat. Parents had 13 children, by 1911 there were 12 surviving.  Father Inn Keeper at the 'Fox Inn' also a Thatcher, Porter assisting.

The Battle of Le Transloy.  Death presumed 23rd October 1916.  Effects paid to his sister Mrs Ida Suckling.

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GOWLETT, LEONARD C. Private 16699. Essex Regiment 1st Bn. 88th Brigade in 29th Division.  Died 06/08/1915. REDOUBT CEMETERY, HELLES. Son of John and Sarah Gowlett. Born Great Sampford 1885 father a farm labourer. 1891 lived Moor End, Great Sampford. Married Clara 1906, Saffron Walden. Lived Garlands Cottage, Finchingfield 1911, one son Christopher born 1908 then Frederick Charles 1913, Raymond John 1914..

On the 5th August the regiment participated in an attack on two Turk trenches.  This was successful however losses were high and the Turks,ready for their own attack soon retook the gains and forced the 1st Essex back with heavy loss.  Death presumed 6th August. 1st Essex casualties: 50 killed, 202 wounded, 180 missing.

Effects £2.14/2d. Gratuity £3. Paid to Clara, widow.

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JUNIPER, TOM  Private 47219. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. 1st Bn.  109th Bde in 36th (Ulster) Division. Died 19/09/1918.  BERKS CEMETERY EXTENSION. Born Camberwell son of a carman, resident Finchingfield when enlisted. 

Buried Rosenberg Chateau, between Ypres and Armentieres, re-interred Berks Cemetery Extention 1930, probably died in day to day trench warfare.

Effects £17.17/11d including £8 war gratuity.

Thiepval Memorial @CWGC

KEMP, GEORGE A. Private. 25655. Bedfordshire Regiment. 4th Bn.  190th Brigade of the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division.  Died:11/02/1917. Age 21. THIEPVAL MEMORIAL. Son of Mrs. Mary Ann Kemp, of Robin Hood End, Stambourne, Great Yeldham, Essex. Born Finchingfield 1896. Father James a horseman on farm, Alfred George (as referred to on census, like his brothers was a farm labourer, enlisted Warley.  Mother widowed by 1917.

The battalion was involved in the continuing operations on the Ancre, in freezing cold, with snow making life difficult and enabling the enemy to spot attackers at night.

LINSELL, HORACE ROBERT.  Private. 860. Essex Yeomanry transf. to (152692) 430th Agricultural Coy. Labour Corps.  Died   27/10/1918.  Age: 28  FINCHINGFIELD UNITED REFORMED CHURCHYARD.  Son of Horace George. and Suzanna Agnes Linsell, of Finchingfield. Father ran a grocer & Draper shop at Mill end.

According to his number 860 it is likely Horace enlisted in the Essex Yeomanry 'B' Squadron at Braintree early in January 1913.  They had drill stations at Halstead, Chelmsford and Tiptree.  He was a farm worker, probably with horses so this makes sense.  He entered the war with the 1/1 Essex Yeomanry, 8th Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division, on 29th November 1914. 

Clearly he has been wounded at some point and transferred to the 430th Agricultural Company but where wounded it is not possible to know.  Eastern Command had 5 companies, 428/429/430/660/661 allocated to Norfolk with Headquarters in Norwich.  Horace died at the Military Hospital Norwich, possibly from flu.

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MARTIN, HARRY.  Lance Corporal.  8726. Suffolk Regiment. 2nd  Bn. 14th Brigade, 5th Division.  Died. 26/08/1914.  LA FERTE-SOUS-JOUARRE MEMORIAL. Son of Frederick and Jane Martin, father a farmer and family incuding Harry worked on farm. During 1911 they were at Mill Farm, Finchingfield.

According to his army number Harry enlisted between late 1913 and before March 1914.

On extreme left at Battle of Mons and forced to withdraw towards le Cateau as in danger of being outflanked, somewhere along this route Harry Martin, a regular soldier,fell.

Hospital Rouen @Wellcome

MICKLEY, ERNEST WALTER. Private. 5725.  23rd (County of London) Battalion London Regiment. 142nd Brigade in 47th (2nd London) Division. Died: 27/09/1916. Age: 22. ST. SEVER CEMETERY, ROUEN. Native of Finchingfield, Braintree. Born Toppesfield 1894. Father George a farm labourer as his brother Alfred in 1901.  Ernest also labourer on farm 1911. Son of Mrs. Sarah Ann Mickley, of Rose and Crown Yard, Church St., Bocking, Braintree.

Ernest attested December 11th 1915 at Warley for the Essex Regiment. Qualified as a 'bomber' 13th May 1916. Transferred to 23rd London Regiment 15th June 1916. Wounded by gunshot in back and arms, died in military hospital, Rouen, 27th September 1916.

Effects £4/11/10d.  War gratuity paid to mother £3.

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OVERALL, JOHN EDWARD.  Private.  G/53157.  Royal Fusiliers.  2nd Bn.  86th Brigade, 29th Division.  Formerly 30286, Essex Regt. Died 20/08/1918  PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL. Born Finchingfield 1881. Son of George and Maria Overall, father a farm labourer, brother Sydney (who survived the war) also farm worker in 1911, John a groom by 1901.  Wed Sarah 1909, worked as Domestic Coachman 1911. 

Effects paid to widow Sarah £5/18/6.  War gratuity £9/10/-

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PURKISS, ERNEST WILLIAM. Private. 48338. East Surrey Regiment. 12th Bn. 122nd Brigade in 41st Division.  Died. 22/10/1918.  Age: 20. Born Toppesfield 1899 son of Arthur and Julia Purkiss, father a horsekeeper on farm, 1911 Ernest schoolboy while living in Howe Street.  HARLEBEKE NEW BRITISH CEMETERY BELGIUM.  

"Rest in Peace"

Effects to father £3/1/11d and war gratuity £3

Brother of Thomas William below.

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Purkiss, Thomas William. 24638 Essex Regiment  9th Bn. 35th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. Died  08/07/1916. Son of Arthur and Julia Purkiss of Howe St., Finchingfield.   Father a horsekeeper on farm, Thomas boy on farm 1911. HEILLY STATION CEMETERY, MERICOURT-L'ABBE

Effects to mother £2/17/4d War gratuity £3.     Brother of Ernest William above

RALLING, WALTER J. Private 14811 Essex Regiment. 11th Bn. 18th Brigade, 6th Division.  Died: 26/04/1916  Age:  21. Born Steeple Bumpstead 1895.  ESSEX FARM CEMETERY. YPRES  Son of Frederick and Fanny Ralling, of Spain's Hall Lodge, Finchingfield, Braintree. Father horsekeeper on farm 1911 when Walter also farm labourer.

"Faithful unto Death"

Entered war 30th August 1915.

Effects to father £7/14/11d. War Gratuity £7.

Sains, Willie. Rifleman SAINES, WILLIE 565073. 1st/16th Bn. London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles) attd. 2/15th. London Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles) Died Friday, November 30, 1917 Age 37. CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL Son of James and Mary Ann Saines, of Benforsters, Finchingfield, Braintree, Essex; husband of Elizabeth Saines, of 34, Queen's Park Estate, Paddington, London. Married 1908, by 1911 he was a Drapery assistant.

Battalion in action near Bourlon Wood.  Many killed by gas as well as shot and shell.

SHEAD, ARTHUR.  Private  250877. Essex Regiment. 5th Bn. 161st Brigade 54th (Eastern) Division.  Died. 26/03/1917. Age: 33.  JERUSALEM MEMORIAL. Son of John and Julia Shead, of The Causeway, Finchingfield, Braintree, husband of Edith Alice Shead, of 13, Nellie's Cottages, Church St., Bocking, Braintree, Essex.  Born Finchingfield, son of a groom/gardener. Arthur worked on farm until becoming a Silk Dyer and married a Bocking girl, Edith Alice Hunnable, 22nd Feb 1908. Declared 'Missing presumed dead,' 26th March 1917 after the first battle of Gaza.  

Attack took place over 4000 yards of open ground towards Turkish positions. Many casualties but troops continued and took the high ground.  Insufficient Medical support for the large number of casualties who's cries affected the men who had taken the hills. 

First Battle of Gaza

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Batt. Diary. SEIRAT, PALESTINE (ISRAEL). 4th and 5th Reg attacked Green Hill together under heavy machine gun fire.  Heavy casualties yet took objective.   26 March 1917, 06:00 a.m. Battalion proceeded to SHEIK NEBHAN as part of general reserve. 09.00 a.m. Battalion moved nearer the enemy positions. 01.00 p.m. Battalion moved with the 4th Essex to attack on S part of the GAZA defences in support of 160 Bde (Between Green Hill and brown Hill). Battalion suffered heavy casualties and at midnight retired by order of Bde.

Fell at 1st battle of Gaza.

Also on Braintree and Bocking Great War Memorial.

Smoothy S. Private Sidney Maurice Smoothy 10260. 2nd Bn Essex Regiment. 12th Brigade, 4th Division. 2nd May 1915. YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL.Born Bocking. Entered war on the 6th March 1915. Killed in action during Second Ypres, La Brique. By 1901 his mother, Minnie, had re-married to Alfred Cable, a widower living in Church Street. He had three daughters, Rosa, Ada & Ethel and also a son, Bertie. Not on 1911 census, possibly a regular soldier.

Battalion War Diary entry: YPRES, BELGIUM

2 May 1915, 05.00 p.m. Enemy attack with gas - a thick wall of gas some 60 or 70 feet high of a greenish yellow colour was seen all along the front of the trenches held by the 12th Bde. The gas appeared to be thickest in front of the trenches held by the Lancs. Fus. On the right and by XXXX this Bn, on the left. Our trench was held by B and D Companies and one platoon from A Company. This garrison was driven from the trenches in spite of having respirators, with the exception of Capt. Pechell and 12 N.C.O.s and men of B Company, this party stuck it out until the trenches were reoccupied. The names of the N.C.O.s and men who stayed with Capt. Perhell are - C.S.M. Tipler (Killed) - C.Q.M.S. Turl, St. Coomers, Sgt Barker, Pte. Brown, Maynard, Howes, Read, Curts, Finch, Pte. Sonetten (A Coy), Pte. Briggs. When B and D Companies retired 2 Lt. Irwin, who was in charge of the right support consisting of 2 platoons A Company and were some 400 yds. Back. Rushed his men in the face of heavy shrapnel fire, through the gas and reoccupied the right end of the trench. C Company under Lt. Atkinson moved up from the reserve some 1500 yards back and in spite of a heavy shrapnel fire and machine gun fire reoccupied the left and centre of the front trenches. Both the French and our own artillery kept magnificent covering fire on the enemy’s trenches and absolutely prevented him from leaving them. After the trenches had been reoccupied the enemy twice left his trench opposite our right but was driven back each time. A hostile aeroplane also came over flying low and was brought down by the Battalion, but unfortunately fell just in his own lines. One company 1st 2nd Monmouthshire Regt. Was sent up to occupy right support trench as the Battalion had not enough men to do so. A large number of men were missing, these had been gassed and were admitted to hospital.

Casualties. Officers: 4 Wounded, 1 Gassed, 2 Missing, Other Ranks: 23 Killed, 67 Wounded, 175 Missing.

Also on Braintree & Bocking Great War Memorial.

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STOCK, HARRY  Private 6156. Essex Regiment 2nd Bn. 12th Brigade,  4th Division. Died 18th Feb 1915 STRAND MILITARY CEMETERY

Buried Le Bizet Convent Military Cemetery, reinterred Strand Military Cemetery 26th Nov 1920

Effects to wife Annie £6/-/3d. War gratuity £3.

Entered war 22nd September 1914.

Married to Annie, either a regular soldier or reservist in 1914.

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SUCKLING, JOHN. Private  35874. Essex Regiment. 1st Bn. 88th Brigade in 29th Division. Died 21/11/1917  Age: 19.  CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL.  Son of Mr Walter and Mrs Minnie Suckling, of Hop Gardens, Finchingfield, Braintree, Essex. Born Finchingfield 1898. Father Horseman on farm, John a scholar 1911.

20th:  2 a.m. The Battalion marched to place of assembly W. of GOUDEAUCOURT. arriving 21st at 4.40 am. At 6.30 (zero hour) the battle was commenced by three Divisions advancing in line preceded by lines of tanks of which in these operations some 200 were employed. Their objectives were the 1st & 2nd trenches of the HINDENBURG LINE on the capture of which the two outer divisions were to form defensive flanks to the advance of the 29th Division. The task assigned to the 29th Division was to push through the ST QUENTIN Canal, seize the crossings at MARCOING and MASNIERES and thus allow the cavalry to go through to CAMBRAI. At 6.30 am the Battalion moved to the forming up Area about FARM RAVINE (H.20.a) and at 6.45 am the Companies moved off to take up their positions as advance guard to the 88th Brigade, "Y" Coy forming the 20th-21st Vanguard in the first captured German (contd) line and the other Coys in our old front line. This was completed by 9.20 am. At 11am the advance was sounded by bugle and the Battalion went forward, "W" Coy on the right, "Z" Coy on the left & "X" Coy in support. The four tanks preceded the Vanguard, themselves guided by eight Battalion scouts; all Coys in artillery formation until the 2nd objective was passed, when they extended into two lines. Opposition was first encountered from a strong point about L.35.d. just beyond the HINDENBURG Support line and a this strong point base was captured at 12 noon, 70 prisoners being taken. 2/Lieut Davies was wounded by a treacherous shot during the surrender of the prisoners. Shortly after this a platoon under Captain Hobday captured three field guns and two machine guns were also taken in the Strong Point. Enemy troops still held the suburb of LES RUE VERTES South of Masnieres but was soon dislodged by the combined operations of the ESSEX and WORCESTERSHIRE Regiments. At 1 pm the Canal was reached, but unfortunately the bridge which had apparently been prepared for destruction collapsed under the leading Tank thereby blocking all advance, and the advance was subsequently held up by heavy Machine Gun & Rifle fire from houses on the Northern side of the Canal. In spite of all efforts to get across under covering fire from 5 or 6 tanks no progress was possible at this point and thr Southern bank of the Canal was accordingly lined by troops under whose covering fire efforts were made to cross by one or two foot bridges. Under cover of the fire from platoons of Y and W Coys Capt. Morison, crossing a small foot bridge, established his company in a mill on an island between the river and the Canal and endeavoured by his fire to cover further attempts to cross. At 4.30 pm, by the aid of 2 tanks which gave covering fire, 2/Lieut Narchant with some of his men made a gallant attempt to rush a small pontoon bridge, but was killed with several of his men in the effort. Further gallant ettempts were made by Capt Morison commanding Y Coy and Lieut: Hoysgood with small parties, but 20th-21st without success, both of these officers (Contd) being killed & Lieut Reid wounded with many of their men. It was therefore decided to cease these efforts & organise the defence of the Canal for the night. In the meantime the lock Bridge in L.24.6 to the West and another in G 27 to the East had been occured by the NEWFOUNDLAND and WORCESTER Regts and who effected crossings at these points. Chris Shepherd

SULLENS, FREDERICK HAROLD. Driver T4/086706 Army Service Corps. No.1 Coy. (Southport) Died. 07/02/1917 Age: 23. FINCHINGFIELD (ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST) CHURCHYARD. Son of Samuel and Laura Sullens, of Finchingfield. Born Finchingfield 1893. Stepfather a Thatcher as was he 1911.

Having see service in France Harold died at St Johns Hospital, Ormskirk, Southport.

Effects to mother Laura Choat £5/1/-d. War Gratuity £8. Buried at St John's Finchingfield, private Headstone. Brother Cecil also served and survived the war.

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SULLENS, WILLIE Private 3/1631. Essex Regiment. 1st Bn.  88th Brigade in 29th Division.  Died: 06/08/1915. Born Finchingfield 1878, father William a farm labourer, mother Jane a straw plaiter. By 1891 Willie was a Bakers Groom. REDOUBT CEMETERY, HELLES

Death presumed 6th Aug 1915. Effects shared between family totalling £12/13/1d. War Gratuity to sister £3.

Willie enlisted in the Gloustershire Regimenton the 13th march 1900. He served 8 years and 4 in reserve being discharged 12th March 1912.  The 1st Essex were in India when war broke out and returned to England then moved to Gallipoli.  Was Wille once more a regular? Had he enlisted for the duration? 

Entered war 25th April 1915.

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TOWNSEND, GEORGE. Private 328146 Cambridgeshire Regiment 1st Bn. formerly (21839) Essex Regiment, 11 Suff. R. 50068 Pte., 1 Cambs. R. 6835, att. 255 Coy. R.E.  Died: 26/03/1918.  POZIERES MEMORIAL

Harry Townsend 

There is no direct military or census information on Harry Townsend.

However according to the 1911 census Horace John Townsend (59) Farm labourer, and his wife Emily (46) along with sons Frederick 15 milk boy, and Ernest 9, plus daughters Ellen Norah 11, and Henrietta Ethel 4, lived at Maltings Yard.  The parents had been married 26 years and I suggest both Harry Townsend and George above were elder brothers of those mentioned who lived elsewhere by 1911.  There so far has been no sight of a 1901 census with these names though the children mentioned were all Finchingfield born.    

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TURPIN, ERNEST. Private 26738 Hampshire Regiment 14th Bn. 116th Brigade in 39th Division. Formerly 16526, Essex Regiment. Died. 14/11/1916. Age: 35 THIEPVAL MEMORIAL Husband of Lucy Dare (formerly Turpin), of The Green Man Inn, Finchingfield, Braintree, Essex. Born Finchingfield 1880 Agricultural labourer as his family. Wed Lucy Wiffen 1902.

Four daughters, Constance Ellen, Bessie Edna, Elsie Alice, Dora May.

Effects £2/15/10. War Gratuity £8/10/- paid to widow Lucy.

Battle of the Ancre 13th - 18th November, the last phase in the Battle of the Somme 1916.

The 39th Division attacked towards Serre at the Thiepval end of the line at great cost fighting through mud and wire.  GWGC

UNDERWOOD, ALFRED Lance Corporal 13485 Essex Regiment. 10th Bn. 53rd Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. Died: 08/06/1916 CARNOY MILITARY CEMETERY, SOMME. Born Birdbrook 1884, resided Finchingfield. Father an agricultural labourer. Alfred a stockman, cattle, on farm 1901, by 1911 oldest son, father dead and Alfred a Horseman on farm. Four brothers and one sister.

Entered war 25th July 1915.

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WIFFEN, P. Private 13603 Essex Regiment 10th Bn. 53rd Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division.  Died: 12/04/1916 Age: 19. CERISY-GAILLY MILITARY CEMETERY, SOMME. Son of Mrs. H. Wilks, of Finchingfield, Braintree, Essex. Born 1896 Finchingfield Mother remarried1901.

During April 1916 the 10th held the northern and eastern edges of Maricourt Wood.

Originally buried at Maricourt, re-interred ay Cerisy-Gailly MC 21st May 1924.

Entered war 25th July 1915.

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WOOD, Albert William.  Private 32301 Hampshire Regiment  12th Bn.  Died: 24/09/1918  Age: 36 KIRECHKOI-HORTAKOI MILITARY CEMETERY.  Son of Thomas & Elizabeth, father a farm worker. Husband of Ellen C. Wood, of Town End, Writtle, Chelmsford, Essex. Wed Chelmsford 1909.

"Sleep on beloved

 And take

 Thy well earned rest"

By 1911 Living at Spains Hall Lodge working as Gardener (domestic) one child Albert William. Born Great Waltham 1882 family moved to Finchingfield by 1911 now married to Ellen A.W. worked as a domestic gardener while living at SpainsHall Lodge. 

Between the 16th September 1918 and the 27th September 1918, 62 men died mostly from the Flu Pandemic that hit the world at this time.  Albert William Wood death was caused by dysentery.

1939-1945

111 Squ @HistoryNet

COPEMAN, JACK HARRY HAMILTON. Pilot Officer, Pilot, 41257, Royal Air Force, 111 Sqdn.  Died Sunday 11th August 1940, Age: 27. MIDDELKERKE COMMUNAL CEMETERY. Son of George M. and Blanche Copeman.

111 Squadron first to fly Hawker Hurricanes, based at RAF Northolt 1937.

July 19th 1940 damaged a bf109, on 31st shared destruction of Ju88. 

Copeman. J H H. Pilot Officer. 41257. Pilot. Fighter 111 Sqd. 1940-08-11. Hurricane I. P3105. Patrol. Shot down off Margate, Killed. Middelkerke Communal Cemetery Belgium

@CWGC

L. Taylor No information

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WEBB, W. M.

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WILLINGHAM, FRANK ALBERT CHARLES. Private 14655913 Essex Regiment. 2nd Bn. the "Pompadours"  56th Independent Infantry Brigade. Died: 20/01/1945. Age: 20. BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY. Son of Frank Walter and Elizabeth Ellen Willingham, of Finchingfield, Essex.

"Our beloved Frank

 Dear son, sleep on

 We shall always think of you"

Buried Zetten, Holland, reburied Bergen-op-Zoom 12th July 1946.