SURREY HISTORY SERVICE SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL
130 GOLDSWORTH ROAD, WOKING
ESR/25 THE EAST SURREY REGIMENT, FORMERLY THE 31ST (HUNTINGDONSHIRE) REGIMENT AND 70TH (SURREY) REGIMENT: PERSONAL PAPERS OF MEMBERS OF THE REGIMENT, 1794-2007
Provenance
Originally presented by the Queen's Royal Surrey Regimental Association and Museum, Clandon Park, in November 2003. Personal papers of soldiers who served in the regiment have accrued since that date. The preparation of this catalogue was funded by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Arrangement
The papers are arranged alphabetically by surname of soldier.
Related records
For records of the East Surrey Regiment and its predecessors, 1702-2003, see ESR/-, the catalogue of which includes a detailed introduction to the history of the regiment and its constituent battalions.
Access conditions
There are no access restrictions.
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ESR/25 THE EAST SURREY REGIMENT, FORMERLY THE 31ST (HUNTINGDONSHIRE) REGIMENT AND 70TH (SURREY) REGIMENT: PERSONAL PAPERS OF MEMBERS OF THE REGIMENT, 1794-2005
ESR/25/GAYW/ GAYWOOD, MAJOR FREDERICK JAMES, 1917- 1940
Served with 8th (Service) Battalion during World War I.
1 Notebook kept by Gaywood, recording daily 18 Sep 1917 routine, notes on HQ Company and some -8 Oct 1917 soldiers’ names
2 Transcript of Gaywood’s citations for the (Apr 1917- Military Cross, gazetted Apr 1917, and for a 1918) second bar to the Military Cross, c.1918
3 Photograph of Gaywood 1918
4 Field Service postcard to Miss Alison 29 May 1940 Gaywood
ESR/25/GEAR/ GEARY, 2ND LIEUTENANT BENJAMIN HANDLEY (C.1891- ?), 1914-1986
Born, c.1891. Gazetted as 2nd Lieutenant, 1914. Served with 4th Battalion, but attached to 1st Battalion. Awarded Victoria Cross, 1915.
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1 Scrapbook containing letters from Geary and 1914-1924 his sister to Mrs Gunby Hadath [?a friend], 1914-1915; newspaper cuttings and army orders relating to the award of the VC; 1915, photographs of Geary alone and with [?his brother and mother]; typed copy (undated) of Geary’s diary, Sep 1914-Apr 1915; copy of an account by Geary for the East Surrey Regiment Annals, of events on Hill 60, 19-21 Apr 1915; letters to [Lieutenant] Darwell, who assumed command of the Battalion during the battle at Hill 60, from senior officers, concerning the events of that battle and news of other Battalions, 1915. Also press cuttings and ephemera relating to Geary’s later life, including his ordination, 1921, engagement and marriage, 1921-1922, and the birth of his son, 1924
1 Photograph of Geary on a stretcher carried by 1918 German prisoners of war at Achiet-le-Petit
2 Caption card for a German bayonet captured May 1986 by Geary during a trench raid, with biographical information of Geary. Bayonet in Regimental Museum
ESR/25/GIBB/ GIBBS, SERGEANT STANLEY V, 1944-1945
Served with 1/6th Battalion. Awarded the Military Medal, 1945.
1 Photocopies of photographs and newspaper (1944-1945) cuttings concerning Gibbs. Includes photocopy of citation for the Military Medal, 1945, transcript of a [radio] broadcast in which Gibbs took part, 1944, and letters [from his former employers?] congratulating him on the broadcast and on being awarded the Military Medal, 1945. Includes some handwritten notes regarding Gibbs’ medals, [?late 20th cent]
ESR/25/GIBSKJ/ GIBSON, PRIVATE KENNETH JOHN, 1940-1980
Served with 1st Battalion during World War II. Transferred to 2nd Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment. Killed in action, 1944. 4
1 Certificate issued to Gibson by the town of nd [c.1940] Dunkirk
2 Consolatory letter to Gibson’s sister from the 15 Dec 1944 Battalion Chaplain
3 Press cutting containing obituary nd [?1944]
4 Letter from depositor donating items and nd [?1980] giving further information, including the location of Gibson’s grave
ESR/25/GIBSNJ/ GIBSON, REGIMENTAL SERGEANT MAJOR N J, 1908-1914
Served with 2nd Battalion.
1 Copies (undated) of photographs of Gibson (1908-c.1914) and his family. 3 items
ESR/25/GILL/ GILLESPIE, SERGEANT NEIL, 1843-1844
Born in Ballymena, near Belfast, c.1804. Enlisted in Belfast, 1822. Served with 31st Regiment of Foot, including in Afghanistan, 1842. Discharged, 1844.
1 Photocopies (undated) of discharge forms and (1843-1844) statement of accounts, with transcripts and covering letter from depositor, [c.2002]
ESR/25/GILM/ GILMOUR, ALAN J, 1986
Enlisted, 1939. Served with the 42nd Royal Tank Corps and 48th Royal Tank Regiment during World War II.
1 Photocopy (undated) of an article ‘Titan goes Dec 1986 to war’ by Gilmour from the magazine British Army Review concerning his experiences during World War II
ESR/25/GING/ GINGELL, W G, 1940S
Served with 1st Battalion.
1 Photograph of W G Gingell nd [?1940s]
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ESR/25/GLOV/ GLOVER, CAPTAIN FRANK PERCY JOSEPH, 1918-1943
Served with the East Surrey Regiment Special Reserve during World War I. Later served with Home Guard.
1 Photocopies of citation for the Military Cross. (1918) 2 copies each of 2 different citations
2 Certificate presented by the Home Guard nd [c.1943] Training School, Nonsuch Park, to Glover in grateful recognition of his services
ESR/25/GOLD/ GOLDFINCH, CORPORAL J H, 1997
Served with the East Surrey Regiment.
1 Colour photograph of Goldfinch at the Burma 1997 Star reunion, Blackpool
ESR/25/GOOC/ GOOCH, LANCE CORPORAL FREDERICK, 1997
Served with [1st Battalion] during World War II. Volunteered for special service and took part in the raid on Dieppe, Aug 1942, as part of No 4 Commando.
A photograph was also donated with this certificate. It can be found on page 44 of ESR/2/13/1/91.
1 Certificate awarded to those who took part in 19 Aug 1997 the Dieppe Raid, 1942 (French text)
2 Covering letter from John Skerry, who served nd [c.1997] with Gooch and was also at Dieppe, explaining the origin of the certificate and recalling his memories of Gooch
ESR/25/GOUL/ GOULD, DRUM MAJOR HENRY JOHN, 1920S-1930S
Served with 1st Battalion.
1 Copies (undated) of photographs of Gould (nd [?1920s alone and in groups with other soldiers. 4 -1930s]) items
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ESR/25/GRANT/ GRANT, CORPORAL HENRY EDWARD, 1958
Born, 1915. Enlisted in London, 1934. Served with [2nd Battalion] in China, 1938-1940, Singapore, 1940- 1942. Was a Japanese prisoner of war, 1942-1945. Transferred to reserve, 1946. Served in England, 1946- 1951, with [?1st Battalion as part of] Middle East Land Forces in Egypt, [1951-1955]. Served in England, 1955-1958. Discharged, 1958.
1 Certificate of service, including character 1958 statement, certificates of transfer to reserve and discharge
ESR/25/GRANTH/ GRANTHAM, 2ND LIEUTENANT ERNEST RUSSELL (?-1917), 1917
Served with 9th Battalion during World War I. Killed in action, 1917.
1 Letters from Lieutenant Colonel L J Le 28 Nov 1917 Fleming, Commanding Officer of 9th -2 Dec 1917 Battalion, and Captain Percy High, Grantham’s company commander, to Mr A Grantham concerning the death of his son. 2 items
2 Letter from Annie Grantham, Ernest's mother, 8 Dec 1917 to Glen Williams, thanking him for his letter of sympathy (not present)
3 Photographs [of Grantham]. 2 items nd [?1915- 1917]
ESR/25/GRAY/ GRAY, PRIVATE JACK THOMAS (C.1919-1940), 1980S
Born, c.1919. Served with 1st Battalion in World War II. Killed in action, 1940.
1 Colour photograph of gravestones in nd [?1980s] Bournemouth North Cemetery, including Gray’s
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ESR/25/GREY/ GREY SMITH, CAPTAIN W A C, 1885
Served with 2nd Battalion. Served at the Depot while 2nd Battalion was in Sudan, 1885. Served with 2nd Battalion in the 2nd Afghan War, 1878-1880.
1 Map of the Nile from Assouan to Khartoum, nd [c.1885] stamped ‘Officers’ Mess East Surrey Regiment’, with label giving brief biographical details of Grey Smith
ESR/25/GRIF/ GRIFFEN, PRIVATE, 1946
Served with 2nd Battalion.
1 Photocopies (undated) of correspondence (1946) concerning recommendation of Griffen for the Military Medal, including a detailed description of the actions for which he is recommended
ESR/25/GRIFT/ GRIFFITHS, PRIVATE GEOFFREY ALAN (1925-?), 1942-1953
Born, 1925. Enlisted, 1944. Served with General Service Corps, May 1944-Jun 1944. Joined 2nd Battalion, the East Surrey Regiment, Jun 1944. Discharged, 1947.
1 Leaflets regarding income tax allowances and 1942-1947 deductions. 3 items
2 Soldier's service book, giving details of 1944-1946 service, training, leave, medical records and next of kin
3 Programme for presentation of new Colours 30 Nov 1945 to 2nd Battalion at West Chiltington Camp, Sussex
4 Newspaper cuttings regarding the use of 1945-1953 footballs by 8th Battalion at the Battle of the Somme, presentation of Colours to 2nd Battalion in 1945, the situation in Palestine in 1947, and the regiment’s history in general
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5 Leaflet and blank form regarding nd [c.1946] reinstatement in civil employment, with blank form to register with the National Association for Employment of Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen
6 Embarkation card, for embarkation at Port nd [c.1946] Said
7 Certificate of transfer to reserve 29 Oct 1947
8 Record of service card, showing regiments 29 Oct 1947 served with and dates
9 Postcard, filled in by Griffiths, advising of his 4 Dec 1947 change of address
10 Soldier’s release book, including release 1947 certificate, leaflets regarding pay arrangements, allowances and notice to soldiers reminding them that they must obtain War Office approval prior to publishing any letter or article in the press
11 1 shilling voucher to be used in British nd [?1944- Service Canteens 1947]
ESR/25/HALL/ HALLAM, [?PRIVATE], 1946-1947
Served with 2nd Battalion.
1 Photograph album relating to Hallam's service 1946-1947 in Palestine with Carrier Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 1946-1947: local views in Egypt and around Haifa, Palestine, soldiers (with list of names), voyage back, 1947. Donated by Hallam
ESR/25/HAMI/ HAMILTON, LIEUTENANT W R P, 1870S
Served with 70th Regiment of Foot and later with Guides Cavalry. Awarded Victoria Cross.
1 Photographs of Hamilton nd [?1870s]
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ESR/25/HAMM/ HAMMON, CORPORAL HENRY N, 1908
Served with 4th Volunteer Battalion, 1894-1908.
1 Certificate of service, giving dates served 1908 with the Battalion
ESR/25/HANC/ HANCE, COMPANY QUARTERMASTER SERGEANT FRANK WILLIAM (1912-?), 1939-1988
Born, 1912. Served with 2/6th Battalion in France, 1940. Continued to serve with the East Surrey Regiment throughout World War II, later in 12 Holding Battalion. Transferred to reserve, 1945. Discharged, 1947.
1 Soldier’s service book, giving details of 1939-1945 service, training, medical records and next of kin
2 Field service postcards sent by Hance to his 21 May 1940 wife. 5 items -2 Jun 1940
3 Postcard sent by Hance to his wife, informing 12 Jun 1940 her that he has arrived in England
4 Letter and receipt from the War Effort Dec 1943 Committee, concerning donation to Local Prisoner of War Fund
5 Soldier’s release book, including release leave 1945-1946 certificate
6 Certificate of transfer to reserve 25 Oct 1945
7 Discharge certificate 26 Aug 1947
8 Photograph of Hance with group of soldiers nd [mid 20th cent]
9 Certificate for a commemorative medal issued 1 Jul 1956 by the Ceux De La Somme Association
10 Invitation to amalgamation parade 22 Apr 1960
11 Old Comrades' Association subscription card 1967-1977
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12 Press cutting regarding the death of Hance’s 22 Jan 1988 wife and giving details of Hance’s own war service
13 List of items donated to Museum, including Oct 1994 most of above
ESR/25/HANN/ HANNAFORD, B A, 1938-1941
Served with 1st Battalion, including in Khartoum and Shanghai, 1938-1939.
1 Photograph album compiled by Hannaford: 1938-1941 views of Khartoum, individuals and groups of British, Egyptian and Sudanese soldiers, filming ‘The Four Feathers’, social events, battalion in Shanghai, 1939, and Dover, 1941. With 6 loose photographs inserted. Donated by Mrs Hannaford
ESR/25/HARDI/ HARDING, 2ND LIEUTENANT FREDERICK (?-1917), 1917
Served with 12th Battalion during World War I. Killed in action, Sep 1917.
1 Photocopy (undated) of consolatory letter (1917) from Lieutenant Colonel E Knapp to Mr Harding concerning the death of 2nd Lieutenant Frederick Harding and informing her that Knapp has a ‘condition of the nerves’
2 Copy of photograph of officers of 12th (nd [c.1917]) Battalion, including Harding
ESR/25/HARDY/ HARDY, BANDSMAN WILLIAM JAMES HENRY (1901-?), 1919
Born, 1901. Enlisted at Kingston on Thames, 1915. Served at the Depot during World War I. Discharged, 1919.
1 Discharge certificate 26 Aug 1919
2 Character certificate 26 Aug 1919
3 Notification of War Badge award 30 Sep 1919
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ESR/25/HARR/ HARRIS, R C, 1870S
Served with 70th Regiment of Foot.
1 Photograph of Harris nd [?1870s]
ESR/25/HATT/ HATT-COOK, LIEUTENANT COLONEL JOHN (1913-1999), 1999
Born, 1913. Served with 1/6th Battalion during World War II. Awarded Military Cross, 1943.
1 Newspaper cutting from Daily Telegraph of 3 Jul 1999 Hatt-Cook’s obituary
ESR/25/HAWK/ HAWKINS, COMPANY QUARTERMASTER SERGEANT HAROLD W (C.1912-?), 1933-1996
Born, c.1912. Joined 5th Battalion, c.1926. Resigned, 1938. Served as a member of Home Guard during World War II. Enlisted in Cadet Force as an under- officer, 1944. Served in 5th Cadet Battalion. Resigned, 1945.
Records also relate to other family members: Sergeant W J Hawkins, father of Harold, who served with 2nd Volunteer Rifles (later 5th Battalion) and fought in the Boer War. He later served with the Battalion during World War I. Private J E Hawkins, brother of Harold, who served with the 5th Battalion, c.1924-c.1946.
1 Correspondence, with photocopies (undated) (1933)-1996 of ephemera, photographs, newspaper cuttings and notes regarding Hawkins and other members of his family, Sergeant W J Hawkins and Private J E Hawkins who also served with the 5th Battalion
ESR/25/HEAL/ HEALES, CAPTAIN A G, 1914-1918
Served with 2nd Battalion during World War II.
1 Notebook kept by Heales, containing notes on nd [1914- munitions, trenches and tactics 1918]
ESR/25/HEDG/ HEDGES, SERGEANT GEORGE, C.1918-1919 12
Served with 1st Battalion. Awarded the Croix de Guerre by Belgian Government, 1919.
1 Photograph of Hedges, with list of medals nd [c.1918] awarded to him on the back
2 Certificate of award of the Croix de Guerre 1919 (French text)
ESR/25/HICK/ HICKS, LIEUTENANT COLONEL MAXWELL GEORGE, 1914-1945
Served with 1/6th Battalion during World War I. Commanded the 6th Battalion, 1926-1939.
1 Prints of scanned photographs, postcards and 1914-[1945] other ephemera relating to his military career, 1914-[1945], including service in Aden and India. 26 items including commentary on scanned images. Presented by his grandson, Mr Simon Hicks, in May 2005
ESR/25/HILL/ HILL, MAJOR PETER GUY EGERTON (1911-2002), 1932- LATE 20TH CENT
Born in Chatham, 1911. Commissioned into the East Surrey Regiment, 1932. Served with 1st Battalion in India and Sudan, where he took part in the making of the film ‘The Four Feathers’. Served with the Battalion in France, 1939-1940. Commanded HQ Company, c.1940-1943, during which period he also spent time as both Acting 2nd in Command and Acting Commander of the Battalion. Appointed as Deputy Assistant Adjutant General HQ 13th Corps, 1943. Served in Italy and Palestine. Commanded the Regimental Depot, 1950- 1952. Appointed as a Staff Officer at Fortress HQ, Gibraltar, 1952. Commanded No 1 Training Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, at Blandford, 1955-1959. Served as Camp Commandant in Malta, 1959-1961. Retired, 1976. Was a key figure in establishing and running the Regimental Museum, along with his wife, Daphne. Died, 2002.
For a photograph album perhaps compiled by Hill of the 1st Battalion in India, 1933-37, see ESR/2/13/14.
1 Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, with original 18 Jan 1932 envelope 13
2 Letter to Hill from the War Office, informing 30 Jan 1932 him that he has been appointed a 2nd Lieutenant in the East Surrey Regiment
3 Photograph album, 'Four Feathers, 1 Surreys, 1938 1938': soldiers of the Battalion being used as extras for the film 'The Four Feathers', with loose pages of captions. Donated by Major P G E Hill
4 Orders for movement of rail parties from Saar 1940 Area, 1940, messages concerning Battalion movement by march route, administrative updates and announcements, report regarding the system of occupation of German forward positions between the Rhine and the Moselle (translated from French), instructions for a debussing demonstration, 1940, and training notes regarding anti-gas precautions. [Although some of these papers relate to Hill, it is possible that not all do]
5 Correspondence and papers related to the 3 Oct 1944 revision of Form AF B 199 A, giving details -8 Aug 1947 of Hill’s service
6 Memoranda regarding Hill’s appointment as 6 Apr 1945 Deputy Assistant Adjutant General, -6 Jun 1947 Headquarters No 55 Area
7 Photograph of Hill in a swimming pool in 1945 Trieste
8 Certificate of thanks to Hill for his services to 23 Mar 1946 Headquarters 55 Area, with original envelope
9 Slip sent with campaign medals, giving nd [c.1946] number awarded
10 Memorandum to Hill informing him that he is 7 Nov 1947 posted as a 2nd grade Staff Officer in the 2nd grade pool, Middle East Land Forces, and giving instructions for proceeding to his new post
11 Memorandum approving Hill’s posting as 16 Dec 1946 DAAG at HQ 3 Infantry Division
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12 Memorandum approving Hill’s posting as 8 May 1947 DAAG at HQ 1 Infantry Division, with -29 Aug 1947 related handwritten extracts from battalion orders
13 Order posting Hill to 1st Battalion, East 5 May 1948 Surrey Regiment, from HQ 1 Infantry Division
14 Application made by Hill for conversion of 18 Nov 1948 the SC staff college symbol he currently holds to PSC
15 Certificate authorising Hill to purchase a suit 31 Jan 1949 of No 1 Dress
16 Course report for Hill for ‘2IC No 4’ Course 9 Mar 1949 run by the School of Military Administration
17 Correspondence with War Office regarding 5 Apr 1949 Mentioned in Dispatches and Mentioned in -7 Feb 1950 Dispatches (Palestine) awards, including a certificate and original envelope. 9 items
28 Letter from Director of Personnel 27 Oct 1949 Administration to Headquarters, 2 Infantry Brigade, British Troops, Greece, regarding a new appointment for Hill as a Staff Officer on ‘RHE’
19 Rules regarding the wearing of officers’ cap 16 Nov 1949 badges, issued by Regimental Depot
20 Order posting Hill to Home Counties Brigade 13 Dec 1949 Training Centre at Shorncliffe, with related -27 Feb 1950 movement order and correspondence between Hill and the centre regarding delaying his arrival as he is already on leave and related arrangements to spend his leave in France. 14 items
21 Correspondence relating to Hill’s 6 Jan 1950 appointment as Commanding Officer of the -21 Feb 1950 Regimental Depot. 4 items
22 Correspondence between Hill and the War 27 Feb 1950 Office regarding the General Service Medal -7 Mar 1950 for his service in Palestine. 4 items
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23 Memorandum and orders regarding Hill’s 21 Apr 1952 posting as General Staff Officer III at -27 Jun 1952 Headquarters Gibraltar Fortress
24 Original and photocopy (undated) of nd [?mid 20th newspaper cutting of list of names [?reprinted cent] from the London Gazette]. Several names, including Hill, are underlined
25 Empty folder marked ‘Service-Personal’, with nd [?mid 20th rough notes inside cover regarding retired pay cent]
26 Membership card for the Queen’s Royal Mar 1985 Surrey Regimental Association issued to Mrs D Hill
27 Photocopy (undated) of account by Hill of his (nd [?late 20th service in North Africa, Sicily and Italy, Nov cent]) 1942-Dec 1943
ESR/25/HIME/ HIMLEY, MAJOR W A, 1931-1940S
Served with 1st Battalion.
1 Page [?from an album] with photographs of 1931 Himley’s wedding to Miss Kean at Pindi, India, and of sentries in uniform at the Sobraon Ball
2 Photograph of Major W A Himley nd [?1940s]
ESR/25/HIST/ HISTED, PRIVATE ALFRED G (1896-?), 1914-1955
Born in Newport, Isle of Wight, 1896. Enlisted, 1915. Served with 2nd Battalion. Discharged, 1916.
1 Postcards showing scenes at Dranoutre and 1914-1915 after the bombing at Ypres. 5 items
2 Will, written on page from service book (rest 6 Jul 1915 of book not present)
3 Christmas card Dec 1915
4 Hospital identification label 1915
5 Postcard sent by Histed [?to his father], 1915 showing maps of Northern France 16
6 Slip of paper with address of [?Mrs F Hayes] nd [c.1915]
7 Note describing wound received nd [c.1915]
8 Photographs of staff and patients at a hospital nd [c.1915] [where Histed was treated]
9 Field medical card, with original envelope nd [c.1915]
10 Newspaper cuttings of maps of the Western nd [?1914- Front and the area around Lille. 2 items 1918]
11 Wallet containing character certificate, with 15 Aug 1916 advice regarding civilian employment and instructions for men of the army reserve
12 Discharge certificate 15 Aug 1916
13 Character certificate 15 Aug 1916
14 Newspaper cutting regarding the sacrifices nd [c.1955] made by soldiers during World War I
ESR/25/HITC/ HITCHCOCK, PRIVATE ARTHUR W E, 1991-1992
Called up, 1939. Served in Intelligence Section of 1/6th Battalion.
1 Account of experiences in France and 1991-1992 evacuation of Dunkirk, Oct 1939-8 Jun 1940. 2 copies, with related correspondence
ESR/25/HOLG/ HOLGATE, 2ND LIEUT HAROLD ARTHUR HOLGATE (1896- 1916), 1916-2008
Born, 1896. Joined 3/9th Battalion, the London Regiment, the Queen Victoria Rifles, Nov 1914. Commissioned into 14th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, Jan 1916, and attached to 1st Battalion, Aug 1916. Killed by a sniper at Morval during Battle of the Somme, 25 Sep 1916. Photocopies of papers presented by Derek Holgate, nephew of Harold Holgate, in June 2008.
1 Copy of photograph of Holgate nd [1916]
2 Account by Derek Holgate of Harold nd [c.2008] Holgate's service and death 17
3 Letter from Ministry of Defence giving 1992 details of Holgate's service
4-12 Letters from Holgate to his brother Stephen in [?1915]-1916 Fulham: -/4 is from Fovant Camp when he was with the Queen Victoria Rifles; -/5-8, sent from Oxford, Warwick and Gravesend, relate to his officer training when with 14th Battalion; -/9-12 date from his service in France with 1st Battalion, Aug-Sep 1916
13 War Office telegram reporting Holgate's 29 Sep 1916 death
14 Field Service: report of death Oct 1916
15-17 Trench map and extract and map from official c.1916-1923 regimental history relating to site of battle of Morval and Holgate's death and burial
18 In memoriam card nd [c.1916]
19 Incomplete letter from Holgate's father to his 11 Nov 1918 son Stephen, serving at Padstow with Royal Naval Air Service, describing rejoicing in London at news of Armistice
ESR/25/HOLM/ HOLMES, PRIVATE ALFRED EDWARD (1912-?), 1934
Born, 1912. Enlisted in London, 1932. Served with 23rd London Regiment. Discharged in order to join a regular battalion of the East Surrey Regiment, 1934.
1 Discharge certificate 12 Aug 1934
ESR/25/HORN/ HORNBY, COLONEL LEYLAND (1845-1897), 1863-1871
Born, 1845. Commissioned in 70th Regiment of Foot, 1863. Served with the Regiment in New Zealand, 1863-1865. Appointed Musketry Instructor for the Regiment, 1869. Served in Afghanistan, 1878-1879. Served in the 2nd Battalion, the East Surrey Regiment, following the amalgamation in 1881. Took part in the Suakin operations, 1885. Commanded the Battalion, 1887-1891. Appointed to command 31st Regimental District at Kingston, 1891. Died, 1897.
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1 Certificate of qualification to hold a 15 Jun 1863 commission, issued by the Royal Military College
2 Commission as an Ensign 7 Sep 1863
3 First class certificate of completing a course 7 Jul 1868 in Musketry at the School of Musketry, Hythe, and being qualified to instruct in the subject
4 Commission as an Instructor of Musketry 5 Apr 1869
5 Commission as a Captain 4 Oct 1871
6 Photocopy (undated) of pictures of Hornby (nd [?late 19th and his [?wife] cent])
7 Research and information on Hornby, his nd [late 20th service career and his family cent]
ESR/25/HORT/ HORTON, LANCE CORPORAL THOMAS HENRY (1908-?), 1918-1920
Enlisted, 1908. Served as a drummer with 6th Battalion (later 1/6th Battalion). Discharged, 1920.
1 Membership card for 1/6th East Surrey Social 23 Feb 1918 and Temperance Club
2 Membership card for the Aden Recreation nd [?1915- Club 1918]
3 Certificate of disembodiment on 8 Jan 1920 demobilisation
4 Certificate of employment during the war nd [c.1920]
ESR/25/HOUG/ HOUGHTON, CORPORAL WILLIAM, 1919
Served with the East Surrey Regiment during World War I.
1 Farewell message from [?R D Wynyard], 27 Mar 1919 Commanding Officer of 193rd Infantry Brigade, thanking Houghton for serving
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ESR/25/HOWA/ HOWARD, MAJOR E A F, 1985
Served with 2nd Battalion and the British Battalion in Malaya.
1 Account by Howard of the Battalion’s Feb 1985 operations in Malaya, 1941-1942. 2 copies
ESR/25/HUE/ HUE WILLIAMS, LIEUTENANT COLONEL R G (?-1947), 1914-1969
Commanded 3/5th Battalion (later 5th Reserve Battalion), 1915-c.1920. Died, 1947.
1 Photographs of Hue Williams, Major Stroud, nd [?1914- and Mrs Hue Williams on horses. 3 items 1918]
2 Letters of Williams’ daughter, Beryl, to 1964-1969 Private Flinton, in which she describes her father’s life and her memories of him. Also separate conversational letter to Flinton from Edgar J Aplin
ESR/25/HUGHJ/ HUGHES, CORPORAL JOSEPH (C.1870-1943), 1896-1948
Born, c.1870. Served with 1st Battalion, the East Surrey Regiment, and 14th Battalion, Royal Welsh Regiment. Later served as a Warden during World War II. Died, 1943.
1 Photocopy of character testimony written by (7 Dec 1896) Lieutenant H S Hart, Hughes’ commanding officer
2 Photocopy of medal index card (1919)
3 Photocopy of a Mentioned in Dispatches (2 Jul 1919) certificate
4 Photocopies of photographs of Hughes alone (nd [?early 20th and with his family; also of an ‘in loving cent-1948]) memory’ card, giving his date of death and place of interment.
5 Photocopy of a photograph of Hughes outside (nd [c.1943]) his Warden’s post in his uniform, with caption added later by his son
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6 Photocopy (undated) of typescript of letter to (nd [late 20th [?Hughes’ son] Robin from ‘Uncle Tom’ cent]) offering to give a medal awarded to Tom’s father, c.1895, and a portrait of his father in uniform (both not present)
ESR/25/HUGHJJ/ HUGHES, PRIVATE JOSEPH JOHN (C.1874-?), 1909
Born in Bermondsey, c.1874. Enlisted, 1893. Served at the Regimental Depot. Discharged, 1909.
1 Discharge certificate 9 Mar 1909
ESR/25/HUNTHW/ HUNT, SERGEANT HERBERT WILLIAM, C.1880-1923
Served with 1st Battalion. Killed in action, 1914. Awarded Medaille Militaire.
1 Photographs of Hunt in civilian clothes and nd [c.1880] with shooting trophies. 2 items
2 Photocopy from History of the East Surrey (1923) Regiment, Vol II, 1923, concerning Hunt
ESR/25/HUNTRC/ HUNT, CORPORAL REGINALD CECIL (1918-?), 1939-1946
Born, 1918. Called up, 1939. Served with 1/6th Battalion. Discharged, 1945.
1 Soldier’s service and pay book, giving details 1939-1945 of service, training, leave, medical records and next of kin
2 Envelope containing photographs of Hunt, as nd [?1939- a civilian and soldiers in the East Surrey 1945] Regiment [possibly used in the Regimental Newsletter]. 6 items
3 Field service postcard sent by Hunt to his 6 Apr 1940 wife
4 Telegram sent [?from Hunt to his wife] 3 Jun 1940 stating that he is safe in England
5 Release leave certificate Jan 1945
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6 Special order of the day to the allied forces in Apr 1945 the Mediterranean theatre from Field Marshal H R Alexander, encouraging them in the final push for victory
7 Letter from Ministry of Pensions forwarding nd [c.1946] the King’s Badge, for those disabled as a result of war service
ESR/25/HUNT/ HUNTLEY, PRIVATE CHARLES, 1914-1918
Served with East Surrey Regiment. Presented by Private Huntley's granddaughter, Mrs Brenda Godfrey in July 2008.
1 Copy photograph of Private Charles Huntley (nd [1914- 1918])
2 Copy of Private Huntley's medal index card (nd [1919])
ESR/25/HYSO/ HYSON, CAPTAIN GEORGE EDMUND (1875-?), 1889-1940S
Born, 1875. Joined the regiment, 1892. Served with East Surrey Regiment in South Africa. Served with 1st Battalion, and was Regimental Sergeant Major at start of World War I. Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal. Promoted to Quartermaster, with the rank of Lieutenant, Dec 1914. Awarded Military Cross, Feb 1915. Returned to England due to ill health, Oct 1915. Transferred to 4th Battalion.
1 First class certificate of education, with later 28 Mar 1889 note that Hyson has passed in composition -25 Apr 1908 and map reading, 1908
2-8 Letters from Hyson to his wife and children 14 Aug 1914 -30 Aug 1914
9-16 Letters from Hyson to his wife and children 3 Sep 1914 -30 Sep 1914
17-38 Letters from Hyson to his wife and children 2 Oct 1914 -31 Oct 1914
39-59 Letters from Hyson to his wife and children 2 Nov 1914 -29 Nov 1914
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60-74 Letters from Hyson to his wife and children 9 Dec 1914 -31 Dec 1914
75-95 Letters from Hyson to his wife and children 3 Jan 1915 -31 Jan 1915
96-128 Letters from Hyson to his wife and children 1 Feb 1915 -28 Feb 1915
129-163 Letters from Hyson to his wife and children 2 Mar 1915 -31 Mar 1915
164-177 Letters from Hyson to his wife and children 2 Apr 1915 -29 Apr 1915
178-202 Letters from Hyson to his wife and children 2 May 1915 -30 May 1915
203-225 Letters from Hyson to his wife and children 1 Jun 1915 -30 Jun 1915
226-251 Letters from Hyson to his wife and children 1 Jul 1915 -29 Jun 1915
252-282 Letters from Hyson to his wife and children 1 Aug 1915 -30 Aug 1915
283-293 Letters from Hyson to his wife and children 1 Sep 1915 -23 Sep 1915
294-295 Incomplete letters from Hyson to his wife and nd [?1914 children -1915]
296 Letter from Mrs Longley [?wife of J R 19 Sep 1914 Longley] to Hyson’s daughter Middy, who is unwell
297 Business card of ‘Doctuer Lucien Callant’, 9 Dec 1914 with date handwritten on reverse
298 Christmas postcard sent by King George V Dec 1914 and Queen Mary
299-306 Letters to Hyson from friends, many of whom 1 Feb 1915 were also serving on the Front, including -12 Aug 1917 greetings card ‘from Bumbo and Minogue on the Western Front’
23
307 Letter to Mrs Hyson from Mrs Longley [?wife 14 Jun [?1915] of J R Longley] regarding Longley being in Hospital with jaundice and regretting that they did not see Hyson [?when he was home on leave]
308 Testimony to Hyson’s good character, written 3 Jul 1917 by Lieutenant W Thompson, who served with him
309-310 Letters concerning a medical board to enquire 27 Jun 1917 into injuries received by Hyson in action
311 Operational telegram received by Hyson, nd [?1914- informing him that two of his men have been 1918] awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal
312 Certificate that Hyson was mentioned in 1 Mar 1919 dispatches on 8 Oct 1914
313 Comic postcard of a dog eating sausages nd [?1910s]
314-315 Letters to Hyson from Buckingham Palace 3 Nov 1920 and the War Office, thanking him for sending -4 Nov 1920 a copy of a book ‘What a young solider needs to know’
316 Loose photographs of Hyson, scenes of nd [?early 20th military life and group and individual cent] photograph of other soldiers, including Major George Rowe and General Sir John Longley
317 Letter from Hyson to Maggie [his daughter] 11 Apr 1944 and Gordon
318 Obituary nd [?1940s]