ISSUE 120 NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 FREE

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF FRANT, ERIDGE & BELLS YEW GREEN

INSIDE 4-page memorial, remembering the names of our parishioners who lost their lives during WWI

Mrs Akehurst & Miss Duncan fetching water for Shernfold Hospital during WWI

IN THIS ISSUE… 3 4 7 8 12 14 Letter from the Church Services, Remembrance Frant Christmas Details of What’s on in the Church Wardens features & News Sunday in the Fair returns to the Frant’s famous Parish: events, from the Pews Parish. Events & High Street for a Bonfire Night are useful contacts times second year announced & dates ADVERTISEMENTS PARISH NEWS

From the Church Wardens

“We will remember them.” These words uttered at acts “We will remember….” For Christians “to of remembrance will acquire a new poignancy this remember” is a very special phrase. At the centre year as we commemorate the centenary of the end of their faith is the act of remembrance made every of the First World War. As that conflict slips over the time the faithful meet to break bread and share the edge of memory for almost everyone alive today, to cup, remembering that Jesus Christ died for us and “remember” those who fought, suffered and died, and lives among us. That is an act of remembering which those whose lives were marked forever by loss and enables members of a broken humanity to become grief, means to enter into a special kind of devotion, a members with one another again in Christ. kindling of the heart, mind and imagination, in order “We will remember….” In Christian understanding, to enter into a meaningful relationship with them. none are to be privileged and none excluded from “We will remember….” How then can we truly remembrance, for there is one God and Father of all. remember with those who died long before most It goes without saying that we will remember those of us today were born, or lived into our time but who were killed and maimed in such unimaginable whose experiences of the war were theirs and not numbers. But alongside them we remember those ours? One way is simply to allow them to speak to us for whom each death was an inconceivable and themselves, to hear their own voices from their own irreplaceable loss. We will also remember those time. This month’s parish news includes a special who came to our shores as refugees or soldiers from insert in memoriam of many of the soldiers from far places in the British Empire. We will remember our Parish who lost their lives and on the church nurses and doctors who served the wounded and websites you can find more research into the names distressed, professionally and voluntarily. on the War Memorials in our churchyards. Each name had a family, a story, a life that they gave and “Their names shall remain for ever and their glory that we have a duty to remember. shall not be blotted out”

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communicated his passion for growing English apples. St Alban’s, Frant & Holy Trinity, Eridge This was followed the next day by the Harvest Festival Service. The great pile Churchwardens of food brought by the school children St Alban’s: Jane Emler—532233, Crawford Burden—07789 170275 to their service on the previous Friday, Holy Trinity: Jonathan Lynn—864304, Christopher Hall—750385 added to what was brought by the congregation, demonstrates how much our community wants to help those in need. The food was distributed to local charities. A service to remember departed loved ones was held on 14th October. This annual service is appreciated both by those recently bereaved and those who want to take an hour away from their Services for busy lives to think about those who have www.frantchurch.org November/December 2018 www.eridgechurch.org gone before us, to remember them and give thanks for them. The service was News from Encounter more information. conducted by Brian Woodgate, a former 9:30am Family Service...... 4th November...... Morning Prayer 11:15am Encounter is the youth group for all A weekend away with all ages from St Chaplain from Burrswood. school children from year 7 upwards. Alban’s is in the planning for next year. Also in October, our third ‘Grave Talk 10:45am Morning Service ...... 11th November...... Morning Service 10:45am Led by Ed Pascoe, St Albans’ Youth Watch this space! Café’ was held in The Stables. This is a ...... Remembrance Sunday...... Worker, they meet weekly in The Stables social gathering, hence the title ‘Café’, on a Friday evening from 7-9.30pm. News from the Pews where the sensitive subject of death and 9:30am Communion Service...... 18th November...... Communion Service 11:15am The evening is a great opportunity to We had no baptisms during September/ bereavement can be considered and end the week in a relaxed atmosphere October, but we had a service of discussed informally. Conversations 9:30am Communion Service ...... 25th November...... Communion Service 11:15am with the chance to share thoughts from Thanksgiving and Blessing for baby and discussions are prompted by a the week, socialise over supper (which Harry Alexander Elliot. Harry was a series of well thought out questions. Far No morning service...... 2nd December...... Joint Advent Service 11:15am is provided), play games and have a model of good behaviour and really from being morbid and miserable, it is 4:00pm Christingle Service...... focused Bible study. Some of our regulars enjoyed the singing. interesting and enlightening. are pictured here with Lydia following Two weddings were celebrated, both On November 11th at 12.30pm, the bell 9:30am Joint Communion ...... 9th December ...... No morning service the confirmation earlier this year. in glorious sunshine. Cathryn Hall and ringers at St Albans will join with bell Although you don’t need to be a musician Edward Durie were married on 13th ringers nationwide to celebrate the end 9:30am Joint Communion ...... 16th December...... No morning service or trained singer, music is a really October. Then Roberta Organ and James of the first world war 100 years ago. 6.30pm Carol Service...... Carol Service 4:00pm enjoyable part of the worship and from Murdoch were married on 20th October. The search for a new Rector continues. 9-9.30pm every Friday, the Encounter At the beginning of October, the Hopefully by the next edition of Parish No morning service...... 23rd December...... Joint Communion 11:15am Band practices. The Band is open to Harvest Supper was well supported News there will be something more new comers and all are welcome to take and the delicious meal provided by positive to tell. Meanwhile we are so 4:00pm Crib Service...... 24th December...... part, be that leading a song, playing an Marco and Nicole Santos was greatly grateful to clergy and Lay Readers who 11:00pm Midnight Communion...... Christmas Eve...... Midnight Communion 11:00pm instrument (and sometimes both) or just appreciated. The talk this year was by have come, some quite long distances, to joining in with the group. an enthusiastic apple grower, who really help us out by leading services. 9:30am Family Service with short Communion. . . . . 25th December...... Communion Service 11:15am As well as the weekly gathering ...... Christmas Day...... during term time, there are also social outings. On Saturday 17th and Sunday No morning service...... 30th December...... Joint Service of Morning Prayer 11:15am 18th November, we will be visiting All Saints in Crowborough for their “Escape There is a Sunday Club for 0–14 year olds at Frant when it isn’t a family service—all welcome! Room & Live and Unplugged” weekend. On Saturday 9th December, the group During the vacancy the order of services may be subject to change will be going to London for the Winter Please check the church websites for up-to-date information Wonderland in Hyde Park followed by Hillsong Church evening service in Central London. Some of the group went to Soul Survivor in August and had a thoroughly enjoyable time. This is a Christian, WORSHIP AT BELLS YEW GREEN weeklong event for teenagers. With around 10,000 other young people, they Sunday Services: 10.30am enjoyed interesting talks, worship songs, Good Friday service at 10.30am; Bible Study & Prayer: Thursdays, 7.30pm workshops, games and more. Visit www. Enquiries: Ken Davies, 01732 357791 twydc.co.uk/projects/soul-survivor for

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Remembrance Sunday should be erected over each grave. On China) and all the headstones for all the across the Parish this would be engraved the Regimental cemeteries and churchyards in Kent, 11th November, 2018 badge, the name, regiment and number Surrey and Sussex were supplied and » Viewing of the Eridge Centenary of each man. Below that, where the fixed. A number of headstones were Green relatives desired it, could be a religious even sent to Newcastle-upon-Tyne. There will be a special service of emblem e.g. cross, Star of David or In all the total number made was in the remembrance at Holy Trinity, Eridge on Hindu or Moslem emblem and two lines region of 150 000. Sunday 11th November starting at 10.50 of personal inscription. A large number » Burslem, Bells Yew Green – am. The Eridge Choir will be leading the of bodies could not be identified and war memorials. singing at the service and will sing an in these cases a Cross was engraved A relative of WWI Veteran has inspired a anthem. The parish council has carried in the place of the regimental badge, new War Memorial for Pembury out research into the men from the parish with the words “An unknown soldier A new war memorial commemorating who gave their lives in the great war. There of the Great War”, followed by the those lives lost in WWI and WWII is will be a small exhibition in the church inscription “Known unto God”. Later, to be unveiled in Pembury village on with details of the men from Eridge. it was decided to commemorate the Remembrance Day this year. Following the service there will be an name of those who were missing, and When Rob Woodhams, the great- announcement about the creation of the whose burial place was unknown, by great-nephew of Jim H. Woodhams, a Eridge Centenary Green to mark the erecting a large stone memorial gateway veteran of the First World War contacted 100th anniversary of the end of World at Ypres on the Menin Road, with Pembury Parish Council to inform them War 1 and to remember those who lost panels containing all known names. that his relative’s name was missing from their lives in WW1 and WW11 including It was decided to erect it at this site the existing memorial the campaign for a Rupert Nevill who died in 1918, which as so many of those killed had passed new memorial was instigated. the daughters of the late Marquess there on their way to the battlefields. Local Pembury resident and keen John Abergavenny have kindly agreed This scheme was followed in other historian Richard Snow took up the to provide on a long lease to the Parish parts of the world, such as Gallipoli for challenge and began a campaign for Council. There will be the opportunity to the Dardanelles campaign, Dar-Es- a replacement for the existing war view the boundary of the area where the Salaam for the East African campaigns memorial installed by Burslem’s Parish Council will create a recreational etc. Headstones (sometimes a single stonemasons after the Second World space for the village to enjoy for one) were also erected in English War in the 1920s. The existing memorial, generations to come. Please come to the Churchyards and in other remote and featuring metal plaques, had become service and do stay afterwards for a glass distant spots. In the large cemeteries, rather tarnished over the years. of wine and some eats. in addition to the headstones, a large Burslem were honoured to be asked » At St Alban’s, Frant at 10.50am, there cross with a bronze sword on the shaft, to replace the memorial and produce will be a Service of Remembrance and at and a stone cross cenotaph were also new York stone plaques featuring Bells Yew Green at 10.30am. erected. Monumental masons all over hand-carved names of those who lost » At Frant Memorial Hall there the country were invited to tender for their lives whilst serving their country will be a Commemoration for those the supply of these stones. in both World Wars. The new plaque, to who served in the two World Wars The first contract was for the be unveiled by Lord Colgrain, Deputy and in more recent times. It will be great Cemetery at Etaples (10,000 Lieutenant of Kent, will now include led by the Wadhurst branch of the headstones @ £40,000). To deal Jim H. Woodham’s name, along with the British Legion and Rev’d Imtiaz Trask with such a vast quantity of stones, a corrected spelling of eight names. who will be joined by people from the separate office was installed. A separate Following the silence at 11.00am a village. Everyone is welcome to the card was made for each stone, with 1930s Tiger Moth will fly over the War commemoration and afterwards to particulars of name, etc. The Portland Memorial dropping 10,000 poppies. the Hall. Stone slabs (3’0” x 1’6”) were cut as Local film-maker David Dore is At the going down of the sun and in the rectangles at the port quarries and producing ‘Pembury Remembers’ morning we will remember them supplied at 18/6d each. The tops were featuring interviews of relatives » The Imperial War Graves then curved at the works. Templates Burslem are also currently working Commission of the regimental badges were then on a new War Memorial for Rotherfield The Imperial War Graves Commission made (we still have these) and given village which, although it has tablets was set up almost immediately after with the card to the man who was remembering the fallen on the church the end of the war to deal with the going to work the stone. The stones walls has, until now, had no formal war enormous number of people all over the were polished, carefully checked, memorial in the way almost all other British Empire who had been killed. then loaded onto lorries and sent to villages have. The dead had of course been interred Dover. Two lorries made the journey » Please visit the Frant and Eridge where they had died – in the trenches every day and some 500 headstones Church websites for further information in Flanders and on other battlefields a week were dispatched. The work on behind the names on the Frant and over the world. Land was purchased for the war graves continued from 1921 Eridge War Memorials. Local resident, cemeteries and the dead were collected to December 1927. In addition, there Philip Balcock, has researched these and re-interred. It was decided that were many headstones done for small names and presents some poignant a small headstone in Portland Stone burial grounds abroad (one was sent to stories which are well worth a read.

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stopping poinsettia or Christmas illustrator. 13th November 2pm Parish Council. The Club requests that identified and will be opened to coincide figures and design other decorations to The most beloved American illustrator folks use this and not their bin, please. with a Remembrance Day historical personalise your own Christmas cake. of the 20th century always portrayed Following the overwhelming exhibition.” life as he wished it would be, portraying success of this summer’s flower banks —Cllr Andy Macdonald-Brown » Iced Christmas Biscuits the ideal family Christmas with direct on the Green, Niall will be leading a Thursday 22nd November 10am-4pm connections to Dickens and the English Community Gardening Party which will Kent Chorus Candlelit Concert £30. Thursday 13th December 10am- Yuletide Tradition. be meeting on Sunday, 4th November at The Kent Chorus Christmas Candlelit 12pm £30. Learn how to ice gingerbread American-born Charles Harris 11 am for a couple of hours, to clear the Concert this year will be at 6.30pm on like a professional with Chloe from The will share his own experiences of the banks and replant winter/spring bulbs. December 9th at St Alban’s. Under the Round Table Cookery School, making 8 ideal American Christmas from sleigh If you’d like to join us, please let us know direction of Richard Jenkinson and cookies to take home. Please bring a tin. rides and ice-skating in the woods to by contacting friendsofbyg@gmail. accompanist Ray Maulkin, there will trimming the tree and wondering how com. There is a promise of cake for the will be a mixture of traditional carols » Festive Watercolour painting Santa got down the chimney. workers! If you aren’t able to join us but and lighter items with choral and Friday 16th November 10am-4pm £60. Join us for some Christmas Spirit – or would still like to participate, Friends of audience participation. With a soloist Friday 7th December 10am-4pm £60. at least a drink and a chat! Members BYG would be delighted to receive either and musicians it always creates a great Julie King will show you how to paint a free, Guests £6. your donation or some bulbs, please. atmosphere, and there will be the usual snow scene and other festive subjects to We are collecting various snowdrops, refreshments available in the interval. create your own Christmas cards. Both events will be held at Crowborough aconites and crocus (no daffodils, thank Tickets will be available from Frant Community Centre, Pine Grove, you), so choose your favourite colour/ Stores and Brittens, whose support we Frant Christmas Fair at 10am. Full day workshops include » Fresh Flower Christmas Wreath Crowborough variety and drop them in at Lamb’s always appreciate, from mid November. Many of you may remember the charming lunch 12:30pm-1pm & Afternoon Cream Wednesday 12th December 10am- Larder, please, marked Friends of BYG. Christmas Fair held in Frant High Street Tea. Catering and materials are all 4pm £70. Wednesday 12th December Friends of Bells Yew Green Donations in an envelope similarly Christmas Table Centrepiece last year (pictured above). There was a included in the price. 7pm -9pm £70. With Flowers by Thank you to everyone who supported marked. Don’t forget to tell us who Workshop great selection of stalls selling locally Enchantment, make your own the Macmillan Coffee Morning - what donated! Thank you so much. Please join us at The Stables on the made gifts and food, all decorated with » Capture Christmas on Camera arrangement for your door or as a fabulous cakes we had! A delicious Any questions or comments? Contact: first Monday in December to make a Christmas lights. The High Street was Introductory workshop Thursday 1st centrepiece. Day workshop will also range from coffee and walnut, to fresh Sue, Friends of BYG. 0794 471 2000 traditional Christmas table centrepiece. abuzz with all people of all ages and November 10am-12pm £20. Full day demonstrate other Christmas floristry. cream sponge, cheesecake, brownies and There will be a demonstration and help brimming with Christmas spirit. workshop Thursday 15th November chocolate flapjacks, even gluten-free, Frant Parish Council at hand for you to make your own display. There is good news! On Saturday 1st 10am-4pm £60. With international Call Reservations on 01892 865988 to and on and on! Thanks to all your kind “The Chairman of the Parish Council All materials provided but please bring December, this event will be taking place photographer Sharron Goodyear, bring find out more or book your place. www. contributions and donations, including has been studiously researching for your own secateurs (and any special again from 2.30pm until 8.00pm. your SLR camera or iPhone to learn burrswood.org.uk those raised at Lamb’s Larder, we raised the centenary commemoration of the decorations, candles etc you may wish Huge thanks go to Dom from The the basics of good photography with a £111 - well done! end of WW1 - more details elsewhere to use). Guest speaker, with a Christmas George who will once again be co- Christmas theme. The Arts Society Ashdown On Saturday, 13th, Rydon Homes in this publication. The PC have spent message plus mulled spiced punch and ordinating it all. Come along and join in Forest consulted locals regarding their some time discussing the 3 ‘Greens’ that mince pies. the festivities. » Candle Making » Not So Gentle? War, Conflict and intention to apply for permission to build make up our parish, in Frant , BYG and The cost is £15 and all proceeds will go If you would like to have a stall, please Friday 2nd November, 10am-4pm £70. Henry Moore – 8th November 2pm eighteen houses on what is currently a Eridge. In Frant the excellent work of to the West Kent Women’s Refuge. contact Dom at the The George 01892 Friday 30th November 10am-4pm £70. The critic Herbert Read once famously field almost opposite Cricketers Close, FOSG continues with planned cutting Spaces limited so please book early. 750350. Make a selection of candles with Simon described the group of avant-garde Hawkenbury Road. There was a mixed of different grass areas, and the PC are To register your interest please mail of Will-o-the-Wisp, experimenting with artists centred around Henry Moore response, as you might expect, with obtaining quotations for professional Philippa Mumford: richardmumford@ Armistice Concert colour and fragrance. in the 1930s as “a nest of gentle artists”. some folk interested in seeing more advice to deal with verge protection and talktalk.net The Choral Societies of Cranbrook and When world events demanded, however, homes built, whilst others expressed erosion. Tree surgery is also imminent Paddock Wood present an “Armistice » Bespoke Christmas gift tags Moore was quick to put his art at the concern about infrastructure - for on the Green, agreed with Wealden’s tree Concert” at St.Dunstan’s Church, Saturday 3rd November 10am-12pm service of harsher realities. This lecture, example, the lack of school places and officer. The tardiness of the Fern Close Cranbrook on Saturday 17 November £30. Wednesday 7th November 10am- given by Monica Bohm – Duchen, will doctors’ surgeries, additional traffic on development has been raised and and 7.30pm. 12pm £20. Use air-dried clay & mixed trace an unfamiliar aspect of Moore’s a hazardous stretch of road, and so on. the PC understand this is due to the need The chorus of over 120 voices will media to create 20 gift tags with Nikki oeuvre, from his response to the Spanish Another issue raised, was the potential for a licence to address the presence of perform “The Armed Man: A Mass for Svabo. Civil War through his work as an official setting of a precedent, by using what dormice across the site. Peace” by Karl Jenkins, and Spirituals war artist during World War Two to is currently an agricultural greenfield Bells Yew Green continues to bask in from “A Child of Our Time “by Michael » Robin Sculpture Workshop his response to the Holocaust, the Cold site within the AONB, and any future the colours of the bund plantings this Tippett. The concert will begin with Sunday 18th November 10am-4pm £50. War and the continued threat of atomic implications of doing so, as well as year, and preparation for the winter is Edward Elgar’s “Serenade for Strings”. Wednesday 21st November 10am-4pm warfare in the 1960s. whether this proposal matched land being supported. The effect on the Green Tickets £15, (students £7.50) available £50. Sculpt an exquisite bird with Artist Join us for an enlightening lecture designated in Wealden’s Plan. of pedestrians accessing the village from online: www.cranbrookchoral.org.uk or Nikki Svabo using clay, wire & mixed about a familiar name and stay for a If you didn’t receive notification of this the planned development by Rydon www.paddockwood-choral.org.uk. By media. drink and a chat afterwards. Members meeting and would like to be included Homes in Hawkenbury Road, has also phone: 01580 714828 or 01892 836250 free, Guests £6. in further updates, please email: been discussed. On a more mundane » Sugar Craft Cake toppers [email protected] to join the issue, a dog waste bin is being installed Christmas Events at Burrswood Poinsettia workshop, Tuesday 20nd » Norman Rockwell’s Christmas information email list, or phone Sue. by the BYG cricket ground. » 1st November-13th December 2018 November 10am-4pm £65. Christmas Wish Dog owners, and everyone else (!), will In Eridge a new post to support the Held in the Orangery overlooking our figures workshop, Wednesday 5th A light – hearted look at the ideal be pleased to hear that a new dog waste village sign has been installed, and the beautiful grounds. Tea/coffee & pastries December 10am-4pm £65. Clare Pope family Christmas through the work of bin is about to be installed adjacent to the site of the new commemorative Green served from 9:30am. All workshops start will teach you how to create a show the popular 20th century American BYG Cricket Club’s gate - thanks to Frant behind the church car park, has been

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Lisenced Reader the only lay ministry in the Church of from Eridge Church England which is voluntary, nationally On Saturday 29th September, a party accredited, Episcopally licensed and of some 30 supporters from Frant and governed by canon. Eridge churches travelled to Chichester Lesley feels a strong vocation to attend the service in the Cathedral to work with the bereaved and at which Lesley Lynn was licensed as a wishes all in the Parish to know that Reader in the parish by Bishop Mark of anyone who dies within the Parish Horsham with Bishop Richard of Lewes may have a funeral service held in attending. either of the churches in the parish. Lesley was one of five newly licensed “So many people think that they Readers across the Diocese (pictured must have been regular churchgoers next to the Bishop). to “qualify” - but it simply isn’t true” Readers are lay people in the Church she says. “Funeral services and of England, from all walks of life, memorial services can be individually who are called by God, theologically crafted to suit the character of the trained and licensed by the Church deceased person and their loved to preach, teach, lead worship and ones,and can provide real solace at assist in pastoral, evangelistic and a time of grief. I hope to make that a liturgical work. The office of Reader is reality in my ministry.”

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into our Nursery community over the in school. All from the village are very Parish Past coming months. welcome to attend so please look out for There was no school at all in Eridge until The children have been busy enjoying details of this event. Our children enjoy about 1860 when Staircase Cottage was harvesting the crops that we planted chatting to our parishioners and showing built for the purpose. The name derives in our playground in the summer, lots them around our wonderful school so from an unfortunate blunder - the of tomatoes, some tiny carrots and two please do try and make this lunch. builders forgot about the need for a stair beautiful sunflowers so far. Recently If you have any questions about school until the cottage was almost finished we took the older children to St Albans life please feel free to call us or pop in for and it then had to be clumsily inserted Church to watch the Primary Schools a visit. You are always welcome. largely obscuring one of the windows. Harvest Festival which they really —Mrs Joanna Challis, Head of School The design anyway was so cramped it is enjoyed and it was lovely to see some difficult to imagine the children learned familiar faces there too. Frant Parish Friendship Group much, indeed the principal purpose We have now started our Balance- The group made the most of the beautiful of the school seems to have been to ability sessions on a Monday, run by summer we had with two exceptional produce quantities of sewn goods for our resident football coach Dave. He is outings to Penshurst Place and the Spa the Castle. Between 60 and 70 children teaching the children how to use our Valley Railway, these were well attended were crammed in with a single teacher, lovely new Balance Bikes safely. and very enjoyable . Trudi and Patrick Miss Fleming, and her registers are full If you would like further information Godfrey again opened up their home at of yards of serge and dozens of chemises on Frant Nursery School please contact Pococks Gate Farm for our Summer Tea cut and sewn for the Castle, so it is Shelley Holdsworth 01892 890961 Party. This was a lovely afternoon and we not surprising to find later inspectors Bonfire Night! are very grateful to Trudi and Patrick for Ewes from the Brecknock Arms criticising the establishment’s almost as I often was (he had a job to do first) it Frant School PTFA have been working Frant School News their hospitality Stop press! The Brecknock arms now total lack of academic achievement. No took a lot of courage to enter. The ticking behind the scenes preparing for As we approach the end of this first term We started the new season with offers a unique sort of Gin & Tonic! The doubt the boys simply bunked off most off in front of all. If in a bad mood it was the annual Bonfire and Fireworks I am delighted to let you know some another fascinating travel talk from two new resident sheep, Gin & Tonic, of the time. Even when the school was hard cane in front of all… some comics Extravaganza, to be held in the field of the wonderful things we have been up Andrew Macdonald-Brown on wildlife have joined the smallholding of birds transferred to better premises in the and we had a few would return to their behind the School field on Saturday 3rd to at school. in the Rujifi Basin, Tanzania. Once again that reside in the garden. Come along Forstal, standards were still reported as seats shaking all over and making faces November. The approximate timings for Our new reception children have Andrew amazed us with his adventures and visit them in their new home. You discouragingly low until the 1930’s when in the greatest agony… but showing this year’s event are: settled in really well - they come through in Africa. The wildlife in the Selous can have a look at our website to see what an enlarged and tough-minded staff off their hand with a big grin at their 4:30pm Bar, BBQ Food, Mulled Wine, the school gate with smiles and a good National Park was extremely varied and else you can enjoy on your visit www. finally improved matters. The school mates.” He records the lavatories as a Hot Chocolate & Novelties will be on morning every day. As a school we beautiful and luckily very well protected. brecknockarms.com. closed, so far as I can remember, in the long drainpipe cut in half filled with sale all night are having a big push on manners and Andrew also gave a short talk on behalf Over the festive period, there is a 1960’s. water and only sluiced out once a day 5:00pm Best Dressed Guy Competition, so hearing and seeing our youngest of the Parish Council on the Dial to Drive Christmas concert with the BYG band Frank Sivyer, who attended Frant by the caretaker with a bucket. Wooden followed by the lighting of the bonfire! children doing it so well is absolutely scheme which funds trips for residents to on 20th December. This is a charity School in the early 1900’s recalled the planks were set over this pipe with 6:00pm Firework Display begins! wonderful. hospitals, doctors surgeries etc. This was event and will have a buffet, mince pies, building as split down the middle by rough-cut holes in them and “I guess On a sporting front, many of our KS2 of great interest to many members now mulled wine etc. We will also be doing a sliding doors, girls to the left and boys every youngster had his legs lifted up An entry charge of just £4 for adults and children took part in the Cross Country that we have lost our lovely surgery in the children’s Christmas carol service with to the right, a small space at the end sometime there by the bullies.” All the £1 for children (under 12) makes this competition at Uplands recently. We village. the date and time to be confirmed. accessed by both being the punishment children were simply turned out in the an excellent value-for-money evening, won 3 of the 4 available races, which is an Our October meeting, on the 25th, was On New Year’s Eve we are doing a room. “You were sent there to fetch the street at breaktime whatever the weather so please bring along family, friends amazing feat. Aside from the winning about saving energy, something close 1920’s themed evening with live jazz all cane from the cupboard and wait with it or state of their clothes, and much of the and any Guys for the best dressed our children all gave their very best and to all our hearts at the moment, and for night, buffet and bubbles at midnight in your hand for his (Mr Wood, pictured cleaning was done without payment by competition. represented the school extremely well. November (the 22nd) we will be having for £19.00. Call us to reserve tickets above right, headmaster for the amazing the top-class children. Frank’s memoir is Limited parking will be available in the Many more events across a range of our very own historian Pat Wright – on 01892 750237. We look forward to period 1895-1937) convenience that too good to miss so more on early village Glebe field (this will be signposted on the sports are planned for the coming terms. subject to be advised. welcoming you. Digby & Katie sometimes seemed endless. When late life next time. —Pat Wright night and costs £2 per car) and lighting Our PTFA have been very busy already Our exercise classes, ‘Young at Heart’ is limited so bring along your torches and this term. We have held a very successful are continuing but are in desperate need ­­The “Parish News” is published by the Church if it’s cold remember to wrap up warmly! coffee morning for the Pickering Centre of new members; with the winter coming and distributed free by volunteers. The publisher Please can we ask that for safety reasons last week which has raised almost £500 on and the lure of the armchair by the acknowledges the support of the Parish Council. you do not bring sparklers. Once again to help them with their fantastic work. fire we all need a little gentle exercise!!! Any views expressed in this magazine are not we are very grateful to all local residents Our recent Welly Walk was well attended So please give us a try they are twice a necessarily shared by the Publisher. The “Parish in Frant for their understanding of the and fun seemed to be had by all. We month on a Thursday afternoon tea and News” reserves the right to edit submissions as it sees disruption caused by the additional are now looking forward to the Frant biscuits provided. fit. Publisher: Rev James Packman. Editor: Carmel Kinley. Design: Jonathan Christie. number of cars and people around the Bonfire which takes place on Saturday Before we know Christmas will be Advertising: Susan Piccioni. village on this evening. 3rd November. As always, we are very upon us and it is hoped to do another grateful for all the work the PTFA do on Christmas shopping expedition – a great Printed locally by LR Frant Nursery School behalf of our school. success in previous years. We will be Online Print Services We are back at Nursery after our Towards the end of term 2 all children rounding off the year with our Christmas 01892 752277 Summer break, having said goodbye to will be involved in either the KS1/ Lunch at the village hall on Saturday [email protected] www.lr2k.co.uk our leavers we’ve had a busy few weeks Reception Nativity Play or the KS2 Carol 15th December – tickets will be available Printed on paper from settling in our new starters and are Concert. Both take place in the church. nearer the time. managed forests & looking forward to meeting new children You are very welcome to attend, All enquires to Gill Barnes 752232 or controlled sources. and welcoming them and their families We will be holding a Parish Lunch Valerie Palmer 750559 Please recycle after use

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Parish Diary Useful contacts Council contacts November/December 2018 Frant Chairman » November & December Frant CofE Primary School William Rutherford: 752254 Events at Burrswood Joanna Challis: 750243 Frant Ward see page 8 Frant Nursery School Johanna Howell: 750141 Shelley Holdsworth: 890961 Debbie Park: 319906 » Saturday 3rd November Frant Sunday Club Michael Rowland: 526746 Frant PTFA Bonfire Night Ed Pascoe: [email protected] William Rutherford: 752254 Frant School Field 4pm onwards Frant Bowls Club BYG Ward see page 12 David Oliver: 611994 Stuart Crookshank: 518631 Frant Cricket Club Andy Macdonald-Brown: 891273 » 8th & 13th November David Pearson: 750789 Sue Wallis: 750635 Ashdown Forest Arts Society Frant Garden Club Eridge Ward see page 8 Dianna Tennant: 752029 Giny Best: 527931 Frant Panto & Drama Society Michael Stevens: 852739 » Sunday 11th November Alan Richardson: 01892 825378 Clerk to the Council Various Remembrance gatherings St Alban’s Bell-Ringers Rosie Karim: 752005 See page 7 Mary Freestone: 750269 [email protected] Frant Stables or www.frant.info » Saturday 1st December Helen Carpenter: 750368 County Councillor Frant Christmas Fayre Frant Parish Friendship Group Bob Standley: 783579 High Street, Frant Brian Gill: 750266 District Councillor see page 8 Frant Film Johanna Howell: 750141 Colin Steadman: William Rutherford: 752254 » Monday 3rd December [email protected] Parish Council meetings St Alban’s Church Wreath Making Event Frant PCC Administrator Full PC meetings are held at 7.30pm see page 8 Rosie Karim: 752261 every 3rd Wednesday of the month. Frant Open Spaces Group Planning meetings are held on the first » Saturday 9th December Jan Steadman: Monday of the month. Kent Chorus Candlelit Concert [email protected] St Alban’s Church, Frant Police Contact Details: see page 9 Eridge To report a crime or incident dial 101 Eridge Garden Club For other police enquiries contact the Gay Park: 861475 Wealden unit on 01273 404938 or Eridge Village Hall Hire www.sussex.police.uk/wealden/ Booking Secretary: 07470 448425 Eridge Choir Parish Nurse: Michael Stevens: 852739 Caroline Thompson; 07754 834804 [email protected] Bells Yew Green Bells Yew Green Chapel Ken Davies: 01732 357791 Regular Meetings BYG Cricket Club Andy Brooks: 07876 011782 Little Fishes: Baby & Toddler Group Short Mat Bowls Club Every Tuesday 10—11.30am in The Pam Mepham: 891426 Stables, Frant. A warm welcome to all. BYG Village Hall Hire Ignite (School Years 3–6) Chris Bacon: [email protected] Parish News can be downloaded meets each Thursday (term time only). Friends of Bells Yew Green from: www.frantchurch.org Encounter (School Years 7–13) 07944 712000 or www.eridgechurch.org Contact Ed Pascoe for more information: [email protected] Advertising enquiries: Coffee Morning at The Stables, Frant 01892 750285 or Every Wednesday, 10:30am—12noon. [email protected] Come for a hot drink, a cake and a chat. Sunday Club Open to anyone aged 0-14, Contributions for our next issue and meets during the 9:30am Sunday should be sent to the Editor: service at Frant (except for the 1st [email protected] Sunday of each month when the children or 01892 750217 join in with our family service). Deadline: 10th December 2018

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—16 — IN MEMORIAM: 1918 - 2018

killed in action on 17th October 1916, previously been a Trooper in the West aged 26. He is buried in the Beau- Kent Yeomanry, he enlisted in Maid- mont-Hamel Mill Road Cemetery and stone, joining the 7th Battalion West Every One is commemorated on the Theipval Me- Kent Regiment. He was posted as morial on the Somme. missing in action in June 1918, and it was later confirmed that he had died Gunner Frank Herbert Bush, of wounds on 24th April 1918, aged 21. Remembered Royal Garrison Artillery He is buried in the Hangard Cemetery The Head Gardener for Shernfold Park and is also commemorated in the war was called up in July 1916. His employ- memorial in Tunbridge Wells. Remembrance Sunday 2018 is the centenary er tried, unsuccessfully, to defer his call-up on the grounds that he was Private John Crittle, of the end of WW1. Many young men from essential to the production of fruit and Royal Fusiliers vegetables in support of Shernfold Park Prior to the war he our Parish lost their lives in this terrible war. Hospital. He has previously been in the worked for the Ware William Rutherford, Chairman of Frant Volunteer Engineers and although he Brewery and lived with requested to be posted to the Royal his wife Kate, and their Parish Council, has researched the archives Engineers he was instead sent to the son Clarence, on the Royal Garrison Artillery. He was killed High Street, Frant. He and provided this memoriam to honour them. in action 6th February 1917, aged 30, was well known as an all-round athlete leaving behind a widow Alice and a son and fine batsman for Tunbridge Wells Herbert. He is buried at Sailly-au-Bois Cricket Club. He was killed in action on ful, of brave faith and radiant hope. The Military Cemetery. the 16th November 1916 by a piece of FRANT officers of the deceased and also his shrapnel, aged 34. An officer wrote to comrades all spoke most highly of him”. Private William Tuckwell his widow, saying ,“Your husband was a Lieutenant Lionel Arthur Carrington, fine fellow and a splendid soldier.” He is Ashfield, D.F.C.,Royal Air Force Sergeant William Bassett, Royal West Surrey Regiment buried in the Ancre British Cemetery, The son of the head- Royal Sussex Regiment He was born at 2 Beaumont Hamel. master of the school at A platelayer for the railway company, Park View, Frant, but Hazelhurst in Down he lived in the Platt, Down Lane with moved to Lambeth Admiral Frank Finnis, C.V.O., Lane, he joined the his wife Emily and his son Godfrey be- with his wife Mabel Royal Navy Royal Naval Air Ser- fore the war. He volunteered with the and three children, A career sailor who had served in the vice direct from Marl- 13th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Reg- where he worked as Navy since 1864 in the Pacific and in borough College, before transferring iment, which was one of three Sussex a tailor. He was conscripted into the South America. He retired from the to the newly formed RAF. He flew 62 “Southdowns” Pals battalions raised in Royal West Surrey Regiment and Navy in 1908 settling at Down House, sorties and shot down seven enemy 1914. All three battalions went into ac- transferred to the Labour Corps. He Down Lane. However, due to a short- aircraft, qualifying as an “ace”. He was tion together at Ferme du Bois, Riche- died on 21st April 1918, aged 42, and is age of naval officers he was recommis- awarded the Distinguished Flying bourg. on 30th June 1916, in what buried in Bagneaux British Cemetery, sioned as a Captain in the Royal Naval Cross in 1917. He was shot down by a proved a disastrous attack. 800 men of Gezaincourt. Reserve in 1915, aged 64. In 1916 he German ace and killed on 16th July the 13th battalion were casualties that was in command of an auxiliary pa- 1918, aged 19. He is buried in Rams- day, and Sergeant Bassett was among Private Harry Carter, trol vessel, HMY Mekong, when it was cappelle Road Military Cemetery in those killed, aged 33. He is commemo- Royal West Kent Regiment caught in a gale off the Yorkshire coast Flanders. rated on the Loos Memorial. A grocer’s assistant, he lived at Hazel- and sank with the loss of three sailors. hurst Cottage, in Down Lane, where his Finnis survived and was absolved of Private Ernest Baker, Corporal William John Bennett, father was a gardener. He volunteered any blame. He was subsequently Com- Middlesex Regiment Royal West Kent Regiment in Tunbridge Wells and served with the mander of the Naval Base at Storno- A gardener before the war, he was born A footman before the war, living at 7th Battalion. He was killed in action on way, where he died on 17th November in Frant and was living at Ivy Cottage Rushlye Lodge with his parents, he 22nd March 1918, aged 23. His name is 1918, aged 67. in Tangier Lane with his wife Annie enlisted in the Royal West Kent Regi- listed on the Pozieres Memorial. and his son Reginald when war broke ment in 1915. He was shot and wound- Corporal Percy Goodsell, out. He enlisted in June 1916 and went ed twice in 1916, and was killed during Private Arthur Frederick Clark, Royal Sussex Regiment to France in October that year with the a successful attack on the German Royal Marine Artillery Born in Wadhurst, 11th Battalion. He was killed in action trenches near Arras on 9th April 1917, He grew up at 1 Yew he was a gardener at on 9th February 1917, aged 36, when an aged 23. He is buried in Cabaret-Rouge Tree Cottages in Frant, Woodside. He had artillery shell hit his trench. He is com- British Cemetery, Pas de Calais. Two the only son of a gar- served in the Territo- memorated on the Arras Memorial. of his brothers also served in the army dener. He was called rials since 1910, and and both survived the war. up in May 1918 and was mobilized with Private Charles Barham, died of pneumonia in the 5th Battalion when war broke out. Royal Sussex Regiment Lance Corporal William James Eastney Infirmary, Portsmouth on 1st He was promoted to Corporal just A grocer’s assistant, he Blackford, Royal Sussex Regiment November 1918, Aged 18. before sailing to France in February lived in Frant with his A gardener born at 1, The Platt, Down 1915. In May 1915 he took part in the wife Annie and his son Lane he volunteered and joined the Sapper Frederick Cockrell, attack on Aubers Ridge, and the Bat- Charles. He was also a 13th Battalion. He was killed in action Royal Engineers talion suffered over 200 casualties. He Sunday School teach- on 30th June 1916, aged 23, in the same An Estate Carpenter, and only child, he was initially recorded as missing, and er in the Methodist battle as William Bassett above. He is was living with his parents at Walnut it was two months before his family church in Tunbridge Wells before the buried at Dud Corner, Loos. Cottages, Frant when war broke out. had confirmation that he had been se- war. Originally enlisted in the Royal He died after a short illness at Fort Pitt verely wounded and had died in a field Sussex Regiment he was transferred Private Horace Reader Blackford, Hospital, Chatham on 11th April 1916, ambulance on the way to the rear, aged to the 7th Battalion, the Leinster Reg- Royal Sussex Regiment aged 30. 21. He lied buried in the Longuenesse iment. He was killed by shrapnel in Brother of William James above. Souvenir Cemetery. His only brother, action during the Battle of Arras on 7th A gardener like his brother, he lived in Private William Thomas Cosham, who lived in Maidstone, was also killed June 1917, aged 34. A Wesleyan military one of the cottages south of Down Lane Royal West Kent Regiment in the war. chaplain wrote that he “never saw him on Mayfield Road. He volunteered and The youngest son of Mr Cosham of downcast, but always bright and cheer- served with the 12th Battalion. He was Rushes Farm, Frant Forest. Having continued over

— i — IN MEMORIAM: 1918 - 2018 IN MEMORIAM: 1918 - 2018

Private Frank Gregory, as a pilot and wrote several books on Private Arthur Lavender, violent explosion and sank within five record that he was 5 feet 4 inches tall went to France with the 2nd/1st Bat- Royal Sussex Regiment military affairs. At the outbreak of The Rifle Brigade minutes. Half the crew were on shore with blue eyes and a tattoo of a hand talion in January 1917. He was wound- A house painter before the war, he the war he was a staff officer with the He was born in Leafwood Cottages, leave, but almost all the 400 sailors still on his right arm. After training he was ed in the head in April that year but joined the 5th Battalion and was killed Cavalry Brigade deployed to France in Frant, but moved to London after on board died in the accident, which assigned to the battleship HMS Bul- made a good recovery. In an attack on in action on 10th July 1917 aged 32. He 1914. He was appointed a Chevalier of school, becoming a clerk to a fruit mer- was blamed on faulty ammunition. Al- wark. On 26th November 1914, while the German lines in 16th June 1917 he Is buried Ramscappelle road Military the Legion d’honneur and twice men- chant. He served with the 2nd battal- bert Paige’s body was never recovered. lying at anchor at Sheerness, HMS was last seen in the German trenches, Cemetery. tioned in despatches for his bravery in ion, the Rifle Brigade in France and Married for just one month, his widow Bulwark was ripped apart by an explo- wounded again. He was posted miss- combat. He was coming home on leave was killed in action on 19th November Florence never remarried, and died in sion and sank with the loss of 736 of its ing, presume killed, aged 28. Private Percy Gregory, on 8th August 1915 when his car col- 1917, aged 26. Tunbridge Wells in 1980. 750 crew. An inquiry concluded that Royal Fusiliers lided with an army lorry and he was ammunition had been stored against a Brother of the above. He originally killed, aged 34. Private Reginald H Lucas, Driver Frank Harold Paine, boiler room bulkhead in contravention ERIDGE enlisted in Eastbourne where he was Welsh Fusiliers Army Service Corps of regulations. He was 19 years old. a grocer’s assistant. He initially joined Private Maurice Harold Oliver He was the son of Mr A farm labourer at Private Luther Bailey, the 6th Battalion Royal Fusiliers be- Hazelden, Royal West Kent and Mrs. H Lucas of Knole Farm, he vol- Corporal Reginald Twort, Royal Fusiliers fore transferring to the 1st/7th Mid- Regiment Tangier Lane. He grew unteered in Decem- Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light He was born in Rotherfield and grew dlesex Regiment. He was killed in ac- A footman in Bells Yew up in Frant where he ber 1914. He served in Infantry up at Renby Farm, Eridge, where his fa- tion on 16th September 1916, aged 34. Green at the outbreak worked as a game- France for three years Eldest brother of William, above, he ther was an agricultural labourer. He He is commemorated in the Thiepval of the war he enlisted keeper, like his father, as a driver in the Me- was employed as a gardener in Frant went to school in Groombridge where Memorial. on the 9th September before marrying and moving to North chanical Transport section. He was in 1911, before moving to Buckingham. he was a prize-winning pupil. He mar- 1914, just one month Wales early in the war. He was origi- discharged from the army due to ill He volunteered in 1915, joining the ried a local girl, Jessie Card, in Eridge Gunner Jonathan Ernest after Britain had gone nally a volunteer with the Montgomery health in July 1918 and died at Hither 5th Battalion. Her died of his wounds in 1914, but moved to Manchester to Grinham, Royal Field Artillery to war. His enlistment papers show he and Welsh Horse Yeomanry before it Green Hospital on November 6th, aged on 1st September 1916, aged 25. He is work in the Ford factory. After just He was born in Tangier Lane, where was 5 feet 6 inches tall. He was shot in was absorbed into the Welsh Fusiliers. 26. He is buried in St Alban’s Church- buried in the Etaples Military Ceme- 15 months of marriage his wife died wrote to his mother, “I am very sorry Hastings. He served with the 1st/5th his widowed mother still lived at the the chest during an attack on Trones He was killed in action on 21st Sep- yard, alongside his parents. tery. He is also commemorated in the quite suddenly and unexpectedly. Very to have to inform you of his sad end. Battalion and was killed in action at outbreak of hostilities. He was work- Wood, part of the Battle of the Somme, tember 1918, aged 34. The regiment’s church at Lillingstone Dayrell, Buck- shortly afterwards he left his job and He would just be preparing to go down Ypres on 16th August 1917, aged 24. He ing a gamekeeper at Preston Hall, on 13th July 1916, aged 20. He is buried chaplain wrote “Your husband was Private Alfred Smith, inghamshire. joined up. He served in France with on watch when the accident occurred, is listed on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Aylesford where he lived with his wife in Delville Wood Cemetery. in the very front of the advance when Royal Sussex Regiment the 20th Battalion and was severely so there was not the slightest chance Belgium. and son. He was deployed in France he was killed. Thus he met his death, The son of a gardener he was born on Private Charles Watts, wounded. He returned home to conva- of his escaping”. His body was never in October 1916. On 30th November Private Harry Bond James, where only the bravest are falling”. the High Street, Frant and went to the Royal Sussex Regiment lesce but died at home in Manchester recovered but his name is recorded on Private Albert (Bertie) Hiram 1917 his position was hit by an artillery Royal Sussex Regiment local primary school. When war broke The youngest son of an agricultural la- from his wounds on 18th November the Chatham Naval Memorial. HMS Harman, Royal Army Medical shell and was killed instantly, aged He was born in Church Lane, Frant, Private Percy Mepham, out he was a gardener at Eridge Castle. bourer, he was born in Bells Yew Green. 1916, aged 24. Both he and his wife are Pathfinder was the first ever ship to be Corps 37. His brother also served during the and was working as a chauffeur at Brat- Royal Sussex Regiment He served with the 7th Battalion and He was working as a general labourer buried in Eridge churchyard. sunk by a mechanical torpedo. He was a labourer on war, being severely wounded in the tles Grange in Brenchley before the He grew up at Bridge was killed in action during the opening before the war. He joined the 12th Bat- the Eridge Estate, head but survived. war. He served with the 11th Battalion Farm, Frant Forest attack of the Battle of Cambrai 20th talion and served In France. He was Gunner Thomas Brooker, Lance Corporal John Percy living at Birchden and was reported missing in action on and was employed as November 1917, aged 25. He is com- killed on the 30th June 1916, aged 27 Royal Garrison Artillery Elleray, London Scottish & Royal Cottages when war Private Albert John Groves, 3rd September 1916, aged 23. He was a grocer’s errand boy. memorated on the Cambrai Memorial. in the same battle as Sgt Bassett and L/ He was born and Fusiliers broke out. He was a Royal West Surrey Regiment eventually considered to have been He enlisted in 1916 and Cpl Blackman above. He is commemo- raised in Speldhurst He was born in Lan- conscientious objector Born in Frant at Leaf- killed in action, although his body was joined the 11th Battal- Private James Stone, rated on the Loos Memorial. but was working as cashire but brought up but nevertheless volunteered to join wood Cottages, his never recovered. He is commemorated ion. He was severely wounded during Royal Fusiliers a farm labourer in at South Farm, Eridge the medical services in 1915, serving father worked at the on the Thiepval Memorial. the 3rd Battle of Ypres and died of his He was born and Private George Watts, Eridge at the outbreak where his father was with the 58th Field Ambulance unit. Ware Brewery. He wounds on 23rd September 1917, aged raised at Corn Hill, Grenadier Guards of war, where he lived the farm bailiff. He He was working at a casualty clearing joined the 2nd Battal- Gunner Herbert Charles King, 21. His two brothers also served, and Manor Farm, Frant. Elder brother of Charles Watts above, with his wife and ten children. He went to King Charles station at Manteuil-la-Foret, not far ion Royal West Surrey Royal Garrison Artillery both survived the war. He served with the he was working as a farm labourer was called up in June 1916 and at 6ft The Martyr School and then a private from Epernay, when it came under Regiment and went to France in March He was born in Notting Hill, but grew 4th battalion and was in Marden when war broke out. He 4in tall was considered too tall for the school in Tunbridge Wells. He cap- artillery and gas attack. He was hit by 1918. He was killed in action on 21st up in Mark Cross where his father was Private Charles George Ovenden, killed in action on 16th served with the 2nd Battalion. He died infantry so was assigned to the Royal tained Eridge’s Football Club for two shrapnel and died from his wounds on September 1918, aged 19. Buried Vili- a gardener. He was working as a chauf- West Kent Regiment August 1916, aged 19. He is listed on the in Flanders on 25th September 1916, Garrison Artillery. His battery was seasons and was a wicketkeeper for the 6th June 1918, aged 29. He is buried in ers Hill British Cemetery. feur in Frant when he enlisted. He was He was born and raised in Tunbridge Thiepval Memorial. aged 40. He is buried in the Guard’s heavily involved in the opening of the Constitutional Club XI while training Marfaux British Cemetery and is also killed in action 15th June 1917, aged 25. Wells, but his mother was from Frant. Cemetery, Lesboeufs. battle near Armentières where he was to be a dentist in Tunbridge Wells. He listed on his parent’s grave in Eridge Private Frederick James Haig, He is buried at Vlamertinghe New Mil- When he originally enlisted in the West Private George Albert Turner, wounded while serving in the gun pit. volunteered with the London Scottish churchyard. Welsh Guards itary Cemetery. Kent Regiment he had been working as Middlesex Regiment Corporal Walter Watts, He was evacuated to the dressing sta- in 1915. In December that year his The son of a dairy farmer, original- an errand boy. He subsequently trans- He was born in Middle Road, Bells Royal Sussex Regiment tion at Canada Farm, and died from parents received a letter that he was Pioneer Frederick James ly from Scotland, but was living at Sergeant Thomas John Lade ferred to the 20th (Blackheath and Yew Green, the only son a roadman. Not related to the two him wounds there on 5th August 1917, unconscious in hospital in Flanders Holmwood, Royal Engineers Windmill Farm, Frant Forest at the M.M., Royal West Kent Regiment Woolwich) London Regiment. He was He became a groom living at Manor above, he was born just two days after his 39th birthday. and not expected to survive. His sister He lived 1 Forstall start of the war. His regiment took He was born in Tang- killed in the opening attack of the Bat- Farm Cottages, and joined the Sussex and raised in Mayfield He was buried nearby in what is now set off immediately to be by his side. Cottage, Eridge and part in the Battle of Cambrai in the ier Lane, Frant where tle of Le Transloy on 1st October 1916, Yeomanry before the war. He mar- Road Frant, where he known as the Canada Farm Cemetery. Remarkably he did recover and was had been employed November 1917 which saw the first use his father was the vil- aged 19. He is listed on the Thiepval ried Ethel Maud Holland in 1916 and started working as a transferred to the 30th (City of Lon- as a painter on the of massed tanks. After initial success- lage postman. He had Memorial. moved to Southborough. He was called gardener’s boy. When Stoker George Henry Davy, don) Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. Eridge Estate for six es the German’s counterattacked and moved to Rusthall to up shortly after his wedding and was war broke out he was the Farm Baliff HMS Pathfinder He came home on six months leave in years before the war. he was killed in action on 1st Decem- work as a postman Stoker 1st Class Albert Paige, posted to the Middlesex Regiment. He at Knole Farm, with his wife and son. He was born and raised at Birchden 1917 for temporary agricultural work He originally volunteered on 3rd ber 1917, aged 18. before fighting broke out. He volun- HMS Natal was killed in action a year later on 1st He joined the 13th Battalion and, in the Cottages and was a choirboy at St on his father’s farm before re-joining September 1914, joining the 1st Royal teered in December 1915 and joined He was born in Frant and by the age April 1917, aged 27. He is buried in the same battle as Charles Watts above, he Thomas Church in Groombridge. He his regiment in September 1917. He West Kent Regiment, but later trans- Major Raymond Sheffield the 6th Battalion. He was sent home of 13 was working as an agricultur- Dickenbusch New Military Cemetery, was reported mssing in action on 30th joined the navy before the war, and at was reported wounded and missing in ferred to the Royal Engineers. He was Hamilton-Grace, 13th Hussars twice with trench fever, and twice re- al labourer, supporting his widowed Belgium. June 1916, aged 38. His wife appealed the outbreak of hostilities, he was a 1st action at Merville on April 11th 1918, killed in action on 21st August 1916, A professional soldier, following turned to the front line. He was killed grandmother. He joined the Royal for any information about his fate in class Stoker aboard the cruiser HMS aged 36. His body was identified sev- aged 23. His section officer wrote “He a family tradition, he grew up at in action on 21st September 1918, aged Navy in 1902, serving on 15 different Ordinary Seaman William John the Kent and Sussex Courier. His body Pathfinder, aged 20. On 5th Septem- eral years later and buried in the Trois was a conscientious, intelligent and Knowle, Frant before Harrow and 33, leaving a widow, Lily, and son, ships before the war. He rose through Twort, HMS Bulwark was eventually identified, and he is ber 1914 Pathfinder (pictured above) Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck. His hard-working soldier, and I therefore Sandhurst. He was commissioned Herbert. On 11th February 1919 he the ranks and was a Stoker 1st Class He was born on Frant buried in the Cabaret-Rouge British was on patrol in the Firth of Forth family published a memorial notice in desire to offer my deep sympathy and into the Durham Light Infantry and was posthumously awarded the Mil- when war broke out, serving aboard Hill where his father Cemetery, Souchez. when it was attacked by the German the Kent & Sussex Courier on the anni- condolences with you and the members fought in the Boer War. He subse- itary Medal for bravery in the field. HMS Natal. He was given leave to get was a Postman. In submarine U-21. One torpedo struck versary of his death for 10 years. of his family.” He is listed on the Thie- quently transferred to the 13th Hus- He is commemorated at the Epheny married, aged 28, on 25th November his teenage years he Private James W Wesley, Pathfinder and detonated the for- pval Memorial. sars in India where he was an accom- Wood Farm Cemetery. His only broth- 1915 in Woolwich before re-joining worked as an agricul- The London Regiment ward magazine. A massive explosion Private H Percy Griffen, plished steeplechaser and polo player. er George was killed two days before his ship in the Cromarty Firth. On tural labourer and as He was born on Wadhurst Road where broke the ship in two which sank al- Royal Sussex Regiment He then became an instructor at the him and is commemorated on the me- 30th December, while lying at anchor, a milk man, before joined the Royal he was the son of a gamekeeper at most immediately. Only 18 of the 289 He grew up at Danegate in Eridge be- Cavalry School in England, qualified morial in Rusthall. HMS Natal was shaken by a series of Navy in 1913. His enlistment papers Shernfold. He enlisted in May 1916 and crew survived. One of the survivors fore moving with his family to Pett near continued over

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Lance Corporal Arthur Thomas after a short illness he died on 3rd No- and took the chance to marry Maud Private George Turner, Holmwood, Royal West Kent vember 1918, aged 35. He is buried in Griffiths, a lady’s maid, in London. Northampton Regiment Regiment Eridge churchyard. He rejoined his regiment just in time He was born in St John’s, Withyham He was the younger to take part in the 3rd Battle of Ypres. and was working as a gardener before brother of Fred, above. Private Alfred Henry Pettit, On the opening day of the battle, 31st the war, living at the Gasman’s Cottage, Employed as a gar- Royal West Kent Regiment July 1917, he was killed during a suc- Eridge Estate Yard. He served with the dener on the Eridge He was born in Cox Heath, near Maid- cessful assault on the German lines, 1st Battalion in France. He was killed Estate he volunteered stone, but at the outbreak of the war he aged 36. he is buried in the White in action on 18th April 1918, aged 43. on the same day as his was a groom on the Eridge Estate. He House Cemetery, Ypres and also re- He is buried in Cambrin Military Cem- brother, also joining the 1st Royal West volunteered in Tunbridge Wells on 4th corded on the Menin Gate. He left etery. Kent Regiment. He was killed in action September 1914. He served with the his widow £91 14s 8d. She eventually during the attack on Vimy Ridge on 9th 2nd Battalion which took part in the remarried in 1933. Lance Corporal Sidney Randolph April 1917, aged 22. He is buried in the disastrous Mesopotamia campaign. Turner, Royal West Kent Regiment Bois-Carre British Cemetery. He contracted cholera and died two Private Percy Taylor, He was born and days before the garrison at Kut sur- Royal Sussex Regiment raised at the Forge Private Herbert Maskell, rendered on 27th April 1916, aged 22. He was born and raised on Sandhill Cottage, Cobbarn Royal Sussex Regiment He is buried in the Amara War Cem- Farm, Sandhill Lane, the second of where his father Wil- He was born in Frant etery, Iraq. four sons and five daughters. He and liam was the farrier. before his parents his eldest two brothers all worked for He attended Eridge moved to High Cross Corporal F Pollard, their father on the Farm. According schooland was an enthusiastic boy in Rotherfield. He Royal West Kent Regiment to family tradition he signed up when scout. As a teenager he worked as a was working as a gar- No information has been found. the farm’s horses were requisitioned gardener, but eventually followed in dener at Trulls Hatch as he wanted to see them properly his father’s footsteps and was working in 1914 when his employer, Mr TH Private Harry James Pratt, cared for. He joined the 13th Bat- as a farrier before the war. He volun- Mann, gathered together all his male Royal Fusiliers talion in Eastbourne and sailed to teered in the first month of the war in employees. He offered to pay any man He was born in Frant at Strawberry France in March 1916. On 3rd June Tunbridge Wells. He served with the who enlisted their full wages for the du- Hill Farm on the Eridge Road, where 1917 his parents received a letter 7th Battalion which took part in the ration of their service and guaranteed he worked on his father’s farm. He from him reassuring them that he Somme offensive. He was reported them employment on their discharge. originally enlisted in the West Kent was quite well although “things were wounded and missing after the attack He was one of eight members of staff Regiment, but transferred to the 22nd now very dangerous at the Front as on Trones Wood on 13th July 1916, who volunteered immediately. He (City of London) Royal Fusiliers. He the shells were flying around in very aged 21. After a year of uncertainly his served alongside his brother Cyril in was killed in action on 29th April 1917, large numbers”. The same day in family were notified that he was now the Sussex Regiment, and they spent aged 20. He is commemorated on the France Percy and several other men presumed killed, and they published a the evening together on 30th June Arras Memorial. were in a safe area behind the lines notification in the Kent & Sussex Cou- 1916. The following day the opening cutting grass as feed for some of the rier. His remains were identified after attack of the Battle of the Somme was Private John E Reeves, battalion’s horses, when a shell burst the war and he is buried in Mill Road launched. Herbert was reported miss- West Kent Yeomanry nearby. Percy was wounded and died Military Cemetery, Beaumont Hamel. ing in action, presumed killed. His He served with the West Kent Yeoman- shortly afterwards, aged 24. His His name is also recorded on the Thie- brother Cyril was killed in 1917 and is ry and the Oxfordshire Yeomanry. brother Fred, who was also serving pval Memorial. commemorated at Rotherfield. Their in the battalion wrote home with de- eldest brother Arthur also served, was Private Reginald Samuel Sharpe, tails of the terrible co-incidence. His Private Percy Richard Samuel awarded the Military Medal and sur- Royal West Kent Regiment officer also wrote, “He was a good boy Wickens, Royal West Kent Regiment vived the war. He lived at Birchden Cottages before and did his duty nobly. I know this He was born at Horn- the war and was employed as a nursery is poor consolation for all those who shurst, Rotherfield, Captain Rupert William Nevill, propagator. He volunteered shortly have to wait anxiously at home…” but by the time war Rifle Brigade after the war began, on 4th Septem- broke out he was a He was born at Eridge Castle, the ber 1914. He joined the West Kent Private George Taylor, footman at Duddle- grandson of the 1st Marquess of Aber- Regiment and served with the 7th Royal Sussex Regiment swell House, Uckfield. gavenny, and younger brother of 4th Battalion. He was wounded in action He was born in Rotherfield and was liv- In 1914 he visited his mother at Forge Marquess. He left Eton aged 16 and on 19th July 1916. He was wounded in ing at Turks Cottage, Sand Hill Eridge Cottage Eridge, and then went into joined the Rifle Brigade during the action on 13th July 1916 and reported at the start of the war where he was Tunbridge Wells along with Sidney Boer War. He was too young to serve at missing, aged 22. He was eventually working as a thatcher, like his father. Turner (above) and volunteered for the the Front, but went to South Africa on posted as killed in action in January He volunteered to join the 13th Bat- 7th Battalion on the 4th September other military duties. After the army 1917. His body was never recovered, talion. He never saw service overseas 1914. On 21st July his mother received he lived on the Eridge Estate and was but his name is recorded on the Thi- but died of influenza at home on 16th a letter from him saying he had been a keen sportsman and accomplished epval Memorial. September 1915, aged 18. He is buried wounded a few days earlier and was rider, winning many point-to-points in Eridge churchyard. recovering is hospital. The same day a and Hunt races. He also commanded Private R A Sharpe, telegram arrived from France saying the Eridge Troop of the Sussex Yeo- Royal Army Service Corps Private Daniel Taylor, his condition had become serious. She manry. When war broke out he joined He was serving with the 102nd Aux- West Kent Regiment wired back that she should like to see the Army Remounts Service, which iliary Petrol Company in the south of He was born in Crowborough, but be- him but couldn’t bear the expense. The was responsible for acquiring and France. He died 16th March 1919 and fore the war he was living at Birchden following day the War Office issued training horses for the war effort. Over is buried In Mazargues War Cemetery, Cottages and working as a nursery- her a travel warrant and she set off the course of the war nearly 1 million Marseilles. man, alongside his elder brother. He immediately for France. She reached horses and mules were purchased to volunteered on 1st September 1914, the hospital in Rouen on the 23rd, only support the British Army, and the Re- Private Thomas Stibbon, making him one od the earliest vol- to be told that he had died a few hours mount Service employed officers with Royal West Kent Regiment unteers. He joined the 6th Battalion before her arrival. He was 30 years old. expertise in horsemanship. However He was born in Lincolnshire, but was which was involved in fierce fighting She attended his funeral in the Mili- he was anxious for more active ser- working as a servant at Eridge Castle in the closing stages of the Battle of the tary Cemetery in Saint Sever vice and in 1916 he rejoined his old when he volunteered to join the West Somme at Le Transloy. He was wound- regiment, the Rifle Brigade. Unfor- Kent Yoemanry in 1914. He evetually ed in this engagement and died of his tunately his health failed him, and he served in France with the 10th Bat- wounds on 3rd October 1916, aged 24. was invalided out of the Army in 1917. talion of the West Kent Regiment. He is buried in the Dartmoor Ceme- In 1918 he contracted Spanish flu and He was home on leave in Spring 1917 tery, Becordel-Becourt, Somme.

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