HAUGHLEY WAR MEMORIAL HAUGHLEY WAR MEMORIAL Suffolk Chronicle & Mercury Friday 12th March 1920 HAUGHLEY WAR MEMORIAL UNVEILED There were impressive scenes on Tuesday afternoon on the occasion of the memorial dedicated to the memory of the twenty-nine men of the parish who laid down their lives for their country in the war. Haughley may justly be proud of the part played by her menfolk during the war, and the record must compare more than favourably with any parish of its size in the country. The price paid was a heavy one and a crowded congregation assembled in the church at the dedication service to do honour to the memory of the fallen heroes. The memorial took the form of a Calvary cross. The cross which had been erected in the churchyard, overlooking the main street, was of Clipsham stone, and of a very beautiful design. A tablet at the base bore the names of the fallen, and many magnificent wreathes had been placed at the foot by relatives and friends. Previous to the unveiling ceremony which was performed by Brigadier-General Massy Lloyd CBE, a very impressive form of service was held in the church, at which the Vicar, the Rev. Hastings Kelk, officiated. The choir had been augmented by that of Stowmarket Parish Church and the choral portion was beautifully augmented. The hymns chosen were ‘Oh valiant heart’and ‘When I survey the wondrous Cross’and the singing of the ‘Requiem’by the massed choirs was particularly inspiring in the solemnity of its rendering. The lesson was read by the Rev. J. Snell (Congregational Church, Stowmarket) and Mr A.E. Collins, FRCO, organist at Stowmarket Parish Church, presided at the organ. Following upon the first portion of the service in the church, the choir and the clergy, followed by members of the congregation and headed by the band of No.1 Company of the Stowmarket Scouts, under the command of Scoutmaster Hugh Turner, formed a procession to ‘The Place.’After the solemn rolling of the drums, followed by a fanfare of bugles Brigadier-General Massy Lloyd performed the unveiling. In clear, soldierly tones which could be heard by all in the large crowd assembled, both in the churchyard and in the street. General Lloyd said, “This cross which I have just unveiled to the memory of twenty-nine men of Haughley is for all Christian men and women the great symbol of sacrifice and I am glad that it stands here in clear view of every passer-by to remind us in years to come of the sacrifice made by these, our comrades in brethren in our time of need. In a few years this cross will become a familiar object, something that many of us will see every day of our lives. I hope that its familiarity may never serve to lessen our sense of gratitude to and reverence for these brave men who yielded up not some little thing, not even some big thing, but everything, even life itself. I hope that it may never cease to inspire us in our daily life, and in a smaller way, to follow their glorious example of self sacrifice, and by so doing, to assist in the realisation of the ideal for which they died. After the blessing, the reveille was sounded by the buglers, and the singing of the first verse of the National Anthem, concluded a most impressive ceremony. The architect of the cross was Mr. J. Crowe, Lincoln’s Inn, and the builders Benfield and Loxley, of Oxford. HAUGHLEY WAR MEMORIAL HAUGHLEY WAR MEMORIAL A. AGER Lance Corporal G/16265 Alan Ager was born in Wetheringsett c1894. He enlisted in the 11th Royal Sussex Regiment in Hurstpierpoint. He served in Gallipoli from 8th August 1915 and later in France & Flanders where he was killed in action on 3rd April 1918 aged 24. He is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial Panel 46&47 and on the Haughley War Memorial. He was the son of Charles Ager and Kate Wilden (formerly Ager), of Old Street, Haughley. HAUGHLEY WAR MEMORIAL W. BALDRY Lance Corporal 9440 William Baldry was born in Haughley c1894. He enlisted in the 1st Lincolnshire Regiment in Stowmarket. He served in France & Flanders from 13th August 1914 and died of wounds on 1st March 1915 aged 20. He is buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery Grave III. C. 74 and is remembered on the Haughley War Memorial. He was the son of Louisa Baldry, of Haughley Green. HAUGHLEY WAR MEMORIAL R.W. BUTTERWORTH Private 4145 Reginald Willoughby Butterworth was born in Ipswich c1883. He enlisted in the 4th Suffolk Regiment in Bury St Edmunds. He served in France & Flanders and was killed in action on 29th October 1916 aged 33. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial Pier & Face 1C&2A and on the Haughley War Memorial. He was the son of the late James and Martha Butterworth, of "Highcliffe", Felixstowe; husband of Rosa Winifred Butterworth, of Haughley Old Street. HAUGHLEY WAR MEMORIAL H.P. CREAGH Stowmarket Post Thursday 13th April 1916 pg5 LIEUT. HJP CREAGH WOUNDED We are most sorry to learn that Second Lieut. HJP Creagh has been wounded whilst ‘doing his bit’‘somewhere in France.’Lieut. Creagh, who is the only son of Major SH and Mrs Creagh, of Haughley House, is attached to C Company of the 8th Suffolks. The first intimation of the regretted occurrence was received by Major Creagh from the War Office. Later, letters arrived from No.2, British Red Cross Hospital, Rouen, to which hospital Lieut. Creagh was admitted. From particulars received it appears that Lieut. Creagh was in a dug-out when a shell exploded and it was found that he had been buried in the debris. A rescue party was soon at work and when he was extricated he was found to be suffering from a broken left thigh, injuries to the left arm and various cuts and bruises. Lieut. Creagh is progressing to recovery as well as can be expected and has written to his parents in most cheerful tones. His fellow officers and men under him were very grieved to learn of his injuries as he was much liked by them all. Much sympathy is extended to Major and Mrs Creagh with the hope that their son will have a rapid and complete recovery Bury Post Saturday 21st November 1919 HAUGHLEY HEROES General Campbell Presents Decorations On Sunday morning a number of decorations were presented by General Campbell at a parade held at Colchester. Among the recipients was Major S.H. Creagh of Haughley House who was handed the Military Cross which had been awarded to the late Lieut. (Acting Captain) Henry James Percival Creagh whose death (as previously reported in our columns) from wounds received in action took place in France in November 1918. Lieut. (Acting Captain) H.J.P. Creagh was the only son of Major S.H. Creagh and Mrs Creagh. He had seen a lot of service in France and was an officer of marked merit, and beloved by all his men. The following is a copy of the official record of the achievement for which the Military Cross was awarded. “T.Lieut. (Acting Captain) Henry James Percival Creagh, 11th (S) Battalion Suffolk Regiment Commanded an assaulting company near Vendegies on October 24th (1918) with great dash and determination. He showed much skill in crossing the River Eccaillon, which was twenty feet wide and six feet deep in places, an operation of great difficulty under considerable hostile fire. He then reorganised his company and advanced against and overcame very strong resistance by enemy machine gunners. Later he was severely wounded in repelling a strong counter attack from his left rear, but refused to be moved so long as he could influence the fight. His gallantry, cheerfulness and utter contempt for danger were a great inspiration to his command.” Captain Henry James Percival Creagh was born in Bermuda c1893. He enlisted in the 8th Suffolk Regiment but was attached to the 11th Suffolks. He served in France & Flanders from July 1915 and died of wounds on 23rd November 1918 aged 25. He is buried at Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport Grave X. B. 11 and is remembered on the Haughley War Memorial. He was the son of Stephen Henry and Florence Annie Creagh, of Haughley House, Haughley. He was awarded the Military Cross and was also Mentioned in Despatches. HAUGHLEY WAR MEMORIAL N. CUTTING Bury Post Friday 7th September 1917 pg7 HAUGHLEY THE LATE LC CORPL NW CUTTING Mr and Mrs Chas Cutting have now received official information of the death of their son Lc Corpl Nelson Walter Cutting of the Suffolk Cycles, 2nd Suffolks. The message states that it must now be concluded that his death took place on August 1st 1916 (or since). The same soldier was reported missing as from August 18th 1916 but a letter was received by the parents from an officer of the 2nd Suffolks stating that he was killed on September 21st 1916. Lance Corporal 43302 Nelson Walter Cutting was born in c1893. He originally enlisted as 1307 in the Suffolk Cycles in Stowmarket, later transfering to the 2nd Suffolk Regiment. He served in France & Flanders and was killed in action on 18th August 1916 aged 23. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial Pier & Face 1C&2A and on the Haughley War Memorial. He was the son of Mrs. H. L. Cutting, of Old Street, Haughley. HAUGHLEY WAR MEMORIAL W.C. DENNY Bury Post Friday 10th March 1916 pg6 PTE. CLAUDDENNY DIES OF WOUNDS We reported in our columns a fortnight since that Private Claud Denny had been wounded whilst serving in France.