Ashbury, Oxfordshire in the village centre and in the Church of St Mary the Virgin
The War Memorial in the village
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 -1919 LT/COL HON LAWRENCE C PALK PTE ERNEST W HARE SERGT SYDNEY CANNONS PTE JOHN JOHNSON CPL WILLIAM WALKER PTE JOHN S MANNERS L/CPL WILLIAM C TABER PTE WILLIAM C NOBES GNR CHARLES F LAWFORD PTE JOHN PALMER DVR CYRIL G PARRADINE PTE WALTER J PEARCE DVR HERBERT J PEARCE PTE WILLIAM TIMBERELL PTE EDWARD CROSS PTE JOSEPH H TOMBS PTE THOMAS DISBURY PTE WILLIAM WEBB PTE ERNEST W EBBSWORTH PTE CYRIL WHITE 1939 – 1945 FLT SERGT ERNEST F BISHOP SERGT LEONARD LAWFORD GNR WILLIAM LAWFORD PTE CECIL W PARTRIDGE FLT SERGT LESLIE J SIMS GNR PERCY WRIGHT IN PROUD MEMORY On the War Memorial there is a Stone inscribed FALKLANDS 1982 L CPL PETER D HIGGS 
The Fallen in WW1
The Fallen in WW2
The Fallen in The Falklands War
Lance Corporal Peter D Higgs The Rolls of Honour in the Church of St Mary the Virgin 
Roll of Honour WW1
Roll of Honour Greater love hath no man than this That a man lay down his life For his friends AT REST William Timberell France William George Taber France Ernest William Ebbsworth France William Webb France William Cornelius Nobes Salonika Charles Frank Lawford France Ernest Hare France Cyril Frederick White France Herbert Jesse Pearce France Walter John Pearce France Edward Cross France Brian Frearson France William Walker France Joseph Henry Tombs France John Johnson John Palmer Thomas Disbury France Jesu Mercy Roll of Honour WW2 William Henry LAWFORD Percy WRIGHT (Middle East) GUNNER RA Middle East) GUNNER RA Leonard LAWFORD Cecil William PARTRIDGE (Middle East) SERGEANT RA (Middle East) PRIVATE RASC Leslie John SIMS (over Germany) FLIGHT SERGEANT RAF Ernest Frederick BISHOP (near Sheerness) FLIGHT SERGEANT RAF BE THOU FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH & I WILL GIVE THEE A CROWN OF LIFE RIP |
The War Memorial in the village
Sydney CANNONS
Serjeant, 1st Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh’s (Wiltshire Regiment), Army no 5828 He died on 8 August 1917 from the wounds he received in the fighting in Belgium. He was 34. He is buried in grave IV B 12 Mendinghem Military Cemetery Additional Information He was the son of John and Elizabeth Cannons of Ashbury and the husband of Elizabeth Cannons His birth and marriage registrations spell his forename Sidney In the 1901 census he was serving with the Wiltshire Regiment in South Africa Edward CROSS Private, 2nd Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales’s (Royal Berkshire Regiment), 25 Brigade, 8 Division. Army no 9002 He was killed action on 16 August 1917 at the battle of Langemarck. He was 29 He is buried in grave XXV D 20 Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood Additional Information He was born in Whitchurch and in 1911 he was serving in India with 2nd Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales’s (Royal Berkshire Regiment). He was the son of Thomas and Charlotte Cross Thomas DISBURY Private, 2nd/4th Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales’s (Royal Berkshire Regiment), 184 Brigade, 61st Division. Army no 14310 He was killed action on 2 September 1918. He was 24 He is remembered on panel 7 and 8 of the Ploegsteert Memorial Additional Information He was the son of William Frederick Disbury of Ashbury and the late Mary Disbury Ernest William EBBSWORTH Private, 8th (Service) Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales’s (Royal Berkshire Regiment), 1 Brigade, 1st Division. Army no 16155 He was killed action on 25 September 1915. He was 20 He is remembered on panel 93 to 95 of the Loos Memorial Additional Information He was the son of John and Emily Ebbsworth of Idstone, Ashbury Ernest William HARE Private, 42nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment). Army no 419119 He died on active service on 28 October 1917. He was 23 He is buried in grave VIII A 4 Tyne Cot Cemetery Additional Information He was the son of Henry and Ada Hare of Idstone, Ashbury John JOHNSON Private, 5th (Service) Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales’s (Royal Berkshire Regiment). Army no 3/210 He died, probably of natural causes, on 27 September 1915 He is buried in grave B XVII 5 Pieta Military Cemetery, Gallipoli Charles Frank LAWFORD Gunner, No 1 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery. Army no 91262 He died from bronco-pneumonia on 18 February 1919. He was 33 He is buried in grave division 64 VIII D 3 Ste Marie Cemetery, Le Havre Additional Information He was the husband of Lucien Hannah Lawford of Ashbury He had been in Malta for 2 years and had embarked in France just a couple of weeks before his death. John Sidney MANNERS Private, 8th (Service) Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales’s (Royal Berkshire Regiment), 1 Brigade, 1st Division. Army no 18151 He was killed action at the Hohenzollern Redoubt on 13 October 1915. He was 20 He is remembered on panel 93 to 95 of the Loos Memorial Additional Information He was the son of Henry Howard and Florence M Manners who were living in Shrivenham in 1911 William Cornellius NOBES Private, B Company, 7th Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales’s (Royal Berkshire Regiment), 78 Brigade, 28th Division. Army no 17508 He died from his wounds on 30 May 1917. He was 35. He is buried in grave 1056 Lembet Road Military Cemetery, Salonika, Greece Additional Information He was the son of John and Maria Nobes of Bishopstone The Hon Lawrence Charles Walter PALK DSO Legion of Honour 3 x MiD Lieutenant Colonel, commanding 1st Battalion, The Hampshire Regiment, 11 Brigade, 4th Division. He was killed action at Beaumont Hamel on 1 July 1916. He was 45. He is buried in grave I H 14 Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps Additional Information He was the son of the late Lawrence Hesketh Palk, 2nd Baron Haldon and Baroness Haldon (nee the Hon Constance Mary Barrington) Further information He was born on 28 September 1870, second son of the late Lord Haldon and the Honourable Constance Mary Barrington, educated at Wellington College, and enlisted in 8th Hussars in 1890. After four years' service in the ranks, during which he rose to the rank of Sergeant, he obtained a commission in the Hampshire Regiment on 4 July 1894, promoted Lieutenant on 4 July 1897 and Captain 11 November 1900. He served in the South African War as Station Commandant to 24 May 1901; in operations in the Transvaal, April 1901, to February 1902. He was awarded The Queen's Medal (with five clasps). He then served for a time in India. When WW1 broke out, he went to the Front from India, with 1st Battalion, The Hampshire Regiment. He was awarded the Legion of Honour for gallantry in the Retreat from Mons. He was present at Le Cateau and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. He was killed in action on 1 July 1916 while commanding his battalion at the Battle of the Somme during the attack on Beaumont Hamel. He was on three occasions mentioned in Despatches. John PALMER Private, 9th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), 36 Brigade, 12th Division. Army no 3492 He was killed action on 18 October 1915 in the fighting at the Hulluch Quarries. He was 30 He is remembered on panel 25 to 27 of the Loos Memorial Additional Information He was the son of John and Maria Palmer, Ashdown Park, Shrivenham He is listed as a driver but I cannot identify a driver called Palmer among the Fallen Cyril George PARADINE Private, Middlesex Regiment attached to 19th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment, 141 Brigade, 47th Division. Army no G/44682. He was formerly Army no 44423 with the Hampshire Regiment. He was killed action on 22 August 1918 at the Battle of Albert. He was 18 He is remembered on panel 8-9 of le Vis en Artois Memorial Additional Information He was the son of Charles and Beatrice Paradine of Paulers Pury, Towcester. He was living in Shrivenham when he enlisted Herbert Jesse PEARCE Driver, 1st Divisional Train, Army Service Corps HQ. Army no T/31886 He was killed action on 19 July 1916 He is buried in grave I U 2 Court Military Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt Additional information It is probable that this is the man but there is no Army record of the name Jesse but the memorial states that he was a Driver. This is the only Herbert (or Jesse) who held that rank. No soldier died called Herbert Jessie Pearce and the only Jesse Pearce was a Londoner. His records show that he was born in Devizes, enlisted in Kingston upon Thames and he was living in Shrivenham The 1911 census suggests that he was the son of Ephriam and Frances Pearce of Buckland, Faringdon. His Army no include the prefix T/ which denotes horse driven transport Walter John PEARCE Private, 5th (Service) Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh’s (Wiltshire Regiment), 40 Brigade, 13th Division. Army no 10996 He was killed action on 5 April 1916 during the third attempt to relieve Kut Al Imara. He was 26 He is remembered on panel 30 and 64 of the Basra Memorial William TABER Lance Corporal, 8th (Service) Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales’s (Royal Berkshire Regiment), 1 Brigade, 1st Division. Army no 16154 He was killed action on the Somme on 27 August 1918. He was 28 He is buried in grave M 50 Bernafay Wood British Cemetery, Montauban Additional Information He was the son of Looding (or Loveding) and Vashti Maria Taber of Ashbury William TIMBRELL Private, 2nd Battalion, The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, 5 Brigade, 2nd Division. Army no 6189 He died on 22 October 1914 from the wounds he received in the first battle of Ypres. He was 31 He is buried in grave D1 1 Ypres Town Cemetery Additional Information He was the son of Victoria Ayers of Chilton Foliat, Hungerford He was born in Shrivenham and was living in Hungerford on enlistment Joseph Henry TOMBS Private, 1st Battalion, The Hampshire Regiment, 11 Brigade, 4th Division. Army no 23896. He was formerly Army no 16161 with the Royal Berkshire Regiment. He was killed action on 21 April 1918 in the aftermath of the battle of the Lys. He was 25 He is buried in grave I E 1 Mont-Bernanchon British Cemetery, Gonnehem Additional Information He was the son of George and Eliza Tombs, Kingstone, Ashbury and the husband of Mabel Annie Ponting (formerly Tombs) of Wolfhall, Burbage, Marlborough, William WALKER Lance Corporal, 6th (Service) Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales’s (Royal Berkshire Regiment), 53 Brigade, 18th Division. Army no 16685 He was killed action on 18 February 1917 in the fighting at Irles on the Somme He is remembered on pier and face 11D of the Thiepval Memorial Additional Information He was born in Ashbury and he was living in Shrivenham when he enlisted WILLIAM WEBB The memorial states he was a Private and that he died in France. I have not identified a soldier who matches this. There was a William Webb and his wife Alice living in Ashbury at the time of the 1911 Census. He was 29, a horseman and born in Wantage Cyril Frederic WHITE Private, 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion, Canadian Army. Army no 213394 As he is buried in this cemetery which was near a Canadian Casualty Clearing Centre, he probably died from his wounds on 10 September 1917. He certainly died on active service. He was 22 He is buried in grave III E 56 Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension Additional Information He was the son of Annie M White and the late Mr White He was living in Detroit, USA and went to Canada to enlist. He was born in Ashbury The Fallen in WW1 who are on the Roll of Honour but not the War Memorial Brian Harold FREARSON Pioneer, A Signal Depot, Bedford, Royal Engineers. Army no 237853 He died, probably from natural causes on 4 February 1918. He was 19 He is remembered on Screen Wall 72 16375 Reading Cemetery Additional Information He was the son of Mr Henry J and Annie Frearson, Adstone Farm, Ashbury The Fallen who are not on the War Memorial or the Roll of Honour James EBBSWORTH Pioneer, Royal Engineers Army no. 291483. He had been transferred to the Labour Corps. Army no 115511 He died, probably as a result of his war service, on 1 July 1918. He was 48 He is buried in the NE corner of the churchyard of St. Andrew’s Church, Shrivenham Additional Information He was the son of Daniel and Martha Ebbsworth of Idstone, Ashbury Further information He was discharged from the Army as he was considered no longer medically fit to serve as a Soldier and he was awarded The Silver War Badge on 11 July (after his death). This supports his burial in Shrivenham The Fallen from WW2 who are on the memorial Ernest Frederick BISHOP Flight Sergeant Royal Air Force. RAF no. 510764 He was killed on active service on 9 October 1940. He was 39 He is buried in grave 132 in the churchyard of St. Clement’ Church, Leysdown, Kent Additional Information He was the husband of Susan Florence Bishop (nee Hook) of Sheerness. The circumstances of his death are well recorded: The War Diary for 709 (Surrey County) General Construction Company Royal Engineers no. 3 Detachment at RAF Station, Eastchurch, Kent. Report by the Officer in charge of the Detachment Lieutenant W E Casson RE Dear Sir, At 11.15 a.m. on the 9th. Oct. 1940, a D.A. bomb which was being exposed by the emn (sic) of this Detachment, exploded whilst the men were working in the pit. As a result, I deeply regret to report that a Sergeant and three Sappers were killed, and a further two Sappers severely injured. In addition a Flight Sergeant of the RAF. was also killed. The following are the names of the casualties. Killed: Sergeant Soper F W 1917532. Sapper Dilon E 1917545 Sapper Gravett C F 1919856 Sapper Harbroe G A 1919850. Injured Sapper Etherington G E 1919938 Sapper Standish P B 1880800. Flight Sergeant Bishop of the RAF was also killed. The bomb which was situated at approx 20 yards from a Railway line had been there for approx 6 weeks. Excavation had been started by 655 General Construction Company Royal Engineers. Orders were received from Flight Lieutenant Delaney to complete the excavation and remove the bomb, as it was near a Railway line which was at present in use. Excavation had almost been completed to a depth of approx 21 ft. and the bomb was almost ready for removal. The men killed were down the pit, and it is assumed that they were examining the bomb at the time. The two man (sic) who were injured were at the pithead at the time. Immediately after the occurrence every available man of the Detachment, together with 706 General Construction Company Royal Engineers commenced excavation for the recovery of the men. It was soon apparent however, that no hope remained for any of the men. In many cases the bodies are beyond recognition. The two injured men were immediately conveyed to Minster Hospital, but it is feared that there is only hope for one of them. All reports regarding this matter were given immediately to the Station Commander and to my C.O. who is informing the next of kin. The CRE called at the Station personally during the afternoon. He stated that all details should be forwarded to my CO but it was not necessary to send a report to him. (Signed) W E Casson Lt RE Officer i/c Detachment. Eastchurch 9 October 1940. Court of Inquiry held at Eastchurch. Eastchurch 11th October 1940. President Major G N Dennis RE with reference to accident 9/10/40. Finding of Court: Occurrence was an accident and that no blame could be attached to anyone. Henry William LAWFORD Gunner, 2 Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery. Army no 912007 He died on active service on 6 August 1942 defending the Allied position in Egypt against the Italian Forces. He was 21 He is buried in grave 3 E 8 Hadra War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria Additional Information He was the son of Edwin and Alice Elizabeth Lawford of Ashbury His birth was registered as William Henry Leonard LAWFORD Sergeant, 24 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. Army no 843202 He died on active service on 30 January 1944. He was 28 He is buried in grave III X 9 Anzio War Cemetery Additional Information He was the son of George and Lucian Hannah Lawford and the husband of Gwendoline May Lawford of Hereford. The Allied Army had landed at Anzio on 22 January but had been ordered to consolidate their position which enabled the Axis forces to build a sound defensive ring which they held for the next four months Cecil William PARTRIDGE Private, Army Catering Corps attached to the Royal Artillery. Army no 1684041 He died on active service on 29 September 1944. He was 36 He is buried in grave XVIII D 7 Coriano Ridge War Cemetery Additional information As his role was supporting a combatant unit, we cannot tell where he fell but it was in the hard fought area of the route to Rimini, the river Po and Northern Italy Leslie John SIMS Sergeant Flight Engineer, 433 (RCAF) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. RAFVR no 3011705 He died on active service on 4 February 1945. He was 19 He is buried in grave IV A 4 Hotton War Cemetery, Belgium Additional Information He was the son of Mrs E Jones and the grandson of Mrs E Sims of Ashbury Further information On the night of 4 February 1945, Lancaster Mk I PA219 coded BM-M took off from RAF Skipton on Swale at 17.34 hours on a night raid to Bonn. Outbound and flying in cloud, it collided with Lancaster Mk X, KB787 coded VR-M of 419 Squadron. Both planes crashed south of Luxembourg in the Belgian Ardennes. They were all buried in Hotton War Cemetery. The crew who were killed were: F/L Neil Mara - DFC RCAF, Pilot, Toronto. Age 24 F/O Carl Howald RCAF 2nd Pilot, Stratford, Ontario. Age 22 Sgt Leslie J Sims RAFVR Flight Engineer, Ashbury. Age 19 F/O Wilfred Melbourne RCAF Navigator, Toronto. Age 28 F/O Arnold Tyrrell RCAF Bomb Aimer. Age 24 P/O Neil Hurst RCAF Wireless Op/A Gunner, Collingwood, Ontario. Age 24 WO/2 Brian Sheeran RCAF M/U Gunner, Montreal P/O William Whitton RCAF Rr Gunner, Paris, Ontario. Age 22 Henry (Percy) Percival WRIGHT Gunner, 11th (Honourable Artillery Company) Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery. Army no 1046267 He died on active service on 15 February 1942. He was 41 He is remembered on column 13 of the Alamein Memorial Additional Information He was the son of Mr and Mrs John Wright and the husband of J Wright of Ashbury, The Fallen in WW2 who are not on the war memorial Arthur James COOKSON Guardsman, Coldstream Guards. Army no 2658588 He died on 14 March 1942. He was 20 He is buried in plot 52 sec F row Q grave 265 Haycombe Cemetery, Bath Additional Information He was the son of Harry and Edith Ellen Cookson and the nephew of Mrs S A Price of Ashbury As his death is in the civilian records it is probable that he had been discharged from the Army as a consequence of his service Robert Alexander HAMBRO Major, 44th Reconnaissance Regiment, which was formed from 7th Battalion, The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment). Army no 53008 He was killed in action in the Desert Campaign on 8 August 1943. He was 33. He is buried in grave 7 A 20 Tripoli War Cemetery Additional Information He was the son of Angus V Hambro, MP for North Dorset, 1937-1945, and Rosamund Maud Hambro (nee Kearsley, of Blandford and the husband of Barbara Hambro of Ashbury The War in the Falklands 1982 Peter David HIGGS Lance Corporal, D/Patrol Company, 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (3 PARA) He was killed in action on 12 June 1982 on Mount Longdon in the Falklands War He is now buried at Tidworth Military Cemetery, Wiltshire. He had also served in Northern Ireland |