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7609 Private Richard Clarkson, 2nd Devonshire Regt

October 19, 2014, 5:31 am
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Chailey resident Reg Philpott remembers that “Dick; Richard, had arough time of it.  I don’t know that he was wounded but he had a rough time.” 

Chailey Parish Magazine first mentions him in December 1917, notingClarkson, Pte R, 30th TRB.  In January 1918 it reports that he is serving with the 3rd Wiltshire Regiment and in July 1918 notes that he is missing.  A few months later in September it notes that he is a prisoner and in February 1919 amends his battalion from the 3rd Wiltshire Regiment to the 3rd Devons; still noting that he is a prisoner.  This information is then repeated up until July 1919. 

There are a number of points to note about the information in the parish magazine.  The 30th TRB (Training Reserve Battalion) was originally the 10th (Reserve) Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment and formed part of the 5th Reserve Brigade.  Similarly, the both the 3rd Wiltshire Regiment and the 3rd Devonshire Regiment were reserve battalions which remained in England throughout the war.  Richard Clarkson certainly would not have been captured whilst serving with either of these units. 

Not for the first time, John Oldaker, headmaster of Newick school, comes to the rescue.  Richard had been a pupil there from 1908 to 1913 and Mr Oldaker made notes of all his old boys.  He also asked them to send him a photograph of themselves.  The one Richard sent appears on this page. 

John Oldaker’s notes for Richard Clarkson read: 

“Enlisted 5th March 1917. 31st Training Reserve Batt, transferred to 2nd Devonshire Regt.  Went to France.  Taken prisoner 27th May 1918 at Pontavert at the Battle of the Aisne. Employed for two months behind the German lines.  Afterwards at Cassel, Limburgand Konningen.” 

Richard was a very young soldier.  He was born in late 1898 or early 1899, his birth recorded at Lewes in the March quarter of that year.  He appears on the 1901 census of England and Wales as two year old living with his family at South Street, Chailey.  Present when the census was taken were Ellen Clarkson (head, aged 39) and her six sons: Thomas Clarkson (aged 11), John William Clarkson (aged nine), James Clarkson (aged eight), Victor Clarkson (aged four), Richard, and Edward Clarkson (aged one month).  All the boys were born in Chailey and John and Thomas would also serve their King and Country during the First World War.  The boys’ father, Thomas Clarkson, is recorded on both the 1891 and 1901 census as working at The Hooke, Chailey.  Aged 43 in 1901 he was born in Goosnargh, Lancashire and is listed as a butler.
 
My thanks to Simon Stevens for the photograph and information contained within John Oldaker's notebook.
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Private John Frederick Page, 36th Royal Fusiliers

October 19, 2014, 10:30 am
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Chailey Parish Magazine first notes John Page in March 1916 when he appears in a special list of attested men.  Next to his name the words “medically unfit” are written. 

Nevertheless he appears to have been accepted into the army and in October 1916, Chailey Parish Magazine reportsPage, Pt J, 36th RF, France.  John Page appears to have served throughout the war, his name and regimental details with the 36th RF appearing every month up to and including July 1919.
 
Chris Baker's The Long, Long Trail website has this to say about the 36th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers:
 
33rd, 34th, 35th, 36th and 37th (Labour) Battalions Formed at Seaford (33rd) and Falmer (34th to 37th) in May and June 1916. 35th landed in France on 8 June and moved to Rouen, where it was engaged in unloading from ships docked there. In April 1917 these battalions became the 99th to 108th Labour Companies, Labour Corps.

From the information provided in Chailey’s parish magazine I have been unable to match John Page with certainty to any named individuals in census returns or to provide a link between him and Chailey.  The closest possibility is a 19 year old John Frederick Page who appears on the 1901 census return for Chailey where he is noted as a bricklayer.  This may or may not be the same man.  The National Archives though, does note a 33783 Private John F Page, Royal Fusiliers, later 63428 Private John F Page, Labour Corps and I am assuming that this is the Chailey John Page, certainly the Labour Corps connection yies in nicely with the 36th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers.

John may be related to George Page and Thomas Pagewho also appear in Chailey’s roll call of local serving men.

Medal index card courtesy of Ancestry.
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Private Thomas Page, Royal Sussex Regt

October 19, 2014, 10:41 am
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In March 1915 Chailey Parish Magazine notes that Thomas Page is serving his King and Country.  In October 1915 he appears asPage, Pte T, NR England but by January 1917 he is recorded as serving with the 2/5th Royal Sussex Regiment.  In January 1918 the parish magazine notes that he is with the 15th Royal Sussex and by March 1918 he has moved battalions again, this time to the 8th Royal Sussex Regiment; a pioneer battalion. Thomas appears to have remained with this battalion throughout the war, his name appearing monthly thereafter up to and including the final published roll in July 1919. 

NR could stand for Norfolk Regiment but probably represents “National Reserve” which in turn would indicate that Thomas Page had seen prior military service. 

From the information provided in Chailey’s parish magazine I have been unable to match Thomas Page with certainty to any named individuals in census returns or to provide a link between him and Chailey.  He may be related to George and John Page who also appear in Chailey’s roll call of local serving men.
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Herbert Painting

October 19, 2014, 10:49 am
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There is only one reference to Herbert Painting in Chailey’s Parish Magazine and that is in April 1916 when he appears in a special list of attested men as medically unit.  Nothing further is known of this man.
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WR/259151 Sapper Charles John Pateman, Royal Engineers

October 19, 2014, 11:01 am
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Charles John Pateman was one of three Chailey brothers who served during the First World War.  A fourth brother, Ernest Pateman, attested under the Derby Scheme but was medically unfit and did not serve. 

Charles Pateman was born at Chailey in late 1876 or early 1877, his birth registered at Lewes in the March quarter of that year.  By the time the 1891 census was taken, the family was living at North Common, Chailey and comprised Charles Pateman senior (head, aged 39, working as a traction engine driver), his wife Susannah (aged 35) and their six children: Charles (aged 14, working as a farm labourer),  Thomas Pateman (aged 12, also working as a farm labourer), Elizabeth A Pateman (aged nine), Emily A Pateman, aged six, Alfred Pateman (aged two) and Ernest Pateman (aged one). 

The 1901 census shows the family still living at North Common.  Charles Pateman senior (now aged 48) is listed as a thrashing engine driver.  His wife Susannah is aged 45 and their sons, Charles junior (aged 24), Alfred (aged 12) and Ernest (aged 11), are all still living at home.  Charles, like his father, is working on heavy machinery and noted as a steam roller driver.  Elizabeth Pateman was working as a cook for a domestic household in Hove, Sussexwhile her sister Emily was working as a kitchen maid in Brighton. 

Chailey Parish Magazine first mentions Charles Pateman in its October 1916 issue, noting that he is a sapper with the Royal Engineers in England.  He appears to have served throughout the war and appears in the final, published roll call in July 1919 as Pateman, Sapper CJ, RE.  His son, Mick Pateman states that his father used to drive a railway engine used to take ammunition to the front and this certainly ties in with his peacetime occupation. 

His medal information card at the National Archives in Kewshows two army numbers: 194146 and WR/259151, both of these listing his rank as sapper and his regiment The Royal Engineers.  Charles Pateman’s cousins, Percy and Walter Pateman, also served their King and Country during the First World War.

Medal index card courtesy of Ancestry.
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Ernest Pateman

October 19, 2014, 11:06 am
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Ernest Pateman was born at Chailey in 1890; his birth registered at Lewes in the June quarter of that year.  He was the youngest child of Charles and Susannah Pateman of Chailey. 

His name appears in a special list of attested men published in Chailey Parish Magazine in January, March and April 1916.  Next to his name, the words, “medically unfit” are written and it appears that he did not serve during the First World War. 

Ernest's three older brothers,Charles, Alfred and Thomas, all served during the First World War. His cousins Percy and Walter Pateman also served their King and Country during the Great War.
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82015 Gunner Percy Charles Pateman, Royal Field Artillery

October 19, 2014, 11:27 am
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Percy Charles Pateman was born in Chailey in 1890, his birth recorded at Lewes in the December quarter of that year.  He appears on the 1901 census of England and Wales living with his family at Holford Cottage, Chailey.  The family comprised Thomas Pateman (head, aged 44, working as an ordinary agricultural labourer, his wife Elizabeth Jane Pateman (aged 41) and their seven children: Alice Pateman (aged 18, working as a general domestic servant), Frank Thomas Pateman (aged 17 working as an ordinary agricultural labourer), Faith Nellie Pateman (aged 13), Charity Hetty Pateman (aged 11), Percy Charles Pateman (aged 10), George Cecil Pateman (aged five) and Walter Robert Pateman (aged four).  The parents had been born in Chailey, as had Alice.  Frank had been born in Plumpton and all the other children had been born in East Chiltington. 

Percy Pateman is first noted as serving his King and Country in the November 1914 issue of Chailey’s parish magazine.  In October 1915 it is reported that Gunner Percy C Pateman has been invalided and then the following month that he has been invalided and returned to active service. 

In December 1915, the parish magazine reports, Pateman, Gnr P, RFA, Englandquickly followed in January 1916 by the note that he is now in France.  Percy Pateman appears to have served throughout the war, his name appearing in the final published roll call published in July 1919. 

In June 1917, Percy was back in England, a fact reported in the East Sussex News on the 29th (Friday) of that month: 

SOLDIER’S WEDDING

At St Peter’s Church, Chailey – Gunner Percy Charles Pateman (RFA) second son of Mr Thomas Pateman of Holford Farm, Chailey and Miss Alice Edith Page (eldest daughter of the late Rifleman Samuel Page of Lewes).  Wedding took place on Monday.  The bridegroom left on Wednesday for France, the bride returning to Londonto resume her duties at a munitions factory. 

The wedding must have been heavy with sadness.  The bride’s father had died while on active service in Indiathat same month.  The Commonwealth War Graves Commission reports his date of death as 6th June 1917 and his age as 42.  He was 206668 Rifleman S Page of the 24th Rifle Brigade, a Home Counties Battalion which had arrived in India in October 1916. It adds the additional information that he was the "son of Samuel and Sarah Page; husband of Martha Eliza Page".  Martha had died in May 1911 and Samuel’s cause of death, recorded on his death certificate, is “Tubercle of the Lung”.  His age at death is also noted as 45 rather than 42.  Samuel Page is commemorated on the Karachi1914-1918 War Memorial.  His body lies in one of 24 cemeteries in what was then northern India but which is now Pakistan.  None of these cemeteries are now maintained by The Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the records identifying the one in which Samuel Page’s remains lie appear to have been lost.
 
The National Archives notes Percy Pateman’s army number as 82015.  His brother, Walter Patemanand his cousins Alfred Pateman, Charles Pateman and Thomas Pateman MM also served their King and Country during the First World War.
 
Percy's service record does not survive but a fragment does. Helpfully, this lists the following information: 82015 Percy Pateman, 12th Reserve Battery, MT Section of 6th Divisional Artillery Column, enlisted 14th August 1914 for 3 & 9. The period of enlistment is important because it shows that Percy enlisted as a regular soldier and not simply for the duration of the war. A record also survives for him in the Royal Artillery Archives which notes a post war number for him: 1013273. It also adds that when he joined up in August 1914 he did so at Brighton and was working as a farm labourer. His marriage to Alice is recorded, as are the births of three children: Evelyn Lilian Maud Pateman (1920), Elsie Kathleen Pateman (1921) and Samuel George Thomas (1923). He was finally discharged form the army on 13th August 1926, 12 years to the day since he had joined up, his character noted as "very good". 

Percy Pateman died in 1958 after a long illness; his wife Alice died in 1982.

Medal index card courtesy of Ancestry.
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George Prevett

October 19, 2014, 11:34 am
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Chailey Parish Magazine lists George Prevett only once, in a special list of attested men published in January 1916. I know nothing at all about this man.
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201994 Private Harry Rufus Reed, 1/4th Royal West Kent Regt

October 19, 2014, 12:21 pm
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Henry Rufus Reed was born in 1888 in Buxted, Sussex; his birth registered in Uckfield District in the March quarter of that year.  He was known as Harry rather than Henry and so I shall refer to him as Harry from now on.  He was the youngest of six children born to William and Louisa Reed, his siblings being Louisa (born in 1876), William Reed (1878), Herbert Norman Reed (1880), Helena Reed (1882) and Florence Reed (1883).  At the time the 1901 census was taken, Harry was living with his parents and Florenceat Bineham Farmhouse in Chailey.  He is recorded as a 13 year old scholar and his father noted as a domestic coachman.  In fact William Reed was head coachman to the Blencowe family at Bineham mansion.   

Nurse Edith Oliver was obviously quite close to the Reed family and a number of photos of them appear in her album.  A page of photos shows Bineham farmhouse (with William Reed senior and his wife just visible in the foreground) and photos of Herbert Reed with his nieces and nephews.  Other photographs depict Louisa (Louie Reed) and her mother together and Mrs Reed in fancy dress costume.  There are also autographs and verses that were written by Louie and Herbert.  A photograph in the possession of the Reed family also shows Edith with Mr and Mrs Reed and Louie.

Herbert Reed certainly did not serve during World War One and I have not researched his brother William.  Harry though, did serve with the Royal West Kent Regiment and is mentioned in Chailey’s parish magazine.  In June 1916 it notes that Driver H R Reed is serving with the Royal Field Artillery in England and then, five months later, that he is a private with the 1/4th Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment (a Territorial Force battalion) in Egypt.  This information is then repeated up until February 1917 after which his name ceases to appear. 

Harry's medal index card records two numbers for him: 5167 and 201994.  The first, four digit number, would have been the original number allocated to him when he joined the territorials (probably in mid 1915) and the second number was that issued to him when the Territorial Force was re-numbered in early 1917.  There is no mention of a Royal Artillery connection. Luckily however, a service record survives for Harry and this shows that he originally attested with the Royal Artillery in February 1916 but transferred to the Royal West Kent Regiment four months later. He served in India and was invalided from there in February 1917 before being discharged as no longer physically fit for war service in April 1917.

The 1/4th Royal West Kent Regiment spent the First World War in India fulfilling garrison duties, and it seems likely that Harry stopped off at Egypt en route and sent word back to his family that he was in there.  This information found its way into the parish magazine but does not appear to have been updated once he landed in India.  

Back in Chailey there was sadness and joy for the Reed family.  On 4th January 1916, The Sussex Express carried news of Herbert’s death, noting that he had been an invalid for the past ten years.  He was 36 years old and was buried at Chailey Parish church. Edith Oliver was among the mourners and a photo of Herbert’s grave also appears in her album. 

The following January there was happier news however, when Helena Reed married Charles Colbourn at Chailey.  The East Sussex News covered the story on Friday 2nd February: 

"WEDDING.  The marriage was solemnised at the Parish Church on Saturday by special licence of Corporal Charles Colbourn, Royal Sussex Regiment, and Miss Helena Reed, second daughter of Mr and Mrs Reed of the Farmhouse, Bineham… the bridegroom is home on ten days’ leave from France.  Later in the day the happy couple left for Londonwhere the honeymoon is being spent." 

Nurse Oliver’s album contains a line drawing of a castle by a Lance Corporal C Colbourn and this is almost certainly Charles Colbourn.  An entry by his sister-in-law Louie appears on the same page.   

I had wondered for a long while whether C Colbourn was a patient of Nurse Oliver’s but I think it is more likely that he was asked to leave his mark as a friend rather than as a patient.  His medal card (he served with the 1/5th Royal Sussex Regiment) gives no indication that he received a Silver War Badge and whilst this is not conclusive evidence by any means that he was not wounded or did not fall sick during his time in the army, other evidence points to the fact that he was Helena Reed’s fiancé or husband.  Happily, both Charles Colbourn and Harry Reed survived the First World War.
 
Medal index card courtesy of Ancestry.
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J Alwyn Roberts

October 19, 2014, 12:44 pm
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Chailey Parish Magazine notes Roberts, J Alwynin a special listr of attested men published between January and April 1916.  These are the only three appearances of this man in the parish magazine and nothing further is currently known about him.
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Christopher Scrase

October 19, 2014, 12:45 pm
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Little is known of this man other than that he appeared in a special list of attested men that the Chailey Parish Magazine published between January and April 1916.  There is no evidence from parish sources that Christopher Scrase served during the First World War.
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20682 Lance Corporal Albert Henry Selby, Royal Engineers

October 19, 2014, 12:53 pm
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Albert Henry Selby was born in Brighton on 24th April 1895 and was the oldest child of Albert and Lydia Selby.  The 1901 census sees the family living at 17 Portland Street, Brighton.  The household comprised: Albert (head, aged 36, a private soldier in the infantry), Lydia (aged 32), Albert (son, aged five), Nellie Selby (daughter, aged three) and Emma Selby (daughter, aged two).  Albert and Lydia’s seven year old niece, Minnie Biggs, was also in the house along with three male boarders. 

At some point before October 1910, the family must have moved from Brighton to Chailey.  That was the month that Albert junior left his employment as assistant blacksmith with Burtenshaw of Scaynes Hill (22nd) and enlisted two days later with the Royal Engineers at Haywards Heath.  He was 15 years and six months old. 

On attestment (as a boy), he gave his parents’ names and noted his home address as Holford Cottage, North Common, Chailey. Nellie and Thomas [William] Selby (born in 1901 after the census was taken) were recorded as siblings.  

His attestation paper notes that he was five feet three and a half inches tall, had brown hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion.  Distinguishing marks were noted as brown moles on his neck.  His employer attested that he had known Albert for approximately one year and finished by stating, “I had a good reference from his last employer… I have found him a good lad [at] work civil and obliging.” 

The first few references on Albert’s service record all relate to education certificates.  On 26th November 1910, Education – Third Class is recorded; on 24th March 1911, Education – Second Class. On 19th July that year, he passed his 60 yards swimming test. 

On 19th January 1912 it is noted that he is at Chatham, still a Boy, attached to K Company, Royal Engineers.  On 20th November 1912 he was raised to the fifth rate of Engineers’ pay whilst under K Signalling Company having passed instruction as a telegraphist.   

On 18th February 1913 a character reference appears and his rating for “honesty, sobriety, intelligence” is recorded as “very good”.  He was posted to the ranks and mustered as a D Telegraphist (office) skilled on 24th March and exactly one month later posted to the ranks on attaining 18 years of age. 

Over the next 17 months he was posted to a number of different companies within the Royal Engineers but seems to have remained in Chatham.  In April 1914 his character report was updated with, “No change.  A very promising man” but in June he was “admonished” for neglect of duty (although what duty he neglected is not stated) and reduced to 4th rate of pay. 

Albert Selby went abroad almost immediately war was declared, arriving in France on the 14th August 1914.  On 17th September he was restored to 3rd rate of Engineer pay “in consideration of his excellent work on active service.” 

Chailey Parish Magazine records Albert in its first published roll call in October 1914, noting him however as “Arthur Selsby”.  Although “Arthur” was corrected to “Albert” by the time the December issue was published, the parish magazine would continue to mis-spell his surname as Selsby.  

On 9th July 1916, Albert was appointed paid lance-corporal and on 30th of that month joined K Cable Section. He continued his work with the Royal Engineers in France and Belgium until 12th April 1917 when he died of wounds at Number 33 Casualty Clearing Station.  A telegram (undated) was sent to Albert’s parents in Chailey: 

Regret to inform you Officer Commanding 33 Casualty Clearing Station France reports 13 April 20682 A H Selby RE died 3.50pm 12th April, shell wounds multiple. 

On Friday April 27th 1917 the East Sussex News also reported his death (and also spelt his name incorrectly).

LOCAL CASUALTIES

We regret to report the death of 21 year old L/Cpl Albert Selsby of Signals Section RE, the son of Mrs Selsby of North Common. L/Cpl Selsby joined the army six and a half years ago, went to France in August 1914 and was involved in the Mons Retreat and the battles of the Marne and The Aisne.  Writing to his mother the Colonel stated, “I deeply regret to have to tell you your son died of wounds this afternoon (12 April).  I saw him shortly before he passed away and it may be little consolation to know he was not in pain.  He asked me to write to you.  He did not realize that his case was hopeless and so he did not send any messages.  I can’t tell you how much I regret his loss.  His work out here has been invaluable and I was bringing his name to the notice of the Corps Commander, with a view to his getting official recognition.  He set a very high standard by his devotion to duty, and I can only say it is a loss to the Company which will be difficult to replace.  Please accept my sincere condolences…” 

In May 1917, Chailey Parish Magazine added his name to its roll of honour (still mis-spelling his name as Selsby).  The following month, an effects’ form listed out the pathetically few possessions sent back home to Albert’s parents: photos, leather belt, letter, cotton bag. 
 
 
Albert is buried in BethuneTownCemeteryin what was originally designated the railway dug-outs burial ground.  His grave reference is VI.D.6.  Both Soldiers Died in The Great War (SD) and The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) note his unit as ”A” Corps Signal Coy. H.Q., Royal Engineers and his number as 20682 although CWGC gives his rank as lance-corporal while SD notes acting lance-corporal.  CWGC gives the additional information that he was a “Native of Brighton. Son of Albert and LydiaJ. Selby, of Holford Cottage, North Common, Chailey, Lewes.”

Medal index card courtesy of Ancestry. My thanks to Colin Roberts for the photo of Bethune Town Cemetery.
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180740 George Arthur Carr, RAF

October 22, 2014, 2:15 pm
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Chailey Parish Magazine notes in August 1918, that Cadet A Carr is serving with the RAF and this information is repeated until the final roll of honour is published in July 1919. 

George Arthur Carr was born on the 14th August 1900 in Oxshott, Surrey and enlisted in the RAF on the 17th July 1918. His surviving papers in AIR 79 note his next of kin as his aunt, Mrs E M Avery of The Mill, South Common, Chailey. He did not serve overseas and was transferred to the RAF reserve on the 21st December 1918.

In August 1919, the parish magazine’s report of peace celebrations in the village noted that Arthur Carr had come first in the obstacle race for soldiers and sailors. 

Chailey resident Reg Philpott remembers that, after the war, “Arthur Carr had the bakery down South Common near the Brickyard.  He was something to do with Avery the baker.”
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Able Seaman Charles Cattaway, Royal Navy

October 22, 2014, 2:18 pm
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In October 1914, Chailey Parish Magazine notes that Charles Cattaway is serving his King and Country.  In October 1915, further detail is given that Able Seaman C Cattaway is serving aboard HMS Juno.  

Charles Cattaway’s final entry in Chailey’s Parish Magazine appears in November 1916 which repeats the October 1915 information. 

HMS Juno was an Eclipse Class, Second Class Protected Cruiser which was launched in 1897.  Between 1903 and 1905 all ships in this class (with the exception of HMS Eclipse), were re-armed with 11 6 inch guns which replaced the older 6 inch and 4.7 inch armament.

During the First World War, Juno formed part of the 11th Cruiser Squadron, Ireland.  In July 1915 it was stationed in the Persian Gulf and in 1918 in North America and the West Indies.  It was sold for scrap in 1920. 

I have been unable to locate this man’s naval service record at The National Archives in London.
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169068 Richard Percy Challen, RAF

October 22, 2014, 2:27 pm
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Richard Percy Challen was born at Hurstpierpoint, Sussex on the 7th October 1898. He appears on the 1901 census of England and Wales as a two year old living with his parents at Stonecot, Hurstpierpoint.  Percy Challen, head of the household, was a 39 year old Findon-born farmer.  His wife Clara, aged 36, had been born in Brighton.  There were also a boarder (Richard M Hill, a 39 year old wine and spirits merchant from Nantwich, Cheshire) and a general domestic servant: Alice Westgate aged 17 from Hurstpierpoint. 

He appears in the magazine for the first time in January 1919 where he is noted as Challen, R P, 3rd A[ir] M[echanic], RAF.  This information is repeated monthly up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919.
 
Percy's surviving papers in AIR 79 note his next of kin as his mother, Mrs Clara Margaretta Challen of the Five Bells, Chailey, Sussex. This address was subsequently scored through and replaced with 34 Hartington Terrace, Brighton. He joined the RAF in May 1918 and served in France from 11th October 1918 until 16th February 1919.
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98183 Pte Harry Chatfield, Machine Gun Corps

October 22, 2014, 2:37 pm
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http://www.ancestry.co.uk/cs/offers/freetrial?cj=1&o_xid=0003330192&o_lid=0003330192&o_sch=Affiliate+External

Harry Chatfield was probably born around March 1891 as the census return for that year records him as “infant Chatfield aged under one month”. 

He was the second eldest son of Alfred and Mary Chatfield and at the time the 1901 census appears, was living with his family at Newick.  The household comprised Alfred Chatfield (aged 42, head of the family, born at Fletching and working as a domestic gardener), his wife Mary (aged 42, born in Newick) and their six children: Mabel Chatfield (aged 14, born Fletching), Emily Chatfield (aged 13, born Fletching), Harry (aged ten, born Uckfield), Frank Chatfield (aged eight, born Fletching), John Chatfield (aged four) and Thomas Chatfield (aged two, born Newick). 

There were other children as well.  The 1891 census shows the family living at Church Street, Uckfield.  Alfred Chatfield (aged eight, born at Fletching) and Alice Mary Chatfield (aged six, born at Fletching) had obviously left the family home by the time the 1901 census was taken.   

Chailey Parish Magazine first notes Harry Chatfield in a military context in February 1917 when it reports that Private H Chatfield is serving as a private with the 3rd Royal Sussex Regiment.  It had however previously reported his marriage, on 9th June 1915, to Maude Alice Waterman.

In January 1918 the parish magazine notes that he is serving with the Machine Gun Corps and records his rank (incorrectly) as gunner.  In October 1918 it notes that he has been wounded and this information is then repeated up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919. 

Three of HarryFrank's brothers – Frank Chatfield, John Chatfield and Thomas Chatfield – also served their King and Country during the First World War.
 
Medal index card courtesy of Ancestry.
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John Chatfield, Middlesex Regiment

October 22, 2014, 2:41 pm
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John Chatfield first makes an appearance in Chailey’s Parish Magazine in January 1916 when he appears in a special list of attested men.  He next appears in July 1916, noted as a private serving with the 14th Royal Sussex Regiment in England. 

In October 1916 he is reported serving with the 100th Training Reserve Battalion in England.  This was originally the 24th Middlesex, a reserve battalion which, had been re-designated as a training reserve battalion the previous month. 

In January 1917, the parish magazine reports that Chatfield is serving with the 4th Middlesex and in January 1918 that he is with the 6th Middlesex.  His tour of Middlesex battalions continues in August 1918 when it is noted that he is serving with the 5th Battalion and this information is then repeated monthly up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919. 

This John Chatfield is possibly the same man who appears on the 1901 census working as an 18 year old grocer’s assistant and living at North Common.  He was the son of John (aged 46) and Mary Ann Chatfield (aged 41) and the brother of Ella (aged nine) and Lucy (aged five). 

The National Archives notes a John Chatfield who served with the Middlesex Regiment and The Royal Defence Corps (numbers G/50680 and 97775 respectively) and this may or may not be the same man.
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288216 Clerk Thomas Spring, RAF

October 25, 2014, 11:02 am
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Chailey Parish Magazine notes in October 1918 that Private T Spring is serving with the RAF.  This information is then repeated monthly up to and including July 1919.

Thomas's service record survives in AIR 79 and notes that he was 45 years and six months old when he enlisted in the RAF on the 24th August 1918. He was a stableman and carpenter by trade and was married to Emily Jane Spring (married 20th September 1897) whose address is given as Chailey Green. Thomas did not serve overseas and but it was not until 30th April 1920 that he was discharged.
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13813 Driver Walter Stanley Starley, RFA

October 25, 2014, 11:14 am
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Walter Starley first appears in Chailey Parish Magazine in December 1916 where he is noted as: Starley, Sig W S, RFA.  Twelve months later, the additional information that he has been gassed is also noted and this is the only information about him that appears in the parish magazine although it is repeated thereafter, up until July 1919. 

The National Archives fills in a little more information giving his first name as Walter, his rank as Driver and his number as 138183. 

The 1891 census of Englandand Walesnotes a seven month old Walter Stanley Starley, born in Brightonand living at 37 London Street, Brighton with his mother and father (Walter Starley aged 23 and Elizabeth Starley aged 25).  This would place his date of birth to around August or September 1890. 

Ten years later, the 1901 census sees the family living at 11 Park Crescent Terrace, Brighton and there is another son: Alfred Starley (aged eight). The 1911 census shows the family living at the same address with Walter (aged 20) working as a clerk for the National Telephone Company Ltd and Alfred (aged 18) working as a clerk for brewers.

Medal index card courtesy of Ancestry.
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G/6256 Pte Octavius Starling, Royal Sussex Regt

October 25, 2014, 11:19 am
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Octavius Starling was conscripted into the army on 8th July 1916.  He was 36 years old and working as a porter at the Lewes Workhouse at South Common, Chailey. His surviving papers in the WO 364 pension series at the National Archives indicate that his preferred choice of regiment was the RAMC as he had fifteen years’ experience of hospital work.  Nonetheless, he was sent to the 14th Royal Sussex Regiment on 11th July, a reserve battalion established to feed the three South Down Battalions with replacement men.  He was given the number 6369, later changed to G/6256. 

Octavius was a married man and father of three children.  His wife is noted as Delilah Starling whom he had married at Malling in Kent on 12th September 1914.  His children are recorded as Gladys Mary Gamblin (born 7th April 1907 in south Wales), Arthur Gamblin (born 14th July 1908, also in south Wales) and Anna May Starling, born 4th September 1915, presumably at Chailey.  Delilah was presumably a widow when she married Octavius (her name is recorded as Delilah Gamblin) and Gladys and Arthur were her children from her previous marriage. 

From the 14th Royal Sussex, Octavius was posted to the 3rd Battalion on 1st September and two months later sailed for France, joining the 13th (South Down) Battalion on 13th November 1916. He remained overseas until 9th March 1917 when he was posted back to the regimental depot. He was discharged from the army on 3rd July 1917. No wounds are noted on his service record but as the cause of discharge was being “no longer physically fit for war service”, this must have been due to some kind of sickness. 

Octavius received the King’s Certificate on his discharge and in November 1920 was living at 123 Church Street, Eastbourne.  He is not mentioned in Reverend Jellicoe’s monthly roll call of serving parishioners in the Chailey parish magazine.
 
Medal index card courtesy of Ancestry.
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