Effingham,
Surrey, War Memorials
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 The canopy is inscribed GREATER LOVE THAN THIS HATH NO MAN |
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These photos taken in February 2009 names16 WWI dead. ELHG reports that according to a transcription made in 1929 (authorship unknown) of the St. Lawrence monumental inscriptions, a plaque for Reginald Wells, Leading Stoker on HMS Glatton, died 23/09/18, had been present at that time. When or why it subsequently vanished was unknown, but maybe it was during some refurbishment of the memorial. In late 2012 the Group decided, with the agreement of the Church, to commission a replacement plaque for Reginald, matching the original as closely as possible, from Lucy Quinnell of 'Fire & Iron' in Leatherhead. This was duly mounted on the memorial in the Autumn of 2013. |
# see Notes
for more detail or comment on the inscription.
We are grateful for the additional research done by the Effingham
Local History Group
(ELHG).
1914-1918
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NOTES
SGDW: Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-19 was originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO) in 1921. It covered deaths within the period from 4th August 1914 (the declaration of war) to 11th November 1918 (Armistice Day) and, in some but not all cases, up to 25th March 1921. It lists the names of 661,960 Other Ranks.
We are grateful for Ian Whitlock of Leatherhead's help with SDGW.
CWGC: Commonwealth War Graves Commission database.
ELHG: Effingham Local History Group
BESSELL, MOWBRAY
As explained in his story researched by ELHG the apparent anomaly of his regiment being the East Surreys on his plaque on the memorial and the Queen's (Royal West Surreys) in the CWGC record: "On the outbreak of war he applied for a commission and was gazetted Lieutenant in the East Surrey Regiment, being promoted Captain on 1 January 1915 and transferred to The Queen's Regiment."MASKELL, FREDERICK
Although SDGW records a man of this name born in Ockham, Surrey, enlisted Guildford, Residence Effingham, Surrey, ELHG have established that that was another man who survived WWI - see the story.ROBERTS, RICHARD
Although his memorial plaque says he was a Private, the CWGC record states he was a Lance Corporal. As recorded in his story researched by ELHG "On June 11th 1915 he was appointed unpaid Lance-Corporal."SCARFE, WILLIAM
It appears that his surname is mis-spelled on his memorial plaque and should be SCARFF.TAYLOR, C
The memorial says he was a Sgt Major in the 21st Lancers, died Jan 1918.
CWGC: All the C Taylors for 1918 were checked. None appeared to match the date/unit/rank and all failed to reveal a local connection.
SDGW: none of the C Taylors related to Effingham: The only C Taylor in a Lancer Bn who died in Jan 1918 was:
Sgt Charles William Taylor 13634 [CWGC: Serjeant]
9th Lancers (Queen's Royal) [CWGC adds: C Squadron]
died 24/01/18 of wounds, France & Flanders
born Basingstoke, Hants: enlisted Basingstoke: resident Bagshot.
Although the 21st did not serve in France as a Regiment during the First World War, in 1916 they did provide drafts of men to form a Service Squadron for action on the Western Front.
source: http://www.qrl.uk.com/h_21.html
Subsequent ELHG research on Taylor covers issues on his rank, unit, name. Of his connection with Effingham they state "at present this is entirely unknown."WELLS, ARTHUR MM
Subsequent ELHG research (see his story) notes that the details on his memorial plaque do not wholly correlate with his surviving military records, two of which give his rank as Private. His medal record gives his date of death as the 4th, not the 5th.
original CWGC research by Frank Haslam: if you can add to this page please contact the editor
page created 15 Feb 2009: 22 Nov 11: 11 Nov 17: 10 Apr 20