Bucks Free Press – 21/08/14 (p.4)

An eloquent expression of patriotic enthusiasm and resourcefulness was evinced in the public meeting convened by Sir Philip Rose, Bart. , and the Rev. R. F. Ashley Spencer which was held in the Parish Room, Tylers Green on Monday last. Sir Phillip Rose presided, supported on the platform by the Rev. R. F. Ashley Spencer, Mrs E. N. N. Bartlett, Mrs Aston, Mr Harvey Dalziel, Col. Becher, Mr H. P. Parshall and Mr J. C. Grove. There was a large and influential attendance including a number of residents of Penn.

Sir Philip Rose observed that he had presided over gatherings in that room many times but never on such a solemn occasion as at present, when the times were so momentous, and the issues so tremendous. Sir Philip gave a brief and eloquent definition of the position of Great Britain in international affairs, and his remarks were greeted with frequent applause. Referring to the local side of the question Sir Philip stated that he as a Magistrate with the Rev. R. F. Ashley Spencer as Chairman of the Parish Council attended the county meeting held at Aylesbury on Thursday, August (illegible)th under the presidency of the Lord Lieutenant of the County, when an influential and representative Committee was formed. A desire was expressed that local committees should be formed in the various centres to assist and be subordinate to this central committee. Their main duty would be the relief of distress occasioned by the War. There were Reservists and (illegible) who were called out and had left wives and families behind them, and the local Committees would investigate these cases and report to the Central Committee at Aylesbury who were in touch with the great organization in London – the Prince of Wales’s Fund. He had suggested to Mr Tonman Moseley (the Chairman of the Bucks County Council) that these local committees should not be restricted by parish boundaries but operate over the centres of population to which Mr Moseley agreed. He, Sir Phillip, had consulted with the Bishop of Buckingham and Mr Dixon Davies, and it was considered that Knotty Green, Penn Street and Holmer Green could be more readily combined with Beaconsfield while their own district would comprise the remainder of the parish of Penn and the parish of Tylers Green. It was, of course, open to anyone to attach themselves to either. He proposed that a Local Committee be formed for the district to act in connection with the County Committee. (Applause).

Mr J. G. Grove seconded the resolution which was unanimously carried.

The Rev. R. F. Ashley Spencer, in rising to propose the appointment of the members of the Committee, said he wished to point out to any who might think they were behind-hand in calling their meeting that they had not hurriedly rushed into the matter but had waited for the decision of the County meeting that they might fall in with their schemes and then called a meeting at the first possible moment. The local committees would co-operate with the Central Committee and see to it that no overlapping was occasioned, and that no  malingering such as had occurred in some cases during the Boer War was permitted. The local Committee he would propose would be a representative one without reference to creed, politics or social standing. He (the Vicar) understood from some of the chair manufacturers in Wycombe that work would be very scarce and that the prospects were by no means hopeful. Local committees would look after any distress this occasioned in their own district. They would also make a house-to-house visitation and all details must be found and furnished to Aylesbury before assistance was given. The rev. gentleman stated that he had offered the Tylers Green Parish Room to the War Office as a temporary hospital and it had been provisionally accepted. (Applause). He proposed also to have placed on the Church door a Roll of Honour of those who were bravely serving their country that worshippers might remember them in their prayers. He also emphasised the bounden duty of all to attend the services of intercession on Friday (today). He proposed that the local committee consist of the following: – Sir P. F. Rose, Mr H. P. Parshall, Col. Becher, Mr Harvey Dalziel, Mr B. Reynardson, Mr Francis Smith, Mr Cruikshank, Mr S. G. Long (? partially legible), Mr E. Finch, Mr H. Perfect, Mr A. R. Masters, Mr Crust, Mr G. Beal, Mr R. H. Moreton, Mr F. King, Mr T. Griffen, Mr W. Evans and Mr Marsh, Lady Rose, Mrs Spencer, Mrs Alston, Mrs Vivian Rose, Mrs Grove, Lady Albert (? partially legible), Miss Tatham, Miss Dalziel, Mrs Bartlett, Miss Bengough, Mrs (illegible), Miss L. Nevins, Mrs Berry and Mrs Hanbury.

Mr C. Muir suggested that a trade unionist should be appointed on the Committee to which the Chairman acquiesced, but no name was forthcoming and the matter dropped.

Colonel Becher seconded the resolution appointing the Committee which was carried with acclamation.  The Rev. R. F. Ashley Spencer and Sir Philip Rose were unanimously elected Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer respectively, the propositions being couched in felicitous terms and received with applause.

Sir Philip Rose made a strong appeal to eligible lads present to join the Colours and uphold the honour of the village. (Applause). He also referred to the demands for special constables and mentioned that if names were submitted to the Rev. R. F. Ashley Spencer he would send them on to the Chief Constable in Aylesbury. (Applause).

A vote of thanks was accorded to the Chairman on the proposition of Mr Harvey Dalziel, seconded by Mr Parshall, and the meeting closed with the National Anthem and cheers for gallant little Belgium.

We understand that a liberal financial response is being made and over £20 has been received.

Maude Smith’s WW1 Diary – 17/08/14.  Thanks to Jon Walters and Ron Saunders.

Bucks Free Press – 28/08/14 (p.4)

Speeches by Sir Philip F. Rose and the Marquess of Lincolnshire ¹

The Parish Room, Tylers Green was crowded to excess on Monday evening last when a public meeting was held, the object being to stimulate recruiting for Lord Kitchener’s New Army of 100,000 men. Sir Philip F. Rose presided, and he was supported on the platform by the Marquess of Lincolnshire, Lady Rose, Mrs E. N. N. Bartlett, Mr Dixon Davies, the Vicar (Rev. R. F. Ashley Spencer) and Mr Wigram, the latter being in military uniform. The proceedings were very enthusiastic, and before the close residents gave in their names to act as parish constables, and in other ways to assist their country in the hour of need.

Sir Philip Rose, who was cordially received, said: In view of the extreme importance of the subject on which we are met tonight I asked our noble friend and neighbour, the Marquess of Lincolnshire, to come up and speak in this district on the duty that devolves upon all able bodied young men who can do so to come forward, irrespective of class, at this supreme crisis in our country’s history, and help us fight for our very existence as an empire. (Applause). The Marquess of Lincolnshire and myself are now too old to join the Regular Forces. I well remember when the Marquess was an officer in the Royal Horse Guards (Blue), I was a full private in the South Middlesex. We did our soldiering 40 years ago, and although we are now too old for active service, we are ready to do our part to defend our country. (Applause). Let there be no mistake. We are up against a very big thing, and I am afraid that even yet the people of England do not realize the terrible danger to which this country will be exposed if the Germans should win in this struggle. (“Hear, hear”).

People are apt to say: “We have an invincible Navy and there is no danger of us being attacked”. They also say: “See what the first three weeks of war have shown. Our Navy keeps the seas whilst the German Navy is bottled up in Kiel, and our trade is being carried on whilst every German ship has been captured, or obliged to find refuge in neutral ports”. True enough, and God grant that it may continue. (Applause). But what if one foggy night the German Fleet and its horde of destroyers and submarines got out, and had the luck to destroy a number of our warships? What then? We might, whilst our regular army is engaged on land across the seas, see a really serious attempt made to raid our shores, bombard our sea coast towns (and we need hope for no mercy or any regard to the fact that they are defenceless seaside resorts from the murderous mountebank who has brought on this war), and even to land an Army Corps in England. Just fancy for a moment what it would mean if a fleet of transports were able to land 50,000 men somewhere on the East Coast. We know how Germany has treated poor helpless Belgium – how she has gone back to the dark ages in her style of war, and how she has levied impossible tributes on towns, has shot down innocent women and children on the pretence that the civilian population has fired on her troops; how she has burnt and pillaged in the most savage manner, and left utter ruin behind. Do you believe these excuses? No, it is part of her system. Why, anyone who has read the books published by German strategists knows that these writers distinctly advocate this style of warfare, and evidently the Kaiser and his war advisors endorse this infamy. (“Shame!”). Just think what it would mean if by a coup de main an Army was landed at Harwich or some other spot on the East Coast. It would at once start on its march to London, burning and destroying towns and villages, murdering in cold blood the defenceless people, and giving us in England a taste of what our desperately gallant little Belgian allies have been and are suffering. This is, believe me, no impossible picture. Shall we not prepare for any eventuality, however remote? It is the only way to win, and win we must, no matter what the cost, no matter what sacrifice in human life. (Cheers). If old England is to remain mistress of the seas, as she must or her world-wide empire must topple to the ground, she must be prepared to send her last man into the field, to spend her last sovereign, and to face all the suffering however keen it may be that the struggle will involve or England follows Rome and Babylon, and ceases to be an empire. (“Hear, hear”).

Remember, however secure may be our coasts, however gallant and watchful our sailors, this titanic struggle must in the main depend upon the success of the Allied Troops, and we must keep on feeding our fighting line, for the casualties will be heavy, and thus aid France, Belgium and Russia to hurl back the German hosts, and at the same time we must have a trained army at home to withstand any assault on our own shores. (“Hear, hear”). We have no huge horde here of trained men as the Continental nations have, where every man must serve in Army or Navy, and we must keep adding to and training an army to protect ourselves and our homes and to keep on sending men to the front and the fighting line. The new army now being formed will be a truly democratic army, as all classes of society will be in the ranks. Well to do and poor will shoulder the rifle side by side as privates. (Applause). But in such an army there will be grand chances for men to rise to N.C.O’s and officers too. (Applause). If to herself old England will be true we shall come out as victors and then we may see 100 years of peace. (Applause). The nations will take care that Prussian Emperors and Prussian Junkers no longer bluster and swagger and rattle the sabre, and talk about mailed fists and build fleets not as we do to protect a world-wide empire, but for purely aggressive purposes. Turning to the back of the building, Sir Philip pointed to the place of honour which had been given to the Belgian flag which was hanging side by side with the Union Jack and the flags of France and Russia. He had yet not been able to obtain a flag of Japan. The reference to these emblems aroused considerable enthusiasm among the audience.

The Marquess of Lincolnshire, (Footnote 1) who met with a cordial reception, said Sir Philip Rose had set the case so straight before them that it was hardly necessary for him to say anything. The time for talking was over; they had now got to act. (“Hear, hear”). There was the ghastly fact that this great country was at war with Germany, and it was a war for our honour, our safety, and our preservation. He was gratified to see so many young men present that night and as men who were loyal to their King and country he asked them with all sincerity and confidence to join the Oxford Light Infantry, which was part of Lord Kitchener’s New Army of 100,000 men. They were asked to come forward to serve during the period of the war, whether it was for six weeks or years, and as soon as ever peace was proclaimed, and he prayed that it would be in a very short time, they would be able to return to their daily invocations. With all the emphasis that he could command he appealed to the young men, plucky young men, to simply do their duty and resolve to fight in the ranks for their country in her great struggle against Germany. Their Chairman had rightly told them it was to be a democratic army – all classes were to be found fighting side by side. The Prince of Wales – the heir to the Throne – had come forward (applause) – and hundreds of others were rallying to the colours. (“Hear, hear”). Lord Roseby’s son had also joined. (Sir Philip Rose: And Lord Lincolnshire’s only son has recently joined the army. (Applause)). They had, continued Lord Lincolnshire, done the best they could. One of his nephews was an admiral, and another a midshipman, and both were at present with the Navy in the North Sea. (Applause). Two sons-in-law and two nephews were also in the army with their respective regiments. Another son-in-law, who married his fifth daughter, only came home from America last week, and as soon as arrangements were complete he was joining Lord Kitchener’s Army. He expected that another nephew would be gazetted on the following day in the 5th Dragoon Guards. (Applause). He did not give those instances in any boastful spirit, but merely to show them how all classes of the community were coming forward. (“Hear, hear”). Their Chairman had also referred to the awful disaster it would be for England if Germany were to invade their shores. Ostend was only about 60 miles from Dover, and that fact showed that the enemy was not so very far off. If such a thing did happen there was no doubt the Germans would serve them as they had the gallant Belgians. They would have to grind their teeth and face it if such a terrible thing did happen. At High Wycombe recruiting was going on very satisfactorily. Up to the present time they had obtained something like 100 recruits, and he hoped those at Tylers Green and Penn would follow the example set them at Wycombe. (“Hear, hear”). As they knew, Sir Philip Rose had for some years been at the head of the Unionist party in South Bucks and he (Lord Lincolnshire) had for a great number of years fought in the ranks of the Radical party. At the present time the political sword was in the sheath. (Applause). The headquarters of the Radical party at Wycombe was being used as a Recruiting Office and the headquarters of the Unionist party in Wycombe were given over to the Distress Relief Committee. Those facts showed that they were all united to do the best they possibly could to help their country. It was their solemn duty to come forward to do what they could in defence of their country. (“Hear, hear”). While their sons were at war it would be their bounden duty to look after those at home. In the first place they would support the wives and children; then they would have the aged and infirm, and the last to be looked after would be the young men whose duty it was to go and serve this country in its great crisis. (“Hear, hear”). In High Wycombe the chair trade was practically at a standstill. Representations had already been made to the Government officials to send down orders for invalid chairs and any articles of furniture that might be required, so as to give work to those who at the present time were unemployed. It was far better to spend money on work to relieve distress than it was to give out doles. (Applause). From what had been told them that night the young men knew what their duties were. Those who were unable to volunteer for Foreign service could enrol themselves as Special Constables to guard bridges, main roads, waterworks, public buildings and railways. The news which they had that night from the seat of war was very serious. The great fortress at Namur had fallen, and the British troops and some portion of the allied forces had had to fall back on the defensive lines of France. Concluding, the Marquess renewed his appeal for all men to come forward to do their duty. (Applause).

Sir Philip Rose said it should be borne in mind that as soon as the war was over they would not be kicked out of the army. Nothing of the kind. Opportunity would be given them to continue to serve if they so desired. (Applause).

Mr Wigram referred to conditions of pay for single men who joined Lord Kitchener’s Army, viz, 1s.2d. per day and then went on to say that if in a year’s time a portion of the German Army were to march through that district he thought the young men of Penn and Tylers Green would feel ashamed that they did not respond to the call of their country. That district had done well in the past, and he was hoping that it would do so again in this critical hour. (Applause).

The Marquess of Lincolnshire then swore in Sir Philip Rose as a Parish Constable, and Sir Philip administered the oath to Mr Dixon Davies. The Marquess of Lincolnshire performed a similar ceremony in regard to the following: Rev. R. F. Ashley Spencer, Colonel Becher, Messrs Harvey Dalziel, R. F. Hayman, W. W. Wheeler, F. Spicer, H. Druce, G. Slade, C. Smith, J. C. Grove, B. Reynardson, Wm. Pusey, Robert Winter, F. Harvey, and J. White.

While the swearing-in ceremony was in progress a recruiting officer from the Oxfordshire Light Infantry was busily engaged in inducing young men to join the regiment.

Sir Philip Rose announced that he had received a short letter from their Member, Mr W. H. Du Pre who was at Bishop Stortford. Mr Du Pre announced that nearly all the Commanding Officers had volunteered for Foreign service, and he expected that he would shortly have to go to Belgium. (Applause).

The Rev. R. F. Ashley Spencer, in proposing a vote of thanks to Lord Lincolnshire, referred to the abominable lies which German writers were telling concerning their position in England. He had just received a newspaper from America, in which it was stated that they had only obtained 2,000 men for Lord Kitchener’s new army. (“Shame!”). He had been in London recently, and it was inspiring to see the young men who were anxious to serve their King and country. (Applause). Mr Spencer alluded to the serious position in which they would find themselves if Germany invaded this country. They would be called upon to pay something like £500,000,000, and in addition all their foreign trade would be gone. After urging young men to come forward and join the army, and parents to do their utmost to induce their sons to serve their King and country, the Vicar said that the Local Government Board had sent out circulars to Boards of Guardians pointing out that the wives and children of soldiers were to be first considered; then the aged and infirm, and that young men who were capable of serving their King and country were the last to receive consideration from the Guardians. (“Hear, hear”). Personally, he was glad of the decision of the Local Government Board. Concluding, Mr Spencer said he was proud of the two young men who had volunteered for Lord Kitchener’s Army – Wm. Hazell and Stanley Spicer. (Applause). All honour to those two recruits, and he prayed that God would give them a brilliant future. (Applause).

Sir Philip Rose seconded the motion, and after the resolution had been carried, and the Marquess of Lincolnshire had replied, the meeting concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.

The Rev. R. F. Ashley Spencer announced that the Union Jack and the flags of Belgium, France and Russia had been flown from the Church. He had sent for a flag of Japan, and as soon as it arrived it would be flown from the Church every day until the war was ended. (Applause).

Maude Smith’s WW1 Diary – 24/08/14.  Thanks to Jon Walters and Ron Saunders.

Bucks Free Press 18/09/14 (p.5)

On Tuesday night, a well-attended meeting was held at the Parish Room. Sir Philip F. Rose, Bart. presided, and stirring addresses were  delivered by Colonel Somerville and Capt. Shields, urging the young men to come forward and gain honour by giving their services to their King and country. Between the addresses, Mr Matthews, organist of Tylers Green Church, played the National Anthems of Belgium, France and Russia, during which all the audience stood, and at the close of each gave hearty cheers for the soldiers of those countries.

A vote of thanks to the speakers was proposed by the Vicar, who said that up to the present time there were 40 soldiers, Regulars, Reservists and Recruits from the parish of Tylers Green and 10 from Penn but the list was not complete and would doubtless be added to.

After Colonel Somerville had replied the meeting concluded with the singing of the National Anthem, and those present dispersed to the strains of “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary”. Several recruits gave in their names after the meeting, and it is hoped that many more will do so shortly.

THE ROLL OF HONOUR

The names of those from Tylers Green serving with the Colours are: – P. Vivian Rose, Arthur John Bates, Robert Saunders, Ernest Long, William Rose, J.Emmerson, Archie Spicer, Frank Randall, Edward Plumridge, Frank White, Alfred White, James Mortemore, Herbert Mortemore, Arthur Mortemore, Edward Mortemore, Christopher Jarvis, Charles Jarvis, Henry Johnson, Alfred Trendall, Robert Wigram, Frank Beale, Harold Lewis, Fred Lewis, Oliver Wheeler, Sidney Fountain, George Dover, Rupert Woodbridge, William Randall, Harry Dutton, Peter Dalziel, Geoffrey Bartlett, William Hazell, Ernest Johnson, Edward Southam, Stanley Spicer, Daniel Hazell, Albert Hazell, Frank Hazell, Frank Rogers, Sidney Rogers, William Howell and Thomas Rose.

Those from Penn parish are: – Arthur Perfect, Fred Busby, Alfred Simmonds, Harry Church, John Fryer, Gerald Atkins, Norman Atkins, Frank Allen, George Allen and Charles Bates.

The names underlined are those who did not return from the war, along with many others named on Tylers Green and Penn War Memorials.

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LORD ROBERTS’ DEATH. — The official news last Sunday, which the Vicar reads to the congregation every Sunday morning, before service, conveyed the sad intelligence of the death of our greatest soldier, and cast a gloom over the whole service. At the conclusion, the “Dead March” was played in his honour, the Choir and congregation all standing, and the flags of Great Britain and her Allies, which are flown daily in the Churchyard, were lowered to half-mast.

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RECOGNITION OF LOYAL PATRIOTISM.

The Vicar having written to His Majesty telling him that in one family in Tylers Green parish there were four brothers, James, Herbert, Edward and Arthur, sons of James Mortemore; that in another, Daniel, Frank and Albert, sons of William and Phoebe Hazell; and that in a third Alfred, Frank and Thomas, sons of Thomas White, were all serving with the colours, a letter has been sent to each of the parents, of which the following is a copy:-

Privy Purse Office, Buckingham Palace,

7th November 1914.

Sir. – I have the honour to inform you that the King has heard with much interest that you have at present four sons in the Army.

I am commanded to express to you the King’s congratulations, and to assure you that His Majesty much appreciates the spirit of patriotism which prompted this example, in one family, of loyalty and devotion to their Sovereign and Empire.

I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant, I. E. G. Ponsonby, Keeper of the Privy Purse.

Mr James Mortemore.

Such recognition of patriotic service makes one and all feel very proud, and ought to stimulate further recruiting.

Maude Smith’s WW1 Diary – 1914.  Thanks to Jon Walters and Ron Saunders.

MEETING: DESOLATED BELGIUM.

Buck Free Press 20/11/14 (p.8)

Through the instrumentality of Mr J. C. Grove, a crowded audience at the Institute and Reading Room, Penn, were on Monday evening given a thrilling and graphic revelation by the Rev. J. Chas. Cox L.L.D., F.S.A. of the barbarities of the German military occupations in the desolated cities of Louvain, Antwerp, Termond, Lieges, Malines etc. The arrangements for the lecture were admirably made by Miss Thevenard, Secretary of the Institute. The lecture was illustrated by the means of a lime-light lantern, and the slides revealed with all the grim eloquence of the camera the unparalleled ruin and devastation caused by the invading German hordes.

Mr J. C. Grove having briefly introduced the lecturer, Dr Cox, at the outset, explained that the proceeds of the lecture were being forwarded to the Belgian Legation, and he also congratulated the people of the neighbourhood on assisting the refugees in other ways. Having dealt with the general condition of Belgium before the outbreak of war, the industry of its people, the success of its small farming, its religious freedom, its excellent administration of Poor Law and Charities, the education and intelligence of its people, and the incomparable treasures of architecture and other arts, the Lecturer described the havoc which had been wrought since the advent of the German soldiery. Some excellent pictures of the famous Churches and Town Halls of Belgium, many of them taken since the bombardments, revealing the ruthless and unjustifiable way in which the invaders had destroyed or damaged irreparably the work of centuries. His personal impressions of the beauties and historic interest of the old Belgian towns, and particularly of Louvain, were followed with great interest. He referred in detail to the unique features of the respective towns, and presented illustrations of the devastation dealt out to the undefended towns by the enemy’s artillery. The Lecturer observed that all those horrors which had been committed and which were so terrible, the ghastly loss of life on both sides, were so awful that some people seemed to think that civilization was on its trial, and that days of massacre would prevail in its place. He thought, however, that one might venture to say there was a silver lining to that awful cloud. He believed, with Robert Browning, that God was in his Heaven, and that all was right with the world, and that through the working of His providence an England would arise purified from the extravagance and love of luxury and so-called sport. Already the nation was getting purer, the people more prayerful, and the bitterness of political life and religious bigotry had died out amongst them. He closed an excellent lecture, which had all along held his audience enthralled, with those memorable words of Longfellow’s “Arsenal at Springfield” and expressed the belief that ere long the German people would be only too pleased to throw off the yoke of the accursed Prussian militarism, and once more there would come the reign of Peace.

A number of portraits of the leaders of the Allied Nations were then projected on the screen, and received with every enthusiasm.

A vote of thanks to Dr Cox for his lecture and to Mr J. C. Grove for his instrumentality in bringing Dr Cox to them, was ably proposed by Mr A. Birch Reynardson, and cordially passed, and the gathering closed with the singing of the National Anthem.

Thanks are accorded to Mr W. Evans for the loan of chairs. The lantern was operated by Mr E. Walker, representing Mr E. G. Wood of Queen Street, Cheapside. Messrs Day (senior and junior) very kindly undertook the sale of tickets, and seeing people into their seats.

The proceeds of the lecture, £26 4s (?) were sent to the Belgian Legation.

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Bucks Free Press 20/11/14 (p.5)

THE KING OF THE BELGIANS. – At the conclusion of Evensong, the Belgian National Anthem was played in honour of King Albert’s Fete Day, and was listened to by several Belgian Refugees living in the parish or nearby, and was much appreciated by them.

Maude Smith’s WW1 Diary – 1914.  Thanks to Jon Walters and Ron Saunders.

Bucks Free Press 18/12/14 (p.7)

WYCOMBE IN KHAKI

Oh! The Wye it came to Wycombe,
And the swans came with it too.
But now they’ve changed their plumage white,
For khaki’s sober hue.

Our famous fighting swan’s unchained,
And now in Northern France.
Giving “socks” to German goose-steppers,
And checking the War Lord’s chance.

We’ve thousands more in Wycombe,
Who their “little bit” must do.
And when they’ve done it, you may bet,
He’ll change his point of view.

I. COOK, Cherry Cott., Tylers Green.

Maude Smith’s WW1 Diary – 1914.  Thanks to Jon Walters and Ron Saunders.

The war memorial gothic cross stands adjacent to St. Margaret’s Church in the churchyard facing Hammersley Lane. There are also 30 memorial trees with an information board on the Back Common describing them all.
The memorial is constructed of Portland Stone.  The names are carved and lead filled on plaques on the wall behind the memorial. Three additional names were added at the base of the cross.  Richard Martin was identified recently, and his name is missing from the memorial plaques and trees.

The memorial was built by E. Harris, and on 26th August 1920 was dedicated by the Rt. Rev John Taylor-Smith, Chaplain General of Forces and unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant of Buckingham, Sir Charles Robert Wynn-Carington, 1st Marquess of Lincolnshire, of Wycombe Abbey, whose own son, Viscount Wendover, had died in 1915 from wounds received at the 2nd Battle of Ypres.

On the cross is the inscription: “In thankful and loving memory of the Officers and Men of this village who laid down their lives in the Great War for civilization. 1914 – 1919.”

In February 2008 the War Memorials Trust provided a grant of £360 towards the re-incising and re-painting of letters on the cross. The memorial was not cleaned as the stone had weathered to match the church behind and the community sought to retain this.

Text adapted from War Memorials Trust website.

The Tylers Green Memorial Trees on the Common

Thirty Lime, Beech and Copper Beech trees were planted in 1937 on the Front and Back Commons to commemorate the 30 men from Tylers Green who died in WW1.

A view of six of the Memorial trees on the Back Common. L-R: Ernest Trendall, William Wheeler, William Crabbe, Edmund Sturge, George Smith, Francis Coombes.

Memorial Trees Information Board.
Located near the Back Common car park,
down the lane opposite Tylers Green Village Hall.

Numbered Plan of the 30 Memorial Trees
(2Mb PDF file, opens in new window)
Zoom/Enlarge the image in your PDF file viewer
to read the tree numbers.

There is an interesting and very comprehensive ‘long read’ on Forces.net about the memorial trees and the men named on them.

The following men are remembered on the St. Margaret’s,
Tylers Green, WW1 War Memorial and Memorial Trees.

Geoffrey Edward Rose BARTLETT, Midshipman,
Royal Naval Reserve HMS Bulwark, Age 19,
Died 26 Nov 1914, as a result of a large explosion
on HMS Bulwark, whilst loading ammunition.
Buried: Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hants, Refce. 6
Born: c1895, S Kensington, London.
Parents: Edward Noel Napier Bartlett J.P.
& Dorothy Bartlett, née Rose,
second daughter of Sir Philip Rose of Rayners.
4 Tenby Mansions, Nottingham St, London, W1,
late of St Margaret’s Cottage, School Road, Tylers Green.
Geoffrey Bartlett seems to have come from a naval family, being the great-great-grandson of Admiral James Noble, who served with Commodore Horatio Nelson, later Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson.

Ernest BOVINGDON, Private 266694,
Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry, 5th (Service) Battalion.
Age 32, Date of death 27 Apr 1917, Killed in action during Arras Offensive.
No known grave. Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France, Bay 6 & 7
Born: 1884, one of 8 children, at Winchmore Hill,
Landscape gardener, fencing contractor.
Parents: William Timothy Bovingdon, (late) chair maker,
& Ellen Bovingdon née Jordan. Woodbine Cottages, Bank Road, Tylers Green.
Wife:  Lily Hearne, 1913, Died 1915 with their infant son.
Younger brother of Frank Bovingdon (Chalfont St Giles War Memorial)

Ernest Bovingdon’s original 1937 plaque, mis-spelt as ‘Bovington’.
© Greg Allwood, Forces.net

Francis COOMBES, Private, G/8231, The Queens (Royal West Surrey Regiment).
Age 30, died 28 Sep 1916. Killed by sniper fire: Thiepval, France & Flanders
Cemetery Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France, Pier & Face 5D & 6D
Born: c1886, Tyler’s Green, Builder’s Clerk, Golders Green.
Parents: Charles Coombes, agricultural labourer, & Mary A Coombes, née Perkins, Sunny Bank, Kingswood Rd, Tyler’s Green 

Francis Coombe’s Next of Kin Memorial Plaque. Approximately 11 cms or 4½ inches diameter. Often call ‘Dead Man’s Pennies’

This plaque may be for sale Contact Us and we will forward your details.

William CRABBE, Private, 632176, London Regiment, 20th Battalion
Age 20, Died: 4 March 1917, Died of wounds, France.
Cemetery Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinge, Belgium, XI.B.18A
Born 2nd November 1896, Edmonton Workhouse, Enfield, Middx.
Pre-war occupation, worked for local butcher Mr. R.H. Moreton.
William’s birth certificate shows that he was born at Edmonton Workhouse to Emily Crabb, a single parent. William was adopted from Dr. Barnardos by Mary Randall (née Adams) and her husband Jesse.

Frank DEADMAN, Rifleman C/1548,
Kings Royal Rifle Corps, 16th Battalion.
Enlisted: High Wycombe, Sept. 1915.
Died of wounds: 25 Oct 1917, Age:24:
2nd Australian General Hospital, Wimereux, Nr Boulogne.
Buried: Wimereux Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, VI.E.26
Born: c1893. Thornton Heath, Surrey,
Pre-war Occupation: Gardener for Sir Philip Rose, Rayners, Penn..
Parents: George Deadman, head gardener, & Ada S Deadman, née Herridge,
Cowbridge, Malmesbury, Wilts.
Named on Malmesbury and Tylers Green memorials.
Obituary: North Wilts Herald, 2nd November 1917.

Arthur DOVER, Lance Corporal, 17480, Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry, 1st Battalion
Age: 17. Died of wounds: 7 April 1916, Persian Gulf
Amara War Cemetery, Iraq, XXII.C.15
Born: 1898, Tylers Green, Parents: Henry Dover, chair maker, & Kate (late) Dover née Perfect, Tyler’s Green
Notes: Arthur was a Cornet player, Penn & TG Brass band & Penn Orchestra.

Harry James DUTTON, Private 265063, Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry, 1/1st Bucks Battalion.
Age: 25, Died 10 March 1917, Killed in action France,
Hem Farm Military Cemetery, Hem-Monacu, Somme,
France, II.L.16. Pre-war occupation: gardener.
Parents: George Dutton , baker, & Elsie Mary Dutton, née Free, Ferndale Cottage, Rays lane, Tylers Green.
Wife: (married 1915) Elsie Dutton née Rogers,
Brook Street, High Wycombe.

Frederick Harwood EUSTACE, Private, 23021,
Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry, 3rd Reserve Battalion.
Age: 27, Died of severe epilepsy, 28 June 1917
at Cosham Military Hospital, Hants.
Buried: St. Margaret’s, close to north boundary.
Former pupil of Tylers Green School.
Pre-war occupation: butcher.
Parents: John Eustace, chair turner,
& Lydia E Eustace née Putnam, Barnes Lane, Hazlemere.
Wife: Grace Woodhouse (Md. 1913), Hope Cottage, Tylers Green.

Sidney Arthur FOUNTAIN, Private, 33828,
Regiment Loyal North Lancashire Regiment 10th Battalion.
Age: 28, Died of wounds, 11 July 1917, Boulogne.
Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, IV.A.31.
Born c1889, Tyler’s Green, Baptism 28 April 1889.
Parents William Fountain, chair maker,
& Ellen Fountain, The Hollies, Tyler’s Green.
Sidney Fountain played Cricket & Football for Tylers Green,
played in the brass band and  at St. Margaret’s.
His name was drawn from a hat to be commemorated on
the memorial tree in St. Margaret’s front churchyard.

(Felix)  Hugh FRYER, Private 9014, Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry, 1st Battalion.
Age: 32, Died in captivity, 28 June 1916,  Persian Gulf, Basra Memorial, Iraq, Panel 26 & 63. Pre-war occupation: bricklayers labourer/regular soldier.
Parents: John Fryer, chair maker & Lizzie Fryer, née Perfect,  Potters Cross, Tylers Green. Notes: Served in India

Daniel HAZELL, Rifleman, 8113,
Regiment Rifle Brigade, 4th Battalion.
Died: 14 May 1915, Age 36, Killed in action Ypres.
No known grave, Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper,
Belgium, 46-48 & 50.
Parents: William Hazell, shoe maker, & Phoebe Hazell,
Hammersley Lane, Tyler’s Green.

John Joseph JAMES, Private, 1615,
Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry, 1/1st Bucks Battalion
Age:27, Died: 27 10 February 1916, Killed in action France & Flanders
Hebuterne Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, I.A.3
Born: c1889, Henley on Thames, Oxon.
Pre-war occupation: paper makers labourer .
Parents: Joseph James, (late), turner, & Sarah James.
Range View, Wycombe Marsh .
Wife: Fanny James nee Kent, Abbey Barn Road, Wycombe Marsh.
CWGC gives initials as J T James.  

Ernest Harry JOHNSON, Corporal, 21344,
Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry, 5th Battalion.
Age: 21, Died: 23 March 1918, Killed in action France, No Known Grave. Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France, Panel 50 & 51.
Born: c1897 Tyler’s Green.
Pre-war occupation, gardener.
Parents: James Henry Johnson, bricklayer,
& Ada Johnson, née Goddard, Nursery Lane, Tyler’s Green 

Bert Harry LEWIS, Lance Corporal, 18338,
Wiltshire Regiment 5th Battalion.
Age: –, Died: 29 October 1915, of wounds Gallipoli.
Hill 10 Cemetery, Turkey, I.E.10. Born: c1886 Hazlemere,
Pre-war occupation: chair upholsterer.
Parents: George Lewis, carpenter, & Selina Lewis,
Woodbine Cottages, Bank Road, Tylers Green .
Wife: Esther Lewis nee Collins, (1907), St Johns, Hazlemere.

Cyril Edwin Arnold LONG, Captain, W Yorkshire Reg’t,
(Prince of Wales Own), 15th Battalion [Leeds Pals].
Formerly Honourable Artillery Company, Acting Sergeant 2782. Commissioned 27 Dec 1915.
Died: 27 March 1918, Age 23, Killed in action.
Douchy-les-Ayette British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, IV.F.12
Born: 3 October 1895, Walthamstow, Essex,
Attended Royal Grammar School,
also named on RGS War Memorial.
Pre-war ocupation: apprentice chemist
Parents: Stephen George Long, school master, & Emily Long,
School House, School Road, Tyler’s Green

Ernest David LONG, Sergeant, 265784,
Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry, 1/1st Bucks Battalion.
Age: 29 Died: 29 October 1918, Killed in action Italy.
Barenthal Military Cemetery, Italy, Plot 2 Row A Grave 1.
Born: c1889 Wycombe, Baptism: 15 January 1890,
Woodbine Cottages, Bank Road, Tylers Green.
Pre-war occupation: gardener.
Parents: late David Long, coal carman, & Emily Long,
Woodbine Cottages, Tylers Green.

Richard Mitchell MARTIN, Gunner, 163616, Royal Field Artillery
C Battery, 317th Brigade. Military Medal.
Age 30, Died 2 October 1918, France.
Ribecourt Road Cemetery, 1.A.5, Trescault, France.
Born 19^th March 1888, orphaned age 10, Market Porter.
Husband of Florence Catherine (née Randall) Dean (formerly Martin),
of 2, Cherry Tree Cottage, Tyler’s Green, High Wycombe, Bucks.
Born at Poplar, London.
Named on HIgh Wycombe Hospital War Memorial,
Richard Martin is not named on the Tylers Green War memorial, no memorial tree or plaque.

Joseph NICHOLAS, Private, 20834, Wiltshire Regiment 5th Battalion..
Age: 32, Died: 14 May 1916, Mesopotamia. Amara War Cemetery, Iraq, XXI.H.10.
Born: c1884 Devizes, Occupation 1901: furniture porter.
Parents: late William Nicholas, agricultural labourer, & Susan Nicholas,
Folly Rd, Roundway, Devizes, Wilts.
Joseph Nicholas’ wartime will (opens in new tab).

Maurice PERFECT, Private, 202749,
Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry, 6th Battalion.
Born: c1897 Penn, Died: 20 Sep 1917, Age 19,
Killed in action, Passchendale, no known grave.
Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen,
Belgium, Panel 96 to 98
Parents: Frederick Perfect, game keeper at Rayners,
& Lucy, née Beal, Rayners Cottage, Beacon Hill, Penn.

Joseph PIGGOTT, Private, 24846, Grenadier Guards, 3rd Battalion.
Age: 32, Died: 27 November 1917, Killed in action France, no known grave.
Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, Nord, France, Panel 2
Born: c1885, Potton, Beds, Pre-war occupation: bricklayer.
Parents: Reuben (late) Piggott, fellmonger, & Mary J Piggott,
Greenhurst, Elm Road,  Tyler’s Green.
Note: ‘fellmonger’, dealer in hides and skins, Especially. sheep skins.

John Henry RICKETTS, Private, 21346,
Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry, 6th Battalion.
Age: 19, Died: 03 September 1916, Killed in action France & Flanders.
Guillemont Road Cemetery, Guillemont, Somme, France, VI.O.6
Born: c1897, Turners [Tylers] Green, Baptism: 5 September 1897, Tylers Green.
Pre-war occupation apprentice upholsterer, Randalls, High Wycombe.
Parents: Henry Ricketts, bricklayer, & Annie Saunders, Tylers Green.

Frank ROGERS, Private, 9966, Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry, 2nd Battalion.
Age: 22, Died: 16 May 1915, Killed in action France, no known grave.
Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France, Panel 26.
Born: c1893 Winchmore Hill.
Parents: George Rogers (dd, 1890), pot hawker, & Mary Ann née Hazell,
Tyler’s Green. Note: Died with his brother Sidney Rogers.

Sidney ROGERS, Private, 8332, Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry, 2nd Battalion
Age: 19, Died: 16 May 1915, Killed in action France & Flanders
Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France, Panel 26.
Born: c1896, Penn or Amersham,
Parents: George Rogers (late), pot hawker, & Mary Ann née Hazell,
Tyler’s Green. Note: Died with his brother Frank Rogers.

(Philip) Vivian ROSE, Captain, Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry, 7th Battalion.
Age: 48, Died: 25 Apr 1917, Taken Prisoner of War, Died Military Orthopaedic Hospital, Shepherd Bush, of wounds received at Loos, 26th September 1915.
Grave & Memorial: Family vault, outside West end of St. Margaret’s church.
Born: 25 Mar 1869, South Kensington, London. Pre-war occupation: Solicitor.
Parents: Sir Philip & Lady A Rose, Solicitor, Rayners, Penn.
Wife: Maud Winifred Rose née Gillian, Md. 1899, 5 Roland Gardens, S Kensington.

Robert William SAUNDERS, MSM, Sergeant, 26645,
(Meritorious Service Medal, posthumous).
Royal Garrison Artillery, 60th Siege Battery
Age: 29, Died: 29 Mar 1918, of wounds France & Flanders.
Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France, III.D.30.
Born: c1889 High Wycombe.
Parents: Robert Saunders (late), & Jane née Lacey,  Potters Cross, Penn.

Robert SCOTT, Private, 267231, Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry, 5th Battalion.
Age: 36, Died: 23 March 1918, Killed in action France, no known grave.
Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France, Panel 50 & 51.
Born: c1882 Great Marlow.
Pre-war occupation: Postman, at Tylers Green for a time.
Parents: Alfred Scott, wheelwright, & Eliza Scott, Great Kingshill.
Husband of: Alice Scott, 1 Council Cottage, Finchampstead, Wokingham, Berks.

George SMITH, Private, 17497, Royal Fusiliers
(City of London Regiment), 3rd Battalion.
Age: 34, Died: 5 October 1918, of wounds France.
Doingt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France, III.B.22.
Place of birth 1884, Tyler’s Green,
lived with his Grand-mother: Mrs Jane Birch, Tyler’s Green.
Saw action in Egypt and Salonika.
George Smith’s wartime will (opens in new tab).

Edmund STURGE, Captain, Middlesex Regiment,
10th Battalion. Attached to: Signal Service
(3rd Lahore Division, Indian Army), Royal Engineers.
Mentioned in despatches.
Age: 23, Died: 8 February 1919.
Taranto Town Cemetery Extension, Italy, I.G.5.
Born: c1896 Paddington, London.
Attended Merchant Taylors School.
Served in India, Mesopotamia and Palestine.
Parents: Henry Havelock Sturge, Surgeon MRCS,
& Maria Sturge.  81 Elgin Avenue, Paddington, London.
Spent summer holidays at Highfield, New Road, Tylers Green.

Alfred William TRENDELL, Corporal, 11878,
Kings Royal Rifle Corps, 1st Battalion.
Age: 20, Died: 2 March 1916, of wounds France.
Aix-Le-Nouvette Communal Cemetery Extension,
Pas de Calais, France, II.H.21.
Born: c1896 Penn.
Engineering apprentice.
Worked for uncle:
J T Bateman, Wycombe Marsh.
Parents:
John Trendell, & Kate née Plumridge,
The Larches, (now Keeper’s Cottage) Penn.
Note:  Brother of Ernest Trendall.

Ernest Albert TRENDELL, Lance Corporal, 17110,
Hampshire Regiment, 1st Battalion
Age: 18, Died: 1 July 1916, Killed in action,
no known grave. Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France,
Pier & Face 7C & 7B.
Parents: John Trendell, & Kate Trendell,
The Larches, (now Keeper’s Cottage), Penn.
Note: Formerly: 17479 Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry.
Brother of Alfred Trendall.

William Wingrove WHEELER, Private, R4/067820,
Royal Army Service Corps, 4th Base Remount Depot.
Age: 42, Died: 10 April 1916, France & Flanders.
Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, VIII.A. 90.
Baptism 16 May 1875, Tylers Green.
Pre-war occupation, bricklayer.
Parents: George Wheeler, Builder of St. Margaret’s Church,
& Margaret Channer, Homeleigh, Tyler’s Green.
Wife: Leah Wheeler née Fisher, four daughters, Rose Cottage, Penn

The information above is taken from a number of sources: June and Peter Underwood’s comprehensive website Buckinghamshire Remembers, the book ‘Penn & Tylers Green in the Great War and the Men Who Did Not Return‘, by Ron Saunders, published by the Penn & Tylers Green Residents Society. The book can be purchased here.  Additional detail from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.  Forces.net has a ‘long read’ of additional information about the memorial trees and the men named on them.

Holy Trinity, Penn War Memorials can be found on the pennchurch.uk website.

The war memorial gothic cross stands adjacent to St. Margaret’s Church in the churchyard facing Hammersley Lane. The memorial is constructed of Portland Stone. An inscription and names are carved and black painted on the cross. The WW1 names are on plaques on the wall behind the memorial which are carved and lead filled.

The memorial was built by E. Harris, and was dedicated on 26th August 1920 by the Rt. Rev John Taylor-Smith, Chaplain General of Forces and unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant of Buckingham, Sir Charles Robert Wynn-Carington, 1st Marquess of Lincolnshire, whose own son, Viscount Wendover, had died in 1915 from wounds received at the 2nd Battle of Ypres.

On the cross is the inscription: “In thankful and loving memory of the Officers and Men of this village who laid down their lives in the Great War for civilization. 1914 – 1919.”

Following WW2, two plaques were mounted on the front of the left and right pillars with the names of the men from Tylers Green who died in WW2.

In February 2008 the War Memorials Trust provided a grant of £360 towards the re-incising and re-painting of letters on the cross. The memorial was not cleaned as the stone had weathered to match the church behind and the community sought to retain this.

Text adapted from War Memorials Trust website.

WW2 Memorial trees on Tylers Green Common

November 11th 2022

AROUND 200 people, including some children from Tylers Green First and Middle Schools, attended a ceremony to dedicate 16 memorial trees planted to commemorate those named  on the St Margaret’s Church war memorial who died on active service in the Second World War.

The ceremony immediately followed the annual Armistice Day remembrance service  and two minute silence on Friday 11 November conducted by the Rev Graham Summers and John Youers from the Hazlemere  branch of the Royal British Legion, which includes Penn and Tylers Green.

Preparing to start the Armistice Day ceremony, held for the first time on the front common. Picture: Ken Allen.

The trees  were gifted by Chepping Wycombe Parish Council, which incorporates Tylers Green within its area, and were planted in and around Tylers Green common this month. They are accompanied by a plaque and at a later stage an interpretative board will be erected highlighting locations and background.

The trees – whitebeam and rowan – join other memorial trees that have been planted in earlier years in and around the common to mark the Tylers Green fallen in the First World War. 

Earl Howe told the gathering: “It is a privilege for me to dedicate these 16 trees.  The dedication has two strands to it.  The first is a dedication to the memory of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth whose Platinum Jubilee, at her request, is being marked throughout the year by the planting of trees across the country as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy.

“The second dedication is to the 16 men who served and died during the Second World War and whose names are commemorated on the war memorial at St Margaret’s Church.”

Some of the new memorial trees opposite Tylers Green First School. Picture: Ken Allen.

Cllr Katrina Wood, chairwoman of Chepping Wycombe Parish Council, thanked all those who had helped with the project and in particular Cllr Haydn Darch who instigated it and who saw it through.

After the ceremony, Cllr Darch thanked Earl Howe for the dedication; his fellow councillors for embracing the idea and funding it and the council clerk and grounds team for the practical work.

He added: “I would also like to thank Sharon Herron and Ron Saunders for their inputs and support and John Youers and the Rev Summers for agreeing to move to the front common and incorporating the dedication into this year’s remembrance. Bill Sadler, David Byrne and Geoff Roberts deserve special mention for embracing so enthusiastically my request to reinstall the flagpole/sound system on the front common, and of their own volition producing and funding the display of names in front of it.

A tableau featuring names from both world wars on the Tylers Green war memorial was a centrepiece of the 11 November ceremony. It was made by volunteers at Tylers Green Village Hall.

“Lastly I would like to thank the families of Thomas Harding, Maurice Perfect and Ronald Keen for supplying photographs and giving permission for us to use them on the yet to be installed new display boards.  They attended the service and have written expressing thanks to Penn and Tylers Green for remembering and marking the ultimate sacrifice  these and the other men made.

“It is intended to continue holding the remembrance service on the front common in similar fashion rather than the back common as  in the past, joining the other important events held there throughout the year that help create the real sense of community which makes Penn and Tylers Green such a special place to live and bring up children.”

First published in the Penn and Tylers Green Blog, by Peter Brown,
and reprinted in Village Voice Issue 213, Dec 2022/Jan 2023

The following men are remembered on the
St. Margaret’s, Tylers Green, WW2 War Memorial

Christopher E. Birch
Master at Arms, P/M 39713,
H.M.S Berwick, Royal Navy
Died: April 11 1946, Age:45,
Berks & Bucks Joint Sanatorium, Peppard Common, Henley.
Buried in Margaret’s Churchyard.
Joined navy 1929, served on HMS Victory and HMS Ark Royal.
Civilian Occupation: Rope & Twine Finisher.
One of 9 children, Parents: James and Edith Birch, Tylers Green, .
Married Vera Kathleen Sutton, July 1925.
Address 1939: “Endwood”, Hazlemere Rd, Penn.
Vera died 16 September 1964, ‘Arosa, 7 Hazlemere Rd.
Vera was niece of Daniell Hazell, killed at Ypres, 1915,
Christopher Birch is also remembered on his parent’s grave in St Margarets churchyard.

Leonard Alfred Charles Bone,
Leading Photographer, C/MX. 58155, H.M.S Hermes, Royal Navy.
Died: April 9, 1942, Age 23, Lee-on-Solent Memorial Bay 3, Panel 6:
Leonard Bone served on HMS Hermes in the post of Leading Photographer.  From the summer of 1940 the Hermes patrolled the Indian Ocean as part of the Eastern Fleet.  On 9 April 1942 she was attacked by 70 Japanese bombers while returning to Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, and sunk with the loss of 370 men.  (War Memorials Trust)
Born: 17 August, 1918, Dover, Kent.  1939: 40 Dollis Hill, Willesden.
Parents: Leonard Hartwell Bone, Norah Maud Bone, née Russell.
They married 7th October 1915, St Michael, the Archangel, Aldershot.

Albert Brooks Lance Corporal 5393375, Hampshire Regiment, 2nd Battalion.
Died: September 5, 1944, Age 21, MONTECCHIO WAR CEMETERY II. H. 1.
Lance Corporal Albert Brooks was a member of the regular army. On 25 August 1944 the Hampshire Brigade started its assault on the Gothic Line, a line of German defences running east – west across the Italian peninsula and after 5 days they had been so successful that they were in a position to assault the Gothic Line proper. The Gothic Line was breached on 1st September and the advance continued northwards. Lance Corp. Brooks died on 5 September 1944 the day that the Brigade was relieved. War Memorials Trust
Born December 1922, Employed as a gardener, Penn.
Parents: Albert Henry Brooks and Bertha Annie Brooks, née Woodwards,
1939: Widmere Cottage, Tylers Green.
Alfred Brooks is also named on the Holy Trinity, Penn WW2 War Memorial.

Hilary Charles Caldwell Squadron Leader, 103013,
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Assistant Air Attache to Madrid.
Died: May 18, 1944, Age 43, Flying accident over Spain,
Only British WW2 casualty in Madrid British Cemetery
Born c1900, Argentina. Parents: Vere and Louisa Mary Caldwell.
Married Rona Vivian Spencer Shaw, June 1942, Wycombe Dist. (St. Margaret’s?)
“Silverthorne”, Grenfell Rd. Beaconsfield.  One child, Susan Caldwell.
Memorial Service held 1st June, 1944, St Margaret’s, Tylers Green.

Alfred Brian Spencer Chennells, Major, 33326,
100 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery.
Died: May 4, 1942, Age 37, St. Margaret’s Churchyard. 
Parents: Revd. Dr. Alfred William Chennels & Margaret D.E Chennels.
Dr. Chennels was a retired clergyman who assisted at St. Margaret’s
(see Mrs Bechers Diary for unflattering comments!).
Born 24 January 1905, Plymouth, Devon.
1939: Hammersley, Hammersley Lane, Tylers Green
Married Annie Maud Bull at Rotherfield Greys, Oxon, 5th January 1940.
One child, Susan Dorothea Spencer Chennels, b 1942.

Dennis John Charles Child, Private, 14204867,
Somerset Light Infantry, 4th Battalion.
Died: May 22, 1943, Age 19, Thanet Kent, Accidentally drowned crossing a river in course of manoeuvres.
Buried: St. Margaret’s Churchyard.
Employed as Butchers assistant to Mr A. Sturgess
Born: 13^th June 1923, Wycombe Dist. 1 of 3 children
Parents: Charles Andrew Child & Agnes Beatrix Child,
1939: “Pentre”, Hazlemere Road, Penn.

Lewis Thomas Galsworthy, Driver, T/181578,
197 Field Ambulance, Royal Army Service Corps,
Reported missing March 1942. Confirmed POW April 1943.
Died: October 1, 1943, Age 30, Kanchanaburi War Cemetery 2. D. 64. Thailand.
Born 4^th May 1913 Bromley Kent.
Parents: Frederick Thomas Galsworthy & Annie Galsworthy.
Address 1939: “Widmore” Tylers Green.
Heavy Haulage Driver and Air raid warden.
1941 Married Ethel Flossie Piggott, Wycombe Reg District.
1941 “Fir Tree Cottage” Penn.
197 Field Ambulance was part of 18th Division which left Avonmouth at the end of October 1941 heading for the Middle East. They proceeded to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and then to Trinidad to refuel, before having 4 days shore leave at Cape Town. During this time the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour and invaded Malaya; the troops were redirected to Bombay, where they went ashore for two weeks, before re-embarking and arriving in Singapore in January 1942.
The Japanese landed on Singapore on 8th February and the island was unconditionally surrendered by the Allied commanders on 15th February.
All remaining Allied soldiers and civilians became prisoners of war;
members 197 Field Ambulances were among those marched to Changi prison.
Men from this prisoner and other smaller camps were used as forced labour
to build the Burma-Siam railway. Driver Galsworthy died during this work
in October 1943 after being a prisoner of war for 20 months.
War Memorials Trust

Thomas Alfred Harding, Lance Corporal,1888894,
Royal Engineers, 70 Field Company. Enlisted May 1940.
Died 28^th August 1944, Age 31. Accidentally drowned.
Buried St Pierre–Du–Vauvray Communal Cemetery, Grave 20.
Born 28^th May 1913, Parents: Alfred Harding & Elizabeth Mary Harding,
Cholesbury Cottage, Hazlemere Road, Penn.
Married Kathleen Rose Meeks, April 1938, (born 13^th March 1914),
Lived at Kathston, West Avenue, Hazlemere Road, Penn.
Painter and Decorator, A Harding & Son, Hazlemere Road Penn.
(Thanks to Brian Harding and Ken Allen, for additional information)

Richard Hugh Jagger Pilot Officer, 61220,
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died: April 14, 1941, Age: 25, following air to air firing practice in Spitfire No.K9935, in a crash in Northumberland. (documented in the book “Almost Forgotten” by Chris Harris).
Civilian Occupation: Bank Official.
Gained Pilot’s Licence 20th May 1939
He is buried in St. Margaret’s Churchyard next to his uncle Arthur Jagger.  He is not named on St. Margarets War memorial, but his name is on Beaconsfield War Memorial.
Parents: the late Lt.Col. Hugh C Jagger And Mrs. H.C. Jagger,
‘Russett’, Woodside Avenue,Beaconsfield.
His uncle Arthur Jagger and his wife and unmarried sisters, lived in Tylers Green, at Lost Cottage and St. Anthonys Cottage both opposite The Horse & Jockey. (Thanks to Ron Saunders for the additional information).

Ronald Alexander Keen, Driver, 236165, Royal Army Service Corps.
Born 4^th August 1907, Died 12^th June 1942, age 34.
Buried Delhi War Cemetery India, 4. G. 1.
Pre-war occupation: Wood Polisher, Owen Haines & Son, Jubilee Rd. HW.
Parents: 3rd son of William Keen & Elsie Keen, of Holmer Green.
Wife: Married Clara Harding, September 1935. Daughter Jennifer, Born 1940.
Address 1939: “Homerton” West Avenue Penn.
Address 1942: “Cholesbury”, Hazlemere Road, Penn.
Ronald was a member of Holmer Green Orchestra
and Penn PSA (‘Pleasant Sunday Afternoon’) Orchestra.
Attended Penn Free Methodist Church.
Clara Harding was the sister of Thomas Alfred Harding shown above,
Ronald Keen and Thomas Harding were brothers -in-law.

Guy Meredith Myles Mathews Lieutenant, 129137,
5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, Royal Armoured Corps.
Seconded to Staffordshire Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps.
Died: January 15, 1943, Age 27, Alamein Memorial Column 15.
Address 1939: “Shields”, St. John’s Road, Tylers Green.
Born 1915, Hampstead. Twin sisters, Rosamund & Alison.
Parents: Charles Myles Mathews, Solicitor, & Edith A Mathews, Penn.

Bertie Meeks Private, D/31618,
Royal Berkshire Rgt. 8th Home Defence Battalion.
Died: February 9, 1945, Age 46, Oxford.
Civilian Occupation: French Polisher.
Buried: St. Margaret’s Churchyard.
Parents:  William Meeks & Jane Meeks, Winchmore Hill.
Md. Florence Marjorie May Collins, Sept. 1925.
One daughter, Doreen Meeks.
Address 1939: “Alma Cottage”, Tylers Green Common.

Maurice Perfect Gunner, 1140710,
80th (The Scottish Horse) Medium Regiment,
Royal Artillery, Died: November 3, 1943, Age 21,
Sangro River War Cemetery XV. E. 33.
Parents: Frederick & Eva Perfect.
Md. Dora M Cooper, April 1942.
Two of the men commemorated at St. Margarets died as the Allies fought their way up the Italian peninsula, Maurice Perfect and Albert Brooks.
Gunner Maurice Perfect was a member of the 80th (The Scottish Horse) Medium Regiment and landed at Taranto on 9th September 1943. His regiment fought up the Adriatic coast of Italy, breaking the Viktor/Volturno Line defences on 6th October. After this they stopped at the Trigno River to regroup and it was not for nearly a month (2nd November) that they attacked the Germans across the river. The fighting was fierce, and Gunner Perfect was killed on 3rd November 1943. However, on that same day the British reached the town of San Salvo and the German commander decided to withdraw to the next German defensive line.  War Memorials Trust
Maurice was named after his uncle Maurice who died at Passchendale, 1917.
His father Frederick served in the Royal Field Artillery, in WW1.

Arthur Leonard Radwell Private, 5349139,
Royal Berkshire Regiment, 10th Battalion.
Died: July 27, 1944, Age 20,
Shot whilst trying to escape from Ostheim POW Camp.
Buried: Durnbach War Cemetery 3. D. 16. Bayern, Germany.
Parents: Lydia and Ralph Radwell, Chimney Sweep & Postman.
1939: “Yonder”, St John’s Road, Tylers Green.
Married Minnie Ivy Puddifoot, March 1942, High Wycombe.

George Alfred Warren Trooper, 329519,
‘C’ Squadron, 17th/21st Lancers, Royal Armoured Corps,
(17^th/21^st Lancers known as “Death or Glory Boys”)
Died: January 18, 1943, Age 21,
Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery 16. H. 13. Tunisia.
Civilian Occupation: Butcher’s Assistant.
Parents: John T Warren & Elsie Warren, Penn.
1939: “Farview”, Hammersley Lane.
Trooper George Warren of the Royal Armoured Corps died in January 1943 during fighting in Tunisia, in the last phase of the “back and forth” fighting in the north African desert; four months later the Allies were victorious here.
War Memorials Trust

Donald Harry West
Lance Corporal, PO/X 116165, Royal Marines.
1939: Joined Portsmouth City Police,  transferred to Royal Marines.
Accidentally killed, Devon, April 18, 1943,  Age 22.
Buried St. Margaret’s Churchyard.
Born: September 1920, Wycombe District.
Attended St. David’s College, High Wycombe.
Parents: Edward J West & Mrs. E.J. West, Penn.
His father Edward West served in Machine gun Corps, in WW1.

Alfred Donald White Lance Serjeant, 5985876,
2nd (Airborne) Bn., Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry.
Died: 7th June 1944, Age: 24.  Bayeux War Cemetery X. K. 22.
Parents: Only son of Alfred & Margaret (Maggie) White,
Address 1939: “Old Park”, Hammersley Lane.
His unit were among the first Allied Forces to land on D-Day
Probably died in the battle for Pegasus Bridge

Basic Information sourced from Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, with additional information from War Memorials Trust website, and Ron Saunders.