STEEPLE MORDEN WAR MEMORIAL

The memorial stands outside in the grounds of the church and has been recently repointed. The only name, from World War 2, was omitted after repointing but curiously the surnames only run from J-W. The names listed here to J are taken from the Ely memorial plus several other omissions; the actual count on the memorial is 16 names. A second memorial sits near Steeple Morden and Ashwell in the hamlet called Odsey. This is near the farm owned by the Fordham family and contains the names of the family and workers. Odsey takes in the railway station of Ashwell and Morden, which is some 200 yards from the memorial. The memorial was designed for the Fordham family by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

From an old postcard

IN HONOUR OF THOSE
WHO FOUGHT IN
MEMORY OF THOSE
WHO FELL IN THE
GREAT WAR
1914-1919

CHAPMAN	Charles	Private 3/7750 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment who died in the United Kingdom on Tuesday, 12th January 1915 at home. Aged 42. Born Shingay, enlisted Bedford, resident Royston. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Archer Chapman, of Shingay, Royston, Herts; husband of Kate Chapman, of Shingay Gate, Royston. Buried to the right of the main path in Wendy (All Saints) Churchyard, Shingay cum Wendy, Cambridgeshire.
CHAPMAN	Charles	Private, 16396, 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment who was killed in action on Saturday, 11th March 1916. Born and resident Shingay, enlisted Royston. In the 1911 census he is the son of Abel and Martha Chapman, aged 15, a Farm Labourer, born Old Shingay, resident Flex Lane, Steeple Morden. Buried in MENIN ROAD SOUTH MILITARY CEMETERY, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot I. Row L. Grave 12.
DOCWRA	Thomas	[Spelt DOCURA on CWGC] Private, 241503, 3rd Battalion, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) who died on Monday, 24th February 1919. In the 1911 census he is aged 30, married to Emily, born Barrington, Cambridgeshire, resident Steeple Morden. Buried in Guilden Morden Burial Ground, Guilden Morden, Cambridgeshire. Section 19. Grave D.
FOXON	James	Lance Corporal 16277 9th Battalion, Essex Regiment who died on Tuesday, 14th March 1916. Aged 19. Son of William T. and Sarah Ann Foxon, of Shingay, Royston, Hertfordshire. Born and resident Shingay, enlisted Royston. In the 1911 census he is aged 14, son of William Thomas and Sarah Ann Foxon, a farm Labourer, born Steeple Morden and resident in Flex Lane, Steeple Morden. Buried in ST. SEVER CEMETERY, ROUEN, Seine-Maritime, France. Plot A. Row 18. Grave 20.
JARMAN	William Herbert	Private 23858 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment who was killed in action on Monday, 3rd July 1916. Born Litlington, Cambs, enlisted Steeple Morden. No known grave. Commemorated on the THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 1 C and 2 A
JARMAN	Arthur William	Corporal 15854 15th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment who died of wounds on Friday, 6th September 1918. Born Steeple Morden, enlisted Cambridge. In the 1911 census he is aged 17, son of Arthur and Mary Ann Jarman, a Farm Labourer, born Steeple Morden, resident Brook End, Steeple Morden. Buried in DERNANCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Somme, France. Plot VIII. Row C. Grave 8.
JARMAN	Edward	Private 3/10336 11th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment who was killed in action on Sunday, 26th August 1917. Born Steeple Morden, enlisted Cambridge. In the 1911 census he is aged 22, the grandson of Samuel and Susan Jarman, a Farm Labourer, born Steeple Morden, resident The Green, Steeple Morden. Buried in HARGICOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Aisne, France. Plot/Row/Section A. Grave 3.
KIRBYSHIRE	Sidney W	Private 235059 8th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment killed in action on Thursday, 4th October 1917. Born and enlisted Steeple Morden. Formerly 23865, Suffolk Regiment. In the 1911 cenus he is aged 15, the grandson of David and Martha Watts, a Farm Labourer, born Steeple Morden, resident Station Road, Steeple Morden. Buried in HOOGE CRATER CEMETERY, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot XXI. Row B. Grave 5.
KIRBYSHIRE	Walter Charles	Sapper 86012 212th Field Company, Royal Engineers who was killed in action on Friday, 21st July 1916. Aged 33. Born Steeple Morden, enlisted Tottenham, resident Wood Green, Middlesex. Son of David and Helen Kirbyshire, of Steeple Morden, Royston, Herts; husband of Alice Kirbyshire, of 231, Moselle Avenue, Wood Green, London. In the 1911 census he has been married to Alice Elizabeth Kirbyshire for 8 years, they have two children,, he is aged 28, a Hospital Porter, born Steeple Morden, resident 8 Newington Greem, Islington, London. Commemorated on the THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 8 A and 8 D
MATTHEWS	J	In the 1911 census Joseph Matthews is a boarder, aged 25, a Carpenter, born Steeple Morden, resident Bar Lane, Stapleford, Cambs. No further information currently available.
MOSS	Arthur	Private, G/13155, 6th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) who was killed in action on Friday, 23rd August 1918. Born Steeple Morden, enlisted Edmonton, Middx, resident Ponders End, Middlesex. Formerly G/12796, 9th Battlaion, Royal West Surrey Regiemnt. In the 1911 census Arthur Thomas Moss was aged 27, married to Adad matilda Moss for 5 years, they had one son, he was a Cownman, born Steeple Morden, resident Myrtle Cottages, 4 Cromwell Avenue, Cheshunt. Buried in Meaulte Military Cemetery, Somme, France. Plot/Row/Section E. Grave 41.
PEARCE	W	No further information currently available.
PECK	Sidney Clifford	Private, 49631, 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment who died on Thursday, 9th May 1918. Age 19. Born and resident Steeple Morden, enlisted Cambridge. Son of John Peck, of The Green, Steeple Morden. Buried in Berlin South-Western Cemetery, Brandenburg, Germany. Plot XII. Row B. Grave 5.
RAYNER	Edward	Leading Seaman J/10533 H.M.S. "Natal.", Royal Navy who was killed when his ship was sunk by an internal explosion near Cromarty with the loss of at least 390 crewmen and civilians on Thursday, 30th December 1915. Age 26. Born 5 February 1889 in Royston. Son of John and Isabel Rayner, of North Brook End, Steeple Morden, Cambs. No known grave. Commemorated on the CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Face 9.
STARLING	E	In the 1911 census Ernest Starling, was aged 15, son of Frederick and Elizabeth Starling, a Farm Labourer, born Little Tuslow, Essex, resident Dark Lane, Stotfold, Beds. He was the brother of Walter James Starling (below).
STARLING	Walter James	Private 40909 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment who was killed in action on Friday, 21st September 1917. Age 23. Son of Mrs. E. Starling, of Wilsmere Down, Barrington. Cambs. Born Gt Wratting, Essex, enlisted Hounslow, Middlesex, resident of Steeple Morden, Herts. Formerly 39469, Northants Regt. In the 1911 census he was aged 17, son of Frederick and Elizabeth Starling, a Farm Labourer, born Great Wratting, resident Dark Lane, Stotfold, Beds. Buried in DUHALLOW A.D.S. CEMETERY, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot VIII. Row F. Grave 5.
SOLOMON	James Thomas	Private 102459 Royal Army Medical Corps who died on Saturday, 19th July 1919. In the 1911 census he was aged 15, son of John Thomas and Ellen Eliza Solomon, born Woodford, Essex, resident Woodlands, Steeple Morden. No known grave. Commemorated on the DELHI MEMORIAL (INDIA GATE), India. Face 23 (Buried Peshawar (Right) B.C. XLV. 62.)
THOMPSON	Wilfred	Private, 8903, 8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, killed in action on Saturday, 7th October 1916. Age 22. Born and resident Royston, enlisted Wimbledon. Son of Jesse and Alice Jane Thompson, of Steeple Morden, Cambs. In the 1911 census he was aged 16, Houseboy Domestic Servant to Theodore Rivington, born Steeple Morden, resident Sotby, Wragby, Lincolnshire. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 8 C 9 A and 16 A
WELLS	[Arthur] Bernard	Private 36441, 11th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment transferred to 512899, 176th Company Labour Corps. Died 18th March 1918. Aged 29. Only son of Ellen Townsend (formerly Wells), of Bleak Cottage, Steeple Morden, Royston, Herts, and the late Thomas Wells. He was first to volunteer in this village. Buried in Boulogne Eastern cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Plot VIII. Row I. Grave 163.
WHITE	Ernest	Private, 18/32178, 2nd/8th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers who died of wounds on Thursday, 7th February 1918. Age 25. Enlisted London, resident Steeple Morden. Son of Frederick White, of 76, Campers Walk, Letchworth, Herts. Formerly 3535, Cyclist Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. Buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot XXVII. Row FF. Grave 10.
WATTS	Thomas	Private, G/26920, 1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment who was killed in action on Thursday, 6th December 1917. Born and resident Steeple Morden, enlisted Bury St Edmunds. Born the third son of nine children to Francis Stirling Watts and Jane Watts (nee Potton). In the 1911 census he was the son of Francis Stirling and Jane Watts, aged 25, employed Market Gardening, born Steeple Morden and resident Station Road, Steeple Morden. Buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot I. Row J. Grave 4.
WISEMAN	Bertie	Private, 8765, 2nd Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment who died of wounds on Saturday, 6th February 1915. Born and resident Royston, enlisted Bury St Edmunds. Buried in Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery, Nord, France. Plot III. Row A. Grave 30. His history is detailed on an external page referenced as Bertie Wiseman, Steeple Morden’s Unknown Warrior
WORBOYS	James	Private 266616 1st/1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment who died of wounds on Friday, 5th April 1918. Age 20. Enlisted Hertford, resident Steeple Morden. Brother of Fanny Calton, of Flex Lane, Steeple Morden, Cambs. In the 1911 census he was the son of James and Annie Worboys, aged 13, at school, born Steeple Morden, resident Flex Lane, Steeple Morden. Buried in WIMEREUX COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot X. Row A. Grave 13A.
1939-45 (missing after repointing)
CROUCHER	Ronald Edward	Private 6348997 1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment who died on Monday, 31st July 1944. Age 28. Son of Frederick Thomas Croucher and Gertrude Helen Croucher; husband of Joyce Annie Croucher (nee Moss), of Steeple Morden, Hertfordshire (they married in the January to March Quarter 1943 in the Cambridge Registration District. Buried in BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY, Calvados, France. Plot III. Row C. Grave 3.

Last updated 31 March, 2024