Roll of Honour - Cambridgeshire - Swaffham Prior St Mary

Ministry of Defence

Lest We Forget

The Royal British Legion

SWAFFHAM PRIOR ST MARY WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © 2000 Ann Thompson
additional information from Patrick Gariepy and Tony Pringle

The Swaffham Prior memorial is to be found in St Marys Church, High Street, Swaffham Prior and takes the form of a unique three light window. Each of the three lights tells a story, the first shows the call to war and the last shows Christ in glory when there shall be no more war; in between individual panels with illustrations depicting weaponry and scenes from the war. The first window has panels depicting the call to war; shell factory; a howitzer; liquid fire; a Zeppelin; a tank; a German aeroplane; a field telegraph; a captured dug out. The first window has panels depicting a motor field kitchen; trans-Sinai pipeline; YMCA hut; a German submarine mine layer; a British submarine; sinking of the Lusitania; red cross hospital; military chaplain; statue of liberty. The third window has panels depicting Christ the good shepherd; ploughing; rural activities like farming; parable of the sower; sheep, cattle and camels feeding; watering sheep; harvesting; threshing by oxen; Christ in majesty. Below the seond window is a brass plaque containing the names of the fallen. The memorial was dedicated and unveiled 21sr December 1919 and cost £120; the artists were Messrs G Maile & Son Ltd, the designer Mr Thomas F Curtis.

The wording above the names on the memorial in the church and below the commemorative stained glass windows reads:-


Photographs Copyright © Andrew Tatham 2016

WAR
WAR WAS DECLARED ON THE 4TH OF AUGUST 1914
THESE WINDOWS WERE INSERTED TO COMMEMORATE THE GREAT WAR AND THE
MEN OF SWAFFAM PRIOR WHO WERE KILLED IN ACTION OR DIED OF
WOUNDS OR DISEASE FIGHTING NOBLY FOR GOD KING AND COUNTRY
AGAINST THE AGGRESSION AND BARBARITIES OF GERMAN MILITARISM
The names then appear followed by
PEACE
PEACE WAS SIGNED ON THE 28TH JUNE 1919
THE LORD SHALL GIVE STRENGTH UNTO HIS PEOPLE
THE LORD SHALL GIVE HIS PEOPLE THE BLESSING OF PEACE PSALM 29 V10
THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS IN THE AISLES OF THIS CHURCH WERE
INSERTED IN 1902 AND FOLLOWING YEARS TO THE HONOUR AND GLORY OF
GOD AND ADORNMENT OF HIS HOUSE
THEM THAT HONOUR ME I WILL HONOUR AND THEY THAT DESPISE ME SHALL
BE LIGHTLY ESTEEMED 1 SAM.2 30

1914-1918

ATKINSON	[Frederick] Ivor	Private 1001266, 78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment) who died on Tuesday, 18th February 1919. Aged 19. Son of Mrs. Alice Atkinson, of 23, Blair St., Upper Stanhope St., Liverpool. Born December 14, 1897, in New Brighton, Cheshire, the son of Alice Atkinson of Swaffham, Cambs. He was unmarried and in civil life was employed as a teamster in Gladstone, Manitoba (Canada). On September 16, 1916, he enlisted in the C.E.F. at Camp Hughes. At the time of his enlistment he was described as being 5’ 8” tall with dark complexion, brown hair and brown eyes. Buried in BELMONT HILLSIDE CEMETERY, Manitoba, Canada. Grave 1. National Archives of Canada Accession Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 287 - 32
BENSTEAD	Arthur	Private 16427, "B" Company, 11th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment who was killed in action on Saturday, 28th April 1917. Aged 21. Born Swaffham Prior, enlisted Cambridge. Son of Frederick and Fanny Benstead, of Station Rd., Long Stanton, Cambs. Born at Swaffham Prior, Cambridge. Buried in BROWN'S COPSE CEMETERY, ROEUX, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row C. Grave 19.
BENSTEAD [Senior]	Percy	Private 196666, 19th Brigade Ammunition Column, Royal Horse Artillery. Died of Malaria in Egypt 9th November 1918. Aged 32. Born Huntingdon, resident Swaffham Prior. Son of William and Mahala Benstead; husband of Daisy H. Benstead, of High St. Swaffham Prior, Cambs. He was the grandfather of a later Pastor; he died of Malaria in Egypt and never saw his daughter who was born in 1917. Buried in DAMASCUS COMMONWEALTH WAR CEMETERY, Syria. Plot/Row/Section B. Grave 48. Also on the Zion Church Memorial.
BENSTEAD [Junior]	Percy	Private 12557, 2nd Battalion (memorial says 7th), Suffolk Regiment who was killed in action on Thursday, 2nd March 1916. Aged 20. Born Swaffham Prior, enlisted Cambridge. Son of Sidney Benstead, of Swaffham Prior, Cambs. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 21.
BROWN	William James	Private G/39450 [CWGC] or G/39459 [SDGW], 1st Battalion, Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) who was killed in action on Sunday, 2nd December 1917. Aged 19. Born Swaffham Prior, enlisted Cambridge, resident Trumpington. Son of James and Jane Brown, of Cadenham Farm, Swaffham Prior, Cambridge. Buried in DOCHY FARM NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot IV. Row C. Grave 24.
BULLMAN	Arthur Jack	Private 16446, 11th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment who died in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 12th September 1915. Aged 21. Born Swaffham Prior, enlisted Cambridge. Buried in SWAFFHAM PRIOR CEMETERY, Cambridgeshire. Grave 112.
CAMPS	Harry Christopher	Private 32972, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment who was killed in action on Monday, 23rd April 1917. Aged 23. Born Waterbeach, resident and enlisted Stratford, Essex. Son of T. Camps, of Station Cottages, Swaffham Prior, Cambs. Formerly 9059, Royal West Surrey Regiment. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 5.
FLACK	John Edmond	Serjeant 14805, 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment who was killed in action on Saturday, 14th April 1917. Aged 26. Born Waterbeach, enlisted Warley, Essex, resident Cambridge. Son of Walter and Aviss Flack, of Partridge Hall Farm, Swaffham Prior, Cambridge. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 7.
HATLEY	Frederick James	Private 3677, 35th Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). Died of wounds 17 October 1916. Aged 21. Born and resident Reach, enlisted Newmarket. Son of John William Hatley, of Bull Cottage, Reach, Cambs. Formerly 20737, Suffolk Regiment. In the 1911 census he was a son, aged 16, Farmer's Son Working on Farm, born Swaffham Prior, resident Chewtree Inn, Swaffham Fen, with his parents John William and Mary Ann Hatley. Buried in DARTMOOR CEMETERY, BECORDEL-BECOURT, Somme, France. Plot II. Row E. Grave 6. See also Reach
HAWKES	[Albert] Edward	Corporal, 110229, 5th Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifle. Killed in action 1st October 1916. Aged 22. Born March 29, 1895, in Northfleet, Gravesend, Kent, the son of James Hawkes of 62, Gatehouse, Bolney, Sussex. He was unmarried and in civil life was employed as a farm labourer. On February 9, 1915, he enlisted in the C.E.F. in Sherbrooke. At the time of his enlistment he was described as being 5 feet 8 inches tall with fair complexion, fair hair and blue eyes. Son of James & Lucy Hawkes of Whitemans Green, Cuckfield, and the late James Hawkes. No known grave. Commemorated on VIMY MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Also on the Zion Church Memorial. National Archives of Canada Accession Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 4163 - 41
HAWKES	Francis Danby Palmby	Lieutenant, 42nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment) who died on Sunday, 29th September 1918. Born December 31, 1885, in Swaffham, Cambs., the son of Susan Hawkes of Swaffham. He was unmarried and in civil life was employed as a grocery clerk. On August 4, 1915, he enlisted in the C.E.F. in Toronto, Ontario. At the time of his enlistment he was described as being 6 feet tall with fair complexion, blue eyes and medium hair. Son of Mrs. S. Hawkes, of Swaffham Priory, Cambs. Buried in ONTARIO CEMETERY, SAINS-LES-MARQUION, Nord, France. Plot II. Row C. Grave 7. Also on the Zion Church Memorial. National Archives of Canada Accession Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 4163 - 54
HAWKES	Richard aka Dick	Private 18452, 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment who was killed in action on Sunday, 3rd October 1915. Born Swaffham Prior, enlisted Newmarket. No known grave. Commemorated on the LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 37 and 38. Also on the Zion Church Memorial.
HEFFER	George Charlers	Private 21819, 6th Battalion, Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) who was killed in action on Saturday, 10th August 1918. Aged 25. Born and resident Swaffham Prior, enlisted Newmarket. Son of Henry and Maria Heffer, of Mutton Row, Swaffham Prior, Cambridge. Formerly 24446, Northamptonshire Regiment. Buried in MORLANCOURT BRITISH CEMETERY NO.2, Somme, France. Plot/Row/Section A. Grave 16. Also on the Zion Church Memorial. [Listed as Charles George in CWGC]
JAGGARD	Robert George	Private 320747, 15th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment who was killed in Egypt in action on Tuesday, 6th November 1917. Aged 40. Born Swaffham Prior, enlisted Bury St Edmunds. Husband of Alice E. Jaggard, of 14, Malting Yard, Exning, Newmarket. Formerly 19819, Suffolk Regiment. Buried in BEERSHEBA WAR CEMETERY, Israel. Plot/Row/Section M. Grave 68.
LONG	Fred	Private 17905, 8th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Killed in action 7 August 1918. Aged 23. Born Soham, enlisted Bury St Edmunds. Son of Mrs. Emily Ann Long, of Blue House Farm, Prior Fen, Ely, Cambs. In the 1911 census he was aged 16, Farm Labourer, born Waterbeach, resident Mill House, Lode Fen, with his widowed mother Emily Ann Long. No known grave. Commemorated on POZIERES MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Panel 44 and 45. See also Reach
NORTON	Harold Charles	Private 18526, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment who was killed in action on Thursday, 20th July 1916. Born Bottisham, enlisted Newmarket. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 1 C and 2 A
PALMER	Theodore	Private 2646, 4th/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment who died on Thursday, 17th January 1918. Aged 25. Born at Prickwillow, Cambs. Enlisted 7th September 1914. He was discharged on 22nd June 1916 due to sickness. Son of Thomas and Sarah Ann Palmer, of Rose Cottage, Swaffham Prior. Buried in SWAFFHAM PRIOR CEMETERY, Cambridgeshire. Grave 526.
SCOTT	Joseph Bertram	Private 41805, 23rd Battalion, Welsh Regiment who died in Solinka (Greece) on Monday, 11th November 1918. Aged 28. Born and resident Swaffham Prior, enlisted Portcawl, Glamorganshire. Son of Joseph and Ellen Scott, of Farm Lane, Swaffham Prior, Cambridge. Buried in MIKRA BRITISH CEMETERY, KALAMARIA, Greece. Grave 74.
SHELDRICK	Ernest	Private GS/34652, Royal Fusiliers. - Cannot locate on CWGC or SDGW although his medal card was found - In the 1911 census Earnest Sheldrick was the son of George and Rebecca Sheldrick, single, aged 29, Teamster, born 1882 in Swaffham Prior, resident High Street, Swaffham Prior. He was entitled to the British War and Victory Medals. Probably was invalided out and died later of his wounds.
SYMONDS	Maurice Frederick	Lance Serjeant 7854 1st Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment who died of wounds on Sunday, 18th June 1916. Born and resident Swaffham Prior, enlisted Cambridge. Son of Augustus Symonds and Agnes Symonds (stepmother), of Swaffham Prior, Cambridge. Buried in BAILLEUL COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Nord, France. Plot II. Row E. Grave 223.
TOSETTI, M.C.	Douglas	Major, 8th Battalion, Princess Charlotte Of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Regiment) who was killed in action on Thursday, 21st March 1918. Aged 40. Son of the late Max and Julia Tosetti. Awarded the Military Cross (M.C.). In the 1911 census he is listed as the son of Max Edward Oscar Tosetti, a Wine Merchant born in Germany, he was single, aged 28, a Wine Merchant's Clerk, born 1883 in Bromley, Kent, resident The Hall, Swaffham Prior. No known grave. Commemorated on the POZIERES MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Panel 56 and 57
WHITMORE	Alfred	Private 15210, "C" Company, 11th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment who was killed in action on Saturday, 1st July 1916. Aged 24. Born Reach, Cambridgeshire, enlisted Cambridge. Son of Mrs. B. Whitmore, of Alms Houses, Swaffham Prior, Cambs. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 1 C and 2 A
WHITMORE	Jonathan	Private G/77766, 17th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Killed in Action on 2nd [SDGW} or 4th {CWGC] November 1918. Aged 19. Born and resident Swaffham Prior, enlisted Cambridge. Son of George and Sarah Ann Whitmore, of Lower End, Swaffham Prior, Cambridge. Formerly 63942, Royal Fusiliers. Buried in RUESNES COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Nord, France. Plot I. Row A. Grave 10. See also Reach Jonathan Whitmore was born in Swaffham Prior on 18th October 1899 (Newmarket Q4-1899 3B:504), baptised in St Mary's Swaffham Prior on 17th November 1899, son of George and Sarah Ann WHITMORE (née HEFFER). In the 1901 census he was aged 1, residing at the High Street, Swaffham Prior with his father George WHITMORE [45] carpenter's labourer; his mother Sarah A [36], half brother George W. HEFFER [11] born Exning; sisters Heffer B. WHITMORE [8] and Annie M. [3] born Swaffham Bulbeck and brother Charles [6]. All except George HEFFER and Annie were born in Swaffham Prior. in the 1911 census he was aged 11, residing at High Street, Swaffham Prior with his parents, half brother George, railway porter, (now recorded as George WHITMORE, born Newmarket Union Workhouse) brother Charles (farm labourer)and sister Annie and a new brother, William [7] born Swaffham Prior. He enlisted in Cambridge. The 17th Royal Fusiliers were part of the 6th Brigade, 2nd Division and took part in the Battle of the Sambre 1st to 11th November, including the last two raids made by the division on 1st and 2nd November. By this time the Germans seemed to be retreating faster that the Allies could advance. On Armistice Day the battalion were at Preux-au-Sart, N.E. of Le Quesnoy. Jonathan was the last but one of the battalion to be killed in action, Sgt Elliott dying on the 9th November.
1939-1945
ALLIX	Peter Loralne	Second Lieutenant 85596, 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards who died on Thursday, 30th May 1940. Aged 21. Son of Charles Israel Loraine Allix and the Hon. Hilda Allix, of Cambridge. Buried in VEURNE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Veurne, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot/Row/Section F. Grave 3.
BENSTEAD	John Alfred	Boy 1st Class C/JX 171711, H.M.S. Gloucester, Royal Navy who was lost with his ship when she was sunk during the Battle of Crete with the loss of 722 men out of a crew of 807 on Thursday, 22nd May 1941. Aged 17. Son of Sidney and Ada Elizabeth Benstead, of Swaffham Prior, Cambridgeshire. No known grave. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 45, Column 2.
HALLETT	Herbert Valentine Rex	Guardsman 2657242, 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards who died on Sunday, 2nd June 1940. Aged 25. Son of Frederick William and Daisy Alberta Hallett; husband of Lilian Hallett, of Scawthorpe, Yorkshire. Buried in BROMPTON CEMETERY, London. Plot N (Guards Plot). Grave 190055.
HAWKES	William Dick	Pilot Officer 145836, 207 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve who died on a raid to Duisburg in the Rhur his Lancaster, ED418 EM-6, was attacked and hit by a Junkers 88 over the Dutch town of Apeldoorn at 0140, forced to turn round and exploded at 0205 on Thursday, 13th May 1943. Aged 26. Son of Charles Peter and Ethel May Hawkes, of Swaffham Prior, Cambridgeshire. Buried in AMERSFOORT (OLD LEUSDEN) GENERAL CEMETERY, Netherlands. Plot 13. Row 6. Grave 109. See also Cambridge Shire Hall
LING	Arthur Henry	Private 14785322, Pioneer Corps who died on Tuesday, 19th March 1946. Aged 46. Son of Harry and Ethel Ling; husband of Nettie Elizabeth Ling, of Swaffham Prior. Buried in SWAFFHAM PRIOR CEMETERY, Cambridgeshire. Grave 642.
PAMMENTER	Cyril Ronald	Private 5831860, 5th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment, died on 5th August 1943. Aged 29. Son of James and Sarah Jane Pammenter, of Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. Buried in CATANIA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY, Italy. Plot IV. Row E. Grave 50.
PRESTON	Edwin	Lieutenant, 2nd Cambridgeshire and Suffolk Battalion, Home Guard who died on Friday, 28th April 1944. Aged 42. Son of Pledger Tom and Eliza Preston of Swaffham Prior. Buried in SWAFFHAM PRIOR CEMETERY, Cambridgeshire. Grave 641.
SARGEANT	Ernest James	Able Seaman C/SSX 27513, H.M.S. Dunoon, Royal Navy, lost with his ship when she struck a mine at Smith's Knoll near Great Yarmouth and sank with the loss of 3 officers and 23 ratings on 30th April 1940. Aged 19. Son of John Edward and Mary Sargeant, of Swaffham Prior, Cambridgeshire. No known grave. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent, United Kingdom. Panel 36, Column 1.
TAYLOR	George Herbert	Private 5827291, 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment who died on Friday, 31st May 1940. Aged 20. Son of George Frederick and Margaret Taylor, of Newmarket, Suffolk. No known grave. Commemorated on the DUNKIRK MEMORIAL, Nord, France. Column 46.

Last updated 31 October, 2025

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