Category Archives: Alfred Sutton School War Memorial

James William Hewitt

Alfred Sutton School War Memorial, Army, Other Regiments, Passchendaele

Private 31858 “A” Company
6th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment

Hewett JW photo

James Hewett (known as Jim) was aged 19 years when he died of wounds on 18th November 1917.   His unit , part of the 19th Division, had fought from early June in the Battle of Messines until 10 November 1917 during the Second Battle of Passchendael. At that point the 19th Division was withdrawn and not involved in any furthr fighting until the following spring.  It is not know when James Hewitt received his injuries or their extent. He died in Abbeville where there were three hospitals and he is buried at Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension, location III.E.7.  The Extension was started during July 1916. Abbeville was for most of the war the headquarters of the British Lines of Communication.

 His parents Mr and Mrs J. Hewett lived at 65 Grange Avenue.  An In Memoriam November 15th 1919 refers to mother, father, brothers and sisters.

Robert Methven Deadman

Alfred Sutton School War Memorial, Commemorated name/s, Navy

Robert Methven Deadman
Wireless Operator Merchant Navy

 Division 3

Deadman RM photo  CIMG2080

Robert Methven* Deadman was the son of Ernest Bezant and Helen Deadman, 28 Manchester Road. Reading.

 He was attached to the S. S. “Romeo” (Hull). On 3rd March 1918 the vessel was torpedoed by a German submarine and broke in two, Robert drowned,  it was his first trip and he was 17 years old.  His name can be found on a family headstone in Division 3 of the Reading Cemetery but the small scroll stone bears no other indication of how he died or that he was killed during the war. 

Robert Methven Deadman is commemorated officially on the Towerhill Memorial, London along with other Mercantile Marine casualties.  He had been a Senior pupil of the Wokingham Road Senior School, now Alfred Sutton Primary School, and his name appears on the War memorial in the Junior Hall.

alfred sutton mem

 

*This name has also been spelt Mithven

Herbert Charles Davies and Arthur S Davies

Alfred Sutton School War Memorial, Graves, St. Batholomew's Church

Herbert Charles Davies
 Rifleman 40925
2nd Battalion The Rifle Brigade

 Bombardier Arthur S. Davies
2nd/1st Battalion Berkshire Royal Horse Artillery

Division 79
Extension

Davies HC grave

Herbert Charles Davies and Arthur S. Davies were the sons of Mary Davies and late Evan Davies of 122.  Cumberland Road, Reading.  The whole family are buried in Division 79. Grave 16550 of  the Reading Cemetery.  The grave is actually registered as a war grave but at the start of this research did not bear the distinctive war pattern headstone.  The CWGC placed a war pattern headstone on the grave when Herbert’s name became indistinct and he was not appropriately commemorated on the family grave. Herbert’s name is the one registered with the CWGC.  He is also commemorated on the St. Bartholomew’s memorial.

Herbert died 4th December 1918 Aged 19. The inscription on the grave states that he was a repatriated prisoner of war. It has not been possible to locate a picture of Herbert Davies.

 It has also been difficult to trace information about Arthur Davies because his service details are not registered with the CWGC.  However, The Standard of July 26th 1917 Pg. 5 carried an article:

 Missing, Feared Loss of Memory

Mr A.S. Davies formerly of the Berks. R.H.A., of 122 Cumberland Rd. Reading has been missing from his home since Thursday in last week.  He had been badly wounded in the head, and it is feared that he is suffering form loss of memory.  He was wearing brown trousers and a light grey cap and coat, also an grey shirt, socks and boots.  He has very heavy eyebrows, which meet across the bridge of his nose.  His height is about 5ft 8inches.

A picture, published in the Chronicle 28th September 1917carries the caption “wounded in both legs, one arm and head”.  Arthur Davies obviously suffered for some time.  The inscription on the grave indicates that he died on July 17th 1919, aged 24.

 “Another victim of the war”.

alfred sutton mem

 

The brother are commemorated on the War Memorial  of Alfred Sutton Primary School.