Category Archives: Memorials

Herbert George Clarke

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

Hebert George Clarke
Private 17289
2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment.

Clark HG photo dbImage[1]

Herbert Clarke lived at 6 River Road Reading. He was  a member of the regular army as indicated by being a member of the 2nd Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment. As such he was part of the initial British Expeditionary Force(BEF).

The Standard December 12th 1914 reports that Herbert was injured at 1st Ypres when the fourth finger of his left hand was blown off.  It was recorded  that his hand was bandaged by chums and that he had to tramp ten miles before being surgically treated.

In the spring of 1915 he landed at ‘V’ beach on the Gallipoli peninsular. His battalion were on board an old collier the ‘River Clyde’ and the landing did not go according to plan . The whole campaign was destined to fail with great loss of life  the Turks always had the upper hand and the high ground. Herbert was one of the lucky ones, he survived the ordeal of the landing.  He spent  at least three more months on the peninsular, although nothing particular is known of his experience whilst there, although we can guess that it was neither a pleasant or easy.  The heat was intolerable, sanitation appalling, the dead largely remained unburied, flies were every where and dysentery was endemic because clean fresh water was difficult to get.

Herbert was still in the Dardanelles when preparations were being made for the next ‘push’ due to start on the 6th August 1915.  The attack was to follow the celebration of first anniversary of the war, if celebration can be said to be the correct term as by now Britain had lost 76,000 men killed, 252,000 wounded and 55,000 missing a total of 383,000 men.  

Herbert lost his life on the opening day of the battle. He had no know grave and was commemorated upon the Helles memorial. The CWGC record bears no family details and it has been impossible to find any personal details. He is commemorated upon the Alfred Sutton School War Memorial.

Thomas Cyril Church

Army, Huntley & Palmers, Other Regiments, Registered War Grave

Thomas Cyril Church
Private TR8/30487.
51st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment

Division 76
Extension

 Thomas Cyril Church was the youngest son of  Henry William and Fanny Church, of 56 Orts Road, Reading.  Tom Church was 18 years old when he died of pneumonia on 17th November 1918.   His is a registered War Grave with a family memorial headstone and also a war pattern headstone because the original inscription is now unclear.  Grave number 16535. 

  The announcement in the Standard of 23rd November 1918, states that he died at Colchester Military Hospital, after great suffering patiently borne.   His war service details have not be found.

Tom Church is buried near to his brother in law Victor Houghton Wicks who died in 1921 in the R38 Airship disaster.

Tom Church is commemorated on the Huntley and Palmers War Memorial.

Stanley H Challen

Alfred Sutton School War Memorial, Army, Royal Berkshire Regiment, Trinitiy Congregational Church War Memorial

 Stanley H Challen
Lance Sergeant – 18030
“A” Company 6th Royal Berkshire Regiment

 CWGC information lists Harold Stanley Challen. although the Initials on the Alfred Sutton Memorial show S.H. Challen. The 1911 census appears to have been completed by Stanley whose occupation was listed as Junior Clerk; he signs himself Stanley H Challen.  His father, Henry, was a Tailor’s Cutter and his sister a Drapers Assistant.   They were then living at 325, London Road. At the time of Stanley’s death his father was deceasedand by the time of the CWGC registration his mother, Annie, was living at 49,Bulmershe Road. Stanley died on  3rd May 1917 Aged 22.  He is buried in the Wancourt British Cemetery.  Grave location III. F. 12 

 The 6th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment had been part of the operations in the Ancre Valley during February 17/18 1917.  Official histories refer to the Actions of Miraumont, Battalion history to the Battle of Boom Ravine.  This action, whilst not achieving all its objectives,  was sufficiently hard on the Germans to precipitate their strategic withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line.  Fox et al in “Arras to Cambrai”  tell us that three companies, “B”, “C”, and “D” were involved in this action.  “A” company that of  Stanley Challen was probably held in reserve and he may not have participated in the action.   Following the action at Boom Ravine the battalion had a spell at Arras.  During this time they were in reserve for the final major attack in the Battle of Arras, launched on the 3rd May, but were called upon to relieve other units in the front line at Ch¾risy.  The offensive failed to reach  all but one of its objectives.  The 6th Battalion suffered repeatedly from heavy enemy shell fire during the action.  Between 3-18 May casualties for all ranks was 36 killed and 59 wounded.  Stanley Challen (in  “Arras to Cambrai” spelt Challin) was among those who lost their lives on the first day.

Stanley was remembered by the congregation at Park Church which was attended by his sister and Stanley may have attended Park Institute. His name is recorded on the Trinity Congregational War Memorial – Park Church was a daughter church.