High Country History Group

First - An Apology

In case you are wondering why the word SECRET appeared at the top and bottom of each page in the last newsletter I can explain. Before taking the CD with the newsletter to the printers I checked it at work and found there was a problem. So I copied it to a new on my office computer. Unfortunately Essex Police require all documents to have a security classification and this is done automatically by the computer. No problem choose secret (the shortest word) and then change the font to white so that it won't appear when you print. You've guessed I forgot to change the font to white.

What complicated lives we lead.

The committee have finally arranged the programme for the forthcoming year and you should have received it by now. We hope there is something of interest to you.

Wearing my police museum hat I recently received a letter from a Peter Cameron from Hockley, who is 86 years old. He was the son of Sgt Alex Cameron who was the police sergeant at Stanford Rivers in the 1920's (retiring in 1927.) I went to see Peter and had a long talk about his time as a child in Stanford Rivers and also when he returned to the village during World War Two when he was stationed at the searchlight unit near the church. To cut a long story short I have asked him to write down his memories for publication in the next magazine.

Our new year got off to a good start with two events in September. Firstly the trip to the Postal Museum attracted some 21 members and the visit to Blackmore 16 members who had an enjoyable visit around the church and village. Our thanks to Andrew for showing everyone around.

aty visitation 1920

In 1914 the Diocese of Chelmsford was formed with almost all parishes in Essex transferring from the see of St Albans. Six years later, following the First World War, the first Bishop of Chelmsford, Rt. Rev. J F Watts-Ditch, sent a questionnaire for completion by all incumbents. In total, 49 questions were asked. The document may be found in the Essex Record Office.

John Thomas, Incumbent of Stanford Rivers responded as follows.

1. What are the occupation of the people?
Farming and Labouring

2. What is the average attendance (exclusive of school children) at Morning Prayer and at Evening Prayer on Sunday?
60 & 30 respectively (Here contrary I suppose to the usual custom, Morning Prayer is always better attended than Evensong).

6. What was the number of Communicants in each of the last two years?

What proportion of Communicants are male?
1/5th

20. What hymn book is used?
A&M [Ancient & Modern]

21. When you are called upon to marry any couple, are you careful to enquire whether either has been divorced and whose partner is still living?
Yes.

22. Is there a Sunday School in your parish?
Yes.

23. Please give your opinion briefly as to the condition of your parish with regard to

44. State what you believe to be the causes of such evil as exists and what efforts - preventative and remedial, you are making to combat them.

Of Art IV of the Church I visit them and reason & plead with such individually very often - "* don't want to go to church". It is this sense of want one tries to produce under the blessing of the Holy Sheer.

- This is often due I firmly believe, to sheer laziness, & perhaps also, to lack of decent clothes.

To what extent, whether favourably or unfavourably, has the war affected the spiritual life of your parish?
I fear returning men are shore indifferent to God's claims than before the Great War which has however deepened the fervour of the faithful.

46. How has the war influenced

[Signed] John T Thomas
Date: March 20 1920

Next time: Stapleford Tawney with Theydon Mount

Until the nineteenth century, educational standards in England were very poor. As official documents testify, many people were illiterate, signing marriage registers ete with "their mark". This changed from 1870 when Forster's Education Act set up School Boards. Many of our Victorian village schools date from immediately after this date and are in Essex, it has to be said, of a certain architectural style. However it was not until 1880 that attendance became compulsory. The school leaving age was 11 in 1893 and 12 in 1899. A frther Education Act was passed in 1902 legislating for sccondary education.

School records for the period reveal the rhythm of ordinary family life and community. Even today, the six-week summer holiday in leie July and August is a throw back to a time when everyone gethered the harvest.

Robert Driver wrote that in Great Parndon (now part of Harlow New Town), older girls were kept away from school so that their mothers could go hay-making (6 June 1864) and the school that year was closed on 5 August, until 19 September, for "harvest holiday". Elsewhere in the school log book there are records of children being absent to "pick stones" (9 February 1869); for "bird scaring" (7 July 1870), "gleaning" (5 October 1871); "gathering blackberries" (25 September 1884).

If this all sounds rather idyllie, conditions at school were poor. Heating was rudimentary and lighting by means of oil lamps. On 11 January 1865 it is recorded, "The day exceedingly foggy. The children unable to see to do their work". Following a heavy fall of snow, many children were "laid up with chilblains" (16 January 1866)

Illness and the death of children was not uncommon. "Henry Watson dies of measles aged 3 years 6 months. Walter Meredith, one of the boys in the second class, has lost sight of both his eyes" (22 November 1864); In addition to measles, other illnesses such as scarlet fever, whooping cough, diphtheria and influenza are recorded at regular intervals. Many died of the "dreaded" scarlet fever, which caused schools to be closed: "The schoolroom has been thoroughly disinfected by the Sanitary Officer" (4 December 1899). On another occasion the school was closed for four weeks due to measles "Seven families only have escaped. Many of the children are still far from well and look very pale and weak" (26 February 1906).

There were happier times. "Queen Victoria's Jubilee (21 June 1887), "Parndon Fair" (8 July 1887), a gift of slippers for the children (15 October 1889) from Mrs Todhunter of Kingsmoor House, who gave "her usual treat" attended by 107 children (25 September 1890).

This year marks the 80th anniversary of a murder that shocked the Nation - the murder of a village constable at Stapleford Abbotts.

218

Shortly before six o'clock on Tuesday, 27 September 1927, Bill Ward, a motor engineer was driving from Romford to Abridge, delivering mail. As he approached Howe Green, he saw the huddled figure of a man at the side of the road with his legs sticking out into the road. Stopping his vehicle Ward recognised the body of Pc George Gutteridge, the village constable from Stapleford Abbotts. His helmet lay near him, as did a pocket-book. A pencil was still gripped in his right hand. His truncheon was in its place at his side; his torch was in a pocket. His whistle hung loose. There was no sign that a struggle had taken place. Nearby however there were marks thought to be caused by a vehicle that had struck the bank.

were pieced together.

TW5120

Pc

Ward ran up the road to Rose Cottage where he told Alfred Perritt of his discovery and whilst Perritt guarded the body, Ward drove on to Stapleford Tawney, from where he telephoned the police at Romford. By Sam Detective Inspector Crockford was at the scene and saw that PC Gutteridge had been shot in the face. Dr Robert Woodhouse from Romford was called out to the scene and from his observations thought that the officer had been dead for four or five hours. The body was removed to the nearby Royal Oak PH and the following morning to Romford mortuary, where Dr Woodhouse carried out a post-mortem examination. He found that Pc Gutteridge had been shot four times at close range, twice through the left cheek, and once in each eye. Two .45 bullets were prized out of the road surface at the scene and during the post mortem a further bullet was recovered. These were to prove vital pieces of evidence.

The events leading to the murder

PC Gutteridge had been the village constable at Stapleford Abbotts since 1924 and lived there with his wife and 2 children. On the night of the 26 September he had been on patrol, covering his beat on foot. As was his custom he had made a conference point with Pc Sidney Taylor the neighbouring village constable at 3.am outside Grove House, Howe Green. The two men stood chatting until 3.25 am, when they parted, Gutteridge setting off homewards.

What happened next concerned those investigating the murder. What was known was that Pc Gutteridge had only walked a few hundred yards before meeting his death.

Some 10 miles away police at Billericay had been alerted to the theft of a Morris Cowley motor car belonging to Dr Edward Lovell from his garage in London Road. Some of his medical instruments and some drugs were in the car. But by the time the theft was reported, the car had already been found abandoned some 37miles away in a narrow passage in Brixton by a man on his way to work. On his return after work seeing the car still there he reported his discovery to the Metropolitan Police. When the vehicle was examined a spent cartridge shell, marked RLIV was found on the floor on the passenger side of the vehicle. There were also blood splashes near the steering wheel, and the front nearside wing was damaged. Could this vehicle have been involved in the murder?

Dr Lovell was in the habit of noting down his daily mileage and armed with this piece of information the Police drove the car from Brixton to the scene of the murder and then on to Billericay. The mileage was 43 and it looked as if the murder was linked with the theft of the car.

The Chief Constable, Captain Unett asked for the assistance of the Metropolitan Police who sent one of their most experienced detectives, Chief Inspector James Berrett to oversee the enquiry. However there were no further developments for four months, although hundreds of policemen were employed on the case.

The horrific details of the crime were featured in the newspapers. Rewards were offered for information leading to an arrest, including the News of the World who offered £2,000. The search for the persons responsible for the crime extended over the whole country and even abroad. At one point Berrett and his assistant Sergeant Harris worked 130 out of 160 consecutive hours

The cartridge case found in the car had markings on it which indicated that it was an old Mark IV type made at the Royal Laboratory in Woolwich Arsenal for troops in the First World War. The bullets and the cartridge case were handed to the ballistics expert Robert Churchill for examination. Although deformed the bullets retained sufficient rifling characteristics for Churchill to establish they had been fired from a Webley revolver.

Meanwhile, a watchful eye was kept on known car thieves in South London. One of these suspects was Leo Brown, also known as Frederick Guy Browne. A very capable mechanic, a teetotaller, a non-smoker he was described as a man who was easily provoked to anger and suffered from complex feelings of resentment against society and the law, perhaps not surprisingly, as he had been in and out of jail since the age of 29. His first conviction was in 1910 for carrying firearms. In 1915 he had married had a daughter and settled in Clapham. "With all his faults," said Mrs Browne, "my husband has been decent to me." In March 1917 he joined the Royal Engineers, serving in the Railway Operating Department.

In 1921 Browne and his wife moved to Eastwood, Southend, but in February 1924 he was sentenced to four years' penal servitude at the Old Bailey. However because of his violent behaviour in Parkhurst prison he was moved to Dartmoor to serve out his sentence.

On his release Browne rented premises in Lavender Hill and turned it into a garage/repair-yard. There was a primitive office at the back in which there was a bed. Here slept a man employed to keep the books and do odd jobs, of whom Browne said: "I got him from the Salvation Army to give him a start." This was forty-two-year-old Pat Kennedy.

The two men had probably met in Dartmoor prison. Kennedy, whose Christian names were either Patrick Michael or William Henry, was born in 1895. His parents were Irish and he retained an Irish accent all his life. Trained as a compositor, he worked mainly in Liverpool, where in 1911 his first conviction for indecent exposure earned him two months' hard labour. Following a spell in the Army other fines and convictions soon followed, for theft, being drunk and disorderly, loitering, housebreaking and larceny. For this last offence he was sentenced to three years' penal servitude. On his release in April 1916 he enlisted in the Hussars, deserted, enlisted in the King's Liverpool Regiment, deserted, rejoined the King's under a different name and was discharged with ignominy. His criminal career continued and from 1920 to 1927 he was hardly out of prison.

Browne continued with his life of crime. Robbing railway station offices became his speciality. He stole, a Vauxhall car which was sold a few days later in Sheffield, to a Benjamin Stow, who parted with £100 and a Angus-Sanderson car, CW 3291, in part exchange. In January 1928 the car was involved in a non stop accident in Sheffield and as a result of police enquiries Frederick Guy Browne was named.

The police had the evidence they needed and obtained a search warrant to search the garage. As Browne returned to the premises, driving the Angus Sanderson, the police moved in and arrested him. A search revealed a Webley revolver, (which would later be shown to have fired at least one of the fatal shots); a quantity a stockinette mask and a number of medical items which Dr Lovell would identify as his property. A further search of the car revealed another fully loaded Webley revolver in a secret recess behind the driver's seat. In Browne's home police recovered more medical items, a small nickel-plated revolver and a fully loaded Smith and Wesson revolver and a quantity of ammunition.

Kennedy, ignorant of Browne's arrest, visited the garage, but finding it locked and two men who he thought were detectives inside, he hurried back to his wife. The pair travelled to Liverpool on the midnight train from Euston.

On Wednesday the 25th Kennedy was arrested. That night he was spotted by Sergeant Bill Mattinson of the Liverpool City Police, who knew Kennedy of old. He approached Kennedy from behind and said: "Come on, Bill."

Kennedy stopped dead in his tracks, spun around. Recognising the policeman, he said: "Stand back, Bill or I'll shoot you!" Kennedy produced a gun, thrust its muzzle into the officer's ribs and squeezed the trigger. There was a click and Mattinson wrenched the pistol from Kennedy's grasp. Shouting for assistance Kennedy was taken into custody. Fortunately the safety catch was found to be on, but Mattinson, realizing how close he had been to being shot, collapsed.

Taken to Warren Street police station, Kennedy was charged with being concerned with Browne in stealing a Vauxhall motor car. He said to Mattinson: "I'm sorry. I've no grudge against the police, but you should be in heaven now."

Kennedy was taken to London where he was interviewed by Berrett. Asked if he had any information to give about the murder of PC Gutteridge, Kennedy asked to be allowed to think, and did so for several minutes. "Can I see my wife?" he asked. Mrs Kennedy was fetched.

Kennedy said: "Well, my dear these officers are making enquiries about that policeman murdered in Essex" She exclaimed "Why you didn't murder him, did you?" "No," he replied "I didn't but I was there, and know who did. If I'm charged with, murder and found guilty, I shall be hanged, and you will be a widow. If I'm charged and found guilty of being an accessory I shall receive a long sentence and be a long time away from you. Will you wait for me?" She replied, "Tell these gentlemen the truth of what took place," Kennedy then told Berrett, "You can take down what I want to say and I will sign it."

It took him over three hours to dictate his statement. In it he said that he and Browne had gone to Billericay to steal a motor-car. As they were driving back to London via Stapleford Abbotts they were stopped and questioned by Pc Gutteridge. It was then Kennedy alleged that Browne shot the officer four times. After the shooting Browne had handed the gun back to Kennedy and told him to reload it. They continued their journey to Brixton where they abandoned the car, taking the medical instruments with them.

Questioned about the murder, Browne could make no counter-allegations, as his defence was that he was never in Essex that night. He claimed he was in bed with his wife. Both men were charged with the murder of Pc Gutteridge. "It's absurd," said Browne. "I know nothing about it."

Both men were charged with murder. Their trial began at the Old Bailey on Monday; 23 April before Mr Justice Avory. The Solicitor-General, Sir Boyd Merriman, led for the Crown. Over the five days of the trial over 40 prosecution witnesses gave evidence.

The ballistics evidence, concerning the bullets, the cartridges, and the gun-prints made by the breech of the Webley, was damning, the first time such evidence had been used to such effect in a murder trial. Four firearms experts were called, including Robert Churchill, the Crown's chief expert, who testified at great length, demonstrating in detail how the Webley found in Browne's possession when he was arrested was matched to the cartridge and bullets that killed Pe Gutteridge.

The Jury took two hours to return a verdict of guilty against both men. A subsequent appeal was dismissed and on the 31" May, Browne, maintaining his innocence to the end was hanged at Pentonville prison whilst Kennedy suffered the same fate at Wandsworth prison.

Pc Gutteridge is buried in Warley Cemetery, Brentwood and a memorial indicates the spot where he was murdered. The villagers at Stapleford Abbotts are holding a number of events, including a service in the local church to commemorate the anniversary of his death.

Visit any church in the land and you will find a memorial to the men and women who died in World War 1 and World War II and occasionally in conflicts since 1945. Names inscribed, names that are read out each Remembrance Sunday. The names of men and women long forgotten, to all but a few surviving relatives. But who were these people? What do we know about them? The purpose behind this article is to try and find out who they were, where they lived and where they died.

Stanford Rivers:

The memorial is found in the nave of St Margaret's church. On it inscribed the names of 16 men who died in World War I and the names of 7 men and two women who died in World War II. A further name is found for a soldier who died in Cyprus.

The following information has been discovered about those named on the memorial.

George Aldridge: He was one of 11 children of William and Ann Aldridge, who resided at 27 Hare Street, Little End. George was a Lance Serjeant with the 2"4/5"h Territorial Battalion Gloucestershire Regt. Bom in Ongar, he was 23 years old when he was killed between 23 and 31 March, 1918. He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, which is situated near Albert in Francc.
(There is a discrepancy over the date he died - another source suggests 31 August 1918)

William Aldridge: Born in Stanford Rivers, he enlisted as a private in the 10th Battalion Essex Regiment. He was killed in action on the 26 April 1918, and is buried in the Hangard Communal Extension Cemetery. He was 28 years old.
[brother of George Aldridge above]

William Attridge: Son of William and Emily Attridge; husband of Chrissie C. Attridge, of Toot Hill, Ongar. Born at Toot Hill, Ongar. He was a private in the 9h Battalion the Hertfordshire Regiment and was aged 40 when he died of wounds on the 2 October 1918. He is buried in St Margaret's churchyard, Stanford Rivers. He was formerly in the Essex Regiment.

James Brown: I am currently unable to provide details of this person.

John Joseph Cable: Born in Plaistow he lived in Stanford Rivers. He was a Lance Corporal in the 9th Battalion Essex Regiment. He was killed in action on the 3 July 1916. The brother of Mark Cable. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Mark Cable: Private in the 231d Battalion Royal Fusiliers. He was killed on the 14 November 1916. No known grave he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Belgium

Richard J. Crow: Born in Ongar, He enlisted as a private in the 231d Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). His residence is given as Harold Wood. He was killed in action on the 27 July 1916. No known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Ernest S. Doe: I could find no trace of an Ernest Doe, but found details of a Stephen Doe, born in Stapleford Tawney. He enlisted as a private in the 7th Battalion Essex Regiment. He was killed in action on the 6 March 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France.

William Downham: Son of Joseph Downham, of "Lawns," London Rd., Stanford Rivers, Ongar; husband of Harriet J. Downham, of Barking, Essex. Born in Stanford Rivers. He was a Lance Corporal in 6h Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) and was 26 years old when he was killed on the 3 May 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras memorial.

Frank J. Gardiner: He lived at Stanford Rivers and enlisted as a private in the 11h Battalion Essex Regiment. Born in Chilton, Suffolk, he was killed in action on the 21 May 1916. He is buried at the Essex Farm Cemetery, Boezinge, Belgium.

George Green: Son of Elizabeth Green. Born in North Weald he lived at Stanford Rivers. He enlisted as a private in the 131h Battalion Essex Regiment. He was 19 years old when he was killed in action on the 13 March 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial.

William King: The son of Mr and Mrs A. King, of Clatterford End, Toot Hill. He was a Lance Corporal in the 24th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. He was 32 years of age when he was killed on the 1 October 1918. He is buried in the Flesquieres Hill British Cemetery. He was the holder of the Military Medal.

Arthur Knight: There is an Arthur Knight, born in Bovinger who was a lance Corporal in the 2nd Battalion Princess Charlotte of Wales (Royal Berkshire Regiment). He was killed in action on the 4th March 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial.

William E. Millbank: The son of Charles Alfred Millbank of New House Farm, Toot Hill, and the late Susannah. His nationality shown on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site is Canadian. He enlisted as a private in the 4h Battalion Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment). He was 28 when he died on the 8th October 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Canadian Memorial at Vimy Ridge in France.

Arthur Newman: Son of Mr and Mrs F. Green of Surrey Cottages, Stanford Rivers. Bom in Epping he enlisted in the 10h Battalion the Essex Regiment as a private and was killed in action on 14 July 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He resided at North Weald and his name is on the war memorial at North Weald church.

Cecil Arthur Oakley: Son of James and Elizabeth Oakley, Station House, North Weald. Born at Coopersale, he enlisted as a private in the 1" Battalion Essex Regiment. Killed on 8h September 1917. Buried in the Denain Communal Cemetery. He was 21 years old. He resided at North Weald and his name appears on the war memorial at North Weald church. James Oakley (father) was the station master at North Weald station.

Ernest Staines: The son of Charles and Elizabeth Staines of Little John's Cottages, Green Lane, Ostend, Burnham on Crouch. He was a Corporal in the 2e Battalion the Essex Regiment. Born at Stanford Rivers, he was only 18 years of age when he was killed on the 23 October 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. His brother Frank also died.

Frank Staines: Brother of Ernest Staines. Bom in Ongar he was a Private in the 4h Battalion Essex Regiment and was only 19 when he was killed on the 27 March 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial.

Thomas Staines: He was the son of D. Staines, of Hare Street, Stanford Rivers. He was a private in the 13 Battalion Essex Regiment. He was killed on the 13 November 1916 and is buried at the Serre Road Cemetery No.2, France.

Francis Henry Thorogood: He was the son of Thomas William and Jane Elizabeth Thorogood, of Clatterford End, Toot Hill. He was private in the 14h Battalion Hampshire Regiment and was 27 when he was killed on the 20 October 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial.

A check on the Roll of Honour at Ongar War Memorial Hospital records the names of 20 men from Stanford Rivers who died. The name of Mark Cable mentioned on the church memorial is missing from the Hospital Roll. Thomas Staines in not mentioned on the Hospital Memorial but a J. Staines is

It is known that a number of men who died have not been included on the Roll of Honour at the hospital and this might explain the non appearance of Mark Cable. I understand that the Royal British Legion, High Ongar Branch is compiling a list of the missing names.

In addition I have found the names of the following men bomn in Stanford Rivers who were killed in WWI

• Percy Fincham
• Robert George Turner
• Charles Saville
• John Penson
• John Reed

Newspaper Report 5h January 1923

War Memorial Unveiled.

On Sunday the last of the old year the people of Stanford Rivers unveiled their war memorial. A short special service was conducted by the Rector, commencing at noon. After the Invocation and the Lord's Prayer, the Collect "Prevent us O Lord in all our doings" was recited and the the beautifully appropriate lesson chosen from Chapter III of the Book of Wisdom was impressively read by Mr W. J. Thomas, M.A., eldest son of the Rector, and during the War an officer in the London Irish. The hymn "Fight the Good Fight" followed. Next came the ceremony of unveiling by Sir Drummond C. Smith, Bart., of Suttons. Addressing the congregation as his friends and neighbours he sketched the efforts which has led to that day's ceremony, and paying his humble tribute to those whose names were recorded on the tablet, concluded by urging upon all the duty of emulating the devotion of the heroic dead as a corrective against sloth and lowness of aim in life. "Let us all", he concluded, "Often visit the church and read over those names making of them an inspiration for our own lives." The secretary of the committee Mr George A. Howgate read out the inscribed names ad after the hymn, "For All the Saints" had been sung, two special prayer followed by the Benediction closed the service. Before leaving the congregation joined in singing the National Anthem. Notwithstanding the inclement weather the congregation filled the church. The North side of the Nave was reserved for the relatives of the fallen, and the south side was occupied by a large muster of ex-servicemen. The tablet fixed on the north wall of the nave is of fine white marble backed by a polished slab of thick black marble and is surmounted by a carved wreath with streamers. The mouldings and comice are embellished with Greek decorations and the inscription is clearly cut ...... (follows the inscription).

World War II

In addition to those who served in the armed forces and were killed, the names for the Second World War contain the names of three civilians who were killed, including two women.

Frank Buxton Aspinall: Son of Isaac Buxton Aspinall and his wife Hannah Jane, from Toot Hill. He was a Gunner in the 310 Battalion 74 Searchlight Regt., Royal Artillery. He was killed on the 19 January 1941 and is buried in Clacton Cemetery. He was 21 years of age

Clacton Cemetery showing the war graves

Theodora Ann Metcalfe: An A.R.P. Ambulance Driver, she was the daughter of Maud Metcalfe, of Dial House, Ongar Park, and of the late Brig. Gen. Francis Edward Metcalfe, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O. Died at Dial House, Ongar Park. She died 24 August 1940 at the age of 34

William Henry John Bird: He lived at Rose Cottages, Toot Hill. He died at Abridge Aerodrome, Stapleford Tawney. He was a civilian and was killed on 23 January 1945.

Robert Denholme Delancy: Son of Arthur Joseph and Daisy Delaney; husband of Olive May Delaney, of Epping, Essex. He was a private in the 6h Battalion of the Kings Own Scottish Borderers. Killed aged 25 years on the 26 March 1945. He is buried in the Reicshwald Forest War Cemetery.

William Cecil Whitbread: Son of William Manning Whitbread and Florence Amy Whitbread, of Stanford Rivers. He was a gunner in the 154 (The Leicestershire Yeomanry) Field Regt., Royal Artillery. He was 24 when he was killed on 12 October 1943. He is buried in the Sidon War Cemetery.

Archibald Aylmer: He was the son of Archibald William and Ethel May Aylmer and the husband of Joan, who resided in Romford. He was a Serjeant in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and was aged 29 when he was killed on the 7 September 1945.

Joyce Dorothy Phillibrown: Daughter of Alice Phillibrown, of 7 Stanford Rivers, Ongar, and of the late Albert Phillibrown. She was only 24 years old when she was killed during an air raid on the Hoffmann Works in Chelmsford, where she was employed.

Victor George Pledge. Son of George Thomas Pledge and Evelyn Grace Pledge, of Stanford Rivers. He was a Sergeant Pilot in the RAF Volunteer Reserve. He died 29 April 1941. He is buried in Stanford Rivers churchyard.

Victor Staines: Son of Sidney Staines, and of Martha Staines, of Toot Hill, Essex. He was Rifleman in the Royal Ulster Rifles and was 30 years old when he was killed on the23 January 1944. He is buried in the Minturno War Cemetery.

Theydon Mount

The memorial to those who died in both wars is situated on the south wall of the nave of St Michael's church. In addition there are two Commonwealth war graves in the churchyard. There is also a wooden board in the nave giving the names of old boys of Theydon Mount school who fought in 1914-1918.

1914 -1918

James Bushnell: I have not yet been able to confirm details of this person. Incidentally his name appears last on the memorial, whereas the other names are in alphabetical order.

John Coller: He was the son of James and Charlotte Coller, of Hill Hall, Epping. A native of Darlington, he was a private in the 7th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment. He was 22 years old when he was killed on the 21 December 1917. He is buried at the MAroc British Cemetery, Grenay, France.

Walter George Freshwater: The son of Edwin and Elizabeth Jane Freshwater, of Theydon Mount. He was a private in the 1t Battalion, Grenadier Guards. He was 26 when he was killed on the 21 November 1916. He is buried in Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte, France

Hugh Meikle Miller: Trooper Essex Yeomanry Died 13th May 1915 Age 19. Commemorated Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium. Hugh Meilke Miller was born in Belleville, Argentina. Just prior to the war he was living in Epping. At the age of 17 he joined the Essex Yeomanry at Abbey Farm. He was preparing to return to Argentina when war was declared, so on 14th August he opted to rejoin his Regiment and accompany it to France. He was killed in action on 13th May 1915 during the Second Battle of Ypres. The Essex Yeomanry were a mounted Regiment, but on this day took part in the 8th Cavalry Brigade's attempt to re-occupy previously lost front line trenches at Frezenberg Ridge without their horses. They lost 161 of their number in this action. Trooper Miller was originally reported as wounded in an account of the day's action on the front page of the West Essex Gazette on 22nd May 1915. Other Epping men also took part in this action. Trooper J Church described the scene as "awful". Harry Pegrum was wounded, and George Pegrum was left behind the lines to look after the horses. Hugh Miller is also commemorated on the war memorial Epping.

Members of the Epping & District Branch of the Royal British Legion took part in a parade in his memory at the Menin Gate in July 2004

Henry Joseph Perry: Son of Nehemiah Perry; of Theydon Mount. He was a private in the 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). He was 34 years of age when he was killed on the 11 October 1917. He is buried in the St Sever Extension Cemetery, Rouen, France.

Frederick Town: I have not been able to identify this person with any certainty.

Thomas William Ward: The husband of Eliza Jane Ward of Theydon Mount. He was a Gunner in the 121 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. He was 35 years old when he died on the 23 April 1917. He is buried in the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

Stanley Thomas West: He was the son of Walter and Alice West of New Cottage, Brickfield, Theydon Mount. He was a Private in the Royal Fusiliers and was aged 20 when he was killed on the 14th October 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

1939 -1945

Walter Clements: He was the son of Sidney and Jessie Elizabeth Clements, of South Hanningfield. He was a gunner in the 208 Battery, 533 Coast Regiment, Royal Artillery. He was 20 when was killed on the 2ne March 1941.

Edward, Lord Hay: Son of William Montagu Hay, 10th Marquess of Tweeddale and the Marchioness Tweeddale; husband of Lady Hay (nee Latham), of Hill Hall, Theydon Mount. He also served in the 1914-18 War. Staff Capt. to General Sir Edmund Ironside, 1921. Military Secretary to Rt. Hon. Sir Herbert Samuel from 1921-1923. He a Lt. Col. in the Grenadier Guards. He was 55 when he was killed whilst attending divine service in the Guards Chapel, when it was hit by a flying bomb, on the 18 June 1944. He is buricd in St Michael's churchyard, Theydon Mount.

Stapleford Tawney

The memorial is on the south wall of the nave of St Mary's church. In addition there is a board giving the names of the former pupils of Stapleford Tawney school who served between 1914-1918.

The following information is known about the men:

1914 - 1918

Albert Godsafe: Albert Edward Godsafe was the son of Thomas Godsafe who was a labourer. Albert was a cowman and in March 1907 was married, when he gave his age as 22. Albert joined as a private the 4h Battalion Grenadier Guards. He was killed 25 September 1916. He has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial in Belgium.

Henry Hartgrove: He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Hartgrove, of Colliers Hatch, Tawney Common. A corporal in the Essex Regiment he was 21 years of age when he was killed on the 14 October 1916. He has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial.

Robert Charles Wimsett Mepsted: Born in Faversham, Kent, he was the son of Charles and Hannah Mepsted, of Stapleford Tawney. He was married to Ada Mepsted, of New Walsoken, Wisbech. A sapper in the 71" Field Company, Royal Engincers, he was 27 when he died on Christmas Day 1916. He is buried in the Basra War Cemetery.

Albert Starling: He was the son of Benjamin and Mary Ann Starling, of Tawney Common. His brother Arthur William Starling also fell. [see below] He was a private in the 8 Battalion Royal Fusiliers and was 23 years old when he was killed on the 2 May 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

Arthur William Starling: He was the son of Benjamin and Mary Ann Starling, of Tawney Common. His brother Albert Starling also fell. [see above]. He joined the Royal Navy and was an Able Seaman on board HMS Raglan. He was killed on the 20 January 1918. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

Walter Stubbings: I have not yet confirmed the identity of this person. However from information supplied by Anne Padfield, it would appear he died at the end of the War in December 1918, in Africa of pneumonia.

Malcolm Sworder: Son of Harry and Eleanor Sworder, of 13, King's Rd., Berkhampsted, Herts. His brother Norman Sworder also fell [see below]. On the CWGC site his nationality is given as Canadian. He was a Licutenant in the Canadian Reserve Cavalry Regiment. He was a pilot with the Royal Flying Corps attached to 59h Squadron. He was 26 years old when he was killed on the 18h March 1918. He is buried in Achiet-Le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Norman Sworder: Son of Harry and Eleanor Sworder; husband of Emily Murial Sworder of Maidenhead, England. His brother Malcolm Sworder also fell [see above]. He was a Lieutenant in the RAF and was killed on the 17 April 1918. He was previously with the Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment). Unlike his brother his nationality is shown as British. He is buried at the La Targette British Cemetery, Neuville-St. Vaast, France. The connection with Stapleford Tawney is that the family lived at Great Tawney Hall.

A further name has been discovered that does not appear on the war memorial.

Frederick Charles Decks. A resident of Stapleford Tawney, he was a Private in the 2n4 Battalion Essex Regiment. He was killed on the 10 October 1917.

1939 -1945

George Herbert Fish: He was the son of Robert and Daisy Fish and husband of Frances Irene Fish, of North Weald. He enlisted as a private in the 6h Battalion Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment. He was 26 years old when he was killed in Italy on the 5th October 1943. He is buried at the Sangro River War Cemetery.

Greensted

Curiously there is no memorial to those parishioners of Greensted who died in either war. The reason is unknown. However the names are inscribed on a Roll of Honour in the foyer of Ongar War Memorial Hospital, [the original is now in the Essex Records Office]. The Roll records four names of men from Greensted who died in World War One:

• J. Argent
• E. Crisp
• C.H. East
• E.G. East

Currently the only one I can identify to date with certainty is:

Edward George East: Born in Woodford, Essex he was the son of William Herbert and Hester East, who lived at Hardings Farm, Greensted. A private in the 8th Battalion Suffolk Regiment, he was 20 years old when he died. He died of his wounds on the 15 October 1917. He is buried in the Dozinghem Military Cemetery.

There is a plaque in St Andrew's church to the crew of a Lancaster bomber that crashed near the church in 1944, which reads:

To the Glory of God and Everlasting Memory
of the gallant Lancaster Bomber Aircrew of
582 Pathfinder Squadron who died in a crash near this
Church on 23 September 1944.

F/O William Shirley
Sgt. Desmond Evans
Flt/Sgt Colin Mitchell
F/O Frank Hill
Flt/Sgt Duncan Smith
F/O George Burch
LAC William Alston

Eye witness accounts recall that the aircraft was in trouble and the pilot managed to avoid bringing the aircraft down on Ongar, where there many civilians may have died, but it crashed in fields near the church, killing all the crew on board.

To date I have been unable to find if any parishioners from Greensted died in World War II.

My research into these people continues. They made the ultimate sacrifice and need to be remembered. If any reader can fill in any further details then please get in touch with me. I would particularly welcome any photographs you may have.

Those interested in local architectural history have keenly been anticipating the completely revised edition of Nikolaus Pevsner's volume by James Bettley. Now available, at 939 pages, it is over twice the size of the previous edition despite the subsequent 'disappearance' of part of the county - Barking, Romford, West Ham etc - into London. It's a colossal achievement, five years' work, well written, and completely updated to reflect latest research, covering the New Towns and omitting the buildings that are no longer with us.

To see how accurate it is, I checked my local parish. It includes Pevsner's famous line on the bell tower slightly amended: "Blackmore possesses one of the most impressive, if not the most impressive, of all English bell towers, built (according to tree-ring dating) in 1400" (p.141). The dedication of the church is properly stated ("St Laurence" not "St Lawrence) and Blackmore House, properly titled Jericho Priory which since 1954 "deserves detailed investigation" (p.89 previous edition) has now been accorded such an entry.

Inevitably there are some updates required to the work even on release: the Community Hospital at Brentwood (p.174) has recently been demolished; the north doorway of St Peter & St Paul, Stondon Massey (p.754) is no longer blocked but forms the entrance to a new toilet facility; the Harlow Study Centre closed a matter of just months ago at St Andrew's Netteswellbury (p.460) with documents transferred to the town's Muscum. Such changes naturally reflect our changing use of buildings. Writing a volume such as this must be like painting the Forth Road Bridge, if you will excuse the analogy.

There are 123 lovely new colour pictures replacing the black and white ones of the 1954 edition. Unfortunately the inside of the Blackmore bell tower is omitted but locals are compensated by a drawing of the framework of Stondon's belfry (p.26), being a representative example of the county's craftsmanship. It's not a cheap book (on Amazon, £23.99) but a wonderful reference and update to the original.

While reading a book on an unrelated subject, the following macabre incident was related. The long-lasting preservative powers of honey are well known, even legendary.

"When Alexander the Great was killed in his last campaign, his body was placed in a gold coffin filled with honey for transport home and burial, Given the high cost of honey, it's not obvious whether the preservative or the ornate coffin was the more outrageous example of conspicuous consumption. This kind of outlay on dead rulers is not limited to the Greeks and the pharaohs of Egypt: in England, the first four Earls of Southampton were also buried in honey-filled caskets -- honey that was still free flowing and sweet , according to the workmen who excavated the containers centuries later .... before discovering what lay inside."

GREENSTED is a small scattered village and parish, about one mile W. of Chipping Ongar, from which it is commonly called Greensted near Ongar, to distinguish it from Greensted near Colchester. It has only 159 inhabitants, and 674 acres of land, rising boldly from a tributary stream of the river Roding.

At the Domesday survey it belongs to Hamo Dapifer, and it afterwards passed to the Lucy, Robetier, and other families. The Rev. P Budworth is now lord of the manor, but part of the soil belongs to Mr. Wm. Smith, Mrs. Rayner, and a few smaller owners. The Hall, a large handsome mansion, is now the seat of Wm. Gibson, Esq., and tasteful pleasure grounds, commanding beautiful prospects.

The Church (St. Andrew,) is supposed to be one of the oldest in England, though the nave is constructed of half trucks of oaks, about a foot and a half in diameter, split and roughly hewn at each end, to let them into a sill at the bottom and into a plank at the top, where they are fastened with wooden pegs. This primitive part of the fabric is about to be thoroughly repaired, and is 29ft. 9 in. long, 14ft. wide, and 5'/ft. high, on the sides, which support the original roof. At the west end is a boarded tower, but the chancel is now of brick. Both sides are strengthened by brick buttresses, and on the south is a wooden porch. The roof is of later date, and tiled, but rises to a point in the centre, as originally formed. The chancel has a blunt pointed doorway, with mouldings curiously worked in the bricks. Traditions says that the body of St. Edmund rested here in 1011, when being conveyed to its final resting place at Bury St. Edmund's. The small chapel or shrine, prepared for the temporary reception of the royal corpse, is said to have been afterwards enlarged, and converted into the parish church.

The rectory, valued in K.B. at £6. 13s. 4d., and in 1831 at £280, has 28A. of glebe, and a handsome Rectory House, of white brick, built in 1838, at the cost of about £2000. The patronage is vested in trust with the Bishop of London, and the Rev. P. W. Ray, M. A., is the incumbent.

The tithes were commuted in 1842. The poor have two yearly rent charges, viz., 5s. out of 3A. at Stanford-Rivers, left by Robert Petit; and £2 out of Lee Fields, left by Richard Bourne, in 1660.

Inhabitants

• Gibson Wm. Esq., clerk of the peace, and solr. Greensted Hall (& Ongar)
• Piggott Wm. parish clerk
• Ray Rev. Philip Wm., M.A. rector

Farmers

• Firman Wm.
• Freeman John
• Kemsley Joseph
• Laver Joseph
• Loud Jas. Jeken, corn dealer
• Smith Wm.

Thursday 25 October
The Unknown Soldier
Martyn Lockwood

Thursday 22 November
Essex Sound and Vision Archive
Martin Astell (Essex record Office)

Thursday 28 February
Ongar High Street - beyond the Façade
Bob Wingham

Thursday 27th March
Annual General Meeting
And local films with David Welford.

All meeting in Toot Hill Village Hall commencing at 8pm
Coffee and Biscuits
Members £1-Non members £2