Relton G L Lt 1st East Surrey Regiment

LIEUTENANT G. L. RELTON

1ST BATTALION THE EAST SURREY REGIMENT

GERALD LYONS RELTON was the third and youngest son of Arthur John Relton, Manager of the Guardian Assurance Company, and of Geraldine Victoria his wife.

He entered the School in 1905, and left in 1908. He was at first a Land Agent, and later received a Commission in the 3rd Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment (Special Reserve). He passed into the Regular Army by Examination, and was transferred to the 1st Battalion, with which, on the outbreak of War, he went to France. In the Battle of the Aisne, on the Chivres spur, above Missy-sur-Aisne, he received three bullet wounds, and died almost directly after being carried back, on the evening of September 14th, 1914. Age 23.

A report from an Officer in the French War Office stated:-

“It may be of interest to record that it was the general opinion of all, that if any senior Officer had seen what he had done, he would have been recommended for a reward. He led his men with courage and common sense, taking them right up to the German trench before he fell, and his loss is deeply regretted.”

Source : Memorials Of Rugbeians Who Fell In The Great War Vol 1

BARTHOLOMEW, JIM, Private, No. 6093, 2nd Battn. (70th Foot) The East Surrey Regt., 3rd s. of William Bartholomew, Carpenter, by his wife, Elizabeth; b. in Dec. 1882; enlisted in Aug. 1914; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders, and was killed in action in Aug. 1917. He m. at Walworth, S.E., 25 Dec. 1901, Harriett, dau. of Edward Jones, Painter, and had three children.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5

Hartley F L 2nd Lt 1st East Surrey Regiment

SECOND LIEUTENANT FREDERICK LYNN HARTLEY, East Surrey Regiment, was the son of Mrs. Hartley of Hampstead and a godson of the late Mrs. Lynn Linton. Born in 1885, he was educated at Merchant Taylors’ School, where he distinguished himself in mathematics and won his football colours. He went on the Stock Exchange in 1903 and became a member in 1909.

He enlisted in September 1914, in the 19th (St. Pancras) Battalion, London Regiment, and declined a commission when it was offered him, on the plea that he had no experience and preferred to serve with the men. He was promoted Sergeant before his battalion left England, first for France, early in 1916, and later for the Balkans.

In 1917 he came home to take a commission, and after a period with an O.T.C. at Berkhamsted, was gazetted in December to the 1st Battalion, Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment. He served in France with that regiment and was then transferred to the 3rd East Surreys.

It was at the end of the three days’ battle for Bapaume, on 23 August 1918, that he was killed, leading his men on their final objective. “He had established a magnificent reputation,” wrote his Colonel, “as a first-rate leader of men, and always showed the greatest cheerfulness under the most trying conditions.” A brother- officer in the Queen’s wrote: “No man could have wished for a more loyal and cheerful comrade. His courage and devotion to duty were proverbial, and he was loved by both officers and men, and none were more sorry to hear the news than the latter.”

Lieutenant Hartley married in June 1916, the younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Daffam of Valewood, Haslemere.

Source : The Stock Exchange War Memorial 1914-1918

Hale W W Lt 6th East Surrey Regiment Attd Royal Defence Corps

L IEUTENANT WILLIAM WEBB HALE, Royal Defence Corps, was the youngest son of Charles George Hale of the Stock Exchange. He was born in 1868 and became a member of the Stock Exchange at the age of twenty-seven, but his activities were by no means confined to the House, for he devoted much of his time to the public affairs of the City of London. He was a Liveryman of the Armourers’ and Braziers’ Company and represented Broad Street Ward in the Court of Common Council. He took a keen interest, too, in the Orphan School, and at the outbreak of war was Chairman of the Committee. His residence was in Surrey, and he was for many years an enthusiastic member of the West Surrey Beagles, being for a time joint Master.

In November 1914 he joined the Surrey National Reserve, which was later attached to the 2/6th East Surrey Regiment and afterwards became the 61st Company of the Royal Defence Corps. During 1914-15 his Company was stationed in the “Royal Edward” off Southend, guarding German prisoners, until transferred to Dover for guard duty. While at Dover he fell a victim to influenza, and cerebral haemorrhage intervening he died in April 1917, in his fiftieth year.

Lieut. Hale left a widow.

Source : The Stock Exchange War Memorial 1914-1918

Alexander G R 2nd Lt 13th East Surrey Regiment

SECOND LIEUT. GORDON REUBEN ALEXANDER, Royal Sussex Regiment attached 13th East Surreys, as  born in 1885 and educated at Harrow. He became a member of the Stock Exchange, and of his father’s firm, J. M. Alexander and Co. in 1908. A keen all-round sportsman, he was a member of the Corinthian Yacht Club, the Felixstowe and Coombe Golf Clubs, and the Sword Club. He won several trophies on the links, was Amateur Foils Champion of Great Britain, and took part in the Olympic Games.

Immediately on the outbreak of war he enlisted in the 10th (Stock Exchange) Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, refused the commission that was offered to him in that regiment, and went to France with them in 1915 as a N.C.O. In the following year he accepted a commission in the 10th East Surreys, was transferred to the Royal Sussex and afterwards attached to the 13th East Surreys.

He was killed on 24 April, 1917, in an attack on Villers Plouich, north of Peronne. His death is thus described by a sergeant in his Company: “Everything went very well in the attack, and we captured the first machine gun and many prisoners. After the objective was gained and the men were digging in under his supervision, one was badly hit and Lieutenant Alexander told a man to go to his assistance, but went himself instead as there was a lot of shelling, and while bandaging the man they were both killed by a heavy shell.”

The same sergeant relates how on one occasion when he went round the Company for volunteers for a risky enterprise, the men volunteered “too freely” on learning that Alexander was in charge. “He happened to overhear some of it and told me afterwards that it was the greatest satisfaction he got out of the war-it paid him for everything.

“He died the death of a hero,” wrote a brother-officer,” and deserved the V.C. He was a man absolutely without fear and commanded the respect and affections of his Company to such an extent that I think every man would have cheerfully died for him.”

The Padre of his battalion wrote to his father: “We all loved him, and the camaraderie that existed between him and the other officers was really extraordinary. It was just like him to give his life in looking after one of his men.”

“He was a very gallant officer and liked by all,” wrote his Commanding Officer. Second Lieutenant Alexander was mentioned in Dispatches “for gallant and distinguished service in the Field.”

Source : The Stock Exchange War Memorial 1914-1918

Steadman A Pte 2289 4th East Kent Regiment

STEADMAN, ALBERT, Private, No 2289, 1/4th Battn. East Kent Regt.

(The Buffs), eldest s. of Frederick Steadman, of 70, Beaver Road, South Ashford, Kent, employee in S. E. & C. Railway Works, Ashford, by his wife, Hannah Jane, dau. of Robert Hatton, of Dover; b. South Ashford aforesaid, 9 Dec. 1893; educ. S. E. & C. Railway Schools there; was a Clerk in the Ashford Branch of the Commercial Union Assurance Co., Ltd.; enlisted 4 Sept. 1914; went to India with his regt. in Dec. which was stationed at Mhow, Central India, till July 1915, when it was sent to Aden. He died of heatstroke at As Sela Sheikh Othman, 25 Sept. 1915, while taking part in the repulse of the Turkish attack on Aden; unm. He was fond of swimming, and represented his company in the regimental swimming contests at Mhow.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1