Batford, Harpenden

FIRST WORLD WAR

Charles Bigg

Charles William Bigg was born in Harpenden in 1886 to Thomas and Rhoda. They lived on Batford Road and Charles was a butchers assistant in 1911.

He joined the 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment (4144) as a Private and died on 14th July 1916, age 19.

He is commemorated at the Cambrin Military Cemetery in France.

Edward Firbank

He was registered as Jabez Edward in Hendon to George and Mary Jane Firbank in 1897, but later known ad Edward Jabez. In 1911 they were living in South View Road, Batford.

Edward joined the 6th Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment as a Private. (31518). He died at the General Hospital in Chelsea on 11th January 1919, age 21.

He is buried in St Nicholas’ churchyard in Harpenden.

Edward Gunnell

No further information

Walter Hucklesby

Walter was the son of Walter and Lizzie Hucklesby and was born in Luton in 1883. He married Edith Hill in 1907 and they lived in Salisbury Road, Batford. He worked as a bricklayer’s labourer.

Walter joined the 1st Battalion, Northants Regiment (25608) and was killed in action in Belgium on 10th July 1917, age 34.

He is commemorated on the Nieuport Memorial, Belgium

Horace, Ralph and Archibald Lewin were brothers, sons of Joseph (d. 1907) and Emma (d.1909) Lewin, who lived in Coldharbour Lane.

Horace was born in 1880

He married Edith Lilian Porteous in 1915.

He was a Corporal in the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment (18411) and died in action on 1 July 1916

He is commemorated at the Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, Mametz, France

Ralph Stanley was born in 1885

He married May Bird in 1908 and they had one daughter, Hilda May, born 1909

In 1911 he was a bricklayer’s labourer

He joined the 1/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment( 18411) as a Private

He died on 15th Sept 1915 at Gallipolli and is commemorated at the 7th Field Ambulance Cemetery

Archibald was born in 1887

He became a Private in the 4th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment (20356)

He died in action 16 April 1917 and is commemorated at Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France

Herbert Warwick

No further information

SECOND WORLD WAR

George Odell

The son of Vincent and Mary Elizabeth Odell, George was born on 18th September 1921 and worked as a carpenter and joiner.

He was a Sapper in  the 14th Field Squadron of the Royal Engineers and died on 8th July 1944, age 22. (5958836)

He is commemorated at Secqueville-en-Bessin War Cemetery in France

Kenneth Austin

Flight Sergeant Kenneth Herbert Austin (1872833), RAF Volunteer Reserve 626 Squadron died on 31st December 1944, age 20.

The son of Frederick and Rose May Austin of Lower Luton Road, Harpenden, Kenneth is commemorated at Hotton War Cemetery in Belgium