Roll of Honour - Cambridgeshire - Upwell, Christchurch

Ministry of Defence

Lest We Forget

The Royal British Legion

CHRISTCHURCH WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Cliff Brown & Ann McClean 2000s
additional information by Patrick Gariepy

The memorial is in Christchurch churchyard. Church Road, Christchurch and takes the form of a Celtic cross. There are twenty-four names listed for World War 1 and six for World War 2. The memorial cost £170 originally and was unveiled 20 February 1920; it was manufactured by Messrs W & AV Davis, Wisbech. A report on the unveiling and dedication appeared in the Wisbech Standard, 25 Febraury 1920, page 6.

IN PROUD AND
LOVING MEMORY
OF THE MEN OF
THIS VILLAGE
WHO FELL IN THE
GREAT WAR
1914-1919

BROWN

Ernest

4214 Pte, 1/1st Cambridgeshire Regiment. Died of wounds 13-2-17, age 19. Son of Thompson & Emma Brown, of Happy Row, Euximoor. Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinghe, Belgium.

CHAPMAN

Frances

107368 Cpl, Third Army Headquarters Signal Company, Royal Engineers. Died of wounds (gas) 5-8-18, age 30. Youngest son of Mr & Mrs A Chapman. Husband of Elsie Chapman. Lived White House. Formerly 11417 Royal Fusiliers. St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France.

FEW

Charles

4790 Pte, 51st Australian Imperial Force. Died of wounds 17-7-17 (admitted 2nd Australian CCS 15-7-17), age 25. To Australia in 1913. Second son of Mr & Mrs S Few. Enlisted Perth, Western Australia. Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steanwerck, France. Born in Methwold, Norfolk, the son of Sylvanus Few of Christchurch, Cambridgeshire. He was educated in Christchurch and was unmarried. Before emigrating to Australia at the age of 19, he was employed as an agricultural labourer. In Australia he was employed as a railway plateworker. On December 8, 1915, he enlisted in the A.I.F. in Wickepin, Western Australia. Died of wounds in Steenwerck, France, on July 17, 1917, aged 25 years.

FISHER

Herbert

759, Pte, 44th Australian Imperial Force. Killed in action 9-6-17, age 25. To Australia in 1913. son of Joseph & Maria Fisher, Christchurch. Enlisted Perth, Western Australia. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. Born in Christchurch, Cambridgeshire, the son of Joseph Fisher of Christchurch. He was educated in Christchurch and was unmarried. In civil life he was employed as a labourer in Perth, Western Australia, and at the age of 20 he emigrated to Australia. On February 1, 1916, he enlisted in the A.I.F. in Blackboy Hill, Western Australia. Killed in action in the Ypres salient, Belgium, on June 9, 1917, aged 25 years.

GOODGER

Dick

10291 Pte, 2nd Lincolnshire Regiment. Killed in action 31-7-17, age 22. Son of Mary Ann Giddens (formerly Goodger), of Ash Tree Farm, Wisbech, and the late William Goodger. Brother of Walter below. Born Euximoor. Poelcapelle British Cemetery, Belgium.

Cambridgeshire Times, 28-5-1926: Christchurch soldier's fate.
A reburial party working at an isolated cemetery in the vicinity of Westhoek discovered a silver watch in the clothing of an unknown soldier, beleived to be 2nd Lincolnshire, who fell on 31-7-17. The watch bore the name J C Heald, Wisbech. The watch was sent to Mr Heald, who had a shop in High St, Wisbech, who identified it as belonging to Pte Dick Goodger, 2nd Lincs. Goodger's body was re-interred at Poelcapelle British Cemetery.

GOODGER

Percival George

Private 29244 10th Battalionn, Essex Regiment who died on Tuesday, 27th March 1917. Born Upwell, Cambs, enlisted Wisbech, resident Christchurch. Son of George & Harriet Goodger, Euximoor Drove. St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France.

GOODGER

Walter Willie

26371 Pte, 7th Norfolk Regiment. Killed in action 9-4-17, age 23. Son of Mary Ann Giddens (formerly Goodger), of Ash Tree Farm, Welney, and the late William Goodger. Horsetender, Euximoor Drove. Borther of Dick above. Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Brother of Dick.

HUTCHINSON

Bernard

242685 L/Cpl, 2/5th East Lancashire Regiment. Killed in action 9th October 1917, age 28. Son of Henry Hutchinson, of Post Office, Christchurch. Formerly 4432 Cambridgeshire Regiment. Enlisted Wisbech. Commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. Also listed on Wisbech Post Office memorial.

HYDE

Stanley

202243 Sgt Berry Frederick Hyde, 2/4th Gloucestershire Regiment. 5-7-16, age 20. Son of Frederick and Sarah Jane Hyde, of Christchurch. Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

LOWE

Bert

13731 Pte, 11th (Cambs) Suffolk Regiment. Died of wounds 10-3-16 (accident), age 23. Son of Daniel and Charlotte Lowe, Hole in the Wall Farm. Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard Extension Cemetery, Nord, France. (Brother of below).

LOWE

Frank

15443 Cpl, 2nd Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 14-6-17. Son of Daniel and Charlotte Lowe, Hole in the Wall Farm. Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery, Haucourt, France. (Brother of above).

Photograph Copyright ©
Chris Harley 2008

PEEL

Ernest Owen

R/17353 Cpl, 17th (British Empire League) King's Royal Rifle Corps. Died of wounds 4-9-16, age 29. Policeman in March, parents lived Christchurch. Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No 1, Somme, France. See also Wisbech Isle of Ely Constabulary, Wisbech Police Station

POOLE

Walter

15450 Pte, C company, 2nd Suffolk Regiment. Died of wounds 23-4-15. Son of Mr William & Mrs Jane Poole, Euximoor Drove. Bailleul Communal Cemetery, France.

ROLFE

William

24961 Pte, 7th Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 12-10-16. Grevillers British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. (Listed as William Rofe in SDGW and CWGC).

RUSSELL

Isaac

26395 Pte 7th Norfolk Regiment. Killed in action 9-4-17. Lived Lots Bridge. Son of George & Sarah Russell, Poulter's Drove. Arras Memorial, France.

SHEPHERD

William George

2852 Pte, C Company, 1/1st Cambridgeshire Regiment. Died of wounds 30-6-15. Merville Communal Cemetery, France.

SMITH

Alfred

20586 L/Cpl, 11th (Cambs) Suffolk Regiment. Died pneumonia after influenza 19-11-18, at 34th CCS, age 20. Youngest son of Stephen and Ann Smith, of Tips End. Solesmes British Cemetery, Nord, France. Brother of below.

SMITH

Harry

20596 L/Cpl, 12th Suffolk Regiment. Died of wounds 21-10-17. Second son of Stephen and Ann Smith, of Tips End. St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France. Brother of above.

SMITH

Walter Steward

4139 Pte, 3/5th Suffolk Regiment. Died home 1-5-16. Son of William Smith, Euximoor Drove. Upwell Christchurch churchyard.

SPARROW, MM

John

40722 Pte, 2nd Suffolk Regiment. Died of wounds 30-8-18, age 28. Son of George and Eliza Sparrow, of Christchurch. Awarded Military Medal. Formerly 4584 Suffolk Regiment. Buried Mory Abbey Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

STIMSON

Edward Oakes

44001 Cpl, 2nd Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 8-10-18, age 23. Son of Jane Elizabeth Stimson, 39 Cypress Place, New Beckton, East Ham, & late George William Stimson. Lived Three Holes. Naves Communal Cemetery Extension.

SWANN

Ernest Albert

35869 Pte, 124th coy Machine Gun Corps. Killed in action 16-9-16, age 21. Formerly 24646 Suffolk Regiment. Son of George and Mary Jane Swann, of Christchurch. Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

TROWER

Albert

RMA/862(S) Gnr, Royal Marine Artillery, Anti-Aircraft Btn, HMS Crescent. Died pneumonia 21-10-18 (Scotland), age 32. Son of John and Mary Ann Trower of Tip's End. Upwell churchyard. (Brother of below).

TROWER

John

2597 Pte, 1/7th Middlesex Regiment. 21-11-16, age 33. Son of John and Mary Ann Trower of Tip's End. (Brother of above). Pont-du-Hem Military Cemetery, La Gorgue, Nord, France.

1939-1945

FRANCE

[Leslie] Ronald

Sgt 580854, 211 Squadron RAFVR. 31-12-40, age 22. Son of Leslie William & Dorothy France, of March. He lived at Townley School House, Christchurch. Alamein Memorial, Egypt. See also Upwell.

Extract from local newspaper:

REPORTED MISSING.
Sergt. L. W. France,
R.A.F., of Christchurch.

News has been received by Mr. and Mrs. L. W. France, Townley School House, Christchurch, that their son, Sergt. Leslie Ronald France, of the Royal Air Force, is reported missing.

Sergt. France, who is 22 years of ag, was educated at Wisbech Grammar School. He joined the Royal Air Force in March, 1939, and had reached the rank of Sergeant Wireless Operator and air-gunner. He is well known at Witchford, Newton and Christchurch, where his father has held positions as schoolmaster.

He had taken part in day and night flights over Germany and enemy-occupied territory, and a month ago was transferred abroad. Since then his parents have not heard from him.

PARKER

Norman Lionel

Tpr 7957005, 250 Tank Delivery Squadron, Royal Armoured Corps. 26-4-43, age 20. Son of John & Emma Parker, of Sherlock House, Three Holes; husband of Freda Evelyn Joan Parker. Medjez-el-Bab War Cemetery, Tunisia. See also Upwell.

Extract from Wisbech Standard in 1943:

KILLED IN NORTH
AFRICA.
TPR. N. L. PARKER

His wife has received the sad news that Trooper Norman L. Parker, of Christchurch, was killed in North Africa on Easter Monday. He was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Parker, Sherlock House, Three Holes, and was only 20 years of age.

Trooper Parker joined the Forces in April, 1942, and was serving in the R.A.C. in North Africa, were he went at the beginning of this year.

He leaves a baby son aged 14 months.

Trooper Parker attended Upwell school, and before he was called up was employed, by Mr. H. Day.

MONEY

Percy Stanley

Pte, 5777503, 6th Queen's Own Royal West Kent Rgt, 14-12-42, age 23. Son of Mr & Mrs J W Money, Veat Bank, Christchurch; husband of Mrs Grace Money, 24 Field Baulk, March. Tabarka Ras Rajel War Cemetery, Tunisia. See also Upwell.

BELLAMY

Jack Roland

14558073, Gnr, 2 Field Rgt, Royal Artillery, 24-10-44, age 21. Son of Sidney Albert & Ada Bellamy, of Poulter's Drove, Three Holes Bridge. Farenza War Cemetery, Italy. See also Upwell.

WRIGHT

Leonard Ernest

L/Cpl 2623732, 1st Grenadier Guards. 5-3-45, age 21. Son of Leonard & Elizabeth Hardy Wright, of Day's Bungalow, Christchurch. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany. See also Upwell.

ROLFE

Colin

5836464, Pte, 3rd btn Parachute Rgt, AAC. Wounded & PoW at Arnhem, repatriated and died of wounds at Basingstoke 15-7-45, age 22. Orphaned son of late Walter & Harriett Rolfe, of Sheffield. Lived with Mr & Mrs J Frost, of Euximoor, Christchurch. Sheffield (City Road) Cemetery, Yorks. See also Upwell.

Extract from a local newspaper during the 1939-1945 war:

Last updated 5 January, 2026

War Memorials Trust