Roll of Honour - Buckinghamshire

Ministry of Defence

Lest We Forget

The Royal British Legion

LOOSLEY ROW WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Gill Cannell & Andrew Dishman 2023
research Martin Edwards

The war memorial covers World War 1 only and is to be found in Loosley Row Baptist Cemetery, Loosley Row Baptist Church, Loosley Hill, Loosley Row, Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. It takes the form of a rectangular stone tablet with segmental top, set in a brick wall; the top of the tablet shows a pair of sculpted drapes rising and joining in the centre with the inscription below drapes. The builder was Mr S. Hickman of Loosley Row, the stonework supplied by Mr. E. Harris of High Wycombe. The memorial was unveiled by General C. S. Pritchard, Col. M.A. Rigne and Capt.. C.S. Rose 27 June 1920. There are 12 names listed for World War 1 only.

Extract from Bucks Herald - Saturday 6 March 1920, page 11:

LOOSLEY ROW.

WAR MEMORIAL.— By the invitation of Colonel M. Tighe, a public meeting was held at his residence, Loosley House, on Saturday evening, to consider the question of a war memorial for Loosley Row and district. Colonel Tighe was elected to the chair. The meeting unanimously decided to erect a memorial at the entrance to the cemetery. The following committee were appointed to carry out the scheme: Colonel Tighe, Messrs. H. Allen, J. Baker, H. Gomme, and S. Hickman. It was agreed to include on the record the names of those who fell from Saunderton Lea and Parslows Hillock; and to invite freewill offering; any balance after payment of the cost of the memorial to be divided between the Royal Bucks and High Wycomlie Hospitals.

Extract from Bucks Herald - Saturday 19 June 1920, page 2:

LOOSLEY ROW.

WAR MEMORIAL.— It has been arranged for General C. S. Prichard. Colonel M. A. Tighe, and Captain C. S. Rose to take part in unveiling the war memorial to the men of Loosely Row and district, on Sunday afternoon, June 27th. The whole amount subscribed to the memorial has been given voluntary, and there has been no canvassing or appeals issued. Every contribution has been given freely by a grateful people, who sincerely desire to perpetuate the memory of the men who sacrificed their lives that others might live.

Extract from Bucks Herald - Saturday 3 July 1920, page 2:

LOOSLEY ROW.
UNVEILING OF WAR MEMORIAL.

The Loosley Row,and district war memorial was unveiled on Sunday afternoon in the presence of a large congregation, who, in spite of a heavy downpour of rain, gathered to pay their respects to “our honoured dead.” The memorial was supported by all sections of the community, and is unique because not a penny had been canvassed for, and no appeals had been issued, but the people had brought their contributions to the local Post Office, all sincere in their desire perpetuate the memory of the fallen. The ceremony was performed by General C. S. Prichard, Col. M A. Tigne, and Capt. C. S. Rose.—Col. Tighe paid a touching tribute to the men whose names are recorded on the stone. —The memorial, built brick and stone, is inscribed in lead:—‘‘To the honoured memory of the men of Loosley Row and neighbourhood who gave their lives during the War of 1914-1919 in the defence of King and country. E. A. Biggs, O.B.L.I.; H. Dormer, D.C.L.I.; G. Dormer, R.F.A.; W. R. Gomme, P.P.L.I.; A. Janes, O.B.L.I.; W. McCaskie, C.L.; A. Ridgley, K.S.L.I.; P. Ridgley, O.B.L.I.; J. Rutland, Q.W.S.; E. Robbins, H.R.; F. J. Stevens, R.M.F.; A. H. Williams, M.R.” The hymn, “For all Thy saints who from their labours rest,” was sung, after which Capt. Rose led the company in prayer and read a suitable portion of Scripture. The hymn, “God, our help in ages past,” and the National Anthem were sung. Mr. V. Randall, late a bugler in H.M. Forces, concluded the ceremony sounding the “Last Post.” Many relatives and friends of the fallen then laid beautiful floral tributes at the foot of the memorial. The Memorial Committee are Col. M. A. Tighe, Messrs. H. Allen, J. Baker, R. Gomme, and S. Hickman. The memorial was erected by Mr. S. Hickman, Loosley [sic] Row, and the stonework was supplied by Mr. E. Harris, High Wycombe. In the evening a memorial service was conducted in the Baptist Chapel, LoosleyRow, kindly lent to the Memorial Committee. The chapel was crowded to its utmost capacity, many being unable to get into the building. Capt. Rose who conducted, took for his text, “There shall be more sea.” The service, which was most impressive, concluded with the “Dead March,” played by Mr. A. Lacey, the organist. The total amount subscribed pays for the memorial, and leaves a balance divided between the hospitals at High Wycombe and Aylesbury.

To
the honoured memory of
the men of Loosley Row
and neighbourhood
who gave their lives during the Great War of
1914 – 1919
in the defence of King and country

BIGGS	Ernest Alfred	Private 16328, 8th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Died in United Kingdom 30 June 1915. Born Looe,ly Row, Buckinghamshire, resident Downley Common, Buckinghamshire , enlisted High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Buried in STRATFORD-SUB-CASTLE (ST. LAWRENCE) CHURCHYARD, Wiltshire. Grave 96.
DORMER	George	Gunner 208316, "D" Battery, 78th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Died of wounds 6 September 1918. Aged 33. Resident Risborough, Bucks, enlisted Aylesbury, Bucks. Husband of Ethel Leah Dormer, of Parkfield, Princes Risborough, Bucks. Buried in LEBUCQUIERE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Pas de Calais, France. Plot II. Row H. Grave 4.
DORMER	Harry [Jonathan]	Private 37825, 1st/5th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. Died 8 January 1919. Aged 19. Born 25 May 1899. Baptised 6 August 1899 in Lacey Green, Buckinghamshire, resident Loosely Row, son of John and Laura Dormer. Son of Laura Dormer, of Princes Risborough, Bucks. In the 1901 census he was the grandson of Jabez and Ruth Dormer, born Buckinghamshire, resident Bottom Field, Loosley Row, Princes Risborough, Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. On 23 April 1906 admitted to Lacey Green Church of England School, Lacey Green, Buckinghamshire, son of John Dormer, resident Loosely Row, left 28 July 1911. In the 1911 census he was aged 11, born Princes Risborough, Bucks, at school, son of John and Laura Dormer, resident Loosley Row, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire. Buried in MONT HUON MILITARY CEMETERY, LE TREPORT, Seine-Maritime, France. Plot X. Row D. Grave 6B.
GOMME	William Ralph	Private 51172, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment). Missing presumed killed in action 8 May 1915. Born 6 August 1891. Born Princes Risboro, Buckinghamshire. Son of John and Alice Gomme, of Loosely Row Foundry, Princes Risboro, Buckinghamhsire, later Mill Road, Lacey Green, Princes Risboro, Bucks. Blacksmith's Helper by trade. Unmarried. Attested 22 December 1914 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, aged 23 years 5 months, height 5 feet 8 inches, weight 164 lbs, chest 35-37½ inches, dark complexion, brown eyes, brown hair, religious denomination Church of England. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 10. National Archives of Canada Accession Reference: Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 3618 - 5
JANES	Alfred	Private 22505 [listed as 20505 on SDGW], 2nd Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Killed in action 9 August 1916. Born and resident Princes Risboro, Bucks, enlisted Aylesbury, Bucks. In the 1901 census he was aged 7, born Buckinghamshire, son of Horace and Mary Janes, resident Coombes, Loosley Row, Princes Risborough, Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 10 A and 10 D.
McCASKIE	Wallace	Sergeant 2245, 3rd (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers), London Regiment. Killed in action 3 October 1916. Resident Princes Risborough, enlisted Edward Street (London). Buried in BERNAFAY WOOD BRITISH CEMETERY, MONTAUBAN, Somme, France. Row L. Grave 79.
RIDGLEY	Alfred	Private 8091, 2nd Battalion, King's (Shropshire Light Infantry). Killed in action 7 May 1915. Aged 27. Born West Wycombe, Bucks, resident Saunderton, Bucks, enlisted High Wycombe. Son of William and Eliza Ridgley, of Saunderton Lea, Princes Risboro', Bucks. In the 1891 census he was aged 3, born West Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, son of William and Eliza Ridgley, resident Hill Side, West Wycombe, Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. In the 1901 census he was aged 13, born West Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, a Farm Ploughboy, son of William and Eliza Ridgley, resident Pond Farm, Cottage in Road, Saunderton, Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 49.
RIDGLEY	Percy	Private 267626, 2ns/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Died of wounds 22 April 1917. Aged 24. Born West Wycombe, Bucks, resident Saunderton Leas, Bucks, enlisted Aylesbury, Bucks. Buried in ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN, Seine-Maritime, France. Section O. Plot IX. Row E. Grave 9.
RUTLAND	Albert James	Private T/242920 [listed as T/242020 on SDGW], 7th Battalion, Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Killed in action 1 October 1918. Aged 34. Born and resident Princes Risborough, Bucks, enlisted Aylesbury, Bucks. Baptised 14 September 1884 in Lacey Green, Buckinghamshire, son of Harry and Leanda Rutland. Husband of Caroline Rutland, of Park Farm, Naphill, High Wycombe, Bucks. In the 1891 census he was aged 7, born Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, scholar, son of Harry and Leanda Rutland, resident Pink & Sily, Speen, Princes Risborough, Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. In the 1901 census he was aged 17, born Buckinghamshire, an Under Carter on farm, son of Harry and Leanda Rutland, resident Loosley Row, Princes Risborough, Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. In the 1911 census he was aged 27, born Princes Risboro, Bucks, a Waggoner on farm, married to Caroline with one duaghter, resident Wardrobes, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire. Buried in UNICORN CEMETERY, VENDHUILE, Aisne, France. Plot IV. Row D. Grave 2.
ROBBINS	Edward	Private 28544, 2nd/4th (Territorial Force) Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. Killed in action 13 September 1918. Aged 19. Born 25 March 1899 in Princes Risborough, Bucks, resident Loosely Row, Bucks, enlisted Oxford. Son of Robert Robbins, of Loosley Row, Princes Risborough, Bucks. In the 1901 census he was aged 2, born Buckinghamshire, son of Robert Robbins (a widower), resident Duke Street, Princes Risborough, Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Admitted to Lacey Green Church of England School, Buckinghamshire, 17 July 1905, son of Robert Robbins, left 24 April 1912, previously at Princes Risboro National School. In the 1911 census he was aged 12, born Princes Risboro, Bucks, at school, son of Robert and Margaret Robbins, resident Loosley Row, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire. Listed in the Absent Voters List for 1918, Loosley Row, Parish of Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire. Buried in RUYAULCOURT MILITARY CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Row K. Grave 27.
STEVENS	Frederick J	Private 20204, 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers formerly 16872, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Killed in action 4 October 1918. Born Naphill, Bucks, resident Winchmore Hill, Middlesex, enlisted Oxford. In the 1891 census he was born Buckinghamshire, son of Edwin and Clara Stevens, resident Coombs Lane, Hughenden, Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. In the 1901 census he was aged 16, born Buckinghamshire, son of Edwin and Clara Stevens, resident Naphill Farm, Naphill, Hughenden, Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Buried in PROSPECT HILL CEMETERY, GOUY, Aisne, France. Plot II. Row C. Grave 6.
WILLIAMS	Alec Harry	Private G/9396, 13th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment). Killed in action 25 August 1917. Born Bryants Bottom, Bucks, resident Princes Risborough, Bucks, enlisted Mill Hill, Middlesex. No known grave. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 113 to 115.

Last updated 7 April, 2023

War Memorials Trust