Remembering Those Who Gave Their Lives in the World Wars

Within St Mary's Church, Cratfield, two oak memorial plaques commemorate the men of the parish who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars.

The First World War plaque records eleven names. It was erected by the people of Cratfield and unveiled on 27 November 1919, it cost £10 raised by public subscription. A second plaque, commemorating those who died during the Second World War, records three names and was unveiled on 5 November 1952.

The names recorded on the memorial are:

First World War 1914-1918

  • Frederick Henry Bryenton
  • Ernest W L Clarke
  • Arthur William Girling
  • Lawrence V Girling
  • Arthur W Pipe
  • George William Preston
  • Horace Raynor
  • Harold Sharman
  • Frederick William Stokes
  • John White
  • George White

Second World War 1939-1945

  • Richard Sidney Mobbs
  • John Symonds
  • Clifford Alec Warren MM

The information below has been compiled from the Cratfield War Memorial record and cross-checked against available Commonwealth War Graves Commission records, Suffolk Archives material and other specialist historical sources. Where information remains uncertain, this is clearly stated.

First World War 1914-1918

The Cratfield Memorial

The memorial plaques in St Mary's Church provide a permanent record of the fourteen men whose names are remembered by the parish. The plaque was unveiled on 27 November 1919 and records eleven names. The First World War plaque bears the inscription:

‘This tablet is erected by the people of Cratfield in grateful memory of those men who gave their lives for their country in the Great War 1914-1918.’

Private Frederick Henry Bryenton
Service: Private, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Service number: 15693
Died: 30 September 1915
Age: 25
Cemetery: New Irish Farm Cemetery, Belgium

Frederick Henry Bryenton was a Private in the 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. He died on 30 September 1915 at the age of 25. The Commonwealth War Graves information records Frederick as the son of Michael Bryenton and his wife, of Vine Cottages, Cratfield. His service number was 15693. He is buried at New Irish Farm Cemetery, near Ypres in Belgium. Frederick died during a period of heavy fighting on the Western Front. His grave is among those of many servicemen who died during the First World War and whose final resting place is now maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. His name is recorded on the Cratfield First World War memorial in St Mary's Church. Remembered: Frederick Henry Bryenton, 1890-1915.

Sergeant Ernest W L Clarke
Service: Sergeant, 41st Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
Service number: 42988
Died: 7 October 1918
Age: 30
Cemetery: Aeroplane Cemetery, Belgium

Ernest W L Clarke served as a Sergeant with the 41st Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). His service number was 42988. He died on 7 October 1918, aged 30, only a little over a month before the Armistice. The Cratfield memorial record identifies him as the husband of Ethel Clarke of Belle Vue, Cratfield. Ernest is buried at Aeroplane Cemetery, near Ypres in Belgium. The cemetery contains the graves of men who died during the fighting in the Ypres Salient and during the final Allied advances of 1918. His name appears on the Cratfield First World War memorial.

Stoker Arthur William Girling
Service: Stoker 1st Class, Royal Navy
Service number: K/20034
Ship: HMS Natal
Died: 30 December 1915
Age: 20
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial

Arthur William Girling was a Stoker 1st Class in the Royal Navy, serving aboard HMS Natal. He was 20 years old. Arthur was the son of George and Ann Girling of Near School, Cratfield. On 30 December 1915, HMS Natal was lying at anchor in Cromarty Firth when a fire broke out aboard the ship. The fire reached the ship's magazines and caused a massive explosion. HMS Natal sank rapidly and 421 men lost their lives. Arthur was among those who died. As his body was not recovered for burial, he is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, which remembers members of the Royal Navy who died during the First World War and have no known grave. Arthur's death was one of the earliest losses recorded on the Cratfield memorial.

Private Lawrence V Girling
Service: Private, 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Service number: 43074
Died: 10 April 1917
Memorial: Arras Memorial, France

Lawrence V Girling served as a Private with the 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. He died on 10 April 1917, during the Allied offensive around Arras in northern France. His service number was 43074 and contemporary casualty records confirm his battalion and date of death. Lawrence has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, which records the names of thousands of servicemen who died in the Arras sector and have no known grave. His name is recorded on the Cratfield First World War memorial alongside that of Harold Sharman, another Cratfield man who died during the fighting around Arras.

Private Arthur W Pipe
Service: Private, 11th Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
Service number: 22360
Died: 26 November 1917
Memorial: Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France

Arthur W Pipe served as a Private in the 11th Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment). His service number was 22360. The Cratfield memorial record states that Arthur was born at Huntingfield, linking him to the local area. He died on 26 November 1917, during the Battle of Cambrai and the subsequent fighting. Arthur has no known grave. His name is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial at Louverval, which records the names of servicemen who died in the Battle of Cambrai and whose graves are unknown. His name remains on the Cratfield First World War memorial.

Leading Seaman George William Preston
Service: Leading Seaman, Royal Navy
Service number: J/3993
Ship: HMS Vanguard
Died: 9 July 1917
Age: 24
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial

George William Preston was a Leading Seaman in the Royal Navy aboard HMS Vanguard. He was 24 years old. He was the son of Arthur George Preston of Silverleys Green, Cratfield. On 9 July 1917, HMS Vanguard was lying at anchor at Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands when a catastrophic explosion destroyed the battleship. Almost the entire crew were killed. Only three men survived. The cause of the explosion was never conclusively established. George's body was not recovered and he is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. His death represents one of the two naval losses recorded on the Cratfield First World War memorial.

Private Horace Raynor
Service recorded on memorial: Private, 1st Battalion, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
Service number: 2805
Died: 9 May 1915
Memorial record: Bethune Town Cemetery

Please note: The Cratfield War Memorial record gives the name as Horace Raynor, Private 2805, 1st Battalion, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, who died on 9 May 1915 and is recorded as buried at Bethune Town Cemetery. However, the memorial research specifically notes that there is some suggestion that the name may actually refer to Horace Raymer of the 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, meaning that the name or details on the memorial may be incorrect. The casualty records confirm that a Private 2805, Raynor, of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment died on 9 May 1915. However, this alone does not establish that he was the man from Cratfield. The memorial is an important primary piece of local evidence, but some details may have been recorded incorrectly at the time.

Private Harold Sharman
Service: Private, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Service number: 43310
Died: 18 June 1917
Age: 23
Memorial: Arras Memorial, France

Harold Sharman was a Private in the 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. He was 23 years old. The Commonwealth War Graves information records him as the son of George Sharman of Ivy House, Cratfield, and the late Harriet Sharman. Harold died on 18 June 1917, during the fighting in the Arras sector. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, which bears the names of thousands of servicemen who died in the Arras area and have no known grave. Harold's connection with Cratfield is particularly well documented, with his family address recorded as Ivy House. His name is one of the eleven names on the First World War plaque in St Mary's Church.

Leading Seaman Frederick William Stokes
Service: Leading Seaman, Royal Navy
Service number: J/5765
Ship: HMS Indefatigable
Died: 31 May 1916
Memorial: Plymouth Naval Memorial

Frederick William Stokes was a Leading Seaman in the Royal Navy, serving aboard the battlecruiser HMS Indefatigable. He died on 31 May 1916 during the Battle of Jutland, the largest naval battle of the First World War. HMS Indefatigable was engaged by the German battlecruiser SMS Von der Tann. The British ship suffered catastrophic damage and sank with the loss of the overwhelming majority of her crew. Frederick has no known grave and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial. Please note: There is a potential source of confusion concerning this name. A different Frederick Stokes, a Royal Naval Reserve deck hand from Bell Green, Cratfield, died on 8 June 1916 and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. However, the Cratfield church war memorial specifically records Frederick William Stokes, Leading Seaman J/5765, HMS Indefatigable, who died on 31 May 1916. The two men should therefore not be confused.

Private John White
Service: Believed to be Private, 8th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Service number: 50223
Died: 21 February 1917
Cemetery: St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen

The Cratfield memorial records John White as a casualty of the First World War. The memorial research identifies him as believed to be Private 50223 of the 8th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, who died on 21 February 1917 and is buried at St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen. The Commonwealth War Graves-linked record confirms a Private John White of the Suffolk Regiment, service number 50223, who died on that date and is buried at St Sever Cemetery Extension. A medical record held by The National Archives records a Private J White of the Suffolk Regiment being treated at No. 2 General Hospital, Le Havre, for a gunshot wound to the left thigh. However, this record should not be assumed to relate to the Cratfield man without further identification.

Private George White
Service: Believed to be Private, 8th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Service number: 3/9733
Died: 12 October 1917
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium

The second White named on the Cratfield memorial is George White. The Cratfield memorial research identifies him as believed to be Private 3/9733 of the 8th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, who died on 12 October 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium. The date of his death places him among the enormous losses suffered during the fighting in the Ypres Salient in 1917. As with John White, the Cratfield memorial research uses the word "believed" when identifying the individual. Further research would therefore be required to establish his family, age and precise connection with Cratfield beyond reasonable doubt.

Second World War 1939-1945
The Second World War plaque was unveiled on 5 November 1952 and records three names.

Together, the plaques provide a link between present-day Cratfield and the families and individuals who lived in the parish more than a century ago.

Sergeant Richard Sidney Mobbs
Service: Sergeant, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Service number: 1874047
Squadron: No. 15 Squadron RAF
Died: 13 June 1944
Age: 20
Cemetery: Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Netherlands

Richard Sidney Mobbs was a Sergeant Air Gunner in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1874047. He was 20 years old. The Suffolk Family History Society's Suffolk Roll of Honour specifically records Richard Sidney Mobbs as a Cratfield casualty of the Second World War. Richard served with No. 15 Squadron, which operated Lancaster bombers as part of RAF Bomber Command. On the night of 12/13 June 1944, Lancaster LM465 was involved in a bombing operation against targets in the Ruhr area. The aircraft was intercepted by a German night fighter over the Netherlands and crashed near Meerlo and Tienray.Richard was among the crew who were killed. He was initially buried locally and after the war was reinterred at Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Nijmegen. His grave is recorded as 12.C.2. Richard's connection with Cratfield is particularly strong. His wartime address is recorded as Cratfield and his name is commemorated on the Second World War plaque in St Mary's Church. A separate memorial plaque to Richard also exists in the church. His death occurred only a few days after the D-Day landings and during a period when RAF Bomber Command was continuing intensive operations against Germany.

Sergeant John Symonds
Service: Sergeant, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Service number: 1883370
Squadron: No. 576 Squadron RAF
Died: 17 March 1945
Cemetery: Dürnbach War Cemetery, Germany

John Symonds was a Sergeant Air Gunner in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1883370. He served with No. 576 Squadron, a Lancaster bomber squadron formed in November 1943. The squadron operated from RAF Elsham Wolds and undertook bombing operations as part of Bomber Command. John died on 17 March 1945, less than two months before the end of the war in Europe Aircraft records identify Sergeant John Symonds as a member of the crew of an Avro Lancaster PA265. The aircraft was lost on 17 March 1945 and John was killed. He is buried at Dürnbach War Cemetery in Germany. The Suffolk Family History Society specifically records John Symonds as a Cratfield casualty in its Suffolk Roll of Honour for 1939-1945. The available Cratfield memorial research does not provide his age or family address, so these details have not been added here without further documentary evidence.

Sergeant Clifford Alec Warren MM
Service: Sergeant, 2/5th Battalion, The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
Service number: 5831604
Award: Military Medal
Died: 19 September 1943
Age: 23
Memorial: Cassino Memorial, Italy

Clifford Alec Warren was a Sergeant in the 2/5th Battalion, The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey). His service number was 5831604. He was 23 years old when he died on 19 September 1943. Clifford was the son of Mr and Mrs S Warren of Cratfield, Suffolk. He was awarded the Military Medal (MM) for bravery. The Military Medal was awarded for acts of bravery and devotion to duty by non-commissioned officers and other ranks. Clifford died during the Allied campaign in Italy in 1943. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Cassino Memorial, which records the names of Commonwealth servicemen who died during the Italian campaign and have no known grave. The Queen's Royal Regiment's own historical casualty record confirms Clifford's service number, rank, battalion, Military Medal, date of death, age and Cratfield family connection. Clifford is one of the three men remembered on Cratfield's Second World War memorial.

A Note About Historical Research

War memorials are important sources of local history, but the information recorded on them is not always complete.

In particular:

  • The identity of Horace Raynor requires further investigation because the existing memorial research suggests that the name may refer to another individual.
  • John White is identified as "believed to be" Private 50223 of the Suffolk Regiment.
  • George White is identified as "believed to be" Private 3/9733 of the Suffolk Regiment.
  • Some family details are available for certain individuals but not for others.
  • Absence of a family detail from this page does not mean that the individual had no family connection with Cratfield.

The Parish Council has deliberately avoided presenting uncertain information as fact. If anyone with a family connection to Cratfield has photographs, letters, medals, service records, newspaper cuttings or other information about any of the fourteen men, Cratfield Parish Council would be pleased to hear from you. Such material could help us build a fuller picture of the individuals behind the names on the memorial.

Sources and Further Research

The principal sources used in compiling this Roll of Honour are:

  • Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) – casualty, cemetery and memorial records for Commonwealth service personnel who died during the two World Wars.
  • Suffolk Archives – Suffolk County Council's historical records and First World War Roll of Honour.
  • The National Archives – military service and medical records where available.
  • Imperial War Museums – historical and service information relating to the First and Second World Wars. Memorials WW1 and WW2
  • Cratfield War Memorial Record - compiled by Stuart Green and published by Roll-of-Honour.com. This provides the principal transcription of the Cratfield church memorial and is particularly useful for identifying the local addresses and family connections recorded at the time.

The Parish Council would recommend using the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as the principal source for individual casualty and cemetery information.

Remembering Cratfield's Fallen 
Lest We Forget