Arthur William Bryant

203268, Private, 11th Battalion, Essex Regiment

Missing in Action on the 18th September 1918 aged 24

Private Arthur William Bryant

Arthur lived in Nottingham road, Stevenage. He was his parent’s eldest son and was married. His wife, at the time of his death, was living in Breach Road, Maulden near Ampthill.

He worked at ESA and had joined the Territorial’s before the war as Private 2213, being mobilised with them when hostilities broke out. His Regimental number later changed to 265338, Hertfordshire Regiment and he then transferred to the Bedfordshire Regiment and then to the Essex Regiment. He was a Lewis gunner with his battalion and was killed in action at St.Quentin.

Although contemporary reports state that he was buried at the time of his death, Arthur has no known grave. As such his name is recorded on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial, France. (Panel.7)

Medal Entitlement: British War Medal & Victory Medal

William Bryant

41297, Private, 8th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment

Missing in Action on the 12th April 1918 aged 19

Private William Bryant

William lived in Hellards Road, Stevenage and was one of two brothers serving in the forces. He initially joined the Bedfordshire Regiment but later was transferred to the North Staffordshire’s.

On the 12th April 1918 the Battalion had moved into positions on the Lindenhoek – Wytschaete Road, near Wulverghen, Belgium. It is believed that he was shot by a sniper.

William has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium. (Panel 124/125.)

Medal Entitlement: British War Medal & Victory Medal

Arthur Bygrave

9374, Corporal, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment

Missing in Action on the 30th October 1914 aged 25

Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium

Arthur was a professional soldier who was drafted to the BEF from South Africa at the outbreak of the war. The battalion arrived at Zeebrugge on the 7th October 1914. He is believed to have been killed at the First Battle of Ypres during the battalion withdrawal from Zandevoorde.

On the 30th October 1914, the battalion came under shell fire in the early morning and , as trenches had not been dug during the night, the men took shelter in ditches and became a little dispersed. At 7.30am the 7th Cavalry Brigade was driven from Zandevoorde, which left the battalion's right flank exposed. The Germans occupied Zandevoorde at 10am and an enemy artillery battery came out into the open about 900 yards away and opened fire, but was soon overcome. The battalion, along with the Royal Scots Fusiliers were ordered to retire and by dusk were located behind the Gheluveldt -Zandevoorde Road, where the Companies had become somewhat intermingled. Arthur Bryant was reported amongst the missing men that day but was not confirmed as killed until August 1915.

His body was never found and he has no known grave. Arthur's name is recorded on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.

Medal Entitlement: 1914 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal

Reuben Bygrave

109991, Gunner, 22nd Reserve Battery, Royal Field Artillery

Died on the 6th August 1916 aged 30

The grave of Gunner Reuben Bygrave in St.Johns Churchyard, Sutton Veny, Wiltshire.

Reuben was the son of Reuben & Eliza Bygrave of Symonds Green, Stevenage. He later married Rosina Sarah Rockall in the Summer of 1912 and the couple lived at 12 Alleynes Road. Their Daughter, Violet, was born on the 7th September 1915.

The 22nd Reserve Battery was part of 4B Reserve Brigade which was stationed at Boyton, Wiltshire. He was admitted to the Military Hospital at Suttom Veny and his death certificate states that he died from Larcoma of the Testicle and Exhaustion. As Reuben had not served overseas he was not entitled to any of the Great War campaign medals.

He is buried in St.Johns Churchyard, Sutton Veny, Wiltshire. (Grave Reference: 237.B.2.)

Headstone Inscription: "Gone From Us But Not Forgotten"

Thomas Charles Canfield

16911 Private " A" Company. 7th Bedfordshire Regiment (54th Brigade. 18th (Eastern) Division).

Died Of Wounds on the 17th July 1916 aged 19.

The grave of Private Thomas Charles Canfield in the Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Thomas was the son of Thomas & Ada Canfield of Lilac Villa, School Lane, Aston.

He arrived in France on the 30th August 1915 where his Battalion was to become involved in the heavy fighting in the Somme Sector at the opening of the battle on the 1st July 1916. On the 13th & 14th July the Battalion were in support of an attack by the 18th Divison in which they captured Trones Wood. It is believed that Thomas was wounded in this attack and died a few days later as a result of his injuries.

He is buried in the Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France. (1.B.5.)

Medal Entitlement: 1915 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal.

Charles Eric Canning

C/MX57846, Chief Petty Officer, Royal Navy, HMS Porcupine.

Died Of Wounds on the 9th December 1942 aged 26.

The grave of Chief Petty Officer Charles Eric Canning in the Le Petit Lac War Cemetery, Oran, Algeria.

Charles was born in Kings Norton, Worcestershire on the 16th May 1917 and was the second son of Francis & Daisy Canning who later moved to " Ivanhoe" , Walkern.

He joined the Navy when he was aged 18 and married in 1939. He and his wife, Alma, lived with their son in Grange Road, Gillingham, Kent.

HMS Porcupine was a 1540 ton P Class Destroyer which was torpedoed on the 9th December 1942 by the German submarine U-602 whilst 70 miles North-east of Oran. She was towed to Arzeu where her wounded were put ashore. Later the ship was towed to the UK but was never repaired.

Charles is buried in the Le Petit Lac War Cemetery, Oran, Algeria. (E.B.15.)

George Henry Cannon

TR/135766, Private, 16th Battalion,  Kings Royal Rifle Corps.

Died on the 15th November 1917 aged 19.

Private George Henry Cannon

George was the son of George & Mary Cannon. It is believed that he died whilst in training and did not serve overseas.

He is buried in St.Peters churchyard, Benington.