Some more recent photos of Hersham war memorial, the first ones I published taken well over decade ago now (but still available to view here). So why this shot to start?
Well, there was a Great War German field gun here, once upon a time, but now only the base on which the gun was displayed remains,…
…a place for flowers now, not firepower,…
…the gun itself removed from its shackles long ago,…
…to be melted down for its metal content during the Second World War.
At which point, I ought to own up.
As you might by now have gathered, these pictures are a bit of a mish-mash from more than one visit, but you know what? I don’t care! And my bet is that you don’t, either.
The Second World War names – the names of the Great War casualties, 117 in total, can be found on a rather magnificent Roll of Honour in St. Peter’s Church – are divided into Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, R.A.F., Merchant Navy and, all the names in the final column, civilians.
At the going down of the sun……
Beautiful!
Succinct, I know, but there it is 😉
The height of succinctness, I’d say. And you’re right, too.
There was a German gun here in Brora also. Apparently at some pont in 1920s a group of old comrades threw it into the river where it might still lie. Bit of local romanticism.
Well there’s a project for a winter’s afternoon then! Lol!
I have the hard copy report from local paper somewhere and a couple of references from interviews with folk no longer with us x
Which might see the light of day sometime…….???
Which might indeed but at moment Christmas letters need uo be written and that takes time . Our memorial unveiled Christmas Day 1922. Been very busy working on panels- text and photos to be put on display for public. Once they are in place for public i can send the content and pictures for your files? Will see if I can locate gun story
That sounds a good project – probably a better one than underwater-gun-searching. Yes, please send me all when they are in place. Sounds like we could do a post here perhaps?
I have it on file and will forward once local folk have seen it. You will be able to share I am sure all done under auspices of Friends of Clyne War Memorial association
Excellent – I’ll even, for once, hand ultimate editorial decisions to your good self. In that you can okay it before publication.
Hello,
I’m giving a talk in Hersham in June on Churchill’s Intervention in the Russian Civil War. I’m told there is a soldier either on the War Memorial or in the Church listed as died in Russia in 1919. Might someone be able to provide his name?
I can then do some research on our man.
Thank you.
Andy Stuart
Hello Andy. Actually, I used to live around there (lucky you) and I can answer your question. The following, assuming this is the right bloke, will start you off: His name was Able Seaman John William Buss and he died on 3rd July 1919. Rough bio: H.M.S. “Fandango.” Service Number: J/2144. Born 5th May 1892 in Leinster Stables, Leinster Terrace, Paddington, London. The son of Frederick Arthur (Coachman) and Jane (Jupp) Buss. He was baptised on 3rd July 1892 in Christ Church, Lancaster Gate, Westminster. He grew up in Weybridge, Surrey, where his mother died in 1897. He joined the Royal Navy on 13th August 1908 and by 1911 was an R.N. Able Seaman. John married Alice (Mott) in St Peter’s Hersham, Surrey, on 12th June 1915 when he was serving on H.M.S. Actaeon ll, a torpedo training ship in Sheerness, Kent and lived at 8 Green Lane, Hersham. Beginning with H.M.S. Ganges in 1908, apparently he served in twenty one ships during his naval career, finally being assigned to the North Russia Expeditionary Force in H.M.S. Fox which supplied men to the Minesweeper H.M.S. Fandango. Seconded from HMS Fox to H.M.S. Fandango which then struck a mine in the River Dvina, Northern Russia. Apparently at least five of the crew were lost, including John Buss.
There you go. That’s a start for you.
That’s just brilliant – thank you so much! The amazing thing about WW1 research is that someone will know something. My grandad told stories about going to Russia after the war and these inspired my writing during lockdowns. ‘Churchill’s Intervention: A Tale of Escape from The Russian Civil War’ tells the story of men sent down the Dvina River, captured by Bolsheviks after a mutiny of Dyer’s Battalion and their journey back to Britain. Because no one knows this stuff, I now give talks and like to have a local angle if I can. So the information on A.S. Buss will provide real interest. The Fandango went down on the 3rd July a few days before the mutiny. The river in the middle of summer dries into narrow channels and sandbanks so easy to mine, as the Bolsheviks did. The force were heading up-stream from Archangel to try to get to Kotlas and link up with White Russians under Kolchak from Siberia. None of which happened. https://www.andystuart.net/
Really grateful for the help ‘Magicfingers’!
Andy Stuart
You are most welcome Andy. Interesting about your grandad. My family all survived two World Wars – an uncle got an M.C. on 1st July 1916 at Beaumont Hamel with the Middlesex, and my Dad (Royal Signals) was with the Americans in the Bulge in late 1944. Buss’s name is on the Roll of Honour in St. Peter’s Hersham: https://thebignote.com/2015/07/31/hersham-st-peters-church/
Where and when is your talk, Andy? Ticketed, or not?
I’m talking on the Thursday 19th June to the St. Peter’s Fellowship group. Details here:
They meet at the Women’s Institute Hall (WI) at 4 Burhill Road, Hersham KT12 4JH at 2pm.
Its not ticketed and I’m sure you’d be made welcome – these groups are usually very open. I’d be happy to mention to them my ‘guest’ living locally with an interest in attending. Let me know if you can make it.
Andy
Good morning wonderful information on the sailor died in Russia. Brightened a chilly start to the day.
Glad to hear it! Chilly here today too.
Andy, most kind – I moved away about twelve years ago but the missus has friends there still. I have put it in the diary, although I am supposed to be in Cornwall sometime in June. I shall confirm nearer the time if I may.
Cornwall sounds like a better option!
You’re very welcome.
Best,
Andy
Lol! Cheers Andy!
I was trying to get information about HMS Fandango. My Grandfather Charles Clout was on that ship and survived. I have a photo of him and crew. He never spoke about the wars to me, just bits and pieces . He was born in 1898. I know he spent time in China well. I believe he did 32 years service and two of the ships he was on were sunk. I dont have much info and would like to know some more. I have a batch of Russian stamps he gave me from that period of time. Who picked up the survivors of the HMS Fandango and did they so ashore. I cannot account for the stamps?
Brenda, should Andy return to this page he may be able to help. Maybe keep checking back just in case?