War Memorial Plaques
by B. van Cleve
There are four War Memorial Plaques in St. Peter’s Church.
The first of these plaques commemorates the Second Boer War, which lasted from 11/10/1899 – 31/05/1902. It is situated next to the main entrance.
1ST VOLUNTARY BATTALION ROYAL SUSSEX REGIMENT TO THE MEMORY AND HONOUR OF
LANCE CORPORAL HARRY WELLS, PRIVATE HARRY HOLLINGDALE, PRIVATE GEORGE HENRY SMITH,PRIVATE WALTER ROBERT ANGELL (these belonged to the) 1ST SUSSEX VOLUNTEERS ACTIVE SERVICE COMPANY
PRIVATE FREDERICK WILLIAM OWLES,PRIVATE GEORGE NEWNHAM (these belonged to the) ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS
PRIVATE ALBERT ERNEST MARTIN (he belonged to the) IMPERIAL YEOMANRY
WHO DIED WHILST SERVING IN SOUTH AFRICA MAY 1900 TO MARCH 1902
PLACED BY THE OFFICERS, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, AND MEN OF THE BATTALION
Lance Corporal Harry Wells, Reg No 31123, born in London, Imperial Yeomanry, died 11/12/1901 in South Africa
Private Harry Hollingdale, born in 1879 to Thomas Henry Hollingdale (1852 – 1909) and his wife Annie Stenning 04/1851 – 12/19160). He volunteered for service in South Africa during the Second Anglo Boer War and died 18/01/1901 of disease in Bloimfontein, Mangoung, South Africa.
Private George Henry Smith, 1th Battalion, Active Service Volunteer Company, died of disease (typhoid) at Heibron, South Africa 28/07/1900
Private, Walter Robert Angel, born on 11/01/1878 to John Josiah Angel (20/04/1846 – 21/01/1899) and his wife Mary Ann Glynn (21/07/1847 – 28/04/1890). He died on 05/04/1900 in Bloomfontein, South Africa.
Private Frederick William Owles, born in 1875 to Edward Owles (1842 – 1877) and his wife Eliza Haward in Leiston, Suffolk. After his education he worked in a department store and later as iron machinist in the railway company in Brighton. He volunteered for the front and left for South Africa on 17/03/1900. His Service Number was 13452. He died of enteric fever (typhoid) 27/11/1900 in Bethehem, Free State, South Africa.
Private George Thomas Taylor Newnham (07/1876 – 24/08/1901), born to Benjamin Newnham (1822/1823 – 1902) and his wife Elizabeth Taylor (1843 – 1931) in Brighton. He was baptised in St. Peter’s Church (10/09/1876). On 22/05/1901 he enlisted to the Royal Army Medical Corps (Regiment No 15270) and died only few months later at the age of 25 in Elandsfontein South Africa of disease.
Private Albert Ernest Martin, Imperial Yeomanry, died 19/03/1902 Standerton, Gert Siblande District Municipality, Mpumalanga, South Africa.
The other three plaques commemorate the brothers and sisters of Brighton or of the parish of St. Peter’s, who gave their lives for their country in the First World War. Their names are recorded in ‘The Roll of Honour of the Parish of St. Peter’, which was once kept in St. Peter’s Church, but is now in ‘The Keep’. The first is situated close to the main entrance, the second in the Lady Chapel, and the third next to the entrance of the Side Hall.
REMEMBER BEFORE GOD THE SACRIFICE MADE BY YOUR BROTHERS & SISTERS of BRIGHTON WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES for THEIR COUNTRY in THE GREAT WAR of 1914 – 1918
IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THOSE WHO FROM THIS PARISH GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR KING AND COUNTRY IN THE GREAT WAR
AD 1914 – 18
RIP
“GOD ACCEPT THEM CHRIST RECEIVE THEM”
THIS HALL WAS ERECTED BY SUBSCRIPTIONS GIVEN DURING THE YEARS 1921 – 1927 AS A MEMORIAL TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF BRIGHTON WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1918
Their Names are recorded Within the Hall
Greater Love hath no man than this. That a man lay down his life for his friends
AD 1927
Eliza G. Cooke
Eliza Georgianna Cooke is commemorated in a memorial plaque in St. Peter's Church Brighton. She was the wife of the curate Thomas Cooke.
Benedict George Hoskyns
Benedict George Hoskyns was Vicar of St. Peter's Church, Brighton, and then became Archdeacon of Hastings and later of Chichester.
John Leonhard Brigden
John Leonhard Brigden was a coach builder and he was four times mayor of Brighton. He is buried in the St. Nicholas of Myra Churchyard.
John Muzzall Newnham
John Muzzall Newnham was churchwarden and chairman of the guardians of the poor. He died in 1892 at the age of 63.
Arthur Blackman
Arthur Blackman was headmaster of the Central Schools, Brighton, for 28 years, and member of the Parish Church Choir for 20 years.
George Attree and Ernest Charles Attree
Two memorial plaques, the first for the churchwarden George Attree, the second for his 24 year old son Ernest Charles Attree.
William Maitland Julius Hannah
Two Memorial Plaques, one in Latin, for William Maitland Julius Hannah, son of John Julius Hannah, Vicar of St. Peter's Church Brighton.
Charles Campion
Memorial plaque for Lieutenant Charles Campion, who died at Vlakfontein, S. Africa. He was the son of Colonel William Henry Campion.
Charles Gervaise Boxall
Charles Gervaise Boxall was the grandson of William Boxall, who is also commemorated in a memorial plaque in St. Peter's Church.
James Ross Gwatkin
This memorial plaque in St. Peter's Church Brighton commemorates James Ross Gwatkin, who served as a churchwarden for 29 years.
William Boxall
William Boxall D.L. was present as High Constable of Brighton when the foundation stone of St. Peter's Church was laid.
John Hannah
John Hannah was Vicar of St. Peter's Church, Brighton (1870 - 1887), and Archdeacon of Lewes (1876 - 1888).
Richard Durnford
Memorial Plaque in Latin with English translation for Richard Durnford, born in Berkshire, Bishop of Chichester.
Commemoration of Construction Milestones
St. Peter's Church underwent several modifications and additions. Some of the construction milestones are commemorated by memorial plaques.
Floor Plan for Memorial Plaques
This floor plan indicates only the position of memorial plaques for individuals, and only if they are to be found inside the church building.
William Robinson
William Robinson had been a verger to St. Nicholas Church and to St. Peter's Church Brighton. He died at the age of 46.
Restoring Damaged Text – The C.G. Boxall Memorial
The memorial plaque for C. G. Boxall has suffered severe damage over time. After painstaking detective work the text could be recovered.
‘This project is kindly funded by Historic England as part of the Everyday Heritage - Working Class Histories. We are grateful to them for this funding.’