Stories of men who died in the First World War have been revealed as Sutton fell silent on the 100th anniversary of the Armistice to honour those who lost their lives.

Hundreds of people across the borough paid their respects to the fallen on Remembrance Sunday (November 11) as processions were held.

But historian Fiona Carey and her team of researchers have highlighted stories of men from Sutton and surrounding areas who died during the Great War.

They have an exhibition remembering 146 servicemen, with more information here.

Here are some of their stories:

 

1. Benjamin Henry James Simmonds, Private (Border Regiment, 1st Batallion, 22892)

- Born in 1881 to Benjamin Simmonds, a chimney sweeper, and Sarah Bunker. He had four sisters (Alice, Laura, Marion, and Sarah) and two brothers (Frederick and Walton) who lived at 76 Lind Road

- A labourer, Mr Simmonds married Louisa Calder in April 1907 and together they had two daughters – Louisa Christina Maud (December 1908) and Daisy Anne Elizabeth (October 1911) – who lived at 3 Montpelier Road

He enlisted in Kingston in July 1915, initially with the East Surrey Regiment, at 33 years old before transferring to Border Regiment in November 1915.

Private Simmonds was killed in action in Guedencourt, France, on October 22, 1916 a year later at 34.

 

2. Alfred George Thomas Southam, Able Seaman (Royal Navy, HMS Narborough, J/23122)

- Born in Cheam on July 18, 1897, and baptised at St Dunstan’s Church on October 3 that same year. Son of Alfred, a carter to a nurseryman, and Mary Ann Hopcraft who had two other children – Daisy May and Doroty May

- His family lived at 31 Myrtle Road, with having previously stayed in cottages on Collingwood Road and Lower Road, according to 1911 census records

- Alfred attended New Town School, from 1906 to 1911

He was lost at sea when his ship the HMS Narborough, as well as her sister ship HMS Opal, were wrecked on the cliffs at Hesta Rock north of Windwick Bay, South Ronaldsay, in Scotland.

Only one sailor survived while 188 drowned – Alfred’s body was never recovered for burial and is said to have died on January 12, 1918 at 20 years old.

 

3. Alfred Reginald, Private (Army Service Corps, M338932)

- Born to John and Louisa Baker in July 31, 1891, he was baptised at St Barnabas Church on March 14, 1903 and his family lived at 51 Warwick Road.

- He attended Sutton New Town School, from 1899 until September 1905, before being confirmed at St Barnabas in May 1907.

- Alfred married Daisy Elizabeth and they had a son who was born on April 12, 1916 before he was baptised in June that year. They lived at 34 Warwick Road, according to records.

Private Reginald sailed for east Africa from Plymouth on Port Lincoln on October 11, 1917, and was a member of the Pocket Testament League.

He had a rule to carry a Bible or Testament wherever he went, and the front cover of his Pocket New Testament detailed all the ports of calls on his journey.

The last entry was for Cape Town on November 10, 1917.

Private Reginald died of enteric fever on board the HMT Dongola on April 14, 1918 at 26.