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| War Memorial on Southwick Green |
Alfred
James Titheridge was born in Southwick on 10 January 1894 the eldest son of
Albert James Titheridge and Catherine West. He was one of 11 children born to
Albert and Catherine, but five of the children died as babies. This branch of
the Titheridge family is related to the Titheridges of Droxford and is
ultimately descended from John Titheridge and Ann Quallat from Cheriton.
Albert’s father James had moved from Droxford, Hampshire to Southwick, Sussex
in about 1869.
School
records show that Alfred attended Southwick Green Council School (later known
as Manor Hall) leaving there at the age of 14. On the 1901 census 7 year old
Alfred is living at 15 Cyprus Cottage, Southwick with his parents and siblings
Nora aged 8 and Beatrice aged 5 months. On 1911 census 17 year old Alfred is living
at Cyprus Cottage with his parents and siblings Beatrice aged 10, Lillian aged 5,
Bernard aged 3 and Leonard aged 1. Father
and son were both listed as market gardener labourers.
Alfred
enrolled in the Army at Brighton and was in Royal Sussex Regiment 2nd
Battalion. He was a Lance Corporal and his regimental number was 9855 and
L/9855. The number 9855 shows he enlisted in the army in 1912 probably in
January around the time of his 18th birthday. His war medal card
shows he arrived in France on 12 August 1914.
The 2nd
Battalion of The Royal Sussex Regiment were in Woking serving with 2nd Brigade,
1st Division when war was declared on 4th August 1914. They were sent to France
in August 1914 and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part
in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons
and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne,
the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The Battle of
Aubers Ridge and The Battle of Loos.
Alfred
was killed in action at Hullach aged 22 on 25 September 1915 and is remembered
on the Loos Memorial (Panel 69 to 73). The Loos Memorial
is near Lens in France and commemorates over 20,000 officers and men who have
no known grave and who died in the area from the River Lys to the old southern
boundary of the First Army, east and west of Grenay. Alfred was
posthumously awarded the Victory medal, the British Medal and the 14 star with
clasp. He is also remembered on Southwick village memorial on the village green.
The Royal Sussex Regiment in 1915
1915
was a disastrous year for the 2nd battalion of the Royal Sussex
Regiment. On 9th May 1915 they had been annihilated in the Battle of
Auber’s Ridge. We can only assume that Alfred was involved in this action. A
few months later on 25th September the battalion were involved in
The battle of Loos. On this day 183 Officers and men of the second battalion
fell. Among them was Alfred. Also killed in action on this day was Sergeant
Harry Wells who was awarded the Victory Cross posthumously. This extract from
the London Gazette in November 1915 helps us paint a picture of this day.
“War
Office 18th November 1915His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the grant of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men, in recognition of their most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in the field: —
8088 Sergeant Harry Wells, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment.
For most conspicuous bravery near Le Rutoire on 25th September, 1915. When his Platoon Officer had been killed he took command and led his men forward to within fifteen yards of the German wire. Nearly half the Platoon were killed or wounded, and the remainder were much shaken, but with the utmost coolness and bravery Sergeant Wells rallied them and led them forward. Finally, when very few were left, he stood up and urged them forward once more, but while doing this he was killed. He gave a magnificent example of courage and determination.”
Should you wish to read more about
this day an account from survivors of this day and an entry from the war
diaries can be read at
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=200226 |
| War Memorial Southwick Green |
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| War Memorial Southwick Green |
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| Southwick Village Church |
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