100 years of remembrance in our village
To the majority of people in the UK, there is only one Eccles, and that’s in Manchester. Ohh, and it also has its own cake named after it.
However, to us there’s a little village in the South East of England, also named Eccles, which we call home.
Just like so many other hamlets, villages & towns in the UK, we have our own war memorial.
Solely dedicated to those who lost their lives from our village, during the First and Second World Wars.
Day in and day out us locals wander past, barely noticing that time is eroding not only the names but the memories as well.
![The Pin image to our post - 'Eccles War Memorial, Kent, England'](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Eccles-War-Memorial-Kent-England-Pin4.jpg)
Where they are remembered
Lest we forget
The sacrifices made![Wild bright red poppies against a background of desaturated green grasses](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Poppies-the-everlasting-symbol-of-blood-spilt-on-the-field-Belgium-V5.jpg)
Travel & Remembrance
Freedom comes at a price![The buglers from The Last Post Association performing the Last post under the Menin Gate in the Belgium town of Ypres](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/The-Buglers-last-post-ceremony-menin-fate-ypres-memorial-ypres-salient-V5.jpg)
Your local War Memorial
Our heroes![The list of names on the Eccles War Memorial from the first world war carved in stone on the Eccles War Memorial](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-list-of-names-on-the-Eccles-War-Memorial-Eccles-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
Name: Charles H V Barden
Regiment: Royal Field Artillery
Rank: Acting Bombardier
Passed Away: 29th March 1920
Age: 31
Where they are remembered: St Peter & St Paul’s Churchyard, Aylesford, Kent
Where they lived: Eccles Row, Eccles, Kent
![Looking through the Menin Gate in the Belgium town of Ypres on a bright sunny day under deep blue skies](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Looking-through-the-Menin-Gate-Ypres-Belgium-V5.jpg)
The Menin Gate
Name: George Isaac G Barden
Regiment: Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment
Rank: Private
Passed Away: 6th May 1915
Age: 36
Where they are remembered: Ypres Memorial – Menin Gate, Belgium
Where they lived: Bull Cottages, Eccles, Kent
![The bronze poppy wreath on a plinth on an island in front of the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/The-memorial-wreath-in-front-of-the-Menin-Gate-Ypres-leper-Belgium-II-V5.jpg)
Name: William Brook
Regiment: Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment
Rank: Private
Passed Away: 3rd October 1916
Age: 21
Where they are remembered :Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery, Somme, France
Where they lived: Eccles, Kent
![The headstone to Private William Brook in the Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery in the Somme region of France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-headstone-to-Private-William-Brook-Warloy-Baillon-Communal-Cemetery-Somme-France-V5.jpg)
![The looking over the back of the headstones to the Cross of Sacrifice in the Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery, France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-Warloy-Baillon-Communal-Cemetery-Somme-France-V5.jpg)
The sadness of war
Brothers in Arms![The view from the entrance of Loos Memorial in France, over the rows and rows of headstones, to the Cross of Cacrifice in the distance.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-Loos-Memorial-France-V5.jpg)
Name: Alfred Henry George Phillip Brown
Regiment: The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
Rank: Private
Passed Away: 28th September 1915
Age: 28
Where they are remembered: Loos Memorial, France
Where they lived: Eccles, Kent
![Alfred Brown's name carved into the Portland stone of the Loos Memorial in France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-memorial-to-Alfred-Henry-George-Phillip-Brown-Loos-Memorial-France-V5.jpg)
Name: James Butcher
Regiment: The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
Rank: Private
Passed Away: 28th September 1915
Age: 21
Where they are remembered: Loos Memorial, France
Where they lived: Victoria Street, Eccles, Kent
![James Butcher's name carved into the Portland stone of the Loos Memorial in France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-memorial-to-James-Butcher-Loos-Memorial-France-V5.jpg)
Exploring our war memorial
Every name a storyName: Sydney G Chevous
Regiment: The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
Rank: Private
Passed Away: 7th October 1916
Age: 19
Where they are remembered: Bancourt British Cemetery, France
Where they lived: Belgrave Street, Eccles
![A Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone for Sydney G Chevous of the Kent Buffs in the Bancourt British Cemetery, France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-headstone-to-Sydney-G-Chevous-Bancourt-British-Cemetery-France-V5.jpg)
![The Bancourt British Cemetery in France overlooking rows of headstones with the Stone of Remembrance in the foreground and the Cross of Sacrifice in the distance.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-Bancourt-British-Cemetery-France-V5.jpg)
Name: Henry Elliott
Regiment: Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment
Rank: Private
Passed Away: 4th August 1916
Age: 22
Where they are remembered: Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France
Where they lived: Eccles, Kent
![The Stone of Remembrance underneath the central arch of the Thiepval Memorial, Thiepval, France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/So-many-names-the-thiepval-memorial-CWGC-memorial-northern-france-V5.jpg)
Name: Charles Grigsby
Regiment: Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment
Rank: Private
Passed Away: 22nd February 1915
Age: 35
Where they are remembered: St Peter & St Paul’s Churchyard, Aylesford Kent
Where they lived: Eccles, Kent
Name: Jesse Hills
Regiment: Machine Gun Corps
Rank: Corporal
Passed Away: 5th May 1918
Age: 29
Where they are remembered: Étaples Military Cemetery, France
Where they lived: Eccles, Kent
![The headstone to Jesse Hills in the Étaples Military Cemetery in France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-headstone-to-Jesse-Hills-Etaples-Military-Cemetery-France-V5.jpg)
![The Étaples Military Cemetery overlooking rows of headstones to the grand entrance to France's largest Commonwealth War Grave](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Etaples-Military-Cemetery-France-V5.jpg)
Name: Edwin Leonard J Ivell
Regiment: Royal Naval Reserve – H.M.S. Pembroke
Rank: Deck Hand
Passed Away: 17th October 1917
Age: 34
Where they are remembered: Grimsby (Scartho Road) Cemetery, England
Where they lived: Belgrave Street, Eccles, Kent
Name: Charles Edward Jones
Regiment: Royal Field Artillery
Rank: Driver
Passed Away: 30th October 1918
Age: 29
Where they are remembered: Roisel Communal Cemetery, Somme, France
Where they lived: Varnes Street, Eccles, Kent
Name: Ernest Marks
Regiment: The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
Rank: Private
Passed Away: 19th July 1915
Age: 20
Where they are remembered: Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France
Where they lived: Varnes Street, Eccles, Kent
![The significantly faded headstone of Ernest Marks in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-faded-headstone-of-Ernest-Marks-Bailleul-Communal-Cemetery-Extension-Nord-France-V5.jpg)
![The Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension on a crisp autumnal day in the north of France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-Bailleul-Communal-Cemetery-Extension-Nord-France-V5.jpg)
Name: Hamilton Herries Milligan
Regiment: Royal Navy – H.M.S. “Mary Rose”
Rank: Officer’s Cook 2nd Class
Passed Away: 17th October 1917
Age: 29
Where they are remembered: Chatham Naval Memorial, Chatham, Kent
Where they lived: Eccles, Kent
![The brass plaque with the dedication to Hamilton Herries Milligan, Officers Cook, on the Chatham Naval Memorial in Kent](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Hamilton-Herries-Milligan-memorial-at-Chatham-Naval-Memorial-Chatham-Kent-V5.jpg)
![A stone sailor at one end of a curved wall, each section its own brass plaque, detailing the names & ranks of those lost at sea.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/The-WWII-surrounding-memorial-Chatham-Naval-Memorial-Chatham-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
The terrible battles of Passchendaele
Remembered at Tyne CotName: Harry Leonard Neville
Regiment: Middlesex Regiment
Rank: Private
Passed Away: 16th August 1917
Age: 37
Where they are remembered: Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium
Where they lived: Mackenders Lane, Eccles, Kent
![The view of the Cross of Sacrifice Across rows of gravestones at Tyne Cott, Belgium](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-Cross-of-Sacrifice-at-Tyne-Cott-Belgium-V5.jpg)
![A mass of poppy wreathA mass of poppy wreaths in front of the Stone of Remembrance at Tyne Cott Military Cemetery in Belgiums in front of the Stone fo Remembrance at Tyne Cott Military Cemetery in Belgium](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Their-Name-Liveth-for-Evermore-Tyne-Cot-Passchendaele-Belgium-V5.jpg)
Like so much of the country
So many, from one small village![A close-up of a sepia map of the tiny village of Eccles from the mid 19th century](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Eccles-Historic-Map-V5.jpg)
Name: Leonard William Payne
Regiment: Royal Fusiliers
Rank: Private
Passed Away: 23rd March 1918
Age: 21
Where they are remembered: Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France
Where they lived: Cork Street, Eccles, Kent
![The memorial to Leonard William Payne in the Pozieres Military Cemetery in France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-memorial-to-Leonard-William-Payne-Pozieres-Memorial-Somme-France-V5.jpg)
![The grand stone entrance gates to the Pozieres Memorial in the Somme, France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-Gates-to-the-Pozieres-Memorial-Somme-France-V5.jpg)
Name: Bert Saunders
Regiment:The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
Rank: Private
Passed Away: 18th March 1916
Age: 28
Where they are remembered: Loos Memorial, France
Where they lived: Varnes Street, Eccles, Kent
![Bert Saunders remembered on the Memorial wall of Loos Military Cemetery, France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-memorial-to-Bert-Saunders-Loos-Memorial-France-V5.jpg)
![The Memoria Wall either side of the Cross of Sacrifice at the Loos Military Cemetery, France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-cross-of-sacrifice-in-Loos-Memorial-France-V5.jpg)
Name: Henry Sales
Regiment: Royal Navy – H.M.S. “Pathfinder”
Rank: Petty Officer Stoker
Passed Away: 5th September 1914
Age: 35
Where they are remembered: Chatham Naval Memorial, Chatham, Kent
Where they lived: Varnes Street, Eccles, Kent
![The obelisk at Chatham Naval Memorial](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/WWI-Portland-stone-obelisk-in-Chatham-Naval-Memorial-Chatham-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
Something we learned
Name: William George Thomas Smith
Regiment: Gloucestershire Regiment
Rank: Corporal
Passed Away: 30th June 1918
Age: 27
Where they are remembered: Aire Communal Cemetery, France
Where they lived: Varnes Street, Eccles, Kent
![The headstone of Cpl Williams G T Smith in the Aire Communal Cemetery, France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-headstone-of-Cpl-Williams-G-T-Smith-Aire-Communal-Cemetery-France-V5.jpg)
![The view across the Commonwealth War Graves at the Aire Communal Cemetery, France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-British-war-graves-at-the-Aire-Communal-Cemetery-France-V5.jpg)
Name: William Herbert Tassell
Regiment: Royal Fusiliers
Rank: Private
Passed Away: 20th May 1917
Age: 27
Where they are remembered: Arras Memorial, France
Where they lived: Eccles, Kent
![William Herbert Tassell remembered on the Memorial wall of Arras Military Cemetery, France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-memorial-to-William-Herbert-Tassell-at-the-Arras-Memorial-France-V5.jpg)
![The view across the headstones to the Memorial Wall at the Arras Military Cemetery, France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-Arras-Memorial-France-V5.jpg)
Name: Ernest Henry Williams
Regiment: Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment
Rank: Private
Passed Away: 29th September 1916
Age: 20
Where they are remembered: Connaught Cemetery, Theipval, Somme, France
Where they lived: Victoria Street, Eccles, Kent
![The headstone of Ernest Henry Williams in Connaught Military Cemetery in the Somme, France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-headstone-to-Ernest-Henry-Williams-in-Connaught-Cemetery-Theipval-Somme-France-V5.jpg)
![The entrance gates to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Connaught Cemetery in the Somme, France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-Connaught-Cemetery-Theipval-Somme-France-V5.jpg)
Name: William Wolfe
Regiment: Middlesex Regiment
Rank: Private
Passed Away: 15th September 1916
Age: 19
Where they are remembered: Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France
Where they lived: Belgrave Street, Eccles, Kent
![The Cross of Sacrifice in the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in front of the Thiepval Memorial](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-Cross-of-Sacrifice-in-front-of-the-Thiepval-Memorial-Thiepval-France-II-V5.jpg)
War Heroes
To be RememberedInvaluable information; when compiling my research, I used the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website. They are an amazing organisation that honour the 1.7 million men and women, who died during the First and Second World Wars
![A view over rows of headstones to the memorial wall of the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Tyne-Cot-Memorial-Tyne-Cot-Passchendaele-Belgium-V5.jpg)
They maintain the cemeteries and memorials at 23,000 locations around the world.
One Kent regiment
The Buffs![Regimental banners hanging in the Buffs chapel in Canterbury Cathedral](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-Buffs-chapel-Canterbury-Cathedral-Canterbury-Kent-England-UK-V5.jpg)
Name: Benjamin Huggins
Regiment: The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
Rank: Lance Corporal
Passed Away: 13th October 1915
Age: 29
Where they are remembered:Loos Memorial, France
Where they lived: Belgrave Street, Eccles, Kent
![Benjamin Huggins's name carved into the Portland stone of the Loos Memorial in France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-memorial-to-Benjamin-Huggins-Loos-Memorial-France-V5.jpg)
Name: Charles E Tupper
Regiment:The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
Rank: Private
Passed Away: 13th October 1915
Age: 21
Where they are remembered: Loos Memorial, France
Where they lived: Alma Road, Eccles, Kent
![Charles E Tupper remembered on the Memorial wall of Loos Military Cemetery, France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-memorial-to-Charles-E-Tupper-Loos-Memorial-France-V5.jpg)
Name: Isaac Alfred Wheeler
Regiment: The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
Rank: Private
Passed Away: 13th October 1915
Age:25
Where they are remembered: Loos Memorial, France
Where they lived: Eccles, Kent
![Isaac Alfred Wheeler remembered on the Memorial wall of Loos Military Cemetery, France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-memorial-to-Isaac-Alfred-Wheeler-Loos-Memorial-France-V5.jpg)
Have You?
The ones I could not trace
But they are not forgottenBenjamin Betts
Henry Hills
Albert Head
Edward Hawkes
Samuel Jenner
Sydney J Russell
Charles Saunders
Albert Sales
Frederick Smith
![A headstone to an unknown soldier bearing the inscription 'A Soldier of the Great War'](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/A-Soldier-of-the-Great-War-headstone-V5.jpg)
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Absolutely beautifully remembered, Lest We Forget.
Thank you, it was a pleasure to create the post and incredibly fascinating discovering the touching tales behind our villager’s sacrifices.
I am the grandson of Bert Saunders from Eccles. I have visited Loos to leave wreaths several times over the years. I have not been for a couple of years due to covid. We are hoping to bring a wreath to the war memorial in Eccles this weekend (remembrance Sunday). Grandad’s older brother Charles Saunders although on the memorial survived the war & is buried in Aylesford cemetery.
Thanks for your comment, Paul. It was incredibly interesting doing the research into everyone on the memorial and very touching. Unfortunately, we noticed that a number of Eccles lads lost their lives at Loos; it must have been unbearable.
We love history, so it was fascinating heading over to northern France and Belgium to discover more about these gentlemen and understanding more of the surroundings.
It’s lovely to hear that you still visit Loos, take care.