Memorials & Monuments
on the Isle of Wight
- Ventnor -
- Borough War Memorial -

TO THE GLORY OF GOD
IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OF THE MEN OF VENTNOR
WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 - 1918
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names as given below
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IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OF
THE MEN AND WOMEN OF VENTNOR
WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1939 - 45
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names as given below
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ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, May 11, 1917 Page 1

The 8th Hants Regiment recently took part in the brilliant operations in Palestine against the Turks with results which have brought sorrow to the homes of many local people. These young soldiers - who but two or three years ago were pursuing the ordinary avocations of life - upheld the highest traditions of the British Army by their courage and intrepidity, and the results of the fighting are such that will always redound to the credit of the Battalion. As far as we can ascertain the following are among the casualties in these engagements:

Mr. and Mrs. J. Mackett, of Upper Ventnor, received official news on Saturday, that their second son, Rifleman R. Mackett, 1/8th Hants Regiment, was wounded on April 19th, in Palestine. Pte. Edgar Westmore, of the same battalion, has been killed in action. He is the son of Gunner F. Westmore, of the 4th Hants Howitzer Battery, who is himself serving in France. We hear that the following local men belonging to the 8th Hants have been wounded: Pte. Merritt (son of Mr. W. Merritt, verger at the Parish Church), Pte. Chick, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Chick, High Street, Pte. Vanassche, son of Mr. A. Vanassche, of North Street, Pte. Stagg, son of Mrs. Stagg, Upper Ventnor, Pte. C. King, of Bonchurch, Pte. Croad, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Croad, Upper Ventnor, and Sergt. W. Bishop, of Ryde, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Bishop, Elderbank, Ventnor. Mrs. T. Dennes was officially informed on Wednesday that her son, Bugler Dennes, is missing.

Page 5

Isle of Wight Rifles in Palestine.

Casualties to Local Men.

The Isle of Wight Rifles have unfortunately suffered somewhat heavy casualties in the fighting in Palestine, where they have taken part in some of the most brilliant operations that have redounded to the credit of British Arms in this region. Almost every town and village and hamlet in the Island is represented in the casualty lists. We offer our deepest condolence to the relatives of those who have fallen, and sympathy to those who are in suspense as to the fate of their loved ones. It has been difficult to ascertain the actual number of casualties to local men. The list given on page 1 is amplified as follows:

KILLED

Rifleman Edgar Westmore, son of Gunner F. Westmore, Upper Ventnor.
Pte. William John Stripp, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Stripp, Cyprus Villas, killed in action in France.

WOUNDED

Rifleman W. Merritt, son of Mr. W. Merritt, Albert Street.
Rifleman Harold Chick, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Chick, High Street.
Rifleman L. Vanassche, son of Mr. B. Vanassche, Longdown.
Rifleman F. Stagg, son of Mrs. Stagg, Upper Ventnor.
Rifleman C. King, son of Mr. and Mrs. King, Upper Bonchurch
Rifleman W. Croad, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Croad, Upper Ventnor.
Sergt. Bishop (Ryde), son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Bishop, Elderbank.
Bugler H. Yaxley, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Yaxley, Marlborough Road.
Rifleman Walter Colenutt, son of Mrs. Colenutt, Richmond Terrace.
Rifleman G. Woods, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Woods, Upper Ventnor.
Rifleman C. Harvey, son of Corporal and Mrs. Harvey, St. Catherine's Place.
Rifleman G. Cavell, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Cavell, Longdown.
Rifleman W. Godsell, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Godsell, Upper Ventnor.
Rifleman R. Mackett, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Mackett, Upper Ventnor.

MISSING

Rifleman E. Young, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Young, Upper Ventnor.
Rifleman E. Primmer, son of Mrs. Primmer, Dudley Road.
Rifleman H. Hunt, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hunt, East Street.
Rifleman William Hickens, son of Mrs. Hickens, Richmond Terrace.
Bugler Dennes, son of Mrs. Dennes, High Street.

WOUNDED AND MISSING

Rifleman B. Coxhead, son of Mrs. Coxhead, Blendworth Terrace.
Rifleman E.S. Warren, son of Mrs. Warren, Victoria Street.

There were, we hear, over two hundred casualties among Island men, and unfortunately a large percentage of deaths.

(not all the report has been transcribed)