The Wilby War Memorial, Northamptonshire

Wilby is a small town / large village just south west of Wellingborough, on what used to be the old A45 before the current dual carriageway was built and is now called the A4500. The Memorial is situated in the Church grounds on Church Lane, which runs off of the old A45. The Roll of Honour can be seen inside the Church itself, which is kept locked.

Access to the Church can be gained on request.

Those who fell in the 1914-1918 War:

Private 2590 Harry Douglas Britten

3rd (Prince of Wales Own) Dragoon Guards

Harry was born in Ecton a resident of Kettering, which was where he enlisted from. He was killed in Action 13th May 1915 in France, age unknown. Private Britten has no known grave but remembered on panel 3 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

Lance Corporal 13786 William Thomas Blunt

1st Battalion, the Coldstream Guards

William was born in and a resident of Wilby and enlisted from Northampton. He died of Wounds on the 7th December 1916 at Beaufort War Hospital, Bristol, aged 21. William is buried in Wilby Churchyard, on the right side as you enter.

Private 17849 William Reginald Blunt

7th Battalion, the Northamptonshire Regiment

William was born in Yardley Hastings and enlisted from Northampton. He died of Wounds 21st August 1916 in France, age unknown and lies in grave II. G. 10 in the Dive Copse British Cemetery, Sailly-le-Sec.

Private G/18181 Edward Berwick

9th Battalion, the Royal Sussex Regiment

Edward was born in Irthlingborough and enlisted from Wellingborough. He died of Wounds 21st June 1917 in France, aged 20. William was the son of Arthur and Martha Ann Berwick, of Northampton Rd., Yardley-Hastings, Northampton and is buried in gave III. D. 15. at the Dickebusch New Military Cemetery Extension.

Lance Corporal G/10228 Alfred Barber

8th Battalion, the Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment

Alfred was born in and a resident of Wilby and enlisted from Wellingborough. He was killed in Action on the 31st July 1917 in France, aged 20 Lance Corporal Barker has no known grave but remembered on panels 11 to 14 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

Rifleman 41599 Charles Edward Channon

12th Battalion, the Royal Irish Rifles

Charles enlisted from Wellingborough and was killed in Action 21st March 1918 in France, aged 38, during the opening day of the massive German Spring Offensives. He was the husband of Margaret Marion Channon, of 68, West St., Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury. Dorset. Charles has no known grave but remembered on panels 74 to 76 of the Pozieres Memorial.

Private 13469 William Frederick Garrett

2nd Battalion, the Northamptonshire Regiment

William was born in Woolwich and enlisted from Northampton. He was killed in Action 1st October 1917 in France, aged 21 and lies in grave IV. B. 1. at the Prowse Point Military Cemetery. William was the son of William and Emily Alice Garrett, of Willye Grange Cottage, Wellingborough

Private 43514 Francis John Harris

7th Battalion, the Northamptonshire Regiment

Francis was born Wellingborough and enlisted from Northampton. He was killed in Action 28th March 1918 in France, aged 20. Francis was the son of Thomas and Martha Harris, of "Westward Ho". Wilby. Wellingborough and is remembered on panels 54 to 56 of the Pozieres Memorial.

Leading Seaman 225502 William Lainghbury

Killed in Action 17th October 1917 on the H.M.S. Mary Rose, aged 30.

William was the son of William and Ellen Lainchbury, of "Westward Ho," Wilby, Wellingborough, Northants and lies in grave 20 at the Chatham Memorial, Portsmouth.

Private 331117 Edward Charles Mayes

7th Battalion, the Suffolk Regiment

Edward was born in Wilby and enlisted from Wellingborough. He died of Wounds 19th July 1917 in France, age unknown and is buried in grave V. A. 7. at the Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun. He was the husband of M. Mayes, of Doddington Rd., Earls Barton, Northants.

Private 15414 Ralph Henry Murby

2nd Battalion, the Northamptonshire Regiment.

Ralph was born in Mears Ashby, Northamptonshire and enlisted from Wellingborough. He was killed in Action 9th May 1915 in France, age unknown. Ralph has no known grave but remembered on panel 7 of the Ploegsteert Memorial.

Private 33189 William Charles Parker

2nd Battalion, the Bedfordshire Regiment

William was born in Wold Newton, Lincolnshire, a resident of Wilby and enlisted from Kettering. He was killed in Action on the 22nd March 1918 in France, aged 28, during his battalion's stubborn stand against the onslaught of the German Spring Offensives. Private Parker was the son of John Houghton Parker and Elizabeth Ann Parker, of Wilby and the husband of Edith Parker, of Glebe Cottage, Wilby, Wellingborough, Northants. Like almost all of his comrades who fell that week, he has no known grave but remembered on panels 28 and 29 of the Pozieres Memorial.

Private 18067 Joseph Andrew Rivitt

5th Battalion, the Northamptonshire Regiment.

Joseph was born in Wilby and enlisted from Northampton. He was killed in action 30th November 1917 in France, age unknown. Private Rivitt has no known grave but remembered on panel 8 of the Vambrai Memorial at Louverval.

Private 22235 Horace Alfred Thompson

7th Battalion, the Northamptonshire Regiment

Horace was born in Wilby and enlisted from Wellingborough. He was killed in Action 16th January 1917 in France, age unknown and lies in grave I.L.29 at the Maroc British Cemetery, Grenay.

Private 18701 Harry Charles Walker

5th Battalion, the Northamptonshire Regiment

Harry was born in Wellingborough and enlisted from Kettering. He died on the 8th July 1916 in France, aged 27 and is buried in grave I. F. 26. at the Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L'Abbe. Harry was the son of Charles and Elizabeth Walker, of West End Row, Wilby, Wellingborough.

Private 23820 Sidney G Yorke

7th Battalion, the King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)

Sidney was born in Northampton and enlisted from Wellingborough. He was killed in Action 12th June 1917 in France, aged 21 and was the son of William and Priscilla Yorke, of Main Rd., Wilby, Wellingborough. Private Yorke lies in grave III. A. 7. at Oosttaverne Wood Cemetery.

In honour and remembrance of the men of Wilby who laid their lives down so that we may enjoy the freedom their sacrifice provided for us.