The East Lulworth War Memorial is situated opposite the exit road from Lulworth Castle Park. It commemorates 22 men who lost their lives during or shortly after the First World War.
Photo courtesy of Di Auty
The following table shows the names of those commemorated on the East Lulworth War Memorial. Not all men named were born or lived locally – some were members of the wider Weld family.
Fuller information is provided after the table.
| Forename(s) | Surname | Place of Death | Date of Death | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Joseph Barry | BALL | France | 27 Jun 1916 | 22 |
| Frances Edwin | BONHAM | France | 5 Sep 1918 | 18 |
| Henry Richard | BUDDEN | France | 25 Sep 1915 | 20 |
| Arthur Cecil | BUDDEN | India | 22 Sep 1918 | 19 |
| Wilfred George | CHAMP | France | 16 May 1915 | 24 |
| Arthur Loveless | COBB | England | 23 Jul 1918 | 25 |
| William St John | COVENTRY | France | 22 Oct 1914 | 21 |
| Edward John | FOOKS | Iraq | 19 Dec 1917 | 20 |
| Leonard Harry | FOULGER | At sea | 10 Apr 1915 | 18 |
| Francis Forbes | MITCHELL | England | 18 Aug 1919 | 20 |
| John Herbert | ROBERTS | France | 24 Sep 1918 | 28 |
| Arthur Edward | SILVERTOP | At sea | 31 May 1916 | 38 |
| Thomas Edwin | SLADE | At sea | 31 May 1916 | 29 |
| Edwin John | STEVENS | At sea | 11 Mar 1915 | 35 |
| James Joseph | STURMEY | Egypt | 31 Dec 1917 | 24 |
| Walter Edward | STURMEY | France | 4 Feb 1917 | 26 |
| Christopher Launcelot | USHER | France | 23 Apr 1918 | 20 |
| Edward Joseph | WELD | Belgium | 27 Sep 1915 | 17 |
| Thomas Joseph Wilfrid | WELD | Kenya | 18 Nov 1918 | 25 |
| Richard Shireburn | WELD-BLUNDELL | England | 1 Jan 1916 | 28 |
| Louis Joseph | WELD-BLUNDELL | France | 8 Feb 1919 | 29 |
| William Joseph | WOLSELEY | France | 12 Mar 1915 | 28 |
The memorial inscription begins “IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE FOLLOWING MEN BELONGING TO OR CONNECTED WITH THIS PARISH WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918” and after listing all names ends “GREATER LOVE THAN THIS NO MAN HATH THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS“.
Lieutenant JOHN JOSEPH BARRY BALL died aged 22 on 27 June 1916
John, born at Marylebone, was the son of ‘inspiring’ physician James Barry Ball (1848-1926), late of 65 Stert Street, Abingdon, Berkshire and his East Lulworth-born wife Clare Mary Ball nee Weld (1851-1944). John served with the 2nd London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He was killed instantly by a shell at Hebuterne, France while acting as a forward observing officer. John is remembered with honour at Hebuterne Military Cemetery, France as well on the East Lulworth memorial.
Private FRANCIS EDWIN BONHAM died aged 18 on 5 September 1918
Francis was the son of Edwin Bonham (1872-1943) and his wife Georgina Beatrice Bonham nee Butt (1880-1958) of the Weld Arms. He served initially with the Devonshire Regiment, service number 37508, and then with 8th Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales’s (Royal Berkshire Regiment), service number 45854. Francis was accidentally killed. Francis is remembered with honour at the Mericourt-L’abbe Communal Cemetery Extension, France (III H 1) as well as on the East Lulworth memorial.
2nd Lieutenant HENRY RICHARD BUDDEN died aged 20 on 25 September 1915
Henry was born in 1895 to Coombe Keynes farmer Henry Budden (1858-1906) and his wife Jane Budden nee Hibbs (1857-1915). He served with the 3rd Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment and was attached to the 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. He was killed in action on 25 September 1915 in France. Henry is remembered with honour at Bois-Grenier Communal Cemetery, France as well as on the East Lulworth memorial.
Fourth Officer ARTHUR CECIL BUDDEN died aged 19 on 22 September 1918
Arthur was born in 1898 to Coombe Keynes farmer Henry Budden (1858-1906) and his wife Jane Budden nee Hibbs (1857-1915). He was the younger brother of Henry (see above). He served with the Mercantile Marine aboard H.M.T. Sofala. He died at Bushire Hospital, India. He was interred at Reshire British Cemetery near Bushire but his remains were later transferred to Tehran. Arthur is remembered with honour at Tehran War Cemetery, Iran (reference II.B.8.) as well as on the East Lulworth memorial.
Private WILFRED GEORGE CHAMP died aged 24 on 16 May 1915
Wilfred was born at East Lulworth to Frederick Joseph Champ (1865-1940) and his wife Georgina Matilda Champ nee Southall (1868-1951) of 23, East Lulworth. In 1911 he was employed as a vegetable cook in Bournemouth. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards, service number 9857. He was killed in action on 16 May 1915 in France. Wilfred is remembered with honour on the Le Touret Memorial, France as well as on the East Lulworth memorial.
Driver Arthur Loveless COBB died aged 25 on 23 July 1918
Arthur, a farm labourer by trade, was the son of Richard George Cobb (1861-1938) and his wife Jane Maria Cobb nee Loveless (1859-1925) of North Lodge, East Lulworth. Arthur served with the Army Service Corps, T2/12453, H.T. He was discharged on 16 March 1917 due to serious heart problems and he died just over a year later at 27 Orchard Street, Blandford. Arthur is remembered with honour at Blandford Cemetery as well as on the East Lulworth memorial.
Lieutenant WILLIAM ST. JOHN COVENTRY died aged 21 on 22 October 1914
William was born in London on 7 February 1893 to John Coventry (1845-1933) and his wife Emily Mary Coventry nee Weld (1853-1937). The family lived at Burgate Manor near Fordingbridge. He served with the 1st Batallion, Bedfordshire Regiment and was mentioned in despatches. William was killed in action on 22 October 1914 in France. William is remembered with honour at Le Touret Memorial, France (Panel 10) and on the Fordingbridge memorial, as well as on the East Lulworth memorial.
Private EDWARD JOHN FOOKS died aged 20 on 19 December 1917
Edward was the son of James Joseph ‘Joseph’ Fooks (1867-1945) and his wife Emily Lucy Fooks nee Woods (1875-1940) of East Lulworth. He served with the 1st/4th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, service number 200503. Edward is remembered with honour at Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Iran as well as on the East Lulworth memorial.
Cadet LEONARD HARRY FOULGER died aged 18 on 10 April 1915
Leonard was born at Woolhampton, Berkshire in 1897 to Henry Thomas Foulger (1865-1902) and his wife Amy Foulger nee Aldridge (1868-1950). Leonard was just 5 when his father died and his mother married William John Alcock (1876-1965) in 1904. They lived at Park Lodge, East Lulworth. Leonard served with the Mercantile Marine. Leonard was one of 17 crew members out of 44 who lost their lives when cargo ship S.S. Harpalyce was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea on 10 April 1915 by a German U-boat. Leonard is remembered with honour on the Tower Hill Memorial as well as on the East Lulworth memorial.
Air Mechanic FRANCIS FORBES MITCHELL died aged 20 on 18 August 1919
Francis was born at East Lulworth to George Mitchell (1853-1928), clerk of works at Lulworth Estate for 35 years, and his wife Jane Mitchell nee Lowe (1861-1937). Francis served with the Royal Air Force at No. 2 Depot (Uxbridge), service number 126124. Francis died at Halton Camp Hospital, Buckinghamshire and was buried at East Lulworth. Francis is remembered with honour at St. Andrew’s Church as well as on the East Lulworth memorial.
Lieutenant JOHN HERBERT ROBERTS died aged 28 on 24 September 1918
John was born on 22 March 1890 at East Lulworth vicarage to Welsh parents Rev. Herbert Roberts (1840-1893) and his wife Catherine Roberts nee Jones (1855-1939). John was their sixth child but their first and only son. John’s father died when he was just three. At the age of nine John went to St. Edmund’s School in Canterbury. By 1914 John was serving with the Transvaal Scottish in Africa. By June 1916 he was serving as 2nd Lieutenant with the Royal Field Artillery. On Christmas Eve 1916 John married Elizabeth Cuthbert Swinney (1897-1950) and their son John Eric Roberts (1917-1922) was born six weeks later. On 21 February 1918 John joined the Royal Flying Corps. On 24 September 1918 John was killed in action while flying as an observer in AW FK8 biplane E8837 over France. John is remembered with honour on the Arras Flying Services Memorial as well as on the East Lulworth memorial. On 24 September 2018 St Edmund’s School held a special service to commemorate the 100th anniversary of John’s death.
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Commander ARTHUR EDWARD SILVERTOP died aged 38 on 31 May 1916
Arthur was the son of Henry Charles Silvertop (1827-1887) and his wife Caroline Filomena Silvertop nee Weld (1843-1925). Arthur married Dorothy Guinness (formerly Silvertop) of Umtali, Southern Rhodesia. Arthur served …
Arthur is remembered with honour on the Plymouth Naval Memorial (Grave/Memorial Reference 10), on the memorials at Salperton, Gloucestershire and West Lulworth, as well as on the East Lulworth memorial.
Arthur’s only son David was killed in Holland while commanding the 3rd Battalion the Royal Tank Regiment. The city of Antwerp honoured him by naming a street after him.
Able Seaman THOMAS EDWIN SLADE died aged 29 on 31 May 1916
Thomas was born at East Lulworth on 13 May 1887 to Thomas Philip Slade (1851-1924) & Ellen Slade (formerly Bridger nee Rugman (1856-1948). The family lived at 21 East Lulworth. Thomas married Ellen Clark (1890-1974) on 14 April 1914 in Portsmouth.. Thomas served with the Royal Navy, 23371. He died when H.M.S. Black Prince was sunk on 31 May 1916 at the Battle of Jutland with the loss of all 857 crew and 5 civilians. Thomas is remembered with honour on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial as well as on the East Lulworth memorial.
Petty Officer EDWIN JOHN STEVENS died aged 35 on 11 March 1915
Edwin was born at Stokeford to James Stevens (1849-1927) and his wife Elizabeth Jane ‘Jane’ Stevens nee Skinner (1853-1939). Edwin married Bessie Charlotte Butt (1879-1952) and they had a daughter Phyllis Mary Stevens (1909-1972). Edwin served with the Royal Navy, service number 181637. He died on 11 March 1915 when H.M.S. Bayano was sunk in the Irish Sea off Stranraer. Edwin is remembered with honour on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial (panel 7) as well as on the East Lulworth memorial.
Private JAMES JOSEPH STURMEY died aged 24 on 31 December 1917
James was born at East Lulworth to carter Charles Sturmey (1863-1938) and his wife Mary Anne Sturmey nee Fooks (1864-1904). James was the husband of Ellen ‘Nellie’ Maud Sturmey nee Bowers 1895-1964) of Elm Farm, East Lulworth. He served with the Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry), service number 101458. James drowned in Egypt on 31 December 1917. At the time of his death, his widow was expecting their second child. James is remembered with honour at the Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt as well as on the East Lulworth memorial.
Private WALTER EDWARD STURMEY died aged 26 on 4 February 1917
Walter was born at East Lulworth to shepherd Frederick Sturmey (1857-1926) and his wife Ellen Sturmey nee Scutt (1853-1934). He served with the 1st/6th Batallion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, service number 21052. Walter is remembered with honour at Assevillers New British Cemetery, France (grave reference V.C.3) as well as on the East Lulworth memorial.
2nd Lieutenant CHRISTOPHER LANCELOT USHER died aged 20 on 23 April 1918
Christopher was born at East Lulworth to Rev. Robert Usher (1865-1943), vicar of East Lulworth from 1894 to 1901, and his wife Alice Mabel Usher nee Edwards (1872-1948). They were living at Fovant Rectory, Wiltshire by 1918. Christopher served with 3rd Battalion attached to 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment. Christopher died of wounds on 23 April 1918. He had been wounded twice previously while on active service. Christopher is remembered with honour at Roye New British Cemetery as well as on the East Lulworth memorial.
Lieutenant EDWARD JOSEPH WELD died aged 17 on 27 September 1915
Edward was the son of Joseph Edward Weld (1867-1946) and his wife Francis Gertrude Weld nee Brown (1862-1940). He served with the 72nd Battery, Royal Field Artillery. He died of wounds on 27 September 1915. Edward is remembered with honour at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium as well as on the East Lulworth memorial.
Captain THOMAS JOSEPH WILFRID WELD who died age 25 on 18 November 1918
Thomas was born at Avon Dassett, Warwickshire in 1893 to Wilfrid Joseph Weld (1849-1924) and his wife Jessie Weld nee McDonald (1866-1947). He was the older brother of Joseph Weld (1909-1992) who later inherited the Lulworth Estate and the Ince Blundell Estate on the death of Herbert Weld (1852-1935). Thomas served with the 1st Lovat Scouts attached to the 2nd/2nd, King’s African Rifles. He died at No.3 British Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya of pneumonia. Thomas is remembered with honour at Nairobi South Cemetery as well as on the East Lulworth memorial.
2nd Lieutenant RICHARD SHIRBURNE WELD-BLUNDELL died aged 28 on 1 January 1916
Richard was born on 27 October 1887 at Ince Blundell, Lancashire to Charles Joseph Weld-Blundell (1845-1927) and his wife Charlotte Catherine Marcia Weld-Blundell nee Lane-Fox (1862-1926). Richard, heir to the Lulworth Estate and Ince Blundell Estate, married Mary Angela Mayne (1889-1976) at Ipswich on 11 February 1915 and they had a daughter Agnes Mary Weld-Blundell (1915-1992). He served with the Coldstream Guards and latterly with the 6th Battalion, The King’s (Liverpool Regiment). On New Year’s Eve 1915 Richard suffered a fall in Ramsgate outside his billet and he died on New Year’s Day 1916. Richard was buried at Ince Blundell and is remembered on the Ince Blundell memorial as well as on the East Lulworth memorial.
Rifleman LOUIS JOSEPH WELD-BLUNDELL died aged 29 on 8 February 1919
Louis was born at Ince Blundell, Lancashire in 1889 to Charles Jospeh Weld-Blundell (1845-1927) and his wife Charlotte Catherine Marcia Weld-Blundell nee Lane-Fox (1862-1926). He served with the 16th Battalion, London Regiment (Queen’s Westminster Rifles), service number 553421. He was in Salonika and Palestine for over a year and in France for over two years. Louis, who became heir to the Lulworth Estate and Ince Blundell Estate on the death of his brother Richard above, succumbed to Spanish Flu and died at Dunkirk. Louis is remembered with honour at Dunkirk Town Cemetery, France (reference IV. E. 32.), on the Ince Blundell memorial as well as on the East Lulworth memorial.
2nd Lieutenant WILLIAM SPENCER JOSEPH WOLSELEY who died aged 29 on 12 March 1915
William was born at Holme Chase, Weybridge, Surrey on 23 March 1886 to Edward Talbot Wolseley (1848-1935) and his wife Florence Mary Wolseley nee Weld (1849-1939). He served with the 2nd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment. He went to France on 15 February 1915 and was killed in action at Neuve Chapell just four weeks later. William is remembered with honour at the Royal Irish Rifles Graveyard, Laventie as well as on the East Lulworth memorial.
Other members of the armed forces with connections to East Lulworth who gave their lives for their country:
Leading Seaman JOHN THOMAS EDWARDS R.N. died aged 46 on 3 February 1918
John was born at St. Mawes, Cornwall on 19 October 1871 to John Thomas Edwards (1827-1900) and his first wife Catherine Edwards nee Lowry (1831-1874). He served with the Royal Navy, service number 165821. John died when cargo ship S.S. Holmtown was torpedoed by U-Boat 59 on route from Rouen to Penarth Dock just east of the Shambles Light Vessel which itself was about 3 miles off the Portland coast. John is buried at St. Andrew’s Churchyard and is remembered with honour on the St. Mawes memorial.
Page last updated: 19 November 2022