Bernard Bachan Green was born around May 1880 in Rickmansworth Hertfordshire, his birth registered at Watford in the June quarter of 1880.
He appears on the 1881 census as a ten month old baby living at Great Sarratt Hall, Hertfordshire with his family. The head of the family was William Green, a 28 year old Australian landowner (born
in Melbourne) who is noted on the census as a farmer of about 300 acres and employing
eight men and two boys. His 27 year old wife Marian had been born in Rickmansworth
and they had three children: Helen Green (aged three, born in Sarratt), Lilian Green (aged one, born in Rickmansworth) and
Bernard.
Bernard attended Upland House boarding school in Epsom, Surrey and appears on the 1891 census as a ten year old boarder there. Ten years later, by the time the 1901 census was taken he was studying at Cambridge University but
staying at the home of Robert E Johnston, a church of England clergyman living at The Vicarage, St Peters Intra, Kent. Two other Cambridge University students are also noted at the same address and it is possible that the three
students were studying theology (or similar) and as part of their course were spending time with Reverend Johnston.
Chailey Parish Magazine first mentions Bernard Green in October 1914 when it notes that he is serving his King and Country. One year later it states that he is a captain with the 3rd Essex Regiment
and in December 1915 that he has been attached to the 7th North Hants’ Garrison. In January 1916
this is further updated to state that he is attached to the 1st Garrison Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment.
In May 1916, the parish magazine notes that Captain Green has been invalided and this information is then repeated up
to and including the final published roll call in July 1919.
Bernard’s brother, Edward Wilson Green, also served during the First World War and their sister Helen Marian Green was an active member of Sussex 54 VAD. During the war years, the family lived at The Red House, Chailey.
Chailey resident Reg Philpott remembers that “all the Greens were officers.
Bernard was a major. He used to come round here shooting pheasants. He followed the hounds. Captain Eddie
followed the golf and Roger supported the cricket. Miss Green supported the Red
Cross with Mrs Bessemer.”
Sources and Acknowledgements
- 1881 Census of England and Wales
- 1891 Census of England and Wales
- 1901 Census of England and Wales
- England and Wales, Civil Registration Index: 1837-1983
- Chailey Parish Magazine
