William Alfred Lansdowne is not mentioned in Chailey’s parish magazine even though he was killed in action on 26th February 1916. 

 

Soldiers Died in The Great War notes that R/4188 Rifleman Lansdowne was born in Holborn, Middlesex, enlisted at Cosckspur Street (Middlesex) and was resident in Chailey, Sussex.  He was killed in action whilst serving with the 13th King’s Royal Rifle Corps.

 

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (apart from spelling his name incorrectly as Landsdowne) adds the additional information that he was serving with D Company and was the husband of May Lansdowne, of 46, Millman St., Guilford St., Holborn, London.

 

William is buried at De Cusine Ravine British Cemetery at Basseux, France; grave reference: G6.  He is not commemorated on Chailey’s war memorial but may be remembered on a KRRC memorial and/or one located in the City of London.  Further research is necessary to establish where William was working at the time of his enlistment and where he was living in Chailey.

 

 

 

 

Sources and Acknowledgements

 

• Soldiers Died in The Great War
• The Commonwealth War Graves’ Commission’s Debt of Honour Register
• Bob Pike for the photograph of William Lansdowne's last resting place