Edward Wilson Green was born in 1881 at Sarratt, Hertfordshire, his birth being registered in the December quarter for
that year at Watford.. By the time the 1881
census was taken however, the family had moved to Barkway, near Royston in Hertfordshire and were living at a large manor
house – Cochmach.
The family members living at Barkway comprised William Green, a 38 year old Australian landowner (born in Melbourne)
who is noted on the census as a “life owner of Freehold and other property” and his 37 year old wife Marion. Ten years earlier, the 1881 census had described him as “a farmer of about 300
acres and employing eight men and two boys.” The couple had four children
living with them: Helen M (aged 13), Lilian J (aged 11), Edward Wilson (aged nine) and Roger D (aged six). Also at the family home, besides a visitor, were a bailiff and numerous domestic servants.
Missing from the household was Edward’s older brother, Bernard Bachan Green, who was a ten year old boarder at
Upland House school in Epsom, Surrey.
By the time the 1901 census was taken, Edward (aged 19), was boarding at the home of Mary A Edwards at 29 Denbigh Street, London and working as a stockbroker’s clerk.
Chailey Parish Magazine first mentions Edward Green in June 1916, noting that he is a private serving with the 10th
Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment) in England. The following month it
notes that he is with the 9th Battalion and in September 1916 adds that he is now in France.
The following month there is another change to the information; this time to say that he is still with the 9th
Queens but attached to the 23rd Royal Fusiliers
in France. This latter information is incorrect as at some point Edward was actually transferred from The Queen's
Regiment to the Royal Fusiliers.
In January 1917, Chailey Parish Magazine reports that Edward has been wounded and in September 1917 notes that
he is now Cadet E W Green at an Officers’ Training College.
In March 1918, the parish magazine reports that EW Green is now a second lieutenant with the Hampshire Regiment and
this information is then repeated up to and including the final published roll in July 1919.
Bernard Bachan Green also served his King and country during the First World War and the boys’ 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.”
The National Archives notes that Edward's service number with the Queen's Regiment was 12114 while his number with
the 23rd Royal Fusiliers was GS/63154.
Sources and Acknowledgements
- 1891 Census of England and Wales
- 1901 Census of England and Wales
- England and Wales, Civil Registration Index: 1837-1983
- Chailey Parish Magazine
- The National Archives: Medal
Index Card
- Interview with Reg Philpott in 2003
- Malory of the Lost Generation 1418 forum for assistance with Edward Green's service record
