28239 Private John Ford of the 8th East Surrey Regiment is commemorated on Bay six of the Arras Memorial in France.  He was born in Chailey, and enlisted in Chichester.  Previously having served with the Royal Sussex Regiment (number 9220), he was killed in action on 3rd May 1917.

 

Chailey Parish Magazine first mentions him in January 1916 where he appears in a special list of attested men.  In October 1916 he is noted as serving with the 8th East Surreys but it is not until December 1917 that the magazine notes him as missing.  Finally, in April 1918, he appears in the parish magazine’s roll of honour as killed in action on 3rd May 1917.

 

The 1901 census of England and Wales notes a 15 year old John Ford living in Chailey village with his widowed mother Elizabeth Ford (aged 55 and earning a living through cleaning – or “charing”)  and two brothers: Frank Ford (aged 13) and George C Ford (aged 26).  All three sons are noted as agricultural labourers and all three are noted as having been born in Chailey.

 

Elizabeth’s husband, George Ford, appears on the 1891 census as a Framfield-born 55 year old traction engine driver along with the three boys mentioned above and a daughter, Mabel A Ford (aged seven).  He though, had died by the time the 1901 census was taken.  There are two George Ford deaths noted for the Lewes district between 1891 and 1901 – one registered in the June quarter of 1892 and one in the March quarter of 1897.

 

The couple had married in 1880, their marriage recorded in the September quarter of that year.  George would have been about 45 years old, Elizabeth about 35.  At the time of their marriage Elizabeth already had two children: George C Tapp  (aged six and born at East Chiltington) and James Tapp (aged ten, born at Chailey).  George C Tapp appears on the 1901 census as George C Ford, his place of birth, as mentioned above, noted as Chailey.

 

Frank Ford and F Ford are also noted by Chailey Parish magazine as serving their King and Country.  Frank was John's brother and F Ford may also be related to these two men.   Archie, Ashley, Aubrey and Harry Tapp who also served during the First World War were cousins of the Ford brothers.

 

 

Sources and Acknowledgements

 

·         England and Wales Civil Registration Index 1837-1983

·         1881 Census of England and Wales

·         1891 Census of England and Wales

·         1901 Census of England and Wales

·         Chailey Parish Magazine

·         Soldiers Died in The Great War

·         The Commonwealth War Graves’ Commission’s Debt of Honour Register

·         Garth McGowen for the photograph of John Ford’s name on the Arras Memorial (above).