A Soldier's Letter
During the renovations to Wick Hall, a letter was found under the stage from a soldier to his mother, on the eve of him setting off to fight in WWI. The letter is dated 7th July 1916, and Edward 'Ted' Hutchison died less than one month later.
In addition, the following research has been carried out by Ann Brown in partnership with Littlehampton Town Council, and with contributions from members of the Church and local community. All the images can be clicked on to open separately, some at a larger size. This year some relatives of Ted have been found and who were delighted to hear about the letter which is now in the Royal Fusiliers Association Branch at the Tower of London. They have the regimental museum within the Tower and the letter and accompanying information were intended to become one of their exhibits.
Edward Hutchison, 1896 - 1916
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? Company No 27707 Dear Mother |
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all our cap badges blacked
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Postcard of The Danes Training Camp Dover – a recreation ground.
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Edward Hutchison was the youngest son of Herbert Hutchison (1857-1935) and Kate Charlotte (Pearce) (1863 -1943). He was born in 1896 in Halisham East Sussex In 1901 he was living at Maghan Down, Hailsham, East Sussex with his father a farm bailiff, his mother, 5 sisters and three brothers. In 1911 he was living in Squirrel Lane, Herstmonceux and his father was described as a Farm Labourer. |
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Five years later Edward enlisted into the Army at the age of 20. Conscription was fully introduced on 27th January 1916 for ages 15 to 65 years so it is likely that Edward enlisted under this. He would have undertaken basic training before being posted to France. Edward enlisted in Hastings. No army records have survived. He joined the 9th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers – 18th Division. The letter to his mother was written on 7th July 1916 and sadly by August 4th 1916, just less than a month later Edward was reported missing during the Battle of Pozieres. |
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From Burwash Roll of Honour – published by Burwash Parish Council Edward Hutchison He had no known grave and is commemorated on the Thievpal Memorial, Somme. Pier and Face 8 C 9 A and 16 A. |
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He is also commemorated on the War Memorial in All Saints Church, Herstmonceux. There are a number of local newspaper reports listing him as missing and then fallen. |
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Ration Trench The 9th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers had been on active service in France and Belgium since 1st June 1915. It had participated in the Battle of Loos and entered the Battle of the Somme in its second day 2nd July 1916. Edward may have been part of a reinforcement draft. |
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The attack on part of the Poziers Ridge west of Poziers began at 11.15pm on the 3rd August 1916 with the 8th Royal Fusiliers of 36 Brigade charged forward behind an artillery barrage and captured the south west portion of a German trench 4th Avenue. At the same time 6th Kent (Buffs) with their left covered by a smoke screen took a strong point at the lower end in 4th Avenue. Bombers from both Battalions were then able to gain a foothold in Ration Trench where they captured 100 Germans. 36th Brigade continued in action on 4th August when at 9.15pm and in conjunction with an attack with the Australians they tried to complete the capture of Ration Trench. 7th Sussex and 9th Royal Fusiliers attacked it frontally while the 8th Royal Fusiliers bombed up from the left. Much of Ration Trench was cleared of the enemy but not as far as the junction of Western Trench which had been one of their objectives From: WW1 London Memorial for Leslie Worrall 9th Royal Fusiliers died 4th August 1916 |
Royal Fusiliers Badge |
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Edward’s father Herbert Hutchison |
Edward's Mother, Kate Charlotte, from PJ Finch family tree |
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War Medals Awarded |
War Pension paid to Edward’s mother 1919 |
'At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.'