Soldiers Who Died in The Great War
James Walduck
The Walducks have lived in Drayton for centuries. James was born in the village in 1881, the youngest of William and Emma Walduck’s nine children. His father was an agricultural labourer.
James grew up to be a labourer himself and lived at Hog End (now called Church End).
He enlisted in the army at age 33 on 13th August 1914. He was a Guardsman in the Grenadier Guards when he was killed in action on 11th September 1916 on the Somme.
Alfred Walduck
Alfred was James’ nephew. Alfred was born in Drayton Parslow in 1896, the eldest of Eli and Ellen Walduck’s 12 children. Eli is listed as a General Labourer in the 1911 Census, but he and Ellen later kept the Horse and Jockey pub.
Alfred worked as a farm labourer and lived near Kingsland Farm in Hog End.
He enlisted into the army aged 19 on 30th July 1915. Alfred was a Lance Corporal in the Bedfordshire Regiment when he was killed in action on 12th April 1917 at Arras.
Oliver Tarbox
The Tarboxes are another old village family. Oliver was born in Drayton Parslow in 1895. He was the youngest of John and Sarah Tarbox’s six children. John was an agricultural labourer (a cowman).
Before joining the army, Oliver grew up to work on one of the local farms where he was a cowman like his father.
Oliver enlisted in Bletchley. He was a private in the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry when he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Arras on 9th April 1917.
Percy Heady
Percy was born in Stewkley in 1894. He was the only child of Arthur and Frances Heady. Arthur was an agricultural labourer (cowman).
The family were living in Mursley in 1911, where Percy was a baker, before moving to Drayton Parslow.
He enlisted with the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry but was serving as a Private with the Lincolnshire Regiment when he was killed in action on 10th June 1917 at Arras.
Cyril Viccars
Cyril was born in Willesden, London in 1900. His full name was Arthur Cyril Viccars, but appears to have been known as Cyril. He was the son of Arthur and Emma Viccars. Although Cyril (and his father) were born in London, the Viccars had been in Drayton for many generations and both of his paternal Grandparents were from the village. Cyril’s Grandfather, Andrew, had been an agricultural labourer, but moved to London, where he was a labour on the railway. Cyril’s father, Arthur, came back to Drayton whilst still a teenager. Arthur started work as an agricultural labourer, but soon followed his father, working as a labourer (Plate Layer) on the railway.
It appears that Cyril was born whilst his parents were visiting his father’s sister or brother who were both still living in Willsden.
Cyril followed the family tradition and became a labourer on the Railway. He was a member of the Baptist Chapel.
Cyril enlisted on 2nd August 1917 with the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry, but was serving with the Duke of Cambridge’s Own Middlesex Regiment as a Private when he was killed in action on 22nd August 1918. He died at the Somme just 2 weeks after arriving in France.
William Ginger
William was born in Mursley in 1887. He was the son of Alfred and Louisa Ginger. Parents. The Gingers had the reputation of being as fiery as their name suggests.
William had moved with his family to Drayton Parslow by the time he was 14. They lived near Chestnut Farm. Alfred was a Horse Breaker and later a small holder. William worked as an agricultural labourer before the war.
William enlisted in the army at Banbury and was serving with the Princess of Wales’ Own Yorkshire Hussars when he died on 2nd April 1917 at Arras.
Hayden Tattam
Hayden was born in Drayton Parslow in 1891, the son of William and Mary Tattam. He was the second youngest of their 14 children. He grew up at the Mill on Main Road, where his father was a Miller. In time became a farmer and miller there himself.
Hayden married Rachel Turner in Kent in 1914 and their son, William, was born later that year.
Hayden enlisted with the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry, but he was a Lance Corporal with the Princess of Wales’ Royal Berkshire Regiment when he died. He was killed in action on 23rd October 1918, and is buried at Le Cateau-Cambresis in Calais.
Soldiers Who Died in The Second World War
Alexanda Lingard
Alexanda (his name is spelt Alexader in official records) was born on 10th December 1915 in Fenny Stratford, the son of Frank and Annie Lingard.
Alexander became a labourer on the railway. He married Mary Elizabeth Tattam in 1937 and they lived in Carrington Hall Road in Drayton. They had a daughter, Pamela, in 1940.
Alexanda was a Private with the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment when he died on 4th September 1942 near El Alamein in Egypt.
Michael Stapleton
Michael wasn’t born in the village and didn’t have family here, but he lodged in Drayton for several years with Annie Lilley at Ivy Cottage in Main Road, whilst working as a labourer on local farms.
We have found only one Michael Stapleton recorded as being killed in the Second World War. Assuming this is our Michael, he was born in Dublin in 1908, the son of Edward and Margaret Stapleton. His Dad Edward was a carter.
Michael enlisted in Armargh in Northern Ireland with the Royal Ulster Rifles. He was a Lance Corporal in the Kings Own Scottish Borderers when he died on 23rd February 1945 in Burma.