2nd Lieutenant Edward Wilson Green, Hampshire Regt

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. 

In January 1917, Chailey Parish Magazine reports that Edward Green has been wounded and in September 1917 notes that he is now Cadet E W Green at an Officers’ Training College. In March 1918, Chailey 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 Green, was an active member of Sussex 54 VAD. 

Chailey resident Reg Philpott remembered 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.”