Sydney is the eldest child of Arthur Philip Wharton (1867-1925) and Ellen Rose Matthews (1862-1925). He had one brother called Hugh Wharton (1896-1959) and a sister called Kathleen Wharton (1899-1986). He was christened at St Andrews Church, Bircham Tofts on 22 December 1895. In 1901 census, aged 6 he was living at Pond House in Bircham Tofts, [Click to continue…]

Oswald Robert Bowey was the son of Thomas Bowey and Sarah Jane (formerly Oswald) and was born in Leeds in 1899. His Bowey line goes back to Alnwick in Northumberland. He was a Rifleman in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and was one of over 9,000 men who fell in the period from 8 August 1918 to the date of the Armistice in the Advance to Victory in Picardy [Click to continue…]

Alec John Rushen (1905–1983) Alec John Rushen was born on 1 October 1905 in Rochford, Essex, the second son of James Charles Rushen and Caroline Roberts. He was baptised: 23 December 1906, St Mary’s Church, Runwell, Essex His arrival came at a time of quiet rural life in the county of Essex, a region defined by its rolling fields, farms, and [Click to continue…]

John Francis Rayment was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, on 20th August 1900.  He entered the Royal Australian Naval College (RANC) as a cadet midshipman on 31st December 1913 as a member of the 1914 entry.  During his time at the RANC he proved to be a good sportsman, gaining his colours for rugby and athletics.  He was also made a [Click to continue…]