Project Description

At the invitation of Polegate Town Council, First Polegate Scouts researched the men commemorated on the First World War Memorial in St. John's Church, Polegate. Thirty-three men of Polegate who died between 1914 and 1918 are listed on the Memorial. Having confirmed Polegate connections to all these soldiers and sailors through the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database, the Scouts were provided with the name and service number to investigate, along with guidance on research techniques. Their findings from original and transcribed records were checked to confirm their accuracy. Funding was achieved through the production and sale of one hundred A5 copies of the Memorial Book produced. This publication was dedicated in a Service at St John's Church on the 4th August 2014 and is kept in a wooden case next to the War Memorial (the Town Council and Local Branch of the British Legion also hold copies). Profits from the sale of the A5 copies were shared between the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and First Polegate Scouts.

Organisation

Organised by

First Polegate Scout Group

Region

South East England

Location

BN26 6QF

Event

Date

2014-08-04, 2014-08-04

Venue

St. John's Church, Polegate

Location

BN26 5BX

Focus and Research

Resources used for research

Commonwealth War Graves Commission; Soldiers died in the Great War, 1914-1919; Hailsham Parish Magazine (including Polegate); Polegate Young People's Guild Roll of Honour; British Army World War One Medal Rolls Index Cards; Royal Naval Division Casualties of The Great War, 1914-1924; Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919; 1901 and 1911 Census; Sussex Boy Scouts' Record of Honour, June 1915; the British Postal Service Appointment Books.