Thank you to Jane Anthony for this research.
Private Henry Ockenden was born in 1879. The son of Allen and Eliza Ockenden. They had a total of eight children, seven of whom were living at the time of the 1911 census. Both parents originated from Sussex. The family seems to have been connected to the Wotton Estate, where Allen was a general labourer. In 1911, one of their daughters; Fanny; was living at Wotton House as a maid. All the other children, including Henry, were living away from the family home at Upper Lodge. However a grandson Edgar Bubb, who appears on the plaque in the Wotton Porch was living with them. Henry, who was the second son, was employed as a chauffeur by the Cole family at Little Tangley Manor in Wonersh.
He enlisted at Guildford in the 6th Battalion of the Queens Own Royal West Surrey’s (G/1087) and was killed in action aged 37 on 3rd July 1916. He was buried at Ovilliers Cemetery. His mother Eliza was the sole legate of his estate which consisted of a £8 10d War grant and a small amount of back pay
Son of | Allen and Eliza Ockenden | |
Regiment | 6th Battalion. The Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment | |
Number | G/1087 | |
Date of Death | 3rd July 1916 | |
Place of Death | Somme, France | |
Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
Age | 37 | |
Cemetery | Ovilliers Cemetery, Somme, France |