Selected Biographies

Cavendish, Godfrey Herbert Richard – Born: Jubbulpore, Bengal, India on 14.1.1912.[1] Parents: Godfrey Lionel John Cavendish [see his details below] and Cora Grace Graham [née Horsford] of Long Melford. Family Connections: Brother to Hubert Gordon Compton Cavendish [b1913], also, grandson of Joseph Alphonsus Horsford [b1848], nephew of Richard Charles Alexander Cavendish [b1885], and cousin of Laurence Edmund Hyde Parker [b1912] and Anthony Edington Hyde Parker [b1915]. Home: 4 Campden Hill Place, Kensington, London [1958]. Married: Angela Margaret Jervis Officer in 1950. Service Record: Godfrey was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in February 1940 joining the Wiltshire Yeomanry [Prince of Wales’s Own] as part of Royal Tank Corps.[2] He was posted to the British Military Mission in Egypt in 1941, receiving a promotion to Captain.  His regiment served in Syria and North Africa and a part of 9^th Armoured Brigade seeing action at the Second Battle of El Alamein in October 1942. Died: Kensington, London on 25.8.1958.[3]

Cavendish, Godfrey Lionel John – Born: Eastbourne, Sussex on 30.3.1884.[4] Parents: Reginald Richard Frederick Cavendish and Mary Constance [née Dupuis]. Family Connections: Father to Godfrey Herbert Richard Cavendish [b1912] and Hubert Gordon Compton Cavendish [b1913], also, brother of Richard Charles Alexander Cavendish [b1885], son-in-law of Joseph Alphonsus Horsford [b1848], and brother-in-law of James Shuckburgh Carter [b1881] and Hilary Ralph Hood [b1886]. Home: 14 Cavendish Road, Willesden, Middlesex (1891), Albert Memorial College, Framlingham, Suffolk (1901), Penarvon, Margaret Road, Wimbledon, London (1911). Occupation: Indian Army Officer [1903 to 1914]. Married: Cora Grace Graham Horsford of Long Melford in 1911. Service Record: Godfrey was commissioned in 1903 as a Second Lieutenant with 1^st Battalion, Manchester Regiment.  He was posted to Singapore, transferring to the Indian Army as a Captain with 97^th Deccan Infantry Regiment in 1912. At the outbreak of the Great War, he was posted to France attached initially to 1/9^th Gurkha Rifles, then on 15.12.1914 to 1/9^th Bhopal Infantry.  On 20 December Cavendish received a gunshot wound to his neck while reconnoitring enemy positions near Givenchy.[5]  Died: of his injury on 22.12.1914 at N^o.4 Clearing Hospital at Lillers and is buried in Lillers Communal Cemetery [grave ref: I.B.3], Pas de Calais, France.[6]

Cavendish, Hubert Gordon Compton – Born: Jubbulpore, Bengal, India on 26.2.1913.[7] Parents: Godfrey Lionel John Cavendish [see his details below] and Cora Grace Graham [née Horsford] of Long Melford.  Family Connections: Brother to Godfrey Herbert Richard Cavendish [b1912], also, grandson of Joseph Alphonsus Horsford [b1848], nephew of Richard Charles Alexander Cavendish [b1885], and cousin of Laurence Edmund Hyde Parker [b1912] and Anthony Edington Hyde Parker [b1915]. Home: Bosvathick, Constantine, Falmouth, Cornwall (1939), 110^A Kensington Church Street, Kensington [1946],[8] Bosvathick, Constantine, Falmouth, Cornwall [1993]. Occupation: Motor Demonstrator and Salesman (1939). Married: Beaujolois Inez Wodehouse in 1942. Service Record: Hubert was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant No.224319 in the Royal Army Service Corps in January 1942.[9] Died: Falmouth, Cornwall on 9.5.1993.[10]

Cavendish, Richard Charles Alexander [CBE] – Born: Eastbourne, Sussex on 6.8.1885.[11] Parents: Reginald Richard Frederick Cavendish and Mary Constance [née Dupuis]. Family Connections: Brother to Godfrey Lionel John Cavendish [b1884]; also, uncle of Godfrey Herbert Richard Cavendish [b1912] and Hubert Gordon Compton Cavendish [b1913], and brother-in-law of James Shuckburgh Carter [b1881] and Hilary Ralph Hood [b1886]. Home: 8 Hartfield Square, Eastbourne, Sussex [1886], Penge, London (1891), 4 Glen Road, Boscombe, Hampshire (1911). Occupation: British South African Police (1911). Married: Margaret Barbara Duncan Johnstone in1936. Service Record: Richard served in the Southern Rhodesia Police from 1906 to 1911, Nigerian Police from 1912 to 1931, and was Commissioner of Police in Kenya from 1931 to 1941. He was made Commander of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in 1938.[12] Died: Nairobi, Kenya on 28.4.1941 and buried in Nairobi Forest Road Cemetery.[13]

Related Biographies

Carter, James Shuckburgh – Born: Eton College, Buckinghamshire in 1881. Parents: Thomas John Proctor Carter (Schoolmaster at Eton College] and Isabel Mary. Family Connections: Brother-in-law of Godfrey Lionel John Cavendish [b1884] and Richard Charles Alexander Cavendish [b1887]. Home: Eton College, Buckinghamshire (1881), 24 Upton Park, Slough, Bucks (1901), Warren Hill College, Beachy Head Road, Eastbourne, Sussex (1911), Over Strand, Cromer, Norfolk [1914], Boons Hill, Iden, Sussex [1918]. Occupation: Assistant Schoolmaster (1911). Married:  Diana Violet Gladys Cavendish in 1914. Service Record: James granted a commission in 1909 as a Second Lieutenant in 5^th [Cinque Ports] Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment.[14] He was transferred to 4^th  Battalion, Norfolk Volunteer Regiment in January 1917 and to 1^st Battalion, Grenadier Guards in July 1917.[15] Died: Captain Carter was killed in action at Flesquieres on 27.9.1918 during the Battle of the Canal du Nord, and is buried in Sanders Keep Military Cemetery [grave ref: II.A.1], Graincourt-lès-Havrincourt, Pas de Calais, France.  He also has a memorial plaque in St Mary the Virgin Church, Northrepps, Norfolk.[16]

Hood, Hilary Ralph [MC + Bar]- Born: St Johns Wood, London on 7.6.1886.[17] Parents: John Robert Hood and Amy Constance [née Woodhouse].  Family Connections: Brother-in-law of Godfrey Lionel John Cavendish [b1884] and Richard Charles Alexander Cavendish [b1887].   Home: 17 Ash Grove, Hendon, Middlesex (1891), Albert Memorial College, Framlingham, Suffolk (1901), Wey Lodge, Portmore Park Road, Weybridge, Surrey [1923], New Town Lodge, Magdelen Street, Colchester, Essex (1939), 3 Cheyne Court, Flood Street, Chelsea, London [1948], Little Field, London Road, Chertsey, Surrey [1948], 29 Putney Hill, London [1951], Flat 2, Stratton Audley Manor, Bicester, Oxfordshire [1960]. Occupation: General Engineering Manager (1939). Married: Dorothy Alice Georgina Cavendish in 1918. Service Record: Hilary was granted a commission as Second Lieutenant on 23.11.1914 joining 216 Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.[18] He was posted to France in August 1915 and twice awarded the Military Cross,[19] retiring with the rank of Major.[20] Died: Monterey, California, USA on 16.3.1960.[21]

Horsford, Dr Joseph Alphonsus [LRCP, MRCS] – Born: Seaton, Devon in 1848. Parents: Joseph Horsford and Grace. Family Connections: Father-in-law of Laurence Hyde Parker [b1870] and Godfrey Lionel John Cavendish [b1884]. Home: Hall Street, Long Melford (1881), The Elms, St Marys Street, Long Melford (1891 to 1911), Studleigh House, Manor Road, Fulwell Park, Middlesex [1919]. Occupation: Physician and Surgeon in Long Melford (1881) to [1916].[22]  Married: Ada Mary Sparkhall in 1880.  Service Record: Dr Horsford was the Committee Chairman of the Long Melford Volunteer Training Corps in 1915 and acted as a canvasser for the village recruiting drive in December 1915.  He was also the Certifying Factory Surgeon, Medical Officer, and Public Vaccinator N^o. 2 District of the Sudbury Union from 1888 to 1916.[23]  Died: Fulwell Park, Middlesex on 25.11.1919.[24]

Parker, Anthony Edington Hyde – Born: Bulmer, Essex on 9.11.1915. Parents: Laurence Hyde Parker [see his military details below] and Ada Loeticia Moor [née Horsford] of Long Melford. Family Connections: Brother to Laurence Edmund Hyde Parker [b1912] and grandson of Joseph Alphonsus Horsford [b1848]; also, cousin of Godfrey Herbert Richard Cavendish [b1912] and Hubert Gordon Compton Cavendish [b1913].  Home: Smeetham Hall, Bulmer, Essex. Married:  Service Record: Anthony enrolled in 1936 as an Acting Pilot Officer No.37971 with the Royal Air Force. He was posted to France in September 1939 with 150 Squadron, as part of the Advanced Air Striking Force stationed near Reims. While on a mission over Saarbrucken his squadron was badly mauled in an aerial skirmish, his own plane being damaged forcing Pilot Officer Parker to bail out, sustaining injuries on landing.  Following treatment, he was transferred to 212 Squadron Photographic Reconnaissance Unit, staying in France until its fall in June 1940. Died: Anthony was killed in action during a mission on 14.9.1940 gathering photographic intelligence of an anticipated German invasion fleet on the French Channel coast.  He is commemorated on the RAF Runnymede Memorial [panel 6], the Bulmer War Memorial and on the Lancing College Roll of Honour.[25]

Parker, Laurence Edmund Hyde – Born: Bulmer, Essex on 34.2.1912.[26] Parents: Laurence Hyde Parker [see military details below] and Ada Loeticia Moor [née Horsford] of Long Melford. Family Connections: Brother to Anthony Edington Hyde Parker [b1915] and grandson of Joseph Alphonsus Horsford [b1848]; also, cousin of Godfrey Herbert Richard Cavendish [b1912] and Hubert Gordon Compton Cavendish [b1913]. Home: Smeetham Hall, Bulmer, Essex (1930) to [1995]. Occupation: Farmer and Civil Air Guard (1939) Married: Margaretha Van Thörne Neilson in 1953. Service Record: Laurence learnt to fly at Ipswich Aero Club, earning his qualification in October 1939. On 28.2.1942 he is recorded as Sgt.1270803 with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.[27] Died: Bulmer, Essex on 25.10.1994.[28]

Parker, Laurence Hyde – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 23.10.1870.[29]  Parents: Admiral Sir William Hyde Parker (9^th Baronet Parker of Melford Hall) and Sophia Mary [née Barnardiston].  Family Connections: Father to Laurence Edmund Hyde Parker [b1912] and Anthony Edington Hyde Parker [b1915], brother to Reverend Sir William Hyde Parker [b1863], Edmond Hyde Parker [b1868] and John Barnardiston Hyde Parker [b1879]; also, uncle of Sir William Stephen Hyde Parker [b1892] and Mary Stephanie Hyde Parker [b1894], and son-in-law of Joseph Alphonsus Horsford [b1848].  Home: Melford Hall, Long Melford (1871 to 1891), Park Cottage, Melford Hall, Long Melford [1896 to 1900], Westgate House, Westgate Street, Long Melford (1901), Smeetham Hall, Bulmer, Essex (1911 to 1939).  Occupation: Land Agent (1901 to 1939), Estate Agent to Kentwell Hall Estate [1937], Billeting Officer for the Halstead District in Essex (1939).  Married: Ada Lœtitia Moor Horsford in 1906.  Service Record: Laurence held the rank of Captain in 2^nd [Volunteer] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment,[30] transferring on 10.10.1914 to 4^th Battalion, Suffolks.  He was the Commander of the Long Melford Volunteer Training Corps, later Adjutant, and Second in Command of 5^th Volunteer Battalion, Suffolks.  More details on his involvement with the Volunteer Training Corps and his tireless work as a recruiter can be found in Part I.  From 1916 he also held a position as military representative on the Glemsford and Melford Military Service Tribunals.  At the end of the conflict, he was commended by the Secretary of State for War for his ‘valuable services rendered in connection with the war’.  Laurence Hyde Parker relinquished his command in 1920 and in 1922 is recorded as one of the 14 vice-presidents of the Long Melford Ex-Service Men’s Club.[31]  Died: Bulmer, Essex on 16.12.1950.[32]

Notes – [1] Date of birth from his father’s entry in De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour, 1914-1919.  [2] Supplement to the London Gazette, 9.2.1940.  [3] National Probate Calendar.  [4] Date of birth from De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour, 1914-1919.  [5] See De Ruvigny op cit. and Medal Roll [WO 329].  [6] Commonwealth War Grave Commission and National Probate Calendar.  [7] See De Ruvigny op cit.  [8] Electoral Roll.  [9] Supplement to the London Gazette 10.2.1942.  [10] National Probate Calendar.  [11] Date of birth from Baptism Register 6.2.1886 for St Saviors Church, Eastbourne, Sussex.  [12] See https://www.europeansineastafrica.co.uk/ for full career and photo.  [13] National Probate Calendar.  [14] London Gazette, 3.12.1909.  [15] London Gazette, 27.1.1917 and 30.7.1917.  Also see his Medal Index Card [WO 372/4].  [16] Commonwealth War Grave Commission and the National Probate Calendar.  [17] 1939 Register.  [18] Supplement to the London Gazette, 26.11.1914.  [19] London Gazette, 1.1.1918 and 10.12.1919.  [20] Medal Index Card [WO 372].  [21] National Probate Calendar.  [22] Kelly’s Directory for Suffolk 1892 to 1916.  [23] For Training Corps articles see Bury Free Press 20.2.1915, Suffolk and Essex Free Press 10.3.1915 and 29.12.1915.  [24] National Probate Calendar.  [25] Personal and military details, including the accompanying photograph are taken with thanks from the Lancing College War Memorial website www.hambo.org/lancing. See also Commonwealth War Grave Commission.  [26] 1939 Register.  [27] London Gazette, 16.6.1942.  [28] National Probate Calendar.  [29] Baptism Register 4.12.1870, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford.  [30] For notification of his commission as Captain see London Gazette 9.10.1914.  [31] For Training Corps articles see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 10.3.1915 and 29.12.1915.  For involvement in the Military Tribunals held at Long Melford see SEFP 15.3.1916.  For notice of his commendation by the Secretary of State for War see Cambridge Daily News 29.8.1919, and retirement see Supplement to the London Gazette 10.3.1920.  [32] National Probate Calendar.