World War One

We have prepared a Roll of Honour of those from the local area who died in World War One.

Our work on World War One will be developed at a later stage as we are currently concentrating on World War Two.  However, information is always welcome so if you have any material on local people in World War One please do get in touch through Contact Us.

 

Those who served

Charles Henry Foskett had served in the Boer War in 1900 as detailed here.  Soon after the outbreak of the First World War he re-enlisted, served the duration as a bandsman in the 1st Hertfordshire Regiment.  His service medals, including his ones for South Africa and the Territorial Force are below:

 

Edward Grayson was born in Lurgan, County Armagh in 1894 and did not move to Hemel Hempstead until 1939, where he lived until his death in 1973.  He originally came to England in 1912 or 1913, having taken civil service exams in Belfast and been posted to London. He was called up in 1917 and initially trained as an infantry officer with the Royal Artists Rifles, but was transferred to the RFC at his own request and served as a 2nd Lieutenant.

Edward Grayson, second left, holding a stick, training in 1917

Initially an Observer, he qualified as a pilot and it is believed by his family that flew mainly SE5As, but also Sopwith Camels. In days when bombs were in short supply, pilots resorted to dropping anything over German lines if it might cause damage. Bags or jars of nails were common makeshift weapons. On one occasion, an old sewing machine was heaved into Edward Grayson’s aeroplane. However, it fell through the base of plane onto the airfield during take off.  In the Second World War he served in the Home Guard in Boxmoor as detailed here.

Edward Grayson in the RFC