Many people from Maidenhead gave their lives during WW1 and WW2. This page gives some history of those known from the Parish of Boyne Hill who served and died. Some of the graves can be found in the churchyard.
In 2017, the WW1 and WW2 war memorial boards in the Church porch were refurbished and a new board added, which incorporates some additional names along with the fallen in subsequent conflicts.
“We will remember them.”
Thanks to Elizabeth Bryson for her significant research, from which this section is written, and to Derek Smith for his work on the remembrance boards. Thanks also to Ken Smith for the section on the War Memorials.
ADD PHOTOS OF THE BOARDS - future
World War 1
Our wartime Parish magazines list the names of 761 from the parish who ‘answered the call to arms’ in WW1. Of these, 133 died during the conflict. Their names can be found on the WW1 Remembrance Boards in the church porch.
There is too much detailed information on the individuals to include on this page, so please click on the links below if you’d like to know more.
Names of the fallen
Details of the fallen
Stories of some of the fallen.
On 21 October 2018, a Service was held to re-dedicate the refurbished original WW1 Remembrance Board and to dedicate the new, additional Remembrance Board. Prime Minister and MP for Maidenhead, the Rt Hon Theresa May, gave the address, which is reproduced by the kind permission of her office.
Rt Hon Theresa May’s address
WW 1 Commemoration Service Address by Elizabeth Bryson
View PDF
World War 2
During WW2, 14 servicemen and one nurse from the parish died. These were:
- Lance Bombardier Kenneth Astbury Royal Artillery
- Leading Stoker Leslie Thomas Hill Bennett Royal Navy HM Submarine Odin
- Lieutenant Archibald Graham Botsford Royal Engineers
- Flight Sergeant Kenneth Charles James Botsford Royal Air Force, 106 Squadron
- Private William Edward Brandon Royal Hampshire Regiment
- Sergeant Douglas Eric Briggs Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 113 Squadron
- Boy 1st Class Jack Brown Royal Navy HMS Royal Oak
- Stoker 2nd Class Victor Gordon Croker Royal Navy HMS Ajax
- Captain Walter Edward Norkett Royal Army Service Corps
- Sergeant Frederick John Pitcher Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 104 Squadron
- Lieutenant Ronald Skelton Royal Navy HMS Illustrious, Fleet Air Arm
- Lance Corporal Arthur Quartermaine Smith Royal Tank Regiment
- Lance Corporal Thomas P. Smith Royal Hampshire Regiment
- Gunner Herbert Charles Stamp Royal Artillery
- Nurse in charge Ruby Annie Marsh 7th St John’s Ambulance
The WW2 Remembrance Board can be found in the church porch
Details of the fallen
Memories of World War 2 have been collated from the Parish magazines
A service was held on VJ Day in August 2015 to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the end of WW2 to remember and give thanks for those from the Parish who served and died.
Sermon for 70th Anniversary of VJ Day preached by Fr Jeremy
On 9th June 2024 a Service was held to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. The Right Honourable Theresa May read the lesson at this moving commemoration which was organised by the Royal British Legion. Standard Bearers, Cadets and a Bugler for the Last Post also took part in the service.