Sandon All Saints Military History
The memorials in and around the church record the service, involvement and sacrifices made during wars, mainly two world wars in the 20th century, by the people of Sandon and others.
These remembrances were originally compiled by Robert Selby of Millbrook Cottage, Burston, February 2024.
The military history recorded in the church relates mainly to the two World Wars of the 20th century, with some families losing several men. The impact of these conflicts on such a small rural community as Sandon must have been severe, as can be seen in the families of Bentley, Cheadle, Davenport Ward, and Ryder (Earl of Harrowby).
The Tomb of Sampson Erdeswicke
One visible scar of a war on the church took place in 1643 when the tomb of Sampson Erdeswicke was vandalised by the Parliamentary forces, the Roundheads, fighting against Charles I in the Civil War. He had died only 40 years before, in 1603, and would have undoubtably been seen by the Parliamentary army as a Royalist, as shown by his clothes and status of his monument.
Although there are no visible records, Civil War soldiers from the Battle of Hopton Heath, in 1643, are said to be buried near the south side porch.
Research is continuing into the effects of war on the church and the community and will be included as it becomes available.
The Two Bentley Brothers
Inside the church on the west wall is a plaque in memory of the two Bentley brothers, killed in WW1 just a few weeks apart.
Cut into the lead roof of the tower is the name of a Polish soldier who served locally.
In the chancel, on the north wall, is a WW1 wooden cross, dated 1917, brought back from the battlefield grave in Flanders of Major Robert Nathaniel Dudley Ryder, youngest son of the 4th Earl of Harrowby.
On the wall opposite is a plaque recording the military service of other members of the Ryder family:
Colonel Charles Henry Dudley Ryder, Explorer and Surveyor General of India.
Major Lisle Charles Dudley Ryder, killed in WWI in France in 1920.
Major Ernle Terrick Dudley Ryder, killed in WWII at sea off the coast of Java in 1942.
The Victoria Cross awarded to Captain Robert Edward Dudley Ryder, Commander of the naval forces at the St Nazaire raid in 1942, WWII.
Coincidently Walter Sargent, the brother of a retired vicar “Dick” Sargent, who preached many times at All Saints, was killed in the same raid.
Dick Sargent served in the Royal Navy in WWII, landing American troops during D-Day, June 2nd 1944, and later at the crossing of the River Scheldt Estuary. He hung the ensign of his landing craft over the lectern when preaching at Remembrance Services. He received the Legion d’honneur and, from grateful residents of the area, sand from the beach where he landed troops. His ashes are buried in the churchyard.
Poppy Memorial
On the altar, in the South aisle, is a poppy memorial to the 23 Sandon soldiers killed in WW1.
All walked our streets or worked locally and perhaps came to this church. They include the three Cheadle brothers.
In the corner hangs what we believe is probably an original British Legion standard, c.1921, for the District of Sandon. Note the absence of the ‘Royal’, which was granted to the British Legion by Royal Charter in 1925.
On the south wall, beside a list of those who served in the wars, is a memorial to seven crew members of an RAF Lancaster Bomber which crashed near Burston in 1945, killing all crew - six Canadians and one Englishman, one aged just 16 – in a training flight, during which the plane had technical difficulties. A monument stone is sited on the A51, after leaving Sandon on the left towards Stone, at which wreathes are laid each Remembrance Day.
In the churchyard are two WWII Imperial War Graves Commission graves.
Sandon Hall acted as a reception centre and hospital in both World wars.
Get Involved
Would you like to be involved in researching our military history, maintaining the Commonwealth War Graves or the memorials in the church?
Or perhaps you have had a military experience and would like to socialise with others who share your experience. Please do get in touch.