Lives of the First World War

The Roll of Honour, which hangs in St Peter & St Paul's Church, Little Gaddesden and lists 119 names of those from Little Gaddesden, Ringshall and Hudnall who served in the 1914 – 1918 War. Men who have answered their country’s call in defence of a “Scrap of Paper”.

Oliver Gentle in uniform, from a photo of the Gentle Family

This photo shows the Gentle family with brothers Arthur Bertram and Oliver in uniform. Back row standing: (l to r) Ella Florence (older sister), Arthur Bertram, Oliver. Front row sitting; (l to r) Arthur George (father), Gladys Alma (younger sister), Mary Ann (mother).

A photo of Oliver and his new bride, Florence May, nee Balls, on their Wedding Day in 1927

A photo of Pretty Gate Farm, where Oliver and his parents were known to be living in 1923

A Photo of Oliver and Florence Gentle's house, 72 King Harold Road, Shrub End.

A photo of Oliver Gentle which has the date 4th July 1921 on the back.

A photo of Oliver in uniform with his Serjeant's stripes and his Military Medal ribbon. It is undated, but he was awarded the MM as a Corporal in December 1917, so will be from 1918 or 1919.

A photo of Oliver and Florence in later life, date unknown.

The Discharge Certificate of Sergeant Oliver Gentle #R/13923, K.R.R.C, which records his enlistment 27th May 1915, the award of the Military Medal 'prior to 11th Jan 1918', his Medical Category: A. It records that he was discharged (transferred to Army Reserve Class Z) 24th May 1919 at Winchester.

Photograph of a certified copy of Oliver Gentle's Death Certificate, recording his death 6th February 1983 at Heath Hospital, Tendring, Essex and his usual address 1 Baden Powell Drive, Shrub End, Colchester, Essex. The cause of death was Urinary Tract Infection and Parkinson's Disease. He was recorded as a Civil Servant, Ministry of Labour, Retired. His date of birth, 18th April 1895, is also given. His death was registered by his widow Florence May Gentle.

First page of a letter dated 22.8.17 to Oliver's mother from his Platoon Sergeant #6449 J Cross A Coy 18th K.R.R.C (info given on p2) expressing congratulations on Oliver's receipt of the Military Medal.

Second page of a letter dated 22.8.17 (on first page) to Oliver's mother from his Platoon Sergeant #6449 J Cross A Coy 18th K.R.R.C expressing congratulations on Oliver's receipt of the Military Medal.

Photo of a Certified copy of the Birth Certificate of Ella Florence Gentle, born 5th September 1889, daughter of Arthur George and Mary Ann Gentle formerly Payne, of Bedmond, Abbot's Langley.

In addition to information on the time and place of Oliver’s funeral, this mentions his service in the King’s Royal Rifles, the award of the Military Medal, his brother’s death and his service as a Church Warden at All Saints’ Shrub End.

A photo of the Gentle family taken in the front garden of No 46, Little Gaddesden. From left to right: sister Ella, father Arthur George, mother Mary Ann, Oliver, brother Bertie, sister Gladys. The approximate date is probably about 1905.

Rifleman A.B. Gentle's Obituary published in the Hemel Hempstead Gazette and West Herts Advertiser, Saturday 16th September 1916, which reads as follows: "Little Gaddesden. Killed in Action:- With regret we have to record the death of Rifleman A.B. Gentle, of Little Gaddesden. The two sons of Mr. and Mrs. A.G. Gentle were employed together at Tonbridge, Kent, at the same calling in which their father is so well-known, and in May, 1915, they enlisted in the 12th Battalion King's Royal Rifles. The youngest son is at present ill in hospital. Last October their Battalion was sent to France, and Rifleman A.B. Gentle, the eldest son, aged 24 years, was afterwards attached to the Machine-gun Company. He was killed on the night of August 30th in a bombing raid at ---------" Note: Their father's calling was as a Gardener.

Cap badge of the King's Royal Rifle Corps in which Oliver Gentle served.

The 1914 15 Star (left) awarded to those who served in any theatre of war against Germany between 5th August 1914 and 31st December 1915, except those eligible for the 1914 Star. Those who were entitled to this medal were also entitled to the British War Medal (centre) and Allied Victory Medal (right).