REMEMBERED WITH HONOUR:

Ploegsteert Memorial, Berks Cemetery Extension Ploegsteert, Arrondissement de Mouscron, Hainaut, Belgium. Panel 7L.

The Royal Berkshire were an infantry regiment, Private 14011 Alan Hutchings was assigned to the 2nd Battalion. On 5th November 1914 the 2nd battalion were mobilised for war and landed at Le Havre to engage in various actions on the Western Front. 2nd Battalion were part of 8th Division, III Corps First Army. On 25th September 1915 the aim was for 8th Division to capture about 1200 yards of the German front line, south and east of Bois-Grenier. The attack began at 6.00am with 2nd Royal Berks attacking through the centre, 2nd Rifle Brigade on the right, 2nd Lincolnshire Regiment on the left and 1st Royal Irish Rifles in support. Both flanking groups made good ground and captured both the front line and support trenches. However, 2nd Royal Berkshire in the centre found a stronger defence and were not able to capture all the trenches allocated to them, leaving a sector still in German hands. This allowed the Germans to bring up reinforcements to counter-attack and, running out of bombs, the British positions, taking many casualties, retreated by mid-afternoon. Unfortunately Private Alan Hutchings and another 2nd battalion soldier from Steventon, Private Frederick Dearlove were both killed in action that day, along with almost 1,400 allied troops. Frederick was aged 20 and Alan just 18.

Alan’s older brother George also served in WW1 (40745 Sergeant George Hutchings, Royal Garrison Artillery). Unfortunately, George died, shortly after Armistice, 16/12/1918 whilst in service in Charleroi, Belgium.

Both Alan and George appear on the Steventon War Memorial, although their surname is spelt Hutchins – incorrectly, without a ‘g’.

Alan (sometimes Allan)’s birth name is Prior, but Alan’s father (Ambrose) took, and used, the surname Hutchings (his mother's maiden name). Even though Ambrose started to use the surname Hutchings in 1871 (Electoral Roll), the Prior family name in Steventon goes all the way back to 1817. Ambrose and Ellen first lived at Milton Lane, after their wedding in 1885. Alan was the 5th child out of 9 - 4 brothers, 2 sisters (2 siblings died young). After a brief spell at the farm cottages in Hanney Road (1911 Census), in 1912/13 23 The Green became the long-term family home. Continuing there until at least 1945 when Ellen died. This is supported by the fact that Ellen is listed as Widow at this address in the 1939 Register, living with her daughter and son in law. Since 1900, Alan, his siblings and his parents only ever appear on any Census as Prior, but all Steventon Electoral rolls as Hutchings.

For some additional information regarding this soldier. Please click here