Westley Green Development - Dry Street, Langdon Hills

The Redrow development at the east end of Dry Street is progressing well and a few new homeowners have already moved in. The Laindon and District Community Archive in conjunction with the Basildon Borough Heritage were asked if we could provide names of local people who had been killed in various conflicts. We have to date provided via the Council approximately twelve names of individuals from the Langdon Hills and Laindon area who lost their lives in the various conflicts since the 1st World War. The only exception so far is the naming of the road that runs into the estate – Dixon Road – named after Stephen Dixon from Vange who lost his life in the Battle of Goose Green, (Falklands War). Stephen is buried in the church yard at All Saints Vange.

The other roads named to date are Bebington Drive and Bebington Link after two brothers who were killed in the Second World War. John Harry (12 November 1941) and Ernest Egerton (16 March 1944) both were with the Royal Air Force volunteer reserve. John is commemorated on the Malta Memorial and Ernest is buried in Durnbach War Cemetery, Germany.  They were the sons of the Estate Agent in Langdon Hills, Harry Egerton Bebington.

The next three roads to be named will commemorate George Siggers, Royal Field Artillery died from wounds on 8 February 1917, he had been awarded the Military Medal. Reginald Hammond, Royal Fusiliers, killed in action on 10 August 1917. Both were residents of Langdon Hills and Frederick Parker, Royal Army Service Corps who was killed on ‘D Day’, 6 June 1944, resident of Laindon.

We have just supplied several more names to the Council and Developers ‘Redrow’ but they would like us to try and trace their descendants to let them know what is planned. If you believe you have any knowledge of the descendants in respect of the following please let us know.

Ernest Arthur Surgeon (Vange) – Royal Army Medical Corps. Killed 23 August 1914 – Believed to be the first man killed from the Borough.

Edwin William Cottis – Army Service Corps – Killed 28 March 1918

Cecil James Cottis – 4th Battalion, Essex Regiment – Killed 18 September 1918

John their brother owned the bakery in Langdon Hills, the family also had a baker’s shop in Laindon.

Harold Robert Clayton – Lancashire Fusiliers – Killed 4 June 1915 in Turkey – Mention in Despatches – he was the brother of Rev. Clayton of St Mary’s, Langdon Hills.

George Robert Jay (Langdon Hills) – Machine Gun Corps – Killed 22 April 1917.

Walter Arthur Jay (Langdon Hills) – Grenadier Guards – Killed 13 April 1918.