Letter: Long Serving Soldier’s Final Resting Place Discovered

Published on: 6 Jan, 2017
Updated on: 6 Jan, 2017

Pte Frederick ‘Chuck’ Sheffield, Queen’s Regiment, taken from a Pathe newsreel about him.

Following on from my letter: Anyone Out There Related To Stoughton Barracks Soldier ‘Chuck’ Sheffield? I am able to report success in locating Chuck’s final resting place at last.

His funeral service took place on the 8th May 1964 at Emmanuel Church, Stoughton, as I have previously reported.

Following the service, a private cremation took place at Woking Crematorium on Hermitage Road (Guildford’s own crematorium hadn’t been built then).

Chuck’s ashes were scattered a few days later, within the grounds of the crematorium, near what was known as the Russell Willow Tree, on the west side of the Lake Garden. The tree itself has now gone, having fallen victim to the ravages of time and the Lake Garden is now known as the Tennyson Lake Garden.

I must confess to being a little disappointed that Chuck has no grave and headstone as a memorial, but I plan to pop over to Woking Crematorium in the next few days to “say hello”.

Once again, my thanks to The Guildford Dragon for helping me in my search for Chuck, along with all the people who contacted me in response to my letter to The Surrey Advertiser a few weeks back.

Responses to Letter: Long Serving Soldier’s Final Resting Place Discovered

Dave Middleton Reply

January 6, 2017 at 4:07 pm

I visited Woking Crematorium’s Memorial Grounds today to pay my respects to Chuck.

It is a surprisingly peaceful place, considering how busy it is with current day cremations taking place throughout the day and it’s location next to a busy road.

The gardens are well kept and there is a lovely lake with a simple fountain. The lake was home to a large grey heron, keeping a beady eye on the comings and goings.

Although there is no memorial plaque to Chuck, I did have the feeling that I was in the right place.

Rest in peace Chuck: loyal soldier of the King.