Roger Roser

Roger was born in the Cuckfield district towards the end of 1918, the second son of Bertram J and Ethel Roser, nee Miles. Bertie had fought in WW1 and been disabled by a bullet wound.

Roger Roser

The Roser family home was in North Street. Bertie was born there, however he and Ethel were living at Tanners House, Green Wall in 1939. They had returned to North Street by January 1940. Bertie had worked as a steel joist cutter at the Phoenix iron works and Roger, his brother Herbert and younger brother Raymond, followed him to work there after leaving Pells school. Roger was a popular player in the Phoenix football team, and a member of the Lewes British Legion. He had joined the TA in early 1939.

Roger was called up at the start of the war and joined the Royal Engineers, numbered 2072748. His previous experience in the TA enabled him to rise to the rank of Lance Corporal while in action in France.

He was discharged from the army in May 1942 and returned to work at the foundry. At this stage it is not known why he was discharged but TB is a possibility as this was the cause of his death in December 1943. His health had remained relatively good until September 1943 but took a rapid turn for the worse in November. He died at home on 18/12/1943.
Although the Roser’s lived in St John’s parish, they attended Eastgate Baptist church. Bertie’s funeral was held there in June 1943, and Roger’s on 23/12/1943. Roger was interred in the Lewes cemetery in section J grave 34.

Roger is listed on the CWGC website, but as a Baptist, he is not listed on the St John sub Castro Memorial. He is also not listed on the Lewes War Memorial.