World War 1

The First World War dramatically changed the Epsom Cluster.

Horton Asylum was converted into a military hospital and tens of thousands of servicemen passed through it. Other institutions on the estate were also affected by wartime and post-war military medical care.

But this can create a misleading impression about Horton Cemetery.

It was not principally a military cemetery.

Serving personnel who died while receiving military treatment were generally buried elsewhere. Epsom Cemetery in Ashley Road contained the principal local military burial area, while other servicemen were claimed by relatives or buried in other places.

There is, however, an extraordinary exception.

Private Peter McMahon, who died on 1 December 1918, is buried at Horton Cemetery and recognised by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

McMahon died at Long Grove rather than Horton War Hospital.

Why he was buried among the patients at Horton Cemetery rather than receiving a military burial elsewhere remains unknown.