
HAWKHURST
WAR MEMORIAL
World War 1 - Roll of Honour
with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Transcribed Janet Graves
Researched Martin Edwards, David
Hughes and Neil Clark 2004
Hawkhurst
is close to the border with East Sussex. This memorial is placed near
the crossroads in the centre of the village. It is a large and impressive
monument which has recently undergone a complete restoration in association
with the Friends of War Memorials. It would appear that the original
list of names for World War 1 did not include Handscombe, Lavender,
Rich and Thirkell. These were apparently added at a later date.
|
The
picture (above) is taken from an old postcard
Photograph below Copyright © Janet Graves 2004 |
|
HAWKHURST
WAR MEMORIAL
1914 - 1918
ERECTED IN SACRED
MEMORY OF OUR FALLEN
HEROES WHO GAVE THEIR
LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY.
GLORY TO GOD IN THE
HIGHEST AND ON EARTH
PEACE AND GOOD WILL
TOWARD MEN.
GEO. REX 1921.
BATT |
Norman |
Private
G/24923, 3rd/4th Battalion, Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment).
Killed in action 5th January 1918 in France & Flanders. Born,
resident and enlisted Hawkhurst. Formerly 241908, East Kent Regiment.
Son of Charles and Eliza Batt of Great Nix Hall, Hawkhurst, Kent.
Buried Heudicourt Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Grave reference
F.7. |
BRIDGLAND |
Charles |
Lance
Corporal G/24276, 6th Battalion, Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment).
Died of wounds 10th August 1918 in France & Flanders. Born,
resident and enlisted Hawkhurst. Formerly 2626, East Kent Regiment.
Buried Ville-Sur-Ancre Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Grave
reference A.13. |
BULL |
Thomas
[Huam] |
Guardsman
22149, 4th Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Kil;led in action at home?
10th February 1915. Born Fairlight Hastings, Sussex, enlisted Ashford,
Kent. Son of Mr J.H Bull of Sempstead, Ewhurst, Sussex. Buried Caterham
and Warlingham Burial Ground, Caterham, Surrey. Grave reference
D.29.
This
man was probably serving at the Guards Depot at Caterham when he
died. Guardsman 18541 George Lancelot RAWLINSON of the 4th Battalion,
Grenadier Guards died the same day as Thomas. He was buried in the
Middlesborough (Linthorpe) Cemetery. They may have lost their lives
together in the same incident. |
BURT |
Frederick
George |
Private
SD/1839, 11th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Killed in action
31st May 1918 with British Expeditionary Force aged 40 years. Born
Bulverhythe (St Leonards), Sussex, enlisted Hastings. Son of Mr
Burt of St Leonard’s- On- Sea, Sussex. Buried Etaples Military
Cemetery, Etaples, France. Grave reference LXV.E.24. |
BURT |
Robert
Charles |
Gunner
70700, Royal Garrison Artillery. Died 23rd September 1916 in France
& Flanders. Born Benenden, enlisted Hawkhurst. Buried Dantzig
Alley British Cemetery. Mametz, France. Grave reference VII.F.1.
|
CAMPANY |
Frederick |
[Spelt
COMPANY on SDGW] Private G/2479, 7th Battalion, Buff's (East Kent
Regiment). Died 11th March 1918 in France & Flanders. Born,
resident and enlisted Hawkhurst. Buried Noyon New British Cemetery.
Grave reference I. D. 3. |
CATT |
George
Godfrey |
Lance
Corporal G/2824, 6th Battalion, Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment).
Killed in action 3rd July 1916 in France & Flanders aged 23
years. Born, resident and enlisted Hawkhurst. Son of George and
Annie Catt of 3, Grove Terrace, Highgate, Hawkhurst, Kent. Buried
Ovillers Military Cemetery, Ovillers, France. Grave reference VII.E.10.
|
COLLINS |
Spencer
Arthur |
Private
G/1381, 2nd Battalion, Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action
3rd May 1915 in France & Flanders, aged 25 years. Born, resident
and enlisted Hawkhurst. Son of Henry and Charlotte Collins of, Fowlers
Park Gardens, Hawkhurst, Kent. Spencer has no known grave. His name
appears on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Leper, Belgium. Panel
reference 12 and 14. |
CHAPMAN |
Frank |
Private
76181, Tank Corps. Died 2nd November 1918 in France & Flanders.
Born Hawkhurst, enlisted Hastings. Formerly 2112, Royal Sussex Regiment.
Husband of D.R Meade (Fomerly Chapman) of 2, Station Cottages, Hawkhurst,
Kent. Buried St Pol British Cemetery, St Pol-Sur-Ternoise, France.
Grave reference III.C.2. |
COLVIN |
Daniel |
Private
G/4574, 2nd Battalion, Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died of wounds
3rd April 1915 in France & Flanders, aged 18 years. Born Birkenhead,
Cheshire, enlisted Canterbury, resident Hawkhurst. Son of Daniel
Colvin of Parknook Cottage, Tenterden, Kent. Daniel has no known
grave. His name appears on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Leper,
Belgium. Panel reference 12 and 14.
The
Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives –
Sandrock,
Hawkhurst
Private
204593 James COLVIN. South Staffordshire Regiment.
Private G/4436 William COLVIN. 7th Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
|
COOPER |
Frank |
Private
G/1867, 7th Battalion, Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died of wounds
5th December 1917 in France & Flanders. Born Udimore, Rye, Sussex,
enlisted and resident Hawkhurst. Buried Porte-De-Paris Cemetery,
Cambrai, France. Grave reference II.A.12. |
COURT |
Frederick
Thomas |
Private
24270. 8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment).
Killed in action 23rd July 1916 in France & Flanders aged 39
years. Born and resident Hawkhurst, enlisted Ashford. Son of William
and Jane Court of Bridge House, Park Road, Walmer, Kent. Frederick
has no known grave. His name appears on the Thiepval Memorial, The
Somme, France. Panel reference 8C, 9A, 16A. |
COX |
Robert
Spencer |
Lance
Corporal 444366, 42nd Division, Signal Company, Royal Engineers.
Killed in action 10th January 1918 in France & Flanders aged
40 years. Born West Creeting, Suffolk, enlisted Manchester, resident
Hawkhurst. Husband of Caroline Sophia Cox of 21, Sandrock Villas,
Hawkhurst, Kent. Buried Gorre British and Indian Cemetery. Grave
reference V.B.7. |
DIBLEY |
Charles |
Private
L/10550, 1st Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment).
Died 24th July 1915 in France & Flanders aged 19 years. Born
Lamberhurst, enlisted Maidstone, Hawkhurst. Son of Mrs A.S Goings
(formerly Dibley) of Vale Road, Hawkhurst, Kent. Buried locally
in the Hawkhurst (St Laurence) Churchyard, Hawkhurst, Kent. Grave
reference – South-West part, South of path. |
EAST |
John
Wilfred |
Rifleman
3655, 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own). Killed
in action 10th March 1915 in France & Flanders aged 26 years.
Born Swanley, enlisted and resident Hawkhurst. Son of Herbert and
Ellen East of 3, Norman Villas, Station Road, Hawkhurst, Kent. John
has no known grave. His name appears on the Le Touret Memorial,
France. Panel reference – 44. |
EDWARDS |
Herbert |
Private
G/11887, 8th Battalion, Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Died
of wounds 1st September 1916 in France & Flanders. Born Hawkhurst,
resident and enlisted Chatham. Buried Dernancourt Communal Cemetery
Extension, France. Grave reference II.D.2. |
EDWARDS |
Thomas
[Charles] |
Private
36287, 10th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. Killed
in action 16th July 1918. Aged 31. Born Westbourne Grove, London,
enlisted Maidstone, Kent. Son of Thomas John and Ellen Edwards;
husband of Beatrice Edwards, of 5, Malling Rd., Snodland, Kent.
Native of Hawkhurst, Kent. Formerly 314102, Army Service Corps.
Buried in Bienvillers Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.
Plot XVIII. Row C. Grave 8. |
FAULTY |
Edward |
Private
G/14752, 6th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment).
Died of wounds 14th May 1917 in France & Flanders. Aged 31.
Born Beckley, Sussex, enlisted and resident Hawkhurst. Son of Mr.
and Mrs. J. Fautly, of Nightingale Cottage, Conghurst Rd., Hawkhurst,
Kent. Buried in Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, Pas de Calais,
France. Plot IV. Row G. Grave 6. |
FISHER |
Albert
[Lawrence] |
Leading
Seaman SS/81, Royal Mount Naval Barracks, Royal Navy (RN). Died
16th March 1921 aged 36 years. Albert died of T.B (Phthisis). Born
Folkestone 10th August 1884. Buried 19th March 1921 at Willesborough
Cemetery, Willesborough, Ashford, Kent. Grave reference –
Q 631. Herbert died at 74 Albemarle Road, Willesborough, Ashford,
Kent. Formerly residing (1918) at 55 Hunter Road, Willesborough,
Ashford with a Private 243652 Richard Kemp Barnard (5th West Surrey’s).
Before
the outbreak of war Albert was employed as a Plumbers Mate and Postman.
He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 2nd October 1903 and served on
H.M.S Andromeda and H.M.S Achilles. He completed his contract and
retired on 9th October 1908. On the outbreak of war Herbert re-enlisted
and was sent to H.M.S Pembroke in Chatham to assist with training
new sailors. He remained there from late 1914 to 31st December 1918.
Albert’s
death certificate reference is – EAST ASHFORD/BRA16/313. It
is recorded on Albert’s death certificate that before the
outbreak of war Albert was working in Ashford as a Postman.
Herbert’s
death is NOT recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
because he died after he had been discharged from the navy. In any
event the war had ended in Europe over two years previous. At the
time of his death he was registered as a Naval Pensioner.
His
Brother-in-Law Frank H Newton was present at the time of Albert’s
death.
Herbert
is also commemorated on the Willesborough War Memorial as H FISHER.
It appears that he must have called himself Herbert when in fact
his birth name was Albert. |
FOSTER |
Bertram |
Private
G/43611, 23rd Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment).
Killed in action 31st July 1917 in France & Flanders aged 22
years. Born Hawkhurst, enlisted Hornsey, resident Sevenoaks. Son
of William and Sarah Jane Foster of Ellenden, Hawkhurst, Kent. Bertram
has no known grave. His name appears on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial,
Leper, Belgium. Panel reference 49 and 51. |
GIBSON |
Charles |
Sapper
140193, No. 4 Depot Comapny, E. Training Centre, Deganwy, Royal
Engineers. Died in Brompton Hospital 31 March 1917. Aged 25. Born
Nonnington. Attested 11 November 1915 in Croydon, aged 24 years
8 months, a Carpenter by trade, married, Height 5 feet 7¾
inches. chest 33½. sallow complexion, dark eyes, black
hair. Husband of Bessiem Gibson (nee Frooke), married 29 October
1915 in Croydon Registry Office, resident "Gillolea",
Gills Green. Hawkhurst, Kent. Discharged 8 February 1916 at Llandudno,
E. Wales, aged 24 years 8 months, having suffered from Pulmonary
& Larynegeal Tuberculosis, under Paragraph
392 King's Regulations (iii) Not likely to become an efficient
soldier (cc) Recruits with more than three months service considered
unfit for further military service. Isssued Silver War Badge no.
119505. Possible referral to a TB sanatorium in Surrey but this
has not been confirmed. Intended place of residence Priors Farm,
Billinghurst, Sussex. Buried in St. Laurence's Churchyard, Hawhurst,
Kent. Unmarked grave.

|
GOLDING |
Frederick |
Lance
Corporal G/8089, 9th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died 18th
April 1916 aged 22 years. Born Flimwell. Enlisted Cranbrook. Son
of Mrs. C.W Golding of The Mount, Flimwell, Sussex. Husband of Isabel
Jefferis (formerly Golding) of 10, Lomax Buildings, Bradshaw Gate,
Bolton. Buried Ration Farm (La Plus Douve) Annexe, France. Plot
II. Row A. Grave 4. |
GOSCHEN |
[The
Hon.] George Joachim |
Second
Lieutenant, 5th (The Weald of Kent) Battalion (Territorial), Buffs
(East Kent Regiment). Died of wounds 19th January 1916, aged 22
years. Son of Colonel George Joachim (2nd Vicount) Goschen and Evelyn
Goschen of Seacox Heath, Hawkhurst, Kent. Buried Amara War Cemetery,
Amara, Iraq. Grave reference I. B. 16.
George’s
father commanded the 4th Volunteer Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent
Regiment) during the Great War. This battalion was rather like the
Home Guard during the 2nd World War. Do not confuse this volunteer
battalion with the 2nd and 3rd line Buffs territorial’s (2/4th
and 2/5th). Both George Joachim Goschen and his father were well
known in the Ashford area and their names often appeared in the
Kentish Express Newspaper. A rather posh family. Had George survived
then he would probably have become the 3rd Vicount Goschen. |
GUNTHER |
Charles
Emil |
Lieutenant
2nd Life Guards attached Guards Machine Gun Regiment. Killed in
action 24th September 1918 aged 28 years. Son of Charles Eugene
and Leonie Gunther of 59, Princess Gate, South Kensington, London.
Brother of Norman below. Buried Chapelle British Cemetery, Holon,
France. Grave reference II. E. 15. |
GUNTHER,
MC |
Norman
Otto Fredick |
Second
Lieutenant, Royal East Kent Yeomanry. Killed in action 11th July
1917 aged 19 years. Son of Charles Eugene and Leonie Gunther of
59, Princess Gate, South Kensington, London. Brother of Charles
above. Norman has no known grave. His name appears on the Arras
Memorial, Arras, France. Panel reference – Bay 1.
Norman
was awarded the Military Cross (MC) for courage and for his leadership
skills.
This
is a bit of a mystery. The memorial lists Norman’s unit as
the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles. The REKMR was not in existance
in July 1917 it had already been re-designated as the 10th (Yeomanry)
Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Yet the Buffs Regimental
roll of honour does not list a GUNTHER as having been killed. Soldiers
Died Great War shows Norman as belonging to the East Kent Yeomanry
when he was killed as does the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
register. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission also gives the
additional information that Norman attended the 6th Buffs.
Closer
inspection of the Regimental history (Moody) pages 259/260 gives
the circumstances of Norman’s death - On the 1st July 1917
the 6th Buffs moved from Arras to the Wancourt Line mustering 33
officers and only 483 men. The battalion held positions near Long
Trench 1,200 yards south of Keeling Copse. On the 10th July the
battalion was ordered to raid enemy shell holes east of Tool Trench.
The attack commenced at 0500 hours. The history states that 2LT
Gunther was killed with 9 other men. Norman was in fact a 6th Buffs
man. He formerly served in the East Kent Yeomanry which had become
the 10th Buffs by the time he was killed. |
HANDSCOMBE |
Frederick |
Chief
Armourer 126108(PO), HMS President, Royal Navy. Died from disease
8th December 1917. Listed in the 1911 census is Frederick Handscombe
was aged 46, married for 17 years, a Retired Chief Armourer, Royal
Navy Electrical Engineer, born Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire 19th
June 1865, resident Tongswood Power House, Hawkhurst. Mentioned
in Despatches (MiD). At the time of his death his wife, Emma Jane,
was listed as living at 39, Parkhurst Rd, Holloway. N.7. Buried
in Cheshunt Burial Ground, Bury Green, Hertfordshire. Grave reference
13. EG. |
HAINES |
H |
No
further information currently available. In the 1911 census Harold
Haines, was unmarried, aged 20, an Errand Boy, born hawkhurst, livign
with his brother at 1 Western Terrace, Hawkhurst. |
HARVEY |
L |
No
further information currently available |
HEMSLEY |
F
C |
No
further information currently available |
HEMSLEY |
Robert |
Private
G/7693, 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died 28th April 1918.
Born Brighton. Enlisted Brighton. Buried Valenciennes (St Roch)
Communal Cemetery. Grave reference V.B.10. |
HICKMOTT |
George |
Private
G/1925, 7th Battalion, Buffs East Kent Regiment). Killed in action
31st January 1916 in France & Flanders. Born, resident and enlisted
Hawkhurst. Buried Becourt Military Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt, France.
Grave reference I.D.14. |
HOADLEY |
Newton
Cecil |
Private
60421, 22nd (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers.
Died 14th April 1918 aged 22 years. Born Ticehurst, Sussex. Enlisted
Tenterden. Resided Hawkhurst. Son of James and Rachel Hoadley of
Monkery Farm, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent. Newton has no known grave.
His name appears on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Comines, Belgium.
Panel reference 2. |
KEMP,
MM |
Charles
William |
Corporal
21175, No 3 Company, 4th Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Killed in
action 13th April 1918 in France & Flanders. Aged 25. Born Hawkhurst,
enlisted Ashford. Son of Solomon and Harriett Kemp, of Lillesden
Cottages, Hawkhurst, Kent. Awarded the Military Medal (M.M.). Kemp
has no known grave. His name appears on the Ploegsteert Memorial,
Comines, Belgium. Panel reference 1. |
KEMP |
Edmund
David |
Private
3621, 16th Lancers (The Queen's). Killed in action 6th September
1914 in France & Flanders, aged 21 years. Born, resident and
enlisted Hawkhurst. Son of George Thomas and Harriett Kemp of Ashfield
Cottage, Hawkhurst, Kent. Charles has no known grave. His name appears
on the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial. |
KEMP |
Sidney
John |
Private
43011, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). Killed in action 24th March
1917 in France & Flanders, aged 18 years. Born Horsemonden,
enlisted Cranbrook, resident Hawkhurst. Son of Mr H.J and Mrs A
Kemp of 7, Sandrock Villas, Hawkhurst, Kent. Buried Pond Farm Cemetery.
Grave reference L.9. |
KEMPTON |
Charles
Edward |
Corporal
T/1015, 5th Battalion, Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action
7th January 1916 with M.E.F., aged 22 years. Born Tooting, Surrey,
enlisted Hawkhurst, resident Godalming, Surrey. Son of Mr. J.C Kempton
and Mrs. K.E Kempton of 22, George Road, Farncombe, Godalming, Surrey.
Buried Amara War Cemetery, Amara, Iraq. Grave reference XXXI.C.9.
|
LAVENDER |
Horace |
Private
T/243429, 1st/5th Battalion, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
attached to 12th Brigade, Small Arms Ammunition Column. Died 24th
November 1918. Aged 23. Son of the late Mrs. Mary Lavender. Born
Hawkhurst, Kent. Buried in Kut War Cemetery, Iraq. Section E. Grave
17. |
LILEY |
H
D |
No
further information currently available |
LOYD |
Arthur
T |
Private
8853, 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Died 16th June 1915
aged 36 years Born Stratford, London. Enlisted Stratford, London.
Son of John and Arthur Ann Loyd of 8, Cottage Steet, Stafford. Arthur
has no known grave. His name appears on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial,
Leper, Belgium. Panel reference 8 and 12. |
MARCHANT |
Clarence
Henry |
Lieutenant,
No 5 Fighting School, Royal Air Force (RAF). Died 3rd March 1919
aged 25 years. Son of Mr. W.W and Mrs. E Marchant of Tickners, Hawkhurst,
Kent. Buried in the Cairo War Cemetery, Cairo, Egypt. Grave reference
Q.277.
It
is recorded that Clarence was awarded the Croix de Guerre with palms
by the French Government. |
MARCHANT |
Frank |
Private
7101, "A" Squadron, 7th Dragoon Guards (Princess Royal).
Died of wounds 3rd December 1916 in France & Flanders, aged
29 years. Born and enlisted Hawkhurst. Son of John and Harriet Marchant
of Hawkhurst, Kent. Buried Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport,
France. Grave reference I. L. 11. |
MENNIE |
Alexander |
Private
21712, 1st Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regiment).
Killed in action 27th May 1918 in FRance & Flanders. Born Dilminy,
Scotland, enlisted and resident Hawkhurst. Alexander has no known
grave. His name appears on the Soissons Memorial, France. |
NOAKES |
George
Henry |
Private
G/7136, 3rd Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment).
Killed in action 24th May 1915 in France & Flanders. Born Robertsbridge,
Sussex, enlisted Guildford, Surrey, resident Hawkhurst. George has
no known grave. His name appears on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial,
Leper, Belgium. Panel reference 49 and 51. |
NOAKES |
J |
No
further information currently available |
OSBORNE,
MM |
Walter
Jesse |
Sergeant
G/415, 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died of wounds 24th
November 1917 with British Expeditionary Force, aged 26 years. Born
Hawkhurst, enlisted Hastings. Awarded the Military Medal (M.M.).
Son of Walter Jesse and Emma Osborne of 5, Howe’s Cottages,
The Moor, Hawkhurst, Kent. Buried Tincourt New British Cemetery.
Grave reference II.G.13.
Walter
was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. |
PAGE |
William |
Private
59245, 25th Battalion (Tyneside Irish), Northumberland Fusiliers.
Killed in action 30th November 1917 in France & Flanders. Born
Hawkhurst, enlisted Guildford. Formerly 01374, Army Ordnance Corps.
Buried Heninel Communal Cemetery Extension. Grave reference F.8.
|
PIPER |
Ernest
George |
Private
G/15659, "C" Company, 7th Battalion, Buffs (East Kent
Regiment). Killed in action 3rd May 1917 in France & Flanders,
aged 20 years. Born Staplehurst, Kent, enlisted and resident Hawkhurst.
Son of Alfred and Emily Piper of Castle Eden, 167, Osborne Road,
Brighton, Sussex. George has no known grave. His name appears on
the Arras Memorial, Arras, France. Panel reference – Bay 2.
|
PLAYFORD,
DSM |
Albert |
Chief
Petty Officer (RFR/CH/B/5432) 202189 Albert PLAYFORD D.S.M. H.M.S
Pembroke, Naval Barracks, Chatham, Kent. Died 20th April 1919 aged
36 years. Son of John and Sarah Ann Playford. Husband of Ellen Sarah
Playford of 1, Mount Pleasant, Hawkhurst, Kent. Buried locally in
the Hawkhurst (St Lauwrence) Churchyard, Hawkhurst, Kent. Grave
reference – North West part on North boundary.
Albert
was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) for bravery during
the landing of the Army Army om the Gallipoli Peninsula 25th-26th
April, 1915 which was reported on in the London Gazette 16 August,
1915 pp8125-9. The award was announced in the London Gazette of
the same day p8132. |
PLAYFORD |
Edward |
Private
G/37790, 7th Battalion, Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Died
of wounds 11th August 1917 in France & Flanders. Aged 33. Born
and resident Hawkhurst, enlisted Canterbury. Son of William John
and Sarah Ann Playford; husband of Florence Mabel Playford, of Front
Rd., The Moor, Hawkhurst, Kent. Buried in Mendinghem Military Cemetery,
West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot IV. Row E. Grave 3. |
POTTER |
Charles
Albert |
Private
T/202484, 4th Battalion, Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died at sea
4th May 1917 on M.V “Transylvania”. Born and resident
Hawkhurst, enlisted Canterbury. Charles has no known grave. His
name appears on the Savona Memorial, Italy.
Charles
was tragically lost at sea when the hired transport ship the “Transylvania”
was sunk by German U Boat (U63) attack off Cape Vado two and a half
miles south of Savona. The ship went down with the loss of more
than 400 lives. The bodies that were recovered were buried in a
special plot in the town of Savona. The Savona Memorial commemorates
the names of 275 men whose bodies were never recovered. It not known
how Charles came to be on this transport ship because the ship was
being used to supply and reinforce British troops serving in Salonika,
Greece. The 4th Buffs never served in Salonika but the 2nd Buffs
did. Perhaps Charles was on his way to join the 2nd Buffs. He never
made it. |
REEVES |
John |
Private
9304, 1st Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company (HAC). Died 29th
January 1917 aged 22 years. Son of John and Fanny Reeves of Highgate
Bakery, Hawkhurst, Kent. Buried Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, France.
Grave reference Div 3. E. 18. |
RELF |
Charles |
Bombardier
70433, Royal Artillery. Died of wounds 31st July 1916 in France
& Flanders, aged 19 years. Born Hawkhurst, enlisted Hastings.
Sussex. Son of Richard and Louisa Relf of East View, The Moor, Hawkhurst,
Kent. Buried Dive Copse British Cemetery. Grave reference II.B.46.
|
RELF |
L
Frank |
Private
T/240764, 7th Battalion, Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action
23rd October 1918 in France & Flanders. Born and resident Hawkhurst,
enlisted Cranbrook. Frank has no known grave. His name appears on
the Vis-En- Artois Memorial, France. Panel reference 3. |
RELF |
Robert |
Sergeant
SD/1152, 11th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Killed in action
4th June 1916 with British Expeditionary Force. Born Hawkhurst,
enlisted Hastings. Buried Cambrin Churchyard Extension, Cambrin,
France. Grave reference N.51. |
RELF |
W |
No
further information currently available |
RICH |
Frank
[Alfred] |
Rifleman
R/50081, 16th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps. Killed in action
12th October 1918. Aged 19. Born Keston, enlisted Hawkhurst, resident
Tunbridge Wells. Son of Richard Frank and Ellen Harriett Rich, of
Great Lodge) North Farm, Tunbridge Wells. Formerly TR/13/58586,
20th Training Battalion. Buried in Montay-Neuvilly Road Cemetery,
Montay. Nord, France. Plot II. Row F. Grave 13, |
RICHARDS |
John |
Private
G/13430, 6th Battalion, Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action
9th April 1917 in France & Flanders, aged 19 years. Born Hurst
Green, Astings, enlisted and resident Hastings, Sussex. Son of John
and Ellen Richards of 1, North Grove, Highgate, Hawkhurst, Kent.
Buried Faubourg D’Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France. Grave reference
VII.G.51. |
ROSS-THOMPSON |
Alexander |
Lieutenant,
Royal Scots Fusiliers. Killed in action 30th November 1914, aged
23 years. Son of Frederick and Ellen Mary Ross-Thompson of Hensill,
Hawkhurst, Kent. Alexander has no known grave. His name appears
on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Leper, Belgium. Panel reference
19 and 33. |
SMITH |
Thomas |
Private
265085, 10th (R. East Kent and West Kent Yeomanry) Battalion, The
Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 21st February 1919. Aged 36. Husband
of Ada Minnie Smith, of 5, School Terrace, Hawkhurst. According
to the 1911 he had been married for 4 years, was aged 29, born Hawkhurst,
a Bricklayer by trade, living with his wife and one son at 5 School
Terrace, Hawkhurst. Buried in the South-West part, South of the
path, in St Laurence Churchyard, Hawkhurst, Kent. |
STANBRIDGE |
Percival
William |
Rifleman
374789, 8th (City of London) Battalion (Post Office Rifles), London
Regiment. Killed in action 10th December 1917 in France & Flanders,
aged 19 years. Born Maidstone, enlisted Hawkhurst. Son of Percival
and Harriet Alice Stanbridge of Pipsden, Hawkhurst, Kent. Percival
has no known grave. His name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Panel reference 150 to 151. |
STICKLAND |
Frederick |
Lance
Corporal G/21401, 12th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. Died 26th
September 1916 aged 22 years. Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted Mill Hill,
Middlesex. Resided Paddington, London. Son of Frederick George and
Casandra Mary Stickland of 192, Portnall Road, Paddington, London.
Buried Bray Vale British Cemetery, Bray-Sur-Somme, France. Grave
reference IV.A.16. |
SUTER |
Douglas
[Charles] |
Able
Seaman J/20108, H.M.S. Queen Marry, Royal Navy. Killed or died as
a direct result of enemy action 31st May 1916. Aged 19. Born 21st
December 1896 in Havant, hamsphire. Son of Joseph Charles and Fanny
Georgina Suter, of Hawkhurst, Kent. His aunt Susianna Peter of Wiesteria,
Stein Road, Soputhbourne, near Emsworth, was notofied of his death.
No known grave. Commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire.
Panel 13.
Note:
HMS Queen Mary was the last battlecruiser built by the Royal Navy
before World War I. The sole member of her class, Queen Mary shared
many features with the Lion-class battlecruisers, including her
eight 13.5-inch (343 mm) guns and participated in the largest
fleet action of the war, the Battle of Jutland in mid-1916. She
was hit twice by the German battlecruiser Derfflinger during the
early part of the battle and her magazines exploded shortly afterwards,
sinking the ship.
|
THIRKELL |
Ernest
Arthur |
Shoeing
Smith 120752, 19th Squadron, Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry). Died 26th
January 1919. Aged 26. Son of A. A. and Ellen Thirkell, of Elm Hill
Farm, Hawkhurst, Kent. Buried in Kantara War Memorial Cemetery,
Egypt. Section E. Grave 282. |
THOMPSON |
Harold |
Lance
Sergeant G/50521, 4th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex
Regiment). Died 16th August 1917 in France & Flanders. Born
and resident Hawkhurst, enlisted Hove. Buried Harlebeke New British
Cemetery. Grave reference II. D. 2. |
TITLEY |
John |
Lance
Sergeant 3/10736, "D" Company, 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire
Regiment. Killed in action 27th September 1915 in France & Flanders,
aged 28 years. Born Hawkhurst, enlisted Little Bowden, Leicestershire.
Son of Mrs Brockway of Mount Pleasant, The Moor, Hawkhurst, Kent.
John has no known grave. His name appears on the Loos Memorial,
Loos, France. Panel reference 91 to 93. |
UPTON |
John
[Edward] |
Private
6725, 14th (London Scottish) Battalion, London Regiment. Died 9th
September 1916. Son of Stephen Upton of Field Green Cottage, Sandhurst,
Kent. John has no known grave. His name appears on the Thiepval
Memorial, The Somme, France. Panel reference 9C.13C. |
UPTON |
W |
No
further information currently available |
VENESS |
James |
Private
G/1380, 2nd Battalion, Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action
3rd May 1915 in France & Flanders, aged 36 years. Born Penshurst
near Battle, Sussex, enlisted and resident Hawkhurst. Son of John
and Sarah Veness of Hawkhurst, Kent. James has no known grave. His
name appears on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Leper, Belgium.
Panel reference 12 and 14. |
WEEKS |
Charles
E |
Acting
Bombardier 77767, 459th Howitzer Battery, Royal Field Artillery
(RFA). Died of wounds 5th January 1916 in France & Flanders,
aged 22 years. Born Tinterden, enlisted Hawkhurst. Son of George
and Emma Weeks of 104, Chaucer Road, Gillingham, Kent. Buried Maple
Leaf Cemetery. Grave reference G.4. |
WELLER |
Henry |
Private
G/41517, 18th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment).
Died of wounds 1st October 1917 in France & Flanders, aged 31
years. Born and resident Hawkhurst, enlisted Ashford. Formerly 3794,
East kent Regiment. Son of M Weller of Gun Green, Hawkhurst, Kent.
Buried Longuenesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, France. Grave reference
IV.E.18. |
WENHAM |
[Edgar]
Franl |
Rifleman
A/1265, 7th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps. Killed in action
15th October 1917 in France & Flanders, aged 23 years. Born
Hawkhurst, enlisted London, resident Tooting, Surrey. Son of John
and Anne Wenham. Edgar has no known grave. His name appears on the
Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium. Panel reference 115 to 119
and 162A,163A. |
WENMAN |
Albert
Henry |
Private
G/8118, 6th Battalion, Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action
3rd July 1916 in France & Flanders, aged 35 years. Born Hawkhurst,
enlisted London, resident Shepherd's Bush, Middlesex. Husband of
Alice Mary Wenham of 3, Brooklyn Road, Shepherds Bush, London. Buried
Ovillers Military Cemetery, Ovillers, France. Grave reference IX.M.10.
|
WENMAN |
Herbert |
[Listed
on CWGC as H WENMAN] Private G/4129, 8th Battalion, Buffs (East
Kent Regiment). Died of wounds 24th April 1916 in France & Flanders.
Born, resident and enlisted Hawkhurst. Buried Bailleul Communal
Cemetery Extension (Nord), France. Grave reference II. D. 164. |
WICKENS |
Herbert
Henry |
Corporal
G/1868, 7th Battalion, Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action
13th July 1916 in France & Flanders. Born, resident and enlisted
Hawkhurst. Buried London Cemetery and Extension, Longueval, France.
Grave reference 4. G .25. |
WICKENS |
Charles
Walter |
[Listed
as Walter Charles on SDGW and CWGC] Gunner 58360, 107th Battery,
23rd Brigade, Royal Artillery (RA). Killed in action 12th July 1916
in France & Flanders, aged 38 years. Born Cranbrook, enlisted
Hawkhurst. Son of John and Ellen Wickens of Hawkhurst, Kent. Buried
Carnoy Military Cemetery, Carnoy, France. Grave reference O.21.
This
man’s name appears both as W.C and C.W Wickens.
|
WILLARD |
Richard |
Private
52632, 32nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment).
Killed in action 22nd September 1917 in France & Flanders. Born
and resident Sandhurst, enlisted Hawkhurst. Formerly SPTS/5309,
Royal Fusiliers. Son of Richard and Mary Willard of Alms Houses,
Bodiam, Hawkhurst, Kent. Husband of Annie Elizabeth Willard of Knells
Cottage, Paddock Wood, Kent. Richard has no known grave. His name
appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium. Panel reference
28.30.162.162A.163A. |
WRATTEN |
Albert
Gibbens |
Private
G/22813, 6th Battalion, Queen's (Royal West Kent Regiment). Killed
in action 24th November 1917 in France & Flanders. Born Romney
Marsh, enlisted Canterbury, resident Hawkhurst. Formerly 21218,
East Kent Regiment. Albert has no known grave. His name appears
on the Cambrai Memorial, Cambrai, France. Panel reference 3. |
LOST
MEN NOT APPEARING ON MEMORIAL |
BALCOMBE |
Walter
George |
Private
L/10562, 1st Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment).
Died 22nd July 1916. Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted Cranbrook. Buried
Caterpiller Valey Cemetery, Longueval, The Somme, France. Grave
reference IX.G.10. |
CAMPANY |
William
Charles Ernest |
Private
L/9556, “A” Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died
25th September 1915 aged 23 years. Son of Frank Campany of 30, Cambridge
Gardens, Hastings, Sussex. Brother of F Campany listed above. Buried
St Mary’s A.D.S Cemetery, Haisnes, France. Grave reference V.C.18. |
COLEY |
George |
Private
T/240055, 5th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Thursday
15th February 1917 aged 27 years. Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted Rolvenden.
Son of George and Harriet Coley. Buried in the Amara War Cemetery,
Amara, Iraq. Grave reference XXI.M.1.
The
day that George was killed the 5th battalion attacked the Turks
at Kut. This was a major planned engagement and The Buffs were to
be the lead attacking formation. The attack was a outright success
and the battalion took almost 1,000 Turkish prisoners. Second Lieutenant
Brooke and a further 12 men were killed including George. |
DUNDAS |
Roy
Stuart |
Drummer
9622, 7th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 18th November
1916 aged 19 years. Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted Woolwich, London. Resided
Plumstead, London. Son of J.H and A.E Dundas of 26, Manthorp Road,
Plumstead, London. Buried Stump Road Cemetery, Grandcourt, France.
Grave reference C.48. |
ELDRIDGE |
Ernest |
Private
14026, 1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. Attached Labour Corps.
Formerly (12219 Reserve Cavalry Regiment. Died 5th November 1918
aged 33 years. Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted Hammersmith, London. Husband
of J Eldridge of 22, Alexander Road, Bedford Park, Chiswick, London.
Buried Brookwood Cemetery, Brookwood, Surrey. Grave reference XIII.A.1.
|
GOODSELL |
Cecil |
Rifleman
C/4677, King’s Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC). Died 5th or 6th July 1916.
Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted St Swithins Lane, Middlesex. Resided Wrotham
Heath, Kent. Buried Le Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L’Avoue,
France. Grave reference III. J. 15. |
GOODSELL |
Jesse |
Private
G/24638, 7th Battalion, The Queen’s (Royal West Kent Regiment).
Formerly (19562) East Surrey Regiment. Died 23rd March 1918. Born
Hawkhurst. Enlisted Tonbridge. Resided Hadlow, Kent. Jesse has no
known grave. His name appears on the Pozieres Memorial, The Somme,
France. Panel reference 14 and 15. |
HARDY |
Charles |
Private
G/472, 6th Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died
14th October 1915. Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted Bromley. Charles has
no known grave. His name appears on the Loos Memorial, Loos, France.
Panel reference 95-97. |
LINDRIDGE |
Victor
William |
Private
5087, 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards. Died 29th January 1917 aged
31 years. Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted Guildford, Surrey. Resided Horsell,
Surrey. Buried Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte, France. Grave reference
II.M.34. |
LUCK |
John
Ernest |
Private
L/10227, 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died 25th September
1915 aged 22 years. Son of Harriett Luck of Flimwell, Hawkhurst,
Kent. Buried Dud Corner Cemetery, Loos, France. Grave reference
V.G.19. |
MANN |
Henry
(Harry) |
Private
1539, “C” Squadron, West Kent Yeomanry (Queen’s Own). Died 30th
November 1916. Enlisted Maidstone. Resided Hawkhurst. Buried locally
in the Sandhurst Cross (St Nicholas) Churchyard, Sandhurst, Kent.
Grave reference – North West of Church.
It
seems odd that this man should have been left off the Hawkhurst
war memorial taking into account that he was living in Hawkhurst
at the time of his death. |
MARCHANT |
Arthur |
Private
10729, 8th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Died 12th October 1917.
Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted Chichester, Sussex. Resided St Leonards-on-Sea,
Sussex. Son of Mrs. E Marchant of Rose Lodge Cottage, Silverhill
Park, St-Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex. Buried Cement House Cemetery.
Grave reference VII.C.20. |
MARTIN |
Thomas
Jesse |
Private
G/231, 6th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 6th September
1916 aged 30 years. Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided
Canterbury. Son of Mary Jane Honeysett of Henden Farm, Chart Sutton,
Maidstone, Kent. Thomas has no known grave. His name appears on
the Arras Memorial, Arras, France. Panel reference – Bay 2. |
MILLS |
Herbert |
Sapper
2021, 1/3rd Field Company, Royal Engineers (RE). H.M.S HYTHE, Royal
Navy. Died at sea 28th October 1915. Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted Gillingham.
Resided Tunbridge Wells. Brother in Law of M.M Hollands of 30, Woodland
Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Herbert has no known grave. His name
appears on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey. Panel reference
– 23.24.25.325-328.
Herbert
was drowned at sea off the cost of Galliploi Turkey.
HMS
Hythe was a paddle driven cross channel ferry of 509 tons built
in 1905 and owned by the South Eastern and Chatham Railway Company
(SE&CR). The ship operated on the Dover-Calais route until it was
requisitioned by the government in 1914. It was quickly converted
into a Screw Minesweeper and was based at Scapa Flow in Scotland.
In 1915 the ship was sent to the Dardanelles to work on troop movements
from Mudros Bay to the Gallipoli Peninsular in Turkey. At about
1600 hours on 28th October 1915 the Hythe was in collision with
the SS Sarnia, another converted ferry but much larger than the
Hythe. The Hythe quickly sank with the loss of 108 men most of whom
were from Kent. Nearly all these men were from the Tonbridge and
Tunbridge Wells area of Kent and were serving in the 1/3rd Kent
Field Company, Royal Engineers.
It
is recorded that men of the 1/3rd Kent Field Company, Royal Engineers
(RE) were on board when the Hythe went down. This company was commanded
by Captain Reggie Salomons. Men from the 1/2nd Kent Field Company
Royal Engineers were nearby on another transport ship – Redbreast.
|
NEAL |
George |
Private
56368, 17th Battalion, Essex Regiment. Died 3rd October 1918. Born
Hawkhurst. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Hawkhurst. Buried locally
in the Kilndown (Christchurch) Churchyard, Kilndown, Kilndown, Kent.
Grave reference – South part. |
OLIVER |
Stanley |
Sapper
541143, 495th Field Company, Royal Engineers (RE). Died 9th December
1917 aged 22 years. Born Wadhurst, Sussex. Enlisted Gillingham.
Resided Hawkhurst. Son of George and Frances Oliver of Sunnybank,
Flimwell, Hawkhurst, Kent. Buried Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel. Grave
reference J.7. |
PAVEY |
Phillip
Arthur Joseph Marchant |
Gunner
102286, No 1 Depot, Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA). Died 7th November
1916 aged 39 years. Buried locally in the Rotherfield Burial Ground,
Battle, Sussex. Grave reference 354. |
PIERCE |
James |
Private
T/240268, 5th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 15th
February 1917. Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted Cranbrook. Resided Ashford.
Buried in the Amara War Cemetery, Amara, Iraq. Grave reference XXI.L.16.
|
PIERCE |
Percy
[Thomas] |
Private
4812, 8th Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died
3rd February 1918. Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted Hastings, Sussex. Resided
Lamberden, Newenden, Kent. Buried Hargicourt British Cemetery, France.
Grave reference I.I.14.
Percy’s
name appears on the Newenden Civic War Memorial. That memorial was
in an appaling condition in 2004 when all names were almost unreadable.
|
POILE |
George |
Private
87344, 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Died 29th September 1918.
Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted London. Resided London. Buried Unicorn
Cemetery, Vend’huile, France. Grave reference II.B.18. |
RELF |
Henry |
Private
G/5695, 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died 25th July 1917
aged 41 years. Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted Eastbourne, Sussex. Husband
of Florence R.H Relf of 8, Fairlight Road, Eastbourne, Sussex. Henry
has no known grave. His name appears on the Arras Memorial, Arras,
France. Panel reference – Bay 6. |
RYAN |
Thomas |
Private
11484, 6th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 7th August
1918 aged 34 years. Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted Dover. Resided Folkestone.
Son of Mary Ryan of 55, Bridge Street, Folkestone, Kent. Husband
of Josephine Ryan of 9, Kenny’s Cottages, Sweetmans Avenue, Blackrock,
Dublin, Ireland. Buried Pernois British Cemetery, Halloy-Les-Pernoise,
France. Grave reference III.C.16. |
STICKLAND |
Frederick |
Lance
Corporal G/21401, 12th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. Died 26th
September 1916. Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted Mill Hill, Middlesex. Resided
Paddington, London.
This
man is listed in Soldiers Died Great War as being Killed in Action.
Despite this his name doesn’t appear on the CWGC indexes. |
WALKER |
Lionel
Bertram |
Lance
Sergeant 1666, 22nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Died 17th February
1917. Lionel has no known grave. Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted Worthing,
Sussex. Resided Ewhurst, Sussex. His name appears on the Thiepval
Memorial, The Somme, France. Panel reference 8C.9A.16A. |
WELLER |
Charles
Leonard |
Private
G/2129, 6th Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died
9th April 1917. Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted Tunbridge Wells. Resided
Wadhurst. Charles has no known grave. His name appears on the Arras
Memorial, Arras, France. Panel reference – Bay 7. |
WENHAM |
Francis
Henry |
Private
L/8122, 6th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 13th
October 1915. Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted Benenden. Resided Goudhurst.
Francis has no known grave. His name appears on the Loos Memorial,
Loos, France. Panel reference 15 to 19. |
WILLARD |
Jesse |
Private
G/308, 6th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 16th
July 1916 aged 20 years. Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted Shepherdswell,
Kent. Resided Marden, Kent. Son of Frederick and Harriet Willard
of Myrtle Villa, Goudhurst Road, Marden, Kent. Buried Etaples Military
Cemetery, Etaples, France. Grave reference XIV.A.2A. |
WOLFE |
Douglas
Robert |
Private
15876, “D” Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment. Died
5th March 1917 aged 23 years. Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted Wokingham,
Berkshire. Resided Bracknell, Berkshire. Son of Robert and Mary
Ann Wolfe of 3, Bramshot Avenue, Charlton, London. Douglas has no
known grave. His name appears on the Thiepval Memorial, The Somme,
France. Panel reference 11D. |
1939-1945
Additional
information supplied by William Farmer
|
ACRES |
Barnard
Henry John |
Private 6401272, 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died 18th
May 1940. Aged 20. Son of Walter and Rosa Acres, of Wallcrouch,
Sussex. Born and resident Kent. Buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery
Extension, Somme, France. Plot 9. Row D. Grave 1.
Extract
from the B.B.C. People's War web site:
Around
14;00 hrs on the 18th May, the train carrying the 7th bn RSR stopped
at St Roche station, a mile outside of Amiens which was unfortunate
as it coincided with a severe air raid on Amiens by the germans,
german bomber pilots had always troop trains as priority targets
and consequently the Stuka J.J,87s bombed the train. The number
of casualties, including 8 officers killed, was 80. Although the
remainder of the 7th bn suffered very heavy losses about 4 days
later.
|
ASHDOWN |
Stuart
[Horace] |
Leading
Stoker C/KX 83393, H.M.S. Sphinx, Royal Navy. Lost at sea 4th February
1940. Aged 24. Son of Horace James and Caroline Louisa Ashdown.
No known grave. Commemorated on Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent. Panel
38, Column 1.
Note:
At about 0800 on 3rd February 1940, HM Ships SPHINX, Speedwell and
Skipjack commenced sweeping north of Kinnaird Head. At 0912 a bomb
struck the SPHINX forward. It went through the back of the T.S.
, through the front of the bridge, through the forecastle deck and
burst on the Mess Deck. The explosion folded the forecastle back
on to the bridge and badly crippled the whole fore end of the ship.
The Captain (Taylor) was killed outright on the bridge. Attempts
were made to tow the ship. At about 0430 on 4th February a large
wave struck the ship forward and the ship immediately capsized.
Five officers and forty nine ratings were killed.
From
a report off the sinking by the senior surviving officer Sub Lt
Bellars. Amongst the ratings he considered worthy of special mention,
Was Stuard Ashdown:
Leading
Stoker Ashdown worked down in the boiler room from when we were
struck by the bomb untill ordered to evacuate the boiler room. He
would not hear of being relieved, but worked continuosly on the
pumps to save the ship, He was a source of great encouragement to
those with him. |
ASHENDEN |
Spencer
[Charles] |
Serjeant
6464470, 1st Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died 22nd July
1941. Aged 28. Son of Thomas and Ellen Amelia Ashenden; husband
of Helen Rita Ashenden, of Lowestoft, Suffolk. Buried in Asmara
War Cemetery, Eritrea. Plot 2. Row E. Grave 4.
Note:
The 1st Bn RSR were part of the Indian 4th division that took
part in the EAST AFRICAN CAMPAIGN, from Jan - Nov 1941. Various
records show that with the campaign being virtualy over by April,
the Indian 4th division was returned to Egypt in that month, and
indeed by Oct/Nov the 1st Bn RSR were taking caualties in Libya.
It would seem that by being buried at ASMARA, Spencer must have
been left behind, sick or wounded to succumb, in July.
|
BARTON |
George
[Frederick Thomas] |
[Transcribed
as George I BARTON] Gunner 1748708, 15 Battery, 6 Heay A.A. Regiment,
Royal Artillery. Died as a Japanese prisoner of War from Malaria
and beri-Beri 13 January 1945. Aged 34. Born Heathfield, Sussex,
resident Hawkhurst, Kent. Son of George and Lily Barton; husband
of Doris May Barton, of Hurst, Berkshire. No known grave. Commemorated
at SINGAPORE MEMORIAL, Kranji War Cemetery, Singpaore. Column
13.
Note:
The 15th Battery 6 Heavy A.A. sailed from the Clyde between the
9th and 14th November 1941, bound for the Middle East, but because
of the Japaness threat to Malaya were diverted to the Singapore.
The 6 Heavy A.A. Royal Artillery whose equipment had gone to the
Middle East, had to be re-equipped from local stores. On the 30th
of January 1942 6 Heavy A.A. were moved to Southern Surmatra,
and later to Java, where after a hopeless fight, the 15 Battery,
along with all other British and Dutch units, laid down their
arms on or about 9th March 1942. After capture, most Royal Artillery
men were taken to the vicinity of Batavia now Jakarta, to await
shipment to anywhere in the Far East where the Japanese required
slave-labour. George must have been sent, perhaps via Singapore,
to Borneo as his name appears on Anthea Becketts, Java Index as
died 13 January 1945, at Labuan, Borneo. Any one who has read
or heard of conditions in Japannese P.O.W. camps, heavy labour,
starvation rations, and sadistic treatment from their guards,
will know just how much poor George and his mates must have suffered.
|
BISHOP |
Edward
Laurence |
Flight
Sergeant (Navigator/Wireless Operator) 544381, 264 Squadron, Royal
Air Force. Died 18th July 1944. Aged 26. Son of Edward John and
Emily Gertrude Bishop, of Hawkhurst. His brother Robert John (below)
also died on service. Buried in St. Laurence Churchyard, Hawkhurst.
Row 4. Grave 40.
Note:
In July 1944 264 Squadron were flying de Havilland Mosquito XIII's
from RAF Hartford Bridge, also called Blackbushe, situated 10 miles
South East of Reading in Hampshire. In 1944 the Squadron was re-equipped
with the newer Mosquito XIII and returned to defensive roles. In
June it carried out patrols over the Normandy beaches until it returned
to night-patrols from western England in the western approaches.
As the Allied forces advanced the squadron became part of the 2nd
Tactical Air Force providing night patrols. |
BISHOP |
Robert
[John] |
Able
Seaman C/SSX 18831, H.M.S. Naiad, Royal Navy. Lost at sea 22nd May
1941. Aged 21. Son of Edward John and Emily Gertrude Bishop, of
Hawkhurst, Kent; brother of Edward Laurence (above). No known grave.
Commemorated on Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent. Panel 42, Column 1.
Note:
HMS Naiad was a Dido-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy. She
was built by Hawthorn Leslie and Company (Hebburn-on-Tyne, UK),
with the keel being laid down on 26 August 1937. She was launched
on 3rd February 1939, and commissioned 24th July 1940. On 11th March
1942, HMS Naiad was sunk by the German submarine U-565 south of
Crete. 77 of her complement were lost including Robert Bishop. |
BROWN |
Kenneth
Reginald McLeod |
Flight
Sergeant 527561, 220 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Died 4th October
1941. Aged 24. Son of Harry Reginald and Gertrude Irene Brown; husband
of Yvonne Warneford Brown, of Edgware, Middlesex. No known grave.
Commemorated on Runnymede Memorial, Surrey. Panel 35.
Note:
During the build-up to the Second World War, No. 220 Squadron reformed
at RAF Bircham Newton in 1936 as a reconnaissance squadron flying
Ansons. With the outbreak of war it flew patrols from RAF Thornaby
as part of No. 18 Group, transitioning to Hudsons in November; it
flew anti-shipping missions with these in the North Sea from May
1940 onwards. In April 1941, still in the anti-shipping role, it
moved to RAF Wick to fly strikes against Norwegian coastal traffic,
and began to operate the Fortress in November. In February 1942
it moved to RAF Nutts Corner under No. 15 Group, then to RAF Ballykelly
in June; in March 1943 it transferred to RAF Benbecula in the Outer
Hebrides. Detachments operated from RAF Bircham Newton, RAF St Eval
and RAF Detling in 1940, and from RAF Shallufa in Egypt in early
1942.
In
October 1943 the squadron was moved to RAF Lagens, in the Azores
Islands, where it came under No. 247 Group and, in December 1944,
was re-equipped with Liberators. From 1943 until the end of the
war the squadron flew anti-submarine patrols across the South Atlantic.
In
June 1945 the squadron returned to the UK as part of Transport Command,
and flew troop flights to India from October 1945 to April 1946.
After this final service, the squadron was disbanded in May 1946.
|
CLOKE |
Stuart
Henry |
Lieutenant
316071, General List. Died 1st April 1945. Aged 41. Son of Thomas
Henry and Elizabeth Cloke; husband of Grace Emily Lillian Cloke,
of Hawkhurst, Kent. Buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Kleve,
Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. Plot 53. Row D. Grave 2. |
COCHRANE,
MC |
James
Owen |
Major
63524, 127 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died 13th February 1943.
Aged 28. Son of Rear-Admiral Sir Edward Owen Cochrane, K.B.E., and
Lady Cochrane, of Hawkhurst, Kent. Awarded the Military Cross (M.C.).
No known grave. Commemorated on Alamein Memorial, Egypt. Column
31. |
COLEY |
Charles
William |
Gunner
1646085, 240 Battery, 77 Heavy A.A. Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died
24th June 1944. Aged 38. No known grave. Commemorated on Singapore
Memorial, Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore. Column 15.

|
DAVIS |
Thomas |
No
further information currently - cannot identify on CWGC |
DAVIS |
Kenneth
John |
Sub-Lieutenant
(A), H.M.S. Stalker, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Died 30th July
1945. Buried in Trincomalee War Cemetery, Sri Lanka. Plot 1. Row
B. Grave 2. |
DAVIES |
Theophilus |
Flight
Sergeant (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) 1392612, 38 Squadron, Rouyal
Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 9th June 1945. Aged 21. Son of
Helen Davies, of Hawkhurst, Kent. Buried in Ancona War Cemetery,
Italy. Plot IV. Row M. Grave 4.
Note:
No. 38 Squadron was one of the few RAF squadrons to use the Vickers
Wellington from the beginning to the end of the Second World War.
In January 1945 the squadron, based at Luqa, converted to the Wellington
XIV and returned to anti-shipping duties, attacking Axis shipping
off the coast of northern Italy from then until the end of the war.
|
DICK |
Douglas
[Otter] |
Captain
179461, 57 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died 22nd November 1943.
Aged 23. Son of Brigadier-General Robert Nicholas Dick, C.M.G.,
D.S.O., and Mary Dorothea Dick, of Hawkhurst, Kent. B.A. (Oxon).
Scholar of Wellington College, and of Trinity College, Oxford. Buried
in Sangro River War cemetery, Italy. Plot IX. Row C. Grave 14. |
ENSOR |
Martin
Howard |
Captain
77894, 1st Battalion, Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment. Died
29th April 1943. Aged 23. Son of Major-General H. Ensor, C.B., C.M.G.,
C.B.E., D.S.O., M.B., and of Gladys Marian Ensor, of Hawkhurst,
Kent. Buried in Massicault War Cemetery, Tunisia. Plot II. Row G.
Grave 14. |
GIBBS |
Basil
[Ivan] |
Able
Seaman C/JX 159228, H.M.S. Pembroke, Royal Navy. Died 9th November
1944. Aged 22. Son of Kathleen M. Gibbs, of Hawkhurst, Kent. No
known grave. Commemorated on Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent. Panel
75, Column 2.
Note:
HMS Pembroke was a shore-based naval facility, headquarters of the
Royal Navy Patrol Service. When war broke out in 1939 a vast number
of fishing trawlers were requisitioned, converted and given the
name RNPS. Their home base was at Lowestoft on an estate originally
owned by the Marchioness of Salisbury and given the name of Pembroke
X. The task of the trawlers was mainly minesweeping and protection
of coastal convoys. Armed only with small calibre guns they nevertheless
fought U-boats and dive bombers, swept channel ports and harbours
and acted as anti-submarine escort vessels. In September, 1939 a
total of one hundred Patrol Service trawlers were actually in commission.
By 1945, some 70,000 officers and men had served on the trawlers.
By D-Day 1944, a total of 947 such vessels were operating in home
waters and 547 in other theatres overseas. Around 260 of RNPS vessels
were lost by various means during WWII. On October 7th 1953, a memorial
was unveiled on the site of Pembroke X in remembrance of the 2,385
men of the Royal Navy Patrol Service who gave their lives in defence
of their country and whose bodies were never recovered. They have
no grave but the sea. |
MARRS,
D F C, Mentioned in Despatches |
Eric
Simcox |
Flying
Officer (Pilot) 33572, 152 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Died 24th
July 1941. Aged 20. Son of Maj. Robert Marrs, C.M.G., C.I.E., and
of Annie Margaret Florence Marrs (nee Simcox), of Hawkhurst, Kent.
Buried in Brest (Kerfautras) Cemetery, Finistere, France. Plot 40.
Row 2. Grave 13.
Note:
152 Squadron re-formed at Acklington with Gladiators and became
operational on 6th November 1939. The Squadron converted to Spitfires
and throughout the Battle of Britain, No 152 defended southern England
sector which included Portland naval base.
During
1942 it operated around the Mediterranean, taking part in Operation
Torch, and also operated from bases in Malta and Sicily during the
invasions of Sicily and Italy.
152
Squadron moved to Burma on 19 December 1943 and joined the RAF Third
Tactical Air Force (TAF). During the Battle of Imphal, the squadron
operated from front-line strips and supported the Fourteenth Army
during its final conquest of Burma. It was disbanded on 10 March
1946 in Singapore to where it had moved after the Japanese surrender. |
MUIR |
Kenneth
[William] Angus |
Flying
Officer (Pilot), 101 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Died 4th May 1944. Aged 22. Son of William Angus and Clara A. Muir;
stepson of Nora Muir, of Whatlington, Sussex. Buried in Voue Churchyard,
Aube, France. Collective grave 2.
Note:
At the outbreak of the Second World War, No. 101 Squadron had just
be re-equipped with the Bristol Blenheim IV. Until the summer of
1940, No. 101 Squadron was a reserve squadron. It flew its first
Blenheim operation on 4 July 1940, and was occupied with the attack
on the German invasion fleet gathering the channel ports.
In
April 1941 the squadron began to transfer to the Vickers Wellington,
joining the main bomber force in June 1941. After just over a year
operating the Wellington, the squadron converted to the Avro Lancaster
I and III.
From
October 1943 it began to use ABC jamming equipment, while remaining
with the main bomber force. ABC, or Airborne Cigar was a system
designed to jam the radio frequencies used by the Germans to transmit
a running commentry on the night's events to their night fighters.
When equipped with the ABC equipment, No 101 Squadron Lancasters
carried an eighth German speaking crew men, whose role was to listen
in to the German radio transmissions and decide which ones to jam.
As a result of its extra role, No. 101 Squadron eventaully expanded
to contain 42 aircraft.
It
suffered exceptionally heavy casualties, losing 145 Lancasters on
operations, as German night fighters could detect the jamming transmissions.
Only three other squadrons lost most Lancasters than No 101. One
countermeasure was the early use of the Rose tail turret, with two
0.50in machine guns, introduced in May 1944, five months before
the turret was cleared for general use. Unusually for a squadron
involved in Electronic Counter Measures, No. 101 Squadron did not
join No 100 Group.
|
POPE |
Mark
[Henry Thomas] |
Private
6347250, 7th Battalion, Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment. Died
11th May 1943. Aged 24. Son of Mark Henry and Jane Pope, of Hawkhurst,
Kent. Alternative Commemoration - buried in Nowe Cemetery, Poland.
Commemorated on special memorial in Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery,
Poland. Plot VIII. Row C. Grave 1A.
Note:
Special memorials commemorate one casualty known to have been buried
in Czersk Prisoners of War Cemetery, 29 known to have been buried
at Szczypiorno Prisoners of War Cemetery and 18 known to have been
buried at Pila (formerly Schneidemuhl) Prisoners of War Cemetery,
all of whose graves could not be identified. The majority of the
283 Second World War burials in the cemetery are those of airmen,
many of whom died in bombing operations on Stettin (now Szeczin).
Also buried here are those involved in the mass escape from Stalag
Luft 3, Sagan (now Zagan), in March 1944, and others who died while
prisoners of war during the German occupation, at Stalag VIIIC,
Sagan, Stalag XXID at Poznan, Oflag XXIB (also known as Oflag 64)
and Stalag XXIB, both at Schubin (now Szubin). |
PORT |
Kenneth
[george] |
Sergeant
1280147, 92 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 2nd
October 1941. Aged 21. Son of George Henry and Elizabeth Mary Port,
of Hawkhurst, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on Runnymede Memorial,
Surrey. Panel 50.
Note:
92 Squadron was reformed at RAF Tangmere on 10th October 1939, the
unit was supposed to be equipped with medium bombers. Initially
it flew Bristol Blenheims but in early 1940 it became operational
on the Supermarine Spitfire, various marques of which it flew for
the rest of the War. 92 Squadron first saw action over the Dunkirk
evacuation beaches. During the latter stages of the Battle of Britain
92 Squadron flew from RAF Biggin Hill. The Squadron was the first
into action on September 15, 1940 now known as Battle of Britain
Day. |
READY |
[Charles]
Peter |
Flight
Lieutenant (Pilot) 124183, 103 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer
Reserve. Died 2nd December 1943. Aged 33. Son of Lt.-Col. Basil
Tobin Ready and Hilda Helen Ready, of Hawkhurst, Kent. Buried in
berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Berlin, Germany. Plot 4. Row C. Grave
20.
Note:
103 Squadron was reformed in 1936 at RAF Andover in Hampshire as
No. 103 (Bomber) Squadron, a light bomber Squadron flying Hawker
Hinds.[1] The Squadron was then posted to RAF Usworth in County
Durham. In 1937 103 Squadron was re-equipped with the more advanced
Fairey Battle bomber.
At
the outbreak of the Second World War the Squadron was deployed to
France as part of the RAF Advanced Air Striking Force. On the 10
May 1940 German forces invaded France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
The Squadron was heavily committed during this period sustaining
many losses. In mid June 1940 the Squadron withdrew from France
for RAF Abingdon in England.
103
Squadron was then transferred to RAF Newton near Nottingham and
reverted to the control of Royal Air Force No 1 Group Bomber Command.
In October 1940 it was re-equipped with Vickers Wellington bombers.
Operations were carried out with this type on targets on mainland
Europe. The Squadron moved in to the new airfield at RAF Elsham
Wolds in July 1941. In August 1942 the Wellingtons were replaced
by Handley Page Halifax bombers. These were in turn replaced in
late October 1942 by Avro Lancaster bombers which 103 Squadron flew
on many operations to Germany and occupied Europe for the rest of
the war. During the Second World War 103 Squadron flew over 6000
operational sorties at a high cost in both men and machines.
At
the conclusion of the Second World War the Squadron was disbanded.
|
SLATTER |
Alwyn
Francis |
Coder
P/JX 205610, H.M.S. Fiji, Royal Navy. Died 23rd May 1941. No known
grave. Commemorated on Portsmouth Naval memorial, Hampshire. Panel
53, Column 1.
Note:
HMS Fiji (pennant number 58) was a Crown Colony-class light cruiser
of the Royal Navy, named after the island group, and at that time,
the Crown colony of Fiji. She has been the only ship of the Royal
Navy to bear the name. Fiji was built by John Brown and launched
on 31 May 1939. She was the first of the Crown Colony class to enter
service, and the class is sometimes known as the Fiji class as a
consequence. She was commissioned on 5 May 1940, and initially joined
the Home Fleet. On 22 May 1941 she was acting in company with the
destroyers HMS Kandahar and HMS Kingston shortly after the loss
of HMS Gloucester. These ships fought on and shot down one attacker
and damaged two others. She finally expended all of her AA ammunition
fighting off numerous air attacks that persisted for two hours.
She was attacked and hit by several bombs from Messerschmitt Bf
109s before an aircraft of Jagdgeschwader 77 dropped a bomb close
alongside to port. This blew in Fiji’s bottom plates and caused
a list to port. Fiji lost power and came to a standstill. She was
now largely defenceless, having practically exhausted her 4 inch
ammunition. She was then hit by three bombs dropped by a Junkers
Ju 87. Captain William-Powlett gave the order to abandon ship and
at 20:15 Fiji rolled over and sank. The destroyers dropped floats
and withdrew to the south. They returned after dark to pick up 523
survivors. 241 men had gone down with the ship. |
WILLIAMS |
James |
No
further information currently - cannot identify on CWGC |
WILLIAMS |
Leslie |
No
further information currently - cannot identify on CWGC |
WINSER |
Trevor
[Ernest] |
Corporal
S/154859, Royal Army Service Corps. Died 7th December 1942. Aged
26. Son of Ernest and Louise Winser; husband of Joyce Winser, of
Tonbridge, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on Brookwood Memorial,
Surrey. Panel 16. Column 1. |
Last
updated
18 September, 2022
|