The picture left is taken from an old postcard
Photograph below Copyright © Janet Graves 2004

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

[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. Son of Frank Campany of 30, Cambridge Gardens, Hastings, Sussex. Brother of W C E Campany not listed on memorial, see below. Buried Noyon New British Cemetery. Grave reference I.D.3.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

No further information currently available

Private G/14752, 6th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died of wounds 14th May 1917 in France & Flanders. Born Beckley, Sussex, enlisted and resident Hawkhurst.

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.

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.

No further information currently available

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. Grave reference II.A.4.

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.

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.

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.

No further information currently available

No further information currently available

No further information currently available

No further information currently available

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.

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.

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.

Corporal 21175, 4th Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Killed in action 13th April 1918 in France & Flanders. Born Hawkhurst, enlisted Ashford.

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.

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.

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.

No further information currently available

No further information currently available

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.

Lieutenant, No 5 Fighting School, Royal Air Force 9RAF). 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.

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.

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.

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.

No further information currently available

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.

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.

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.

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.

Private G/37790, 7th Battalion, Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Died of wounds 11th August 1917 in France & Flanders. Born and resident Hawkhurst, enlisted Canterbury.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

No further information currently available

No further information currently available

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.

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.

No further information currently available

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.

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.

No further information currently available

No further information currently

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.

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.

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.

No further information currently available

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

[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.

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.

[Listed as Walter Charles on SDGW] 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.

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.

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.

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.

No further information currently - there is no John ACRES listed on the CWGC but he is probably Barnard Henry John ACRES, 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.

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.

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.

No further information currently

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

No further information currently - cannot identify on CWGC

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

No further information currently - cannot identify on CWGC

No further information currently - cannot identify on CWGC

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.

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