Roll of Honour - Kent

Ministry of Defence

Lest We Forget

The Royal British Legion

RAINHAM WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Transcribed David Hughes and Neil Clark 2006

The Rainham War Memorial stands in the High Street, Rainham, just outside the perimeter of St Margaret's Church. and is in the form of a Celtic style, Cornish granite, cross with aptterned relief on both the shaft and the cross of the memorial, the whole is mounted on a tapered plinth which has the names inscribed. The memorial rests on a stepped base. The memorial bears 99 names for World War 1. It was unveiled 12 December 1920 by Major General H F Thuiller, the builders were Messrs. Millen & Chrisfield and the site cost £520.

This cross was erected by the
inhabitants of Rainham in grateful
memory of the gallant men from
this parish who in the Great War
of 1914-1919 gave their lives
for their country

ANDERSON	Thos Henry	Lance Corporal 1021, 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Died 14th September 1914 aged 28 years. Born Chatham. Enlisted Chatham. Son of Thomas Henry and Sarah Jane Anderson of 9 High Street, Rainham, Kent. Holder of the Delhi Durbar Medal. Commemorated on the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, Seine-et-Marne, France.
ASHBY	John Albert George	Private 21670, 13th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Died 14th April 1917. Born Eastchurch. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Rainham. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.
BAKER	Bridges James	Private 435415, 50th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment). Died 15th February 1917 aged 41 years. Born Oare, Faversham, Kent 16th November 1875. Enlisted Calgary, Alberta, Canada 22nd June 1915. Son of Bridges and Caroline Baker of Rainham, Kent. Buried locally in Rainham (St Margaret) Churchyard.
BAKER, DCM	Frank	Company Sergeant Major L/8781, 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 15th September 1916. Born and resided Rainham. Enlisted Chatham.Frank’s death is not recorded on the CWGC indexes. This needs looking into and correcting because his name does appear in Soldiers Died Great War!
BAKER	James Robert	Gunner 115922, 157th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA). Died 21st July 1917. Born Rainham. Enlisted Holborn, London. Buried Kut War Cemetery, Iraq. Grave reference J.26.
BAKER	Percy George	Guardsman 16380, 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Died 24th May 1915. Born Rainham. Enlisted Chatham. Buried Chocques Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Grave reference I.C.63.
BARTLETT	Edward John	Sapper 24809, 42nd Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers (R.E). Died 19th March 1916. Age 23. Born Witney, Oxfordshire. Enlisted Chatham. Resided Lower Rainham. Son of John and Catherine Bartlett (nee Allen - married 1891 - John was a brewer's labourer in 1901) of Bloors Wharf Road, Lower Rainham, Kent. Brother of Frank (below). Buried Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France. Grave reference - II.B.6.
BARTLETT	Frank Allan	Bombadier 140423, 268th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Died 31st October 1918. Age 23. Born Bloxham, Oxfordshire. Enlisted Camberwell. Resided Peckham. Son of John and Catherine Bartlett (nee Allen - married 1891 - John was a brewer's labourer in 1901) of Bloors Wharf Road, Lower Rainham, Kent. Brother of E J (above). Buried Vichte Military Cemetery, Anzegem, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Grave reference - I.B.21.
BLACK	Ralph Edgar	Private 495226, 2nd/2nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) (Territorial). Died 17th May 1917. Age 20. Born Rainham. Enlisted Sittingbourne. Son of Alfred and Emily M. Black of 11 Hall Street, Colne, Lancashire. Buried Mory Abbey Military Cemetery, Mory, Pas de Calais, France. Grave reference - I.F.8.
BLACKMAN	Walter	Private G/20187, 16th (Sussex Yeomanry) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died 21st September 1918. Born Halling. Enlisted Gravesend. Commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel reference 6.
BOLTON	John	Guardsman 27328, 4th Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Died 12th October 1917. Born Thurnham. Enlisted Chatham. Commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium. Panel reference 9.
BOTTING	George	Private 19576, 12th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Died 16th September 1916. Born Rainham. Enlisted Maidstone. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.
BOWRA	Cecil Henry	Sergeant 36547, 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Formerly (3807) The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 25th April 1918. Age 20. Born Rainham. Enlisted Rainham. Son of Henry and Carrie Bowra of 162 Station Road, Rainham, Kent. Buried Morbecque British Cemetery, Nord, France. Grave reference - Plot I. Row D. Grave 5.
BURR	Sidney Fred	Guardsman 15348, 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Died 1st November 1914. Born Teynham. Enlisted Chatham. Commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, Belgium.
CARTER	Ernest George	Private CH/15997, Royal Marine Light Infantry. (RMR/B/1983). H.M.S. “Aboukir”. Died 22nd September 1914 aged 25 years. Husband of Rose Elizabeth Rickard (formerly Carter) of 186 Station Road, Rainham, Kent. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Chatham, Kent. Panel reference - 7.
CHAMBERS	Frederick Edwin	Private 58953, 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Died 4th November 1918. Age 19. Born Rainham. Enlisted Canterbury. Son of Robert and E.J. Chambers of Chapel Lane, Rainham, Kent. Buried Preux-Au-Bois Communal Cemetery, Nord, France. Grave A.21.
CHAMPION	Horace John	Private 5914, 7th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Died 6th August 1915. Age 19. Born Rainham. Enlisted Kingston, Surrey. Son of John and Charlotte Champion of Rainham, Kent. Buried La Treport Military Cemetery, Nord, France. Grave reference - Plot 1. Row G. Grave 2.
CHEAL	Frederick James	Stoker Petty Officer 286273, HMS “Bacchante”, Royal Navy (RN). Died 22nd February 1919. Age 38. Husband of Rose Anne Cheal of 49 Ivy Street, Rainham, Kent. Buried nearby in the Rainham parish churchyard, Rainham, Kent.
CHEESEMAN	Albert	Private 9950, 1st Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. Died 24th February 1915. Age 25. Born Rochester. Enlisted Chatham. Resided Lower Rainham. Son of William and Selina Cheeseman of Rainham, Kent. Commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, Belgium.
CHEESEMAN	William Frederick	Private TF/5819, 8th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. Died 15th September 1916. Age 24. Born Sittingbourne. Enlisted Sittingbourne. Resided Rainham. Son of W and E Cheeseman of Rainham, Kent. Buried Combles Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. Grave reference V.A.6.
CHITTENDEN	C A	No further in formation currently available
CLARKE	William Spooner	Chief Stoker 152417, H.M.S “Vanguard”, Royal Navy. (RFR/CH/A/1694). Died 9th July 1917. Husband of Amelia E.A. Clarke of 22 Tufton Road, Rainham, Kent. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Chatham, Kent. Panel reference - 23.
COE	Frank	Private F/2229, 23rd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. Died 10th October 1916. Age 26. Born Sittingbourne. Enlisted Aldershot, Hampshire. Resided Woolwich, London. Son of Henry Mark Coe and Elizabeth Geach (formerly Coe). Buried Warlencourt British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Grave reference - V.A.32.
COOK	Arthur Edward	Private S/10327, 2nd Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 28th September 1915. Age 18. Born Strood. Enlisted Chatham. Resided Gillingham. Son of Mr W and Mrs E Cook of 73 Gads Hill, Gillingham, Kent. Commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
COOMBER	Ernest Edward	Master at Arms 158275(CH), Royal Navy. RFR/CH/A/1694). H.M.S “Campania”. Died 28th May 1917. Buried Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery, Orkney. Grave reference D.15.H.M.S. Campania was the former Cunard ship “RMS Campania” which was converted for use as an early aircraft carrier. she sank in the Firth of Forth on 5th November 1918 after colliding with a battleship.
COPPIN	Albert	Private 2682, 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. Died 24th May 1915. Age 19. Born Brightlingsea, Essex. Enlisted Chatham. Son of Charles H and Sarah A Coppin of 53 William Street, Rainham, Kent. Commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, Belgium. Panel reference 33.
COUCHMAN	Edmund	Stoker 2nd Class K/23698, H.M.S. "Princess Irene", Royal Navy. Lost in "Princess Irene" she exploded and sank off Sheerness, Kent with the loss of 352 lives, 27 May 1915. Aged 20. Born 8 February 1895 in Sittingbourne, Kent. Son of William and Maria Couchman, of 69, William Stree5t, Rainham, Chatham. Before enlisting he was a General Labourer. Enlisted 17 December 1914 for 12 years, height 5 feet 4¼ inches, chest 35 inches, fair hair, blue eyes, fresh complexion. In the 1901 census he was aged 4, born Rainham, Kent, son of William and maria Couchman, resident Station Road, Rainham, Milton, Kent. In the 1911 census he was aged 16, born Rainham, Kent, a Farm Labourer, son of William and maria Couchman, resident 69 William Street, Rainham, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent. Panel 12.
CRAMP	Edwin George	Able Seaman J/1668, Royal Navy. H.M.S “Natal”. Died 30th December 1915 aged 24 years. Son of Robert Grambril and Annie Cramp of Lambeth, London. Husband of Ellen Frances Cramp of 14 Coopers Terrace, Rainham, Kent. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Chatham, Kent. Panel reference 9.
CROUCHER	Robert Gort	Private 613075, “A” Company, 19th Battalion, London Regiment. Formerly Private (4148) 2/4th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) Died 5th June 1917. Age 19. Born and resided Rainham. Enlisted Canterbury. Son of Mr and Mrs F Croucher of Rainham, Kent. Buried Woods Cemetery, Ieper, Belgium. Grave reference III.E.17.
CROUCHER	William	Private 42840, 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment. Formerly (10444) Bedfordshire Regiment. Died 26th April 1918. Born Rainham. Enlisted Herne Bay. Resided Rainham. Son of Mr W Croucher of the Bell Inn, Sutton Road, Maidstone, Kent. Buried Gentelles French Military Cemetery, France. Grave plot unknown - Special Memorial 8 in Hangard Communal Cemetery, Somme, France.
DANIELS	Sidney or Sydney	Gunner 755686, “Y” 50th Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Formerly Gunner (3007) Royal Field Artillery (R.F.A). Died 23rd August 1918. Born Rainham. Enlisted Hull. Son of Mrs Caroline Daniels of 5 St Johns Cottages, Earls Court, Gillingham, Kent. Buried Glageon Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France. Grave reference- I.N.14.
DAVISON	Edward Henry	Private G/20437, “A” Company, 1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. Died 26th April 1916. Age 19. Born Hartlip. Enlisted Chelsea, London. Son of Edward George and Eliza Kate Davison of 75 Ivy Street, Rainham, Kent. Buried Cambrin Churchyard Extension, Pas de Calais, France. Grave reference K.6.
DRAIN	Joe	Trooper 408, Household Battalion. Formerly (4207) 1st Life Guards. Died 25th December 1916 (Christmas Day) aged 23 years. Born Strood, Kent. Enlisted Leamington. Resided Gillingham. Son of David and Emma Drain of The Cricketers Inn, Layfield Road, Gillingham, Kent. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Panel reference -Pier and Face 1A.
EAMES	Sydney	Ordinary Seaman J/22307(CH), Royal Navy. H.M.S. “Erin”. Died 20th December 1915. Buried Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery, Orkney. Grave B.1.
EDWARDS	William John Thomas	Greaser, Mercantile Marine. H.M.H.T. Orsova (Glasgow). Died 14th March 1917. Age 33. Son of John and Alice Isabelle Edwards of 207 Station Road, Rainham, Kent. Commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
ENGLAND	Charles Henry	Leading Aircraftman 249558, Royal Air Force. H.M.S. Vindictive. Died 22nd July 1919. Age 19. Son of Mr C England of 91 Station Road, Rainham, Kent. Buried Koivisto General Cemetery and commemorated on the Archangel Memorial, Russian Federation. Panel reference 7.
EVERS	Andrew Douglas	Ship’s Chief Cook 354463, Royal Navy. H.M.S. Natal. Died 30 December 1915. Age 37. Son of James and Alice Evers of Kelvedon, Essex. Husband of Annie Butler (formerly Evers) of 56 Station Road, Rainham, Kent. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Chatham, Kent. Panel reference 12.
FINNES	Ernest	Lance Sergeant G/5521, 7th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 23rd March 1918. Age 33. Born Rainham. Enlisted Shepherds Bush, London. Resided Rainham. Son of Walter John and Lucy Finnes of Durland House, Rainham, Kent. Husband of Nellie Finnes of 149 Auckland Hill, West Norwood, London. Commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France. Panel reference 16.
FOSTER	William Henry	Stoker 2nd Class K/31505, Royal Navy. H.M.S. “Pembroke”. Died 28th March 1916. Age 26. Son of Mrs Ann Elizabeth Foster of 7 Gordon Terrace, East Rainham, Kent. Buried nearby in the Gillingham (Woodlands) Cemetery. Grave reference - Naval. 24. 1260.
FRENCH	Joseph Robert	Private CH/16365, Royal Marine Light Infantry. H.M.S. “Cressy”. Died 22nd September 1914. Age 31. Son of Joseph and Mary French of Portsmouth. Husband of Emma J.E. French of Lower Rainham, Kent. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Chatham, Kent. Panel reference 7.
GILBERT	William	Private T/4511, “D” Company, 4th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died India 23rd September 1916. Age 32. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Rainham. Son of William and Kate Gilbert of 27 Station Road, Rainham, Kent. Buried Ranikhet New Cemetery. Commemorated on the Madras 1914-1918 War Memorial, Chennai, India. Face 7.
GILES	George William	Private 63414, 20th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Died 29th October 1916. Born London. Enlisted and resided St Pancras, London. Brother of Mr E.H. Giles of Devonshire House, Newington, Kent. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.
GODDEN	Harold	Private S/9150, 1st Battalion, Queen`s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died 26th March 1915. Born Sittingbourne. Enlisted Chatham. Commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, Belgium.
GOLDSMITH	Frederick William	Shipwright 1st Class 91771, Royal Navy. H.M.S. “Wildfire”. Died 28th May 1920 aged 61 years. Husband of Sarah Goldsmith of 21 Junction Road, Gillingham, Kent. Buried nearby in the Sheerness (Isle of Sheppy) Cemetery, Kent. Grave reference EE.24.Frederick was probably a long serving sailor who possessed skills that were in demand during the war. This may explain how a man of 61 came to be serving in the colours.
GOODING	Ide	Gunner 122295, 256th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA). Formerly (1235) 2/1st (County of Kent), RGA. Died 3rd October 1917. Age 21. Born Rainham. Enlisted Rochester. Resided Rainham. Son of Herbert Ide Gooding and Amy Gooding of 59 Broad Walk, Rainham, Kent. Buried Buffs Road Cemetery, Ieper, Belgium. Grave reference E.6.
GOODWIN	Albert James	Seaman 9313.A.(CH), S.S. "Pomeranian.", Royal Naval Reserve. Lost with his ship when it was torpedoed by German U-boat UC-77 and sank 15 April 1918. Aged 25. Born 2 June 1892 in Lower Rainham. Husband of Maggie, of 106 McLellan Street, Glasgow. In the 1901 census he was aged 9, son of George and Frances Goodwin, a Scholar, born Rainham, resident Cottage Next Mariners, Lower Rainham, Rainham, Kent. No known grave. Chatham Naval Memorial, Chatham, Kent.
GOODWIN	John Rayner	Deck Hand 4477SD, Royal Naval Reserve. H.M. Trawler Burnley. Died 25th November 1916. Age 38. Son of George and Frances Goodwin of Lower Rainham, Kent; brother of Albert James (above). In the 1901 census he was aged 22, son of George and Frances Goodwin, a River Clay Digger, born Rainham, resident Cottage Next Mariners, Lower Rainham, Rainham, Kent. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Chatham, Kent. Panel reference 19.
GORE	Sidney George	Private G/2029, 8th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died 10th October 1918. Born Sittingbourne. Enlisted London. Buried Roisel Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. Grave reference I.A.17.
GREENHALGH	Harold Fifield	[Actual spelling is GREENHALCH on memorial] Second Lieutenant, Royal Army Ordnance Corps. Died 9th April 1918. Age 41. Son of John Greenhalgh of Preston. Husband of Mrs Annie Greenhalgh of “Templestowe” 141 Nelson Road, Gillingham, Kent. Buried Nine Elms British Cemetery, Poperinghe, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Grave reference X.A.3.Harold was the former Headmaster of Rainham Council School, Rainham, Kent.
HADLOW	Albert Bert	Gunner 63217, Clearing Office, Royal Garrison Artillery (R.G.A). Died 16th March 1918. Age 22. Son of George Thomas and Frances Mary Hadlow of Rainham, Kent. Buried locally in Rainham (St Margaret) Churchyard, Rainham, Kent.
HAIGH	George William	Electrical Artificer 3rd Class M/3964, Royal Navy. H.M.S. Natal. Died 30th December 1915. Age 25. Son of William and Florence Haigh (nee Flood) of 7 Glanville Road, Gillingham, Kent. Husband of Florence Haigh of 242 Station Road, Rainham, Kent. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Chatham, Kent. Panel reference 12.
HOLDSTOCK	Herbert Frederick Victor	Air Mechanic 3rd Class 199429, Royal Air Force. Number 1 Supply Depot, RAF. Died 21st February 1919. Buried nearby in Rainham (St Margaret) Churchyard, Rainham, Kent.
HOLDSTOCK	Laurence Samuel	Private L/10448, 6th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 7th April 1916. Age 18. Born Luton, Chatham. Enlisted Chatham. Resided Rainham. Son of Charles and Lavinia Holdstock of 41 Station Road, Rainham, Chatham, Kent. Commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
HOLLOWAY C	Thomas Charles	[Listed as C T HOLLWAY on memorial] Gunner 915536, “D” Battery, 336th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Died 1st July 1917. Age 24. Enlisted and resided Sittingbourne, Kent. Son of Joseph Thomas and Caroline Holloway of 78 High Street, Rainham, Kent. Buried nearby in the Rainham (St Margaret) Churchyard, Rainham, Kent.
HUBBARD	James William	Leading Seaman J/11372, Royal Navy. H.M.S. “Lark”. Died 16th February 1918. Age 22. Son of James William Hubbard of 252 Station Road, Rainham, Kent. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Chatham, Kent. Panel reference 28.
KEUTENIUS	James William	Leading Trimmer 3034ST, Royal Naval Reserve. H.M.P.M.S. “Ascot”. Died 10th November 1918. Age 34. Son of Edward and Jane Keutenius of 223 Station Road, Rainham, Kent. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Chatham, Kent. Panel reference - 31. H.M.P.M.S “Ascot” was a “Racecourse” Class Paddle Steamer Minesweeper which had the sad distinction of being the last RN vessel sunk by a U-boat in WW1. She was torpedoed off the Farn Islands.
KITNEY	Albert Charles Cyril	Rifleman R/8062, 8th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps ((K.R.R.C). Died 6th July 1915. Born Rainham. Enlisted Chatham. Resided Rainham. Son of Mrs Sarah Kitney of Pump Lane, Lower Rainham, Rainham, Kent. Buried St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France. Grave reference A.6.32.
LOCKYER	W C or W G?	No further information currently availablePossibly this man – Aircraft Mechanic 1st Class F/7129 Alfred George LOCKYER. Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). Died 14th April 1917. Buried Plaine French National Cemetery, France.
MARTIN	James Charles	Stoker 1st Class SS/104258, Royal Navy. (RFR/CH/B/8314) H.M.S “Derwent”. Died 2nd May 1917. Age 28. Son of Mr and Mrs R Martin of Rainham, Kent. Husband of Winifred L. Martin of Doves Corner, Tilmanstone, Eastry, Kent. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Chatham, Kent. Panel reference 24.
MATTOCKS	Thomas	Sergeant 682, 17th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Died 25th March 1918. Age 32. Son of G.T. Mattocks of Rainham, Kent. Commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 3.
MILLEN	Albert	Private G/21832, 10th Battalion, Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Formerly (24557) Northamptonshire Regiment. Died 24th February 1917. Born Broughton, Faversham. Enlisted Faversham.Another man recorded on Soldiers Died Great War (Killed in Action) who appears not to have been placed on the CWGC index!
NAYLOR	Maurice Edmund	Private T/241836, 5th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 24th July 1917. Age 25. Born Rainham. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Rainham. Son of Alfred John and Elizabeth Charlotte Naylor of 35 London Road, Rainham, Kent. Buried Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Iraq. Grave reference X.D.12.
NICHOLS	Harry	`[Spelt NICHOLLS in the parish registers] Stoker 1st Class K/30487, Royal Navy. H.M.S. “Pembroke”. Died 28th April 1917 aged 19 years at the Naval Hospital, Hull. Son of Mr and Mrs J Nichols of 73 Henry Street, Rainham, Kent. Buried nearby in the Rainham (St Margaret) Churchyard, Rainham, Kent.
NUTT	Henry William	Rifleman 10945, 2nd Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps (K.R.R.C). Died 9th May 1915. Age 19. Born Chatham. Enlisted Chatham. Resided Rainham. Son of Louis and H.A. Nutt of 7 Tufton Road, Rainham, Kent. Commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
ORCHARD	John	Petty Officer Stoker 170472, Royal Navy. H.M.S. “Princess Irene”. Died 27th May 1915. Age 49. Son of Joseph and Martha Orchard of Ladbury, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. Husband of Alice Orchard of 2 Percy Villas, Bredhurst Road, Rainham, Kent. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Chatham, Kent. Panel reference 11.
PACK	Sidney Robert	Private G/35535, 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 7th October 1918. Age 19 Born Rainham. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Rainham. Son of Leonard and Emma Pack of 5 High Dewar Road, Rainham, Kent. Buried Bellicourt British Cemetery, Aisne, France. Grave reference VI.P.4.
PAUL	Leonard	Farrier Sergeant 52089, 5th “C” Reserve Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Died 25th May 1918. Age 29. Son of Harry and Mary Martha Paul of “Myrtle Cottage,” Ivy Street, Rainham, Kent. Buried nearby in the Rainham (St Margaret) Churchyard, Rainham, Kent.
PAYNE	Charles Henry	Corporal G/18889, 6th Battalion, Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment). Formerly (2620) The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 3rd August 1917. Age 22. Born Chatham. Enlisted Tonypandy, Wales. Son of John and Fanny Payne of 6 Flint Cottages, East Rainham, Kent. Brother of John (below). Buried Monchy British Cemetery, Monchy-le-Preux, Pas de Calais, France. Grave reference I.J.16.
PAYNE	John Francis	Private L/9784, 2nd Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 3rd May 1915. Age 21. Born Curragh, Kilare, Ireland. Enlisted Chatham. Resided Rainham. Son of John and Fanny Payne of 6 Flint Cottages, East Rainham, Kent. Brother of Charles (above). Commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, Belgium.
PENFOLD	Jesse William	Corporal 1187, Household Battalion. Formerly (3990) 1st Life Guards. Died 12th October 1917. Age 21 Born Sittingbourne. Enlisted London. Resided Rainham. Son of Mrs S. Kohn of 272 Station Road, Rainham, Kent. Commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium. Panel reference 3.
PILCHER	Ernest	Driver 110286, 56th Brigade, Small Arms Ammunition Section, Royal Field Artillery (RFA). Died Iraq 13th September 1916 aged 18 years. Born Ashford. Enlisted Sittingbourne. Son of Ernest and Annie E Pilcher of 2 “Gladwyn”, Bredhurst Road, Rainham, Kent. Buried in the Basra War Cemetery, Basra, Iraq. Grave reference VI.W.17.
RALPH	George	Private 33546, 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Died 18th July 1917. Age 19. Born Rainham. Enlisted Canterbury. Son of Edward and Clara Ralph of Court Farm Cottages, West Wickham, Kent. Commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel reference - Bay 6.
RAY	Wilfred	Sapper 912, No 4 (Kent Fortress) Field Company, Royal Engineers (RE). Died 23rd September 1914. Age 17. Born Eastwell, Ashford. Enlisted Gillingham. Resided Rainham. Son of William and Mary A. Ray of 1 Coronation Villas, Maidstone Road, Rainham, Kent. Buried Sheerness (Isle of Sheppy) Cemetery, Kent. Grave reference C. 175.
RAYNER	Sidney Robert	Sapper 1000, No 2 (Kent Fortress) Field Company, Royal Engineers (RE). 19th November 1914. Age 20. Born Chelsea, London. Enlisted Gillingham. Resided Rainham. Son of Mrs E.S. Rayner of 1 Ivy Street Rainham, Kent. Buried locally in the Gravesend Cemetery, Kent. Grave reference 4900.
ROOF	Alfred James	Private 32129, 8th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Died 23rd March 1918. Born Upchurch. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Gillingham. Buried Chauny Communal Cemetery Extension, Aisne, France. Grave reference 2.C.10.
RUSSELL	Thomas C	Lance Corporal, 11th Battalion, Queen`s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Formerly Private (2205) Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles (REKMR). Died 24th March 1917. Born Rainham. Enlisted Sittingbourne. Brother of Edward J. Russell. Buried Dickebusch New Military Cemetery, Ieper, Belgium. Grave reference AA.19.
SAWKINS	John	Chief Stoker 280187, Royal Navy. H.M.S “Negro”. Died 21st December 1916. Age 39. Son of John and Alice Sawkins of Nonington, Dover, Kent. Husband of Mabel Caroline Black (formerly Sawkins) of 5 Edward VII Villas, Bredhurst Road, Rainham, Kent. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Chatham, Kent. Panel reference17. Also commemorated at Nonington (St Mary the Virgin) Church, Kent. Awarded Navy LS&GC Medal and Naval General Service Medal (Persian Gulf).
SELLEN	Herbert 'Bertie' Leonard	Private G/17562, 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Killed in action Saturday 9th September 1916. Enlisted Rainham, Kent. Buried in Caterpillar Cemetery, Longueval, Somme, France. Plot XVI. Row A. Grave 18. Born 25 November 1898 admitted to the Council School (infants), Rainham in 1905 and Council School (Mixed & Infants), Rainham, 1907. Generally known as Bertie he is listed as that in the census. In the 1911 census he is the son of William George & Cordelia Sellen, of Platters Farm, Rainham, aged 12, a schoolboy, born Rainham. In the 1901 census he is listed as Birtie, son of William G & Caroline Sellen, aged 2, born Rainham, resident Raviham Mark, Rainham.
SELLEN	William A	Sapper 541982, 13th Pontoon Park Company, Royal Engineers (R.E). Formerly Sapper (T/2969) Royal Engineers. Died 8th October 1918. Enlisted Gillingham. Resided Rainham. Buried Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. Section O. Grave 267.
SHARMAN	J	In the 1911 census John Robert SHARMAN was the son of Sarah Elizabeth SHARMAN, aged 12, born Gravesend, resident 51 Broad Walk, Rainham. No further information currently available.
SHEAFF	Arthur Robert	Private G/9090, 8th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 6th January 1917. Age 21. Born and enlisted Rainham. Resided Lower Rainham. Son of Mr T.W and Mrs M.A. Sheaff of Chapel House, Lower Rainham, Chatham, Kent. Buried Bethune Town Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Grave reference - VI.A.53.
SIMMONDS	George Walter	Lance Corporal 23222, 4th Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Died 22nd September 1916. Born Upchurch, Kent. Enlisted Faversham. Buried St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France. Grave reference B.20.39.
SIMMONDS	William Ernest	Lance Corporal L/9795, 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 11th August 1916. Born Rainham. Enlisted Chatham. Resided Rainham. Son of Mrs A.T. Partridge of 266 Station Road, Rainham, Kent. Buried Couin British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Grave reference II.C.5. The CWGC and MIC both show surname as SIMMONS.
SKINNER	Percy Arthur	Private 128108, 62nd Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (MGC) (Infantry). Formerly (45978) Suffolk Regiment. Died 3rd September 1918. Age 23. Born Rainham. Enlisted Rochester. Resided Strood. Son of Mr and Mrs G Skinner of 233 Station Road, Rainham, Kent. Buried Bac-du-Sud British Cemetery, Bailleulval, Somme, France. Grave reference -III.F.3.
SMITH	Frederick	Private G/6454, 8th Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died 14th September 1916. Age 19. Born Rainham. Enlisted Chatham. Son of George and Ann Smith of 35 Ivy Street, Rainham, Kent. Buried nearby in the Rainham (St Margaret) Churchyard), Rainham, Kent.
SPRINGATE	Percy	Sergeant 302276, 8th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. Died 21st August 1918. Age 34. Born Rainham 10th March 1884. Enlisted Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 14th September 1915. Son of George and Rebecca Springate of 24 London Road, Rainham, Kent. Buried Rosieres Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. Grave reference I.E.7.
STILL	John	Private L/8688, 6th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 7th October 1916. Born Luton, Chatham, Kent. Enlisted Chatham. Resided Luton, Chatham, Kent. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Panel reference - Pier and face 5D.
STRINGER	Phillip Charles	Rifleman 6875, 21st Battalion, London Regiment. Formerly (4227) 5th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Died 22nd December 1916. Age 21. Born Plaistow, London. Enlisted Stratford, London. Resided Plaistow, London. Son of Charles and Elizabeth Stringer. Husband of Violet Constance Stringer 0f 18 Norman Road, Leytonstone, Essex. Buried Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, Ieper, Belgium. Grave reference VI.Q.5.
SWAN	Frederick Charles	Stoker 1st Class SS/104622, Royal Navy. (RFR/CH.B/8411) H.M.S. “Raglan”. Died 20th January 1918. Age 29. Husband of Ethel Emily Ashby (formerly Swan) of 74 William Street, Rainham, Kent. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Chatham, Kent. Panel reference 29.
SWAN, DCM	Thomas Raynor	Company Sergeant Major (C.S.M) 275, 2nd Company, Australian Machine Gun Corps. Died 20th September 1917. Commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, Belgium. Panel 31.Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M) for bravery in the field.
TAYLOR	Henry	Private 8546, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (O.B.L.I). Died 22nd November 1915. Born Chatham. Enlisted Chatham. Commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.
TAYLOR	Henry William	Petty Officer 285969, Royal Navy. H.M.S. “Racoon”. Died 9th January 1918. Age 40. Husband of Elizabeth A. Taylor of 218 Station Road, Rainham, Kent. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Chatham, Kent. Panel reference 29.
TILLS	Albert Edward	Private 42845, 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment. Formerly (10449) Bedfordshire Regiment. Died 26th May 1918. Age 19. Born Rainham. Enlisted Herne Bay. Resided Rainham. Son of Mr W Tills of 7 Vine Cottages, Quay Lane, Rainham, Kent. Commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France.
TRIGG	H J	Private CH/19420, Royal Marine Light Infantry. 1st Royal Marine Battalion, Royal Naval Division (RND). Died 7th September 1916. Buried Tranchee De Mecknes Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Grave reference J.6.
UDEN	Reginald John	Lance Corporal G/15700, 7th Battalion, The Buffs, (East Kent Regiment). Died 18th November 1916. Age 20. Born Whitstable. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Rainham. Son of Frederick John and Rose Ann Bennet (formerly Uden) of Pampa Cottage, Rainham, Kent. Buried Stump Road Cemetery, Grandcourt, Somme, France. Grave reference A.46.
WALL	Edward James	Private G/18529, 11th Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Formerly (3023) Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles (REKMR). Died 20th April 1917. Age 19. Enlisted Rainham. Resided Rainham. Son of Frederick and Rosina Wall of 1 Tufton Road, Rainham, Kent. Buried Dickebusch New Military Cemetery, Ieper, Belgium. Grave reference E. 41.
WALLIS	Albert Edward	Sergeant 57528, 20th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment). Died 5th March 1917. Age 21. Born Rainham 30th October 1894. Enlisted Toronto, Canada 11th November 1914. Son of George Thomas and Ellen Wallis of Rainham, Kent. At the time of his enlistment Albert’s parents lived at 11 High Street, Rainham. Buried Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St Eloi, Pas de Calais, France. Grave reference IV.E.21.
WARNER	Cecil Freeman Sidney	Private 58246, 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Died 29th September 1918. Age 19. Born Bredhurst, Kent. Enlisted Canterbury. Son of Mr A Warner of Lime Tree Cottage, Maidstone Road, Rainham, Kent. Commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel reference 7.
WEBB	Herbert	Bombardier 67123, 135th Battery, 32nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (RFA). Died 25th March 1917. Age 22. Born Rainham. Enlisted Chatham. Son of Frederick Austin Webb and Mary Ann Webb of 91 Ivy Street, Rainham, Kent. Buried Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France. Grave reference I.J.3.

Last update 28 May, 2019

War Memorials Trust