Roll of Honour - Kent - Tunbridge Wells - World War 1

The Royal British Legion

Edward was a Private (#2253) with the 16th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment who at age 21 died in France July 8, 1916. He is recorded at the Caudry Old Communal Cemetery (B3) in France. He was the son of Henry and Frances Mary Kealey of 53 Miton Rd, Eastbourne.

George was born at Paddington, Middlesex but enlisted for service at Tunbridge Wells. He was a Lance Corporal (#L/8319) with the Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment 7th Battalion, who died in France March 21, 1918. He is recorded at the Pozieres Memorial (panel 58 and 59). He is also recorded on the Rusthall War Memorial

John was a Private (#2481) with the 1st/3rd Battalion, London Regiment who was killed in France May 26, 1915, age 24. He is recorded at the Le Touret Memorial (panel 45 and 46). He was the son of John and Emma Kees who in 1911 were living at 11 Hungershall Park Stables, Tunbridge Wells. In 1911 John Gardner Kees was living with his brother in law at 31 Bathurst Mews, Paddington, London and working as a single man, age 19, in the clerk office of the public trustee accounts department. His father John in 1911 was working as a coachman. John Gardner Kees was born in the first quarter of 1891 at Paddington, London. John had enlisted for service September 1914 at Clapham Junction. Before the war John (known as Jack) had a promising career as an accountancy clerk in the Public trustee Offices in Clements Inn. He was on holiday in Switzerland when war broke out and more than a month passed before he had an opportunity to return home and enlist. On the night of May 24th/25th his Battalion had captured a series of German trenches and it was whilst carrying an important message at nightfall that he was shot by a German sniper. He was buried with other fallen men two days later. In a letter to his parents, Major Streatfield his commanding officer wrote : "Your son met his death most gallantly whilst attacking a line of German trenches and has been buried on the battlefield near the spot where he fell. We deeply regret the loss of a gallant soldier and good comrade". The head of the Public Trustee Office, Mr Charles Stewart also wrote a letter of sympathy to his parents. John is also remembered on the Rusthall War Memorial.

Frederick was an acting Corporal (#541338) with the Royal Engineers, 497th Field Coy who at the age of 38 was killed in Belgium April 17, 1918. He is recorded at the Abeele Aerodrome Military (I. D. 10). He was the son of Martha and the late Frank Kemp. He was the husband of Ellen Kemp of 29 Norman Rd., Tunbridge Wells. Frederick was born in Tunbridge Wells and was a resident of the town but enlisted for service at Gillingham. Kent.

William was a resident of Tunbridge Wells and enlisted for service there. He was a Private (#G/12672) with the Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment who was killed in France October 3, 1917. He is also recorded on the Rusthall War Memorial.

Edward was a Private (#G/60644) with the 6th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment who died of injuries January 19, 1919. He is recorded at the Tunbridge Wells Cemetery (C. I. 699). He was the son of Edward Kidd of 11 Hervey Court Crescent Rd., Tunbridge Wells.

George was a lance Corporal (#7743) with the South African Infantry, 2nd Regt. who was killed in France October 12, 1916. He is recorded at Thiepval Memorial (Pier and Face 4 C). He was the son of Charles Thomas Kidner of Beausite, Boyne Park, Tunbridge Wells.

Harold was born 1889 at Eastbourne Sussex and before the war worked as a motor driver. He enlisted for service November 10, 1914 and served in France. He was a Private (M2/18863) with the Army Service Corp. He was discharged from sickness June 4, 1917 and he died in Camberwell in the third quarter of 1917. He was the son of Charles Thomas and Florence Catherine Kidner who in 1911 were living at Beansite 1A Boyne Park, Tunbridge Wells. Charles was in 1911 a meat traveller and his wife Florence a lodging house keeper. Harold was one of five children in the family.

Amos was a gunner (#245305) with the Royal Garrison Artillery, C Bty, 74th Brigade. At the age of 22 he was killed in France on August 31, 1918. He is recorded at the Mory Street Military Cemetery (C12). He was the son of George Charles and Alice Harriet Killick of 2 Richardson Rd., St John's, Tunbridge Wells. Amos was born in Tunbridge Wells and enlisted there. He is also listed on the plaque at St James Church as Amos Killick.

Albert was a Private (#48202) with the East Surrey Regiment who died at age 19 in France and Flanders October 23, 1918. He is recorded at the Vis-En-Artois Memorial (panel 6). He was the son of Henry King of Baron Grange Iden, Rye, Sussex. His military records record he was living at Iden, Sussex but enlisted at Chichester, Sussex and that he was killed in action. Ancestry records report that Albert E. King was born 1897 at Southborough, Tunbridge Wells and living in 1911 at Birling Cottage, Birling Farm Brickyard, Southborough, age 14, and living with his parents Henry and Ellen Elizabeth King and his five siblings. His father Henry is employed as a carter to a builder.

He is also recorded on the plaque at Skinners School. He is recorded on the plaque at St James Church as Arthur G. King. Arthur was a Private (#4066) with the 6th Battalion,, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment who died August 26, 1915 ate 29. Arthur was the son of Mr and Mrs King of High Street, Rusthall and was the husband of Mrs E. E. King. He enlisted soon after the outbreak of war having previously been employed by Mr Blackman as a butcher. The 6th Battalion, embarked for France June 1, 1915. On June 30th the Battalion, was at the front. Arthur received a wound to the head and after treatment at a clearing station was transferred to hospital where he died shortly after. The Priest who attended him during his final hours sent a letter of condolence to Mrs King. Private King was buried at Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres (grave IX. B. 44). Arthur is also recorded on the Rusthall War Memorial.

Stanley was a Private (#31158) with the Queens Own royal West Kent Regiment, 1st Battalion, who at the age of 19 was killed in France October 20, 1918. He is recorded at the Mount Huon Military Cemetery (VIII. L 148). He was the son of Charles Alfred and Kathleen King of Tunbridge Wells. He is listed on the plaque at St James Church as Stanley King.

Thomas was a Private (#G/1603) with the Royal Sussex Regiment, 12th Battalion, who at the age of 27 was killed in Belgium July 24, 1917. He is recorded at the Essex Farm Cemetery (I. Q. 4). He was the son of Mrs Emma King of 3 North Farm Rd, High Brooms, Tunbridge Wells.

Stewart was a Private (#PO/13157) with the Royal Marine Light Infantry H. M. S. BULWARK who was killed by an internal explosion of the vessel off Sheerness November 26, 1914. He is recorded at the Portsmouth Naval Memorial (plaque 6).

Sydney was a Driver (#541337) with the 497th Kent Field Coy Royal Engineers who died of disease at age 35 March 7, 1917 in France. He is recorded at the Bois Guillaume Communal Cemetery (II. D. 6). He was the son of Mr and Mrs William Kingswood of Tunbridge Wells. He had enlisted for service at Gillingham, Kent.

[Listed as Edward on memorial but his real name was Ernest] He was a Private (#200101) with the 2nd/4th Battalion, Queens Own West Kent Regiment who died April 19, 1917. He is recorded at the Gaza War Cemetery (XXX. D. 3).

No further information currently available. There is a Private J. Knight listed on the High Brooms memorial plaque.