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

The Royal British Legion

Percy was a Lance Corporal (#18999) with the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 37th Company, who at the age of 24 died in France May 3, 1917. He was awarded the Military Medal. He is recorded at the Arras Memorial (Bay 10). He was the son of Mr and Mrs J. H. Tanner of 9 Southwood Rd, Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells. He is also recorded on the Rusthall War Memorial.

Henry was a Private (#4111) with the 13th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment who was killed in action, age 19, on June 21, 1916. He is recorded at the St Vaast Post Military Cemetery (III. M. 3). He was the son of Walter Henry and Elsie A. E. Tapp of 28 Rochdale Rd., Tunbridge Wells.

Basil was a Serjeant (#5769) with the 20th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) who died at age 31 in France July 22, 1916. He is recorded at the Heilly Station Cemetery at Meriocourt L'abbe, France. He was the husband of Amy Taunton of 82 Francis Avenue, Southsea Portsmouth. Basil had been born at Hammersmith but was a resident of Tunbridge Wells at the time of enlisting in Exeter.

James was a Private (#G/7641) with the Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment, C Coy., 10th Battalion, who at the age of 26 died in Belgium April 17, 1918. He is recorded at the Tyne Cot Memorial (Panel 14 to 17). He was the son of Richard and Elizabeth Tester of 13 Avon St., Tunbridge Wells. He was born at Tunbridge Wells but a resident of Sheerness at the time of enlisting.

Charles was a resident of Tunbridge Wells at the time of enlisting and he enlisted there. He was a Private (#7274) with the 6th Battalion, Queens Own West Kent Regiment who died in France May 22, 1917. He is recorded at the Etaples Military Cemetery (XXV. C. 5). He was formerly #2328 with the West Kent Yeomanry.

Harry was a Gunner (#6579) with the Royal Garrison Artillery who died at age 47 in September 1917. He had been born in Tunbridge Wells September 1870 and was the son of Edward and Caroline (nee Feaver) Thompsett. His father was a general labourer and his mother a laundress. Harry was one of seven children in the family and was the next to youngest. Harry's father passed away when he was just 14. The family house for many years was at 17 Harvey Town, Tunbridge Wells but when Harry married sometime between 1897 and 1900 he moved to Rusthall where he spent his 17 years of married life. On April 22, 1890 at Dover Castle, at age 19, Harry joined the Royal Artillery for 7 years and at the time of enlistment was a general labourer. Between March 11, 1893 and May 18, 1897 he served in India, On May 1, 1915 at age 44 Harry enlisted for service in the Great War at Newhaven. At the time of enlistment he was living at 13 Edward Street, Rusthall and was an labourer. The Courier of February 1917 reported that Harry, married, and living at 24 Gladstone Road, Rusthall, had been invalided out of the army after a period of treatment in the Military Hospital, Oxford. He had arrived home in time for Christmas. The courier also reported that Harry left Rusthall in the summer of 1913 for Auckland, New Zealand and that he returned home in April 1915 to enlist for service. There is no conclusive information as to the circumstances neither of his death nor of his final resting place. He is also recorded at the Rusthall War Memorial.

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Frant was a Private (#SD/1478) with the 12th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment who at age 22 died in France June 3, 1916. He is recorded at the Cambrin Churchyard Extension (M. 48). He was the son of Frank and Carrie Thorncroft of 57 Elm Grove Brighton. Frank was a native of Tunbridge Wells.

Clive was born at St. Leonards-on-sea but was at the time of enlistment living in Tunbridge Wells. He enlisted in Tunbridge Wells and originally was originally (#76) 1/1st Royal West Kent Yeomanry. He died in Belgium, age 32, with the rank of Company Quartermaster Service with The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) 10th (Royal East and West) with a service number of T/270505 on November 8, 1918 and was mentioned in dispatches. He is recorded at the Tournai Communal Cemetery (IV. A. 1). He was the son of Harold and Anne Thorpe of 20 Warwick Park, Tunbridge Wells. He was formerly #761, 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Yeomanry.

Cyril was an Able Seaman (#J/7169) with the Royal Navy H. M. S. LAUREL who at the age of 20 died August 28, 1914. He is recorded at the Chatham Naval Memorial (3). He was the son of Cyril O. K. and Edith M. Thorpe of 26 Golding St., Tunbridge Wells.

Frank was a Private (#10323) with the 7th Service Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment who at age 18 died September 1, 1915. He is recorded at the Helles Memorial in Turkey (panel 134 to 136). He was the son of William Thorpe and Alice Blanche Thorpe of 19 Quarry Rd., Tunbridge Wells. Frank was born in Tunbridge Wells and was a resident of the town at the time of enlisting at Lambeth, Surrey.

Edward was a Sapper (#848) with the 1st/3rd Kent Field Coy Royal Engineers who was a soldier lost at sea, age 22, during the Hythe disaster October 28, 1915. He is recorded at the Helles Memorial (panel 23 to 25 or 325 to 328). He was the son of Mr and Mrs Robert Ticehurst of 109 Silverdale Rd., Tunbridge Wells. Edward had been born in Tunbridge Wells and was a resident of the town up to the time of his enlistment. See also HMS Hythe 1/3rd Field Company Royal Engineers

John was a Sapper (#1869) with the 1st/3rd Kent Field Coy Royal Engineers who was a soldier lost at sea during the Hythe disaster October 28, 1915. He is recorded at the Helles Memorial (panel 23 t0 25 or 325 to 328). John was born in Tunbridge Wells and was residing there before the war. He enlisted for service at Gillingham, Kent. He is also listed on the plaque at St James Church as John W. Tidy. See also HMS Hythe 1/3rd Field Company Royal Engineers

John was the son of Simeon and Fanny Elizabeth Till who in 1911 were residing at 39 Harmony St., Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells. John was one of eight children in the family and the youngest son. John was born July 1895 in Tunbridge Wells. He enlisted for service January 26, 1915 at Maidstone and was a Private (#G/4424) with the 3rd Battalion, Queens Own West Kent Regiment who died at home from injuries September 11, 1915. He is recorded at the Fort Pitt Military Cemetery. Military records note that he was the son of Mrs F. Femer of 38 Harmony St., Denny Bottom, Rusthall from which it can be concluded that Mrs F. Femer was the former Mrs Fanny Elizabeth Till of 39 Harmony St., Rusthall.

Simeon was a Sapper (#2386) with the 1st/3rd Kent Field Coy Royal Engineers who was a soldier lost at sea during the Hythe disaster October 28, 1915. He is recorded at the Helles Memorial (panel 23 to 25 or 325 to 328). He was born and lived in Tunbridge Wells but enlisted for service at Gillingham, Kent. Simeon was born April 1875 at Wadhurst, Sussex and in 1881 was living at Reed Court Farm at Marden, Kent with his parents and siblings. His parents were Thomas Till (1848-1938) and Caroline Till (nee Avery 1849-1924). In 1891 he was living with his family at Speldhurst, Kent. In april 1894 he married Fanny Elizabeth Head (1876-1945) and together they had eight children including a son John Charles Till (1895-1915) who was also killed in the war. In 1911 Simeoan was living with his wife and children in Tunbridge Wells and in 1911 they were residing at 39 Harmony St., Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells and Simeon was working at that time as a bricklayer’s labourer. Simeon was one of eight children born to his parents. He is also recorded on the Rusthall War Memorial. See also HMS Hythe 1/3rd Field Company Royal Engineers

Thomas was a Driver (#1048) with the 1st/3rd Kent Field Coy Royal Engineers who was a soldier who died at sea during the Hythe disaster October 28, 1915. He is recorded at the Helles Memorial (panel 23 to 25 or 325 to 328).

Thomas enlisted for service at Southborough, Tunbridge Wells. Thomas had been born in Tunbridge Wells (Rusthall) in the 2nd qtr of 1897 and enlisted for service at Southborough. He enlisted for service at age 17 In June 1914. Thomas had worked before the war as an instrument repairer and was living at the time of his enlistment at 71 Varney St., Tunbridge Wells with his father Frederick Thomas Till and his 4 siblings. He mother was deceased before 1911. When Thomas died his personal belongings were sent to his father at 71 Varney St. He is also recorded on the Rusthall War Memorial. See also HMS Hythe 1/3rd Field Company Royal Engineers

Samuel was born in Tunbridge Wells, was residing in Southborough, and enlisted in Tunbridge Wells. He was a Private (#G/1845) with the Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, D Coy., 7th Battalion,, who died in Belgium July 8, 1917. He is recorded at the Dickebush New Military Cemetery (II. C. 21). He was the husband of E. E. Webster (formerly Tilley) of 13 Sheffield Rd., Southborough, Tunbridge Wells. He is also recorded on the Southborough Memorial and also Tunbridge Wells Post Office

Harry was a Sapper (#1411) with the 1st/3rd Kent Field Coy Royal Engineers who was a soldier lost at sea during the Hythe disaster on October 28, 1915. He died at the age of 28 and is recorded at the Helles Memorial at Turkey (panel 23 to 25 or 325 to 328). He was the son of Geeorge Todman of Ferrers Estate Tunbridge Wells and the husband of Gertrude Annie Coulstock (formerly Todman) of 82 Springfield Rd. Southborough, Tunbridge Wells. He was a resident of Tunbridge Wells at the time of enlisting for service. He is also recorded on the Southborough Memorial. He is also listed on the plaque at St James Church as Henry Todman. See also HMS Hythe 1/3rd Field Company Royal Engineers

Colin was a Major (no service number) who at the age of 23 died in France June 28, 1918. He was awarded the MC. He was serving at the time of his death with the East Yorkshire Regiment, 10th Battalion. He is recorded at the Le Grand Hasard Memorial Cemetery (Plot 1 Row A). He was the son of Gilbert Francis and Edith Elizabeth Traill of Broadlands, Tunbridge Wells. He is also listed on the plaque at St James Church as Colin B. Traill.

James was a Private (#19025) with B Coy 8th Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment who at age 17 died in France January 19, 1917. He is recorded at the Longuenerse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery (IV. A. 86) and had died of wounds. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Turner of Frant New Sussex and the husband of Alice Turner. There is also a listing for a John A Turner on the St James Church plaque.

William was a Private (#53747) with the Canadian Infantry, 18th Battalion, who at the age of 24 died ib France September 15, 1916. He is recorded at the Vimy Memorial. He was the son of the late James and Clara Jane Turner of Gladstone Rd., New Town, Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells. He is also recorded on the Rusthall War Memorial.