AMOS

Hubert William

Able Seaman J/37513, H.M.S. "Tartar," Royal Navy. Killed by an explosion 17 June 1917. Aged 18. Born 2 October 1898 in Staple, Kent. Baptised 29 January 1899 in Staple, Kent. Son of William and Edith Hannah Amos, of Shatterling, Wingham, Canterbury, Kent. Prior to enlistment he was a Market Gardener. Enlisted 2 October 1918 for 12 years, height 5 feet 4 inches, chest 32 inches, fair hair, blue eyes, fresh complexion. Buried in BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot IV. Row A. Grave 28.

ANSELL

Roland Arthur

[Listed as Arthur Roland ANSELL on CWGC and SDGW] Rifleman 393591, 1st/9th (County of London) Battalion (Queen Victoria's Rifles) formerly 4524, 2nd Battalion, London Regiment, London Regiment. Killed in action 14 April 1917. Aged 22. Resident Erith, Kent, enlisted London. Son of the late Stephen and Eliza Ansell. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 10.

BRISTOW

Alf Ernest

Company Sergeant Major L/6162, 2nd Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) attached to 7th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Killed in action 5 September 1916. Aged 35. Born Shoreham, Sevenoaks, enlisted Canterbury, Kent. Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. H. Bristow, of Shoreham, nr. Sevenoaks, Kent; husband of M. W. Bristow, of 29, Heathfield Avenue, Dover, Kent. Buried in STRUMA MILITARY CEMETERY, Greece. Plot III. Row E. Grave 2.

CARRIER

Steve William

Sergeant L/9439, 6th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died of wounds 7 September 1915. Aged 23. Born and enlisted Canterbury, Kent, resident Wingham, Canterbury, Kent. Buried in BAILLEUL COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, NORD, Nord, France. Plot II. Row A. Grave 42.

CARRIER

Thomas

Private 21585, 4th Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Killed in action 15 November 1915. Aged 36. Brother of Miss E. M. Carrier, of Chapel Row, Wingham, Canterbury. Buried in AUBERS RIDGE BRITISH CEMETERY, AUBERS, Nord, France. Plot VII. Row B. Grave 15.

CASTLE

Aubrey Victor

Private 89496, 45th Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) formerly S4/158381, R.A.S.C. Killed in action 31 July 1917. Aged 27. Born Littlebourne, Kent, enlisted Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Son of Victoria Ann Harden Castle, of High St., Wingham, Canterbury, and the late Andrew E. Castle. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 56.

COPPINS

Ernest Sidney

Private L/10127, 2nd Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action 24 July 1915. Aged 19. Born Herne Bay, Kent, resident Wingham, Kent. Son of Edwin and Mary Elizabeth Coppins, of High St., Wingham, Canterbury, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 12 and 14.

CRESSWELL

Somerville Danzey

Able Seaman J/7655, H.M.S. "Formidable," Royal Navy. Killed when his ship was torpedoed by an enemy submarine U24 1 January 1915. Aged 21. Born 9 March 1894 in Ashford, Kent. Son of Sackville D. and Lucy Cresswell, of The Square, Wingham, Canterbury. Blacksmith's Mate before enlisting. Enlisted 9 March 1911 for 12 years, height 5 feet 9½ inches, chest 38½ inches, light hair, brown eyes, fresh complexion. No known grave. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 9.

DANTON

Albert

Private L/8575, 2nd Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died of wounds 18 March 1915. Born Wingham, Near Canterbury, Kent, resident and enlisted Canterbury, Kent. Son of Mrs. A. Danton, of Bridge St., Wingham, Canterbury. Buried in ETRETAT CHURCHYARD, Seine-Maritime, France. Plot 1. Row B. Grave 14.

DANTON

William George

Private 38526, 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment. Died of wounds 25 January 1918. Born and resident Wingham, Kent, enlisted Canterbury. Son of Mr. W. Danton, of Bridge Street, Wingham, nr. Canterbury. Buried in NINE ELMS BRITISH CEMETERY, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot XIII. Row E. Grave 7.

FAGG

Harold Ernest

Private G/29011, 13th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment). Died on service 13 September 1918. Aged 26. Born Ash, Kent, resident Wingham, Kent, enlisted Canterbury. Son of William and Emily Fagg, of Wingham, nr. Canterbury. Buried in TERLINCTHUN BRITISH CEMETERY, WIMILLE, Pas de Calais, France. Plot IV. Row A. Grave 10.

FRIEND

William Charles

Corporal CH/17714, 1st Royal Marine Battalion, Royal Naval Division, Royal Marine Light Infantry. Died 13 November 1916. Aged 24. Buried in ANCRE BRITISH CEMETERY, BEAUMONT-HAMEL, Somme, France. Plot I. Row E. Grave 23.

GIFFORD

Charles Gilbert

Private 87466, 11th General Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps. Died on service 15 November 1918. Aged 27. Born Wingham, Canterbury. Son of Mrs. A. Morriss (formerly Gifford), of Thornton Oast, Eastry, Kent, and the late Henry Gifford. Buried in STAGLIENO CEMETERY, GENOA, Italy. Plot II. Row A. Grave 19.

HATCHER

George Edward

[Listed as Edward George HATCHER on SDGW] Driver T4/211489, 857th Horse Transport Company, Royal Army Service Corps. Died on service 20 August 1917. Aged 25. Resident Wingham, Kent, enlisted Canterbury. Son of Alfred George and Jane Hatcher of Fairview Cottages, Wingham Well, Wingham, Kent. Buried in PIETA MILITARY CEMETERY, Malata. Plot C. Row XV. Grave 3.

HOLNESS

Cecil John

Private G/794, 6th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action 1 September 1915. Aged 25. Born Staple, Canterbury, Kent, resident Wingham, Kent, enlisted Preston, Kent. Son of Henry and Mary Holness, of Staple, Canterbury; husband of Lilian Holness, of 69A, Marshall St., Folkestone. Buried in CALVAIRE (ESSEX) MILITARY CEMETERY, Hainaut, Belgium. Plot III. Row C. Grave 3.

HORN

George [Henry]

[Spelt HORNE on CWGC and SDGW] Lance Corporal G/622, 6th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died of wounds 26 December 1917. Aged 21. Born Canterbury, Kent, resident and enlisted Adisham, Kent. Son of George and Edith Marian Horne, of Wingham Well, Wingham, nr. Canterbury, Kent. Buried in ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot XXXI. Row E. Grave 20A.

KNIGHT

Jesse

Private G/18455, 11th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) formerly 2553, R.E.K.M.R. Killed in action 7 June 1917. Aged 26. Born Wingham, Kent, enlisted Canterbury, Kent. Son of Henry and Mary Knight, of Dene Cottages, Wingham, Canterbury, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 45 and 47.

LEDNER

John T

Private G/6455, 6th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action 6 March 1916. Born and resident Wingham, near Canterbury, Kent, enlisted Canterbury, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 15 to 19.

MARSH

John C

Rifleman 2778, 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own). Killed in action 8 January 1915. Born Dover, resident Wingham, Kent, enlisted Canterbury. Son of Mr. J. Marsh, of Barnsole Stople, Canterbury. Buried in FAUQUISSART MILITARY CEMETERY, LAVENTIE, Pas de Calais, France. Row C. Grave 7.

MORRIS

Ernest [Edward]

Private 42720, 8th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Killed in action 9 March 1918. Aged 19. Born and resident Wingham, Kent, enlisted Canterbury, Kent. Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Morris, of Dambridge, Wingham, Canterbury. Buried in HOOGE CRATER CEMETERY, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot XV. Row J. Grave 1.

NEWSHAM

Percy [E or R]

Sub-Conductor 3832, 23th Company, Royal Army Ordnance Corps. Died 22 November 1919. Son of Richard and Elizabeth Newsham, of Wingham; husband of Nancy J. Newsham, of "Engineering Works," Wingham, Canterbury. Buried in ALEXANDRIA (HADRA) WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Egypt. Section G. Grave 28.

SCOTT

James William

Private 40236, 11th Battalion, South Wales Borderers formerly 13437, Dragoon Guards. Died of wounds 28 November 1917. Born Wingham, Kent, enlisted Canterbury, Kent. Buried in ESTAIRES COMMUNAL CEMETERY AND EXTENSION, Nord, France. Plot V. Row D. Grave 14.

SHAXTED

Henry James

Private G/13357, "A" Company, 10th Battalion, Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Killed in action 25 June 1917. Aged 21. Born Wingham, Kent, resident Ask, Kent, enlisted Sandwich, Kent. Son of George Henry and Grace Shaxted, of Whiffen's Farm, Swanley Bottom, Swanley, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 11 - 13 and 14.

SILK

William Thomas

Chief Stoker 285383, H.M.S.P. 26, Royal Navy. Killed or died as a direct result of enemy action 10 April 1917. Aged 40. Born 18 December 1876 in Wingham, Kent. Husband of Mary (nee Morgan) Silk, of The Square, Wingham, nr. Canterbury, Kent formerly 9, Harris Lane, Wingham, Kent, married 2 August 1902 in Wingham, St Mary the Virgin. Buried in STE. MARIE CEMETERY, LE HAVRE, Seine-Maritime, France. Division 62. Grave 1.

Information below from Alexandra Gilbert's research:

Chief Stoker William Thomas SILK (Royal Navy)
HMS P26
Serial #: 285383
Location: E.435

Personal details
Born: 18th December 1876, Wingham, Kent
Lived at: The Square, Wingham, Kent
Died: 10th April 1917, aged 40, Drowned at sea as a result of enemy action

SILK's parents were Thomas SILK (1827- 1885) an agricultural labourer and Sarah Ann GIBBS (1841-1930). There was a 14 year age difference and it appears this was his second marriage. The family lived on the RYE's 12-acre farm at Rushams, Wingham, Kent with four other families who provided the agricultural labour for the farm. They had 4 children; two daughters and 2 sons (he appears to have had 7 children with his first wife if he was previously married). William Thomas's siblings are all listed as born in Wingham in the relevant census's.

William was an Agricultural Labourer when aged 14 (1891). He was the eldest and older brother of Albert by 2 years. William joined the Royal Navy on 1st June 1897 being based at the on shore barracks of HMS Pembroke II at Chatham when not on board ship. He was a stoker and rose through the ranks, serving on 7 ships before his death, all with character reports of “Very Good”.

The 1901 Census shows SILK on board the HMS Sans Pareil, a battleship 1st Class captained by Archibold J Pocklington on 31st March. It was anchored at Sheerness. A quick count of the census records shows there were 603 persons on board ship.

From 12th October 1901 to 12th November 1902, SILK was land-based at HMS Pembroke. In September 1902, William married Mary MORGAN (1878-1942). She was from Adisham, some 3 miles away from Wingham. SILK settled Mary in Wingham while he continued serving in the Royal Navy. She had a daughter Edith May (1903-1981) the following year. This appears to be their only child.

SILK was on board the newly commissioned HMS Venerable from 12th November 1902 to 31st July 1905 while it was part of the Mediterranean Fleet. He then served on board HMS Repulse (24 March 1906-26 November 1906. Rank of Petty Officer), HMS Irresistible (27th November 1906-1st June 1910), HMS Blenheim (12th August 1912-20th January 1913. Rank – Acting Chief Stoker), HMS Swiftsure (26th March 1913- 10th May 1916. Rank - Chief Stoker) and finally HMS Actacon P26 Patrol Boat from 10th September 1916 to its sinking on 10th April 1917. SILK was "Drowned at sea (mine explosion) 1/2 mile N from Whistle Buoy, Le Havre" He was one of 19 of the 59 crew who were lost.

Jan Lettens posted the following on WreckSite.eu on 15th September 2011:

“ P-26, built by Tyne Iron Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Newcastle in 1915 and owned at the time of her loss by Royal Navy, was a British patrol craft of 613 tons......

In 1915 SS Salta was requisitioned by the Admiralty as a hospital ship. On April 10th, 1917, while in convoy with 3 other hospital ships in front of Le Havre, the pilot didn't follow the 'follow me' sign from HMS Diamond and pulled to port to let the other ships pass first. This proved fatal as she immediately struck a mine laid by the German submarine UC-26 (Matthias Graf von Schmettow) and sank in 9 minutes, 1/2 mile North of the Whistle Buoy. Despite the rescue effort of 2 destroyers, 4 trawlers and a pilot vessel, only 74 from the 250 on board are saved. P-26 in an attempt to help, is also struck by a mine and is broken in two pieces. 40 of the crew of 59 from P-26 are rescued by P-19 . ref. used:Hocking, Charles, Dictionary of Disasters at Sea during the Age of Steam”

At the time of his death Mary lived at 9 Harris Lane, Wigham, Kent .

SILK's younger brother Albert also served in the Royal Navy from 16 Nov 1896-1905 then rejoined 1910 and was invalided out on 9th September 1914 with TB one month after the declaration of war.

Buried or commemorated - CWGC
CWGC memorial at Ste Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, France. Divn 62.1 Salta Grave
Inscription
IN FOND MEMORY OF A DEAR HUSBAND AND DAD
Other Memorials
Not on Birchington & Acol, Westgate or Margate War Memorials,
Plaque inside Wingham Parish church, Wingham, Kent
Wingham War Memorial, St Mary's Church grave yard, Wingham, Kent

Resources:
1891 Census via Ancestry.com
1881 Census via Ancestry.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Venerable_(1899)
UK Royal Navy & Royal Marine War Graves Roll 1914-1919
https://wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?84065
UK Royal Navy & Royal Marine War Graves Roll 1914-1919
https://www.roll-of-honour.com/Kent/Wingham.html
Simon Fagg, Ancestry.com

WRIGHT

William

Officer's Cook 1st Class 363182, H.M.S. "Queen Mary," Royal Navy. Killed at the Battle of Jutland when his ship was sunk 31 May 1916. Aged 32. Son of Emily Wright, of Wingham, Kent; husband of Alice E. Wright, of 41, Union St., Maidstone, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 18.

AND ALSO OF

ADDLEY

Arthur [Albert]

Private 1758595, 2nd/4th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Killed in action in Italy 14 October 1944. Aged 38. Born 8 September 1907 Kent, resident Canterbury. Son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Addley; husband of G. M. Addley, of Weston Colville, Cambridgeshire. In the 1939 Register he was a General Labourer (Roads) married to Gadys M Addley, resident The Square, Wingham, Eastry R.D., Kent. Buried in ASSISI WAR CEMETERY, Italy. Plot II. Row D. Grave 3.

BELSEY

Cecil [Franklin]

Private 6289265, 2nd Battalion, The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment). Died of wounds 27 May 1940. Aged 21. Born 30 March 1919, and resident, Canterbury. Son of Frank Franklyn Belsey and of Annie Louise Belsey, of Sandwich. In the 1939 Register he was a FArm Labourer, resident with his parents at Preston House, Farmers Hill, Wingham, Eastry R.D., Kent. Buried 4 June 1940 in WINGHAM (ST. MARY) NEW CHURCHYARD, Kent. Row 7. Grave 6.

BRANFORD

Percy [John]

Petty Officer Airman FAA/FX 79967, H.M.S. Gloucester, Royal Navy (Fleet Air Arm). Died in Crete 22 May 1941. Aged 26. Born 21 May 1915 in Canterbury, Kent. Son of Percy and Margaret Edith Branford, of Wingham, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on LEE-ON-SOLENT MEMORIAL, Hampshire. Bay 2, Panel 1.

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1946:

BRANFORD Pery John of Garden Cottage Wingham near Canterbury died on or since 22 May1941 on war service Administration Llandudno 12 January to Margaret Edith Branford (wife of Percy Branford). Effects £828 19s. 10d.

GARDENER

Alfred [Charles Arnold]

Flight Sergeant 1385948, 46 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Died 14 November 1943. Aged 24. Son of Charles and Gladys A. Gardener, of Wingham, Kent. B. Sc., Hons. No known grave. Commemorated on ALAMEIN MEMORIAL, Egypt. Column 269.

PAY

Reginald [Stanley]

Petty Officer Stoker C/KX 77032, H.M.S. Kelly, Royal Navy. Died 23 May 1941. Aged 41. Son of William and Maud Pay; husband of Caroline Louisa Pay, of Cape Town, South Africa. . No known grave. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 46, Column 3.

TAYLOR

Brian

Civilian. Lieut., Home Guard; of Court Cottage, Kearsney. Son of Alfred Harold and Jane Taylor, of Broom Hill, Wingham, Canterbury. Died at East Kent Garage 23 March 1942. Aged 32. Born 27 October 1909. In the 1939 Register he was a Public Service Vehicle Depot Ma & Traffic Superentendent, resident Court Cottage, Kearsney Avenue, Dover, Dover M.B., Kent. Recorded by DOVER, MUNICIPAL BOROUGH, Kent.

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1946:

TAYLOR Brian of Court Cottage Kearsney near Dover died 23 March 1942 at The East Kent Road Car Companys Garage Russel-street Dover Administration Llandudno 24 June to Alfred Harold Taylor company secretary.
Effects £880 3s. 11d.

WEST

[Walter] William

Civilian. Fireman, N.F.S.; of 3 Rushams Cottages, Wingham. Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. West, of Pedding Cottage, Wingham; husband of M. J. West. Died at 3 Rushams Cottages 24 February 1944. Aged 29. Recorded by EASTRY, RURAL DISTRICT, Kent. Buried 26 February 1944 in WINGHAM (ST. MARY) NEW CHURCHYARD, Kent.

1939-1945