Soldiers of World War One
David Lloyd, Alan Whiffen and Lynda Grange are researching the lives of soldiers with Gillingham connections. Some moved away from home and signed up elsewhere; others had subsequent links to Gillingham or the Dorset regiments. Some returned home and many didn't.
If you can add any information or provide photographs of the following soldiers then please email David, Alan or Lynda at office@gillinghammuseum.co.uk
If you have any WW1 memorabilia for possible display in the Museum please email Penny Peat at office@gillinghammuseum.co.uk
The alphabetical list below is of those soldiers with Gillingham connections who gave their lives in WW1. The Gillingham War Memorial is engraved 'In memory of 85 officers, non-commissioned officers and men from this parish who made the supreme sacrifice'.
There are 82 names on the 'Unveiling List', 89 names on the memorial plaques and 93 names in the Memorial Book held in St. Mary's Church.
The list below is not complete - entries will be added or updated when research has been completed.
New entries March 2021 - Jesse Biss (amendment), E Cabell, C E Coombs, J C Cowell, W B Davis, H A Doddington, C Down, W.O Down, P N Flower, T Flower, B Hiscock, AH Hooper, M N Kennard, A S King, FJ Kinnaird
New entries April 2021 - W M Crocker, Sylvester H Dukes, L V Dunning, G H Edwards, E A Gower, A P Gray, Henwood,
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BAILEY Wilfred Victor
Z/265 Able Seaman Wilfred Victor Bailey of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve died of enteric fever on 30th June 1915 aboard the Hospital ship 'Dunluce Castle' at Mudros in Greece.
Wilfred was born on 9th September 1890 at Leamington, Warwickshire to parents Arthur and Minnie Bailey. In 1901 Wilfred was living in Newbury Street, Gillingham with his parents and brother Bertram (born 1894) and sister Florence (born 1898). Wilfred became a journalist based in London and on 22 May 1913 aged 22 he departed London aboard the 'Ionian' for Montreal, Canada.
By 1914 he was back in London at 22 Anholt Road, Battersea and on his 23rd birthday he enlisted in Nelson Battalion 'B' Company of the Royal Navy Volunteer
Reserve.
At the time of his loss his family were living at 5 Octave Terrace, Queen Street, Gillingham (later at 5 Alcester Villas, Shaftesbury).
Because of its position, the island of Lemnos played an important part in the campaigns against Turkey during the First World War. It was occupied by a force of marines on 23 February 1915 in preparation for the military attack on Gallipoli, and Mudros became a considerable Allied camp.
Wilfred is buried in the East Mudros Cemetery on the Greek island of Lemnos - his Commonwealth War Graves memorial reference is I.F.105 but his grave is not recorded. He is also remembered at the Gillingham War Memorial.
AW & DJL
Entry posted 17 June 2020
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BEALING Alfred
10726 Corporal Alfred Bealing of the 6th (Service) Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment died from his wounds in Awoingt, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France on 22 October 1918. He was 28 years old.
Alfred was born in early 1890 at Gillingham, Dorset to parents Thomas and Eliza Bealing (née Ridout). In 1911 he was living in Lydfords Lane, Wyke (two doors away from The Buffalo Inn) with his parents and siblings George (born 1864) and Elsie(born 1898).
Alfred enlisted at Gillingham on 8 September 1914. His occupation was gardener. He was 116 lbs, 5 feet 5 inches tall with black hair and grey eyes. He joined the 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment. On 13 July 1915 he embarked with the Regiment to Boulogne, France. In the spring of 1916 the 6th Dorsets saw action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines Canal, before moving south to the Somme. Here they fought in the Battle of Albert, in which the Division captured Fricourt, and in the battle at Delville Wood. In 1917 the 6th Dorsets moved to Arras and saw action in the First and second Battles of the Scarpe and the capture of Rouen. In late summer they returned to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 the 6th Dorsets fought in the Battle of St Quentin, Bapaume, Amiens, Albert, Havrincourt, Epehy and Cambrai. It was in the action to take the village of Awoingt that Alfred was shot in the thigh. He was taken to a Clearing Station and died there from his wounds on 22 October 1918. THe war cost 1000 lives of the 6th Dorsets, half of those in 1918.
He is remembered at the Awoingt British Cemetery - grave Ref: 1.B.7 and at the Gillingham War Memorial.
DJL
Entry posted 17 June 2020
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BEALING James
M/334290 Private James Bealing of 976th M.T. Coy Army Service Corps died 19 July 1918 aged 33 (some records show 36) in Mesopotamia.
James was born at Milton-on-Stour in 1885 to parents John and Lydia (née Golding). The census of both 1891 and 1901 confirm him living at Milton-on-Stour. In 1892 his brother William was born. James married Ethel May Gregory on 1 August 1914 at Street, Somerset. They lived at 9 Wilfred Terrace, Street.
He enlisted at Weston-Super-Mare and served with the Army Service Corps.
He is remembered on both the Gillingham and Milton-on-Stour War Memorials and at the Tehran War Cemetery, Iran Ref. V.D.5
DJL
Entry posted 17 June 2020
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BEALING Saba
7559 Private Saba Bealing of the 1st Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry was killed in action on 9 September 1914 aged 29.
Saba was baptised at Gillingham's St Mary's Church on 17 January 1886 and confirmed there on 1st September 1901. His parents were Tom and Margaret Bealing (née Mangan) who lived at Rose Cottage, Wavering Lane, Gillingham. Saba was probably named after his grandfather Seba Bealing a shepherd on Bleet Farm. (Seba was a biblical name). Saba, also known as Saba Tom had 5 siblings Elizabeth Kate b.1884, George b.1888, Gertrude Ellen b.1891, Elsie b.1893 and Frederick John b.1896.
Saba had enlisted at Stock Hill, Gillingham, probably in 1903. He disembarked in France on 20 August 1914 serving with the Expeditionary Force. He was killed in action on 9th September 1914. A report that was featured in the Western Daily Press of 19 October and some national papers mentioned that on the day following the official notice that Private S T Bealing, a reservist of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, had been killed, the following letter was received at his home -"Dear Mother, and all -Just a line to say that I died like a soldier. Love to all. Hope to meet you in Heaven".
He is remembered on the Gillingham War Memorial and at La Ferte-sous-Jourre, Dept. de Seine et Marne where he is buried.
DJL
Entry posted 18 June 2020
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BECK Jack
766213 Private Jack Beck of the 28th Battalion, London Regiment (Artists' Rifles) died on 9 January 1918 aged 18.
Jack was born 15 April 1899 in Muttra, India to parents Alfred Dawson (an army officer) and Elizabeth Sarah Beck.
When they moved to Gillingham Jack attended Miss Leatherdale's private prep school (just a few doors away from where they were living at 3 Harwood Cottages, Newbury). In September 1911 Jack attended the Grammar School until July 1916.
Jack's Attestation to join military service was dated 10 February 1917 and he was assigned to the London Regiment in the Reserve. Jack was employed on 'home service' but he became unwell and was sent to Weymouth Military Hospital. He died on 9 January 1918 from cerebro-spinal fever, an acute infectious disease.
He is remembered on the Gillingham War Memorial and at the Weymouth Cemetery - grave ref. B. "C" 2160.
DJL
Entry posted 19 June 2020
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BISS Jesse
15507 Lance Corporal Jesse Biss of the 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment was killed in action in Mesopotamia on 25 March 1917.
Jesse was born at Henstridge, Somerset in 1878 to parents William and Ellen Biss.
In February 1901 Jesse enlisted at Weymouth for a year with the Dorset Imperial Yeomanry. His attestation form reveals that he had served previously with the 3rd Dorset Militia. He was 5ft 3ins, 136 lbs, brown eyes and had a bust of a woman tattooed on his right forearm. He was discharged on 9 August 1902 having served in the South Africa Campaign 1901-1902. He was a trooper with 39th Company, 10th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry. He received the South African war medal for Transvaal and Cape Colony with clasps. His conduct was "very good." In late 1902 he married Dora Finn and together they had seven children two of whom died at birth. They were living in Peacemarsh in 1905. Turners Lane in 1911 and Peacemarsh Terrace in 1914.
The surviving children were Gwendoline Mira (b1905), Ivy Cicely Dora (b1907), Jesse (b1910), Ronald James (b1913) and Rose Lillian (b1915).
Jesse enlisted in WW1 but details are not known. Whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment he was killed in action at Jebel Hamrin in Mesopotamia on 25 March 1917. He was awarded the Victory and British medals.
He is remembered at the Gillingham War Memorial, Sherborne Abbey QODY Memorial and at the Basra Memorial, Iraq.
DJL & LG
Posted 21 June 2020 updated 7 March 2021 ...............................................
BRACHER Frederick William
14713 Lance Corporal Frederick William Bracher of the 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment was killed in action on 19 September 1915.
Frederick was born in Gillingham in 1886 to Frederick John and Sarah Stockdill Bracher (nee Ridout). The 1891 Census records the family living at Newbury, Gillingham with his father described as a cabinet maker. Next door lived Edward Bracher, builder, and his family. Frederick’s family are living at Wincanton at the time of the 1901 census and father is recorded as a manager of a furnishing business. In the 1911 Census, Frederick is a patient at the Royal Navy Hospital. Haslar, Alverstoke. He is single and a police constable with the Met.
His military service included serving with The Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry with service no.19955. He went to France on 6 May 1915 and died on 19 September at the Somme. He was awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal and 1915 Star.
He is remembered at the Gillingham War Memorial and is buried at the Citadel New Military Cemetery, Fricourt, Picardie, France.
AW
Entry posted 14 February 2015
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BRACHER William George
30792 Private William George Bracher of the 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment died 3 September 1917 aged 29.
William was the son of John and Sarah Bracher. William was born at Henstridge in 1888. By the 1901 Census William was living at Forest Deer, Gillingham with his parents and siblings Harold Percy (b1889), Wesley (b1891), and Annie Elizabeth (b1895). William married Alice Mary Tucker in 1909 . The 1911 Census shows William, an auxiliary rural postman, and Alice living at East Stour with their newly born son William John Wesley.
He enlisted at Dorchester and served as Private 27584 in the 1st Dorsets before being transferred to 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment with service number 30792. He died on 3 September and is remembered at the Gillingham War Memorial and the Lancashire Cottage Cemetery, Hainaut, Belgium where he is buried - memorial ref. II.E.10.
DJL
Entry posted 19 June 2020
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BURNELL Robert Leslie
230171 Sergeant Robert Leslie Burnell, DCM, of 1st/1st Dorset Yeomanry (Queen’s Own) died on Sunday 9 June 1918.
Robert Leslie Grove Burnell was born in 1889 at Cannington, Somerset to Jesse Robert and Alice Burnell. Jesse was a farmer at Cannington but later became the landlord of The Phoenix Hotel, Gillingham until has death in September 1906, aged 42. Robert was confirmed in St.Mary’s Parish church in November 1904. After Jesse’s death, Alice continued at The Phoenix with Robert or Leslie, as he was better known. Leslie lived at The Phoenix in a one roomed, first floor furnished flat at a weekly rent of 7/6d (according to the 1911 Electoral register). His siblings were Raymond William (b1890),chauffeur at the Hotel in 1911, Sidney (b1892), Jeffery (b1906) and Marjorie Mary (b1894). In 1913 Leslie married Louisa Hanly at Paddington. Louisa was the daughter of Gillingham doctor Thomas Hanly. Twin sons were born in 1916, Robert Leslie and Thomas Leslie.
In 1915 the 3/1st Dorset Yeomanry was formed and Burnell probably joined them and later went to Ireland. He left Ireland in 1917with other Dorset Yeomanry bound for Alexandria, Egypt aboard HMT Willochra and joined the 1/1st QODY, commencing his active service. In the action of El Mughar, Palestine the QODY together with other infantry units successfully drove off Turkish forces from high ground.
Records of the Dorset Yeomanry show the following entry:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when acting as Brigade galloper. He [Burnell] carried messages on several occasions under heavy fire, and twice established communications with his Regiment, over very difficult ground, when all other means failed. On one occasion he passed through a party of the enemy while carrying an urgent message. He set a magnificent example of courage and initiative.” He received the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
Burnell was killed on 9 June 1918 together with Pte Darter, Trumpeter Routledge and Lt Mason when Mason led a mounted charge. Burnell's medals are on display at The Keep Museum, Dorchester.
He is commemorated at the Gillingham War Memorial and also at grave N.90 at the CWGC Jerusalem War cemetery, Israel.
Left: Burnell is thought to be on the left.
Right: Burnell's twin boys born 1916
Photos courtesy of Jane Clements whose grandfather was a friend of Burnell.
DJL
Posted 21 June 2020
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CABELL Edwin
17864 Private Edwin Cabell of 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment was killed in action in Belgium on 15 August 1917.
Edwin Cabell was born at Holwell, Dorset in 1880. He was the son of George Babell a foreman at the brick works and Annie Cabell and the family lived at Packers Hill, Holwell. In 1901 Edwin was also employed at the brick and tile works.
Edwin married Alice Susan Pound at Weymouth in 1902. Alice was the daughter of a prison warder and in 1891 was living on Portland but by 1901 was living in Holwell and was a school mistress.
Edwin and Alice’s son Reginald was born on 14 March 1902 at Portland and their son Cyril was born on 12 September 1910 at Holwell.
In 1911 the family were living at Holwell and Edwin was employed as a brick and tile maker.
Edwin enlisted in the army at Gillingham but neither the date of the family’s move to Gillingham nor the date of his enlistment is known. It is likely that he was working at Gillingham Brickworks. His son Reginald was confirmed at St Mary’s Church, Gillingham in June 1917.
Edwin served as a Private in 5th Dorsetshire Battalion and was killed in an attack on German lines at Langemark, north of Ypres in Belgium on 15 August 1917. His death was reported in the Western Gazette of 7 September 1917.
He is buried at plot 4 row D in Artillery Wood cemetery in the West Vlaanderen area of Belgium and is remembered on Gillingham War Memorial.
Army pension records show that Alice and her two sons were living at New Road, Gillingham and she received a pension of £1 2s 11d but part of that pension was withheld because in October 1917 her elder son Reginald aged 15 joined the Royal Navy as a Boy II. Reginald served in the Royal Navy until October 1945 reaching the rank of Petty Officer.
Alice returned to Portland and died there on 6 March 1940.
LG
Entry posted 24 March 2021
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CARTER Edwin James Gordon
24047 Private Edwin James Gordon Carter of the 1st Battalion the Devonshire Regiment died 9 May 1917.
He was born in Brighton Sussex in 1883 to parents John and Elizabeth Carter.
ln the 1891 census he was living with his grandparents at Berwick St.James, Wiltshire. ln the 1901 Census, he was a boarder in Milford, Salisbury, Wiltshire living with William and Elizabeth Hallett, working as a draper's porter aged 16 years. On the 1911 census he is in Court Street, Tisbury, Wiltshire a boarder with Thomas and Arundell Hull working as a domestic chauffeur.
He later obtained a job as chauffeur for the Anstruther family of Knapp House, Wyke, Gillingham. (see left)
Edwin married Alice May Hull (daughter of Thomas and Arundell) in October 1915 and lived in Knapp Cottage where Winifred Joyce was born in 1916.
Edwin enlisted at Gillingham, Dorset on the 31 May 1916 with the Devonshire Regiment. He was killed in action at the battle of Fresnoy-en- Gohelle in north eastern France. ln records of the battle it states: ‘The 1st Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment on the 8/9 May 1917 fought on when battalions to their left and right were late in the attack.’
Starting on 28 April 1917 the village Fresnoy was virtually destroyed. A quote from Ernst Junger, who wrote Storm of Steel, recalled the barrage on the village, "Fresnoy was one towering fountain of earth after another. Each second seemed to want to outdo the last. As if by some magical power, one house after another subsided into the earth, walls broke, gables fell, and bare sets of beams and joists were sent flying through the air, cutting down the roofs of other houses. Clouds of splinters danced over whitish wraiths of steam. Eyes and ears utterly compelled by this devastation."
A few weeks later on the 5 May the Canadians captured the village. It was lost however when ferocious German attacks were launched on 7 May and pushed the Canadians and British back.
Edwin died on 9 May 1917 and is remembered on the Gillingham War Memorial and at the Arras War Memorial at Faubourg-D'Amiens, Arras, France.
AW & DJL with thanks to Penny Carey (Winifred's granddaughter) for the photographs
Entry posted 15 February 2015 amended 22 June 2020
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CHURCHILL Lionel George
2215 Cpl. Lionel George Churchill served with the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Battalion of the Household Cavalry & Cavalry of the Line Regiment. He died on 24 August 1915 from wounds received at Gallipoli.
Lionel was born in Gillingham in 1882, son of Mark and Elizabeth (nee Lush. He had a sister Ethel born 1882. His father is recorded in the 1881 census as a Foreman dairyman (Salisbury, Semley and Gillingham Dairy) and in 1891, 1901 & 1911 as the Manager of Gillingham Dairy in Station Road. When Lionel died in 1915 his parents were living at Kirby House, Station Road, Semley, Wiltshire.
According to the 1901 census, Lionel was an outfitters assistant. Sometime after this Lionel enlisted to join in the South African 2nd Boer War. He served with the Cape Mounted Riflemen and received a South Africa Medal with clasp.
In the 1911 census, Lionel is a shop assistant (hosier) living in Eastgate Street, Gloucester.
Lionel enlisted at Gloucester on 20 August 1914 and joined the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars. In April 1915 the Hussars were ordered to overseas service but instead of France, they were sent to Gallipoli, reaching Alexandria, Egypt on 21 April. On 11 August 1915 orders came to proceed to Gallipoli but without their horses. Landing at Suvla Bay a week later they were concentrated on Chocolate Hill and the Yeomanry acted as infantry. Lionel was wounded, probably on 21 August and he was transferred to the hospital ship 'HMT Alaunia' where he died from his wounds - it is likely that he was buried at sea.
The Three Shires Advertiser for 18 September 1915 contained the following report:
TWO GILLINGHAM HEROES KILLED “There was general grief in the town when it became known that as a result of the terrible battle for Hill 70 in the Gallipoli Peninsula two highly respected Gillingham young men had lost their lives, viz Mr Lionel Churchill, only son of Mr and Mrs Mark Churchill, who was attached to the Gloucester Hussars and who died of wounds received in that engagement; and Mr Bertie Hiscock of Bay, Gillingham, who was attached to the Queen’s Own Dorset regiment and who died of wounds in the same engagement. Mr Churchill had been for some time in a situation at Lincoln. Both young men volunteered at the outbreak of the war and the news of their death cast quite a gloom over the town.”
He is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Canakkale, Turkey (panel XIII) He is also remembered on the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Yeomanry War Memorial, College Green Gloucester, Semley War Memorial, Roll of Honour in St Leonard's Church, Semley, Baptist Chapel Plaque, Semley, Salisbury Cathedral Book of Remembrance and the Gillingham War Memorial.
DJL (with thanks to Jan Oliver, Online Parish Clerk for Semley, Sedgehill and Tisbury who supplied additional information)
Entry posted 11 January 2015 and updated 23 June 2020
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COOMBS, Charles Edwin
26727 Private Charles Edwin Coombs of 2nd Battalion Duke of Edinburgh’s (Wiltshire) Regiment was killed in Belgium on 28 April 1918.
Charles was born at Buckland Newton, Dorset in 1897 the son of Henry John and Frances Louisa Coombs. Charles’ mother died in 1902 at North Wooton and his father married widow Ellen Augusta Miller in 1904 at Henstridge.
On 17 October 1907 Charles and his younger brother Arthur were enrolled at Yarlington School, Somerset.
In 1911 Charles was living at Shotwell, Yarlington, Somerset with his father, step-mother and three brothers – William G 20, Edgar H 14 and Arthur S 11 and he was employed as an agricultural labourer.
Charles originally joined the Dorset Regiment and at that time was living in Gillingham.
In April 1918 the 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment was re-formed after losing over 600 men the previous month and was fighting near Ypres. Charles died on 28th April 1918.
In 1920 his father Henry and step-mother Ellen were living at Redmoor Cottages, Gillingham and in 1922 moved to 19 Addison Terrace, Gillingham. His father Henry died in 1924 at Gillingham.
Charles is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial panel 119 – 120 at Zonnebeke, Belgium and on Gillingham War Memorial.
LG
Entry posted 24 March 2021
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COWARD Robert Sgt
3/7375 Sergeant Robert Coward of the 1st Battalion the Dorsetshire Regiment died 24th April 1915.
Robert was born in Gillingham, Dorset and baptised on 1st April 1883, the son of Henry and Anna Sarah Coward. He was the eleventh child of thirteen.
ln the 1891 Census Robert aged 8 is living at 3, Peacemarsh Terrace, Gillingham with the family consisting of his mother, five brothers and a sister.
Robert joined the Dorsetshire Regiment at Gillingham in December 1899 serving for 8 years (it is likely that he saw service in India) and then 4 years as a reservist.
The 1911 Census shows Robert at 52 Queen's Gardens, West Paddington where he was employed as a 'man servant'. He is recorded however as Howard. In May, Robert Howard married Nellie Cunnington. Whether Nellie knew of his change of name, we shall never know. Perhaps he hoped to keep it a secret from her, but it all changed because of the Great War.
He then attested for the Dorsetshire Regiment in Marylebone, Middlesex on the 10th August 1914 with his trade listed as a Butler. The Attestation form is completed in the name of Coward but the signature looks as though it is Howard changed to Coward. Also page 2 is headed Howard.His personal details were given as height 5 feet 6.5 inches, weight 140 pounds, hazel eyes and brown hair with a tattoo on his left forearm.
He was posted to Wyke Regis, Dorset 19th August 1914, made up to a Lance Corporal 30th August 1914, Corporal 12th September 1914 and a Sergeant 13th October 1914. He was posted on Active Service on 25th March 1915 joining the Battalion on 29th March 1915. Robert was killed in action with the B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force) in Flanders.
The Second Battle of Ypres 1915 comprised of four battles in the northern sector of the Ypres salient. The first of these began on the 22nd April 1915 as a surprise attack by the German Army on the French sector of the allied front. This attack witnessed the first use of a new German weapon on the Western Front: a cloud of poisonous gas, its deadly effect was carried on a gentle breeze towards French troops and as a result its devastating effect on the Front Line.
His widow Nellie Howard of 2, Herbert View, Belmont Road, Westgate on Sea, Kent, having one child (Robert Stanley Howard born November 1914), received his medals, 1914-15 Star, on 22nd May 1920 and the British War and Victory Medals on 1st June 1921. She continued to live at Belmont Road until the 1920s but what happened to her and her son afterwards is not known.
Robert's grave is at Woods Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot I.B.18
Robert is remembered at Westgate-on-Sea, as R Howard, on the Memorial tablet in St.Saviour's Church and the British Legion Memorial in Sea Road. At the Gillingham War Memorial he is R Coward.
AW and DJL. With thanks to Dr Dawn Crouch of Westgate-on-Sea for additional information.
Entry posted 15 February 2015 and amended 23 June 2020
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COWELL, Jocelyn Gore
2nd Lieutenant Jocelyn Gore Cowell of London Regiment Royal Fusiliers, and attached to Royal Flying Corps, killed whilst flying on 28 January 1918 at Nether Wallop, Hampshire
Jocelyn Cowell was born 18 March 1899 at Exmouth, Devon. His parents were Edward JE Cowell an army officer and Eliza Nita Cowell.
In 1901 Jocelyn was living at The Moorings, Littleham, Exmouth along with his mother, baby sister Betty Vera born 1900 and four female servants. His father was at that time serving in the army in South Africa. By 1911 he was a boarder at Doon House a prep school at Westgate on Sea, Kent whilst his parents were living at Pierston, Milton on Stour.
At the age of 17 he obtained his Aviator’s Certificate No. 3706 from Royal Aero Club having taken his test on a Hall Biplane at Hall Flying School, Hendon on 18 October 1916. His address was shown as The Kendalls, Gillingham.
In 1917 he enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers, his father’s regiment, and graduated from the Royal Military College on 13 September 1917 as a 2nd Lieutenant. Probably because he already held an Aviator’s Certificate he was attached to the Royal Flying Corps which at that time was the air arm of the army. His war medal record states that he didn’t serve outside the UK and at the time of his death was based at Training Depot 3 at Lopcombe Corner Aerodrome near Nether Wallop, Hampshire. Jocelyn Cowell died aged 18 on 28 January 1918 as the result of a flying accident, the cause of the accident isn’t known.
Jocelyn Cowell was buried on 1 February 1918 at St Simon & St Jude Church, Milton on Stour.
He is remembered on War Memorials at Milton and Gillingham and also on a tablet inside Milton Church (as above).
LG
Entry posted 24 March 2021
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CROCKER William Mark
24511 Private William Mark Crocker 5th Dorsetshire Battalion was killed in action in Belgium on 4 October 1917.
William was born in 1897 at Bowerchalke, Wiltshire, the eldest son of Walter and Kate Crocker.
In 1901 the family were living at Farmhouse, Milton and Walter was a horse dealer with a stable. William had a younger brother Walter Charles.
By 1911 William’s parents and younger brothers Walter Charles, Albert and Emmanuel were living at his grandfather’s farm at Eccliffe, Gillingham. However, William age 14 was living with his uncle and aunt at Pope’s House, Milborne Wick, Sherborne. His uncle was a dairyman and William was employed as a dairy assistant.
In January 1916 William aged 19 enlisted at Sherborne in the Dorsetshire Regiment. He served in D Company of 5th Battalion. In July 1916 the battalion went to France and moved to the Somme in September 1916 where two thirds of the battalion were killed or wounded. More men were lost at Beaucourt during the freezing winter of 1916/17. They saw action in May and June 1917 at Messines and lost only a small number of men in an attack near Ypres in August. William was one of over 60 men killed in the attack on Poelcapelle in the closing stages of the Third Battle of Ypres known as Passchendaele.
William is remembered on Gillingham War Memorial and at West Vlaanderen, Belgium on Panel 92A of Tyne Cot Memorial which commemorates almost 35,000 men.
William’s brother Walter Charles Crocker also served with 5th Dorsetshire Battalion and survived the war.
LG
Entry posted 9 April 2021
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CROSS Reginald Cross
Lieutenant Reginald Carlton Cross, Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry, attached to the South Lancashire Regiment, died on 7th June aged 26.
He was the second son of Carlton and Emily Cross. Carlton Cross was born (1860) into a dynasty of cotton manufacturers in Bolton Lancashire and moved to Wyke Hall, Gillingham in 1905. The 1911 census for Gillingham records Reginald as an ‘army student’. He was educated at Malvern College and Clare College, Cambridge. He went to British Columbia in 1912 and settled at Vaseau Lake, Okanagan Falls to become a fruit farmer.
In October 1914 Reginald returned to England and enlisted in the recently mobilised Lord Strathcona’s Horse as a trooper at Salisbury Plain on October 28 and went to France with the regiment on May 4, 1915. This was a Canadian mounted unit which had been formed at the time of the Boer War. Reginald was with the BEF in France and Flanders between May and November 1915, sometimes serving dismounted as infantry, when he returned to England and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into the 2/1st Queen’s Own Dorset Yeomanry. The Yeomanry went to France in July 1916 and spent five months as a cyclist unit. In November they acquired horses and were mounted again. In 1917 they reverted to the use of cycles and Reginald became a brigade scouting officer.
On June 1 1917 Reginald was promoted to full Lieutenant and in October was attached to the 2/4th South Lancashire Regiment (172 Brigade in 57th Division) returning to France on November 2 and went to join them at the front. Reginald was killed in action near Arras on June 7, 1918.
"An officer wrote to his family – Your son was one of the best sportsman I have met and we all miss his cheery personality sadly. You will be proud to know that he met his fate in a most gallant manner and he died in the act of saving his wounded men. His death was instantaneous, a bullet through the temple in the very act of dragging a badly wounded man into safety. He knew the risk he was running, and he died a very gallant gentleman. He actually performed one of the bravest acts in this battalion’s history and only cruel bad luck spoilt a glorious enterprise. His men are quite heartbroken and one badly wounded man, whom your son carried into safety, said, while being dressed in the First Aid Post, “I know I’m going to die. I am glad I went with him and now I shall go with him.” He died soon after.” Another Officer wrote – It is satisfactory to know that he lost his life so gallantly, but he is one who cannot easily be replaced as he was a really brave man, always keen and happy to take on a dangerous enterprise. It is a regret to me that he should have lost his life before gaining his Military Cross, which he would have been certain to get shortly."
Reginald was laid to rest in the British Cemetery at Couin, near Arras, France. He is remembered on the Gillingham War Memorial.
However, his parents decided that their son should be commemorated in Gillingham’s Parish Church. The Chapel of the Good Shepherd was given in memory of Lieut. Reginald Carlton Cross and was dedicated by the Bishop of Salisbury on January 23, 1922. Let into the South wall under a sculptured panel is the actual wooden cross which was originally placed on Lieut.Cross’s grave in France.
Ethel Freame recorded in her diary for February 1, 1922 – “We lunched at Wyke and met Mrs Lindon Bell who was very pleasant – so were ‘Carly’ and Mrs Cross, who seemed pleased at our admiration. of the chapel they have built on to the church in honour of their son Reggie. It really is quite nice we went to inspect it one day last week. The carving is quite good.”
Below: The Chapel of the Good Shepherd, St.Mary's Church, Gillingham.
DJL
Entry posted 27 March 2021
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DAVIS, William Bert
165598 Corporal William Bert Davis of 101st (Buckingham & Berkshire) Battalion Machine Gun Corps died in action on 29 August 1918 in France.
William Bert Davis was born in 1885 in Gillingham. He was the son of John Henry and Mary Ann Davis.
In 1891 William age 6 was living in Gas House Lane, Gillingham along with his parents and older siblings Katherine, Lillian, Lionel and Isabel. His father was an assistant at the bacon factory. By 1901 William’s parents had moved to Cemetery Road, Gilllingham and his father John had a grocery business there. John H Davis died on 12 July 1907 but Mary Ann still lived in Cemetery Road in 1911.
In 1901 William Bert Davis was living at Mere and he was a draper’s apprentice to John Walton who was a grocer and draper in The Square at Mere. By 1911 William had moved to London and was working at Harvey Nichols department store in Knightsbridge as a shop assistant. He was living along with 133 other staff who all worked at the store.
William married May Ella Walls in 1913 at Brentford, Middlesex. They didn’t have any children.
William enlisted in the army at Maida Vale initially joining the Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars and serving with them in Egypt in 1915. In 1918 the Hussars merged with the Berkshire Yeomanry to form C Battalion the Machine Gun Corps and in June 1918 the Battalion moved to France. Their transport SS Leasowe Castle was torpedoed on 26/27 May off Alexandria, Egypt as it headed for Marseilles. Around 100 men were lost.
In August 1918 the battalion was re-numbered 101st Battalion Machine Gun Corps and moved to the front line. William Bert Davis was killed on 29 August 1918.
William is remembered on panel 10 of the Vis- en- Artois memorial south east of Arras and on Gillingham War Memorial.
William’s widow May Ella was living in Knightsbridge, London at the time of his death. She re-married to widower James Hales Mitchiner in Kensington in 1923 and they lived in Paddington and Cookham, Berkshire. In 1939 May and James were living in Aberarth, Cardigan. James was a civil servant and May Ella was a police constable serving with Cardigan constabulary. May died in 1971.
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Entry posted 24 March 2021
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DODDINGTON, Henry Arthur
16062 Sergeant Henry Arthur Doddington 6th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment was killed in action in France 27 August 1918.
Henry Arthur Doddington was born in Mere, Wiltshire on 8 October 1892. His parents were Hugh Edward Doddington, a mason, and Elizabeth Doddington.
On 4 January 1902 Henry was baptised at St Michael’s Church, Mere along with his older siblings Martin John born 18 November 1888 and Lyndia Jane born 10 November 1890.
Henry Arthur had two more older brothers, Hugh Edward born in 1885 and William born in 1887. He also had a younger brother Reginald born in 1900 and a younger sister Fanny born in 1902.
In 1901 the family lived at North Road, Mere and Henry Arthur’s grandmother Maria Doddington lived in the next house but one. The family were still living at North Road, Mere in 1911 and by that time Henry Arthur was employed as a general labourer.
Henry enlisted in Dorsetshire Regiment at Gillingham. After the war he was awarded the British and Victory medals but not the 1914-15 Star so probably enlisted after 1915.
On 4 February 1918 Henry Arthur married Sarah Tucker at St Mary’s Church, Gillingham. Sarah was the daughter of Phillip and Sarah Tucker and was baptised at St Mary the Virgin, Gillingham on 6 December 1891. In 1911 Sarah was living at Elm View Terrace, Bay, Gillingham with her widowed grandmother Martha, her aunt Maria and her brother Arthur. Sarah worked at home and was employed as a machinist making leather gloves.
In 1918 the 6th Battalion Dorsetshire regiment fought battles at St Quentin, Bapaume, Amiens, Albert, Havrincourt, Epehy and Cambrai before pursuing the German army to the Selle. The Battalion lost around 1000 men, more than the strength of the battalion. Nearly half of these losses occurred in 1918 with exceptionally high losses in the last three months of the war.
Henry Arthur was killed in action on 27 August 1918 when 6th Battalion Dorsetshires were re-taking the village of Flers during the battle of Albert. He is buried at Bulls Road Cemetery, Flers, Somme but is one of 296 men whose graves are unidentified.
Henry is remembered on Gillingham War Memorial.
At the time of Henry Arthur’s death his wife Sarah was living still living at Elm View Terrace, Gillingham. In December 1918 Sarah received Henry’s army pay of £3 5s and 3d. and a grant of £5. In March 1919 she received a war gratuity of £16 and a weekly pension of 16s 3d. Sarah later moved to 4 Balmoral Road, Victoria Park, Andover and was still living there in 1939. She never married again and died at Andover in 1979.
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Entry posted 24 March 2021
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DOWN Charles
9532 Cpl. Charles Down of the 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment died on 26 September 1916 aged 21.
Charles was born in 1895 and baptised at St. Mary’s Church on 17 January 1896. His parents were William and Ellen Down.
The 1901 Census shows the family living at Ham, Gillingham. By 1911 they were living at Crown Yard, Peacemarch Place. Charles’ siblings were Harry (1898), Arthur (1900), (William) Frank (1902), Harold (1904), (Gladys) Edith (1907, Lilly (Ethel Lillian) (1909).
In 1911 Charles was an errand boy for a butcher.
Charles’ army details are in the ‘burnt’ records so many details are lost. However, it appears he joined 3rd Batt, Dorset Regiment in 1912 but there are enlistment documents dated 18 February 1913 when he signed up for 7 years in the Colours and 5 with the Reserve.
He was in France during 1914, in Gallipoli September 1915 to July 1916 and finally France again July to September 1916. In July 1916 he was at Arras, in the frontline with the 5th Battalion. The Battalion moved to just south of Thiepval to a German strongpoint at Mouquet Farm. The farm was partly held by the Germans, huge numbers of whom occupied a vast dugout below it. In this and in the attack the battalion sustained huge casualties.
Charles was killed in action on 26 September 1916 in Somme, France. There is no known grave, but he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial and the Gillingham Memorial.
DJL
Entry posted 12 March 2021
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DOWN William Oliphant
Captain William Oliphant Down M.C. 4th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment died of wounds 23 May 1917. He was 31.
William was born in Bridgwater, Somerset on 22 July 1885 the fourth child of Evan Roberts Down and Sarah Alice Down (née Boswall). His siblings were Edwin Boswall Down (1880), Elizabeth Lockyer Down (1881) and Ethel Margaret Down (1883).
The family moved to Gillingham in the late 1880s and occupied a large property called Knapp House, off Wyke Street. Evan was a Provision Merchant and Bacon Curer with Oake Woods in Station Road. By 1901 William, Elizabeth and parents were living in a new property, ‘Elmcroft’, on the Wyke Road.
William boarded at Warminster Grammar School, Wiltshire.
On leaving school William moved to London and trained as an accountant (According to a later Attestation document he was articled to Messrs McAuliffe, Davis and Hope of Threadneedle Street from 1907-1912. The 1911 census recorded him at two separate addresses. In the Chelsea home of Mr and Mrs Shiel-Barry, both actors, William is described as a ‘dramatist and actor’ and he was a visitor with Eliot Makeham (who went on to become a well-known film and TV actor). In the home of Mr and Mrs Veasey, at Ealing Common, William, a visitor, was described as a ‘dramatist’. It is thought that he might have been in lodgings in the same area.
William enlisted in the 15th Royal Hussars at the outbreak of the war. He was commissioned in the 4th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment in January 1916 and joined the Battalion in the front line near Hébuterne the same month. On 8th April he led a patrol on a raid against the German trenches. The following day he wrote ‘F.T.Blank Blank’ which begins:
A whisper wandered around
Of a plan of the G.O.C.’s
And figures surveyed the ground
In stealthy groups of threes;
But the whole Brigade was there
Or pretty well all the lot,
When we dug a trench at Never-mind-where
On April the Never-mind-what.
Above: cap badge of the Royal Berkshires
On 2nd July 1916 the Battalion was in bivouacs at Mailly-Maillet waiting to move up to the attack; when the orders were cancelled the Battalion returned to trenches at Hébuterne. By 27 August it had moved a little further south to trenches at Ovillers; Down was one of four men who were given immediate awards after an attack when 100 Germans were killed or wounded, and ten prisoners taken. Down received the M.C. His citation read: ‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He made an excellent reconnaissance of an enemy strong point, and brought back most useful information. Two nights later he commanded the right platoon in an attack, and after entering the enemy’s trench led a bombing party which killed 11 of the enemy’.
On 15th May 1917 the battalion was in the front line at Hermies. William Down was one of fifteen casualties the Battalion suffered during the six weeks it was in this sector of the Front. The Battalion diary recorded on 22 May: ‘Captain W.O. Down’s death was a great loss to the Battalion. He proved himself a most excellent officer, always thinking of his command. He knew his work thoroughly and his many qualities had endeared him to all ranks’.
William was awarded the British War Medal, the Victory medal and of course the M.C. mentioned earlier.
William is remembered in the War Memorial window in the chapel of Warminster Grammar School and on the school board, on a plaque in St.Mary’s Church, Gillingham, on the Gillingham Memorial and at the Hermies Hill British Cemetery where he was buried.
Left: Hermies Hill British Cemetery. Below: plaque in St.Mary's Church
Footnote: In literary circles he was known as Oliphant.
The report of his death appeared in ‘The Era’ June 1917. Captain Oliphant Down, news of whose death in action has just reached London, was the author of that charming fantasy ‘The Maker of Dreams’, which was produced at the Vaudeville in 1912. A little war play which he had written in France called ‘Tommy-by-the-Way’, was the last thing he wrote, and arrangements for its production were being made when the news of his death arrived’.
He wrote poetry and One Act Plays, published posthumously by his pre-war friend Harold Veasey in 1921 in collections that are to be found in the Bodleian Library. One poem was called ‘A Picardy Parody’.
A memorial matinee performance of his war play ‘Tommy-by-the-Way’ was performed at the Alhambra Theatre, London on 24 June 1918. Veasey’s foreword to the volume of Poems describes Oliphant: ‘His was a nature that abhorred war and its attendant horrors; it is therefore remarkable that this dreamer and idealist should have developed into such a very gallant and capable soldier’.
DJL
Entry posted 12 March 2021 amended 25 July 2021
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DUKES, SYLVESTER HENRY
54222 Private Sylvester Henry Dukes Durham Light Infantry died in action in Belgium on 7 June 1917.
Sylvester Henry Dukes was born in Gillingham in 1890, the second son of Henry and Mary Dukes.
In 1891 Sylvester was living in High Street, Gillingham with his parents, older brother Harry, his uncle Charles Dukes and his grandmother Mary Hayter. His father’s occupation was recorded as being a chapel keeper at the church and his mother was a dressmaker.
By 1901 the family was living in Wyke Street, next to Plank House, and father Henry Dukes was employed as a gardener. Oldest brother Charles was employed as an errand boy at the ironmongers and Sylvester now had a younger sister Mabel and three younger brothers – Bertram, Arthur and Eden.
The family were still living in Wyke Street, in a large house with eight rooms. Sylvester was employed as a labourer and his brothers and sister were all working apart from Eden the youngest who was still at school.
On 18 November 1915 Sylvester married Elsie Kate Markey who was born in Bourton in 1892.
Sylvester enlisted in the army on 14 October 1916. At that time he was living at Kendalls, Milton, Gillingham and employed as a gardener.
He was initially posted to 9th Training Reserve Battalion at Rugeley Camp. On 8 January 1917 he went to France and on 11 January was posted to 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry at Etaples. Between April and May 1917 he was attached to the Royal Flying Corps at No.1 Aircraft Depot before re-joining his unit still in France.
He was reported as missing on 7 June 1917 and wasn’t found. Corporal HG Leach reported that Sylvester was in a shell hole with two other men when a shell burst and probably killed them all.
Sylvester was awarded the British War medal and Victory medal.
His widow Elsie was awarded a pension of 13s 9d per week. Elsie’s parents and younger sister had emigrated to Canada in 1914 and Elsie joined them there in 1919. She re-married in 1920
Sylvester Dukes is remembered on Gillingham War Memorial and on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, Belgium. (Panel 36 and 38)
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Entry posted 3 April 2021
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DUNNING Leslie Victor
70429 Private Leslie Victor Dunning 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment was killed in action in France on 24 April 1918.
Leslie was born in Gillingham 1899 and baptised 11 June 1899 at St Mary the Virgin Church, Gillingham. He was the fourth child of Joseph W and Mary Dunning, New Road, Gillingham. His father, who was born in Leeds, worked at Gillingham Brick, Tile and Pottery Company
In 1901 the family lived in Wavering Lane and Leslie had three older siblings - John, Alice and Frederick. They were still in Wavering Lane in 1911 and by that time Leslie also had a younger brother Walter.
Leslie enlisted in the army at Dorchester, but details of his service aren’t known. The 2nd Battalion of the Devonshires were in reserve when the German Spring offensive began at the end of March 1918 but were rushed to Peronne where they held off several attacks before conducting a fighting withdrawal.
Leslie Dunning died on 24 April 1918 aged 19.
His wages totalling £5 18s 1d and a war gratuity of £3 10s were sent to his father Joseph. Leslie was also awarded the Victory and British Medals. After his death his parents lived in New Road, Gillingham.
Leslie is remembered on Gillingham War Memorial and on the Commonwealth War Graves Memorial at Pozieres, Picardy, France.
LG
Entry posted 9 April 2021
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EDWARDS George Harold
3/9951 Private George Harold Edwards 5th Battalion Duke of Edinburgh’s Wiltshire Regiment was killed in action in Mesopotamia (Iraq) on 5 April 1916.
George Edwards was born on 29 May 1895 in Gillingham and was baptised on 18 November 1899 at St Mary the Virgin, Gillingham when he was four years old. He was the youngest child of Fred Edwards and his wife Sarah Ann. The baptismal record for George shows that his father Fred was a painter, but the census shows that Fred was also a glazier and plumber working on his own account.
In 1901 the family was living in High Street, Gillingham and George had five older sisters Ethel 22, Clara 19, Ellen 17, Alice 13 and Elsie 7 and two older brothers Mark 21 and William 10. Two more older siblings, John and Henrietta, had already left the family home.
By 1911 all the older children had left home and only George and William were living with their parents at a new home in Octave Terrace, Queen Street. William 20 was employed as a plumber’s assistant, possibly working with his father, and George 15 was still at school. Their mother Sarah died in 1912.
Details of George’s war service aren’t known apart from the fact that he enlisted at Devizes.
His battalion went first in July 1915 to Gallipoli and they remained in Turkey until January 1916 when they were evacuated and moved to Egypt where they were reinforced by 750 men. In February 1916 the battalion moved to Kuwait and in March to Amarah via the Tigris River. They then relieved the Lahore Division south of Kut and in April took part in the attempt to relieve Kut and attacked the Turkish trenches at Hannah followed by an attack on Sanna-I-Yat. It is likely that George was killed in one of these actions.
A war gratuity of £6 was sent to George’s father Fred who died in 1921.
George is remembered on Gillingham War Memorial and on the Commonwealth War Graves memorial at Basra, Iraq.
George’s brother William also served during WWI with 1st/4th Dorsets.
FLETCHER Harry Luke
200165 Corporal Harry Luke Fletcher served with the 1st/4th Dorsetshire Regiment in India and Mesopotamia. He died of pneumonia whilst home on leave on 5 April 1919.
Born in 1889, Harry was the son of James and Mary Fletcher. The 1891 Census shows the family living at Langham, Gillingham. Siblings are Lilian (1867), Edwin (1873), Ellen (1880, Bessie (1883), Nora (1887).
The 1901 Census shows them living at Wyke. They are still at Wyke in 1911, next to ‘Trelawn’, Wyke Road, when Harry is described as a printer. In fact he was working for Messrs J Nicholsons & Co., Station Road.
Harry’s death was reported in the Western Gazette of 11 April 1919. Harry had joined the Dorsetshire regiment in January 1911. He was in training with the Territorials on Salisbury Plain when war broke out and in January 1915 was sent to India with the 1/4th Dorsets. He served all through the Mesopotamia campaign and landed home on 21 March after an absence of 4 years. He had made arrangements to return to his printing job after the end of his leave. Unfortunately he contracted influenza a week later and after complications developed he passed away on 5 April. He was due to marry his fiancée at Easter, later that
April.
The funeral of Corporal Fletcher was reported in the Western Gazette of 18 April 1919
"The funeral took place from his brother’s residence on Wyke Road on Thursday afternoon,
the bearers being men of the 1/4th Dorset Regiment, with whom he had served right through the Mesopotamia campaign. About 50 ex-service men resident in the town attended to pay a last tribute of respect to a comrade in arms. They were under the command of Lieut. Jackson Taylor, of the V.D.A. Major Walker, who has seen much service, was also present. Eight men of the V.A.D. attended. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack and a large number of wreaths sent by sympathisers. The Town Band led the funeral procession and played the ‘Dead March’ to the church, where the cortege was met at the gates by the Rev. Canon Abbott, who conducted the service, which was very impressive, at
the graveside. After the service the band played a hymn and Mr Hayden Harris sounded the ‘Last Post’ over the grave."
His grave is in Gillingham Cemetery marked by a CWGC gravestone. (grave 669) (see above) and is remembered at the Gillingham War Memorial.
DJL
Entry posted 18 January 2015 and updated 23 June 2020.
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FLOWER PHILIP Norman
21712 Private Philip Norman Flower 14th Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment died on 8th October 1918 in Hamburg, Germany.
Philip Norman was born in Buckhorn Weston, Dorset in 1889 to John and Camilla Flower. In 1891 the family were living in the Street at Buckhorn Weston. With the parents were three boys and three girls. John was a native of Buckhorn Weston born 1861 his wife from Fifehead Magdalen born 1857. In the Census of 1901, the family were living at 1 Shave Hill Buckhorn Weston.
By the 1911 Census the family were in Cucklington, Somerset and Philip is an Assistant Mill Hand. The return states that John and Camilla had 10 children, all living. Philip’s siblings were Hilda (1883), Beatrice (1885), Edward George (1886), James (1887), William (1888, Winifred (1891), Dulcie (1896). Ernest (1899), Francis (1902)
In 1912 Philip marries Freda Elsie Pitman on 28th August in St. Mary’s Parish Church, both living at Springfield, Gillingham. Phillip is listed as a Corn Miller.
Philip’s Military Service started in 1915 when he enlisted in Castle Cary Somerset joining the Gloucestershire Regiment 14th Battalion. The Battalion formed in Bristol on 22nd April 1915 by Citizens Recruiting Committee as a Bantam Battalion (Bantams had a minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches) In June 1915 they came under the command of 105th Brigade of the 35th Division at Marsham North Yorkshire. Adopted by the War Office 23rd June 1915. Moved to Salisbury Plan in August 1915, landed at Le Havre 30th January 1916. 11th February 1918 disbanded in France 120 officers and 250 men going to the 13th Battalion.
The 13th Battalion 6th May 1918 reduced to cadre strength( training recruits) on 16th June 1918 transferred to 197th Brigade 66th (2nd East Lancs) Division. 20th September 1918 Brigade transferred to Lines of Communication.
The 35th Division on 6th February 1916 were east of St Omer. That year they fought at the Battle of the Somme, in 1917 in pursuit of the Germans retreating to the Hindenberg Line and the 3rd Battle of Ypres. By 1918 they were back at the Somme fighting the First Battle of that year and later the final advance in Flanders.
Philip was captured, place unknown, and made a Prisoner of War. He was held in a Lazarett (Military Hospital for P.O.W.s) in the Hamburg area of Germany. Lazarett VII was a ward of the central prison at Fuhlsbuttel. He died from influenza.
Philip is buried in the Ohlsdorfer Friedhof Cemetery, Hamburg, Germany (the biggest non-military cemetery in the world). (photo courtesy Find-a-Grave)
His family, living at Springfield Cottages, received the British and Victory Medals under the name P.N. FLOWERS.
Philip's brothers, Edward and William also served in WW1 and both survived.
AW & DJL
Entry posted 21 March 2021
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FLOWER Tom
3/8570 Private Tom Flower 1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment died in France on 2 May 1915.
Tom was born in Gillingham in 1879 to parents Worthy and Lydia Flower. His siblings were Ellen (1862), James (1867), Ambrose (1869), John (1871), Mary (1875) and Henry (1877). The census returns for 1881, 1891 and 1901 show the family living in Common Mead Lane. He was baptised at St. Mary’s on 10th March 1884 and confirmed there on 11 December 1894.
Tom, a bricklayer, married Alma Moore on 26 December 1905 and in 1911 they were living with Alma’s parents at East Stour. Tom and Alma had three children, Edward Bertram (1906), Lillian Ethel (1909) and Reginald Tom (1913).
Tom enlisted on 19 October 1914 at Gillingham. His attestation indicates that he had previous service with the 1st Dorsets. His height was 5’ 5½ “ ,130 pounds, a fresh complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair.
He was posted on active service on 18th February 1915 going to France with the Expeditionary Force. He died of Poison Gas on Sunday 2nd May 1915, taking part in the battle for Hill 60 in the Second Battle of Ypres. Tom was a member of the 1st Battalion Dorset Regiment (15th Brigade) who occupied Hill 60 on the 1st May 1915, when the Germans initiated the first gas attack using Chlorine Gas on the far side of the salient. The men were now equipped with very basic gauze and cotton face masks. Chlorine is a gas which attacks the lungs. A high enough exposure will prove fatal as the lungs fill with liquid.
Tom is buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord Memorial / Grave reference 1.A. 165. Bailleul is a town in France near the Belgian border 14.5 miles South West of Ipers (Ypres) on the main road from St. Omer to Lille.
He is also remembered on the Gillingham War Memorial and the East Stour Memorial.
His widow Alma of Back Street East Stour received 1914/1915 Star on 29th May 1920 and applied for the British and Victory Medals on 8th June 1921. She had remarried in 1916 to James Toogood, and was living at Lovington near Winchester Hants. Alma died in 1946.
AW & DJL
Entry posted 13 March 2021
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FOOT(E) James Charles
202843 Private James Charles Foote of the 1st/4th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment died 23 April 1917 aged 33.
James was born in Gillingham in 1884, the son of Anna Maria Foote.
In the 1891 Census, Anna is single, head of the household and occupied as a charwomen. She is living at Chantry with James and Linda.
In the 1901 Census Anna is living in Cemetery Road with James, a box maker, her daughter now married to Walter Bealing and their child Gladys.
In the 1911 Census Anna and James were living with Walter & Linda Bealing and family. James is a boxmaker (in wood) at the sawmills, (Hudson & Martins, timber merchants).
He was an active member of the Gillingham Fire Brigade.
James, known as 'Jimmy', enlisted in Dorchester on 12 May 1916, joining the 1st/4th (City of Bristol) Battalion (T.F.) of the Gloucestershire regiment.
He was severely wounded in the head in the fighting at the Battle of Arras, 2nd Battle of the Scarpe and died in the base hospital on 23 April 1917.
James was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
He is remembered on the Gillingham War Memorial and is buried in the Etretat Churchyard extension, Department Seine-Maritime, Haute Normandie (plot I.D.14)
AW & DJL
Entry posted 15 February 2015. Updated 3 April 2021
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GOWER Edgar Albert
10492 Sergeant Edgar Albert Gower 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment died on 31 August 1915.
Edgar Albert Gower was born in Hastings, Sussex in 1881. He was the son of Jesse Clark Gower, a merchant’s clerk, and Elizabeth who lived at 39 St James’ Road, Hastings.
In 1891 Edgar aged 9 was living with his parents, older brothers Jesse 16 and William 12; older sisters Edith 14 and Emma 10 and his younger brother Hubert 7.
By 1901 Edgar had two more sisters - Ethel 8 and May 3. His father Jesse had become a brewer’s manager and Edgar 19 was a brewer’s clerk.
At some point Edgar moved to Petersfield, Hampshire and in 1911 was boarding with George Wiggins, a brewer’s blacksmith, and his wife at 34 Charles St Petersfield. He was still employed as a brewer’s clerk.
The 1914 Voters List for Gillingham shows Edgar lodging at Wyke. He had two furnished rooms on the ground and first floors and his landlord was John Wadman of Wyke. The 1911 census shows John Wadman was a brewer’s labourer who lived with his wife and three young children in a six roomed house. Given Edgar’s previous occupation and the location of his lodgings it seems very likely that he had moved to Gillingham to work at Wyke Brewery.
Edgar enlisted in the Dorsetshire Regiment at Dorchester possibly in response to Lord Kitchener's call for volunteers. After six months training at Belton Park, Grantham the 5th battalion went to Witley Camp near Hindhead and joined 34 Brigade destined for Gallipoli. The battalion landed at Suvla Bay on 11 July 1915 and suffered relatively few casualties though many men suffered illness from heat and mosquitoes.
Thousands of soldiers wounded in the Gallipoli and Salonika campaigns were shipped to Malta which gained the island the title “Nurse of the Mediterranean”. At its peak Malta had 27 hospitals with 334 medical officers, 913 nurses, and 25,000 beds to provide optimum care to those arriving from the front. Having been taken to one of those hospitals Edgar died of tetanus from his wounds.
Edgar was buried at Addolorata Cemetry, Paola, which is the largest burial ground in Malta and contains 278 Commonwealth War Graves as well as thousands of civilian graves. Edgar’s parents requested that Requiescat in Pace be engraved on his memorial stone. He was awarded the Victory and British medals and 1915 Star. Edgar’s older brother William served in the Royal Naval Air Service.
Edgar is remembered on Gillingham War Memorial and on the War Memorial at Hastings.
LG
Entry posted 9 April 2021
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GRAY Albert Percival
36421 Private Albert Percival Gray 14th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment died in action in France on 27 September 1918.
Albert Percival Gray was born in Gillingham in 1899 and was baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church, Gillingham on 3 March 1899. He was the sixth child of Charles Gray an upholsterer and Roseanna Gray.
In 1911 Albert was living with his parents, brothers Tom 18, Reginald 10, Edwin 8 and sister Florence 13 at Bay Cottages, Gillingham. His parents later lived in Peacemarsh. On 14 December 1913 Albert was confirmed at St Mary the Virgin Church.
He joined the army in March 1917 and at that time he was living at Patchway, Bristol. Albert’s
military record was destroyed during WWII but according to his medal record Albert served initially with the Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars but later transferred to 14th (Service) Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment. The Battalion went to France in April 1918
Albert was killed in action in France on 27 September 1918, probably during the Battle of the Canal du Nord near Cambrai which began that day. He is buried in plot vii H 5, close to the Cross of Sacrifice, at Gouzeaucourt Cemetery south west of Cambrai, France.
Albert is also remembered on Gillingham War Memorial.
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Entry posted 29 April 2021
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GREEN Arthur
36982 Gunner Arthur Green of Royal Field Artillery was killed in action in France on 7 October 1917.
Arthur Green born 1897 at Gillingham was the ninth and youngest child of Frederick and Jane Green. His father was a carter at the brewery and the family lived at Wyke, Gillingham.
Arthur was baptised on 2 March 1900 at St Mary the Virgin Parish Church, Gillingham.
The 1911 census shows that only Arthur aged 12 and his older brother Albert aged 22 were still living with their parents. Arthur was still at school.
On 7 September 1914, only a month after the war began, Arthur attested for the army at Dorchester. He was 5‘7”, had tattoos on both forearms and had been working as a labourer. Arthur was assigned as a gunner in the Royal Field Artillery. Initially he served in UK but went to France on 13 July 1915.
The most numerous branch of the artillery, the horse-drawn RFA was responsible for the medium calibre guns and howitzers deployed close to the front line and was reasonably mobile. It was organised into brigades.
After two years fighting Arthur returned to the UK on leave between 9 and 19 September 1917 but was killed in action on 7 October 1917 shortly after his return to France. He was serving in 17th Division Ammunition Column, probably during the Battle of Ypres or Passchendaele as it is sometimes known.
Some of his possessions were returned to his father Fred; they included five letters, a wallet, a safety razor and a 9ct. gold ring. His father also received Arthur’s medals – the 14/15 Star and the British War Medal.
Arthur is buried at plot III A 24 Canada Farm Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, north east of Ypres, Belgium.
He is also remembered on Gillingham War Memorial.
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Entry posted 29 April 2021
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HARRIS John William
26790 Corporal John William Harris 1st Battalion Dorset Regiment was killed in action on 4 February 1917 in France.
John William Harris was born in Gillingham in 1892 the ninth and youngest child of Ebeneezer and Emily Laura Harris. John was baptised at St Mary the Virgin Parish Church on 28 November 1901 at the age of around 9. The baptismal register shows that his father was an inn keeper and the census of 1901 shows him as an inn keeper and carpenter, the family living at The Grosvenor Arms Inn on High Street, Gillingham.
By 1911 the inn had closed but the family continued to live at Grosvenor House on High Street and John 19 and his elder brother Joseph 22 were both employed as journeymen carpenters working at home for their father Ebeneezer who is shown as an employer. Their mother Emily and sister Eglah 26 were also part of the household.
John Harris enlisted at Sherborne in the Dorset Yeomanry in January 1914 before the outbreak of WWI and he subsequently served in 1st Dorset Regiment but his military record no longer exists.
His mother Emily died on 5 March 1916 and a report of her funeral in the Western Gazette of 17 March 1916 says that her son Jack was one of the mourners so he must have been given compassionate leave.
In November 1916 the 1st Battalion Dorset Regiment were fighting at Beaumont-Hamel south of Arras and must have remained in that area until the following February as John Harris is buried at plot B41 in the small cemetery there. At the request of his family the words “Peace Perfect Peace” are inscribed on his memorial stone.
He is also remembered on Gillingham War Memorial. This photograph taken at the unveiling of the memorial i n 1920also shows John’s family home, the three- storey building on the opposite side of the road.
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Entry posted 29 April 2021
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HENWOOD R
R Henwood has not been traced. However, a possibility is Eli Henwood from Yeovil whose father was born at Zeals Green, Zeals, Wiltshire. Military records are not available to confirm details. He may have enlisted at Gillingham. Unless anybody thinks differently here are Eli’s details.
19926 Private Eli Henwood 1st Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry died 9 April 1917 aged 21.
Eli was born in 1896 in Yeovil, Somerset to parents Eli and Caroline (née Sugg). Eli senior was born at White Cross, Zeals. The Henwoods were associated with Zeals and Mere over a long period of time.
Eli both senior and junior were employed in the leather industry.
In 1901 the family were living at 12 Lyde Terrace, Yeovil and in 1911 at 82 Lyde Road, Yeovil. There were 11 children born to Eli and Caroline.
Eli joined the 1st Battalion Somerset Light Infantry and probably took part in the Arras offensive in France in 1917. He was recorded ‘presumed dead’ on 9 April.
He is remembered on the Arras Memorial, Yeovil Spire Memorial and the Gillingham War Memorial and was awarded the Victory and British medals.
DJL
Entry posted 6 May 2021
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HISCOCK Bertram
758 Lance Corporal Bertram Hiscock 1st/1st, Dorset Yeomanry Queen’s Own) died on 30 August 1915 after being wounded at Gallipoli. He was 26.
Bertram was born in Gillingham on 13 July 1889 to Edward John (farm labourer) and Emily HISCOCK. His siblings were Frances Mary (1877), Emma Jane (1879), William Edward John (1881), Mary Eliza (1883), Annie Florence (1885), Edwin Frederick George (1886), Sidney John (1892). The family lived at Madjeston, at the bottom of Hunger Hill. Census returns show the Hiscock family living at Wincombe Lane, Shaftesbury (1891), Peacemarsh (1901), St Martins Square (1911).
Bertram was confirmed at St Mary's Church in November 1903. He became a member of the Lumsden Lambs, a football team organised by Rev. Lumsden. He left school aged 10. Both Bertram and his brother Edwin attended 'night school'to improve their education. he was employed as a commercial clerk at Oake Woods Bacon Factory in Station Road.
On 2 March 1914, Bertram joined 'D' Squadron of the Dorset 'Queen's Own Yeomanry as recruit 758.
The Regimental Orders by Lieut-Col. E G Troyte-Bullock of the Sherborne HQ., dated 20 April 1914, stated that the “Regiment will proceed to St.Giles on Sunday May 17, for Annual Training.
A friendship formed between Bertram and Arthur Shephard in The Market Hall in Station Road which was used as the training centre for the territorials in the then 'D '
Squadron of the Yeomanry in the months leading up to WW1. When Bertram lived in St.Martins Square he was only across the road from the Shephard family tailoring business.
Above photo shows Arthur, left, and Bertram, right. The name of the middle soldier is currently unknown.
Following the declaration of war in August, 1914, The Dorset Yeomanry joined two other Yeomanry regiments, the Berkshires and the Buckinghamshires to form the Second South Midland Mounted Brigade under the command of the highly regarded Brig Gen The Earl of Longford (father of the prisons campaigner). Initially the three units trained as a brigade for cavalry warfare at the open downland at Churn Camp near Wantage. After posting to Norfolk over the Christmas period of 1915, when it was feared there might be a German invasion, they were ordered to report to Avonmouth for transfer to Egypt on 8 April, 1915. Further training followed at Kasr-el-Nim Barracks and then Abbassia Barracks in Cairo.
On 24 April, Bertram wrote to his mother in Gillingham.
Dear mother,
As we might be calling at Gibraltar tomorrow, Monday, I am writing a few lines to let you know I am still A I. We sailed from Bristol Thursday night and have had excellent weather so far. I have not been unwell at all except a slight headache the first day but it upset a good many others. However, we are all pretty well used to it now and for myself I am enjoying the journey. The only drawback is that the room for sleeping is very cramped. We sleep in hammocks slung from the roof over the mess tables and this makes it very hot and close. Some nights we go on the upper deck to sleep but it is nearly so bad up there for most of the fellows prefer to sleep out in the open and it is nothing to see 200 or 300 all lying there. On the whole however we are not done so badly.
The name of our camp is Lel. Zahria and is somewhere about six miles from Alexandria. It is all sand and it gets everywhere in your clothes and all over the place. We are on a camping ground recently vacated by French troops but there are other camps nearby and there appear to be heaps of soldiers here French, Indians and Australians.
On 11 August Bertram wrote to his brother Edwin who was in Gillingham with his mother, the other siblings having left home.
'Things here are in a very uncertain state and we are under orders again to move. Should there be no alteration we shall probably be gone by Friday but will send a postcard letting you know for certain so don’t say anything until you hear again. We are going as Infantry a few being left behind to look after the horses. I shall be in the ranks now which will be much better for there is always more fun going when there are a lot together. If we go mother is sure to worry a bit so do your best to keep her from thinking too much about it. I have knocked about a little since I left G’ham and there is no place like home.' This is probably the last letter that Bertram wrote.
An account of what happened next was written by Arthur Shephard's son, John.
'It was on 13 August that Arthur and Bert learned that they were to be posted on active service as a dismounted unit and entraining for Alexandria were given last minute instruction on wearing infantry webbing from wounded servicemen recently evacuated from Gallipoli. They then sailed on HMT Lake Michigan to the Greek offshore island of Lemnos where they arrived on 17 August.
The overnight crossing to SuvlaBay, Gallipoli on SS Sarnia was no more than a 5 hour journey. However, the arrival was behind schedule and as they transferred in broad daylight from the Sarnia to ships cutters to be rowed ashore by the Royal Navy, the Turkish artillery opened up from its positions on the heights further inland – fortunately causing little harm or damage.
The objective of the offensive on 21 August in the Suvla sector was to allow British forces to gain the high ground. In addition to the by now 4 infantry divisions already there and the recently landed Yeomanry division, the ‘Incomparable’ 29 Division made up of battle hardened regular soldiers was shipped round from the Helles sector at the tip of the peninsula to Suvla to spearhead the advance. They occupied the front line trenches each side of Chocolate Hill. The yeomanry had been brought around on foot overnight under cover of darkness from their bivouac in a long file of 5,000 men along narrow trackways to the sheltered ground behind a hill near the sea called Lala Baba. It was intended they should act as a reserve. At 1pm they received orders to advance from Lala Baba and take up positions behind Chocolate Hill by 3.30pm.
At this point things took an unexpected turn. Lord Longford called up the regimental commanders and told them instead of remaining in reserve their orders were to attack Scimitar Hill immediately. The CO’s were shown a map with the Turkish trenches marked on it but the information turned out to be inaccurate. At between 5 and 6 pm, the three regiments of 2 Mounted Brigade advanced over the front line trenches to the north of Chocolate Hill. Having no previous battle experience they went forward under heavy fire towards Scimitar Hill in extended lines of half squadrons with bayonets fixed, the Berkshire Yeomanry in the lead followed by the Dorsets under the command of Lt Col E G Troyte-Bullock (who on enlistment lived at Silton House) with the Buckinghamshires following up in reserve.
The morning following the action the roll was called by Col Troyte-Bullock, who despite leading from the front was the only officer in the regiment to remain uninjured. There were only about 50 men in attendance. As one by one each name remained unanswered, Arthur recalls seeing tears streaming down the colonel’s face. It turned out to be slightly better than it seemed because a detachment of Dorsets which had become separated rejoined later in the day. Nevertheless the toll had been very high.
One of the names unanswered at the roll call was that of Bertram Hiscock. As regards his fate all there is to go on is several sparse entries in the casualty record. This shows that he received a gunshot wound to the hip which is noted ominously as ‘severe’. He would have been carried to an advanced dressing station and from there to a casualty clearing station on the beach. He was then taken on board the hospital ship HMS Salta (later in the war to be mined off Le Havre) which sailed for Egypt. It would have been a crossing of just over four days duration and he was still alive on arrival.'
Bertram died of wounds on 30 August and lies in the well-tended Cairo War Memorial Hospital in grave D71.
He is remembered on the Gillingham Memorial and in Sherborne Abbey.
DJL (with thanks to John Shephard for Gallipoli details)
Entry posted 11 March 2021
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HOOPER Albert Henry
116264 Gunner Albert Henry Hooper, 286th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery died on 23 August 1917 aged 29.
He was the son of Albert and Emma Hooper who lived in Gas House Lane (census 1911). His sisters were Edna, Blanche, Lottie, Laura and Lucy and he was employed as a packer on the railway. Albert married Alice Louisa Price at Warminster on 20 October 1914. They had one child Gladys Florence Mabel Hooper born 23 May 1916 at Gillingham.
He was a member of the Dorset Territorial Force c.1911-1915.
His Short Service Attestation Record of December 1915 shows that Albert and Alice lived at 2 Portland Cottages, Queen Street, Gillingham.
He served ‘at home’ 17 August 1916 – 21 May 1917 and abroad 22 May 1917 – 23 August 1917.
Albert died of wounds in the Western European Theatre and is buried at the Mendingham Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
His widow requested the following words on his gravestone: WE LOVED HIM GOD LOVED HIM BUT HE TOOK HIM HOME TO PEACE AND REST LOU
He is also remembered on the Gillingham Memorial.
His personal effects and medals were sent to Alice at Merton Cottage, Merton Park, Wimbledon, London SW19 . The British War & Victory medals were sent in 1921. Alice received a pension of 18/9d a week for herself and daughter.
DJL
Entry posted 14 March 2021 updated 8 May 2021
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HOOPER Herbert George
PO/16446 Private Herbert George Hooper Royal Marine Light Infantry HMS Bulwark died 26 November 1914 as a result of an explosion on HMS Bulwark.
Herbert George Hooper was born in Mere, Wiltshire on 16 Feb 1894. He was the son of Henry and Mary Hooper and baptised 17 June 1894 at Mere.
In 1901 the Hooper family lived in Castle Street, Mere and Herbert had two older sisters, Clara 14 and Maggie 13, an older brother Horace 8 and three younger siblings – Walter 5, Agnes 3 and Ethel 1. Father Henry Hooper was a self- employed boot and shoe maker.
By 1911 the family had moved to Queen Street, Gillingham where Henry Hooper was employed as a boot and shoe repairer. Older daughters Clara and Maggie had left the family home, Horace was employed as a porter and groom for a tailor, Herbert was employed as a baker, and Walter was employed as an errand boy. Agnes and Ethel were still at school and Ernest 9 had been born since the previous census.
Herbert enlisted in the Royal Marines Light Infantry at Southampton on 2 September 1912. He served as a Private in B Company at Deal until June 1913 and then at Portsmouth until February 1914 when he joined the battleship HMS Bulwark. His record shows that he trained in musketry and gunnery, his character was very good and his ability was satisfactory.
In November 1914 HMS Bulwark was moored at Kethole Reach on the River Medway,
opposite Sheerness and early that morning the ship blew up. It was believed that the cause was an explosion of an internal magazine. Between 600 and 700 officers and men were aboard the ship and only 12 survived. The bodies of most men, including that of Herbert, were never found.
A war gratuity of £5 was paid to his father who was living in Cemetery Road, Gillingham at the time of Herbert’s death. Herbert’s elder brother Horace Edwin Hooper served with the Dorsetshire Regiment and survived the war.
Herbert is remembered on panel 6 of Portsmouth Naval Memorial and on Gillingham War Memorial.
LG
Entry posted 8 May 2021
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JACOB Edgar
3476 Rifleman Edgar Jacob 21st Battalion, London Regiment (First Surrey Rifles) was killed in action on 4 May 1916 in France.
Edgar Jacob was born in 1886 in Sherborne, the son of George and Julia Jacob.
In 1891 the family lived at Horsecastles, Sherborne and father George was a threshing machine driver. By 1901 the family were living at 3 Lawrence Cottages, Gillingham and father George was then a pottery engine driver and furnace worker, probably employed by the Gillingham Brick and Tile Company.
Edgar age 14 was a printer’s apprentice and his sister Minnie 15 a dressmaker’s apprentice. There were two younger children – Lily 12 and Ernest 3. Ernest had been born in Gillingham so the family had moved to Gillingham a few years earlier.
The 1911 census shows that Edgar’s parents and younger brother Ernest had moved again, to Milborne Port, Dorset. Father George was an engine driver at a leather glove factory and Ernest was an errand boy there. Ernest also served in France, in Royal Field Artillery, but survived the war.
On 18 June 1905 Edgar aged 19 married Sarah Annie Foot at Sherborne, Sarah was 8 years older than Edgar. Their first child Percival Edgar was born later that year at Sherborne.
By 1907 Edgar and his family had moved to Chesham, Buckinghamshire and the 1911 census shows them living at 9 Essex Road and Edgar working as a compositor. Two more children had been born - Gladys Annie in 1907 and Wilfred Jack in 1909. However later in 1911 the family had moved again to Brixton, Surrey where another son Harold was born and where Gladys Annie died aged 4. By the time their youngest child Sidney Ernest was born in 1915 the family lived at 9 Harris Street, Camberwell. Sidney’s baptism record shows that Edgar had continued to work as a compositor
On 17 April 1915 Edgar enlisted at Camberwell. His documents show that he was a tall man with a height of 5’10 ¼ “ and had previously served with 4th Dorsets (Territorial). He was quickly promoted to Lance Corporal in June 1915 and went to France on 9 Oct 1915.
Most of the fighting at the time of Edgar’s death was between the French and German forces as part of the long running Battle of Verdun which was taking place a long way south of the location of Edgar’s burial. The fact that Edgar has a known grave and that his possessions were returned to his wife suggests that perhaps he was killed by a sniper’s bullet whilst in the trenches.
The items returned to his wife Sarah included his identity disc, notebooks, correspondence, photos, cigarette case and whistle. She also received Edgar’s wages of £ 6 1s 9d and a war gratuity of £3 10s.
Edgar was buried at plot III f 16 in Cabaret- Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, west of Lens and north of Arras. His grave bears the inscription “His memory is as dear today as in the hour he passed away”.
By the time the war ended and Edgar’s medals – 14/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal had been sent to his wife she had returned to live in Sherborne.
On 4 March 1919 at Sherborne Parish Church Sarah re-married to her brother-in-law Edgar Arnold Hall and went to live at Sandhills, Cattistock. Edgar Arnold was a gardener and had served in the Royal Horse and Field Artillery in France from July 1915 to January 1919. His first wife Lily was Sarah’s younger sister who had died of a stroke in December 1916.
LG
Entry posted 8 May 2021
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JUKES Louis
G/17703 Private Louis Jukes 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment died 3 May 1917.
Louis was born the youngest of five sons to John and Elizabeth Jukes on 24th May 1874 in Gillingham. His siblings were Annie, Mary, William, Louise, Ellen. He was raised and educated in Gillingham, living at Railway Terrace.
At the outbreak of war Louis was living with his sister Annie at 5 Clarence Street Brighton, working as a Greengrocer and Fruiterer for the Brighton and Hove C.S. Stores at Palmeira House.
Louis joined the Royal Sussex Regiment in Brighton in September 1915, going to France with
the 7th (service) Battalion, he was wounded in action near Arras in May 1917 and evacuated back to No. 41 Casualty Clearing Station based at Agnez-les Duisans about 7 miles west of Arras where he died on 3 May.
Louis is buried at Duisans British Cemetery near Etrun. Grave ref. IVC.K.38.
He is remembered on the Gillingham Memorial.
AW
Entry posted 5 May 2021
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KENDALL Claude
26465 Private Claude Kendall 8th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment died 30 July 1916 aged 18.
Born in late 1897/early 1898 Claud as he was named and baptised (St.Mary’s, Gillingham) was the only son of Jehu and Emily Kendall. He had one sister, Violet. In 1901 they were living at Victoria Road, Gillingham. Claud was confirmed at St. Mary’s on 19 November 1911.
He enlisted in Bath and joined the Gloucestershire Regiment. Further military details are unavailable.
Claude was probably involved in the aftermath of the following action at which he met his death on 30 July 1916.
On 1 July 1916, supported by a French attack to the south, thirteen divisions of Commonwealth forces launched an offensive on a line from north of Gommecourt to Maricourt. Despite a preliminary bombardment lasting seven days, the German defences were barely touched and the attack met unexpectedly fierce resistance. Losses were catastrophic and with only minimal advances on the southern flank, the initial attack was a failure.
Claude is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial (Pier and Face 5A and 5B) and Gillingham War Memorial.
DJL
Entry posted 2021
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KENNARD Maurice Nicholl MC
Lieutenant Colonel Maurice Nicholl Kennard was killed aged 32 on 1 July 1916. He was commanding 18th battalion The Prince of Wales’ Own (West Yorkshire Regiment).
Maurice Nicholl Kennard was born in Abergavenny, Monmouth in 1884. He was the son of Robert William Kennard and Rose Nicholl Kennard. His grandfather had bought the Blaenavon Iron and Coal Company in 1836 and his father was described as an iron master in the census of 1911.
In 1891 Maurice and his elder brother Howard John Kennard were pupils at Ty Rholben School, Abergavenny. He then attended Radley College, Oxfordshire from 1896 – 1901 where he was a prefect and captain of the football team.
In the 1901 census the family are living at Lloynden Court, Abergavenny. The same year he joined the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers as a lieutenant in the militia. In 1902 he joined 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers) as a 2nd lieutenant and in 1911 he was a lieutenant in South Africa, where he was one of the top-rated polo players. By 1913 he had been promoted to captain.
He was mentioned in despatches in October 1914 and in November 1914 was wounded in the arm. In February 1915 he was again mentioned in despatches and awarded the Military Cross. By 1916 he was a major and then in 1917 promoted to temporary lieutenant colonel.
On the first day of the Battle of the Somme Kennard was leading his men less than 100 yards in front of Dunmow trench and came under heavy cross fire from machine guns firing from their right. Kennard stood erect whilst almost everyone dropped flat. He encouraged the men to rise to their feet amid the crack and whine of bullets and carrying only a walking stick he called out "come on boys, up you get" turned and began to walk at an easy gait towards the enemy. The Battalion rose to their feet and followed him but casualties were heavy and Kennard was killed by a shell bursting close to him.
At the time of his death Maurice Kennard’s parents were living at Astley House, Peacemarsh, Gillingham. His brother Howard John Kennard served as a captain in the Royal Navy and survived the war. Howard is named in Gillingham’s War Service Record. Their sister Dorothy Kennard served as a VAD ward orderly at the hospital in Station Road, Gillingham between October 1914 and June 1917.
Maurice Kennard is remembered on the war memorial at Milton on Stour and on Thiepval Memorial in France.
LG & AW
Posted 8 March 2021
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KIDDLE Clifford Henry Evan
184106 Cadet Clifford Henry Evan Kiddle Royal Air Force died on 20 November 1918.
Clifford was born at East Stour on 10 November 1900 to parents Fred and Martha (née Hinks). He was baptised in East Stour Church on 27 January 1901.
The 1901 census for Back Street, East Stour shows Fred (1863) wheelwright, Martha (1861) with 4-month-old Clifford and his siblings Ellen K (1887), Sarah A (1889), Frederick W (1891), Leonard W (1894).
Clifford appears next in the 1911 census of Penselwood School where he is living with his sisters Ellen (Head elementary school teacher) and Sarah (assistant teacher).
In 1918 Clifford applied to join the Royal Air Force and his attestation of 8 October 1918 shows that he was an apprentice chemist, and his trade classification was Cadet (pilot). He was 5ft 8ins, with brown hair, hazel eyes and fresh complexion.
On the same day that Clifford enlisted his elder brother Leonard Walter Kiddle was killed in action in France.
Sadly, Clifford contracted pneumonia and died on 20 November 1918 at the Bevan Military Hospital, Shorncliffe, Sandgate, Kent.
He was buried at Gillingham Cemetery on 23 November 1918, marked by a CWGC gravestone, and is remembered on the Gillingham War Memorial.
DJL
Entry posted 3 May 2021
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KIDDLE Leonard Walter
RR/1810 Corporal Leonard Walter Kiddle 1st Regiment, South African Infantry died on 8 October 1918.
Leonard was born in East Stour in 1894 to parents Fred and Martha Kiddle and baptised 13 May 1894.
His siblings being Ellen K (1887), Sarah A (1889), Frederick W (1891), Clifford H E (1901).
The 1911 census at 1 Norfolk Villa, Victoria Road, Gillingham shows Leonard as a pupil teacher employed by Dorset County Council. He is with his mother Martha and 3 cousins Claude, Stanley and Reginald Hinks, all born in Kimberley, South Africa.
In April 1914 Leonard sailed to Capetown, South Africa on ‘Walmer Castle’. His occupation was schoolteacher.
Whilst in South Africa he joined the 1st Regiment, South African Infantry and was made Corporal.
He fought in France and in an attack on German lines near the French town of Beaurevoir he was killed, aged 24.
He is buried in the Beaurevoir British Cemetery along with 63 other South African troops and is remembered on the Gillingham War Memorial.
On the day that Leonard died, his brother Clifford joined the RAF and sadly died the following month from pneumonia.
DJL
Entry posted 5 May 2021
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KING Arthur Stanley
38557 Private Arthur Stanley King 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment died on 2 December aged 19.
Arthur was born in Gillingham in 1898 to parents Stephen and Emily Ann King. In 1911 the family were living in Wyke, Gillingham. Stephen worked for the L & SW railway as a painter, glazier.
Arthur's siblings were Hilda Gladys (1901), William George (1904), Archibald Sidney (1906), Frank Lesley (1908) and Florence May (1911).
He enlisted in February 1917 and joined Princess Charlotte of Wales’ Royal Berkshire Regiment.
It is likely that he fought in the 3rd Battle of Ypres and was killed in action on 2 December 1917.
He was awarded the Victory and British medals and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium and the Gillingham War Memorial.
DJL
Entry posted 27 March 2021
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KING Charlie Stephen
116267 Gunner Charlie Stephen King Royal Garrison Artillery died of wounds at Sunderland War Hospital, UK on 15 September 1917 aged 29.
Charlie Stephen King was born in Gillingham in 1888 the son of Stephen and Emily King.
In 1891 the family lived in Bay Road, Gillingham. Charlie’s father Stephen was a painter and there were four children - Bessie 7, Edith 6, Charlie 2, Edmund 4 months. In 1901 the family were living at Wykemarsh, Gillingham and now included three more children - Cecil, Stanley and Hilda.
In 1909 Charlie married Bessie Imber and in 1911 Charlie, Bessie and their daughter Dorothy Edith were living at Bay. Charlie was working as a painter and employed by the railway engineer’s department. Later that year their son Charles John was born and another daughter, Bessie Elizabeth was born in 1916.
Charlie attested for the army on 11 Dec 1915 and was still living in Gillingham at that time. He was mobilised on 7 Aug 1916 and in December 1916, when daughter, Bessie Elizabeth was born he was at Siege RGA Stowlangtoft a depot and training facility for the Royal Garrison Artillery near Bury St Edmunds.
Charlie remained in England until 23 March 1917 when he went to France, probably with 283rd Siege Battery. Siege batteries had the largest guns and howitzers often mounted on railways or on fixed concrete emplacements. It is likely that Charlie’s Siege Battery was taking part in the 3rd Battle of Ypres which began in late July 1917.
On 17 August 1917 Charlie is recorded as being in hospital at Wimereux, near Boulogne, France which was the location of several British hospitals where soldiers were evacuated away from the battlefields. He had a gunshot wound to his ankle and was also suffering from shell-shock.
Charlie returned to Sunderland War Hospital in England on 26 August 1917, one of many set up to care for huge numbers of casualties returning from France, but died there on 15 September from septicaemia.
He is buried in plot B a 3 at Holy Trinity Churchyard, Shaftesbury as by that time his family were living at 5 Layton Lane, Shaftesbury. His gravestone bears the inscription “Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
His wife Bessie received his wages of £3 5s 2d and a war gratuity of £3.10s. On 18 March 1918 she was also awarded a weekly pension of £1 6s 3d for herself and their children.
Charlie was awarded the British War and Victory medals and is remembered on Gillingham War memorial.
Bessie continued to live at Woodfield, Layton Lane, Shaftesbury. In 1939 her daughters Dorothy, a school teacher, and Bessie, a hairdresser, were living with her and her son Charlie, a post office clerk, and his wife were living next door at Hillside, Layton Lane. Bessie died aged 94 in 1986.
LG
Entry posted 8 May 2021
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KINNAIRD Francis Joseph
Captain Francis Joseph Kinnaird of the Staffordshire Regiment died aged 40 on 6 June 1915 in London as a result of wounds received in France on 16 May 1915.
Francis Kinnaird was born in St Pancras, London in 1875, the second son of Francis Henry Kinnaird, an artist, and Charlotte Kinnaird. Francis was trained as an artist by his father and elder brother Henry and he and Henry travelled around the country painting mostly landscapes. Francis, known as “Wiggs”, exhibited his paintings at many art institutions and in 1901 he married Gertude Cookes from Astley.
They moved to live at a house they named 'Astley' in Peacemarsh, Gillingham where their daughter Mary Gertrude was born in 1904. In 1909 Francis joined the Staffordshire Militia and in 1911 census the family are shown living in Astley, Worcestershire and Francis’ occupation is Army Officer (Reserve) Captain. However they still owned their house in Gillingham until at least 1912.
At the outbreak of the First World War Francis’ battalion was stationed on Jersey. In March 1915 he took a draft of 100 men as reinforcements to the 2nd battalion of the Staffordshire Regiment in France and in his short time in the trenches he made a number of sketches.
On 16 May 1915, near Richebourg north east of Bethune, Kinnaird along with three other captains were wounded during heavy enemy shelling. He was evacuated to 10th Stationary Hospital at St Omer and then brought back to London. He died there at King Edward VII Hospital on 6 June 1915.
Francis Kinnaird is remembered on war memorials at Gillingham, Astley, Worcestershire and Le Touret in France.
In 1918 his wife Gertrude was serving as a cook in the Voluntary Aid Detachment at the hospital in Station Road, Gillingham.
LG
Posted 8 March 2021
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