BIDDENDEN
The Great War
1914 – 1919
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ASHDOWN I.F
Driver 142183 Ivan Frederick ASHDOWN. 12 Corps Headquarters, Signals Branch, Royal Engineers (RE). Died Wednesday 13th December 1916 aged 28 years. Born Snargate, Kent. Enlisted Ashford. Resided Brabourne. Son of Thomas Isaac and Jane Maria Ashdown of North Street, Biddenden, Kent. Grandson of Isaac Ashdown of Snargate, Romney Marsh, Kent. Buried in the Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta. Grave reference D.XVI.4.
Ivan was well known in Brabourne Lees and Smeeth near Ashford. Before the outbreak of war Isaac worked for Mr T Wilson the local Poulterer in Appledore, Kent.
The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – North Street, Biddenden
Corporal 5855 Clifford ASHDOWN. 1st Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
The Cemetery is located in Triq id-Duburi (Our Lady of Sorrows Street), 2 kilometres south-west of Valletta on the road to Sliema. On the edge of the Gwardamanga district, the entrance is on Triq II-Principessa Melita, leading to Triq Tal-Pieta and Msida Sea Front and Creek. Historical Information: From the spring of 1915, the hospitals and convalescent depots established on the islands of Malta and Gozo dealt with over 135,000 sick and wounded, chiefly from the campaigns in Gallipoli and Salonika, although increased submarine activity in the Mediterranean meant that fewer hospital ships were sent to the island from May 1917. During the Second World War, Malta's position in the Mediterranean was of enormous Allied strategic importance. Heavily fortified, the island was never invaded, but was subjected to continual bombardment and blockade between Italy's entry into the war in June 1940 and the Axis defeat at El Alamein in November 1942. At the height of Axis attempts to break Malta's resistance in April 1942, the island and her people were awarded the George Cross by King George VI. Malta's defence relied upon a combined operation in which the contributions made by the three branches of the armed forces and Merchant Navy were equally crucial. Although heavily pressed in defence, offensive raids launched from the island by air and sea had a crippling effect on the Axis lines of communication with North Africa, and played a vital part in the eventual Allied success there.
There are 1,303 Commonwealth casualties of the First World War buried or commemorated at Pieta Military Cemetery, including 20 Indian servicemen who were cremated at Lazaretto Cemetery. Second World War burials number 166. The Commission also cares for 772 non-war graves in the cemetery and 15 war graves of other nationalities.
ATKINS A.D
Private 203798 Arthur
(
Albert) Douglas ATKINS. 10th Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Formerly 11th Battalion. Died Tuesday 2nd July 1918. Born Biddenden. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Lashenden Cottages, Biddenden, Ashford, Kent. Buried in the Hamburg Cemetery. Grave reference V.D.1.Albert died in Germany whilst being held as a prisoner of war (POW). The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives –
Lashenden Cottages, Biddenden
Private 203798 Albert Douglas ATKINS. 11th Royal West Kent Regiment.
The War Cemetery in Hamburg is situated within a large civil cemetery known locally as 'Ohlsdorf Cemetery'. Approaching from Hannover or Kiel, leave the Motorway A7 at the junction 23, the 432, following signposts for the Airport (Flughafen). At the junction with the 433 bear right and follow this road under the airport runway into Krohnstieg. At the next major crossroads, turn right into Langenhomer Chaussee then after 2 kilometres bear left onto Erdkampsweg following the signs for Barmbek. Continue along this road to the major junction by the railway bridge, bear left then turn first right into Maienweg. Follow Maienweg to the second crossroads then turn left into Sengelmannstrasse, then first left into Alsterdorfer. The Cemetery is located at the end of this street, directly in front of the Fuhlsbuttlerstrasse. The 3 CWGC plots are located 300m to the right of Chapel 12 and are clearly signposted from the main entrance of Ohlsdorf cemetery. Historical Information: During the First World War, Hamburg Cemetery was used for the burial of over 300 Allied servicemen who died as prisoners of war. In 1923, it was decided that the graves of Commonwealth servicemen who had died all over Germany should be brought together into four permanent cemeteries. Hamburg was one of those chosen, and burials were brought into the cemetery from 120 burial grounds* in Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg, Oldenburg, Hanover, Saxony, Brunswick and Westphalia. The majority died as prisoners, but a few were sailors whose bodies were washed ashore on the Frisian Islands. There are now 708 First World War servicemen buried or commemorated in the Commonwealth plot at Hamburg. This total includes special memorials to three casualties buried in Parchim Prisoners of War Cemetery whose graves could not be found, and 25 unidentified sailors whose remains were recovered from HM Submarine E24, which was sunk by a mine off Heligoland in March 1916, when the vessel was raised in July 1974. The Commonwealth section of the cemetery also contains 1,466 Second World War burials, mostly of servicemen who died with the occupying forces, or airmen lost in bombing raids over Germany. There are also 378 post Second World War graves and 14 war graves of other nationalities. * The following cemeteries are among those from which graves were brought to Hamburg: GUSTROW PRISONERS OF WAR CEMETERY, Mecklenburg-Schwerin. 59 burials of 1914-1918. Gustrow was one of the main camps in which prisoners in Germany were registered. HANNOVER (LIMMER) MILITARY CEMETERY, Hannover. 31 burials of 1914-1918. HELIGOLAND CHURCHYARD, Helgoland. one burial of 1916. MINDERHEIDE PRISONERS OF WAR CEMETERY, Westphalia. 55 burials of 1916-1918. MUNSTER CAMP PRISONERS OF WAR CEMETERY, Hannover. 130 burials of 1917-1919. PARCHIM PRISONERS OF WAR CEMETERY, Mecklenburg Schwerin. 83 burials of 1917-1919. SOLTAU PRISONERS OF WAR CEMETERY, Hannover. 25 burials of 1916-1918. VERDEN GARRISON CEMETERY, Hannover. 29 burials of 1916-1918.
AUSTEN F
Private T/205303 Frederick AUSTEN. 1st Battalion, Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment).
Died Tuesday 25th September 1917 aged 27 years. Born Biddenden. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Biddenden. Son of Alfred and Mary Ann Austen of Biddenden, Kent. Husband of Emily Austen of Whyborn’s, Minster-on-Sea, Sheerness, Kent. Buried in the Hooge Crater Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium. Grave reference VI.E.8.
The 1901 census gives –
Austen’s near Rats Castle, Biddenden
Alfred AUSTEN 58 Farmer Biddenden Mary Ann 54 Charing Frank 26 Farmers son Biddenden Alice 23 Biddenden Albert 24 Farmers Son Biddenden Ernest 20 Farmers Son Biddenden Beatrice 16 Biddenden
Frederick 11 Biddenden
John 61 Brother Biddenden
On the 25th September 1917 the 1st West Surrey’s were in action all day with the 100th Brigade. The battalion went forwards towards the enemy on Tower Hamlets Ridge and east to Cameron Copse. The enemy counter-attacked from Gheluvelt armed with flamethrowers inflicting considerable casualties. Frederick was killed in Third Ypres.
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AVERY G
Corporal 11226 George AVERY. 6th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. Died 16th February 1916. Born Biddenden. Enlisted Lambeth, London. Son of S.E Avery of New House Farm, Biddenden, Kent. George has no known grave. His name appears on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. Panel reference 37.
The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Little Whatman’s, Biddenden
Private 97023 Charles Redman AVERY. 11th Battalion, Tank Corps. Private 201527 Harry AVERY. 5th Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
High Street, Biddenden
Saddler T4/174399 Nasey Griffon AVERY. Army Service Corps.
The 1901 census gives – Overdean Cottage, Biddenden
George AVERY 41 Yardman (farm) Biddenden
Elizabeth 37 Biddenden Lisa Fily 12 Biddenden
George 11 Biddenden
Henry 8 Biddenden Rosie May 5 Biddenden Charles R 2 Biddenden
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BELLINGHAM F.W
Bombardier 358511 Frederick (Frank) William BELLINGHAM. 46th Company, Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA). Died Sunday 23rd December 1917 aged 40 years. Born Marylebone, London. Enlisted Ashford. Husband of Emily Bellingham of 2 Chulkhurst Cottage, Biddenden, Kent. Buried in the Biddenden (All Saints) Churchyard, Biddenden, Ashford, Kent. Grave reference – North West part.
BINGHAM M
Private TF/260100 Moses BINGHAM. 13th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died Thursday 27th September 1917 aged 35 years. Born Frittenden. Enlisted Tunbridge Wells. Son of Thomas and Frances Bingham of Hare Plain, Biddenden, Kent. Moses has no known grave. His name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium. Panel reference 86 to 88.
The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – East Ongley Farm, Biddenden
Airman 1st Class F2/46746 Amos BINGHAM. Royal Air Force.
The 1901 census gives – Standen Cottages, Biddenden
Thomas BINGHAM 61 Bailer (Farm) Biddenden Frances 40 Biddenden Henry 37 Wagoner Biddenden George 25 Labourer Staplehurst
Moses 18 Frittenden, Kent
Moses lost his life in the Third Battle of Ypres.
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BOYCE J.F
Trooper 1701 James Ferguson BOYCE. 1 Company, Household Battalion. Formerly (3224) Kent Yeomanry. Died Saturday 26th May 1917 aged 22 years. Born Maidstone. Enlisted Cranbrook. Son of Doctor James G and Augusta C Boyce of The Willows, Biddenden, Kent. Buried in the Tournai Communal Cemetery Allied Extension, Tournai, France. Grave reference V.G.16.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records that James was born in Wootton-Under-Edge, Gloucestershire.
James was the son of the Biddenden village doctor.
Tournai Communal Cemetery is located in the south west district of Tournai itself on the N508, Chaussee De Douai, a road leading from the R52 Tournai ring road. 900 metres after leaving the R523 and joining the N508, lies the left hand turning onto the Chaussee de Willemeau, and the cemetery is along this road on the right, fronted by large iron gates. Historical Information: Tournai was captured by the German II Corps on 23 August 1914, in spite of resistance from a French Territorial Brigade, and the town remained in German hands until it was entered by the 47th (London) and 74th (Yeomanry) Divisions on 8 November 1918. The 51st (or Highland) Casualty Clearing Station arrived on 14 November and remained until 20 July 1919; during the occupation, the German sick and wounded had been nursed in the "Asile", the Allied in the
Hopital Notre-Dame. The (Southern) Communal Cemetery, in the Faubourg-St. Martin, was used and extended by the Germans, although the graves were later regrouped by nationality and some were brought in from other cemeteries in a wide area around Tournai. The Allied extension now contains 689 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 34 of them unidentified. There are also 117 Russian burials, all of men who died as prisoners of war, and two Belgian war graves. Almost all of the 52 Second World War burials in the extension date from May 1940 and the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force ahead of the German advance.
DOBELL J.E
Private 60771 Joseph Evernden DOBELL. 13th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. Died Friday 17th May 1918 aged 20 years. Born Biddenden. Enlisted Ashford. Son of Charles Marshall and Kate Dobell of America Cottage, Biddenden, Kent. Buried in the Maroc British Cemetery, Grenay, France. Grave reference II.O.17.
Maroc British Cemetery is located in the village of Grenay, which is about 15 kilometres south-east of Bethune. From Lens take the N43 towards Bethune. After Loos-en-Gohelle turn left (after the petrol station) and continue straight on. The Cemetery is a few kilometres on the right side of the road, in the village. Historical Information: The cemetery was begun by French troops in August 1915, but it was first used as a Commonwealth cemetery by the 47th (London) Division in January 1916. During the greater part of the war it was a front-line cemetery used by fighting units and field ambulances, and protected from German observation by a slight rise in the ground. Plot II was begun in April 1917 by the 46th (North Midland) Division and by the middle of October 1918, Plot III, Row A and part of Row B, had been filled. The remainder of Plot III, and the ends of certain rows in Plot I, contain graves brought in after the Armistice from the battlefields and small cemeteries (including Maroc Churchyard), north and east of Grenay. Maroc British Cemetery now contains 1,379 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 264 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to 89 casualties known to be buried among them. In particular, 87 officers and men of the 6th London Regiment, who died on 25 September 1915 in the capture of Loos, are now buried (but without individual identification) in Plot III, Rows H, J, K and L. The cemetery also contains 45 French and German burials. The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker.
DONNE A
Able Seaman London 4/2451 Augustus DONNE. HMS “Ossory”, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RN). Died Tuesday 28th March 1916. Buried in the Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery, Orkney, Scotland. Grave reference B.24.
The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Augustus, Biddenden
Saddler Corporal 156266 Lawrence DONNE. Royal Field Artillery.
The circumstances of his death are not known. His ship did not sink the day he died. He was probably mortally wounded on board in an accident or he contracted a disease (T.B). His body was obviously recovered and buried at the nearest port (in this case Orkney).
Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery, Hoy and Graemsay, is on Hoy, between Mill Bay and Ore Bay. Historical Information: Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery was begun in 1915 when Scapa Flow was the base of the Grand Fleet. Lyness remained as a Royal Naval base until July 1946 and the cemetery contains graves from both wars. There are 445 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 109 of which are unidentifed. The majority of the graves are of officers, ratings, and members of the land forces lost from H.M.S. "Hampshire," "Vanguard," "Narborough" and "Opal." The 200 burials of the Second World War in the cemetery include those of 26 men from H.M.S. "Royal Oak", which was sunk off Longhope in Scapa Flow by a German U-boat on 14 October 1939. 8 of these burials are unidentified. The cemetery also contains the graves of 14 sailors of the German Navy - the High Seas Fleet was interned at Scapa Flow after the 1918 Armistice - 4 further German burials including 2 unidentified airmen and 1 Norwegian war grave. There are 4 non-war Service burials, 2 being unidentified British soldiers.
DOVEY H
Private 201385 Harry DOVEY. 2/4th Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Formerly Kent Composite Battalion. Died Tuesday 8th May 1917 aged 30 years. Born Biddenden. Enlisted Maidstone. Son of Benjamin and Louisa Dovey of Sutton Valence, near Maidstone. Buried in the Gaza War Cemetery, Israel. Grave reference XXX.D.13.
Harry’s name also appears on the Sutton Valence civic war memorial near Maidstone.
The start of May was a quiet time for the 2/4th West Kent’s who were resting behind the Sheikh Abbas Ridge. That was until a lone German bomber interupted one evening (8th May) and dropped a large bomb directly on the battalion’s tents. Almost all of D Company were either wounded or killed outright.
Soldiers Died Great War gives 21 other men from the 2/4th killed in the same incident.
DUNGEY F.H
Second Lieutenant Francis Herbert DUNGEY. 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Thursday 3rd May 1917 aged 29 years. Son of Herbert and Mary T Dungey of Ibornden, Biddenden, Kent. Francis has no known grave. His name appears on the Loos Memorial, Loos, France. Panel reference 15 to 19.
The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Sculls Gate, Biddenden
Private 240187 William DUNGEY. 5th Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
Middletons. Sissinghurst
Lieutenant Hugh Percival DUNGEY. Mechanical Transport, Army Service Corps.
On the 22nd April 1917 the 1st battalion returned to frontline trenches in the Loos Sector. In three days the battalion lost 35 men killed or wounded. The month of May was spent partly in huts at Mazingarbe and partly at La Bourse. It appears that Francis was one of those men killed between the 22nd and 25th April 1917. His body was either never found or it his grave was lost.
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GOODEARL T.A
Lance Corporal G/7634 Thomas Albert GOODEARL. 10th Battalion, Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Died Tuesday 1st October 1918 aged 28 years. Born Biddenden. Enlisted Cranbrook. Resided Biddenden. Son of Mrs T Goodearl of High Street, Biddenden, Ashford, Kent. Buried in the Zantvoorde British Cemetery, Zonnebeke, Belgium. Grave reference II.D.23. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives –
Biddenden
Private 276230 Herbert Frank GOODEARL. Army Service Corps.
Lance Corporal 7634 Thomas Albert GOODEARL. 10th Queen’s (West Surrey R).
The 1901 census gives – Woolpack, Biddenden
Josiah GOODEARL 43 Labourer Tenterden Elizabeth 42 High Halden Frederick 20 Labourer High Halden Elizabeth 12 High Halden
14
Thomas 10 Biddenden
Dorothy 7 Biddenden Frank 3 Biddenden
On the 1st October 1918 the 10th West Surrey’s were in reserve on the banks of the Lys between Comines and Wervicq.
GOODSELL H.A (brother)
Private 124130 Henry Allen GOODSELL. 30th Company, Machine Gun Corps (MGC). Formerly (1936) The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Saturday 9th November 1918 aged 20 years. Enlisted Cranbrook. Resided Son of Henry and Edith Goodsell of Forsten Green Farm, Biddenden, Kent. Buried in the Terlincthun British Cemetery, Boulogne, France. Grave reference VI.D.15.
The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Forsten Green, Biddenden
Private 124130 Henry Allen GOODSELL. Machine Gun Corps. Private 41979 James Ewart GOODSELL. 5th Hampshire Regiment.
The 1901 census gives – Medhurst, Biddenden
Henry GOODSELL 31 Farmers Son Tenterden Edith E 29 Sandhurst, Kent
James E 5 Biddenden
Sidney J 4 Biddenden
Henry A 2 Biddenden
Eva 6m Biddenden
GOODSELL S.J (brother)
Lance Corporal 43252 Sidney John GOODSELL. 75th Company, Machine Gun Corps (MGC). Formerly (2290) The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Thursday 7th June 1917 aged 20 years. Born Biddenden. Enlisted Ashford. Resided Biddenden. Son of Henry and Edith Goodsell of Forsten Green Farm, Biddenden, Kent. Sidney has no known grave. His name appears on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. Panel reference 56.
The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Forsten Green, Biddenden
Private 124130 Henry Allen GOODSELL. Machine Gun Corps. Private 41979 James Ewart GOODSELL. 5th Hampshire Regiment.
The 1901 census gives – Medhurst, Biddenden
Henry GOODSELL 31 Farmers Son Tenterden Edith E 29 Sandhurst, Kent James E 5 Biddenden
Sidney J 4 Biddenden
Henry A 2 Biddenden
Eva 6m Biddenden
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HOAD A.E
Private G/13050 Arthur Edwin HOAD. 7th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Friday 12th October 1917 aged 26 years. Enlisted Ashford. Resided Biddenden. Son of George Hoad. Husband of D.M Smith (formerly Hoad) of North Street, Biddenden, Kent. Arthur has no known grave. His name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium. Panel reference 17.
The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Woolpack Corner, Biddenden
Private G/13050 Edwin HOAD. 7th Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
On the 11th October 1917 the 7th battalion was opposite the village of Poelcappelle in Belgium. The Buffs line was from Gloster House/Farm to Poelcappelle Church. On the 12th October the battalion was in action all day. The barrage opened at 0525 hours and the battalion moved forward towards the brewery. At dusk the battalion withdrew to Counter Farm having been relieved by 7 Queen’s. The battalion was literally decimated having lost about 250 men killed and wounded. Arthur was obviously one of those killed.
HONESS G.H
Private 44041 George Hughes HONESS. 189th Company, Machine Gun Corps (MGC). Formerly (5737) Middlesex Regiment. Died Sunday 4th November 1917 aged 29 years. Enlisted Cranbrook. Resided Biddenden. Husband of Ada Honess of Medhurst Farm, Biddenden, Kent. George has no known grave. His name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium. Panel reference 154 to 159 and 163A.
HOUGHTON E.F.G
Private 7309 Eric Frank Gerald HOUGHTON. 2nd Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company (HAC). Died Tuesday 9th October 1917 aged 22 years. Born Biddenden. Enlisted Folkestone. Resided Folkestone. Son of Alfred Joseph and Clara Houghton of “Blackfriars” Biddenden, Kent. Eric has no known grave. His name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium. Panel reference 7.
Son of the headmaster of the village school. His mother also worked at the school as Assistant Mistress of the girls department. The school records being transcribed by Prue Stokes show that in the week after Eric’s death his mother was still too ill to return to work. At the time Eric was killed the family would have been living in the adjoining school house in the village. They moved to “Blackfriars” after the war had ended. It is believed that Eric had one other brother who survived the war.
The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – School House, Biddenden
Air Mechanic 3rd Class 130731 Henry Arthur HOUGHTON. Royal Air Force.
LUCKHURST D.J
Private TF/241757 Daniel James LUCKHURST. 8th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. Died Tuesday 10th April 1917 aged 33 years. Born Biddenden. Enlisted Ealing, Middlesex. Resided Biddenden. Son of Daniel and Amy Luckhurst of Rose Cottage, Biddenden, Kent. Daniel has no known grave. His name appears on the Arras Memorial, Arras, France. Panel reference Bay 7. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives –
Rose Cottage, Biddenden
Private G/17570 Frank William LUCKHURST. 6th Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
Daniel was killed during the Battle of Arras of 1917.
MARSHALL E.J
Private 241740 Ernest John MARSHALL. 7th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Died 12th October 1917 aged 23 years. Born Leytonstone, Essex. Enlisted Tenterden. Resided Biddenden. Son of John and Alice Marshall of Randolph Cottage, Biddenden, Kent. Ernest has no known grave. His name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium. Panel reference 37. The 1901 census gives –
Mill Cottage, Biddenden
John MARSHALL 39 Coachman Brighton, Sussex Alice 30 Haverhill, Suffolk
Ernest 6 Leytonstone, London
Alice 4 Leytonstone, London Ada 6m Biddenden
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MAYNARD W
Private TF/204219 William MAYNARD. 7th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Sunday 30th September 1917 aged 36 years. Born Rolvenden. Enlisted Cranbrook. Resided Biddenden. Son of Charles and Mary Maynard. Husband of Nellie Maynard of Church Cottages, Wittersham, Kent. Buried in the Dozingem Military Cemetery, Belgium. Grave reference VIII.H.22. On the 23rd September 1917 the 7th battalion moved by train from Eringhem to St Jan Ter Biezen. Fives days later (28th September) whilst the battalion was in camp, a number of German aircraft dropped bombs on the hutments and tents. About thirty men were wounded or killed. The battalion remained here training until the 11th October when it moved to Poelcappelle. It appears that William may have been one of those who were wounded when the Germans attacked the camp with aircraft. He was probably recovered to a Casualty Clearing Station (CCS) and died of his wounds before he could be evacuated to a Base Hospital.
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MUNDAY L.R
Private T/2135 Leslie Reginald MUNDAY. Kent Composite Battalion. 2/5th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Monday 6th September 1915 in Gallipoli, Turkey. Born Biddenden. Enlisted Ashford. Resided Biddenden. Son of Thomas and Martha Munday of Brickwall, Biddenden, Ashford, Kent. Leslie has no known grave. His name appears on the Helles Memorial, Turkey. Panel reference 31.
The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – High Street, Biddenden
Mechanic 3rd Class 134077 William Hopper MUNDAY. Royal Air Force.
The 1901 census gives – Brickwall, Biddenden
Thomas Alfred MUNDAY 46 Grocer Biddenden Martha Ann 41 Biddenden William Hopper 21 Rural Postman Biddenden Charles Robert 13 House Boy Biddenden Harry James 7 Biddenden
Leslie Reginald 4 Biddenden
The 5th battalion never served in Gallipoli as a unit. In fact no Buffs battalion ever served in Turkey during the war. The 2/5th and 2/4th battalion’s from Ashford did contribute a number of men to a unit called the Kent Composite Battalion. The 2/5th battalion was a Second line territorial battalion which was raised as a home service battalion to replace the 5th battalion who had gone to Mesopotamia. This battalion did go to Gallipoli and therefore this explanation seems more likely.
NETTLETON R
Lieutenant Roy NETTLETON. 7th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Wednesday 9th October 1918 aged 27 years. Son of George John and Edith Mary Nettleton. Buried in the St Sever Cemetery Extension, St Sever, France. Grave reference S.V.F.6.
On the 2nd October 1918 the battalion was at Contay some 10 miles West of Albert in France. It remained there for 2 weeks resting and recuperating. On the 16th October the battalion was taken by train to Roisel. Roy died of wounds that he received when fighting at Combles and Morval in September 1918.
St Sever Cemetery and St. Sever Cemetery Extension are located within a large communal cemetery situated on the eastern edge of the southern Rouen suburbs of Le Grand Quevilly and Le Petit Quevilly. If approaching Rouen from the north, head for the centre of town and cross over the river Seine, following signs for Caen. Follow this route until you get to the 'Rond Point des Bruyeres' roundabout (next to the football stadium), then take the first exit into the Boulevard Stanislas Girardin. The cemetery is 150 metres down this road on the left. If approaching Rouen from the south, follow the N138 (Avenue des Canadiens) towards the centre of town. At the 'Rond Point des Bruyeres' roundabout (next to the football stadium), take the fourth exit into the Boulevard Stanislas Girardin. The cemetery is 150 metres down this road on the left. If arriving on foot, take the metro to St Sever Metro Station, then follow the Avenue de Caen until you get to the Avenue de la Liberation, then take this road and follow this, which will become the Boulevard du 11 Novembre. At the end of this road is the 'Rond Point des Bruyeres' roundabout. Take the first exit from this into the Boulevard Stanislas Girardin. The cemetery is 150 metres down this road on the left. Historical Information: During the First World War, Commonwealth camps and hospitals were stationed on the southern outskirts of Rouen. A base supply depot and the 3rd Echelon of General Headquarters were also established in the city. Almost all of the hospitals at Rouen remained there for practically the whole of the war. They included eight general, five stationary, one British Red Cross and one labour hospital, and No. 2 Convalescent Depot. A number of the dead from these hospitals were buried in other cemeteries, but the great majority were taken to the city cemetery of St. Sever. In September 1916, it was found necessary to begin an extension, where the last burial took place in April 1920. During the Second World War, Rouen was again a hospital centre and the extension was used once more for the burial of Commonwealth servicemen, many of whom died as prisoners of war during the German occupation. The cemetery extension contains 8,346 Commonwealth burials of the First World War (ten of them unidentified) and 328 from the Second World War (18 of them unidentified). There are also 8 Foreign National burials here. The extension was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.
PARKS C.J
Private 21735 Charles John PARKS. 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Died Tuesday 6th November 1917 aged 22 years. Born Biddenden. Enlisted Canterbury. Son of William and Ellen Parks of Shorts Farm, Biddenden, Kent. Buried in the Hooge Crater Cemetery, Belgium. Grave reference VIII.B.10.
The 1901 census gives – Springates, Biddenden
William PARKS 48 Farmer Tenterden
Ellen 47 Newington, London Frederick 18 Tenterden Annie 16 Biddenden Maggie 14 Biddenden Alice 12 Biddenden Arthur 9 Biddenden George 7 Biddenden Charles 5 Biddenden
The regimental history states that the 5th and 6th of November were very wet and cold. Many trenches became waterlogged. The men were beginning to feel the strain of the weather and the persistant shell fire. It would appear that Charles was probably killed somewhere near to Santuary Wood.
SMITH F.F
Private G/42786 Frederick (Fred) Frank SMITH. 16th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. Formerly (G/21753) East Surrey Regiment. Died 1st December 1917 aged 22 years. Born Smarden. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Smarden. Son of William Alfred and Mary Ann Smith of North Street, Biddenden, Kent. Frederick has no known grave. His name appears on the Cambrai Memorial, France. Panel reference 9.
SNASHALL G
Private G/13643 George James SNASHALL. 6th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
Died Thursday 3rd May 1917 aged 34 years. Born Hormonden. Enlisted Cranbrook. Resided Winchelsea, Sussex. Son William and Susanna Snashall of 3 Strand Terrace, Winchelsea, Rye, Sussex. George has no known grave. His name appears on the Arras Memorial, Arras, France. Panel reference Bay 2.
George died in what is known as the 3rd Battle of The Scarpe. On the 3rd May 1917 the 6th battalion attacked German positions in and around Fresnoy eight miles north east of Arras. The battalion objective was Keeling Copse. The battalion lost many men on this day including of course George.
TAYLOR J.A
Private 18222 James Alfred TAYLOR. 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died Thursday 10th May 1917 aged 33 years. Born Biddenden. Enlisted Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Son of James and Adelaide Taylor of Biddenden, Kent. Husband of Louisa Harriett Taylor of The New Lodge, Cavenham, Mildenhal, Suffolk. Buried in the Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery, Wancourt, France. Grave reference I.F.42.
Wancourt is a village in the Department of the Pas-de-Calais. It lies in the valley of the Cojeul River nearly 2 kilometres south of the main road from Arras to Cambrai. Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery is situated on the south side of this road. Historical Information: Wancourt was captured on 12 April 1917 after very heavy fighting, lost in March 1918, and retaken by the Canadian Corps on the following 26 August. The cemetery was begun by the VI Corps Burial Officer in May 1917, used at intervals until March 1918, and again in August and September 1918. At the Armistice, it contained 249 graves, all in the present Plot I. It was then enlarged when 834 graves (mainly of April and May 1917) were brought in from the battlefields of Fampoux, Roeux, Monchy and Wancourt, and from a few smaller burial grounds. There are now 1,103 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War in this cemetery. 578 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to 14 casualties known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials commemorate six casualties buried in Feuchy Chapel Quarry Cemetery, whose graves were destroyed by shell fire. The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
UPTON T.F
Corporal 540391 Thomas Frederick UPTON. 495th (Kent) Field Company, Royal Engineers (RE). Died Friday 4th October 1918 aged 34 years. Born Tonbridge. Enlisted Tonbridge. Son of Thomas Upton of Norfolk Road, Tonbridge, Kent. Husband of Flora Upton of North Street, Biddenden, Kent. Buried in the Tourlaville Communal Cemetery Extension, Manche, France. Grave reference A.6.
Tourlaville is a village 5 kilometres east of Cherbourg, on the N.801 road to St. Pierre-Eglise and Barfleur. The Communal Cemetery is on the south-eastern side of the village some 364 metres south of the N.801 road. From Bayeux, turn right at the roundabout in Cherbourg. Pass the traffic lights and the cemetery will be found on the left at the top of the hill. The Commonwealth plot is approximately 120 metres south of the entrance, on the west side of the path. Historical Information: The majority of the burials in the Communal Cemetery date from December, 1917, to January, 1919 when it was used by Allied Hospitals. Tourlaville was No.1 Rest Camp and Cherbourg became the Portuguese Base in 1919. There are 68 Commonwealth burials of the 1914-1918 war and 2 of the 1939-45 war, commemorated in this site. There are 2 German Foreign National burials.
VANE J.H
Lance Corporal G/8949 John Henry VANE. 11th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died Tuesday 31st July 1917 aged 22 years. Born Biddenden. Enlisted Southwark, London. Son of John and Grace E.A Vane of Standen Cottage, Biddenden, Kent. John has no known grave. His name appears on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. Panel reference 20.
The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Clapper Hill Farm, Biddenden
Private 45241 Frederick VANE. 2nd Royal Irish Rifles.
The 1901 census gives – Standen Cottage, Biddenden
John VANCE 28 Shepherd/Yardsman Biddenden Grace Ester A 27 Biddenden Florence Rosa 7 Biddenden
John Henry 5 Biddenden
Daisy Kathleen 3 Biddenden Lilly Ivy Annie 2 Biddenden
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WALLIS A.W
Private G/20800 Arnold Welcome WALLIS. 7th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
Died Saturday 3rd March 1917 aged 28 years. Born Tenterden. Enlisted Tenterden. Resided Tenterden. Son of Alfred and Eliza Wallis of High Street, Tenterden, Kent. Husband of Nellie Wallis of North Street, Biddenden. Buried in the Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Dernancourt, France. Grave reference VI.B.20.
The 7th battalion spent the early part of March 1917 in trenches between the Zollern Redoubt and Miraumont on The Somme. It was here that Arnold must have lost his life.
Dernancourt is a village 3 kilometres south of Albert. The Communal Cemetery is a little west of the village, and the Extension is on the north-west side of the Communal Cemetery. Historical Information: Field ambulances used the Communal Cemetery for Commonwealth burials from September 1915 to August 1916, and again during the German advance of March 1918. It contains 127 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. The XV Corps Main Dressing Station was formed at Dernancourt in August 1916, when the adjoining EXTENSION was opened. The 45th and 56th (1st/1st South Midland) Casualty Clearing Stations came in September 1916 and remained until March 1917. The 3rd Australian was here in March and April 1917, and the 56th from April 1917 to February 1918. The 3rd Casualty Clearing Station came in March 1918 but on
26 March, Dernancourt was evacuated ahead of the German advance, and the extension remained in their hands until the village was recaptured on 9 August 1918 by the 12th Division and the 33rd American Division. In September it was again used by the 47th, 48th and 55th Casualty Clearing Stations under the name of "Edgehill", due to the rising ground on the north-west. At the Armistice, the extension contained more than 1,700 burials; it was then enlarged when graves were brought in from small cemeteries and isolated positions in the immediate neighbourhood. The extension now contains 2,162 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 177 of the burials are unidentified, but there are special memorials to 29 casualties known or believed to be buried among them, and to two buried at Albert Road Cemetery Buire-sur-Ancre whose grave could not be found on concentration. The extension was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
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WATTS J
Private G/7764 John WATTS. 8th Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Formerly (1751) West Kent Yeomanry. Died Wednesday 23rd May 1917. Born Biddenden. Enlisted Maidstone. Buried in the Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, Leper, Belgium. Grave reference SP Mem C.29.
The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – North Street, Biddenden
Private R/072709 Charles Henry Edward WATTS. Remount Depot. Army Service Corps.
Buckhurst Cottage, Biddenden
Private 15722 Charles Reginald WATTS. 7th Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
Lashenden, Biddenden
Private 41514 John WATTS. 21st Middlesex Reiment.
The 1901 census gives – North Street, Biddenden
John PARKIN 35 Labourer Biddenden Ellen 32 Biddenden John 8 Biddenden
John WATTS 14 House Boy Biddenden (Boarder)
LOST MEN
CAPELING J.W
Private G/25350 James Walter CAPELING. 7th Battalion, Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Died 28th March 1918 aged 19 years. Born Biddenden. Resided Maidstone. Son of Mr H.A Capeling of 31, Hartnup Street, Maidstone, Kent. Buried in the Ribemont Communal Cemetery Extension, Aisne, France.
On the 21st March 1918 the last Great German Spring Offensive started. British troops basically fought a fighting retreat backing off from the Somme battlefields towards the coast. The 7th Queen’s were in the vicinity of Ronquenet Wood near Vendeuil. The battalion withdrew across the St Quentin Canal. The battalion ended up in a valley north of Vouel. On the 24th March the battalion was holding position on the Berthancourt-Neuflieux Road. Later in the day it was forced back to Chaillouel. On the 25th March the battalion fought a rearguard action at Crepigny. On the 28th March 1918 the battalion was still retreating towards Baboeuf and Varrenes. The battalion suffered 342 casualties from 21st – 29th March - Half the battalion was decimated!
CARPENTER G
Corporal 202480 George CARPENTER. 2/4th Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Formerly Kent Composite Battalion. Formerly (2083) 2/5th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Palastine 19th September 1918 aged 29 years. Born Biddenden. Enlisted Tenterden. Eldest son of George Carpenter of Tanyard Farm, Tenterden, Kent. Buried in the Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel. Grave reference J.54.
Before the war George was employed by Messrs O Edwards and Son at the Tenterden Brewery. He worked in the brewery for six years before he joined up.
George joined the 2/5th Battalion The Buffs in the Autumn of 1914 following the outbreak of war. He was stationed in Bedford for a short while before being sent to Egypt on 3rd June 1915. He then went to Gallipoli in Turkey and took part in operations there. After Gallipoli George was sent to Egypt and Palastine where he took part in the Battle of Gaza.
This is an unusual one! The 2/4th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment left the 53rd Division in Egypt on 25th August 1918 and shortly after ceased to exist on the 13th September 1918. It’s personnel were sent in all directions mostly as drafts for other West Kent battalion’s or the Machine Gun Corps. George is listed as being killed in action but the 2/4th were not in the line during August or September 1918. The last recorded enemy engagement was in July 1918.
CHANTLER J.H
Private L/8929 John Henry CHANTLER. 2nd Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 30th March 1915. Born Frittenden. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Biddenden. Buried in the Voormezeele Enlclosure Number 3, Belgium. Grave reference II.B.1.
The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Ivy House, Frittenden
Private 61624 Walter CHANTLER. 6th Queen’s (R. West Surrey Regiment).
Great Wadd Knoxbridge, Frittenden
Private 31749 Percy CHANTLER. 2nd Gloucestershire Regiment.
On the 23rd March 1915 the 2nd battalion were alternating between Kemmel, Locre and Dickebusch where the battalion was billeted. The battalion remained in this general area for the whole of March 1915 coming under continual fierce attack from German troops and heavy shelling.
DOWN A
Augustus DOWN – No trace. This mans name is mentioned in the Kentish Express as being a Biddenden war casualty. No trace Soldiers Died Great War. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records 13 A Down’s – 6 Army, 4 Navy and 3 Empire men. None of these has the name Augustus…
Probably this man whose name does appear on the parish tribute -
Able Seaman London 4/2451 Augustus DONNE. HMS “Ossory”, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RN). Died Tuesday 28th March 1916. Buried in the Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery, Orkney, Scotland. Grave reference B.24.
The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Augustus, Biddenden
Saddler Corporal 156266 Lawrence DONNE. Royal Field Artillery.
The circumstances of his death are not known. His ship did not sink the day he died. He was probably mortally wounded on board in an accident or he contracted a disease (T.B). His body was obviously recovered and buried at the nearest port (in this case Orkney).
DRURY H.E
Private G/12678 Henry Edward DRURY. 6th Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died 1st December 1917 aged 32 years. Born Biddenden. Resided Pontlottyn, Wales. Husband of May Harding (formerly Drury) of 4, Glyn Street, Abertysswg, Cardiff, Wales. Henry has no known grave. His name appears on the Cambrai Memorial, France. Panel reference 8. The 1901 census gives –
Woolpack, Biddenden
Thomas DRURY 66 Labourer Biddenden Cordelia 65 Biddenden George 20 Biddenden
Throughout December 1917 the 6th West Kent’s were in the line near Cambrai (Battle of Arras). On the 30th November 1917 the 6th West Kent’s held ground on the reverse slope of Lateau Wood. The Buffs were close by re-capturing Pam Pam Farm. The West Kent’s went forward towards Bonavis Farm meeting the Buffs on the way. Various West Kent Companies became detatched and men were dispersed over a wide area. The enemy penetrated the frontline at La Vacquerie. The 6th battalion suffered enormous loss – 250 men were killed or wounded.
HOMEWOOD M.E
Private G/22806 Mercer Edward HOMEWOOD. 6th Battalion, Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Formerly (20951) The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 14th October 1917 aged 28 years. Born Biddenden. Enlisted Maidstone. Resided Maidstone. Son of Henry and Ada May Homewood of 9, Beaconsfield Terrace, Tovil, Maidstone, Kent. Buried in the Monchy British Cemetery, Monchy-Le-Preux, France. Grave reference I.N.33.
On the 10th October 1917 the 6th battalion was in the Monchy-le-Preux Sector (Battle of Cambrai / Arras). Three infantry battalion’s were designated to attack the enemy on this day – 6th Queen’s, 7th Norfolk’s and 6th West Kent’s. The battalion assembled in Hoe Support and Knife Trench. Beetle Trench was full of angry Germans. The battalion lost 2 men killed and 22 others wounded. Mercer was probably wounded on the 10th October and died of wounds 4 days later.
KEMP C.H
Private G/10291 Charles Henry KEMP. 10th Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died 11th October 1916 aged 23 years. Born Biddenden. Enlisted Maidstone. Resided Maidstone. Son of William and Jemima Kemp of 18, Stacey’s Passage, Bosley Road, Maidstone, Kent. Charles has no known grave. His name appears on the Thiepval Memorial, The Somme, France. Panel reference 11C.
On the 7th October 1916 the 10th battalion was near Mametz Wood on the Somme. It moved forward and attacked a German trench system known as Gird Trench. On the 10th October 1916 the battalion was in Mametz Wood. On the 12th October it moved to Dernancourt. Charles was killed somewhere in Mametz Wood and his body probably still lies beneath the ground there.
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KEMP G.W
Lance Corporal 682471 George William KEMP. 22nd (The Queen’s) Battalion, London Regiment. Formerly (29280) 9th Reserve Cavalry Regiment. Died 23rd March 1918 aged 22 years. Born Biddenden. Enlisted Shorncliffe, Folkestone. Resided Pluckley. Son of George and Harriet Kemp of “Heronden Cottages”, Tenterden, Kent. Buried in the Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Grave reference III.J.31.
A long serving soldier. It is recorded that George served in Gallipoli, Turkey and that he was previously wounded whilst in France in 1916. Sadly the war finally caught up with him…
The 1901 census gives – Park Gate Cottage, Biddenden
George KEMP 30 Labourer Biddenden
Margaret 30 Biddenden (step-mother)
George W 5 Biddenden
Albert E 2 Biddenden Jane 1 Biddenden
RUSSELL C
Private T/240176 Charles RUSSELL. 5th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Iraq 7th January 1916 aged 18 years. Born Biddenden. Resided Tenterden. Son of Mr J.E and Mrs S Russell of Coldharbour, Tenterden, Ashford, Kent. Charles has no known grave. His name appears on the Basra Memorial, Basra, Iraq. Panel reference 6.
On the 4th January 1916 the 5th battalion was at Ali-el-Gharbi. The battalion moved up river towards Sheikh Saad. All surplus stores were carried by barges on the River Tigris. The battalion only marched about 8 miles due to inclement weather conditions. During the day it was extremely wet and at night the temperature dropped to less than freezing. On the 6th January the march was resumed and enemy outposts were reached. Firing commenced shortly after noon but casualties were light. On the 7th January 1916 the Battle of Sheikh Saad was fought. The Buffs advanced towards the enemy but came under extremely heavy artillery bombardment. As the day wore on the battalion started to suffer increasing casualties. The Adjutant Lt H.S Marchant was killed and Lt Col J Munn-Mace and Major E Clark were wounded. The weather remained wet and cold and soldiers rations consisted mainly bully beef and a few biscuits. This day the British lost 4,000 men!
TYLDEN-PATTENSON A.D
Lieutenant Arthur Dagnall TYLDEN-PATTENSON. 2nd Battalion, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (OBLI). Died 5 January 1915. Son of Major Tylden-Pattenson DSO of Biddenden, Ashford, Kent. Buried Vielle Chapelle New Military Cemetery, Lacouture, France.
The Old Military Cemetery (now removed) was closed in November 1915, as being too near the school; and the New Military Cemetery was begun in that month and used by fighting units and Field Ambulances until March 1918. The village and the cemetery fell into German hands in the following month, in the Battles of the Lys; but in September 1918, on the German retirement, some further burials took place. These original graves are in Plot I and Plot IV, Rows A and B. The remainder of the cemetery was made after the Armistice, by the concentration of British, Indian and Portuguese graves from the neighbouring battlefields and from other cemeteries; but the Portuguese graves were removed to Richebourg-L'Avoue Portuguese National Cemetery in 1925, and three German prisoners graves have also been removed. There are now nearly 1,000, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Almost all fell in 1914, 1915 or 1918, and most of those who fell in 1918 belonged to the 55th (West Lancashire) Division. Of these, over one-third are unidentified and special memorials are erected to five soldiers from the United Kingdom, believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials record the names of nine soldiers from the United Kingdom, buried in other cemeteries, whose graves were destroyed by shell fire. The cemetery covers an area of 4,111 square metres and is enclosed by a stone rubble wall. The village was later "adopted" by the Metropolitan Borough of Paddington.
TYRELL J
Private L/9588 John TWRELL. 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 8th June 1916. Born Biddenden. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Herne Hill near Faversham. Buried in the Essex Farm Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium. Grave reference 11-U-15.
The Commonwealth War Grave Commission appear to have mis-spelt John’s name. They record – John TWRELL.
The regimental history shows that the 1st battalion were not engaged in fighting during June 1916. It remained in The Somme area throughout.
WAGHORN J
Sergeant M/207017 John WAGHORN. 906th Mechanical Transport Company, Army Service Corps (ASC). Died Thursday 4th July 1918 aged 22 years. Born Headcorn. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Sittingbourne. Son of John and Frances Waghorn of Grove End Farm, Tunstall, Sittingbourne, Kent. Buried in the Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel. Grave reference AA.27.
The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Dane Court, Chilham
Sergeant 205017 John (Junior) WAGHORN. Mechanical Transport, Army Service Corps.
The CWGC record that John was born in Biddenden near Ashford which conflicts with information given on Soldiers Died CD ROM.
WILDING A.C
Lance Corporal 23333 Alfred Charles WILDING. 3rd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment.
Died 6th June 1916 aged 24 years. Born Biddenden. Resided Bexhill, Sussex. Son of Harry and Ellen Wilding of West Farleigh, Maidstone, Kent. Buried in the Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St-Eloi, France. Grave reference III.A.4.
Mont St Eloi is a village in the Department of the Pas-de-Calais, 8 kilometres north-west of Arras. Ecoivres is a hamlet lying at the foot of the hill, to the south-west and about 1.5 kilometres from Mont St Eloi. The Cemetery is on the D49 road. Historical Information: This cemetery is really the extension of the communal cemetery, were the French army had buried over 1,000 men. The 46th (North Midland) Division took over the extension with this part of the line in March 1916, and their graves are in Rows A to F of Plot I. Successive divisions used the French military tramway to bring their dead in from the front line trenches and, from the first row to the last, burials were made almost exactly in the order of date of death. The attack of the 25th Division on Vimy Ridge in May 1916 is recalled in Plots I and II. The 47th (London) Division burials (July to October 1916) are in Plot III, Rows A to H, and Canadian graves are an overwhelming majority in the rest of the cemetery, Plots V and VI containing the graves of men killed in the capture of Vimy Ridge in April 1917 After the Armistice, the graves of eight men of the 51st (Highland) Division were brought in to Plot VIII, Row A, from nearby Bray Military Cemetery. Ecoivres Military Cemetery contains 1,724 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There are also 786 French and four German war graves. The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.
WILLIAMS C
Private L/10316 Charles WILLIAMS. 2nd Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Monday 3rd May 1915 age 21 years. Born Biddenden. Enlisted Dover. Resided Ashford. Son of James and Annie Williams of The Street, Egerton, Ashford, Kent. Chas has no known grave. His name appears on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. Panel reference 12 and 14. The 1901 census gives –
10, Brook Gates, Egerton
James WILLIAMS 41 Agricultural Labourer Cranbrook Annie 37 Tenterden William 14 Cranbrook John 13 Sissinghurst Richard 11 Sissinghurst Emily 9 Biddenden Charles 7 Biddenden Kate 5 Egerton Frederick 3 Egerton Nellie 1 Egerton
The day that Charles lost his life the 2nd battalion Commanded by Captain Archer Houblon was in frontline trenches near Verlorenhoek not far from Ypres in Belgium. The enemy attacked in force and took a trench system known as D.5. The battalion suffered enormous casualties with over 200 men killed outright. It seems likely that Charles lost his life in this fighting.
WIMSETT A.H
Staff Sergeant S3/027245 Arthur Harry WIMSETT. Army Service Corps (RASC). Died 5th December 1915 aged 31 years. Born Biddenden. Resided Canterbury. Son of Alfred and Mary Wimsett. Husband of Martha F Wimsett of 5, St Stephen’s Fields, Canterbury, Kent. Buried in the Ste Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, France. Grave reference Div.19.M.5.
The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Saw Mills, Frittenden
Private 550621 Harry James WIMSETT. 698th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps.
Ste. Marie Cemetery is one of the town cemeteries, but it is actually situated in the commune of Graville-St. Honorine. It stands on the ridge overlooking Le Havre from the north and is north of the N.182. Historical Information: During the First World War, Le Havre was one of the ports at which the British Expeditionary Force disembarked in August 1914. Except for a short interval during the German advance in 1914 it remained No 1 Base throughout the war and by the end of May 1917, it contained three general and two stationary hospitals, and four convalescent depots. The first Commonwealth burials took place in Division 14 of Ste Marie Cemetery in mid August 1914. Burials in Divisions 19, 3, 62 and 64 followed successively. A memorial in Plot 62 marks the graves of 24 casualties from the hospital ship 'Salta' and her patrol boat, sunk by a mine on 10 April 1917. The memorial also commemorates by name the soldiers, nurses and merchant seamen lost from the 'Salta' whose bodies were not recovered, and those lost in the sinking of the hospital ship 'Galeka' (mined on 28 October 1916) and the transport ship 'Normandy' (torpedoed on 25 January 1918), whose graves are not known. In all 1,689 Commonwealth casualties of the First World War are buried or commemorated in the cemetery. During the Second World War, Le Havre was one of the evacuation ports for the British Expeditionary force in 1940 and towards the
end of the war it was used as a supply and reinforcement base. The 364 Second World War burials (59 of them unidentified) were made in Divisions 64 and 67 of the cemetery. The Commonwealth plots in the cemetery were designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.
WISE R
Private G/207745 Rolland WISE. 11th Battalion, Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Formerly (240546) Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died 26th May 1918 aged 21 years. Born Biddenden. Enlisted Ashford. Resided Headcorn. Son of John Henry and Emily Wise of Franks Bridge, Headcorn, Kent. Buried in the Gwalia Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium. Grave reference II.B.32.
Rolland’s name appears on the Headcorn war memorial. The 1901 census gives –
High Street, Biddenden
John WISE 59 Labour Roadman Bethersden Emily 44 Biddenden Nellie 15 Biddenden Peter 14 Bakers Boy Biddenden Frank 12 Biddenden George 10 Biddenden Esther 9 Biddenden Edith 7 Biddenden Roland 4 Biddenden Amy G 3 Biddenden
On 5th April 1918 the 11th West Surrey’s were at Steenvoorde in Belgium. The next day saw a move to Ypres where the battalion took over frontline positions in support of Bossaert Keep and Pickelhaube Keep ( a line running from Jasper Keep, Uhlan Keep, Carte Keep to Hasler Camp). The work here was difficult and dangerous due to shelling and constant machine gun fire. The battalion remained here throughout May 1918.
