Biographical Details of those listed on the Christ Church War Memorial Stone
Further information can be found below on many of the names on the Christ Church War Memorial, including summary information about their life, service, death and families where this is known. The list will be expanded to cover all the sixty casualties listed above and on the Memorial in the near future. The data below draws extensively on the two main sources detailed below, along with official data, Newspaper Reports (NR) and discussion with descendants of the casualties.
Of the 60 casualties listed, one in every six died at or from wounds received in the Battle of the Somme, underlining the fierce war of attrition waged there.
A book entitled “Mrs Finch, Church Caretaker”, privately published and written by Peter Shearan, is available from Christ Church. It describes the First World War through the eyes of Mrs Finch, weaving in the lives and deaths of those casualties commemorated. Peter has also provided additional information from his own research (PS).
A three Volume series “The Valour Still Shines” comprising over 1000 pages about the lives and deaths of the Fallen commemorated on the Town Memorial at Windmill Hill (SJ). This is a superb and comprehensive piece of research carried out by the students of St John’s Catholic Comprehensive school, available from the school, with further details at www.gravesend14-18.co.uk.
If you are related to any of the names on the Memorial, or have further information, or would like to know any further unpublished information we may hold, please contact Peter Read at pterjr1@outlook.com
Amos, Joseph Herbert PS, SJ,
Private, 6th Bn, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment.
Killed in Action 7 October 1915 aged 24. Commemorated on Loos Memorial.
Son of John & Sarah Amos, of 4 Swan Yard. Husband of the late Rachel Amos, of 8 Ware St. Shoreditch, London. Educated at Gravesend Board school, and was an Able Seaman before joining the BEF on August 31 1914, a month after the declaration of war. Elder brother of James Amos, killed in Action 30 November, 1917, commemorated on Cambrai Memorial but not on the Christ Church Memorial.
Atkins, Frank Stanley, PS, SJ, NR
Private, 1st Bn. Coldstream Guards.
Killed in Action at Cuinchy, 25th January 1915 aged 22, having Joined up as part of Lord Kitchener’s volunteers on 15 September 1914. Commemorated at Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais
Son of W E & Elizabeth Atkins, of Cross Lane Nurseries. Attended Christ Church School, previously worked in P&O Office at Tilbury Docks,
Benson, Frederick Joseph, PS, SJ
Second Steward 8c Storekeeper, Mercantile Marine Reserve, HMS Clan McNaughton
Died when ship sunk in storm off Ireland, losing all 261 crew, 3rd February 1915 aged 37. Commemorated on Plymouth Naval Memorial
Son of Frederick & Anna Benson, Husband of Florence Benson, of 66 Windmill Street. One child, Peggy 1909. Previously dock labourer.
See also Cosgrove & Joel, Edgar, who also died on the Clan McNaughton.
Betts, John Charles, PS, SJ, NR
Able Seaman, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Hawk Bn. R.N.Division.
Killed in Action 24th December 1915, aged 19. Commemorated on Helles Memorial, Gallipoli
Son of Clara Adams, of 274 Clarence Street. Previously a shop assistant.
Beven, Franklin George PS, SJ
Private, 10th Bn, East Yorkshire Regiment.
Reported Missing 12th April 1918 aged 19. Commemorated on Ploegsteert Memorial, Ypres.
Son of George and Sarah Beven, of 4 Waterloo Street. Previously a sanitary labourer.
Broad, Arthur Percy, PS, SJ
Private, 5th Bn, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment.
Died of wounds in Dartford Hospital 5th February 1915 aged 38, Buried in Gravesend Cemetery Ref G3/805.
Son of Mrs Sarah Broad and Arthur Broad died 1907, of 2 South Street. Younger brother Harold also Royal West Kent, killed in 1915 (26 September, Loos Memorial), not on Christ Church Memorial. Arthur had four siblings, including two brothers.
Burville. John Thomas PS, SJ
Lance Corporal, 1st Bn, Kings Regiment (Liverpool). Regular soldier enlisted 12 March 1900.
Killed in Action 30 January 1918 aged 33, Buried at Metz-en-Couture Communal Cemetery (British extension)
Married to Edith Banks, lived at 18 Coombe Road, two children Sidney and Vera.
Bush, Felix George, PS
Store Keeper, Mercantile Marine, on HMS Ulysses.
Died of Pneumonia 11 December 1916, aged 29, off Sierra Leone, buried at sea (SJ).
Son of Mary Bush, of 13 Christ Church Road, born 1888. His grandmother, Harriett Finch was sometime caretaker of Christ Church (1901 Census), who kept the records for the Memorial.
Butcher Daniel George, PS, SJ,
Daniel George Butcher of the 4th Bn. Royal Fusiliers. Enlisted Gravesend into Royal West Kent Regt as a regular.
Killed in Action. 31 August 1918, aged 32. Buried H.A.C Cemetery, Ecoust-St Mein.
Born Reigate, 1886, Married Minnie Heaver in Gravesend, three children Daniel George, 1913, Dorothy 1915, and Irene, 1918 (died aged five).
Chapman, George William PS, SJ, NR
Private, 6th Bn, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment.
Killed in Action 8 October 1915 aged 19, body not recovered. Commemorated on Loos Memorial
Son of John & Charlotte Chapman, of 65 Peacock Street. Previously worked at Imperial Paper Mills.
Chawner, John Henry, PS
J5865 Able Seaman, Royal Navy, HMS Liberty. Signed up for 10 years in 1910.
Killed at Battle of Heligoland Bight, when ship came under fire, along with Commander and six other ratings on 28 August 1914 aged 21.
Buried in Shotley (St Mary) Churchyard.
Born in Deal, son of John and Elizabeth Chawner who lived in Northfleet in 1881, but widowed mother was in Grays, Essex in 1911.
Christmas, Sydney Charles, PS,
Private, 7th Bn. Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment
Called up. Enlisted Gravesend13 Nov 1915. Went to Front 3 July 1916.
(Presumed) Killed in Action, 30th September 1916 aged 23 Buried at Mill Road Cemetery, Thiepval
Previously market gardener, son of Ernest & Sarah Christmas of Harvel
Colbourne, Frederick William
Lieutenant, Royal Army Ordnance Corps (3rd army troops), enlisted as private, promoted to Temporary Assistant Commissary of Ordnance, with Honorary rank of Lieutenant, 14 April 1918.
Died of bronchial pneumonia, after 12 days in hospital, 25 February 1919 aged 31 Buried at Tincourt new British cemetery, Near St Quentin.
Son of Henry & Annie Colbourne; Served as lawyer’s clerk pre-war. Husband of Margaret, nee Walton, of 157 Parrock Street. Two daughters, Freda and Kathleen.
Coppins, Frederick John, PS, SJ
Signaller, 1st/10th Bn Manchester Regiment, previously East Surrey Regiment.
Died of Wounds 15 November 1918 (after Armistice), aged 23, buried at Rouen, St Sever Cemetery Extension.
Son of William and Annie Coppins, of 6 Mead Road. Married 1918, to Julia Honeyman. A milkman pre-war. Brother to William Coppins of 41 Bn. Australian Infantry, died at Passchendaele, 5 Oct 1917 (Not on Memorial, NC) who had been a sailor, and subsequently settled in Brisbane where he became a fireman at Brisbane Fire Station and Albert, previously farm labourer, King’s Royal Rifle Brigade, joined as Reservist 1913, ASR, b 1896, survived war as Corporal.
Cosgrove, Fred PS, SJ, NR
Plumber in Mercantile Marine HMS Clan McNaughton which disappeared at sea. Joined ship as a volunteer, December 1914.
Presumed drowned 3 February 1915 aged 30, Commemorated on Plymouth naval memorial. The sinking of this ship also claimed several other lives of local men - see also Benson, Frederick and Joel, Edgar.
Lived at 2 Cambrian Grove, married to Theresa. They had two children. Brother to Louis G, see below, and five other siblings.
Cosgrove, Louis George, PS, SJ, NC
Private, 1/6 Bn. Durham Light Infantry. Member of a Lewis Gun Team,
Killed by a shell 15 September 1917 aged 19 Buried at St martin-sur-Cojeul. near Arras
Son of Matthew (army retired, fought in Egyptian Campaign 1884-6) and Caroline Cosgrove, 30 Wellington Street and younger brother of Fred above. Prior to war had worked at PLA.
Dennis, Frederick Richard, PS, SJ, NC
Private, 10 (Service) Bn. Essex Regiment
Killed by shell, 31 October 1918 aged 19. Buried at Maurois Communal Cemetery, near Cambrai.
Son of William & Sarah Dennis, of 61 Pepper Croft Street. Worked for Gravesend Gas Company pre-war. Four siblings.
Dodd, Frank, SJ, PS, NR.
Private, 4th Bn. Middlesex regiment, transferring from Royal West Kent Rgt.
Wounded 23 April, Died of wounds, received during Battle of the Scarpe, 18 May 1917 aged 33. Buried at Etaples cemetery
Son of William & Lois Dodd, of 9 Zion Place in 1911, was a grocer’s assistant. One of six siblings, including Percy, see below.
See Newspaper Report
Dodd, Percy Edward, PS, SJ, NR
Private, 1st Bn. London Scottish Regt.
Died 1 July 1916, 1st day of Battle of the Somme, at Gommecourt, aged 23 No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial.
Bootseller’s Assistant in 1911, son of William & Lois Dodd of 9 Zion Place, Brother to Frank (see above).
Elford, Charles W,
Gunner, Royal Garrison Artillery (Kent Heavy Battery)
Died 20th March 1915 of injuries after a fall off Cliffe Fort, where he was stationed and on sentry duty. Aged 27, was buried in Gravesend cemetery.
Son of Thomas (late) & Emily Elford, of Peppercroft Street.
Ford, Harold,
Able Seaman, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Died 31 October 1917 at Passchendaele, Aged 23. Commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial. Enlisted 3 June 1915, drafted to France 27 February 1917.
Son of Isabella Green, a remarried widow, of 72 Peppercroft Street. Born Faversham 1894. Pastry cook.
Fox, Charles,
Private, 2/7 Bn. London Regiment.
Died 20 September 1917, Ypres, aged 20 Commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ypres.
Son of Charles & Elizabeth Fox, of 6 Trafalgar Road. Two siblings. Coach painter.
Garbutt, John M
Private, 7th Reserve Cavalry Regiment (9th and 21st Lancers). Died 5 Jan 1915 of pneumonia in London. Buried Woodgrange Park Cemetery, East Ham.
Son of the late John and Elizabeth Garbutt. In 1911, the family were living at 5 Wellington Street, including four siblings. Solicitor’s clerk. Born Madras, India.
Gardiner, William,
Lance Corporal, 1st Dragoons, Royal Regiment of Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line.
Died of wounds, 28 March, 1918. Buried Grand-Seracourt Cemetery, Somme.
Career soldier, Son of Mrs M Gardiner, 42 Peppercroft Street, born 1888, one of eleven children.
Garland, George J
Private, 6th Bn. Royal West Kent Regiment
Died in Netley Hospital of Gas Poisoning, 8 August 1916. Wounded in Somme offensive, admitted to hospital 5 July, aged 19. Buried in Gravesend cemetery, with full military honours. Enlisted 1 March 1915.
Son of Alfred and Annie Garland of 24 John Street, one of five siblings. Painter and decorator.
Gibson, Arthur W Donald, (known as Donald),
Lance-Corporal, 4th Bn, Seaforth Highlanders.
Killed in Action, Battle of Aubers Ridge, 9 May 1915 aged 20, Commemorated at Le Touret Memorial.
Son of Arthur & Susan Gibson, of Rosebank, Parrock Road. Employed by Mercantile Bank of India.
Goatham, Reginald.
Private, 7th Bn. East Kent Regiment.
Killed in Action 3 October 1916 aged 23, Battle of Somme. Commemorated on Thiepval Monument. Son of Horace & Frances Goatham, of 14 Ferndale Road. House painter apprentice.
Gray, Francis W
Private, 4th Bn Middlesex Regiment
Killed in Action 31 July 1917 aged 34. Commemorated on Menin Gate, Ypres.
Born 23 March 1883. Son of Frank & Elizabeth Gray. Two siblings. Married Mabel Gray, lived 31 Alfred Road. Two children: Francis & Leslie. House Painter and paper hanger.
Greener, William E Able Seaman. Joined RN as boy sailor 25 September 1905 on HMS Impregnable, signed for 12 years as an Ordinary Seaman, on his 18th birthday.
Drowned along with 527 other men, when HMS Aboukir was sunk by German U-Boat 22 September 1914 aged 25. His body was washed ashore and buried at s’Gravenzande general cemetery, Holland. (see Ernest Henniker below, also at Impregnable).
Son of William and Sarah Greener of 15 Christ Church Crescent, born 10 September 1889, one sibling.
Henniker, Ernest E
Leading Seaman, RN. Joined Navy as a Boy Sailor, 30 April 1905 at HMS Impregnable, a Shore Establishment (see William Greener, above).
Died in Zeebrugge Raid, 25 April 1918, when his ship HMS North Star was sunk by a coastal battery. His body was washed up and is buried in Flushing Northern Cemetery (allied Military Section). Had previously been one of just 14 survivors out of a complement of 750 when an accidental internal explosion sank HMS Bulwark on 26 November 1914.
Son of Henry & Caroline Henniker, Of Strood, one of ten siblings, born 7 Dec 1879. His sister Florence married Robert Gurr living at 40 Clarence Street, the probable Christ Church connection.
Holden, Albert J
Private 7 Bn Royal West Kent Regiment. Volunteered and signed up for Duration of War on 2 January 1915.
Killed in Action, Battle of Somme, 30 September 1916, aged 35. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial.
Son of Edward and Ruth Holden of 6 Bentley Street, one of seven siblings. Previously Engineers Mate, working as a Brewery Coppersidesman. Husband to Clara Goldston, lived at 21 Wellington Street at time of enlistment. Two children, Stanley and Vera.
Ives, Albert E
Private, 5 Bn Royal Sussex Regiment.
Died of Wounds 8 November 1916 aged 34, Battle of Somme. Buried at Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension. Conscripted August 1916.
Son of Thomas & Elizabeth Ives, of 6 Brunswick Road, previously worked for Frost’s Ironmongers in High Street. The eldest of seven children, including five brothers all having fought in WW1.
Lived at 2 Waterloo Street in 1911, with wife Eleanor and daughter Dora.
Joel, Duncan McI
Private, 3rd South African Regiment. Nephew of Edgar Joel (below).
Died (accidentally killed) 10 January 1917 aged 18. Buried at Faubourg d'Amiens cemetery, Arras.
Son of Henry & Annie Joel, of Johannesburg who emigrated to South Africa in 1903. Other members of the family served in the Navy. Grandson of Henry Seath and Sarah Joel (see below).
Joel, Edgar C,
Acting Lieutenant, Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Clan McNaughton. Died 3 February 1915 aged 28, when ship went down in a gale, all crew lost. Commemorated on Chatham Naval Memorial. See also Frederick Benson and Fred Cosgrove.
Pre-war, Merchant Navy gained Second Mate 10 January 1908, Master’s Ticket 23 October 1914, shortly before joining RNR, having become engaged to be married. Temporary Commission as Sub-Lieutenant awarded 5 December 1914, Seniority to Acting Lieutenant Awarded 10 January 1915.
Son of Henry & Sarah Joel, of ‘Leyland Croft’, Old Road East. Henry had been a church warden at Christ Church and there is a memorial window to Edgar on the North wall of the church.
King, Vernon,
Lieutenant RAF, Observer 16th Squadron. Previously Driver Royal Naval Division, promoted Sub-Lieutenant Royal Marines 2 March 1915. October 1917 transferred to Royal Flying Corps as an observer. 11 March 1918, became Lieutenant RAF 16th Squadron.
Shot down 11 April 1918 in an RE8 whilst on Artillery Observation Patrol. Buried Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension.
Born 28 August 1886. Went to Canada 1901 to farm. At outbreak of war, was working as an entomological expert in agriculture, in Kansas USA. Egyptian Expeditionary Force from May 1915 (Gallipolli), Egypt and Lemnos, then to France 23 May 1916.
Son of William and Emily King, of 36 Whitehill Road. His father and elder brothers Arthur and Henry were Chartered Accountants in Gravesend.
Lambert Wilfred F
Gunner, Acting Bombardier, Independent Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery.
Died of wounds in France 5 March 1919. Aged 28. Buried Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre.
Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Lambert, of Thetford, Norfolk. Born Thetford, in 1911 was a pupil teacher. Address was 86 Wrotham Road at the time of his death.
.
Lintott, George T
Private, 3 Bn Grenadier Guards
Killed in Action on The Somme, 15 September 1916, aged 27. According to Newspaper Report, a body was found and on it were a family photo and letter from George dated 14 September recording that they were going into action on the morrow and it would be death or glory for them. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, so mystery as to what happened to body!
Son of George and Susannah Lintott of 67 Parrock Street, one of six siblings. Joined up 14 September 1914, previously a clerk at Holborn Union, where he may have met his wife to be, Agnes Anderson, a Nursing Sister at Holborn Union Infirmary. Daughter of Thomas and Katherine Anderson of 33 Clarence Place.
Muirhead, Malcolm C
Private, Grenade Company, 5 Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force,
Killed in Action, 27 September 1916, Battle of the Somme. No known grave. Commemorated on Canadian Vimy Memorial.
Emigrated to Canada, in 1906, at the age of 22, a draper’s apprentice. A consulting engineer, like his father, when he joined the CEF 21 December 1914.
Born 6 October 1884, son of Richard & Phoebe Muirhead, of 66 Parrock Street. Eight siblings.
Niblett, Charles
Gunner,Royal Garrison Artillery.
Died 22nd September 1917 aged 20, riding motor-cycle in Meopham. Buried Chalk churchyard.
Son of Henry Thomas & Clara Niblett, 13 Brunswick Road.
Parsons, John
Attestation: 4th Bn. The Buffs. 2 June 1916. Enlisted Gravesend. Transferred to Labour Corps then to Border Regiment, May 1918
Died of wounds 29 September 1918, Buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. Note on Medals File, 29642 J Parsons, Victory Medal, British Medal, “died Intestate… appn for Medals (undated) o/c Recs requests authority to dispose of medals”
In 1911 he was an inmate at Children’s Separated Children’s Homes (Boys’ Home), at 32 Clarence Place, aged 11, place of birth unknown. Sisters Kate aged 14, born London and Dorothy aged 11 born Northfleet are in the adjoining Girls Home. All three had previously been in Greenwich Workhouse. Became a smelting and iron worker.
Living at 37 Bentley St. Gravesend, aged 18 on Attestation. Next of Kin is recorded as Aunt Susan Radford, also described as Foster Mother.
Enlisted June 1916. Given Field Punishment No 1 in August 1918, died the following month
Paton, Howard
Second Lieutenant, Durham Light Infantry, attached to Labour Corps.
Died of wounds, 30 June 1917 in London, aged 26. Buried Wandsworth Cemetery.
Wounded by gunshot to the leg, it was amputated to the thigh overseas, Septicaemia set in. Died at Queen Alexandria’s Hospital for Officers.
Son of William and Clara Paton of Deal. In 1901, orphaned at an early age, he was a pupil at boarding school in Lewisham. Became an Estates Clerk for a Chemical Manufacturer.
Poynter, Leslie
Steward, Mercantile Marine Reserve, HMS Otranto
Died 6th October 1918 aged 24. Commemorated Plymouth Naval Memorial
Torpedoed twice. Otranto was a Merchant Cruiser, guarding an Atlantic Convoy, during a gale off Scotland collided with liner Kashmir, also in the convoy. Both vessels sank. 281 were rescued from Otranto, but Leslie went down with the ship.
Son of Samuel & Athenia Poynter,60 Wellington Street.
Prisley, James
Private, Canadian Infantry.
Killed in Action, Passchendale, 9 November 1917. Age 28. Buried Aeroplane Cemetery.
Emigrated to Canada April 1912. Enlisted January 1916.
In 1911, lived with his mother Sarah, a widow at 16 Clarence Street; was a Deckhand aboard a PLA tugboat.
Reed, Edward William, Military Medal
Sergeant, 6 Bn. Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, G6875. Acting Sergeant-Major, Queen’s Regiment, Joined Army 1915.
Killed in Action 3 May 1917, aged 30, commemorated Arras Memorial,
Son of Traiton and Martha Reed, 19 Wingfield Road, an assistant butcher. Married Elizabeth Sarah Reed 1911. Four children. In 1911 they were living at 19 Wingfield Road, Gravesend with Edward’s mother-in law, and he was an assistant butcher, born in Northfleet.
Russell, Eric
Private, 2nd London Regiment, Royal Fusiliers.
Death 16th June 1917 aged 22 Buried Tilloy-les Mofflaines British Cemetery, near Arras.
Son of late George, & Mrs Esther Russell from Dartford. No obvious Gravesend connection.
Sedge, Frederick
Private, Queen's Regiment
Death 26 October 1917 aged 17, 3rd Battle of Ypres. Commemorated Tyne Cot Memorial.
Son of Frederick & Maud Sedge, 78 Peppercroft Street.
Sedge, William
Stoker Petty Officer, Royal Navy, HMS Mary Rose.
Killed in Action, 17 October 1917, aged 27. Commemorated Chatham Naval Monument.
Joined RN April 1909. In October 1917, Mary Rose, a destroyer, was escort for a convoy en route to Norway. Sunk by two German cruisers, along with nine neutral ships from convoy. Two officers and eight enlisted men survived from a complement of 80.
Son of William and Elizabeth. Married Mabel in 1914, one son, lived 3 Waterloo Street
Shorter, Vernon
Captain, Queen's Regiment
Died of wounds at casualty clearing station 28 September 1917 aged 37. Buried Godewaersvelde British cemetery.
Volunteered for service 1915 and commissioned. Went to Front, June 1916, invalided home. Returned to Front March 1917, promoted to Captain and Adjutant in August.
Son of Mrs Sarah Shorter, 8 Old Road West. Proprietor of Lake and Sunnucks, Estate Agents.
Shrosbree, George Lawrence
7304 Private, 1st Bn Princess Charlotte of Wales’s (Royal Berkshire) Regiment.
Worked as an Orderly in Officers Mess, killed as a result of a bursting shell at Quinchy, 26th June, 1915 aged 29. Buried at Lacoutre, Vielle-Chapelle New Military Cemetery.
Born around 1886 in Northfleet, parents Thomas and Kate, he was a soldier on Furlough, discharge pending, staying with his brother in Little Thurrock, Grays, Essex, home still in Gravesend. After he left the army, he became a postman, but being on the Reserve List was recalled on the outbreak of war. Married to Phoebe Ludlow in 1913, one child. War Gratuity £5.0.0. she remarried Henry Heaver in 1921.
Spice, Robert
Stoker 1st Class, Royal Navy, HMS Pathfinder.
Lost 5 September 1914 aged 24, when Pathfinder, was first ship sunk by a submarine torpedo. 18 survivors out of 270 on board. Commemorated Chatham Naval Memorial.
Enlisted in the RN on September 1910.
Son of Georgina Spice, of 18 Thames Terrace, father Robert having died.
Surman, John Arthur
Boy deckhand on Tug Doria out of Gravesend.
Drowned, aged 16, off Invergordon Pier, far north of Scotland, 24 December 1915.
Born third quarter 1898. 1911 census, living at 1 Violet Cottages New Street, with his siblings, at the house of sister, Emily Lucas, and her husband.
In 1901, he was at 35 Peter Street, the home of his widower father, George Surman, a Steam Barge Stoker, and 8 siblings, the oldest George W, a Waterman Barge Apprentice.
Tait, William,
Private, Northumberland Fusiliers.
Death 16 June 1915 aged 35. Commemorated Menin Gate.
Career soldier, 2nd Bn Northumberland Fusiliers, served in Boer War. Leaving army, joined P&O as a seaman. Re-enlisted September 1914.
Married Caroline in 1904, and moved to Gravesend in 1908. Five children, living at 57 Wellington Street at time of his death.
Taylor, George
Gunner, Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
Died of septic pneumonia, 2nd November 1918, in Birmingham War Hospital, aged 29. Buried in Gravesend Cemetery, Full Military Honours.
George enlisted November 1915, marrying Kathleen the previous day. In August 1918, absent from Parade, sentenced to seven days Field Punishment No 2 - a week in fetters and handcuffs. Admitted to field hospital in France on 21 October, with boils.
Son of late Joseph & Martha Taylor, was a butcher. After marrying Kathleen, lived at 47 Rose Street.
Vine, Christopher
Second Lieutenant, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry.
Killed in action, Battle of Somme, 18 August 1916, aged 21. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial.
Enlisted Seaforth Highlanders, January, 1915, commended by Revd Cecil Marsh of Christ Church, as ‘being of good moral character and education.’
Commissioned in the field May 1915, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.
Son of William & Katherine Vine, of 5 Parrock Road.
Walton, Albert Frederick, SJ
Sergeant, Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry), 41287
Attestation: Signed on 8th February 1919. Recording transfer from 2nd Machine Gun Sqdrn, whilst stationed in Cologne.
Died of tonsillitis 11 April, 1919, buried in Cologne Southern Cemetery.
In 1911, he was in Preston Military Barracks, Brighton, in the 4th Dragoon Gaurds
Regular soldier, joining Dragoon Guards in 1910. Rose to rank of Sergeant, wounded with shrapnel in the face October 1914. Transferred to the M.G.C. in February, 1916. Expecting to return home in 1919 for leave, instead died in Casualty Clearing Station.
In 1901, he was aged 8 born 1893, living with his parents, Brace R and Amelia M Walton at 39 Peppercroft Street, along with siblings, Thomas aged 14, William aged 12, Ada aged 6, Elsie aged 3, and two boarders. Albert was a butcher when he joined up.
Ware, Stanley
Lance-Corporal, Machine Gun Corps
Killed in Action, 24 April 1918, aged 20. Commemorated Pozieres memorial.
Signed up 1914, wounded in Battle of Somme, sent to England returning to the Front March 1918, killed in action less than a month later.
Family lived 11 Peppercroft Street. Worked at Henley’s Telegraph Works.
West, Frederick
Lance-Corporal, Royal Sussex Regiment
Killed in Action, Flanders, 31 July 1917, aged 28. Commemorated Menin Gate.
Joined up April 1916.
Son of James & Ruth West. Married Florence 1912, living 9 Northcote Road, two children. Worked at Harmsworth’s printers.
West, Percival
Acting Sergeant, Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.
Killed in Action 7 August 1917 aged 24. Buried new Irish Farm Cemetery, Ypres
An analytical chemist and Territorial. Enlisted in RGA October 1911. France, January, 1917. Appointed A/Sergeant in July.
Son of Benjamin and Martha West, 34 Peppercroft Street.
Wickens, Harold
Coldstream Guards
Died 27 August 1918, aged 21. Buried Croisilles British Cemetery.
Enlisted June 1917.
Son of Jesse and Alice Wickens, 5 Spencer Street. Worked at Henley’s Cable Works.
Wilder, Frank
Private, Queen's Regiment.
Killed in Action, 7 April 1917 aged 23. Buried Dickebusch New Military Cemetery.
He joined the Territorials with the Kent Fortress Royal Engineers and signed on for a seven year engagement with the Regiment on 15th April 1913. He was with the Territorials in Dublin when war broke out and was sent to France with the BEF (The Old Contemptibles) in August 1914, Three weeks before he was killed, 14 days Field Punishment Number 1, for ‘irregular conduct, leaving the trenches without permission’. Three weeks previously he had been Confined to Barracks for two days for having a dirty rifle on parade. FP No 1 “consisted of the convicted man being placed in fetters and handcuffs or similar restraints and attached to a fixed object, such as a gun wheel or a fence post, for up to two hours per day. During the early part of World War I, the punishment was often applied with the arms stretched out and the legs tied together, giving rise to the nickname "crucifixion". This was applied for up to three days out of four, up to 21 days total. It was usually applied in field punishment camps set up for this purpose. in practice abuses were commonplace. For example, the prisoner would deliberately be placed in stress positions, with his feet not fully touching the ground”. A week after this finished, he was dead.
Frank was the son of Charles and Eliza Wilder, with three siblings.
Williams, Henry E, SJ
Private, 10 Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment
Killed in Action, 18 August 1916, at Battle of the Somme. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial.
Henry’s home and family were in Gloucestershire, but he married Rose Eva Niblett in Gravesend in 1915. They settled in the town, and had a son, Henry E.H. Williams born last quarter 1916.
Wright, William Alfred
Private, 6th Bn. the Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment), 265964
Killed in Action 27 October 1918 2 weeks before the war's end. buried Valenciennes (St. Roch) Communal Cemetery.
Qualified for Victory and British Medals
Son of Mrs Edmund and Bessie Ellen Wright of 17 Peppercroft St. Born 1899. (Edmund not on CWGC page). Father Charles? Signed for effects of £29 8s 9d including £19 War Gratuity. His address at time of death was recorded as Charing Cross Road London.
In 1911, William was living in Peppercroft St with his parents and siblings: Amy 1894; Edmond 1897; Florence 1900; and Doris 1902