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World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment

Royal West Kent Regiment




Want to know more about the Royal West Kent Regiment?


There are:7457 items tagged Royal West Kent Regiment available in our Library

  These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.


Those known to have served with

Royal West Kent Regiment

during the Great War 1914-1918.

  • Abbey Arthur. Pte. 7th Btn. (d.21st Jul 1917)
  • Aldous George. 8th Battalion (d.16th Jun 1916)
  • Allen Peter. Pte. 1st Btn (d.19th April 1918)
  • Ames Ernest Thomas. Pte. 11th Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)
  • Anderson Albert Edwin. Pte. 1st Battalion (d.4th Oct 1917)
  • Anstiss Harry Sidney Augustus. Pte. 11th Btn. (d.15th Sep 1916)
  • Anstss Harry Sidney Augustus. Pte. 11th Battalion (d.15th Sept 1916)
  • Bailey Charles. Pte. 7th Btn. (d.15th October 1917)
  • Balls Daniel Methuen French. Pte. 10th Battalion
  • Bance George. Pte. 10th Battalion
  • Barrow Arthur Walkey. Pte. 7th Btn.
  • Bell John Peter. Pte. 7th Btn. (d.19th Sep 1918)
  • Belsey Walter Ernest. Pte. 8th Btn.
  • Boar Albertine Thomas. Pte. 6th Btn (d.3rd July 1916)
  • Bone Henry. Pte.
  • Bovis Daniel. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.24th Oct 1914)
  • Bowler Edward. Pte. 1st Btn.
  • Bradford Percy Charles. Pte. 1st Btn.
  • Brailey Sidney Harold. Pte. 6th Battalion
  • Brian Reginald. Pte. Infantry (d.16th April 1917)
  • Briselden Charles George Ernest. Pte. 2nd Battalion (d.30th June 1916)
  • Bromfield T. A.. Sgt. 8th Btn.
  • Bugden Thomas. Pte.
  • Cadby Samuel Alfred. Pte 1st Btn. B Coy. (d.22nd July 1916)
  • Chambers Frank David. Pte. 10th Battalion, "C" Company (d.7th Jun 1917)
  • Chappell Albert Thomas. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.1st Dec 1918)
  • Chaston Albert V.. Pte.
  • Cockerell Harry. Pte. 4th Battalion
  • Cole Cecil. Pte. 6th Battalion (d.8th October 1915)
  • Comer Frederick G. Pte. 7th Btn. (d.27th Aug1918)
  • Conroy Martin Joseph. Pte. 10th Battalion (d.21st Sep 1917)
  • Cook Augustus Charles. Pte. 2nd Battalion (d.10th Jul 1917)
  • Cook Augustus Charles. Pte. 2nd Battalion (d.10th Jun 1917)
  • Cornwell Albert Edward. Pte
  • Cox Herbert Ernest. Pte. 7th Btn. (d.8th Aug 1918)
  • Davison Aylmer Allsworth. Pte. 1/28th (Artists Rifles) Btn. (d.25th June 1918)
  • Davison MC, MM. Henry. WO1. 6th Battalion
  • Day Lionel Henry. Pte 11th Btn
  • Dean Louis Phillip. Pte. 7th Btn. (d.24th August 1916)
  • Dee Richard George James. Cpl. 10th (Kent County) Btn.
  • Dempster Ephraim. Dvr. 7th Battalion (d.23rd Jan 1917)
  • Drewett William James. Pte. 11th Btn. (d.10th April 1917)
  • Duffy Frank. Cpl 11th Btn (d.21st Sept 1917)
  • Evans John Henry. Private 2nd Btn.
  • Farnell William . Pte. 6th Btn. (d.9th November 1916)
  • Fitton Harry. Pte 8th Btn. (d.16th October 1918)
  • Fitzhugh Alfred Hugh. Pte. 8th Btn. (d.26th Sep 1915)
  • Frick Oscar. L/Cpl. 2nd Bn. attd. Connaught Rangers (d.8th July 1916)
  • Gates Alfred. Pte. 8th Battalion (d.18th Jun 1917)
  • Gee George William . Pte. 11th Btn. (d.7th October 1916)
  • Gilbey Henry. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.27th Sept 1918)
  • Gilliam George Victor. Pte. 6th Btn.
  • Glen John William Currie. L/Cpl. 8th Btn.
  • Glover Richard Henry. Pte.
  • Goldup Thomas Alfred. Pte. 1st Battalion (d.26th Jul 1915)
  • Grant John. Pte. 8th Btn. (d.26th September 1915)
  • Gray Frank Edward. L/Cpl. 8th Btn., B Coy. (d.26th September 1915)
  • Griffiths Victor Ernest. Sgt. 11th Battalion (d.25th Aug 1918)
  • Hammond Herrbert. Pte. 6th Battalion (d.4th August 1916)
  • Harris Thomas. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.21st Jun 1915)
  • Harris VC. MM. Thomas James. Sgt. 6th Btn. (d.9th Aug 1918)
  • Hart Henry George Rueben. Pte. Att. 1/20th Bn. London Regiment (d.1st Sep 1918)
  • Heath Ernest Frank.
  • Highams Thomas William. L/Cpl. 10th Btn. (d.21st Sep 1917)
  • Highgate Thomas J.. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.8th Sep 1914)
  • Hill George. Pte. 1st Battalion (d.3rd March 1917)
  • Hillier William Watson. Pte. 8th Btn.
  • Hills Reginald Howard. Pte. 10th Bn. (d.8th June 1917)
  • Honneysett Charles Troughton . Pte.
  • Horton Cyril Stephen. Pte.
  • Houghton Edmund Tyrer. Pte. 7th Btn (d.3rd May 1917)
  • Hunt Thomas Edward. Pte.
  • Hussey Alfred John. Cpl. 1st Btn.
  • Jeffs George Arthur. Pte. 7th Battalion (d.18th September 1918)
  • Keating Albert James. Pte. 11th Btn.
  • Kemp Charles Henry. Pte. 10th Btn. (d.11th Oct 1916)
  • Kemp Fred. Pte. 6th Btn.
  • Kent William. Pte. 10th Btn. (d.31st Jul 1917)
  • Laing MM & Bar. Frederick. L/Cpl. 10 Btn.
  • Langley Hubert John. Pte. 10th Battalion, A Coy. (d.1st July 1916)
  • Lipscombe John. Sgt. 2/4th Battalion (d.19th April 1917)
  • Little MM. Thomas. Pte. 7th Battalion (d.28th August 1918)
  • Maloney J. D.. Pte. 6th Btn (d.24th Aug 1915)
  • McKenzie Herbert. Pte. 10th Btn. (d.8th Oct 1917)
  • Metcalfe Digby. Pte. 2/20th Btn. (d.31st Aug 1918)
  • Milledge Thomas Albert Noel. L/Cpl. 6th Btn. (d.3rd May 1917)
  • Monckton Oswald Thomas. L/Cpl. 7th Btn. (d.3rd Jun 1917)
  • Morley MC Arthur Victor Donald. 11th Btn.
  • Morton James Heman. Pte. 7th Btn. (d.23rd Jun 1918)
  • Nicholls George. Pte. 8th Btn. (d.14th Apr 1917)
  • Norton MM. Horace John. Pte. 11th Bn. (d.20th Sept 1917)
  • Norton MM. Horace John. Pte. 11th Btn., D Coy. (d.20th Sep 1917)
  • Ostler Sydney William. Pte. 10th Btn. (d.15th Jun 1917)
  • Packer William Job. L/Cpl 8th Btn. A Coy. (d.6th April 1916)
  • Pales William George. Pte.
  • Parish James Harold. Pte. 11th Btn (d.1st Aug 1917)
  • Pashley William Stanley. Cpl. 11th Btn. (d.7th Oct 1916)
  • Pickard William Victor. Pte. 6th Battalion (d.3rd July 1916)
  • Piggott Frank. Pte. 1st Battalion
  • Poet James Henry. Pte. 7th Btn. (d.15th July 1916)
  • Poet James Henry. Pte. 7th Btn. (d.15th July 1916)
  • Pulling William. Pte. 7th Btn. (d.12th October 1917)
  • Read William Thomas. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.10th Feb 1917)
  • Reynolds MC, MSM. Alfred. Sgt.Mjr. 1st Btn. D Coy.
  • Rock Robert Radcliffe. Pte.
  • Roe Joseph Victor. Pte. 1st Btn.
  • Rosendale Sydney. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.22nd January 1915)
  • Rosendale William. Sgt. 1st Btn. (d.22nd January 1915)
  • Rosevear Harold Edwin. Pte. 1st Btn.
  • Rowe Joseph Victor. Pte. 1st Battalion
  • Santon James William. Pte. 6th Battalion (d.21st Sep 1918)
  • Semper Edward. Pte. 11th Btn.
  • Sewell VC Cecil Howell. Lt. 3rd (Light) Tank Bn. (d.29th August 1918)
  • Sheldon Thomas. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.8th Jan 1916)
  • Silk Ronald Gwyn. A/Sgt. 1st Battalion
  • Simpson Thomas. Sgt. 6th Btn. (d.18th Jul 1917)
  • Skilton Arthur William. Pte. 1st Battalion (d.21st Jul 1916)
  • Slade Alfred. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.5th May 1915)
  • Smith Ernest Arthur. Pte. 7th Btn. (d.28th Mar 1918)
  • Smith William Alfred. Pte. 11th (Lewisham) Btn.
  • Somerfield George. Pte. 6th Btn (d.30th January 1917)
  • Sontag Hughie James. Pte. 1st Btn., D.Coy. (d.20th July 1916)
  • Sontag Hughie James. Pte. 1st Battalion, D Coy (d.20th July 1916)
  • Sontag Hughie James. Pte. 1st Btn. D Coy. (d.20th July 1916)
  • Spain George C. Pte. 1st Btn.
  • Sprigge Ralph Abner. G/8779 10th Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)
  • Staff Walter William. Sgt. 7th Battalion (d.21st March 1918)
  • Steers Percival William. Cpl. 7th Btn.
  • Strange Ernest Alfred.
  • Stroner George. Pte.
  • Swan Thomas Edgar. Pte.
  • Taylor Alfred. Pte.
  • Taylor Thomas William. Pte. 11th(Lewisham)Btn. (d.7th Oct 1916)
  • Tedder Timothy Richard. Pte 6th Btn (d.13th May 1917)
  • Tullet Henry William. Pte. 12th Battalion (d.15th September 1916)
  • Tullett Henry William. Pte. 11th Btn. (d.15th Sep 1916)
  • Turner Walter Stephen. L/Cpl. 1st Battalion (d.1st August 1916)
  • Turvey Samuel George. Pte. 1st/20th (Blackheath & Woolwich) Battalion, (d.23rd August 1918)
  • Vaux Frederic. Pte. 7th Btn.
  • Wales Francis Joseph. Pte. 10th Btn. (d.7th June 1917)
  • Wales Francis Joseph. Pte. 10th Btn. (d.7th June 1917 )
  • Walford Charles. Pte 11th Btn. B Voy. (d.15th Sep 1916)
  • Warner James George. Pte. 6th Battalion (d.3rd July 1916)
  • Weeden Arthur Edward. Pte. 7th Btn. (d.2nd Jul 1916)
  • White Harry Martin. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.14th October 1915)
  • Wickham Frederick James. Cpl. 7th Btn. (d.21st July 1917)
  • Wilkin George. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.27th Sep 1918)
  • Williams Robert. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.12th December 1915)
  • Williamson Frederick Albert. Pte. 11th Btn. (d.26th March 1918)
  • Withall John. Pte. 10th Btn. A Coy. (d.30th Mar 1918)

All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please. Add a Name to this List

More Royal West Kent Regiment records.


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1206575

Pte. Robert Williams 6th Btn. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) (d.12th December 1915)

Robie Williams died of wounds on 12th of October 1915, aged 20 and is buried in the Lillers Communal Cemetery in France. he was the son of Robert Henry and Emma Williams, of 108, Hertford Rd., Enfield Wash, Enfield, Middx.

According to the family Robbie had been given some R&R leave and was behind the lines when the area was hit by Artillery fire. Robbie was hit in the stomach by shrapnel and died some 10 days later; a few days after his 20th birthday. His mother, Emma, was apparently very distressed for a second time when she received his birthday presents back un-opened.

s flynn




1206443

Sgt. Thomas James Harris VC. MM. 6th Btn. Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment (d.9th Aug 1918)

Thomas Harris was killed in action on the 9th of August 1918 and is buried in the Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30967, dated 18th Oct., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack when the advance was much impeded by hostile machine guns concealed in crops and shell-holes. Serjt. Harris led his section against one of these, capturing it and killing seven of the enemy. Later, on two successive occasions, he attacked single-handed two enemy machine-guns which were causing heavy casualties and holding up the advance. He captured the first gun and killed the crew, but was himself killed when attacking the second one. It was largely due to the great courage and initiative of this gallant N.C.O. that the advance of the battalion was continued without delay and undue casualties. Throughout the operations he showed a total disregard for his own personal safety, and set a magnificent example to all ranks."

s flynn




1206301

Lt. Cecil Howell Sewell VC 3rd (Light) Tank Bn. Tank Corps (d.29th August 1918)

Cecil Sewell was killed in action on 29th August 1918 aged 23 and is buried in the Vaux Hill Cemetery in France. He was the son of Harry Bolton Sewell and Mary Ann Sewell, of 26 Crooms Hill, Greenwich, London. His brothers Harry Kemp Sewell and Herbert Victor Sewell also fell.

An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30982, dated 29th Oct., 1918, records the following:- "When in command of a section of Whippet Light Tanks in action this officer displayed most conspicuous bravery and initiative in getting out of his own Tank and crossing open ground under heavy shell and machine-gun fire to rescue the crew of another Whippet of his section which had side slipped into a large shell-hole, overturned and taken fire. The door of the Tank having become jammed against the side of the shell-hole, Lt. Sewell, by his own unaided efforts, dug away the entrance to the door and released the crew. In so doing he undoubtedly saved the lives of the officer and men inside the Tank as they could not have got out without his assistance. After having extricated the crew, seeing one of his own crew lying wounded behind his Tank, he again dashed across the open ground to his assistance. He was hit in doing so, but succeeded in reaching the Tank when a few minutes later he was again hit, fatally, in the act of dressing his wounded driver. During the whole of this period he was within full view and short range of the enemy machine guns and rifle-pits, and throughout, by his prompt and heroic action, showed an utter disregard for his own personal safety."

s flynn




1206175

Pte Charles Walford 11th Btn. B Voy. Royal West Kents (d.15th Sep 1916)

Charles Walford served with the 11th Btn. Royal West Kents and was killed on 15th September 1916.

John Cookman




1205725

L/Cpl. Thomas William Highams 10th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.21st Sep 1917)

Tom was my uncle and as far as I can gather was first posted to France in May 1916. He was allowed leave from the front to attend the funeral of his young wife who had died of T.B in February 1917. He returned to the front only to be killed in action during the Battle of the Menin Road in September. He is commemorated on the memorial wall at Tyne Cot Cemetery.

Tom Highams




263652

Pte. Albert Thomas Chappell 1st Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.1st Dec 1918)

Albert Chappell was born in 1894 at Tresham, Gloucestershire to Albert James and Kate Elizabeth Chappell. In 1901, he was residing with his parents and siblings at The Sheet, Hawkesbury near Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire; and in 1911, he was living with his brother William Albert, mother, and stepfather Richard Godfrey at Bowldon near Tetbury, Gloucestershire. His occupation was farm labourer.

He enlisted into the 13th Gloucestershire Regiment on 9th of December 1915 at the age of 22 years and 3 months and was posted to the army reserve to await his mobilization. At the time, he was residing at Ragonel Terrace, Synwell, Wotton-under-Edge. On 23 December 1916, he married Winifred Tavinner at the Tabernacle, Wotton-under-Edge.

He was called to the colours with the 1st Royal West Kent Regiment on 22nd of February 1917 at Horfield Barracks, Horfield, Bristol. Then on 11th June 1917, he embarked for France. On 21st of April 1918, he received a shrapnel wound to his left thigh, and on 6th of October 1918 was transferred to the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He died of influenza at No. 2 Casualty Clearing Station on 1st of December 1918, and is buried in Caudry British Cemetery, France.

Alfred Beard




262848

Pte. William Alfred Smith 11th (Lewisham) Btn. West Kent Regiment

William Smith is my grandfather, who died in 1965. I did not know until recent research revealed that he served in WW1. He was wounded at the Somme, but I am still researching more details.

Terry Callaghan




262840

Cpl. Percival William Steers 7th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment

Percival Steers born 20th March 1894, was my grandfather. He joined up on 14th of September 1914 along with his older brother by 7 years Samuel John (Jack) Steers and, as far as I can ascertain, friends from Hastings, as there is a one number gap between my grandfather's and his brother's service number. Both brothers were accomplished horsemen and originally joined the yeomanry. Both also became instructors at Colchester before, joining the action with the 18th Division, in March 1918.

My grandfather was wounded by a gunshot to the face on 27th of August 1918 at Trones Wood, his brother Jack, died in the influenza epidemic on 26th November 1918 and is commemorated at St. Sever Cemetery Ext. at Le Grand-Quevilly.

Tim Fewster




262250

Pte. Ernest Arthur Smith 7th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.28th Mar 1918)

Ernest Smith was a Pioneer. He died aged 19 and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial in The Somme. He was my grandfather's younger brother.

Simon Smith




261517

Pte. Frederic Vaux 7th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment

Fred Vaux was captured during the German Spring offensive on 21st of March 1918 at St Quentin. He was held as a POW, with last camp at an Iron Ore Mine outside Luxembourg. He kept a diary during this time which makes interesting reading.

Cy Crane




260454

Pte. Albert V. Chaston Royal West Kent Regiment

Albert Chaston served with the Royal West Kent Regiment in WW1. This comes from a personal account by Albert written in 1963. November 1918: "I took sick while I was laying out there in the snow and was put in the French hospital, the 32nd Stationary Hospital in Boulogne, France, Ward M4. I didn't get any better, I seemed to be getting worse. Then they sent me over to London to the Crescent War Hospital in Croydon, just south of London."

David G. Chaston




256516

Pte. Arthur Edward Weeden 7th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.2nd Jul 1916)

Arthur Weeden was my great, great Uncle. My father was born in 1921 and was named after him, as he had died at the Somme. I have no details on how he died. His name is recorded on the War Memorial in Orpington, but the spelling of his last name is incorrect.

Diane McLaurin




255635

Pte. Daniel Bovis 1st Btn. Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment (d.24th Oct 1914)

Daniel Bovis was the second son of David Bovis and his wife Eliza nee Harvey. He was born on 5th April 1897 at Crowland in Salehurst, Sussex, although the 1901 Census gives the birthplace as Bodiam.

He put his age up by two years and joined the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment on 15th or 16th of August 1913. It is possible he may have served, therefore, in Ireland before the 1st Battalion moved to France in 1914 and would have fought at Mons and throughout the Retreat.

He carried one of his wounded schoolfellows, from Sandhurst Council School, who was serving in the same company, about a mile and a half to the rear, during the First Battle of Ypres. Daniel was killed soon after returning to the firing line on the 24th of October 1914. He is commemorated on the Richebourg-l'Avoue Memorial.

Hugh Nightingale




254553

Cpl Frank Duffy 11th Btn Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) (d.21st Sept 1917)

I am trying to find all I can about my grand father Frank Duffy who died when my mother was only three so obviously I never saw him. My grandmother remarried but never spoke of Frank. I have no photos of him

Edward Trott




254312

Pte. Alfred Taylor Royal West Kent Regiment

My Grandad Alfred Taylor fought in the WW1. I know he was in India as my father told me. I really don't know anything about him but would love to learn more.

Stewart Taylor




254201

Pte. Thomas Sheldon 6th Btn. Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment (d.8th Jan 1916)

Thomas Sheldon married Alice Bateman on 7th of August 1909 and moved to Hillcrest Road in Biggin Hill some time before 1911 and Thomas was employed as a farm laborer.Thomas and Alice had six children together, Alice Sophia (1909), Thomas (1910), Arthur (1910), Helen Kate (1911), Sidney (1912), and Annie (1914).

When the war started in 1914, Thomas joined the army as a private in the 6th Battalion of the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). He sent postcards from the front and one postcard sent to his daughter Helen, dated 28th of December 1915, was from the town of Vermelles close to the France-Belgium border. The message on the card was simply "from Daddy". Vermelles was a coal mining town and was the site of many battles. Thomas was part of the defense and not long after sending the postcard to Helen, he was seriously injured in battle and was taken to Bethune, a hospital and railway town near to Vermelles. He died of his wounds on 8th of January 1916 and is buried in the Bethune Town Cemetery.

Thomas Sheldon

Kelvin Cooper




254155

Pte. Charles Troughton Honneysett Royal West Kent Regiment

Charles Honneysett, a 19 year old labourer on the Marquis of Abergavenny's estate at Eridge, Sussex, joined the Royal West Kent Regiment on 16th of November 1915. This followed the death of his elder brother in 1914 in the first Battle of Ypres.

He was discharged, probably wounded, on 24th of April 1917, although he did have emphysema when he signed up. He was awarded the Victory Medal. He died in 1951. He also spelt his name Hunnisett and Honeysett, often on the same document.

Paula Nicholson




253925

Pte. Percy Charles Bradford 1st Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment

Percy Bradford in Trench back far left.

My father Percy Bradford was born on the 18th July 1897. He joined the first Battalion of the Royal West Kent Regiment 31st of March 1914 at Woolwich, Kent. He was an assistant Nurseryman before enlisting. He was only 16 years of age and was amused by having joined under age! He stood 5' 6" and he is described in his Small Book as being of fresh complexion with black hair and Hazel eyes. His religion was C of E.

Initially he went to Dublin and from there to Le Havre. Like all old soldiers who had had terrible experiences, he spoke very little about the actions that he took part in but on prompting by me he would sometimes divulge snippets of information. He talked about marching for days through thick mud up to his thighs and being covered in lice. The food was remembered with disgust, he hated corned beef or bully beef as he called it and the cheese and biscuits he said they called bung hole. One can only imagine why!

Dad talked about being left alone in no man's land and crawling back through the barbed wire to be challenged by a sentry of the Kings Own Scottish Borderers. Dad let out a trail of expletives at him and then they let him back. He related that when on Hill 60 in April 1915 he was ordered by Captain Tuff to follow him in charging a machine gun nest. Captain Tuff was killed and out of D Company only 10 men were left alive. My father is in the Imperial War Museum photograph far left at the back.

We have a photograph showing his company after they had been on the front line for nineteen days (he is front row second from the left). After continuously being in action he was badly wounded on the 1st of July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme and returned to the Military hospital in Southampton. He was advised by the medical officers that he should have his damaged hand amputated which he refused. He told me that with only one hand he would never get work and so he used to bathe his arm in salt water which he said saved the arm although he could not use his hand for the remainder of his life. He is still bandaged in the photograph taken of him with the first of his nine children in 1919. On being discharged from hospital he was transferred into a Labour Battalion and sent to Ireland until his discharge from the Army in 1919.

He followed his father into work at the docks in the port of London. He suffered from what we now know was Combat Stress Disorder for the rest of his life and his WW1 pals were the last thing he mentioned to me before he died in 1985.

After 19 days of fighting

Henry Bradford




253320

Pte. Alfred Hugh Fitzhugh 8th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.26th Sep 1915)

Alfred Fitzhugh enlisted in September 1914 and went to France in August 1915 He was 17 years old and a member of a gospel hall Sunday school in Blackburn, Lancashire. He is presumed to have been killed at the Battle of Loos but his body was never found. His name is on the Loos Memorial. He was the son of Ernest and Kate Fitzhugh of Blackburn.

Steven Fitzhugh




252351

Pte. Charles George Ernest Briselden 2nd Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment (d.30th June 1916)

Charles Briselden was a prisoner of war at the Siege of Kut. One of the unfortunates given up by Townshend, after suffering the experience of starvation whilst under Siege. He was then marched off as a prisoner of war but never made the destination of I believe Basra he was among the soldiers that died of dysentery according to the Army.

However, a friend survivor (name of whom we do not know) reported back to my grandfather, Ernest Briselden brother of Charles, that Charles was in fact flogged to death by the Turkish Army while in captivity. How true this is we will never know but his grave is unknown. He is remembered on the Basra Memorial.

This awful experience is still remembered and passed on within the family now in 2018. I have his dead man's penny and a wooden boot that he whittled whilst at the Siege of Kut. He was also a boxing champion within the Queens Own Royal West Kents when he was serving in India along with his brother Ernest before 1914. They enlisted as teenagers in London.

P Cook








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