The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
The West Kents can be traced back to the 50th Foot raised in 1755, adpoting the name the West Kents in 1782. At teh reorganisation of the British Army in 1881 they amalgamated with the 97th Foot who had been raised in 1824.
Battalions during the Second World War.
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On our 12th Anniversary we would like to thank all those who have contributed to this project.
Research your own Family History.
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June 2011 - Please note we currently have a large backlog of submitted material, our volunteers are working through this as quickly as possible and all names, stories and photos will be added to the site.
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List of those who served with The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment during The Second World War
Select a story link or scoll down to browse those stories hosted on this website
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L/Cpl Albert Joseph Royal West Kent Regiment I am trying to get information about my father who held in Stalag 8b. His name was Albert Joseph. He was captured in 1940. |
Pte. Henry James William Botton 2nd Bttn Royal West Kent Rgt I would like to hear from anyone who remembers my farther Henry Botton, he spent most of the war in Stalag VIIIB after being captured as part of the BEF.
He passed away when I was still young so details are sketchy, that is why I would like to hear from anyone.
Thank You |
Pte. Percy James "Jim" Bridger Royal West Kent Regiment I'm trying to find out more about my Grandfather's time as a POW. All I know is that he was captured at Dunkirk, he was in The Royal West Kent Regiment he was sent to the coal mines in Poland, then taken to Germany and marched back to Poland. Sadly he is no longer with us, so we can't ask. His name was Percy James Bridger but everyone called him Jim |
Pte. Arthur J. Booker Royal West Kent Regiment 
Back row (left to right): 1) unknown 2) Wally Symes 3) Arthur Booker, 4) unknown 5) Mick Dowling
Front row (left to right): 1) Gerry Rush 2) Dick Berryman 3) Les Botcher 4) Ginger Kett 5) Jimmy Beatle.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
- I joined the British Army in Nineteen Thirty-Nine
- I really did enjoy myself and thought that life was fine
- But in France I was captured a Royal West Kent
- Pride of the Army but to Deutschland I went.
- Into a big Stalag they called it VIII B
- We had breakfast, no dinner and no blooming tea
- They sent us out working we were just skin and bone
- And Mittenbruck Silesia became our new home
- There I met lots of pals t'was long, long ago
- But where are they now that's what I'd like to know
- Gerry Rush and Mick Dowling slept in the next bed
- And a fellow called Andrews he slept overhead.
- Sgt. Don Eager or Edgar I'm never quite sure
- He helped me a lot when conditions were poor
- And young Ginger Kett with his mout organ band
- Called Kat and his Kit-Kats were really quite grand
- And to all other chaps who were held by the "Hun"
- In that little old camp called E91
- If you remember ole Book and Benny his mate
- Then let's get in touch before it's too late!
This is a poem written by my Father, Arthur Booker, if anyone remembers him or his fellow POW's please get in touch. |
Private David George Avis Royal West Kent Regiment My father, pte David George Avis, no.6347487 of the West Kent Regiment, was wounded at Doullens on 14.5.1940, picked up by the Germans and transported to Cambrai Hospital, then to Aachen. From there he went by train via Bocholt to Thorn over 4 days, 70 men to a cattle truck. He spoke very little about his time as an inmate of Stalag XXA but I do know that they started their 'death march' on 15.1.1945 from Graudenz. They were liberated by the Americans in a small town outside Hanover after walking 850 miles. He was flown home by the RAF on 20.4.1945 to High Wycombe,rekitted,paid and arrived home at Herne Pound, Mereworth, Kent on 21.4.1945. He was recalled after 6 weeks to Wotten Underwood Barracks.
Unfortunately I have only found all this information after he died in 2006 when going through his effects. |
Pte. Charlie Maplesden Royal West Kent Regiment I am trying to find out some information about my Grandad, Charlie Maplesden, as he was a POW. He went missing on 28 Jan 44 and by the 19 Feb was POW at Stalag XIA. His POW number was 141227. I would love to find more information. |
Private Charlie Maplesden Royal West Kent Regiment I am trying to find out some information about my Grandad as he was a POW. He went missing on 28 January 1944 and on the 19 February was a POW at Stalag XIA. His POW number was 141227. I would love to find more information. |
Pte. Frederick George Edwards Royal West Kent Regiment I know very little about my father`s wartime history.Dad had a torrid childhood - "joining up" to escape his poor family life. Fred lived in Maidstone (I think)and was in the Royal West Kents.Dad died in 1997 and so did any chance of me finding out about his survival at Stalag XXa (Thorn/ Torun).Frederick George Edwards, as he was born, later adopted the name Willetts.This period of his life is all very hazy and I`m not sure if he went to war as an Edwards or a Willetts. I believe he was in the TA prior to being sent overseas.Like many who survived the horrors of WWII he would not talk openly or extensively about his time as a POW.From the little I have been able to find out I know he was captured at the begining of the war, spent the rest of it as a POW, and was on that infamous "march". He did tell me he was part of a bren-gun unit (?) and was captured because "he couldn`t run fast enough." He laboured on a farm and recalled that he once killed a pig for food and was beaten by a guard.He remembers returning back to the UK in a Lancaster/Wellington and flying low over the White Cliffs of Dover. He once talked of a Les Syveter as a pal.There is a reference to a Fred Edwards in one of your articles but after much searching back through your letters etc. I can`t find it. Please, if anyone has a reference to my Dad I would be very grateful to hear from you. |
Pte. Henry Francis Hudson Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment (d.13th Jan 1942) My uncle Henry Hudson was in Stalag xxb. He was shot in the head by a German for refusing to go to work in a farm. He was 24 years old. He was buried in the camp then later reburied at Malbork War Cemetery. I have a photo of his grave in the camp. |
James Richard Eary Royal West Kent Regiment (d. ) I met James Eary while the Royal West Kent Regiment was stationed in Malta. I believe he was transferred to the Dorset Regiment on 06.03.44. but was not heard of since.
I wish to find out if he survived WW2 and if so I would love to contact him. However, if deceased I would like to contact any of his surviving family. Last but not least, if at all possible, I would like to see his photo. Any help will be truly appreciated. Thanking you in anticipation.,
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Private W P Jones Royal West Kent Regiment I have started collecting medals and now have the replacement medals for Pte W P Jones Regt No. 6463242. The most important aspect of collecting medals is to find out about the recipient and I have found that W P Jones was a POW at Stalag 20B, Prisoner No. 7777. The set of medals I have also includes the Korean War service medals and this states his Regiment as MX, which I assume is the Middlesex. It also is offically stamped "R" for replacement. It would be great if someone identified him in one of the photos. If anyone may be able to help me find out more about W. P. Jones I will be very appreciative. |
Pte. George Petty Royal West Kent Regiment My father, George Petty never spoke much about his time serving with the Royal West Kent Regiment. He has now sadly passed and my children are eager to find out all they can about their Grandad and to keep his memories alive. All I know is he was a Prisoner of War in Camp XXA at Torun Poland. Some stories I remember were of him working on a farm ploughing fields with big horses and being on the death march. I would love to hear from anyone who can give more information about the life in this particular camp. |
S/Sgt. Frank William "Tiny" Bray Royal West Kent Regiment Frank William Bray, had been based in Cheriton with Regular Army and was sent to France as part of the BEF, British Expeditionary Force. For a period of time his experiences were peaceful with visits to Lille. He was reminded that his regiment spent some time in the same area during the First War. His regiment set up a defensive position in Petergem, Belgium. He said that the Buffs and a Guard's regiment were close by.
He was the senior NCO in charge of a listening post situated in a forward line ditch aside a railway line. In front the roadway lead down to a main road and some farm buildings were being watched for occupation. There was some enemy activity reported nearby during the night by other forward posts. He reported a German officer, oblivious to the the danger had made his way towards them down this road. His platoon bren-gunner fired a burst and this officer was instantly killed. He lay on the road. Small arms fire was experienced coming from the farm house and it was thought that it had been occupied. The platoon laid down some heavy fire on the occupants. It is thought that minor contact occured during the course of two days by which time the platoon had no food or water.
A regimental bren gun carrier had been seen trying to approch their position from the rear but heavy shelling prevented success and it was forced back to shelter behind the high ground and battalion position.
At this time an order had been issued for strategic withdrawal but this never reached their position. A decision to forage for water and food was made and Frank crawled his way towards the farm. He got in through a window and found three or four German solders all with wounds. He leant his rifle up against a wall, got out his field dressing kit and tried to help the wounded solders. Later his platoon members told him that they had watched his movement to the farm and the occupation of the farm area by a significant German force. They thought he would be shot.
A group of German solders entered the room where Frank was and he believed were about to shoot him until a wounded solder shouted something.
He was taken to a German Officer who had a perfect British accent. The Officer told Frank his Regiment and said that Frank was obviously a regular and asked him what he expected to happen. Frank said he expected to be treated according to the Geneva Convention Agreements. The officer asked Frank about the condition of his platoon and at this time Frank had assessed the size and scale of his opposition. He negotiated the surrender of what remained of his platoon without bloodshed. Those captured at this point were marched to Stalag XXa in Poland. On route he said he witnessed some very sorry sights of both comrades and refugees. He was shot at for trying to pick up a potato.
The camp, mentioned by others here was originally a fort and Frank said that a number of men were unable to take the prolonged strain, some jumping to their deaths from the towers. After a short time a letter was sent from his British officer giving information about the Brigade and events that occured when it was overrun. |
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