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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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Oct 2009 - 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.
Research your own Family History.
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List of those who served with The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment during The Second World War
- Private David George Avis Read his Story.
- Pte. Arthur J. Booker Read his Story.
- Pte. Henry James William Botton 2nd Bttn Read his Story.
- Pte. Percy James "Jim" Bridger Read his Story.
- L/Cpl Albert Joseph Read his Story.
- Pte. Charlie Maplesden Read his Story.
- Private Charlie Maplesden Read his Story.
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.
Can you help us to add to our records?
The names and stories on this website have been submitted by their relatives and friends. If your relations are not listed please add their names so that others can read about them
Did you or your relatives live through the Second World War? Do you have any photos, newspaper clippings, postcards or letters from that period? Have you researched the names on your local or war memorial? Were you or your relative evacuated? Did an air raid affect your area?
If so please let us know.
Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice.
Celebrate your own Family History
Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Secomd World War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc.
Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages.
We are currently conducting a survey of users to improve the website, please could you spare a few moments to complete our survey?
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