204905 Pte. Cyril Stephen Horton British Army Royal West Kent Regiment from:6a Ethelbert Road, Dover, Kent Cyril Stephen Horton was my grandfather. He joined The Royal West Kent Regiment on 6th June 1918 and on 4th October was sent to fight in France. After just twenty-two days in France he was seriously wounded, resulting in the loss of a leg, and was sent back to England on 26th October. Just sixteen days later the armistice was signed.
Despite his disability, he remained active until his death in 1981 at the age of eighty-two. For many years he even managed to `run the line' as a linesman at local football matches! He had a great sense of humour and would sometimes bet people that he could stand the pain of being hit on the shin with a hammer. He'd offer them his artificial leg of course and would wince convincingly as it was struck! Even in his late seventies, he could `walk the legs off' both me and my young son! What a guy.
I have been trying to find out where exactly in France he was and what action he was involved in when he was wounded. From the dates of his service there, it seems very likely that he was involved in `the final advance' in either Flanders, Artois or Picardy. So far I have been unable to establish the location of The Royal West Kent Regiment at that time. If any one can advise what it was doing between 4th and 26 October 1918, I will be very grateful for your help.
Editors Note: to establish the location, you woul dfirst need to establish which battalion of the Royal West Kent's your Grandfather served with.
|