BRABOURNE. The Great War

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1 BRABOURNE The Brabourne village tribute is in the form of a brass plaque hung on the wall inside the Brabourne parish church near to the Plough Public House. The names on the memorial are very similar to those that appear on the nearby Smeeth War Memorial. In November 2004 the plaque was in need of a good clean as were the other private memorial plaques located nearby. The Great War

2 ADDY A.T Gunner Albert Thomas William ADDY. 299 th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA). Died Monday 25 th March 1918 aged 25 years. Born Brabourne. Enlisted Ashford. Resided Brabourne. Son of Alfred and Agnes Addy of Stelling Lodge, Petham, Canterbury, Kent. Buried in the St Pierre Cemetery, Amiens, France. Grave reference VIII.G.3. St. Pierre Cemetery is situated on the north-eastern outskirts of Amiens, on the northern side of the main road to Albert. The cemetery will be found in the suburb of Rivery on the left hand side of the D929 Amiens to Albert road. At the back of the cemetery is the Commonwealth Plot. Historical Information: During part of August 1914, Amiens was the British Advanced Base. It was captured by the Germans on 31 August, and retaken by the French on the following 13 September. The German offensive which began in March 1918 had Amiens for at least one of its objectives but the Battle of Amiens (8-11 August 1918) is the Allied name for the action by which the counter offensive, the Advance to Victory, was begun. The 7th General Hospital was at Amiens in August 1914; the 56th (South Midland) Casualty Clearing Station from April to July 1916; the New Zealand Stationary Hospital from July 1916 to May 1917; the 42nd Stationary Hospital from October 1917 to March 1919; and the 41st Stationary Hospital in March 1918, and again in December 1918 and January The Commonwealth plot in St. Pierre Cemetery was 2

3 first used in September 1915 and closed in October 1919, but shortly afterwards 33 graves of 1918 were brought in from positions in or near the city. During the Second World War, Amiens was again a British base, and G.H.Q. reserve was accommodated in the area south-west of the town. There was heavy fighting in and around Amiens when the Germans broke through the Somme line and took the town on 18 May Much damage was done, but although all the houses to the west of the cathedral were completely destroyed by the bombardment, the cathedral itself and the church of St. Germain l'ecossais survived. Amiens was retaken by the British Second Army on 31 August Nos. 25 and 121 General Hospitals were posted there in October 1944, remaining until April St. Pierre Cemetery contains 676 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 82 from the Second World War. The Commonwealth plot was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. ASHMAN P Rifleman Percival (Percy) ASHMAN. 1 st Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment. Formerly South Wales Borderers. Died Saturday 2 nd June 1917 aged 19 years. Son of George and Alice Ashman of Granville Villa, Brabourne Lees, Ashford, Kent. Born Smeeth. Enlisted Canterbury. Percy has no known grave. His name appears on the Arras Memorial, Arras, France. Panel reference Bay 9. After leaving school Percy was employed by Mr J Marsh the Baker. He went onto work at the Orpin s Stores and was well known throughout the Smeeth area where he often delivered bread. Percy was killed when a shell burst near the trench he was sheltering in. He was according to his commanding officer, killed instantly and did not suffer. BEAN C.G Private Clement George BEAN. 7 th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Formerly 4 th Battalion. Formerly 2 nd Battalion. Died Thursday 3 rd May Born Lydd, Kent. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Smeeth. Clement has no known grave. His name appears on the Arras Memorial, Arras, France. Panel reference Bay 6. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives 10, Blackwall Road, Willesborough Private 9208 George BEAN. Army Veterinary Corps. On the 2 nd May 1917 the 7 th East Surrey s moved into the line north east of Monchy relieving the 6 th Buffs. The trench systems being defended were Rifle and Bayonet trenches both recently captured from the enemy. During the night the batalion was tasked with capturing the remaining enemy held portion of Rifle Trench. This was a sub-battle of the 3 rd Battle of The Scarpe and in the bigger picture was a minor enterprise in the Battle of Cambrai (Battle of Arras). 3

4 BROOKS G.H Private George Henry BROOKS. 9 th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Died 22 nd October 1918 aged 29 years. Son of Thomas William and Mary Ann Brooks. Husband of Ruth Brooks of East Brabourne, Ashford, Kent. Buried in the Highland Cemetery, Le Cateau, France. Grave reference VIII.B.4. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives The Street, Brabourne Private George Henry BROOKS. Bridge Cottages, Brabourne Gunner Frederick James BROOKS. Royal Garrison Artillery. Taylor Farm, Brabourne Private Robert Thomas BROOKS. 52 nd Hampshire Regiment. George s son still lives in the area (now aged 90 years). His fathers name appears on the War Memorial in Brabourne Zion Baptist Church as well as the Brabourne C of E Church. 4

5 CONLEY A Private G/8517 Albert CONLEY. 6 th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Monday 9 th April Born Brabourne. Enlisted Ashford, Kent. Resided West Brabourne. Buried in the Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, France. Grave reference XVII.M.3. On the 5 th April 1917 the 6 th battalion Buffs was at Arras where it came under heavy shelling. The day that Albert died the Battle of Arras started. The Buffs were in reserve trenches supporting the 6 th Queen s and the 7 th East Surrey s. The battalion moved forward under heavy machine gun fire to their first objective Black Line. The battalion moved to its next objective Blue Line. This was captured and then consolidated. On the 10 th April the battalion withdrew to Monchy Le Preux having lost nearly 200 men killed or wounded. Albert was probably killed in action near Arras. 5

6 MARSHALL G Private G/24280 George MARSHALL. 8 th Battalion, Queen s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Formerly (2640) 2/5 th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 1 st September 1916 aged 19 years. Born in Brabourne. Enlisted Ashford. Buried in the London Cemetery Extension, Lonueval, France. Grave reference 7.B.13. Also Commemorated on the Ashford Sorting Office (Post Office) War Memorial, Tannery Lane, Ashford, Kent. George was educated at the Smeeth Council School. After he left school he went to work at the Brabourne Lees Post Office. He went to France on 9 th August 1916 with The Buffs and was transferred into the Queen s shortly after arriving there. George had a brother serving in the Buffs as a Sergeant. On the 1 st September 1916 the 8 th Battalion moved into the front line trenches near Delville (Devil) Wood to relieve the 8 th Royal West Kent s. The battalion was under almost continuous shell fire for the next 3 days. On the 5 th September the battalion moved away from the front line having lost 136 men mainly to shell fire. 6

7 SKEER G (Brother) Sergeant George SKEER MM. 222 nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA). Holder of the Croix de Guerre (Belgium). Died near St Quentin, France on Thursday 21 st March 1918 aged 36 years. Born Harbledown, Canterbury. Enlisted Ashford. Son of John and Mary Skeer of Lyminge, Kent. Husband of Lillian Skeer of Southside Brabourne Lees, Ashford, Kent. George has no known grave. His name appears on the Pozieres Memorial, France. Panel reference 10. Awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. George s wife Lillian Skeer is buried in the St Mary s Churchyard, Smeeth. She died on 7 th February 1935 aged only 49 years. 222 Siege Battery was attached to the 4 th Army. It had Four 6 inch guns which were normally used to suppress enemy artillery positions. George had a brother who was also killed in the Great War but he lived in Lyminge near George s parents. Company Serjeant Major Charles Edward SKEER. School of Gunnery Royal Artillery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Died 10 May 1917 aged 41 years. Born Westwell, Ashford, Kent c1876. Son of John and Mary Ann Skeer of Lyminge, Folkestone, Kent. Husband of Mary Skeer of 62, Dour Street, Dover, Kent. Buried Charlton Cemetery, Dover, Kent. Grave Ref: Y. Q. 7. A brother of 36 year old Serjeant George Skeer M.M. Croix de Guerre (Belgium), who fell on the first day of the German Spring Offensive, 21 March 1918 and is commemorated on the Pozières Memorial, Somme, France. At the time of the 1881 census, the Skeer family resided at the Mint, Westwell, Ashford, Kent, as under:- John SKEER. Aged 34. Born Westwell, Kent. Mary Ann SKEER. Aged 30. Born Maidstone, Kent. Rose SKEER. Aged 8. Born Westwell, Kent. Charles Edward. SKEER. Aged 5. Born Westwell, Kent. Nancy Jane SKEER. Aged 2. Born Boughton Aluph, Kent. 7

8 VARRIER A.H Corporal Albert Henry VARRIER MM. 1 st Battalion, The Queen s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Formerly (9574) The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Tuesday 16 th April 1918 aged 25 years. Born Birchold, Kent. Enlisted Ashford. Resided Park Corner Cottages, Brabourne. Son of J.R and F.M Varrier of Park Corner Cottages, Brabourne, Ashford, Kent. Buried in the Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport, France. Grave reference V.E.65. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives Park Corner Cottages, Brabourne Private Archibald Walter VARRIER. 4 th Royal West Kent Regiment. Private Frederick Percy George VARRIER. 698 th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps. Petty Officer 510 William John VARRIER. HMS Halcyon II. Royal Navy. Le Treport was an important hospital centre during the Great War. It is likely that Albert died here of wounds. Awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. 8

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10 WARD H (Brother) Driver Horace WARD. C Battery, 191 st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (RFA). Died Monday 8 th October Born Ramridge End, Bedfordshire. Enlisted Luton, Bedfordshire. Resided Blue Anchor Public House, Brabourne, Ashford, Kent. Buried Canada Farm Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium. Grave reference III.D.31. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives The Blue Anchor Inn, Brabourne Private Edward Francis WARD. 6 th Machine Gun Corps. Gunner William WARD. Royal Field Artillery. Horace was killed in the extremely muddy and murderous Third Battle of Ypres. 10

11 WARD W (Brother) Driver William WARD. 122 nd Brigade or 128 th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (RFA). Died Friday 1 st November Born Luton, Bedfordshire. Enlisted Faversham. Resided Blue Anchor Public House, Brabourne, Ashford, Kent. Buried Vichte Miltary Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium. Grave reference I.C.4. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives The Blue Anchor Inn, Brabourne Private Edward Francis WARD. 6 th Machine Gun Corps. Gunner William WARD. Royal Field Artillery. 11

12 LOST MEN ANDREWS G.T Private George Thomas ANDREWS. 16 th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Formerly (37521) The Queen s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Died 26 th August Born Brabourne, Kent. Enlisted Canterbury. Commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial (to the Missing), Pas de Calais, France. Panel reference 6. George s name appears on the nearby Monks Horton War Memorial (stained glass window in parish church). The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives Lawn Cottage, Brabourne Gunner Eli ANDREWS. Royal Horse Artillery. Cottage Lees, Brabourne Leading Stoker George ANDREWS. Pembroke II. Royal Navy. ASHMAN F.W Private Frank William ASHMAN. 11 th Battalion, Border Regiment. Formerly (86927) Middlesex Regiment. Died 2 nd December 1917 aged 20 years. Born Brabourne. Resided Westernhanger near Hythe. Son of William Henry and Catherine Maria Ashman of Willesborough, Ashford, Kent. Frank has no known grave. His name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium. Panel reference 85 to 86. Frank s name appears on the Dover Marine War Memorial. He worked as a Labourer in the Ashford Railway Yards before the outbreak of war. Frank is commemorated on a private family grave in the Willesborough Cemetery, Ashford. His parents are both buried in the cemetery. 12

13 ASHDOWN F.J Lance Corporal or Frederick (Fred) James ASHDOWN. 6 th Battalion, Queen s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died Monday 9 th April Born New Romney. Enlisted Tenterden. Resided Brabourne Lees. Son of Albert G and Rachel Ashman of Prospect Cottage, Smeeth, Ashford, Kent. Buried in the Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery, Wancourt, France. Grave reference II.I.2. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives Prospect Cottage, Smeeth Leading Stoker K/17843 Edward Collick ASHDOWN. HMS Venus. Royal Navy. Leading CHS Mechanic M/2706 Ernest Sidney ASHDOWN. HMS Attentive II. R.N. Private Thomas William ASHDOWN. 4 th Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Park Corner Cottages, Brabourne Private Sidney Henry ASHDOWN. 704 th Labour Company. Labour Corps. The 1901 census gives Prospect Cottage, Smeeth Albert G ASHMAN 37 Blacksmith Aldington Rachel 37 St Mary s Fred 13 New Romney Ernest 7 Smeeth Percy 5 Smeeth Thomas 3 Smeeth On the 9 th April 1917 the 6 th West Kent s were in action all day on Observation Ridge near Monchy and St Sauveur. This engagement was a sub battle of the Battle of Arras. The high ground on the Arras-Cambrai Road was known to the British as Observation Ridge. Objectives taken from the enemy included Hanley Lane, Hamel Work, Heron Work, Holt Work, Holte Work. This day the 6 th West Kent s lost in the region of 170 men killed and wounded. 13

14 ASHDOWN I.F Driver Ivan Frederick ASHDOWN. 12 Corps Headquarters, Signals Branch, Royal Engineers (RE). Died Wednesday 13 th December 1916 aged 28 years. Born Snargate, Kent. Enlisted Ashford. Resided Brabourne. Son of Thomas Isaac and Jane Maria Ashdown of North Street, Biddenden, Kent. Grandson of Isaac Ashdown of Snargate, Romney Marsh, Kent. Buried in the Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta. Grave reference D.XVI.4. Ivan was well known in Brabourne Lees and Smeeth near Ashford he worked in Smeeth for many years. Before the outbreak of war Isaac worked for Mr T Wilson the local Poulterer in Appledore, Kent. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives North Street, Biddenden Corporal 5855 Clifford ASHDOWN. 1 st Buffs (East Kent Regiment). DAY C Private G/1769 Charles DAY. 7 th Battalion, Queen s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died 29 th September 1916 aged 28 years. Born 28 th August 1888 at Grafty Green, Maidstone. Son of Robert and Elizabeth Day of Gains Cottage, Brabourne, Ashford, Kent. Charles has no known grave. His name appears on the Thiepval Memorial, France. Panel reference 11C. The day that Charles died his battalion was in action all day at the Schwaben Redoubt near Thiepval on the Somme. The enemy counter attacked and the battalion sustained enormous casualties. The next day the 29 th the battalion attacked Ration Trench. The battalion remained in frontline trenches until 5 th October It would appear that Charles lost his life somewhere on the Thiepval Ridge. FENN W.H Private G/25149 William Hugh FENN. 1 st Battalion, Queen s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Died 8 th May 1918 aged 20 years. Born Waterlooville Hampshire. Resided Brabourne. Enlisted Canterbury. Buried in the Klien-Vierstraat British Cemetery, Belgium. Grave reference IV.D.25. Between 25 th April and 4 th May 1918 the 1 st West Kent s were involved in heavy fighting for the possession of Montnoir, the Scherpenberg and Kemmel Hill. On 1 st May the 33 rd Division was hurried up to Abeele. On the 8 th May 1918 the enemy opened the morning with a very heavy bombardment with high explosives and gas shells. The 1 st West Kent s were held in support but had 32 men killed, wounded and missing. William was killed somewhere near Kemmel Hill outside Yypres. HOOKER THOMAS Private Thomas HOOKER. 11 th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Formerly (212108) Sapper Royal Engineers (RE). Died Thursday 21 st March 1918 aged 21 years. Born Smeeth. Enlisted Ashford. Resided Brabourne. Son of Thomas and Clara Hooker of Lilly Vale, Brabourne Lees, Ashford, Kent. Thomas has no known grave. His name appears on the Arras Memorial, Arras, France. Panel reference Bay 5. 14

15 LUCKHURST H Corporal T/1638 Harry LUCKHURST. 5 th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Friday 7 th January 1916 aged 23 years. Born Ashford. Enlisted Ashford. Resided Ashford. Son of Harry and Sarah Luckhurst of 168 Beaver Road, Ashford, Kent. Buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq. Grave reference XXXI.D1. The 1901 census gives 71, Beaver Road, Ashford Harry LUCKHURST 37 Bricklayer Great Chart Sarah 35 Brabourne George 15 Brabourne Louisa 13 Brabourne Harry 8 Brabourne Alice 5 Brabourne Rodney 4 Brabourne Herbert 8m Brabourne It would appear that Harry Luckhurst and most of his family actually came from Brabourne. The Ashford Absentee Voters List for 1918 gives Beaver Road, Ashford Sapper Sidney LUCKHURST. 5 th (Reserve), Royal Engineers (R.E). On the 4th January 1916 the 5 th battalion was at Ali-el-Gharbi. The battalion moved up river towards Sheikh Saad. All surplus stores were carried by barges on the River Tigris. The battalion only marched about 8 miles due to inclement weather conditions. During the day it was extremely wet and at night the temperature dropped to less than freezing. On the 6 th January the march was resumed and enemy outposts were reached. Firing commenced shortly after noon but casualties were light. On the 7 th January 1916 the Battle of Sheikh Saad was fought. The Buffs advanced towards the enemy but came under extremely heavy artillery bombardment. As the day wore on the battalion started to suffer increasing casualties. The Adjutant Lt H.S Marchant was killed and Lt Col J Munn-Mace and Major E Clark were wounded. The weather remained wet and cold and soldiers rations consisted mainly bully beef and a few biscuits. The attack failed and the 5 th Buffs were forced to dig in and wait for re-inforcement. 15

16 MARSH C Private S/373 Charles MARSH. 1 st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 22 nd July Born Wye, Kent. Enlisted Chislet, Kent. Resided Brabourne, Kent. Buried in the Potijze Chateau Wood Cemetery, Belgium. Grave reference B.15. The history of the 1 st battalion during June and July 1915 is without any very striking incident. It alternated between trenches in the Ypres Sector to huts and rest in Poperinghe. MARSH H.E Guardsman Harry Edward MARSH. 3 rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Died 27 th March Born Brabourne. Enlisted Ashford. Harry has no known grave. His name appears on the Arras Memorial, Arras, France. Panel reference Bay 1. MARSH P.T Private G/573 Percy Thomas MARSH. 6 th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 2 nd August 1915 aged 37 years. Born Brabourne, Kent. Enlisted Ashford. Resided Brabourne. Son of William and Sarah Marsh of Kimberley Cottage, Brabourne, Ashford, Kent. Buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery, France. Grave reference II.A.32A. Percy was wounded somewhere near to Plugstreet Wood in Belgium a few days before he actually died. He was probably recovered through the medical evacuation chain to Etaples Base Hospital where he subsequently succumbed to his wounds. His body was buried nearby. MARSH R Driver T/33168 Richard MARSH. No 1 Depot Company (Aldershot, Hampshire), Army Service Corps (ASC). Died 9 th January 1916 aged 21 years. Born Brabourne. Enlisted Canterbury. Son of John Wiliam and Mary Ann Marsh of Great Rusham Farm, Wingham, Canterbury. Buried locally in the Ashford (Willesborough) Cemetery, Ashford, Kent. Grave reference N.74. Richard probably died of disease or illness in Aldershot whilst still on active service. His body was bought back to Ashford by his parents and buried locally. 16

17 PERRY-AYSCOUGH H.G.C Captain Henry George Charlie PERRY- AYSCOUGH. 4 th Battalion, Connaught Rangers. Attended 2 nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles OR The Royal Munster Fusiliers. Died 25 th September 1915 aged 40 years. Born Brabourne Vicarage 11 th November Son of the former Vicar of Brabourne Reverand G.B Perry-Aynscough MA, FRGS and The Hon Emma S Perry-Aynscough. Henry has no known grave. His name appears on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. Panel reference 42. Henry s name appears on the Dover War Memorial in Kent.Henry s name does not appear on the Brabourne village war memorial, instead a private family memorial plaque has been afixed to the wall inside the Brabourne church. This is unsatisfactory, his name should have been placed on the village tribute because Henry was actually born in Brabourne. The 1901 census gives Lower Park Farm, Brabourne (owned by the Hills family) Lionel B PERRY-AYSCOUGH 32 years Boarder Henrietta 7 years Boarder Henry was educated at Dover College in Kent. He later went to Oxford University winning the Half Blue at Hockey. He saw war service in Nigeria and South Africa before the Great War broke out. He left the army and became a Director with the Imperial Chinese Post Office. In 1912 he was promoted to Deputy Postmaster. 17

18 Henry was killed by German Machine Gun fire when his battalion advanced on the enemy from a forward fire trench. PHILPOTT R Private G/7807 Richard PHILPOTT. 8 th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 18 th August Born Brabourne. Enlisted Ashford. Resided Willesborough. Richard has no known grave. His name appears on the Thiepval Memorial, The Somme, France. Panel reference 5D. On the 6 th August 1916 the battalion took over frontline trenches between Guillemont and Deville Wood on The Somme. On the 12 th August the battalion was near Carnoy being shelled all day. The day that Richard was killed (18 th ) the battalion was in action all day at Machine Gun House near Guillemont. This was later known as the Battle of Deville Wood. Casualties that day were 1 officer and 60 men killed and 6 officers and 297 men wounded. Richard was probably one of those men who were killed. ROSE J.W Private James William ROSE. 1 st Garrison Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Formerly (6512) The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 9 th February 1916 or 17 th February Born Brabourne. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Chislet, Kent. Buried in the Chislet (St Mary s) Churchyard, Chislet, Kent. Grave reference 142. The 1 st Garrison Battalion was formed in 1915 at Beford. It moved to India in February It would appear that James never boarded his ship. He probably died of disease or illness in the UK and his body was bought home and buried locally by his parents. 18

19 SCOTT R.D Major Roger Douglas SCOTT. 1 st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. Died 13 th October 1915 aged 34 years. Son of Matthew Henry Scott I.C.S and Sarah Jane Scott of 5, Lansdown Place West, Bath. Of Bombay Presidency. Husband of Muriel Wartley Scott of Grafton Place, Bath. Buried Dud Corner Cemetery, France. Grave reference IV.A.20. Roger s death is commemorated on a private family memorial inside the Brabourne Church. It is unclear why Roger s name was not placed on the village tribute that hangs nearby. Roger was wounded in the Battle of Loos. The regimental history gives the circumstances of Roger s death The 1 st battalion attacked Hulluch with its right on a point 200 yards north of the junction of Loos, Hulluch and Lens. The Gloucesters were ordered to hold the Germans on their front by throwing smoke bombs for an hour previous to the assault, and by rifle and machine gun fire on the enemy s trenches at the moment of the assault. The Germans retaliated with intense shell fire (HE) and during the day the battalion lost 5 officers and 50 men killed or wounded. At 2200 hours the battalion was releived by the South Wales Borderers. The next day it withdrew to billets at Mazingarbe. Captain R.D Scott and 2Lt R.A.M Chambers died of their wounds. Lt s R.A Angier, R Hewitt and C C C Case were wounded. Captain R Montgomery (RAMC) the battalion s medical officer was killed outright as was 2Lt G.E Clairmonte. The CWGC wrongly list 2 nd battalion. 19

20 SMITH H.W Private G/4991 Henry (Harry) William SMITH. 6 th Battalion, Queen s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died 3 rd July 1916 aged 29 years. Born Petham. Enlisted Canterbury. Eldest son of Mr J Smith of East Brabourne, Ashford, Kent. Harry left a widow with 3 children. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives Station House, Smeeth Sapper Henry William SMITH. Railway Operating Division, Royal Engineers. New Zealand, Smeeth E.R.A Walter George SMITH. HMS Obdurate. Royal Navy. On the 3 rd July 1916 the 6 th battalion was in action in trenches just west of Ovillers on The Somme. Two companies (A,C) went forward at hours in a flanking attack. Both companies suffered heavily and were forced to withdraw. At the end of the day the battalion had lost 400 men. SMITH S.J Private Sidney James SMITH. 2/7 th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. Formerly (21731) East Surrey Regiment. Died 29 th August 1917 aged 20 years. Born Sellindge. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Sellinge. Son of Mr F. Smith of Parsonage Farm, East Brabourne, Ashford, Kent. Buried at the Ramscappelle Road Cemetery, Nieupoort, Belgium. Grave reference II.C.21. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives Station House, Smeeth Sapper Henry William SMITH. Railway Operating Division, Royal Engineers. New Zealand, Smeeth E.R.A Walter George SMITH. HMS Obdurate. Royal Navy. 20

21 STANLEY E.H.P Sapper 1109 Edward Hacon Pennington STANLEY. 1/1 st (West Riding) Division, Field Company, Royal Engineers (RE). Died Gallipoli, Turkey 28 th June 1915 aged 18 years. Born Brabourne. Enlisted Sheffield. Resided St Leonards, Sussex. Son of Doctor and Mrs Hubert Stanley, of Eagle House, 12, Pevensey Road, St-Leonards-on-Sea, Hastings, Sussex. Edward has no known grave. His name appears on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey. Panel reference 23 to 25. The CWGC list his date of death as 28 July 1915 whereas Soldiers Died Great War gives 28 June It is clear that something is amiss here The Kentish Express gives this story Stanley landed at V Beach Gallipoli, Turkey on 28 th July 1915 from the SS River Clyde. Upon managing to get ashore he was struck in the forehead by a bullet. This set of circumstances tends to indicate that Edward s given date of death may be wrong. The main Gallipoli (Helles) landings took place in late April and early May By June the situation was deadlock. The British forces were basically hemmed in on a narrow mountainous peninsula and unable to make any real progress. The fact that the SS River Clyde was mentioned in the newspaper report would tend to indicate that Edward was probably killed on V Beach sometime between 25 th and 28 th April On 28 June Major General Beauvoir de Lisle commanding the 29 th Division was given the task of capturing Gully Spur and Fir Tree Spur. The attack was preceded by a heavy bombardment from British artillery. The 29 th Division was to make the frontal assault supported by the newly arrived 52 nd Division. On 29 th June 1915 the Turks made a concerted counter-attack against the Anzac line. 21

22 GEORGE NICHOLSON BRADFORD VC BORN: 23 April 1887 (Darlington, Durham) DIED: Killed in VC Action 23 April 1918 (Zeebrugge Raid) VC ACTION At a time when Allied shipping was coming under increasing attack from German submarines, the Royal Navy carried out a raid which successfully blocked the entrance to the canal at Zeebrugge, Belgium. During the raid George Bradford commanded the naval storming parties embarked in HMS Iris II. Encountering difficulties placing parapet anchors alongside the fortified mole which defended Zeebrugge Harbour, he climbed a derrik projecting over the mole. Waiting for the right moment, as the ship moved upwards, George jumped with the anchor which he placed in position. Within seconds, he was riddled with machine gun fire and fell dead in the water. 22

23 The Mother of the Bradford Boys Amy M Bradford (nee Andrews) was born in Brabourne, Ashford Kent and resided in 1881 was residing at St Dunershill House, Willesborough, Ashford, Kent. Her family were recorded on the 1881 census George ANDREWS 58 Farmer Brabourne Ellen 48 Hinxhill Agnes J 23 Brabourne Amy M 22 Brabourne Fanny E 20 Brabourne Mary L 15 Bidborough Bertha E 13 Bidborough Harold ALLEN 24 Servant Biddenden Ellen HODGES 17 Servant Wateringbury The Census states that George Andrews farmed 120 acres and that he employed 5 men and 1 boy. Form many years, Mrs Amy Bradford attended the annual Armistice Day service at the war memorial s in Ashford and Folkestone Kent. Like so many greiving mothers, she wore the medals of her children killed in the Great War. She had lost three of her four sons, but, like no other mother, she wore TWO Victoria Crosses in memory of George and Roland who were the only brothers to gain the VC during the Great War. The Fighting Bradford s as all 4 brothers came to be known, were the sons of George and Amy Bradford. The brothers had one sister called Amy who was the youngest of the family. Their father George Bradford was a Mining Engineer and Colliery Owner of Milbanke, Darlington. Their mother Amy M Andrews was from Brabourne Kent. Thomas Andrews Bradford (note his mothers maiden name being used as a christian name) the oldest brother, was born in 1886 and was the only brother to survive the Great War. He served with 8 th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and was badly wounded in 1915 at Ypres. He went on to win the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). Thomas died in George Nicholson Bradford was born in He joined the Royal Navy and, as a Lieutenant Commander, was awarded a posthumous VC for his bravery during the raid on the harbour at Zeebrugge in Belgium on 23 April It was his 31 st Birthday. James Barker Bradford was born in He was commissioned into the 18 th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (the Durham Pals) as a Second Lieutenant and gained the Military Cross (MC) for his bravery near Gommecourt, France in 23

24 March James was severely wounded on 10 May 1917 near Arras and died of his wounds four days later (14 May 1917) aged 27 years of age. Roland Boys Bradford was born on 23 February 1892 at Whitton Park, Bishop Aukland, Durham. In August 1914 Roland was commissioned into the 2 nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. His battalion landed in France 10 September 1914 and Roland remained with them during all it s engagments. In February 1915 Roland won the Military Cross (MC). By May 1915 Roland appointed Captain and Adjutant 7 th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. On 15 September 1916 Roland was appointed Lieutenant Colonel and given command of his own battalion - the 9 th DLI (151 st Brigade, 50 th Division). Roland won his VC as a Lt Col on 1 October 1916 whilst commading his battalion on the Somme. He eventually received his VC from H.M King George V during an open air ceremony at Hyde Park on 2 June On 10 November 1917 Roland was given command of 186 th Brigade and was appointed Temporary Brigadier General. Roland was the youngest British General to serve in the Great War. His rapid rise through the ranks was halted on 30 November 1917 at Cambrai when Roland was Killed in Action by a stray shell near his Brigade HQ in Bourlon Wood. Roland was buried nearby in Hermies British Cemetery. Roland s favourate hymn Abide with me was played at his funeral and this hymn was adopted as the Regimental hymn. It is still the Regimental Hymn When killed Roland was only 25 years of age. It is impossible to guess what higher rank he might have attained by the end of the Great War had he lived. In 1942, when General Montgomery took over the 8 th Army in North Africa, he was already 54 years old. Roland Bradford would have still only been 50 years of age 24

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28 ROLAND BOYS BRADFORD VC, MC 9 th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry KILLED IN ACTION: 30 November 1917 near Graincourt, France BURIED: Hermies British Cemetery, France VC Action 1 st October 1916 At Eaucourt L abbaye, France when a lead battalion had suffered severe casualties, including it s commander, and it s flank had become dangerously exposed, he took command of the battalion in addition to his own. By fearless energy and skillful leadership he rallied the attack, secured the flank and captured the objective. The Mother of the Bradford Boys Amy M Bradford (nee Andrews) was born in Brabourne, Ashford Kent and resided in 1881 was residing at St Dunershill House, Willesborough, Ashford, Kent. Her family were recorded on the 1881 census 28

29 George ANDREWS 58 Farmer Brabourne Ellen 48 Hinxhill Agnes J 23 Brabourne Amy M 22 Brabourne Fanny E 20 Brabourne Mary L 15 Bidborough Bertha E 13 Bidborough Harold ALLEN 24 Servant Biddenden Ellen HODGES 17 Servant Wateringbury The Census states that George Andrews farmed 120 acres and that he employed 5 men and 1 boy. For many years, Mrs Amy Bradford attended the annual Armistice Day service at the war memorial s in Ashford and Folkestone Kent. Like so many greiving mothers, she wore the medals of her children killed in the Great War. She had lost three of her four sons, but, like no other mother, she wore TWO Victoria Crosses in memory of George and Roland who were the only brothers to gain the VC during the Great War. The Fighting Bradford s as all 4 brothers came to be known, were the sons of George and Amy Bradford. The brothers had one sister called Amy who was the youngest of the family. Their father George Bradford was a Mining Engineer and Colliery Owner of Milbanke, Darlington. Their mother Amy M Andrews was from Brabourne Kent. Thomas Andrews Bradford (note his mothers maiden name being used as a christian name) the oldest brother, was born in 1886 and was the only brother to survive the Great War. He served with 8 th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and was badly wounded in 1915 at Ypres. He went on to win the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). Thomas died in George Nicholson Bradford was born in He joined the Royal Navy and, as a Lieutenant Commander, was awarded a posthumous VC for his bravery during the raid on the harbour at Zeebrugge in Belgium on 23 April It was his 31 st Birthday. James Barker Bradford was born in He was commissioned into the 18 th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (the Durham Pals) as a Second Lieutenant and gained the Military Cross (MC) for his bravery near Gommecourt, France in March James was severely wounded on 10 May 1917 near Arras and died of his wounds four days later (14 May 1917) aged 27 years of age. Roland Boys Bradford was born on 23 February 1892 at Whitton Park, Bishop Aukland, Durham. In August 1914 Roland was commissioned into the 2 nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. His battalion landed in France 10 September 29

30 1914 and Roland remained with them during all it s engagments. In February 1915 Roland won the Military Cross (MC). By May 1915 Roland appointed Captain and Adjutant 7 th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. On 15 September 1916 Roland was appointed Lieutenant Colonel and given command of his own battalion - the 9 th DLI (151 st Brigade, 50 th Division). Roland won his VC as a Lt Col on 1 October 1916 whilst commading his battalion on the Somme. He eventually received his VC from H.M King George V during an open air ceremony at Hyde Park on 2 June On 10 November 1917 Roland was given command of 186 th Brigade and was appointed Temporary Brigadier General. Roland was the youngest British General to serve in the Great War. His rapid rise through the ranks was halted on 30 November 1917 at Cambrai when Roland was Killed in Action by a stray shell near his Brigade HQ in Bourlon Wood. Roland was buried nearby in Hermies British Cemetery. Roland s favourate hymn Abide with me was played at his funeral and this hymn was adopted as the Regimental hymn. It is still the Regimental Hymn When killed Roland was only 25 years of age. It is impossible to guess what higher rank he might have attained by the end of the Great War had he lived. In 1942, when General Montgomery took over the 8 th Army in North Africa, he was already 54 years old. Roland Bradford would have still only been 50 years of age 30

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