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Groombridge Royal Tunbridge Wells

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Anybody who is not familiar with the Royal Tunbridge Wells area of Kent

should note that the small Walden village of Groombridge straddles the

border between the adjoining counties of Kent and East Sussex. Adding to

the complication of which county the village is actually a part of, is the fact

that the ‘modern’ part of Groombridge comes under the Withyham, Sussex

area, and the ‘older’ arguably more attractive part of the village falls within

the Speldhurst, Kent area, and is sometimes referred to by locals as ‘old

village.’ Commemorated in the parish church of St. John the Evangelist,

Groombridge, are five Great War casualties and ten Second World War

casualties. Irrespective of which part of the parish they are associated with,

all casualties that have thus far been located with tangible Groombridge

connections, (Kent & Sussex) that died in or resultant of the two world wars

have been briefly commemorated on the following rolls of honour. The church

was built in 1625 as a private chapel for Groombridge Place, only becoming

the parish church in 1872. Thanks are extended to Susan F. yet again, for

very kindly providing the photographs from Groombridge for inclusion here,

and to Liam J. Scullion for helping the transcriber with the research process

which was required, prior to adding the transcriptions. In the fullness of time

we intend to add additional information appertaining to the majority of the

casualties below, irrespective of which of the categories we have them shown.

The Great War 1914 – 1919

AVIS, GORDON JOHN. M.M. Private, SD/773. 11th (Service) Battalion, (1st South Down) Royal Sussex Regiment. Died Sunday 17 February 1918. Aged 25. Born Speldhurst, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Enlisted Bognor, Sussex. Son of John Avis and Emily Jane Avis of Old Town, Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Buried Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery, Nord, France. Grave Ref: II. E. 7. Gordon is also commemorated on his mothers headstone at St. John the Evangelist Churchyard, Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. At the time of the 1911 census, the Avis family resided at the Post Office, Old Town, Groombridge, Kent. Head of the house was 44 year old Mayfield, Sussex native John Avis, who was a Hoop Maker & Binder, and the then 18 year old Gordon was recorded by the census enumerator as being employed as a Gardener. A 47 year old native of Shoreditch, London, Gordon's mother Emily Jane Avis, was recoded by the census enumerator as being the Groombridge Post Mistress. Unfortunately at the time of adding these casualties here, we are not certain about for which act or acts of bravery it was, that Gordon was awarded his Military Medal. The SD prefix on Gordon's Royal Sussex Regiment regimental number was applicable to other ranks of the regiment, who at the time were serving as members of the three South Down battalions of the regiment. The respective battalions being the 11th, 12th, and 13th Service Battalions.

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CUSHING, FREDERICK ERNEST. Private, G/2194. 7th (Service) Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died Thursday 13 July 1916. Aged 21. Born Sevenoaks, Kent. Enlisted Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Resided Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Son of Joshua Parkes Cushing and Susan Elizabeth Cushing of New Park Lodge, Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 11 C. At the time of the 1911 census, the Cushing family resided at Keepers Cottage, Chaldon, Caterham, Surrey. Head of the house was 52 year old Saxlingham, Norfolk native Joshua Parkes Cushing, who was employed as a Gamekeeper. Prior to enlisting the army Wednesday on 9 September 1914, Frederick had been employed as Game Keeper. Following his death, Frederick was initially posted as ‘Missing,’ but later the Army Council made the decision that for official purposes, it was to be assumed that he had died on or after 13 July 1916. DIPLOCK, GORDON REGINALD. Private, L/5276. 9th (Queen’s Royal) Lancers. Died Friday 29 March 1918. Born Burgess Hill, Sussex. Enlisted Chichester, Sussex. Resided Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Son of Albert Diplock and Louisa Diplock. Buried Le Cateau Military Cemetery, Nord, France. Grave Ref: I. A. 9. Also commemorated on the 9th (Queen’s Royal) Lancers war memorial, Canterbury Cathedral, Kent, and on the Great War memorial plaque at London Road School, Burgess Hill, Sussex. At the time of the 1911 census, the Diplock family resided at Bullfinches Farm, Groombridge. Head of the house was 58 year old Chailey, Sussex native Albert Diplock who was employed as a Farm Carter, and 16 year old Gordon was recorded by the enumerator as being employed as a Carters Mate. Gordon died of wounds on Friday 29 March 1918, and he had served on the Western Front with the British Expeditionary Force since 2 June 1915, all of which time had been spent serving as a Private in the 9th (Queen’s Royal) Lancers. HOWELL, FREDERICK. Private, G/16460. 1st Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died Monday 7 May 1917. Aged 34. Born Paddington, London. Enlisted Tonbridge, Kent. Resided Ashurst, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Son of Edward Howell and Eliza Howell. Husband of Ellen Howell (née Foreman) of Old Village, Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 7. At the time of the 1911 census, Frederick was recoded as being unmarried, and employed as a Groom, residing at 7 Hyde Park Gardens Mews, London, W. His marriage to Ellen Foreman was recorded in the Tonbridge, Kent, Registration

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District during the fourth quarter of 1912, following their marriage at Old Groombridge on Saturday 7 December 1912. Prior to enlisting in the army on Saturday 8 July 1916, Frederick was employed as a Vanman, and had resided at Ashurst Lodge, Ashhurst, Sussex. He was posted to France for service with the British Expeditionary Force on Thursday 21 December 1916. Following his death, Frederick was initially posted as ‘Missing,’ but later the Army Council made the decision that for official purposes, it was to be assumed that he had died on or after 7 May 1917, and his wife Ellen who was his next of kin was informed of the decision made. It was noted that Frederick is not one of the ten Great War casualties who are commemorated on the Ashhurst, Sussex civic war memorial. SUMNER, JAMES. Private, G/1305. 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died Friday 12 February 1915. Aged 26. Born Speldhurst, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Enlisted Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Resided Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Son of Richard Sumner and Mary Sumner (née Brown) of Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 21. At the time of the 1911 census, the Sumner family resided at Old Town, Groombridge, Kent. Head of the house was 50 year old Wadhurst, Sussex native Richard Sumner, who was a Bricklayer, and the then 22 year old James was employed as a Bricklayers Labourer. Following his death, James was initially posted as ‘Missing,’ but later the Army Council made the decision that for official purposes, it was to be assumed that he had died on or after 12 February 1915.

The Great War 1914 – 1919

Lost Men

ATHERALL, ALFRED JOHN. Bugler, 2480. 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade. Died Saturday 1 July 1916. Born and resided Groombridge, Sussex. Enlisted Crowborough, Sussex. Son of Alfred John Atherall and Eliza Atherall (née Holden). Husband of Dorcus Atherall (née Winn). Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 16 B and 16 C. When Alfred enlisted in the army as a regular soldier on Tuesday 14 November 1907, for 7 years service with the Colours and 5 years in the Reserve, he stated that he was 20 years and 10 months old, and employed as a Groom, and that he was a serving member of the 1st Cinque Ports Rifle Volunteers Corps. He also stated that he had previously attempted to enlist as a regular soldier, but had been rejected due to undersize chest measurement. He also expressed a desire to be attested to serve in the Rifle Brigade.

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BARNETT, JOHN. Rifleman, 7597. 1st Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps. Died Wednesday 28 October 1914. Aged 25. Born Poynings, Brighton, Sussex on Friday 1 March 1889. Born Poynings, Sussex. Enlisted Chichester, Sussex. Resided Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Son of Blanche Eleanor Linfield of Park Corner, Groombridge (formerly Barnett), (née Humphrey), and of the late William Barnett. Commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 51. When John enlisted in the army as a regular soldier for 7 years service with the Colours and 5 years in the Reserve on Saturday 27 October 1906, he stated that he was 17 years and 8 months old, and employed as a Labourer. He also stated that he was a serving member of the 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, and that he wished to serve in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps. BATCHELOR or BATCHLOR, WILLIAM. Private, G/3683. "A" Company, 6th (Service) Battalion, The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Died Friday 23 August 1918. Born Sussex. Enlisted Tonbridge, Kent. Resided Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Son of Charles Batchlor and Nancy Batchlor of Cherry Gardens, Withyham, Sussex. Buried Morlancourt British Cemetery No.2, Somme, France. Grave Ref: B. 21. Formerly Private, 4348, 1st Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). It should be noted that William’s surname is spelt BATCHLOR by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on his commemoration details; but on several other forms of data accessed it is spelt BATCHELOR. At the time of arriving on the Western Front for service with the British Expeditionary Force on Tuesday 23 February 1915, William was serving in The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). A number of sources record William as having 'Died,' as opposed to him having been killed in action or dying of wounds. The village of Morlancourt where William is at rest, was a quiet place used by field ambulances in 1916, but at the end of March 1918, it was captured by the Germans. Local operations in May and June brought the Allied line nearer to it, but the village remained in German hands until Friday 9 August 1918 when it was taken by the 1/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment and supporting tanks. BEALE, WILLIAM. Private, S/111. 1st Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died Monday 22 February 1915. Born Groombridge, Sussex. Enlisted Tonbridge, Kent. Resided Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Buried and commemorated Tuileries British Cemetery, Zillebeke, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Ref: Special Memorial A. 1. William had only served on the Western Front with the British Expeditionary Force since Wednesday 13 January 1915, all of which time had been spent

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serving as a Private in the 1st Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). The commune of Zillebeke where William was buried contains many Commonwealth cemeteries, as the front line trenches ran through it during the greater part of the Great War. The Tuileries, or tile-works, were located a little to the north-west of Zillebeke village and in 1915, a number of Commonwealth and French soldiers were buried there. Later, many of the graves were destroyed including that of William when the cemetery was very badly shelled. The cemetery contains 95 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the Great War. Unfortunately a total of only 26 graves (of which 16 are unidentified) are actually known and marked, and special memorials commemorate 69 Commonwealth and two French casualties whose graves in the cemetery were destroyed. At the top of the Special Memorial in memory of William at Tuileries British Cemetery, is the inscription KNOWN TO BURIED IN THIS CEMETERY. At the base is the inscription THEIR GLORY SHALL NOT BE BLOTED OUT. BOARER, CHARLES. Private, L/10393. 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died Saturday 25 September 1915. Aged 21. Born Withyham, Sussex. Enlisted Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Son of William Henry Turner Boarer and Mary Boarer (née Chewter) of Tanyard New Cottages, Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 69. At the time of the 1911 census, the then 16 year old Charles had a room in the stables at Park Grove Stables, Withyham, Sussex, and was recorded as being the head of the house by the census enumerator, and as being employed as a Farm Labourer. Charles, who was a regular soldier had served on the Western Front with the British Expeditionary Force since Sunday 29 November 1914, all of which time had been spent serving as a Private in the Royal Sussex Regiment. Unfortunately it has not been possibly to ascertain when it was that Charles enlisted in the army as a regular soldier, as his army service papers appear to have been numbered amongst those which were destroyed, during or resultant of bombing raid by German Luftwaffe bombers on Sunday 8 September 1940, when the Army Records Centre at Arnside Street, London, SE17, where the army service papers were in store was one of the buildings which were hit. BONWICK, FREDERICK JAMES. Corporal, 85098. "A" Battery, 64th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Died Wednesday 18 July 1917. Aged 26. Born Withyham, Sussex. Enlisted Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Son of Mrs. Jane Homewood (formerly Bonwick) of 7, Providence Cottages, Corsley Road, Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and of the late Henry Bonwick. Commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 5. At the time of the 1911 census, Frederick was recoded as residing at 7 Providence Cottages, Corseley Road, Groombridge, Sussex. Head of the house was Frederick's step-father 51 year old Groombridge, Kent native Edwin

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Homewood who was a Newsvendor, and 19 year old Frederick was recorded by the census enumerator as being employed as a Gardener. Frederick had served on the Western Front with the British Expeditionary Force since Wednesday 2 June 1915, all of which time had been whilst serving in the Royal Field Artillery, initially as a Gunner. Following his death, Frederick was initially posted as ‘Missing,’ but later the Army Council made the decision that for official purposes, it was to be assumed that he had died on or after 18 July 1917, and his mother who was his next of kin was immediately informed of the decision which had been made by the officers of the Army Council. CROWHURST, WILLIAM. Private, 29178. 8th (Service) Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Died Wednesday 7 August 1918. Born Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Enlisted Maidstone, Kent. Resided Southborough, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Son of James Crowhurst and Mary J. Crowhurst. Husband of Mrs. Hilda G. H. Crowhurst. Commemorated on the Pozières Memorial, Somme, France. Panel 44. Formerly Private, 225552, 2/1st (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers). The marriage of William was to Hilda G. H. Macey was recorded in the West Ashford, Kent, Registration District during the first quarter of 1911. At the time of the 1911 census, William was the 30 year old head of the house at "Ampthill," 48 Pennington Road, Southborough, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and was recorded by the census enumerator as being employed as a Gardener. His 21 year old wife Hilda was recorded as being a native of Kennington, Ashford, Kent, and as such they had probably married in the parish church of St. Mary at Kennington.

DAVY, GEORGE HENRY. Stoker 1st Class, SS/111068. Royal Navy, H.M.S. "Pathfinder." Died Saturday 5 September 1914. Aged 20. Born Depwade, Diss, Norfolk on Monday 9 January 1893. Son of Lucy Davy of Birchden Cottages, Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and the late William Davy. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. Panel 5, as shown above. At the time of the 1911 census, Georg was a boarder residing at 6 Birchden Cottages, Groombridge, Sussex, and was employed as a Gardener. H.M.S. Pathfinder on which George was serving at the time of his death, was a 2,900 ton Pathfinder Scout Class cruiser was built by Cammell Laird & Co Ltd at Birkenhead. She was launched on Saturday 16 July 1904 and commissioned on Tuesday 18 July 1905. At the time of the start of the Great War H.M.S. Pathfinder was the leader of the 8th Destroyer Flotilla based at Rosyth, Scotland. On Saturday 5 September 1914 and at the time running short of coal, H.M.S. Pathfinder was only making 5 knots at the time of her loss, which was at

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approximately 16.30 hours when she was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off St. Abbs Head, Berwickshire, Scotland, approximately 10 miles to the southwest of the Island of May, by the type U19 Mittel-U class, German U-boat U-21, which at the time was commanded by 28 year old Mülhausen, Thuringia, Germany, native, Leutnant zur See, Otto Hersing. H.M.S. Pathfinder has the unenviable distinction of being the first Royal Navy warship to be sunk by a U-boat of the Imperial German Navy during the Great War, and the first ship ever to be sunk by the use of a torpedo alone fired from a submarine. H.M.S. Pathfinder was struck by the torpedo in one of her magazines, which exploded causing the ship to sink within a few minutes with the loss of 259 men; there were only 11 survivors of the sinking. Having sunk 36 ships for a total of 78,712 tons (warships excluded), on Wednesday 22 February 1919 the U-21 was sunk as the result of an accident whilst on passage to surrender to the allied powers. Later promoted to Kapitänleutnant, Otto Hersing survived the Great War, and when interviewed by the journalist Lowell Thomas during the inter war years, as to what he did for a living, Otto Hersing told him that he was a Potato Farmer, which took the journalist by surprise as he was expecting him to answer with something of a nautical bent. The superb U-Boat museum at Cuxhaven-Altenbruch, Germany contains a lot of ephemera appertaining to Otto Hersing including his Log Book, that notes in detail the events leading up to the loss of H.M.S. Pathfinder, part of which describes the weather which prevailed at the time: - “For a terrible time, snow storms and fog, reason why as soon as we could see nothing, only black cloud strips twisting in grotesques forms in front of us. But we had to cross the British lines protected by the fog.” Otto Hersing died at Oldenburg, Germany on Tuesday 5 July 1960 at the age of 75. DONE, NEVILLE SAVAGE. Second Lieutenant. 6th (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), attached to the 22nd (Service) Battalion, (Kensington) Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Died Saturday 10 March 1917. Aged 35. Son of Reverend William Done and Mrs. Maria Ellen Done of Hillcroft, Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Husband of Mrs. Hilda Doris Done (née Woodward) of "Clairebrooke" 14, Rednal Road, Kings Norton, Birmingham, Warwickshire. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 8 C 9 A and 16 A, and on the Beckenham, Kent civic war memorial, and on the Elizabeth College, Guernsey, Channel Islands, Great War memorial plaque, also in the Elizabeth College, Great War Book of Remembrance. Neville is also commemorated on page 17 of the University of London, Officers Training Corps, Roll of the Fallen. Formerly Private, 563438, 16th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment, (Queen's Westminster Rifles). Neville was born at Edinburgh, Scotland on Wednesday 22 June 1881. He was educated at Elizabeth College, Guernsey, Channel, Islands. He killed in action near the Somme village of Irles, at which time his home address was recorded as 32, Manor Road, Beckenham, Kent,

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prior to which he had lived at 20, Downs Road, Beckenham. Following his death, Neville was laid to rest at Pys, but as he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing on the Somme, it would appear that his grave was subsequently lost, either as the result of military action e.g. shelling, or his grave was simply not located. Some of the data checked records that Neville had served in France with the British Expeditionary Force for only a month prior to his death. Possibly that information is not strictly accurate, and might mean that he had only served in France for a month as a commissioned officer with the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), as his medal index card would tend to suggest that he had originally served on the Western Front, whilst serving as a Private in the 16th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment, (Queen's Westminster Rifles). FRANCIS, HARRY. Private, 18500. 11th (Service) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Died Sunday 13 August 1916. Born Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Enlisted Faversham, Kent. Son of James Francis and Ruth Francis Buried Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, Somme, France. Grave Ref: VII. H. 28. Formerly, Private, 25274, Somerset Light Infantry. At the time of the 1911 census, the Francis family resided at 24A Elm Grove, Hammersmith, London, W. Head of the house was 49 year old Orpington, Kent native James Francis, who was an Own Account Builder. Harry was recorded by the enumerator as being 19 years old, and employed as a Plumber & Fitter. GAMMON, WILLIAM. Private, T/203109. 2/4th (Territorial Force) Battalion, The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Died Friday 26 July 1918. Aged 27. Born Groombridge, Sussex. Enlisted and resided Brighton, Sussex. Son of George Gammon and C. Gammon of 4, Corsley Road, Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Buried Senlis French National Cemetery, Oise, France. Grave Ref: I. C. 17. Formerly Private, 2381, Sussex Yeomanry. When the 1911 census was conducted, William was residing at 57, Riley Road, Preston, Brighton, Sussex and was employed as a Butcher's Shop Assistant. Senlis French National Cemetery at the little town where William is at rest, and numbered amongst 135 identified Commonwealth casualties was begun in June 1918, and closed in December 1921. The majority belonged to the 15th (Scottish) and 34th Divisions, who fell in July and August 1918. William's battalion was in the 101st Brigade, 34th Division at the time of his death, and another 6 casualties from his battalion are at rest at the same cemetery. William was the first of the 7 to lose their lives, as the other 6 fell over the period of 3 days from Thursday 1 to Saturday 3 August. A small number of the Commonwealth graves were added from the Ognon French Military Cemetery, and the Senlis (St. Lazare) Hospital Cemetery.

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GASTON, JAMES. Private, G/9425. 7th (Service) Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died Sunday 11 March 1917. Born Mayfield, Sussex. Enlisted Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Resided Groombridge, Sussex. Son of Charles Gaston and Elizabeth Gaston. Buried Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. Grave Ref: VI. C. 46. At the time of the 1911 census, the Gaston family resided at Moat Mill Cottage, Mayfield, Sussex. Head of the house was 64 year old Waldron, Sussex native Charles Gaston, who was employed as a Waggoner, and 25 year old James was recorded by the census enumerator as being employed as a Carters Mate on a Farm. When James enlisted in the army on Wednesday 11 August 1915 'For the Duration of the War,' he stated that he was 29 years and 135 days old, employed as a Carter, and that he resided at Barchden Cottages, Groombridge Sussex. HALL, ARTHUR FRANK. Private, T/202894. No.1 Platoon, "A" Company, 3/4th Territorial Force) Battalion, The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Died Thursday 4 October 1917. Aged 32. Born Groombridge, Sussex. Enlisted Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey. Resided Worcester Park, Surrey. Son of John Hall and Mary Hall (née Box) of Old Farm, Groombridge, Sussex. Husband of Ada Hall (née Johnson) of Worcester Park, Surrey. Commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 14 to 17 and 162 to 162A, and in the Book of Remembrance at The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) War Memorial in Holy Trinity Church, Guildford, Surrey. Arthur was born at Groombridge, Sussex on Wednesday 28 January 1885, and attended the National School there. On Monday 31 May 1909, Arthur married Miss Ada Johnson at the parish church of St. Peter's, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. At the time of the 1911 census, Arthur was recorded as being 27 years old, and the head of the house at 16, Birkbeck Road, West Dulwich, London, SE. He was employed as a Fur Department Stock Keeper. Arthur had been in the employ of Messrs Hitchcock & Williams of St. Paul's Churchyard, London, EC, at the firms textile warehouse for a total of 16 years, prior to him enlisting in the army 'For the Duration of the War.' Following his death, Arthur was initially posted as ‘Missing,’ but later the Army Council made the decision that for official purposes, it was to be assumed that he had died on or after 4 October 1917. HARMAN, ALBERT HIRAM. Private, 53797. 58th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps. Died Thursday 6 June 1918. Born Rotherfield, Sussex. Enlisted Tonbridge, Kent. Resided Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Son of Hiram Henry Harman and Annie Rebecca Harman (née Saunders).

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Buried Marfaux British Cemetery, Marne, France. Grave Ref: V. H. 7. At the time of the 1911 census, the Harman family resided at Birchden Cottage, Groombridge, Sussex. Head of the house was 48 year old Rotherfield, Sussex native Hiram Harman, who was employed as an Estate Labourer, as was the then 22 year old Albert. He died of wounds, and had served in the Royal Army Medical Corps with the British Expeditionary Force since Monday 19 July 1915. Probate for Albert's estate was granted to his father Hiram who was a Woodman. When Hiram died on Friday 8 August 1941, he was still living at Birchden Cottage, Groombridge, Sussex. HAYLOR, SYDNEY JOHN. Private, G/5307. 8th (Service) Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died Tuesday 28 September 1915. Born Shipborne, Kent. Enlisted Tonbridge, Kent. Resided Rusthall, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Son of Adelaide Haylor and the late John Haylor. Husband of Ada Florence Haylor (née King) of 49, Woodside Road, Rusthall, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panels 95 to 97. At the time of the 1911 census, the Haylor family resided at 2, Hope Cottages, Corseley Road, Groombridge, Sussex. Head of the house was Sydney's 44 year old widowed mother, Plaxtol, Kent native Adelaide Haylor who was employed as a Charwoman. Sydney was recorded by the census enumerator as being employed as a Farm Stockman. On some data sources checked, Sydney is shown as having been a native of Groombridge, Sussex, whilst on others as having been born at Shipbourne, Kent. It would seem likely Shipbourne is in fact probably the correct location, as when the 1891 census was conducted Sydney was recorded by the census enumerator as being an 8 month old infant, born at Shipbourne, Kent. He was probably actually born at the address recorded on the census, which was Puttenden, Shipbourne. His 24 year old father John Haylor who was a native of Tonbridge, Kent was recorded as being the head of the house, and as being employed as Non Domestic Groom. Shipbourne, Kent is also where Sydney was christened in the parish church of St. Giles on Sunday 12 October 1890. Sydney married Miss Ada Florence King at the Registry Office, Tonbridge, Kent on Sunday 16 August 1914. When Sydney enlisted in the army on Monday 4 January 1915 'For the Duration of the War,' he stated that he was 25 years and 5 months old, employed as a Carter, and that he resided at 49, Woodside Road, Rusthall, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, which was the address of his wife who was his next of kin. Following his death, Sydney was initially posted as ‘Missing,’ but later the Army Council made the decision that for official purposes, it was to be assumed that he had died on or after 28 September 1915, and his wife Ada being his next of kin, was subsequently informed of the decision which had been made by the officers of the Army Council. The marriage of Sydney's widow Ada, to Arthur A. Edwards was recorded in the Tonbridge, Kent, Registration District during the third quarter of 1923.

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JENNER, JOHN WILLIAM. Private, L/8319. 1st Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died Monday 15 April 1918. Aged 30. Born Mayfield, Sussex. Enlisted Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Resided Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Son of the late John Jenner and the late Frances Esther Mercer (formerly Jenner), (née Ashdown). Buried Tannay British Cemetery, Thiennes, Nord, France. Grave Ref: Plot 1. Row A. Grave 2. At the time of the 1911 census, John was serving as a Private in the 1st Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), stationed at Bordon, Hampshire. His mother who was an native of Heathfield, Sussex was recorded in 1911 as living with John's step-father Albert Mercer at Lye Common, Withyham near Tunbridge Wells, where 44 year old Wadhurst, Sussex native Albert was the head of the house, and was employed as a Farm Waggoner. Born on Sunday 12 May 1861, the death of John's late mother Frances was recorded in the East Grinstead, Sussex, Registration District during the second quarter of 1914. Unfortunately it has not been possibly to ascertain when it was that John enlisted in the army as a regular soldier, as his army service papers appear to have been numbered amongst those which were destroyed, during or resultant of bombing raid by German Luftwaffe bombers on Sunday 8 September 1940, when the Army Records Centre at Arnside Street, London, SE17, where the army service papers were in store was one of the buildings which were hit. John's Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) regimental number, is indicative of him having enlisted in the regiment as a regular soldier at some time during 1906. KINGSBURY, DAVID WILLIAM. Private, 34891. 8th (Service) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died Saturday 17 February 1917. Aged 40. Born Groombridge, Sussex. Enlisted Chichester, Sussex. Son of Alfred Kingsbury and Ann Kingsbury. Husband of Florence Mary Kingsbury (née Brown). Buried Regina Trench Cemetery, Grandcourt, Somme, France. Grave Ref: VII. C. 12. Commemorated on the Crowborough, Sussex civic war memorial. The marriage of William to Florence Mary Brown was recorded in the East Grinstead, Sussex, Registration District, during the fourth quarter of 1899. At the time of the 1911 census, 34 year old David was recorded as being the head of the house at 2, Sunny Dale, Alderbrook Road, Jarvis Brook, Crowborough, Sussex, and he was employed as a General Labourer. David was numbered amongst the 35 members of the 8th (Service) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment who lost their lives on Saturday 17 February 1917. Of those who fell, 23 are at rest at Regina Trench Cemetery, the original part of the cemetery (now Plot II, Rows A to D) was made in the winter of 1916-1917. The cemetery was completed after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields of Courcelette, Grandcourt and Miraumont; and most date from October 1916 to February 1917.

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LINFIELD, GEORGE FRANK. Private, G/4640. 7th (Service) Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died Sunday 19 November 1916. Aged 20. Born Horsham, Sussex. Enlisted Tonbridge, Kent. Resided Ringmer, Sussex. Son of Ephraim Linfield and Mary Ann Linfield of Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Buried Regina Trench Cemetery, Grandcourt, Somme, France. Grave Ref: V. F. 3. At the time of the 1911 census, the Linfield family resided at Tatten Alley, Withyham, Sussex. Head of the house was 54 year old Billingshurst, Sussex native Ephraim Linfield, who was employed as a Waggoner, and 14 year old George was recorded by the census enumerator as being employed as a Grocers Porter. When George enlisted in the army on Friday 20 November 1914 'For the Duration of the War,' he stated that he was aged 20 years and 133 days, and that he was employed as a Carter, residing at Tatten Alley, Withyham, Sussex. As with David Kingsbury the last casualty briefly commemorated above, George's grave was also moved to Regina Trench Cemetery at Grandcourt on the Somme after the Armistice, when graves were brought into the cemetery from the battlefields of Courcelette, Grandcourt and Miraumont. LONGHURST, HAROLD ERNEST. Lance Corporal, 23372. 4th Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Died Tuesday 7 August 1917. Born Groombridge, Sussex. Enlisted Brighton, Sussex. Son of Frederick Longhurst and Ansley Longhurst Buried Artillery Wood Cemetery, Boezinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Grave Ref: VII. C. 20. At the time of the 1911 census, 22 year old Harold was recorded as being employed as a Footman, whilst residing at High Cross, Framfield, Uckfield, Sussex. Harold's parents were living at 9, Corseley Road, Groombridge, Sussex. Head of the house was 48 year old East Grinstead, Sussex native Frederick Longhurst, who was a Warehouseman employed by a Grocer. MASKELL, ALFRED CYRIL. Private, G/6659. 9th (Service) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died Thursday 15 March 1917. Born Groombridge, Sussex. Enlisted Deptford, Kent. Son of Fred Maskell and Fanny Mary Annie Maskell. Buried Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Grave Ref: II. E. 11. Formerly Private, SD/4225, Royal Sussex Regiment. Unfortunately various data sources checked do not all match up regarding Alfred, whose places of birth vary between Groombridge, Kent, Groombridge, Sussex, Mayfield, Sussex, and Rotherfield, Sussex. Groombridge, Sussex as enter above, is how Alfred is recorded in/on Soldiers Died in the Great War. Alfred was christened at Mayfield, Sussex on Sunday 6 September 1896, which was probably in the parish church of St. Dunstan. At the time of the 1911 census, the Maskell family resided at

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Hope Villas, High Cross, Rotherfield, Sussex. Head of the house was 50 year old Mayfield, Sussex native Fred Maskell, who was an invalid. Alfred was recorded on the census entry by the use of his second Christian name, and as being employed as a Cow Boy on a Farm. The SD prefix on Alfred's original Royal Sussex Regiment regimental number is indicative of him having formerly served in one of the three South Downs Battalions of the regiment. ORAM, THOMAS HENRY. Private, G/40444. 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. Died Monday 23 October 1916. Aged 35. Born Ditchling, Sussex. Enlisted Bromley, Kent. Resided Beckenham, Kent. Son of the late Thomas Oram and Olive Oram. Husband of Mrs. Fanny Oram (née Lane) of Station Road, Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 12 D and 13 B. Formerly Private, G/12581, Royal Sussex Regiment. Fanny Lane whose marriage to Thomas was recorded in the Shoreditch, London, Registration District during the third quater of 1912, was a native of New Cross, Kent. At the time of the 1911 census, 30 year old Thomas was recorded as being the head of the house at "Grangehurst Lodge," Grange Hill, South Norwood, London, SE, and was employed as a Domestic Gardener. PAYNE, ARTHUR EDWARD. Private, 10/21371. 10th (Service) Battalion, South Wales Borderers. Died Tuesday 18 April 1916. Aged 37. Born Groombridge, Sussex. Enlisted Abertillery, Monmouthshire, Wales. Resided Merton, Surrey. Son of Charles Payne and Elizabeth Payne. Husband of the late Nellie Hood Payne (née Ansley). Buried Merville Communal Cemetery, Nord, France. Grave Ref: VI. P. 18. Arthur's marriage to Nellie Hood Ansley was recorded in the St. Olave Southwark, London, Registration District during the second quarter of 1900. At the time of the 1911 census, 31 year old Arthur was recorded as being a boarder and a widower, residing at 4, Bathurst Villas, Cavendish Road, Merton, Surrey, and was employed as a General Labourer. The census enumerator in 1911 recorded Arthur as being a native of Witham, Sussex, but as other data checked by the transcriber of these brief commemorations, shows Arthur to have been born at Groombridge, we have taken the liberty of briefly commemorating here as a Groombridge 'Lost Man.' The death of a 26 year old Nellie Payne of 26 Mellison Road, Wandsworth, London was recorded in the Wandsworth, London, Registration District during the second quarter of 1906. Nellie was laid to rest in Tooting in the Diocese of Southwark, London on Monday 28 May 1906. In need of more time consuming research to enable to confirm, but the above lady appears to be arguably the best match for Arthur's late wife, who died between 1900 and 1911, and probably within the London area (Southwark)?

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RYE, FRANCIS WILLIAM. Boy Telegraphist, J/33826. Royal Navy, H.M.S. Black Prince. Died Wednesday 31 May 1916. Aged 17. Born Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent on Monday 12 December 1898. Son of Joseph Albert Rye and Jane Rye (née Penfold) of 5, Providence Cottages, Corseley Road, Groombridge, Sussex. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. Panel 17 as shown above. At the time of the 1911 census, the Rye family resided at the above address. Head of the house was 47 year old Groombridge, Sussex native Joseph Albert Rye who was an Own Account Chimney Sweep. Francis was recorded by the enumerator as being 12 years of age and a School, House Boy. At the time of her loss the ship on which Francis was serving when he died, was being commanded by 43 year old Captain Thomas P. Bonham, R. N. who was the son of the late Admiral Charles Wright Bonham, R.N. During the Battle of Jutland the cruiser H.M.S. Black Prince, which at the first meeting of the two main fleets had followed her flagship, H.M.S. Defence into action, and been roughly handled at the time that H.M.S. Defence had been blown up and H.M.S. Warrior disabled, had been left behind by the Grand Fleets turn to the southward after deployment. For some reason which will never be known, she was still at this time far astern of and out of touch with the other ships of the British fleet. When a line of battleships was dimly seen ahead, it was no doubt thought that they were the British squadrons, and course was altered to close them. At a bare half-mile range, the German recognition signal flashed out. Captain Bonham, swung his ship away in a desperate effort to escape, but it was to late. In the German battleship Thuringen the same deadly efficient night action procedure that had been displayed at the head of the line went into play. Brilliantly lit by six searchlights, Francis ship was raked from stern to stem by a tornado of shells and lay a helpless wreck before she could even fire a shot in reply. As she drifted down the German line, ship after ship opened up on her, including the Thuringen, Ostfriesland, Nassau and, finally, as the fleet flagship Friedrich der Grosse, added her quota, H.M.S. Black Prince met the same end as H.M.S. Defence, blowing up with a tremendous explosion, and vanishing with all of her hands. SEYMOUR, CECIL BERNARD. Rifleman, O/148. 12th (Service) Battalion, Rifle Brigade. Died Monday 25 March 1918. Aged 19. Born Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Enlisted Maidstone, Kent. Resided Marsh Green, Edenbridge, Kent. Son of Edward Seymour and Mary Ann Seymour (née Ashby). Commemorated on the Pozières Memorial, Somme, France. Panels 81 to 84, and on the Marsh Green, Edenbridge, Kent, Great War parish tribute. Formerly Private, TR/10/1791, 21st Training Regiment. At the time of the 1911 census, the Seymour family resided at Marsh Green, Edenbridge, Kent. Head of the house was 49 year old Wadhurst, Sussex native Edward Seymour, who was

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an Own Account House Carpenter. It would appear to be the case that the Seymour family had resided at Groombridge for only a short time after Cecil's birth, as the 1911 census records his four younger siblings as all being born at Edenbridge, Kent. Of significance is the fact that Stanley Seymour, who was the eldest of Cecil's four younger siblings, was recorded by the census enumerator as being 10 years of age on the 1911 entry. SEYMOUR, ERNEST. Rifleman, S/33186. 11th (Service) Battalion, Rifle Brigade. Died Monday 3 December 1917. Aged 31. Born Groombridge, Sussex. Enlisted West London. Resided Paddington, Middlesex. Son of Horace Seymour and Elizabeth Seymour of Eridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Husband of Emma Agnes Seymour (née Harris) of 123, Harold Road, Clive Vale, Hastings, Sussex. Commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, Nord, France. Panel 11. Ernest's marriage to Emma Agnes Harris was recorded in the Hastings, Sussex, Registration District during the third quarter of 1909. At the time of the 1911 census, Ernest was recorded as being the 25 year old head of the house when he resided with his 29 year old wife, and their year old son Ernest Kenneth Seymour at 61, Wilton Road, Shepherds Bush, Acton, London, W. Ernest was employed as a Clerk in a Tyre Stores. Following Ernest's death, his widow did not remarry and the death of 72 year old Hastings, Sussex native Emma Agnes Seymour was recorded in the Hastings, Sussex, Registration District during the second quarter of 1954. Ernest's son Ernest Kenneth Seymour was born at Acton, London on Tuesday 29 March 1910, and his death at the age of 70 was recorded in the Hastings and Rother, Sussex, Registration District during the second quarter of 1980. SHARPE, REGINALD SAMUEL. Private, G/1037. 7th (Service) Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died Thursday 13 July 1916. Aged 21. Born Rotherfield, Sussex. Enlisted Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Son of Fanny Sharpe (née Welfare) of 3, Oaklands Cottages, Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and the late George Baxter Sharpe. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 11 C. At the time of the 1911 census, the Sharpe family resided at Birchden Cottage, Groombridge, Sussex. Head of the house was 60 year old Raithby, Lincolnshire native George Baxter Sharpe, who was employed as a Nursery Propagator. Reginald was recorded by the census enumerator as being employed as an Assistant Nursery Propagator. When Reginald enlisted in the army on Wednesday 2 September 1914 for 3 years with the Colours, he stated that he was 20 years and 300 days old and employed as a Gardener. He served on the Western Front with the British Expeditionary Force from Wednesday 11 August 1915, all of which was spent serving in the 7th (Service) Battalion, Queen’s Own

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(Royal West Kent Regiment). Following his death, Reginald was initially posted as 'Missing,' but subsequently the Army Council made the decision that for official purposes it was to be assumed that he had died on or after 13 July 1916. His mother Fanny who was a native of Speldhurst, Kent, and Reginald's next of kin was informed of the decision that had been made by the Army Council members. Reginald's mother died at the Crowborough Cottage Hospital, Sussex on Sunday 4 December 1927. At the time of her death, the home address of Mrs. Fanny Sharpe was recorded as "Ulverston," Mardens Hill, Withyham, Sussex. SMITH, FREDERICK. Private, TF/202364. 1/7th (Territorial Force) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. Died Saturday 7 October 1916. Enlisted Purfleet, Essex. Resided Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 12 D and 13 B. Formerly Private, 6601, Middlesex Regiment. Frederick's place of birth as shown above, was accessed via his entry in/on 'Soldiers Died in the Great War.' As SDGW unfortunately contains thousands of errors of different types, re information re Frederick's place of birth might be incorrect. Despite the transcriber of these brief commemorations spending more time, attempting to glean information on Frederick than other Groombridge casualty, it was to no avail. No positive entry on the census's of 1881, 1891, 1901, and 1911 was found for Frederick. He was numbered amongst the 65 members of his battalion who died on Saturday 7 October 1916, of whom 45 are commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, Somme, France. STEVENSON, ALFRED GEORGE. Private, 34230. 12th (Service) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died Thursday 27 September 1917. Born Groombridge, Sussex. Enlisted and resided Epsom, Surrey. Son of Sarah Edwards (formerly Stevenson (née Rye), and of the late Amos Stevenson. Husband of Elizabeth Sarah Stevenson (née Spikesman). Buried Rocquigny-Equancourt Road Cemetery, Somme, France. Grave Ref: I. D. 17. Commemorated on the Epsom, Surrey civic war memorial, and on Great War memorial plaque in the parish church of St. Martin, Epsom, Surrey. Formerly Private, 10th (Reserve) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Alfred's birth was recorded in the East Grinstead, Sussex, Registration District during the second quarter of 1883. He was christened in the parish church of St. Michael and All Angels, Withyham, Sussex on Saturday 27 May 1883. His marriage to Epsom, Surrey native Elizabeth Sarah Spikesman was recorded in the Epsom, Surrey, Registration District during the fourth quarter of 1903. At the time of the 1911 census, Alfred was recorded as being the 27 year old head of the house when he resided 6 Signal Terrace, Church Road, Epsom, Surrey, and was employed as a Bricklayers Labourer.

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WIDDICOMBE, ARTHUR WILLIAM. Rifleman, 47609. 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. Died Sunday 24 March 1918. Aged 21. Born Groombridge, Sussex. (PLEASE SEE BELOW). Enlisted Tonbridge, Kent. Son of John Widdicombe and Mary Poole Widdicombe of "Fair View," Golvers Hill Road, Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot, Devon. Commemorated on the Pozières Memorial, Somme, France. Panel 76, and on page 326 of Ireland's Memorial Records 1914 - 1918, also on the Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot, Devon civic war memorial. Formerly T4/092835, Army Service Corps. Specific attention is drawn above to Arthur's place of birth! In the early 1960's (possibly 1961), the transcriber of these brief commemorations was asked to research Arthur's military service, and clearly recalled having done so when researching the Groombridge casualties for inclusion here. Arthur is commemorated in Ireland's Memorial Records 1914 - 1918 as having been born at Groombridge, Sussex. The village is also recorded as having been the place of his birth in/on the indispensable research aid 'Soldiers Died in the Great War.' Back in the 1960's the transcriber, and everybody else only had Soldiers Died in the Great War in book form to consult, it being many years prior to SDGW being available on a CD. Unfortunately, despite the comprehensive information in/on SDGW it does contain thousands of different types of errors. One of the errors is that of Arthurs' place of birth, as he was born at Strete, Devon on Thursday 1 April 1897, and baptised at the parish church of St. Michael and All Angels, Strete, Devon on Tuesday 27 April 1897. At the time of Arthur's baptism his family lived at Old Street Farm, Strete, and his father was recoded as being a Farmer and a Church Warden. At the time of the 1911 census, the Widdicombe family resided at Gardner Street, Herstmonceux, Sussex. Head of the house was 51 year old Dittisham, Devonshire native John Widdicombe, who was recorded by the enumerator as being a Farmer. If Arthurs' place of enlistment as recorded by SDGW is correct, it is possible that he was in fact a resident of Groombridge as opposed to him having been born there. The property "Fair View," Golvers Hill Road, Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot, Devon was recorded as being the home address of Arthurs' father, John Widdicombe when he died on Thursday 21 November 1935.

Post Great War Casualties

CALDWELL, ROBERT. Colonel. F.R.C.S., D.P.H. Royal Army Medical Corps. Died Friday 4 April 1919. Aged 59. Youngest son of Robert Caldwell and Virginia Caldwell of Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.A. Husband of Mary Caroline Caldwell (née Hungerford) of "Woodmead," Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Buried Torquay Cemetery and Extension, Devon. Grave Ref: D. 17. 15243.

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Robert was born in New York, U.S.A. on Sunday 30 October 1859. He was educated at Westminster Hospital, and took the diplomas of M.R.C.S and L.R.C.P. Edin. in 1883, and subsequently the F.R.C.S. Eng. in 1890, and D.P.H. of the Scottish Colleges in 1908. After filling the post of Assistant House Surgeon at Westminster Hospital, Robert enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Surgeon in 1885. On Thursday 13 February 1890 he had married Miss Mary Caroline Hungerford, at the parish church of St. John the Evangelist, Hammersmith, London. Mary was the daughter of Richard and Sarah Hungerford (née Grant), Richard Hungerford (1834 - 1909) had been the Deputy Surgeon-General in the service of the 53rd Regiment. Robert had served in the Egyptian (1884 - 1886) and in the South African Campaigns. He was a recipient of a Royal Humane Society’s Medal. Robert is arguably best remembered for his sanitary work whilst serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps, which had included being in charge of the laboratories at Meerut, India, and Aldershot, Hampshire. For his literary work, Robert was awarded the Parkes Memorial Prize in 1904, with an essay published in the prevention of Disease of Armies in the Field, and edited the second edition of Military Hygiene in 1910. Robert's death was recorded in the Newton Abbot, Devon, Registration District during the second quarter of 1919 after he died at St. Winifred's Nursing Home, Marychurch, Torquay Devon on Friday 4 April 1919, at which time his home address was recorded as being at 6 Vale Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Robert's widow did not remarry, and was aged 85 when she died at the Glencorse Nursing Home, 3 Portman Crescent, Southbourne-on-Sea, Bournemouth on Monday 13 February 1950. COMPER, WILLIAM JAMES. Private, 875302. 78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment). Died Sunday 29 June 1919. Aged 39 Born Withyham, Sussex on Wednesday 22 October 1879. Son of William Comper and Eliza Comper of 4, Somerset Villas, Groombridge, Sussex. Husband of Emily Ellen Comper (née Hobbs) of 8, Strafford Road, High Barnet, Hertfordshire. Buried Virden Cemetery, Manitoba, Canada. Grave Ref: L."S.W." B.203. Commemorated on the Virden, Manitoba, Canada civic war memorial, and on page 531 of the Canadian First World War Book of Remembrance. At the time of the 1881 census, the Comper family resided at Blackham, Withyham, Sussex. Head of the house was 25 year old Pulborough, Sussex native William Comper (senior), who was a Carpenter and Wheelwright. In view of the age of William (junior) at the time of the census, it would seem likely that the census address was also where he was actually born. When the 1911 census was conducted, the Comper family resided at 4, Somerset Villas, Groombridge, Sussex, at which time 21 year old William (junior) was recorded by the enumerator as being employed as Journeyman Carpenter. William married Miss Emily Ellen Hobbs the daughter of William Hobbs and Naomi Hobbs (née Corke) at Crowborough, Sussex on Thursday 19 September 1901. When the 1916 census of Canada was conducted, William and his wife Emily Ellen Comper

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resided with their son and daughter at Nelson Street, Virden, Manitoba, and he was employed as a Carpenter. William enlisted in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force at Winnipeg, Canada on Friday 31 March 1916, at which time he stated that he was a Carpenter, and that he resided at Virden, Manitoba, and named his wife who he resided with as being his next of kin. William's wife was born at Rotherfield, Sussex on Saturday 23 December 1876. Following William's death Emily Ellen Comper never remarried and remained a widow for 53 years, and her death at the age of 94 was recorded in the Barnet, Registration District during the first quarter of 1972. HARDING, EDWARD ROBERT. Air Mechanic 2nd Class, 329713. Royal Air Force. Died Wednesday 7 April 1920. Aged 19. Son of George Harding and Bessie Mary Harding of Station Cottage, Groombridge, Sussex. Buried St. Michael’s Churchyard, Halton, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Edward's birth was recorded in the Sevenoaks, Kent, Registration District during the first quarter of 1901, after he was born in Edenbridge, Kent on Thursday 24 January 1901, at which time his father was employed as a Railway Signalman by the London Brighton & South Coast Railway. At the time of Edward's birth, his parents occupied one of the six semi-detached cottages which had been erected by the London Brighton & South Coast Railway for workers at Edenbridge. All of the cottages were located to the south of the Edenbridge Railway Station, above the cutting on the down side of the railway line. Although Edward's birth certificate has not been sighted by the transcriber of these brief commemorations, it would seem likely that Edward's actual place of birth had been at the London Brighton & South Coast Railway owned Harding family home. At the time of the 1911 census, the Harding family resided at Station Cottage, Groombridge, Sussex. Head of the house was 38 year old Edenbridge, Kent native George Harding who was recorded by the census enumerator as being employed as a Railway Signalman. After leaving school, Edward was initially employed by the London Brighton & South Coast Railway, and had been employed at the Railway Stations at Forest Row, Sussex, and that at Groombridge, Sussex. Edward's death was recorded in the Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, Registration District during the second quarter of 1920. At the time of his death, Edward was serving at R.A.F. Halton, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. For anybody who has a particular interest in Edward, such as a relative, mention should be made of the fact that the excellent commemoration website, Buckinghamshire Remembers, has an equally excellent photograph of Edward's headstone which was taken by Peter Underwood. At the time of partially completing these Groombridge commemorations (August 2013), www.kentfallen.com is in the process of being 'revamped' and updated. When the main alterations are completed we will add the website Buckinghamshire Remembers to www.kentfallen.com as one of the new links. For anybody with a specific interest in Buckinghamshire victims of war, the site is well worth visiting.

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The Second World War 1939-1945

BROMLEY, RICHARD PAUL. M.C. Lieutenant, 124664. 12th Royal Lancers, Royal Armoured Corps. Died Friday 29 January 1943. Aged 24. Born Surrey. Resided Kent. Only son of Commander Richard Wyville Bromley, R.N. (Retd) and of Mrs. Guendolyn Bromley (née Mountain) of Court Lodge, Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Commemorated on the Alamein Memorial, Egypt. Column 19. Pre war member of the Inns of Court Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps. Richard's birth was recorded in the Guildford, Surrey, Registration District during the fourth quarter of 1918. The recommendation for Richard’s Military Cross states:- “On the night of June 19/20 Lieut Bromley was on Armoured Car Patrol west of Capuzzo. During the night the enemy moved between him and his Sqn H.Q. In order to return he had to pass through the enemy column. He selected a spot and attacked the column in order to break through, destroying three enemy lorries and capturing 6 German prisoners. This officer led his troop of Armoured Cars with skill, leadership and determination.” The award of the Military Cross to Richard was announced in The London Gazette on Thursday 15 October 1942. He was wounded in action at Zuara, Libya on Friday 29 January 1943, when he was leading his troop up from the south, and died of the wounding he suffered. BROWN, DEREK FRANK PASTON. Flying Officer (Pilot), 124415. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 115 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Died Sunday 20 June 1943. Aged 23. Son of Paston Charles Brown and Florence May Brown (née Henson) of Crowcombe, Somerset. Buried Ingrandes-sur-Loire Communal Cemetery, Maine-et-Loire, France. Grave Ref: To the right of the entrance. Derek is the sole Commonwealth casualty at rest in the above cemetery. His birth was recorded in the Croydon, Surrey, Registration District during the second quarter of 1920. Derek was the Pilot of Lancaster bomber DS668 KO-R when it took off from R.A.F. East Wretham, Thetford, Norfolk at 21.19 hours on the night of Saturday 19 June 1943. The Lancaster was taking part in a 'Gardening' operation in the Gironde estuary. Having sown its 'seeds' the Lancaster was on its homeward flight when it was intercepted and shot down by a German night-fighter, and crashed at Ingrandes-sur-Loire, Maine-et-Loire, France. The bombers crew had mixed fortunes, as four of them were captured by the enemy, two evaded capture, but although Derek had managed to bale out of his stricken aircraft and his had properly parachute deployed, he fell into the Loire and was drowned. On the day that Derek lost his life was also significant for another reason, as it was the same day that a number of other aircraft of R.A.F. Bomber Command carried out its first shuttle bombing raid of the Second World War.

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KENNARD, DOUGLAS GEORGE. Private, 6345395. 4th Battalion, Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment. Died Tuesday 28 May 1940. Aged 19. Born and resided Kent. Son of John Avard Kennard and Hilda Kennard of Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Buried Le Grand Hasard Military Cemetery, Morbecque, Nord, France. Grave Ref: 5. C. 4. The personnel who were serving in the 1st, 4th and 5th Battalions of Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment, found themselves supporting each other in the face of the German Blitzkrieg in late May 1940, whilst part of the Queen's Own Brigade. The 1st and 4th Battalions arrived together at the Nord, France village of Vieux-Berquin just before daylight on the morning of Saturday 25 May 1940. At the village of Vieux-Berquin which is located approximately 5 miles to the south-west of Bailleul, and a similar distance south-east of the town of Hazebrouck, orders were issued for delaying tactics to be implemented along the Hazebrouck Canal facing west. In order to comply with the orders, the 1st Battalion was positioned on the eastern fringes of Hazebrouck, and Douglas's battalion was deployed on the left, with its left flank on the bridge at La Motte au Bois, Morbecque. The officers and other ranks of the 5th Battalion were deployed in reserve positions at Strazeele Station and La Paradis. All three battalions were engaged in actions with the enemy over the following days, during which time a not insignificant number of acts of gallantry were performed in the face of overwhelming odds. On the morning that Douglas fell, his battalion was located on the right of the formation, with its left flank at La Motte au Bois, Morbecque. It was holding a portion of the Hazebrouck Canal with both "A" and "C" Companies forward, and "B" Company in reserve. On the morning of Tuesday 28 May 1940 torrential rain fell which then continued for several hours. As dawn broke, the enemy probed all along the Queen's Own Brigade front, and in several places German infantry successfully crossed the Hazebrouck Canal, and had infiltrated the Bois d'Aval. In the sector being held by the 5th Battalion, Platoon Sergeant Major Gilligan's platoon of "C" Company was virtually encircled by enemy soldiers, but he led a successful counter-attack with great gallantry and extricated his sections. Company Sergeant Major of "A" Company was supervising the distribution of ammunition to the forward platoons, and he twice charged the enemy with his pistol and successfully broke clear. The situation was temporarily eased when Colonel Chitty ordered the Carrier Platoon into cover the rides in the wood. It was later learned that the 6th Brigade on the left of the Queen's Own Brigade had retired, which left the three battalions even more vulnerable. In the middle of the afternoon German tanks approached the Pré a Vin, which opened fire with machine guns and their main gun, and caused many casualties. Douglas was numbered amongst approximately 30 casualties in the 4th Battalion, Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment who died on Tuesday 28 May 1940, of which 13 including Douglas are at rest at Le Grand Hasard Military Cemetery, Morbecque, Nord, France. Primarily because he was not an officer, it has not been possible to add with any degree of certainty exactly how he died.

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MANKTELOW, JOHN FRANK. Flying Officer (Pilot), 166106. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 99 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Died Saturday 1 September 1945. Aged 21. Son of Frank Arthur Manktelow and Alice Louisa Manktelow (née Barnett) of 2 Oakland Villas, Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Buried Jakarta War Cemetery, Indonesia. Grave Ref: Collective grave. 6. J. 4.-6. K. 3. John's birth was recorded in the Tonbridge, Kent, Registration District during the second quarter of 1924. His father Frank Arthur Manktelow had served in the 15th (Service) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment during the Great War, having enlisted at Tonbridge, Kent on 12 June 1917. Frank's home address on 13 December 1919, when he was discharged as an Acting Sergeant, was recorded as Old Town, Groombridge at which time he was still suffering from the effects of Gas Poisoning. For many years the Manktelow family members had been involved in the building trade at Groombridge, and were also the local Undertakers. Another trait running through the male members of the family was their love of cricket, which had included playing for Groombridge Cricket Club.

RUCKER, PATRICK WILLIAM. Captain, 108679. “D” Company, 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died Monday 20 May 1940. Aged 40. Son of Mary Emmeline Rucker (née Farmer) and the late Edward Augustus Rucker. Husband of Mrs. Betty Stuart Rucker (née Fairweather) of "Rostherne," Groombridge, Sussex. Commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial, Nord, France. Column 63 as shown above, and at Charterhouse School, Godalming, Surrey, also at Lords Cricket Ground, Middlesex. Patrick's birth was recorded in the Bromley, Kent, Registration District during the second quarter of 1900 after he was born at Chislehurst, Kent on Saturday 5 May 1900. As was the case with all of his brothers, Patrick was a pupil at Charterhouse School, Godalming, Surrey. Patrick was at Charterhouse from 1913 to 1918 and was a member of Girdlestoneites House, and he was numbered amongst the 340 Carthusians who lost their lives during the Second World War. From Charterhouse School, Patrick went up to Oxford University, where in addition to his studies he indulged in his passion for cricket. Although a no mean batsman and fielder, it was as a left-arm medium bowler that ‘Pat Rucker’ is best remembered at Oxford University, for which he played, with 1919 being his most successful year. The marriage of Patrick to Betty Stuart Fairweather was recorded in the Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, Registration District during the second quarter of 1927. Patrick was killed in action at Amiens,

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France, and Initially Patrick was reported as 'Missing,' but later his wife Betty who was his next of kin, received official confirmation from the War Office that he was dead. A long time member of the M.C.C., Patrick is one of the 282 members of the M.C.C. who are commemorated on a memorial at Lords, which was unveiled by Field-Marshall Lord Bramall K.G., G.C.B., O.B.E., M.C., J.P. on Tuesday 9 August 2005. Both of Patrick’s parents were natives of Clapham, Surrey, as was his grandfather Mr. D.H. Rucker who was a successful Sugar Broker and generous benefactor. It would appear that Edward Augustus Rucker who died at Cudham Hall, Cudham, Kent on Sunday 13 June 1915 aged 64, and who is buried at Cudham, had inherited his fathers’ benefactors trait, as he too made a number of generous gifts and donations during his lifetime, including the oak pulpit in the parish church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Cudham, Kent. It was noted whilst carrying out the research appertaining to Patrick and his brother Robin, that the Rucker family surname had originally been spelt with the inclusion of an umlaut, i.e. Rücker, it probably being indicative of the family having Germanic origins. Commemorated on the Biggin Hill and Cudham, Kent civic war memorial is Patrick's brother Robin who lost his life during the Great War with the R.A.F:- RUCKER, ROBIN SINCLAIR. Lieutenant. 43rd Squadron, Royal Air Force. Died Saturday 12 October 1918. Aged 19. Son of Mary Emmeline Rucker (née Farmer) of "Wayside," Chislehurst, Kent, and of the late Edward Augustus Rucker. Buried Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, Somme, France. Grave Ref: XIIIA. AA. 1. Thanks are due to Hannah L. Scullion for providing the photograph above of the Dunkirk Memorial inscription, for inclusion here. STAPLEY, FREDERICK JOSEPH. Driver, 232392. Royal Army Service Corps. Died Wednesday 5 September 1945. Aged 37. Born and resided Sussex. Son of the late Private Fred Stapley, and Isabella Garland Stapley (née Ovenden) of Groombridge, Sussex. Husband of Doris Mildred Stapley (née Hutson) of Groombridge, Sussex. Buried Klagenfurt War Cemetery, Austria. Grave Ref: 4. B. 6. Frederick's birth was recorded in the East Grinstead, Sussex, Registration District during the second quarter of 1908. At the time of the 1911 census, the Stapley family resided at Jenners Cross, Withyham, Sussex. Head of the house was 29 year old Withyham, Sussex native Fred Stapley, who was a Gardener. Frederick’s late father was killed in action in France on Monday 18 June 1917, whilst serving in the 2nd Battalion, The Suffolk Regiment, and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 4. Frederick's marriage to 20 year old Miss Doris Mildred Hutson was recorded in the East Grinstead, Sussex, Registration District during the second quarter of 1932. Klagenfurt War Cemetery where Frederick is at rest is the only Commonwealth war cemetery in Austria, and it was begun in June 1945 by the British occupying forces, who moved

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graves into it from all over the country. It now contains 589 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War. Unlike the majority of casualties at rest in the cemetery that died whilst in captivity, or were airmen who were shot down or crashed while flying over the country, Frederick is one of the servicemen who died whilst serving as members of the Army of Occupation. Born on 3 January 1912, Frederick's widow did not remarry, and the death of 68 year old Mrs. Doris Mildred Stapley was recorded in the Eastbourne, Sussex, Registration District during the second quarter of 1980. UNSTEAD, DENNIS GEORGE. Wireman, C/MX 77248. Royal Navy, H.M.S. Harstad. Died Saturday 27 February 1943. Aged 22. Son of George Unstead and Mary Unstead of Motts Mill, Sussex. Buried Dartmouth (Longcross) Cemetery, Devon. Grave Ref: Section G. Grave 181. Dennis then aged 7, had accompanied his parents and 9 year old brother Albert from Punta Arenas, Chile, when the sailed as passengers onboard the Pacific Steam Navigation Company 9,298 ton vessel Orita, which had sailed from Antofagasta, Chile calling at Montevideo, Punta Arenas, and Rio de Janeiro, prior to docking at the port of Liverpool, Lancashire on Tuesday 29 May 1928. The final destination of the Unstead family was Brain Avenue, Dublin, Ireland. Built in 1932 as a Norwegian whaler of 258 tons, H.M.S. Harstad on which Dennis was serving at the time of his death was formerly named the Kos XVII. She was requisitioned and taken over by the Royal Navy in July 1940 along with her Norwegian crew, and was used as a minesweeper. On Saturday 27 February 1943 the minesweeper and several other vessels were attacked and sunk by a number German E-boats. Dennis was amongst the five crew members that died when H.M.S. Harstad was lost, at which time she was on convoy duty when she was sunk in the English Channel in Lyme Bay. At the time of her loss H.M.S. Harstad was one of five armed ships, led by the 1,070 ton Hunt Class destroyer H.M.S. Blencathra, which were escorting a convoy of eight merchant vessels from South Wales to Southampton. The 445 ton Pickering & Haldane Steam Trawling Co. Ltd. owned Hull trawler Lord Hailsham, in its guise of H.M.S. Lord Hailsham, and four of the merchant ships were also lost in the same action as Dennis's ship. The bodies of three of those who perished on H.M.S. Harstad were not recovered, and they are commemorated on Naval Memorials, and in addition to Dennis, Signalman, C/JX 205716, George C. Seggie is also buried on land, and he is at rest at Ardrossan Cemetery, Ayrshire, Scotland. The death of Dennis and all of those who perished with him on Saturday 27 February 1943 were recorded in the Totnes, Devon, Registration District during the first quarter of 1943. NB. Dennis’s Commonwealth War Graves Commission commemoration details show his parents George Unstead and Mary Unstead, as residing at Motts Hill, Sussex, the transcriber of these brief commemorations has taken the liberty of altering the location to Motts Mill, Sussex as shown above. The little hamlet of Mott's Mill, Sussex is situated on the Crowborough to Groombridge road, and as such it would appear that it was the correct location re Dennis's parents.

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WALTERS, ROBERT RALPH. Pilot Officer (Pilot), 144462. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 198 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Died Wednesday 26 May 1943. Aged 20. Son of Leonard Ralph Walters and Anne Kathleen Walters (née Prentice) of Matfield, Kent. Buried Lytham Park Cemetery & Crematorium, Regent Avenue, Lytham St. Anne’s, Lancashire, FY8 4AB. Grave Ref: Section D. Nonconformist. Grave 733. Robert's birth was recorded in the Sevenoaks, Kent, Registration District during the fourth quarter of 1922. Robert lost his life when his aircraft crashed into the sea off the 914 foot pier at Lytham St. Anne’s, Lancashire. Robert's father Leonard Ralph Walters, who was a native of Croydon, Surrey, and a former student at Wye Agricultural College, Wye, Ashford, Kent, died at the Kent and Sussex Hospital, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent on Sunday 20 October 1957. At the time of his death, Leonard's home address was recorded as being at Rose Cottage, Park Corner, Groombridge, Sussex. WHITE, DONALD. Private, 5347983. 1st Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment. Died Wednesday 19 July 1944. Aged 33. Born Surrey. Resided Kent. Son of John William and Ada White. Husband of Vera Lilian White of Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Buried Bayeux War Cemetery, Calvados, France. Grave Ref: XXIV. C. 5. At the time of his death, Donald's home address was recorded as 9 Corseley Road, Groombridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. WRATTEN, ALFRED JAMES. Sergeant, 932296. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 21 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Died Wednesday 14 January 1942. Aged 29. Son of James Wratten and Kate Wratten (née Friend). Husband of Elsie Lilian Wratten (née Turner) of Langton Green, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Commemorated on the Malta Memorial. Panel 4, Column 2. Alfred's birth was recorded in the Dover, Kent, Registration District during the second quarter of 1915. His marriage to Elsie Lilian Turner was recorded in the Uckfield, Sussex, Registration District during the second quarter of 1936. At the commencement of the Second World War 21 Squadron, Royal Air Force in which Alfred was serving at the time of his death, was a light bomber squadron, equipped with newly arrived Blenheim IVs. Like many bomber squadrons it had a fairly quiet start to the war, but that ended in May 1940 with the German invasion of the Low Countries. The squadron took part in the costly attacks on the advancing Germany columns, before at the end of May prior moving to R.A.F. Lossiemouth, Scotland to join R.A.F. Coastal Command. The squadron then spent most of the next two years operating as an anti-shipping unit, alternating between R.A.F. Lossiemouth and R.A.F. Watton southwest of East Dereham, Norfolk between June and December 1941. On Monday 29 December 1941 the

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squadron was moved to Malta, in order for it to attack the vital Axis supply convoys, which were attempting to get supplies to Erwin Rommel and his Africa Corps in North Africa. The time spent by Alfred's squadron serving on Malta was of only a short duration, as it was where it was disbanded Tuesday on 14 March 1942, and returned to the United Kingdom. It reformed at R.A.F. Bodney near Watton, Norfolk, as a day bomber squadron the day after leaving Malta. Alfred was one of the three crew members of Blenheim bomber Z7342 H, which was one of his squadrons four R.A.F. Luqa, Malta based Blenheim’s that were detailed to take part on an Anti-Shipping Patrol on Wednesday 14 January 1942. Alfred’s aircraft was flown by 22 year old Flight Lieutenant Harold F. Dukes-Smith of Wimbledon, Surrey, when it took of from R.A.F. Luqa at 11.45 hours to carryout the operation off the Kerkennah group of islands, which are off the east coast of Tunisia in the Gulf of Gabes. The Blenheim’s located and attacked the 5,000 ton German motor vessel “Brook” and its escorting vessel, the Italian Regia Marina destroyer Zuri, which was the captured former Yugoslavian mine-layer Labud. During the low-level attack on the enemy vessels, Alfred’s Blenheim hit the mast of the German ship and plunged into the sea killing all the crew of the aircraft. Alfred and his pilot are both commemorated on the Malta Memorial, and the other member of the crew, 20 year old Flight Sergeant Anthony Hussey of Heavitree, Exeter, Devon is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial, Egypt.

The Second World War 1939-1945

Lost Casualties

ARBON, ANTHONY JOHN. Ordinary Seaman, C/JX563646. Royal Navy, H.M.S. Raleigh. Died Friday 21 December 1945. Aged 20. Son of Edward John Arbon and Ethel Dora Arbon (née Down) of Groombridge, Sussex. Buried New Groombridge (St. Thomas) Church Cemetery, Groombridge, Sussex. Grave Ref: Grave 10A. Anthony's birth was recorded in the East Grinstead, Sussex, Registration District during the second quarter of 1925. His death was recorded in the Battle, Sussex, Registration District during the fourth quarter of 1945. BAILEY, SIDNEY GILBERT PEDDER. Civilian casualty. Died Thursday 19 September 1940. Aged 27. Son of Thomas R. Bailey, of 8 Corseley Road, Groombridge, Sussex. Husband of Edith A. Bailey (née Maetzker). Buried Paddington Old Cemetery, Willesden Lane, Kilburn, London, NW6 7SD. Sidney's marriage to Edith A. Maetzker was recorded in the Marylebone, London, Registration District during the third quarter of 1939. At the time of his death, Sidney resided at 29, Compton Road, Willesden, Middlesex. He died at Kilburn Lane, Paddington, London.

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BERRYMAN, JOHN THEODORE. Pilot Officer (Pilot), 33506. 22 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Died Tuesday 7 May 1940. Aged 20. Son of Richard Harold Berryman and Lilian Jane Berryman of Groombridge, Sussex. Buried Cranwell (St. Andrew) Churchyard, Lincolnshire. Grave Ref: Plot 2. Row B. Grave 13. Commemorated on page 602 of the Canadian Second World War Book of Remembrance. John's father was born at Chelston, Torquay, Devon on Sunday 28 April 1895, and during the Great War he had served in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force from Thursday 24 September 1914. John was recorded as being 5 years of age when he arrived Liverpool from Canada on Saturday 8 November 1924. He had travelled from Montreal, Quebec with his parents and sister Joseline as passengers onboard the 14,878 ton White Star Dominion Line vessel Megantic, at which time the Berryman family was going to Torquay, Devon. On the day of his death, John had taken off at 15.00 hours on a Training Flight from R.A.F. North Coates, Lincolnshire, flying a Bristol Beaufort serial number L4466 OA-U. During the airfield approach John then decided to make another circuit, and started to make a turn without retracting the flaps. The Beaufort stalled a wing and crashed onto the beach at 15.30 hours just off the aerodrome. John's death was recorded in the Louth, Lincolnshire, Registration District during the second quarter of 1940. The cemetery where John is at rest contains 25 Commonwealth burials of the Great War and 58 from the Second World War. There are also four Second World War Polish war graves.

WHATFORD, DOUGLAS R. Gunner, 903251. 97 (The Kent Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died Sunday 12 July 1942. Aged 23. Born and resided Kent. Husband of Kathleen Whatford (née Edwards) of Groombridge, Sussex. Buried Caserta War Cemetery, Italy. Grave Ref. III. E. 2. Commemorated on the Royal Tunbridge Wells civic war memorial. Pre war Territorial Army member of the Royal Artillery. Douglas's birth was recorded in the Tonbridge, Kent, Registration District during the third quarter of 1918. His marriage to Kathleen Edwards was recorded in the Tonbridge, Kent, Registration District during the fourth quarter of 1940. WILD, ETHEL EMILY. Civilian casualty. Died Monday 21 October 1940. Wife of Bernard Christopher Wild of 41, St. John's Avenue, Brentwood, Essex. Eldest daughter of Walter John Manktelow of 9, Meadow Road, Groombridge, Sussex, and of the late Emily Maria Manktelow (née Lees). Ethel's birth was recorded in the East Grinstead, Sussex, Registration District during the second quarter of 1905, after she was born at East Grinstead on Sunday 14 May 1905. Her marriage to Bernard Christopher Wild was recorded in

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the Tonbridge, Kent, Registration District during the second quarter of 1938. Ethel was injured at 41, St. John's Avenue, Brentwood, Essex on Sunday 20 October 1940, and succumbed to her injuries the following day whilst she was receiving treatment as a patient at the Warley Woods Emergency Hospital, Brentwood, Essex. Ethel's husband Bernard Christopher Wild was a member of the Home Guard; and the son of Charles Robert Wild and Sarah Wild of 1 South Villas, Warley Hill, Essex. Bernard was also injured at the same time as Ethel, and he too died the following day at Warley Woods Emergency Hospital, Brentwood, Essex. Of the many civilians of the Commonwealth whose deaths were due to enemy action in the Second World War, the names of some 67,092 are commemorated in the Civilian War Dead Roll of Honour, located near St. George's Chapel in Westminster Abbey, London. During the Great War, Ethel's father Walter John Manktelow who was a native of Withyham, Sussex had served in the Great War as a member of the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) and subsequently in the Labour Corps having been wounded on Wednesday 24 January 1917, whilst serving on the Western Front with the British Expeditionary Force. He had enlisted in the army on Saturday 11 December 1915 'For the Duration of the War,' at which time he was living at 5 Somerset Villas Groombridge, Sussex.

GREAT WAR MEMORIAL PLAQUE

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SECOND WORLD WAR MEMORIAL PLAQUE

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