ROLVENDEN

All three Hayesmore brothers were killed in 1916 (two of them within 2 days)

The Great War 1914 - 1919

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ADDY F Private T/1413 Frank T ADDY. 5th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Sunday 7th May 1916 aged 22 years. Born Tenterden. Enlisted Tenterden. Resided Rolvenden. Son of James Addy of Wassell Farm, Rolvendon, Kent. Buried in the Amara War Cemetery, Amara, Iraq. Grave reference XXI.F.2. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – 7, Eight Dwellings, The Layne, Rolvenden Private Driver 234063 Frank Leonard ADDY. Royal Field Artillery. 3, Eight Dwellings, The Layne, Rolvenden Private 240256 James Percy ADDY. 5th Buffs (East Kent Regiment). 1, East Cross Cottages, Tenterden Stoker Duncan ADDY. HMS Shannon, Royal Navy. Private 323908 George ADDY. Labour Corps. Leading Seaman J/23338 Leonard ADDY. HMS Victorious, Royal Navy. The 1901 census gives – Wassell Farm, Rolvenden James ADDY 62 Farmer Wittersham Frank T 19 Farmers son Tenterden Louisa 29 Housekeeper Chart Sutton, Kent Charles G 15 Chart Sutton The day that Frank died his battalion was near Kut in Iraq. It was reported that many men were suffering from Cholera and that quite a few had died from it. It is possible that Frank was one of these men who succumbed to the terrible environmental conditions in Mesopotamia at that time. The 5th battalion was part of the Tigris Corps a hastily organized unit tasked with lifting the disastrous siege of Kut.

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BARHAM W.S Captain Wilfred Saxby BARHAM. 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Sunday 10th October 1915 aged 20 years. Son of Colonel Arthur Saxby Barham CMG and Annie Gertrude Barham of Hole Park, Rolvenden, Kent. Educated at Malvern and Clare College, Cambridge. Buried in the Poperinghe New Military Cemetery, Poperinghe, Belgium. Grave reference I.C.20. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Hole Park, Rolvenden Second Lieutenant Harold Arthur BARHAM. Royal Garrison Artillery. Between the 3rd October 1915 and the day that Wilfred died his battalion was engaged in extremely fierce fighting near to the infamous Hohenzollern Redoubt - a fortified enemy trench system near to Vermelles in France. It seems likely that Wilfred was wounded on 8th or 9th October when the battalion attacked in strength suffering enormous loss (Battle of Loos). He

probably succumbed to his wounds on 10th October 1915 at a Base Hospital in Poperinghe, Belgium. BARKER J.E Sergeant 240788 John Edward BARKER. 7th Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Formerly of The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Friday 12th October 1917 aged 33 years. Born Lee, Kent. Enlisted Bromley. Resided Rolvenden. Son of George Frederick Barker and Emily Barker of High Street, Rolvenden, Kent. John has no known grave. His name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium. Panel reference 106 to 108. On the 12th October 1917 the 7th West Kent’s were in action all day at Poelcapelle near Ypres. The battalion was on the left of the 55th Brigade next to the 4th Division. The battalion’s first objective was a line behind La Requete Farm and The Brewery. Second objective was a line behind Nobles Farm. The attack was a partial success however the battalion sustained heavy casualties for not much gain – 300 men to be precise. Almost half the battalion! BEANEY A Private G/5120 Alfred George BEANEY. 8th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Formerly 6th Battalion. Died Wednesday 17th November 1915 aged 26 years. Born 15th November 1889 at Bodiam, Sussex. Enlisted Tenterden. Resided Rolvenden. Son of Mr Edward and Mary Beaney of 3, Park Terrace, The Layne, Rolvenden, Kent. Alfred has no known grave. His name appears on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. Panel reference 12 and 14. Educated Bodium village school, Sussex. Alfred was a keen local cricketer and played for the Great Maytham team for many years. On the outbreak of war Alfred voluntarily enlisted on 14th December 1914. Alfred’s name also appears on page 23 of the de Ruvigney’s roll of honour. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Chapel Cottages, Rolvenden Private 319108 Horace BEANEY. 698th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps. The 8th Buffs arrived in France on 1st September 1915 under Lt Col Romer. In September 1915 the 8th battalion were engaged in heavy fighting in the Battle of Loos. In November the battalion had returned to Ypres where it held stinking wet rat infested trenches. The regimental history does not go into any real detail other than stating the discomforts.

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BISHOP G Sergeant L/7812 George BISHOP. 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Tuesday 2nd October 1917 aged 32 years. Born Tenterden. Enlisted Tenterden. Resided Rolvenden. Husband of Mabel Kate Moore (Formerly Bishop) of 5, Poplar Cottages, Rolvenden, Kent. Buried in the Loos British Cemetery, Loos, France. Grave reference XX.A.27. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – West Cross, Rolvenden Private 547368 Bertram Baker BISHOP. 572nd Agricultural Company, Labour Corps. Homewood, Tenterden

Private 298579 Arhur BISHOP. Mechanical Transport, Army Service Corps. 4, East Cross Cottages, Tenterden Gunner 198732 Charles Henry BISHOP. 302 Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Coombe Lane, Tenterden Driver 93357 Horace BISHOP. West Lancashire Company, Royal Engineers. In November 1917 the 1st Buffs were resting at Monchy Breton 12 miles west of Mazingarbe in France. On the 1st November the 1st Buffs marched to Grand Bouret and there met the 6th Buffs. The battalion was not in action at this time. George is listed as killed in action. BLACKMAN A Private T/203078 Albert BLACKMAN. 4th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Thursday 27th December 1917 India. Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted Blackheath, London. Albert has no known grave. His name appears on the Madras 1914-1918 War Memorial, Chennai, India. Panel reference Face 7. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Chapel Cottages, Rolvenden Private Private 203299 Alfred Ernest BLACKMAN. 4th Buffs (East Kent Regiment). The Green, Sandhurst Private George Henry BLACKMAN. The 4th battalion was a territorial Buffs battalion. It moved from India to Aden and disembarked there on the 4th August 1915. It is not known how Albert came to lose his life. It seems likely that Albert remained in India when his battalion moved to Aden in 1915. He may have died of disease or in an accident.

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BROWN G Private L/7824 George BROWN. 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Monday 7th June 1915. Born Rolvenden. Enlisted Tenterden. Resided Rolvenden. Buried in the Perth Cemetery (China Wall), Ypres, Belgium. Grave reference III.A.12. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Diamond Cottages, The Layne, Rolvenden Private 430374 Charles Alfred BROWN. 694th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps. Park Terrace, Rolvenden Private 7859 John BROWN. 1st Buffs (East Kent Regiment). The 1st battalion moved into the Potijze Sector of Belgium at the end of May 1915. On the 10th June the 1st Buffs were in huts at Poperinghe. The regimental history fails to mention anything of interest at this time.

BRUCE A Private L/3833 Amos BRUCE. 1st Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died India Friday 16th May 1919 aged 32 years. Born Hastings, Sussex. Enlisted Rye, Sussex. Son of Alfred and Florence Rowena Bruce of Thornden Road, The Layne, Rolvenden, Kent. Buried Pesharwar (Right) B.C.XLV.48. His name also appears on the Delhi Memorial (India Gate), India. Panel reference Face 1-23. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Thornden Lane, Rolvenden Private 8833 Amos BRUCE. 1st Royal Sussex Regiment. Lance Corporal P/11184 Arthur BRUCE. Military Foot Police. Amos died of wounds. BRUNGER T Company Sergeant Major T/201 Thomas BRUNGER. Tenterden Company, 5th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Friday 7th January 1916 aged 34 years. Born Rolvenden. Enlisted Rolvenden. Resided Rolvenden. Husband of P.C Freeman (Formerly Brunger) of 68 Marville Road, Fulham, London. Buried in the Amara War Cemetery, Amara, Iraq. Grave reference XXXI.B.5. Thomas lived in Rolvenden all his life apart from when he was in the Army. He lived at “Rosaville House”, Rolvenden Layne. As a boy Thomas was a member of the church choir and later was the Scoutmaster of Rolvenden Troop Boy Scouts. Thomas was promoted to CSM on 27th November 1915. The 1901 census gives – High Road, Rolvenden Elizabeth BRUNGER 64 Widow Biddenden Elizabeth 34 Servant Rolvenden Thomas 19 Platelayer Rolvenden Mabel 16 Rolvenden On the 7th January 1916 the 5th battalion (part of the Tigris Corps tasked with relieving Kut) was in action all day at Sheikh Saad in Iraq. This was 20 miles downstream of Kut-al-Amara. The battalion went forward under heavy shelling and dug in alongside elements of the Seaforth Highlanders and Black Watch. The weather was bitterly cold and showery all day which resulted in terrible human conditions. The battle continued the next day. The battalion lost 250 men killed and wounded. Some 40 of these men were killed outright (including Thomas leading his men). This disastrous engagement cost over 4,000 British lives. 9

BRYANT T Private TF/1321 Thomas BRYANT. 5th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Drowned by accident 25th August 1914 at Stonar Camp near Sandwich. Born Rolvenden. Enlisted Cranbrook. Resided Rolvenden. Son of Thomas Bryant of Rolvenden. Buried locally in the Sandwich (St Clement) Churchyard, Sandwich, Kent. Grave reference – North Part. Thomas’s name also appears on page 45 of the de Ruvigney’s Roll of Honour. The Buffs regimental history gives the name T BRANT. This is probably an error. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Thornden Lane, Rolvenden Private 240248 George BRYANT. 5th Buffs (East Kent Regiment). The 1901 census gives – Thornden Lane, Rolvenden Thomas BRYANT 49 Farm Labourer Rolvenden Elizabeth 52 Rolvenden Percy 20 Rolvenden Thomas 18 Rolvenden Kate 15 Rolvenden George 14 Rolvenden Florence 3 Rolvenden The 5th battalion spent time in Canterbury before being posted to Sandwich where it relieved the Kent Cyclist Battalion. Thomas was drowned at Stonar Camp near what was to become the Richborough Military Port. BURGESS T Private S/684 Thomas BURGESS. 2nd Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Monday 3rd May 1915 aged 37 years. Born Rolvenden. Enlisted Tenterden. Resided Rolvenden. Son of Thomas and Caroline Burgess. Thomas has no known grave. His name appears on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Leper, Belgium. Panel reference 12 and 14. The day that Thomas was killed his battalion was holding frontline trenches at Verlorenhoek in Belgium.

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BUTTON A Private T/2483 Albert BUTTON. 5th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Friday 21st January 1916. Born Rolvenden. Enlisted Kamptee India. Resided Rolvenden. Buried in the Amara War Cemetery, Amara, Iraq. Grave reference XVII.J.14. Born Rolvenden. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – The Laynes, Rolvenden Private Bombardier 90353 Hugh BUTTON. Royal Garrison Artillery. 2, Eight Dwellings, Rolvenden Driver 108399 John BUTTON. Army Service Corps. High Street, Rolvenden Private 265153 William BUTTON. 19th Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). The 1901 census gives – High Road, Rolvenden Arthur MONK 22 Farm Labourer Rolvenden Eliza 25 Rolvenden Frederick Rolvenden Albert BUTTON 24 Boarder Rolvenden On the 21st January 1916 the 5th battalion Buffs attacked the Umm-el-Hanna Lines in Iraq. This is located 8 miles from Kut-al-Amara not far from Sheikh Saad. This attack was a failure and the battalion was forced to entrench and wait for reinforcements. The weather was wet and by the end of the day the trenches were full with water. This engagement was to be known as the Battle of The Hanna. A number of officers and men were killed including poor Albert. COLEY G Private T/240055 George COLEY. 5th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Thursday 15th February 1917 aged 27 years. Born Hawkhurst. Enlisted Rolvenden. Resided Rolvenden. Son of George and Harriet Coley. Buried in the Amara War Cemetery, Amara, Iraq. Grave reference XXI.M.1. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Slades Cottage, Rolvenden Private 57156 Frederick Ernest COLEY. 9th Welsh Regiment. Private G/7541 Reginald Victor COLEY. 2nd Buffs (East Kent Regiment). The day that George was killed the 5th battalion (part of the Tigris Corps) attacked the Turks at Kut. This was a major engagement and The Buffs were to be the lead attacking formation. The attack was a outright success and the battalion took almost 1,000 Turkish prisoners. Second Lieutenant Brooke and a further 12 men were killed including George. 11

COTTINGHAM J Private G/8491 John Albert COTTINGHAM. 6th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Thursday 3rd May 1917 aged 20 years. Born Rolvenden. Enlisted Faversham. Resided Throwley, Faversham. Son of Henry Obid and Jemima Cottingham of Halden Place, Rolvenden, Kent. John has no known grave. His name appears on the Arras Memorial, Arras, France. Panel reference Bay 2. The day that John died his battalion was in frontline trenches near Monchy, France. The battalion went forward at 0345 hours in complete darkness. The battalion’s objective was Keeling Copse. This position was reached but it could not be consolidated because of repeated enemy counter attack. About 250 men were killed in this action (including John). He was killed in what was known as the Third Battle of The Scarpe

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COX G.H Private 2056 George Henry COX. 39th Battalion, Australian Infantry (AIF). Died Friday 8th June 1917 aged 28 years. Son of George Raymond and Alice Cox of Annesley Avenue, Norwood, South Australia. Born Rolvenden, Kent. Buried in the Strand Military Cemetery, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium. Grave reference IV.B.11. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – New Barn Cottages, Rolvenden Private 230369 Charles Frederick COX. 697th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps. Post Office, The Layne, Rolvenden Gunner 67951 Ernest John COX. Royal Horse Artillery.

EALDEN H Private 8226 Horace EALDEN. 1st Battalion, Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Formerly The 5th Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Friday 17th December 1915. Born Cranbrook. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Hawkhurst. Buried in the Kut War Cemetery, Kut, Iraq. Grave reference Q.19. Horace is listed on the Rolvenden church memorial as belonging to The Buffs. This was his former regiment. It is unclear how Horace came to be serving in the Light Infantry when his parent regiment (5th Buffs) was nearby in the Kut area. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives information that the Ealden family were distributed throughout the Hawkhurst, Cranbrook and Benenden areas of Kent. The 1901 census gives – High Street, Rolvenden Frederick EALDEN 37 Hairdresser Benenden ELPHEE W.H Private 38844 Walter Harold ELPHEE. 8th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Died Tuesday 21st May 1918 aged 41 years. Born Rolvenden. Enlisted Leicester. Son of Alfred and Eunice Elphee. Husband of Lily Elphee of 3, Oxford Avenue, Leicester. Buried in the Niederzwehren Cemetery, Kassel, Germany. Grave reference II.B.13. The 1901 census gives – High Street, Rolvenden Alfred ELPHEE 73 Agricultural Labourer Rolvenden John E.B HOLYER 28 Shomaker Boston Tenterden Frances 25 Rolvenden William J.B 3 Rolvenden It would appear that Alfred’s father Alfred was living with his daughter and son in law. Walter was captured in action and died as a prisoner of war. 14

FOSTER J.G Private 55126 James Gilmore FOSTER. 14th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. Formerly The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) (G/9313). Died Sunday 15th December 1918. Born Cranbrook, 1897. Son of Thomas J and Louise Foster of High Street, Rolvenden, Kent. Buried locally in the Rolvenden (St Mary) Churchyard, Rolvenden, Kent. Grave reference - North East part. Prior to the outbreak of war James was employed as a Butcher. Enlisted into the Buffs 24 February 1916 (Tenterden) and almost immediately transferred into the Welsh Regiment at Dover (drafted to fill gaps in that regiment). 26 July 1917 seriously wounded – Gun Shot Wound to left elbow, hand and wrist. This resulted in his left arm being amputated in a British military hospital in Etaples, France. Recovered to the UK where he was immediately sent to a military hospital in Leeds. Later admitted to the military hospital at Shepherds Bush, London. Discharged from the army 15 October 1918 unfit for further service. Awarded a war disability pension (50% disablement). Total army service – 2 years 234 days (204 days active service in France). The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – High Street, Rolvenden Private 55126 James Gilmore FOSTER. 14th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. Sapper 108444 Thomas James FOSTER. 156th Field Company, Royal Engineers. The 1901 census gives – High Street, Rolvenden Thomas J FOSTER 32 Sadler & Harness Maker Hillington, Warwick Louise 28 Cranbrook James G 3 Cranbrook 15

GOBLE G (brother) Private G GOBLE. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) – No trace of any G Goble killed serving in The Buffs. The 1901 census gives – High Road, Rolvenden George GOBLE 44 Grocer and Farmer Rolvenden Elizabeth 47 Sussex Elizabeth 6 Rolvenden George 15 Grocers Assistant Rolvenden Edward Eustace 12 Rolvenden Frances 10 Rolvenden Bertha 8 Rolvenden Horace 5 Rolvenden The village memorial states that G Goble was in The Buffs. The Buffs regimental history does not list any G GOBLE as being a war casualty. The correct man may possibly be one of the following men - Rifleman A/200423 George GOBLE. 10th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC). Died 19th February 1917. Resided Crowborough, Sussex. Enlisted Whitehall, London. Corporal G/1055 George William GOBLE. 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died 3rd July 1917. Born Aldingbourne, Sussex. Enlisted Bognor Regis, Sussex.

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GOBLE H (brother) Private 1624 Horace GOBLE. 16th Battalion (Queen’s Westminster Rifles), London Regiment. Formerly The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 10th April 1915. Born Rolvenden. Enlisted Tottenham Court Road, London. Buried in the Erquinhem-Lys Churchyard Extension, France. Grave reference I.A.5. The Rolvenden church memorial incorrectly lists his regiment as The Buffs at the time he died. The 1901 census gives – High Road, Rolvenden George GOBLE 44 Grocer and Farmer Rolvenden Elizabeth 47 Sussex Elizabeth 6 Rolvenden George 15 Grocers Assistant Rolvenden Edward Eustace 12 Rolvenden Frances 10 Rolvenden Bertha 8 Rolvenden Horace 5 Rolvenden

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HAYESMORE F.G (brother) Private G/5053 Frederick George HAYESMORE. 7th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Sunday 2nd July 1916 aged 30 years. Born Tenterden. Enlisted Tenterden. Resided Rolvenden. Son of Alfred and Emily Hayesmore of Harbridge Manor Cottage, Cranbrook, Kent. Formerly residing at Earl Lodge, Great Maytham, Rolvenden, Kent. Husband of S.E Hayesmore of Hamilton House, Rolvenden, Kent. Frederick has no known grave. His name appears on the Thiepval Memorial, The Somme, France. Panel reference 5D. Frederick’s commanding Officer wrote – “He died the finest death a soldier can die and he died fighting hard”. All three Hayesmore brothers served in the 7th battalion! Frederick’s brother Hubert was killed the previous day. Frederick must have known of his brothers death the day before his own. Frederick was killed in action on the second day of the Battle of the Somme holding the captured Pommiers Line. His battalion was in the vicinity of Carnoy clearing captured mine craters. This took the battalion 6 hours to complete. The Buffs remained in frontline trenches here until the night of the 4th July. During this period the battalion lost 50 men killed outright and a further 150 wounded.

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HAYESMORE H.H (brother) Private G/5033 Hubert Harold HAYESMORE. 7th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Saturday 1st July 1916 aged 22 years. Born Tenterden. Enlisted Tenterden. Resided Rolvenden. Son of Alfred and Emily Hayesmore of Harbridge Manor Cottage, Cranbrook, Kent. Formerly residing at Earl Lodge, Great Maytham, Rolvenden, Kent. Buried in the Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, The Somme, France. Grave reference VIII.V.2. Before joining the Army Hubert was working as a groom to Captain F De Laune of Sharsted Court, Doddington, Faversham, Kent. Hubert was Killed on the first day of the Battle of The Somme. His brother (above) was killed the next day. All three Hayesmore brothers served in the 7th battalion. On the 1st July 1916 the 7th battalion was holding frontline trenches in the vicinity of Carnoy. Its objective was a German trench called Pommiers Trench about 200 yards north of the Montauban-Fricourt Road. By the end of the day the battalion had made small gains and were busy consolidating captured mine craters at Carnoy.

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HAYESMORE L.A (brother) Private G/5034 Louis Arthur HAYESMORE. 7th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Saturday 18th November 1916. Born Tenterden. Enlisted Tenterden. Resided Rolvenden. Son of Alfred and Emily Hayesmore of Harbridge Manor Cottage, Cranbrook, Kent. Formerly residing at Earl Lodge, Great Maytham, Rolvenden, Kent. Louis has no known grave. His name appears on the Thiepval Memorial, The Somme, France. Panel reference Pier and Face 5D. Louis died on the official day of the end of the Battle of the Somme. The 7th battalion was in action all day adjacent to Mucky Farm in the Ovillers Sector. The battalion moved forward and attacked enemy positions near Grandcourt. The attack was held up at Desire Trench where enemy resistance was heaviest. By the days end Hessian and Zollern Trench had been reached. The cost to the battalion was high – 150 men killed and wounded. HILDER H.S Second Lieutenant Harold Sutton HILDER. 7th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Thursday 3rd May 1917 aged 31 years. Son of George and Harriet Ellen Hilder of Rolvenden, Kent. Harold has no known grave. His name appears on the Arras Memorial, Arras, France. Panel reference Bay 2. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Little Halden Cottages, Rolvenden Private 1970 Robert Willsher HILDER. 12th Royal Sussex Regiment. The day that Harold died the 7th battalion was in action opposite the village of Cherisy. The battalion’s objective was an enemy trench known as Keeling Copse. The Buffs attacked alongside 12th Middlesex and the 11th Royal Fusiliers. The assault was halted at Cable Trench where enemy soldiers put up strong resistance. The Buffs fell back to their original positions having lost over 300 men killed, missing or wounded. This battle was to be known as the Battle of The Scarpe (Cherisy).

HOLDSTOCK C.H Private G/9809 Charles Herbert HOLDSTOCK. 6th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Thursday 9th August 1917 aged 29 years. Born Benenden. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Rolvenden. Son of Emily Holdstock of Friezingham Lane, Rolvenden, Kent. Charles has no known grave. His name appears on the Arras Memorial, Arras, France. Panel reference Bay 2. Born Benenden, Kent. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Friezingham Lane, Rolvenden Private 27436 Albert Henry HOLDSTOCK. King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. Private 6809 Charles Herbert HOLDSTOCK. 6th Buffs (East Kent Regiment). It is unclear how Charles name came to be included in the 1918 Voters List when he apparently died in 1917. Perhaps he was reported missing in action and his death was not confirmed until much later… The 1901 census gives – Friezingham Lane, Rolvenden Emily HOLDSTOCK 44 Rolvenden Charles 13 Benenden Edith 10 Rolvenden Albert 7 Rolvenden Frederick 2 Rolvenden On the 3rd August 1917 the 6th battalion was in the rear at a line referred to as Brown Line. The enemy opened a heavy barrage and later attacked Hook Trench. On the 6th August the battalion withdrew to Beaurains Camp near Arras where it remained for the next two weeks. HOLDSTOCK E.S Private G/4774 Ernest Samuel HOLDSTOCK. 2nd Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Tuesday 25th May 1915 aged 25 years. Born Shoreham, Sussex. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Tenterden. Son of George and Mary Ann Holdstock of Milestone Cottage, Leigh Green, Tenterden, Kent. Ernest has no known grave. His name appears on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. Panel reference 12 and 14. Ernest joined the 3rd battalion The Buffs in Dover on 24th December 1914. He moved to France with the 2nd battalion on 28th April 1915. On the 24th May 1915 the Germans attacked the whole front at Wieltje to the Menin Road. The 2nd battalion was tasked with rescuing elements of the 9th Lancers who became trapped on the Menin Road. The battalion went to reinforce trenches north and south of the Menin Road. By the days end 150 men had proceeded up the Menin Road as far as Hooge. The battalion remained in the vicinity of the Menin Road until 27th May 1915.

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HYLAND E Private L/6001 Edwin HYLAND. 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Sunday 18th October 1914. Born Rolvenden. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Cheriton, Folkestone. Edwin has no known grave. His name appears on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Warneton, Belgium. Panel reference 2. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Little Halden Cottages, Rolvenden Private 5650 Richard Obed HYLAND. 5th Royal (Irish) Lancers. The day that Edwin died the 1st battalion was in action near Radinghem in the vicinity of the Chateau de Flandres. Edwin’s name appears on the Plugstreet Memorial in Belgium. Although Plugstreet Wood is only a few miles from Radinghem, it seems rather unusual that his name should be placed there and not on a memorial in France closer to Radinghem.

HYLAND G Private G/19961 A. George HYLAND. 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died 25th November 1917. Born Brighton. Resided Brighton. Son of E and Jane Hyland of Little Halden Farm, Rolvenden, Kent. Buried in the Villers Hill British Cemetery, Villers Guislain, France. Grave reference 11.D.8. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Little Halden Cottages, Rolvenden Private 5650 Richard Obed HYLAND. 5th Royal (Irish) Lancers. The 1901 census gives – Rolvenden Hill, Rolvenden E HYLAND 44 Carter (Farm) Rolvenden Jane 40 Rolvenden William 18 Rolvenden Robert George 17 Rolvenden Rose E Rolvenden Caroline A 14 Rolvenden

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Frederick B 12 Rolvenden …………… 10 Rolvenden Richard O 7 Rolvenden Mary E 6 Rolvenden Lilian 4 Rolvenden

HYLAND R.O Shoeing Smith 5650 Richard Obed HYLAND. 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers. Died Friday 9th August 1918 aged 25 years. Born Rolvenden. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Rolvenden. Son of Mr E Hyland of Little Halden Farm, Rolvenden, Kent. Richard has no known grave. His name appears on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial, France. Panel reference 2. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Little Halden Cottages, Rolvenden Private 5650 Richard Obed HYLAND. 5th Royal (Irish) Lancers. The 1901 census gives – Rolvenden Hill, Rolvenden E HYLAND 44 Carter (Farm) Rolvenden Jane 40 Rolvenden William 18 Rolvenden Robert George 17 Rolvenden Rose E Rolvenden Caroline A 14 Rolvenden Frederick B 12 Rolvenden …………… 10 Rolvenden Richard O 7 Rolvenden Mary E 6 Rolvenden Lilian 4 Rolvenden JENNER H Private G/4791 Harry James JENNER. 1st Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died Thursday 18th April 1915 aged 29 years. Born Sandhurst, Kent. Enlisted Cranbrook. Son of Eli William Jenner of Kensham, Rolvenden, Kent. Harry has no known grave. His name appears on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. Panel reference 45 and 47. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Kensham Farm, Rolvenden Private 242490 James Merricks JENNER. 5th Buffs (East Kent Regiment). The Layne, Rolvenden Lance Corporal 255889 Fred JENNER. 437th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps. On the 16th April 1915 the 1st battalion moved forward from Vlamertinghe via Ouderdom to frontline trench positions near Hill 60 just outside Ypres. On the 17th April the battalion attacked at Hill 60. It is probable that Harry was actually killed in action on Hill 60 on the 17th April and his body was never recovered. The date of death was reported as being the 18th but the battalion had withdrawn to Vlamertinghe by this time.

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JUDGE F.T Lance Corporal L/9706 Frederick Thomas JUDGE. 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Formerly Royal Sussex Regiment. Died Tuesday 24th April 1917. Born Rolvenden. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Margate. Buried in the St Patrick’s Cemetery, Loos, France. Grave reference III.A.2. It is recorded on the Rolvenden Church memorial that Frederick served in the Royal Sussex Regiment at the time of his death. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Ivy Cottages, Rolvenden Private 24347 Charles Jeffery JUDGE. 19th Royal Defence Corps. Belle Vue, High Street, Rolvenden

Private 25152 Frank Edward JUDGE. 2nd Queen’s (R. West Surrey Regiment). Private 26304 Frederick David JUDGE. 1st East Surrey Regiment. Lance Corporal 75219 Frederick William JUDGE. Tank Corps. Private 98277 Harold Walter Edward JUDGE. 46th Machine Gun Corps. Private 15120 Herbert Alfred JUDGE. R.M Fusiliers. Essendine Villa, High Street, Rolvenden Private 24080 Frederick James JUDGE. East Kent Yeomanry (2/4th West Kent’s). The 1901 census gives – High Street, Rolvenden Alfred JUDGE 31 Rolvenden Sophia 34 Small Hythe Ethel E 10 Benenden Herbert A 6 Rolvenden Frederick 4 Rolvenden Frank E 2 Rolvenden Thomas JUDGE 38 Rolvenden Ruth M 23 Farnborough Mary 12 Frederick T 8 Rolvenden Infant 1m Rolvenden On the 22nd April 1917 the 1st battalion moved from Le Brebis to frontline trenches at Loos. In the next three days the battalion lost 3 men killed and a further 28 wounded. Frederick appears to be one of those three men who were killed. LOUGH F.G Second Lieutenant Frederic George LOUGH. B Battery, 88th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (RFA). Died 21st March 1918 aged 31 years. Son of George Herbert and Annie Lough of Rolvenden, Kent. Husband of Kate Lough of “Killarney”, Etchingham, Sussex. Buried Neuville-Bourjonval British Cemetery, Belincourt, France. Grave reference – D.1. Frederic was killed on the first day of the last great German (Spring) Offensive (Operation Michael). MAYNARD C Private C MAYNARD. Royal Artillery (RA) – NO TRACE (May be a duplication of James below). The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – High Street, Rolvenden Rifleman 372640 Leonard MAYNARD. Post Office Rifles, London Regiment.

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MAYNARD J.C Gunner 33445 James Charles MAYNARD. 24th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA). Died Sunday 8th April 1917 aged 26 years. Born Rolvenden. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Rolvenden. Son of James and Mary Maynard of 5, Spring Grove, Marden, Kent. Buried in the Achiet-Le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Grave reference IV.K.20. James name also appears on the Marden War Memorial in Kent. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – High Street, Rolvenden Rifleman 372640 Leonard MAYNARD. Post Office Rifles, London Regiment.

MAYNARD W Private TF/204219 William MAYNARD. 7th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Sunday 30th September 1917 aged 36 years. Born Rolvenden. Enlisted Cranbrook. Resided Biddenden. Son of Charles and Mary Maynard. Husband of Nellie Maynard of Church Cottages, Wittersham, Kent. Buried in the Dozingem Military Cemetery, Belgium. Grave reference VIII.H.22. On the 23rd September 1917 the 7th battalion moved by train from Eringhem to St Jan Ter Biezen. Fives days later (28th September) whilst the battalion was in camp, a number of German aircraft dropped bombs on the hutments and tents. About thirty men were wounded or killed. The battalion remained here training until the 11th October when it moved to Poelcappelle. It appears that William may have been one of those who were wounded when the Germans attacked the camp with aircraft. He was probably recovered to a Casualty Clearing Station (CCS) and died of his wounds before he could be evacuated to a Base Hospital.

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MAYNARD R.H Private 33436 Robert Hudson MAYNARD. 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. Formerly (23940) East Yorkshire Regiment. Died Monday 2nd April 1917 aged 30 years. Born Driffield. Enlisted Hull. Son of Robert Caultous Maynard and Mary Ann Maynard of Driffield, Yorkshire. Husband of Winnifred Annie Maynard of 8 Badsley Street, Rotherham. Buried in the Henin Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Grave reference III.D.18. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – High Street, Rolvenden Rifleman 372640 Leonard MAYNARD. Post Office Rifles, London Regiment. Robert has no obvious Rolvenden connection.

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MUNNION F.A Sergeant 821 Frederick Arthur MUNNION. 11th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died Monday 4th June 1917 aged 35 years. Born Ardinley, Sussex. Enlisted Brighton. Son of Henry and Maria Munnion of Ardingley, Sussex. Husband of M. Munnion of Rolvenden, Kent. Buried in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Boulogne, France. Grave reference IV.B.47.

NICOLAI R.C Lieutenant Ronald Claude NICOLAI. 1st Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Died Sunday 25th April 1915 aged 22 years. Son of Adolfo Nicolai. Husband of Claudia Augusta Ormond (formerly Nicolai) of Forsham Cottages, Rolvenden, Kent. Ronald has no known grave. His name appears on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. Panel reference 8. The day that Ronald died his battalion was in action at Kitcheners Wood near Ypres. The war diary states – Owing to German trenches being insufficiently shelled and supports unable to come up the line, retired at about 0700 hours. The battalion’s attack was halted by murderous machine gun fire originating from Germans hidden in houses at St Julien. Ronald’s name appears in the war diary as having been killed in action. A number of other officers were killed and 500 men were either killed or wounded.

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PARKER H Corporal 177 Herbert PARKER. 8th Battalion, London Regiment (Post Office Rifles). Died Sunday 16th May 1915 aged 35 years. Born Ashford. Enlisted London. Resided Hornsey. Son of Anne Parker and Francis William Parker. Husband of Blanche Parker. Buried in the Post Office Rifles Cemetery, Festubert, France. Grave reference I.D.7. On the 11th May 1915 the 8th battalion moved into the Festubert Sector. The battalion was put into frontline trenches at Annequin and alternated between here and Gorre when resting out of the firing line.

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RICHARDS F Private G/5116 Frederick William RICHARDS. 7th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 23rd March 1918. Born Uckfield, Sussex. Enlisted Tenterden. Resided Hamilton House, Rolvenden, Ashford, Kent. Frederick has no known grave. His name appears on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France. Panel reference – 16. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Hamilton House, Rolvenden Private G/5116 Frederick William RICHARDS. 7th Batalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). On the 23rd March 1918 the 7th Buffs were in the vicinity of Vendeuil to the South of St Quentin. The last great German Spring Offensive had started 2 days earlier and the British army was in full retreat from the Southern Somme battlefields. The 7th Buffs were given the difficult task of fighting a rearguard action. The Buffs HQ was at Clarence Keep close to the Vendeuil-Remigny Road.

Two forward companies were holding fast on the main St Quentin Road. The fighting strength of the 7th Buffs was only 550 men.

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RUSSELL J Private 16664 James RUSSELL. 2nd Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB). Died 31st July 1916. Born Dundee Scotland. Enlisted Tenterden. Resided Chimside, Berwick. Son of Robert and Jane Russell, Allanton, Chirnside, Berwickshire, Scotland. Buried in the Dernancourt Communal Cemetery, Dernancourt, France. Grave reference J.45. James moved to Kent on the outbreak of war. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – High Street, Rolvenden Private 73480 David Balcombe RUSSELL. Sherwood Foresters. Chapel Cottages, Rolvenden

Private 4540 Alfred RUSSELL. 3rd Buffs (East Kent Regiment). On the 22nd July 1916 the 2nd KOSB were in High Wood sustaining casualties from murderous machine gun fire. On the 23rd July the battalion was relieved from High Wood by the 1st Norfolk Regiment and withdrew to Pommiers Redoubt. On the 29th July the battalion deployed to frontline trenches at Delville Wood. On the 30th July the battalion was in action at Delville Wood. The battalion remained in the wood until 1st August 1916. It appears that James was wounded somewhere in Delville (Devil) Wood and recovered through the medical evacuation chain subsequently dieing of his injuries before reaching a Base Hospital.

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SHARP C.W Private S/43250 Charles William SHARP. 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. Died Sunday 3rd February 1918 aged 22 years. Born Rolvenden. Enlisted Rolvenden. Resided Rolvenden. Son of Ernest and Mary Sharp of Rolvenden Lane, Cranbrook, Kent. Formerly residing Regent Street, Rolvenden, Kent. Buried in the Wancourt British Cemetery, France. Grave reference I.D.37. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – The Layne, Rolvenden Private 240140 Frank SHARP. 5th Buffs (East Kent Regiment). High Street, Rolvenden Sergeant 114961 William SHARP. Mechanical Transport, Army Service Corps.

The 1901 census gives – Regent Street, Rolvenden Ernest SHARP 40 Blacksmith Rolvenden Mary Ann 36 Staplehurst Frank E 7 Rolvenden Charles W 6 Rolvenden Jenny R 2 Rolvenden Robert 8m Rolvenden William (Nephew) 13 Grocers Errand Boy London SHARP W Sergeant M2/114961 William SHARPE. 967th Mechanical Transport Company, Royal Army Service Corps (RASC). Died Monday 27th January 1919 aged 31 years. Resided High Street, Rolvenden, Kent. Formerly resided Regent Street, Rolvenden, Kent. Buried in the Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. Grave reference E.243. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – High Street, Rolvenden Sergeant 114961 William SHARP. Mechanical Transport, Army Service Corps. The Layne, Rolvenden Private 240140 Frank SHARP. 5th Buffs (East Kent Regiment). The 1901 census gives – Regent Street, Rolvenden Ernest SHARP 40 Blacksmith Rolvenden Mary Ann 36 Staplehurst Frank E 7 Rolvenden Charles W 6 Rolvenden Jenny R 2 Rolvenden Robert 8m Rolvenden William (Nephew) 13 Grocers Errand Boy London

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SMALL C Private G/5135 Charles SMALL. 8th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Saturday 20th May 1916 aged 34 years. Born Rolvenden. Enlisted Tenterden. Resided Rolvenden. Son of Alfred William and Jane Small of Hatters Hill Cottages, Rolvenden, Kent. Buried in the Berks Cemetery Extension, Hainaut, Belgium. Grave reference II.D.8. On the 1st January 1916 the 8th battalion was at La Panne in France resting. On the 14th January they moved to trenches in the Ypres Sector of Belgium. Casualties were light but the battalion lost men continuously. They remained in the Ypres area until June alternating between frontline trenches and billets at Poperinghe.

SMITH A Private G/5179 Alfred SMITH. 2nd Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 14th March 1915. Born Worcester. Enlisted Tenterden. Resided Rolvenden. Husband of Florence Smith of “Sunny Side”, Oldfield, Ombersley, Droitwich, Worcestershire. Buried in the Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium. Grave reference F.47. The 1901 census gives – Regent Street, Rolvenden Alfred SMITH 34 Grocers/Drapers Manager Tring, Herts Ann M 31 Boxmoor Alfred B 6 Rolvenden Grace 7m Rolvenden The 2nd battalion Buffs were in billets at Locre in January 1915. They remained in Locre throughout March alternating between billets and the firing line. The day that Alfred died the battalion was in the Kemmel Sector. On the 23rd March it withdrew to billets in Dickebusch.

SPAIN L.W Private G/4749 Leonard William SPAIN. 1st Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Formerly “G” Company, 5th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Sunday 18th April 1915 aged 25 years. Enlisted Guildford, Surrey. Resided Rolvenden. Son of Mr George Spain of 308 Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent. Formerly resided at “The Hoads”, Rolvenden, Kent. Leonard has no known grave. His name appears on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. Panel reference 45 and 47. Leonard joined G (Tenterden) Company of the 5th Battalion, The Buffs as a territorial soldier on 9th March 1909. He served in the 5th battalion The Buffs until the outbreak of war when he volunteered for overseas service with one of the regular infantry battalions of the Royal West Kent Regiment. It is recorded that Leonard was killed at Hill 60 in Belgium. The beginning of April 1915 saw the 1st battalion at Vlamertinghe and Ouderdom. On the 16th April 1915 the battalion was in action all day at Hill 60. The attack was a success and all captured positions were consolidated by the days end. The battalion withdrew to Vlamertinghe on the 17th April. Leonard was probably wounded on the 16th and died of his wounds 2 days later on the 18th.

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STEARNS P.C Lieutenant Patrick Chillingworth STEARNS. 5th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC). Formerly 7th Battalion KRRC. Died Tuesday 4th December 1917 aged 21 years. Son of William Alfred and Alice Catherine Stearns of “Pachesham Lodge”, Leatherhead, Surrey. Formerly residing Cornhill, Rolvenden, Kent. Buried in the Oxford Road Cemetery, Belgium. Grave reference V.E.3. Educated at Haileybury College. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Cornhill, Rolvenden Second Lieutenant Hugh David STEARNS. Royal Air Force. Attended 4th Lancashire Fusiliers.

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TENNANT H Second Lieutenant Henry TENNANT. 52nd Squadron, Royal Flying Corps (RFC). Formerly 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys). Died Sunday 27th May 1917 aged 19 years. Son of the RT Hon H.J Tennant of Great Maytham, Rolvenden, Kent. Buried in the La Chapelette British and Indian Cemetery, Peronne, France. Grave reference I.B.7.

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WARD H.R Air Mechanic 2nd Class (W.T Operator) F/6276 Harry (Henry) Richard WARD. Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). RNAS Airship Station Howden. RNAS Airship Station Kingsnorth, Isle of Grain, Kent (HMS President II). Died Saturday 21st July 1917 aged 18 years. Born 2nd March 1899. Son of Percy Richard and Ellen Ward of High Street, Rolvenden, Kent. Buried locally in the Rolvenden (St Mary) Churchyard, Rolvenden, Ashford, Kent. Grave reference – North of church tower. Educated at the Ashford Grammar School from 2nd May 1913 to 1915. His name appears in the School’s book of Remembrance. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission list Harry’s unit as HMS President whereas the GRO Great War Death indexes show the airship C.11. The 1901 census gives – High Street, Rolvenden Percy R WARD 28 Shopkeeper Lillington, Warwickshire Ellen 28 Sellindge, Kent Harry R 2 Rolvenden Alice 15 Nursemaid Maidstone The Kentish Express reported Harry’s demise – “Harry was serving at the Royal Naval Air Service Airship Station (HMS President II) at Kingsnorth on the Isle of Grain in Kent. He was killed whilst flying in the C.11A airship over the North Sea”.

Battlebags British Airships of the Great War (ISBN 0-905-778-138) gives the following conflicting information about the C.11 / C.11.A airship – “Built at Kingsnorth, Isle of Grain, Kent. Trials 9th June 1916. To Howden from Kingsnorth 26th June 1916 (damaged propeller when landing). Wrecked at Scarborough 23rd April 1917 (Captain Hogg-Turner) but no fatalities. The airship was rebuilt at Howden and re-named C11.A. It burst into flames over Humber on 21st July 1917. Two officers, two coxwains and a Wireless Tranmitter (W.T) Operator were killed.

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WATSON W Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) 9323 Walter WATSON. 11th Battalion, Royal Scots. Died Monday 13th May 1918. Born Rolvenden. Enlisted Woking, Surrey. Resided Rolvenden. Buried in the Valenciennes (St Roch) Communal Cemetery, France. Grave reference IV.G.3. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – 4, Eight Dwellings, The Layne, Rolvenden Pioneer 225898 Charles WATSON. Royal Engineers.

LOST MEN BRUNGER H Private T/240374 Harry BRUNGER. 5th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 18th October 1917. Born Rolvenden. Resided Great Chart. Son of James and Nancy Brunger of Singleton Cottage, Great Chart, Kent. Buried in the Baghdad (North Gate) Cemetery, Iraq. Grave reference IV.K.9. The 1901 census gives – Singleton Cottage, Great Chart James BRUNGER 32 Yardsman Farm Rolvenden Nancy M 31 Rolvenden William 9 Rolvenden Alice 7 Rolvenden Samuel 5 Rolvenden Harry 3 Rolvenden Robert 1 Great Chart On the 18th October 1917 the 5th battalion was at Deli Abbas in Iraq. It was decided that the battalion should attack and take Jebel Hamrin. This was achieved and the British were able to take up a line astride of the Diala River. The 5th Buffs took up a picquet line along the Haruniyah Canal. It appears that Harry died during this short action. BRUNGER S Corporal 240913 Samuel BRUNGER. 5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died Saturday 15th December 1917 aged 22 years. Born Great Chart. Enlisted Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Son of Nancy Mercer Lilley (formerly Brunger) and James Brunger of High Street, Charing, Kent. He is buried in the Ramleh (Ramia) War Cemetery in Israel. Grave reference D.19. The 1901 census gives – Singleton Cottage, Great Chart James BRUNGER 32 Yardsman Farm Rolvenden Nancy M 31 Rolvenden William 9 Rolvenden Alice 7 Rolvenden Samuel 5 Rolvenden Harry 3 Rolvenden Robert 1 Great Chart

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HUTCHINGS W.T Private 466290 William Trible HUTCHINGS. 426th Labour Company, Labour Corps. Formerly (46478) Devonshire Regiment. Died 8th November 1918 (sadly only 3 days before the armistice). Born Chivelstone, Devon. Enlisted Kingsbridge, Devon. Resided Chivelstone, Devon. Buried in the Rolvenden Churchyard, Rolvenden, Kent. It is unclear how this man came to be buried here or the circumstances of his death. His name does not appear on the village war memorial which is very odd to say the least bearing in mind he is buried so close by. It is possible that William was being treated at the Rolvenden VAD hospital when he died. This would explain why his body was buried locally. The grave when I found it was badly overgrown with weeds and was not being looked after by anyone. This surprised me because the war memorial looks remarkably well cared for. Perhaps no one knows that William is buried in the churchyard. Perhaps some kind local soul will read this and then take appropriate action… JARVIS F.A Private GS/24 Frederick Arthur JARVIS. 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Reiment). Died 5th February 1919 aged 28 years. Husband of Florence Jarvis of The Layne, Rolvenden, Kent. Buried locally in the Goudhurst Cemetery, Goudhurst, Maidstone, Kent. Grave reference – B.9.16.

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SWATLING H.F.S Private G/97988 Harold Frederick Stephen SWATLING. 1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. Died 6th November 1918 aged 23 years. Son of Frederick and Jane Swatling of “Little Ashbourne”, Rolvenden, Ashford, Kent. Husband of Annie Swatling. Buried Berlaimont Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Grave reference: A.4. Harold’s death is recorded on Soldiers Died incorrectly as H.F STEPHEN! Same regimental number and SAME unit! Must be the same man. H.F SWATLING appears locally on Tenterden War Memorial. This set of circumstances led me to believe that STEPHEN H.F recorded on Soldiers Died Great War was a forgotten casualty! I know different now. It appears that his third christian name was wrongly recorded as his surname! Before the outbreak of war Harold was in business with his father as a steam sawyer (whatever that was).

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