BOURNE E.CHEESEMAN CHEESMAN

Transcription

1 Matfield

2 Whilst in no way claiming to be conservation experts or similar, but having viewed in some detail many hundreds of forms of rememberance to the war dead in Kent, and at other locations around the world, we came to the conclusion that at some point of time in fairly recent years the Matfield, Kent civic war memorial had been cleaned, probably within the last ten years. If our assumptions are in fact correct, it would also be fair to assume that the person or people that cleaned the war memorial had actually done a good and thorough job of it. Like many such war memorials, it appears that after the (assumed) cleaning, nobody has kept up the good work since. Sadly it has not been possible to even briefly transcribe all of the casualties on the Matfield, Kent civic war memorial, due to the amount of algae growth etcetera, which affects the Second World War commemoration inscriptions badly, as can be seen from the accompanying photographs. Thankfully very few other Kent war memorials visited and photographed thus far, have been allowed to degenerate to the extent of the Second World War inscriptions at Matfield. Very basic but acceptable cleaning of the inscriptions (with nil costs involved), would take quite literally approximately an hour or so to carry out the cleaning. We had to refrain from carrying out the cleaning ourselves, having in the past had unfortunate experiences with residents at various locations when cleaning other forms of rememberance, as such we left well alone. In common with many other locations in the county, the picturesque village of Matfield has a number of men not commemorated on the war memorial who were former natives and residents that sadly lost their lives during the Great War. Although there are possibly even more to be located, those thus far accessed as missing from the memorial have been added at the end of the brief Great War commemorations below. BENDELL, FREDERICK ALBERT. Sergeant, G/ th (Service) Battalion, Queen s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died 7 October Aged 22. Born Fendstone, Diss, Norfolk. Enlisted Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Resided Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Bendell of Walcott Green, Diss, Norfolk. Husband of Ethel Caroline Bailey (formerly Bendell) of Bull Lane Cottages, Hook Green, Lamberhurst, Kent. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 11 C, and on the Diss, Norfolk civic war memorial, upon which Frederick is erroneously shown with his rank as Lance Corporal. It would seem likely that the confusion regarding Frederick s rank on the Diss, Norfolk civic war memorial, was due to the fact that he was paid as a Lance Corporal from 11 March 1916, and had been an Acting Serjeant from 12 September Unfortunately the error on the memorial at Diss appears to be not the only error in rememberance of Frederick, as the relevant inscription on the Matfield civic war memorial shows his surname spelt BENDALL, which the transcriber of these brief commemorations noted that the same spelling is to found on the regimental Roll of Honour. Frederick s service papers show his surname spelt BENDELL, as does his CWGC commemoration, MIC entry and SDGW. Frederick married Ethel Caroline Fuller

3 at the parish church of St. Luke, Matfield on 1 September Frederick and Ethel s daughter Lillian was born in Lamberhurst, Kent on 6 October At the time of his enlistment on 29 November 1915, Frederick resided at Beech Cottages, Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Following his basic training, Frederick embarked for France on 3 March Having received a severe gunshot wound to his right shoulder on 24 June 1916, Frederick was a patient at the 14th General Hospital, Wimereux, Pas de Calais, France until 24 June, when he was evacuated back to the United Kingdom on board the 2570 ton Hospital Ship "St. Denis." After further treatment Frederick was discharged from hospital on 25 July 1916, and remained in England until 28 September 1916, before arriving back with the army in France the following day. By the time that Frederick s War and Victory Medal s were distributed his widow Ethel had remarried, and was residing in Lamberhurst, Kent where she signed for the package containing the medals. BLACKFORD, Lance Corporal, CHARLES SIDNEY, G/ th (Service) Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 8 May Born Warburton, Eastbourne, Sussex. Enlisted Ashford, Kent. Resided Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Buried Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. Grave Ref. VIII. I. 21. BOULDEN, PERCY. Sergeant, "C" Company, 31st Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment). Died between 24 September1916 and 30 September Aged 28. Born Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent 31 August Enlisted Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 16 November Son of Emma Grigsby (formerly Boulden) of Church Road, Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent, and the late Joseph Boulden. Commemorated on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France, and on page 56 of the World War Book of Remembrance. At the time of the 1901 census, Percy s 42 year old mother Emma a native of Aldershot, Hampshire had remarried to 49 year old Lamberhurst, Kent native William Grigsby. In addition to the above residing at what appears to be Sales Cottage, Matfield, were three of Percy s brothers, and 4 year old Dorothy Grigsby, William and Emma s daughter. Prior to his army enlistment Percy had been a Painter. At his attestation on 16 November 1914, Percy was passed as being medically fit by J.A. Hislop. On 30 January 1915, Percy s Commanding Officer counter signed his attestation papers as being correct, and Percy being up to the required standard. Percy is recorded on Canadian documentation as having been killed in action, in need of more in depth research, but it would seem that he was initially numbered amongst the 110 other ranks in his battalion posted as missing within the same dates as shown above. At the time of being posted missing, Percy s battalion was in action on the Thiepval Ridge, Somme, France. In addition to those who were posted as missing, which had also had included three officers over and above the other

4 ranks figures, 2 officers and 58 other ranks were killed in action. Percy s battalion was formed as part of the 2nd Canadian Division, 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade, in October 1914 under the command of General A. H. Bell. It proceeded overseas in May 1915, and saw action on the Western Front in France and Belgium from September 1915 until the end of hostilities in 1918, during which time 4,675 men served in Percy s battalion. The battalion later formed part of the Army of Occupation in Germany in December 1918, and finally returned back to Canada in May Eventually the 31st Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment) was disbanded on 1 June 1919 in Calgary, Alberta. BOURNE, JOSEPH. Private, th (Service) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Died 3 May Born and resided Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Enlisted Canterbury, Kent. Commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 5. Formerly Private, 29021, Essex Regiment. Joseph appears to be the 16 year old Postman recorded on the 1901 census residing with his family at Somerfold? Farm, Brenchley, Kent. Joseph s parents were Charles Bourne a 50 year old native of Marden, Kent who was the Head of the house, and 47 year old Sophia Bourne, a native of Pembury, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. E.CHEESEMAN. Commemorated on the Matfield, Kent civic war memorial as a member of the Queen s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). The closest match for this casualty appears to be the following soldier of the above regiment:- CHEESMAN, ERNEST. Private, G/ th (Service) Battalion, Queen s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died 3 May Aged 21. Born Deptford, Kent. Enlisted and resided Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent Son of Mr. and Mrs. Cheesman of 3, The Mount, Bidborough, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent Commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 7. It was noted that on the Matfield, Kent civic war memorial the casualty commemorated was shown as having been a member of the 4th Battalion, Queen s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), which would probably have indicated place of death as having occurred in Mesopotamia. Depending on what data source is referred to, the surname spelling is either CHEESEMAN or CHEESMAN.

5 CLARKE, A. Rifleman, th (Service) Battalion, King s Royal Rifle Corps. Died 3 March Aged 17. Son of Mrs. Jane Clarke of Cindral Wood Cottage, Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Buried Matfield, (St. Luke) Churchyard, Brenchley, Kent. Grave Ref: North East of church. Rifleman Clarke was a younger brother of the next casualty briefly commemorated. On the day of the 1901 census, albeit prior to his birth the Clarke family was residing at Framfield, Sussex. Crowborough, Sussex native 28 year old Thomas Clarke was the Head of the house, and was the husband of Jane Clarke a 32 year old native of Ticehurst, Sussex. CLARKE, THOMAS. Private, th (Service) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died 24 November Aged 21. Born Blackboys, Sussex. Enlisted Chichester, Sussex. Son of Mrs. Jane Clarke of Cindral Wood Cottage, Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, Nord, France. Panel 4. Formerly Private, 19508, Suffolk Regiment. C.COLLINS. Royal Field Artillery. As commemorated on the Matfield, Kent civic war memorial is probably the 6 year old Matfield native Charles Collins who is recorded on the 1910 census as residing with his family at The Green, Matfield. His parents were 39 year old Thomas Collins who was the Head of the house and employed as an Agricultural Labourer, and 36 year old Matilda who was a native of Rusthall, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Charles was a brother of the next casualty commemorated. Unfortunately by using the CWGC Dept of Honour and SDGW, no good match has been located for Charles on either of those forms of rememberance, irrespective of regiment or corps checked. In the quest to locate details of Charles s service and/or demise the transcriber checked data appertaining to all the other armed services but to no avail. It would seem likely that Charles died of war related illness or wounds post 31 August 1921, it being the cut-off date by the then Imperial War Graves Commission in respect of all Great War related deaths. COLLINS, FREDERICK JOHN. Gunner, "C" Battery, 56th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Died 20 May Aged 20. Born Paddock Wood, Kent. Enlisted Cockspur Street, London SW. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Collins of Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Buried Amara War Cemetery, Iraq. Grave Ref: VIII. H. 18.

6 ELLIS, LEONARD WALTER. Private, G/81. 6th (Service) Battalion, Queen s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died 8 October Aged 20. Born Ifield, Crawley, Sussex. Enlisted Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Son of Walter Ellis of 14, Victoria Road, Crawley, Sussex. Commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 95 to 97. FULLER, STANLEY VICTOR. Driver, rd Trench Mortar Battery, 4th (Home Counties) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Died 19 October Aged 21. Son of John and Alice Elizabeth Fuller of Ivy House, Matfield, Kent. Buried Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps, Somme, France. Grave Ref: I. C. 19. Regretably there is no SDGW entry for Stanley, but at the time of the 1901 census Stanley was recorded by the enumerator as being a 6 year old native of Brenchley, Kent. Although the address entered is Ivy Cottage, as the Ecclesiastical Parish for the census is that of St. Luke s, Matfield, Kent, it would seem likely that the Fuller family census address and Stanley s CWGC commemoration address are one and the same property, and probably where Stanley was actually born. Stanley s father John a 45 year old Farmer and Burwash, Sussex native was the Head of the house. Alice his wife was a 46 year old native of Brenchley, Kent. GOAD, WILLIAM ALBERT. Armourers Crew, M/ Royal Navy, H.M.S. President III. Died 11 October Aged 20. Born Kent 10 April Son of John Albert and Ann Elizabeth Goad of The Garage, Gedges, Matfield, Kent. Buried Matfield, (St. Luke) Churchyard, Brenchley, Kent. Grave Ref: West of church. GOOCH, GEOFFREY FULTHORPE. Captain. 25th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Died 19 September Born Cardiff, Glamorganshire Wales. Commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 3. At the time of the 1901 census, 8 year old Geoffrey was living with his parents at Kingsmede, Brenchley, Kent. Geoffrey s father Charles F. Gooch was a 56 year old Paddington, London native who was the head of the house, and living on his own means. Geoffrey s mother was Emma S. Gooch a 47 year old native of Bermuda.

7 GURR, FREDERICK JAMES. Gunner, th Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Died 9 April Aged 19. Born Wateringbury, Kent. Enlisted Maidstone, Kent. Son of William and Emily Gurr of The Green, Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Buried Beuvry Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France. Grave Ref: II. B. 10. HILLS, ALBERT EDWARD. Private G/ st Battalion, Queen s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died 8 May Aged 31. Born Arpinge, Folkestone, Kent 15 November Enlisted Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Resided Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Son of Henry and Rebecca Wilmot Hills (neé Martin) of Lower Park Farm, Church Lane, Aldington, Ashford, Kent. Husband of Hilda Hills (neé Prebble) of 3, Five Wents, Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Buried Tannay British Cemetery, Thiennes, Nord, France. Grave Ref: Plot 2, Row C, Grave 10. Formerly Private, West Kent Yeomanry. Also commemorated on Great War memorial plaques at Aldington, Ashford, Kent that are located in the parish church of St. Martin s, and in the Non-Conformist chapel. PLAYFORD, Private, GEORGE THOMAS, G/ th (Service) Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 18 November Born and resided Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Enlisted Tonbridge, Kent. Son of Albert Thomas Playford of Five Wents, Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Buried Contay British Cemetery, Somme, France. Grave Ref. VIII. D. 16. Commemorated on the Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent civic war memorial as a member of the Kent Cyclist Battalion. PRALL, ALBERT WILLIAM. Private, st/20th (County of London) Battalion (Blackheath and Woolwich), London Regiment. Died 1 October Aged 19. Born Paddock Wood, Kent. Enlisted Tonbridge, Kent. Resided Pembury, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Prall of Friars Lodge, Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 9 D 9 C 13 C and 12 C. Formerly Private, 3601, Queen s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), it being the regiment as serving in on the Matfield, Kent civic war memorial.

8 SASSOON, HAMO WATTS. Second Lieutenant. Royal Engineers. Died 1 November Aged 28. Born Matfield, Kent Son of the late Alfred Ezra Sassoon, and Theresa Georgina Sassoon (neé Thorneycroft) of "Weirleigh," Matfield Green, Kent. Commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey. Panel 23 to 25 or 325 to 328. Hamo was mortally wounded at Gallipoli on 28 October 1915, and later taken onboard the Hospital Ship SS Kildonan Castle where he died, and was buried at sea. Hamo s brother Siegfried Sassoon ( ), who was serving as an officer in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, took it upon himself to extract revenge for Hamo s death by involving himself in brave, and at times reckless, suicidal deeds against the Germans on the Western Front. A short leave from the front helped to noticeably calm him down, and later as the war dragged on, he experienced a sense of total disgust with the conflict, and his distain would work its way into his now famous and much read and respected poetry. STORR, HENRY. D.S.O. Lieutenant Colonel. 18th (Service) Battalion, (1st Public Works), Middlesex Regiment. Died 15 August Aged 43. Born Brenchley, Kent. Son of Henry and Marian Storr of Matfield Court, Paddock Wood, Kent. Buried Matfield, (St. Luke) Churchyard, Brenchley, Kent. Grave Ref: East of church. Henry had Served in the South African War (Second Boer War). STANDING, STANLEY ERNEST. Lance Corporal, st/18th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (London Irish Rifles). Died 15 September Aged 24. Born Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Enlisted Chelsea. Resided Harrow, Middlesex. Son of Mrs. Ruth Standing of Fox Lane, Matfield, Kent. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 13 C.

9 LOST MEN BARNES, EDMUND LYNDON. Captain. 8th (Service) Battalion, King s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment). Died 3 April Aged 34. Son of Evelyn Mary Barnes of Kingsmead, Matfield, Kent, and the late Edmund Wilson Barnes. Commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 12. At the time of his death Edmund was serving as his battalions Adjutant, and had been Mentioned in Despatches. BATHURST, ALFRED. Private, th (Service) Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Died 31 July Aged 29. Born Brenchley, Kent. Enlisted Tonbridge, Kent. Resided Plaxtol, Sevenoaks, Kent. Son of Alfred and Mary Bathurst of "Chapel House," Matfield, Tonbridge, Kent. Husband of Elizabeth Bathurst of "Bank Cottages," Plaxtol, Sevenoaks, Kent. Commemorated on the Menin Gate, (Ypres) Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 21. Formerly Private, 28289, Suffolk Regiment. BURLEY, GEORGE J. Private, st (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), attached to the 20th (Service) Battalion, (3rd Public Schools) Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Died 20 May Aged 21. Born Pembury, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Enlisted Brenchley, Kent. Resided Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Son of J. and Charlotte Burley of Sales Cottages, The Wish, Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France Bay 9. Formerly Private, 2136, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). DAVIS, WILLIAM ALBERT. Private, G/ th (Service) Battalion, Queen s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died 30 November Aged 31. Enlisted Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Resided Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Son of George and Sarah Davis of Lamberhurst, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Husband of Emily Davis of South Street, Wendover, Buckinghamshire. Commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, Nord, France. Panel 8.

10 RICH, ALFRED. Private, G/ th (Service) Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 3 May Born Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Enlisted Goudhurst, Kent. Resided Matfield Green, Paddock Wood, Kent. Commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 2. At the time of the 1901 census, 18 year old Alfred was a Tailors Assistant residing at the Rich family home, 8 Elgin Terrace, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. It would seem likely that Alfred was employed by his father who was also named Alfred, a 53 year old Petersfield, Hampshire native and self employed Tailor, who was the Head of the house. Alfred s (junior) mother was a 57 year old native of Woking, Surrey. FEAVER, PERCY DAVID. Lance Corporal, th Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). Died 23 October Born Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Enlisted Brenchley, Kent. Buried Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-l'Abbe, Somme, France. Grave Ref: V. C. 13. Formerly Private, 1963, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). HAYLOR, ALAN. Private, G/258. 7th (Service) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died 8 April Aged 21. Born Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Enlisted Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Son of Mr. G. and Mrs. S. Haylor of Beech Hill, Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Buried Quarry Cemetery, Vermelles, Pas de Calais, France. Grave Ref: F. 18. HODGKIN, THOMAS. Private, rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Died 21 August Aged 38. Born Brenchley, Kent. Enlisted Goudhurst, Kent. Son of Stephen and Lillian Hodgkin of Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Husband of Gertrude E. Hodgkin of 29, Hills Cottages, Queens Road, Maidstone. Buried Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, Pas de Calais, France. Grave Ref: IV. H. 35. HUMPHREY, GILBERT STANLEY. Private, G/ st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 3 May Born Tambridge Priory, Surrey. Enlisted Tonbridge, Kent. Resided Hildenborough, Kent. Son of Mr. G. Humphrey, of The Lodge, Kingsmead, Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Buried Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, Pas-de-Calais, France. Grave Ref: I. O. 19.

11 JOY, HARRY JAMES. Private, th (Service) Battalion, (2nd Sportsmans) Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Died 26 August Aged 19. Born Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Enlisted Ashford, Kent. Resided Paddock Wood, Kent. Buried Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt, Somme, France. Grave Ref: VI. D. 3. Formerly Private, 2842, West Kent Yeomanry. MARCHANT, HUGH STEPHEN. Lieutenant. 1st/5th Battalion (Territorial Force), The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 7 January Aged 24. Son of Mr. S. W. Marchant of Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Buried Amara War Cemetery, Iraq. Grave Ref: XXXI. B. 2. SCOTT, ROBERT EDWARD LESLIE. M.C. and Bar. Lieutenant. 129th Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Died 13 September Aged 21. Born Brenchley, Kent. Son of Edward Lucas Scott and Emily Scott of "Cryals," Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Buried Lebucquiere Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas-de-Calais, France. Grave Ref: IV. C. 28. STEVENS, ALBERT. Private, nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Died 1 November Aged 26. Born Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Enlisted Tonbridge, Kent. Son of Joseph and Emma Stevens of 104, Clifton Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Husband of Rose E. Black (formerly Stevens) of 58, Nursery Road, High Brooms, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 9 or 11.

12 The Second World War BANKS, FREDRICK CECIL. Flight Sergeant, Squadron, Royal Air Force. Died 6 June Aged 20. Son of Cecil C. and Anne Banks of Matfield, Kent. Commemorated on the Singapore Memorial. Column 413. BLAND, JOHN MALTBY. Lieutenant, B.A. Hons. (Cantab.). 238 Field Company, Royal Engineers. Died 19 September Aged 25. Born North West London. Resided Kent. Son of Edward Maltby Bland, C.M.G., and Frances Mary Middleton Bland, of Matfield, Paddock Wood, Kent. Buried Medjez-el-Bab War Cemetery, Tunisia. Grave Ref: 7. F. 3. John is also commemorated on the Cambridge University Peterhouse, Second World War Memorial. BOOTH,?? Royal Air Force & Royal Navy? BREW???? D.? Royal Navy? COOPER,?? Royal Navy? DOLDING, WILLIAM GILBERT. Gunner, Battery, 49th Light Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died 20 April Born and resided Kent. Son of Gilbert and Florence Dolding. Husband of Marjorie Joan Dolding of Matfield, Kent. Buried Matfield, (St. Luke) Churchyard, Brenchley, Kent. Grave Ref: South East of church. FRENCH, RONALD CHARLES. Leading Telegraphist, P/JX Royal Navy, H.M.S. Hereward. Died 8 June Aged 25. Son of William James French and Mercy French of Matfield, Kent. Buried Rhodes War Cemetery, Greece. Grave Ref: 3. B. 9.

13 GOAD, F.E. Royal Artillery.? Unfortunately as can be seen from the accompanying Matfield photographs, although not as badly obliterated by verdigris as some of the other Second War commemorations, that for the above casualty is still not good enough to properly transcribe. As can be noted, it might be that the above has another initial or initials before those that can be ascertained. Compounding the problem, again due to the appalling state of the Second World War commemorations is that the R.A. indicating being a member of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, might in fact be the first two letters of another army regiment or corps, or of the Royal Air Force including R.A.F. (V.R.). Only 12 casualties of the Second World War are commemorated by the CWGC. In case the above memorial inscription was in respect of a casualty of the Great War, those who died in the earlier conflict with the surname Goad have been also been checked, they number 21 including William Albert Goad. None of the 33 war deaths appear to match the Matfield commemorated casualty, which in turn poses another problem. As part of our ongoing commemorations of the counties war dead we are trying (hard) to get official overdue recognition, and in many cases for the first time grave headstones for Kent fallen around the world. As it would appear that the above casualty might be amongst the thousands of Commonwealth casualties from both world wars who are still not commemorated by the CWGC. Doubtless anyone who views this casualty here will fully appreciate that we would dearly love too learn more about this man or woman. A simple please HELP seems somewhat appropriate here. NEWBOLD, REGINALD ALBERT. First Radio Officer. Merchant Navy, M.V. Aldington Court (London). Died 31 October Aged 28. Born 3 February Merchant Navy Discharge number: R Son of Alfred Mark and Florence Teresa Newbold, of Lee, London. Commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. Panel 4. Reginald had been awarded the Kings Commendation for Brave Conduct. PERROTT, REX. Lieutenant Colonel, Royal Army Ordnance Corps. Died 4 November Aged 31. Born South West London. Resided Surrey. Son of A. W. Perrott and Ida Perrott. Husband of Marjorie Perrott of Orpington, Kent. Buried Delhi War Cemetery, India. Grave Ref: 4. F. 8.

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