The Great War

Transcription

1 Patrixbourne 1

2 The Patrixbourne civic war memorial was erected in 1921, and is located in front of the parish church of St. Mary. The photograph above is not clear due primarily to the fact the church is constructed with local flint, and merges with the war memorial. No reference is made on the war memorial of any local casualties that died during the Second World War. Although our own researches have revealed a Patrixbourne Great War and a Second World War casualty, who are not commemorated on the Patrixbourne civic war memorial, it does not mean that another casualty or casualties also exist. Inscribed on the Patrixbourne civic war memorial is the following inscription. TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THIS PARISH WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR The Great War ALEXANDER, DAVID. M.M. & Bar. Company Sergeant Major, L/ th (Service) Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Sunday 29 September Born London. Enlisted Canterbury, Kent. Resided Patrixbourne, Kent. Son of the late David Scott Alexander, and the late Adelaide A. Cuerton (formerly Alexander) (née Kerswill) of 11, Suffolk Place, London, NW, formerly of 25, Colwick Street, Deptford, London, SE8. Husband of Winifred Ruby Alexander (née Draper) of Lower Bifrons Lodge, Patrixbourne, Canterbury, Kent. Commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France, Panel 3. At the time of the 1891 census, the Alexander family resided at 124, Mornington Road, Kensington, London. Head of the house was David s father, 26 year old David Scott Alexander, who was a native of Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, and employed as a Carpenter. Specific mention is made of the census entry as the address was probably where David (junior) who was only 1 year old was actually born. As his older brother, 3 year old George was recorded as being a native of Marylebone, it would could credence to the supposition on the part of the transcriber of these brief commemorations re the location of the place of the birth of David (junior). Tragically the death of 27 year David (senior) was recorded in the Marylebone, Middlesex, Registration District in David (senior) enlisted in the army as a regular soldier on Thursday 30 July 1908 for 7 years with the Colours and 5 years in the Reserve. When he enlisted, David stated that he was 18 years and 3 months old, and that he was employed as a Surgical Instrument Maker. He also stated that he was a serving member of the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). He had enlisted in the Special Reserve on Tuesday 30 July 1907, and served as Private, The Adjutant of the battalion in which David had been serving at the time of his enlistment as a regular, was near neighbour Captain James M. Ronald, who is also a casualty that is commemorated on the Patrixbourne civic war memorial. Following his 2

3 initial service at The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) Regimental Depot at Canterbury, Kent, David served with the 1st Battalion of his regiment from Friday 25 September On Friday 27 December 1912 David had been posted back to serve at the Regimental Depot in Canterbury. On Saturday 22 August 1914, Major (later Lieutenant-Colonel O.B.E.) William Arnold Eaton from Bekesbourne, Canterbury, Kent, received a telegram ordering him to proceed with his servant to Colchester, Essex, having been placed in command of the 6th (Service) Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). On their arrival at Colchester, the pair found the barracks empty which had been vacated in haste. The Officers Servant who accompanied Major Eaton to Colchester was the then Private David Alexander. David s service papers show that he had been officially posted to serve in the 6th (Service) Battalion on Friday 21 August 1914, and that he then remained in the same battalion until his death, apart from time spent on the Depot Roll, and whilst instructing as a Corporal with the 59th Training Reserve Battalion at Kemmel Camp, Rhyl, North Wales in October On Saturday 15 July 1916, David was appointed an (unpaid) Lance Corporal), and to a (paid) Lance Corporal Sunday on 8 October It was whilst he was a Lance Corporal that David first won the Military Medal. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal on Friday 8 December Arguably somewhat belatedly, David was promoted to a Sergeant on Sunday 18 August 1918, and was appointed an Acting Company Sergeant Major on Sunday 8 September 1918, when Company Sergeant Major A H T Sanger was appointed an Acting Regimental Sergeant Major. On Thursday 26 September 1918, information came through that the 27th Division of the United States Army which was under orders of the British Fourth Army, and attached to Australian Corps, was going to launch an attack on the Germans holding part of the Hindenburg Line. As a prelude to the planned American offensive, British patrols pushed forward towards a location called Ossus Wood near the Somme village of Epehy, but enemy held positions at Lark Post and the Quarries, both of which were strongly held, and these formidable positions remained in enemy hands. Early on the morning of the following day Alexander s battalion redoubled its efforts, when attacking the Quarries which resulted in the capture of approximately 150 enemy soldiers, when the British Third and Fourth Armies made a notably concerted heavy attack on the German Hindenburg Line. The role of 12th (Eastern) Division, to which the 6th (Service) Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment belonged was involved in pushing through and past the enemy defences at the village of Epehy, and was under orders to secure the vantage points up to the St. Quentin Canal. During the allied advance, the 12th (Eastern) Division was assigned to protect the left flank of the 27th Division of the United States Army. A number of localised actions took place at first, prior to the commencement of the main attack getting under way on Sunday 29 September, in which the 12th (Eastern) Division fought up through the formidable mass of enemy trenches in front of Ossus Wood, before reaching the western outskirts of Vend'huile. This successful action gave the US Division, 46th (North) Midland and Australian Divisions to the right of the line of battle, the chance to break through the formidable fortifications of the Hindenburg Line on this most important day in the final offensive. The 12th (Eastern) Division was 3

4 now twenty six miles from where the offensive had commenced on Thursday 8 August, and for that ground had lost 6229 officers and other ranks. The Division was withdrawn for rest in the areas of Savy, Acq and Aubigny, and left III Corps at this point. Alexander was one of twelve other ranks deaths which occurred on Sunday 29 September 1918, during the advance towards the village of Vend'huile. The village had nearly been reached during the Battle of Cambrai in It was taken by the 27th and 30th American Divisions in September 1918, and eventually cleared by the 12th (Eastern) and 18th (Eastern) Divisions on Saturday 30 September When reaching the western outskirts of Vend'huile, which in doing so had cost the 6th (Service) Battalion casualties, both in loss of life and woundings, the officers and other ranks were not best pleased when they were attacked, and subjected to fire from an American tank. At no little risk to himself, Company Sergeant Major Smith ran to the American tank whilst it was still firing on the British soldiers, and literally hammered on the hull of the tank with his rifle butt until the crew reacted to his presence, his actions doubtless reducing the battalion, and others ultimate casualty roll figures. The marriage of David to Miss Winifred Ruby Draper took place in the parish church of Bishopsbourne, Canterbury, Kent on Monday 8 April David and his wife had two children, a son and a daughter, but sadly their son Duncan Scott Alexander who was born at Elham, Kent on Wednesday 20 May 1914, was recorded as being only 9½ months old, when he died at the family home at Patrixbourne on Friday 5 March 1915, and their 7 month old daughter Marjorie Adelaide Alexander who was born at Shorncliffe, Kent, died at the Post Office, Kingston, Canterbury, Kent on Thursday 28 February Colwick Street, Deptford, London, SE8 where David s late mother and his brother George had once lived, was hit at 1736 hours on Saturday 7 September 1940 on the first day of the London Blitz during the Second World War. BRICKENDEN, FREDERICK CHARLES. Sapper, th Field Company, Royal Engineers. Died Monday 30 October Born Elham, Kent. Enlisted and resided Canterbury, Kent. Eldest child of Charles Brickenden and Mary Louisa Brickenden (née Stevens) of The Gate Inn, Canterbury, Kent. Husband of Mrs. Lilian Emma Brickenden (née Milton) of 14, Stour Street, Canterbury, Kent. Buried Chatby Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt. Grave Ref: B Frederick was the eldest of the sixteen children of Charles Brickenden and Mary Louisa Brickenden, and was born at the Crown Hotel, Elham, Kent on Monday 5 June 1876, and he was baptized at the parish church of St. Mary, Elham on Sunday 30 July When the Brickenden family had resided at Elham, Charles Brickenden had been the Licensee of the Crown Hotel, and by the time of the 1881 census he was the Licensee of the Magpie Public House at the village of Harbledown, Canterbury, Kent. Frederick married Lilian Emma Milton at Canterbury, Kent on Sunday 29 November At the time of the 1911 census, 4

5 Frederick was recorded as being the head of the house at 73, Military Road, Canterbury, Kent, and was employed as a Carpenter. His parents were residing at The Gate Inn, Canterbury, Kent when the 1911 census was conducted. Head of the house was 64 year old Shepherdswell, Dover, Kent native Charles Brickenden, who was recorded by the census enumerator as being a Licensed Victualler. Prior to enlisting in the army Frederick was employed as a Carpenter and Wheelwright. He was posted to the Egyptian war theatre on Monday 12 July At the commencement of the Great War, the 88th Field Company, Royal Engineers in which Frederick was serving at the time of his death, was stationed at Tidworth, Wiltshire serving with 13th (Western) Division. The 13th (Western) Division was formed as part of Lord Kitchener's First New Army and began to assemble on Salisbury Plain. The 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon, Swindon, Wiltshire, and Cirencester, Gloucestershire, in September 1914, and the 39th Brigade moved to Basingstoke, Hampshire in January Near the end of February the majority of the units constituting the 13th (Western) Division concentrated at Blackdown, Surrey. The division moved to the Mediterranean from Sunday 13 June 1915, landing at Alexandria, Egypt then moving to Mudros, a small Greek port on the Mediterranean island of Lemnos, arriving there on Sunday 4 July prior to a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between Tuesday 6 and Friday 16 July to relieve the 29th Division. They returned to the port of Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire 13th (Western) Division landed at ANZAC Cove between Tuesday 3 and Thursday 5 August. They were in action in the Battle of Sari Bair, the Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards the division was transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on Sunday 19 and Monday 20 December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during the last Turkishh attacks at Helles on Friday 7 January 1916, and were evacuated from Helles on the 8/9 of January. Following a move to Egypt, the 13th (Western) Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On Saturday 12 February 1916 the 13th (Western) Division moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the attempted relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. CONYNGHAM, VICTOR GEORGE HENRY FRANCIS. The 5th Marquis of Conyngham. Lieutenant 7th (South Irish Horse) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment. Died Saturday 9 November Aged 35. Eldest son of the late Henry Francis, 4th Marquess Conyngham, and Marchioness Frances Elizabeth Sarah Eveleigh-De Moleyns of Slane Castle, County Meath, Ireland. Buried Slane (St. Patrick) Church of Ireland Churchyard, County Meath, Republic of Ireland. Grave Ref: In North-West corner. Victor has numerous other commemorations, including being commemorated on page 140 of Ireland s Memorial Records

6 Victor was born at Charles Street, Berkeley Square, Westminster, Middlesex, on Tuesday 30 January 1883, and his birth was recorded in the St. George, Hanover Square, Registration District during the first quarter of He was christened at the parish church of St. Mary, Patrixbourne on Saturday 17 March Educated at Eton, Victor served as a Lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment during the Second Boer War. On the death of his father at Slane Castle, County Meath on Saturday 28 August 1897, Victor succeeded several title from him, as Marquess Conyngham, Earl of Mount Charles, Viscount Slane Earl Conyngham, Viscount Mount Charles, Conyngham of Mount Charles, Baron Conyngham of Mount Charles as Baron Minster of Minster Abbey. Victor died at Dringthorpe, Middlethorpe, Yorkshire, and his death was recorded in the York, Yorkshire, Registration District during the fourth quarter of Victor had been the Lord of the Manor of Patrixbourne, and was the chief landowner in the parish which had included being the owner of Biffrons House and its 230 acre park. Originally built by John Bargrave in 1634, it was rebuilt in contemporary style in the 1770's by Edward Taylor. It was sold in 1820 to Marchioness Conyngham who was a favourite of H.M. George IV, and a notable benefactress to the village of Patrixbourne, being described as fat, handsome, kindly, shrewd and extremely fond of jewels. At the time of Victors demise, Biffrons House was occupied by Major Frank Penn. The house and its estate which for many years had provided local employment was demolished in 1948, and apart from the now moss covered foundations, only a gate lodge still exists. The holdings of the Conyngham family at Patrixbourne had included a small collection of beautiful cottages which still exist, which were built in the 19th Century for employees on the Biffrons estate. Land owned by the Conyngham s had also extended into the adjacent village of Bridge, where the former Lundy Lane located to the south of the A2 main road was subsequently renamed Conyngham Lane. Victor s mother died at the Elpie Nursing Home, Dublin, Ireland on Thursday 8 July BIFFRONS HOUSE PATRIXBOURNE 6

7 RONALD, JAMES MCBAIN. Captain. 2nd Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Friday 23 April Aged 39. Son of Fanny Ronald (née Fowler) of Pembury Grange, Pembury, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and the late Robert Bruce Ronald. Husband of Evelyn Ronald (née Crosthwaite) of Bifrons Cottage, Patrixbourne, Canterbury, Kent. Commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 12, as shown above, and on the Patrixbourne, Canterbury, Kent civic war memorial. James was born at Sutton-at-Hone, Dartford, Kent on 27 April He was educated at Harrow School, and was a Monitor in 1894 and a member of the Football XI, On leaving Harrow James went to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in From Sandhurst he was gazetted as a Second Lieutenant in The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) on 5 September On 9 April 1899 James was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and to the rank of Captain on 1 July 1900 whilst he was serving with 2nd Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) during the Second Boer War. During his time in South Africa, James was present during the march on and relief of Kimberly. He also took part in the operations in the Orange Free State, including the actions at Paardeberg, Polar Grove and Dreifontein, during the course of which he was slightly wounded on 10 March James later served as a Railway Staff Officer taking part in the operations in the Transvaal east of Pretoria, and was wounded again in October For his services in South Africa James received the Queen's Medal with four clasps, and the King's Medal with the two date clasps, and was Mentioned in Despatches. On 7 October 1903 James married Miss Evelyn Crosthwaite at Bagenalstown, County of Carlow, Ireland. From 6 April 1904 to 31 December 1907 James served as the Adjutant of the 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). He retired from the Army in 1912, but resumed service as a Railway Transport Officer, Railway Transport Establishment on 6 August 1914, and rejoined his former regiment the following March. He was shot through the head and instantaneously killed on 23 April1915, about a mile from Wieltje Farm on the Ypres salient. STEVENS, ALBERT EDWARD. Private, D/ rd (Prince of Wales Own) Dragoon Guards. Died Wednesday 30 May Born and resided Patrixbourne, Kent. Enlisted Canterbury, Kent. Son of John William Stevens and Frances Stevens (née Cox) of Stable Cottage, Nackington, Canterbury, Kent. Buried St. Souplet British Cemetery, Nord, France. Grave Ref: III. D. 16. At the time of the 1911 census, the Stevens family resided at Renville Farm Cottages, Patrixbourne, Canterbury, Kent. Head of the house was 56 year old Folkestone, Kent native John William Stevens, who was employed as a Horseman on a Farm. Albert was born at Patrixbourne on 12 November

8 He enlisted in the army as a regular soldier on Monday 13 November 1916 for 7 years with the Colours and 5 years in the Reserve. When he enlisted at Canterbury, Albert stated that he had formerly been employed as a Horseman, and he was attested to serve in the 3rd Dragoon Guards (Prince of Wales Own). On the completion of his basic training and service at home, Albert was posted to France for service with the British Expeditionary Force on Tuesday 24 April After he had served in France for only a month, Albert has the sad distinction of being the sole other ranks death which was suffered by the 3rd Dragoon Guards (Prince of Wales Own) on Wednesday 30 May 1917, and had died whilst he was a prisoner of war in German hands. Initially Albert was posted as Missing, and a subsequent Court of Enquiry which was held, had struck him off the strength of the 3rd (Prince of Wales Own) Dragoon Guards as being an Absentee with effect from Wednesday 30 May Following information received from the German military authorities via the Red Cross, Albert s Army Form B103 which was the somewhat misleadingly named "Casualty Form Active Service," on which was recorded the man's movements between units, was duly amended to reflect the change in his status. The information furnished by the Germans was deemed to be sufficient evidence for official purposes, that Albert s date of death was to be assumed to have occurred on the above date, and his parents were duly informed of same. Albert was numbered amongst the 22 British casualties who were originally buried at the Prémont Communal Cemetery German Extension, whose graves were moved to the St. Souplet British Cemetery in A letter from the Imperial War Graves Commission dated Monday 25 August 1924 was sent to the Cavalry Barracks, Record & Pay Office, Canterbury, Kent, and arrived at the Post Room at the barracks two days later. By the time that the letter was sent, the 3rd Dragoon Guards (Prince of Wales Own) in which Albert had served, had been amalgamated with the 6th Dragoon Guards (The Carabiniers), for the last two years (July 1922) to form the 3rd/6th Dragoon Guards. The letter had explained why it had been necessary to move Albert s body from Prémont to St. Souplet, and had added the grave location but stated that it was provisional and was subject to being changed later, but the number was the same as it is now. The letter also made mention that the removal and reburial had been carefully and respectfully carried out. The Aisne village of Prémont were Albert was originally buried was captured by the 30th American Division on Tuesday 8 October He was a brother of Charles Stevens who is the next casualty commemorated below. STEVENS, CHARLES HENRY. Private, nd Battalion, King s Royal Rifle Corps. Died Wednesday 25 September Aged 27. Born Wickhambreaux, Canterbury, Kent. Enlisted Canterbury, Kent. Resided Sevenoaks, Kent. Son of John William Stevens and Frances Stevens (née Cox) of Stable Cottage, Nackington, Canterbury, Kent. Husband of Mrs. Elizabeth Stevens (née Heckley) of 20, Bethel Road, Sevenoaks, Kent. 8

9 Buried Brie British Cemetery, Somme, France. Grave Ref: III. D. 12. Formerly Private, 2543, Royal Army Medical Corps, and T4/238984, Royal Army Service Corps. Purely supposition on the part of the transcriber, but in view of Charles s previous service in the Royal Army Medical Corps, he was possibly serving as a Medical Orderly in his battalion when he died of wounds. Unfortunately it has not been possible at this time to add where, when, or how Charles was mortally wounded. On the 1911 census entry briefly referred to at the commemoration of Albert Stevens, Charles was recorded by the enumerator as being 19 years of age and employed as a Horseman on a Farm. Unfortunately it has not been possible to ascertain when Charles had enlisted in the Territorial Force, but he was a posthumous recipient of the Territorial Force War Medal. The medal was awarded to members of the British Territorial Force and Territorial Force Nursing Services who served overseas during the Great War, and it is the rarest of the five British Great War medals as only 33,944 were ever issued. The medal was established in April 1920 for award to members of the Territorial Force and Territorial Force Nursing Services who volunteered for service overseas on or before Wednesday 30 September 1914, and had served overseas. They had to have been serving with the force on Tuesday 4 August 1914, or have completed four years service with the force before 4 August 1914 and rejoined the force on or before 30 September In addition provided they undertook, either verbally or by written agreement on or before 30 September 1914 to serve outside the United Kingdom, such agreement being operative after 4 August 1914, and had served outside the United Kingdom between Wednesday 5 August 1914 and Monday 11 November 1918, both dates inclusive, although the inscription on the reverse of medal said FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE OVERSEAS Recipients of the Territorial Force War Medal did not qualify for the either the 1914 Star or the Star. The Great War Lost Men KINGSFORD, FREDERICK WILLIAM. Private, G/ th (Service) Battalion, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Died Monday 21 August Aged 33. Born Elham, Kent. Enlisted and resided Dover, Kent. Son of George William Kingsford and Martha Kingsford (née Nash) of Hode Farm Cottages, Patrixbourne, Canterbury, Kent. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 5 D and 6 D, and on the Bekesbourne, Canterbury, Kent civic war memorial. Formerly Private, 2605, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Frederick was posted to France with The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) on 31 August 1915, for service with the British Expeditionary Force. Having arrived at Longueau from Bailluel on 24 July 1916, and had missed taking part in the earliest engagements during the Battle of the Somme, the 8th (Service) Battalion, The Queen's (Royal 9

10 West Surrey Regiment) initially served in the rear areas of the Somme battlefield, and it was to be Thursday 10 August 1916 before the battalion moved up to the front line near the village of Guillemont. A move was made to Talus Boise on Sunday 13 August and to the front line three days later, going into the craters at the village of Carnoy on Friday 18. On Sunday 20 August the battalion made another move into the front line, and the next day carried out an unsuccessful bombing attack (hand grenades), on the Quarry near Guillemont commencing at 1630 hours. Frederick was numbered amongst the 25 other ranks that were lost by his battalion on the day that he fell, in addition to which were 5 officer fatalities. Following the costly attack, Frederick s battalion was relieved in the trenches by the 1st Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, and moved to the craters prior to going to the Citadel Camp the following day. The Second World War Lost Men AUSTEN, JAMES. Civilian casualty. Died Monday 12 August Aged 60. Born Canterbury, Kent. Resided Patrixbourne, Canterbury, Kent. Son of the late John Austen and Ann Austen of Canterbury, Kent. Husband of the late Lucy Jane Austen (née Newport). James resided at Lodge Gate Cottage, Bifrons, Patrixbourne, Kent. 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. At the time of the 1881 census, the Austen family resided at Giles Lane, Canterbury, Kent. Head of the house was James 35 year old Canterbury, Kent native John Austen, who was employed as an Agricultural Labourer. As James was recorded as being only 11 months old by the census enumerator, it would seem likely that it was actually at the same location that he was born. Giles Lane, Canterbury is now the main thoroughfare running through the University of Kent. Later census entries appertaing to James would tend to be indicative of him having spent at least part if not all of his working life employed in agriculture. Reference was made at the brief commemoration of The 5th Marquis of Conyngham, about the former Bifrons House and its vast estate at Patrixbourne, and the small collection of beautiful cottages which were built in the 19th Century for employees on the Bifrons estate, one of which was the home of James at the time of his death. James died at Chalk Pit Farm, Bekesbourne, Canterbury, Kent, being numbered amongst several civilians who were killed at the village during a daylight raid by enemy aircraft whilst defence construction work was being undertaken. Some of those killed are commemorated on war memorials in Kent. 10