SMEETH - Kent Fallen

SMEETH
The Great War
1914 – 1919
1

3 rd LORD BRABOURNE
Captain Wyndham Wentworth BRABOURNE. 1 st Battalion, Grenadier Guards. His real
family name was KNATCHBULL-HUGESSEN. (3 rd Lord Brabourne). Died Thursday 11 th
March 1915. Resided Mersham. Son of Edward the 2 nd Baron Brabourne of Hoath House,
Smeeth, Ashford, Kent. Wyndham has no known grave. His name appears on the Le Touret
Memorial, Bethune, France. Panel reference 2.
Wyndham’s family erected a fine private memorial inside the Smeeth parish church. This
attractive memorial can still be seen hanging on the wall adjacent to the church’s own tribute to all
the local men who fell.
2

The 1901 census gives –
Hoath House, Smeeth
Edward KNATCHBULL HUGESSON (Lord Brabourne) 43 Peer
On the 10 th March 1915 the 1 st battalion took up reserve positions near Neuve Chapelle. On the
11 th the battalion sustained heavy casualties whilst crossing the Rue Tilleloy. The battalion’s war
diary records the death of the Lord Brabourne together with 15 other officers and 325 other ranks.
These other officers were killed in the same engagement –
Lt Col Fisher-Rowe
Major G.W Duberly
Captain The Hon G.H Douglas-Pennant
Captain E.F.F Sartorius
Lt H.W Ethelstone
Lt M.A.A Darby
2LT C.F Burnand
2LT A.C Foster
2LT Gelderd-Somervell
3

ADDY A
Gunner 157151 Albert Thomas William ADDY. 299 th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
(RGA). Died Monday 25 th March 1918 aged 25 years. Born Brabourne. Enlisted Ashford. Resided
Brabourne. Son of Alfred and Agnes Addy of Stelling Lodge, Petham, Canterbury, Kent. Buried in
the St Pierre Cemetery, Amiens, France. Grave reference VIII.G.3.
299 th Seige Battery was attached to the 3 rd Army.
4

ASHDOWN F
Lance Corporal 142183 or 15514 Frederick James ASHDOWN. 6 th Battalion, Queen’s Own
(Royal West Kent Regiment). Died Monday 9 th April 1917. Born New Romney. Enlisted
Tenterden. Resided Brabourne Lees. Son of Albert G and Rachel Ashman of Prospect Cottage,
Smeeth, Ashford, Kent. Buried in the Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery, Wancourt, France. Grave
reference II.I.2.
The 1901 census gives –
Prospect Cottage, Smeeth
Albert G ASHMAN 37 Blacksmith Aldington
Rachel 37 St Mary’s
Fred 13 New Romney
Ernest 7 Smeeth
Percy 5 Smeeth
Thomas 3 Smeeth
On the 9 th April 1917 the 6 th West Kent’s were in action all day near Arras. The battalion went
forward through Brown Line and captured enemy positions at Heron Work, Hamel Work, Hanley
Lane, Holt Work and Houlette Work. All objectives were consolidated but at enormous loss –
about 180 men either killed captured or wounded. Despite these losses, the days attack was
judged a success by GHQ.
5

ASHMAN P
Rifleman 263019 Percival (Percy) ASHMAN. 1 st Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment.
Formerly South Wales Borderers. Died Saturday 2 nd June 1917 aged 19 years. Son of George
and Alice Ashman of Granville Villa, Brabourne Lees, Ashford, Kent. Born Smeeth. Enlisted
Canterbury. Percy has no known grave. His name appears on the Arras Memorial, Arras, France.
Panel reference Bay 9.
After leaving school Percy was employed by Mr J Marsh the Baker. He went onto work at the
Orpin’s Stores and was well known throughout the Smeeth area where he often delivered bread.
Percy was killed when a shell burst near the trench he was sheltering in. He was according to his
commanding officer “killed instantly” and did not suffer.
6

BEAN C
Private 17916 Clement George BEAN. 7 th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Formerly 4 th
Battalion. Formerly 2 nd Battalion. Died Thursday 3 rd May 1917. Born Lydd, Kent. Enlisted
Canterbury. Resided Smeeth. Clement has no known grave. His name appears on the Arras
Memorial, Arras, France. Panel reference Bay 6.
The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives –
10, Blackwall Road, Willesborough
Private 9208 George BEAN. Army Veterinary Corps.
On the 1 st April 1917 the 7 th battalion releived the 6 th West Surrey’s from frontline trenches near
Vimy Ridge. On the 3 rd May the British artillery heavily shelled German held positions opposite
the 7 th East Surrey’s.
7

BROOKS G.H
Private 39261 George Henry BROOKS. 9 th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Died 22 nd October
1918 aged 29 years. Resided (1918) The Street, Brabourne, Ashford, Kent. Son of Thomas
William and Mary Ann Brooks. Husband of Ruth Brooks of East Brabourne, Ashford, Kent. Buried
in the Highland Cemetery, Le Cateau, France. Grave reference VIII.B.4.
The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives –
The Street, Brabourne
Private 39261 George Henry BROOKS.
Bridge Cottages, Brabourne
Gunner 177890 Frederick James BROOKS. Royal Garrison Artillery.
Taylor Farm, Brabourne
Private 301760 Robert Thomas BROOKS. 52 nd Hampshire Regiment.
George’s son still lives in the area (now aged 90 years). His fathers name appears on the War
Memorial in Brabourne Zion Baptist Church as well as the Brabourne C of E Church.
8

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

COOPER P
Gunner 208420 Percy COOPER. “C” Battery, 102 nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (RFA).
Died Tuesday 28 th August 1917 aged 35 years. Born Boughton Lees. Enlisted Ashford. Resided
Ashford. Son of Thomas and Jane Cooper of “Fair Bank”, Smeeth, Ashford, Kent. Husband of
Grace Munk Cooper of 2 East View, Brabourne, Ashford, Kent. Formerly of Kennington Lees,
Ashford, Kent. Buried in the Track “X” Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium. Grave reference B.21.
Percy was a Butcher by trade and carried on business in a shop at Kennington before the
outbreak of war.
The Ashford Absentee Voters List for 1918 gives –
Water Farm House, Brabourne
Sapper 203070 Thomas George COOPER. Royal Engineers (6 th Buffs).
Private 265214 William COOPER. Kent Composite Battalion.
The 1901 census gives –
Fair View, Smeeth
Thomas COOPER 49 Poultry Dealer London
Jane 51 Letchcombe, Berkshire
Frank 22 Poultry Dealer West Hougham, Kent
10

DRYLAND A
Railway
Rifleman 14/40162 Archibald W DRYLAND. 14 th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. Formerly
(1956) The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Thursday 7 th June 1917. Enlisted Ashford.
Resided Brook. Third son of Richard Dryland of Brabourne, Ashford, Kent. Buried in the Lone
Tree Cemetery, Mesen, Belgium. Grave reference II.A.1.
Educated in the Brabourne National School. Upon leaving school he was employed by Mr Amos
as a Tilemaker. He married Dorothy Revell of Naccolt Farm, Brook, Ashford, Kent. He left his wife
with one daughter.
Before the outbreak of war Archibald was working as a Labourer in the Ashford Railway Yards.
His name appears on the Ashford (SE&CR) Railway Works Rolls of Honour.
The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives –
Ferne Villas, Brook
Bombardier 120203 Albert Victor DRYLAND. 175 th Seige Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.
Private 8487 Walter Reginald DRYLAND. 8 th Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
Kiln Cottage, Brabourne
Able Seaman Alfred John DRYLAND. HMS Hisbiscus, Royal Navy.
11

HEATHFIELD W
Corporal 12578 William Charles HEATHFIELD. 5 th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. Died 1 st
October 1918 aged 21 years. Born Smeeth. Enlisted Dorchester, Dorset. Resided Ashford. Son
of Albert Edward and Caroline Frances Heathfield of Bedford Villa, Smeeth, Ashford, Kent. Born
Smeeth. William has no known grave. His name appears on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial, France.
Panel reference 7.
12

HILLS A
Private 4781 Albert Leopold John HILLS. 10 th Battalion (County of London) (Hackney),
London Regiment. Died of meningitis 27 th June 1916 aged 31 years. Born Dover. Enlisted
Hampstead, London. Resided Hampstead, London. Son of Henry and Ann Hills of Smeeth,
Ashford, Kent. Husband of H.H Hills of 38, Lisburne Road, Hampstead, London. Buried in the
Barford St Martin Church Cemetery, Wiltshire.
The 1901 census gives –
Ridgeway, Smeeth
Henry HILLS 61 Agricultural Labourer Swingfield, Kent
Jane Ann 56 Caple Le Ferne
Walter T 19 Labourer Swingfield
Albert L.J 15 Gardener Born Lydden, Dover
Charles 14 Houseboy Alkham
13

HOOKER T
Private 46776 Thomas HOOKER. 11 th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Formerly
(212108) Sapper Royal Engineers (RE). Died Thursday 21 st March 1918 aged 21 years. Born
Smeeth. Enlisted Ashford. Resided Brabourne. Son of Thomas and Clara Hooker of Lilly Vale,
Brabourne Lees, Ashford, Kent. Thomas has no known grave. His name appears on the Arras
Memorial, Arras, France. Panel reference Bay 5.
On the 21 st March 1918 the German (Spring) Offensive started (Operation Michael). This large
scale enemy offensive was designed to break the British Army’s resolve and capture lost ground
on the Southern Somme battlefields. The attack was very successful at first but the German
supply lines were badly over-extended. The attack eventually ground to a a halt. A few weeks
later the British counter-attacked and effectively “knocked the stuffing” out of the over extended
German army. This chain of events led to the Armistice in November 1918.
14

MARSHALL G
Private G/24280 George MARSHALL. 8 th Battalion, Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment).
Formerly (2640) The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 1 st September 1916 aged 19 years.
Born Brabourne. Enlisted Ashford. Buried in the London Cemetery Extension, Lonueval, Somme,
France. Grave reference 7.B.13.
George’s name also appears on the Ashford Post Office (Sorting Office) war memorial that now
hangs in the Tannery Lane sorting office.
Educated at the Smeeth Council School. After he left school George went to work at the
Brabourne Lees Post Office. He went to France on 9 th August 1916 with The Buffs and was
transferred into the Queen’s shortly after arriving there. George had a brother serving in the Buffs
as a Sergeant.
On the 1 st September 1916 the 8 th Battalion moved into the front line trenches near Deville Wood
to relieve the 8 th Royal West Kent’s. The battalion was under almost continuous shell fire for the
next 3 days. On the 5 th September the battalion moved away from the front line having lost 136
men to shell fire. It would therefore seem likely that George lost his life somewhere in Delville
(Devil) Wood on the Somme.
15

PESTELL A
Private 32349 Alfred William PESTELL. 8 th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Formerly
(3350) Middlesex Regiment. Died Tuesday 1 st May 1917. Born Boughton. Enlisted Canterbury.
Resided Brabourne Lees. Alfred has no known grave. His name appears on the Arras Memorial,
Arras, France. Panel reference Bay 6.
PHILPOT A
Private G/18418 Arthur PHILPOT. 17 th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. Died 8 th August 1916.
Born Hoxton, Middlesex. Enlisted Shoreditch, London. Resided Hoxton. Arthur has no known
grave. His name appears on the Thiepval Memorial, The Somme, France. Panel reference 12D
and 13B.
SPICE G
Lance Corporal 76152 George W SPICE. 2 nd Battalion, Tank Corps. Formerly (4903) Kings
Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC). Died Friday 22 nd March 1918. Born Smeeth. Enlisted Westminster,
London. Son of Edwin and Louisa J Spice of Smeeth, Ashford, Kent. Husband of Ada I. Spice of
Goodwin Bungalow, Aldington, Ashford, Kent. George has no known grave. His name appears on
the Pozieres Memorial, Pozieres, France. Panel reference 94.
The 1901 census gives –
………. House, Smeeth
Edwin SPICE 49 Kennington, Ashford
Louisa J 39 Smeeth
Edwin E 16 Railway Office Clerk Smeeth
Kate E.L 14 Smeeth
George W 12 Smeeth
George was killed on the second day of the German spring offensive of March 1918.
17

SKEER G MM
Sergeant 280539 George SKEER MM. 222 nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA).
Holder of the Croix de Guerre (Belgium). Died near St Quentin, France on Thursday 21 st
March 1918 aged 36 years. Born Harbledown, Canterbury. Enlisted Ashford. Son of John and
Mary Skeer of Lyminge, Kent. Husband of Lillian Skeer of “Southside” Brabourne Lees, Ashford,
Kent. George has no known grave. His name appears on the Pozieres Memorial, France. Panel
reference 10.
George’s name also appears on the Ashford Post Office (Sorting Office) war memorial that now
hangs in the Tannery Lane sorting office.
Awarded the Military Medal (MM) for bravery in the field.
His wife Lillian Skeer is buried in the St Mary’s Churchyard, Smeeth. She died on 7 th February
1935 aged 49 years.
222 Siege Battery was attached to the 4 th Army. It had Four 6 inch guns which were normally
used to suppress enemy artillery positions.
George had a brother who was also killed in the Great War but he lived in Lyminge near George’s
parents –
Company Sergeant Major 13163 C.E SKEER. School of Gunnery (Lydd), Royal Garrison
Artillery (RGA). Died 10 th May 1917 aged 41 years. Son of John and Mary Skeer of Lyminge,
Kent. Husband of M Skeer of 62, Dour Street, Dover, Kent. Buried locally in the Dover (Charlton)
Cemetery, Dover, Kent. Grave reference Y.Q.7.
STONE ANTHONY
NO TRACE – Too many A Stone’s. Rather a hard one to trace we’re afraid…
18

VARRIER A MM
Corporal 24696 Albert Henry VARRIER MM. 1 st Battalion, The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey
Regiment). Formerly (9574) The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Tuesday 16 th April 1918
aged 25 years. Born Birchold, Kent. Enlisted Ashford. Resided (1918) Park Corner Cottages,
Brabourne. Son of J.R and F.M Varrier of Park Corner Cottages, Brabourne, Ashford, Kent.
Buried in the Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport, France. Grave reference V.E.65.
Albert was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field.
The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives –
Park Corner Cottages, Brabourne
Private 203174 Archibald Walter VARRIER. 4 th Royal West Kent Regiment.
Private 315884 Frederick Percy George VARRIER. 698 th Agricultural Company, Labour
Corps.
Petty Officer 510 William John VARRIER. HMS Halcyon II. Royal Navy.
Le Treport was an important hospital centre during the Great War. It is likely that Albert died here
of wounds.
19

WARD H (brother)
Driver 124232 Horace WARD. “C” Battery, 191 st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (RFA). Died
Monday 8 th October 1917. Born Ramridge End, Bedfordshire. Enlisted Luton, Bedfordshire.
Resided The Blue Anchor Public House, Brabourne, Ashford, Kent. Buried Canada Farm
Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium. Grave reference III.D.31.
The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives –
The Blue Anchor Inn, Brabourne
Private 39924 Edward Francis WARD. 6 th Machine Gun Corps.
Gunner 85408 William WARD. Royal Field Artillery.
21

WARD W (brother)
Driver 85408 William WARD. 122 nd Brigade / 128 th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (RFA). Died
Friday 1 st November 1918. Born Luton, Bedfordshire. Enlisted Faversham. Resided The Blue
Anchor Public House, Brabourne, Ashford, Kent Buried Vichte Miltary Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium.
Grave reference I.C.4.
The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives –
The Blue Anchor Inn, Brabourne
Private 39924 Edward Francis WARD. 6 th Machine Gun Corps.
Gunner 85408 William WARD. Royal Field Artillery.
WOOD C
Private 23278 Walter Charles WOOD. 8 th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Died 23 rd
November 1916. Born Dymchurch. Enlisted Ashford. Resided in Brabourne Lees. Only son of
Henry and Elizabeth Wood of Smeeth, Ashford, Kent. Husband of Amelia MaryWood of “Lees
Cottage”, Brabourne, Ashford, Kent. Brabourne Lees, Ashford, Kent. Buried in the St Sever
Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France. Grave reference 0.11.L5.
Charles was severely wounded on the 18 th November 1916 and taken to the General Hospital at
Rouen in France. He died there 5 days later of his wounds.
On the 18 th November 1916 the 8 th battalion East Surrey’s were in action all day near Albert on
the Somme. The battalions objective that day was a German frontline trench known as Desire
Trench. B and D companies went forward at 06.10 hours and consolidated a line 150 yards
beyond their objective. On the 21 st November the battalion withdrew to Ovillers.
23

LOST MEN
AMOS A
Lance Corporal M23/032700 Albert AMOS. Mechanical Transport Company, Army Service
Corps (ASC). Attached to 174 th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA). Died of
Pneumonia 5 th November 1918 aged 30 years. Born Ashford. Enlisted London. Resided Ashford.
Son of Elizabeth Mary Amos of 20, Wolseley Road, Ashford, Kent. Buried in the St Sever
Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France. Grave reference S.III.M.14.
Before the outbreak of war Albert was a Chauffeur to Mr Dovill of The Paddocks, Smeeth,
Ashford, Kent. Albert died in the 6 th General Stationary Hospital at Rouen France from
Pneumonia and Spanish influenza. He had 5 other brothers who were all serving in the colours at
the time of his death.
The Ashford Absentee Voters list for 1918 gives -
20 Wolseley Road, Ashford
Private 241177 Frank AMOS. 1 st Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment.
Private 53537 Harold James AMOS. 7 th Battalion, Manchester Regiment.
Corporal 2269 Leonard Arthur AMOS. Guards 5 th Machine Gun Regiment.
DE MOUBRAY L.S.J
Captain Leslie St John DE MOUBRAY. 5 th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment. Died of
sickness 6 th September 1919 aged 24 years. Son of Colonel Arthur Moubray and Elspeth
Moubray of Smeeth Hill House, Ashford, Kent. Buried locally in the Hythe (Horn Street) Burial
Ground, Hythe, Kent. Grave reference 613.
24

JORDON G.D
Dover Marine
Private G/26698 George Daniel JORDAN. 5 th Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent
Regiment). Formerly 2 nd Battalion. Drowned Iraq 1 st November 1918. Born Smeeth. Enlisted
Ashford. Resided Ashford. George has no known grave. His name appears on the Basra
Memorial, Basra, Iraq. Panel reference 29.
George’s name also appears on the Ashford Railwayman Roll of Honour (Ashford Library). It
states that George died by drowning. George was employed by the SE&CR before the outbreak
of war.
The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives –
15 Romney Road, Willesborough
Driver 330342 Edward William JORDAN. H.T, Army Service Corps.
43 Romney Road, Willesborough
Private 133017 James Thomas JORDAN. Machine Gun Corps.
On the 31 st October 1918 the Turkish army agreed to an Armistice having been totally defeated.
The 5 th battalion commanded by Colonel Frazer moved forward to Mosul. At this time there were
only 17 officers and just over 400 men left in the field. It would appear that George probably died
of disease (as most casualties did in this theatre).
25

RUANE B.T
Lance Corporal S/9359 Bert Thomas RUANE. 1 st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent
Regiment). Died 15 th September 1916 aged 27 years. Born Charing, Kent. Son of William and
Mary Ruane of Willesborough, Ashford. Formerly residing St Mary’s Road, Faversham, Kent.
Husband of Lucy Ruane of The Street, Great Chart, Ashford, Kent. Buried in the Serre Road
Cemetery No 2, France. Grave reference XXXIII.F.8.
His father William was at one time the butler to Colonel Groves of Charing, Kent. Bert lived at
number 7, Lees Road in Willesborough, Ashford. Before the outbreak of war he worked for Mr
Salmon the Grocer and Postmaster in Hythe Road, Willesborough.
Bert was a first class marksman and he was selected for duty at the coronation of King George.
The 1901 census gives –
The Laundry, Smeeth
Frances RUANE 40 Laundress Washer Leigh, Kent
William 17 Gardener Boxley, Kent
Margaret 15 Maidstone
Gertrude 13 Hollingbourne
Bertie T 9 Charing
John D 7 Charing
Charles E 1 Smeeth
Robert H 2 days Smeeth
26

On the 15 th September 1916 the 1 st battalion was engaged in a major action at Morval on The
Somme. The battalion moved forward from frontline trenches and attacked a heavily fortified
enemy redoubt known as “The Quadrilateral” which was located on the edge of Bouteaux Wood.
This was one of the first actions where tanks were used in force by the British. The Buffs were
tasked with supporting the 8 th Bedford’s and the 2 nd York and Lanc’s. The Buffs were pinned
down in shell holes and suffered enormous casualties - 6 officers and 53 men killed and a further
190 men wounded. During the night the battalion withdrew to a trench running south east to
Guillemont.
STUTELY F
Lance Corporal 34585 Frederick STUTELY. 10 th Battalion, Essex Regiment. Died 26 th April
1918 aged 26 years. Born Peckham, London. Enlisted Shoeburyness, Essex. Resided Westcliff
on Sea, Essex. Son of Edward and Sarah Stutely of 2, Rock Corttages, Ridgeway, Smeeth.
Frederick has no known grave. His name appears on the Pozieres Memorial, Pozieres, France.
Panel reference 51 and 52.
27