ROLVENDEN - Kent Fallen

ROLVENDEN
All three Hayesmore brothers were killed in 1916 (two of them within 2 days)
The Great War
1914 - 1919
1

ADDY F
Private T/1413 Frank T ADDY. 5 th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Sunday
7 th 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. 5 th 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 5 th battalion was part of the Tigris Corps a hastily organized unit tasked with lifting the
disastrous siege of Kut.
3

BARHAM W.S
Captain Wilfred Saxby BARHAM. 1 st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died
Sunday 10 th 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 3 rd 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 8 th or 9 th
October when the battalion attacked in strength suffering enormous loss (Battle of Loos). He
4

probably succumbed to his wounds on 10 th October 1915 at a Base Hospital in Poperinghe,
Belgium.
BARKER J.E
Sergeant 240788 John Edward BARKER. 7 th Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent
Regiment). Formerly of The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Friday 12 th 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 12 th October 1917 the 7 th West Kent’s were in action all day at Poelcapelle near Ypres.
The battalion was on the left of the 55 th Brigade next to the 4 th 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. 8 th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
Formerly 6 th Battalion. Died Wednesday 17 th November 1915 aged 26 years. Born 15 th
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 14 th
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. 698 th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps.
The 8 th Buffs arrived in France on 1 st September 1915 under Lt Col Romer. In September 1915
the 8 th 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.
5

BISHOP G
Sergeant L/7812 George BISHOP. 1 st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died
Tuesday 2 nd 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. 572 nd Agricultural Company, Labour Corps.
Homewood, Tenterden
6

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 1 st Buffs were resting at Monchy Breton 12 miles west of Mazingarbe in
France. On the 1 st November the 1 st Buffs marched to Grand Bouret and there met the 6 th Buffs.
The battalion was not in action at this time. George is listed as killed in action.
BLACKMAN A
Private T/203078 Albert BLACKMAN. 4 th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died
Thursday 27 th 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. 4 th Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
The Green, Sandhurst
Private George Henry BLACKMAN.
The 4 th battalion was a territorial Buffs battalion. It moved from India to Aden and disembarked
there on the 4 th 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.
7

BROWN G
Private L/7824 George BROWN. 1 st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died
Monday 7 th 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. 694 th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps.
Park Terrace, Rolvenden
Private 7859 John BROWN. 1 st Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
The 1 st battalion moved into the Potijze Sector of Belgium at the end of May 1915. On the 10 th
June the 1 st Buffs were in huts at Poperinghe. The regimental history fails to mention anything of
interest at this time.
8

BRUCE A
Private L/3833 Amos BRUCE. 1 st Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died India Friday 16 th
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. 1 st 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, 5 th Battalion, The
Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Friday 7 th 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 27 th 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 7 th January 1916 the 5 th 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. 5 th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Drowned
by accident 25 th 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. 5 th 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 5 th 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. 2 nd Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died
Monday 3 rd 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.
10

BUTTON A
Private T/2483 Albert BUTTON. 5 th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Friday
21 st 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. 19 th 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 21 st January 1916 the 5 th 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. 5 th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died
Thursday 15 th 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. 9 th Welsh Regiment.
Private G/7541 Reginald Victor COLEY. 2 nd Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
The day that George was killed the 5 th 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. 6 th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
Died Thursday 3 rd 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
12

COX G.H
Private 2056 George Henry COX. 39 th Battalion, Australian Infantry (AIF). Died Friday 8 th
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. 697 th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps.
Post Office, The Layne, Rolvenden
Gunner 67951 Ernest John COX. Royal Horse Artillery.
13

EALDEN H
Private 8226 Horace EALDEN. 1 st Battalion, Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.
Formerly The 5th Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Friday 17 th 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 (5 th
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. 8 th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Died Tuesday
21 st 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. 14 th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. Formerly The Buffs
(East Kent Regiment) (G/9313). Died Sunday 15 th 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. 14 th Battalion, Welsh Regiment.
Sapper 108444 Thomas James FOSTER. 156 th 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. 10 th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC). Died
19 th February 1917. Resided Crowborough, Sussex. Enlisted Whitehall, London.
Corporal G/1055 George William GOBLE. 7 th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died 3 rd
July 1917. Born Aldingbourne, Sussex. Enlisted Bognor Regis, Sussex.
16

GOBLE H (brother)
Private 1624 Horace GOBLE. 16 th Battalion (Queen’s Westminster Rifles), London
Regiment. Formerly The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 10 th 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
17

HAYESMORE F.G (brother)
Private G/5053 Frederick George HAYESMORE. 7 th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent
Regiment). Died Sunday 2 nd 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 7 th 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 4 th July. During this period the battalion lost 50 men killed outright and a further 150
wounded.
18

HAYESMORE H.H (brother)
Private G/5033 Hubert Harold HAYESMORE. 7 th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
Died Saturday 1 st 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 7 th battalion.
On the 1 st July 1916 the 7 th 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.
19

HAYESMORE L.A (brother)
Private G/5034 Louis Arthur HAYESMORE. 7 th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
Died Saturday 18 th 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 7 th 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. 7 th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
Died Thursday 3 rd 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. 12 th Royal Sussex Regiment.
The day that Harold died the 7 th 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 12 th Middlesex and the 11 th 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).
20

HOLDSTOCK C.H
Private G/9809 Charles Herbert HOLDSTOCK. 6 th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent
Regiment). Died Thursday 9 th 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. 6 th 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 3 rd August 1917 the 6 th 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 6 th 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. 2 nd Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent
Regiment). Died Tuesday 25 th 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 3 rd battalion The Buffs in Dover on 24 th December 1914. He moved to France
with the 2 nd battalion on 28 th April 1915.
On the 24 th May 1915 the Germans attacked the whole front at Wieltje to the Menin Road. The
2 nd battalion was tasked with rescuing elements of the 9 th 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 27 th May 1915.
21

HYLAND E
Private L/6001 Edwin HYLAND. 1 st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died Sunday
18 th 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. 5 th Royal (Irish) Lancers.
The day that Edwin died the 1 st 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. 7 th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died 25 th
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. 5 th 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
22

Frederick B 12 Rolvenden
…………… 10 Rolvenden
Richard O 7 Rolvenden
Mary E 6 Rolvenden
Lilian 4 Rolvenden
23

HYLAND R.O
Shoeing Smith 5650 Richard Obed HYLAND. 5 th (Royal Irish) Lancers. Died Friday 9 th 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. 5 th 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. 1 st Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent
Regiment). Died Thursday 18 th 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. 5 th Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
The Layne, Rolvenden
Lance Corporal 255889 Fred JENNER. 437 th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps.
On the 16 th April 1915 the 1 st battalion moved forward from Vlamertinghe via Ouderdom to
frontline trench positions near Hill 60 just outside Ypres. On the 17 th April the battalion attacked at
Hill 60. It is probable that Harry was actually killed in action on Hill 60 on the 17 th April and his
body was never recovered. The date of death was reported as being the 18 th but the battalion had
withdrawn to Vlamertinghe by this time.
24

JUDGE F.T
Lance Corporal L/9706 Frederick Thomas JUDGE. 1 st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent
Regiment). Formerly Royal Sussex Regiment. Died Tuesday 24 th 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. 19 th Royal Defence Corps.
Belle Vue, High Street, Rolvenden
25

Private 25152 Frank Edward JUDGE. 2 nd Queen’s (R. West Surrey Regiment).
Private 26304 Frederick David JUDGE. 1 st East Surrey Regiment.
Lance Corporal 75219 Frederick William JUDGE. Tank Corps.
Private 98277 Harold Walter Edward JUDGE. 46 th Machine Gun Corps.
Private 15120 Herbert Alfred JUDGE. R.M Fusiliers.
Essendine Villa, High Street, Rolvenden
Private 24080 Frederick James JUDGE. East Kent Yeomanry (2/4 th 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 22 nd April 1917 the 1 st 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, 88 th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
(RFA). Died 21 st 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.
26

MAYNARD J.C
Gunner 33445 James Charles MAYNARD. 24 th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
(RGA). Died Sunday 8 th 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.
27

MAYNARD W
Private TF/204219 William MAYNARD. 7 th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died
Sunday 30 th 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 23 rd September 1917 the 7 th battalion moved by train from Eringhem to St Jan Ter Biezen.
Fives days later (28 th 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 11 th 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.
28

MAYNARD R.H
Private 33436 Robert Hudson MAYNARD. 2 nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. Formerly
(23940) East Yorkshire Regiment. Died Monday 2 nd 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.
29

MUNNION F.A
Sergeant 821 Frederick Arthur MUNNION. 11 th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died
Monday 4 th 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.
30

NICOLAI R.C
Lieutenant Ronald Claude NICOLAI. 1 st Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Died
Sunday 25 th 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.
31

PARKER H
Corporal 177 Herbert PARKER. 8 th Battalion, London Regiment (Post Office Rifles). Died
Sunday 16 th 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 11 th May 1915 the 8 th 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.
32

RICHARDS F
Private G/5116 Frederick William RICHARDS. 7 th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
Died 23 rd 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. 7 th Batalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
On the 23 rd March 1918 the 7 th 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 7 th Buffs were given the difficult task of fighting
a rearguard action. The Buffs HQ was at Clarence Keep close to the Vendeuil-Remigny Road.
33

Two forward companies were holding fast on the main St Quentin Road. The fighting strength of
the 7 th Buffs was only 550 men.
34

RUSSELL J
Private 16664 James RUSSELL. 2 nd Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB). Died
31 st 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
35

Private 4540 Alfred RUSSELL. 3 rd Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
On the 22 nd July 1916 the 2 nd KOSB were in High Wood sustaining casualties from murderous
machine gun fire. On the 23 rd July the battalion was relieved from High Wood by the 1 st Norfolk
Regiment and withdrew to Pommiers Redoubt. On the 29 th July the battalion deployed to frontline
trenches at Delville Wood. On the 30 th July the battalion was in action at Delville Wood. The
battalion remained in the wood until 1 st 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.
36

SHARP C.W
Private S/43250 Charles William SHARP. 1 st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. Died Sunday 3 rd
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. 5 th Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
High Street, Rolvenden
Sergeant 114961 William SHARP. Mechanical Transport, Army Service Corps.
37

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. 967 th Mechanical Transport Company, Royal Army
Service Corps (RASC). Died Monday 27 th 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. 5 th 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
38

SMALL C
Private G/5135 Charles SMALL. 8 th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died
Saturday 20 th 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 8 th battalion was at La Panne in France resting. On the 14 th 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.
39

SMITH A
Private G/5179 Alfred SMITH. 2 nd Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 14 th 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 2 nd 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 23 rd March it withdrew to billets in Dickebusch.
SPAIN L.W
Private G/4749 Leonard William SPAIN. 1 st Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent
Regiment). Formerly “G” Company, 5 th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died
Sunday 18 th 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 5 th Battalion, The Buffs as a territorial soldier on
9 th March 1909. He served in the 5 th 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 1 st battalion at Vlamertinghe and Ouderdom. On the 16 th
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 17 th
April. Leonard was probably wounded on the 16 th and died of his wounds 2 days later on the 18 th .
40

STEARNS P.C
Lieutenant Patrick Chillingworth STEARNS. 5 th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps
(KRRC). Formerly 7 th Battalion KRRC. Died Tuesday 4 th 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 4 th
Fusiliers.
Lancashire
41

TENNANT H
Second Lieutenant Henry TENNANT. 52 nd Squadron, Royal Flying Corps (RFC). Formerly
2 nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys). Died Sunday 27 th 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.
42

WARD H.R
Air Mechanic 2 nd 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 21 st July 1917 aged 18 years. Born 2 nd 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 2 nd 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”.
43

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 9 th June 1916. To Howden from Kingsnorth 26 th
June 1916 (damaged propeller when landing). Wrecked at Scarborough 23 rd 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 21 st July 1917. Two officers, two coxwains and a Wireless Tranmitter
(W.T) Operator were killed.
44

WATSON W
Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) 9323 Walter WATSON. 11 th Battalion, Royal Scots. Died
Monday 13 th 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.
45

LOST MEN
BRUNGER H
Private T/240374 Harry BRUNGER. 5 th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 18 th
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 18 th October 1917 the 5 th 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 5 th 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. 5 th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died Saturday 15 th
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
46

HUTCHINGS W.T
Private 466290 William Trible HUTCHINGS. 426 th Labour Company, Labour Corps.
Formerly (46478) Devonshire Regiment. Died 8 th 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. 1 st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Reiment). Died
5 th 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.
47

SWATLING H.F.S
Private G/97988 Harold Frederick Stephen SWATLING. 1 st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment.
Died 6 th 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).
48