ROLVENDEN - Kent Fallen

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.
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