Weslyan Methodist Church
War Memorial
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Milton Road, Gravesend
The memorial is a shaped bronze plaque originally set within a wooden surround which has now been removed. At the top centre is a raised laurel wreath resting above a horizontal scroll, symbolising honour and remembrance. On either side of the wreath are the dates 1914 and 1918, marking the years of the First World War. Beneath this is the main inscription, cast in raised block lettering, which dedicates the memorial:
"IN SACRED MEMORY OF THOSE CONNECTED WITH THIS CHURCH WHO ENTERED THE FULLER LIFE IN THE GREAT STRUGGLE FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS AND IN DEVOUT THANKFULNESS TO ALMIGHTY GOD FOR OUR PRESERVATION".
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The lower section of the plaque lists the names of the fallen in three columns. A decorative border runs around the edge of the plaque, featuring small floral motifs at intervals.
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The memorial commemorates 17 men who were connected with the church and who died during the First World War. Originally placed in the entrance, the memorial was moved to a position inside the Nave when a new entrance was built sometime around 2019. The memorial is a bronze casting manufactured by F. Osborne & Co Ltd of London and the engraver was Herbert Francis Wauthier.
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The memorial is now sited in the Nave of the church on a wall behind the pews on the right hand side facing the alter.
W. W. AITKEN
Lance Corporal G/731 William Whiteley Aitken - "C" Company, 7th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) was killed in action, near Chérisy, France on 3 May 1917. Aged 20.
He was born in New Mills, Derbyshire in 1896 to William and Sarah Aitken. He had a brother Thomas and a sister Margaret. He was known to the family as Willie. The family home was Alexander Lodge, Lennox Road, Gravesend.
His father worked at the Imperial Paper Mills in Gravesend and both sons followed him in gaining employment there. When the First World War started in August 1914 Willie was working as a Paper Maker at the mill.
William enlisted on 7 September 1914 as one of the early volunteers in Kitchener’s Army and after training was sent to France with his battalion on 28 July 1915. He saw action at the battle of the Somme during 1916. In the same year his brother Thomas would die in tragic circumstances from an accident at the paper mills.
After his death in May 1917 during the Battle of Arras the Gravesend Reporter printed a story on 10 August 1918 (p.5)
Lance-Corpl W.W. Aitken
Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Aitken, of Alexander Lodge, Lennox-road, have been in great suspense since May 3rd, 1917, concerning their son, Lance-Corpl. William Whiteley Aitken, of the - 7th Buffs, who has been reported missing since that date. Not withstanding every possible inquiry, no definite information could be obtained concerning him, but last week a letter was received from the War Office, "'presuming" his death. The terrible suspense of the parents has thus to some extent been relieved, but they naturally cling to the hope that even yet it may transpire that he is still living. It appears the deceased had charge of a Lewis gun in the fighting somewhere about Chérisy in May of last year. The No. 2 on the gun saw him fall and heard him say something, but the din and roar of battle made it impossible for him to catch the words. That is the sum total of the information obtainable, and much sympathy will be felt for the parents in losing a devoted son in such tragic circumstances. At the age of 18 years he joined Kitchener's Army on September 7th, 1914 and went to the West Front in July, 1915 He took part in the Somme battle in 1916, Arras in 1917, where, it would appear he was mortally wounded. The deceased was engaged at the Imperial Paper Mills West (where his father is manager) prior to joining up, and the only time he was home on leave was at Christmas, 1916. He was very popular with his numerous companions in civil life, and they feel that they have lost a valuable friend. He was at one time a teacher in the Wesleyan Sunday School (Wrotham-road), and attended the Wesleyan Church (Milton-road), where he was identified with the Comrades. He was educated at the Secondary School, New Mills, Derbyshire. The parents are to be sincerely commiserated with, for they have also had the misfortune to lose an elder son (Thomas A. Aitken), who died about two years ago as a result of an accident at the Paper Mills, where he too, was employed.
L/Cpl Aitken’s body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial to the missing. He was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. His family would receive the Memorial Plaque and Scroll.
​His name is memorialised on the family grave in Gravesend Cemetery and this has an unusual headstone with a violin carving to denote his love of music. He is also commemorated on the Gravesend Windmill Hill, Gravesend Town Hall and Imperial Paper Mills memorials.
D. AITKIN
Private 240826 Douglas Gordon Aitkin - 7th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) died from wounds 20 October 1917 at No. 4 Casualty Clearing Station, Dozinghem, Belgium. Aged 22.
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Douglas was born in Gravesend in 1894 to Robert William and Emma Aitkin. He had two brothers and two sisters and was known as Dugie to his friends and family. The family home was 6 Milton Road, Gravesend.
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He was educated at Wrotham Road school before gaining entry to the Modern School after which he was employed as a clerk working for the Port of London Authority.
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When war broke out he enlisted with nine other clerks in the 1/5th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment on 21 November 1914. This was a Territorial Army battalion and they were sent to Bedford for basic training, this battalion would later serve in Gallipoli.
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Unfortunately due to his eyesight he was deemed unfit for service and was returned from training. As the war progressed and more men were needed it would seem that this impediment would be set aside and Douglas would be accepted for Army service.
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He was drafted to the 7th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment and posted overseas on 12 September 1917. Private Aitkin would die just a few weeks later from wounds received after being in action for the first time just two days earlier. He wrote to his parents after this momentous event and told them that he had survived “going over the top”. They must have felt relieved to know this but then just a few days later they would receive the news that he had been killed. His last words to his mother were “Give her my love”.
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The Gravesend Reporter printed the following on 3 November 1917 (p.5)
Died of Wounds - Aitkin
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Corpl. Douglas Gordon Aitkin died from wounds received in action was recorded in our last issue, was a pupil of Wrotham-road Board School, where he received a good ground work under Mr. Miles (headmaster), who was like a father to all his boys, and who had a splendid influence over his education at the Modern School, under Mr. Waldegrave, he passed for the College of Preceptors in Third Division, taking the distinction in arithmetic, algebra and drawing; also in the second class, in which he took distinction in drawing.
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On leaving the Modern School, with a splendid character from his master (Mr. Waldegrave), he went to the office of Messrs. Glover and Homewood, where he stayed till he passed into the service of the Port of London Authority. He was an enthusiastic musician, like his brother Wilfrid, and he studied the cello, on which he was no mean performer. He was a member of the P.L.A. Band, and was also in request at local concerts.
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When war broke out he, with nine other fellow clerks, nobly responded to the call, Joining up on his 20th birthday in the Royal West Kent Regiment on November 21st, 1914, and in 1915 he was sent to Bedford with a draft for the Dardanelles, but on being examined his eyesight failed him, and he was sent back as unfit. He embarked with a draft for France on September 12th of the present year, and was in action for the first time about October 18th. His parents received a letter saying he had been over the top and had got safely through. Shortly after they received a letter from the matron of the No. 4 C.C.S., saying their dear boy had been seriously wounded in the abdomen and back, and that he passed peacefully away on October 20th. His last words, when the matron told him she was writing to his mother, were “Give her my love.” His life was an example to many, and it is interesting to record that he was the only man in his company who had any influence for good over the worst characters in it. That he had a presentment that he would never return was evident from the facts which have come to his parents’ knowledge, but he went fearlessly to the Front and died nobly.
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Private Aitkin was buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery and was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal. His parents would receive the Memorial Plaque and Scroll. He is also commemorated on the Gravesend Windmill Hill and Gravesend Town Hall memorials.
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His obituary in the Gravesend Reporter had the following to say about him: A true and loving son and a most faithful friend. This day the noise of battle then next the victor’s song.
W. ALLAN
1st Officer William Barclay Allan - H.M.N.T. Mesopotamia, Mercantile Marine
He died from septicemia on 17 November 1918 in Piraeus, Greece whilst returning from a voyage to India. Aged 27.
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William does not qualify for inclusion on the CWGC register. Those serving in the Mercantile Marine (Merchant Navy) were not entitled for inclusion unless they died, while signed on for a voyage, as a direct result of enemy action or while detained by the enemy.
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William was born 21 January 1891 in Lanarkshire, Scotland to William and Euphemia Allan. He had two brothers and two sisters. The family moved to Gravesend sometime before 1901 as they are recorded on the census for that year at 32 Arthur Street.
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He was educated at Wrotham Road School and then the Modern School after which he was apprenticed as a Thames Watermen & Lightermen in 1908 and began his connection with working at sea.
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The 1911 census has his parents living at 6 Portland Avenue but it would appear that William had already begun his life at sea by this point as he is not listed at home. He gained his certificate for competency as a 2nd Mate in 1916 and was working in this capacity when he was taken ill on a return journey from India. He died from septicemia and was buried in the British Cemetery, Piraeus, Greece.
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The Gravesend Reporter 7 December 1918 (p.7) printed the following:
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William Barclay Allan, 1st Officer S.S. " Mesopotamia," whose portrait appears above, is the eldest son of Mr. W. L. Allan, ironmonger, 31, Queen-street, Gravesend. News has been received through the Admiralty that he died at Piraeus, Greece, on November 18th. On war breaking out he was in the merchant service abroad, and on returning home joined H.M.N.T. but on his last voyage he was transferred to H.M.M.T, and it is only this week that his whereabouts became known to his parents.
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His ship had been to India and returned to the Mediterranean and so far as the information received by telegram from the Transport Officer at Piraeus states he died on arrival at that port of septicemia. - He was educated at Wrotham-road Schools, and afterwards went to Mr. Waldegrave's Modern School. On finishing there he went to London and studied for the Civil Service, but not being successful in gaining an appointment on his first examination his thoughts turned to the sea, and he was apprenticed. His father learns from his late employers, Messrs. Parker Hamilton, of Billiter avenue, that they exceedingly regret his loss as he was such a promising young officer. His younger brother, Second Lieutenant Percy Allan, who won the Military Medal some time back, is also very ill in hospital in France. His parents have received this news from the War Office. His other brother, Corporal H. J. Allan, R.E., is also in France. His many friends Gravesend will regret to hear of the above young officer's death at the close of the war. He was 27 years old.
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Although the CWGC does not recognise the sacrifice that William made, his parents did, and they put his name forward for inclusion on the local war memorials after the war.
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William is commemorated on Gravesend Windmill Hill, Gravesend Town Hall memorials and is memorialised on his family grave in Gravesend Cemetery. He was entitled to the Mercantile Marine War Medal and British War Medal.
H. S. BAILEY
Lance Corporal 242479 Herbert Stigant Bailey - 10th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) was killed in action on 23 October 1918 near the village of Heestert. Aged 19.
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Herbert was born in 1899 in Gravesend to George and Mabel Bailey, he had two brothers Cyril and Rodney. The family home in 1911 was 160 Parrock Street, Gravesend but they would later move to “Wickens” 3 Essex Road.
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He was educated at Wrotham Road School and then went on to the Gravesend Grammar School.
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On the outbreak of war Herbert signed up but as he was only 15½ he was soon sent home. This didn’t deter him and as soon as he was 18 years old he re-enlisted and was posted to the 10th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment. After Herbert was killed his parents received a letter from Lieutenant A.M. Razzle, one of his Officers, telling them that his death was instantaneous and that he had been recommended for a decoration for very good work in the face of very heavy machine gun fire. L/Cpl Bailey was buried in Heestert Military Cemetery, Belgium. He is commemorated on Gravesend Windmill Hill, Gravesend Town Hall, Gravesend Grammar School and the Liberal Club war memorials.
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L/Cpl Bailey is entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal. The Memorial Plaque and Scroll would have been sent to his parents.
W. H. BERRY
Private 201388 William Henry Berry - 1st Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Killed in action 19 September 1918 near Gouzeaucourt, France. Aged 32.
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William Henry Berry was born in January 1886 in Faversham, Kent, the youngest child and only son of William Holland Berry, a merchant seaman, and Elizabeth Jane Berry (née Goodhew). William’s early life was shaped by tragedy: while the family were returning from Maine, USA, where his five older sisters had been born, his father died at sea from cerebral meningitis on 19 December 1885—just days before William’s birth in England.
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His mother, Elizabeth, raised William and his sisters in Faversham, living in Queen’s Road, and remained there until her death on 31 March 1918.
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William was educated at Wreight’s School in Faversham and remembered by friends as a kind and conscientious man. He worked first for five years with Messrs Henry S. Tett and Co. of Market Street, Faversham, then moved on to Bigglesden's in Canterbury, and finally to Fowles in Gravesend, where he was working when he enlisted.
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A devout Christian and a committed local preacher with the Wesleyan Methodist Church, William was also active in St John Ambulance work. He is remembered as someone to whom violence and warfare were naturally abhorrent, yet he felt a strong moral obligation to serve. He volunteered under the Derby Scheme and joined the Royal West Kent Regiment in 1915.
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Serving as a signaller, William was first deployed to the Western Front, where he served for nine months before being invalided home with trench fever. After recovering, he returned to France in June 1918.
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He was killed in action on 19 September 1918 during the Allied advance in the final Hundred Days Offensive. At the time of his death, he was repairing a communications line between his company and battalion headquarters—dangerous work that required going out under fire. As the officer who wrote to his family noted, “William had the right to send another signaller but chose to go himself, a decision that cost him his life. He was struck by a shell and killed instantly; the signaller with him was wounded. He was most conscientious and thorough in performing his duties as a signaller, and besides being at all times a cheerful comrade he was one of our best men... The fact that he went out on the line himself resounds to his everlasting credit." – Officer of the Royal West Kent Regiment
William Henry Berry’s legacy lives on in the communities he touched—in Faversham, Gravesend, and the Wesleyan Church. He was unmarried, but deeply remembered by family and friends as a man of principle, service, and faith.
He was buried in grave I. C. 2. at Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery and his only commemoration in Gravesend is on the Wesleyan Methodist Church War Memorial. He was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal and these would have been sent to his next of kin along with his Memorial Plaque and Scroll.
F. BOX
Private G/734 Frank Charles Box - 7th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) died from wounds on 12 February 1916. Aged 20.
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Frank was born in Gravesend in 1895 to Thomas William Christmas and Amelia Laura Box. His father was a local builder and Frank was one of his six children. The family home was 6 Pelham Road. His mother Amelia died in 1908 when he was just 13 years old.
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He was educated at the St James’s church school and then Gravesend Grammar School.
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When war was declared Frank was one of the first to join up as a volunteer and enlisted on 7 September 1914. After training he was sent to France and Flanders with his battalion on 28 July 1915. He was transferred to the Machine Gun section of the battalion and acted as a scout. His father received a letter after his death from Lieut, J. G. Whitfeld describes how he was wounded. On the night of 31 January to 1 February the Germans shelled their trench and destroyed the machine gun and the emplacement and killed the Corporal. Frank's duty was to report this to his commanding officer, and to do so he had to cross ground which was subjected to a perfectly hellish shell-fire. This he managed to do safely but on the return journey he was wounded severely by two pieces of shell. Fortunately he was quickly attended to, and within two hours he was on his way to No. 5 Casualty Clearing Station. The officer said the wounds were deep, but there was no cause for anxiety. On the 4 February Frank sent a field postcard to his father to say that he was in hospital but doing well. Unfortunately his condition deteriorated and he died from these wounds on the 12 February.
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The Gravesend Reporter printed the following on 19 February 1916 (p.5)
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Death of Frank Charles Box
From Wounds in Action
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Many will regret to hear that this war has robbed the town of another promising young man, Frank Charles, the elder son of Mr. T. W. Box, builder, of 6, Pelham-road South. In September, 1914, he enlisted, at the age of 19, in the 7th Buffs, and was transferred to the M.G. Section, in which he acted as scout. In July, 1915, they went to France, and since then they have been taking their share in the trenches. From a report sent to his father by Lieut, J. G. Whitfeld, on the night prior to February 1st, it appears the Germans shelled successfully the trench, putting the gun out of action, wrecking the emplacement, and killing the corporal. Frank's duty was to report, and to do so he had to cross ground which was subjected to a perfectly hellish shell-fire. This he managed to do safely but on the return journey he was wounded severely by two pieces of shell.
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Fortunately he was quickly attended to, and within two hours he was on his way to the clearing hospital. The officer said the wounds were deep, but there was no cause for anxiety. On the 4th Frank sent a field postcard to say he was in hospital doing well. This was received on the 7th, together with the letter from his Lieutenant, which seemed to confirm the hope of recovery. However, on the 6th a sister of the hospital wrote saying he was seriously ill, on the 8th he was no better, and on the 10th that he was worse. Then on the Sunday the following telegram was received: “Regret to inform you No. 734, Private F. Box, 7th Buffs, died 12th February, at 5th Casualty Clearing Station. Attest Hounslow.”
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Universal sympathy will be felt with Mr. Box in his loss, for Frank was only 20 years of age. Educated at St. James's Church Schools and the Technical Institute, he was well-known to many, and especially to the members of the Wesleyan Comrades. He was fond of sport, and though injured at football was at it again when well. In this respect, it is worth recording the statement made about him by his officer. "He is a splendid boy, one of my best. His chums, Lee and Aitken, are terribly cut up, and we all miss him. I only hope that when he is back on duty that he will be sent to this regiment.” Alas his fighting days are o’er, like many more he has travelled to that land where his talents will be exercised in building up a new kingdom, and his life lived where sorrow, pain and the horrors of war will be forgotten in the елjoyment of endless peace.
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Private Box is buried in Corbie Communal Cemetery, France. He is entitled to the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. His father would receive his Memorial Plaque and Scroll. He is commemorated on Gravesend Windmill Hill, Gravesend Town Hall, Gravesend Grammar School, Milton-next-Gravesend, Princes St Congregational Church, St James's School war memorials and on his family grave in Gravesend Cemetery.
C. CARTER
This casualty is yet to be positively identified.
H. COLLEER
Private 240828 Harry Charles Colleer - 7th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) was killed in action 28 March 1918. Aged 27.
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Harry was born in Brightlingsea, Essex in 1890 to Charles and Lottie Colleer. He had a brother and a sister and the family home was 25 Darnley Street in 1911 but later on they moved to 68 Darnley Road, Gravesend.
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Educated at Wrotham Road school and then Gravesend Grammar School.
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Harry’s father was a Customs Officer and when Harry left school he began work as a clerk for the Port of London Authority. He only qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal and this could possibly mean that he may have been drafted into the Army sometime after 1916.
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He was serving with “A” Company, 7th Battalion when the German Army launched the spring offensive, also known as Kaiserschlacht ("Kaiser's Battle") on 21 March 1918. During this massive attack, which nearly broke the British line, the 7th Battalion was almost wiped out. At the end of March 1918, 16 Officers and 577 other ranks were still missing.
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The 21 March was the last known date that Harry was seen alive and so after the war his family placed an article in the Gravesend Reporter asking former Comrades if they knew any further information about what had happened to him. His date of death was recorded on the Pozieres Memorial to the missing as 28 March 1918 and he is commemorated on Gravesend Windmill Hill, Gravesend Town Hall, and Gravesend Grammar School war memorials. Private Colleer is entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal. The Memorial Plaque and Scroll would have been sent to his parents.
A. CROCKETT
Sapper 2564 Alfred James Crockett - 1st/3rd Kent Field Company, Royal Engineers was killed on 28 October 1915. Aged 17.
Alfred was born in Gravesend in 1898 to James and Eliza Agatha Crockett. He was one of six children. His father worked as merchant seaman on steamships and the family home was 19 Prospect Place, Gravesend.
He enlisted in the 1/3rd Kent Fortress, Royal Engineers, a Territorial unit based in Gillingham that was responsible for local coastal defences and searchlights. They were later converted to a Field Company of the Royal Engineers. The unit was posted to Gallipoli and on the last leg of the journey towards Cape Helles they boarded the converted cross-channel steamer HMS Hythe. As she was approaching the Dardanelles at night without lights she was in a collision with HMS Sarnia, she was also a converted steamer, but larger than the Hythe. The Sarnia had landed her cargo and troops and was leaving the Peninsula when she struck the Hythe on the Port side tearing a gaping hole in her side. Within ten minutes the Hythe had sunk in the freezing water. There were insufficient life jackets on the ship and in the confusion 129 members of 1/3rd Company were lost plus 15 other Army personnel and 11 crew from the Hythe including Sapper Crockett.
His body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gravesend Windmill Hill, Gravesend Town Hall, Milton-next-Gravesend memorials as well as his family grave in Gravesend Cemetery. Sapper Crockett was entitled to just the British War Medal as he had not entered a theatre of war and therefore did not qualify for the 1914-15 Star and Victory Medal. His Memorial Plaque and Scroll would be sent to his family.
F. J. DANN
Private CH/11623 Francis Joseph Dann - (RMR/B/628). H.M.S. "Hogue" Royal Marine Light Infantry was killed when the cruiser HMS Hogue was sunk on 22 September 1914. Aged 31.
Francis was born in Plumstead, Woolwich on 15 June 1883 to Frank Richard and Harriet Amelia Dann. His father worked as a foundry furnace man at Woolwich Arsenal. Francis was one of seven children and the family home at the time was 13 Frederick Place, Plumstead.
On reaching 18 years of age Francis enlisted in the Royal Marine Light Infantry in 1900 and served for four years before being discharged to the Royal Fleet Reserve.
Not long after this Francis married Sarah Lloyd Venner in 1905 and they settled down in Gravesend. Their son Sidney Francis Dann was born in 1911 and they are shown as living at 15 Stone Street on the census. Francis is recorded as working as a milk carrier but he was also still retained with the RFR and would have to attend annual camp to qualify for the small pay that he would receive. They had a daughter, Doris Mable Dann, born in the spring of 1914.
It was due to his being a Reservist that on 2 August 1914 he was recalled to the Colours and rejoined the Chatham Battalion RMLI. Posted to the armed cruiser HMS Hogue he was aboard this ship when she was sunk by the German submarine U-9 in the North Sea on the morning of 22 September 1914. There were three ships sunk in this attack, HMS Aboukir, HMS Hogue and HMS Cressy with 1,459 men losing their lives. His body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial to the missing and also Gravesend Windmill Hill, Gravesend Town Hall, Gravesend St George's war memorials and the family grave in Gravesend Cemetery.
Private Dann was entitled to the 1914 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and the Memorial Plaque and Scroll. His loss would leave his widow with two small children to raise on her own.
P. DUMBRILL
Gunner 130892 Percy James Dumbrill - "V" 13th Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery died of measles and bronchial pneumonia at Rouen on 8 December 1918. Aged 33.
Percy was born in 1885 in Gravesend to William Thomas and Emily Dumbrill. His father worked as a builder and Percy was one of five children. In the 1911 census Percy is shown still living with his parents at 39 Bath Street and he is recorded as working as a bricklayer.
He married Lilian Gay in 1913 and they had a daughter Eileen Lilian Dumbrill who was born in the spring of 1914. They lived with his parents at 35 Cobham Street.
Percy was probably one of the men who were conscripted during the war. In January 1916 the British government passed the Military Service Act which made all single men between the ages of 18 and 41 liable for military service. In May of that year they extended it to married men and by 1918 they had raised the age limit to 50 years old. It was no longer a volunteer-only Army.
Percy joined the Royal Garrison Artillery on 25 November 1916 and served with a Heavy Trench Mortar unit attached to XIII Corps. Heavy Trench Mortar Batteries were equipped with 9.45" mortars and were often targeted by the enemy artillery. Despite these dangers Percy managed to survive the fighting in the trenches only to succumb to sickness. He died after contracting measles and bronchial pneumonia in December 1918. Percy died at 25 Stationary Hospital near Rouen and was buried in the St. Sever Cemetery Extension nearby.
Gunner Dumbrill is commemorated on Gravesend Windmill Hill, Gravesend Town Hall, and the Liberal Club war memorials. He is also commemorated on his family grave in Gravesend Cemetery. He was entitled to the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Memorial Plaque and Scroll.
His family placed an obituary notice in the Gravesend Reporter, it ended with - The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away. Till the day dawn and the shadows flee away.
O. MILWAY
Private 40805 Osborn Milway - 20th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment died of wounds on 10 January 1918 near the village of Achiet-Le-Grand, aged 30.
Osborn was born in Northfleet in 1887 to Osborn Thomas and Mary Jane Milway. His father was a barge ship builder. Osborn was the eldest of their five children. Two of his brothers would die before 1912.
After his education he worked as a shop assistant in a shoe shop. He enlisted in the Middlesex Regiment, later being transferred to the 20th Battalion. It is most likely that he would have been conscripted.
In the few weeks leading up to Christmas 1917 the battalion was in the line near Bullecourt. There is no record of when he was injured or where but Osborn died from wounds on 10 January at the 49 Casualty Clearing Station and was buried nearby, after the war many of the smaller burial sites in this area were concentrated into the Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension.
His mother Mary was recorded on his Soldier’s effects record as being his next of kin and her address was given as 37 Brandon Street, Gravesend.
Private Milway is commemorated on Gravesend Windmill Hill and Gravesend Town Hall war memorials and also his family grave in Gravesend Cemetery. He was entitled to the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Memorial Plaque and Scroll.
His mother Mary left an obituary in the Gravesend Reporter a year after his death - Ever in our thoughts.
J. H. MORRIS
Sapper James Henry Morris is second in from the left
Sapper 541817 James Henry Morris - 497th Field Company, Royal Engineers who died as a prisoner of war at Tournai, Belgium on the 31 March 1918 aged 24 years.
James was born in Gravesend on 12 February 1894 to George James and Emily Mercy Morris, his father was a police sergeant. He was their youngest child and had three older brothers and two sisters (one of his sisters died in childhood). The family lived at 68 Windmill Street.
After his education he trained as a carpenter. On the outbreak of war his eldest brother John, who lived in New Zealand, enlisted in the Anzac forces. The next eldest brother, Edward, also enlisted, joining the RAMC and was sent to France in August 1914.
James, and his closest aged brother, Frend, enlisted together in the 497th Field Company, Royal Engineers. Their service numbers are just two numbers apart and they served together until they were captured by the Germans on 30 November 1917 at Cambrai and made prisoners of war. Even then it seems that they remained together but sadly James died on 31 March 1918 at Tournai Museum whilst still a POW.
Sapper Morris was buried in Tournai Communal Cemetery Allied Extension and is also commemorated on Gravesend Windmill Hill, Gravesend Town Hall, Liberal Club war memorials and also his family grave in Gravesend Cemetery. He was entitled to the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Memorial Plaque and Scroll.
His brother Frend survived his ordeal as a POW and was repatriated after the war. He would later start the Morris & Partners Funeral service business that still operates in Windmill Street.
W. H. MOTTASHAW
Company Serjeant Major 8620 William Henry Mottashaw, M.M. - 7th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry was killed in action on 5 October 1918. Aged 29.
William was born in Burton-on-Trent on 1 June 1889 to William and Lizzie Mottashaw. He had 3 brothers and 3 sisters. His father was a boot and shoe salesman and the family moved Crieff, Perthshire around the mid 1890’s. Because William grew up in Crief he would mistakenly list this as his place of birth on official documents.
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He was a pre-war regular soldier in the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry and by 1911 was stationed with the 1st Battalion at Milton Barracks, Gravesend. He married Grace Evelyn Allsebrook in Gravesend in 1912, and the couple had two children: Joyce Evelyn (b. 1912) and Norman Harold (b. 1914).
At the outbreak of war in 1914, Mottashaw volunteered to rejoin his regiment but was initially retained in the UK for duties owing to previous service and experience, he later deployed to France with the 7th Battalion, DCLI. He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field, which was announced in the London Gazette on 17 June 1919.
An obituary published in the Gravesend Reporter described the high regard in which he was held locally. A tribute from Mr. H. H. Salt, a personal acquaintance, stated:
“Although doing valuable service in this country, being unfit for the keener part in the struggle for Freedom and Justice, he volunteered and begged to be sent out, at a time when he knew every man counted.”
“It is to be regretted that at the age of 29 the country should lose such a valuable life, and his wife and two children such an excellent husband and father. Many will miss his cheery optimism and assistance in any good work in this town.”
The obituary also noted that Mrs. Mottashaw, then living at 26 Lynton Road, South Gravesend, had received letters of condolence from her husband’s officers and the battalion chaplain, as well as messages of sympathy from friends and members of the local community.
He was killed in action in the closing weeks of the war. He was 29 years old and is buried in Sucrerie Cemetery, Ablain-St. Nazaire, grave VI. A.14. Company Sergeant Major Mottashaw was entitled to the Military Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal and his wife would receive these after the war along with his Memorial Plaque and Scroll. He is also commemorated on the Gravesend Windmill War Memorial and the Crief, Perthshire War Memorial.
L. ROSS
Driver 182 Leslie Ross - ‘A’ Squadron, 3rd Australian Light Horse Regiment
Died of accidental injuries on 7 April 1915, Heliopolis, Egypt. Aged 20.
Leslie Ross was born on 10 September 1894 in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, the illegitimate son of Mary Ross (née Hathaway). Mary had previously been married to Reuben Ross, with whom she had three children before his death in 1889. In 1899, she remarried William Dawson Elsam, but by that time Leslie had already been taken in by Joseph and Susannah Smith, likely as an informal adoption.
By 1901, Leslie was living with the Smiths at 39 Augustine Road, Gravesend. Following the deaths of Joseph (1903) and Susannah (1909), Leslie was cared for by their daughter, Mary Susannah Cooper, becoming her foster son. He attended the National School in Gravesend and lived at 8 Waterloo Avenue. His official next of kin, however, was listed as his stepfather, William Dawson Elsam, of 58 King Edward’s Grove, Teddington, London.
In 1912, at the age of 17, Leslie emigrated to Australia, where he worked as a farmer. He had prior military experience with the 24th Australian Light Horse, and on 1 September 1914, he enlisted with the 3rd Australian Light Horse Regiment shortly after the outbreak of the First World War. He was 6 feet 1½ inches tall, weighed 160 pounds, had blue eyes and brown hair, and identified with the Church of England.
Leslie embarked from Adelaide aboard the SS Port Lincoln on 23 October 1914 and was posted to ‘A’ Squadron in Egypt. On 6 April 1915, while driving a transport team near Delta Barrage, north of Cairo, the horses took fright at nearby camels and bolted. The wagon crashed into a ditch and then veered into a tree. Leslie remained in control until the horse fell, at which point he was thrown and a limber wheel is believed to have passed over him.
He was treated immediately by a nearby doctor, then taken to No. 1 Australian General Hospital in Heliopolis, but died the following day, 7 April 1915, from a fractured skull, brain laceration, and internal haemorrhaging.
He is buried in Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, grave B. 203. His personal effects, including letters, photos, and money, were sent to Mary Susannah Cooper, the principal beneficiary of his will.
Driver Ross is commemorated on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Balaklava District WW1 Roll of Honour, Balaklava WW1 & WW2 Honour Roll, Jamestown Methodist Church WW1 Roll of Honour. Driver Ross was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal these were sent to his stepfather along with the Memorial Plaque and Scroll.
A. S. RUSSELL
Private 203353 Arthur Sidney Russell - 2nd/4th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Formerly TF/2978. Killed in action 19 April 1917. Aged 22.
Arthur Sidney Russell was born in Gravesend on 16 August 1895, the eldest son of Arthur William Russell, a shopkeeper, and his wife Marian (née Colven). The family lived at Berkeley Road and later 47 Wakefield Street, Gravesend, with a younger son, Leonard James, born in 1900.
Educated at Gravesend Higher Grade School, Arthur went on to work as a laboratory assistant at Gravesend Technical School. On 25 November 1914, aged 19, he enlisted in the Territorial Force, joining the 2/4th Battalion of the Royal West Kent Regiment.
He served in the Gallipoli campaign from July 1915 and took part in the Suvla Bay landings in August. After falling ill with dysentery, he was evacuated to Malta and later recovered in Egypt. Arthur rejoined his battalion and served in the Signalling Section of D Company. He undertook six weeks of specialist training at the School of Signalling at Zeitoun, before being recalled in March 1917 as the battalion prepared for the Second Battle of Gaza.
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On 19 April 1917, while laying communication lines between battalion and company headquarters under heavy fire, Arthur was fatally wounded by machine gun fire. He was just 21. Fellow soldiers and officers spoke warmly of his character, calling him “the noblest fellow” and “a good chap, always willing to help.”
His body was buried near Gaza, and he now rests in Gaza War Cemetery. He was awarded the 1914–15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal. His parents later received his medals, memorial plaque and scroll at their home at 31 Campbell Road, Gravesend.
Private Arthur Sidney Russell is commemorated on the following memorials:
Windmill Hill Memorial, Gravesend Town Hall Memorial, Gravesend Grammar School Memorial, Princes Street Congregational Church Memorial.
F. WEBBER
Apprentice Frederick Charles Webber - S.S. "Romford" (London), Mercantile Marine
Died at sea 29 April 1918, aged 15.
Frederick Charles Webber was born in 1903 in Gravesend, the son of Henry Charles Webber, a Trinity House Pilot, and Edith Helena Martha Webber (née Cooper). He had one brother and two sisters, and in 1911 the family was living at 4 Royal Pier Terrace, Gravesend.
From a young age, Frederick followed in his father’s nautical footsteps, joining the Mercantile Marine as an apprentice. At only 15 years old, he was serving aboard the steamship Romford, which was transporting a cargo of phosphates from Barry, South Wales, to Tunis and Bizerta.
On 29 April 1918, the S.S. Romford was sunk after striking a mine laid by the German submarine UC-67, just 2.5 miles east of Cape Carthage, off the coast of Tunisia. All 28 crew members perished, including young Frederick.
As he has no known grave, Frederick is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London, which honours missing Merchant Navy personnel lost at sea. He would have been awarded the British War Medal and Mercantile Marine Medal.
He is also commemorated on the following memorials: Windmill Hill Memorial, Gravesend Town Hall Memorial and his family grave in Gravesend Cemetery.