Gravesham War Memorials Trust

Gravesham War Memorials Trust (GWMT) was born from a personal journey of historical research and remembrance, initiated by Andrew Marshall in the summer of 1999. While investigating his family history, Andrew discovered that his great uncle, Private Reuben Roper, had served in the Great War with the 2nd Royal Marine Light Infantry and was killed in action at Passchendaele on 26 October 1917; his name was inscribed on the Northfleet war memorial, located at The Hill.

During this research, Andrew identified a significant gap: there wasn't a comprehensive list of the names commemorated on the Northfleet war memorial. This realisation led him to embark on a broader investigation, eventually expanding to cover over 120 war memorials across the Gravesham area. Andrew was not alone in this endeavour; he received invaluable assistance from Tony Larkin, a well-known historian, and Andy White who shared his interest.

Andrew Marshall and Tony Larkin on a research trip to Northfleet Cemetery

Gravesend Post Office War Memorial

The first major achievement of their efforts was, the restoration to a more prominent place, of the Gravesend Post Office memorial in 2000. After being hidden away in the Manager’s office, this memorial was re-situated ensuring it remained accessible to the public. It is currently in collections office at Milton Road.

Gravesham History website images (1).png

Denton War Memorial

As Andrew and Tony continued to document these memorials, they discovered that many were in disrepair or had been lost or destroyed over time. This led to an expanded mission: not only to document but also to preserve and restore these important historical artefacts. One of the Trust's significant early projects was collaborating in the restoration and relocation of the Denton War Memorial in 2003, which had been affected by a housing development at Mark Lane. The research on the men commemorated there was completed and archived at the Gravesend Library.

The memorial was unveiled by Sir Mark Collet, Chairman of the Kent Education Committee on the 18th June 1921 and was to be known as the Denton Gatehead of Honour. The original design was the creation of the pupils from Denton School and these were formalised in Portland Stone by Mr Wilkes a local stonemason.

It was originally placed on the wall of the school in Lower Range Road. The memorial was renovated and moved to a new site just a few yards away. On the 26 June 2003 the Rev. Vic Lawrence performed the re-dedication and the Memorial was unveiled by the Mayor of Gravesham Richard Smith, with Mr Paul and Barry Mullan representing the contractor

Key Memorial Restorations and Projects

In response to the growing scope of their work, the project was formally named the Invicta Project, focusing on the restoration of the most deteriorated memorials. Milton-next-Gravesend was identified as a priority, and with the collaboration of local historian Ian Turner, most of the names on this memorial were successfully researched.

The success of these efforts was significantly supported by local council members and officers. The team, in collaboration with the Gravesham Borough Council, the Gravesend Messenger newspaper group, and local benefactor Ron Mainhood, successfully raised funds to restore and clean the Milton-next-Gravesend memorial by stonemason Steven Gay. This memorial was re-dedicated on 5 March 2005 by the Reverend Vic Lawrence.

On 22 November 2006, the Trust formalised its operations by adopting a constitution with the following objectives: educating the public, assisting historical research, promoting good citizenship, commemorating those who died in conflict, preserving war memorials, and maintaining a database of memorials and the individuals listed on them. The Trust's efforts were further solidified when it achieved charitable status on 12 February 2007.

The Gravesham War Memorials Trust (GWMT) has achieved numerous successes in its mission to preserve, restore, and honour the memory of those who served in wars, particularly those from the Gravesham area. Below are some of the notable accomplishments and projects undertaken by the Trust:

Northfleet Memorial Restoration: The Northfleet war memorial was restored and re-dedicated on 4 November 2007.

Luddesdown Memorial Cleaning: The Luddesdown memorial was cleaned and preserved in October 2008.

Rosherville Memorial Restoration: This memorial was restored and re-dedicated on 8 February 2009.

Perry Street Memorial at All Saints Church: In 2011, the names on the Perry Street memorial were restored after being previously removed, ensuring the continued commemoration of those listed.

Gravesend Reporter Office Memorial: This memorial was moved to safe storage to prevent its loss or deterioration.

British Standard Cement Works Memorial: Previously in storage with the Gravesham Borough Council (GBC). GWMT raised awareness about this memorial and assisted GBC with facilitating the re-siting of this memorial for public display in the visitor centre, Riverside Country Park, Lower Rainham Road, Gillingham, Kent in co-operation with 'Friends of Berengrave'. It was formally unveiled on 18 August 2008.

W T Henley’s Works War Memorial: The Trust found, rescued, and placed this memorial in storage with GBC, preserving it for future generations.

Educational Initiatives

The GWMT played a significant role in a local educational project to create WWI remembrance books titled The Valour Still Shines and Remember Me to All. These books were produced with the involvement of pupils from St John’s School, under the organisation of Colm Murphy, with assistance from Karen Syrett and Andy White. The project connected students with the personal stories behind the names on the war memorials, making history tangible and meaningful. This initiative underscores the GWMT’s commitment to educating the younger generation about the importance of remembrance and local history preservation.

Corrections to the CWGC Register

The Gravesham War Memorials Trust (GWMT) has played a crucial role in ensuring that local casualties of war are properly recognized and commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). Through their meticulous research, the Trust identified several individuals who were either not registered or had incorrect details in the CWGC records. Their dedicated efforts have led to the correction of these errors and the proper commemoration of these individuals. Below are some of the achievements:

Janet Martin Cavell: A 13-year-old civilian who tragically died during WWII when she was struck by a stray machine gun bullet during an aerial dogfight. She was buried in Gravesend Cemetery. Thanks to the GWMT's persistent efforts, Janet was accepted onto the CWGC register in 2012.

Gunner George Edward Valentine Field: Gunner Field, who succumbed to his wounds in 1918, was buried in an unmarked grave in Northfleet Cemetery. His service was finally recognized when a CWGC headstone was placed on his grave in 2014, following the efforts of the GWMT.

James Body and Ernest Caselton: These two crew members of the tug Persia were incorrectly listed as missing at sea after the Persia was destroyed in 1941 and were commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial. Headstones were placed on their unmarked graves in 2017, correcting this oversight.

Gunner George Henry Fender: A member of the Royal Garrison Artillery who died in 1920 and was buried in Gravesend Cemetery, Fender was not registered on CWGC records until the GWMT corrected this omission in 2022.

Joseph John Boleyne Smedley: A Trinity House Pilot who was killed aboard the SS Yvonne in 1940, Smedley was buried in an unmarked grave in Gravesend Cemetery. His grave was properly marked with a CWGC headstone in early 2023 after the GWMT discovered that he had been mistakenly recorded as missing.

Alfred John William Pryke: Another Trinity House Pilot, Pryke died when the tug Roode Zee was torpedoed in 1944. Initially listed as missing, his grave in Cobham Churchyard Cemetery was given a new headstone in 2023, thanks to the efforts of the GWMT.

Private Herbert Clark: Serving with the Coldstream Guards, Private Clark died from his wounds in 1916 and was buried in an unmarked grave at St John the Baptist Church in Meopham. The GWMT's work led to the placement of a headstone in the churchyard in 2024, ensuring his sacrifice was properly honoured.

Company Quartermaster Serjeant Alfred George Hollis: A Royal Engineers member who died in 1917 and was buried in an unmarked grave in Gravesend Cemetery. The GWMT ensured that a headstone was placed on his grave in 2024, rectifying the lack of recognition for his service.

Private Norman Stuart Stone: Serving with the 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), Private Stone died in 1920 in South Africa. Although buried there, the GWMT's efforts led to his commemoration in the United Kingdom Book of Remembrance.

Gunner John Thomas Summers: Another Royal Garrison Artillery member who died in 1919 and was buried in Gravesend Cemetery. His name was missing from CWGC records, but the GWMT successfully appealed this and the records were amended.

Private William Henry Wood: Serving with the Royal West Kent Regiment, Wood died from his wounds in 1917 and was buried in an unmarked grave in Gravesend Cemetery. The GWMT arranged for his name to be added to the CWGC Screen Wall in the cemetery, ensuring his sacrifice is properly recognized.

Voluntary Work and Public Access

All the research conducted by Andrew Marshall and the GWMT is made freely available to the public, with information placed in Gravesend’s central library and, where possible, at the locations of the memorials themselves. A principal aim of the project is to bring to light the human stories behind the names on the memorials, ensuring that those who died are remembered not just as names, but as individuals with lives and stories. All of this work is done voluntarily by Andrew in his spare time, with the costs of copying, printing, display, photography, and filing covered by himself.

The GWMT’s ongoing work highlights the importance of remembrance, the preservation of local history, and the education of future generations about the sacrifices made by those in the Gravesham community.