Private Ernest John Accleton

Ernest John Accleton Private E.J. Accelton, 1957, of the 1/4th Royal West Kent Regiment, has been killed in the Persian Gulf on February 7th [1916].  At the outbreak of war, Private Accleton was in the employ of Mr. James Russel, of Halstead Place, as a footman, and joined the Sevenoaks Territorials on the 12th of August 1914. He at once volunteered for foreign service, and was sent with the Indian Expeditionary Force to the Persian Gulf. Private Accleton was 25 years of age, and was very popular among his comrades. …

Sergeant C. Allington

Sergeant C. Allington Sergeant C. Allington, of North Road, Bromley (Kent), joined Regular Army in 1914 and went out with the first contingent of the Bromley Volunteers at the time of the South African War in 2nd Volunteer Battalion of Royal West Kent Regiment. He had previously served first with Royal West Kent Regiment, then with the Army Service Corps in France (attached to the Royal Engineers), and had previously been with the Suffolk Regiment in India. He died on 23rd July, 1920 after a long illness caused by being…

The First Boys of Bromley Who Went Away to War

The First Boys of Bromley Who Went Away to War Busy scenes in Bromley (BDT 7th August 1914) After weeks of speculation and mounting tensions, on Tuesday 4th August 1914, at 8am, the German Army invaded Belgium.  Britain leapt to defend their little ally and an ultimatum was immediately sent to Germany to withdraw its troops.  When no response was received by 11pm that evening, Britain declared war on Germany. The men of Bromley were ready to play their part in the forthcoming war.  Many were already trained for battle…

Wedding: Edgar Hewett and Miss Harrington

The wedding of Lieutenant Edgar Alfred Robert Hewett, only son of Mr and Mrs Alfred Hewett, of Woodlands, Swanley, and Miss Ethel May Harrington, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Samuel Harrington, of Hextable, Swanley, took place very quietly at Hanover Square W., on Wednesday 5th, inst. The bride was married in her going-away costume of navy blue with black velvet hat, and shortly after the conclusion of the ceremony the bride and bridegroom left for Brighton, where the honeymoon is being spent. Mr Edgar Hewett saw war service for…

Prisoners of War: 1942

Prisoners of War Do you know anyone here?These are men of the Royal West Kent Regiment who are prisoners of war in Germany.  Second from the right in the back row is a Farnborough boy, Private R.T. Clarkson, son of Mrs Clarkson, 81 Hugh Street, Farnborough. Source:Bromley & District Times, 23rd January 1942 (page 5) Also see:In a German Prison Camp: Oct 1941Officers of the Royal West Kent Regiment: 1940Is your Boy here? Oct 1941

Is Your Boy here? Prisoners of War, 1941

This group photo of soldiers being held in a prisoner of war camp in Germany in 1941, was published in the Bromley & District Times in the October, in the hope that some readers might recognise the men featured. It does featured one Lance-Corporal Eric Arthur Eagles, of the Royal West Kent Regiment who resided at 70 Cumberland Road, Bromley, who had been reported as a prisoner of war in Germany.  In the photo Lance-Corporal Eagles is standing at the back on the extreme left. Source: Bromley & District Times, 31st…

Royal West Kent Regiment: Prisoners of War

In a German Prison Camp A group of officers of the Royal West Kent Regiment at Camp Oflag VII., C,. Germany, received by Mrs Haynes, mother of Captain P.F. Haynes.  They are (left to right) back row: ____, Captain H.J. Langdon, Captain R.E Moss, ____, Second-Lieutenant R.G. Bensted, Captain T.T.W. Stanyon, Second-Lieut. Lee. Front row: Captain P.F. Haynes, Captain D.H. Andrews, Lieut.-Colonel E.A. Sharpin, Lieut-Colonol William Nash, Lieut.-Colonel R.L. Clay, Major I. Pilditch, Captain C.B. Selby-Noothroyd. Source: Bromley & District Times, 10th October 1941 (page 6)

The Crisp Brothers

One family from Bromley, Kent saw three of their five sons on active services during World War 2.  This short article, printed in the Bromley & District Times newspaper on the 8th November 1940 (page 5), gives readers an update on their whereabouts. Articles like this are very useful to find when searching family history, as they can give further information about the person such as military regiments, schools attended and where they were employed prior to signing up.  As well as names of other family members.   Our Service Families…

Frederic H Green, driver

Frederic H Green was born March 1891 at Northampton and had lived in Bromley for about 17yrs.  The son of  Mr H E Green, Frederic attended Wharton Road and Bromley Parish Schools. He married in Annie M Blagden in May 1914. Keen on becoming a soldier, Frederic joined as soon as possible; joining the Royal West Kent Regiment (Territorials), but soon enlisted in the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (Special Reserve). After training he then transferred to the Royal Field Artillery.  He was one of the first to be called up.…

Private Walter Waters

Another of the men of the Royal West Kent Regiment reported missing is Prvate Walter Waters the son of Mr and Mrs J. Waters, 54 Victoria Road, Bromley Common, and husband of Mrs Waters, 26 Mosul Way. He was educated at Raglan Road School and later joined the Territorials.  He was a lorry driver in the employment of the Corporation.  He went to France in the Spring of this year (1940), and the last letter received from him was on May 10. Private and Mrs W. Waters have three young…