Charles Clark, son of Mr & Mrs C Clark of Tweedy Road, Bromley was a signalman in the Royal Navy. He reported lost at sea in the Bromley & District Times on 11th December, 1914 when an explosion on board HMS Bulwark destroyed the ship on the 26th November. He had seen nearly 12 years service when the vessel exploded in harbour at Sheerness. He was aged 29. In July 1915 he was commemorated at the memorial service at Bromley Parish Church. (Bromley & District Times, 9th July 1014,…
Tag: People
Captain John Champion Faunthorpe, C.B.E., M.C.
Born in Battersea on 30th May, 1871, John Champion Faunthorpe was the son of the Reverend John Pincher Faunthorpe, who at the time of the award was living at Elmfield, Bromley Common, and was living in Bromley at least in 1881 and 1891. He was educated at Oxford and served in the Indian Civil Service, arriving in India in 1892. He gained a formidable reputation as a big game hunter, (bagging (among other things) more than three hundred tigers. He was posted to various locations in India). He married Amy Frances…
Second-Lieutenant John Potter, D.S.O.
Second-Lieutenant John Potter, D.S.O., was born about 1895, son of the late Mr William Manuel Potter and Mary Ann Potter, of “Clynder”, Gravel Road, Bromley Common. He was educated at Clifton College and on the outbreak of war joined the Royal Army Medical Corps and served with them until November 1915. He was present at the fighting in La Bassée, Neuve Chapelle, and Loos and then trained for a commission in January, 1916 with the South Staffordshires. The Citation read: On the 1st July, 1916, the first day of the…
Sergeant H E A Squelch, D.C.M.
Sergeant H E A Squelch served with the Wireless Section, Royal Engineers, and was the only son of Mr and Mrs Henry Squelch of Crown Lane, Bromley Common, formerly of Keston. He was on the postal staff at Chislehurst. He enlisted in the Royal West Kents in September, 1914, and was soon made a sergeant. His citation reads: 197871 Lance-Corporal H E A Squelch: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has at all times displayed conspicuous courage and marked ability in the performance of his duties, which involved…
Military Medal for Corp. C Brown
It will be learnt with much pleasure by residents of Farnborough that a gallant soldier, well known to many of them, has been awarded the Military Medal for devotion to duty during battle. Corporal C Brown, of the Middlesex Regiment, was employed in the nursery and market garden of Mr W Lawrence, at Crofton Road for nine years before being called up in March, 1916. He went out to the Front the following August, and has since seen a great deal of severe fighting. During a recent heavy enemy attack…
Military Cross for Lieut. H D Reynolds
It will be learnt with great pleasure that another son of Mr and Mrs Reynolds, of Morden Lodge, Shortlands, Lieutenant Herbert D Reynolds, East Lancs Regiment has been awarded the Military Cross for gallant conduct in recent operations. Lieutenant Reynolds was personally congratulated upon the field before his regiment by his Divisional General upon his fine example. It is officially stated that the award was made under the following circumstances: “When all his officers had become wounded, he took charge of the attacking companies, and led them on to the…
Award for Gallantry – Corporal Bert Taylor
AWARDS FOR GALLANTRY: CORPORAL BERT TAYLOR Corporal Bert Taylor, of the Queen’s Westminster Rifles, who has been awarded the Military Medal, is the second son of Mr & Mrs William Taylor, of 3 Highfield Cottages, Swanley Junction. He is 27 years of age and attended the Farningham Hill School, being afterwards employed at Messrs W H Smith and Sons’ bookstall at Swanley Junction for some time under Mr Struckett. He enlisted in the early part of 1916, and in July of the same year was sent to France. He has…
Tribute to Captain Ross
10th March, 1916 page 10 CORPORAL GUTTERIDGE’S LETTERS: TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN ROSS Last week we had two communications from Corporal Gutteridge, of Bromley, 1324, B Company, 8th Royal West Kent Regiment, whose cheery and optimistic letters are always welcome, although indeed they are but characteristic, as our readers know, of all the letters from the men at the Front. It is only the less hard-worked civilian at home who finds time, and thinks he has cause, for grousing. One of Corporal Gutteridge’s letters, referring to the death of Captain Ross,…
Private George Bumstead
Son of Mr C H Burns, and one of one of 3 brothers on active service. Private George Bumstead lived on Addison Road, Bromley. Member of the 3rd Dragoon Guards – stationed in Egypt, but is now with the Expeditionary Force Sources www.militaryancestors.co.uk Bromley & District Times – 20th Nov 1914, page 3
William Henry Thatcher
Son of Mr & Mrs J Thatcher of Great Elms Road, Bromley, and one of 5 brothers. Member of the Nigerian Land Contingent. His military service during the war was in Nigeria employed on the Government Railway. Source: www.militaryancestors.co.uk Bromley & District, 30th October 1914, page 4