Abbot, A. S. S.

Adolphus Sandon Sydney Abbot, GS14615. Adolphus was a Corporal in the 4th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. He was born in Wimderara (or Demerara), British Guiana, and lived in Croydon when he enlisted there.

In 1911 he married Ruth Haslem Varley, who came from Bolton. They were living that year at 24 De Laune Street, Kensington, when he was working as a transfer clerk. They probably had a daughter, Nora, the following year.

Adolphus died on 17 January 1917 and is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery (above), which is the largest CWGC cemetery in France. XXI B 10A. His effects were returned to his wife.

It is possible that in 1939 Mrs Abbott was in St Audry's Hospital, Melton, Suffolk.

(Simon Chambers' great uncle Frederick Baker is buried at Etaples, and this is the view from his grave)

Ackehurst, A. W.
Arthur William Ackehurst, G23200. He was a Private in the 8th Battalion of The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). He was killed in action at the age of 19 on 2nd February 1918, and is buried at the Jeancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, France. ID 18 

He was the "dear son" of Mr and Mrs Ackehurst of 12 Edgar Road, Buckland, Dover, and had been employed by H F Caspall, an undertaker, before enlisting in Dover on 14th February 1917.  (Mr Caspall, in 1901, "conscientiously objected" at Dover police court to having his son Donald vaccinated, citing his twelve years experience as an undertaker for the reason. The exemption was allowed.)

 

It is only the mother that knows the sorrow, It is only the mother that knows the pain, Of losing a son she loves so dearly, And knows she will never see him again Could I have raised his dying head, Or heard his last farewell, The pain would not have been so hard, For one who loved him so well They miss him most who loved him best Mum, Dad, Sisters and Brothers
	Announcement from 1940: In loving memory of our dear son and brother ... A loving son and brother, true and kind' a beautiful memory left behind. From Mum, Dad, Sisters and Brothers

(Memorial) (Article)

Footnotes:
Arthur's mother, Mary, née Bonnage, was the elder sister of Emma Brown, whose husband William died in November 1918.
In WWII, brothers Alfred became a Sergeant in the RAAF, Albert served in the Army, and William was with the Royal Navy 

Addley, E. D.
Edward Dickers Addley, L/3401. He was an Officer's Steward, 2nd Class, Royal Navy. Born in Folkestone on 22 August 1888, he was the son of George and Caroline Elizabeth Addley, and sixth cousin to Sidney Adley, below.

In 1891 the family were at 10 New Ruttington Lane, Canterbury, with Clara, 7, and Edith, 5, both born at Sittingbourne, and little Arthur, just one month, born at Canterbury. His mother was at 7 Woolcomber Street, Dover, when she was notified of his death on 5 September 1914.  She later lived at 10 Castle Hill Road, Dover.

The announcement of his death read: "Addley - on Saturday, September 5th, by the sinking of HMS "Pathfinder", Edward (Teddie) Addley, aged 27 years, eldest son of Mr and Mrs G Addley of 7 Woolcomber Lane, Dover. Dearly loved, and deeply mourned by his sorrowing family and friends"

The "Pathfinder" was a light cruiser and was torpedoed at 4.30pm by the submarine U21, commanded by Otto Hersing. She was the first vessel to be sunk by submarine. The torpedo struck a magazine, and only 11 of the 270 men survived. The vessel had been berthed at Dover for some time, and was a Chatham ship, thus there were a number of Dover men aboard.

Edward was 27 and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. Panel 6

Ad(d)ley, S.
Sidney Addley, G19391. He was a Private in the 7th Battalion in The Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) He was born in Dover, but enlisted in Canterbury on 1st December 1916 at the age of 28 as 2889, 23rd Training Reserve

Sidney was the youngest son of Mrs Eliza Adley of  7 Hawkesbury  Street and her husband Frederick. Sidney had spent leave between 22 September to 1 October 1917 at the Railway Inn, Hawkesbury Street, the address of his mother and his sister Violet, then 22

His older brother William Frederick lived at Manor Road. The  postcard was sent by Sidney on 1st October 1915 through the Army Post Office to William. It reads, "Dear Will, Just a card to let you know that I am off tomorrow, pleased to say I am going on fine trusting you are all the same. I remain, Your Loving Brother, Sid"

Chronically ill, Sidney died through broncho-pneumonia on 21st October 1918 and is buried in Villiers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, France, XVIA B 12. Returned to his mother after his death were his few possessions: his identity disc and cap badge, some letters, a note book and photo case, his purse, lighter, and watch and strap, and his scissors and his mirror

Sidney was sixth cousin to Edward Addley, above, and was also first cousin once removed to Ronald Adley, a casualty of WWII. Sidney's second cousin once removed, William Alfred Adley, ran a draper's shop in Dover, on the corner of Biggin Street and Pencester Road (pictured in 1891) The shop was established around 1879, and in Mr Adley's "various departments Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Piauen, Valenciennes dispensed through him their various specialities ... also Indian and Turkish embroideries, specimens from Damascus, Syria, Poonah, Peshawar, as well as from China and Japan". He had a dressmaking workshop to the rear of the building. This branch of the family lived at 7 Maison Dieu Road before moving to Liverpool around the 1890s

All people with the surname of Adley/Addley are related; more information on this fascinating family may be found on the Addley-Stevens website  

with thanks to Lee Adley Stevens

See note for Coulson Crascall relating to the shop above

Ahern, H. W.
Harold Whitehorn Ahern/Ahearn, L/10028, was a Lance Corporal (appointed 8 August 1914) in the 1st Battalion of the Buffs (East Kent Regiment). He was a milk salesman, before enlistment in Dover on 11 July 1913. He was killed in action on 18th October 1914, aged 19. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium. Panel 2

Harold was born at No 1 Battery, Dungeness in Kent. He was brother to Leonard Ahern, and they were two of the six sons of Mr and Mrs Stephen Ahearn of 60 Mayfield Avenue, Buckland, Dover. Five of these sons served in the war. There were also seven daughters, two of whom died as children 

	A sudden change, in a moment I fell, I had no time to bid my friends farewell, Think nothing strange, death comes to all, I today, tomorrow you may fall From Mother and Father
We often sit and talk of him when we are all alone, For memory is the only friend that grief can call its own; Like ivy on the withered oak when other things decay Our love for him will still keep green and never fade away He's gone, the one we loved so dear, to his eternal rest From Gertie and Harry

(Exhibition 06)

Ahern, L. J.
Leonard John Ahern, 4220, was a Rifleman in the 2nd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) He enlisted at Dover and was killed in action at Neuve Chappelle between 12th-14th March 1915, aged 24. He is commemorated on  the Le Touret Memorial, France. Panel 44

The postcard talks about Leonard's training before being sent overseas. In it he mentions that he is a first-class shot, which will earn him another 6d (sixpence) (This may refer to a bounty for each enemy soldier he will shoot)

Leonard was born at Cowgate (Brixton?) Isle of Wight. He was brother to Harold Ahern, above, and was known as "Fatty" to the family.

Rifleman Frederick Charles Peters lived at 20 Hillside Road, Dover from about 1900 to January 1911, and knew Leonard Ahern. He mentions him three times in the letters he sent home.   On 17 November 1910 he states that "Fatty Ahern" had passed for the Navy and gone to Chatham, but, like him, had been sent back. In July 1912, writing from Meeanee Barracks in Colchester he mentions that  "Fatty Ahern" has just brought in the Dover paper for him to read. In November 1912 (above he speaks of them both going to India. to join the 2nd battalion. He adds that he is glad to go, as he will see a bit of the world. (letters courtesy of Dennis Nelson)

 *

Leonard John Ahern	Harold Whitehorn Ahern	Albert Edward Ahern, brother, on active service with the Royal Engineers
Stephen Charlie Ahern, brother, with the RFA, was wounded, then went to India	Albert Whiddon, cousin, RMLI, killed in action on HMS Defence, 1916, aged 24	Frederick Hawkins, cousin, killed in action in France, September 1915

There is a Family Bible, containing the names of the parents and all the children of the family. Some entries are difficult to read; below is an attempted transcription:

Note: Ada became Mrs Holt, living in Hythe. One of the other sisters became Mrs Youden, of Penny Pot Farm, Hythe

 (Exhibition 06)
with thanks to Mr Winter

*Alderson, A. E.
Albert Evelyn Alderson,. He was a Captain in the 3rd Battalion of The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) attached to the 1st Battalion of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He was drowned at Salonika on 11th March 1918 and is buried in Struma Military Cemetery, Greece. VI F II. He is also commemorated on the River memorial. He was the third son of Mary Alderson of "Weeford," River, Dover, and the late Rev. E. A. Alderson (Chaplain to the Forces, 1st Class)  

Allen, S.
Stuart Allen, G/13700. He was a Lance Corporal in the 6th Battalion of The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) He died on 3 May 1917 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France. Bay 2 and at the Congregational Church, now the United Reformed Church in Dover. He is also commemorated on the SEC Railway Memorial, Dover, having been employed as a Saloon Waiter ¹

He was born at Ashby-De-La-Zouch, Leicestershire, and was the son of William Allen, of 39, Dour St, Dover He enlisted at Dover

1  occupation kindly supplied by  Gina Baines

Amos, A. E.
Albert Edward Amos, 52863, was a Gunner in the 25th Siege Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery, having enlisted in Dover.

Born at Peckham, Surrey, about 1894, he was the son of Albert Edward Amos and his wife, probably Letty, nee Turner, who married in 1891. Between 1883 and 1895 Mr Amos may have served in the Royal Engineers.

Letty died in 1896, and Mr Amos remarried in 1897 to Jane Eleanor Lawrence. In 1901 the family were living at 60 Upper Milton Road, Gillingham, but by 1911 they had moved back to Dover, the birthtown of both Mr and Mrs Amos, and were living at 4 Minnis Lane, River. Mr Amos was working as a bricklayer, as was Albert, and two other sons, Edmund George and George Henry, had joined the family. Also there was a widower boarder and naval pensioner, Edmund Lawrence, 84.

Albert died in action on 13th/14th October 1916 at Bray on the Somme, aged 22. He is buried in Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte, France. I L 45. 

Amos, J. E.
James Ernest Amos died on 18th February 1916. He was forty years old, and had been serving as 2nd AM with the Royal Flying Corps in Ireland.  The year previous he had joined the Dover Fencibles, and had attested under the Derby scheme, being transferred to B reserve. Instead of awaiting his call up, which would have been one of the last, as he was a married man, he volunteered some four weeks before his death to serve with the RFC. He enlisted on 28th January and was transferred to Curragh Camp, County Kildare, Irish Republic. There he unfortunately contracted cerebro-spinal meningitis, and within three days had died 

His funeral, with full military honours was held at the camp, his body having been conveyed to the cemetery on a gun carriage

Before volunteering, Mr Amos had been a foreman, employed by Mr W H Grigg, a builder and contractor of Dover, which employment he had held for ten years in excellent health. He left a wife and "one crippled child" living at their home "Belmont", in Beaconsfield Avenue, Dover

Amos, R.
Richard Amos, 910182. He was a gunner in the Territorial Force of the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery. He enlisted in Dover in 1912 and went to India on 29th October 1914. From there he went to Mesopotamia where he was in hospital for nine months. He died in Simla Hospital, India, from colitis, after much suffering, at the age of 21 on 27th January (June?) 1918, and is commemorated on the Kirkee 1914-1918 memorial, India. Face A

He was born in Dover and was the "dearly beloved" second son of of Mr and Mrs Jack Amos, of 54 Manor Road, Maxton, Dover

 

They miss him most who loved him best, Far, far away, in a foreign land, Under a scorching sun, Death's sickle reaped and garnered in Our loved and dearest one. The face we loved is now laid low, The fond true heart is still, The hand that often clasped in ours, Lies now in death's cold chill, We do not know what pain he bore, As we never saw him die, But we'd have liked to have seen him, If only to say good bye Never forgotten by his ever loving Father and Mother, Brothers and Sisters

Andrews, C. R.
Charles Raymond Andrews, a Captain in the 2nd Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment. He was 25 when he died on 24 May 1915, and is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Belgium. Panel 19 to 22. He was the son of Mrs A G Andrews of 6 Ennismore Gardens, Dover, and the late Lieutenant Colonel R C Andrews, of the Indian Army 

Andrews, G. W.
George William Andrews, G/24812. He was a Lance Corporal in the Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) (and was formerly 9026, in the East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) His birth is registered in the June 1894 quarter at Dover; he was the eldest son, and brother to Richard Andrews below. Their parents, George Morley Andrews, born in 1870, and Agnes (née Jenkins) were married in 1893 at the register office in Castle Street, Dover

George went to St Mary's school and afterwards worked in engineering for the Dover Harbour Board. He enlisted at Dover. He was reported missing and many months later later as having been killed in action in Flanders on 26 October 1917. He was 21. His body was later found, and is buried at Perth Cemetery (China Wall) near Ypres, Belgium. III F 12

The mourning card states that George died from wounds. The verse reads:

Little we thought when he bade us goodbye,
He had left us forever, he left us to die.
When we look at his picture, and thing how he died,
A brave British solider, for all of us he died

We often sit and talk of him, when we are all alone,
For memory is the only friend that grief can call its own.
Like ivy on the withered oak, when all other things decay,
Our love for him will still keep green, and never fade away

"They miss him most who loved him best"

(We Remember 06)
with thanks to Mr G Pitts, Mr B Smith, and Mrs L Horne

Andrews, R. S.
Richard Steven (Stephen) Andrews, G37467. His birth is registered in Dover in the March 1898 quarter, and he was the second son, and younger brother to George Andrews, above. He attended St Mary's school and later worked for the Dover Engineering Company. During the Great War he became a Private in the 7th Battalion of The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) having enlisted at Dover.  Dick was wounded and came home on convalescence, returning to the Front in February 1918 but was wounded again, this time fatally. He died on 21st March 1918. He left a sweetheart in Folkestone, Eliza, whom he knew as Li. She called him "dearly loved"

His grave is in the Noyon New British Cemetery, France. I C 7 Both brothers were also com-memorated on the memorial at Christchurch in Folkestone Road, which was demolished in the 1970s. Later one of their sisters named her son after them both

1919 - In ever loving memory of my dear sweetheart, Dick, Private Richard Andrews, aged 20 years, who was killed in action on March 21st 1918, at St Quentin, France. A loving sweetheart, good and kind, Loved by those he left behind. No friend like him on earth I find. Gone but not forgotten. Inserted by his heart-broken sweetheart, Eliza (Folkestone)

with thanks to Mr G Pitts, Mr B Smith, and Mrs L Horne

above: George and Richard's parents, George and Agnes Andrews. Mrs Andrews had died by the time Dick was killed
right: Dick's "dead man's penny"

(We Remember 06)

Anstrews, H. R. (correctly, Andrews)
Henry Richard Andrews , K/12672. He was a Stoker, 1st Class, in the Royal Navy. He was killed, aged 22 (20), when the light cruiser, HMS "Arethusa" hit a mine in the North Sea on 11th February 1916. He was an old St Mary's schoolboy, and "the eldest and beloved" and "loving son" son of Henry James and Henrietta Andrews of 32 Military Road, Dover. He had brothers and sisters. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial Panel 17

Arnold, W. J.
William John Arnold , Able Seaman, WILLIAM JOHN, S.S. "Achille Adam" (London), Mercantile Marine. Drowned, as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine 23 March 1917. Age 27. Son of Edward Richard and Elizabeth Hannah Arnold of 13, Bulwark St, Dover. He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London (no ref) and on the SEC Railway Memorial (Marine Section) Dover

Oh, how swift was the parting; Oh, how keen the pain he bore; yet I know that some day, somewhere, He and I will meet once more From his heart-broken sweetheart, Daisy

Ashman, C. W.
Charles William Ashman, G/5072. He was born in Dover and enlisted there, becoming a Private in the 8th Battalion of The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) He is buried in the Dickebusch New Military Cemetery Extension, Belgium III C 42, having died of wounds at Poperinghe, 15 June 1917, aged 25 (35). He was the fourth son of the late Mr and Mrs Ashman of 1 Dour Cottages, Wood Street, Dover, employed by International Stores before enlisting

A. Marsh of 12 Queen Street, Dover, requested that Charles' name should be put on the Town Memorial. Their "darling brother", whose nickname was Nipp, was "never forgotten by his devoted Brothers and Sisters". They added, "He did his bit"

left: the original marker for Private Ashman's grave right: the CWGC headstone for his grave below: the words embossed on his wooden original marker. They read: G/5072 Private C W Ashman 8th Bn The Buffs Died of Wounds 15.6.17

with thanks to Mr J C E Marsh

Atkins, H. R.
Henry Richard Atkins, K/7427. He was a Leading Stoker, Royal Navy, and was killed in action at the age of 27 on 23 January 1917 when HMS "Simoom" was torpedoed after having come under heavy gunfire from a destroyer.

He was the son of Henry Edward and Elizabeth Jane Atkins (née Amos) of 122 Clarendon Place, Dover. The couple had married in 1885. In 1891 Mrs Atkins was at 43 Albany Place, Dover, with her sons George Henry Edward, born 1887, and Henry, born 1890, both at Chislehurst, Kent. Henry had been christened at St Mary's on 12 October 1890, when his parents were living at 4 Chapel Cottages; his birth date was then given as 5 January 1890. Also there was a visitor, Jane Balley, 12, and Mary Amos, 4, possibly Elizabeth's sister.

By 1901 the family were at 80 Clarendon Place, and had been joined by a new daughter, Agnes Esther, born in 1894. Mr Atkins was a general labourer. By 1911 the family were at 190 Clarendon Place; Henry had become a stoker and George was a labourer. Only these three children of the eight born to the family had survived. Albert Leonard Fox, son of George and Alice Fox, born in 1880, was also there, described as a brother.

Henry had joined the Navy on 20 July 1910 for a period of twelve years; his date of birth was given as 4 January 1892. He was then five feet 2½ inches tall, with light brown hair and blue eyes. He had a tattoo of a butterfly on his left forearm, and flowers on his right. His character throughout his service was very good to satisfactory.

With his body lost at sea, Henry is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Panel 23.

	Sleep on, thou mighty dead, A glorious tomb they've found thee, The broad, blue sky above thee spread, The boundless waters round thee No vulgar foot treads here, No hand profane shall move thee, But gallant fleets shall proudly steer, And warriors shout above thee from loving Mother, Father, Brother, and Sister
Gone is the face we loved so dear, Silent is the voice we long to hear, Too far away for sight or speech, But not too far for our thoughts to reach Never forgotten by his ever loving sweetheart, Florrie

Mrs Atkins "died suddenly" on 24 September 1925. She is buried at Charlton. Mr Atkins died in 1932. Both had a home address of 188 Clarendon Place when they died.

Harry Atkins is related by marriage to the Gibbens family. His nephew was named "Henry" in his memory.

Attenborough, H. G. G.
Herbert George Gomer Attenborough, 36843. He was a Serjeant at No 2 Depot, Royal Garrison Artillery. He was born in Chislehurst and was the son of George Herbert and Marian Attenborough of 8 Mathews Place, Dover

He died on 21 September 1917, aged 23, from the effects of shell shock, wounds, and exposure at Ypres in April. He had been discharged from service in July. He is buried at Charlton Cemetery, Dover, I G 12. Six comrades from the RGA were bearers, with Serjeant Attenborough's remains borne on a gun carriage. The band of the East Surrey sounded the Last Post

Others amongst the mourners included his parents, Mr and Mrs A Attenborough, and Mrs Brothers, his sister. Members of his family sprinkled red rose petals, his favourite flower, and ivy leaves on the coffin

Austen, F.
Frank Austen, 160103. In the 1st Kent Heavy Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery, he was a Gunner, and was 41 when he died of wounds in France on 25 March 1918. He is buried in the Bac-du-Sud British cemetery, France. I C 10

Born at Ramsgate, Frank was in 1881 at home with his family at The Golden Ball, 11 Union Street, Ramsgate. His father, John, was a brewer and the following year would take over the licence of the pub. It had some years before been run by his mother, Ann. At home in 1881 were John Austen and his wife Sarah, with their children Laura, born 1866, Edgar, 1870, Arthur, 1872, Maria, 1874, and the youngest, Frank, 1876. Also there was Ann Austen, Mr Austen's mother.

The family were still at the Golden Ball in 1891, and had been joined by John in about 1882, Owen, about 1884, and Sarah, 1887. Mr Austen died in 1894, aged 55, and in 1901 Mrs Austen was the licensed victualler. Laura, Frank, and young John were still at home, with Frank working as a grocer's assistant. Laura was described as a step-daughter; Mr Austen may have been previously widowed. If so, his first wife may have been Eliza, who died at 25 in 1864.

On 14 October 1901, Frank married Rose Whitehead at the parish church in Ramsgate. Their address then was 25 Hardres Street. Frank was a grocer. By 1911 Rose Austen was at 25 Allendale Street with two sons; John, born 1902, and Reginald Frank, born 1904. Mrs Austen later lived at 97 Balfour Road, Dover, in which town Frank had enlisted.

The headstone is at St Mary's, and reads:

In Loving Memory of Rose Austen who died 29th December 1930 Aged 53 years "The night is spent, the day is at hand"

Also of Frank Austen Husband of the above who was killed in action 25th March 1918 Aged 41 years Buried Bac-Du-Sud Cemetery, Bailleulval, France

 photo and transcription with thanks to Joyce Banks

Austin, J. J.
John James Austin, 44355. He was born in Dover and in 1911 was working as a coal miner. He enlisted in Woolwich, becoming a Private in the 10th Battalion, South Wales Borderers (and having formerly been 183872 in the Royal Engineers) He is buried in the Varennes Military Cemetery, France. IV A 28, having died on 15 September 1918 at the age of 29.

He may have been the person who married Ellen Maud May Stevens on 20 April 1912 at St Andrews, Buckland, Dover.

He was the son of Edward and Mary Austin, of 3 Edred Road, Tower Hamlets, Dover, Kent. His sister, Elizabeth Willson, lost her life as a result of enemy action on 25 September 1944. 

Austin, E. W.
This could be Ernest Woodruff (Woodroff) Austin, the eldest son of the late Mr E W Austin and Mrs Austin, who died in the Military Hospital, Dover on 18 February 1921. He was 43 and had served 25 years in the Royal Navy. He was buried on 21 February at St Mary's Cemetery, Dover. 27 FK

"He served his country well"
"Lord, grant him rest" RIP

A Mrs Austin wrote to the Town Clerk that her son had died from injuries received in action in 1916, and that she had been paid a pension but that then it was stopped as she had two other sons and so no need.