Bradley, C. M.
Cyril Montague Bradley had served with the Territorials and was a Lieutenant in the 237th Brigade (CWGC says HQ 296th) of the Royal Horse Artillery/the Royal Field Artillery. Educated at Dover College and a keen rifle shot, having twice been in a team competing for the Ashburton Shield, he had received his commission on October 1914. He was killed in action near Peronne, France, on 2nd April 1917, aged 20, while his father was serving at Dundalk. He is buried at Tincourt New British Cemetery in France. 

He was the second son of Sir Augustus Montague Bradley, who was born at Dover on 23 April 1865. Mr Bradley was knighted in 1910 for public services, mainly in connection with theTerritorial Army. Before obtaining his Bachelor of Laws in London he attended Dover College. He began business as a solicitor in Dover in 1887, and a year later joined the Cinque Ports Royal Garrison Artillery Volunteers, eventually becoming their commander, and continuing to command a territorial brigaded when they became the RFA, He was also a Liberal, standing for Parliament, and, like his father before him, Chairman of the Dover Liberal Association as well as a Town Councillor. In 1894 at St James Church Mr Bradley married Hilda, the daughter of Mr Sydenham Payn, who was for many years the Borough Coroner.  Their address was Grovedale, Natal, South Africa. The index card gives a note of "G" (or possibly "C") as the initial of a parent.

Sir Augustus was the youngest son of John Lade Bradley JP,  who, with his brother, William, formed the corn merchants Bradley Bros. William died in 1882 whilst serving as Mayor of Sandwich; after John died on 22 April 1915 the business was taken over mainly by his sons William and Edwin. John was also Mayor in 1881-82, but of Dover, holding office held office when the Connaught Hall and Connaught Park were constructed. In 1948, at the age of 83, he is recorded as learning how to fly.

The gravestone, right, is that of Sir Augustus at Port Elizabeth, South Africa who died on 9 June 1953. The couple had lived in South Africa for many years; the address given to the CWGC was Grovedale, Natal, South Africa.

illustration courtesy Janet Melville

Bradley, G. L. H.
George Lynton Howis Bradley was born in Dover, early 1888, the eldest son of Edwin, corn merchant, and Emmeline Bradley, then from 4 Castlemount Terrace. He was a Dover College boy (an "Old Dovorian"), and, like his brothers, one of the Bisley Shooting Eight.

He was an AMICE, and during the Great War, he served in the Royal Engineers as a Second Lieutenant.  He had been invalided home after the Battle of Loos, and had been seriously ill for some time. He never completely regained his health. He died on Monday, 11th August 1924 at Leyburn House, Dover, and according to a contemporary report, "at the end, death came suddenly". His funeral was on Thursday, 14th August, and he was buried at St James.  

He was brother to Geoffrey, below.

with thanks to Joyce Banks for death and college details

Bradley, G. M.
Geoffrey Montagu Bradley was a Lieutenant from the 6th battalion of the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own), attached to Welsh Rifles. In a communication from the War Office, around April 1915, his father, Edwin, was informed that Lt Bradley was reported missing, and believed killed, on 21/22 December 1914 after taking part in a night attack on the enemy position at Festubert, France. He was last seen under  heavy fire. He was 21, and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial.

Before enlisting he had been an Old Dovorian (Dover College boy), and had attended Jesus College, Cambridge. There he had been Captain of the University Shooting Eight. Baptised at St James on 27th April 1893, he was the son of Edwin and Emmeline Mary Bradley of Leyburn House, Dover,  also 21 Fougate Street, Stafford, Dnd brother of George, above.

The cross above is at St James. It reads:

George Howis Bradley, AMICE Late Lieut RE Died 11th Aug 1924, aged 36 years	Also of Geoffrey M Bradley BA Lieut Rifle Brigade Killed in Action Festubert France Dec 21st 1914 aged 21 years
There is a further inscription beneath, mainly obscured. It may say: Beloved sons of Edwin and Emmeline Mary Bradley beneath are further words, of which "We Commit" are the only ones readable
Edwin Bradley JP died 3rd Dec 1945 aged 87 years	Emmeline Mary Bradley died 30th Dec 1956 aged 91 years

with thanks for transcription to Joyce Banks

Brand, B. J.
Born at St John's, Chatham, (St Paul's according to attestation in 1890) Benjamin James Brand, S/32, enlisted in Dover and was a Sergeant in 6th battalion of The Buffs. He was killed in action at the battle of Loos on 26 September 1915. He lies at the Calvaire (Essex) Military Cemetery, Belgium, III D 1. At the foot of his gravestone are the words, "One of the best. From dear mother and father.".

Aged 42 at the time of his death, he was the son of Benjamin John Brand and his wife Ellen, née North, who had married in 1871. In 1881 the family were at Coppard Gap, Portslade, Steyning, Sussex, where Mr Brand was a merchant seaman. Benjamin and Madeline Emma, born 1879, were then at home.

In 1891 the family were living at St John's Place, Snargate Street, Dover. Mr Brand was a general labourer, while Benjamin had become a port messenger. There were two new children; Ellen Violet, born 1884, and William John, born 1889. In 1901 they had moved to 20 Winchelsea Terrace, with Mr Brand working as a Tug's Mate. By 1906 they were living at 178 Clarendon Street.  In 1911 Mr Brand was in Yorkshire, as master of a coast vessel, Lighter Reve. He states that there had been ten children in the family, of whom five had died. Mrs Brand, meanwhile, was at Fyfield House, Cobham, Gravesend, with Madeline and Ellen. Ellen died in 1916, aged 32. Mr and Mrs Brand  by 1924 had moved to 10 Chapel Place, Dover. They also lived at 30 Oxenden Street.

Benjamin attested as a Private 3576 on 24 November 1890 for the East Kent Regiment but was discharged by purchase with a good character on 17 April 1891. On attestation he was recorded as having blue eyes and brown hair, and as being a Wesleyan. He was then living in Folkestone and was a baker. In July 1892 he attested again, this time for the Royal West Kent Regiment, giving his trade as a Dyer and Cleaner, and his church as C of E. He had a "B" tattooed on the back of his left wrist. He joined at Shorncliffe. He served at home for seven years; in 1892 he was in Londonderry. In 1896 he seems to be on the electoral roll at 10 Round Tower Lane, Dover. Serving in Dublin that year he slightly blotted his good record by overstaying his pass and being being improperly dressed on 5 March and again overstaying his pass in July. He was demoted to Private from Lance Corporal. He also was fined five shillings for using profane and obscene language in a public street, Sackville Street, on 3 September, and was noted as absent from tattoo on 23 September. It would be three years before he had another slip, by overstaying his pass and borrowing a Lt Nunn's bicycle without permission on 28 April 1899 in Gravesend.

He was transferred to the Reserve on 13 July 1899, having grown to 5'8" tall. He hoped to be employed as a warder at a civil prison, and was described as a trustworthy man. Failing this employment he claimed experience in dying and cleaning and as a food waiter, having been for four years an Officers' Mess waiter, and one year a manservant. He intended to live at 3 Collis Street, Brompton Lane, Strood. On 14 August 1899 he married Agnes Taylor at St Vincent Roman Catholic Church, Glasgow. On Boxing Day that year he was recalled to Army service.

Benjamin went to South Africa to serve in the war there on 16 March 1900, returning on 11 September 1902. He then  served at home until  he was discharged, having completed his first period of engagement, from the Royal West Kents on 12 July 1904 at Maidstone with two good conduct badges and a very good character. He intended then to live at 6 Clarendon Street, Dover.

He attested again as a Private, 3396, on 6 September 1904 for the Army Reserve, stating that he was married, his wife being Agnes, and was a telephone wireman. He was living at Jocelyn House, Clarendon Road, Dover. He was struck off from the Reserve on 1 July 1906 for failing to report in the June. It appears that in March 1905 his papers had been taken by a George Watts, who obtained a suit and money from a Captain Cundy by representing himself as Benjamin Brand. Mr Watts received six months imprisonment with hard labour. Upon the army trying to contact Benjamin in June 1906 for further information at his given address in Redbourne, near St Albans, their letters were returned as "gone away"; his pay as a Reservist was then stopped. Benjamin's mother had also been trying to contact her son as she had been seriously ill, and appealed to the army to forward his address to her. It is currently unknown how he was employed until he rejoined to serve in the Great War. Soldiers Died gives his residence at Gravesend; he is commemorated on the war memorial at the church of St Peter and St Paul, Milton-next-Gravesend.

Mrs Brand, on 1 September 1920, applied for the medals for her son. Her address then was 9 Faith Street, Sittingbourne. Mrs Brand died in Dover on 11 June 1924. She is buried at St Mary's. Mr Brand died in 1932 in Gravesend.

Note: CWGC names Sergeant Brand's wife as "Maggie". She predeceased him.
headstone picture courtesy Stewart May

Brann, R. J.
Richard Joseph Brann, T/2443, was killed in action on 7th January 1916 at the age of 19 when serving as a Private with the 5th battalion of the Buffs in the Persian Gulf. 

An extract from the war diary that day reads: "D" company returned from outpost at 6.0am and joined 2nd line. Artillery fire started at 8am. Big engagement. We advanced. Heavy casualties. Fight lasted until 6.0pm. Took up fresh(?) position 200 yds in rear of original firing line. Adjutant and other officers killed. Colonel, 2nd in Command and others wounded. Heavy firing at right from enemy."

Private Brann was born at Charlton, Dover on 6th July.  Living in Dover, he was a conductor on the Dover Corporation trams before enlistment in Dover on 27th August 1914. He was sent to India in October 1914.

He was the son of the late Mr Joseph Brann and Mrs Brann, of Endeavour Place, Buckland, Dover. He lies now at Amara War Cemetery, Iraq, XXXI B 12. 

The poem below appeared in the Dover Express, 8 September 1916

To Private Richard Brann - killed in action January 18^th(sic) 1916.

H. E. (a Schoolmate)
transcription with thanks to Joyce Banks

Breeze, A. R.
Alfred Richard Breeze, 400393, was a Private in the 13th battalion of the Essex regiment. He was killed in action on 30th November 1917 at Cambrai, France, and is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial.

He had been born at Buckland, Dover and lived there until 1912. He lived in Tonbridge and enlisted there, and his wife lived at 15 Albert Road, Tonbridge.

His brother Bertie served also, but survived, and on his return took over Alfred's job at the draper's in the Co-operative. .

Brett, C. M.
Charles Michael Brett, 47046, was born in Rochester, the son of Edward George Brett and his wife Jane, née Wellard. The couple had married in early 1894 at St John's, Kingsdown. Mr Brett was then working for the customs.

In 1901 the family were at 4 Sutton Road, West Ham, with three children born in Rochester; Charles, 1895, Lilian Jane Abigail, about 1897, and William Frederick, 1900.  By 1911 the family were living in Dover, at 162 Clarendon Street. Charles had become a messenger for the GPO, after having attended St Martin's school. There was another daughter, Lydia Alice, born in 1905; two other children had died young.

In 1917 Mr and Mrs Brett were living at 7 Longfield Road, Dover. On 2 December that year, Charles, then working for the Customs as Excise as had his father, married Evelyn Violet Dyer, born 22 March 1899, at St James church, Ryde, Isle of Wight. The couple probably had a son the following year, Edward C A.

Charles enlisted at Ryde and became a Rifleman in the 3rd Company, 18th battalion of the King's Royal Rifle Corps. He was 22 when he died on 3 October 1918 at the Australian Clearing Station, France, from wounds received the previous day. He is buried at the Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery, Belgium, III B 49; his effects were returned to his widow, who lived at Myrtle Cottage, Trinity Street, Ryde.

In 1939 Mrs Brett was living at 12 Trinity Street, Ryde; also there was Cyril R Brett, born 31 July 1926. Mrs Brett died in 1895.

 "Dearer to memory than words can tell,
Are thoughts of the boy we loved so well."
Dad, Mum, Lil, Alice, Bill, and Tich - 1920

The Haringhe cemetery was called Bandaghem by the Tommies. It is one of three, along with Dozinghem and Mendinghem, that have nicknames of a Belgian flavour reflecting the treatment given to injured soldiers (Bandage Them, Dosing Them, Mending Them).

Brewer, A.
Albert Brewer, S/8278, was a Private in the 6th battalion of The Buffs. He enlisted on 10 October 1906 at Canterbury, his address then being 33 Edred Road, Dover. He was killed in action on the Somme on 3 July 1916, and is buried at Ovillers Military Cemetery, France, VIII A 10 

He was born at Buckland, Dover, and lived in Dover, but enlisted at Shorncliffe. In late 1915 he married Lillian May Elizabeth Ticehurst. His medals were sent to her at 75 Kings Villas, South Road, Dover.

His father was Harold Goodwin Brewer, in 1901 a bricklayer's labourer, also born in Dover. He lived with his wife, Julia Ann, née Allery, whom he had married in 1885, at 7 Palmerston Cottages, Charlton, Dover, and with them then were two children, Charles Stephen, aged 9, Beatrice Maud, aged 6, and William G, aged 1. Also there was Mrs Brewer's father, Henry William Allery, aged 55, a widower and journeyman tailor, born in London like his daughter. He was, it appears, the father of Henry Thomas Allery.

By 1911 the family were living at 33 Edred Road, Dover. Mr Brewer had become a confectioner's traveller, and the children at home in 1901 had been joined by sons Arthur, 23, a miner, and Albert, 21, a labourer. He had previously been an errand boy. There were also two daughters, Emily,  6, and Lucy, 9 months. A further  address for Harold Brewer was 46 St James Street.

Mrs Julia Brewer died on 11 August 1912 "after a long and painful illness, patiently borne".

Photo by Jean Marsh. The headstone has the initial "H" instead of "A"; all other details are correct

Brice, G. F.
George Frederick Brice, 7101, was one of thousands who have no known grave, and he is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial in France (pier and face 9c, 9d, 12c, 13c). He was a Corporal in the 19th (County of London) battalion (St Pancras) of the London Regiment (formerly 2823 2/4 The Buffs) and he died between 22nd September and 2nd October 1916 in France.

He was born in Waltham, Kent, but brought up in Dover, and attended Barton Road school, after which he worked for the East Kent light railway company. He enlisted in Dover.

He was mourned by his "sorrowing sweetheart, Ivy" and his family. His father was Mr Brice of 31 Pretoria Terrace, Dover (also John  F. Brice, 65 Glenfield Road, Buckland, Dover) and William Brice, below, was his brother.

Brice, W. C.
William Charles Brice, 7115. He, like George above, who was his brother, has no known grave and is commemorated in the same place on the Thiepval memorial in France, having served as a Private in the same London regiment and having died in the same period. He enlisted in Canterbury. He was also 2/4 Buffs, as number 2766.

He was born in Thannington, Kent, but was brought up in Dover and attended Barton Road school. His next-of-kin was John F. Brice, of 65 Glenfield Road, Buckland, Dover. 

Bridger, F. E.
Frank Ernest Bridger - there is an Ernest Frank Bridger, aged 4, in the 1901 census, which is the only known record of him. He was born at Marden, Kent, and was the son of Thomas Bridger, a rural postman, and his wife, Frances. He had an older brother (Cauford?) and a younger, John

There is an Ernest Frank Bridger, 17314, Lance Corporal in the Machine Gun Corps, 9 Company, who died of wounds on 28 July 1916. He is buried in the Abbeville Communal cemetery, VI E 2.He enlisted in Southend and lived in Stanford-le-Hope; however he was born at Kemsing, Kent.  

Brightmore, H.
Horace Brightmore, 9451. He enlisted in Woolwich, and was a Company Sergeant Major in the 3rd battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment. Already having been wounded twice, he was killed, aged 28, by a sniper on 20 June 1915 in Flanders. He had been attempting to rescue two officers who had already been hit by the sniper, 2nd Lieutenant Macade (probably Meade)*, who was killed, and 2nd Lieutenant Barfoot, who had attempted to rescue 2nd Lieutenant Macade, and who was mortally wounded. A fourth member of the same regiment, Lance Sergeant Gordon, then attempted to aid all three, and was himself killed. The order was then given that the bodies would not be recovered until after dark.

CSM Brightmore had been promoted just three days before his death. He lived in West Ham, Essex, where he had been born. He left a fiancée, Miss C(assandra?) Gilbert, who lived at 14 Market Street, and whom he had met while stationed in Dover. She was the daughter of William Gilbert, a plumber, painter, paper-hanger, and house-decorator, and his wife Annie.

Horace Brightmore is buried at the Hooge Crater Cemetery, XVI H 1. Those who died with him were Wakefield Waldo Meade*, 19 years old, buried at the Sanctuary Wood cemetery, II F 34, George Allen Barfoot, buried at Hooge Crater, XV H 14, and John Gordon, aged 20, commemorated on the Menin Gate.

*

The following is an extract from the Westmeath Independent, June, 1915.

From the Front. The Poisonous Gases. An Athlone Man's Letter.

Mr and Mrs Taylor, of Newtown Terrace, have received the following letter from their son, Sergeant W Taylor, Royal Irish Rifles, serving with the Expeditionary Force;

In the Trenches. B.E.Force, 25th May, '15.

Dear Father and Mother,
Just a few lines hoping all at home are enjoying good health such as I am having at present. The weather here is exceptionally good. I wish it was possible for you to send the Shannon out here, as a swim would be delightful, the weather is so warm. Well, at present, we are having an easy time, I think the Huns presume we are all dead, because you would not hear a shot from them. They used that poisonous gas again last night, but we defy all their murderous works now as our respirators save us. They did not damage practically, but affected some of our eyes, and, honestly, I thought mine were going to fall out of my head they were that sore. The eyes seem to swell up and you imagine you have eyes like some great monster. At least that is how I felt. When I get the Huns in the open I shall teach them a bit of my gymnastic course experiences in the way of bayonet fighting. You nee not send any more cakes for some time, but I would be thankful for some lemonade powders. Tell Dolly, Sergeant Brightmore of the Worcesters, has been wounded again. She will remember that he was the chap I brought her to see in the hospital when she was in Dublin. We are all longing to see the Italians up this way. Now that Italy has declared war I expect Rumania and Greece will soon be on our side. Ah, well, the more the merrier. If any more nations come into it we shall forget our nationality, for, between German, French, Belgian, Algerian, and a couple others we won't know what language to speak. Give my kindest regards to all friends and I must now draw my letter to a close with warmest  love to yourselves, brothers and sisters, and remain, dear Father and Mother,
your loving son.
Willie.

letter with thanks to Thomas Burnell

Note: On 3 October 1927, Miss Gilbert married at St Mary's church, Percival Beer Metcalfe. The couple were living at 24 Queens Gardens, Dover, when Mr Metcalfe died at Kent and Canterbury Hospital on 5 January 1946, aged 46. He had, during the war, served as a War Reserve Police Constable, and when he became ill had been working in the Admiralty Civil Police. He is buried at St Mary's cemetery. Mrs Metcalfe died in Dover in 1985.

Brinkworth, J. W.
John William Brinkworth, CH/20337, was in the Royal Marines Light Infantry, at Deal. He is buried in the cemetery there, in grave reference 2. 1346. He died of pneumonia on 15th January 1916, aged 18.

He was the son of John C. and Ellen E. Brinkworth of 58 Longfield Road, Dover. They may have been John Christopher Brinkworth, aged 30 in 1901, a Sergeant in the Royal Garrison Artillery, born in Malta, and his wife Ellen, aged 25, born in Deal. They were living in Newhaven, Sussex, and at that time had three children, John W. Brinkworth, aged 3, born in Gravesend, as was his younger sister, Ellen, then one, and Henry, aged 5, born in Sheerness. When John died his father was notified at 71 Longfield Road.

There is a burial record on 12 March for John Christopher Brinkworth, an Army Pensioner aged 69, of 9 Longfield Road,  at St James 18 DR

census with thanks to Joyce Banks

Broadbridge, L.
Lionel Arthur Broadbridge, 240883, was an Old Pharosian, and is commemorated on the memorial window at his school, Dover Grammar. He was a Serjeant in the 7th battalion of the Buffs. He was killed in action on 7th August 1918, at the age of 26, being buried in the Beacon cemetery, Sailly-Laurett, France, II D 5.

The son of Jane Broadbridge of 21 Richmond Avenue Merton Park London and of the late Captain Broadbridge (HMS Monarch), he was born at Leytonstone, London. He lived in Woking, Surrey, and before enlisting at Guildford he worked as a clerk in the London, County, and Westminster Bank.

Brockman, A.
Albert Brockman, G/40914, was a Private in the 4th battalion of the (Duke of Cambridge's Own) Middlesex Regiment (formerly 2359 Royal West Kent Regiment). He enlisted in Dover. When he was killed in action at the age of 29 on 28th April 1917 he left a widow, Mary Tucker Brockman, who lived at 35, Longfellow Road, Dover. He is commemorated on the Arras memorial in France.

His mother, Mrs A. Brockman, lived at The Buttway, Cliffe-at-Hoo, Rochester, Kent, and he was born in Tiverton, Devon.  

(for family tree see faded genes by Dave Dixon)

Bromley, C. P. J.
Cecil Percy John Bromley, 1312, was a Serjeant (Pilot) in the 7th Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. He died on 2nd November 1916, when he was 20, and is commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial in France. His parents were Percy Robert and Amelia Augusta Bromley, who lived at 85 High St., Dover. Percy Bromley died on 26 May 1934, then of 4 Bartholomew Street.

Cecil Bromley was one of the casualties featured in the "Unknown Warrior 90th Anniversary" project, supported  by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Educational resources ('pdf) are here.

More information (.pdf)

If you have any more information about Cecil Bromley, or are a relative, please contact us

Bromley, G. J.
Gordon John Bromley, 3697, was a Private in the Infantry, 1st battalion, of the  Australian Imperial Force.

He was born at Dover, and signed his attestation in New South Wales, Australia, on 1 August 1915. The nominal roll shows him as having joined on 24 July, and gives his middle name as "Joseph". On enlistment he was described as 5 feet seven inches tall, with hazel eyes, brown hair, a ruddy complexion, and weighing ten stone. He had been employed as a clerk.

He left Sydney on 11 December 1915 on RMS Mooltan, and disembarked at Marseilles on 28 March 1916. On 12 May 1916 he was admitted to hospital with a hernia, and was sent to England for further hospital treatment and convalescence. He returned to Etaples in France on 17 September 1916, rejoining his battalion on 30 September.

Reported as wounded and missing in action on 5 November 1916, he was deemed to have been killed in action by a court of enquiry held on 22 November 1917. There are different accounts of how he met his death. One from James Warne, serving in the same battalion, stated that he had been informed by a man named Chandler, since killed, that Private Bromley (aged around 26) had "passed through the dressing station on 5 November, after the engagement at Flers. I believe he was badly wounded in the head and arms, as far as I remember". (Note: the eye-witness was probably Arthur Chandler, of the Medical Corps, killed on 3 March 1917)

Another account from Sergeant Major Moscoll(?), who said he knew Private Bromley well, stated that he had been killed by a shell, but that it had been impossible to retrieve his body until two months afterwards, when the enemy retired. Segreant Major Moscoll, who had been Private Bromley's Platoon Sergeant, stated that Private Bromley had been subsequently buried in the Military Cemetery at Flers, and that he had seen a cross being made for the grave. He had not seen the grave himself. Another informant, Private Longland, stated that the grave was near a trench, while a further account stated that it was 450 north north west of Gaudicourt (sheet 57 C LW N20 D13.7?).  

He added that Private Bromley's family were from Dover, and his father kept a hotel. Private Bromley's father, John, was the proprietor of the King's Head, Dover, from 1876 until his death on25 March 1919, whereupon his second wife, Evangelina, took over until her own death in 1933.* In 1891, the census records also Lena Dorothy, younger sister of Private Bromley. John Bromley's first marriage was to Annie Elizabeth Mackenzie in 1877 at St Peter and St Paul, Charlton; she died in 1885.

Private Matthias described Private Bromley as having a moustache. He stated that he he had been within a few yards of Private Bromley when he was killed instantly by machine gun at night in no man's land. The body was left behind when they were forced to retire.

However, Private Lockyer stated that Private Bromley went missing on the day they went over the top to attack a trench on the right of Flers. He added that Private Bromley was away for five or six weeks, rejoining them when they were at St Saviours, and described him as clean-shaven, about 26 and single, from New South Wales.

Private Bromley was married in 1907 at Camden to Alice Bertha Jones, who lived at 476 Crown Street, Surry Hills, Sydney. She died in January 1917. A duplicate attestation form states that Private Bromley had no other relatives but a half-sister, Mrs E E  Mousley, of Bank Drive, Lutterworth, Leicester. This was Elizabeth Ellen Bromley, who in 1898 married George Mousley. The medals were forwarded to her, as a letter dated 18 January 1922 from Australia House in The Strand, London, stated that both Private Bromley's parents were deceased..

Private Bromley is commemorated on the Villers Bretonneux memorial

* according to "By the Way", the Kent public house website by Paul Skelton

Brooks, S. J.
Sidney or Sydney James Brooks, G/18227, enlisted in Dover and became a Private in the 1st battalion of  The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). He was killed in action on 3 May 1917, at the age of 24. He is commemorated on the Arras memorial in France, bay 2.

Sidney was born in Margate in 1892 to John Brooks and his wife Eliza. He was one of twelve children, five of whom had died before 1911. In 1901 Mr and Mrs Brooks were at 164 London Road, Dover. Mr Brooks was a basket maker. At home with them were Sidney and Doris, then aged 2. By 1911 Mrs Brooks was a widow, and at 119 Heathfield Avenue with her married daughter Agnes Gard and granddaughter Ethel Agness, and her daughter Doris and son Edward, aged 6. Sidney meanwhile was at 10 Worthington Street, in the home of William Thomas Beer, a hairdresser, and working as an assistant hairdresser.

In 1915 Sidney married Mary Harriet Emily King, the daughter of George and Sarah King. His effects were returned to her after his death. At some time after his death she lived at 15 Wood Street.

In 1929 Mary Brooks married Frederick W Wildish. Ten years later they were living at the Gardener's Cottage, Biggleswade. Mrs Wildish's date of birth was given as 10 September 1893; her christening record at Charlton on 9 November and birth registration however have the year as 1892. Mr Wildish was born on 28 March 1898. 

Brown, A.
Alfred Brown, K/17384, was a 1st Class Stoker in the Royal Navy, serving on HMS Formidable. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, he was lost in the English Channel off Devon on New Year's Day, 1915 after the vessel was torpedoed by submarine U24.

Born on 27 March 1893 at Dover, and aged 21 when he died, he was the eldest son of Henry and Marion Brown, née Loram, of 11, Winchelsea St., Dover. In 1901 the family were living at 11 Victoria Street, Dover, and Mr Brown was working as a general labourer. Alfred was then aged 8, and he had a younger brother, Walter, 5, and a younger sister, Winifred, 3.

 The Formidable was noted as the first British battleship lost in the Great War, and two thirds of her 750 strong crew were lost. 

Brown, G. A.
George Ambrose Brown, 306510, was the husband of Laura May Brown when he was killed in action on 15 October 1914. He was a Petty Officer Stoker, and his vessel, HMS Hawke, was torpedoed by submarine U9. The second torpedo hit the magazine and the vessel sank rapidly. This loss was but a month after the destruction of the "Live Bait" Squadron, and now ships accompanying vessels struck were under orders not to rescue survivors in the water, for fear that they too would be destroyed.

Born on 1 March 1885, George was the son of Joseph Brown, a steam ship stoker, and his wife, Phoebe. In 1891 the family were living at 5 Tower Hamlets Road, Dover. Also there were George's elder brother, Ernest, 5, and his younger brother, Walter, 2.  Mr Brown died at the age of 33 in 1893, and Mrs Brown remarried. In 1901 she was living at 10 St Andrews Terrace, Dover, with her second husband, Chris Woods, a general labourer. Her sons George and Walter were there, with their sister, Phoebe, 9, and two other children, Louisa Woods, 6, and Ann Woods, 4.

George is commemorated on the Chatham Naval memorial. His wife was notified of his death at 25 Albany Place, Dover. She later remarried, and became Mrs Pearce, living at 17 Selbourne Terrace, Dover. 

*Brown, R.
Robert Brown, G/42932, was born in Knowle Hill, Berkshire, and lived at Addlestone, Surrey. He enlisted in Dover and became a Private in the 16th battalion (Duke of Cambridge's Own) Middlesex Regiment. He was killed in action on 9th October 1917, and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot memorial in Belgium.

He was the son of Edward and Eleanor Brown, of 3, Hexton Villas, South Ascot, Berks.

photo Jean Marsh

Brown, R.
Richard Fritz Brown, 10318, was born on 14 February 1896 and christened at Holy Trinity on 28 May. His parents, Fritz and Esther Brown (née Heath) were then living at 5 Chapel Court, with Mr Brown working as a mate on the barque Tongoy. The couple were married at the same church on 27 June 1893, when Mr Brown had been a made on the brig Saffron.

By 1901 the family were living at Chalk Villas, Hardwicke Road, and Mr Brown was working in the mines. They then had three children; Maud Esther Catherine, born 17 November 1894, Richard, and Herbert Arthur, born 28 May 1890.

On 24 August 1901 at about 4 in the morning Mr Brown slipped and fell to his death in the no 2 pit of Dover Colliery. He was a pumpman and had been working some 940 feet below ground and helping lower a pump. He had been attempting to take off the engine rope, but instead of going down in the cage to do so had climbed down a cable. He had been holding on with his hands and with his toes just in the links when he slipped and fell some 117 feet further down the shaft, striking something on the way down about fifteen feet about the water. He fell backwards into the water, which was some 35 feet deep. Although his colleague immediately attempted a rescue, Mr Brown could not be found and his body was later, at 1pm, recovered by grapples by his brother-in-law Richard Heath.

Mr Brown's address was 2 Milton Villas, Shakespeare Road, also the address of Richard Heath. In 1907 Mrs Brown was at Milton Villas alone when a lad entered, possibly with felonious intent. In 1908 Mrs Brown (indexed as Braun) remarried in Dover, to Robert Henry Rye, a general labourer. In 1911 they were living with Esther's three children at 24 Seven Star Street. Richard had become a waggon greaser.

Mrs Rye moved to Woolwich, where Robert enlisted. He served as a Private, 10318, in the 7th battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. He died from wounds on 29 May 1917, when he was 21, and is buried in the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, XII B 34. At the foot of his headstone are the words, "Rest in the Lord".

Mrs Rye's address was 139 Abert Road, Woolwich. Her brother, Richard Henry Heath, was uncle to Richard Fritz Brown.

DE 27 Aug 1917

Brown, V. A. E.
Victor Albert E. Brown, 23410, was an Old Pharosian and is commemorated on the memorial window at his school, the Dover Grammar. He was a Corporal in the Lancashire Fusiliers, and died on 1st July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme. He is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial in France.

In 1897 he was born in Dover, and enlisted there, but lived in Sheffield. His next of kin was George Brown, who lived at 54 Monins Road, Dover. This was probably his father, a railway engine driver.

Note: A Victor Brown, born 24 May 1895 and clerk at Bradby Bros, enlisted into the Dover Anti-Aircraft Corps when it was formed in October 1914, and went into action as an Able Seaman in the RNVR manning the searchlights to protect Dover. There is a record of his serving at B Crew, No 3 Co (Langdon Camp), and of obtaining the second lowest score of his crew (32/100) in a rifle competition between Langdon A and B. . He was the youngest member of the Corps, and (perhaps) has the sad distinction of being the only ex-member of the Dover anti-aircraft corps to be killed during the war.

anti-aircraft details with thanks to Phil Eyden

Brown, W. C.
William Charles Brown was called up when the Great War began. He was a reservist, having left the Royal West Kents in 1911. Given his commission in 1917, he was a Lieutenant in the 387th Siege Battery, the 103rd Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery.  

Lieutenant Brown was 29 when he died just before the Armistice on 7 November 1918. He had contracted dysentery in the trenches, and was sent home to recover. Sadly he developed pneumonia and died a month later at Sandy Lane VAD. He is buried at St Paul's, in Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells. His parents, William and Alice lived at Rusthall, at 38 Erskine Park Road. They had three further sons serving, all of whom survived.

Lieutenant Brown's wife, Emma Elizabeth Brown, née Bonnage (above, right), lived at 22 Templar Street, Dover. She later moved to 19 Union Road, Dover. She was born at 3 Magdala Road, and the couple had married in Dover in 1908. Mrs Brown was aunt to Arthur Ackehurst.

After Lieutenant Brown's death Mrs Brown brought up their three sons, Peter, Stanley, and Leslie (left), on her own. In photographs of her until her death in 1949, aged 59,  she wears a locket (above, right). Inside were two miniature pictures of her late husband.

*

Leslie Brown became a keen swimmer and member of the Dover Lifeguards club, gaining many trophies for individual and team events. In 1955 he was awarded the George medal for saving, with Lt-Cdr A E Burton, a badly-injured man trapped by an explosion in July 1954 in an ammunition store in Malta.  Mr Brown's citation states, "He was risking his life in continuing to work in the building when he was aware that another explosion might have taken place at any moment and when the increased intensity of the fire caused other personnel to cease work".

with thanks to Barbara Hall

Brown, W. J.
William James Brown, S/13654, was a Rifleman in the Rifle Brigade. He was 41 when he died on 17th September 1919. His widow, Maria Brown, of 30 Granville Street, Dover, later 13 Spring Gardens, buried him at Buckland, Dover.

Browning, E. O.
Easter Oliphant Browning, L or C/8205, was a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment. He was 28 when he was killed in action on 9 May 1915 as part of the BEF, and is commemorated on the Le Touret memorial.

He enlisted and lived in Dover, and, born in Paddington, was the son of .Mrs A M Browning, née Oliphant, of 120  London Road, Buckland, Dover, and brother of Thomas, below.

Browning, T. J.
Thomas Jekin/Jaken Browning, 23835, was a Sergeant of the 1st  battalion of Alexandra, Princess of Wales' Own (Yorkshire Regiment) died from wounds received in action on 20th March 1916, in India. He is buried in the Kut War Cemetery, Iraq, E 7.

He was formerly of the Royal Sussex Regiment, but bought himself out of that regiment while serving in India. He enlisted in India, at Rawalpindi.

Born and living originally in Dover, he was the son of Mr and Mrs W H Browning of 20 York Street, Dover, and brother to Easter above.  

Bruce, H. K.
Harry Kendall Walpole Bruce was an Indian Major, in the 2nd King Edward's Own Gurkha Rifles (Sirmoor Rifles). He was 37 when he died on 1st February 1917, and is buried at Amara in Iraq. He was the son of Lieutenant General Le Geyt Bruce, KCB, and Lady Bruce.

*Brunton, E. W.
Edward William Brunton/Braunton, 52673, was a Private in the 32nd battalion of the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (formerly 36378 in the 2nd Royal Scots). He was killed in action on 7th June 1917 when he was 25, and is buried in the Bus House cemetery in Belgium, B 22.

He was born in Tottenham, and enlisted and lived in Shepherd's Bush. His mother was Mrs Amelia Brunton of 3 Loftus Road, Shepherd's Bush, London

*Burley, H.
This may be Henry Burley, 276014, who was born at Battersea, London on 5 December 1870. He was a Chief Stoker, and had obtained a long service and good conduct medal.

His parents were John and Louisa Burley of Wandsworth, London. Mr Burley was in 1881 a boilermaker's labourer, and Mrs Burley a laundress. At home too were sons Thomas, 18, a carman, Arthur, 13, Alfred, 12, and Henry, 9, and daughters Rose, 7, and Lottie, 4. The family were living at 14 Barkleigh Street, Battersea. By 1891 Mrs Burley was widowed, and the family had moved to 35 Pitcairn Street, Clapham. Henry had become a locomotive fireman. There too were his brothers William, 30, a chair caner who had become blind at 16, and James, 24.

In 1901 Henry was boarding at 10 King Street, Portsea, and was working as a mechanical stoker. He died from disease on 22 January 1915, and is buried at Gillingham Woodlands, Naval 18, grave 927. At the foot of his headstone are the words, "The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God". 

He left a widow, Rose Burley, of the Four Oaks Cottages, Luddenham, Faversham, formerly 34 Ranleigh Road, Twyford, Portsmouth.

Burnett, G. H.
George Harold Burnett, probably known as Harold, was born in Dover in 1894 and was the third son of Luke Burnett and his wife Mary Elizabeth, née Giles, of 2 Albert Road, Dover. The couple had married in 1886 after Mr Burnett's first wife Sarah, née Curtis, had died at the age of 30 in 1880. Mr Burnett then had one son, Frederick William, born about 1878. He became a Trinity Pilot according to Mr Burnett's will in 1928 (Mr Burnett died on 8 February and is buried at Charlton).

By 1891 the Burnetts had moved from the London area to Dover, living at 5 East Cliff, and Mr Burnett had changed his occupation from gasfitter to water inspector, working for the corporation. Their son Walter Ernest was born in Dover in 1887, and Arthur Stanley followed in about 1890. The household kept two domestic servants/nurses. By 1911 the family had moved to 7 Guilford Lawn, and George was working as a junior clerk for the Admiralty. Mrs Burnett was apparently working as an apartment housekeeper.

George was working in Rugby as a draughtsman for British Thomson-Houston at the beginning of the Great War. He enlisted on the outbreak and became 42243, a Sapper in the 70th Field Company, Royal Engineers. He was 26 when he was killed in action on 24 September 1918. He is buried at Villers Hill British Cemetery, Villers-Guislain. France, III A 2.

At the bottom of his headstone are the words, "Thy Will Be Done".

Burrows, H. B.
Henry Basil Burrows, 75373, is commemorated on the Salem Baptist Church Roll of Honour. He was a Private in the 13th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (formerly 5637 of the East Surrey Regiment), and died on 7th June 1918, at the Third General Hospital, Treport, France, after undergoing a leg amputation made necessary by severe wounds on April 6. He is buried at Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport, France.

He was born on 1st October 1885 at 162 Clarendon Place, Dover. In the picture on the right it is the house painted orange. His parents were  Henry Burrows, a tailor journeyman, and Emma, (née Sheppard). On 24 March 1913 he married Flora Lily Kettle at the Salem Chapel, Biggin Street. She came from 244 Folkestone Road, but he by then was living at Shoreham Lodge, Granville Road, Sevenoaks, working as a tailor's assistant.

He was still living in Sevenoaks when he enlisted. When he was killed his wife was living at  "Wisteria", 56 Bradbourne Road. Her father, William, formerly a grocer and then a food inspector, and mother (probably Sarah Jane, née Mullins) were then living at Ruskin Cottage, Minerva Avenue, Dover.   "Loved by all."

Henry is also commemorated also on the Sevenoaks memorial.

The inscription at the bottom of Henry Burrows' headstone at Mont Huon reads: "never forgotten by his loving wife Lily of Sevenoaks, Kent, England"
June 1918

with thanks to David Irving

Bushell, A. G.
Albert  George Bushell was born on 21 October 1889 in Dover, the son of William M. Bushell and his wife Emma. In 1891 the family were living at 18 Albany Place and Mr Bushell was working as an ironmonger's porter. There were then four children in the family; Mabel Clara, aged 10, and Ellen, aged 8, both born in Marylebone, London, and William, 4, and Albert, 2, both born in Dover.

By 1901 Mrs Bushell was a widow, and with a fifth child, Edith, then aged 8. The family were living at 1 Woolcomber Lane, and Mrs Bushell was working as a charwoman. William was a greengrocer boy at the port.

Albert joined the Royal Navy, and became K443, a Petty Officer Stoker. He died on 9 July 1917, serving with HMS Vanguard.  His mother was  living at 1 Maison Dieu Road, Dover, when she was informed of his death.

Mabel in 1903 married Charles Morecraft. In 1924, living at 69 Clarendon Street, she asked for Albert's name to be put on the Town Memorial. He is also commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 23.

Butcher, J. W.
John William Butcher, 27449, enlisted in London and was a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Princess Charlotte of Wales' Royal Berkshire Regiment (formerly 2587 of the Rifle Brigade). He died of wounds at the age of 25 on 24th September 1916. He is buried at Bethune Town Cemetery, in France 

Born at Charlton, Dover, and living in Dover, he was the son of H. F. and M. A. Butcher of 46 Eaton Road, Dover.

Butler, R. E. H.
Robert Edward Hubbard Butler, K20676, was a 1st class Stoker, who died on 9 July 1917 while serving in the Royal Navy on HMS Vanguard.  He is commemorated on the Chatham Memorial in the United Kingdom. The Vanguard suddenly exploded at Scapa Flow forty minutes before midnight, and it is probable that a fire detonated her magazine. Most of the 800 or 900 men on board were lost.

Born on 20 February 1894 at Sittingbourne, he was the son of Eliza Harriet Burrows, née Hubbard, of 12 Widred Road, Dover; Robert's father was Albert Butler, a waggoner on a farm; the couple had married in 1893 at St Mary's Teynham.

In 1901 Robert was a visitor at 30 Widred Road, as was his sister, Emily Adelaide ("Ciss"), born 30 October 1896. This was the home of Frederick Burrows or Barrows, a sanitary cart driver. Robert's mother was then a servant, domestic housekeeper. A further visitor was Louisa Miles, aged 8.

By 1911 Mr Barrows had moved to 54 Widred Road where Robert's mother continued housekeeping. Robert had become a carter, and had presumably been named after his grandfather, as also in the household was Robert Hubbard, aged 75, a widower, who by then had also suffered the loss of eight of his fifteen children. Robert Edward's mother is noted as having been married 19 years, and having had four children, of whom one had died. This was David Muir Butler, who died at the age of 8 months, and was buried from 41 Tower Hamlets Street on 18 July 1900 from the parish of St Bartholomew, Charlton, Dover. The fourth child was probably Frederick Leonard Barrows Butler, who was born on 3 November 1906 and baptised on 8 December at St Mary's. In 1916 Robert's mother was living at 11 Widred Road.

Emily, Robert's sister, married Charles Henry Marsh at the Wesleyan Chapel in Snargate Street, Dover. They married on 3 July 1917, just six days before Robert lost his life.

Buttifint, H. W.
Henry William Buttifint served in the Buffs. He was 25 when he was killed in action on 25th September 1916. His father lived at 59 Lowther Road, Tower Hamlets, Dover.

He is recorded in the CWGC and Soldiers Died as Henry William Butterfield, S/9721, a Private in the 1st battalion of The Buffs, killed in action on 25th September 1916. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France, 5D

He was born in Kearsney (1901 census says River), and enlisted at Dover, and he lived at Tower Hamlets.