Dadds, L.
Leonard Dadds, 71583, was a Serjeant in the Royal Garrison Artillery, 109th Siege battery. He was awarded the Military Medal.  He died on 31st October 1918, and is buried at the St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen in France.

He was born in Folkestone and enlisted in Dover.

*Daniell, H. E. 
Edward? Henry Edwin Daniell, was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Irish Regiment, commanding the 2nd battalion. He received the DSO. He died when he was 46 on 20th October 1914, and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial in France.

Daniels, E. T. 
Edwin Thomas Daniels, G/8803, was a Private in the 1st battalion of The Buffs. Aged 30, he was killed by a shell on 8 June 1916 and is buried at Essex Farm cemetery in Belgium, II U 14.

At the bottom of his headstone are the words, "The memory of the just is blessed".

Edwin was born in Whitfield and enlisted in Canterbury, and was one of four sons in The Buffs of Thomas Daniels, a shepherd in 1901, and his wife Elizabeth, née Healey, of Alkham and later of River. They were married in 1880.

In 1891 the family were at Guilford NY Cottages, Bensbury Court, Whitfield, with Mr Daniels an agricultural labourer. At home were Grace Maria, born in 1884, Edwin, 1886, and Albert John 1889. Their daughter, Susannah Healey Daniels, had died in 1883, four months after her birth. By 1895 the family were at Ararat, Alkham, and by 1901 three more sons had been born: Sidney Ernest, 1891, Arthur Henry, about 1895, and Percy Reginald in 1897, when the address was Wolverton, Alkham. In 1911 Mr Daniels had become a working farm bailiff; the census records that they had lost one other child at a young age.

On 18 November 1915 at SS Peter and Paul, River, Edwin, then an insurance agent, married Lilian Annie Dunford, who had been connected with the school at Alkham for nine years before her marriage. Their address was  Crabble Farm Nursery, River, Dover. One of the presents received by the new couple was from Alkham School teachers, committee, and children, another from the Alkham tennis club.

Edwin's brother Lance Corporal Arthur Henry Daniels also died. He had been reported missing in November 1916; it appears that his body was not recovered and buried until March 1917. He is buried in the Regina Trench cemetery, Grandcourt, France, grave IX G 5.

Mrs Lilian Daniels died in 1957, aged 72.
 

Sidney Daniels	possibly Arthur Daniels	Percy Daniels

For a family tree see faded genes by Dave Dixon
gravestone picture courtesy Jean Marsh

Darwall, G. C.
Gordon Cecil Darwall was born in Dover in 1885. He held the Royal Humane Society's medal for life saving and the King Edward Coronation medal. He had served in the 3rd Northamptonshire Regiment and then had gained an appointment in the Chinese Government. He then went to the Canadian Permanent Force, retiring from them before the Great War.

Seconded for duty with the Cyclists' Corps, he had received a Captain's commission in August 1914 from the 3rd Somerset Light Infantry. He commanded a Divisional Cyclists' Company in France from July 1915 to March 1916, at which time he was invalided home. He died a year later, on 31st March 1917, from the disease he contracted while on active service. He is buried at Kensal Green (All :Souls) Cemetery, Plot 161 Row 3 Grave 44789, in the United Kingdom. His sister, Honor, of 6 East Cliff, requested that he should be commemorated on the Memorial.

His wife was probably Violet, née Mansell, whom he may have married in 1913, and they had two sons. He was brother to John, below; they are buried together.  Their mother had died just before him. 

Darwall, J. R. 
John Randle Darwall was born in 1878 in Dover. He was a Second Lieutenant in the Somerset Light Infantry. He died on 30th July 1915, at Charing Cross Hospital. His parents were Mr Robert Cecil, a solicitor, and Mrs Laleah Darwall, born Nova Scotia, who lived at East Cliff, Dover.

Second Lieutenant Darwall had come to London a week before, on a few days leave, and was unpacking his luggage at an hotel in Craven Street, the Strand. The chambermaid found him clinging to the bedpost after he had rung the bell for her help. He said, "I've shot myself accidentally. I forgot my pistol was loaded. Go and fetch a doctor."

He was brother to Gordon, above, and they are buried in the same grave at Kensall Green. The light cross in the foreground marks their grave. The words at the foot of the cross read, "Sacred to the memory of The Reverend John Randle Darwall, 2nd Lieutenant Somerset Light Infantry. Born at Dover 7th January 1878, died 30th July 1915. This is the promise he hath promised us, even eternal life. Also of Captain Gordon Cecil Darwall, 3rd Battn Somerset Light Infantry. Born at Dover 2nd March 1885, died 31st March 1917. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course".

Davidson, C. E. G.
Christopher Edmund Grant Davidson was born in London and was educated at Charterhouse and Sandhurst. He became a Captain in the 1st battalion, attached to the 6th battalion, of the Buffs. He was killed in action, while leading his men in an attack,  at Hulluch Quarries on 13th October 1915, when he was 29. He is buried at Vermelles British Cemetery in France.

He was the son of Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Middlemass Davidson (His Majesty's Bodyguard) and Jessie Rose Oliphant Davidson, who lived at 14 Victoria Park, Dover.

His brother, Francis Coventry Dudfield Davidson, lost his life in 1900, during the South African campaign.

However, a death announcement for Arthur Alfred Davis reads that he died at the age of 22 on Monday 23rd May 1921, at St Thomas Hospital, London "from sickness contracted whilst on war service." He was buried at Buckland, Dover, on 1st June 1921. The mourners included his father, and Frank, Jack, and Leonard, his brothers.

Born on 20th March 1899, Arthur had joined the army as a Boy. He enlisted in Dover on 11th February 1914, to serve as 40441 in the Royal Garrison Artillery. He was to be trained for a trade or if unsatisfactory, to be retained as a soldier according to a consent letter written by his father on 2nd December 1913. He was five feet five and a half inches, with grey eyes, brown hair, and the distinguishing mark of a small mole on the left side of his navel.

He was admitted to Woolwich hospital on 27th June 1914 till 11th July 1914 with a healing wound to his knee, which was considered not sufficient to interfere with his service as a soldier. On 2nd November 1914 he reported again to hospital after complaining of pains in his legs. He attended as an outpatient until 18th November and then went to the Royal Herbert Hospital in Woolwich. On 27th November he went to the VAD hospital in Bromley.

He had rheumatic fever; he was also diagnosed with valvular heart disease. He was discharged from the services, still as a Boy, on 3rd April 1915, physically unfit for war service. The illness was not considered by the board as a result of war service.  His character on discharge was noted as very good; his illness had rendered him emaciated. He was discharged from hospital on 9th April 1915.

He was called up and then rejected as unfit on 27th March 1917. On 7th May 1917 a badge in respect of the service he had achieved was issued to him at his request. He was then at 42 Gordon Road, Herne Bay.

He was the son of Mr Alfred John and Mrs Emily Sarah Davis, nee Penn, from 110 Buckland Avenue, Dover. Mr Davis was a timekeeper at Buckland Paper Mill.

*Davis, A. B. 
Alfred B. Davis, G/7681, was a Private in the 3rd battalion of The Buffs. He went to France on 28 November 1915. He died on 6th March 1919, and was buried at the Kingston-Upon-Thames cemetery. 

His father, according to the CWGC, was Alfred Benjamin Davis, and his wife was E Davis. However, a notice of death in the local Dover paper states that Alfred B Davis, of the Buffs, aged 43, died on 6 March 1919 at the Military Hospital, Kingston-Upon-Thames, and that he was the son of the late Maurice Davis and Mrs Davis of 14 Oxenden Street.

He was born on 2 March 1876, presumably the second son of Maurice Davis and his wife Sarah Botwright, née Tooke, who had married in the Brighton area in 1869. They had both been born in Middlesex. In 1881 the family were at 53 Bulwark Street, Dover, with Maurice working as a railway constable. There were then five children, all born in Dover; Maurice, born 1870, Winifred, born 1873, Alfred, born 1876, Arthur, born 1878, and Charles, b 1880.

Alfred moved to London, and in 1891 was at 11 The Grove, Hammersmith, in the house of a tailor and sharing the accommodation with other apprentices and dressmakers. Maurice, his father, died at the aged of 63 in Dover in 1897, and by 1901 Alfred was living in Dover again, at 14 Oxenden Street, with his mother, aged 61,  and his brother Charles, then a mariner. Alfred was employed as a railway porter.

Alfred married in 1915, to Emily Lobar, and they had a son, Robert, that year. There may have been another son, John, born in 1912.  In 1920 Mrs Davis remarried, to Harry Prince. They had a son born on 9 September 1920, Thomas Henry Prince.

Right, the headstone stands alone amidst the grass. Below, the stone needed cleaning; it has been safely tended by Dean Sumner who took the pictures On the bottom of the headstone is, "Our Dear Father".

with thanks to Claire Jordan
www.poppyresearch.co.uk

Davis, L. 
Lingard Howell Montgomery Davis, 23/116, came from Dover but served as a Corporal in the 1st battalion (3rd) New Zealand Rifle Brigade.  He died of wounds on 20th June 1917, when he was 26, and was buried at the Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck in France.

His father was the late Gledney Smith Davis, and his mother was Margaret Davis.

The headstone in St Andrews cemetery, Buckland, reads, "In Loving Memory of Albert H B Davis Born 7th March 1887 Died 18th May 1905. His last words were "When By His Grace I Shall Look On His Face O That Will Be Glory, Glory For Me". His End Was Peace. Also of Gledney S Davis older Brother of the above Who was wrecked off The Gt Barrier Reef New Zealand September 14th 1916 Aged 31 years "Until The Sea Gives Up Its Dead" Also of Lingard HN Davis youngest Brother of the above Killed In Action near Armentières June 20th 1917 Aged 26 years "The Path Of Duty Was The Way To Glory"

Dawes, A.

Arthur Dawes, G/23870, was a Private in the 10th (Royal East Kent and West Kent Yeomanry) battalion. He lived and enlisted in Dover, and was killed in action on 21st September 1918. He is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois memorial in France.

The son of Mr and Mrs A R Dawes, from London Road, he was born in Dover in 1892, and was one of a family of four - two boys and two girls.  Pictured above, they are: Herbert Edward, born 1902, who later married Elizabeth Lillian Matthews, and Edith Mary, born 1894, with parents Alfred, a baker, and Fanny Rebecca (nee Fuller) in the centre. On the right are Arthur and Ruby Florence, born 1907, who would later become Mrs Hopkins. 

Left are four generations of the family: Herbert, holding his son, Donald (born in 1928), Alfred standing, and William Henry Dawes, Herbert's grandfather

If you recognise the people in this picture, please do contact us
with thanks to David Knight

Dawson, W. 
William Henry George Dawson, 202602, was employed with the Post Office in Dover before enlisting in Canterbury, and lived with his grandmother, Mrs Marsh, of 14 Odo Road, Tower Hamlets, Dover. His sister was Mrs Winifred A Care, from Glenleven House, 93 Island Wall, Whitstable, Kent.

He served as a Corporal in "A" company, the 2nd/4th battalion, of  the Royal West Kent Regiment (formerly 3239, The Buffs), and was awarded the Military Medal for bravery on 19th April 1917. His citation was, "After the position had been taken, he established communication from the Front Line to the Battalion Headquarters by flag under very heavy fire."  He had also been in the landing at Suluva.

He was 20 when he was killed in action in Egypt on Christmas Eve, 1917, and is buried at the Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel.

photo of headstone: with thanks to Edward Sperinck

This group were all from Dover and had recently been through fighting in Palestine. From left to right they are: top row:  Cpl W. Dawson MM, Sgt J Priest,  Pte C Wakerell, Pte C Gillespie middle row LCpl A Banks, LCpl E Price, front row Cpl R Easterfield, Pte A Abbott Pte S Hart

Daynes, C. E.
Charles Edward Daynes, 6/1509. He sailed to New Zealand in 1908 aboard the Ionic, when he was 16, giving his occupation as a farmer. A family story suggests he was going to work on a relative's farm.

At the time he volunteered to serve in the Great War, he was employed by Charles Goulter on his merino sheep run at Blairich in Seddon District near Blenheim, New Zealand.  He became a Private in the Canterbury Regiment, NZ EF, enlisting for the duration of the war on 15 December 1914. On 8th May 1915, at the age of 23, he was killed in action . He is commemorated on the Twelve Tree Copse (New Zealand) Memorial, Turkey.

Charles ("Chas") was the son of Mrs Phoebe Ann Daynes, of Mill Cottage, Lower Road, River, Dover. His father, George, was formerly the miller at the Crabble Corn Mill.

Three of his sisters served in the WAAC, during the Great War. His brother, also George, joined the Royal Artillery at the age of 16, having added to years to his age on enlistment. He served at Dover Castle, Gibraltar, and Malta, and fought in the Boer War, being awarded the South Africa medal with Cape Colony clasp. He was transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery and posted to Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1903. In May 1906 he was demobbed.

At the age of 37, he re-enlisted on 13 August 1915, three months after his brother Charles was killed. At re-enlistment, he was described as a policeman in British Columbia, with  eight years previous service in the Royal Garrison Artillery and four years in the Artillery Reserve.

The headstone is in the cemetery at St Peter and St Paul, River, Dover. It reads: "In memory of George Daynes, who died May 5th 1907, aged 57 years. Peace Perfect Peace. Also of Charles Edward Daynes, killed in action at the Dardanelles, May 8th 1915, aged 23 years. In His Keeping. Also of Phoebe Ann, wife of George Daynes, died Jan 13th, aged 85 years. Reunited." Mrs Daynes is pictured above, right.

(for family tree see faded genes by Dave Dixon)
memorial images, picture of Mrs Daynes, and additional details by courtesy of Richard Moseling 

Dearlove. A. W.
Albert William Dearlove, 9214, was a Private in the Princess Charlotte of Wales's Royal Berkshire Regiment, 1st Battalion. He enlisted in Reading. He was killed in action on 25th October 1914, and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium.   

He was born in East Hagbourne, Berkshire, and lived at Charlton, Dover. He was married to Emily Pilcher in 1912, and the couple had a daughter, Violet, born in 1913.

Dennett, T. S.
Thomas Sutton Dennett, G/81120, was a Acting Corporal in the 17th battalion of the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (formerly 3262 East Kent mounted rifles). He was killed in action on 28/29 November 1917, aged 19. He is buried at Hermies Hill British Cemetery, France, I A 1.

He was born in Kennington, Ashford, and enlisted in Folkestone, which was also given as his residence. His parents were Thomas Sutton Dennett and Charlotte Dennett, and they lived at Shakespeare House, West Hougham, Dover. 

Dennis, C. G. (G. C.)
George Cyril Dennis, 49416(5), worked at the office of the Dover Express, where he became a great friend of Frederick Rich, before enlisting in Canterbury in the spring of 1918. He became a Rifleman in the 1st battalion of the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own).

Born on 6 February 1900 in Dover and christened at Christchurch on 1 April ("Cyril George"), he was the son of George Dennis and his wife Alice Elizabeth, née Booth, both of whom had been born in Sussex. The couple married in 1919. In 1911 the family were living at 148 Clarendon Street, having been in 1901 at 156 Clarendon Street, and Mr Dennis was a wood sawyer at the Admiralty Harbour. At home then were George,  his sister, Alice Ethel, born 15 October 1902, and his brother, Edwin Stephen, born in 1905. Lilian N was born in 1915.

George was severely wounded in the back on 7 November, dying in hospital in Boulogne on 11 November 1918. He is buried at the Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France, IX E 9.

At the foot of his headstone are the words, "In undying memory never shall we forget, from home". For many years afterwards, on Armistice Day, his family laid wreaths at the memorial and placed announcements in the Dover Express.

November 1939

In ever loving memory of our dear son and brother, Rifleman George Cyril Dennis, Rifle Brigade, who died of wounds received in action, November 11th, 1918. Never forgotten. From his loving Mum and Dad, Sisters and Brother (Walmer)

Mr Dennis died on 2 February 1943, and Mrs Dennis on 20 April 1944 at Pembury Hospital.

Dicks, S. D.
Samuel Dresser Dicks, K/17690, was a Stoker in the Royal Navy. He was born on 18 August 1892 at Richmond, Yorkshire, and lost his life with the HMS Invincible on 31st May 1916. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial in the United Kingdom.

His wife, Nellie, née Culmer, whom he had married in 1915, lived at 28 Mayfield Avenue, Dover. She later married, we believe, Leonard Frank Gale, in 1918

He was the son of Thomas Dicks, and agricultural labourer, born in Weatherby, Yorkshire, and Sarah Jane, his wife.

Diggings, F. W.
Fredrick William Diggings, G/32495, was a veteran soldier. He came from Ipswich, and in 1901 he was a colour sergeant, aged 34, and living at No 1 Married Quarters, Border Regiment, Cumberland, Carlisle, with his wife Jessie, née Winwright. She had been born at Shorncliffe and was the daughter of a Crimean war veteran.

The couple had three children with them in 1901; Dorothy, 8, born in Dover, Frederick, 7, born at Cumberland Carlisle, and Ivy, born at Colchester. When the Great War broke out a further two children had been born. Fredrick, having had 18½ years service as 5996 with the Border Regiment, rejoined in Dover. He served in the 1st Infantry Labour (or 17th Labour) company of the Queen's (Royal West Surrey), and died when he was 51 or 52 on 24 March 1917.

Fredrick is buried at Sainte Marie cemetery, Le Havre in France. The words at the bottom of his headstone read:

Dixon, E. E.
Ernest Edward Dixon, was a Second Lieutenant in the 168th Siege Battery in the RGA. He was killed in action on 9th June 1917, near Messines. He is buried at Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery in Belgium. (see also his brother, William Dixon)

Dixon, P.
Percy Victor Dixon,18249, was born on 28 January 1896. He was the son of Herbert Dixon and his wife, Eleanor Kate, formerly Bowles, of 26 Clarendon Rd., Dover, and brother to Reginald, below.

In 1901 Percy, then 5, and Reginald, then 10, were living with their parents at 198 London Road, Dover. Mr Herbert Dixon was working as a tea agent in retail grocery. There were three other children then at home; Violet, 7, Claude, 3, and Daisy, 2. All the children were born in Dover, as was their mother. Their father was born in Folkestone and probably died in 1908..

Percy was an Able Seaman aboard the HMS Natal when he was killed by an internal explosion of the vessel while it was in Cromarty Firth on 30th December 1915. He was 19. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in the United Kingdom. His mother, at 47 George Street, Dover, was notified of his death.

Dixon, R. J.
Reginald James Dixon, 8976, was a Serjeant in the 2nd battalion of the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. He was born in Buckland, Dover, and enlisted in Shorncliffe. He was killed in action on 25th September 1915, when he was 25. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial in France.

His wife, Elsie Mabel Dixon, née Norley, whom he had married in 1912, lived at 49 Wyndham Road, and his mother, E K Dixon, at 26 Clarendon Road. He was brother to Percy, above, brother-in-law to William John Norley, and related by marriage to the family of William John Barden (Reginald's wife's sister, Alma Annie Norley, married Robert James Barden, William's brother, in 1905 at St Bartholomew's, Dover).

In 1920 Reginald's widow remarried, to Joseph R. Hackett. One of their sons, Owen Hackett, died in World War II.

Dixon, W. J. 
William John Dixon, J/5442, was aboard the HMS Natal. The vessel exploded in the Cromarty Firth on 30th December 1915. He was 23, and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in the United Kingdom.

His parents were William John and Elizabeth Dixon, from 1 Valley Road, River, Dover.

(for family tree see faded genes by Dave Dixon)

Dowle, R. J. 
Robert James Dowle, G/7629, joined the army in February 1917, and was a Private in the 10th battalion of the Queen's (Royal West Surrey). On 24th February 1917, when he was 25, he was killed, according to his lieutenant, "while doing his duty nobly in a raid on the enemy's trenches".

His Adjutant wrote to Robert's father, "He always acted as my runner and was always of the greatest service to me. We always had the greatest admiration for his bravery and coolness under fire. I recommended him for the award of the Military Medal, and I am sure no one deserved it more than he, but so many are recommended that it is impossible to grant them all. It seems hard that your son did not get some recognition of his services ... His death is a great loss to the Battalion ... His body has been recovered and a cross is being erected over his grave." Robert is buried at the Klein-Vierstraat British Cemetery, Belgium.

He was born and lived in Dover and enlisted there. His father was Robert James Dowle, from 1 Spring Cottage, Peter Street, later 24 Peter Street, Dover.

This headstone is at Charlton:

In Loving Memory of Robert J. Dowle Died 8th April 1946 Aged 75 years At Rest.

Also Pte. R. J. Dowle Son of the above Killed in Action 24th February1917  Aged 25 Years. Interred at Kemmel Belgium. transcribed by Joyce Banks

Dowle. W. R. 
William Robert Dowle, M/338389, was a Private in the 881st Military Transport company of the Army Service Corps. He was 30 when he died from influenza on 14th November 1918 at Salonica. He is buried at the Chela Kula Military Cemetery, Nish, Serbia and Montenegro.

His wife was Mrs Ethel Maud Dowle, from 57 Glenfield Road, Buckland, Dover.

Draper, A. R. O. 
Arthur Reginald Olley Draper, was a Lieutenant (Quartermaster) in the 18th battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers. He died of wounds on 16th April 1918, and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium, Panel 2.

Drew, E. J.
Edwin Joseph Drew, L/7787, was working at the Admiralty Works when he was called up for service at the outbreak of the War. He lived and enlisted in Dover, and he became a Private in the 2nd battalion of the Buffs. He was killed in action on 28 May 1915, when he was 30, and is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Belgium.

His death was announced on 8 October:

DREW - Private Edwin Joseph Drew, aged 30, killed in action May 28th 1915.
Do not ask us if we miss him,
There is such a vacant place;
Can we e'er forget his footstep,
And his dear familiar face.
Gone, but not forgotten.

Born in Walmer, Edwin was the son of Richard Drew, from Mill Lane, Deal, and in 1908, in Canterbury, he had married Emma Amelia Whiddett, born on 3 December 1885. She lived at 42 Devonshire Road with their three children, Edwin, born in 1910, Phyllis, in 1911, and Marjorie, on 15 April 1913.

Another daughter was born after her father died, and seven months later her mother was mourning her too. Little Josephine died on 6 June 1916, and was buried at St James, in the nonconformist section. Adjutant Waters of the Salvation Army officiated, and her mother, along with her uncle and aunts, attended. Her mother laid a wreath from "Mamma, sisters and brothers". A further daughter, Bessie Emily, was born on 12 January 1918.

In 1923 Mrs Drew remarried to Albert H Hammond, born on 3 October 1874, and in 1939 a labourer in the paper mill. The couple were then living at 42 Devonshire Road. Very sadly the couple suffered the loss of their six-month son, Henry John, in August 1924, and their nine-month daughter, Joan Edith, on 20 September 1928. However, their daughters Sylvia, Kathleen, and Primrose grew up, with Sylvia marrying a USAAF Staff Sergeant, Eugene Baldwin, on 23 November 1945  

Dunbar, J. S.
John Sinclair (or St Clair) Dunbar, 2171, was a Private in the Northumberland Fusiliers, "F" company, 1st battalion. Before the war he worked as a Trimmer ¹ on the cross-channel steamer "Queen", and was called up as a Reservist. He was killed in action on 27 October 1914, and is commemorated on the Le Touret memorial in France.

Born in Kirkgunzeon, Kirkcudbrightshire, he was the son of William and Annie Dunbar, of 2, Weatherley Street, Scotswood Road., Newcastle-on-Tyne, where he enlisted. Mr Dunbar was a railway carman, born in Scotland like his wife and their first  children. In 1901 the family were living at 3 Lord Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, with children Peter, 14, John 12, Mary, 10, Thomas, 8, and four further sons, born at Newcastle - James, 6, Willie, 3, and twins Robert and Walter, 1.

He was the husband of Amelia Augusta Goodchild (formerly Dunbar, née Terry), of Hubberstone Green, Milford Haven. The couple had married in Dover in 1910. Their son, John Edward ("Teddy") was born the year afterwards, when the Dunbars were at Pontefract, and in 1914 they may have had in Dover a daughter, Rose, who died shortly after birth. Mrs Dunbar was born in Dover, and was one of the some twelve children of Frank Terry, a marine labourer or porter, and his wife Emily, who were recorded in the 1891, 1901, and 1911 censuses as living at 6 Bulwark Street, Dover. Mrs Dunbar was living at 39 Oxenden Street, Dover, when she learnt of her husband's death. 

"In Memoriam" announcements appeared in the Dover Express:

Mrs Dunbar remarried at Charlton, Dover, on 4 April 1915 to Reginald Edward Goodchild, and the couple had a daughter, Gladys. Mr and Mrs Goodchild are now at rest at Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.

* CWGC gives his age as 35 
1 occupation supplied by Gina Baines 

Duncan, A. 
Albert Henry Duncan, L/9906, was a Private in the 6th battalion of The Buffs. Having enlisted in Canterbury, he was killed in action on 13 October 1915 and is commemorated on the Loos memorial in France.

The son of Charles and Fanny Duncan, Albert was born in the Hougham area of Dover on 1 May 1896 and christened at Christchurch on 7 June 1896. His father Charles was then a labourer, and the family lived at Landsdown Cottage, Maxton. Mr Duncan was an army pensioner from the Royal Engineers, and in 1891 the family were in Dover with their first three sons, Alfred Edward, born 1887, George Thomas, born 1888, and Charles James, born 17 January 1889 at Archcliffe Fort while his father was a Private with with an address of Christchurch Mission Room, Churchill Road, Hougham.

In 1901 the family were at 3 Approach Road, and had two new daughters, Fanny Constance, born 1891, and Winifred Lilian, born 1894,and three more sons, Robert Alan,  about 1893, Albert, and Donald Fleming, 1897. Sadly they had lost a son, Alec William, soon after his birth in 1899.  By 1911 the family were at 2 Lingdale Cottages, Manor Road, Maxton, and had three more daughters; Gertrude Elizabeth, 6 April 1903, Nora Isabel, 1906, and Ivy Maria Teresa, 1908. They had lost a fourth daughter, Katherine or Kathleen Mary ("Kate" or "Kitty"), born 20 July 1901 when the family were at Homestead Cottage, Maxton. She had at about 7.55 on 16 November 1903 been left having her breakfast with three of the other children, including Constance, at 6 Hubert Terrace, Maxton, while her mother had probably gone to her job at cleaning a school. Kitty had got down from the table and gone into another room, possibly to find the new boots she had been given. Unfortunately she seems to have struck a match and her nightgown caught fire. Constance ran to a neighbour for help, but Kitty was too severely burnt, on her arms, body, and legs, to survive, dying at the hospital at 10.35. Mrs Duncan said that Kitty's last words were to ask for tea and for her father to take her home.

On 29 July 1912 Albert, who was a telegraph messenger and 17 years 3 months, enlisted, doing drill with 3rd battalion The Buffs. He then lived at 16 Manor Road. On 22 November 1912, living at 66 Manor Road, his parents gave their consent to his full enlistment; his character while doing his previous drill had been very good. On 29 November 1912 he was sent to Dublin to join his new corps. He was then described as five feet seven inches tall, having blue eyes, dark brown hair, and a vertical scar above his left knee.

After Albert died, his mother was sent his effects. Living at 6 Kitchener Road, she also received his 1914 Star on 18 July 1919, and acknowledged recipet of a clasp for the star on 10 March 1921, and his war and victory medals on 15 July 1921. She also received a photograph found on his body. When Albert's entry appeared in De Ruvigny's roll of honour, the address given was 24 Markland Road.

Charles, Albert's father, died on 24 June 1942, at 6 Kitchener Road, aged 82. He was buried in Hougham churchyard.

When Albert died, his brother Alfred was living at 5 Ringcroft Street, Islington. George, Charles, and Robert were in the RGA, and Donald was aboard HMS Barham. All his sisters were at 6 Kitchener Road, exception Constance, who was at 94 Bell Hill Road, Bristol.

Alfred died in 1925. He was the father of Alec Edward Duncan.

Dunn, A. R. 
Arthur Rupert Dunn, 13030, was an old St Martin's schoolboy, and before enlisting had been employed by Messrs Newing and Gibbons. He was a Corporal, and had served in the 4th battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment since August 1914. He had been twice wounded before being killed in action on 23rd April 1917. He is commemorated on the Arras memorial in France.

Born in Dover, he enlisted in London, and lived at Ilford. He was the second son of Mrs Dunn, of 360 Thorold Road, Ilford, and he and his parents had previously lived at 45 Monins Road, Maxton, Dover.   

He was brother to Horace, below. 

Dunn, H. L.
Horace Leonard Dunn, 3306, was a Private in the City of London Yeomanry in the Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line (including Yeomanry and Imperial Camel Corps) (Rough Riders).  He died on 11th April 1916, and is buried in the Suez war memorial cemetery, Egypt.

He was brother to Arthur, above, born at St Martin's (probably the parish, Dover), enlisted at Finsbury Square, and lived at Ilford.

The memorial plaque (right) is at St Bartholomew's church, Smithfield, London. With thanks to Patrick O'Mara

Dunn, R. V. 
Reginald Victor Dunn, 6511 (533281?), was born in Dover. He was an old boy of the Sunday School at St Mary's and became a Sunday School teacher before he went to France. He was in the Field Survey Company, and had been serving as a Private in the 1st/15th (County of London) battalion of the London Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles). He enlisted in Dover

On a period of rest after having been at the Front, he was accidentally shot during revolver practice on 4th May 1917. He was 20. A Memorial Service was held for him at St Mary's on Sunday 14th May, and later his name would be placed on his sister's headstone (right) at Charlton cemetery. He is buried at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery in Belgium. The words on the bottom of his headstone there read: "A bitter grief, A shock severe, To part with one, We love so dear".    

 He was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs Francis Dunn, from 24 Alms Houses. The eldest son, E J Dunn (above), who enlisted at the beginning of the War, served with the Royal West Kents, in India.

Footnote: By sad coincidence, in the same year another Private Dunn was also accidentally shot during practice, this time on the rifle ranges at Dover. He was wounded in the stomach and died the next day 10th October 1917, in hospital (probably a Western Heights hospital). It was the first fatal accident on a Dover range. Private Dunn was serving in the East Surreys, and his mother, Mrs J. Anscombe lived at "Fair View", Hare Hill, Addlestone, Surrey. Private F. Dunn is buried at St James, Dover. (See also J R Darwall, this page)

Dunn, W. J. 
William James Dunn, L/6842, was in the 1st battalion of the Buffs, serving as a Lance Corporal.  He was 32 when he died on 25th March 1915. He is buried at Ration Farm Military Cemetery, La Chapelle-D'Armentieres, France. 

His wife, Gertrude, lived at 48 Dour Street, and his parents were Captain and Mrs Dunn. He was born in Charlton, Dover, and enlisted and lived in the town. An address of 54 Dour Street was given when the request was made for his name to go on the Memorial.

Durban, A. E. 
Allan Edwin Durban, TF/290501, was 27 when he died on 22 August 1917. He had been serving in the 1st/10th (TF) battalion of the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment as a Serjeant. He enlisted in Stamford Brook, Middlesex, and lived in Kentish Town. He died in India and is commemorated on the Kirkee 1914-1918 Memorial.

His parents were Thomas Morris and Eliza Durban, from 154 High Street, Hythe, Kent. In 1911 the family had been living at 7 Priory Hill, Dover, with Mr Durban working as a house decorator, as was his son Roland, then aged 24. Both had been born in Aylesford, as was Allan, who was an assistant certified teacher for the Dover Education Committee. Mrs Durban was born in Wellow, Nottinghamshire. Others in the family were Ethel, aged 18, born at Loose, and Morris, aged 8, born in Dover.

Allan's address for probate purposes was 3St Martin's Place, Dover; probate was granted to his father.

Dyer, A. H. M.
Abraham Henry Martin Dyer, L/10113, was 26 when he died on 19h April 1916. He had been serving as a Private in the 1st battalion of the Buffs. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium, after dying from wounds.  

He was the son of Henry Martin and Johanna Louise Dyer, of 192 Union Road, and brother to Albert (below). He was born at St James, Dover, and lived in Dover, but enlisted in Canterbury. 

(We Remember 06)

Henry Martin Dyer died on 5th May 1943 at 68 Balfour Road, Dover. He had requested no flowers should be sent.
 

Dyer, (S. A.) A. S.
Albert Sidney Dyer, L/9940, was a Private in the 1st battalion of the Buffs. He was killed in action on 20 October 1914, at Prones Wood, according to his father (at a spot near to Chateau de Flandres, Radinghem), when he was 18. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium.

He was the son of Henry Martin Dyer and Johanna Louisa Dyer of 192 Union Road, Dover (formerly, in 1901, of 166 Clarendon Street), and brother to Abraham Henry Martin (above). They had sisters Edith Louise, Lucy, and Violet. They were nephews and niece to Edward George (below) and cousins to William Henry Dyer  

He was born at Christchurch (probably the parish, Dover), enlisted in Dover, and lived at Tower Hamlets, Dover.
 with thanks to Dawn Collins
(We Remember 06)

Dyer, E. G.
Edward George Dyer, T/504, was the sixth of eleven children. His parents were Abraham Martin and Hannah Sarah Dyer, and one of his brothers was Henry Martin Dyer, father of Albert and Abraham Dyer (above). Abraham came to Dover in 1863, a year after his father died in Lincolnshire. He married a couple of days after his 18th birthday. 

In 1881 the family lived at 24 Adrian Street, Dover, which is where Sergeant Dyer was brought up. He was born in the parish of St Mary's, Dover, and enlisted and lived in the town; on his return from the South African campaign he married Elizabeth Maude Thomas and by 1910 they were living at Longfield Road. Their home was near the corner of North Street, in which road his parents lived, and the gardens of the two houses shared a boundary at their ends. 

Edward Dyer was an Inspector of Messengers at the GPO, and had made many friends, being also a member of the "K" company of the 4th volunteer battalion of the Buffs. He volunteered for the South African war and served through part of it, and his company volunteered again when the Great War broke out. They were sent to India, and thence to Aden. It was in Aden, serving as a Sergeant in "D" company of the 1st/4th battalion, that he died from heat stroke on 25th September 1915. He was buried with military honours at As De La, and commemorated on the Heliopolis (Aden) memorial, Egypt   

His Captain, A C Grigg, wrote to his wife, Elizabeth, "He was acting as Company Sergeant Major and had carried himself and led his men with great gallantry, and the men responded to the fine example set by him and their bearing under fire was beyond all praise and I was indeed proud to command such a company. To me, personally, your husband's death is a great loss, as I have been in command of the Company to which he was attached ever since we left England, and I formed the highest opinion of his personal character and reliability. He had always endeared himself to the officers and men and we all join in offering you and his family our most heartfelt sympathy in your loss. I hope that the knowledge that your husband died gallantly on the battlefield fighting for his Empire and that he was so well loved by all ranks in the Battalion in which he had served so long, will in some way assuage the great grief that must be yours today." 

The Heliopolis memorial, with Sergeant Dyer's commemoration. The poppy-cross is placed before the panel containing his name. .

Major F M Dunstan, commander of "D" company, wrote, "When he died they had done ten miles with the sand of the desert up to their knees, and the blazing sun and the enemy's fire to contend with. In spite of the very trying conditions the men behaved magnificently and won the highest praise from the General. Sergeant Dyer kept going till he died. What more could a man do? I hope the knowledge that he gave his life for his King and Country and that both in the Volunteers and Territorials he had always maintained the best traditions of the Buffs, that he bore

an excellent character, was popular with all ranks, and that he over and over again proved his sterling worth, will in a measure help to lighten your great sorrow. We all feel his loss terribly, especially those who, like myself, have known him for some years. As the result of the engagement five of the "D" company are dead and two wounded, still they died as they would have wished, like Englishmen and doing their duty to the last. All ranks join in offering to you our heartfelt sympathy for you in the loss which you have sustained and in expressing the earnest wish that God will sustain you in this hour of trouble and trial." 

September 1917

Far from the field of strife the hero passed, Old England's flag to save; He bravely followed through the strife, And won the martyr's crown of life. No tender yet sad farewell From his quivering lips was heard, So softly he crossed that quiet stream In a moment to endless life. Weep not, for now my work is done, So bravely I upheld the shield, This banner brave and bright, Uplifted for the cause and truth - The truth that must prevail. They laid him in a soldier's grave But think of his sweet surprise He felt, as he met his Saviour's smile, For He had taken the life He gave. from his sorrowing Mother and Father

After Mr Dyer died, his widow moved to accommodation above a shop at 1 Worthington Street. She later billeted a Sergeant in the Army Pay Corps, William (Billy) Henry Gavin, born in Ireland. They married in 1918; very sadly, at the age of 27, he died six weeks later, just before Christmas, from the influenza epidemic. He is buried at St Mary's, E J 29  

William Henry Dyer, civilian casualty in World War II, was another nephew of Edward Dyer. He was the son of Edward's brother William, who was the first child of Abraham and Hannah Dyer.

(We Remember 06)
with many thanks to Mike Davis

Dyer family photograph, circa 1910:  back row - Edward Dyer, with his father Abraham and mother Hannah, front row - believed to be sister-in-law Lily Thomas, son Edward George (Gil), wife Elizabeth, with baby Mabel Eileen, known as Eileen, on her lap. Mr and Mrs Edward Dyer had another son, Reginald Charles, between Gil and Eileen in age. After his father died he went to an orphanage for service children at Farnham in Surrey. When the Great War ended he went to Canada, returning in 1933, and subsequently serving during WWII in the RAMC. Reginald's son became a Warrant Officer in the RCAF after WWII. Courtesy Mike Davis

Memorial pictures: Andy and Michelle Cooper

plaque: a photo of a large copper plate memorial which formerly stood in a church in Aden, now believed to be in the Army museum at Chelsea. Transcription below.

To the Glory of God
and in Memory of
the undermentioned Non-Commissioned Officers & Men of
The 4th Battalion The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
who fell in action near Sheikh Othman, or died at Aden
Died of Wounds
No 557 Sergeant T Brazier, 23-9-15 - No 2073 Private L H Fuller, 25-9-15
Died of Heat Stroke in Action
No 504 Sergeant E G Dyer, 25-9-15 - No 2334 Private H R De-La-Mare, 25-9-15
No 2330 Private W.Bromley, 25-9-15 - No 2289 Private A. Steadman, 25-9-15
No 1940 Private G R Brown, 25-9-15 - No 2205 Private R W Maslin, 25-9-15
Died of Disease at Aden
No 128 Private F Griffiths, 17-9-15 - No1710 Private C H Salter, 2-10-15
Erected by the Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men of the Battalion