Tag Archives: Kent

Able Seaman, Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, Dorset, Essex, Great War, history, Kent, killed in action, Leading Seaman, Middlesex, Ordinary Seaman, Petty Officer, photography, Royal Navy, story, Surrey, war

Petty Officer William Feldon

Leave a comment
Petty Officer William Feldon

William Feldon was born on 16th October 1878, the middle of three children – and the only son – to William and Jessie Feldon. William Sr was a carpenter from Highgate, Middlesex, but it was south of the Thames, in Lambeth, Surrey, that the family were raised.

When he finished his schooling, William Jr found work as a general labourer. He was drawn to bigger and better things, however, and a life at sea was to catch his eye. In June 1894, he enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class. His service records noted that he was 5ft 2ins (1.57m) tall, with brown hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion.

By the time William had completed his initial training, he had been promoted to Boy 1st Class. He was then moved to HMS Pembroke, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham, Kent.

By October 1895, he was given his first posting, on board the torpedo cruiser HMS Archer, and he would remain assigned to her for the next two years. During this time, William came of age and was formally inducted into the Royal Navy, and was given the rank of Ordinary Seaman. His commitment to the service was pretty clear, and, within seven months he had been promoted again, to Able Seaman.

After a short spell back at Pembroke, William was assigned to HMS Wildfire, another shore establishment just along the coast in Sheerness. He remained there for nine months, during which time he was promoted again, to the rank of Leading Seaman.

In May 1899, William was moved to another posting, on board the gunboat HMS Partridge. This assignment provide him with the route to further promotion: he remained on board until July 1901, having risen to Petty Office 2nd Class on 1st July 1899 and Petty Officer 1st Class on 23rd September 1900.

Over the remainder of his initial term of service, William served on six further vessels. The sea was in his blood by this point, and when his contracted ended on 15th October 1908, he re-enlisted without any hesitation.

Away from the Navy, William fell in love. On 23rd October 1909, he married Ada Plumpton, who was 25 years old, and who lived in Battersea, Surrey. The couple exchanged vows at St Faith’s Church in Southwark, but settled down in the village of Dovercourt, Essex. They went on to have two children, Doris, who was born in 1910, and Elsie, who came along the following year.

Back at sea, Petty Officer Feldon was assigned to the cruiser HMS Boadicea. He spent two years on board, before moving to another cruiser, HMS Blonde, for another two years. In between voyages, William returned to the Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham.

On 13th January 1914, Petty Officer Feldon was posted to the battleship HMS Formidable, part of the Channel Fleet patrolling the seas of the southern coast of Britain.

Early on the morning of 1st January 1915, while off the Dorset coast, she was torpedoed by the German submarine U-24. Other ships in her convoy came to help, but after a couple of hours – and another torpedo strike – the damage was too great and she sank. 120 members of the crew were saved, but more than 540 officer and crew – including Petty Officer Feldon – were lost. He was 36 years of age.

William Feldon’s body was one of those recovered and identified. He was laid to rest in a communal grave in Lyme Regis Cemetery, in the hills above the Dorset town where he had been brought ashore.

Commonwealth War Graves, Dorset, Essex, Great War, history, Kent, killed in action, Middlesex, photography, Royal Navy, Stoker, story, war

Stoker 1st Class Horace Bernthall

Leave a comment
Stoker 1st Class Horace Bernthall

Horace Frank Bernthall was born in Clapton, Middlesex, on 19th February 1893. One of twelve children, his parents were Henry and Ellen. Henry was a general labourer, and this is work into which his sons followed.

By the time of the 1911 census, the Bernthall family were living on Folly Lane in Walthamstow, Essex. Henry and Ellen were sharing three rooms with six of their children – of which Horace was the eldest. The census return confirms that, of their twelve children, four had died by this point. Three of the family were working – Henry, Horace and another sibling, 16 year old Arthur.

Horace set his sights on bigger and better things, and on 30th August 1912, he enlisted in the Royal Navy. He took up the role of Stoker 2nd Class, his records confirming that he was 5ft 5ins (1.65m) tall, with brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion.

Stoker Bernthall was initially sent to HMS Pembroke, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham, Kent, for his training. He remained there for the next five months, before being assigned to the pre-dreadnought battleship HMS Formidable. She was to remain his home for the nest two years, and was where he gained promotion to Stoker 1st Class in August 1913.

HMS Formidable was attached to the Channel Fleet, primarily guarding the waters separating Britain from France. Early on the morning of 1st January 1915, while off the Dorset coast, she was torpedoed by the German submarine U-24. Other ships in her convoy came to help, but after a couple of hours – and another torpedo strike – the damage was too great and she sank. 120 members of the crew were saved, but more than 540 officer and crew – including Stoker 1st Class Bernthall – were lost. He was just 21 years of age.

Horace Frank Bernthall’s body was one of those recovered and identified. He was laid to rest in a communal grave in Lyme Regis Cemetery, in the hills above the Dorset town where he had been brought ashore.

The spelling of the family surname varies across the documents that cover Horace’s life – Bernthal, and Burnthall being two other suggestions – but I have gone with Bernthall, as that is what is recorded on his baptism record.

Commonwealth War Graves, Dorset, Great War, history, Kent, killed in action, Lancashire, photography, Royal Navy, Stoker, story, war

Stoker 1st Class William Eley

Leave a comment
Stoker 1st Class William Eley

William Charles Eley was born on 13th February 1890 in Liverpool, Lancashire. One of nine children, his parents were William and Ellen Eley. William Sr was noted as being a butcher on his son’s baptism record, but by the following year’s census, he was recorded as being a general labourer, and this is the line of work in which he continued.

When William Jr completed his schooling, he found employment as a carter. He sought bigger and better things, however, and, living so close to the Mersey dockyards, he was drawn to the sea. On 13th March 1908 he enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class. His service records confirm that he was 5ft 6.5ins (1.69m) tall, with brown hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion. He was also noted as having amole on his right cheek.

William was sent to HMS Acheron for his initial training. He spent six months on board, before moving to his first posting on board the battleship HMS Albermarle. She would be Stoker Eley’s home for the next eighteen months, and he gained a promotion to Stoker 1st Class during this time.

Over the next three years, William would serve on two more ships – HMS Victorious and HMS Lancaster. In between assignments, he was based at HMS Pembroke, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham, Kent. On 15th March 1913, he completed his initial contract of five years’ service, and was transferred to reserve status.

This time back on civvy street would not last for long, however. On 2nd August 1914 William was mobilised once more and, after a few weeks back in Chatham, he was assigned to the battleship HMS Formidable. She was attached to the Channel Fleet, primarily guarding the south coast.

At 2:20am on Friday 1st January 1915, while off the Dorset coast, the Formidable was torpedoed by the German submarine U-24. Other ships in the convoy tried to assist, but after a couple of hours – and another torpedo strike – the damage was too great and she sank. 120 members of the crew were saved, but more than 540 officer and crew – including Stoker 1st Class Eley – were lost. He was just 24 years of age.

Luckily, William Charles Eley’s body was recovered and identified. His father had died a few years before, and it seems likely that Ellen could not afford to have her son brought back to Lancashire for burial. Instead, he was laid to rest in a communal grave in Lyme Regis Cemetery, Dorset, high above the seaside town where he had been brought ashore.

Buckinghamshire, Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, Hampshire, history, Kent, killed in action, photography, Royal Navy, story, war, writer

Writer 1st Class Harry Goodger

Leave a comment
Writer 1st Class Harry Goodger

Harry Goodger was born on 15th April 1885, the fourth of five children – and the only boy – to George and Emma Goodger. George was a canal labourer from Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, but by the time of his son’s birth, the family had settled in Tipton, Staffordshire.

Harry was initially committed to education and, by the time of the 1901 census, he was working as a school teacher. His heart seemed set on a career with more prospects, however, and so, on 2nd November 1904, he enlisted in the Royal Navy.

Harry’s service records show that he was 5ft 2ins (1.57m) tall and that he had bark brown hair, dark brown eyes and a fresh complexion. He was also noted as having a mole on his wight upper arm and another on his left breast.

Harry’s rank was Writer 3rd Class, which was the naval equivalent of a clerk. After an initial training period, he was assigned to the cruiser HMS Terrible. Over the next decade, he served on ten further ships, and was based at HMS Victory, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Portsmouth, in between voyages.

Writer Goodger slowly progressed through the ranks during his naval service. On 1st November 1908 he was promoted to Writer 2nd Class, and on 31st October 1912 was raised to Writer 1st Class. Harry seems to have needed extra support, however, and he was knocked back to Writer 2nd Class on 25th April 1913, and sent back to Portsmouth for further training. By 23rd October 1914, however, while serving on HMS Bulwark, he again received a promotion to Writer 1st Class.

By the spring of 1915, Harry had been assigned to HMS Princess Irene. She an ocean liner that has been converted to a minelayer at the start of the war.

On 27th May 1915, while Irene was moored off Sheerness, Kent, a series of explosions ripped through the ship, killing more than 350 crew. Writer Goodger was among those who perished: he was 30 years of age.

The body of Harry Goodger was buried in Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, Kent alongside the other victims of the disaster.

Writer 1st Class Harry Goodger
(from findagrave.com)

Harry’s surname is variously spelt Goodger and Goodyer across the documents that trace his life. While his headstone has the latter spelling, I have used Goodger, as this is what is recorded on his naval service records.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, Hampshire, history, Kent, killed in action, Norfolk, photography, Private, Royal Marines, story, war

Private William Preston

Leave a comment
Private William Preston

William Robert Preston was born on 2nd January 1888, and was the oldest of six children to William and Alice Preston. William Sr was a blacksmith from Norwich, Norfolk, and this is where the family were initially raised.

The 1901 census saw a move to Northamptonshire, however, the document confirming that the family were living at Tanner Cottages in the village of Walton.

When he finished his schooling, William Jr found work as a painter’s labourer. However, he sought bigger and better things and, on 5th June 1905, he enlisted in the Royal Marine Light Infantry. His service records show that he was 5ft 6ins (1.67m) tall, with dark brown hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion. He was also noted as having a number of tattoos on his arms.

Private Preston was sent to barracks in Deal, Kent, for his initial training. He spent the best part of a year there, before being transferred to the Royal Naval Dockyard in Portsmouth, Hampshire, in April 1906. He was given his first ocean-going posting in January 1907, when he joined the crew of the cruiser HMS Terrible.

Over the next eight years, Private Preston served on three further ships, returning to HMS Victory, Portsmouth, in between trips. In March 1915, he was assigned to HMS Princess Irene, an ocean liner converted to a minelayer at the start of the war.

On 27th May 1915, while Irene was moored off Sheerness, Kent, a series of explosions ripped through the ship, killing more than 350 crew. Private Preston was among those who perished, but whose body was identified: he was 27 years of age.

The body of William Robert Preston was buried in Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, Kent alongside the other victims of the disaster.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, Kent, killed in action, photography, Royal Navy, Stoker, story, Surrey, war

Stoker 2nd Class Samuel Castle

Leave a comment
Stoker 2nd Class Samuel Castle

Samuel George Castle was born on 1st November 1896 in Battersea, Surrey. The third of ten children, his parents were Samuel and Louisa Castle. His father was a gas fitter turned blacksmith and, by the time of the 1911 census, Samuel Jr was working as an errand boy for Army & Navy Stores.

When war broke out, Samuel was quick to step up and serve his country. On 6th March 1915, he gave up his job – he was by then employed as an equipment maker – to enlist in the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class.

George was sent to HMS Pembroke, the dockyard in Chatham, Kent, for his training. His service records show that he was 5ft 4ins (1.62m) tall, with black hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion.

Tragically, Stoker Castle’s time in the navy would not prove a lengthy one. By the end of May he was part of the crew of HMS Princess Irene, an ocean liner that had been put into service as a minelayer when war was declared. On 27th May 1915, a series of explosions ripped through the ship, killing more than 350 crew, Samuel included. He was just 18 years of age.

Samuel George Castle was laid to rest in Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, alongside the other victims of the disaster.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, Ireland, Kent, killed in action, photography, Royal Navy, Stoker, story, war

Stoker George Marshall

Leave a comment
Stoker George Marshall

George Patrick Marshall was born in Dublin, Ireland, on 17th March 1896. One of ten children, his parents were plumber and gasfitter Robert Marshall and his wife, Rachel.

When he finished his schooling, George found work as a messenger. By the time war broke out, however, he was working as a builder’s mate. Keen to play his part and serve his country, he decided to enlist in the Royal Navy.

Stoker 2nd Class Marshall enlisted on 7th March 1915. His service records show a little of the man he had become. He was noted as being 5ft 4ins (1.62m) tall, with brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion. His first trip overseas took him to HMS Pembroke, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham, Kent, where he would receive his training.

Tragically, George’s time in the navy would not prove a lengthy one. By the end of May he was part of the crew of HMS Princess Irene, an ocean liner that had been put into service as a minelayer when war was declared.

On 27th May 1915, a series of explosions ripped through the ship, killing more than 350 crew, Stoker Marshall included. He was just 19 years of age.

George Patrick Marshall was laid to rest in Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, alongside the other victims of the disaster.

Commonwealth War Graves, Fireman, Great War, history, Kent, killed in action, Merchant Navy, photography, story, war

Fireman Robert McQueen

Leave a comment
Fireman Robert McQueen

In amongst the rows of naval headstones in the Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, Kent, is one dedicated to Robert McQueen. The inscription notes that he was a Fireman on board HMS Princess Irene, a liner that was conscripted by the Royal Navy as a minelayer during the First World War.

The headstone records that he died during the catastrophic explosion on 27th May 1915 that destroyed the ship, killing more than 300 people in the process. It also confirms that Robert was 23 years old when he died.

Birth records identify at least six Robert McQueens born in 1891/92, and without a place of birth, or parental names, it is not possible to definitively confirm which of these was serving on the Princess Irene on that fateful day. He was in what would become the Merchant Navy: their records are sparser than the Royal Navy equivalents, and none match the man who lies buried in Gillingham.

The life of Robert McQueen, therefore, is destined to remain lost to time, although his sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, Hampshire, history, Kent, killed in action, photography, Royal Navy, Signalman, story, Suffolk

Signalman Philip Files

Leave a comment
Signalman Philip Files

Phillip William Turner Files was born on 13th April 1894 in Walmer, Kent. One of eight children, his parents were George and Annie Files. George was a carpenter at a local colliery, but living so close to the sea, his son was inevitably drawn there. On 25th January 1910, Phillip gave up his life as an errand boy and joined the Royal Navy.

Phillip’s service records show that he was 5ft 4ins (1.62m) tall, with dark brown hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion. He was just 15 years old when he enlisted, and, as he wasn’t of full age, he was given the rank of Boy 2nd Class. He was initially sent to HMS Ganges, the shore-based establishment in Suffolk for his initial training.

Phillip remained at HMS Ganges for the next year, and was promoted to Boy 1st Class on 5th September 1910. The following January he was moved to the Royal Naval Dockyard in Portsmouth, Hampshire, also known as HMS Victory.

Over the next year, with Victory as his base, Boy Files was sent to serve on three ships – the dreadnought battleship HMS Albermarle, and the cruisers HMS Sappho and HMS Philomel. While on board Philomel, Phillip came of age and, because of his technical abilities, was given the rank of Ordinary Signaller – changing to Signalman when the ranks were updated later in 1912.

Phillip remained on Philomel until October 1913 and, after a brief spell back in Portsmouth, he was transferred to the armoured cruiser, the converted RMS Laconia. She was to be Signalman Files’ base for the next year, when, on 9th March 1915, he was transferred again, this time to HMS Princess Irene.

Princess Irene was a converted liner, requisitioned as a minelayer when war broke out. On 27th May 1915, an explosion ripped through the ship, while moored off Sheerness, Kent. Signalman Files was one of the 352 souls killed. He was just 21 years of age.

Phillip William Turner Files was laid to rest in the Woodlands Cemetery in Gillingham, Kent. His body having been identified, he was given his own grave, unlike those who were buried in a mass grave nearby.

Signalman Files’ headstone spells his first name with one L. However, all the other documents relating to Phillip spell it with two.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, Kent, London Regiment, photography, Private, Somerset, story, war

Private William White

Leave a comment
Private William White

William White was born in the autumn of 1892 in Gravesend, Kent. He was the second of eleven children to Joseph and Eleanor – or Ellen – White. Joseph was a general labourer who, by the time of the 1911 census, was employed in the local docks.

The same census recorded the family of eleven people living in four rooms at 2 Robert Street, Gravesend. In addition to Joseph, both William and his older brother, Joseph Jr, were employed as assistants for a local butcher, while the next youngest of the siblings, Edward, was working as a bootmaker’s errand boy.

When war was declared, William stepped up to play his part. Full service details have been lost to time, but it seems that he had enlisted by the spring of 1918 at the latest. He joined the London Regiment, and was assigned to the 20th (City of London) Battalion. Private White’s unit spent the duration of the conflict on the Western Front, fighting at Loos, the Somme and Messines amongst other areas.

By the end of the war, William had been awarded the Military Medal for his bravery, although it is unclear when and for what he receive it.

The next confirmed record for Private White was his admission to hospital in Somerset, as he was suffering from pneumonia. He was sent to the Bath War Hospital, but it is unclear whether he had been on home soil when he fell ill, or if he had been medically transferred there from across the English Channel.

William White’s condition was to prove fatal. He passed away in hospital on 23rd November 1918, at the age of 26 years old. His body was laid to rest in the military section of Locksbrook Cemetery in Bath, not far from the hospital where he had breathed his last.