Thomas Waghorn (1896-1917)

Post date: Feb 26, 2017 3:58:1 PM

The vicar's lists in the parish magazine of Wateringbury men serving consistently include Thomas Waghorn along with up to 5 other "Waghorns". However no "Waghorns" are in Wateringbury for the 1911 census. No "Waghorns" are on the list of those serving from Wateringbury school and it is only in 1916 that a couple of "Waghorns" merit mention in the Boys school log. The vicar's entries for Thomas consistently show him as in the 14th (The King's ) Hussars and in his second list quotes his service number and specifies that he was in C squad based at Fort Darland, Chatham.

Thomas is listed in the Police Gazette of 17 November 1914 as a deserter or absentee from the army. The entry shows he enlisted in Maidstone in May 1914 (i.e. he was a volunteer from before the war began). He was then aged 18, 5ft 3 inches tall with a fresh complexion brown hair and blue eyes. He had deserted in November 1914 at Chatham. He was then in the 3rd Battalion of the RWK but with the same service number S/9139. There is an enigmatic remark published by his name "mle 1 shldr". He was a farm labourer originally from Horsmonden. The term “deserter” includes those who have overstayed their leave as well as those who have deserted in the face of the enemy.

Thomas did not remain long at liberty as on 14th December at Malling Police Court/petty sessions he is remanded in custody to await a military escort and fined 2 shillings (costs) having been apprehended at Wateringbury on 12th December. He is identified as 9139 and in the 3rd Battalion RWK.

When Thomas transferred from the 3rd to the 6th battalion RWK is not known, but he was in the 6th for the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917. The 6th battalion RWK was part of the 12th Division which launched a successful surprise attack (no preliminary artillery bombardment) on 20th November on the German line near Cambrai. The Third Ypres Offensive had petered out at Passchendaele a few days earlier in conditions of horrific mud. The attack at Cambrai was designed to allow tanks to operate in large numbers and the 6th Battalion alone was supported by some 24 tanks which, inter alia, cut the German barbed wire and was initially successful in acheiving all their objectives, establishing a line running north from the N.E. corner of Lateau Wood incurring only 70 casualties. Most of the 30 casualties incurred between then and 30th November came from German artillery fire and on 30th November (after Thomas' death) they were counter-attacked loosing all the ground gained, and incurring very severe casualties.

The Commonwealth War Graves records his date of death as 25th November 1917, aged 21, and that he is a Sergeant in the 6th Battalion RWK regiment service number S/9139. He is buried in the Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery at Villers-Plouich in France a village about 13 kilometres south-west of Cambrai. Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery lies to the east of the village on the south side of the road to the small village of La Vacquerie. The CWCG records his parents as William and Emma Waghorn, of 6, Woodland Terrace, Malling Rd., Snodland, Kent.