Wateringbury Navy and Army List (1914)

Post date: Jan 21, 2014 8:5:3 PM

Extract from Parish magazine of October 1914.

For a second month in succession the issue of the Magazine will be very late. I have been on the sick-list; and, moreover, I wanted to get the list of the names of the men serving in navy, army and territorials quite complete, and have found it a difficult matter. Perhaps if this meets the eye any sailor who has a mess number which is omitted in the list he will let me know what it is. As to the army, there is a danger lest letters addressed to a non-commissioned officer or private without having his official number on the envelope should never find him. So will the soldiers kindly send me their numbers when they acknowledge the receipt of the little parcel that goes with this Magazine. If they are serving with the Expeditionary Force (indicated by "E.F." in the list), one would like to know their division in each case. It is only natural that the people at home are taking an intense interest in the soldiers and sailors who are fighting our country's battles, and, therefore, I think I need not apologise for inserting against some of the names an "M" in square brackets, indicating "married," followed in many cases by the name of the place where the present home is. Where the husband is not a native of Wateringbury, or has not made his home here, but has married into a Wateringbury family, the name of his wife's family is inserted in round brackets after the M.

With an increasing interest in a subject, increased knowledge is acquired or desired. The Army List is quite an exciting book nowadays. (One must add, too sadly moving from some points of view)! Even a "Whittaker" is interesting. I have followed it in making out the order of the names. My chief difficulty has been to understand the Territorials. It appears that every "arm" and every corps of the regulars has a corresponding "unit" in the Territorial Force, and that the organisation that holds good for peace has necessarily been modified for war, on account of the fact that Territorials, who are normally for Home Defence only, have in many cases volunteered for Foreign Service. If I have made any error in dividing the names in the Kent Brigade Company A.S.C. between "home" (Territorial Reserve) and "foreign" service, I beg to be informed so that it may be corrected in due course.

The composition of the R.W.K. Regiment does not seem difficult to understand. There are five battalions. The 1st and 2nd are regulars, the linked battalions, commonly called "the strength," usually one abroad and the other (as a feeder) at home, but at present both on foreign service. Maidstone Barracks is the Regimental Depot. The 3rd is the Special Reserve Battalion: the Special Reservist, quite distinct from the Army Reservist, who has served his seven years with the Colours, represents the old Militiaman, and is in fact an Army Reservist who has not so served—he enlists for four years and starts with a six months' course of training. The 4th and 5th are Territorial Battalions, with depots at Tonbridge and Bromley respectively. Some of our fellows who enlisted after the meeting in the Church Rooms were trapped into this 4th Battalion R.W.K., whereas they wished to join their pals in the A.S.C.: a letter from Major Laurie, in reply to an inquiry, informed me that the authorities had kindly consented to their transference. A few others, among them being Leonard Smith and Henry Allen, who were willing to do their duty as single young men by being among the first to respond to the call to arms, were unable to pass the medical test. An examination of our list will show that Mr. Frank Blest, who had recently become a householder and taken a farm, has joined the Public School Corps (Middlesex Regiment), and that Mr. Tom Richards has left Manor Farm to take up his duties as a trooper in the Kent Yeomanry. I hear that Mr. Percy Jude, who saw service in South Africa, has applied for a commission.

I have been asked to find a representative of the parish for the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association (S.S.F.A.), and have decided that the simplest plan will be to take the job on myself for a time. Application for temporary help should, therefore, be made through me, and I will assist the applicant to fill up the necessary forms and will forward them for her. Parents who have been dependant upon a son now called up can get help from the S.S.F.A. only if they already get regular help from the son, stopped out of his pay. The authorities stamp the National Health Insurance cards of men on active service. The card should be sent to the Approved Society, or, if no Society, to the Insurance Commission in an envelope obtained at the P.O. Whether married "on the strength" or not, a wife is entitled to maternity benefit in respect of the husband's insurance. I shall be glad to give any further information contained in my papers. For instance, I shall be willing at any time to make enquiries in the proper quarter respecting a missing relative. For this, and almost any purpose, be it known, it is necessary to have a man's full name, ship or regiment, rating or rank, official or regimental number; also his supposed present address or when and where he was last seen or heard from.

The Great War is ten weeks old—just about cutting its teeth. It's going to be a long business: both sides are fighting so strongly. A month ago, when we issued our first " War number," some people were saying the Russians would be in Berlin in three weeks!................[ vicar's further reflections on the war].

WATERINGBURY PARISH NAVY AND ARMY LIST.

ROYAL NAVY.

Brocklebank, Commander Henry Cyril Royds: H.M.S. Drake¹.

Bonsor, Gunroom Steward Francis Richard T.H.: H.M.S. King Edward VII. [M. (Smith)]

Bowles, Gunroom Messman Francis Henry: H.M.S Duncan.[M., Chatham]

Bowles, Wardroom Messman Thomas Richard:H.M.S. Iron Duke.

M.Portsmouth]

Curd, 1st Class Stoker Albert: Mess No. , H.M.S. Agamemnon.

Curd, Ship's Steward Assistant Earle Francis. (Devonport).

Eversfield, Stoker Leonard George: H.M S. Torpedo Boat 30.

Gunner, Stoker Alfred: Mess No. 37, H.M.S. Natal.

Hearne, Stoker George: Mess No. , H.M.S. Intrepid.[M. (Spain)]

Hook, Gunroom Cook Henry: H.M.S. Iron Duke. [M., Belfast]

Hubbard, Leading Stoker William: Mess No. 10, H.M.S. Naiad.[M]

King, Officer's Cook Alfred Reginald : H.M.S. King Edward VII. (formerly H.M.S. Speedy).

Kingsnorth, Stoker Henry: Mess No. 12, H.M.S. Blanche.

Latter, Stoker Edgar: H.M.S. Torpedo Boat 114. [Nettlestead]

Mace, Stoker George: Mess No. 25, H.M.S. Lancaster.

Mace, Stoker Frederick: Mess No. 44. H.M.S. Implacable.

Smith, Stoker Ernest Reginald: Mess No. 3,H.M.S. Lennox.

South, Ship's Steward Assistant Maurice: H.M.S. Cylops.

Waghorn, Stoker Charles: Mess No. , H.M.S. Dwarf. (! South Africa).

Waghorn, Stoker Frederick: Mess No. , H.M.S. Fairy.

Weller, Seaman William Thomas: Mess No. ,H.M.S. Bacchante.[M.]

Wells, Seaman James Thomas: Mess No. 230,H.M.S. Laverock.

Wells, Stoker Thomas: H.M.S. Biter. (Sheerness).

Woolgar, Chief Stoker George: H.M.S.Ness.[M., Rochester]

Roll of Honour.

Potter, Bert: H.M.S. Aboukir, sunk in the North Sea.[M. (Woolgar), Snodland]

ARMY.

Brocklebank, Captain Richard Hugh Royds: 9th (Queen's Royal)Lancers, Adj. Derbyshire Yeomanry.

Budden, Captain John Austin: Indian Army.

Head. Lance-Corp. Robert Arthur: 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers) Cavalry, 4th Brigade, E.F.

Martin, Pte. Henry George (4121) : B Squad, 6th Dragoon Guards.E.F. [M. (Lankstead)]

Crayford, Sergt Arthur 14th (King's) Hussars. E.F.

Waghorn, Pte. Thomas (9139): C Squad., 14th (King's) Hussars. Fort Darland, Chatham.

Latter, Pte. William (5974): B Squad., 15th (The King's) Hussars.2nd Div., E.F.

Maytum, Pte. Walter Alfred (11206): C Squad, 15th (The King's) Hussars. 14th Reserve Reg., Longmoor Camp.

Cray, Sergt. Alfred Walter (10740): 20th Hussars. E.F. [M. (Latter)]

Richards, Trooper Thomas Owen: C Squad., West Kent Yeomanry (T.F.).

Brooker, Gunner William Henry (601): 4th Howitzer Battery, Royal Horse Artillery,Chatham, Kent. [M.]

Maytum, Driver Thomas William: M Battery, R.H.A. Rasulpur, India.

Ellis, Gunner Robert James (48408): 88th Battery, Royal Field Artillery. 14th Brigade, E.F.[M., Lyndhurst]

Ellis, Driver Edwin ( ): 83rd Battery, R.F.A. Pachmarki Depot, India, C. P.

Hook, Gunner Robert (27543): 69th Battery, R.F.A. Nasirabad. India.

Hook, Driver William (56166): 69th Battery R.F.A. E.F.

Palmer, Edwin (51109): 124th Battery, R.F.A. E.F.

Pearce, Pte. Alfred (82666): R.FA. East Rear Range, Woolwich.

Hook, Gunner David (26): H Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. E.F.

Crayford, Gunner John (35003): 1st Battery. R.G.A. Hursley Park, Winchester. [M.]

Crockford, Sapper, Herbert Clarence (26787): B Co., Royal Engineers. Brompton Barracks, Chatham.

King, Pte. Percy (12679): 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Southampton. [M., Chadwell Heath]

Jukes, Pte. Arthur (11799): 13th Co., Coldstream Guards. Caterham Depot, Surrey.

Adams², Pte. Frederick (4829): 1st Battalion (50th Foot), R.W.K. Regt. (The Queen's Own), Chatham. [M., Yalding]

Adams, * Pte. Albert (7445): 1st Battalion. R.W.K. Regt. Maidstone Barracks. [M., Sevenoaks]

Wells, Pte. James Edward (8285); B Co., 1st Battalion, R.W.K. Regt. 5th Div., E.F. [M., W. Malling]

Jury (al. Ladams), Bandsman Harry (9447): 2nd Battalion (97th Foot). R.W.K. Regiment, Multan, India.

Newman, Pte. Frederick (164): B Co., 3rd Battalion (Special Reserve) R.W.K. Regt. Fort Twydall, Chatham. [M.]

South, Pte. Henry (10437): C Co., 3rd Battalion, R.W.K. Regt, Fort Darland, Chatham.

Cleaver, Corp. Richard ( ): 4th (Foreign Service Territorial) Battalion, R.W.K. Regt

Pearson, Pte. Herbert ( ): ditto. ditto.

Pellatt, Pte. Frank ( ): 4th (Territorial) Batt., Oxfordshire Light Infantry, Cowley Barracks, Oxford.

Head, Pte. Charles ( ): City of London Regiment (Territorials).

Blest, Pte. Frank ( ): A. Co., P.S. Battalion (Public Schools), Middlesex Regt. Kempton Park, Sunbury.

Clements, Sgt., William (30): 63rd Co., Army Service Corps. Supply column, 3rd division E.F.[M. Whitchurch]

Clements, Col-Sgt.-Major (34): ditto.

Pursey, Pte. Edward (1749): Motor Transport, A.S.C. 7th Division E.F.

Monger, Pte. Arthur Leonard (18138): ditto E.F.

Adams, Sadler-Corp. William Augustus ( ): Kent Brigade

Pellatt. Corp. William George ( ): ditto.

Barnden, Pte. Thomas ( ): ditto.

Bourne, Pte. Andrew ( ) : ditto.

Lankstead, Pte. George ( ) : ditto.

Martin. Pte. Henry ( ): ditto.

Smith, Pte. Thomas ( ): ditto.

Jury (al. Ladams), Pte. Jack ( ) : ditto.

Burt, Pte. Frederick ( ): Kent Brigade Co., A.S.C. (Territorial Reserve for Home Service) Maidstone

Mace, Pte. Ernest William ( ): ditto.

Lankstead, Pte. Richard Henry ( ): ditto.

Latter, Pte. Norman ( ): ditto.

Maytum, Pte. George Charles ( ): ditto.

Selwood (al. Bell) Pte. George ( ): ditto.

Smith, Pte. Nevill ( ): ditto.

Pellatt, Pte. Jack (2411), B Section, 1st Home Counties Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C. (Territorials for For. Service)

Dawson, Pte. Albert (2412): A Section ditto. (ditto.) Canterbury

Crockford, Pte. William John ( ): ditto. (ditto.)

Spice. Pte. Frederick: No. 7 Section, Army Veterinary Corps, E.F.

Baker, Pte. Stanley George (14387): Royal Marine Artillery. 38, Eastney Barracks, Portsmouth.

*Returned wounded—now recovered.

Notes

1. H.M.S. Drake was a 14,100 ton armoured cruiser with a complement of 900 men,launched in 1901 at Pembroke. It was sunk in Rathlin Sound in October 1917 by a German submarine torpedo with loss of 18 men.

2. Pte Frederick Adams had served during the Boer War and was amongst those soldiers at a "smoker" at the King's Head in 1903 to recognise their service.