Roll of Honour - Kent

Ministry of Defence

Lest We Forget

The Royal British Legion

MURSTON WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Martin Edwards 2020

The memorial is to be found in Church Road, Murston, Swale, Kent and takes the form of a Calovary Cross with dedicatory plaques. The memorial was dedicated 14 August 1920. There are 35 names for World War 1 and 18 for World War 2. A further dedicatory plaque is to be found within All Saints Church listed those who died in World Wa r 2; there are 18 names listed.

From an old postcard

IN MEMORY OF
THE BRAVE MEN
OF THIS PARISH
WHO DIED IN
THE GREAT WAR
1914-1919

ANDREWS	Sydney John	Private G/20049, 7th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action 12 October 1917. Aged 23. Born Murston, Kent, resident and enlisted Sittingbourne, Kent. Son of Alfred and Ann Andrews, of 76, Lower Murston, Sittingbourne, Kent. Buried in POELCAPELLE BRITISH CEMETERY, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot XXXVII. Row B. Grave 1.
BASEDEN	John Thomas	[Listed as Private on memorial] Rifleman 6325, 1st/18th (County of London) Battalion (London Irish Rifles), London Regiment formerly 2882, 4th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action 4 October 1916. Born Halston, resident and enlisted Sittingbourne. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 13 C.
BINGHAM	Edward Stephen	Stoker 2nd Class K/37030/CH, H.M.S. Juno, Royal Navy. Died 9 September 1917. Aged 34. No known grave. Commemorated on KIRKEE 1914-1918 MEMORIAL, India. Face A.
BOWRA	Herbert Frederick	Private 55123, 4th Battalion, Prince Of Wales's (North Staffordshire Regiment). Killed in action 15 April 1918. Aged 19. Born Rainham, Kent, enlisted Sittingbourne, Kent. Son of James and Adelaide Bowra, of 80, Tong Rd., Murston, Kent. Buried in HEDAUVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Somme, France. Row C. Grave 15.
BRENCHLEY	George Thomas	Lance Sergeant 14565, 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Killed in action 24 August 1918. Aged 26. Born Muston, Kent, enlisted Sittingbourne. Son of Thomas Brenchley, of Sittingbourne, Kent; husband of Kate Mabel May Brenchley, of 99, Moseley St., Southend-on-Sea. Buried in MORY ABBEY MILITARY CEMETERY, MORY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot V. Row D. Grave 3.
CHAPELL	Robert	[Listed as Lance Corporal on memorial] Private 707132, 29th Battalion, Canadian Infantry. Died 5 November 1917. Aged 34. Son of Emma Chapell of 37, Tong Rd., Murston, Sittingbourne, and the late James Chapell. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 18 - 28 - 30.
CHESSON	William	Private T/2338, 5th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action 7 January 1916. Aged 19. Born Murston, Kent, resident Lower Murston, Sittingbourne, Kent, enlisted Sittingbourne, Kent. Son of William and Emily E. Chesson, of The Brickmaker's Arms, Murston, Sittingbourne, Kent. Buried in AMARA WAR CEMETERY, Iraq. Plot XXXI. Row B. Grave 11.
CROSS	Arthur [William]	Sergeant 14562, 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Killed in action 16 April 1915. Aged 25. Born and enlisted Sittingbourne, Kent. Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Cross, of 67, Murston Rd., Sittingbourne, Kent. Buried in RUE-DU-BOIS MILITARY CEMETERY, FLEURBAIX, Pas de Calais, France. Plot II. Row D. Grave 21.
CROSS	John Benjamin	Company Sergeant Major 10592, 12th Company, Canadian Machine Gun Corps. Died of shrapnel wounds to legs 9 June 1917 at No. 23 casualty Clearing Station, dangerously wounded 5 June 1917. Aged 24. Born 21 February 1893 in Sittingbourne, Kent. Son of Mrs. Sarah Cross, of 67, Murston Rd., Sittingbourne, Kent. Brickmaker by tade. Resident Ontario, Canada. Unmarried. Previously served as a Volunteer, 4th Battalion, The Buffs. Attested 22 September 1914 at Valcartier, Quebec, Canada, aged 21, height 5 feet 8½ inches, chest 37-40 inches, fair complexion, grey eyes, brown hair, religious denomination Church of England. Served in Canada 7 August to 25 September 1914, England from 15 October 1914 to 7 February 1915, France from 8 February 1915 to 28 May 1915, England from 29 May 1915 to August 16 1916, France from 16 August 1916. Buried in LAPUGNOY MILITARY CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Previously received wounds to right shoulder 24 May 1916 at Festubert, then accidentally wounded right side, admitted to No. 90 Field Ambulance, then No. 9, Casualty Clearing Station, 31 October 1916 on the Somme, rejoined unit 25 November 1916. Plot IV. Row C. Grave 15. National Archives of Canada Accession Reference: Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 2166 - 44
CULVER	Thomas	Private G/9894, 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action 18 March 1917. Aged 26. Born Teynham, Kent, resident Murston, Kent, enlisted Sittingbourne, Kent. Son of Thomas and Fanny Culver; husband of Martha Culver, of 6, Home View, Murston, Sittingbourne, Kent. Buried in MAROC BRITISH CEMETERY, GRENAY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row N. Grave 43.
DIXON	MacDonald	Private G/15821, 7th Battalion., The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action 3 May 1917. Aged 31. Born Lynsted, Kent, resident and enlisted Sittingbourne, Kent. Son of William Roper Dixon, J.P., of Cambridge, Teynham, Sittingbourne, Kent; husband of Belinda Dixon. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 2.
FOSTER	George [Henry]	Private 203944, 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 16 December 1917. Aged 21. Son of Walter and Annie Foster, of Murston, Sittingbourne Kent. Buried MONT HUON MILITARY CEMETERY, LE TREPORT, Seine-Maritime, France. Plot V. Row C. Grave11B.
HAMILTON	Frederick Charles	Able Seaman 192278, H.M.S. Aboukir, Royal Navy. Lost in action in the North Sea 22 September 1914. Reservist (RFR/CH/B/6099). Born 30 August 1879 in Lisburn, County Down. Resident 67, Church Street, Harwich. No known grave. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 2. * This is thee only man that the details on the memorial fit but it is unclear as to his connection with MURSTON *
HAMMOND	George Edmund Leonard	Sergeant 9425, 4th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. Died 10 May 1915. Aged 31. Son of Henry and Elizabeth Hammond, of 113, Tong Rd., Murston, Sittingbourne, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on HELLES MEMORIAL, Turkey (including Gallipoli). Panel 104 to 113.
HOPKINS	Albert	Sergeant 201128, 4th (Reserve) Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 7 January 1918. Aged 40. Son of Alfred Hopkins and Susannie Hopkins (nee Carpenter); husband of Lillian Jessie Hopkins (nee Cox), of 22, Lower Murston, Sittingbourne. Buried in SITTINGBOURNE CEMETERY, Kent. Row O. Grave 38.
HOPKINS	Leslie Charles	Acting Bombardier 110241, "C" Battery, 232nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Killed in action 21 June 1917. Born Murston, Kent, enlisted Sittingbourne, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 5 and 9.
JEMMETT	Sidney Ernest	Private T/201481, "C" Company, 1st/4th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died on service in India 2 November 1918. Aged 24. Born Hadleigh, Essex, resident Murston, Kent, enlisted Canterbury, Kent. Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Jemmett, of Murston, Sittingbourne, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on KARACHI 1914-1918 WAR MEMORIAL, Pakistan.
KNOTT	William John	Private T/3422, 1st/5th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died on service with M.E.F. 29 August 1916. Born Wingham, Kent, resdent Canterbury, Kent, enlisted Sittingbourne, Kent. Buried in AMARA WAR CEMETERY, Iraq. Plot IX. Row J. Grave 30.
LOFTHOUSE	John	Corporal 200583, 1st/4th Battalion (Territorial Force), Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. Killed in action 29 May 1917. Aged 27. Resident Sittingbourne, Kent, enlisted Preston. Husband of Mrs. A. Lofthouse, of 15, Home View, Murston, Sittingbourne, Kent. Buried in VLAMERTINGHE MILITARY CEMETERY, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot VII. Row C. Grave 9.
MILLS	Arthur Sydney	Private 64083, 32nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) formerly 4604, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action 11 December 1917. Aged 29. Born Murston, resident and enlisted Sittingbourne. Son of Alfred John and Ellen Mills, of 14, Home View, Murston, nr. Sittingbourne, Kent. Buried in GIAVERA BRITISH CEMETERY, ARCADE, Italy. Plot 5. Row C. Grave 5.
MUNGHAM	Frederick William	[Memorial states Driver] Gunner 53685, 29th Division Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery. Died 23 October 1915. Aged 22. Son of Charles John and Mary Jane Mungham, of 60, Lower Murston, Sittingbourne, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on MIKRA MEMORIAL, Greece.
NOAKES	Alfred Charles	Private 27557, 59th Protection Company, Royal Defence Corps formerly 20012, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died in the United Kingdom 21 July 1917. Born Minster, Kent, resident and enlisted Sittingbourne. Buried in SHALFORD CEMETERY, Surrey. Plot D. Row 2. Grave 325.
PILCHER	William Henry	Private 15517, 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died of wounds 25 September 1916. Born Murston, Kent, resident Lower Murston, near Sittingbourne, Kent, enlisted Sittingbourne, Kent. Son of Harry and Elizabeth Pilcher, of 118, Lower Murston, Sittingbourne, Kent. Buried in BOIS-GUILLAUME COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Seine-Maritime, France. Plot I. Row E. Grave 14A.
PUDNEY	Herbert William James	Sergeant 45773, 236th Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) formerly 41645, Royal Fusiliers. Killed in action 12 October 1917. Aged 33. Born Murston, Kent, resident Chilham, enlisted Canterbury. Son of James Hales Pudney and Edith Pudney; husband of Bessie Pudney, of Cromwell Cottage, Chilham, Canterbury. No known grave. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 154 to 159.
RALPH	George Frederick	Petty Officer Stoker 300114, H.M.S. Lowestoft, Royal Navy. Died from sickness at 9 Alfred Street, Chatham, 9 March 1918; invalided out 27 September 1916 with Tuberculosis of Lungs. Aged 34. Born 21 January 1883 in Sittingbourne, Kent (his Naval record states the year could have been 1884). Baprised 10 february 1884 in Murston, All Saints, Kent, son of George and Elizabeth Charlotte Ralph, resident Murston. Husband of Catherine Lilian (nee Coakes) Ralph, of Chatham, Kent; married 9 October 1910 in Luton, Christ Church, Bedfordshire (he is listed as a Stoker R.N.). Enlisted 1 March 1902 for 12 years, re-enlisted 2 March 1914 to completion, height 5 feet 6 inches, dark brown hair, blue eyes, fresh complexion, a Labourer before enlisting. In the 1911 census he was aged 28, married, born Sittingbourne, Stoker 1st Class, aboard H.M.S. Inflexible. Buried 14 March 1918 in CHATHAM (MAIDSTONE ROAD) CEMETERY, Kent. Section HH. Grave 248.
READ	Frederick George	Lance Corporal G/20113, 6th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) formerly G/10887, 3rd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment. Killed in action 9 August 1917. Aged 21. Born Sittingbourne, Kent, resident Merston (sic), Sittingbourne, Kent, enlisted Herne, Kent. Son of Frederick and Margaret Read, of 17, Tonge Rd., Murston, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de calais, France. Bay 2.
SAWYER	B	Private, London Regiment. probably Hubert William SAWYER, Private 613115, 19th (County of London) Battalion (St. Pancras), London Regiment formerly 4523, 4th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died of wounds 9 December 1917. Born Murston, Kent, resident Sittingbourne, enlisted Canterbury. Buried in GREVILLERS BRITISH CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot iX. Row E. Grave 16.
SPARKES	Charles	Driver 915539, "D" Battery, 223rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Killed in action 17 July 1917. Aged 19. Born and enlisted Sittingbourne, Kent. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Sparkes, of 39, Lower Murston, Sittingbourne, Kent. Buried in ROCLINCOURT MILITARY CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row D. Grave 3.
SPARKES	Frederick	Private G/17564, 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Killed in action (more likely taken Prisoner and died as a P.O.W. due to location of grave) 29 December 1916. Born Hampnel, Norfolk, enlisted Sittingbourne. Buried in NIEDERZWEHREN CEMETERY, KASSEL, Hessen, Germany. Plot V. Row K. Grave 1.
SPICE	Albert Edward	Private G/9161, 8th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action 1 September 1916. Aged 22. Born Murston, Kent, resident Lower Murston, Sittingbourne, Kent, enlisted Sittingbourne, Kent. Son of Albert E. and Mary Ann Spice, of 36, Lower Murston, Sittingbourne, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 5 D.
STAPLEY	Francis Lucas	[Listed as Sapper on memorial] Pioneer 279613, 345th Road Construction Company, Royal Engineers. Died of wounds in the United Kingdom 16 September 1917. Aged 32. Enlisted Sittingbourne, Kent. Husband of Nellie Maude Stapley, of 76, Ber St., Norwich, Norfolk. Buried in SITTINGBOURNE CEMETERY, Kent. Section Q. Grave 120.
STYLES	Stanley [James]	[Listed as Royal Fusiliers on memorial] Private 131458, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). Killed in action 18 April 1918. Born Upchurch, Kent, enlisted Sittingbourne. Buried in MESSINES RIDGE BRITISH CEMETERY, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot III. Row D. Grave 42.
WARD	Arthur Bowsher	Second Lieutenant, 8th Battalion attached 1st Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. Killed in action 15 August 1918. Aged 25. Born Rodmersham. Baptised 3 January 1892 in Wigston Magna, Leicestershire, son of Arthur and Josephine Mary Ward. Son of Arthur and Josephine Mary Ward, of "Hovedene," Highsted, Sittingbourne, Kent. Prior to enlisting he was a School Master, religious denomination Church of England. Attested 23 September 1914 in Leicestershire Regiment, aged 22 years 10 months, height 5 feet 8½ inches, weight 10 stone 6 lbs, chest 35-38½ inches, fair complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair. Promoted Corporal 27 January 1915, promoted Lance Sergeant 15 August 1915, appointed Acting Sergeant 19 November 1915, attached 6th cadet Battalion as Acting Sergeant 1 December 1916, discharged and appointed Temporary 2nd Lieutenant in 8th Battalion, East Yorkshire regiment 27 March 1917. Buried in ANCRE BRITISH CEMETERY, BEAUMONT-HAMEL, Somme, France. Plot VIII. Row C. Grave 3.
WATTS	Robert William	Private L/7886, 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action 23 October 1914. Born and resident Maidstone, Kent, enlisted Canterbury, Kent. Husband of K. Hart (formerly Watts), of Eyhorne St., Hollingbourne, Maidstone. No known grave. Commemorated on PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL, Hainaut, Belgium. Panel 2.
WOOLLEY	Lorien Orlando	Lance Corporal 228806, 1st (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers), London Regiment formerly 2562, Royal Engineers, Kent Mounted Rifles, posted 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Killed in action 1 August 1918. Aged 22. Born Hastings, resident and enlisted Sittingbourne. Son of Frank Allen Woolley and Annie Sarah Woolley, of 107, Chalkwell Rd., Milton Regis, Sittingbourne. Kent. Buried in FRECHENCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Somme, France. Row B. Grave 1.
ALSO TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE WAR OF 1939 - 1945 TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF THE MEN OF MURSTON WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE WORLD WAR - 1939 - 1945
AUSTIN	William Henry	Able Seaman C/SSX 27507, H.M.S. Avenger, Royal Navy. Died at sea 15 November 1942. Aged 21. Born 30 January 1921 in Sittingbourne, Kent. Son of William Henry and Winifred Adela Austin, of Sittingbourne, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 52, Column 3.
BAKER	Leonard Percy	Corporal 5385987, 2nd Battalion, The King's Regiment (Liverpool). Died 16 July 1944. Son of Horace and Emma Baker; husband of Irene Phyllis Baker, of Sittingbourne, Kent. Buried in AREZZO WAR CEMETERY, Italy. Plot II. Row B. Grave 10.
BRUNTON	Dennis Howard	Ordinary Seaman C/JX 315421, H.M.S. Calpe, Royal Navy. Died 19 August 1942. Aged 19. Son of Thomas and M. A. Brunton, of Sittingbourne, Kent. Buried in HASLAR ROYAL NAVAL CEMETERY, Hampshire. Plot E. Row 61. Grave 6.
BRUNTON	Ronald Lewis	Sergeant 1444326, 12 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 4 November 1943. Buried in REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. Plot 6. Row G. Grave 7.
CLARK	Alfred Charles [Stanley]	Corporal 1189322, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 1 May 1944. Aged 28. Son of Mr. and Mrs. A. G. T. Clark, and stepson of Mrs. A. L. Clark, of Sittingbourne; husband of G. B. E. Clark, of Lower Murston, Sittingbourne. Buried in SITTINGBOURNE (MURSTON) BURIAL GROUND, Kent. Row F. Grave 37.
DAWTON	Sydney John	Lance Sergeant 6283008, 14 Bomb Disposal Company, Royal Engineers. Died 3 August 1944. Aged 36. Son of Ooger and Betty Dawton; husband of Madge Dawton, of Hyde Park, Leeds. Buriedin REDCAR CEMETERY, Yorkshire. Plot R. Row 1. Grave 5.
DORMER	Bernard John	Fireman, London Fire Brigade. Civilian. Died at Wapping High Street. 10 May 1941. Aged 32. on of Mr. G. A. Dormer; husband of Ida Lily Dormer, of 25 Homeview, Murston, Sittingbourne, Kent. Death record by STEPNEY, METROPOLITAN BOROUGH, London.
GAMBELL	Arthur Edward	Stoker 1st Class C/KX 528302, H.M.S. Boadicea, Royal Navy. Died 13 June 1944. Aged 17. Son of Albert Edward and Evelyn Alice Gambell, of Murston, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 77, Column 3.
HARDING	Leslie George	Petty Officer Stoker C/KX 96533, H.M.S. Kelvin, Royal Navy. Died 13 August 1945. Aged 25. Son of Frederick and Edith Wesley Harding, of Sittingbourne. Buried in SITTINGBOURNE (MURSTON) BURIAL GROUND, Kent. Row B. Grave 122.
HARDING	Ronald Edward	No further information currently available
JARMAN	John Harry	Able Seman C/JX 153288, H.M.S. Kelly, Royal Navy. Died 23 May 1941. Aged 21. Son of Mabel Jessie Jarman, of Sittingbourne, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 43, Column 1.
KITNEY	Henry	Private 4398123, 6th Battalion, Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment). Died 28 May 1942. Aged 33. Son of George and Alice Kitney; husband of Doreen Gladys May Kitney, of Sittingbourne, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on ALAMEIN MEMORIAL, Egypt. Column 60.
LACEY	Charles Jem [Jim on CWGC]	Private 13036976, Pioneer Corps. Died 8 February 1944. Aged 30. Son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Lacey, of Sittingbourne, Kent. Buried in ANZIO WAR CEMETERY, Italy. Plot II. Row E. Grave 4.
MURTON	Edward George	Private 6351776, 1st Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. Died 19 April 1944. Aged 31. Son of Thomas William and Fanny Murton; husband of Edna Iris Murton, of Murston, Sittingbourne, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on RANGOON MEMORIAL, Myanmar (Burma). Face 17.
READ	Harry George [John Heaps]	Sergeant 1335292, 49 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 13 July 1943. Aged 21. Son of Harry James Read and Hilda May Read, of Sittingbourne, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL, Surrey. Panel 162. Note the discrepancy in death dates between probate and CWGC record. Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1944: READ Harry George John Heaps of 109 Tonge-road Murston Sittingbourne Kent died 13 September 1943 on war service Administration Llandudno 14 August to Hilda May Read (wife of Harry James Read). Effects £132 1s. 2d.

Last updated 5 December, 2020

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