ORLESTONE

The Great War 1914 – 1919

BUTCHER H.P Private 19259 (Harry) Percy Harold BUTCHER. 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards. Died 27th November 1917 aged 19 years. Born Hamstreet. Enlisted Reading, Berkshire. Resided Ashford. Son of Mr George William Butcher of Hamlees Farm, Hamstreet, Kent. Percy has no known grave. His name appears on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France. Panel reference 2. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Hamstreet Sapper 342288 George Victor James BUTCHER. Royal Engineers. Sergeant D/20560 Robert James BUTCHER. 7th Dragoon Guards. It is thought that Percy was known locally as Harold or Harry which is his second given name. His father was the farm bailiff at Hamlees Farm (owned by J Harden). Harry lost his life in the Battle of Cambrai. This was a sub-battle of the Battle of Arras. 1

CAFFYN J.M Corporal 130293 Joseph Mannington CAFFYN. Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA). Died of Pneumonia 15th July 1918. Born Northiam, Sussex. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Faversham. Son of Joseph and Clara Caffyn of Post Office, Hamstreet, Ashford, Kent. Husband of Florence Mabel Caffyn of “Brynteg” Clifton Park, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire. Buried in the Reading (Caversham) Cemetery, Berkshire. Grave reference 2C of E.1051. Joseph’s name also appears on the Hamstreet, Orlestone and Warehorne civic war memorials. Educated Ashford Grammar School 18th September 1893 to Easter 1894. The 1901 Census gives the following information: The Post Office, Orlestone Joseph CAFFYN Sarah Harry Jeanie Gertrude Daisy Lillian Joseph fell victim to the Spanish Influenza Pandemic of 1918. He died in a UK Hospital and his body was bought home to where his parents lived (Reading) and buried. Joseph’s grandson Don Collick still resided in the Hamstreet area until very recently. Don passed away in 2005 at Court Lodge Farm, Ruckinge.

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CROFT J.M Lance Corporal G/917 John Frederick Manners CROFT. 6th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 13th October 1915. Born Whitburton, Ely, Cambridgeshire. Enlisted Canterbury. Resided Ashford. Only son of Robert Manners and Augusta Croft of Coldblow Farm, Woodchurch, Ashford, Kent. John has no known grave. His name appears on the Loos Memorial, Loos, France. Panel reference 15 to 19. Educated Christ’s Hospital, Horsham, West Sussex and at St Gall in Switzerland. He enlisted 7 August 1914 and went to France June 1915. He was killed in action between Hulluch and Vermelles in France during the Battle of Loos. It looks like this man may in fact have been John Croft born in Benenden and aged 22 years in 1901. The 1901 census states he was an agricultural labourer. His mother Augusta (daughter of Henry Halford Vaughan) was born at Wilburton on the Isle of Ely in Cambridgeshire (11 February 1895) which would explain the town of Ely being mentioned in relation to her son. John is also commemorated on the Orlestone and Warehorne Memorials as well. His father Robert worked as a labourer at Coldblow Farm. In June 1915 the 6th Buffs were at Meteren near Bailleul. On 12th June it moved to Armentieres for training in trench warfare. The remainder of the summer was passed in trench fighting. On 30th July 1915 the 6th Buffs were at Plugstreet Wood in Belgium. The battalion remained in Plugstreet Wood until 23rd September 1915. On 26th September the 6th Buffs moved to Vermelles relieving the Coldstream Guards South of the Hulluch Road. On 11th October 1915 the Germans re-captured the Hohenzollern Redoubt. On 13th October 1915 the 6th Buffs (12th Division) assaulted German positions at the Quarries. This attack cost the 6th Buffs 10 officers and 400 men. In less than 1 day more than half the battalion was wiped out!

DORMAN L Corporal L/9765 Leonard DORMAN. 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 2nd July 1915 aged 21 years. Born Warehorne. Resided Warehorne. Son of George Dorman of Orchard Place, Hamstreet Road, Warehorne. Buried in the Potijze Burial Ground Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium. Grave reference Z.22. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Hamstreet Private (Saddler) 88204 Harry DORMAN. Royal Field Artillery. 1901 Census –“ Gorhams” Edward Dorman Charlotte Ann Charles Anson George Kate Emily Florence John Thomas Leonard’s death was possibly referred to in the Buffs regimental history – On the 2nd July 1915 Corporal John Dormer of A Company, who had covered himself with glory as a scout, paid the last penalty”. A Cpl John Dormer was in fact killed on the 13th July 1915. It is possible that the author of the regimental history may have confused these two men.

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GARNER R.A Private 26157 Robert Arnold GARNER. 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Died 31st July 1917 aged 36 years. Born Hamstreet, Kent. Enlisted Hastings. Son of Clarence E and Mercie Ellen Garner of “Ayrdale”, Hamstreet, Kent. Husband of Rosa Garner. Robert has no known grave. His name appears on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. Panel reference – 9 and 11. Robert’s father Clarence was the local grocer. GODDEN A.E Lance Corporal G/9036 Albert Edward GODDEN. 7th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 27th December 1918 aged 22 years. Born Ashford. Resided Ashford. Son of James and Alice Emily Godden of “Marsh Cottages”, Marsh Road, Hamstreet, Kent. Buried in the Niederzwehren Cemetery, Belgium. Grave reference I.C.8. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Hamstreet Lance Corporal G/9036 Albert Edward GODDEN. 7th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Not to be confused with this other local man – Private G/5090 Albert GODDEN. 8th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 26th September 1915 aged 29 years. Born Warehorne. Enlisted Ashford. Resided Kennington, Ashford. Son of Albert and Mary Ann Godden of “Barnfield Farm”, Charing. Albert has no known grave. His name appears on the Loos Memorial, Loos, France. Panel reference 15 to 19. The 1901 Kennington Census gives – Bockhanger Farm, Kennington Albert GODDEN 35 Farm Bailiff Warehorne Mary 36 Warehorne Albert 15 Warehorne Ethel 12 Mersham Edith 10 Kennington Florence 7 Ashford Ernest 4 Kennington Albert was killed in action when his battalion was attacking enemy front line positions at Hulluch in France. The battalion was lead by Colonel Romer who was to lose his life there himself. At 1100 hours the battalion went forward following the 9th East Surrey’s the 8th West Kent’s and the 8th Queen’s. The assault was a murderous one made in broad daylight and in open country. Not surprisingly, it failed miserably. Many men were killed on the Hulluch – Lens Road. The battalion was nearly destroyed – 24 officers and 610 men were killed, missing or wounded.

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HARDEN J Private 260149 John HARDEN. 6th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (DCLI). Formerly (30143) Hampshire Regiment. Died 22nd August 1917 aged 36 years. Born Ashford. Enlisted Southampton, Hampshire. Son of Thomas and Sarah Harden of Bromley Green, Ashford. Husband of Harriet Harden of “Birchett Cottage”, Orlestone, Kent. Buried in the Oxford Road Cemetery, France. Grave reference II.C.4. The Orlestone War Memorial wrongly lists John as serving in the Buffs when killed. In 1901 the Harden family lived at Orlestone in Ruckinge Road and the 1901 census lists a Jane Harden. It is known that Birchett Cottage was a “grace and favour” dwelling owned by the Oliver family. The 1901 census gives – Viaduct Terrace, Warehorne John HARDEN 37 Woodcutter Orlestone Emma G 37 Sandhurst, Kent Alec 15 Orlestone Frederick 14 Scholar Warehorne Peter 12 Warehorne Joseph 9 Warehorne Herbert 7 Warehorne Maurice 5 Warehorne Jack 3 Warehorne Percy 1 Warehorne The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Warehorne Private 157198 Horace HARDEN. 2nd Machine Gun Corps. Private 13639 Jack HARDEN. 6th King’s Royal Rifle Corps. Private G/40865 Jeffrey HARDEN. 20th Middlesex Regiment. Private 114115 Maurice Albert HARDEN. Machine Gun Corps. Private 14758 Sidney Robert HARDEN. 8th Royal West Kent Regiment.

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JENNER R.V Private G/2872 Reginald JENNER. 8th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 26th September 1915 aged 23 years. Born 1892 Penshurst, Kent. Son of Henry Jenner of “Mae Ende Cottage”, Broadham Green, Oxted, Surrey. Reginald has no known grave. His name appears on the Loos Memorial, Loos, France. Panel reference 15 to 19. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Hamstreet Sergeant 051083 Henry John JENNER. Mechanical Transport, Army Service Corps. It is thought that a JENNER family may have lived near the Hamstreet Brickworks at the turn of the century (1800). No more information found. The 8th Buffs landed in France on 1st September 1915. On 25th September 1915 the 8th Buffs under Col Romer moved from Vermelles to the frontline near Hulluch. On the 26th September 1915 the 8th Buffs were holding frontline trenches near the recently captured Quarries in front of Fosse 8. The enemy counter-attacked at Hulluch and Hill 70. The 8th Buffs under Col Romer advanced with the 8th West Kent’s and 8th Queen’s. The 8th Buffs were halted 600 yards to the west of Hulluch on the Lens Road. This assault was made in broad daylight and upon open ground, unsurprisingly casualties were tremendous – 24 officers and 610 men! The entire battalion had been almost wiped out in 1 day!!!

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LAWRENCE A Gunner 125580 Alfred LAWRENCE. 108th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA). Died Thursday 25th October 1917. Born New Romney. Enlisted Lydd. Resided Hamstreet. Buried in the Canada Farm Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium. Grave reference III.E.34. Canada Farm Cemetery is located 8.5 kilometres north-west of Ieper town centre, on the Elzendammestraat, a road leading from the Veurnseweg (N8) connecting Ieper to Elverdinge and on to Veurne. From Ieper town centre the Veurnseweg (N8) is reached via Elverdingsestraat, then turning right onto Haiglaan. Veurnseweg is a continuation of Haiglaan. On reaching the village of Elverdinge the Steentjesmolenstraat, N333, leads towards Poperinge. 2 kilometres along the Steentjesmolenstraat lies the right hand turning onto Elzendammestraat. The cemetery itself is located 1 kilometre along the Elzendammestraat on the right hand side of the road. Historical Information: Canada Farm Cemetery took its name from a farmhouse used as a dressing station during the 1917 Allied offensive on this front. Most of the burials are of men who died at the dressing station between June and October 1917. There are now 907 First World War burials in the cemetery. The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

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MANKLOW R Private G/9629 Robert MANKLOW. 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Attached 2nd Battalion, Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Died 1st September 1916. Born Warehorne June 1890. Resided Orlestone. Son of James and Frances Manklow (nee Evenden). In 1896 Robert’s father died suddenly. In December 1897 Robert’s mother Frances remaried Alfred Harden. Robert has no known grave. His name appears on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Panel reference 5D. Children of James and Frances Manklow Fanny 1871 William 1872 Leonard 1876 Frank 1879 Minnie 1880 Charles 1883 Harry 1885 Robert 1890 Before the outbreak of war Robert was employed by Messrs D Godden and Son (Builders). He was Lieutenant of the Hamstreet Lads Brigade. He enlisted on the 10th December 1915 at Ashford and was mobilized on the 24th March the following year. On the 28th June he sailed from Southampton and is listed as being posted to the 1/Buffs. However, he neither met his battalion in Belgium nor joined them on their way to the Somme. Instead, he was sent straight to the Somme and on the 9th July was one of 173 that re-strengthened the 2/Queens after their operations of the 1st-4th July. The next day saw another draft of 109 arrive.The new draft were given little time to settle in, as the 14th-16th July saw the 2/Queens engaged in High Wood and the battalion sustained 305 casualties. It is stating the obvious to say that this was a baptism of fire for these men, and on the 27th July at St. Sauveur the divisional commander, Major-General H.Watts, inspected them and apparently no others from the battalion. August was spent re-organising and re-strengthening the battalion before, on the 31st, they moved into positions southeast of Delville Wood. As previous posts have mentioned, Manklow was killed the following day. It is striking that Manklow was only in France for two weeks before seeing action in High Wood and as others have stated, he was certainly one of a number of Buffs, both Other Ranks and Officers, that were serving in the 2/Queens during this period.

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In July 2008 Robert’s medals and his death penny came up for sale on Ebay. We wrote to the Hamstreet Vicar and told him in case the village wanted to obtain Robert’s medals. We never got a reply. We then emailed the Parish Council but once more got no response! What a pity these people don’t care…

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MEPHAM J.H Guardsman 20879 James Henry MEPHAM. 4th Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Died 18th September 1916. Born Orlestone. Enlisted Ashford.. Son of James and Ellen Mepham of Harts Cottage, Bourne Lane, Hamstreet. Buried Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension, Abbeville, Somme, France. Grave reference I.B.9. The 1901 Census gives – 4 Harts Cottages, Orlestone James MEPHAM Grazier Ellen Mildred Elsie Percy James 5 years The Kentish Express reported James death. It stated that he died of Severe Shell Shock and trench exposure following many months in the trenches. Previous to enlisting James worked in the SE&CR Railway Yards, Ashford as a Railway Signalman. On 8th September the 4th Grenadier’s were at Carnoy. On 14th September 1916 the 4th Grenadier Guards were fighting near Trones Wood on the Somme. On the 16th September the 4th Grenadier Guards dug in 500 yards north of Ginchy and there consolidated British gains. In the evening they withdrew to Carnoy. On 20th September the battalion moved into frontline trenches at Lesboeufs. On 22nd September – Bernafay Wood. James was probably wounded in fighting near Trones Wod on 14th September and recovered through the medical evacuation chain to Abbeville. The town of Abbeville housed 4 large military hospitals during the Great War. James died in one of these whilst his wounds were being treated.

OLIVER G.G Captain Guy Gifford OLIVER. 102nd (King Edward’s Own) Grenadiers. Indian Army. Died 21st January 1916 Mesopotamia (Iraq) 1916. Born Orlestone 9th July 1883. Resided Burnt Oak, Orlestone, Ashford, Kent. Son of Edmund Ward Oliver of Burnt Oak, Orlestone, Ashford, Kent. Nethew of Sir Roland Oliver of Capel House, Orlestone, Ashford, Kent. Roland Oliver at Capel House was the Lord Chief Justice during the Great War. Cousin of Lieutenant Roderic Magrath Oliver (2nd Grenadier Guards) who was also killed in action during the Great War. Buried Amarah War Cemetery, Iraq. Panel reference IV.B.19. The 1911 Army List contains Guy’s details – At that time he was a Lieutenant (Double Company Officer) – 102nd (King Edward’s Own) Grenadiers Col in Chief – H.M The King Hon Colonel – General Sir S Edwardes KCB Commandant – Lt Col S.M Edwardes DSO Major F.R.E Locke Major F.G Pierce Major A.C Edwardes Captain E.G.S Trotter Captain J.P Stockley Captain J.P May Captain T.T Oakes (Adjutant) Captain C.P.F Warton Captain J Livesay Captain C.K.V Brown Lt S.B Coates (Quartermaster) Lt G.G OLIVER Lt R.C Christie Lt H.J Norman Lt R.C.C Liston Guy was first commisioned 21 January 1903. At first it seemed unlikely that anything could be done to trace this officer who served in the Indian Army. Then we found a G.G OLIVER in the 1911 Army List! It recorded Lieutenant G.G Oliver serving in the 102nd (King Edward’s Own) Grenadiers. This was our first breakthrough. Then came the big breakthrough – The 102nd Grenadiers served in Mesoptamia alongside the 5th Buffs which comprised many Ashford men! The 102nd Grenadiers was attached to 35th Indian Infantry Brigade and fought alongside the 5th Buffs throughout Mesoptamia from 1916 until 1919. This is a huge breakthrough. We have been told by a member of the Orlestone Church congregation that Captain G.G Oliver whose name appears on the village war memorial (inside the parish church) was killed in Iraq during heavy fighting in 1916. It now seems highly likely that Guy was killled in action fighting alongside the 5th Buffs (the local Ashford infantry battalion). If we accept 1916 as the year of his death (which seems the most likely), we have 2 major battles in which the 102nd Grenadiers / 5th Buffs were in action – Battle of Seikh Saad and Battle of The Hanna… Guy’s cousin Roderic served in the 5th Buffs before the outbreak of war. It was NOT a coincidence that Guy found himself serving in the Indian Army alongside the 5th Buffs!!!!! 15

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OLIVER R.M Lieutenant Roderic Magrath OLIVER. 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Formerly Adjutant (Territorial Force), 5th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 27th August 1918 aged 36 years. Born Marylebone, London in 1882. Son of Sir Roland and Winnifred Oliver of Capel House, Orlestone, Ashford, Kent. Cousin of Guy G Oliver (also killed during the war) of Burnt Oak, Orlestone, Ashford, Kent. Roderic’s father Roland was the Lord Chief Justice during the Great War. Buried in the Mory Abbey Military Cemetery, France. Grave reference VC.16. Roderic’s original grave marker in the shape of a wooden cross is kept inside the church at Orlestone. It can be found in front of the stained glass window which commemorates his death. Roderic was educated at Winchester and New College, Oxford. Before the outbreak of war Roderic was employed as a solicitor at Messrs Oliver and Lyall of 52 Cornhill, London, EC1. His father Sir Roland Oliver was Lord Chief Justice during the Great War and he resided at Capel House in Orlestone. Roderic enlisted into the 5th battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) in October 1914 as a second lieutenant. He was subsequently promoted to lieutenant and served with the Buffs as their Adjutant. In early 1916 Roderic was transferred to the Household Cavalry in London. In October 1916 Roderic was again transferred, this time to the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards. He was killed in action with the 2nd battalion at St Leger, near Arras. The Ashford 1918 Absentee Voters List gives – Hamstreet Lieutenant Roderic Magrath OLIVER. 2nd Grenadier Guards.

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PALLATT C.J Private 16135 Charles J PELLETT. 4th Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Died 26th March 1918. Son of Albert and Martha Pellett of 2, Rose Cottages, Hamstreet, Ashford, Kent. Buried in the Bac-Du-Sud British Cemetery, Bailleulval, France. Grave reference I.C.30. The 1881 Census gives - 2, Rose Cottages, Near Canal, Orlestone Albert PELLETT Martha Edith Daisy Charlie

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LOST MEN FOSTER E.W.J Private 49166 Edward William John FOSTER. 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Died 24th April 1918 aged 19 years. Born The Newlands, Peckham Rye, London. Son of William and Maria Foster of “Fernlea”, Bromley Green, Ashford, Kent. Buried in the Adelaide Cemetery, The Somme, France. Grave reference II.J.5. Edward worked in Orlestone for the Oliver family for a short time.

ORLESTONE WAR MEMORIAL IN 1946

This photo is often wrongly described as RUCKINGE war memorial! It clearly is Orlestone’s civic tribute. The Kentish Express is the worst offender in this respect having mis-reported this fact a

number of times throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s.

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