Wilmington's War Memorial

The following is reproduced by courtesy of copyright © Roll-of-Honour.com 2002-2018 with thanks to copyright © Transcribed & Researched Nigel Bristow 2005

The Wilmington memorial lies on the outskirts of Dartford. The memorial is sitauated in the front grounds of the primary school on High Road, Wilmington, and is inscribed with the names of 64 men of the small village. Access to the memorial is limited as it is surrounded by iron railings. The memorial itself appears to be constructed of white marble. There is a lower plaque listing the names of those who died in World War 2. The names on the Wrld War 1 section are listed by year.

IN MEMORY OF THE MEN OF WILMINGTON WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY 1914-1918 an 1939-1945

1914

BROAD George Alfred

Private L/7751, 1st Battalion, Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action 18th October 1914. Aged 27. Born Wrotham, Bromley, enlisted Woolwich, resident Wilmington. Son of George Alfred and Mary Ann Broad; husband of Ann Norah Broad of 165 Daffodil Road, East Wickham, Welling. No known grave. Commemorated on PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium. Panel 2.

BRISTOW Leonard

Private S/8933, 1st Battion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Killed in action at Wulverghem, Belgium 17th December 1914. Aged 18. Born Dartford, enlisted Woolwich, arrived Flanders 7th November 1914. Son of Alfred and Norah Bristow, Walnut Tree AVenue, Wilmington. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 45 and 47.

1915

SPARKES William

Private 79511, 2nd Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 11th February 1915. Aged 20. Son of Mrs T Sparkes, 10 Main Road, Hextable, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 12 and 14.

RAWLINGS Harry Burnadine

possibly Driver T/28916, Army Service Corps. Died 30th March 1915. Aged 26. Son of the late Mr & Mrs Rawlings. Born, resident and enlisted Crewe. Buried in BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot III. Row D. Grave 69.

BROWN Thomas William Martin

Private L/10347, Queen'sd Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Killed in action 23rd April 1915. Aged 20. Born Willimington, enlisted Maidstone. Son of Thomas and Mary Brown, 87 High Road, Wilmington, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 45 and 47.

WRIGHT Stanley

Gunner 33681, 35th Battery, 37th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Killed in action 16th May 1915. Born Dartford, enlisted Woolwich. Buried in LE TOURET MILITARY CEMETERY, RICHEBOURG-L'AVOUE, Pas de Calais, France. Plot II. Row G. Grave 18.

CRAWLEY James

Private 12042, 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards. Killed in action 10th August 1915. Aged 23. Born Battersea, Surrey, enlisted Woolwich, resident Wilmington. Son of Mrs. M. A. Crawley, 5 Puddle Duck Lane, Dartford, Kent. Buried in GUARDS CEMETERY, WINDY CORNER, CUINCHY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row B. Grave 2.

LUCK Frank

Lance Sergeant 65586, 24th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment). Died 26th October 1915. Aged 26. Born 29th November 1889 in Stowmarket, Suffolk. Son of Charles Edward and Sarah Luck, Powder Mills, Dartford; husband of Mrs. L. M. Luck, 39 Bullace Lane, Dartford, Kent (he was a single man when he enlisted). Chemist by trade. Enlisted and passed fit 11th November 1914 in Montreal, aged 24. Height 5 feet 9 inches, girth 35 inches, complexion fair, eyes blue, hair fair; religion Roman Catholic. Buried in ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot III. Row E. Grave 14. National Archives of Canda Accession Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 5782 - 13

1916

RICKWOOD Joseph

Driver 63042, 82nd Battery, 10th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Died 13th April 1916. Aged 23. Son of Joseph and Emma Eliza Rickwood, 2 Stanhill Cottages, Wilmington, Kent. Buried in KUT WAR CEMETERY, Iraq. Row F. Grave 13.

ROSE ?

Royal Field Artillery - No further information currently available

LYNN A

10th Hussars - No further information currently available

COUCHMAN Albert Ernest

Private 8315, 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment. Killed in action 3rd September 1916. Aged 20. Born and resident Wilmington, enlisted Woolwich. Son of John and Emma Ada Couchman, 14 Hook Green, Wilmington. Formerly 16974, Hussars. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 3 A.

JOHNSON  A

Royal Horse Artillery - No further information currently available

BEVENS Harry James

Private 7565, 1st/20th (County of London) Battalion (Blackheath and Woolwich), London Regiment. Killed in action 15th September 1916. Aged 27. Enlisted Dartford, resident Wilmington. Son of George and Maria Bevens, 103 Hawley Road, Wilmington. Formerly 4614, 18th Battalion, London Regiment. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 9 D 9 C 13 C and 12 C.

LETCHFORD Charles

Rifleman S/17654, 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade. Killed in action 22nd October 1916. Born Wilmington, enlisted Woolwich, resident Dartford.No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 16 B and 16 C.

WOOD Lewis

possibly Rifleman S/19022, 12th Battalion, Rifle Brigade. Died 7th october 1916.

BOLTON Frederick James

Private L/8581, 2nd Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died 31st Decmber 1916. Born Wilmington, enlisted Maidstone. Died Mesopotmia. No known grave. Commemorated on BASRA MEMORIAL, Iraq. Panel 29.

RICKWOOD James Henry

Driver 75453, 82nd Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Died 29th April 1916. Aged 23. Son of Mrs. J Rickwood, and the late Mr Rickwood, 4 Rowhill Terrace, Puddle Dock, Wilmington. No known grave. Commemorated on BASRA MEMORIAL, Iraq. Panel 3 and 60.

SMITH C F

Stoker 1st Class K/23109, H.M.S. 'Foxhound', Royal Navy. Died 9th October 1916. Aged 20. Son of William and Anne Smith, 26 Broad Lane, Wilmington. Buried in CAPUCCINI NAVAL CEMETERY, Malta. Protestant grave 328.

1917

COUCHMAN A

Aux. Reserve - No further information currently available

CRAWLEY Daniel

Private 282675, 4th (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers), London Regiment. Killed in action 17th May 1917. Born Battersea, enlisted Dartford, resident Wilmington. Buried in FAVREUIL BRITISH CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row A. Grave 29.

SYMONS J

Royal Navy - No further information currently available

CASSELTON John William Frederick

Stoker 1st Class K.23527, H.M.S. Vanguard, Royal Navy. Died 9th July 1917. Aged 22. Son opf William and MAry Casselton, 21 Broad Lane, Wilmington. No known grave. Commemorated on CHATHAM MEMORIAl, Kent. Panel 23.

ROBERTS Ernest

Stoker 1st Class K/21868, H.M.S. "Vanguard", Royal Navy. Died 9th July 1917. Aged 24. Son of Charles and Elizabeth Ann Roberts, 38 Walnut Tree Avenue, Wilmington. No known grave. Commemorated on CHATHAM MEMORIAl, Kent. Panel 24.

FRY C C

Prvate 55495, 10th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. Died 31st July 1917. Husband of Mrs. N. Fry, 9 Burr Bank Terrace, Wilmington. Buried in NEW IRISH FARM CEMETERY, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot XXIV. Row E. Grave 6.

TALBOT Albert Henry

Lance Corporal S/19829, 11th Battalion, Rifle Brigade. Died 14th August 1917. Aged 32. Born Chatham. Son of Albert James and Louisa Matilda Talbot; husband of Jane Elizabeth Talbot, 7 Watling Street, Dartford. Buried in CEMENT HOUSE CEMETERY, Langemark-Poelkapelle, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot V. Row B. Grave 25.

BUCCS W

Rifle Brigade - No further information currently available

MAYGER Richard John

Private G/4740, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Killed in action 12th October 1917. Aged 26. Born Wilmington, enlisted Bromley, killed in France & Belgium. Son of Richard and Mary Ann Mayger, 99 Hgh Road, Wilmington; husband of Edith Mayger, 24 Southview, Wilmington. No known grave. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 106 to 108.

1918

FILMER George Thomas

Private G/7531, "D" Company, 8th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Killed in action 21st March 1918. Aged 31. Born Green St, Green, Kent, enlisted Bromley, December 1914. Son of George Thomas and Caroline Filmer, 4 Hook Green, Wilmington; husband of Ellen May Filmer, Hook Green, Wilmington. No known grave. Commemorated on POZIERES MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Panel 58 and 59.

PERRYMAN, MM  William Charles

Staff Sergeant 534005, 4th London Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps. Died 20 April 1918. Aged 30. Son of William and Elizabeth Perryman of Dartford; husband of Florence Perryman, 83 Hawley Road, Wilmington. Awarded the Military Medal (M.M.). Buried in ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN, Seine-Maritime, France. Grave reference P. IX. T. 2B.

HOBDEN Cecil Godfrey

Private 40853, 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment attached 2nd Brigade, Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Died 20th June 1918. Aged 21. Son of Henry and Amie Hobden, of Wilmington. Buried in PERNES BRITISH CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot V. Row B. Grave 26.

WRIGHT John [Archibald]

Private 62233, 185th Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). Died in Mespotamia 22nd August 1918. Born Sittingbourne, enlisted Dartford, resident Wilmington. Formerly 8278, Royal West kent Regiment. Buried in BAGHDAD (NORTH GATE) WAR CEMETERY, Iraq. Plot III. Row G. Grave 10.

WHITEHEAD George William Edendale

Lieutenant, 53rd Squadron, Royal Air Force attached from Royal Field Artillery. Died 17th November 1918. Aged 23. Son of Sir George Whitehead, 2nd Bart., and Lady Whitehead of Wilmington Hall, Dartford, Kent. Buried in HARLEBEKE NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, Harelbeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot I. Row D. Grave 14.

STEVENS Arthur Walter

Private 51154, 1st/6th Battalion, Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment). Died 17th October 1918. Aged 40. Born Wilmington, enlisted Dartford. Son of William Stevens, of Wilmington, and the late Jane Stevens. Formerly 22669, Worcestershire Regiment. Buried east of the war memorial in JEUMONT COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Nord, France.

GOLDING James Henry

Rifleman S/19488, 1st/8th London Regiment, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consorts Own) attached from Post Office Rifles, London Regiment. Died of wounds 27th October 1918. Aged 31. Born and resident Wilmington, enlisted Dartford. Son of William and Sarah Golding, 14 High Road, Wilmington. Buried in CAMBRIN MILITARY CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Row Q. Grave 43.

WINCH George Thomas

Lance Corproal CH/14986, S.S. Birch Leaf, Royal Marine Light Infantry. Died 5th November 1918. Aged 37. Born Luton, Bedfordshire. Son of Thomas and Jane Winch; husband of Emma Martha Winch, 23 High Road, Wilimington. Buried in the west part of ST MICHAEL CHURCHYARD, WILMINGTON, Kent.

GARNER Edwin Lionel

Lance Corporal M2/052140, 62nd Division Motor Transport Company, Royal Army Service Corps. Died 19th Decmber 1918. Aged 25. Son of James and Rachael Garner, 261 Watling Street, Dartford. Buried in THEUX COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Theux, Liege, Belgium. Grave 29.

1919

WHITEHEAD James Hugh Edendale

Second Lieutenant, 9th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died 12th March 1919. Aged 28. Son of Sir George Hugh Whitehead, 2nd Bart., and Lady Whitehead of The Shrubbery, 72 Woodstock Road, Oxford formerly of Wilmington Hall, Dartford. Buried in the family vault, south-west corner ST MICHAEL CHURCHYARD, WILMINGTON, Kent. Member of the Stock Exchange and also listed on Stock Exchange memorial and Lord's Cricket Members War Memorial.

1939-1945

ANDREWS Peter Ronald

Pilot Officer (Pilot0 155491, 100 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 22nd October 1943. Aged 22. Son of Alfred Leslie and Daisy Doris Andrews. Buried in ST MICHAEL CHURCHYARD, WILMINGTON, Kent. Grave 161.

BRISTOW Stanley George

Private 14654144, 1st/7th Battalion, The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey). Died 21st July 1944. Aged 19. Son of Lewis and Rose Bristow of Wilmington. Buried in RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY, Calvados, France. Plot V. Row D. Grave 24.Note: The memorial states Stanley was Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment but it is possible he was a member of the 2nd QORWK who was then transferred when they were sent back to refit of D-Day and its members sent to reinforce other units.

BROWN E

Flight Lieutenant, Royal Air Force - No further information available.

COLCHIN Frederick

[Spelt COLECHIN on CWGC] Stoker 1st Class P/KX 179312, H.M.L.B.O. 90, Royal Navy. Died 26th June 1944. Son of Philip and Ann Colechin; husband of Alice M. Colechin, of Wilmington. Buried in ST MICHAEL CHURCHYARD, WILMINGTON, Kent. Grave 461.

CRAWLEY Thomas Leonard

Chief Stoker C/K 60290, H.M.S. 'Cornwall', Royal Navy. Died 20th December 1943. Husband of Alice May Crawley of Dartford Heath. Buried in ST MICHAEL CHURCHYARD, WILMINGTON, Kent. Grave 440.

CROCKFORD William Charles James

Private 14382267, 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. Died 9th September 1943. Aged 34. Son of William and Amy Eliza Crockford of Wilmington; husband of Gertrude Faith Crockford of Wilmington. Buried in CATANIA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY, Italy. Plot IV. Row H. Grave 24.

DAWES William Daniel

Sapper 1905199, 2 Field Squadron, Royal Engineers. Died 3rd December 1942. Aged 23. Son of Richard David and Charlotte Elizabeth Dawes of Wilmington. Buried in BENGHAZI WAR CEMETERY, Libya. Plot 8. Row A. Grave 16.

DOWDEN Norman Edwin

Sergeant (Flight Engineer) 963176, 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 1st October 1942. Aged 27. Son of Edwin William and Florence Ada Dowden of Wilmington. Buried in ESBJERG (FOURFELT) CEMETERY, Denmark. Collective grave Plot AIII. Row 9. Graves 7-10.

DOWDING A

Flying Officer  159677, Aged 21 - No further information currently available

The Parish Council is indebted to Flying Officer Dowding's son who has provided the following detailed information regarding his late Father - 

I came across my Father's name on your War Memorial and then looked at the Role of Honour which seemed a little vague. His name was Alexander Francis Dowding of Birchwood Road Wilmington His parents were Arthur Albert Dowding and Florence Caroline Dowding. His wife was Una Margaret Dowding. His rank was pilot officer and his number was 159677 RAFVR . He was flyng from RAF Skipton on Swale 424 Squadron RCAF. He was shot down over Berlin 15th February 1944 he was only 20 years old. He is buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Brandenburg Berlin Joint grave 7.E.13/14 all eight crew were killed

FURLONG A

Royal Navy - There are two James Wiliam Furlong listed - No further information currently available

GARROD George Daniel

Flying Officer 111254, 89 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 15th January 1943. Aged 24. Son of George William and Gertrude Catherine Garrod of Wilmington. Buried in SYRACUSE WAR CEMETERY, SICILY, Italy. Plot V. Row F. Grave 15.

JEEVES Kenneth Frederick

Leading Aircraftman 1802114, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 9th June 1943. Aged 19. Son of Mr and Mrs F. W. Jeeves of Dartford. Buried in ST. CATHARINE'S (VICTORIA LAWN) CEMETERY, Ontario, Canada. Section A. Division 2. Grave 5.

JOHNSON Lionel Henry

Private 4081575, 3rd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment. Died 8th October 1944. aged 28.

LYNN Harold [William]

Lance Sergeant 6346735, 4th Battalion The Wueen's Own (Royal West kent Regiment). Died 11th February 1944. Aged 25. Son of William and Ethel May Lynn of Wilmington.

PACKMAN Robert George

Stoker 2nd Class C/KX103081, H.M.S. Pintail, Royal Navy. Died 10th June 1941. Aged 25. Son of Mr and Mrs Sidney Packman; husband of Ivy Ellen Packman of Dartford.

PACKMAN Roland James George

Trooper 6922292, 15th Scottish Regiment, Reconaissance Corps, Royal Armoured Corps. Died 17th August 1944. Aged 21.

SEAGER John Alfred

Private 5386943, 7th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Son of Samuel and Emma Louise Seager; husband of Ida G M Seager of Wilmington.

SKIPPER Harold Walter

Aircraftman 1st Class 1465994, Royal Airforce Volunteer Reserve. Died 28 December 1943. Aged 40. Son of Mr and Mrs John Henry Skipper; husband of Margery Gladys Skiiper of Horsell, Woking.

SMITH Kenneth Robert

Corporal 2077131, 259th Field Company, Royal Engineers. Died 8th Septmber 1940. Son of Charles Henry and Mildred Alison Snith; husband of Mary Evelyn Smith of Crediton.

SMITH, DFC  Lawrence Arthur

Flying Officer (Pilot) 114060, 610 Squadron, Royal Airforce Volunteer Reserve. Died 10th February 1943. Aged 22. Son of Arthur Alfred and Edit Mary Smith; husband of Elsie Ellen Smith of Barnehurst, Bexleyheath. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (D.F.C.).

STANES Dennis Bernard

Sergeant (Flight Engineer) 1893767, 76 Squadron, Royal Airforce Volunteer Reserve. Died 25th April 1945. Aged 20. SOn of Henry George and Jessie Rose Stanes of Wilmington.

STANES Henry George

Private 14615617, 7th Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment. Died 9th July 1944. Aged 21. Son of Henry george and Jessie Rose stanes of Wilmington.

WALTERS C

probably either Cyril Walters, Gunner, Royal Artillery or Christopher Charles Walters, Gunner, Royal Artillery. - No further information currently available

WATERMAN Donald Eastburn

Second Lieutenant 84623, 140 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died between 28th and 31st May 1940. Aged 29. Son of Bertie Edward and Beatrice Waterman of Wilmington; husband of Chloe Valerie Waterman of Brighton.

WICKENS Robert William

Lance Corporal 5389791, 7th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Died between 17th and 18th February 1944. Aged 30. Son of Herbert Henry and Edna Olive Wickens; husband of Yvonne Wickes of Wilmington.

ALLCHIN Harry Vyner

Private 6351483, The Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died 9th April 1944. Aged 22. Son of Albert and Emily Allchin of Wilmington. Killed during the Siege of Kohima where, along with 400 men of the 4th Battalion, Territorial Army, they held the Japanese 31st Division for more than two weeks, 400 men against 13,000. This defence saved India and back the push against the Japanese which ended in their eventual defeat.