Roll of Honour - Kent

BETHERSDEN WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Transcribed David Hughes and Neil Clark 2004
additional research Martin Edwards

The village has a small well kept war memorial near to the church. The year 1917 was not a good one for Bethersden as most of their war dead died in this one year. The memorial stands outside the church gate of St Margaret's Church, The Street, Bethersden, It take the form of a simple Latin cross with a plinth and two-stepped base with the dedication written in black lettering on the plinth and steps. There are 14 names listed for World War 1 and a futher 3 names as an addendum at the right hand side of the memorial for World War 1 (17 names in total for World War 1) and 7 names for World War 2.

Extract from Kentish Express - Saturday 24 December 1921, page 5:

BETERSDEN WAR
MEMORIAL

UNVEILING BY COL.
CORNWALLIS

The war memorial erected to men of Bethersden who died in the Great War, was unveiled on Wednesday afternoon in the presence of a large number of parishioners. The monument consists of a grey granite spire cross, thirteen feet high, which has been placed in the S.E. corner of the churchyard, abutting on, and facing the road.

The inscription reads: "In memory of 2nd Lieut. Herbert Bright Hyland, Pvt. Frederick Walter Bourne, Pvt. John Edward Briggs, Pvt. Harry Claringbold, Pvt. Sydney William Guess. Pvt. Cecil Hicks, A.B. Harry Herbert Hicks, Pvt. John Hicks, Tpr. Arthur Walter Kingsnorth, Pvt. Henry Thomas Lovell, Lance-Corporal George Thomas Millen, Pvt. William Moor, Pvt. Charles Frederick Murrell, Gunner George Ernest Ring. There name livth for evertuore." The name of Edward Lewis Pile, who died from the effects of wounds after the Memorial had been designed, is inscribed on the side.

Prior to the simple service held around the memorial, a muffled peal was rung on the church bells and the flag on the tower was at half-mast. A procession formed at the schools, marched to the site headed by four bandsmen from the Ashford Military Band, including relatives and friends of the deceaeed men, some sixty ex-Service men under Major Western and Captain R. B. Caton, the school children under Mr. High (schoolmaster), members of the Parish Council, local Court of Foresters, Cricket Club, Running and other clubs, and members of the public. The children were formed up on two sides. with the ex-Service men in the rear, and the relatives and friends facing the memorial, the public being gathered together behind. The present included Colonel F. S. W. Cornwallis, C.B.E., who performed the unveiling ceremony, the Rev. Edward H. Morris (vicar), the Rev. G. Glandfield (Wesleyan Minister of Tenterden), Mr. J. T. Adams (Chairman of the Committee), Captain J. D. Cameron, J.P., Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Hyland, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Drysdale, Mr. P. C. Stephenson, Mr. A. S. Beasley, Mr. A. B. Cook, Mr. T. A. Padgham, Miss Cameron, Mrs. Caton and others.

The service opened with the singing of the hymn, "O God,. our help in ages past," following which which prayer was offered by the Rev. G. Glandfield. Colonel Cornwallis, in an appropriate address, referred to the fact that his family had been connected with Bethersden for many years, and, he believed, still retained a faculty pew in the fine parish church, so he hoped he was not regarded as a stranger. Referring to unrest and discontent since the War, Colonel Cornwallis said that what was needed to cure class-hatred was the same spirit of comradeship, love of country and feeling of brotherhood, and readiness of sacrifice which animated those fifteen men whom they honoured that afternmn. If the people of every parish determined, as they dedicated their war memorials, that from henceforth they would to the hest of their ability make each other feel they were brothers in peace as they were brothers in arms, and encourage each other in daily life, they would do sonmething to repay the debt due to these who had fallen and help make a happier country. The speaker then read aloud the name of the fifteen men whom names are inscribed on the memorial and removed the flag covering. The dedicatory prayers were offered by the Vicar and the Last Post having been sounded, a number of floral tributes were brought forward and placed at the foot of the monament. The hymn. "For all she Saints" was next sung, followed by further prayers, the Benediction, the sounding of the Reveille and the singing of a verse of the National Anthem. Major Cameron in a few suitable remarks expressed thanks to Col. Cornwallis and the relatives and friends, together with the ex-Service men, adtourned to the school where tea was provided by a committee of ladies by Mrs. J. T. Adams. when Colonel Cornwallis presided and made a few suitable remarks.

The floral tributes included those from the Bethersden ex-Service men, from the Parish Council as an expresaion of the parish's everlasting respect for the names of those men of Bethersden, who gave their lives to serve their country: from the "Good intent" Court of A.O. Foresters: from the children and staff of the Council School: and from the Cricket Club. A sheaf of exotic flowers bore the inscription: "In affectionate remembrance of fallen comrades from F'red. Morris., Muizenberg, South Africa." The committee was composed of the following:—Mr. J. T. Adams (chairman), the Rev. E. H. Morris, Messrs. A. R. Cook, T. A. Padgham, G. J. Harrison, S. A. Beazley. H. C. de Lafontaine, W. Philpott, G. Jarvis. G. Newby, A. R. D. Cook, R. W. Nash. A. Farrance, D. Farrance. S. B. Hyland, R. T. High and W. G. Roots (hon. secretary), Captain R B. Caton, M.C. (hon. secretary), Mrs. E. H. Morris, Mrs. J. T. Adams, Mrs. Bright Hyland, Mrs. C. Baker. Mrs. Guess and Miss Parker.

HYLAND	Herbert Bright	Second Lieutenant, 20th Battalion, Welsh Regiment attached to 100th Company, Machine Gun Corps (MGC) (Infantry) formerly a Trooper in the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles formerly Lance Corporal, O.T.C Sherborne School. Died Wednesday 19 July 1916. Aged 21. Son of S. B. and Ellen Hyland, of Beacon House, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 5 C and 12 C.
BOURNE	Frederick Walter	Private G/50914, 24th Battalion (2nd Sportman’s), Royal Fusiliers (City Of London Regiment) formerly 3221, Royal Fusiliers, (City Of London Regiment). Killed in action Monday 13 November 1916. Born Woodchurch, resident Bethersden, enlisted Ashford, Kent. Buried in REDAN RIDGE CEMETERY NO.3, BEAUMONT-HAMEL, Somme, France. Special memorial Row B. Grave 6.
BRIGGS	John Edward aka Charles	Private 123, 49th Battalion, Australian Infantry (AIF). Killed in action Sunday 15 September 1918. Aged 38. Place of association Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Occupation Cook. Brother of Mrs. A. McKenzie, of Frederick Street, Tarunga, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. His wife remarried as Mrs Margaret White. Religious denomination Church of England. Single. Enlisted 31 August 1914. Buried in JEANCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Aisne, France. Plot VI. Row A. Grave 14.
CLARINGBOLD	Harry	Private T/265200, 6th Battalion, The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Died on service in United Kingdom Tuesday 4 June 1918. Aged 19. Born and resident Bethersden, Kent, enlisted Ashford, Kent. Stepson of Mr. D. Batt, of Maple Cottage, Bethersden. Buried close to the East Gate of BETHERSDEN (ST. MARGARET) CHURCHYARD, Kent.
GUESS	Sydney William	Private 5135, “A” Company, 1st Battalion, The Queen’s (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died Thursday 21 December 1916. Aged 19. Son of Henry and Lucy Guess, of Robscot, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent. Buried in GORRE BRITISH AND INDIAN CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot III. Row D. Grave 16.
HICKS	Cecil	Private T/202941, 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action Friday 2 August 1918. Aged 20. Born and resident Bethersden, Kent, enlisted Ashford, Kent. Brother of Mrs G. Clarke, of "Meadow View," Maidstone Rd., Horsmonden, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 17.
HICKS	Harry Herbert	Able Seaman R/571, Nelson Battalion, Royal Naval Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Died of wounds Sunday 6 May 1917. Born 11 June 1888 in Westwell, Kent. Son of Harry and Marion Hicks, of Burnt Oak, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent. In the 1901 census he was aged 12, born Kent, a school boy, resident Colegates, Ashford Road, Bethersden, West Ashford, Kent. Height 5 feet 8 inches, chest 39 inches, weight 155 lbs, fresh complexion, light brown hair, grey eyes, religious denomination Church of England. Buried in STE. CATHERINE BRITISH CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Row D. Grave 4.
HICKS	John [William]	Private G/24687, 7th Battalion, Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Killed in action 10 August 1917. Aged 29. Born and resident Bethersden, Kent, enlisted Ashford, Kent. Brother of Mrs. G. Clarke, of "Meadow View," Maidstone Rd., Horomonden, Paddock Wood, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 13.
KINGSNORTH	Arthur Walter	Trooper 2158, Household Battalion. Killed in action Saturday 6 October 1917. Aged 20. Born and resident Bethersden, Kent, enlisted Canterbury, Kent. Son of Mary Ann Kingsnorth, of Hope Cottage, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent, and the late Albert Charles Kingsnorth. No known grave. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 3.
LOVELL	Henry Thomas	Private G/13689, 6th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Killed in action Thursday 3 May 1917. Resident and enlisted Ashford, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 2.
MILLEN	George Thomas	[Listed as MILLER on SGDW] Lance Corporal T/202957, 7th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) formerly 5th Battalion. Killed in action Friday 12 October 1917. Aged 23. Born and resident Wissenden, Bethersden, Kent, enlisted Ashford, Kent. No known grave. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 17.
MOORE	William	Private 38625, 3rd Battalion, Essex Regiment. Died in United Kingdom 12 November 1918. Born Bethersden, resident and enlisted Pluckley, Kent. Son of Albert and Elizabeth Moore, of Mill Cottage, Bethersden. Buried by the North West corner of Church Tower in BETHERSDEN (ST. MARGARET) CHURCHYARD, Kent.
MURRELL	Charles Frederick	Private TF/241541, 8th Battalion, Duke Of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment). Died of wounds Thursday 12 April 1917. Aged 312. Born Bethersden, Kent, resident Kent, enlisted Ealing, Middlesex. Son of George and Clara Murrell, of Forge Hill, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent. Buried in WARLINCOURT HALTE BRITISH CEMETERY, SAULTY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot VIII. Row F. Grave 5.
RING	George Ernest	Gunner 71249, 1st (Highland) Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery formerly 5th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died of wounds Friday 17 August 1917. Aged 24. Born High Halden, Kent, resident Bethersden, Kent, and listed Ashford, Kent. Son of George and Sabina Ring, of Jones Cottage, Bethersden, near Ashford, Kent. Buried in CALAIS SOUTHERN CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot H. Row 2. Grave 18.
Additional names for World War 1
DAVIES	Sydney Barlow	Sergeant 187, Depot Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Died 7 June 1915. Aged 32. Husband of E. J. Davies, of Forge Hill, Bethersden. Buried North East of Church in BETHERSDEN (ST. MARGARET) CHURCHYARD, Kent.
COLEMEN	Herbert William	Private. Died 23 June 1922. Aged 38. Married Eliza A Link in the October to December Quarter 1916 in West Ashford Registration District, Kent. In the 1891 census he was the son of Albert Henry and Hannah J Coleman, aged 7, born Bethersden, Kent, a scholar, resident Forge Hill, Bethersden, West Ashford, Kent. In the 1921 census he was the head of the family, married to Eliza Amelia Coleman, he was aged 37, a Farm Labourer (General) for J T Adams (Farmer), resident New Town, Bethersden, Kent. Extract from Kentish Express, 30 June 1923, page 14: IN MEMORIAM COLEMAN.—In memory of my dear husband Herbert Coleman. who died June 23rd, 1922, aged 38, at Forge Hill, Bethersden. They miss him most who loved him best. —From his loving Wife
PILE	Edward Lewis	Private 32110, 3rd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Died 27 April 1921. Son of Mrs F. Pile, of 18, Dunstan Avenue, Westgate-on-Sea. Buried in the North part of PLUCKLEY (ST. NICHOLAS) CHURCHYARD, Kent.
THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE 1939 – 1945
DAVIES	Sydney John	Staff Sergeant 7623092, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Died as a Japanese Prisoner of War 4 October 1943. Aged 28. Born and resident Kent. Son of Sydney Robert Barlow Davies and Edith Jane Davies. Buried in KANCHANABURI WAR CEMETERY, Thailand. Plot 2. Row K. Grave 12.
MURRELL	Frederick George	Able Seaman C/JX 336225, H.M.S “President III” (M.V. "Delphinula"), Royal Navy (R.N). Drowned in Alexandria 18 May 1943. Aged 27. Born 1 June 1916 in Bethersden, Kent. Son of Frederick George Randall Murrell and Edith Julia Murrell, of Bethersden, Kent; husband of Joyce (nee Sincalir) Murrell, of Bethersden, marrried April to June 1940 in West Ashford Registration District, Kent. In the 1939 Register he was born 1 June 1916, a Cowman and Agricultural Labourer, single, resident Forge Hill, Bethersden, West Ashford R.D., Kent. Buried ALEXANDRIA (HADRA) WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Egypt. Plot 4. Row K. Grave 17. Note: Frederick would not have been serving “aboard” H.M.S. President III at the time of his death as that was a shore establishment based at Dedworth Manor, Clewer, Berkshire. He was assigned to M.V. "Delphinula".
NEALE	Richard Henry	Petty Officer C/JX 145790, H.M. Submarine “Stonehenge”. Royal Navy. Died at sea in the Straits of Malacca 20 March 1944. Aged 24. Born 14 November 1919 in Amesbury, Wilthsire. Son of Arthur and Clara Beatrice Neale. Husband of Jean Ann (nee Carter) Neale of Bethersden, Ashford, Kent, married October to December Quarter 1940 in West Ashford Registration District, Kent. Admiited to Tenterden County Primary School, Tenterden, Kent 14 November 1922, son of Arthur Neale, of Golden Square, Tenterden, Kent, left 22 December 1933 for employment. In the 1921 census he was the grandson of Henry Bellingham, son of Arthur and Clara beatrice Neale, aged 1, born Wilstshire, resident High Street, East Malling, Kent. Commemorated on the CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Chatham, Kent. Panel 74. Column 3. Note: H.M. S/M Stonehenge failed to return from its first patrol in the Far East theatre of war becoming the first R.N submarine lost in the war against Japan. It is believed that she struck a mine and sank.
PENFOLD	Ernest Frank	Lance Corporal 6283707, 2nd Battalion, The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment). Killed in action in France between 15 May 1940 and 4 June 1940. Aged 30. Born and resided Kent. Son of Ellen Elizabeth Penfold of Ashford, Kent. Husband of Hetty Irene (nee Potten) Penfold, of Ashford, Kent, married April to June 1939 in West Ashford Registration District, Kent. Buried ESQUELMES WAR CEMETERY, Peco, Hainaut, Belgium. Plot V. Row B. Grave 60.
MANSEL-PLEYDELL	John [Aymard Morton]	[Listed on memorial as John Mansel Pleydell] Second Lieutenant 108163, 1st/5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Died 17 November 1940. Aged 19. Born Belgium, resident London S.W. Son of Ralph and Marguerite Marie Mansel-Pleydell. Buried in AGHALOO ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHYARD, County Tyrone. Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1947: MANSELL-PLEYDELL John Aymard Morton of Chequer Tree Farm Bethersden Kent died 17 November 1940 at Armagh Northern Ireland Administration London 2 July to Marie Marguerite Mansell-Pleydell widow. Effects £505 19s. 1d.
ROOTS	William Charles	Lance Corporal 7917946, 44th Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps. Died of wounds in the Western Desert, Middle East, 27 November 1941. Aged 22. Born 22 October 1919, and resident, Kent. Son of William George and Gertrude Lilian Roots of Bethersden, Ashford, Kent. In the 1939 Register he was born 22 October 1919, an Articled Architectural Pupil, single, son of William G and Gertrude L Roots, resident Hillside, Bethersden, West Ashford R.D., Kent. Buried HALFAYA SOLLUM WAR CEMETERY, Egypt. Plot 20. Row D. Grave 3. Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1942: ROOTS William Charles of Hillside Bethersden Kent died 27 November 1941 on war service Administration Llandudno 9 October to William George Roots accountant. Effects £174 0s. 9d.
VINE	James Henry	Guardsman 2617530, Grenadier Guards attached to H.Q. 6th Guards Tank Brigade. Died on service in Western Europe 24 October 1944. Aged 28. Born 5 March 1916, and resident, Kent. Baptised 30 April 1916 in High Halden, St Mary the Virgin, Kent, son of Archie and Ethel May Vine, resident High Halden, Kent. Son of Archie and Ethel May Vine of Bethersden, Ashford, Kent. In the 1939 Register he was born 5 March 1916, a Cowman and Farm Labourer, single, son of Archie and Ethel M Vine, resident Sunnyside Cottage, School Road, Bethersden, West Ashford R.D., Kent. Buried in ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN, Seine-MaritHillside, Bethersden, West Ashford R.D., Kentime, France. Block "S". Plot 1. Row K. Grave 5.

Last update 6 September, 2025