Charles Akehurst

16^th Battalion Australian Infantrydied on 22^nd August 1915

Aged 20 at Gallipoli

 Charles was one of eight children (three sets of twins) born to Charles and Harriet Akehurst of 34 Southwood Road.  He and brother George had both emigrated to Australia in 1913.  Both immediately joined the colours when war was declared.  All four eligible boys served during the conflict.

 “A four day bayonet charge to take Hill 971 was ordered.  Sometime during that period Charles went missing and did not answer roll call.  He was never seen again” Regimental Diary

In 1916, a friend told Charles sister, Hattie, he had been with Charles in the bayonet charge against rifle and machine gun fire.  He himself had been shot three times but Charles had been killed.”

The VAD Hospital – Kent 154

March 1915 – September 1919 

“ That a debt – a heavy debt – is owing to the wounded soldiers of the Empire is beyond dispute.  That Rusthall is substantially contributing to it’s payment is beyond dispute also.”  The Courier

 Led by Miss Kemble, Miss Ard and Army Sister Tabutean a volunteer staff of nearly 100, many villagers, cared for 4,000 wounded service men from across the Empire. The Girl’s school was commandeered, local shops provided storage space, the Beacon staff accommodation and the Insitute entertainment.  However, it was the ladies of the village that nursed the sick, sang to them on the wards and donated food who were really repaying that debt.

Eli Hall

Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment died on 12^th October 1917

Aged 24 at Passchendaele (3^rd Ypres)

 Eli of Erskine Park Road was a butcher in Rusthall before enlisting and had been in France for a year.

 “The 7^th had trained hard and practiced the attack for some time but just before the attack the objective was changed.  It was most unsuitable.  It was further to go, it was pitch dark, it was pouring with rain and no man present had seen mud like it.  As they advanced the men became stuck in the mud and machine gun and rifle fire shot them down where they stood.  Of the 600 who had attacked more than half were dead or wounded”.

Regimental Diary.

 The mud made the attack impossible, it should have been called off but no one would. Others who died t Ypres: Alfred Barber -13, Edward Street

Charles Holland –Mount Ephraim House; Amos Sellings –Lower Green Road

and Charles Winch

George Lade

London Regiment, Royal Fusiliers died on 19^th Sept 1918

Aged 30 at Villers-Faucon, Somme

 Thomas Lade

Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment died on 21^st Sept 1918

Aged 33 at Epehy, Somme

 Like mothers all over the country Ellen Lade of  65 Hill View Road bade her sons a fond farewell as they left for war.  Never knowing if she would see them again – she would not. Thomas and George had only just become aware that they were fighting only a mile apart and had a arranged to meet at the next possible opportunity.  This was not to be, on 19^th September George was killed in action and his brother Thomas, just two days later. Mrs Ellen Lade and her husband George had lost two sons within 48 hours.

Louis Marshall

65 Squadron Royal Flying Corp died on 23^rd November 1917

Aged 18 in the skies over Passchendale

 Louis joined 65 Squadron on 13^th September 1917 and flew to France just six weeks later.  At 1045 on 23^rd November, as part of “A” Flight, he took of in his Sopwith Camel and engaged the enemy in the skies over Passchendale.  He was last seen in aerial combat with German ace Heinrich  Bongartz who went on to score 33 victories.  Louis never returned from that combat and was pronounced missing. Then, on 15^th March, a German plane dropped a message confirming Louis was dead.  His war had lasted just 28 days and my March half his colleagues who had flown with him to France were also dead, wounded or prisoners of war. Louis was our only member of the Royal Flying Corp.  Despite being the senior service the Royal Navy was not strongly represented.

George Oxenbridge, Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Died on 23^rd August 1915 aged 18 at Gallipoli

 Gallipoli was a battle ground of snipers.  All day long the men of either side were subjected to constant sniping. Any unthinking movement would lead to almost certain death.  None of the officers or men were experienced in battle and their Colonel was one of the first to be wounded whilst inspecting the trenches.

 "A stretcher bearer had been wounded and a volunteer asked for to take his place and bring in a wounded colleague.  George immediately offered his services and whilst leaving the trench was shot dead”.   Another victim of a Gallipoli sniper.

William Vidler

The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment) died on 26^th July 1917

Aged 41 at Passchendaele (3^rd Ypres)

 William had been a gardener at Rusthall House for 20 years.  He was married to Kate and had three sons.  They lived at 3 St. Paul’s Street.  He was a family man for whom the separation of war would have been unbearable.  William was killed only 6 weeks after arriving in Belgium.

 “Just a few lines hoping they find you well.  Everyone seems to lose respect for the Sabbath in this wicked affair. I think after all it is a fraud, here is not much truth in their preaching only to get out of us what they can and see thousands of couples parted and to never meet again.”

 Extract from a letter found on William’s body.