No.10845, Corporal, Arthur KENT
Aged 23
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Arthur Kent was born in 1895 (Thetford Q3-1895 4B:381) son of Henry and Eliza KENT (née EDWARDS). 1901 census...Aged 6, he was at Thetford Road, Brandon with his father Henry KENT [49] labourer in woodyard; his mother Eliza; brothers Ernest [23] labourer in woodyard; Fred [14] grocer's warehouse boy; Percy [10] and Edward [4]; sisters Charlotte [21] and Lily [7]. All were born in Brandon. 1911 census...Aged 16, a domestic gardener, now at 112 London Road, Brandon, he was with his parents and brother Percy (domestic gardener). There had been 13 siblings, but three had died. In 1918 he married Florence Marion SEWELL Edmonton Q1-1918). Her address later was 15 Salisbury Road, EnfieldLock. His youngest brother Edward died of his wounds in France in October 1917. see here |
click here to go to the Brandon at War website for more information
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He enlisted in Mill Hill, Middlesex, when resident in Enfield.
The war diary says that they went over the top at 4.55 on 21st August, 4th Middlesex on left, 8th Shropshire Light Infantry on right, objective to take the high ground east of Bucquoy. Despite thick fog, by 5:45 the objective had been taken and was being subjected to an enemy barrage. The battalion took 115 prisoners, 7 machine guns and 8 trench mortars. In a message from the Commending Officer he congratulated them all for their efforts and greatly regretted the death of Cpl Kent and L/Cpl Curry and other who had lost their lives during and after the action. It seems then that the CWGC date of death is one day out. The "Register of Soldiers Effects" actually has 21st-22nd for that date. The CWGC burial reports differ again, having 23rd August. Initially Arthur was buried in Bucquoy Communal Cemetery, graveA:7, but in 1927, together with 17 comrades, he was exhumed and moved about 14 km to Serre Road Cemetery No. 2 near Beaumont Hamel. CWGC have 4 killed on 21st and 8 on 22nd actually attributed to 4th Battalion but many other just recorded as Middlesex regiment, but they appear not to be in the Bucquoy area.. The Bury Free Press of 21st September 1918 reported :- BRANDON CORPORAL KILLED Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kent, 112 London Road, Brandon, have received news that their son, Corpl. Arthur Kent, Middlesex Regiment, was killed in action on August21-22. He was 23 and married, and had been in the Army more than two years. Profound sympathy is felt for the parents, who lost their youngest son, Prvt Arthur (sic. should be Edward) Kent last October.
photo: nick_2 via warmemorialsonline.org.uk The brothers commemorated on brother Frank's grave in Brandon
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
