Back, C. H.
Charles Henry Back, 2082,  was a Private in the 7th battalion of The Buffs. He was born in Dover and enlisted there. He died on 23rd March 1918, aged 36, at St Quentin, France, and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial in France. He was the fourth son of the late John Back and Mrs Back. Alison Back, of 3 Priory Hill Cottages, Dover, requested that he should be named on the Town Memorial.

Back, J. R.
John Richard Back was born in Charlton Dover, on 28th October 1881. He was an Able Seaman in the Royal Navy Reserve, and a member of the Belgian Shore Force at Dover. He was one of the many Dovorians lost when the "Live Bait" squadron - the Aboukir, Cressy, and Hogue - were sunk in the north sea on the morning of 22nd September 1914. Like many of his comrades he is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in the United Kingdom. Elisa Back, of 3 Priory Hill Cottages, Dover, requested that his name should go on the memorial.

Bailey, B. J.
Benjamin John Bailey was born in Dover and enlisted there into the 6th battalion of The Buffs. Perhaps he was this man (left) who was attached to the French forces. He was reported missing since 7th October 1916. His parents lived at 14 Union Road, Dover.

The CWGC gives information that Benjamin Bailey, G/9690, of the 6th battalion, Buffs, died 7th October 1916, was commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France

Bailey, E. T.
Edwin Thomas Bailey, 10962, was born in Dover. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Bailey from 25 Tower Hamlets Street. He enlisted in Folkestone. He was a Private in the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) with the 49th Field Company, and formerly G/21328 in the Royal Fusiliers.

Private Bailey was killed by a splinter from a heavy shell on on 8th September 1916, and is buried at the Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametzt, France, in the grave referenced III H 14. 

His commanding officer wrote, "Death was instantaneous and absolutely painless. Please allow me to offer my sincerest sympathy in your loss. He was a very fine fellow, most popular with his companions and a man of whom, under various degrees of discomfort and danger for nearly nine months, I had formed a great opinion, both as a companion and soldier, and he was always very cheerful under the worst conditions, and therefore a great help in keeping up the spirits of his fellow companions. He was one of the best workers I have had, and was very good and courageous when under fire. I, and also all the men of my section will miss him very much indeed, and we wish to let you know how we share your loss.

"I will not say more as words are inadequate on such occasions, but I would like to say once more how much I admired your son, if only all men were like him, the world would be a much pleasanter place to live in.".

The gravestone is at Charlton cemetery, and reads:

In Loving Memory of Our Dear Mother Elizabeth Bailey Died 8th October 1928. Aged 72

Also of William Husband of the Above Died 13th November 1929 Aged 77 RIP

Also of Edwin Thomas Son of the Above Who was killed in action in France 8th September 1916 Aged 22 "Thy Will Be Done"

photo and transcriptions with thanks to Joyce Banks

Bailey, F. C.
Frederick Charles Bailey, 55794, was a Private in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 16th battalion. He enlisted in Dover and was formerly 18868 in the Royal West Surrey Regiment. He was buried in the Croix-du-Bac Cemetery, Steenwerck, France, grave reference I C 5, after having been killed in action on Boxing Day, 1917, when he was 20.

Born in Rotherhithe, Kent, he was the son of Mr and Mrs F. E. Bailey of 81 Hillside Road, Buckland, Dover.

Baker, G. F.
George Frank Baker, T/270166, was a Private (and Despatch Rider) in the 10th battalion of The Buffs, formerly 1870 of the 1st East Kent Yeomanry. He was killed by a shell near Gaza, Palestine, on 6th Nov 1917, aged 28.  He was buried in the Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel. He is commemorated on the Salem Baptist Church War Memorial.   

He was the son of the late Mr and Mrs Frank Baker, from Mereworth, Kent, where he was born. He enlisted at Broadoak, Sturry, Kent, and lived at Littleworth, Sussex.

Baker, G. H.
George Henry Baker was in the 2nd battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment. He was killed in action just after the war began, on 14th September 1914. He is commemorated on the La-Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial in France.

He was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs W H Baker, from 34 George Street, Dover

Baker, J.
John Baker. This might be John Baker Saunders, commemorated on the memorial also. The memorial card, requesting his name to be included is made out in the name of "John Baker", 3/4657, a Private in the York and Lancashire Regiment, who died on 8th May 1915 at La Bassay. His qualification was that he was born and resident in Dover. His mother was Mrs F Saunders, of 217 High Street, Cheriton, Folkestone.

Balding, F.
Frank Balding, 10207, was a Corporal in the Army Pay Corps. Enlisting in Oldham, he served in the 24th battalion of the Manchester regiment, formerly as 14220. He died on 13 July 1918, aged 25. He was born in Ranley, Louth and is buried in the Louth Cemetery, UK, reference 27.71.

He left a widow, Evelyn Beatrice Balding, who lived at 8 The Avenue, Kearsney, Dover.

Baldry, A. H.
Albert Henry Baldry, 593473, was a Rifleman in the London Regiment 18th (County of London) battalion(London Irish Rifles), and formerly 4290 of the 4th battalion of The Buffs. He enlisted in Canterbury, though he was born and resident in Dover, to parents the late Henry and Amelia Baldry. He was killed in action on 23rd March 1918 (CWGC gives 23rd August)., aged 29.

He is buried in the London Cemetery and Extension, Longueval, France, 10 H 39

Ballard, T.
Thomas John Ballard, 6434, is buried in France, at Meaulte, in the Grove Town cemetery, reference 1C30. He was a Corporal, in the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays), serving under the Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line (including Yeomanry and Imperial Camel Corps). He was wounded on 21st September 1914, and again on 15th September 1916. He died the following day, when he was 28.

Born in Buckland, Dover, and a resident who also enlisted in Dover, he was the second son of Mr R J Ballard, of 6 Randolph Road, Dover, and three more of his brothers were also serving.. 

For his ancestry, see Faded Genes, by Dave Dixon

Buried at Combles Communal Cemetery Extension in France in grave II F 48, he was the son of Richard and Emily Banks of 9 Albert Road, Dover, and born at Charlton, Dover. 

Barber, G.
George Jonathan Barber, 32552, is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium, as he is one of thousands who have no known grave. He enlisted in Waterford, Ireland, and served in the 8th battalion of the East Surrey Regiment, formerly with 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge's) as 32902. He was 29 when he died on 12th October 1917.

He was the son of Ellis and Caroline Barber, born in Dover.  

Barclay, E. W. H.
Edward Wilfred Howard Barclay was a Second Lieutenant, who died on 27th January 1918 when serving with the 2nd battalion, Oxford and Bucks Light infantry, 2nd battalion. He now lies in the Fins New British cemetery, Sorel-Le-Grand, France, IV A 7 

Barden, W.
William John Barden, G/20129, was a Private in the 6th battalion of The Buffs. Born in St Mary's, Dover, and enlisting in his home town of Dover, he is associated with 18 York Street. He died on 3rd May 1917 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial in France. 

Barker, W. J.
William John Barker was a Second Lieutenant. In the Royal Air Force he was lost from accidental injuries on 27th April 1918 when he was 23. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Burwood Barker, of 1, Malthouse Cottage, St. Radigunds Road., Dover. He now lies at Ismailia War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt, grave C 1.

Barnard, S. H.
Sidney Herbert Barnard, 4074, was commemorated on the High Street, Dover, Congregational Church, now URC,  Roll of Honour. He lived in Dover and enlisted at Armoury House. A Private from the number 1 company of the 1st battalion of the Honourable Artillery Company (Infantry), he died when he was 32 on 13 November 1916.

He was the son of Mrs M. R. Barnard, of 157, Folkestone Rd., Dover. Dying at Beaumont-sur-Ancre in France he is one of the thousands with no known grave commemorated on the Thiepval memorial in France.

In Loving Memory of Thomas Edward Barnard formerly of Cowes I. W. who was called to his rest 11th June 1911 aged 63 years Peace, Perfect Peace

Also Norman Youngest and beloved son of the above who passed away 5th May 1915 aged 21 years At Rest

Also of Sidney Herbert Barnard HAC Sixth son of TE and MR Barnard who fell in action in France 14th November 1916 aged 32 years

And of Martha Rosina the beloved and devoted wife of Thomas Edward Barnard who passed to her rest 17th April 1934 aged 79(?) years The Dawn Breaks and the Shadows Fall

photo and transcription with thanks to Joyce Banks

Barron, S. W. J.
Sidney William James Barron was an Old Pharosian, for he attended the Dover Grammar School for Boys. His name is commemorated on the beautiful stained glass window in the entrance hall there, along with many others from the school who also fell. 

Serving as a Lieutenant in the Baluchistan Light Infantry of the Indian Army, he died, aged 32, on 25th July 1918. He now lies in the Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt, in a grave referenced B74. He was born in Dover and was the only son of William and Frances Barron, of 64 Dour Street, Dover. 

*Barstow, M. W.
Probably Michael William Barstow, the son of the Rev T. W. and Mrs Barstow, who was born at Canterbury on 12th March 1897. He was a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Garrison Artillery (203SB), and died when he was 20 on 3rd June 1917.  He is buried at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery in Belgium. His parents moved to Norton Lees Vicarage, Sheffield.

*Bartlett, C. F.
This may be Charles F. Bartlett, 1858D, who was a seaman who died on 22nd September 1914, aged 40. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval memorial, in the United Kingdom, he was the son of James and Mary Bartlett from Deal and the husband of Fanny Ann Bartlett from 70 Ladysmith Avenue East Ham, London

Barton, H. F.
Henry (Harry) Frederick Barton G/9029, enlisted in Dover and became a Private in the 8th Battalion of The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), and later transferred to the Queens Royal West Surrey. 

Born and resident in Dover, he was a tram driver before enlistment at Canterbury, aged 19, and was the youngest son of Mr. Edward Stephen and Mrs Emma Barton, of 31, Peter St., Dover. In 1901 the family were living at 17 Hartley Street, where Harry's sisters and brothers were named as Nellie, Albert, Charlie, and Ethel, all born in Dover.  In 1881 they were living at 1 Union Row, with their young family of three sons, George, 3,  Edward, 1, and William, who was just 7 weeks old. 

Harry was killed in action in France on 6 September 1916 when he was in his teens. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France. (Exhibition 06) (Memorial)

with thanks to Mrs R. Wells

Notes: on his decease these details were given

*Bartram, H. B.
Harry Brocklesby Bartram was a Captain in the Royal Horse Artillery, E Battery. He fought in the battles of Mons and Cambrai, and was 36 when he died from gastritis, caused by privations in the field, on 16th September 1914. His father stated that Captain Bartram's battery was 36 hours without food, and when it did arrive there was no time for a proper meal as there was continuous fighting, day and night. Captain Bartram collapsed with gastritis on 30th August, and it took nine days travel in motor vehicles before he was able to reach the coast from the front.   

He was born on 17th September 1877, and was the only son of the Rev Canon and the late Mrs Henry Bartram. He is buried at St Mary's, in the same grave as his mother. The words at the bottom of his headstone read, "From Mons to Fontenay. Faithful until death. The crown of life."

His wife was Alice Eugenia Bartram, from Blidworth Dale, Linby, Nottingham. His son, Harry Bob Brocklesby Bartram, died in the Second World War, aged 37

headstone and transcription with thanks to Joyce Banks. picture right: Harry Bartram's funeral

Barwick, J. B.
John Bird Barwick, 2388, was a Lance Corporal in the Royal Engineers, in the 1st.3rd Kent Field Company. Named on the Helles memorial, Turkey, he died on 28 October 1915. 

Bates, G.
George Bates G/16787. Private in "A" company, 1st Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). He was killed in action on 3 October 1917 at the age of 32. He was the son of James and Elizabeth Bates, 20 Winchelsea Terrace, and the husband of Amelia Bates of 69 Longfield Road, Dover. He was born at Elmstead, Kent, the eldest son of James and Elizabeth Bates, who went on to have ten or eleven more children. His father James was a bricklayer in Dover. Before then he had been the landlord of "Timber Batts" at Elmstead, later called "The Carpenter's Arms" and now known as "Froggies". George's wife, Amelia, née Page, whom he married on 6 June 1910 in the Wesleyan Chapel in Snargate Street, was the daughter of the owner of a shop selling oysters, situated at 69½ Snargate Street, Dover.

George was a cook/confectioner working at Holmes Morris on the corner of Worthington and Biggin Streets, in Dover. He lived at 69 Longfield Road. He was 2352(T) in the RFA. On enlistment in Dover he was measured at 5' 5" and weighing 112lbs. He was posted to his battalion on 6 January 1917 and went out to the Western Front that spring.

The area where he fought in October 1917 was described as "a sea of more or less liquid mud" by Major Moloney in his book "Invicta". The battalion could progress at only a mile an hour, and it took them over six hours to relieve the front line positions in the trenches during the night of the 2nd to 3rd October, ready for an attack. However, on 3rd October the front line trenches were themselves twice attacked and there was "very intense shelling", resulting in around 120 dead, of whom about 80 have no known grave. In his book "The Machine Gunner" Arthur Russell states that "Shrapnel and pieces of shell were at all times whistling and screeching through the air striking down many of the waiting soldiers. A group of infantrymen carrying sup-plies into the line were caught by two shells not ten yards from our pill-box". The battalion eventually went over the top on 4th October, attacking at 6am.  

Owing to the conditions of the terrain, George's remains were not recovered until the early 1920s. He was identified by a ring, which was sent to his wife, who was receiving a widow's pension of 18/9 per week, on 5th December 1925 for confirmation. George is now buried at the Bedford House cemetery, just south of Ypres in Belgium. At the foot of his gravestone are the words "until the dawn breaks" "from his devoted wife and son Leslie".

Leslie Sandford Bates was just three years old when his father was killed.   

right: Bedford House cemetery George Bates' grave has the cross of remembrance in front of it.

Note: George Bates is credited with bringing the first Yule Log (that is, the Christmas cake) to Dover.

with thanks to Peter Bates 
grave pictures by Brian Dixon

(Exhibition 06) (We Remember 06) (Harry Bates) (Two Special Visits) (Memorial)                                      

*Bayard, A. R. R.
Aubrey Reginald Richard Bayard. This may be a Lieutenant who died on 17 May 1916, while serving in The Buffs.  He is buried  in grave HR 12 at Essex Farm. 

Bayley, J. T.
James Thomas Bayley is commemorated on the Roll of Honour at the Congregational Church, now the URC in the High Street. He was a carpenter before enlisting at Moose Jaw, Canada. Then he was described as five feet five inches, with blue eyes and light hair, and having scars on both shins. He became 1009803, a Private in the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles (Saskatchewan Regiment). He died on 12th September 1918, and is buried in the Vis-En-Artois British Cemetery, Haucourt, France. 

He was born in Dover, on 24th July 1884, and his next of kin was his aunt, Mrs Richard Gut??ly, from 14 Liverpool Street, Dover.

Bean, A. J.
Alexander John Bean, G/9311 is named on the Roll of Honour at the Wesleyan chapel. He was born in Dover and enlisted there. Aged 20, he lost his life near Passchendaele in Belgium, on 12 October 1917, while he was serving with The Buffs. He had already been wounded in 1916, and convalesced in hospital in Swansea.

His parents were Albert Edward Leonard Bean and Henrietta Christina Bean of 290 London Road, Dover. He lies at the Cement House Cemetery in Belgium, in grave VII D 21. The picture left was accompanied by a caption stating he was the nephew of Mr H. Bean, 16 Paul's Place

Bean, W. E. C.
William Edward Charles Bean, 75976. was from the 2nd battalion of the Royal Fusiliers (City of London). He was 19 when he died on 24th April 1918. He was formerly TR/9/1874 of the 26th TR battalion.

Born and enlisting in Dover, he was the son of Mr and Mrs William Bean, of 126 London Road, Dover, he is buried at Crucifix Corner Cemetery, Villers-Bretonneux, France, grave VII B4.

He left a widow, Mrs Nelly Beattie, nee Croucher, who worked at the Buckland Paper Mill, cleaning the rags, and five children: Alma, Frank, Henry, Violet, and Edie. Henry was educated at the Duke of York's school, as the son of a solider died in service.

with thanks to Mrs D Parkinson

Becks, T.
Tom Becks was in The Buffs. In December 1914 he came home from India, then went to France on 17th January 1915. He was wounded in the throat with a grenade on 12th April 1915. He returned to France the first week in July 1915, and after having been buried by a shell for some hours returned to England . He was admitted to the London General hospital on Denmark Hill on 12th March 1916, suffering from shell shock, an injured back, and a frost-bitten foot. He was then progressing favourably. He was the youngest child and only son of Mr and Mrs T Becks of 3 Tower Street, Dover.  Date of death still to be confirmed.

Becks, W. J.
William James Becks, L/8788, is buried at the Bailleul Communal Cemetery (Nord), in France, grave J 33. Enlisting in Canterbury and serving in the 2nd battalion of The Buffs as a Private, he died of pneumonia on 16th March 1916, when he was 29.

His parents were Thomas and Emily Jane Becks, of 3 Stone Cottages, Temple Ewell, Dover, formerly of 3 Tower Street, Dover. He was born at Charlton, Dover

1925 - In loving memory of William James Becks ... His memory is as dear today as on the hour he passed away. From his loving Mum, Dad, sisters, and brother.

Bedwell, H.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission give Henry Bedwell, G/40872, as a Private  in the 16th battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. He was 37 when he died on 31 May 1917, and he is commemorated on the Arras memorial in France.

He was born and resident in Dover, and enlisted there. He had children, and was the "dearly loved husband" of Elizabeth Bedwell, of 38, Adrian St., Dover, who stated that he was in the Royal West Kents at Hounslow when he was killed.  (May 1940)

"Loved and remembered always by his loving Wife and family" (May 1941)

Bedwell, T.
Thomas William Bedwell, 11880, is remembered on the Kirkee 1914-1918 Memorial in India. He was born in Newport in Monmouthshire and enlisted there as a Private from D Company of the 8th battalion of the Welsh Regiment. He was wounded in action on 19th April 1916, and died from enteric fever on 15th August 1916 in Mesopotamia, when he was 26. He is commemorated on the Kirkee 1914-1918 Memorial, India.

His mother was Elizabeth Bedwell, of 32 Chapel Place, Dover, previously 9 Chapel Place