Dadds, L.
Leonard Dadds, 71583, was a Serjeant in the Royal Garrison Artillery, 109th Siege battery. He was awarded the Military Medal.  He died on 31st October 1918, and is buried at the St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen in France.

He was born in Folkestone and enlisted in Dover.

*Daniell, H. E. 
Edward? Henry Edwin Daniell, was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Irish Regiment, commanding the 2nd battalion. He received the DSO. He died when he was 46 on 20th October 1914, and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial in France.

Daniels, E. T. 
Edwin Thomas Daniels, G/8803, was a Private in the 1st battalion of The Buffs. He was killed by a shell on 8th June 1916, and is buried at Essex Farm cemetery in Belgium.

He was one of four sons in the Buffs of Thomas and Elizabeth Daniels, of Alkham and later of River, and was married to Lilian, from Crabble Farm Nursery, River, Dover. He was born in Whitfield and enlisted in Canterbury

C S Daniels	A Daniels	P Daniels

for a family tree see faded genes by Dave Dixon

Darwall, G. C.
Gordon Cecil Darwall was born in Dover in 1885. He served as a Captain in the 3rd battalion of Prince Albert's, the Somerset Light Infantry (and A cy C). He died on 31st March 1917, and is buried at Kensal Green (All :Souls) Cemetery in the United Kingdom. His wife was probably Violet, nee Mansell, whom he may have married in 1913. He was probably brother to John, below.  

Darwall, J. R. 
John Randle Darwall was born in 1878 in Dover. He was a Second Lieutenant in the Somerset Light Infantry. He died on 30th July 1915, at Charing Cross Hospital. His parents were Mr and Mrs R. C. Darwall, who lived at East Cliff, Dover, and he was probably brother to Gordon, above.

Lieutenant Darwall had come to London a week before, on a few days leave, and was unpacking his luggage at an hotel in Craven Street, the Strand. The chambermaid found him clinging to the bedpost after he had rung the bell for her help. He said, "I've shot myself accidentally. I forgot my pistol was loaded. Go and fetch a doctor."

Davidson, C. E. G.
Christopher Edmund Grant Davidson was born in London and was educated at Charterhouse and Sandhurst. He became a Captain in the 1st battalion, attached to the 6th battalion, of the Buffs. He was killed in action, while leading his men in an attack,  at Hulluch Quarries on 13th October 1915, when he was 29. He is buried at Vermelles British Cemetery in France.

He was the son of Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Middlemass Davidson (His Majesty's Bodyguard) and Jessie Rose Oliphant Davidson, who lived at 14 Victoria Park, Dover.

His father was Alfred Benjamin Davis, and his wife was E Davis.

Davis, L. 
Lingard Howell Montgomery Davis, 23/116, came from Dover but served as a Corporal in the 1st battalion (3rd) New Zealand Rifle Brigade.  He died of wounds on 20th June 1917, when he was 26, and was buried at the Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck in France.

His father was the late Gledney Smith Davis, and his mother was Margaret Davis.

Dawes, A.

Arthur Dawes, G/23870, was a Private in the 10th (Royal East Kent and West Kent Yeomanry) battalion. He lived and enlisted in Dover, and was killed in action on 21st September 1918. He is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois memorial in France.

The son of Mr and Mrs A R Dawes, from London Road, he was born in Dover in 1892, and was one of a family of four - two boys and two girls.  Pictured above, they are: Herbert and Edith, with parents Alfred and Florrie in the centre, and Arthur and Ruby on the right. Alfred Dawes was a baker.

Left are four generations of the family: Herbert, holding his son, Alfred standing, and William Henry Dawes, Herbert's grandfather

If you recognise Herbert or the baby in this picture, please do contact us
with thanks to David Knight

Dawson, W. 
William Henry George Dawson, 202602, was employed with the Post Office in Dover before enlisting in Canterbury, and lived with his grandmother, Mrs Marsh, of 14 Odo Road, Tower Hamlets, Dover. His sister was Mrs Winifred A Care, from Glenleven House, 93 Island Wall, Whitstable, Kent.

He served as a Corporal in "A" company, the 2nd/4th battalion, of  the Royal West Kent Regiment (formerly 3239, The Buffs), and was awarded the Military Medal for bravery on 19th April 1917. His citation was, "After the position had been taken, he established communication from the Front Line to the Battalion Headquarters by flag under very heavy fire."  He had also been in the landing at Suluva.

He was 20 when he was killed in action in Egypt on Christmas Eve, 1917, and is buried at the Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel.

photo of headstone: with thanks to Edward Sperinck

This group were all from Dover and had recently been through fighting in Palestine. From left to right they are: top row:  Cpl W. Dawson MM, Sgt J Priest,  Pte C Wakerell, Pte C Gillespie middle row LCpl A Banks, LCpl E Price, front row Cpl R Easterfield, Pte A Abbott Pte S Hart

Daynes, C. E.
Charles Edward Daynes, 6/1509. He sailed to New Zealand in 1908, when he was 16, giving his occupation as a farmer. A family story suggests he was going to work on a relative's farm. In the Great War he became a Private in the Canterbury Regiment, NZ EF. At the age of 23 he was killed in action on 8th May 1915. He is commemorated on the Twelve Tree Copse (New Zealand) Memorial, Turkey.

He was the son of Mrs Phoebe Ann Daynes, of Mill Cottage, Lower Road, River, Dover. His father, George, was formerly the miller at the Crabble Corn Mill.

His brother, also George, served in a Canadian force. He was a policeman in British Columbia, with eight years previous service in the Royal Garrison Artillery and four years in the Artillery Reserve.  Aged 37, he enlisted in Canada on 13th August, three months after his brother was killed.

The headstone is in the cemetery at St Peter and St Paul, River, Dover. It reads: "In memory of George Daynes, who died May 5th 1907, aged 57 years. Peace Perfect Peace. Also of Charles Edward Daynes, killed in action at the Dardanelles, May 8th 1915, aged 23 years. In His Keeping. Also of Phoebe Ann, wife of George Daynes, died Jan 13th, aged 85 years. Reunited."

 (for family tree see faded genes by Dave Dixon)

Dearlove. A. W.
Albert William Dearlove, 9214, was a Private in the Princess Charlotte of Wales's Royal Berkshire Regiment, 1st Battalion. He enlisted in Reading. He was killed in action on 25th October 1914, and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium.   

He was born in East Hagbourne, Berkshire, and lived at Charlton, Dover.  

Dennett, T. S.
Thomas Sutton Dennett, G/81120, was a Acting Corporal in the 17th battalion of the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (formerly 3262 East Kent mounted rifles). He was killed in action on 28'29th November 1917, aged 19. He is buried at Meries Hill British Cemetery, France.

He was born in Kennington, Ashford, and enlisted in Folkestone, which was also given as his residence. His parents were Thomas Sutton Dennett and Charlotte Dennett, and they lived at Shakespeare House, West Hougham, Dover. 

Dennis, C. G. (G. C.)
George Cyril Dennis, 49416(5), was a Rifleman in the 1st battalion of the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own). He died on wounds on 11th November 1918, when he was 18. He is buried at the Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France

He was the son of Mr and Mrs G Dennis, of 148 Clarendon Street, Dover, and was born and lived in Dover. He enlisted in Canterbury.  

November 1939

In ever loving memory of our dear son and brother, Rifleman George Cyril Dennis, Rifle Brigade, who died of wounds received in action, November 11th, 1918. Never forgotten. From his loving Mum and Dad, Sisters and Brother (Walmer)

Dicks, S. D.
Samuel Dresser Dicks, K/17690, was a Stoker in the Royal Navy. He lost his life with the HMS Invincible on 31st May 1916, and is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial in the United Kingdom.

His wife lived at 28 Mayfield Avenue, Dover

Diggings, F. W.
Fredrick William Diggings, G/32495, was a veteran, having seen 18 and a half years service as 5996 with the Border Regiment, before rejoining in Dover on the outbreak of the Great War. He served in the 1st Infantry Labour (or 17th Labour) company of the Queen's (Royal West Surrey), and died when he was 51 or 52 on 24th March 1917.

He came from Ipswich, but his wife lived at 1 Military Cottages, Military Hill, Dover. They had five children, and one of their sons was also serving. Mrs J. Diggings' maiden name was Winwright, and she was the daughter of a Crimean war veteran.

Frederick is buried at Sainte Marie cemetery, Le Havre in France. The words at the bottom of his headstone read:

Dixon, E. E.
Ernest Edward Dixon, was a Second Lieutenant in the 168th Siege Battery in the RGA. He was killed in action on 9th June 1917, near Messines. He is buried at Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery in Belgium. (see also his brother, William Dixon)

Dixon, P.
Percy Victor Dixon,18249, was an Able Seaman aboard the HMS Natal. He was 19 when he was killed by an internal explosion of the vessel while it was in Cromarty Firth on 30th December 1915. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in the United Kingdom.

He was the son of Mrs. E K Dixon, of 26 Clarendon Rd., Dover, and brother to Reginald, below.

Dixon, R. J.
Reginald James Dixon, 8976, was a Serjeant in the 2nd battalion of the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. He was born in Buckland, Dover, and enlisted in Shorncliffe. He was killed in action on 25th September 1915, when he was 25. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial in France.

His wife, Elsie Mabel Dixon, lived at 49 Wyndham Road, and his mother, E K Dixon, at 26 Clarendon Road. He was brother to Percy, above.

Dixon, W. J. 
William John Dixon, J/5442, was aboard the HMS Natal. The vessel exploded in the Cromarty Firth on 30th December 1915. He was 23, and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in the United Kingdom.

His parents were William John and Elizabeth Dixon, from 1 Valley Road, River, Dover.

(for family tree see faded genes by Dave Dixon)

Dowle, R. J. 
Robert James Dowle, G/7629, joined the army in February 1917, and was a Private in the 10th battalion of the Queen's (Royal West Surrey). On 24th February 1917, when he was 25, he was killed, according to his lieutenant, "while doing his duty nobly in a raid on the enemy's trenches".

His Adjutant wrote to Robert's father, "He always acted as my runner and was always of the greatest service to me. We always had the greatest admiration for his bravery and coolness under fire. I recommended him for the award of the Military Medal, and I am sure no one deserved it more than he, but so many are recommended that it is impossible to grant them all. It seems hard that your son did not get some recognition of his services ... His death is a great loss to the Battalion ... His body has been recovered and a cross is being erected over his grave." Robert is buried at the Klein-Vierstraat British Cemetery, Belgium.

He was born and lived in Dover and enlisted there. His father was Robert James Dowle, from 1 Spring Cottage, Peter Street, later 24 Peter Street, Dover.

This headstone is at Charlton:

In Loving Memory of Robert J. Dowle Died 8th April 1946 Aged 75 years At Rest.

Also Pte. R. J. Dowle Son of the above Killed in Action 24th February1917  Aged 25 Years. Interred at Kemmel Belgium. transcribed by Joyce Banks

Dowle. W. R. 
William Robert Dowle, M/338389, was a Private in the 881st Military Transport company of the Army Service Corps. He was 30 when he died from influenza on 14th November 1918 at Salonica. He is buried at the Chela Kula Military Cemetery, Nish, Serbia and Montenegro.

His wife was Mrs Ethel Maud Dowle, from 57 Glenfield Road, Buckland, Dover.

Draper, A. R. O. 
Arthur Reginald Olley Draper, was a Lieutenant (Quartermaster) in the 18th battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers. He died of wounds on 16th April 1918, and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in .

Drew, E. J.
Edwin Joseph Drew, L/7787, was working at the Admiralty Works when he was called up for service at the outbreak of the War. He lived and enlisted in Dover, and he became a Private in the 2nd battalion of the Buffs. He was killed in action on 28th May 1915, when he was 30, and is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Belgium. 

Born in Walmer, he was the son of Richard Drew, from Mill Lane, Deal, and in 1908, in Canterbury, he had married Emma Amelia Whiddett. She lived at 42 Devonshire Road with their three children, and later remarried to become Mrs Hammond.

One daughter was born after her father died, and seven months later her mother was mourning her too. Little Josephine died on 6th June 1916, and was buried at St James, in the nonconformist section. Adjutant Waters of the Salvation Army officiated, and her mother, along with her uncle and aunts, attended. Her mother laid a wreath from "Mamma, sisters and brothers".  

Dunbar, J. S.
John Sinclair Dunbar, 2171, was a Private in the Northumberland Fusiliers, "F" company, 1st battalion. Before he enlisted he worked as a Trimmer ¹ on the cross-channel steamer "Queen". He was killed in action on 27th October 1914, aged 35, and is commemorated on the Le Touret memorial in France.

Born in Kirkcudbright, he was the son of William and Annie Dunbar, of 2, Weatherley Street, Scotswood Road., Newcastle-on-Tyne, where he enlisted. He was the husband of A. A. Goodchild (formerly Dunbar), of Hubberstone Green, Milford Haven. The former Mrs Dunbar lived originally at 39 Oxenden Street, Dover.

The following "In Memoriam", announcement appeared in the Dover Express.

"In loving memory of my dear husband Jon Sinclair Dunbar, who fell in action October 27th, 1914, aged 26 years.  

Sleep on dear father, thy troubles are o'er,
We hope to meet on the eternal shore;
On earth there's strife; in heaven rest;
They miss you most who loved you best.

from his loving son, Teddy."

*note the disparity in ages given by CWGC and DE, therefore some uncertainty on identification 
1 occupation supplied by Gina Baines

Duncan, A. 
Albert Henry Duncan, L/9906, was a Private in the 6th battalion of The Buffs. He was killed in action on 13th October 1915 and is commemorated on the Loos memorial in France.

He was born in Hougham and enlisted in Canterbury. He lived in Dover. 

Dunn, A. R. 
Arthur Rupert Dunn, 13030, was an old St Martin's schoolboy, and before enlisting had been employed by Messrs Newing and Gibbons. He was a Corporal, and had served in the 4th battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment since August 1914. He had been twice wounded before being killed in action on 23rd April 1917. He is commemorated on the Arras memorial in France.

Born in Dover, he enlisted in London, and lived at Ilford. He was the second son of Mrs Dunn, of 360 Thorold Road, Ilford, and he and his parents had previously lived at 45 Monins Road, Maxton, Dover.   

He was brother to Horace, below. 

Dunn, H. L.
Horace Leonard Dunn, 3306, was a Private in the City of London Yeomanry in the Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line (including Yeomanry and Imperial Camel Corps) (Rough Riders).  He died on 11th April 1916, and is buried in the Suez war memorial cemetery, Egypt.

He was brother to Arthur, above, born at St Martin's (probably the parish, Dover), enlisted at Finsbury Square, and lived at Ilford.

The memorial plaque (right) is at St Bartholomew's church, Smithfield, London. With thanks to Patrick O'Mara

Dunn, R. V. 
Reginald Victor Dunn, 6511 (533281?), was born in Dover. He was an old boy of the Sunday School at St Mary's and became a Sunday School teacher before he went to France. He was in the Field Survey Company, and had been serving as a Private in the 1st/15th (County of London) battalion of the London Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles). He enlisted in Dover

On a period of rest after having been at the Front, he was accidentally shot during revolver practice on 4th May 1917. He was 20. A Memorial Service was held for him at St Mary's on Sunday 14th May, and later his name would be placed on his sister's headstone (right) at Charlton cemetery. He is buried at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery in Belgium. The words on the bottom of his headstone there read: "A bitter grief, A shock severe, To part with one, We love so dear".    

 He was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs Francis Dunn, from 24 Alms Houses. The eldest son, E J Dunn (above), who enlisted at the beginning of the War, served with the Royal West Kents, in India.

Footnote: By sad coincidence, in the same year another Private Dunn was also accidentally shot during practice, this time on the rifle ranges at Dover. He was wounded in the stomach and died the next day 10th October 1917, in hospital (probably a Western Heights hospital). It was the first fatal accident on a Dover range. Private Dunn was serving in the East Surreys, and his mother, Mrs J. Anscombe lived at "Fair View", Hare Hill, Addlestone, Surrey. Private F. Dunn is buried at St James, Dover. (See also J R Darwall, this page)

Dunn, W. J. 
William James Dunn, L/6842, was in the 1st battalion of the Buffs, serving as a Lance Corporal.  He was 32 when he died on 25th March 1915. He is buried at Ration Farm Military Cemetery, La Chapelle-D'Armentieres, France. 

His wife, Gertrude, lived at 48 Dour Street, and his parents were Captain and Mrs Dunn. He was born in Charlton, Dover, and enlisted and lived in the town. An address of 54 Dour Street was given when the request was made for his name to go on the Memorial.

Durban, A. E. 
Allan Edwin Durban, TF/290501, was 27 when he died on 22nd August 1917. He had been serving in the 1st/10th (TF) battalion of the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment as a Serjeant. He enlisted in Stamford Brook, Middlesex, and lived in Kentish Town. He died in India and is commemorated on the Kirkee 1914-1918 Memorial.

His parents were Thomas Morris and Eliza Durban, from 154 High Street, Hythe, Kent.

Dyer, A. H. M.
Abraham Henry Martin Dyer, L/10113, was 26 when he died on 19th April 1916. He had been serving as a Private in the 1st battalion of the Buffs. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium, after dying from wounds.  

He was the son of Henry Martin and Johanna Louise Dyer, of 192 Union Road, and brother to Albert (below). He was born at St James, Dover, and lived in Dover, but enlisted in Canterbury. 

(We Remember 06)
 

Dyer, (S. A.) A. S.
Albert Sidney Dyer, L/9940, was a Private in the 1st battalion of the Buffs. He was killed in action on 20th October 1914, at Prones Wood, when he was 18. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium.

He was the son of Henry Martin Dyer and Johanna Louisa Dyer of 192 Union Road, Dover (formerly, in 1901, of 166 Clarendon Street), and brother to Abraham Henry Martin (above). They had a sister, Edith Louise. They were nephews and niece to Edward George (below).  

He was born at Christchurch (probably the parish, Dover), enlisted in Dover, and lived at Tower Hamlets, Dover.
 with thanks to Dawn Collins
(We Remember 06)

Dyer, E. G.
Edward George Dyer, T/504, was one of eleven children. His parents were Abraham Martin and Hannah Sarah Dyer, and one of his brothers was Henry Martin Dyer, father of Albert and Abraham Dyer (above). In 1881 the family lived at 24 Adrian Street, Dover. He was born in St Mary's, Dover, and enlisted and lived in the town.

He was an Inspector of Messengers at the GPO, and had made many friends, being also a member of the "K" company of the 4th volunteer battalion of the Buffs. He volunteered for the South African war and served through part of it, and his company volunteered again when the Great War broke out. They were sent to India, and thence to Aden. It was in Aden, serving as a Sergeant in "D" company of the 1st/4th battalion, that he died from heat stroke on 25th September 1915. He was buried with military honours at As De La, and commemorated on the Heliopolis (Aden) memorial, Egypt   

His Captain, A C Grigg, wrote to his wife, Elizabeth, "He was acting as Company Sergeant Major and had carried himself and led his men with great gallantry, and the men responded to the fine example set by him and their bearing under fire was beyond all praise and I was indeed proud to command such a company. To me, personally, your husband's death is a great loss, as I have been in command of the Company to which he was attached ever since we left England, and I formed the highest opinion of his personal character and reliability. He had always endeared himself to the officers and men and we all join in offering you and his family our most heartfelt sympathy in your loss. I hope that the knowledge that your husband died gallantly on the battlefield fighting for his Empire and that he was so well loved by all ranks in the Battalion in which he had served so long, will in some way assuage the great grief that must be yours today." 

Major F M Dunstan, commander of "D" company, wrote, "When he died they had done ten miles with the sand of the desert up to their knees, and the blazing sun and the enemy's fire to contend with. In spite of the very trying conditions the men behaved magnificently and won the highest praise from the General. Sergeant Dyer kept going till he died. What more could a man do? I hope the knowledge that he gave his life for his King and Country and that both in the Volunteers and Territorials he had always maintained the best traditions of the Buffs, that he bore an excellent character, was popular with all ranks, and that he over and over again proved his sterling worth, will in a measure help to lighten your great sorrow. We all feel his loss terribly, especially those who, like myself, have known him for some years. As the result of the engagement five of the "D" company are dead and two wounded, still they died as they would have wished, like Englishmen and doing their duty to the last. All ranks join in offering to you our heartfelt sympathy for you in the loss which you have sustained and in expressing the earnest wish that God will sustain you in this hour of trouble and trial." 

September 1917

Far from the field of strife the hero passed, Old England's flag to save; He bravely followed through the strife, And won the martyr's crown of life. No tender yet sad farewell From his quivering lips was heard, So softly he crossed that quiet stream In a moment to endless life. Weep not, for now my work is done, So bravely I upheld the shield, This banner brave and bright, Uplifted for the cause and truth - The truth that must prevail. They laid him in a soldier's grave But think of his sweet surprise He felt, as he met his Saviour's smile, For He had taken the life He gave. from his sorrowing Mother and Father

(We Remember 06)