*Hadlow, A. L.
A. L. Hadlow is named on the Memorial window at the Dover Grammar School for Boys. This is probably A L Hadlow, the 2nd Lieutenant from the RAF, 70th Squadron, who died on 6th October 1918. He is buried in Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery, II A 30.

Hall, F. S.

Frederick Stephen Hall, 15105, was born in 1899 to Stephen and Edith Hall, the eldest of three brothers and three sisters, one of whom was named Edith Ivy Hall and another Bertha. The family lived at 1 Alma Place, New Charlton Green.

He enlisted in Canterbury as a Private in the 1st battalion of the Royal Munster Fusiliers (formerly 3022 The Buffs), and died on 28th September 1918. He is commemorated on the Vis En Artois Memorial in France.

with thanks to Kenneth Challenor

*Hamilton, J.
John W. Hamilton, 17466, was born in Windsor and enlisted in Dover to become a Sapper in the 38th Field Company of the Royal Engineers. He died of wounds on 17 May 1915, and is buried in the Netley Military Cemetery in the United Kingdom, right.

Alternatively, this could be J Hamilton, 7661, a Sapper in the 7th Field Company of the Royal Engineers. He died on 3 December 1918 and is buried in the Dourlers Communal Cemetery Extension, France, I A 17. He was the husband of Minnie L Hamilton, from 64 Folkestone Road, Dover.

Hampton, A.
Albert Alexander Hampton L/9915, was a Private in D Company of the 1st battalion of The Buffs. He died in action on 1st October 1914, when he was 20, and is commemorated on La Ferte Sous Jouarre Memorial in France.

He enlisted in Canterbury, but was born at Buckland and lived in Dover. He was the grandson of Mr G and Mrs Jane Hampton, of 48 Douglas Road, Dover, and formerly of 24 Kimberley Terrace.

Handford, D. F.
Douglas Frederick Handford, 1601, was serving as a Battery Sergeant Major in the 7th battery of the 3rd Australian Field Artillery Brigade. He was 30 when he was killed in action on 6th August 1915. He is buried at the Shell Green cemetery, Turkey.

He was a Dovorian, and was the son of Mrs Ellen Amelia Handford and the late Frederick John Handford.

Handley, W. E.
Walter Ernest Handley, C/5276, served as a Private in B company of the 8th battalion of The Buffs.

He was born around 1878 in Dover, and the 1881 census reveals him living at 75 Limekiln Street, Dover, with his parents, George, a railway porter, then aged 30, Mary, then aged 31. Both were born in Dover, as were their children, Walter's sister Agnes, aged then 14, and his two brothers, George, 5, and Albert, aged 1.

By 1891 the family were living at 1 Round Tower Passage. George had become an errand boy, while Walter was still at school, then aged 13. The family had been joined by four more children, Lilian, then aged 9, followed by Rose, 7, Mary, 4, and Charles, 2. Nine years later, on 9th July 1900, Walter married Harriett Jane Prescott, also a Dovorian, at Dover Register Office, and in 1901, when he was 23 and she was 21, the new couple were living at 5 Chapel Court, Snargate Street. Walter was working as a Town Carman. In 1911 they were living at 5 Russell Place, Dover, and had two children, Elizabeth, then aged 9, and Walter, 7.

He had been employed by Pickford's for over 17 years when he joined the army in Dover in December 1914. On 18th August 1916, when he was 38, he was killed in action in France. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France. Walter's commanding Officer, writing to Mrs Harriett Handley said, "He was a splendid soldier, and was popular in the Platoon. The Company extend to you their sympathy."

The family were then living at 9 Chapel Lane, Bench Street, while Mrs Prescott, Harriett's mother, was at 10 Chapel Street, and Mrs Handley, Walter's mother, lived at 23 Bridge Street. Harriett had two brothers in the navy and five brothers-in-law in the army, four of whom were at the Front.

1922 - In ever loving memory of my dear husband, Pte Walter Handley, 8th Battalion, The Buffs, "B" Company, killed 18th August 1916 at Guillemont. We know not his resting place, No poppies mark his grave. But we know he made the Supreme sacrifice for his country. How sad the parting, none to tell, To part with one we loved so well. How sweet t'will be, when life is o'er, To meet, to part no more. His loving wife, daughter, and son.

In loving memory of my dear husband and our father, Private Walter Ernest Handley, who was killed in action 18th August 1916. Just a thought, true and tender, of one we loved and will always remember. From his loving Wife (Dover), Daughter and family (India), and Son and family (Australia) August 1940

In 1941 Harriett Handley placed an in memoriam notice in memory of her "dear husband". She also remembered her father, Marshall Cook Prescott, who died 24 January 1929, her Mother, Frances Harriett Prescott, who died 23 February 1934, and her brothers, John, died 8 November 1936, Stephen, 29 March 1937, and William, 31 January 1940. Harriet was the aunt of Stephen Prescott

census with thanks to Joyce Banks

Note: Charles Jesse Handley, Walter's brother, may have married Maud Wakerell. She was the mother of Leslie Wakerell, the sister-in-law of George Robus, and the sister of William Henry Farrell. Charles had been widowed in 1953 when his wife, Louisa Minnie, née Hacker, died on 7 February, aged 63.

Hanson, J.
John Thomas Hanson, 10461, was a Private in the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), the 12th battalion. He was born in Dover on 7th March 1895, one of the ten children of Thomas Hanson (at one time licensee of the Royal Standard, London Road) and Alice, nee West. He enlisted in Dover, where he lived, on 14th December 1914.

He died during the Battle of the Somme at the trenches between Delville Wood and Guillemont on 15th August 1916, one of 10 in the company killed that day. He is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial in France. (Exhibition 06)

He whom this scroll commemorates was numbered among those who, at the call of King and Country, left all that was dear to them, endured hardness, faced danger, and finally passed out of the sight of men by the path of duty and self-sacrifice, giving up their own lives that others might live in freedom. Let those who come after see to it that his name be not forgotten. Private John Thomas Hanson  Royal Fusiliers	Private Hanson's tag	Buckingham Palace I join with my grateful people in sending you this memorial of a brave life given for others in the Great War George R

John Hanson's family endearingly attached his death plaque to a oak shield for display. Sadly, just after he had been killed, the family lost another child, his younger sister, Edith, aged 12. She had been injured on 19th July, in Churchill Street, Charlton, where her family lived (at no 15). A group of boys had found a hand grenade at the trenches at Copt Hill (by St James Cemetery), where bomb throwing was taught to the Garrison. They threw it several times down the hill without mishap, and one lad, Albert King, from 10 Churchill Street, had even taken it home and cleaned it with brass polish.

Dared by others out in the street, Albert threw the grenade onto the road opposite 6 Churchill Street. It exploded, ripping up the surface of road and breaking a number of windows, while flying fragments scored the walls and doors of the houses. Six people were injured, including little Edith Ellen, who had been standing at the end of the road, some six yards away.

Three boys were taken to hospital, Albert with puncture wounds in his legs and left shoulder. Edith had been taken into a shop, where the doctor said she had merely fainted. Carried home, she became worse, and in the evening was taken to hospital in "a collapsed state". The fragment had pierced her lung, eventually setting up an inflammation. Despite an operation on 25th August, Edith's condition continued to deteriorate, and she died on 31st October 1916. At the inquest, Mrs Hanson spoke of losing her son on the Somme, and now as having lost her little girl. She mentioned also a third child the family had lost.

Edith was buried at Charlton. Her father and mother were amongst the mourners, and laid a floral tribute, "In loving memory from her heart-broken father and mother." Another tribute came, poignantly, "from her playmate, Albert King".

with thanks to Kerry Chapman

Note: October 2010 - the photographs above were carried in John's mother's bag. They were believed to be of John, but there is a consideration now that they may have been of a casualty named Kennet.

Harbird, H. R.
Henry Robert Harbird. This may be Henry Robert Heffell Harbird, born in Dover in 1890 to James Harbird and his wife Susannah Elizabeth, née Heffell.

The couple married in 1881 in Dover, and lived at 7 Queen Street, when James, aged 21, was working as a general labourer. Ten years later they were living at 29 Hawkesbury Street, with James a manager of a potato store. They then had three children: James, born 1881, Helen, aged 6  (possibly Susanna Caroline H. Harbird born 1884) and Henry.

By 1901 James was a marine porter and a widower with two more children, Kathleen, born 1892, and Frank, born 1894. His wife had died the year before, at the age of 36. The family were then living at 9 Durham Place. With them was Ann Perkins, a widow aged 71. Described as mother-in-law, she may have been Susanna's mother; an Ann Hambrook Heffell  married James Siggins Perkins in 1876.

At the age of 14 years and 10 months, Henry Robert Heffell Harbird was examined on 4 November 1902 at Dover Castle. He became a Boy, 8522,  in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He gave his next of kin as Mrs Nell Harbird, of Dover Street, Folkestone. He was discharged on 18 June 1904.    

Henry,  aged 18, was again examined on 11 January 1905 at Aldershot for the RAMC, becoming no 228. He had been working as a groom for Mr Butler of 21 Odo Road in Dover, and gave his address as 9 Durham Place, Dover.  He was absent without leave from the annual  training on 16 August 1905, and joined on 12 September 1905, being ordered to serve a further year. He then enlisted into the Royal Sussex, being examined at Eastbourne on 8 February 1906 and joining the next day at Chichester as 8643. He gave his occupation as agricultural labourer.

Two months later, on 17 April 1906, Henry had been arrested and was awaiting trial and on 10 May 1906 he was convicted of having made a false answer on his attestation. After 21 days detention he returned to duty as a Private but then deserted on 16 September 1906. He rejoined on 8 November 1906 and was again tried, this time convicted of desertion and deficiency of clothing. He was given 56 days detention on 14 November 1906 and all his prior service was forfeited. Released from detention and returning to duty on 9 January 1907, he was arrested again for stealing goods belonging to a comrade. On 30 January 1907 he was sentenced to 84 days imprisonment and discharged with ignominy.

In 1911 Frank was probably at Bedfordshire Reformatory, at Carlton, near Northampton. He was then a band boy aged 16. At the age of 18, Frank Osborne Thomas Harbird enlisted as a musician for a short service, becoming 6841 in the 1st Kings Dragoons Guards. Considered fit on 18 April 1912 at Bedford, he joined at Curragh but was discharged less than a year later, on 14 February 1913, after conviction for felony.

In 1912/3 the Harbird family were probably living at 1 St James Place, an address on the attestation for Frank. By that time Helen or Ellen and Kathleen were living at 1 Grange Terrace in Deal; the addresses of James and Henry were not known.

with thanks for research to Joyce Banks  

*

A Private A. Harbird was serving in the 1st battalion York and Lancaster; he had two brothers also serving.

Hardeman, E. T.
Ernest Transit Hardeman, 4411, was a Serjeant Pilot (Corporal?) in the Royal Flying Corps, serving in the 48th Squadron. He joined the army in March 1915, and had served a year and five months in France before coming back to train as a Pilot. He gained the Royal Aero Club Aviator Certificate no 4818 on 14 June 1917 on L&P Biplane at London and Provincial School, Edgeware. He went back to the Front in January 1918 and died a month later at St Quentin on 16th February 1918. He is buried at the Ham British Cemetery, Muille-Villette in France, I B 30.

He was the second son, born 11 March 1896 in Dover, of Mr and Mrs J Hardeman, of 36 Military Road, Dover, and before the war was employed at the Admiralty Pier. He was an old St Mary's schoolboy, and also a member of St Mary's choir, which he had joined while at school.

A letter from the Major of his Squadron reads, "With great sorrow and sympathy I write to inform you that your son, Sergeant Ernest Hardeman, was killed in action yesterday. I have been unable to find anyone who saw your son brought down, but from the evidence of the wrecked machine he was attacked by enemy machines who succeeding in killing your son and setting his machine on fire in the air. His observer Second Lieutenant Croft was also killed and they were both buried at the military cemetery today. I am very very sorry indeed to have to write you this sad news. Your son had not been with the squadron very long, but I had full hope and confidence in his good work."

The Rev D H Wilson Chaplain to the Forces there wrote, "Dear Mrs Hardeman, By the time you receive this letter you will no doubt have heard the sad news of your son's death. He was killed whilst flying over the lines, and fell this side. I thought you would like to know that his funeral took place this afternoon, and I took the service. He was buried beside his observer in a cemetery just outside a small town named -. A cross will be erected over his grave by the Squadron, and on the cross will be your son's name, rank, and date of death. My deepest sympathy with you in your great loss. He was honoured and respected in the Squadron and they will miss him very much. he has made the greatest sacrifice of all, and you must be proud to have had such a son. May the Holy Spirit guide you and comfort you in your sorrow."

Harding, P. J.
Philip James Harding, T/241556, was born in Dover on 28 March 1886 and christened at St Andrew's, Buckland, on 2 May 1886. He was the son of Edward Harding and his wife Catherine, née Godden. The couple were married at Charlton Church, Dover, on 27 October 1866. Living at 5 Tower Hamlets, Mr Harding was then working as a labourer. In 1871 they were lodging at 159 London Road with their son Edwin William, four years old. Mr Harding was working as a gardener. By 1881 they had been joined by children Lucy, Matilda, William, and Emma.

On 6 May 1888, at just before two in the morning, Mr Harding died suddenly in bed. Although usually having a cold in the winter, he was normally fit and well. However, he did complain of pains in his chest when digging, and his son, Edwin, who had occasionally worked with him, had noticed his father occasionally knocking his chest and complaining of tightness. For five days before his death Mr Harding had been unable to obtain work, and the evening before his death he had been in the Three Cups public house, where his inquest was later held, and had played skittles with a friend, Thomas Benson, and others. Mr Harding left the inn at around half past ten, when he appeared fit and well. The doctor's view was that he had died of heart disease, accelerated by privation and by over-exertion during his skittles game. He was 42, and is buried at St Andrews.

Mrs Harding was in 1888 living at 2 Park Cottages, and in 1891 at number three. There her son Edwin was a general labourer, and her daughters Lucy and Matilda were rag sorters at the papermill. Younger sister Sophia and Philip, then 5, were scholars. Ten year later the family had moved to 28 Park Road. Edwin had become an ostler, and at home too were Sophia, by then Mrs Pilcher, a granddaughter, Lillie Lills, a nursechild, Elsie Woodgate, and Philip, who was a Boy of All Works.

1911 saw the family at 1 Crabble Terrace, with Philip a general labourer. His eldest brother Edwin had become a barman, while Sophia had a daughter, Hilda, 5, and a son, Frederick, 3. Elsie was still living with them too.

Philip enlisted in Dover to join The Buffs as a Private in the 1st/5th battalion. He died of wounds on 10 March 1917, and is buried in the Basra War Cemetery in Iraq.

1925 - In ever loving memory of my darling beloved son ... "They miss him most who loved him best". From Mother, Sister, and Brothers.

Mrs Catherine Harding died on 30 July 1933.

Hardy, P. E. R.
Philip Ernest Radford Hardy, was a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Marine Light Infantry, with the 2nd Royal Marines, RN Division. He was 22 when he died on 28th April 1917, and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial in France.

His parents were William James and Emily Hardy, from 9 Langport Road, Weston-super-Mare.

Hare, A. J. J.
Alfred J. J. Hare, 7801, was born in Fulham, London, and worked as a Post Office Messenger before he joined the Royal Flying Corps in August 1915, at the age of 15. He went to India two months later, in October, and the next month, November, joined General Townshend's Force. He was captured by the Turks the following month, December 1915, and was Prisoner of War in June 1916. An Airman, Second Class, from the 30th Squadron, (India), he died from malarial fever at Bagtsche, Turkey, on 25th August 1916. He is buried in the Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery in Iraq.

His father, Mr Harry Hare was a bricklayer, but in the war served in the Royal Engineers in France, and another son (perhaps George) also was serving there. Their home address was 77 South Road, Dover (also 22 Tower Hamlets Road). His mother's name was Sarah, and he was a grandson of Mr J W McKeen.

Harris, A. E.
Albert Edward Harris, 4169 (371833?), enlisted in London and lived in Ramsgate, and was a Rifleman in the London Regiment (Post Office Rifles). He served in the 1st/8th battalion. He died on 21st May 1916, when he was 28. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial in France, bay 10.

He was the son of William and Ann Harris, 19 Shakespeare Road, born on 16 May. He was educated at St Mary's, and subsequently joined the Post Office, transferring later to Ramsgate. He was married to Maria Isabel Harris, from 12 Maywill Road, St Peter's, Broadstairs.

Harris, A. J.
Amos John Harris, 910354, was a Gunner in D company of the 129th Brigade of the Territorial Royal Field Artillery. Born in Newport, Monmouthshire, he was the husband of Charlotte Hester Pilton (formerly Harris) of 3 Portland Place, Dover, Kent and enlisted in that town. The former Mrs Harris lived also at 303 London Road

He was 28 when he died on 22nd October 1918. He was buried in Kirechkoi-Hortakoi Military Cemetery, Greece, 283. . On the bottom of his headstone are inscribed the words: "In the midst of life we are in death. From his wife and little son, Alfe" 

Gunner Harris' grave is on   >>>>
the far left  at the back           
in the plots before the cross.

pictures with thanks to Charles Fair

Harris, A. V.
Albert Victor Harris, 910905, was a Corporal in the Royal Field Artillery. Before joining, he was employed by Messrs Flashman and Company, and was a territorial. He served through the worst period of the Mesopotamia Campaign, the hardships of which, coupled with the Indian climate, wrecked his constitution. He died on 12th October 1917, when he was 31, and is commemorated on the Kirkee 1914-1918 Memorial in India.

He was born and lived in Dover and enlisted there. He was the youngest son of Mrs Susan Harris, from 9 Tower Hamlets Road. His father Alfred O Harris, predeceased him. Mrs Harris later moved to 57 Cranford Road, Cressington, Lancashire.

Harrison, A. L.
Arthur Leyland Harrison. He was a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy, and died on 23rd April 1918 in the Zeebrugge Raid, from which action he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. This was received by his mother, Adelaide Ellen, née Leyland. More about Lieutenant Harrison is in (Exhibition 06)

He was born on 3rd February 1886 in Torquay, and attended Dover College. He was in the Junior School from 1895 to 1900, and in the Royal Navy cadets, being a cadet in 1902, a Lieutenant in October 1908, and a Lieutenant Commander in October 1916.

He was a keen Rugby player, and was in the Royal Navy XV, and in the Hampshire United Services team between 1906-14. He also played for Hampshire in 1912-14 and England in 1913-14, when he played against Ireland and France. At the Queen's Club in March 1914 he played in the game with the Royal Navy and Army Officers teams, and after the match they were presented to the King.

During the Great War he saw action at the Battle of Heligoland in 1914, at Dogger Bank in 1915, and at Jutland in 1916. He was mentioned in despatches on 15th September 1916.

His parents had had a home at Waldon Cottage, Durham Road, Wimbledon, London. Arthur Harrison is one of four men commemorated on the Zeebrugge Memorial, in Zeebrugge Churchyard in Belgium.

with thanks to Mr Belsey

Notes: Lt-Cdr father was Arthur John Harrison, and in the London Gazette for i881 he is recorded as retired Captain with the honorary rank of Major given the honorary rank of Lt Col by Royal Warrant dated 25 June 1881. He is elsewhere noted as having won a prize for shooting at Hythe, during a course for musketry in 1865. We believe he was born in London in 1843 and died in 1908, and that his wife was born in 1849 and died in 1926. The couple married in 1881.

Hart, H.
Harry Hart, 73532, served with the Middlesex Regiment, 29th battalion, and was transferred to I 58624 Eastern Command Labour Centre. He died at the Military Hospital, Ranelagh Road, Ipswich, on 20 February 1919, from pneumonia, following influenza.

He was the youngest son of the late W V Hart, from 37 Chapel Place, Dover, and the "dearly beloved" husband of Harriet Daisy Hart, from Jubilee Cottages, Primrose Road, Dover. She remarried in 1920, becoming Mrs Andrews, of 75 Primrose Road. It was she who requested that her first husband's name should be placed on the Memorial.

Hart, H. C.
Horace Cecil Hart, T/2365, was born at Holy Trinity, Dover, in which town he enlisted. He was a Private in The Buffs, 1/5 battalion, and died on 17th January 1916. He is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq, IB 17.

He was the son of John, a Mariner, and Eliza Hart, and known to his family as "Chips". His sister, Susanna, was married to Herbert Harman.

Hart, H. P.
Hyla Padgham Hart was a Lieutenant in the Durham Light Infantry, serving in the 13th battalion. He died on 5th October 1918, and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois memorial in France.

He was the son of Harry, a grocer's clerk, and Sophia Hart.