Hayes-Newington, C. W.
Charles Wetherall Hayes-Newington was a temporary Captain in the 2nd battalion of the Cheshire Regiment. He died  in action on 8th May 1915, when he was 21, and is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Belgium.

He was the son of Major and Mrs Hayes-Newington, from 16 Merton Road, Southsea, Portsmouth

piper at the Menin Gate Last Post ceremony

Hayward, J. H.
John Henry Hayward, J862, was a Leading Seaman in the Royal Navy, aboard the HMS Raider (CWGC says HMS Sandhurst.). He died on 24th November 1916, in the North Sea, after having been washed overboard. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in the United Kingdom.

He was born on 7 April 1892 at Queenborough, Kent. His mother was Mrs Margaret E Hayward, from 37 Tower Hill, Dover. In 1901 Mrs Hayward, born in Dover and a widow aged 40, was living there with her widowed father, Henry, a retired ship's painter. He was 70 and had been born in Portsmouth. Her two sons were there too, John, 8, and William, 7, born in Queenborough like his brother. John was a first cousin to Richard Prescott. William Hayward, from 21 Third Avenue, Dovercourt, requested that his name should be placed on the Memorial.

Mrs Hayward learnt of the accident through unofficial means, the official letter having not been immediately sent. Later the Captain of John's vessel wrote, "On 24th November the ship was at sea in a heavy gale of wind. Your son was - at the time of the accident - the boatswain's mate of the watch, an important post and one of considerable responsibility. It was 2am. He had just completed, with the assistance of three other seamen, the securing of a box of ammunition which had become washed from its stowage by the heavy seas. This done, your son, with great zeal and taking no heed of the risk he ran, went forward to the forecastle to see that the ammunition there was safe. Needless to say that if only he had reported to an officer first, he would have been told not to do so, but I suppose he did not count the risk and his one idea was for the ship.

No sooner had he got into the forecastle than a sea fell on board and must have carried poor Hayward away. One moment later a man ran forward and reported having heard a cry from the water. The ship was put round and search was made, but in the heavy breaking sea running at the time death must have been instantaneous. No boat could possibly be lowered, and the night was so black and stormy that nothing could be seen. However I searched until having nearly been run down by another vessel, I was obliged to abandon all hope of saving him.

In such a sea and in such cold water, death would be practically instantaneous and painless.

During the short time your son had been in the ship he had already made a name for himself for his smartness and capability. In the short while, I had come to the conclusion that he was a seaman of unusual promise. His loss was keenly felt all through the ship. I can only offer you my sincere sympathy in your great loss, and sincerely hope that you will believe that I am deeply sorry myself for the poor lad's death. He died for his country as much as if he had fallen in actual action, and in him the Navy lost a very good man. I am afraid there are few, if any, of us who have not suffered similar bereavements during this war, but I am afraid it is our own mothers only who know to the full the sorrows which come with them.

I am, my dear Mrs Hayward, yours very sincerely, G. Fraser."       

Hayward, S. P.
Sidney Paul Hayward, L/295073, was a Private in the 1/7 battalion of the Manchester Regiment. He enlisted Dover and was born in Buckland. He died 10 June 1917, from wounds. He is buried in La Chapelette British and Indian Cemetery, Peronne in France.

Hayward, W.
William Hayward, L/8436, had served for 9 years. He was a Private in D company of the 2nd battalion of The Buffs when he died on 3rd May 1915, aged 27. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Belgium.

He was born, enlisted, and lived in Dover, and his parents were Mr and Mrs J Hayward, from 52 Primrose Road, Dover.

*Head, W. D.
Walter ?William Head, 44399, was killed in action on 10th August 1918. He was 20, and had been serving in the 9th battalion of the Essex Regiment (formerly 36398 Norfolk Regiment). He is buried at the Morlancourt British cemetery No 2 in France.

He was born, lived, and enlisted in Dover. He was the second son of Mr and Mrs Head of 56 Tower Hamlets Road, and his brother, G. Head, who was serving in Malta, is pictured right.

His mother, Mrs Hannah Head, later lived at 50 Tower Hamlets Road.

Hebden-Phillips, R. F. (F. R.?)
Francis Reginald Hebden Phillips, 31808, enlisted in Plymouth and was a Lance Corporal in the Royal Engineers, serving in the 30th Fortress Company. He was born in Dover and lived in Canterbury. He was 20 when he died on 26th August 1917, from injuries received while on duty as a dispatch rider in Plymouth.

He was buried on Saturday afternoon, 1st September, at Charlton Cemetery in the United Kingdom. The funeral service was held in the vestry of the College chapel, and conducted by the Rev E C Stephens. He was the Vicar of Holy Trinity, the church which Francis's family had attended for many years. Francis had sisters, Winifred, Elliott(?), Kathleen, and Hilda, and a brother.

The hymn, "On the Resurrection Morning" was selected by his parents, Mr Charles Hebden Phillips and Mary Elizabeth Phillips, later from 12 Ethelbert Road, Canterbury, because nurses and patients were singing it in an adjacent ward when their son passed away. The coffin was of dark polished elm, and the inscription on the plate was, "2nd Corporal R. F. Hebden-Philips, Royal Engineers, Motor Dispatch Rider, Died August 26th 1917, in his 21st year". When the coffin was borne through the chapel, Chopin's "March Funebre" was played. Flowers from the family were arranged inside.

There were many floral tributes, including a cross of lilies tied with Royal Engineer and Old Dovorian colours, "with tender love from father and mother to their beloved boy", with others "in loving memory of an affectionate and faithful friend", and "a token of respect from the Officers, NCOs and men of the Army Signals, Plymouth Garrison". There was a floral replica of the RE badge, bearing the message, "with deepest sympathy from his fellow dispatch riders of the Plymouth Garrison", and "a token of remembrance, from girls of the Central Military Exchange Staff, Army Signals, Plymouth. The patients and nursing staff of C1 Ward, Salisbury Hospital, Plymouth, placed on their wreath, " Though a stranger, he was a comrade here, he died a soldier"

Note: a bomb was said to have fallen through the home of a Mr and Mrs Hebden-Phillips of 53 Folkestone Road, Dover on 22 August 1917, but failed to explode. It narrowly missed Mrs Hebden-Philips and her daughter, and Mrs Hebden-Philips had been seriously ill from shock subsequently.

Hedgecock, E. C.
Ernest Charles Hedgecock, G/24490, had been an agent for the Prudential Assurance Company before he joined the army under the Derby scheme in 1916. He was also a member of the Buckland Wesleyan Church, where his services as a Steward, a Sunday School Teacher, and a Chorister, were much valued.  

He was born, and lived and enlisted in Dover, and became a Private in the 4th battalion of the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), and, after undergoing training in various parts of the country, and completing it at the Duke of York's School, went to the Front in March 1917. He was killed in action while serving with a machine gun team on 3rd May 1917 at Monchy Le Preaux, when he was 24. A comrade, who had been beside him when he was killed, conveyed the news to his parents, Mr Charles Ellis (who died a little while later) and Mrs Emma Elizabeth Hedgecock, from 7 Alexandra Place.  He is commemorated on the Arras memorial in France.

He was engaged to be married to Miss Semple, the daughter of Mr and Mrs T Semple from Hastings, and formerly from Millais Road, Dover.

May 1940

Treasured memories of our dear son and brother, Ernest Charles Hedgecock, Royal Fusiliers, killed at Arras, May 3rd 1917, aged 24 years. And with the morn those angel faces smile, which we have loved long since, but lost awhile. From Mother, Frank, Winnie, and Rhoda.

The headstone is at Charlton. The words read:

In Loving Memory Of Charles Ellis Hedgecock Who Died 15th October 1923 . Aged 60 Years "Abiding in Christ"

Also Of Ernest Charles Hedgecock Beloved Son of Above Who Made the Great Sacrifice at Arras 3rd May 1917 Aged 24 Years "Greater Love Hath No Man Than This" Beloved By All Who Knew Him

Hedgecock, E. J.
Edward John Hedgecock, 358046, had been employed in the Electric Light Works before enlisting in Dover and becoming a Gunner in the 62nd Siege battery of the Kent (TF) Royal Garrison Artillery. He was killed in action after eighteen months service on 10th September 1917, when he was 23. He is buried at Bleuet Farm Cemetery in Belgium.

He was born in Dover, and his parents were Edward John and Elizabeth Catherine Hedgecock, from 13 South Road, of whom he was the only son. The Major of his company wrote to his parents after his death and spoke  very highly of Gunner Hedgecock's efficiency in his work as a telephonist, and of his devotion to duty

 

In Ever Loving Memory of Our Dear and Only Son Gnr Edward J. Hedgecock (Teddie) 62nd Siege Battery, RGA Killed Whilst on Active Service 10th September 1917 Aged 23 Years and 8 Months Interred at Elverdinghe, Belgium

also Our Dear Daughter Elizabeth Katherine (Lizzie) who Died 8th February 1918 Aged 20 Years and 10 Months "Until the Day Break" also of our Dear Daughter Ethel May died 30th April 1930 Aged 37 Years and 11 Months "Until We Meet Again"

The headstone above is at Charlton cemetery. Below is Gunner Hedgecock's last resting place, at Bleuet Farm

The words at the bottom of Gunner Hedgecock's headstone read, "Dearly loved and deeply mourned by all at home" In the view, right, his grave is third in from the right, in the front row Belgian photos by Peter Bates

Henderson, R. M.  
R. M. Henderson. In the 1901 census there is a Robert M Henderson living in Dover. He was then aged 20 and was an undergraduate at Oxford university. He was living with his widowed mother Mary, born Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. It would seem that she had married Robert Batty Henderson in Dover in 1878.  

Robert Morley Henderson was a Chaplain, 4th Class, from the Army Chaplains' Department, who died on 3 February 1919. He is buried in Belgrade Cemetery, Belgium.

Heron. A. E.
Albert Ernest Heron, 1265, was a Trooper in the Household Cavalry, Royal Horse Guards (The Blues) of the Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line (including Yeomanry and Imperial Camel Corps). He died on 12th April 1917, when he was 29, and is buried at the Tilloy British Cemetery, Tilloy Les Mofflaines, France.

Born in Woolwich, he enlisted in Dover, and was the son of Joseph Heron, of 4 Dour Cottages, Wood Street, Dover. He was the husband of E. Woolmington (formerly Heron), of 45 Church Street, Enfield, Middlesex, and formerly of 9 Evelyn Villas, Devonshire Road, Merton, Surrey. >

Hewes, E. A.
Ernest Alfred Hewes, 14526, was a Serjeant in the Royal Garrison Artillery, serving in the 82nd Company. He died on 8th May 1916, when he was 34, at Lahore. He is commemorated on the Karachi 1914-1918 War Memorial, Pakistan.

He was born in Sheerness, and enlisted in Dover. He was the husband of Elsie Gertrude Hewes, of Buckland, Dover, and probably brother to Henry, below. Thomas Robert Hewes, of 35 Noah's Ark Road, asked for his name to be placed on the Town Memorial.

Hewes, H. G.
Henry George Hewes, 8110, was a Gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery (formerly 22767 3rd Hants Regiment)He served in the 121st Siege Battery, and died on 22nd April 1917, when he was 28. He is buried at St Nicolas British Cemetery in France.

Born in Rangoon, Burma, he enlisted at Newport, Isle of Wight. He was the husband of Annie Whitham (formerly Hewes), of New Village, Freshwater, Isle of Wight, where he lived, and probably brother to Ernest, above. Thomas Robert Hewes, of 35 Noah's Ark Road, asked for his name to be placed on the Town Memorial.

Hicks, H. C.
Horace Clement Hicks, 60214, was in the 102nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, serving as a Gunner. He died in action in France on 30th November 1917, and is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, France.

Elizabeth Hicks, from Hall's Cottage 17 Spring Gardens, St Peter Street, Dover, asked for his name to be placed on the Memorial. He was born at Charlton, Devon, and enlisted in Exeter, but lived in Dover.

*Hickson, S. V. E.  
S. V. E. Hickson was a Second Lieutenant in the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. This was probably Samuel Vernon Einem-Hickson, son of Colonel S A E Hickson, DSO, Royal Engineers, from Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey, who died when he was 21 on 4th November 1914. He is buried in the Tanga Memorial Cemetery, Tanzania.

*Hill, F. C. 
F. C. Hill - this could be Frederic Daniel Hill, 277, born in Portsea, Hampshire, and enlisting in Woolwich to become an Armament Staff Serjeant, of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, 5th company. He was 35 when he died in France on 5th September 1915. He is buried at St Acheul French National Cemetery, Amiens.

He was the youngest son of J J and E Hill, from Dover, and the husband of Ethel Hill, from 19 Buckland Avenue, Dover.

Hobbs, R. H.
Reginald H. Hobbs, CH/18461, served in the Royal Marine Light Infantry as a private. He was killed in action in the Dardanelles on 8 May 1915, when he was 19. He is buried at the Courtney's and Steel's Post Cemetery, Turkey, sp mem 26. 

Born on 12 April 1896 at Wootton, he was the "dear son" son of Mr Henry John and Mrs Fanny Hobbs, from Crabble Farm. In 1901 the family were living at Tappington Farm, Denton; Mr Hobbs was described as a farmer's son. Also there was Reginald's younger brother Leonard, 1. He received the notification of Reginald's death in 1915 at The Cottage, Crabble Farm, River, Dover.

1942 - "Cherished in memory's garden"

Hobbs, R.
Richard Hobbs, 358471, was a Bombardier in the 170th Siege Battery of the (Kent) Royal Garrison Artillery. He died on 1st November 1918, when he was 36. He is buried at Vendegies Cross Roads British Cemetery, Bermerain, France.

He was born at Swingfield, by Dover, and enlisted in Dover. He was the son of Richard and Mary Hobbs, of Selsted, Dover, and the husband of Annie Hobbs, from 15 Stanhope Road, Dover

Hogben, M. W.
Montague William Hogben, 57589, was a Private in the 2nd battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment. He died on 29th September 1918, when he was 19. He is buried at the Pigeon Ravine Cemetery, Epehy, France.

Born and enlisting in Dover, he was the son of James Hogben, from 4 Pioneer Road, Crabble Hill, Dover. 

Hogbin, W. J. N.  
Walter James Nicholson Hogbin, 94423, known as a billiard player of exceptional skill, and who may have been employed by the Conservative Club, was a Private in the 13th battalion of The King's (Liverpool Regiment) (formerly 178250 The Royal Field Artillery). He died the day after he was wounded on 26th August 1918, when he was 39. He is buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France

Born in Dover, he was the son of Jane and Stephen Hogbin, from Dover and the brother of George Hogbin, from Woolcomber Street. He lived in Kilburn, and was the husband of Mrs E J Hogbin, from 3 Torbay Mansions, Willesden lane, Kilburn, London, formerly at 6 Burton Road, Kilburn. They had two children. 

(for family tree see faded genes by Dave Dixon)

Holbrook, H. G.
Henry George Holbrook, K/17531, was an old St Bart's school boy. He died just a month after the war had begun, when the HMS Pathfinder was mined on 5 September 1914.  He was 19. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in the United Kingdom.

Born on 29 September 1894, he was the son of George Henry Holbrook and Frances Margaret Holbrook, from 17 Tower Street, Tower Hamlets. In 1901 Mrs Holbrook had been at  17 Widred Road, Dover, with Henry, then 6, and her other two sons, William, 5, and George, 3. All the family were born in Dover and all three sons joined the Royal Navy.

Second son, William A Holbrook  First Class Stoker	Third son, George A Holbrook Able Seaman

Holden, G. S.
George Stephen Holder (note surname), 154330, was an Able Seaman in the Royal Fleet Reserve. He died on 22 September 1914 when the HMS Aboukir was torpedoed. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in the United Kingdom.

Born on 3 September 1874 in the parish of St Mary, Dover, he was the son of Benjamin Holder, who died the year following the birth of his son, and his wife, Rosina Holder from 51 George Street, Buckland, Dover. He was brother to Fanny Maria, the mother of Guy Middleton. In 1891, aged 16, he was a member of the crew of the vessel St Vincent, then at Portsmouth.

He was the "beloved husband" of Mrs Holder (née Louie Hanagan) from 31 Market Street, Paddington, London. He left two sons when he was killed, Walter Thomas and George. A daughter, Mary Louise, known as Bet, was born after his death.

"A sudden shock - a loss severe -
To part with him we loved so dear;
Our loss is great; we'll not complain'
But trust in Christ to meet again." (Nov 1914)

Holderness, H.
Harry Holderness, 43879, was a Private in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 2nd battalion (formerly 8089 in the 18th battalion of the London Regiment). He died in action on 14th October 1918, and is commemorated at Dadizeele New British Cemetery.

He was born at Folkestone, but enlisted in Camberwell. He lived at Deptford, and his wife was Mrs L Holderness, from 31 Crossfield Street, Deptford, London.

Holland, H. E.
Harold Edward Holland, 8719, was a Company Quartermaster Serjeant with the 8th battalion of the East Surrey Regiment. He was born at St Martin's in Jersey and worked as an Auctioneer's Assistant before enlisting. He enlisted in Jersey, and this may have been during the period 1905 to 1908 when the 1st battalion of the East Surreys were garrisoned there. 

He was killed in action on 1st September 1918 when he was 39, and is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois memorial in France. He was awarded the Military Medal.

He was the son of the late Edward Holland, born in England and probably a train driver with the Jersey Eastern Railway. He was a brother in Military Jubilee no 2195, Dover. He was married to  May L G Holland from 29 Eaton Road, Dover. CQMS Holland's brother, Edward William Herbert Holland, an Armourer's Mate in the Royal Navy, was one of 214 men killed on 21 January 1918 when HMS Louvain was torpedoed in the Aegean Sea.

with thanks to Barrie Barton, Channel Islands Great War Study Group
Note: a Mrs May Louisa Holland, from 39 Eaton Road, is noted in the Jersey Shipping Lists as travelling on 22 February 1917

Holland, R. S.
Reginald Seabright Holland, G/77661, was a Private in the 17th battalion of the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (formerly TR/74763 TR). He died on 28th September 1918, when he was 19. He is buried in the Noyelles-sur-L'Escaut Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

His parents were John and Emma E Holland, from 85 Crabble Hill, Dover, in which town he enlisted.

Holmes. W. P.
William Percy Holmes, T/204251, served as a Private in the 7th battalion of The Buffs. He died of wounds on 30th September 1917, when he was 36. He is buried at Nine Elms British Cemetery, Belgium

He was the son of Burvill Holmes and Catherine Holmes, from Dover. He enlisted and lived in Dover, and was the husband of Mrs S Holmes,  from 2 Kingswood Villas, Crabble Avenue, Dover.

Holyman, L. B.
Lewis Baden Holyman, 957181, was a Trimmer in the Mercantile Marine Reserve. He served aboard the HMS Caledonia, which was minesweeping. He died at the Haslar hospital on 2nd November 1918, when he was 18, from pneumonia following influenza. .

He is buried at the Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery (Clayhall Cemetery, Clayhall Road), E 36.17. On his headstone are the words, "Lewis Holyman, Trimmer MMR, HMS Caledonia, died 2 Nov 1918 aged 18". 

His stepbrother, William Bligh, also died from pneumonia, following influenza, four months later.

The land (below right) is owned by Dover Town Council and managed by the White Cliffs Countryside Project.

Amazingly, during clearance   -  which included shifting some 40 tons of topsoil filled with detritus of bricks, concrete, rusty metal, bedsprings, broken glass, and old garden tools! - Tom Page, of Rhino Plant Hire, found Lewis Holyman's death plaque (left).

How did it get there? No one knows, but.one theory is that it could have been kept in a shed on one of the former allotments on the site. Alternatively, this could have been the place where wreckage from houses bombed in World War II was deposited.

The plaque is now at Dover Museum.

with thanks to Joyce Banks, Paul Willmott (WCCP), and Tom Page (RPH)