Packer, B. C.
Bertram Charles Packer, 44474, enlisted in Canterbury, and was a Rifleman in the King's Royal Rifle Corps, posted to the 2nd.15th battalion with the London Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own Civil Service Rifles) (formerly TR/10/31799 32nd TR battalion TR/13.58703 20th TR battalion).

He died of wounds on 5th November 1918, and is buried at the Cement House cemetery in Belgium. He was born in Faversham. He was probably brother to Ernest, below.

Packer, E. W. 
Ernest William (Walter) Packer, 68906, was a Bombardier in the Royal Field Artillery, D battery, 62nd Brigade. He was 20 when he died on 29th July 1916. He was buried at the Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, France, X E 3.

CWGC details state that he was the son of Edward Maurice Packer, and the late Ann Packer, from 39 Eton Road, Newport Monmouthshire. He was born in Dover.

Notes:
The Dover Express named him as Ernest William Packer, when the memorial was unveiled. 
The National Archives records him as Ernest I Packer on the medal lists.
Soldiers Died notes him as Ernest Walter Packer, Bombardier, enlisted and lived in Maidstone.
The 1901 census has Ernest W. Packer, aged 5, and Bertie C. Packer, aged 1, as the sons of Edward M Packer and Kate Ann Packer, his wife. Ernest was born at Ospringe, Kent, Bertie born at South Preston, Kent. Then they were living at 4 Mall Place, the parish of St Catherine, Preston, civil parish Preston Within, district of Faversham. Mr Packer was a time-keeper at a mining machinery factory.

Pain, A. T. 
Alfred Thomas Pain, G/13570, was in the 6th battalion of The Buffs, serving as a Serjeant. He was 25 when he died in action on 3rd May 1917, and is buried in the Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery in France.

His parents were Stephen and Susan E Pain, from 149 London Road, Dover. He enlisted and lived in Dover, but was born in Teynham, Kent.

Palmer, G. T.
George Thomas Palmer, G/5181. He was a Private in the Buffs (East Kent Regiment), the 8th battalion. He died on 19th August 1916, and is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial in France.  Born in Alkham, Dover, he enlisted and lived in Dover. He was the brother of Stephen Palmer, below, and cousin of Walter Tull.

The picture above is believed to be that of George Palmer. It is one of three contained in the hollow uniform button, above right, from which his mother created a brooch. The other two pictures are below, in his brother's entry

Lower right is George's dog tag, returned after his death.

August 1922 - In ever affectionate memory of my two beloved sons, George Thomas Palmer, killed in action August 19th 1916 and Stephen John Alexander Palmer, killed in action July 16th 1917. Six years have passed, Yet still I miss them. A silent thought, a secret tear, Keeps their memory very dear. From their ever loving mother. RIP

with thanks to Stephen Coombe

(article)

Palmer, S. J. A.
Stephen John Alexander Palmer, S/7023, was a Lance Serjeant in the 7th battalion of the Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) (formerly 10174 The Buffs). He was 20 when he died in action on 16th July 1917. He is commemorated at Menin Gate in Belgium. Born in River, and enlisting and living in Dover, he was the son of Mrs Harriett Palmer, of 204 Union Road, Buckland, Dover.  

The picture illustrates a story from the Dover Express in 1915. It reads:

Private S J A Palmer

Of the 1st battalion, The Buffs, writing to his brother at 227 London Road, Dover, from "the same mansion",  describes a lucky escape he had, a box of Oxo his brother sent him in his last parcel having been the means of saving his life. He says: "A bullet hit my breast pocket, went through my tobacco box into the Oxo tin. It tore my coat in twenty places, and I am only bruised."

His company lost his platoon officer and ten men with one shell. Private S J A Palmer has three other brothers serving - Private E G Palmer, "somewhere in France", 1st Buffs; Private W. Palmer, just returned from Gibraltar after three years' service with the RGA (expecting to go to the Front); and Private G Palmer, who is in training at Shoreham, with the 8th Buffs. George Palmer, above, also died.

Note: Stephen's nephew remembers the tin being on display for many years at home

These are the other two pictures con-tained in the uniform button brooch, men-tioned above. They are believed to be those of Stephen Palmer. (article)

with thanks to Stephen Coombe

Palmer, T. W. 
Thomas William Palmer. S/7967, was born in Dover and lived there, but enlisted in London. He became a Rifleman in the 8th battalion of the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own). He was killed in action on 15th September 1916 and is buried at Guards' Cemetery, Lesboeufs in France.

He was the son of Mr and Mrs W T Palmer, from 26 Lansdown Road, Canterbury

Parker, A. G. 
Alfred George Parker, 2975, had attended St Mary's school when he was a boy. He had served in the Garrison Artillery in England between 1899 and 1907 (another document suggests he served only two years six months), and was discharged after serving his time. He then went to Australia and, after a time as a labourer, joined the Australian forces on 16th May 1915, aged 23 years and 1 month. He became a bugler, and at that time was five feet five inches tall. He had a dark complexion, brown eyes, and black hair. On his left fore arm was a tattoo of a flower cross and crossed shields, and on his right fore arm was a tattoo of a ballet girl with clasped hands. 

His service was chequered. On 5th August 1915 he was fined £1 for breaking camp and being absent without leave for nearly three days. At this time his conduct was considered as normally good. On 7th October he was again absent without leave. This time his conduct was considered indifferent, and the question of discharge arose. On 29th October 1915 he was discharged from the Depot Company, with the note that he was unlikely to become an efficient soldier. On 18th January 1916 he was charged with conduct likely to prejudice the good order of his camp. He had clearly been enjoying himself as his offence was "being in company with girls who were in a state of intoxication within the camp, and also being abroad with them". On 24th February 1916 he was charged with disobedience of orders after being warned, and with being absent without leave from 21st to 23rd February. He was recommended for discharge from C Company, of the Depot Battalion, on 24th February 1916, and  discharged on 25th February. His Major said, "This man has been before me on three different occasions charged with offences of more or less serious nature; his character is undoubtedly bad. I have apart from these offences given him several opportunities to amend his line of conduct, with no good result. He is certainly a menace to the good order and discipline of the battalion."

Alfred re-enlisted on 12th June 1916, and on 8th November 1916 sailed on the SS Port Nicholson from Sydney, arriving at Devonport on 10th January 1917. On 14th January he went to Codford, and was again absent without leave between 24th to 26th February, losing 12 days pay. On 5th March 1917 he sailed for France, from Folkestone.  Perhaps then he took the opportunity to visit his brother Charles, who in June 1917 is recorded as the licensee of the Swan Inn, 176 Dover Road, Folkestone.

He had a short spell in hospital at the end of June, but by 24th July he was marching out to Havre, and on 7th October 1917 he joined his unit and served in the field. He lost a day's pay for being absent for two and a half hours from billeting, until apprehended, on 27th February 1918. On 5th April 1918 he was killed in action. His effects were received by his father, Mr Alfred James Parker, of the Dolphin Inn, Dover, on 2nd June 1918. 

Alfred is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux memorial in France. He was awarded the 1914/15 star, the British War medal, and the Victory medal. His plaque and scroll were sent to his father and to his mother, Rose. 

Parker, G. W. G.
George William Gardiner Parker, G9297, served as a Private in the 6th battalion of the Buffs. He was born, enlisted, and lived in Dover, but was employed in the Works Department of the Depot RM at Walmer. .

He enlisted on 29th February 1916 and went overseas on 28th June. Less than a week later, on 3rd July 1916, he was reported missing. He is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial in France. 

Parsons, R. S. 
Raymond Steriker Parsons was a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy, serving in the Hood battalion of the RN Division. He died on 4th June 1915, and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey

Parsons, S. J. 
Stanley James Parsons. 8213, was the son of William and Harriett Parsons, from 10 Bartholomew Street, Dover, and brother to William, below. He was born in Dover, but enlisted in London and lived in Sevenoaks.

He served as a Serjeant in the 9th battalion of the East Surrey Regiment. He was 19 when he died on Christmas Eve, 1916. He is buried at the Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe in France.

Parsons, W. C. 
William Charles Parsons, L8432, enlisted in Dover as Private in the 1st battalion of the Buffs. He was reported missing, and later as having died on 20th October 1914. He was 27. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium.

Born in Dover, He was the son of Mr William and Mrs Harriett Parsons, of 10 Bartholomew Street, Dover, and brother of Stanley above.  He lived at Buckland.

Pattison, E. S. .
Edward S. Pattison, 177356, was a Leading Seaman in the Royal Navy, with HMS Pembroke. He was awarded the Africa General Service Medal (with the Somaliland Clasp), and he served in the Dardanelles with the HMS Implacable.

He was the son of Frederick and Ellen Pattison, from Dover, and the husband of Marion Pattison, who lived at 96 Norwich Road, Ipswich.

He was 39 according to the CWGC when he died from injuries aboard ship on 14th March 1918, and he is buried at St James cemetery, Dover in the United Kingdom. His tombstone associates him with the HMS Melpomine. At the foot of his tombstone are the words "Peace, Perfect Peace".

For his family tree, see Faded Genes, by Dave Dixon

Pearce, G. T. 
George Thomas Pearce, S172, served in the 3rd battalion as a Lance Serjeant in the Buffs. He 46 when he died on 4th October 1918, and is buried at St Mary's cemetery, Dover in the United Kingdom.

His wife was Ellen J Pearce, from 9 Union Row, Military Hill, Dover.

Perry-Ascough, H. G. C. 
Henry George Charles Perry-Ayscough had served in the South African Campaign and the West African Frontier Force, and authored a book, "With the Russians in Mongolia", published in 1914. He died on 25th September 1915, when he was a Captain in the Connaught Rangers, having served in the 4th battalion and been attached to the Royal Irish Rifles (Soldiers Died states Royal Munster Fusiliers).  He is commemorated on the Menin Gate memorial in Belgium.

He was the son of the late Rev George B Perry-Ayscough (died 31st August 1885), a vicar of Brabourne in Kent,  and the Hon Emma Sophia Perry-Ayscough, nee Parnell (died 26th November 1910), whom he married on 17th May 1866. She was the daughter of Sir Henry William Parnell, 3rd Baron Congleton, and Sophia Bligh. He had at least two sisters, the younger of whom was named Ethel Sophia (died 1914), and who married the Rev Herbert Meade Ramus.

Pettet, W. H. 
William Henry Pettet, TF 260080, enlisted in Canterbury as Private in the Royal Sussex Regiment, serving in the 2nd battalion (part of the BEF). He was born in Dover in the United Kingdom.

He died of wounds on 25th October 1918, and is buried in the Vaden Court British Cemetery, Maissemy in France.

Petticrew, A. 
Alexander Petticrew, 10193, was a Private in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, serving in the 2nd battalion. He was born in Shankhill, Co Antrim, and enlisted in Belfast.

He was 19 when he died on 11th July 1916, and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

He was the husband of May McCarthy (fomerly Petticrew), from 2 Chapel Court, Snargate Street, Dover, Kent.

Phillips, O.
Owen Phillips, 217032, was born in Loughborough on 5th November 1914. He served as an Able Seaman in the Royal Navy, with the HMS Bulwark. He died when he was 30 on 26th November 1914, when the Bulwarke blew up at 07.35. Very few men (14?) were saved from a crew of over 700. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial in the United Kingdom.

He was the husband of Alice Louisa Gregory, formerly Phillips, from 33 Wyndham Road, Dover, formerly 31 Wyndham Road. He left also a baby daughter. 

Phipps, C.
Charles Phipps, G/5493, was in the 8th battalion of the Buffs. He was a Private, and he died when he was 23 on 13th March, 1916. He is buried at the Sanctuary Wood Cemetery, Belgium. He was the son of Mr David Phipps, of  9 Wyndham Road, Dover. He enlisted and lived in Dover, and was born at Charlton in the United Kingdom.

No easy hopes of lies Shall bring us to our goal, But iron sacrifice Of body, will, and soul. There's but one task for all, For each one life to give; Who stands if freedom falls? Who dies if England lives?

Phipps, C.
Charles Phipps, G/536(6)0, enlisted in Sittingbourne, and was a Private in the 7th battalion of the Buffs (East Kent Regiment). He was 30 when he died on 1st July 1916. He is commemorated at Thiepval memorial in France. 

Born in Dover, he was the son of Mr and Mrs J. W. Phipps, of 49, Military Road, Dover, and brother to Edward, James, and Frederick, who also died. He lived in Milton Regis.

Phipps, E.
Edward Arthur Phipps, 32107, was a Private in "A" company of the 7th battalion of the Prince of Wales' Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment). He was 29 (26?) when he died on 3rd August 1917, and is commemorated on the Menin Gate memorial in Belgium.

Born and enlisting in Dover, he was the son of Mr and Mrs. J. W. Phipps, of 49, Military Rd., Dover, formerly 66 Snargate Street, land brother to Frederick, James, and Charles who also died. His enlistment number is sequential with James', suggesting they went together to enlist. Either James or a fifth son Mr and Mrs Phipps had serving had been wounded on 8th July 1917

Phipps, E. W.
Edwin Wilfred Phipps, G/21458, was 19 when he died of wounds on 25th September 1917. He enlisted in Dover and was a Private in the 1st battalion of the Buffs, and was buried at Bethune Town Cemetery, France.   

He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Phipps, of 3, Eastholm Mansions, Highbury Road, Weston-super-Mare, and lived at Maidstone (Soldiers Died says Bexhill-on-Sea). He was born at Maidstone 

Phipps, F. E. 
Frederick Edward Phipps, L/8713, was 31 when he died from wounds on 5th April 1915 at No 12 General Hospital, Rouen. He enlisted in Canterbury and was a Lance Corporal in the 2nd battalion of The Buffs. Born at St Mary's and living in Dover, the son of Mr and Mrs J W Phipps of 66 Snargate Street, Dover. His brothers Edward, Charles, and James also fell.

He now lies at St Sever Cemetery, Rouen in France. His grave is at the bottom, near left, of this view:

The words at the bottom of his headstone read:

Gone but not forgotten
from your loving Father, Mother, and Brother 

Phipps, J. W.
James William Phipps, 32108, was a Private in the 2nd battalion of the Prince of Wales' Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment). He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot memorial in Belgium, having died on 21st August 1918, when he was 35.

He was born and enlisted in Dover. He was a brother of Frederick, Charles, and Edward, who also died, and they were sons of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Phipps, of 49, Military Rd., Dover.

Phipps, W. R. 
William Roach Phipps, T4/059124, enlisted in Dover and was a Driver in the 276th Horse Transport Company of the Army Service Corps. He was buried at sea after dying of enteric on 27th March 1915. He is commemorated on the Chatby Memorial, Egypt

He was 30 and was born and lived in Dover. He was the son of Mrs Sarah Phipps, of  31, Tower Hamlets Rd., Dover.

Piddington, W. T.
William Thomas Piddington, CH/812, was a Serjeant at the Royal Marines Depot at Deal, in the Light Infantry. He died on 5th February 1915, when he was 54. He is buried at St James cemetery in Dover, United Kingdom.

His parents were William and Susannah Piddington, and his father was a teacher of music, born at Woolwich, as was William himself. In 1881 he was living at the Royal Marine Barracks at Chatham, aged 20, in a unit led by Private Richard Drew. There were 25 to the unit, ranging from a lad of 14 who was a drummer, to a 37-year-old sergeant. By 1901 he was living in Deal, had married Mary, also from Woolwich, and had a daughter, Marjorie, who was born at Deal and was then 8 years old. He served for 30 years and six months in the Royal Marines, as a bandmaster, and was in the Militia staff at Dover, and had gained a distinguished conduct medal. He had also been an instructor of music to the Gordon Boys' orphanage.

William was a Freemason, and from Lord Warden Lodge no 1096 he joined Military Jubilee Lodge 2195 on 28th September 1899. He was secretary there between 1899 - 1900, and 1902 -1905,and became senior warden in 1901. He left that Lodge on 22nd August 1906.

He had been out of the service for 12 years, but was called up as a Naval Pensioner when the Great War began. By then living at 26 Marine Parade in Dover, he underwent an operation at the end of January 1915, at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London. This was deemed a success, and there was every hope of his early recovery. However, he relapsed, and passed away at 2.15am on 5th of February.

There were many expressions of sympathy and regret when he died. His coffin,  inscribed with the words "William Thomas Piddington, died 5th February 1915, aged 54 years",  and draped with the Union Flag, was carried to the cemetery by four of his colleagues. There, with the Reverend T. B. Watkins officiating, as he had at St James' church beforehand, the coffin was lowered into a grave lined with yew sprigs.

In ever loving memory of William Thomas Piddington who passed peacefully away on Feb 5th 1915 aged 54 years To live in the hearts of those we love is not to die Also of Marion Piddington widow of the above who died October 4th 1936 aged 70 years Peace, Perfect Peace

Many people attended, including Mr R J Wells and Mr T Francis from the Military Jubilee Lodge, and there were numerous floral tributes. Those from his immediate family read:

"To my dear one, with everlasting love until we meet, from his loving Wife"
"With our very best love to our darling dad, from Hilda and Frank and little Frankie"
"With fondest love to our darling dad, from his sorrowing daughter Marjorie and Bob"
"With fond love to one of the best of fathers, from his sorrowing daughter and son-in-law, Ethel, Cecil, and baby Eileen"
"With loving sympathy from his sister" (Mrs Cooper)

There were many others, including one from the Golden Cross Self-Help club at St James Street, from the Band of the Royal Marines at Deal, from friends at Deal and Walmer, and from the Sergeants' Mess at Deal. The Lodge made grants to the family after William's death, while Mary's address became Richmond House, Marine parade.

The next year, 1916, "In Memoriam" notices were posted:

Later that year, in May, Marjorie married Bob (Robert Baxter) at St Mary's church. Rev Watkins again officiated. By 1924 Mrs Piddington was living at 8 Cambridge Terrace' she confirmed her husband satisfed one of the conditions for inclusion on the Memorial as he had been in receipt of a war pension. 

Peirce, A. E. 
Arthur Edmund Peirce, T/3190, joined in Dover the 4th Buffs as a Private, and was attached to the 2.4th Royal West Kent Regiment. He was sent to the Dardanelles, and he died from bronchial pneumonia at the General Hospital, Alexandria, on 19th December 1915, when he was 29. He is buried at the Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

His parents were William and Annie Peirce, from Brook Villa, River, Dover. He lived in River.

Pierce, A. C. H. 
Alfred C. H. Pierce, 9284, served as a Private in AA company of the 1st battalion of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. He was 28 when he died on 5th October 1917. He is buried at Buckland cemetery, Dover in the United Kingdom. at the foot of his headstone are the words, "Thy Will be Done".

Born in Dover, he was the son of the late Eliza Betsey Pierce and of Alfred James Pierce, from 1 Edgar Crescent, Dover, brother to Samuel, below, and brother-in-law to James Belcher.  Hilda, sister to Samuel and Alfred, and also at 1 Edgar Crescent, asked for all three named to be commemorated on the Town Memorial.

Pierce, S. 
Samuel Pierce, 9810, enlisted in Canterbury and was a Private in the 2nd battalion of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. He died on 26th August 1915, when he was 24, in Mesopotamia. He is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq.

Born in Dover, he was the son of the late Alfred James Pierce, from 1 Edgar Crescent, Dover, brother to Alfred, above, and brother-in-law to James Belcher.