Piggott, H. W. 
Henry William Piggott, G5853, was a Lance Corporal in D company of the 1st battalion of the Buffs. He was killed in action on 19th April 1916, when he was 23, and is buried at La Brique Military Cemetery in France.

Born in Winchelsea, Sussex, he enlisted and lived in Dover. He was the eldest son of the late Mr Joseph Piggott and Mrs S Piggott, 13 Wyndham Road, Dover, and later of 11 Ladywell Place, Dover.

April 1917

April 1917

His brothers were Joe, George, and Reg, and his sisters, Alice and Nell. George, pictured right,  was custodian at Dover Castle for many years while his wife Mabel ran the shop. They lived in Peverell's Tower.

with thanks to Nicky McCann

(We Remember 06)

Pilcher, C. 
Charles Pilcher. There was a Charles Pilcher, aged 12, in the 1901 census, living at 4 Catherine Place. He was born at River and was the son of John and Elizabeth Pilcher. His sister, Emily, was married in 1912 to Albert Dearlove

Pilcher, G. H. 
George Henry Pilcher, G/861, was born around 1892, the son of Jesse Pilcher and his wife Emily Alice, formerly Jay. The couple had married in 1884. In 1901 the family were living at River Street, River, with Mr Pilcher working as a papermaker. There were then six children living at home; Elizabeth, Herbert, George, Nellie, Ernest and Flora. The family were born locally; Mr and Mrs Pilcher and Elizabeth at Ewell, and the other children at River.

By 1911 the family had moved to 5 Dublin Cottages, River, and George was working at the nearby papermill, while Mr Pilcher had taken a job as a water worker. They had been joined by another daughter, Beaty, though four of their twelve children had died. Later Mr Pilcher lived at 77 Snargate Street.

George enlisted in Dover to become a Private in the 1st battalion of The Buffs. He died in action on 8 May 1917, and is buried at the Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe in France.

The headstone on the left is at SS Peter and Paul, River. It reads: In Loving Memory of Our Beloved One, Herbert John Pilcher, who passed away February 26th 1909 After a long and painful Illness Aged 19 years. Also in Loving Memory of George Henry Pilcher, Brother of the above who was Killed in Action May 8th 1917 Aged 25 years. Also in Loving Memory of Albert Edward Curtis Killed in Action June 17th 1917 whilst serving on HMS Tartar Aged 23 years. Also Alice Emily beloved Wife of Jesse Pilcher and Mother of the above Who died January (illeg) Aged 64 Years. (The date of her death was January 31st 1929; Mrs Pilcher passed away "after much suffering, patiently borne".)

gravestone and transcription Joyce Banks

Pink, D. S. 
Donald Stuart Pink, G7000, was an acting Corporal (Company Range Taker) in the 10th battalion of the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). He had been educated at St Martin's School, and had for some years before enlisting worked as a clerk at Mowll and Mowll, solicitors. He had been in the regiment for a year, but had been abroad for only a few weeks when he died from wounds on 6th (2nd?) June 1916. A nursing sister at the casualty clearing station wrote to his father, "he was admitted suffering from bullet wounds in the mouth and some injury to the spine. He was deeply unconscious and remained so, passing away at 11pm the same day."

He was 20, and is buried at the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord in France.

He had been born in Ayr in Scotland, but enlisted and lived in Dover. His parents were Ernest and Edith Morrison Pink, from 26 Fisher Street, Maidstone, formerly of Westgate, and previously of St Martin's Place, Dover. They had previously lost another son, a clerk in the Land Valuation Office at Dover, who had been accidentally drowned while bathing off Shakespeare Beach in 1914. 

Piper, T. W. H. 
Thomas William Harvey Piper, 01-384 (91-0384), was a Gunner in the Territorial Royal Field Artillery, serving in the 222nd Brigade. He was 24 when he died on 5th September 1917, and is commemorated on the Basra Memorial in Iraq.

He was the son of William and Mary Ann Piper, from 63 North Road, Hythe, Kent. He was born and enlisted in Dover.

Podevin, G. S. 
George Sibbit Podevin was a temporary Captain (from 8th August 1914), attached to a Nigeria Regiment, according to one source, and according to another source, he had served in the South African Constabulary at the beginning of the 20th century. As a retired Captain (he relinquished his commission on 22 September 1915), he was a Political Officer in Bamenda, Cameroons. He was formerly Special List.

He died on 2nd December 1918 from pneumonia, following influenza.  Baptised at St James on 16th February 1878, he was the "beloved and only surviving son" of the late Joseph George Podevin and Mrs Catherine Podevin (nee Irons), of 16 (alternatively, 8) Pembridge Square, London, formerly of Dover.

Joseph Podevin was given as "gent" in the baptismal entry, and on the date of his marriage at St James, 24th March 1877, was the Secretary of the Yacht Club, son of Joseph Jackson Podevin, a hotel keeper. His wife was the daughter of Richard Irons, Harbour Master

with thanks to Joyce Banks
with thanks to Dave Dixon (for more information on the family tree, see faded genes)
with thanks to Neil Clark

Port, A. G. 
Albert Goddard Port died as a Merchant Naval man, working for the SECR, when the SS Achille Adam was lost on 24th March 1917. He was 29, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London, United Kingdom

He was born at Dover and was the son of the late William and Sarah Port.

The scroll reads: this scroll is written to honour that great company of our men who though trained only to the peaceful traffic of the sea, yet in the your of national danger their themselves with the ancient skill and endurance of their breed to face new perils and new cruelties of war and in a right cause served fearlessly to the end and this is written further to ensure that among the rest shall be ever freshly remembered the name and service of Albert Goddard Port.

scroll and plaque by very kind courtesy of Roy and Sue Harwood

Port, C. W. 
Charles William Port, L 7851, had eight years military service, and was called up on 4th August 1914 from his occupation as an SECR Marine Porter. He served in the 1st battalion of the Buffs, where he was promoted to the rank of serjeant for gallantry on the field and gained the Military Medal.

He was 34 when he died of wounds on 8th July (June?) 1916, and is buried at Bethune Town Cemetery in France.

He was born and enlisted in Dover, and lived at Tower Hamlets, there. His wife was A S Port, from 63 Penfold Road, Folkestone. His father and brothers are pictured below. 

Father Albert Port, employed by the SECR.	Albert Port, Seaman Gunner. He had ten years service, and had been active in the Sulva Bay landing and in Dardanelles operations.	P Port, Able Seaman, serving on HM patrol vessel	E Port, Private in the  Machine Gun Corps, and formerly in the Buffs. He went out with the first expeditionary force, and had only ten days leave in nearly three years,

Pott, D. R. B. 
Daniel Richard Barwick Pott, 910798 (910978) , on the right of the picture, was a Shoeing Smith in the Territorial Royal Field Artillery, 102nd battery. He had been employed by the Post Office before enlisting, and had served in the Royal Navy. He died on 19th October 1918, when he was 23, is buried at the Quetta Government Cemetery, and is commemorated on the Delhi Memorial (India Gate) in India.

He enlisted and lived in Dover, and was said to have been one of a large family, which included his sister, Emily, and his brother Robert, on the left in the picture. Robert serving in the 2/3rd Kent RFA, had previously worked at Tilmanstone Colliery.

Their parents were Daniel and Emma Pott, née Barwick, of 80 Glenfield Road, Dover. Daniel senior, seated in the picture above, had moved to Dover with one of his brothers from the Isle of Sheppey, where he was born. He had served in the South African War, and was serving during the Great War as a Private aboard the hospital ship Dieppe. He also had worked at the Post Office.

"Ever in our thoughts" - from Mum, Dad, Brothers and Sisters - 1943

with thanks to Christine Hodgson

Note: Mrs Emma Pott died on 2 November 1948

Potter, E. E. 
Edward Ernest Potter. One such is noted in civil records as having been born in Dover in 1887.

CWGC and SD refer to Ernest Edward Potter, 9170, who was a Serjeant in the 8th battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, the Duke of Albany's). He died in action on 8th April 1917, and is buried at the Faubourg D'Amiens cemetery in France. He was born in Hougham  and enlisted at Aldershot.

Potter, M. W. 
Maurice William Potter, K33152 (K387S2), was a first class Stoker aboard the HMS Bacchante, land-based with the HMS Pembroke. He died while home on leave from bronchitis and pneumonia following influenza on 8 March 1919. He was 28.

His parents were  John Henry Potter and Fanny Lavinia née Mills, of 8 Marine Parade, later 4 Marine Place, Dover. Fanny was the sister of Robert George Mills and the aunt of David Thomas William Reynolds. In 1911 the family were living at 7 Bowling Green Terrace, with Mr Mills working as a labourer in the Government Dockyard and Maurice, then 20, working as a labourer for a haulage contractor. William, the younger son, was then aged 4. In 1901, when the family was living at 13 Hartley Street, a daughter Annie, aged 11, was with them.

In 1913 Maurice married Annie Bryant. The couple had a daughter, Doris, in 1915.

Maurice was buried at St James on Thursday 13 March, attended by many members of his family, and by four representatives of the RAOB, of which he was a member.

The CWGC gravestone in the picture, at the front of the grave, is dedicated to Maurice. The inscription on the large stone at the back reads:

Potter, S. T. 
Stephen Thomas Potter was a Stoker in the Royal Navy, serving with HMS(T) Embra. He was invalided on 17 October 1917 from a Naval hospital. He died on 10 June 1920, aged 39, at his home at 7 Albany Place, Dover, "after a long and painful illness, patiently borne". .

He was the son of Morris W and Mary A Potter, and the husband of Hester Priscilla S, née Crump, whom he had married in 1904. His wife stated he had been in the Dover Patrol, and had a Mercantile Marine medal, as well as the British War and Victory Medals. He also had a silver medal and certificate, 11327.

with thanks to Diane Potter

"Until the day breaks"

Powell, R. G.  
Robert George Powell, 93463, was a Bombardier in the Royal Garrison Artillery, serving in the 195th Heavy Battery.

He was born and enlisted in Dover. He died of wounds on 19th August 1918, and is buried in the Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel (left).

Mrs B V Powell of requested that his name should be placed on the Memorial

photos: with thanks to Edward Sperinck

Prescott. R. H. 
Richard H. Prescott, L67920 (L/16720), in civilian life a french polisher, was an acting Corporal in the 9th battalion of the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). He was formerly 11024 of the 3rd (KO) Hussars. Born at Charlton, Dover, and living and enlisting in that town, he was 25 when he died on 7th July 1916. He is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial in France.

His parents were the late Police Constable Richard John and Mary Ann Prescott, who died in 1912, from 1 Tower Hill, Dover. His brother John served in the Royal Navy, and had several narrow escapes from torpedoing. His sister, Lucy Prescott, was living at 24 Westfield Road, West Ealing, where she was working with her sister, Winifred, in a munitions factory. Miss Prescott married later in 1916, becoming Lucy Isabel Watson, living at 66 Gibson Square, London.

The picture above shows Winifred Prescott marrying Thomas Harman, around October 1916.. Her sister Lucy is at the bottom left, and her future husband, who served in the Royal Artillery, is probably the man in military uniform in the middle row. . .

with thanks to Chris Harman
Note: Richard is cousin to Joseph Brann, died 1945. Joseph's mother, Nellie, was cousin to Richard's father.. In the wedding picture Nellie is in the back row, first from the right. Richard was also first cousin to John Henry Hayward; his mother, Margaret, and John's mother, Mary, were sisters, daughters of Henry Bartlett

Priest, A.
Alfred Priest, 9452, was Rifleman in the 1st battalion of the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own).

He was born in London and enlisted and lived in Dover. He had been a Goods Foreman on the railway before being called up on the Reserve, and lived with his wife Susannah Ethel Priest, at 7, The Grove, Barton Road, Dover. He left for France on 4th August 1914. On 14th May 1915 he was having a rest break, and a shell hit the trench where he had been. Many of his comrades were hurt, so he went to help save them. He was then hit by a further shell, and killed outright. His body was never recovered, and he is commemorated on the Menin Gate memorial in Belgium.

He never saw his new baby daughter, who was born after he was posted overseas. Mrs Priest, his widow, who worked as a machinist at the Dover Marquee Company, eventually moved to 60 Stanhope Road, living next door to her son, Alfred, at number 62.

The gravestone, right, is at St Mary's. The inscription reads:

In Affectionate Remembrance of Our Dear Father and Mother Alfred Priest Who died August 8th 1905 Aged 52 years.
Also of Ellen Ann Priest Who died January 20th 1909 Aged 55 years "Peace Perfect Peace"
Also of my dear Husband Alfred Priest Eldest Son of the above Who was Killed in Action at Ypres May 14th 1915 Aged 29 years "He Gave His Life For His Country's Sake"

information with thanks to John Priest
grave by Jean Marsh, transcription by Joyce Banks

Pullen, E. 
Edward Pullen, B/202213, was a Rifleman in the 12th battalion of the Rifle Brigade, the Prince Consort's Own (formerly S/2/SR/03984 Royal ASC). He died 23rd March 1918, when he was 43, and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial in France.

Born in Dover, his father was John Pullen, from 12 Sturry Road, Canterbury. He was married to Ellen Pullen, from 162 Amelia Street, Walworth Road, London. He lived in Walworth when he enlisted in London.

Purser, F. C. 
Frederick Charles Purser, T/200(0)30, was a Corporal in the 6th battalion of the Buffs, having enlisted in Dover and possibly then living at 58 Folkestone Road. He was killed in action (Soldiers Died states died of wounds) at Albert on 5th April 1918, when he was 27. He is buried at the Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension in France, II J 15

The son of Joseph Purser, from Bedfordshire, and Sarah, his wife, from Hertfordshire, Frederick was christened at St Andrew's, Buckland, on 14 September 1889, having been born on 11 August. The family were then living at 13 Union Road and Mr Purser was working as a gasman. In 1891 the family were at 6 Moneta Cottages, Union Road, and at home were sons William then 15, and working as a farm labourer, and Frederick, and daughters Elizabeth, 11, Maud, 6, and Emily, 4. In 1901 the family had been joined by another daughter, Winifred, then 6. Mrs Purser died early in 1907, and Mr Purser in 1910.

In 1911 he was living with his sister Emily and her husband Reuben Marchington at 24 Pretoria Terrace, Dover, working as a coal porter at the Gas Works. Emily and Reuben had married on Christmas Day 1907 at St Bartholomew's, Charlton, and by 1911 they had one little daughter Winifred, then nine months.

In 1912 Frederick married Florence Hedgecock, and in 1914 they had a son, Frederick

(see Gas Works)