Wicks, A. G. 
Arthur Giffard Wicks, 9077, was a Private in the 2nd battalion of the Honourable Artillery Company. On 2 April 1917 he died from wounds he had received on 31st March. He was 19. He is buried at Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps, France.

Born in Dover, he was the "beloved younger son" of John Giffard Wicks and Kate Wicks, from "Snaefell", 39 Priory Hill, Dover, formerly of Ashen Tree Lodge, Dover.  In 1911 the family were living at 18 Castle Hill road, Dover, and Mr Wicks was working as a head teacher in a school.

He lived in Chesham, and enlisted in Aylesbury. He is also commemorated on the Chesham memorial.

Wiley, W. 
William Wiley. This might be Major William Wiley, of the RAMC, who died on 12 February 1917 at the age of 40. Twice mentioned in dispatches, he was in the 12th Field Ambulance of the RAMC. He is buried at South Ealing cemetery I D 12.

Born in Cork, he was the son of William and Jessie Wiley, and the husband of Ida, née Nuthall, whom he married in 1910. They had a daughter, Enid J Wiley, who was christened in Dover in 1912. Mrs Ida Wiley remarried to become Mrs Richards.

Williams, G. E. J. 
George Edward James Williams, 2110, was a Lieutenant in the 2nd Field Company of the Australian Engineers. He had enlisted on 2 June 1915, as a Driver and on 6 September 1915 had embarked from Sydney, New South Wales aboard HMAT A70 Ballarat. His address was Monksilver, Louisa Street, Gloucester Street, Brisbane.

He died from wounds on 25 October 1917, and is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium, XXII C 15.

Born at Battersea, he was the husband of Pleasant Williams, who was killed in Canterbury on 3 June 1942, and in 1911 was at 5 Military Road Dover, with his stepmother, Mrs Adeline Williams, née Erby, of 6 Military Road, Dover.  He was then an apprentice engine fitter. In 1901 he had been living at 10 Vale View Road with his father, George, a widower, who worked on the steam ships. George and Adeline married in 1904. Adeline's parents had been licensees at the Kent Arms, Dover between 1878 and 1895, Mrs Erby having run the pub for a short while after her husband's death in 1893.

research with thanks to Joyce Banks

Williams, W. H.
William Henry Williams, SS.103409, was a Stoker, 1st class, in the Royal Navy. He was aboard the HMS "Good Hope", and was killed in action at the Battle of Coronel (Chili) on 1st November 1914, at the age of 26.

He was the "beloved husband" of Minnie Jane Gold (formerly Williams), of 23, Moselle Street, High Road., Tottenham, London, and "dearly loved and sadly missed by his sorrowing Wife and Aunt". Mrs Gold formerly lived at 6 Market Street, Dover.

He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval memorial in France.

How hard it is to part with those
We hold on earth so dear;
The heart no greater trial knows,
No sorrow more sincere.

Peace, perfect peace. (Nov 1914)

Williams, W. S. S.
Walter Stephen Sockwell Williams, J/15758, was the son of Walter and Alice Williams, of 3 Heverham Road, Plumstead, London. The couple married in Dover in 1893; Mrs Williams was formerly Fanny Alice Stockwell, born in Folkestone in 1870. In 1901 they were living at 4 Five Post Lane, Dover, with Mr Williams working as a general labourer. With them were their first three children, Norah, aged 7, Walter, then aged 5, born on 29 August 1895, and Ruby, aged 3, all born in Dover.

Ten years later there family were living at 2 Selborne Terrace, Dover, joined by a fourth child, Stanley, then aged 9. Mr Williams was working as an engine driver for contractors S. Pearson and Sons, and Norah had become a music teacher. Walter had begun work as an apprentice at an ironmongers.

Walter became an Able Seaman in the Royal Navy, on the HMS "Defence". He died on 31st May 1916 in the Battle of Jutland, at the age of 20. He is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial in the United Kingdom. His mother, by then living at 3 Heversham Road, Plumstead, London, was the relative notified of his death.

What will it matter when the war is o'er? What sea shall contain him or on what shore He shall be sleeping - far away from his home. Not there will we look, but to God's great Dome, Where the quiet moon and each shining star Will tell us that he is not very far - And so are we comforted; we know - we know! That youth has come to claim his own again, That nothing beautiful that God has given Dies utterly - or gives his life in vain. In ever loving memory of our dear son

Willis, A.
A Willis was probably Thomas Arthur Willis, a Gunner, 54881, in the 97th battery of the Royal Field Artillery. He went missing, feared drowned, from the transport "Manitou" in the Aegean Sea on Saturday 17 April 1915. He had just returned from India.

Born in Shrewsbury in 1891, he enlisted in Dover and was in 1911 serving overseas in the 90th battery at Jubbulpore, India. He was a grandson of the late QMS James Robert Robinson, AOC and the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Willis of 31 Longfield Road, Dover.

He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey, panel 21 and 22.

Notes: QMS Robinson died on 1 April 1909 from pneumonia and was buried at St James. He was a veteran of some 24 years, having served in the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879 and had also been engaged at the Ordnance Stores in Dover. He had been awarded a good conduct medal and left the Army with an exemplary character. QMS Robinson had also been recorded in 1891 as publican of the Ordnance Inn at 120 Snargate Street, and in 1901 as a painter, living at 32  Belgrave Road with his wife and one of their three daughters, Agnes Isabel. Agnes.born about 1882 in Bermuda, would marry Ebenezer Payn Gower, a corporal in the 19th Hussars, at Christchurch, Dover, on 27 June 1903. The other daughters were Edith Maud, born 1887 at Portsmouth, who married William James Maltby, a soldier, on 28 February 1897 at Christchurch, Dover, and probably Nellie. She is likely to have become Mrs Willis Russell and the mother of Thomas Arthur Willis. Mrs Robinson died on 17 August 1922 and was buried at St James in the grave of her husband.

He was the son of Mrs Isabella Wills, of 54 London Road, Dover 

We often think and talk of you, We have listened for your footsteps, Which has been all in vain. But we trust in God to meet you In heaven once again. Sadly missed, from his heart-broken Mother, Father, Brothers, and Sisters

Willson, A. J. 
Albert John Willson ("Bert"), CH926(S) was 21 when he died of wounds on 3rd August 1916 while serving with  the 1st Royal Marines RN Division, Royal Marine Light Infantry. He is buried in the Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Born on 14 January 1895, he was the  second and "dear beloved" son of Mr Alfred and Mrs Charlotte Lavinia Willson, née Clark, of 1, The Esplanade, Dover. In 1911 the family had been living at 4 Cowgate Hill. Mr Willson was working as a messenger for Trinity House, and there were five children in the family. Winifred was 21 and an assistant in the millinery department of the Co-operative Stores. William, 19, was working as a seaman for Trinity House, and Albert, aged 16, as a shop boy. There were two more sons, Sidney, aged 13, and Alfred, the youngest, then 10. Ten years previously they had been living at 2a Cowgate Hill.

RIP

Note: 4 Cowgate Hill was also the home in 1916 of civilian casualty Gertrude Boorman and of George Saunders in 1901. 

Wilshire, C. E. 
Charles Eric Wilshire, G/9020, was in the 8th battalion of the Buffs. He died at the age of 20 years and two months on 6th September 1916. He is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial in France.

He was the "beloved son" of  William Evans Wilshire and Sarah Jane Wilshire, of 6 Barton Path, Dover, and previously at 123 Clarendon Place, Dover. He was born, enlisted, and lived in Dover.

His brother Ernest Wilshire became a civilian casualty in World War II

Wilson, H. P. 
Henry Porter Wilson, L/10605, joined the 7th battalion of The Buffs in 1915. He was a Private died in action on 23rd March 1918, at the age of 23. He is commemorated on the Pozieres memorial in France.

Born in Croydon, he was the son of Mr and Mrs Wilson of 13 Commercial Quay, Dover. where he enlisted and lived.

1925 - In loving memory of our dear son ... "Gone but not forgotten" From Father, Mother, brothers and sister (Commercial Quay).

Winkworth, E J
Edwin John Winkworth was born in Dartford, and had an army career. In 1901 he was a Private in Canterbury. He had served for several years at Dover Castle, and when the war began was an instructor in the No 1 depot of the RGA.  His commission was announced in May 1917. As 2nd Lieutenant in the 219th Siege battery of the RGA he died of wounds on 6th December 1917, aged 38, and is buried at Achiet Le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

His parents were the late George and Agnes Susan Winkworth, of The Brooklands, Dartford, Kent, and his wife was Eleanor, nee Fittall, who lived at 176 Clarendon Street, Dover. In the New Year of 1918   Mrs Winkworth received a telegram from Buckingham Palace. It read:

"The King and Queen deeply regret the loss you and the Army have sustained by the death of your husband in the service of his country. Their Majesties truly sympathise with you in your sorrow. - The Keeper of the Privy Purse."

The headstone is at Charlton, and reads:

In Loving Memory of William Fittall who passed away 29th March 1915 aged 72 years

Also of Elizabeth Ann Fittall Wife of the Above who passed away 30th September 1922 aged 77 years

Also of 2nd Lieut Edwin John Winkworth 219 Siege Bty RGA Son-in-Law of the Above Died of wounds in France 6th December 1917 aged 38 years "At Rest"

Also of Eleanor Winkworth who passed away 14th July 1947 aged 60 years "Re-united"

photo and transcription with thanks to Joyce Banks

Wise, J. 
Joseph Wise, 222824, was was the son of James Loftus and Agnes Eleanor Wise, from London, and the husband of Edith Green  (formerly Wise) of Corporation House, Tower Hamlets Road, Dover.

A Leading Signalman on the HMS "Flirt" with the Royal Navy, he was Mentioned in Dispatches, He also gained the Distinguished Service Medal, gazetted on 26 July 1916. Vice Admiral Sir Roger Bacon, in his report, detailed the work of the Dover Patrol over the preceding winter, escorting merchant vessels and troop-carriers, hindering enemy submarine activity, and engaging in a number of actions including bombardment of enemy positions in Belgium. During this time over a hundred Dover Patrol officers and men were lost. 

Leading Signalman Wise was killed at the age of 29 on 26 October 1916 when the Dover Patrol intercepted enemy destroyers intending to raid in the Straits of Dover. HMS Flirt was torpedoed after she had lowered a boat to rescue survivors from the burning drifter Waveney II. The only survivors from HMS Flirt were those in this boat.

He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval memorial in the United Kingdom (detail above)

left HMS Flirt, Wikimedia Commons

Wood, C. E. 
Charles Edward Wood, 120266, was a Gunner in the Clearing Office of the RGA. He had been invalided home from the Front, and he died at the Central Military Hospital, Eastbourne on 16th July 1918, from double pneumonia following influenza. He was 32. 

His body was brought home to Dover on 20th July by train. It was met at the station and brought back to his house at 4 Barton Path. Previously he had lived with his brother at 4 Biggin Street.

Charles' funeral was held two days later, on Monday 22nd July, with full military honours. His body was borne on a gun carriage to Buckland cemetery, and the coffin was covered with the Union Flag. Members of the RGA were bearers, and the band of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment played "Abide with Me" at the graveside. After the service there were three volleys fired over the grave, and the Last Post was sounded. 

He was born, enlisted, and lived in Dover, and was the husband of Gertrude Wood, who lived at 7 Charlton Avenue, Dover. She was one of many relatives and friends at his graveside. Her parents, Mr and Mrs Hopper, and her uncle from Sandwich were there, along with four brothers, Lieutenant JE Wood, Mr H Wood, Corporal B Wood APC, and Mr E Wood, and Miss C Wood, his sister. There were numerous floral tributes.

Mrs Wood's home and the street it stands in

Wood, J. T.
James Thomas Wood, 40512, was a Private in the 7th battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment (formerly 29006, Essex Regiment) He died on 3rd May 1917 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial in France.

Born in Cha(r)tham, he was the son of George, a farm labourer, and Emily Wood. In 1881 the family were at Chartham Hatch, and at home were sisters Beatrice, 17, Margaret, 12, and Annie, 8, and brothers Herbert, 11, William, 6, and Frederick, a baby.

He enlisted and lived in Dover, and was the husband of Matilda Emily Wood, formerly Gilham of St James' Parish Hall, Dover. The couple had married in 1911, and in that year Miss Gilham had been working as a house parlour maid at St James Rectory.

Wood, W. 
William Wood was a temporary Captain in the 8th battalion of the Queen's Own (Royal West Kents). He was 37 when he died in action on 31st May 1916, and is buried at Dranoutre Military Cemetery, Belgium.

He was the youngest son of James and Elizabeth Wood, from Dover.

In loving memory of Captain W Wood. One of the best and loved by all who knew him - from his sorrowing Father, Brothers, and Sisters

Through shot and through shell, He fought and fought well, No thought of pain or of fear, Till God thought it best to lay him to rest, after toiling for those he loved dear. We miss the handclasp, miss the loving smile, Our hearts are broken; yet a little while, We too shall pass within the golden gate; God help us, God comfort us while we wait. From his affectionate brother and sister, Arthur and Emily

His father received a telegram of condolence:

The King and Queen deeply regret the loss you and the army have sustained by the death of your son in the service of his country. Their majesties truly sympathise with you in your sorrow.

Worster, A. F. 
Alexander Frederick Worster was an old boy of the County (now the Grammar) school. His parents lived at the Dublin Man o' War, River. He was a member of the Dover Rifle Club, on its Committee, and a good shot, and he was also a Scoutmaster. He was a pupil of Mr Twyman, the auctioneer at Canterbury, after he left school, but when war broke out he joined the Royal East Kent Yeomanry and afterwards received a commission from the Buffs. He was the first Dovorian to be awarded a Military Cross and bar.

He gained the Cross as a temporary 2nd Lieutenant, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. "He gallantly led a party in pursuit of the retreating enemy, and in the face of heavy opposition established himself in the enemy's second  line" (London Gazette 18th June 1917). His old school said they "heard with pleasure" of the award, and that Lieutenant Worster was put in temporary command of his company. 

Three months later he received the bar to the Cross, detailed in the Gazette of 17th September 1917. Again it was for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He had been commanding his company against a hostile raid. "He collected every available man with the greatest coolness under intense barrage and posted them at point of advantage, moving up and down the line encouraging his men, with a complete disregard of danger. His great courage and personal example caused the raid to be repulsed with great loss to the enemy. Later, though heavily sniped, he brought in a wounded enemy from "No Man's Land" therefore obtaining important identification."

On 23rd November 1917, just as he was due home on leave, the then Captain Worster died from wounds. He was buried at Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery, Manancourt. His commanding officer, Brigadier General Green, wrote expressing his sympathy with his father, adding that he was the most popular man in the battalion and adored by the men in his "B" company. "His personal bravery and splendid soldierly qualities were a byword in the battalion. He had led his company to a glorious victory on the 20th in the battle of Cambrai.".  He had recommended him for both honours, the Brigadier continued, and if he had lived he would have received rapid promotion.

On 21st April 1918, after the Church Parade on the Western Heights, Brigadier General Sir W B Hickey, KCB, presented to Mr Alex Worster the Military Cross and Bar which had been awarded to his son. This was the second son to be lost, as the younger,  Donald (below), had been killed just before his brother.

In 1875 he married Mary Ann Beer, daughter of Richard and Rachel Beer, and the couple had two children, Ernest (married Grace in 1901, died 1954) and Florence (married 11 December 1905 at Christchurch, Hougham to Percy Edward Golding). In 1881 the family were living at 33 Clarendon Street, Dover, and Daniel was working as a coachman/domestic servant. By 1891 they were at 122 Clarendon Street, with Daniel employed as a grocer's carman. In 1901 Daniel and Mary were living at 4 Roseberry Terrace, Underdown Road, Dover, and Daniel was working as a fireman on the SECR. Lodging with them was Frederick Beer, Mrs Wyborn's brother.

On 8 November 1913 Mrs Wyborn died at home after a long illness, having been nursed by her sister, Elizabeth ("Lizzie") Punyer, for six years. She was buried at St James, with many affectionate messages on the floral tributes.

In 1916 Daniel married Lizzie and the couple continued to live at Roseberry Terrace. After Daniel 's death she spoke of  "ever loving memory of my dear husband" and stated that she was his "ever sorrowing wife". Less than a year later Lizzie's sorrows ended; on 16 January 1918 she died at 27 Ladywell Place, aged 67. She was buried at Cowgate.

1919 - Never forgotten by his loving son and daughter, Ern and Flo

(article)

above left: Transport Memorial at Newhaven, which commemorates amongst others the Achille Adam and her crew. below right, the Achille Adam commemorated on the Memorial. Pictures with thanks to John Harrison

The panel above on the Memorial reads:

"This memorial is erected to the memory of the Captains, Officers, and Seamen of HM Transports who lost their lives whilst sailing from this port during the Great War 1914 to 1918 and also in commemoration of the valuable services rendered by the Mercantile Marine of the United Kingdom during the War. 

In 1881 the family were living at 1 Edgar Crescent, Buckland, Dover, with Mr Wyborn working as a malt maker. Their children then were Susan, 10, Richard, 8, Adelaide, 7, and John, 4.  John's brother James, below, was born the following year. By 1891 the family were at 4 Russell Street, Dover, with John working as a shop boy.

By 1911 John was in the Royal Navy. He was an Able Seaman when he was lost on 23 March 1917 with HMS "Laforey". He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in the United Kingdom. (J J B Thompson, also lost, refers). Mrs Wyborn, then a widow, was living at 24 Folkestone Road, Dover, when she was notified of her son's death.

In 1901 he was living with his parents at 4 Russell Street, and working as an assistant hairdresser. Ten years later he was at home with his widowed mother at 9 Rosedale Cottages, Manor Road, Maxton, Dover, employed as a hairdresser. The same year he married Nellie Hill, and the following year the couple may have had a daughter, Dorothy.

He was the brother of John, above, and the husband of Nellie Wyborn, of 25, Folkestone Road, Dover.

He was the son of Arthur Edwin Wynne, MA, the headmaster of Blundell's School, Tiverton, Devon, and the late Georgina Wynne.  

Wynne, M. St-C. P. 
Born on 3 October 1895, Maurice St Clair Patrick Wynne was the son of the late Mr William Wynne of 69 Snargate Street, and Mrs Norah Keilthy, wife of James Keilthy, of Avenue Villa, Frith Road, Dover. He was an old boy of St Francis of Sales school in Walmer, and went on to study with his brother Arthur at a college in Deal for the Roman Catholic priesthood. However, he volunteered for service at the outbreak of war, beginning with the Territorials, and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery on 14 October 1914. He was then 5' 7" tall. He was transferred to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in November.

Maurice saw considerable service with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. He was gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant on 1 Jan 1916, and the next month was awarded the DCM for his actions in the Gallipoli campaign when he was 19. On 6 August 1915 as a Lance-Corporal he had displayed conspicuous gallantry at Sulva Bay. He brought ammunition to the firing line and on in advance of his party under heavy fire to find out where it was most required. He was informed on 4th September by Lieutenant General Mahon, who was commanding the 10th Irish division. He wrote, "Your Commanding Officer and Brigade Commander have informed me that you have distinguished yourself by gallant conduct on the field. I have read their report with great pleasure and have forwarded it to the higher authority for recognition."

Maurice became a Lieutenant in September 1918. Sadly he was fatally wounded by a shell on the third day leading his men in an advance on Le Cateau. Having served throughout the war, he died just a month before the Armistice at the No 3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station on 10/11 October 1918, aged 23. He is buried at Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British cemetery, Manancourt, France, XIV C 2. At the foot of his headstone are engraved the words, "Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. May he rest in peace. Amen".

His commanding officer wrote, "He had done splendid work in the first two days, when the whole battalion earned very high praise, and the news of his death came as a very great blow to all of us. A fine type of officer, loved as a comrade by his brother officers and men. His loss is one we can ill afford, and we all feel it very deeply.".

*

William Wynne, Maurice's father, was in 1901 at the Masonic Hall in Snargate Street, and occupied as a caretaker. Aged 60, he came from Manchester, and his wife, Norah Mary Cecelia, née Deegan, then 34, from Limerick in Ireland. The couple had married in 1891 in Dover, and they had four children together; Norah Gwendoline, born in 1891, Kathleen, about 1893, Martyn William Arthur, 1 May 1894 ("Arthur"), and Maurice Sinclair, all born in Dover. William died later that year, 1901, and the following year Mrs Wynne married James Keilthy. He was an engine driver for the electricity for the council, and in 1911 they were living at 1 Granville Street with Kathleen, Arthur, and Maurice, then a painter in a motor building, and with a new son, James Roland Keilthy, born in 1905. Another new son, William James, born in 1902, had died at the age of 2.

William Wynne had been married twice; his first wife, Emma, née Hatton, whom he had married on 6 April 1867, died in 1889 at the age of 41. The couple were living in 1881 at the Grand Shaft Barracks, Western Heights, Dover, where William was a BR Sgt/Chelsea Pensioner. With them then were eight children; Margaret, born in Ashton, William and Frederick Charles, born in Ireland, Charlotte and Edith Ellen, born in India, Lea and May, born in Kingston-upon-Thames, and Harry, who was born in Dover. Sadly Harry also died in 1889, aged 8, just before his mother.

During the war Arthur served with The Buffs and then was gazetted on 28 February 1917 with a commission in the Royal Fusiliers. He survived the war and was married at St Paul's, Dover, on 12 September 1928 to Mlle Germaine Georgette Martineau, born 13 July 1894, from Versailles. Employed at Chitty's Mill as a cashier in the 1930s, Arthur died in Dover in 1968; his wife in the Ashford area in 1978. The couple had two sons; Maurice George Arthur Wynne, born on 13 November 1930 at the Buckland Nursing Home and named in memory of his uncle, and Martyn William Anthony Wynne, born on 23 December 1931 at 1 Castle Avenue, Dover.

picture, above right: with thanks to Susan Avery
census information with thanks to Joyce Banks