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

Williams, G. E. J. 
George Edward James Williams was in the 2nd Field Company of the Australian Engineers. He died on 25th October 1917, and is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium.

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 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.

He was the son of Walter and Alice Williams, of 3 Heverham Road, Plumstead, London.  

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 a Gunner in the 97th battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery. He went missing, feared drowned, from the transport "Manitou" in the Aegean Sea on Saturday 17th April 1915. He had just returned from India.

He was a grandson of the late QMS Robinson, AOC, and the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Willis of 31 Longfield Road, Dover

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

He was in the 1st Royal Marines RN Division, Royal Marine Light Infantry.  He was the  second and "dear beloved" son of Mr. and Mrs. Willson, of 1, The Esplanade, Dover.

RIP

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 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 Chatham, he was the son of George and Emily Wood. He enlisted and lived in Dover, and was the husband of Matilda Emily Wood, of St James' Parish Hall, Dover.

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.

He was the husband of Elizabeth Wyborn of 4 Roseberry Terrace, Underdown Road, Dover. She was known as "Lizzie" and spoke of  "ever loving memory of my dear husband" and stated that she was his "ever sorrowing wife.".  (article)

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

left: Transport Memorial at Newhaven, which commemorates amongst others the Achille Adam and her crew. below right, the Achille Adam commeorated 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. 

He was the son of John and Hannah Wyborn, of Dover, 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. 
Maurice St Clair Patrick Wynne was the son of the late Mr William Wynne of Snargate Street, and Mrs Norah Keilthy of Avenue Villa, Frith Road, Dover. Before the war he had been studying with his brother Arthur at a college in Deal for the Catholic priesthood. When war began he left to join the army, beginning with the Territorials and then transferring to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. His brother served with The Buffs.

He was awarded the DCM in February 1916 for his actions in the Gallipoli campaign when he was 19. On 6th 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."

He died from wounds received at Le Cateau on 11th October 1918, when he was 23. He is buried at Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British cemetery, Manancourt, France.

picture, above right: with thanks to Susan Avery