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Soldier 8 - No Image Army

Godward, Charles Theodore

  • 25th August 202525th August 2025
  • by admin

Soldier 8 - No Image

Charles Theodore Godward

Rank: Private

Regiment: 10th Battalion (Royal East Kent & West Kent Yeomanry), The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)

Parents: Mr Charles & Mrs M. E. Godward

Parent’s Address: Monson Colonade, Tunbridge Wells

Other Info: Died on 2nd September 1918. Buried at Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension, grave reference: III. N. 1.

Charles enlisted aged 19 and was posted to the “C” Squadron of the 1/1st West Kent Yeomanry Regiment. During the summer of 1915 the Brigade was dismounted for overseas service and in September 1915 the battalion boarded the RMS Olympic for Gallipoli. The worst of the fighting had already taken place so they did not bear the brunt of the campaign. However, in November 1915 Charles Godward was wounded and rejoined his unit in Egypt the following month. The Buffs spent about a year in Egypt, focusing on the Suez Canal defences and then as part of the Western Frontier Force. The regiments were then reorganised and Charles Godward was transferred to the 10th Battalion East Kent Regiment.

The new Battalion formed part of Allenby’s successful Palestine offensive against the Turkish Army and took part in the invasion of Palestine in 1917 and 1918. The battalion also played a leading role in the capture and defence of Jerusalem. The heavy casualties on the Western Front forced the withdrawal of infantry divisions from other theatres of war, so in April 1918 the Buffs embarked for Alexandria, landing in Marseilles in May. The Buffs spent the following three months training in the methods of warfare on the Western Front, moving around places which were close together, south of the town of Hazebrouk. Finally, they were moved to La Perriere and the Buffs were warned that at any moment the Battalion would need to move into action.

In August they advanced on Calonne and an attempt to advance further failed. Starting in September 1918, as part of the Fourth Army, the Buffs took part in the Hundred Days Offensive – a final push against German positions on the Western Front. The first attack took place on September 2nd, but the Buffs were in reserve in a valley south-west of Moislains, where they were heavily shelled with gas and high explosives all day, during which two soldiers were killed. One of them was Charles Godward – barely two months before the end of the war. He was buried at Perrone Communal Cemetery Extension. Additional information provided by Mary Godward.

 

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Basil Richard Eldridge Army

Eldridge, Basil Richard

  • 20th August 2022
  • by admin

Basil Richard EldridgeBasil Richard Eldridge

Rank: Private

Regiment: 7th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment

Father: Mr David Eldridge

Wife: Mrs Annie Eldridge

Brother-in-Law: S Piper

Address: Battle

Other Info: An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer on 16th November 1918 reads; “Killed in action in France on September 5th, 1918. Portrait sent by his sister, Mrs Piper, 15 Bulverhythe Road, West St Leonards.”

According to CWGC, Basil died aged 29 and is remembered at Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension, grave reference V.M.10.

Published: November 1918

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Alfred Solomon Smith Army

Smith, Alfred Solomon

  • 11th December 201713th January 2018
  • by admin

Alfred Solomon Smith

Alfred Solomon Smith

Rank: Private

Regiment: 25th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force

Sister-in-Law: Mrs J Smith

Brother: William Smith

Nephew: L A Smith

Brother’s Address: 78 All Saints Street, Hastings

Other Info: Born in Hastings. According to CWGC, Alfred died aged 34 on 2nd September 1918. He is remembered at Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension, grave reference IV.L.2.

You can view Alfred’s AIF service papers for free here.

Published: March 1917

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Stephen Edward Dive Army

Dive, Stephen Edward

  • 7th June 20171st January 2022
  • by admin

Stephen Edward DiveStephen Edward Dive

Rank: Trooper / Lance Corporal

Regiment: 16th Battalion (Sussex Yeomanry), Royal Sussex Regiment

Parents: Mr & Mrs Stephen Dive

Address: The Firs, Chitcombe, Brede

Other Info: On Active Service. According to CWGC, Stephen died on 16th September 1918. He is remembered at Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension, grave reference IV.D.20.

Additional name information from here.

Published: July 1916

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