Welcome to the town page for Faversham. Explore your town map to discover people who lived in your town during the First World War.

From our ‘Family histories’ section: The Horn Family Courtesy of Diana Jones Nee Horn

This is the story of my Grandparents and their family during WW1. They were, I should think, a typical agricultural family of the period. They had 10 children, 5 sons and 5 daughters:

While looking at family postcards sent during WW1 I found one which mentioned the name Alf Fletcher. (From Frederick Horn) Since then I discovered his name in my father’s birthday book, written in there in 1912 I believe by his sister perhaps who gave him the book. He is the only non family member there which meant to me he was a close friend.

So I looked further and found that he lived in Staple Street, his father a Market Gardener and must have grown up with the younger Horn boys, one of the 'naughty boys' I call them as they look full of fun in 2 cards I have.

Alf was at first a farm labourer and went into the Royal Garrison Artillery no 161677. He survived the War and I have no other information except that his death was registered in Canterbury in 1976. There may be descendants who have memories of him. I have remembered him on the Imperial War Museum site but it would be good to have a photo!

Courtesy of Diana Jones Nee Horn

Not much is known regarding ‘Dusty’ Miller but we know that he was served as Private Henry Miller M M 3rd Battalion the Buffs East Kent Regiment. We can also determine he was a friend to Sydney Taylor as evidence from the postcard sent to Dusty in December 14th 1919. The front of the postcard has an interesting photo regarding the angle of a stamp and its meaning. (see below)

The transcribed text reads:

‘Dear Dusty, Just a card to let you know that we are all A1 hoping this will find you the same. Please take note of the stamps on the other side. From your old pal Sid’

‘Mr & Mrs Miller, School Farm Cottages, Faversham, Kent’

We also have a picture of Dusty’s Certificate of Honourable Dicharge (see below)

The picture reads:

‘A555 Private Harry Miller M M 3rd Battalion the Buffs (East Kent Regiment) Served with honour and was disabled in the Great War. Honourably discharged on 13h September 1918’

Dusty died in 1991 and below is a picture of Dusty’s memorial bench.

Images courtesy of Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Memory Book – Memories recalled by Mr Ken Taylor

From our ‘Family histories’ section: The Horn Family: ‘Frederick Horn': Courtesy of Diana Jones Nee Horn

This is the story of my Grandparents and their family during WW1. They were, I should think, a typical agricultural family of the period. They had 10 children, 5 sons and 5 daughters:

Here is a selection of some more of the postcards Fred Horn sent whilst abroad: (See 3 Postcards from Frederick Horn for more information on Fred)

The First postcard is from 5th August 1916:

The transcribed text reads:

2.30PM - 5.8.16 ‘Dear E, Just a card to let you know I have received letter with note. Thanks very much. Am pleased to hear you got the money, and I guess you will have got my letter asking you for some. Am just A goodbye from Y.L.B. Fred.’

‘Mrs E Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’

The next Postcard is from the 12th September 1916:

The transcribed text reads:

12.9.16: ‘Dear Mother, Just a card to let you know I shall be coming home on Thursday. Goodbye love to all from Evelyn & Fred.’

‘Mrs J Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’

The following postcard is from 16th August 1917:

The transcribed text reads:

16.8.17: ‘Dear Edie, just a card to let you know I am getting on A.1. Hoping you are all the same. By now you will be back off your holiday and I hope you have had a ripping time with love to all from Fred xxxxx’

‘Mrs E Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’

The next Postcard is from the 24th August 1917:

The transcribed text reads:

24.8.17: ‘Dear Edith, Just a card to let you know I am keeping A1. Will you send on Wills address please. The weather is lovely hoping you are enjoying the same from Y L B Fred xxxx’

‘Mrs E Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’

The next Postcard is from the 29th August 1917:

The transcribed text reads:

29.8.17: 'Dear Edie, just a card to let you know I am getting on A.1. Hoping you are all the same from your L.B. Fred xxxxxxxxx’

‘Mrs E Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’

The following postcard is from 9th September 1917:

The transcribed text reads:

9.9.17: ‘Dear E, Many thanks for paper and letter received today am A1. Hoping this finds you all the same from Y.L.B Fred xxx’

‘Mrs E Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’

The next Postcard is from the 25th June 1918:

The transcribed text reads:

25.6.18: ‘Dear Mother this is a view of the place where we were staying when I first went in to hospital. Am getting on A.1. now with love from Fred.’

‘Mrs J Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’

The next Postcard is from the 30th June 1918:

The transcribed text reads:

30.6.18: ‘Dear Edith, Just a card to let you know I am getting on first rate. Have been up a little while this afternoon and went to a concert, it was great this is a view on top of a hill and I have been round here many a time. Goodbye from Y.L.B. Fred’

‘Mrs E Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’

The last postcard is from the 20th of September but we are unsure on the year:

The transcribed text reads:

20.9.?: ‘Dear Edith, just a card to let you know I am getting on A.1 I have heard from E and she did not get my P.C. until Tuesday so that got mislaid. I wrote to mother on Sunday did she get it alright, goodbye love to all from Y.L.B. Fred’

‘Mrs E Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’

Courtesy of Diana Jones Nee Horn

From our ‘Family histories’ section: The Horn Family: ‘Postcards from the Horn Family': Courtesy of Diana Jones Nee Horn

This is the story of my Grandparents and their family during WW1. They were, I should think, a typical agricultural family of the period. They had 10 children, 5 sons and 5 daughters:

Below is a selection of the postcards sent from different members of the Horn family:

The first card is addressed to Miss Haughton 'Alice' but we do not know who sent the card'

The transcribed text reads:

'25th May 15: We came this Monday good lodgings shall be pleased to see everyone. Love from us all. C/o Mrs Coleman 2 Alexandra Terrace Whitstable.’

‘Miss Haughton, Staple Street Farm, Hernhill, Faversham’

Next is a Birthday card from 'unknown' to Edith.

The transcribed text reads:

‘Miss Edie Annie Horn, Staple Street Farm, Herne Hill, Nr Faversham.’

Lastly is a card from Char to, we believe, Edith

The transcribed text reads:

'1.12.16: Have you heard from Fred he is well address being 23rd Field Ambulance 7th Division B.E.F France. Am doing A.1. on guard tonight goodbye Char.'

Courtesy of Diana Jones Nee Horn

From our ‘Family histories’ section: The Horn Family: ‘Joesph and Edward Horn': Courtesy of Diana Jones Nee Horn

This is the story of my Grandparents and their family during WW1. They were, I should think, a typical agricultural family of the period. They had 10 children, 5 sons and 5 daughters:

Edward (Ted) was born in 1889. He worked on the farm and married Harriet (Harty) in 1918. In the mean time, he was conscripted into the army in Suffolk, the need for men on the Front must have been greater than the need for food, but the war ended before he was sent to fight. Harriet Howland played her part and ran a hotel in Canterbury as far as I know. Ted sent a postcard of Felixtowe to Edith while he was there saying how glad he is that she has heard from George.

The transcribed text reads:

25th July 18: 'My Dearest Edie thanks for letter received Wednesday so glad you have heard from George hope he still improved, I am A1 I hope this will find you all well at home, have been up to see about teeth + go again on Saturday. Had a letter from H + Mable & glad they are well also Jim will write letter soon. Goodbye ... from your E. L. Brother Ted xxx

‘Miss E Horn, Forge Farm, Staple Street, Hornhill, Faversham, Kent’

Courtesy of Diana Jones Nee Horn

From our ‘Family histories’ section: The Horn Family: ‘James Horn Jr': Courtesy of Diana Jones Nee Horn

This is the story of my Grandparents and their family during WW1. They were, I should think, a typical agricultural family of the period. They had 10 children, 5 sons and 5 daughters:

My grandmother Mary died before I was born but I knew my Grandfather James who lived then in Boughton Street.

The eldest son James was the first son to go to War. He married Mabel (Mab and Jim) in 1912.

I have postcards sent to the family from Egypt and a card from Mabel telling them how lonely she is.

The transcribed text reads:

‘Dear Edie. Just a card & thanks for the P C Jim sent me a time back hoping you are well. Mab tells me you had a good time when you were at Tadworth and that you have been doing yourself well on the farm this year. Just fancy Jim getting off with one of these girls.’

The next card is from Mabel in which she mentions hearing from Jim to let Edith, back on the Farm, know he is well.

The transcribed text reads:

14.6.15: 'My Dear Edie & all I know you will be anxious to get this. I heard from Jim yesterday he was well letters written the 20th & 27th of June. No chance of getting home in fact they had just heard they were going to Mesopotamia but hope there is no truth in it but he is not far from there now. We are still at the hotel just going up to the house to see what we can do. Love to all. Ever yours Bert & Mabel xx ‘This is a P.C. of the House’

‘Miss Horn, Staple Street Farm, Hern Hill, Nr Faversham, Kent

Jim returned home safely and in retirement they lived in Reculver Rd Beltinge where I spent summer holidays, visiting aunts and uncles.

Courtesy of Diana Jones Nee Horn

From our ‘Family histories’ section: The Horn Family: ‘Edith Horn': Courtesy of Diana Jones Nee Horn

This is the story of my Grandparents and their family during WW1. They were, I should think, a typical agricultural family of the period. They had 10 children, 5 sons and 5 daughters:

Edith the youngest child in the family was born in 1900. She was a child during WW1 but remained at home to help on the farm, in the house and with the garden. She was the collector of postcards and so the recorder of much of this information. In 1914 Edith was given the family Bible in order to keep a record.

She was married in 1931 to an older man John Barnes who had returned from exploits in Canada. They built Hernhill Bungalow but he died in 1944. She lived there alone frugally, and it was when she was very ill that I had the postcards and photographs to keep them safe for the family I have come to some conclusions of my own about this family and their life during WW1.

They still lived in a mild sort of feudal system, accepting their place in society but proudly so. They did not rebel but quietly accepted what went on around them, doing their duty to God and the King. They did not appear to show a great deal of emotion but in their cards and messages were always A1, which was a favored phrase of my father George. They kept in touch with their cards and probably letters in the same way that I text my daughters today. They sent parcels of fresh fruit and veg to those away and lived mainly off the land. They had their own barrel of beer in the kitchen! The centre of their life at that time was the farm, Hernhill and Boughton Street.

Below is some of the postcards sent from Edith during this time

The transcribed text reads:

Marlborough, '1915: Dear Mother I came here yesterday. I have marked with a cross where Will is. I am glad to say he is well. I shall go home next week so will write all news then. Love to all from Edith & Alice’

‘Miss Horn, Staple Street Farm, Hernhill, Nr Faversham, Kent’

The transcribed text reads:

'23.12.1915: Dear Mum & Dad. Just a card to wish you all a happy Xmas. Has dad dressed the beam in the kitchen up. With love you ever loving daughters Alice & Edie xxxx’

‘Mrs J. Horn, Street Farm, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’

The transcribed text reads:

‘The Old Vicarage Tadworth July 26th 1917’

‘Dear G. Doing fine & as you will see, Emma & I are staying with Mabel for a fortnight. Hope you are well. M Heard from Jim today he was very well she sends her love to you. The soldiers here had a night attack last night, very little sleep for us there’s a large common in front of the House, & the rockets were a lovely sight & the noise oh dear. Goodbye dear love from all yours ever Edith xxxxxxx’

‘519439. Gunner G. Horn, Staple Street, Nr Faversham, Kent’

The transcribed text reads:

23.7.18: ‘My Dear Mother. Many thanks for Parcel which we got on Saturday also for P.C. which we received this morning will write & tell you all news in the week. The cherries were lovely also peas & spuds & lettuce. I heard from Fred also he sent his photo hope you are well with love Alice & Edith’

‘Mrs J. Horn, Street Farm, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’

Courtesy of Diana Jones Nee Horn

The postcard below was sent on the 1st Jan 1915*

The postcard reads:

'Dear Mum

Hope you are quite well as is me, plenty of fresh air down here shall not be up for weekend as they are allowing no passes. I will write again later, just received your letter with love to you and all at home your loving Arthur'

'Mrs Frazer, 27 All Saints Road, Perry Street, Gravesend'

From the collection of D Price

*We have had new information from Diana Jones regarding the Frazier family

Because there was a family address I was able to find out a little more about Arthur Frazier.

Arthur was born in 1894 in Farnham, Surrey. In 1901, his father George P Frazier was a labourer at the docks. By 1911, when George was 16, he was living with the family at the address on the postcard and was working in the paper mills. At that time his father was 57yrs old and still a building labourer. His mother Mercy was 45 yrs and a housewife. Arthur was the eldest son and he had a brother Walter 14yrs a sister Edith 12yrs and the youngest Amy 6 years. In the 1914 war Arthur became a Gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery no: 358336.

Arthur survived the war and died aged 72yrs in 1966 in the Dartford area. He may well have descendants in Kent now.

Information courtesy of Lives of WW1

From our ‘Family histories’ section: The Horn Family: ‘Fredrick Horn': Courtesy of Diana Jones Nee Horn

This is the story of my Grandparents and their family during WW1. They were, I should think, a typical agricultural family of the period. They had 10 children, 5 sons and 5 daughters:

Next in the family was Frederick (Fred) who was born in 1893. Fred worked on the farm but was obviously interested in medical matters as he was part of the Boughton Ambulance Brigade. Fred joined the Royal Army Medical Corps in WW1 and sent a telegram to his brother George (my father) when he was about to go to the Front.

I have some postcards that Fred sent home. In one card he says that he has met Alf Fletcher, also of Staple Street, and a school friend. Most of the postcards are humorous and he says that he is A1. It is plain that they are sending parcels and money when needed:

The transcribed text reads:

11.5.15: 'Dear E, Alf Fletcher is only about a stones through from us and I have walked into Aldershot with him this afternoon as we are done from 2 till half past 9 on Saturday. We have just had some tea. We did not get any money yesterday we shall get any before next week but still I have got plenty. From your L.B. Fred

‘Mrs E Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’

The Next card shows a humorous card of a nuse and patient:

The transcribed text reads:

23.?.16: 'Dear Edie, Just a card to let you know I got back alright I have got Harty's letter with hankies alright and have had a letter from George and Em. I am just going to post this and then undo the parcel and do myself a bit of good. Goodbye from Y.L.B Fred

‘Mrs E Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’

Lastly, is another humorous card sent from abroad:

The transcribed text reads:

11.8.16: ‘Dear Edith, just a card to let you know I am A.1 we had some sports yesterday and I won a prize a gold tie pin. Weather was lovely. Hoping you are all well goodbye love to all from your L.B. Fred’

‘Mrs E Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’

Fred was killed in action in 1916 in Flanders. His memorial is in Hernhill Church:

Image and text courtesy of Diana Jones Nee Horn

From our ‘Family histories’ section: The Horn Family: ‘George Horn': Courtesy of Diana Jones Nee Horn

This is the story of my Grandparents and their family during WW1. They were, I should think, a typical agricultural family of the period. They had 10 children, 5 sons and 5 daughters:

My father, George, kept a few precious mementoes of the War and of his brother Fred. He said little but I always knew it was a serious and emotional topic. When George left school he became a grocer's errand boy and then was apprenticed to a grocer in Faversham, Lawrence and Son.

When war came he joined up as a Gunner with the Garrison Artillery:

He was very ill at one point which is mentioned on the post cards but he and Fred kept in touch when they could. A Christmas card was sent Christmas 1916 which was folded in my father’s pocket for many years as can be seen. In it as usual he says he is A1, and has had a letter from Home and that he is getting his letters alright now:

The card above shows soldiers crossing a Pontoon Bridge over the river Jordan in Palestine

The transcribed text reads:

July 12th 1918:‘To Edie. Hoping you are well I am A1 of course. Looking forward to the time when I can see you all, then I can explain all these places to you, hoping you are loving good weather from George'

George survived the War; went on in the Grocery Trade, married in 1929 and I was born in 1937. Most of my childhood holidays were spent visiting my Aunts and Uncles.

My father visited Staple Street in 1977 and although blind recognised his old home.

Image and text courtesy of Diana Jones Nee Horn

From our ‘Family histories’ section: The Horn Family: ‘Alice Horn': Courtesy of Diana Jones Nee Horn

This is the story of my Grandparents and their family during WW1. They were, I should think, a typical agricultural family of the period. They had 10 children, 5 sons and 5 daughters:

Alice Horn was born in 1885 and like her older sister Emma she went into 'service.' As her postcards home show, she moved around the south of England. She married William Houghton, a groom, in 1913. I remember my Uncle Will as a chauffeur always very smart usually in a bowler hat. He went to fight in WW1, he was in the Army Service Corps, and sent postcards home from France.

In 1918 he wrote to the family at the farm 'Well i guess you were all pleased with the News that this Show is finished. I can tell you I was and am now looking forward to getting home' The postcard is of Captain Charles Fryatt who was considered a hero at that time, having been executed in Belgium in 1916:

The transcribed text reads:

17/11/18

‘Dear Mother and Dad. I am well & hope you are all keeping well. Sorry to hear that George was taken Ill. Hope he is getting on alright now also Ted. 'Well I guess you were all pleased with the News that this Show was finished. I can tell you I was and am now looking forward to getting home. Hope to see you all this Summer. Hope you will like this card. fond love to you all from yours etc Will.'

Will returned to Alice and they lived at 4,Manor Cottages, where I loved to go as a child and took my own children when Alice was elderly.

He wrote another card as he landed back in England on May 5th 1919. He calls Alice 'My O D W' my own dear wife, and hopes to see her at the weekend in Faversham. The post card shows a view of the bomb damage in Bury:

The transcribed text reads:

Tilbury Dock, May 5th 1919

‘My O.D.W received yours get what you can on bike sorry could not write before have been on the road all day we were at Tilbury tonight go on to Chatham in the morning. this is a view of the damage caused by the Bombs in Bury will write letter tomorrow love from your etc Will Hope to see you this weekend at Faversham’

‘Mrs A Houghton, 27 Russell St, Leamington, Warwickshire’

The transcribed text reads:

Arras - Jan 3rd 1919

‘Dear Edie Just a P card which I got this morning where I was walking around to whiling the time away waiting to get home thought you would like it. Well at the moment I am not doing a lot but the weather is rotten so don’t want to do much. now the war is over all we want now is to get home. Well we did not have much of a Christmas and New Year came in very dull with the exception of the row we made ourselves. It was the coming in of what is sure to be our home coming year but what time I do not know. Sooner the better well for I am awfully fed up stuck out in this country, best wishes for the New Year love from Will.

Image and text courtesy of Diana Jones Nee Horn

From our ‘Family histories’ section: The Horn Family: ‘Caroline Horn’: Courtesy of Diana Jones Nee Horn

This is the story of my Grandparents and their family during WW1. They were, I should think, a typical agricultural family of the period. They had 10 children, 5 sons and 5 daughters:

The eldest daughter Caroline was born in 1879. She married in 1905 but became a widow; whether due to WW1 or not, I do not know. She was a tobacconist and confectioner, first at 10 East St Faversham and then at 17, West Street. This is a photo of her daughters Olive and Lucy at a celebration of Peace in Faversham.

Image and text courtesy of Diana Jones Nee Horn

This particular air raid was the first sortie against England by a German army aeroplane. (There had been previous aeroplane raids on England but they were made by German navy aeroplanes). As the 'Faversham Raid Postcard' (142FAV) states: there were no casualties - other than, perhaps, a bird.

The writing on the front of 'Faversham Raid Postcard 2' reads: German incendiary bomb dropped at Faversham .ap.16.1915 near the 12th Lancs Battery stables at the Mount Hospital

Image and text courtesy of James Brazier

This photograph depicts the Interior of the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Compassion and St Theodore, Plantation Road, Faversham, which was attended by the local Belgian community during the Great War.

Following the influx of Belgian refugees; 20,000 in one weekend landed in Folkestone; from 1914 onwards homes were found for the refugees throughout Britain. Many of the refugees remained in Kent and there were communities in all the Coastal Towns including Faversham. The local community helped the refugees, many of whom had fled with nothing but the clothes they were wearing, and houses were provided for them to live in. In all 68 refugees were found homes in Faversham and remained in the town during the course of the War and returned home in 1919.

Image & text courtesy of the Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre, Faversham

The explosion at the works at Faversham Uplees occurred on Sunday 2nd April 1916 and around 107 men and boys were killed, including the factory’s entire fire brigade. So great was the force of the explosion that it left a crater 40 yards across and 20 feet deep and the tremor was felt in Norwich.

The majority of those who were killed were buried in a mass grave at Faversham Cemetery on the 6th April 1916 as depicted in these photographs.

Photo courtesy of the Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre, Faversham