Sittingbourne in the Great War
Welcome to the town page for Sittingbourne. Explore your town map to discover people who lived in your town during the First World War.
As a historic market town on Milton Creek and with Watling Street nearby, Sittingbourne has welcomed travellers for many centuries. During the First World War the townspeople would have seen a great influx of people including Commonwealth troops who were billeted in the town and patients at Whitehall Red Cross Hospital or the Glovers VAD Hospital. The Royal Dublin Regiment encamped at Gore Court House, and a range of regiments would have marched through the town on their way to the Western Front.
Milton Creek had been of long-standing importance to Sittingbourne as it was used to transport bricks from the large brickworks and also raw materials and finished goods for the Sittingbourne paper mill. The barges which transported these goods were built along the creek. By 1913 the creek was unable to cope with the amount of transport and so a dock (named Ridham Dock) was planned to be built at the mouth of the creek. Although Ridham Dock was not fully completed until after the War, the railway was extended to the site in 1913. It is believed that Ridham Dock was used as a salvage port for ordanance from the Western Front during the First World War, and it was used for this purpose after the War when the Royal Navy took control of the dock.
In common with the rest of the Kent towns Sittingbourne was attacked from the air, and anti-aircraft batteries for defence were built in the area. The civilian population would also have seen, amongst other changes, the construction of concrete pillboxes to defend Watling Street.
Please add information to your town page by clicking Upload Your Story. Tell those important stories about your relatives – share their experiences to help build a picture of your community during this period. Don’t forget to check out your local clubs and societies, and whilst you are exploring our site take a look at the other towns around the coast to discover more about Kent’s rich history during the First World War.
1. The sad end of the Sergeant Major’s Career
Whilst researching for the Swale 20th Century Defence Project a number of interesting and at times odd events concerning the military were seen in the local newspapers from the early years of WWI when large numbers of troops were based in and around Sittingbourne. Perhaps the oddest of these was first seen in the 23rd January 1915 edition of the Kent Messenger. This reported on the trial of John Murphy, alias Hugh Charles Caston a Royal Engineer Company Sergeant Major.
This account of the trial and another in the East Kent Gazette told how this man had entered the house of Mrs Mary Tidy in Church Lane Newington on 12th January 1915, whilst she was out. She came into the house about 20 minutes to four and found the C.S.M. entering the front room of the house from the next room carrying a box she knew was kept upstairs. She challenged him and he said he was there to pay the money she was owed for the soldiers billeted on her and to inspect the billets. He paid her the money and left, she went to look upstairs finding it ransacked with several items missing and at once sent a neighbour to fetch the police.
The evidence of PC Post stated that he arrived at the house about 4 p.m. spoke to Mrs Tidy and went to look for the C.S.M, finding him in the Bull Inn. He then took him to Mrs Tidy’s house finding the missing items on him when searched. He then took the man to the police station, presumably for formal charging and on the way was offered a bribe of a sovereign to let him go.
The Kent Messenger stated that a medical certificate was produced at the trial stating, to use a modern term, that he was mentally ill. The statement given by Caston, to use the name in his army record, which is extant, stated that he had travelled around Kent that day and had been in several pubs, perhaps implying that he was drunk.
Caston’s service record shows that he was a regular soldier who enlisted as a musician on 1 August 1896 aged fifteen, had served in Malta and had been awarded the Good Conduct and Long Service Medal. He seems then to have been an exemplary soldier for most of his career, being promoted to Acting Company sergeant Major on the 1st October 1914. He had completing a number of courses and was well qualified for his job of training Territorial soldiers. However for what ever reason in January 1915, something had gone wrong. After the above incedent he was taken to Chatham Military Hospital (Fort Pitt) and on the 15th of January 1915 was transferred to D Block of the Netley Hospital. The medical report written then stated that he was excited, obstinate and inclined to be aggressive. The medical report also stated that he had delusions that he was about to be promoted to the rank of Major, believed that he was a wealthy man, often ordering his car to be sent round to take him for a drive, he also said he wanted to provide Egyptian Cigarettes to all the other patents. The report dated 20 January 1915 finally recommended the he be given a medical discharge as no longer fit for military service. His discharge was dated 2 February 1915, a sad end to a career lasting over eighteen years.
Courtesy of Alan R. Anstee
2. Machine Gun section – 9th Middlesex Sittingbourne 1914
We have been unable to provide a location for this photograph of the troops, who seem to be drawn up for inspection. We have placed at Gore Court Park as we know that this was a training base for the Army.
Image and image title: Courtesy of the Sittingbourne Heritage Museum
New information below courtesy of Alan Anstee:
'The 9th Middlesex were in Sittingbourne with the Middlesex Infantry Brigade, part of the Home Counties Division in September 1914. The cap badges visible are the right shape for this regiment and the long Lee-Enfields used indicate that it is a Territorial unit.'
3. Troops of 7th Middlesex in West Street Sittingbourne
The 1/7th Middlesex were a Territorial Force Battalion who were mobilized in 1914 and moved to Sittingbourne before embarking for Gibraltar in September 1914.The battalion returned to England early in 1915 and were then mobilised and sent to France in Spring of 1915 where the Battalion continued to serve throughout the War, finally being demobilised in 1919.
See also 18.(90SIT) for the 8th Middlesex
Image and image title: Courtesy of the Sittingbourne Heritage Museum
4. Recruiting Parade – Believed to be Sittingbourne
Recruiting Parade – Believed to be in Sittingbourne.
No further information available.
Image and image title: Courtesy of the Sittingbourne Heritage Museum.
5. Belgian Wounded Oct 26 1914 – Sittingbourne
We have not been able to locate this picture, which does not seem to be having taken in a traditional hospital. In October 1914 there were a high number of Belgian casualties evacuated out of Ostend, many of whom landed in Folkestone and other channel ports and were dispersed along the coast. Due to the number of casualties large buildings were used as temporary hospitals, staffed by V.A.D (Voluntary Aid Detachment) nurses.
We have located this picture at the address of the contributor Sittingbourne Heritage Museum.
Image and image title: Courtesy of the Sittingbourne Heritage Museum
New information below courtesy of John Bunting:
John has been in touch with us regarding the location of this picture. He believes that this building may be Holy Trinity Parish Hall where he went to school. The photo may have been taken from the stage. John recognized the windows above the door and the tall window on the right as one of the dormer sections. The door on the left would have gone to the school playground.
6. Damage caused by a Zeppelin raid on 4th June 1915
A photograph of the damage caused by a Zeppelin raid, which occurred on night of 4th June 1915. There were four HE bombs dropped on Sittingbourne in this raid but despite the damage caused to the buildings there were no serious casualties in this raid.
See also 91SIT and 98SIT.
Image and image title: Courtesy of the Sittingbourne Heritage Museum
7. Company of the Sussex Regt in Sittingbourne West Street
There is not a date for this picture but the Regiment does not seem to have been based in Sittingbourne, although research has shown that men from the area including other local towns served in the Sussex regiment. The second battalion of the Sussex regiment saw service on the Western Front. Whether this is the battalion shown in this image we have been unable to ascertain.
Image and image title: Courtesy of the Sittingbourne Heritage Museum
8. RAMC camp at Gore Court Park Sittingbourne probably 1916
RAMC - Royal Army Medical Corp camped at Gore Court Park. This building is no longer in existence but was located in now what is King George’s Playing Field. During the First World War it was taken over by the Army and used as a military training camp.
Image and image title: Courtesy of the Sittingbourne Heritage Museum
9. Daisy Moore with brother and friends Shortlands Road Sittingbourne
Daisy Moore with brother and friends, Shortlands Road, Sittingbourne can be seen in this picture across the water.
Image and image title: Courtesy of the Sittingbourne Heritage Museum
10. Mounted troops and transport in Sittingbourne High Street
Mounted troops & transport in Sittingbourne High Street, we have no further information concerning the date of this photograph or the regiment.
Image and image title: Courtesy of the Sittingbourne Heritage Museum
11. Postcard – Dont worry Im quite comfortable at SITTINGBOURNE
"Don’t worry, I’m quite comfortable at SITTINGBOURNE" was drawn by Suffolk artist Reg Carter. Sittingbourne saw many different battalions from a wide range of regiments passing through during the War, not just local regiments; for example the 1st Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment and the Kings Shropshire Light Infantry were billeted in the Town. We have located this postcard at Gore Court Park as that was an Army Training establishment but this is a generic humorous card not a representation of fact.
Image and image title: Courtesy of the Sittingbourne Heritage Museum
12. Mrs Honeyball at Whitehall Hospital with invalid Belgian Soldiers
We have little information concerning Mrs Honeyball. She was the wife of Col Honeyball of Greenstreet near Sittingbourne. The Whitehall Hospital was a Red Cross Hospital in Bell Road Sittingbourne. All 23 of the men wear British uniform, unlike the Belgian hospital at Ramsgate where all the men wear Belgian uniforms or civilian dress. We believe that after the First World War the building reverted to private use.
Image and image title: Courtesy of the Sittingbourne Heritage Museum
13. Bomb damage Unity Street Park Road June 1915
A photograph of the damage caused by a Zeppelin raid, which occured on night of 4th June 1915. There were four HE bombs dropped on Sittingbourne in this raid but despite the damage caused to the buildings there were no serious casualties in this raid.
See also 91SIT and 103SIT
Image and image title: Courtesy of the Sittingbourne Heritage Museum
14. Troops marching in West Street
Troops marching in West Street, Sittingbourne
Image and image title: Courtesy of the Sittingbourne Heritage Museum
New information below courtesy of Alan Anstree:
'As no weapons seem to be carried and they are led by a band, this might be a church parade. It is possible that they are members of the Dublin Fusiliers, given what can be seen of the cap badges.'
15. Submarine boom defence blocks
Submarine boom defence blocks; built by White’s Yard at Conyer, being launched at Richardson’s dock.
Image and image title: Courtesy of the Sittingbourne Heritage Museum
16. AA gun at Conyer
We have been unable to ascertain any further information about this image, other than defences in this area were strengthened in 1917 and there was an Army range situated in Conyer
Image and image title: Courtesy of the Sittingbourne Heritage Museum
17. Nurses – believed to be Sittingbourne
No further information for this image but due to the outdoor location and the fact that there are nurses sitting in the background we are assuming that this image was taken at a training event at perhaps Gore Court. This could be associated with the photo 97SIT of the RAMC (Royal Army Medical Corp) camped at Gore Court.
Image and image title: Courtesy of the Sittingbourne Heritage Museum
18. Bomb damage after Zeppelin raid
Bomb damage after Zeppelin raid - Unity Street - rear of Park Road, June 1915. A photograph of the damage caused by a Zeppelin raid, which occurred on night of 4th June 1915. There were four HE bombs dropped on Sittingbourne in this raid but despite the damage caused to the buildings there were no serious casualties in this raid.
Image and image title: Courtesy of the Sittingbourne Heritage Museum
19. E and C companies 8th Middlesex in West Street
E & C companies 8th Middlesex in West Street Sittingbourne. Soldiers of the 8th Middlesex march down West Street in Sittingbourne. We believe that this is a picture from 1914 as the territorial 1/8th were in Sittingbourne in 1914 before they embarked for Gibraltar in September 1914. In 1915 the battalion returned to England and was then deployed to the Western Front in March 1915
See also 2.(106SIT) for the 7th Middlesex
Image and image title: Courtesy of the Sittingbourne Heritage Museum