Herbert John kent

[davierj]

Appreciate any information, (records, medal index cards etc) on the wartime service of Herbert John Kent, Born Selworthy, Somerset in 1894.   In 1896 the family were living in London.
In 1915 Herbert John Kent served with 2/3rd, 3/3rd Bn (Royal Fusiliers) London Regiment and in 1919 he was with 1st, 3rd Reserve Bn, London Regiment.   I presume his rank was Private.
Thanks in advance
Dave

[AllanUK]

His service record survives and is available on Find My Past

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBM%2FWO363-4%2F007299616%2F00176&parentid=GBM%2FWO363-4%2F7299616%2F14%2F176

A quick read through of his record:

Enlisted - 16 March 1915 into 3rd Battalion, London Regiment,
Rank - Private
Service No - 3934
Remained in England - 16/3/1915 to 21/1/1917
Rank - Acting Corporal from 21/8/1915
Rank - Acting Lance Sergeant from 2/10/1915
Rank - Sergeant from 20/5/1916
Embarked from Southampton on 22/1/1917
Arrived Le Havre, France on 23/1/1917
Wounded in action 15/5/1917 -- S.W. (Shrapnel wound) to right eye; right forearm and leg. Admitted to number 45 or 49 Casualty Clearing Station (both situated at Achiet-le-Grand)
Admitted to number 13 Stationary Hospital, Boulogne on 17/5/1917
Admitted to number 3 Rest Camp on 27/5/1917
Re-Joined unit in the field 17/6/1917
Promoted to Acting CSM (Company Sergeant Major) on 23/6/1917
Relinquished acting position on 12/8/1917
19/11/1917 - proceeded to England, Candidate for Temporary Commission in the Infantry
Remained in England from 20/11/1917 to 13/1/1919 when he was discharged from the Army 'No longer fit for war service'

His medal index card is attached courtesy of Ancestry

[davierj]

Thanks AllanUK, that’s excellent.  Another relative with a Great War record.
Dave

[CraigM63]

I haven't worked my way back to the front of the issue, but there is this mention of a Herbert John Kent, Quartermaster and Honorary Lieutenant, serving with the London Regiment in a supplement to the Gazette on 1 January 1918. I'm wondering if this is connected to the awarding of the Military Cross that is noted on his medal index card.

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30450/supplement/39

There is a further mention of the same man in the Gazette of 20 March 1918, confirming his appointment as Quartermaster and Honorary Lieutenant from 21 March 1918. This would seem to be a logical progression for someone who was appointed Company Sergeant Major in June of the previous year.

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30587/supplement/3552

He does also appear to have an officer's personnel record at the National Archives, which is unfortunately not digitized so a visit would be required to view it.

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C709421

I would also note that his medal index card shows that he applied for his medals on 2 February 1923, so he was definitely not an enlisted man at the end of the war.

[davierj]

Thank you very much
Dave

[ALAMO2008]

Small World
Only yesterday a Post on Reuniting Families Medals a Member of the Forum on it wanted more information on the Medal they had for Dvr 2106 H Kent RFA
They wanted more Biography on the Medal Soldier who they thought was born in Scarborough 1899 served in WW1 under age ?
Married 1927 died 1947
But my Research found 1947 Death was aged 67 so born 1880
But I can't find his Parents
Did your Herbert John have a Son to fit?

[davierj]

Unfortunately not the same person, Herbert John Kent was born 28 Aug 1894 in Selworthy, Somerset And died 8 Feb 1962 in Hammersmith, London.   His parents were Herbert Kent and Mary Baker Havill both from Somerset, the family lived in london   Herbert John Kent married Adelaide Florence Baxter 14 Aug 1916 and had no children, they too lived in London.
Dave