Category Archives: Army

Percy Francis Kington

Alfred Sutton School War Memorial, Army, Other Regiments, Y.M.C.A.

Percy Francis Kington
Rifleman 554923
16th Battalion London Regiment, Queens Westminster Rifles

Kington PF grave

Percy Francis Kington  was the son of John and Marion Kington (nee Blow) of 1, Hamilton Road. He was one of six children according to the 1901 census. No records have been found of Percy in 1911. He is believed to have been born in 1899.

He is buried at Maroeuil British Cemetery, in the Pas-de Calais,  location IV. H.11.  He died on 16th March 1918, killed in action, in the build up to the German Spring offensive which is officially deemed to have begun on 21st March 1918. Percy was about 19 years old.

Percy Francis Kington is also commemorated on the family grave in the Reading cemetery.  His name can be found on the kerbs in Division 62, 13103.  The headstone bears the names Kington, Hooper-Blow and Greaves.  (Berkshire Family History Classification is 62D41) His name is commemorated on the Alfred Sutton School memorial and also that of the YMCA

Ernest Walter Kearse

Army, Commemorated name/s, Royal Berkshire Regiment

Ernest Kearse
Private 19679
5th Royal Berkshire Regiment

 Division 24

Kearse E photo

 

Ernest Kearse was killed in action on the 3rd  July 1916. His initials “E.K. fell in action July 1916” is commemorated on a small scroll stone.  Burial records revealed the family name as Kearse.  CWGC information indicates only that he is listed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.  Pier and Face 11 D.

The 5th Royal Berks. battalion was attacking Ovillers as part of the 12th Division.  Ovillers was a first day objective on the opening of the Somme battle which had resisted capture.  Zero hour was 3.15a.m. although the leading waves left the trenches and crawled forward at 3a.m.

The initial attack went well breaching the German front line.  The Germans, in deep dug outs, were forced out with grenades and hand to hand fighting took place.  However, by 9a.m. the Berkshires had run out of bombs.  Some men reached the village but became isolated and were killed.  Others were  killed by land mines, detonated by trip wire, between the German first and second lines.  The machine guns were murderous and survivors who tried to retreat were cut down as they sought cover in shell holes.  In a general withdrawal to a sunken road more men were killed by artillery, of both sides, and more machine gun fire.

Losses for the battalion were 91 killed, 212 wounded, 104 missing.  Among these were Ernest Kearse.  The British Official History of the action in which 2,400 men of the 12th Division lost their lives stated “to have reached the German trenches at all was an outstanding feat of arms”.

It is believed that Ernet Kearse was the son of Henry and Louisa Kearse of 67, Blenheim Road. At the time of the 1911 census he was an apprentice compositor at a printing works his older brother had the same occupation. His father was a forman at Huntley and Palmers. His younger sister a dressmaker’s assistant.

 

Frederick Reginald Johnson

Army, Commemorated name/s, Other Regiments

Frederick Reginald Johnson DCM
Private 62889 57th Coy.,
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)

Division 78
Extension

F R Johnson DCM citation 1of2 F R Johnson DCM citation 2of2

 

Frederick Reginald Johnson  was the only son of Arthur and Louisa Johnson,  of  99, Elm Park Road, Reading.  He is commemorated on his parents grave.  His name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing.  Panel 154 to 159 and 163A..  He died on 21st  September 1917, aged 24.

At 5.40am on 20th September 1917 what was subsequently called the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge began. New tactics by the British limited objectives to what could be taken and held.  The artillery planning was precise and troops advanced behind a creeping barrage.  South of the Menin Road the advance was successful in the face of heavy German resistance.  Inverness Copse, Glencourse Wood, Veldhoek and part of Polygon Wood were taken on the 20th September.  The German strong point of Tower Hamlets held out until 23rd September.  There was severe fighting and much loss of life on both sides with the Allies repulsing counter attack after counter attack.  The ground was churned up and German air attacks made carrying casualties even more difficult.  Many injured men and the bodies of the dead were lost  in barrages and artillery fire from both sides.  It is not known exactly when or how Frederick Johnson met his death but his body became on of the 34,888 of the Missing named on the Tyne Cot Memorial

The 1911 census indicated that he assisted his father in the family Bakery.