Capt Harold Edward Kentish, KiA 30/03/1918

[Redbourn]

I am researching the men commemorated on the WW1 memorial of St Albans School, Herts, one of whom is Captain Harold Edward Kentish, CO of the 281st Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers.

An obituary in the journal of the Yorkshire Rambler's Club describes how "in the great German offensive, several RE companies were formed into an infantry battalion with Kentish second in command, and on March 30th, at a village about 11 miles from Amiens, he was shot through the head."

An earlier GWF thread mentions that 281st AT Coy provided details for the 1st RE Battalion. Casualties by 31st March, were 1 killed (Kentish), 11 wounded and 19 missing.

I have looked for the unit war diary without success.

Can anyone tell me anything about the engagement, especially the location?

Harold Kentish has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.

Many thanks, Gareth

[Terry_Reeves]

Gareth

 

The diary is available for download from the National Archives website in three parts:

 

WO95/447/5

WO95/447/6

WO95/447/7.

 

It will cost £3.50 per download.

 

He appears to have a personal file in WO339/6553 which will require a personal visit to the archives.

 

 

 

TR

Edited 26 July , 2017 by Terry_Reeves

[clk]

Hi Gareth,

 

I think that Terry's finger might have slipped and the diary references should be to WO 95/547 files.

 

Regards

Chris

[Redbourn]

Chris / Terry

Many thanks, I'll have a look.

Gareth