Frances Gould Posted 7 November , 2021 Share Posted 7 November , 2021 My parental Grandfather was 11th Battalion AIF, Gallipoli Veteran. His service record says that he served with the Queen’s Royal West Kent Regiment for 4 1/2 years before emigrating to Western Australia, and then enlisting in WW1. I would like to know more about the regiment and particularly if any service records exist for him during his Kent enlistment. Edward Henry MARTIN thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonbem Posted 7 November , 2021 Share Posted 7 November , 2021 Hi and welcome to the forum check out the LongLong Trail on the tab at top of page also try war Diaries at National Archive Search results: Royal West Kent Regiment | The National Archives If you have his service number, Gate and place of birth it will help us search regards Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frances Gould Posted 7 November , 2021 Author Share Posted 7 November , 2021 Thank you for the prompt reply. Much appreciated. I only have his AIF service number (Aus). This was 804 He was born 10 November 1888 in Tunbridge Wells. Perhaps 1 Main Street. And I also have (what looks like) “Rusthall” His father’s name was Horace. kind regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Clifton Posted 7 November , 2021 Share Posted 7 November , 2021 Hello Frances, and welcome to the Forum! If he served with the AIF at Gallipoli, it is unlikely that any of his service with the Royal West Kents was during the Great War. The regiment was formed in 1881 as part of the so-called "Cardwell reforms", which merged two of the former numbered regiments of Foot: in this case the 50th and 97th. The 50th were nicknamed "the Dirty Half Hundred" because of the black collars and cuffs of their full dress tunics. There are regimental histories for the Great War period, but also one covering 1881 to 1914, which is available from World of Books: https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/h-d-chaplin/queen-s-own-royal-west-kent-regiment-1881-1914/9781843426929?gclid=Cj0KCQjw8p2MBhCiARIsADDUFVHjSLTyO6SYeXThPdM0QInLEb2XPZkAHEoj50PXiPNrmfPUay2nlTIaAreDEALw_wcB Incidentally my mother's father served with the West Kents during the war, and survived. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frances Gould Posted 7 November , 2021 Author Share Posted 7 November , 2021 Thank you. As I have said his service with the Kent Regiment was before he emigrated and then enlisted here for WW1 service. thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonbem Posted 7 November , 2021 Share Posted 7 November , 2021 have you tried the museum? Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regimental Museum | Maidstone Museum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frances Gould Posted 7 November , 2021 Author Share Posted 7 November , 2021 Thank you. I’ve only just begun this journey but will be sure to have a look. thank you 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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