The Queens Own Royal West Kent R

The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Private E Griffiths

Private Ernest John GRIFFITHS, S/837, 2nd Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, died of disease, Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force, 27th April 1916, age 33.

Born Poplar, London, Middlesex, son of John and Mary Griffiths, of 86, Cambrian Road, Neyland, Pembrokeshire / 107 Wolseley Road, South Town, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. Sister, Daisy Griffiths.

4th April 1883, All Hallows, Tower Hamlets, Poplar, London, baptism of Ernest John Griffiths, son of John, (mariner), and Mary Griffiths, 41 Abbotts Road.

1911 Census - St Govern Light Vessel, Pembroke Wales, Ernest John Griffiths, crew, age 28, single, seaman, Trinity House Service, worker, born Polar, London.

Formerly served in Welsh Regiment, time expired.

Enlisted Gravesend, Kent, age 31 years & 229 days, height 5ft 4 inches, weight 134lbs, tattoo left forearm, blue eyes, brown hair. Resided 107 Wolseley Road, South Town, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. Formerly seaman.

Home, 15th September 1914 to 9th December 1915; Indian Expeditionary Force, 10th December 1915 to 27th April 1916.

5th September 1914, enlisted & posted Depot, Royal West Kent Regiment; 28th September 1914, posted 3rd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 24th October 1914, posted 9th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment

3rd January 1915 about 8.30pm, Witness Statement from Ernest John Griffiths, Private 9th Battalion, 187, Royal West Kent Regiment to Rochester Police : I met this man (Herbert Stanley Ralph) of 23 Porth Street, Strood, this side of the bridge in High Street, Rochester. I saw this man walking about the street in a roaming condition. I kept him under observation for about 20 minutes previously to taking him to the Guard Room at the Corn Exchange. I handed him over to the Sergeant Drum Major John Kerwin. During the time I kept him under observation I did not see him do anything suspicious. I said to him "What are you doing roaming about the street, are you a German or an Englishman. He said he lived at 23 Porth Street. I am a picket appointed to pick up anyone I had suspicions on in the street from 6pm to 9pm. I am billeted at 268 Dale Street, Chatham.

3rd January 1915, 8.30pm, Witness Statement from Herbert Stanley Ralph of 23 Porth Street, Strood, machinist at Avelings Ltd, to Rochester Police : I was walking up the street towards the Bridge. I turned back towards 2 Port Alley. I then stopped and asked this soldier why he was following me. He replied I am on duty here to catch people who are supposed to be foreigners. He asked for my name and address. I gave it to him. He then accused me of having things on me "to do anybody in" He then said you better give me a trifle and I will let you go. I then said to the soldier you better come with me to the Guard Room and settle things there. I went to the guard room with him, at the guard room at the new Corn Exchange. I told the Drum Major who I was and that I was known at the Police Station.

3rd January 1915, Witness Statement from John Kerwin, Drum Major, 6th Battalion Middlesex Regiment to Rochester Police: At about 8.40pm a civilian was brought to me by Private Griffiths of the West Kents accused of being a German spy. I taxed the man, and asked him if he knew anyone in Chatham. The man told me the Police knew all about him; I then asked for an escort and I ordered Drummer Wheeler to accompany me and accused and picket to the Police Station to investigate the matter. The Police are perfectly satisfied as to the identity of the man.

3rd January 1915, report to the Officer Commanding 9th Battalion Royal West Kents from Police Sergeant H Dartnaill, countersigned by Chief Constable - I beg most respectfully to submit the attached statements of Herbert Stanley Ralph, Drum Major John Kerwin and Private 187 , taken down by me at their station at the above date. I have known Ralph for a number of years. He is a respectable young man and the son of a pensioner Police Constable of this force (since deceased). Chief Constable, Alfred S Arnold - The young man Ralph in my opinion did nothing to justify the Private's action.

10th December 1915, posted Indian Expeditionary Force & 2nd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment.

20th July 1920, Statement of Relatives - Father, John Griffiths, 66 High Street, Neyland, Pembrokeshire; Mother, Mary Griffiths, 66 High Street, Neyland, Pembrokeshire; Brothers, none; Sisters, none.

Buried at Amara War Cemetery, XX. G. 1. Iraq.

NOTE from CWGC - In 1933, all of the headstones were removed from this cemetery when it was discovered that salts in the soil were causing them to deteriorate. Instead a screen wall was erected with the names of those buried in the cemetery engraved upon it.

This page was last updated on 30-Jun-2019.