The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Private W Sandwell

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Photograph by "Pearlady"

Private William SANDWELL, G/17569, 6th Battalion,  Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, killed in action, Flanders France, 19th January 1917.

Born Ash, Kent.

Next of Kin (friend) - Mrs Amy Elizabeth Relph, Forge Cottages, The Quarters, Lamberhurst, Kent / 7 Hallshole Cottages, Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

Previously served with Royal West Kent Regiment, Service No. 5748, December 1899 to July 1907.

Reported Canterbury, Kent, age 31 years & 88 days, height 5ft 6¾ inches, weight 138lbs.  Resided Ledgers Works, Paddock Wood, Kent. Formerly blacksmith.

Home, 18th September 1916 to 9th December 1916; BEF, 10th December 1916 to 19th January 1917.

18th September 1916, Called up for Service; 23rd September 1916, posted Depot, Royal West Kent Regiment; 4thy October 1916, posted 3rd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 10th December 1916, posted BEF & 6th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 10th December 1916, embarked / disembarked; 30th December 1916, joined Battalion, In the Field.

23rd January 1917, letter from Captain J Llewellyn G. Hill, Chaplain to the 37th Infantry Brigade to Mrs P Ralph - I am very sorry to have to tell you of the death of your friend Pte W Sandwell, No. 17569, of the 6th R.W.K. Regt, who was killed in action on Friday January 19th, with two others, by a trench mortar, whilst they were carrying wire up the trench. He died instantaneously. We buried him on Sunday January 21st at 10.45am. in Arras Military Cemetery. The grave is well cared for and has a cross set upon it. I am sure you will feel proud of him for having laid down his life for his country & especially for you, doing his duty. Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend. I hope you will be comforted by your belief in the everlasting life for us all.  His Officers and companions thought a great deal of him & wish me to convey their deep sympathy to you. I see that he has left his property to you & if you apply to the War Office in a week or two you will receive his military effects. The Vicar of your parish will be only too glad to help you in any way & & if there is anything further that I can do, I hope you will let me know. With deepest Sympathy.  

16th June 1917, Memo to The Adjutant General at the Base, British Expeditionary Force, from L Miles for the Assistant Financial Secretary - I am directed to forward herewith a copy of a letter received from Captain J Llewellyn G. Hill, Chaplain to the Forces, regarding the late No.17569 Private William Sandwell, 6th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment. It will be observed that it is stated in the letter that the late soldier left his property to Mrs Relph. No will has been received in this Department or by the Officer in Charge of Records and that the Regimental Paymaster, reports that Army Book 64 has not been received. I am to enquire whether you have any trace of the soldier's Will, and, if not, request that you will be good enough to ask Captain Hill to explain his statement; if he saw and read a Will made by the deceased he should furnish a signed statement shewing:- (1) The exact date when and place where he saw and read the Will. (2) The exact words, or as near as possible, and the date (if any) of the Will. (3) Whether it was on a separate sheet, or whether it was in an Army Book. If in the latter , a short description of the book should be given. (4) The names and addresses of any persons, other than himself who saw and read the will. (5) The names and addresses of any witnesses who signed the Will. 

23rd June 1917, Officer in Charge Regular Infantry Section No.5 to Headquarters, 37th Infantry Brigade  - With reference to the attached, no Will either in Army Book 64 or on a separate sheet, in the case of 17569 Private William Sandwell, 6th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, can be traced as having been received in this Office. Will you therefore kindly obtain from Captain Hill that statement called for in the attached copy of the War Office letter and forward same to Officer in Charge Regular Infantry Section No.5 GHQ 3rd Echelon, direct.

Buried at Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery, III. B. 24., France.