The Queens Own Royal West Kent R

The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Lieutenant E J Innocent

Photograph by “chris(tine)eaton”

Lieutenant Edward John INNOCENT, 9th Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, killed in action, 3rd July 1916, age 34

16th June 1879, born Lambeth, only son of of the *John Cole & Emily Innocent, Ellerdene, Rosendale Road, Herne Hill, London.

* 1883 December died age 46, Lambeth Registration District.

30th December 1899, Bedford, enlisted 28th Company, Imperial Yeomanry, Service No.14936, (51), age 21, height 5ft 10½ inches, weight 157lbs, fresh complexion, grey eyes, light brown hair. Born Brixton, London. Formerly bank clerk

Home 30th December 1899 to 6th February 1900; South Africa 7th February 1900 to 24th July 1900; Home 25th July 1900 to 27th October 1900.

12th July 1900, Wynberg, enteric, contracted Field Service. South Africa, Canal, ????, England; 25th July 1900, South Africa, S.S.Gascon, no admission; 16th August 1900, Gosport, transferred from South Africa.

27th October 1900, discharged at his own request from further services in connection with the war in South Africa.

Medals - South Affrica 1899-1902, Cape Colony, Orange Free State.

1909 June Quarter, St Pancras Registration District, married Lydia Eyre.

1911 Census - Elmhurst, Roydon, Essex - Edward Innocent, head, age 31, married, Bank Clerk, born Dulwich, Surrey; Lydia Innocent, wife, age 34, married 2 years, no children, born Islington, London.

Lance Corporal Reserve Regiment of Cavalry, Service No.18847.

5th February 1915, discharged from Reserve Regiment of Cavalry on Commission to Royal West Kent Regiment

23rd December 1915, posted BEF.

8th September 1916, Probate - Edward John Innocent, of Elmhurst, Roydon, Essex, Lieutenant Royal West Kent Regiment, died 3rd July 1916 in France or Belgium. Administration (with Will), London 8th September to Lydia Innocent, widow, Effects £321 3s 3d.

24th January 1941, widow of 24 Tudor Gardens, Barnes, SW13, returned medals to War Office as there was no-one to leave them to, would be happier to know they were here.

Buried at Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, VIII. T. 9., Mametz, France.

1916 December, Steyning Registration District, Lilian E Innocent (sister), married Edward William Collison Griffith.

Lewes Cemetery, Sussex.

RBS Remembers -

Bank: National Provincial Bank of England

Place of work: London Aldersgate Street branch

Died: 3 July 1916

Edward John Innocent was born on 16 June 1879, the only son of John Cole Innocent, a clerk in National Provincial Bank of England, and his wife Emily. In June 1897, when he was 18 years old, he went to work for National Provincial Bank of England at its London office, where his late father had also worked. In August 1898 he transferred to Brixton branch. In November 1900, after completing his three-year apprenticeship, he transferred to Lowestoft branch as a clerk. In May 1902 he moved to Gateshead branch and then, in November 1902, to London St Martin's Le Grand branch. He later moved to London Aldersgate Street branch. He was a member of the bank's staff sports club.

Outside work Innocent was a volunteer soldier. He served in the Boer War with Lord Compton's Horse. He was invalided home with enteric fever, and returned to work at the bank.

In September 1914 Innocent re-enlisted in the army, initially as a Private, and then a Lance Corporal, in the Hussars. In January 1915 he was commissioned into The Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). He was drafted to France in December 1915, and on Boxing Day that year sustained a minor wound in the head.

Lieutenant Innocent returned to France in January 1916, and was killed in action on the Somme on 3 July 1916. He was 37 years old and left a widow, Lydia, whom he had married in 1909.

London Gazette 8th March 1915.

The Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). 9th Battalion.

Edward John Innocent to be temporary Lieutenant. Dated 5th February, 1915.

London Gazette 13th March 1916.

The Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment).

Temporary Lieutenant Edward J. Innocent, from a Reserve Battalion, to be temporary Lieutenant. Dated 18th December, 1915, but with seniority from 5th February, 1915.

London Gazette 29th September 1916.

Lieut. EDWARD JOHN INNOCENT, Deceased.

Pursuant to 22 and 23 Vic., chap. 35.

ALL persons having claims against the estate of Lieutenant Edward John Innocent, formerly of Elmhurst, Roydon, Essex, a Lieutenant in the Royal West Kent Regiment, deceased (who was killed in action, on the 3rd July. 1916, in France or Belgium), are required to send particulars to the undersigned by the 31st day of October, 1916 after which the administratrix (with will annexed) of the said deceased will distribute his assets, having regard only to the valid claims of which she shall have notice. Dated 27th day of September, 1916. ANDREW, WOOD, PURVES and SUTTON, 8 and 9, Great James-street, Bedford-row, London, W. C., Solicitors for the Administratrix with Will Annexed.

This page was last updated on 29-Feb-2020.