The Queens Own Royal West Kent R

The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Lieutenant J W E Darlow

Photograph by "Philippe DEGROOTE"

Lieutenant John William Edward DARLOW, 1st Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, (attached 16th Royal Warwickshire Regiment, previously Acting Corporal, 15th London Regiment, Service No.532548 ), killed in action, 29th August 1918, age 24.

12th September 1894, Born Cardiff, Glamorganshire, son of William and Elizabeth Darlow, of 4, Church Circle, South Farnborough, Hampshire / The Glen, Osborne Road, South Farnborough, Hampshire.

1911 Census - The Duke of York's School Royal Military School, Guston, near Dover, Kent - John William Edward Darlow, student, age 16, single, born Cardiff, Glamorganshire.

Home 7th October 1914 to 2th November 1915.

7th October 1914, Warley, enlisted, Corps of Army Schoolmasters, age 20, single, height 5ft 8⅜ inches, weight 128lbs, fresh complexion, brown eyes, brown hair, two moles front of chest, formerly student; 7th October 1914, joined 10th Yorks & Lancs Regiment; 15th March 1915, joined Depot, Essex Regiment, West Ham; 14th September 1915, designated 14th Essex Regiment; 12th October 1915, transferred to Duke of York's School Royal Military School, Shenfield, Essex; 20th November 1915, Hutton, Essex, at own request, discharged as Army Schoolmaster on probation, age 21 years & 1 month, height 5ft 8⅞ inches, fresh complexion, brown eyes, brown hair, two moles front of chest. Intended place of residence, The Glen, Osborne Road, South Farnborough, Hampshire.

29th August 1918, 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, War Diary - "Information received that the N Zealand Division had passed through BAPAUME. Orders received to send out Patrol to be backed up by a small section so as to give a flank to the right Division. Out of 4 men we sent out on the left 3 were shot immediately by machine gun fire. Stokes Mortar was brought into action and knocked out the gun. At 4pm orders received to attack at 5.30pm and secure the high ground. B & C Company in front line D & A in support. The Division on the left were making an attack at the same time. The attack took place under a barrage Lt J W E DARLOW was killed whilst leading his Company 2/Lt KING also being wounded. The command of B Company developed on Sgt SMITH owing to the left Battalion, not succeeding to gain their objective the flank had to be reduced slightly. Battalion, suffered about 40 casualties mostly from machine gun fire, hostile aeroplane attacked our men but did not do us much damage, about 20 prisoners were captured & 100 killed. The line captured overlooked the railway and afforded a good jumping off ground for a larger attack. The Division on the left attacked the old British line and covered the flank. During the evening Companies dug in & sent out patrols to get in touch with troops on left and right and with the enemy. Orders received that Brigade was being relieved by 95th Infantry Brigade issued to Companies at 7.30pm. Some difficulty was experienced in the relief owing to the darkness of night."

25th April 1919, Probate - Darlow John William Edwin, of Farnborough, Hampshire, Lieutenant Royal West Kent Regiment, died 29th August 1918 in France killed in action. Probate London 25th April, to William Darlow, gentleman & Elizabeth Darlow (wife of the said William Darlow). Effects £109 7s.

Buried at Vaulx Hill Cemetery, I. E. 23., Pas de Calais, France.

AWARDS: MC

London Gazette 17th January 1917.

Royal West Kent Regiment - Cadet John William Edward Darlow to be temporary 2nd Lieutenant (attached). 19 December 1916.

London Gazette 7th March 1917.

The under mentioned temporary Officers (attached) are transferred to Regular Battalions, with dates of seniority as stated:

Royal West Kent Regiment - 2nd Lieutenant J W. E. Darlow. - 19th December 1916.

London Gazette 8th July 1918.

The under mentioned temporary 2nd Lieutenants to be temporary Lieutenants:

Royal West Kent Regiment - J W. E. Darlow. - 19th June 1918.

London Gazette 2nd December 1918.

His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased of the following awards to the under mentioned officers and Warrant Officers in recognition of their gallantry and devotion to duty in the Field:

AWARDED THE MILITARY CROSS

Temporary Lieutenant John William Edward Darlow, 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was in command of a support company during an advance, and seeing that gaps had occurred in the attacking line he skillfully pushed forward platoons and filled the gaps. On the following day he led forward a patrol and cleared a gully which would have held up the advance, capturing a machine gun and nine prisoners. His splendid leadership and courage were an inspiration to his men.

This page was last updated on 23-Oct-2020.