The Queens Own Royal West Kent R

The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Pte J Hebburn

Private James HEBBURN, 69, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment.

Born Marylebone, London, enlisted 7th August 1914, London, age 39, height 5ft 6 inches, weight 146lbs. Scar right groin, hernia operation. Formerly coal porter.

Next of Kin (brother) - Charles Hebburn, 87 Lavender Road, Battersea, SW.

Formerly served Royal West Kent Regiment, discharged 1901.

Home, 7th August 1914 to 28th April 1915; BEF, 29th April 1915 to 2nd May 1915; Home, 3rd May 1915 to 31st December 1915.

7th August 1914, enlisted & posted Depot, Royal West Kent Regiment; 24th October 1914, posted 9th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 23rd February 1915, awarded 14 days detention by Commanding Officer for misconduct; 10th March 1915, posted 3rd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 17th March 1915, awarded 10 days Field Punishment No.2. for stating a falsehood to NCO; 29th April 1915, posted 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 1st May 1915, debility; 3rd May 1915, to England; 4th May 1915, posted Depot, Royal West Kent Regiment.

31st December 1915, discharged as "no longer physically fit for War Service" due to sickness. Silver War Badge issued

Pension 4/8 a week for 18 months, final.

12th February 1916, re-enlisted at London Whitehall, Service No.G/12266, age 41, height 5ft 6¼ inches, weight 124lbs, coal porter, previously served in Royal West Kent Regiment, discharged 31st December 1915, medically unfit. Next of Kin (brother) - Charles Hebburn, 87 Lavender Road, Battersea, SW. Requested leave until Monday 14th February 1916. Deserted 15th February 1916.

11th November 1920, letter signed James Hebburn requesting 1914-15 Star - I am writing to ask if I am not entitled to the 1914 1915 as I enlisted 7th August 1914 and went to France from Chatham in the beginning of 1915 and was discharged as physically unfit for further war service on 31st December 1915. Served as Private G/69, 3rd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment and would think it a great favour if you would send any medals which I am entitled to 102 Rayleigh Road, West Kensington, W14 Hoping you will oblige me I remain your truly.

15th November 1920, letter from Infantry Records to Mr J Hebburn, 102 Rayleigh Road, West Kensington, W14 - reference your application for 1914-15 Star dated 11th November 1920. According to the records in my charge, you are an absentee under attestation G/12266, Royal West Kent Regiment from 15the February 1916. I am directed to request you to forward an explanation of the absence.

16th November 1920, letter in response to above letter signed E Hebburn - In answer to your request for an explanation from my husband I must write to explain to you that it was myself that wrote for his star and that I have asked him about him being an absentee but he suffers from loss of memory since his brother had him home from Napsbury War Hospital where he was sent during one of his illnesses and as it was before I knew much about him and that his brother has since died I can only say that it must have been while he had one of those illnesses that he must have been an absentee. I have a look at what papers he has and the date of 7th August 1914 and his final discharge as unfit for further War Service 31st December 1915 seems to be quite correct and as I have said before that he suffers from lost of memory it is quite hopeless to question him. I have a good deal of trouble with him at times as now and again he becomes a bit strange and it takes me all my time to manage him as if you are not satisfied with this explanation and wish to ask any more question I shall only be too pleased to answer them if I am able to hoping this is what you require.

18th November 1920, letter from Infantry Records to Napsbury Mental Hospital, Napsbury, St Albans, Hertfordshire - reference attached copies of correspondence, can you say if the above name man has been under treatment at your Institution, and if so, from what complaint he was suffering and if it is considered he may not have been accountable for his action in re-enlisting in February 1916.

22nd November 1920, letter to Infantry Records from Napsbury Mental Hospital, Napsbury, St Albans, Hertfordshire - reference the attached, the above man was admitted to the Mental Section of this Hospital from the Military Hospital, Fulham on the 24th May 1915 and transferred to this Depot on 20th December 1915

25th November 1920, letter Infantry Records to Eastern Command - reference War Office letter dated 3rd November 1920, the following case is submitted for favour of orders. The above named attested on 7th August 1914. Age given as 39 4/12 years. Sent to France 29th April 1915. Returned to England 3rd May 1915 for debility. Admitted Fulham Military Hospital 4th May 1915 suffering from nervous shock. Transferred to Mental Section, Napsbury Hospital, St Albans, 24th May 1915. Transferred to Depot, Royal West Kent Regiment, 20th December 1915 and discharged under para 392 (xvi) Kings Regulations on 31st December 1915. Re-enlisted at London 12thy February 1916 and granted leave to 14th February 1916 but failed to join Depot on expiration of leave. Application for 1914-15 Star received 12th November 1920. Explanation of absence called for and reply received, vide copies of correspondence attached.

3rd February 1921, letter from Eastern Command to Infantry Records - with reference to your memorandum dated 25th November last I am directed to inform you that it is not intended to take any disciplinary action in the case of G/12266 Private J Hebburn, Royal West Kent Regiment, and the Office in Charge Infantry Records Office Hounslow should be instructed to ???? medals awarded for previous service, to the man. I am to add that this man should be regarded as ?????? released to Civil Employment as from 15th February 1916 and now discharged in accordance with the printed instructions issued with the War Office letter dated 12th December 191?.

This page was last updated on 16-Feb-2014.