The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Private W F Puplett

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Private William Frank PUPLETT, L/9253,  2nd  Battalion,  Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment,  died of intermittent fever, contracted in the trenches, whilst a Prisoner of War, at Afuin Karahissar,  Mesopotamia, 20th November 1916.

27th April 1891, born Greenwich, Kent, son of Jane Puplett, 34 Lower East Street, East Greenwich, Kent.

25th November 1891, St Peter, Greenwich, baptism of William Frank Puplett, son of Jane Puplett, 30 Coltman Street.

Educated St Peter's School, Greenwich, Kent.

5th November 1904, 7.45, Greenwich Workhouse, admission - Jane Puplett, age 34, destitute & pregnant, widow of James a labourer, 36 East Street; Children - William Puplett, age 13, destitute; Alfred Puplett, age 9, destitute; Frank Puplett, age 14 months, destitute, illegitimate child of above

28th July 1908, Woolwich, enlisted Royal West Kent Regiment, Special Reserve, Service No.7732, age 17 years 3 months, height 5ft 4 inches, weight 106lbs, light hazel eyes, light brown hair, some teeth defective. Formerly van guard.  27th January 1909, discharged on joining Regular Army.

Enlisted Maidstone, Kent, age 17 years & 9 months, height 5ft 4¾ inches, weight 110lbs, fresh complexion, brown eyes, yellow hair, tattooed right arm.....hands, union jack.  Resided Greenwich, Kent. Formerly van boy, employed by Messrs Lovibond, Greenwich, SE .

Home, 28th January 1909 to 14th January 1913; India, 15th January 1913 to 31st January 1915; Indian Expeditionary Force "D", 1st February 1915 to 20th November 1916.

1911 Census, Quebee Barracks, Bordon - William Frank Puplett, Private, age 19, single, 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, Soldier, born Greenwich.

28th January 1909, enlisted; 22nd February 1909, posted 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 27th April 1909 to 30th April 1909, dyspepsia; 1909 December, Bordon, overstaying his pass, from Tattoo until 10.40pm, 5 days confined to Barracks; 20th June 1910, Bordon, overstaying his pass from Tattoo until 9.45pm, 21st June 1910, 7 days confined to Barracks, forfeits 2 days pay; 23rd July 1910, Rushmoor, using obscene language, in Camp,  7 days confined to Barracks; 31st May 1911, 3rd Class Certificate of Education; 15th July 1911, 2nd Class Certificate of Education; 15th July 1911, Rushmoor, absent from Tattoo until 9.40pm, drunk returning to Camp about 9.40pm, 3 days confined to Barracks; 15th August 1911, Bordon, absent from Tattoo; not reporting when ordered to do so by telegram, absent, 15th August to 28th August 1911, awarded 13 days detention; 9th September 1911, from Detention Barracks; 10th September 1911, to Duty; 22nd October 1911, absent from Tattoo; 17th April 1912, Dublin, dental treatment; 1st September 1912, absent from Tattoo; 7th January 1913, examined and found fit for Service Overseas; 15th January 1913, posted India & 2nd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 7th November 1913 to 17th November 1913, malaria; 21st  March 1914, appointed unpaid Lance Corporal; 31st August 1914 to 1st September 1914, constipation; 24th December 1914, Hydrabadm improper conduct in the Barrack room, reprimanded; 9th January 1915, appointed  paid Lance Corporal; 24th January 1915, Hydrabad, examined & found fit for ???? Service; 1st February 1915, posted Indian Expeditionary Force "D"; 20th March 1915, Ashaway, general slackness as Company Orderly Corporal, reprimanded; 14th April 1915, misconduct, reverted to Private at own request; 26th January 1916, wounded in action at Kut-al-Amarah; 18th January 1917, reported prisoner of war; 9th February 1917, reported by Ottoman Red Crescent death on 20th November 1916, whilst a prisoner of war, captured at Kut-al-Amarah, 29th April 1916, died from intermittent fever.

Buried at Afion Kara Nissar.

31st May 1919, Statement of Relatives - Mother, Jane Puplett, 19 Atlas Street, Royal Hill, Greenwich; Brothers - Frank Puplett, age 15, 19 Atlas Street, Royal Hill, Greenwich; Sisters - Grace Puplett, age 12, 19 Atlas Street, Royal Hill, Greenwich.

Buried at Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, XXI. M. 37., Iraq.