The Queens Own Royal West Kent R

The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Private W R Pankhurst

Private William Robert PANKHURST, L/10765, 1st Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, killed in action, Flanders France, death assumed on or after, 4th October 1917.

Born 3rd June 1896, East Grinstead, Sussex, son of *William Thomas and Caroline Pankhurst, of 11, College Lane, East Grinstead, Sussex.

* 21st April 1894, Framfield, Sussex, William Thomas Pankhurst married Caroline Piper, spinster.

1911 Census - 11, College Lane, East Grinstead, Sussex - William Pankhurst, head, age 45, married, labourer, East Grinstead Urban District Council, worker, born Framfield, Sussex; Caroline Pankhurst, wife, age 35, married 16 years, 6 children, 5 still alive, born Maresfield, Sussex; Robert Pankhurst, son, age 12, born Uckfield, Sussex; Caroline Pankhurst, daughter, age 10, born East Grinstead, Sussex; Frederick Pankhurst, son, age 5, born East Grinstead, Sussex; Mary Pankhurst, daughter, age 3, born East Grinstead, Sussex.

* 4th January 1915, enlisted, Hastings, Sussex, William Thomas Pankhurst, age 49 years, 3 months, height 5ft 7 inches, previously served Royal Garrison Artillery. Resided 11, College Lane, East Grinstead, Sussex.

Children - Caroline Pankhurst, born 4th December 1900, East Grinstead Registration District; Frederick Pankhurst, born 8th September 1905, East Grinstead Registration District; Mary Janet Pankhurst, born 29th November 1907, East Grinstead Registration District; Thomas Pankhurst, born 27th August 1911, East Grinstead Registration District.

4th January 1915, posted Southdown Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, Service No.3412; 20th August 1915, posted 14th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment; 20th August 1915, appointed paid Lance Corporal; transferred to Essex Regiment & posted 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment; 28th January 1916, transferred to Royal Sussex Regiment; 28th February 1916, re-engaged as Acting Corporal & posted 14th Reserve Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment; 3rd June 1916, discharged as "no longer physically fit for War Service"; 24th June 1916, rejected for Pension.

Enlisted Dover, Kent, age 18 years & 342 days, height 5ft 5¼ inches, weight 122lbs, fresh complexion, blue eyes, red hair. Resided East Grinstead, Sussex. Formerly labourer.

Home, 12th May 1915 to 30th August 1915; BEF, 31st August 1915 to 4th October 1917.

12th May 1915, enlisted; 13th May 1915, posted Depot, Royal West Kent Regiment; 15th May 1915, posted 3rd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 31st August 1915, posted BEF & 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 1st September 1915, 5 Infantry Base Depot; 8th September 1915, joined Battalion "C" company;

21st October 1915, Whilst on Active Service, urinating on a parapet, whilst on sentry in the trenches, 3 days confined to Barracks; 15th November 1915, Whilst on Active Service, dirty rifle on rifle inspection, 3 days confined to Barracks; 27th December 1916, Whilst on Active Service, losing by neglect his cap badge, deprived one days pay; 29th April 1917, Whilst on Active Service, falling out without permission, deprived of 7 days pay; 21st August 1917, Whilst on Active Service, altering his clothes without permission, 5 days Field Punishment No.2.; 4th October 1917, posted missing.

17th October 1917, GBO 10th Corps, G 6353, Report of Burial, Sh?28 NW4 1/1000 J A C 5.8.

12th June 1919, Statement of Relatives - Father, William Thomas Pankhurst, 11, College Lane, East Grinstead, Sussex; Mother, Caroline Pankhurst, 11, College Lane, East Grinstead, Sussex; Brothers - Frederick Pankhurst, age 13, 11, College Lane, East Grinstead, Sussex; Thomas Pankhurst, age 7, 11, College Lane, East Grinstead, Sussex; Sisters - Caroline Pankhurst, age 18, 11, College Lane, East Grinstead, Sussex; Mary Janet Pankhurst, age 11, 11, College Lane, East Grinstead, Sussex.

Commemorated at Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 106 to 108, Belgium & East Grinstead War Memorial.

This page was last updated on 04-Mar-2021.