Page 24 - Sylvia Malt - Side by Side

Tragedy for seven prominent families

The War was to exact a very high price on several very well known families of
Foots Cray and North Cray.

Architect Francis Goldsmith, who lived with his wife and four children in a very
grand house in Foots Cray Lane, named "St. Leonards", lost his beloved
eldest son, 21-year-old Captain Lewis Goldsmith.

Manager of a Bank, James Dickinson, who lived in a large and expensive
house in The Drive, Sidcup, lost his 26-year-old son, Second Lt. Bruce Norman
Dickinson, who was a keen sportsman and captain of the 2nd Eleven Sidcup
Cricket Club.

Master Baker, William Tossell, whose bakers-shop/post office was the hub of
Foots Cray Village, lost his adored son, Frank.

Mrs. Mary King, very well known by the residents of both Foots Cray and North
Cray because of her family business at the Foots Cray Dairy and Tea Gardens,
lost two nephews.

Rev. Johnston, the long-serving vicar of St. James Church, North Cray, lost his
46-year-old nephew who was commanding the 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex
Regiment.

Joseph Pillman JP, of The Cottage, Church Road, Foots Cray, lost his son,
Captain Robert Laurence Pillman, aged 23. He had been an international
Rugby player before joining the 10th Service Battalion, Royal West Kent
Regiment.

William Thwaites, who ran the former historic coaching inn The Seven Stars in
Foots Crayfor over 15 years, lost two of his sons, 22-year-old Richard and 28-
year-old Harry. Both men were born and grew up in Foots Cray.

The Vansittarts of North Cray Place and the Vesey-Holt Family of Mount
Mascal, as well as the North family living at Vale Mascal, all lost loved ones.

But for all the close-knit communities every loss of life was a tragedy, borne
with great dignity. The bereaved took comfort from their positive belief that
their loved-ones had died in a good cause - “For God, King, and Country.”

24