Page 71 - Sylvia Malt - Side by Side

On 28th September 1923 Constance bravely decided to emigrate to Canada sailing from
Liverpool with her young five year old son on the Canadian Pacific steam ship “Mont
Claire” bound for Quebec and eventually setting up home in Margaret Street, Meaford,
Ontario, Canada. With most entertainment then being provided by people in their own
homes, Constance Tree gambled that she could provide a living for both herself and her
young son by teaching the ever popular instruments of piano and violin.

In Memoriam: George Tree was buried in Lusenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium.

Corporal George S. WENHAM, 2nd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regt
1897- 8th May 1917

Born in Sidcup in 1897, George Wenham’s mother Lilian was born in Foots Cray. In 1901,
his father, George Thomas, was employed as a florist, but he unfortunately died in 1903,
aged just 45 years. Just six months after his father’s untimely death, his mother married
William Martin, also a florist, who had been lodging with the family at their home in Bexley
Village.

As a young lad, George was a member of the North Cray Scouts and at the outbreak of War
he was a member of the Sidcup Territorial's. Men were desperately needed to fight for the
Empire and although still not quite 17-years-old, George decided to enlist. He was placed
in the 2nd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment who were based in Tonbridge, Kent and his
commitment and leadership skills saw him soon promoted to Corporal.

George left England with his Regiment for Egypt on the 20th July 1915 and they embarked
for Alexandria from Southampton via Mudros and landed on 20th August at Suvla Bay
where they were based for the next five months. George wrote home to his mother that he
had endured a great deal of fighting and long, arduous marches in the desert.

On 13th December 1915, the Battalion was evacuated to Egypt due to heavy casualties from
combat, disease and severe weather conditions, with the Division being engaged in only
part of the Palestine Campaign, including the three Battles of Gaza. At the end of March
1917, the Battalion was attacked and surrounded by the Egyptian Expeditionary force in the
first Battle of Gaza but the attack was broken off when Turkish reinforcements appeared.

The second Battle of Gaza, from 17th-19th April 1917, left the Turks in possession. George
Wenham wrote his last letter home from his hospital bed and died on 8th May 1917,
probably from injuries sustained in the second Battle of Gaza.

In Memoriam: George Wenham is buried in the Gaza War cemetery. A Memorial Service
was held in All Saints Church, Foots Cray.

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