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James LARKMAN, MM, Kings Royal Rifle Corps
1882- 20th April 1916

James Larkman lived with his wife, Catherine and two children in Suffolk Road, Foots Cray. He was
one of the thousands of men who heeded the call to arms, joining up with the King’s Royal Rifles
immediately war was declared in August 1914, and was soon serving in France.
He proved to be a worthy soldier and gained a highly respected reputation which saw him promoted to
a position of responsibility as a sergeant. His leadership and bravery was acknowledged when he was
awarded the Military Medal:

Citation: Your commanding Officer and Brigade Commander have informed me that you have
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distinguished yourself by conspicuous bravery in the field on 20 September 1915. I
have read their reports and although promotions and decorations cannot be given in every case, I should
like you to know that your gallant action is recognised and how greatly it is appreciated.”

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But tragedy struck this brave and much respected soldier when on 20 April 1916 he was accidentally
killed by the bursting of one of the Regiment’s own rifle grenades fired by an officer of his Company.
This calamity caused much grief in the Regiment in which James Larkman had gained a high
reputation.

In Memoriam: Buried at Lievin Communal Cemetery extension, Calaise, France.

Private Henry MARSHALL, 1st Battalion, East Kent Regiment
1886 - 14th May 1916

When war was declared, 28-year-old Henry Marshall, (born in Lincolnshire in 1886), was married with
a family and quite settled in the family home in Cray Road, Foots Cray. In 1911, he had married
22-year-old Mary Heap, the daughter of a Superintendent of Insurance Agents for the Prudential
Insurance Co. At the time of their marriage, the couple lived in Bromley. Henry had had various
jobs, including a shop assistant.

He decided to put duty and the defence of the Empire before his wife and family and quickly responded
to Lord Kitchener's call to arms. Henry Marshall was assigned to the 1st Battalion, East Kent
Regiment, known as "the Buffs" who were formed in Cambridge on 19th August 1914. The Battalion
landed at Le Havre in France on 10th September 1914.

Henry Marshall died on 14th May 1916, just weeks before the disastrous Somme offensive, when his
colleagues were part of the Battle of Fleurs Couredette, the Battle of Marval and the Battle of Le
Transloy. It may have been a comfort to his wife and family that at least Henry Marshall was afforded
the dignity of a Christian burial, carried out by the Battalion vicar and attended by as many of his
colleagues who could be spared.

In Memoriam: Henry Marshall is buried in the Essex Farm Cemetery in Belgium.