Charles William Kent

A Rifleman with 2/17th Bn., Charles William died on 7th of August 1916 at the age of 25.

Charles was born at Lowestoft on 26 October 1891 a son of George Thomas and Janet Moody Kent. He was baptised at Christchurch, Lowestoft, on 18 November 1891 and his family lived at 35 East Street. His family were still living at 35 East Street in 1901. By 1911 his family was living at 66 East Street, Lowestoft. 

Charles joined the Army, at Lowestoft, and, initially, served with the 6th (Cyclist) Battalion Suffolk Regiment, service number 2076.

Charles was transferred to the London Regiment and he arrived in France on 24 June 1916 to join the 2/17th Battalion. On 3 August 1916 the Battalion took up positions in trenches near Neuville St. Vaast. The Battalion War Diary for 7 August 1916 has:

Quiet day in trenches. Our patrols were again active during the night and secured useful information. Our snipers claimed two hits. Usual activity with trench mortars, 'oil cans', 'fears', and rifle grenades.

The War Diary does not mention any casualties on 7 August, but both Charles, and William Turner, also from Lowestoft, were both killed in action that day. Both Charles and William had served in the 6th Battalion Suffolk Regiment and they both joined the 2/17th Battalion on 24 June 1916. 

A brief note in the East Anglian Daily Times, 21 August 1916, page 6, states that William Turner was 'killed by a shell, together with his chum, Charles Kent.'

Charles and William are buried next to each other at Ecoivres Military Cemetery.