John Charles Beckett Kent

A Private with the 7th Battalion, John died on 12th of October 1916 at the age of 24. 

John was born at Lowestoft in 1890, a son of Emma Kent. In 1891 John, and his mother, lived with his grandparents, George and Emma Kent, at 9 Melbourne Road, Lowestoft. John was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft, on 22 August 1894. The baptism register state that he was a son of John and Emma Kent. John attended Church Road Board School. In 1901 his family lived at 35 Crown Street. In 1911 the family lived at 39 Church Road, and John was a grocer’s warehouseman. Later his mother lived at 9 White Horse Street, Lowestoft. 

John enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. This was in, or before, October 1914. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 1457 and served with the 6th (Cyclist) Battalion. Later he was posted to the 7th Battalion in France, service number 43018.   

The War Diary for the 7th Battalion has:

10 October 1916

Relieved 11th Middlesex in Bulls Runs, near Flers, four companies in front line.

12 October 1916

Attack to be made on Bayonet Trench and Luisenhoff Farm. Morning very quiet.
5 a.m. Battalion lying in shell holes in front ready.
10 a.m. Major Henty went forward to advance Battalion Headquarters in Grass Street to receive reports.
2 p.m. Zero. Attack started. German barrage very intense. Battalion proceeded in four waves, each company with a platoon front.
No definite report until 6 p.m. when Battalion was back in front line having failed to attain objective.
B and D Companies gained objective, but were driven out by superior numbers.
1st Essex on right gained objective but were unable to hold it, finally and they managed to keep part of it.
Battalion withdrew to reserve in Flers Trench. 

Colonel Murphy, in history of the Suffolk Regiment, felt that the attack failed because the enemy wire had only partially been destroyed and that the British barrage was ineffective.

All fifteen officers that went over the top became casualties: eleven killed and four wounded. Ninety two other ranks were killed and, in total, the Battalion had over 500 casualties.  

John was reported missing on 12 October 1916 and it was presumed that he had been killed in action on, or since, that date.