RUSTHALL COMMUNITY ARTS BATTLE'S OVER SILHOUETTES 2018
Along with poets there were many artists in the first world war who recorded life on the front line and in the trenches in drawings and paintings; among these artists were a few who created silhouette images cut out of black paper. Rusthall Community Arts (RCA) have created a series of large silhouettes that are appearing in shop windows along Rusthall High street from throughout November to mark the 100th anniversary of WW I Armistice .. Each silhouette is an illustration of Rusthall men and boys who lost their lives and whose stories are told in Clive Robert’s book Rusthall Fallen. Among those being illustrated is
Hugh Latimer of the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment who died on 3rd July 1916 aged 19 at the Battle of the Somme.
(His silhouette is the banner above).
He took part in a suicidal attack against well defended trenches without artillery support. As useless as the attack was Captain Matthews led the way into a hail of bullets only to be shot down after a few yards.
“His courage found a parallel in the gallantry with which 2nd Lt. Latimer, recently joined from Rugby school, dashed forward ahead of his men, pushed through the wire and stood on the German parapet to cheer his men on and point the way, till he fell shot through the head”. Regimental Diary.
Hugh Latimer of the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment who died on 3rd July 1916 aged 19 at the Battle of the Somme.
(His silhouette is the banner above).
He took part in a suicidal attack against well defended trenches without artillery support. As useless as the attack was Captain Matthews led the way into a hail of bullets only to be shot down after a few yards.
“His courage found a parallel in the gallantry with which 2nd Lt. Latimer, recently joined from Rugby school, dashed forward ahead of his men, pushed through the wire and stood on the German parapet to cheer his men on and point the way, till he fell shot through the head”. Regimental Diary.
Charles Akehurst, 16th Battalion Australian Infantry
Died 22nd August 1915 aged 20 at Gallipoli Charles was one of eight children (three sets of twins) born to Charles and Harriet Akehurst of 34 Southwood Road. He and brother George had both emigrated to Australia in 1913. Both immediately joined the colours when war was declared. All four eligible boys served during the conflict. “A four day bayonet charge to take Hill 971 was ordered. Sometime during that period Charles went missing and did not answer roll call. He was never seen again” Regimental Diary In 1916, a friend told Charles sister, Hattie, he had been with Charles in the bayonet charge against rifle and machine gun fire. He himself had been shot three times but Charles had been killed.” Displayed in Paws For Food Pet Shop, High Street Rusthall |
The VAD Hospital – Kent 154
March 1915 – September 1919 “ That a debt – a heavy debt – is owing to the wounded soldiers of the Empire is beyond dispute. That Rusthall is substantially contributing to it’s payment is beyond dispute also.” The Courier Led by Miss Kemble, Miss Ard and Army Sister Tabutean a volunteer staff of nearly 100, many villagers, cared for 4,000 wounded service men from across the Empire. The Girl’s school was commandeered, local shops provided storage space, the Beacon staff accommodation and the Insitute entertainment. However, it was the ladies of the village that nursed the sick, sang to them on the wards and donated food who were really repaying that debt. Displayed in Botanica Health, High Street, Rusthall |
Eli Hall, Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment
died on 12th October 1917 aged 24 at Passchendaele (3rd Ypres) Eli of Erskine Park Road was a butcher in Rusthall before enlisting and had been in France for a year. “The 7th had trained hard and practiced the attack for some time but just before the attack the objective was changed. It was most unsuitable. It was further to go, it was pitch dark, it was pouring with rain and no man present had seen mud like it. As they advanced the men became stuck in the mud and machine gun and rifle fire shot them down where they stood. Of the 600 who had attacked more than half were dead or wounded”. Regimental Diary. The mud made the attack impossible, it should have been called off but no one would. Others who died at Ypres: Alfred Barber -13, Edward Street Charles Holland –Mount Ephraim House; Amos Sellings –Lower Green Road and Charles Winch Displayed Rusthall Laundrette, High Street, Rusthall |
George Lade, London Regiment, Royal Fusiliers,
died on 19th Sept 1918 aged 30 at Villers-Faucon, Somme Thomas Lade, Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment died on 21st Sept 1918 aged 33 at Epehy, Somme Like mothers all over the country Ellen Lade of 65 Hill View Road bade her sons a fond farewell as they left for war. Never knowing if she would see them again – she would not. Thomas and George had only just become aware that they were fighting only a mile apart and had a arranged to meet at the next possible opportunity. This was not to be, on 19th September George was killed in action and his brother Thomas, just two days later. Mrs Ellen Lade and her husband George had lost two sons within 48 hours. |
Louis Marshall, 65 Squadron Royal Flying Corp
died on 23rd November 1917 aged 18 in the skies over Passchendaele Louis joined 65 Squadron on 13th September 1917 and flew to France just six weeks later. At 1045 on 23rd November, as part of “A” Flight, he took of in his Sopwith Camel and engaged the enemy in the skies over Passchendaele. He was last seen in aerial combat with German ace Heinrich Bongartz who went on to score 33 victories. Louis never returned from that combat and was pronounced missing. Then, on 15th March, a German plane dropped a message confirming Louis was dead. His war had lasted just 28 days and my March half his colleagues who had flown with him to France were also dead, wounded or prisoners of war. Louis was our only member of the Royal Flying Corp. Despite being the senior service the Royal Navy was not strongly represented. Displayed in Venture Hardware, High Street, Rusthall |
William Vidler, The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
died on 26th July 1917 aged 41 at Passchendaele (3rd Ypres) William had been a gardener at Rusthall House for 20 years. He was married to Kate and had three sons. They lived at 3 St. Paul’s Street. He was a family man for whom the separation of war would have been unbearable. William was killed only 6 weeks after arriving in Belgium. “Just a few lines hoping they find you well. Everyone seems to lose respect for the Sabbath in this wicked affair. I think after all it is a fraud, here is not much truth in their preaching only to get out of us what they can and see thousands of couples parted and to never meet again.” Extract from a letter found on William’s body. Displayed in Joe's Hairdressers, High Street, Rusthall |
Silhouettes in the High street windows
"There but not there" figures in St Paul's Church Rusthall
Ten transparent "There but not there" soldiers were seated in the pews of St Paul's Church for the commemoration of the end of The First World War". A poignant reminder of the 120 men of Rusthall who were killed in the war.