Elham HistorIcal SOCIETyA History Research Group for Elham

The Great War

The Great War had a profound impact upon British society, many small villages such as Elham recruited large numbers of men who voluntered to "Do Their Bit" for King and Country. Women too enlisted or carried out war work in many forms. The Elham Parish magazine, "The Lantern" lists the details of those volunteers, together with the activities undertaken by parishioners in support of those on active service.

In times of peace the village square was a hive of activity, with men and horses working the fields.

In times of war the peaceful farming activity changed to men and horses playing a very different role.

The Elham Valley Railway was very busy during the Great War. Gordon Young's father, Bill Young remembered the many wagon loads of feed for the horses in the battlefields of France and Belgium being transported by rail through the Elham Valley.

The Hadaway family lived in the end cottage of what is now The Abbot's Fireside Hotel and Restaurant. They are shown here around 1900. Unfortunately young Percy was killed and is buried in Elham Churchyard.

 

 Service Personnel

The Elham Historical Society has recorded over 200 names of those from Elham Parish who saw active service.

Of those listed in our records over 40 men died and 1 women (who died of Spanish Flu), however over 160 returned from war, some of them never spoke of the  horrors of war again, others were visibly affected by their time abroad, some were lucky having been medically discharged before seeing active service.

Whole families were affected, for example Mrs Scott who lost her husband and her only son. Mr & Mrs Ellender lost 4 of their sons. For more information on these and other families please look at the Elham War Memorial web page.

Using archive sources and family knowledge our project aims to record as many details of these men and women as possible.

Elham's very own Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) Hospital

The VAD hospital looked after Belgium wounded. This extract from The Lantern tells you more.
"On the outbreak of War the local Voluntary Aid Detachment received an order to hold itself in readiness for service.  The Voluntary Aid Detachments have hitherto been under the control of either the St John Ambulance Association, the British Red Cross Society, or the Territorial Forces, but since the outbreak of War all these organizations have been united under the County Director, and when mobilised are recognised as part of the Army Medical Service.

The following is a list of the members of the Kent 46 (Elham and Barham) Detachment:                Commandant            -     Miss M. S. Harris                Lady Superintendent -     Nurse Best                Quartermaster           -     Miss Mercer

Members - Miss F. M. Mercer, Miss Sheppard, Mrs. Hubble, Miss Jones, Miss Williams, Miss Chandler, Miss Moore Lane, Miss Gausby, Miss D. File, Mrs. Meakin, Miss Biron, Miss Gellatly, Miss Palmer

Cooks - Mrs.Gatehouse, Mrs.Whitnall, Mrs.Ames (Jun.), Miss Bartlett.                                                Supernumeraries - Miss Fenn, Miss Polehampton

Dr. F. W. Henderson has kindly promised to act as Medical Officer.

The Vicar having offered the use of the Old Shop, Miss Harris her entire house adjoining, and Mr Edward Smith two rooms, a Hospital of 14 beds for wounded soldiers was thus provided.  The equipment for the Hospital was obtained by a number of parishioners kindly lending articles such as bedsteads and bedding, furniture and hardware.  Sheets, blankets, and garments were provided by the Elham organizations mentioned below.

On Wednesday, October 14^th, an order was received by telegram from the County Director for the mobilization of the Detachment and the immediate preparation of the Hospital.  At the time of going to Press we are awaiting the arrival of the wounded, which may take place any day."