DMD - Products
35332 PRIVATE G.F.HESTER, EAST KENT REGIMENT:
British War Medal; Victory Medal 1914-19 (35332 Pte. E.Kent R.) : (GARNET FREDERICK HESTER - Born at Pitsea and on 22 February 1916 he attested for 6th.Battalion, Rifle Brigade at Winchester, giving his details as a porter, residing at 17 Burdett Avenue, Southend-on-Sea and aged 19 years, 5 months.Whereas he was in fact only 15 years of age, still at school and residing with his mother at 'St Omar', Winter Gardens, Canvey Island, Essex: His deception was discovered when his mother contacted the Battalion. Before he could be discharged, she was requested to supply a copy of his Birth Certificate, some plain clothes and sufficient funds to allow him to travel home: This was obviously carried out because he was discharged on 15 March 1916: When he became of age he joined the East Kent Regiment and subsequently transferred to the Queen's Regiment: He survived the war and continued to live at St Omar, Winter Gardens. He died in 1968 and although he married in 1931 it appears that he and his wife, Marjorie, had no children: His medals appeared on the television programme, 'The Antiques Roadshow' in 2014, when they were proudly displayed by a 14 year old collector.) Sold with verification; copy Rifle Brigade Service Papers and information taken from 'The Canvey Community Archive' which includes a photograph of the recipient in uniform. EF - £65