Folkestone WWII Civilian Deaths

Many thanks to Shelley Haigger for contributing to this page. Other sources include the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Target Folkestone by Roy Humpherys 1990 ISBN 0948 193 514.

UPDATE JULY 2003!

According to a summary of enemy action in WWII, up to and including the 5th October 1944, complied by Folkestone's Chief Air Raid Warden there were 123 civilians killed in Folkestone. In addition to this there were 778 civilian injuries and 14,141 properties seriously damaged. The following list of civilian casualties includes 108 names. This list is not exhaustive. At the conclusion of the list is some information about a few of the particular raids which resulted in casualties. These can be viewed by clicking the relevant links on the list, or reading to the end of the list.

List of Casualties

NAME AGE STATUS PARENTS/NOTES SPOUSE ADDRESS DATE OF DEATH PLACE OF DEATH
AIANO Gladys Lillian 47 Civilian Late John AIANO and Sophia COLEGATE (formerly Aiano)   16 Beach Street Nov 18 1940 at address
ANSELL Vera Emily M 47 Civilian Jim and Elizabeth STAPLES (Ashford) James Henry ANSELL 53 Coolinge Road May 17 1942 injured Christ Church died Royal Victoria Hospital
ARCHARD Edith 56 Civilian   Herbert Benjamin ARCHARD 22 Morehall Avenue May 29 1941 at address
ARCHARD Herbert B 63 Civilian   Edith ARCHARD 22 Morehall Avenue May 29 1941 at address
ATKINS Alfred B 12 Civilian Alfred B and May ATKINS   94 Stade Street Hythe Aug 11 1944 died at Station Hill
BAILEY Alice Emma 45 Civilian Benjamin and Ellen BAILEY   2 Rossendale Road Nov 18 1940 at address
BAILEY Frederick 61 Civilian     47 North Street March 20 1941 in a fishing boat at sea
BAKER William 17 Civilian Elizabeth BAKER   46 Clarence Street Nov 9 1942 at address
BAKER William Charles 32 A.R.P Rescue Service   Annie BAKER 84 Dallas Brett Crescent Nov 13 1940 Council School Sidney Street
BEAL John 81 Civilian Mr and Mrs John BEAL (Military Ave, Cheriton) Late Mercy BEAL 6 Richmond Street Cheriton Aug 3 1943 at address
BENTLEY Diana 10 Civilian Eileen BENTLEY   24 Folly Road Oct 6 1940 at address
BISHOP Hilary 49 Civilian   Rose Hilda BISHOP 20a Black Bull Road Aug 26 1940 Lower Sandgate Road
BOSS John Poultney 52 Civilian John Yardley and Late Ellen M Boss (25 Pavillion Road) Elizabeth BOSS 1 Bonsor Road April 24 1942 Ship Street
BURVILL James Robert 53 Serg. Home Guard   Lillian Maud BURVILL 12 Bridge Street July 3 1944 12 Bridge Street
BURVILLE Mr unknown Civilian killed by enemy action while digging defence ditches Beach Street Reported in Folkestone Herald 7 Sept 1940 RAF Airfield Lympne
BUSH Alfred Edward 57 Serg. Home Guard Alfred and Martha Ann BUSH Louise Maud BUSH   Sept 14 1944 H. M Inspector of Taxes
BUSHELL Dorothy Mary 16 Civilian John and A J BUSHELL   12 Folly Road Oct 6 1940 at address
COHEN Gertrude 42 Civilian   Henry Samuel COHEN 2 Segrave Crescent Dec 10 1942 Dover Road
COLEGATE Alfred 68 Civilian   Sophia COLEGATE 16 Beach Street Nov 19 1940 Royal Victoria Hospital
COLEGATE Sophia 77 Civilian   Alfred COLEGATE 16 Beach Street Nov 18 1940 at address
COOPER Frederick 37 Civilian   Phyllis Beatrice COOPER 33 Eldon Street Chatham Sept 23 1942 Royal Pavillion Hotel
CORNISH Richard 67 Deck Hand Fishing Vessel Amos and Susannah CORNISH Esther Jane CORNISH   Jan 1 1940 Fishing Vessel Young Harry FE61
COX Freda Kathleen 28 Civilian       Oct 6 1940 30 Morrison Road
CRAUFORD -STUART Kennedy   Lieut. Col.       Aug 21 1942  
CRUMP Daisy 49 Civilian Mr G CRUMP   28 Morehall Avenue May 29 1941 at address
DICKINSON William G 49 Serg. Folkestone Borough Police   Margaret Ann DICKINSON 29 Walton Gardens Sept 15 1944 at address
DIWELL William G 56 Civilian killed by enemy action while digging defence ditches Walton Gardens Reported in Folkestone Herald 7 Sept 1940 RAF Airfield Lympne
EARLY Ronald Leslie 20 Civilian       Nov 18 1940  
EDWARDS Walter Victor 55 Civilian     86 Crescent Road Ramsgate Nov 4 1942 injured Westenhanger, died Royal Victoria Hospital
ELLIOT Vivian 10 weeks Civilian Gwendoline Muriel ELLIOT   8 Pullington Cottages Benenden Sept 14 1944 Royal Victoria Hospital
FISHER John 53 Civilian late John FISHER (Dingley Northamptonshire) Millicent FISHER 67 Guildhall Street Aug 15 1942 at address
FITZGERALD Edward D 74 Civilian   Louisa Marion FITZGERALD 24 Castle Hill Avenue Oct 26 1944 Royal Victoria Hospital
FITZGERALD Louisa M 70 Civilian   Edward D FITZGERALD 24 Castle Hill Avenue Oct 26 1944 at address
FOAD William Arthur 47 Engineer       Jan 1 1940 Fishing Vessel Young Harry FE61
FOREMAN Arthur John E 18 Civilian Arthur and Miriam FOREMAN   68 Grove Road Oct 11 1940 Royal Victoria Hospital
GARDNER William John 29 Civilian   Gladys A GARDNER Kantara, Main Road, Capel Le Ferne Oct 5 1940 The Leas Junction, Earls Avenue
GRIFFIN Alice 29 Civilian   J W GRIFFIN 176 Cheriton High Street March 19 1941 at address
GRIFFIN John Patrick 6 Civilian J W and Alice GRIFFINS   176 Cheriton High Street March 19 1941 at address
GRIFFIN Peter William 18 months Civilian J W and Alice GRIFFINS   176 Cheriton High Street March 19 1941 at address
GURR George Albert 59 Mayor   Kate Matilda Jane GURR 30 Morehall Avenue May 29 1941 at address
GURR Kate Matilda J 60 Mayoress   George Albert GURR 30 Morehall Avenue May 29 1941 at address
HAMMON Roger Sidney 17 Civilian Sidney W and Ethel Z HAMMON (Hythe)   52 Tanners Hill Gardens Hythe Aug 21 1942 injured Hythe Motor Cab Co. died Royal Victoria Hospital
HART Edward Richard 35 Home Guard Albert HART (Basingstoke Hampshire) Holly K HART 25 Bridge Street Oct 5 1940 The Leas Junction, Earls Avenue
HART Louise Marsh 17 Civilian late John McCartney HART and Louisa HART   63 Greenfield Road Aug 26 1940 Salters Laundry Park Farm Road
HASTINGS William C           Aug 9 1945  
HASWELL Florence   Laundry Maid     Royal Victoria Hospital Sept 1944 Royal Victoria Hospital
HOLLAWAY Charles Edwin 60 Civilian   Elizabeth Emily HOLLAWAY 4 Pavillion Road Aug 26 1940 Salters Laundry Park Farm Road
HOLMAN Charles Arthur 35 Pte Home Guard Rosa HOLMAN Sylvia Rose HOLMAN Capel-Le-Ferne May 31 1942 accidental death caused by richocheting bullett while on training exercise
HOPPER Herbert Charles 53 Civilian Joseph and Annie HOPPER Millicent HOPPER 6 Archer Road April 9 1943 at address
HOPPER Millicent 53 Civilian late Louisa Cox Herbert Charles HOPPER 6 Archer Road April 9 1943 at address
HOWLAND Elsie Elizabeth 36 Civilian late Samuel John and Elizabeth Ann HOWLAND   25 Thanet Gardens July 8 1940 52 Bournemouth Road
IBBETT Vivienne Mary L 22 Civilian Flt Lieut and Mrs F G IBBETT (Ottowa Canada)   Marlow Cottage Sevenoaks Sept 15 1944 Royal Victoria Hospital
JONES Charles John A 33 Special Constable   Ivy JONES 31 Morehall Avenue May 29 1941 at address
KENDALL Martha Grace 60 Civilian   James Ernest KENDALL 13 Charlotte Street Sept 14 1944 at address
KNIGHT George Edward 79 Civilian   Alice May KNIGHT 23 Invicta Road Aug 26 1940 Gas Works Allotments Archer Road
KNOTT Betsy May 24 Civilian Mr and Mrs NEVES (Horsell, Woking Surrey) Frederick John KNOTT R.N 28 Morehall Avenue May 29 1941 at address
KNOTT Colin John 18 months Civilian Frederick and Betsy May KNOTT   28 Morehall Avenue May 29 1941 at address
LAKER Margaret Carnegie M 37 Civilian   Edward Findlay LAKER 1 Hook Close Shorcliffe Estate May 5 1942 at address
LAWSON Alice Emily 63 Civilian   late Ernest William LAWSON 69 Dover Street July 3 1944 16 Bridge Street
LUCKETT Charles William 44 Civilian Richard and Elizabeth LUCKETT (4 Elm Road) Maud Martha LUCKETT 5 Rossendale Road Nov 18 1940 at address
LUCKETT Maud Martha 47 Civilian Samuel and Emily ARNOLD (Canning Town London) Charles W LUCKETT 5 Rossendale Road Nov 18 1940 at address
MACKLIN George 55 Civilian killed by enemy action while digging defence ditches Bonsor Road Reported in Folkestone Herald 7 Sept 1940 RAF Airfield Lympne
MARSH Florence Elizabeth 25 Civilian Mrs N J BROOMAN Walter T MARSH R.N 33 Morehall Avenue May 29 1941 at address
MASKELL William 71 Civilian George and Mary Ann MASKELL (Aldershot Hampshire) Catherine H MASKELL The Wonder Tavern Beach Street Nov 18 1940 at address
MAYCOCK Mary Alice 29 Civilian late William and Mary COUGLIN (of Folkestone) William C MAYCOCK 15 Chevalier Road Elms Vale Aug 24 1940 at address
MAYCOCK William C 31 Constable Dover Police late W C and Louisa MAYCOCK (20 Chilham Road F'stone) Mary Alice MAYCOCK 15 Chevalier Road Elms Vale Aug 24 1940 at address
MEANEY Thomas 70 Air Raid Warden   Bridget MEANEY 4a Manor Road April 21 1944 at address
MOCKETT Daisy Ann 47 Civilian late Harry and Margaret Susannah MOCKETT   38 Dudley Road Sept 10 1944 at address
MOCKETT Margaret Susannah 80 Civilian   late Harry MOCKETT 38 Dudley Road Sept 12 1944 injured at address died Royal Victoria Hospital
MOORE Albert John 49 Civilian Albert and Agnes MOORE Rosa Agnes MOORE 28 Park Road Cheriton Oct 5 1940 The Leas Junction, Earls Avenue
MURTON Esther Hannah 63 Civilian   late Samuel MURTON 16 Bridge Street July 3 1944 16 Bridge Street
PACKER Amelia Eleanor 52 Civilian   Charles William PACKER 15 Charlotte Street Sept 14 1944 at address
PALMER Fredeick Davis 65 Civilian   Mary Ann PALMER 49 Alexandra Street May 24 1944 at address
PALMER Mary Ann 70 Civilian   Frederick Davis PALMER 49 Alexandra Street May 24 1944 at address
PEGDEN Derek John 22 months Civilian Mr and Mrs John Arthur Charles PEGDEN   4 The Durlocks Sept 25 1943 at address
PEGEDEN Jeanne Sylvia 10 Civilian Mr and Mrs John Arthur Charles PEGDEN   4 The Durlocks Sept 25 1943 at address
PEPPER Thomas 57 Civilian   Harriet Rose PEPPER Herne Bay Sept 24 1942 injured at Royal Pavillion Hotel, Died at Royal Victoria Hospital
PITCHER Alice 61 Civilian   Harry PITCHER 25 Morehall Avenue May 29 1941 at address
PITCHER Harry 64 Civilian   Alice PITCHER 25 Morehall Avenue May 29 1941 Royal Victoria Hospital
POTTEN Arthur Edward 43 Civilian Mrs M W POTTEN (Lyminge) Helen G POTTEN The Street Postling Oct 5 1940 The Leas Junction, Earls Avenue
PRINCE Gerald William 17 Civilian     3 Seagate Street Oct 6 1940 24 Folly Road
PUNYER Henry Thomas 53 Civilian   Martha Mary PUNYER Hythe Aug 28 1940 injured "Pembrook" Seabrook Road, died Royal Victoria Hospital
RAINSFORD Charles Vincent 62 Civilian   Rose Lucie RAINSFORD 11 Beach Street Nov 18 1940 at address
RAINSFORD Rose Lucie 56 Civilian Walter Tom TAME Charles V RAINSFORD 11 Beach Street Nov 18 1940 at address
RANSLEY Cecil Albert 37 Despatch Rider NFS   Mary Evelyn RANSLEY High Street Cheriton Nov 6 1941 Grimstone Avenue
RELEN Albert John 61 Civilian   Ellen Frances RELEN 11 Radnor Bridge Road Sept 23 1944 at address
SALMON Alfred George unknown Civilian killed by enemy action while digging defence ditches Linden Crescent Reported in Folkestone Herald 7 Sept 1940 RAF Airfield Lympne
SAUNDERS George Edward 29 Civilian     14 Beach Street Nov 18 1940 at address
SAYER Ernest 67 Civilian Late Mr and Mrs SAYER of Minster Thanet   75 Sidney Street April 5 1943 Meade Road Allotments
SCOTT Frederick 83 Civilian   Alice A Scott 49 Walton Road April 5 1943 Meade Road Allotments
SIMMS Charles William 30 Fireman FNS Mr and Mrs G SIMMS ( West View Canterbury Road) Caroline Lilian SIMMS 51 Ingoldsby Road Oct 6 1944 Royal Victoria Hospital
SIMPSON Charlotte Martha 66 Civilian   Late Albert Julius SIMPSON 13 Rita Place Sept 13 1944 at address
SIMPSON Robert 54 Civilian   Louise SIMPSON 19 Clarence Street Nov 9 1942 at address
SINSTADT James William 36 Civilian Mr and Mrs E SINSTADT ( 5 Bradstone Ave) Winifred Harriet SINSTADT 26 Morehall Avenue May 29 1941 at address
SINSTADT Winifred Harriett 36 Civilian Mr and Mrs F H PITMAN (Sevenage Hertfordshire) James William SINSTADT 26 Morehall Avenue May 29 1941 at address
STROUD William Charles F 76 Civilian   Laura Edith STROUD 1 Bradstone New Road Sept 5 1944 injured at address died Royal Victoria Hospital
STUBBINGTON Charles 40 Civilian late Charles and Mrs STUBBINGTON (Charlton Green Dover) Ivy Selina STUBBINGTON 53 Devonshire Rd Dover Nov 18 1940 Royal George Beach Street
TAME Mrs   Civilian   Walter Tom TAME 11 Beach Street Nov 18 1940 at address, body never recovered.
TAME Walter Tom 86 Civilian     11 Beach Street Nov 18 1940 at address
TANNER Vera 27 Civilian   Ernest J TANNER 14 Folly Road Oct 6 1940 at address
TAYLOR Charlotte Eveline 71 Civilian late Edward and Elizabeth REYNOLDS late Edward Charles TAYLOR 204 Dover Road Jan 7 1941 at address
TAYLOR Grace Elizabeth 59 Civilian     30 Morrison Road Oct 6 1940 at address
TERRY Alfred Joseph 46 Civilian D and J TERRY Nora Alice TERRY 32 Park Road Cheriton July 3 1940 Canterbury Aerodrome Bekesbourne
THOMPSON Harriet May 66 Civilian late Maj. L Jenkins THOMPSON   19 Victoria Grove May 17 1942 Christ Church
TODD Annie Ethel May 19 Civilian Benjamin and Annie TODD   68a Marshall Street Aug 26 1940 Salters Laundry Park Farm Road
TOWNSEND Frederick unknown Civilian killed by enemy action while digging defence ditches Dover Street Reported in Folkestone Herald 7 Sept 1940 RAF Airfield Lympne
UNWIN William James 36 Civilian Mrs M V UNWIN   56 Downs Road Oct 5 1940 The Leas Junction, Earls Avenue
WARNER William George 40 Civilian John WARNER and Mrs ROSE (formerly WARNER) (Eltham) Elsie Lilian WARNER Chatham Sept 23 1942 injured at Royal Pavillion Hotel, Died at Royal Victoria Hospital
WATKINS-EDWARDS Rowland 63 Civilian       May 17 1942  
WEATHERHEAD Frederick Knight 68 Deck Hand Fishing Vessel   Caroline E WEATHERHEAD   Jan 1 1940 Fishing Vessel Young Harry FE61
WEATHERHEAD Frederick Owen 41 Skipper Fishing Vessel Frederick and Caroline E WEATHERHEAD Mary F WEATHERHEAD 13 The Stade Jan 1 1940 Fishing Vessel Young Harry FE61
WHITE Shelia Esther 9 Civilian George E and Violet Ivy WHITE   4 Gordon Road Cheriton Sept 6 1940 at address
WILLIS Percy 61 Civilian Edwin and Isabel Sarah WILLIS 4 Martello Road Emily WILLIS Acrise April 9 1943 Dover Road
WOOD Mary Harvey 84 Civilian       Aug 15 1942  

Bombing of Christ Church

On Sunday May 17th 1942, approximately half and hour before the start of Matins at Christ Church, Sandgate Road, the church was decimated when it received a direct hit during a raid. Only the tower of the church escaped destruction. Miss May THOMPSON and Mrs Vera E ANSELL died as a result. Miss THOMPSON, an elderly lady, was in the habit of arriving early for church so that she could get a good seat to hear the service died in the church. Mrs ANSELL, performing duties of Verger, was fatally injured. Less than half an hour later the church would have been crowded. A thanks giving service was held by church members in the evening in the church hall.
(Source: Front Line Folkestone  Folkestone Hythe and District Herald  July 1945 )

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Bridge Street

On 3rd July 1944 a Flying Bomb (V1) crashed into Bridge Street causing 3 fatalities and 60 injuries. Nine houses and the Wheatsheaf Inn were destroyed. Mr James Robert BURVILL, licensee of the inn was killed and his wife Lilian seriously injured. The devastation in this area was great with almost 1000 properties being affected. According to Front Line Folkestone the Flying Bomb was shot down by an anti-aircraft gun from the ground. However an alternative story, given by a Folkestoner living in the town throughout the war, is that the Flying Bomb was turned by a Fighter Pilot. This was a common practice. Fighter Pilots would fly alongside the Flying Bombs, get their wing under the wing of the bomb and lift it up, forcing it to turn. The object of doing this is to turn the bomb back over the sea before its engine stopped and it crashed. Usually this was very effective. But, if this is indeed what happened on 3rd July 1944 it was devastating as the bomb did not reach the sea before it crashed. The story continues that the Pilot who turned the bomb so unsuccessfully was taken to the town to see the devastation. What he saw so disturbed him he went insane.
(Source: Front Line Folkestone  Folkestone Hythe and District Herald  July 1945 )

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