H and I
KINGDON – CAMPAIGN MEDALS & MILITARY SERVICE (12th January 2014)
H
Kingdon, H: Private #1901, 11th Hussars, Light Camel Regiment, Egypt & Sudan, (1884 period);
Notes: The 11th Hussars (Prince Albert’s Own), the Light Camel Regiment, in general remained in Korti in 1884 to guard supplies but later they did participate in operations on the Nile River as part of the “Gordon Relief Expedition”, the 11th providing 2 Officers & 43 other ranks; This is Henry Kingdon, born at Witley, Surrey, based on information recorded in a medal auction in December 2008; This soldier’s medals & Discharge Papers were sold for 240 pounds sterling; I understand that Henry Kingdon enlisted for the 11th Hussars on 13.01.1881 & was discharged to the 1st Class Army Reserve on 13.01.1889; Research would indicate that this is Henry Kingdon born in 1865, Witley, Surrey, the son of Robert Kingdon a Domestic Gardener, b.1835 in Chulmleigh, Devon & Mary Jane Seage(?) from Swansea, Wales, who married in South Molton, Devon in 1860; In the 1871 Census Henry Kingdom is living with his parents at The Reeds in Frensham, Surrey; In the 1881 Census Henry Kingdon is serving on the Nile in Egypt with the 11th Hussars; In 1889 Henry Kingdon married Fanny Smith in Frensham, Surrey; I understand that Private Henry Kingdon was awarded a Chelsea Pension after his army discharge in 1889; In the 1891 Census Henry & Fanny Kingdon are living at #1, Selbey Cottages, Chertsey, Surrey & he is a Police Constable; (I believe that his Father Died in Farnham in 1895 & his Mother remarried to Albert Chuter in 1897 in Farnham); In the 1901 Census Henry & Fanny Kingdon have moved to live in St Giles in the Fields, Bloomsbury, London & he is working as a Brewer’s Drayman; In the 1911 Census Henry & Fanny Kingdon live at #22, Great East Street, St Giles in the Fields, London & he is still working as a Brewer’s Drayman; ; This Soldier was awarded the Egypt & Sudan Medal 1882 – 1889 & The Nile Clasp for Operations on the River Nile in 1884 – 1885 in Sudan; (He was the Brother of Kingdom, Robert: Royal Field Artillery No: 52860 Rank: Shoeing Smith 1914-1920 WO 372/11; WW1); (He is the Father of Kingdon, Henry: Army Service Corps No: M2/034115 Rank: Private 1914-1920 WO 372/11); (He is the Father of Kingdon, John: Royal Scots Fusiliers No: 8503 Rank: Private1914-1920 WO 372/11, South Africa & WW1; Kingdon, John: Private, #Q50587 & #Q123713 & #143274, Australian Army; WW2); He is the Father of Kingdom, Edgar: Royal Garrison Artillery No: 73969 Rank: Gunner 1914-1920 WO 372/11 who also served in WW1); Needs more research;
Kingdon, Hamilton R D; #432136, Sergeant, 49th Battalion, Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force in WW1; Lieutenant, British Home Guard in WW2; Served WW1, Died during WW2;
Notes: This is Hamilton Roger Dennis Kingdon born 25.07.1878 in Brailsford, Derbyshire, & baptised 04.09.1878 in Hulland, Derbyshire, England, the son of Clement Boughton Kingdon, Justice of the Peace for Derbyshire & Cornwall, b.1833 at Broomhill & Ann Cullen from Nottinghamshire who married in 1865; Hamilton Kingdon was Baptised on 04.09.1878 in Hulland, Derbyshire; In 1881 Census Hamilton Kingdon lives with his parents in Ednaston Lodge, Brailsford, Derbyshire; In 1891 Census Hamilton R D Kingdon is a Junior Pupil at the Kings School, Archbishop’s Palace, Canterbury, Kent; In 1901 Census Hamilton R D Kingdon is living with his 2 Brothers at #62 Falcon Road, Battersea, London & is a Fire Assessor; In 1911 Census Hamilton Kingdon is aged 32, Single & is a Farmer residing at Wooldown, Marhamchurch, Bude, North Cornwall; In 1913 Hamilton Kingdon is aged 34 & sailed to Halifax, Novia Scotia, Canada, on board the ‘SS Virginian’ giving his future address as Hull, Ontario & registering that he was a Farmer; On 04.01.1915 Hamilton Roger Dennis Kingdon enlisted in Edmonton in the Canadian Army for service in WW1, he recorded that he was already serving with the 19th A.D. Militia for 1 month; A search of other records reveals that he joined the 49th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force & served in WW1 in France. He was wounded in Ypres in January 1916; I then lost him until he married Gertrude Rosabel Homfray, born 1880 in Oswestry, in Kidderminster, Warwickshire, England in 1918; Gertrude R Kingdon died 06.06.1925 in Stratton aged 44; I understand that Hamilton R D Kingdon Married for a 2nd time to Ghita Pentland Shaver in Stratton, Cornwall in 1935, she was born in Ontario, Canada in 1890; I believe that Hamilton R D Kingdon, of Penhunsey, Died on 14.12.1942 in Stratton, Cornwall, England; He left his finances to Ghita Pentland Kingdon (nee Shaver) his widow & his son Richard Hamilton Homfray Kingdon, tool designer; His 2nd wife Died on 25.09.1954 in Cottge Hospital, Axminster, Devon aged 64;
Follow Up Notes: The Internet Site ‘Forces War Records’ has a reference to Lieutenant H. R. D. Kingdon serving in WW2 with the “Home Guard”, recorded year was 1941, but no other information is freely available; I am presuming that this is the same person as the one who served in WW1?
Kingdon, H: Sapper, Royal Engineers (Volunteers) – (pre 1900 period);
Notes: The Bristol Times & Mirror newspaper for 23.08.1897 has a report under the heading ‘The Volunteers’ which records various military items; At the Bristol Engineers’ fifth regimental cup competition, for C Division, which was held at Bedminster Rifle Ranges Sapper H. Kingdon of ‘E’ Company (posted to ‘B’ Company) won the shooting match; Insufficient information to enable identification;
Kingdon, Harold: Royal Field Artillery No: 18812 Rank: Gunner 1914-1920 WO 372/11, WW1;
Notes: I believe that his is Harold Finning Kingdon born on 24.02.1896 in Teignmouth, Devon, birth registered in Newton Abbot, Devon; He was the son of Francis Kingdon, an Ironmonger b.1851 in Rackenford, Devon & Lucy Ellen Finning, b.1857 in Coffinswell, Devon, who Married in 1880 in Teignmouth, Devon; Harold Finning Kingdon’s Father Francis Kingdon Died in 1899 in Teignmouth, Devon; In 1901 Census Harold Kingdon lives with his widowed Mother at #26, Regent Street, Teignmouth, Devon; In 1911 Census Harold Finning Kingdon is aged 15, an Apprentice in Ironmongery learning away from home but living with his Widowed Mother who is an Ironmonger at #26, Regent Street, Teignmouth, Devon; Harold Kingdon enlisted on 08.09.1914 in Exeter, declaring himself as a 19 year old Shop Assistant; He was stationed at Hilsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire on 12.10.1914; Harold Kingdon first went to France on 07.07.1915; He received a Gun Shot Wound in his Left Thigh 23.04.1917, spent 187 days in Wanstead Hospital, Margate from 27.04.1917 to 08.10.1917, transferred to Kent & Canterbury Hospital from 08.10.1917 until19.10.1917, moved to the Military Hospital in Shorncliffe on 19.10.1917, had one of his toes amputated whilst in The Command Depot, South Camp, Ripon, Yorkshire between 30.10.1917 & 04.01.1918; Gunner Harold Kingdon was awarded some Gratuity in 1919; He was Discharged on 31.05.1919; He was re-assessed on 20.07.1920 in Truro Hospital, Cornwall; I understand that Harold F Kingdon married Esther C Watts in 1927 in Newton Abbot, Devon; I believe that Harold Finning Kingdon Died in Devon in 1969 Aged ??; Medals Card for ‘Herold’ Kingdon on file, for the award of the 1915 Star, British War & Victory Medals;
Kingdon, Harold A J: Royal Field Artillery No: 238591 Rank: Gunner 1914-1920 WO 372/11, WW1;
Notes: This is Harold Arthur James Kingdon born on 25.02.1898 Knowstone the son of James Kingdon, a Farmer b.1858 in Bishops Nympton, Devon & Emma Jane Heale from Rose Ash, Devon who married in 1896 in Rose Ash; In the 1901 & 1911 Census, Harold lived with his parents at Little Comfort Farm in Knowstone, Devon; Harold Arthur James Kingdon Married Lucy Earls, b.1899 Chulmleigh, Devon, in 1925 in Tiverton, Devon; (She was an adopted child between 1901 & 1911); Harold Arthur J Kingdon Died in 1969 in Devon; Medals Card on file for the award of the Victory & British War Medals;
Kingdon, Harry: #208949 Leading Seaman, Royal Navy; ADM 188/364, WW1;
Notes: This is Harry Kingdon born 04.10.1884 in Fratton, Portsmouth, Hampshire, the son of James George Kingdon, a Royal Navy Seaman, b.1837 in Portsmouth & his 2nd Wife Elizabeth Male who married in 1877 in Portsea, Portsmouth; In 1891 Census Harry Kingdon lived with his parents in Portsmouth; I could not initially find Harry Kingdon in the 1901 Census, I presume that he was in the Royal Navy, as his Official Naval Number would indicate enlistment between 01.01.1900 & 31.12.1900; A second detailed search revealed that Harry Kingdom, Aged 16 was serving as a Boy on board the Training Ship St Vincent in Portsmouth; I believe that there were other brothers who served in the Royal Navy as well: Namely William George, James John & Edward Arthur Kingdon from Portsea, Portsmouth; In 1911 Census Harry Kingdon is Aged 26 & serving as an Able Seaman on board ‘HMS Vernon’, a Torpedo School Ship in Portsea & Landport, Portsmouth Harbour, Hampshire; I believe that Harry Kingdon died in Portsmouth in 1942 Aged 58; Awarded 1914-15 Star, Victory Medal & British War Medal, but his Medal roll indicates that he was #208949 AB Harry D. Kingdom & that he was serving on the Light Cruiser, ‘HMS Champion’; (He was the Brother of Kingdon, Charles Walter: Royal Field Artillery No: 47983 Rank: Sergeant 1914-1920 WO 372/11, who served in the Royal Navy as a boy & then in the Army in WW1); (He was also the Brother of Kingdon, Edward Arthur: #220316 Leading Seaman, Royal Navy who served in WW1); (He was the Brother of Kingdon, James John: Royal Navy, #PO/128972; who died on ‘HMS India’ in 1915); (He is also the Brother of Kingdon, William George: Petty Officer 1st Class, , #155575, Royal Navy); (He was the Son of #40040 James George Kingdon, who served in the Royal Navy from 01.07.1853);
Kingdon, Harry: 8th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment No: 15866 Rank: Private 1914-1920 WO 372/11 – Died in WW1; PrivateH Kingdom #15866, 8th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment who died on 21 July 1916, (probably from wounds received at the attack on High Wood); Remembered with honour Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, Grave Ref. I.B.32, in the Somme;
Notes 1: This is Harry or Henry Kingdon born in South Molton; (Ancestry.com records have Harry Kingdom born in South Molton & residing in South Molton but I can find no record of a Henry or a Harry Kingdon or Kingdom that would fit this data?); He seems to have enlisted in Exeter & served with the 8th (Service) Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment; His WW1 Medals Card says he served in France and probably went there on 24.08.1915;
Notes 2: If I am correct then this is John Henry (Harry) Kingdon born either in 1896 or 1897 in South Molton; His Father was William Kingdon b.1849 South Molton, whose 1st wife Eliza Ann Bridgeman died on 22.12.1882 in South Molton; Harry’s Father, a Solicitor’s Clerk, then married again in 1891 in Weymouth, Dorset to the then South Molton Workhouse Schoolmistress; In 1901 William Kingdon had become the Master & his 2nd wife Elizabeth was Assistant Matron of the South Molton Workhouse; This is Harry’s Mother, Elizabeth Reid b.1868 in Auchnell, Aberdeen, Scotland, she died in 1907 in South Molton; His Brother William Fowler Kingdon emigrated to Canada in 1909 & lived in Calgary, Alberta onwards; Harry (John H) Kingdon lived with his parents at the South Molton Workhouse in 1901; Both of his parents died in April 1907; In the 1911 Census I believe that John Henry Westlake Kingdon was aged 14 & living as a Boarder with a Bessie Hobbs Adams, a 50 year single woman & private school teacher at #2, Church Street, South Molton & that he was working as an Office Boy in a Solicitor’s Office; Medals Card on file for the award of the 15 Star, the Victory & British War Medals; His Brother W. F. Kingdon living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada requested his medals on 16.11.1931; (A search of the 1916 Canadian Census does come up with a William F Kingdon, aged 23, born 1893 in England, Canadian immigration in 1909 & married to May Kingdon from Wales, he is a Bartender; At that time they are recorded as being Canadian Citizens; I think that this is Harry’s brother William Fowler Kingdon)? This Soldier needs further research;
Kingdon, Harry: #464504 Private, ‘C’ Company, Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force: Canada Records 439435a & 439435b, WW1;
Notes: Canadian Attestation papers for Harry Kingdon, a Teamster aged 33 years & 3 months, born 04.07.1882 in London, England on 25.11.1915 in Vancouver were found in my WW1 Canadian Military Records; This recruit gives his Nok as his Mother – Sarah A. Kingdon of #27, New Street, Kensington, London; Research would indicate that this address is probably incorrect as it does not exist in Kensington, London & should read “Kennington”; There are no other WW1 records for this soldier in the Canadian Records; Using my research records for military service personnel I would suggest that this man is actually Francis Harry Kingdon, born in Aldershot, Hampshire in England, ca.1884; There are UK records for a Harry Kingdon born 04.07.1882 in Hackney, London but I doubt if this is the correct man; There is however a birth record for a ‘Male’ Kingdon born in 1884 in Farnham, Surrey which would be the recording office for births in Aldershot; Following further searches for matching family data it becomes more obvious that there is conflicting information in most of the Canadian records; I am therefore fairly certain that this is Francis Harry Kingdon, born 1884 Aldershot, Hampshire, England; He is the son of Walter Kingdon b.1852 in West Monkton, Somerset & Sarah A. Gardiner from Canterbury, Kent; They Married in 1881 in Bengal, India, volume 175 folio 138 – she must have been a Widow because her name is recorded as Bull nee Gardiner in the Bengal Marriage Index; In his Attestation records he gives his next of kin as his Widowed Mother Sarah A Kingdon #27, New Street, Kennington, London & we find him living there in 1911 UK Census & working as a single man, a Restaurant Porter aged 27; This would establish that his Father was Sergeant Walter Kingdon of the Royal Horse Artillery, serving at the District Grand Depot Barracks in Woolwich Arsenal in 1891 Census, with his family living in Army Married Quarters there, Francis H Kingdon included; His Father died in 1896 in Lambeth; In the 1901 UK Census Francis H Kingdon is aged 16 & living with his Widowed Mother at #23, Tenison Street in Lambeth & working as a General Porter; (Follow up has his Mother & another Brother John Albert Kingdon working as Cleaners at the British Government House of Commons in 1911); There are Canadian Passenger Records for a Harry Kingdon, a 22 year old Labourer arriving in Montreal, Quebec on the ‘SS Sicilian on 15.05.1907; Also Passenger Records for a Harry Kingdon, on the ‘SS Empress of Ireland’ on 22.05.1908; There is a further Border Crossing & Passenger Record for a Harry Kingdon, a Porter aged 30 years, arriving in Halifax on the 09.03.1913 on board the ‘SS Cymric’, which also records this persons earlier 2 year stay in Canada; (His Father served with the Royal Horse Artillery in the 1890’s, Sergeant Walter Kingdon b.1852 in West Monkton, Somerset); (He is the Brother of Kingdon, Walter G: Royal Field Artillery No: 47379 Rank: Sergeant 1914-1920 WO 372/11 See also Kingdom, W G: Royal Field Artillery No: 47379 Rank: Driver 1914-1920 WO 372/11); I did not research further;