First World War Project
Edward Jordan (of Lynsted and Teynham)
Edward was born in Throwley on 20 May 1889 to Henry Thomas, an agricultural labourer originally from Whitstable, and Emily (née Wilkinson) originally from Boughton-under-Blean. The family was living at Forge Farm, The Lees, Badlesmere, but would later move to Newnham Road, Eastling, and later, Newnham Street, Newnham.
Edward who was christened in Throwley Church on 30 June 1889, was the second youngest of nine children. His older siblings were Percy William, Thomas, Fanny, Jane, Henry, Kate and James. His younger sibling was Edith.
In November 1905, Edward enlisted via The Buffs recruitment process at Canterbury, and allocated to "Dragoons of the Line". He was deemed medically fit for service on 20 November 1905 and registered as Private 6814 to 7th (The Princess Royal's) Dragoon Guards.
The terms of the Short Service Attestation meant he had signed up for 12 years, seven years of which would be in Army Service and the remaining five years in reserve. The attestation describes Edward as a farm labourer, 5 feet 4 inches tall with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. It also states he was 18 years and 6 months old. Edward was in fact just 16 years and 6 months old.
Edward's military service started in Canterbury. On 15 March 1907 he obtained his "Army Certificate of Education Third Class". This was comprised of education and examination in elementary geometry, practical measurement, applications of money and English. After 2 years' service, on 20 November 1907, he was awarded a Good-Conduct Badge. This was an award for Privates and Lance Corporals serving in the Regular Army. The award was shown by a chevron worn on the lower sleeve of the uniform jacket. On the same day he was also granted an S.P. Class I, a special payment of 6d (2½p).
Following a medical at Canterbury on 11 September 1908, Edward was declared "disease free and fit for service in Egypt". On 17 September 1908, Edward set sail for Cairo. Just a month later, on 2 October, Edward was admitted to the Military Hospital in Cairo, where he spent 38 days suffering from "disease" being treated with "pure carbolic and hydrating butter". He was discharged from the hospital on 26 November. At the beginning of 1909 Edward's father died. We have found no evidence that Edward was allowed home leave at this sad time.
Edward was re-admitted to the Cairo Military Hospital on 23 May 1909 suffering from heat stroke. After treatment with ice he was discharged nine days later only to be re-admitted on 28 August suffering from Sand Fly fever. Edward spent 11 days in the hospital with fever and severe headaches. He was discharged on 7 September. Just 23 days later he was declared "fit for service in India". Four days later, on 3 October 1910 he sailed for India on H T Dongola, landing on 12 October 1910. Here he would serve until April 1912 when he returned home and was placed voluntarily in reserve.
After 2 years and 122 days at home, war was declared on 4 August 1914 and the following day Edward was mobilised and travelled to report to the 4th Cavalry Depot in Newport. This depot was the base for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th and 7th Dragoon Guards and it was here, on the 19 August 1914, Edward was posted into the 4th Dragoon Guards Reserves. On 15 September 1914, Edward embarked for France.
Prior to Edward's embarkation, his regiment had left for France on 15 August 1914. Concentrated at Harmignies, they went into the line only seven days after landing in France. The objective being to halt German progress west of Reims. They moved rapidly to Ermenonville on 2 September in response to reports the German Guards Cavalry had got round to the rear of our troops. On hearing the 4th Dragoon Guards were arriving, the Germans beat a hasty retreat!
In contrast with later years of largely fixed position fighting, these early days were marked by rapid movements, attacks and counter-attacks. There was an expectation that movement was still possible using the existing formations and tactics. Cavalry units were employed especially as reinforcing and relief formations. The fighting in September/October 1914 was later described as the "Race to the Sea" as the Germans and Allies struggled for ascendancy without risking a major flanking action.
Indeed, when Edward joined his regiment in the field on 4 October 1914, his first 16 days saw him back the 200 miles he had just travelled to join them.
The regimental war diary describes this time:
At some time over 20/21 October, just 16 days into his war service, Edward received his first injury. The war diary continues:
Edward had received a shrapnel wound to his left shoulder and was suffering effects of inhaling Lyddite. This was an explosive, predominantly used by the British Forces and was composed of picric acid the fumes of which was an irritant to the lungs. Edward was taken by the No. 3 Cavalry Field Ambulance to the No.2 Clearing Hospital at Bailleul. He was then transferred by No.1 Ambulance Train No.8 General Hospital in Rouen where he was admitted on 26 October. On the 29 October he was transferred to the Convalescent Camp where he stayed for two days before reporting to the Base Remount Depot in Rouen on 31 October. Edward was back with his regiment in the field on 24 November 1914.
At this time the fighting began increasingly to be characterised by trench warfare and the role of mounted troops diminished, other than in their ability to mobilise over large distances to meet critical need.
We know that Edward was appointed Paid Lance Corporal in the field on 22 September 1915. He was again wounded in action on 29 January 1916. The nature of the wounding is not recorded and it could only have been a minor wound as the records show he was taken by Camp Cavalry Field Ambulance to No.1 Casualty Clearing Station in Chocques. Two days later Edward re-joined his regiment in the field.
Edward would not be so lucky with his next injury. On the 2 August 1916 Edward was kicked in the knee by a horse. He was evacuated from the field by the 3rd Cavalry Field Ambulance and transferred to a sick convoy on 13 August. On the 15 August, via the No. 21 Ambulance Train, he arrived at No.5 General Hospital in Rouen. Here it was officially reported that the "soldier was not to blame" for his injury.
The injury was sufficient for Edward to be returned to England and on the 21 August 1916 he arrived at Mile End Military Hospital, Bancroft Road, London. Here his injury was confirmed as a "displaced semi-lunar cartilage in left knee". He was treated with massage and exercise that appeared to give him immediate relief. After 16 days, on 5 September he moved to the Orchard Convalescent Hospital in Dartford where he stayed for 26 days.
Edward remained in England on the strength of, firstly, the West Cavalry Depot and then the 4th Reserve Regiment. On 12 December 1916, he embarked from Southampton and re-joined his regiment in the field on 30 December 1916.
It does appear there was a slight blip to Edward's usual good conduct when on 23 July 1917 a charge sheet registers that the Officer Commanding his regiment noted he was "Severely reprimanded by C.O. for (1) When on active service being out of bounds contrary to orders (2) Producing a false pass to the M.F.P."
By the end of 1917, Edward was experiencing bitterly cold weather and had arrived in billets that had been left in a terrible state. The war diary describes the conditions:
The New Year opened in much the same vein. Routine activities with very cold weather:
The 24 January 1918 marked the day Edward experienced his first symptoms of the heart condition that finally claimed his life in 1919. On reporting sick with shortness of breath he was evacuated via the 7th Cavalry Ambulance, the 6th General Hospital in Rouen, and the hospital ship "Western Australia", arriving back in England on 3 February 1918.
Edward was admitted to the Bermondsey Military Hospital in Ladywell, Lewisham and on 11 February a report was made where he was already being processed for discharge. The report read:
Disability in respect of which invaliding is proposed: V.D.H [Valvular Disease of the Heart] 293
(Double Aortic).
No previous history of Rheumatism or Scarlet Fever. No history of shortness of breath before enlistment. Present illness began on 25th January 1918, when patient reported sick for shortness of breath.
On admission to this hospital on 4th February 1918, the patient complained of Cardiac pain, shortness of breath and palpitation. The heart presented a marked double Aortic bruit [an unusual sound], the pulse was collapsing and capillary pulsation was visible.
Causation: Endocarditis; Attributable to Service during present War.
On 4 February 1918 he was put under the auspices of the Scottish Cavalry Depot. On the 18 February 1918 it was confirmed that due to his 100% disability, he would be discharged, under his original regiment (4th Dragoon Guards (Royal Irish)) effective from 7 March 1918. On this date Edward was awarded the Silver War Badge. [See Appendix 1]
It appeared that Edward's true age at the time of enlistment had remained undetected and he is recorded as being discharged age 30 years and 11 months and not his true age of 28 years 11 months.
Edward had served his country for 12 years and 108 days.
He came home to Lynsted where he lived with his brother Henry, in Church Cottages, Ludgate Lane. He was awarded a pension of £1 7s 6d (£1.37½p) for 26 weeks. In September 1918, he was reassessed. He had obviously benefitted, if only slightly, from his release from duties as it was stated there had been a 20% improvement in his condition. This improvement meant his pension was reduced to £1 2s 0d (£1.10p) a week (roughly £56 in today's money). This was to be reassessed in September 1919. We have no evidence the reassessment took place, but just 2 months after the proposed date, Edward died of his condition. [See Appendix 2]
Edward was posthumously awarded the 1914 Star, British War and Victory medals. [See Appendix 1]
Edward is buried in Lynsted Churchyard Extension. His headstone holds the inscription "In memory of our dear brother. Gone but not forgotten". His age is given as 29 but he was actually 30.