BROMPTON WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Transcribed David Hughes and Neil Clark 2004

The Brompton war memorial is located just down the road from the Royal Engineers School of Military Engineering at Brompton Barracks in Gillingham. All names here appear in the order they are on the memorial.

Those with a flying interest will note that this memorial contains the names of all the McCudden brothers who died in the Great War. James McCudden was born nearby in the Female Hospital at Brompton and he resided for a while at number 22, Belmont Road, Gillingham. They also resided in Alma Rd Sheerness. There is a plaque commemorating them in the Roman Catholic Church and their names are on the war memorial in Sheerness

McCudden, John Anthony  

 Lieutenant 84 Squadron Royal Flying Corps RFC).Died 18^th March1918aged 20 years. Born 14^th June 1897. Son of William Henry and Amelia E McCudden of Pitlochry 37 Burton Rd Kingston upon Thames Surrey Brother of both James and William below. Buried St Souplet British Cemetery,Nord France Grave 111.D.4

McCUDDEN, VC, DSO & Bar, MC & Bar, MM, CdeG (France)

James Thomas Byford “Mac”                                                                                                           Sopwith Pup,the type Major McCudden flew

Major, J60 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Formerly Bugler (Boy 20083) Royal Engineers. killed in a flying accident at Marquise, France, on 9th July 1918. He had been returning to France to take command of No. 56 Squadron RAF and had mistakenly landed at the wrong airfield. His engine failed shortly after takeoff, possibly due to a wrongly installed carburettor. He was 23 years of age. Born Gillingham, Kent, 28th March 1895. Enlisted in 1910. Son of William Henry and Amelia E. McCudden of “Pitlochry,” 37 Burton Road, Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey. Two of his brothers Willie (killed in 1915, see below) and Jack (killed in 1918, see above) were also military pilots. Buried Wavans British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Grave B.10. From the book SYMBOL OF COURAGE, THE MEN BEHIND THE MEDAL by Max Arthur ISBN 0-330-49133-4. MCUDDEN, James Thomas Byrford T/Captain, General List and 56Squadron, Royal Flying Corps 23 December 1917 to 5 March 1918 - By March 1918, he had accounted for fifty-four enemy aeroplanes, forty-two of which had been definitely destroyed. On two occasions, he destroyed four two-seater enemy aeroplanes in a day, once in the space of an hour and a half. On 30 January 1918, during a single-handed attack on five enemy scouts, he shot down two and returned with his Lewis gun ammunition used up and the belt of his Vickers gun broken. As a patrol leader, he showed utmost gallantry and skill in the way he protected newer members of his flight, keeping casualties to a minimum. The citation for his Victoria Cross published in the London Gazette on 2nd April 1918 read: For most conspicuous bravery, exceptional perseverance, and a very high devotion to duty. Captain McCudden has at the present time accounted for 54 enemy aeroplanes. Of these, 42 have been destroyed, 19 of them on our side of the lines. Only 12 out of the 54 have been driven down out of control. On two occasions, he had totally destroyed 4 two-seater enemy aeroplanes on the same day, and on the last occasion all 4 machines were destroyed in the space of one hour and thirty minutes. While in his present squadron, he has participated in 78 offensive patrols, and in nearly every case has been the leader. On at least 30 occasions, whilst with the same squadron, he has crossed the lines alone, either in pursuit or in quest of enemy aeroplanes. The following incidents are examples of the work he has done recently: on 23 December 1917, when leading his patrol, 8 enemy aeroplanes were attacked between 1430/1550 and of these 2 were shot down by Captain McCudden in our lines; on the morning of the same day, he left the ground at 1050 and encountered 4 enemy aeroplanes and of these he shot 2 down; on 30 January 1918, he, single-handed, attacked 5 enemy scouts, as a result of which 2 were destroyed. On this occasion, he only returned home when the enemy scouts had been driven far east; his Lewis gun ammunition was all finished and the belt of his Vickers gun had broken. As a patrol leader he has at all times shown the utmost gallantry and skill, not only in the manner in which he has attacked and destroyed the enemy, but in the way he has, during several aerial fights, protected the newer members of his flight, thus keeping down their casualties to a minimum. This officer is considered, by the record he has made, by his fearlessness, and by the great service which he has rendered to his country, deserving of the very highest honor. Also commemorated on a memorial in Sheerness Parish Church, Kent. Officially credited with 57 victories but unofficially 70. At the time of the formation of the RAF (1/4/18) James was it's most decorated member. He lived for a while at 22, Belmont Road in Gillingham McCUDDEN William "Willie" Thomas James  Flight Sergeant (Instructor) 61, 13 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. Formerly Sapper14715 Balloon School (3 Coy), Royal Engineers. Died (Flying accident) 1st May 1915 aged 24 years. Born Chatham 3rd April 1891. Enlisted July 1905. Brother of James and John above. Buried nearby in the Chatham Cemetery, Chatham, Kent. Grave CC 959. William transferred to the RFC in May 1912.He was truly one of the first pioneers of military aviation in the world.