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Civilian Casualties

WWI Civilian Casualty

Sparkes, Gladys Alice

Gladys Sparkes was the only fatal civilian casualty of World War I in Ashford. She was killed by a bomb dropped from a German Gotha Bomber on 25th May 1917, in the garden of her father’s house at 15 Providence Street.

Six bombs were dropped on that day: two on Bond Road, two on Providence Street, one on Rugby Gardens, one on Beaver Green. While there were other casualties, none died from their injuries.

WWII Civilian Casualties

There is a memorial to civilian casualties of World War II in the Bybrook Cemetery. The list is by no means complete so we are developing a complete list.

Map showing where each bomb causing fatalities exploded and each death caused by cannon or machine gun fire

Sources:

  1. Hughes, D and Clark, N, 2004, Civilians War Memorial, www.roll-of-honour.com/
  2. Bybrook Memorial to Civilian War Dead
  3. Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 1954-1957, Civilian War Dead in the United Kingdom, 1939–1945. Volume 2, London. (Ashford Urban District)
  4. Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 1954-1957, Civilian War Dead in the United Kingdom, 1939–1945. Volume 2, London. (East Ashford Rural District)
  5. Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 1954-1957, Civilian War Dead in the United Kingdom, 1939–1945. Volume 2, London. (Tenterden Municipal Borough)
  6. Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 1954-1957, Civilian War Dead in the United Kingdom, 1939–1945. Volume 2, London. (Tentereden Rural District)
  7. Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 1954-1957, Civilian War Dead in the United Kingdom, 1939–1945. Volume 2, London. (West Ashford Rural District)
  8. Clark, N., Kent War Memorials Transcription Project, https://www.yumpu.com/user/kentfallen.com
  9. Adams, E., 2022, Ashford at War, Canterley Publishing
  10. General Register Office, 1939, 1939 Register
  11. Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 1954-1957, Civilian War Dead in the United Kingdom, 1939–1945. Volume 2, London. (Canterbury County Borough)