British and World Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private W. Everest alias Dunnings, East Kent Regiment, killed in action, battle of Arras, 15 April 1917

1914 Star (L-9985 Pte., 1/E. Kent R.); British War and Victory Medals (L-9985 Pte., E. Kent R.) nearly extremely fine (3)
£220-260

William Henry Everest was born in 1 Holden Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent where his Father, Henry Everest who was an upholsterer, had a workshop. When William Henry Everest went to School at St Peters Church School, the family had moved to a cottage next to the blacksmith at the top of the Hand and Sceptre Hill in Southborough. In 1912 William Henry Everest joined the Army at Canterbury and was posted to the 1st Battalion Buffs (East Kent) Regiment; however, for some reason, on his enlistment William Everest changed his name to William Dunnings.

As L-9985 Private William Dunnings he landed with the Battalion on 7 September 1914 and for the next two and half years he remained with the Battalion and fought in the battles of the Aisne, Armentieres, Hooge 1915 and the Somme.. He was wounded four times, the last being on 16 April 1916. By April 1917 he was back from hospital and was a Battalion Lewis Gunner.

On 9 April 1917 the 1st Buffs, as part of 16 Brigade 6 Division were on the extreme left of 1st Corps at the launch of the Battle of Arras. On 13/14 April the Buffs carried out a series of aggressive patrols in the area of Harts Crater and ten soldiers were killed. At 04.30 hours on 15 April, together with the 2nd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment, they went “Over the top” to capture the Loos-Crassier railway line. They captured their objective and then held it against two counter attacks. At 14.30 the Battalion resumed their attack and crossed “No Mans Land” to establish a new line of defence. The objective was achieved but, as the Official History states, “Unfortunately our casualties were very heavy and the Battalion lost many good officers. Ten other ranks were killed, one died of his wounds and 65 were wounded”. The record shows that Lance-Corporal William Dunnings was one of the ten soldiers killed. His body was recovered and was buried in Saint Patricks Cemetary, Loos.

On 19 April Captain W.R. Birrell, M.C., Adjutant of the 1st Buffs wrote to his Mother, Mrs H. Everest then living at 86 Springfield Road, Southborough using his original name -

“It is with the deepest feeling of sorrow that I inform you of the death of your son 9985 L/Corporal Everest who was killed in action on April 15th 1917. We lose by his regrettable decease one of the few of us remaining Expeditionary Force who came forward so nobly at their countries call. Your son who set an example to us all, was one of the keenest and most efficient lewis gunners and was admired by all.”

William Everest had three brothers all of whom served in the Army one of whom, 60735 Private Frederick Everest won the M.M while serving with the Queens Own Royal West Surreys.

Although the name on the grave is to 9985 L/Corporal William Dunnings, the name engraved on the Southborough War Memorial is to L/Corporal W.H. Everest. Details of the confusion caused by William Everest changing his name on his enlistment to William Dunnings are explained in the book by Judith Johnson, Southborough War Memorial. With copied m.i.c. - entitled to clasp to 1914 Star.