This month Ashford branch took up the invitation of Anne Ashdown, the Society’s Archivist, to visit our archives in Maidstone. Anne has worked extremely hard to ensure that the new unit is organised and with her detailed knowledge of the contents we were able to explore the many resources stored there. There is still plenty of work to do with resources being donated on a regular basis. Transcribers are also sought to digitise the documents that Anne has scanned.
One member of our branch, Ken, was able to study the 3 ledgers of the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment archives that are currently being transcribed by members. He found his grandfather’s enlistment in 1910 aged 14 years and 110 days. Amongst other details recorded over two pages were his (later) wife and two of their children with dates and place names. Also shown were the medals he was awarded and his date of discharge. Anne sent the scanned the original images to Ken.
Ken has provided this further information as to the codes used. They are:
R = Regular
M = Mounted
SR = Special Reserve
T = Territorial
WEF = with effect from
Ken also photographed some pages from the Kelly’s directories which listed some of his Ashford ancestors who were tailors in the town.
This shows the power of the information that we hold in our society archives. Well done Anne and the members who support the society.
More about the Kent FHS Archive
Report by Denise Maiden - Ashford Speaker Secretary