Monday 3rd May 1915

Billets in Maidstone

Cpl. James Leach (see 5^th October 1914) was promoted Lance Sergeant.

L.Cpl. Richard Farrar (see 5^th November 1914) was promoted Corporal.

Whilst billeted in Maidstone two local men, from nearby Marden,  volunteered and were posted to the Battalion. Sidney John Baker was a 19 year-old farm labourer. Frederick Ford was a 22 year-old farm labourer; his younger brother, Sidney, had volunteered, underage, in October 1914 and had died, on 15^th January 1915 from influenza and broncho-pneumonia, while in training with 8^th Queen’s Own (Royal West Kents) (I am most grateful to Martyn Underdown for valuable additional information about Frederick Ford).

L.Cpl. Frederick Griggs (see 16^th April) who had previously served with Tunstill’s Company, embarked for France to be posted to 2^nd Battalion West Ridings.