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10/07/1884 - 15/09/1916

Place of birth: Bromley, Kent
Last known address in Bromley: 124 Widmore Road

Military information

Regiment/Service: Hampshire Regiment
Battalion/Ship: 15th Bn
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Number: Unknown

Family information

Parents: Samuel & Isabella Baddeley
Parents' occupation: Insurance Broker
Siblings: Ethel, Stuart, Mildred, Kathleen, Elspeth
Wife: Alice Marion McGillewie
Marriage date: 06-09-1913
Children: Denis Irvine

Census information

1891
Address: Netherton, 124 Widmore Road
1901
Address: Netherton, 124 Widmore Road
1911
Address: Netherton, 124 Widmore Road

Extra details

Kenneth was the youngest child of Samuel and Isabella Baddeley.

He was educated at Holmby House, a former well known Bromley school and Tonbridge School. He entered Tonbridge in May 1897, leaving at Christmas 1900. On leaving school he went to work with his father as a clerk for Rose, Thompson, Young & Company, Lloyd's brokers.

He was married to Alice Marion McGillewie in Dunkeld, Perthshire on the 6th of September 1913 and they lived at Cranford, 8 Grand Drive, Raynes Park, London; they had a son, Denis Irvine, who was born on the 19th of June 1916.

Kenneth enlisted as Private 3583 in the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps at 10 Stone Buildings, Lincoln's Inn on the 13th of May 1915. At his medical examination, which had taken place on the 1st of April 1915, it was recorded that he was 5ft 8ins tall. He was posted to Berkhamstead for training and rose to the rank of Lance Corporal. He applied for a commission on the 24th of August 1915 and was duly commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Hampshire Regiment on the 6th of October 1915. He was posted to the 13th (Reserve) Battalion of his regiment, based at Wareham in Dorset. Before he was able to join his regiment, Kenneth was taken ill with bronchitis in Dunkeld. A Medical Board which was convened at the Military Hospital in Perth concluded that: "He has been suffering from bronchitis but is now practically recovered."

He embarked for France on the 12th of June 1916. On the 15th of September 1916 the 15th Battalion Hampshire Regiment was detailed to attack German positions at Delville Wood on the Somme. While they were moving up for the offensive, the battalion was heavily shelled by enemy artillery that killed several men involved in bringing rations. Kenneth was killed by shellfire before the battalion went into the attack at 6.20am. Kenneth's father received the following telegram dated the 21st of September 1916:
"Deeply regret to inform you 2/Lt Kenneth Baddeley Hampshire Regiment was killed in action Sept. 15th. The Army Council express their sympathy."

Kenneth was originally buried some 2,000 yards to the south of the village of Flers, but his bodied was exhumed and reburied in 1920.

A local Bromley newspaper wrote:
"During his residence in Bromley he made many friends, amongst whom he was very popular. It will be remembered that he took part in amateur theatricals in aid of the local hospitals. He was also for some time the Honorary Treasurer of the Bromley Habitation of the Primrose League. He took a keen interest in politics and was an efficient platform speaker."

Thank you to Tonbridge School and Lloyd's of London for their assistance.