Death at Bossenden Wood, Hernhill, Kent. UK
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member dave-harris
N 51° 18.474 E 000° 57.683
31U E 357906 N 5686038
The names of eight men who died for what thought was right
Waymark Code: WMKPN0
Location: South East England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 05/12/2014
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member MeerRescue
Views: 3

As you walk up to the church of St Michaels in Hernhill, stop and look at this historical marker on the left of the path. Made from wood it contains the names of eight local men who died at the Battle of Bossenden Wood. The battle took place on 31st May 1838 and is said to be the last battle on English soil.

The following is taken from Wikipedia

"The Battle of Bossenden Wood took place on 31 May 1838 near Hernhill in Kent; it has been called the last battle on English soil. The battle was fought between a small group of labourers from the Hernhill, Dunkirk, and Boughton area and a detachment of soldiers sent from Canterbury to arrest the marchers' leader, the self-styled Sir William Courtenay, who was actually John Nichols Tom, a Truro maltster who had spent four years in Kent County Lunatic Asylum. Eleven men died in the brief confrontation, including Courtenay, eight of his followers and two of those sent to apprehend them."

The inscription on the marker states

"In this churchyard were buried

Stephen Baker (23)
George Branchett (40)
William Burford (32)
William Foster (32)
Phineas Harvey (27)
William Rye (40)
John Tom (38)
Edward Wraight (62)

Killed in Bossenden Wood
31 May 1838"
Type of Historic Marker: A wooden board supported by posts

Age/Event Date: 05/31/1838

Related Website: [Web Link]

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Historical Marker Issuing Authority: Not listed

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SMacB visited Death at Bossenden Wood, Hernhill, Kent. UK 08/26/2019 SMacB visited it