Alfred Edmond Puxty
1883-1944
Born: Flimwell, Sussex, England
Died: Halstead, Kent, , England
<p>During the Second World War, Kent, or 'Hell's Corner', suffered heavy bombardment from enemy action. One seventh of the UK's civillian casualty numbers were from people who were killed or injured in Kent, a total of 20914 being comprised from 2974 killed, 6072 seriously injured and 11868 slightly hurt.</p><p>On 13th February 1944 searchlights around the the village of Halstead caught sight of a lone raid bomber. The bomber jettisoned its load in a line from Badgers Mount resulting in a high explosive bomb scoring a direct hit upon Lamberhurst Cottages in Halstead. Unfortunately the Puxty family Alfred, Jane and their children George (15), Dorothy (12) and Norah (5) were inside at the time and were killed.</p><p>Their memory is honoured alongside the fallen military each year at the Remembrance day service at The Church of St Mary, Halstead. A Memorial plaque is also placed at the back of the church in their memory and they are also named as civilian casualties by the Commonwealth War Graves Commision.</p><p>The site of the cottages is now occupied by the village scout troop (7th Sevenoaks Halstead Scouts).</p><p> </p><p> References: </p><p>Kitchener G (2000), 'Millenium Halstead, A Kentish Village History', pg 99 </p><p>Kitchener GD (1978), 'Halstead in Kent; An Historical Guide', pg 26</p><p>Rooles A (1988), 'Front Line County Kent at War 1939-1945', Robert Hale Ltd, pg 201</p><p> </p>