Volunteer William George Thomas Waters 23rd Kent (Hawkhurst Battalion), Home Guard was born 14th December 1878 at Goudhurst, Kent, the only child of Henry Thomas Waters and Sarah Ellen Selby nee Jones. William was baptised at Ticehurst, Sussex on the 26th of January 1879.

In 1881 William was with his family at Brick Farm Cottage, Goudhurst. Henry aged 22 was a farm bailiff born at Goudhurst. Sarah aged 25 was a seamstress born Appleford, Berkshire. Children recorded are William aged 2 and Alberta aged “0”, both born in the parish.

By 1891 Sarah had died and Henry was living with his family at The Down, Lamberhurst, working as an agricultural labourer. Children recorded are William, Alberta and Selina aged 10 born at Goudhurst. Henry remarried and went on to have another seven children.

In 1901 William married Louisa Vincett in the Ticehurst area. The 1911 census finds the couple at Old Farm, Groombridge, Sussex. They have been married for nine years and have produced four children, one of which has died in infancy. William is a cowman. Louisa aged 29 was born at Winchelsea. Children recorded are Adelaide aged 9; George aged 7 both born at Wadhurst and Albert aged 3 born Langton Green.

After the outbreak of the First World War, William joined the Royal Field Artillery. His Medal Index roll records him as Sergeant 46288 William Waters and notes his entitlement to the War Medal and the Victory Medal. William suffered shell shock.

The 1939 Register finds Walter employed as a roadman at Church Cottages, Cranbrook. At the outbreak of War, William enlisted into the LDV (later renamed the Home Guard).

On the 15th of September 1940 at 14.45, Dornier 17Z werk no. 3250 U5+ET of 9/KG2 was engaged by Spitfires of 611 Squadron and shot down by Squadron Leader J E McComb and Flying Officers M P Brown and T D Williams and Pilot Officer J W Lund. 

The aircraft crash landed at Combwell Priory, Flimwell, Sussex. Uffz J Sehrt baled out badly wounded and came down at Quarry Field, south of Fegans, Goudhurst and was taken under armed guard to the Casualty Clearing Station at Benenden.

Lenz was found at Curtisden Green by Mr Kendon and later transported to the mortuary. The bodies of Uffz Otto Krummheuer and Fw Henry Glaser were found in the wreck.

Uffz Lenz

Uffz 69647-29 Richard Lenz, the pilot was interred in Goudhurst Cemetery, although it seems unclear whether it is the Victorian or the New Cemetery. He was exhumed post war and reinterred at the Soldatenfriedhof Cemetery at Cannock Chase in Plot 4, Row 16, Grave 252. 

One report states that it was Krummheuer that was found seriously injured but every other source discovered states as written above. Uffz Krummhuer and Fw Henry Glaser also rest in Cannock Chase German Cemetery.

William Waters was guarding the wreck when it exploded and he was killed. He is buried in Kilndown (All Saints) Churchyard.