Captain R V Kestell-Cornish

[Guest Howoodall]

This officer appears in Charles Douie's famous book as one of the men he admires most. He describes his gallantary and uncomplaining manner during great suffering. He was in hospital at Wimereux and died there in June 1918. I visited his grave last year - it's in the cemetery behind the church on top of the hill at the heart of Old Boulogne. Douie mentions that he suffered his eventually fatal wounds by the side of his General at Ypres, does anyone know any thing more about this, or indeed about him .

[Marc Thompson]

The actions of Lieutenant Kestell-Cornish and his platoon of 1 Dorsets helped repel the German gas attack (despite having practically no means of protection) on Hill 60 on 1 May 1915. Volume 1 of the History of the Dorsetshire Regiment 1914-1918 provides a good account. A very brave man.