Welcome to The Bay Museum Website

The Bay Museum is a friendly museum situated on Canvey Island. Based in a degaussing station, it now offers a wealth of artefacts, books and displays focusing on both local and world military history focused on the First and Second World Wars. Open from 10am till mid-afternoon on Sundays, the museum is run by our volunteers who always warmly welcome visitors and are willing to impart their knowledge. They can also help you research your own family military histories and have extensive experience of visiting battlefields and cemeteries. Our website contains information about visiting the museum as well as archiving wartime records that we regularly transcribe online.

THE BAY MUSEUM AND RESEARCH FACILITY

CHARITY NUMBER 1204193

TRUSTEES

CHAIRMAN: D. THORNDIKE  VICE CHAIRS: J. HARRIS & A. REED  SECRETARY: G. BAKER  TREASURER: M. DANIELL

THE BAY MUSEUM

WINTER OPENING

2026/2027

The last Summer opening of The Bay Museum will be on Sunday 27th September 2026.  Thereafter the Museum will be open on one Sunday each month until April 2027.

The Sundays the museum will be open will be Sunday 18th October, Sunday 8th November and Sunday 6th December 2026.  The opening dates in 2027 will be Sunday 10th January, 7th February and 7th March 2027. 

The Museum will reopen on Sunday 4th April 2027 and on each subsequent Sunday until the end of September 2027.

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS.

To – O.C.

            3rd R.W. Kent Regiment.

Sender’s Number.                            Day of Month.

C.C.2481                                   25/9/16

Order the following Officers to join the British Armies in France AAA.  They should report personally to the Assistant Embarkation Commandant Folkestone on Friday 29th instant not later than 11 a.m. and if passing through London should travel by the train leaving Charing Cross at 9-37 a.m. on that date AAA.

            2nd Lieutenant          J.D. Ward.

         “                      S. L. Noakes

         “                      C.W. Loudoun

         “                         F.R. Hogbin

         “                      J.N. Mothersell

         “                      A.K. Harding

         “                      F.E.E. Norris

         “                      B.T. Commins

         “                      F. Squire

         “                      G. Radcliffe

         “                      J.H. Ashton

         “                      B.W. Ashworth

         “                      R. Watson

         “                      H. Croneen

         “                      G.G. Samuel

         “                      H.W.B. Bothemley

AAA.  Letter follows. AAA  Authority W.O. letter 121/Drafts/3077. A.G. 4A, 23-9-16

From Headquarters

1st T. & M.R. Bde.

Certified true copy.

W.A. Waring 2nd Lieut.

A/Adjutant, 3rd Bn. R.W. Kent Regt.

Fort Darland,

Chatham.

27/9/1916

LIST OF OFFICER CASUALTIES.

Rank & Name.                                  Nature of Casualty.                          Date.

Capt. C.H. Ker                                              Killed                                      13-9-14.

Capt. R. McCloughin                                       -:-                                       13-9-14.

Major C.C. Onslow                                      Wounded                             13-9-14.

Capt. F.H. Edwards                                          -:-                                       12-9-14.

Lt J.H. Mayne                                                    -:-                                       12-9-14.

Lt H. Courtnay                                                   -:-                                       13-9-14

Lt W.W. Wagstaff                             Wounded & Prisoner of W.             26-8-14.

Capt. J. McM. Milling                                  Wounded                              24-8-14.

Lt. C.E.G. Shearman                                       -:-                                       24-8-14.

Major E.I de.S. Thorpe                                     -:-                                       13-10-14.

Lt. J.R. Shippey                                                -:-                                       13-10-14.

Lt. C.C. Stafford                                           Killed                                     13-10-14.

Lt. V.C. Downs                                 Wounded & Missing                        13-10-14.

Lt. C.E. Goff                                                  Missing                                  13-10-14.     

Lt. E.A.J. Edwards                                       Wounded                              15-10-14.

Lt. L.W. Rendell                               Died of Wounds                               16-10-14.

Lt. Walker                                                      Wounded                              16-10-14.

2/Lt. Charlton                                               Killed                                      26-10-14.

Lt. Litchfield                                      Wounded & Missing                        13-10-14.

Capt. H.F. Gale                                                 -:-                                       30-10-14.

Lt. W. St.J. Coventry                                   Missing                                  18-10-14.

Lt. Graves                                                      Killed                                      18-10-14.

Capt. Harding                                                    -:-                                         7-11-14.

Capt. J.C. Monteith                                     Wounded                                9-11-14.

Lt. Garrod                                                           -:-                                       11-11-14.  tick

Lt. Bartram                                                          -:-                                         5-12-14.  tick

Capt. B.I. Orlebar                                         Killed                                        15-1-15.  tick

Lt. Landon                                                          -:-                                         15-2-15.

Capt. R. Ratcliffe                                         Wounded                                25-2-15.

Capt. L.H.G. Andrews                                      -:-                                           8-3-15.

Capt. C.A. Ogden                                             -:-                                         11-3-15.

Lt. J.H. Moxley                                              Killed                                        12-3-15.

Lt. A.H. Stratford                                          Wounded                                11-3-15.

Lt. R.H. Shears                                                 -:-                                         13-3-15.

Lt. A.C. Curtis                                                    -:-                                         13-3-15.

Lt. S. Tabor                                                       -:-                                         25-3-15.

2/Lt. C.S. Kirch                                             Killed                                        20-4-15.

2/Lt. E.L. Kellie                                                  -:-                                         20-4-15.

2/Lt. J.T.B. Darbishire                                 Wounded                                19-4-15.

Lt. J.B. Webb                                                Killed                                        20-4-15.

2/Lt. H.W. Ogilvie                                         Wounded                                20-4-15.

Major W. Allason                                             -:-                                           7-11-14.

             “                                                            -:-                                         21-54-15.

Lt. Col W. Allason, D.S.O.                              -:-                                            3-9-16.

Capt J.J. Moyse                                              -:-                                          20-4-15.

 2/Lt. C. Kennedy                                            -:-                                          20-4-15.

Lt. C.L.M. Scott                                                 -:-                                        21-4-15.

2/Lt. W.E. Cannon                                           -:-                                        20-4-15.

2/Lt. R.H. Fawcett                                        Killed                                      26-4-15.  tick      Capt. S.A. Gledstanes                Died of Wounds                                 7-5-15.  tick

Lt. T.R.J. Mulligan                                       Wounded                              10-6-15.  tick

Lt. E.W. Coulson-Mayne                                -:-                                        10-6-15.  tick

2/Lt. R.M.D. Harvey                                     Killed                                      20-4-15.

2/Lt. J.B. Knight                                                -:-                                       20-4-15.

Lt. E.A. Hopkins                                                -:-                                          5-5-15.  tick

Lt. F. Whittemore                                         Wounded                                5-5-15.  tick

         “                                                             Killed                                      29-2-16.  tick

Lt. L.J. Jones                                                Wounded                              19-5-15.   tick

Lt. A.N.W. Powell                                             -:-                                       13-5-15.  tick

Lt. A.H. Pearse                                                  -:-                                       26-6-15.  tick

2/Lt. P.F. Hart                                                    -:-                                         1-7-15.  tick

Lt. R.E.G. Cecil                                                 -:-                                       26-5-15.  tick

        “                                                              Killed                                      11-7-15.   tick

2/Lt. H.J. West                                              Wounded                              1-10-15.  tick

           “                                                                -:-                                         4-9-16. 

2/Lt. W.A. Shaw                                                -:-                                       3-10-15.  tick

2/Lt. C.A. Cook                                             Killed                                      11-3-15.  tick

2/Lt. P. Vyvyan                                             Wounded                              31-3-16.  tick

Lt. E.A. Rex                                                        -:-                                         5-4-16.  tick

Lt. R.C. Green                                  Died of Wounds                               17-5-16.  tick

Capt. H.W.M. Tollemache              Shell Shock                                        5-6-16.  tick

2/Lt. E.G.B. Millson                                     Killed                                      18-6-16.  tick

2/Lt. R.K. Wright                                           Wounded                              20-6-16.  tick

Lt. M. Milton                                                       -:-                                       24-7-16.

 Capt H.P.C. Burton                                    Killed                                      27-7-16.

2/Lt. A.C. Hayhoe                                             -:-                                       27-7-16.

2/Lt. A.C. Holland                                             -:-                                       27-7-16.

Capt. F.V. Parker                                         Wounded                              27-7-16.

Lt. E.A. Rex                                                        -:-                                       27-7-16.

2/Lt. F.D.W. Illingworth                                    -:-                                       27-7-16.

2/Lt. N.D. Wemyss                           Wounded & Missing                        27-7-16.

Lt. C.J. Hunter                                              Wounded                              27-7-16.

Lt. O.D. Roeber                                                 -:-                                       27-7-16.

Capt. H. Williams                                              -:-                                       31-7-16.

2/Lt. A.N. Marshall                                       Killed                                      31-7-16.

Capt. W.R. Nottidge                        Wounded & Shell S.                        31-7-16.

2/Lt. C.P. Mattey                                           Wounded                               31-7-16.

2/Lt. D.N. Gaussen                          Died of Wounds                                 2-8-16.

2/Lt. R.J. Haye                                             Wounded                              31-7-16.

2/Lt. O.D. Roeber                             Wounded & Shell S.                        31-7-16.

2/Lt. S.G. Mulligan                                      Wounded                              31-7-16.

2/Lt. E.H. Gudgeon                                          -:-                                       31-7-16.

2/Lt. K.C.J. Jones                                             -:-                                       31-7-16.

Capt. W.H.L. Barnett                                        -:-                                       31-7-16.

         “                                                                  -:-                                         4-9-16.

Lt. G. Sherry                                     Died of Wounds                               26-7-16.

2/Lt. S.C.W. Newman                                 Wounded                                1-8-16.

Major N.W. Lawder                                      Killed                                        4-9-16.

Lt. A.J. Howard                                                  -:-                                         4-9-16.

Lt. A. Topley                                                  Wounded                                4-9-16.

Lt. H.F. Graves                                                  -:-                                         4-9-16.

Lt. V.S. Sanders                                           Killed                                        4-9-16.

2/Lt. E.A. Hague                                          Wounded                                4-9-16.

2/Lt. P.A. Gibbons                                       Wounded                                4-9-16.

2/Lt. H.C. Covell                                                -:-                                         4-9-16.

2/Lt. W. Rankin                                Shell Shock                                        3-9-16.

2/Lt. J.H. Banyard                                        Killed                                        3-9-16.

2/Lt. D.A. Lardner                                             -:-                                         4-9-16.

2/Lt. D.F. Howard                                         Wounded                                4-9-16.

2/Lt. P.G. Smith                                                 -:-                                         4-9-16.

2/Lt. C. Blake                                                Killed                                        4-9-16.

2/Lt. B.C. Williams                           Shell Shock                                        3-9-16.

2/Lt. C.A.J. Piercy                                        Wounded                              25-9-16.

2/Lt. D.B. Candy                              Died of Wounds                               25-9-16.

2/Lt. J.M. Stanton                                        Wounded                              25-9-16.

2/Lt. B.J. Scott                                                   -:-                                       25-9-16.

Lt. G. de C. Millais                                           -:-                                       25-9-16.

2/Lt. A.W. Matson                                             -:-                                       25-9-16.

Capt. J. Macready                                             -:-                                       7-11-14.

Lt. J.S. Davenport                                             -:-                                       7-11-14.

Casualties taking place while I was away from the Bn have been ticked off.

Notebooks of W. Allason.

All the notebooks were written on the right hand page and additions, photos, cartoons or other documents were added to the left hand page.

24th Sept. 1916.        Another fine day.  We marched to Chimpanzee Trench had tea and then after dark moved on to the Quarry.  I had previously requested that a Headquarters dug out should be made by the Engineers, nothing had even been started.  The assembly trenches the men were to wait in before assaulting were only half finished, the Norfolk C.O. whose H.Q. were at the Quarry had been directed to superintend all the working parties.  (The Bde Major was responsible for this.)  he had turned his own and most of my men as well, on to his own trenches so that my men had to dig all night to get any sort of cover – not the best preparation before an attack.  I also had a communication trench constructed, blue line E, which enabled men to file under cover into the advanced trenches.  This also ought to have been dug previously.

On the opposite page is a sketch plan of the situation round the Quarry, Lesboeufs and Morval.

The Norfolks in A and B were to assault the German line from X to Y at the Zero hour.  The Bedfords were to occupy the trenches vacated by the Norfolks and one hour later assault the sunken road and dig in.

The Cheshires at F were in turn to pass through Morval the Warwicks from still further back were to pass through and take Morval and dig in beyond.

At Zero the German trenches were bombarded with Stokes guns, the Norfolks got in with few casualties and took many prisoners also two machine guns.  We next went forward in four lines to the sunken road, the men passing over the German trench the Norfolks were in.

On the opposite page is a photograph of the Avenue & gates to Tailly Chateau.

I was very much afraid that had they entered the trench owing to its making an acute angle with the sunken road they might have easily lost direction.  The Germans did not wait for us but the Lewis gunners found an excellent target to the west of Morval and did considerable execution.  In the middle of this a hare jumped up fairly close.  This was too tempting a target and bunny was bowled over giving the Bosh a slight respite.  The Cheshires went through us and soon more prisoners came trickling back, then they came in droves, the whole village was ours.  The Warwicks then passed through and dug in on the far side of the village.  All resistance had collapsed and a couple of squadrons could have collected many prisoners – but they were not forthcoming.

On the opposite page is an aerial photograph of Morval which was dropped by an aeroplane during the Morval fighting and picked up 100 yds from where I was.

There is pinned in a note “No 1 to FANCY.  Our guns did us enormous damage.  C Coy in position.  The signature is unreadable.  25.9.16.  12.55 p.m.

The German shelling was ineffective but we had a number of casualties from our own guns.  Lt. Candy was killed and Lt. Draper wounded.  There were 12 other ranks killed and 102 wounded in all.  Morval as can be seen from the accompanying airplane photo was completely destroyed and there was also very little left of the German trench system.

26th Sept.       We remained in the sunken road all day digging in and were then relieved about 8.30 p.m.  We got back to Oxford Copse at 11.30 p.m. on the way the Germans dropped shrapnel all round us – very disconcerting in the dark but there were no casualties.

Op the opposite page is a memo from 15th Infy. Bde.

G:1490

O.C. 1st Bedfordshire Regt.

The Brigadier-General Commanding desires to express again his unbounded admiration and gratitude to the Brigade for the magnificent manner in which they captured their objectives on Monday last.

Owing to the Military situation the Brigade, though badly needing a rest, and after two previous most successful attacks, had to be again employed, and with splendid gallantry and determination completely defeated the enemy and captured the most important Village of MORVAL.

The Brigadier-General feels that no words of his can sufficiently express his pride in having the honour of commanding such troops.  The mutual co-operation between Battalions has, throughout the time we have been on the SOMME Front, been most helpful and has largely contributed to the results obtained.

All ranks from Commanding Officers downwards have combined to maintain the glorious traditions of the Brigade, and the Brigadier-General has no hesitation in saying the 15th Infantry Brigade is second to none in the British Army.

W. Tyrrell Brook Captain.

Brigade Major, 15th Infantry Brigade.

Notebooks of W. Allason.

All the notebooks were written on the right hand page and additions, photos, cartoons or other documents were added to the left hand page.

23rd Sept.       The men had a good sleep and wash.  The sun came out and the men got everything dry again.

On the opposite page is a large newspaper cutting with photographs of Morval battle.

Letter from Bernard King to Harry & Ethel King dated 23rd September 1916.

France 23rd Sept 1916

Saturday

My Dear Harry & Ethel,

            Thanks for your letter of the 17th – I dare say by this time you will have received the missing letter from me but I am sorry for the delay.  I am glad to say I am feeling very well and the change is doing me a world of good.  I am still with the Ammunition Column.  I thought Alan was a long way from this district and in reply to enquiries have not heard of his being here.  If I should hear of his being near whilst I am still with the Column I shall try & see him.  I very much hope the two places you mentioned will shortly be taken, they are both a nuisance.  I suppose you have read some of Beach Thomas’ articles about the “tanks”, “landboats” or whatever one likes to call them.  From his article they seem to be a huge success.  Whilst down here I am able to get the Continental Daily Mail and am therefore considerably more up to date now than I used to be.

            I am glad to say that the weather is a lot better just at present & therefore everything is more cheerful – a couple of months of dry weather would be a great help here.

            I hope next autumn to be able to be with you for your loganberry season – not that I am very keen on loganberries.  If you have not room for a tennis court you must rig up a badminton court.

            I am afraid it is only very short letters you are receiving from me recently but you must excuse me.

            Hoping you are both quite well & with best wishes

            I am

            Yours,

                        Bernard.

In On Active Service envelope addressed to Mr & Mrs Harry R King, Esq., Glen Hilda, Park Avenue, Worcester, England.

Ansd 1/10/16

Postmarked ARMY POST OFFICE *.**.  24 SP 16.  Hexagonal PASSED FIELD CENSOR 3324.

Notebooks of W. Allason.

All the notebooks were written on the right hand page and additions, photos, cartoons or other documents were added to the left hand page.

22nd Sept. 1916.       The rain still kept on and orders came for our relief.  We marched back after dark reaching Oxford Copse by 11 p.m. here bivouacs had been got ready by a party I sent on ahead.

Letter from Alan King to Harry R King dated

France

September 21st 1916

My dear Harry,

Your letter of the tenth was waiting for me when we came out of the trenches at the beginning of the week.  With regard to the two apple trees I think it would be worthwhile to have them pruned by a gardener.  They never bear unless looked after.  Since I wrote to you last time we have experienced many things.  We went into the trenches, had some work to attend to & came out.  You will have read in the papers of an advance.  We had a hand in it.  One evening we left camp, had a march until the following dawn when we attacked.  The latter part of the march was through **** which was awful.  I don’t remember anything green in it at all.  Not a tree left whole.  It was ** *** of tree stumps, shell holes, corpses & fighting equipment.  I read in a newspaper that it was beyond the imagination and it is quite true.  I wrenched my ankle & had to fall out for twenty minutes or so which meant great difficulty in finding the battalion again.  I managed it although I had another wrench.  I would have been in an awful state otherwise.  We passed out of ** *** onto the battlefield and then the battle started.  Our artillery was great in its activity.  We advanced very coolly I must say.  I didn’t see anyone flinch.  Some fellows were smoking & others singing.  There was such a hail of shrapnel, shell & shot that it is astonishing anyone is even left alive.  We had only gone ten yards when a man near me fell headlong & gave me a bit of a shock.  It was impossible to see far ahead owing to the smoke.  I was attached to the machine gun & had to follow my gunner with ammunition.  I found it rather difficult owing to my foot & the earth which is all loose owing to the shelling.  The ground is absolutely honey-combed with shell holes.  This is no exaggeration & I have heard since of several shells falling into shell holes.  Our gun went steadily on until we went too far it appears.  An officer sent us back.  He said we did not belong to his wave & that we were in our own “barrage” (the area we shell).  Evidently he was in it as well if we were I thought.  On the way two fellows were wounded.  I got a fellow to attend to one of them & I & another chap patched the fellow up.  He was an old pal of mine & I was pleased to be able to do it.  He had a shrapnel wound which went right through the flesh on the outside of his thigh.  We put him in a shell hole met our second gun & proceeded to a trench we had captured & started digging & with our second gun which we met coming up.  Our officer – a fine chap – then took us out to the right flank where we were unable to do any good.  We were shelled very heavily & annoyed by a machine gunner in the distance.  After some hours we returned to the nearest trench in pairs, where we had to consolidate.  Meantime our brigade had taken a village & some distance behind it.  They had practically no bayonet work to do as the enemy would surrender immediately there was a chance of hand to hand encounters.  A quarter of our fellows held the most advanced part of the line.  A counter attack at night was repulsed.  Our battalion had to be relieved & went to the supports for the rest of our stay in the trenches.  Our fellows have all sorts of souvenirs.  The casualties are not considered great by any means.  Several of my chums were wounded slightly & one or two are missing unhappily.  Rogers & I came through without a scratch.  Dickson was chosen not to go into the battle & was most indignant about it.  Our bombing officer & a company officer especially distinguished themselves.  It is feared the officer in charge of our company was killed.  The next in command was wounded.  Two other clever officers in Dickson’s company were killed also.  We were shelled heavily while in supports.  There were some fearful sights.  The appearance of a battle field the next dawn is beyond description.  Our general inspected us after we came out & thanked us.  The King &Sir Douglas Haig were also thankful.  Rumour hath it that our brigade is the talk of the army.  The stretcher-bearers did good work.  The trenches were very rough but we made them pretty secure in no time I can assure you.  I had a rather nasty job of taking the water bottles off a dead-man’s equipment to give to three wounded fellows in a shell hole but it broke me in and I didn’t mind doing anything with what was left lying on the field afterwards.  I happened to walk on a dead man in the dark & it gave me the shivers.  Our general told us the Germans met with one of the greatest defeats in this battle that they have had.  It is my birthday today & I am looking forward to some letters.  I had a Roll of Honour List from school.

Well I must now close.  I expect to have your letter today after I have posted this.  Best wishes & love to Ethel,

from your young brother

            Alan.

No cover with this letter as in envelope of even date to Ethel.

Letter from Alan King to Ethel King dated 21st September 1916.

September 21st 1916

France

My dear Ethel,

Thanks for yours of the tenth to hand on the eighteenth.  I am glad you are overcoming the household difficulties also that Mother is going to spend some time with you.  You will have heard from Harry that we have been up and doing.  I cut three buttons off a German tunic from the remains of a wood & sent them to Mother.  I am with the machine gunners permanently now so after D Company please put Lewis Gun Section on my address.  Tell Hal I think he would find the War Budget of Sept 7th very interesting.  September 2nd 1916.  As it was my birthday yesterday we had a bottle of champagne in our “bivvy” & I think we ought to have it issued out to us daily.  I think I will suggest it to the authorities.  Your letter had arrived today.  You must get busier every week as they become shorter each time.  Still I am glad you write however short.  Hal mentions in his paragraph the victory in which we were.  I see Mother may be with you when you receive this letter.  If so tell her I received hers of the 17th & would like whatever Aunt Florrie sent Bernard to keep away the lice.  I would also like some more writing paper &, if Olive has not confiscated & worn them out, my gym shoes.  I shall try to write her tomorrow.  You really wanted Bernard to stain the floor for you.  We had vile weather till yesterday afternoon but it is beautiful now.  In five minutes I shall hear the cry “Any letters” so I will give you my love to give to Mother & remain,

            Yours affectionately

                        Alan

On Active Service envelope addressed to Mrs. Harry R King, Glen Hilda, 38, Park Avenue, Worcester.  Ansd 1/10/16.

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 124.  23 SP 16.  Hexagonal Passed Field Censor 3274 cachet.  Signed unreadable.

Notebooks of W. Allason.

All the notebooks were written on the right hand page and additions, photos, cartoons or other documents were added to the left hand page.

21 Sept. 1916.          The men were digging trenches all night near quarry.  1 wounded.  More rain, we went forward to Guinchy telegraph, the dug out under the railway, the men were all out digging assembly trenches at quarry.