James Henry Philpott 1884 – 1945
James was born in Eastchurch on the Isle of Sheppey on 16th December 1884, to parents James and Ellen (maiden name unknown to date).
James senior was an agricultural labourer and they were still in Eastchurch at the time of the 1891 Census.
By 1901, James Henry was a contractor’s carter, living at Charlton Green in Dover.
On 5th September 1903, James joined the Royal Navy. He was described as having brown hair, brown eyes, a fresh complexion, was 5’ 6” tall and had a scar on his leg.
By 1908, his address was given as Shepherdswell, where he married Emily Bennett on 12th September. James is described as a seaman on his marriage certificate.
During James’ service in the Navy he saw service on many ships, including Pembroke II, Northumberland, Acheron, Terpsichore, Leander, Blake, Blenheim and Ark Royal, until at least 1917.
There are records of James and Emily living at Rose Bank, the house next door to the last village post office on Church Hill, until their deaths, after which their only son Phillip and his wife Lorna lived there.
In 1939, James was working as a shift engineer at the colliery power station.
He died on 20th May 1945, aged 60.