Commonwealth War Graves
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission honour and care for the men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died in the First and Second World Wars, ensuring they will never be forgotten.
In Borden’s churchyard there are four war casualties interred, two from each war.
Three have a traditional CWGC headstone and one is a private headstone. Families were provided with a choice of a CWGC headstone and in these cases the CWGC maintain them. In the case of a private headstone the CWGC check the individual’s name is legible, and if it becomes illegible they seek permission to install a CWGC headstone.
The men interred in the churchyard are shown below.
Arthur John EALDEN
Aircraftman 2nd Class, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Military number 4003989.
Born on 9 November 1927 in Rochford, Essex, to Richard John, sewerage general labourer, and Norah Olive Mary née Abrahams.
In 1939 they lived at Rosemary Shoebury Road, Rochford, and prior to his birth his father lived in Milton Regis. His CWGC database record records his parents lived in Borden.
Arthur died on 9 April 1947, age 19, after he drowned when swimming in the River Tamar, whilst stationed at RAF Mount Batten.
His death falls within the qualifying dates of responsibilities for a commission headstone.
Horace Arthur SELLEN
Private, 56th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). Military number 123751.
Born in 1892 in Sittingbourne, to Henry Lancelot, a fishmonger, and Lottie Elizabeth née Hunt.
They lived in 25 Berry Street, Sittingbourne in 1901 and 1911, and Bankside, Chestnuts, Borden in 1918. Horace was employed as a clerk in a coal factory.
He died on 31 March 1918, age 26, in the 3rd Scottish Hobhill Hospital, Springburn, Glasgow, from gas poisoning (Shell) and broncho pneumonia.
Alfred STEERS
Private, 59th Protection Coy, Royal Defence Corps. Military number 27580.
Born in 1866 in Borden, to Lawrence Walter, a builder’s carter, and Charlotte née Redshaw.
They lived in 3 Laburnum Place, Milton Regis in 1911 and 1917. Alfred was employed as a mason’s labourer.
On 9 April 1898 in Lynsted he married Elizabeth Nix.
Alfred died on 5 April 1917, age 51, in Bromley Cottage Hospital. Locally he is commemorated on Sittingbourne Lloyds Paper Mill Memorial.
His brother Albert was also lost in the war on 1 December 1917 and is commemorated on CWGC’s Cambrai Memorial to the Missing.
Edward Gordon WATERS
Aircraftman 2nd Class, 245 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Military number Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Born on 15 June 1909 in Bredgar to Edward Henry, a farmer, and fruit and vegetable salesman, and Mildred Mary Dorothea nee Goodhew. They lived in Shellinghurst, Oad Street, Borden.
On 20 November 1937 Edward married Marjorie Kathleen Gladdish at Christ Church, Lower Birling, Kent.
Edward died on 22 January 1942, age 32, of broncho pneumonia in Tidworth Military Hospital, Andover, Hampshire.