Kenneth Baylis Jarvis (1896–1975)
Was a Redditch-born Great War veteran, long‑standing community figure, and father of local historian Philip Jarvis. Kenneth had a twin brother Philip Baylis Jarvis.
Early Life
Young Kenneth Baylis Jarvis
Kenneth was born on 24th July 1896 in Redditch, Warwickshire.
His parents were Walter Jarvis and Emily Baylis.
Military Service
Kenneth in Army uniform
He attested to join the Army on 10th February 1915 to join 17th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment and travelled from Birmingham to Chisledon Barracks, Wiltshire.
He was Classified as a 1st Class Signaller on 4th October 1916 at Chisledon.
During the Battle of the Somme he was invalided home due to injury. He was treated at the Northern General Hospital, Lincoln from 2nd January 1917 to 30th March 1917 with P.U.O. 34. Following his recovery, he returned to join the occupation forces in Cologne.
Kenneth, patients, and nursing staff at Northern General Hospital
For his service he was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Career
Kenneth aged 50
He was educated at St Stephen’s School, Redditch.
Whilst at Redditch Technical School he passed Elementary Shorthand in July 1910 and then went on to pass Intermediate Shorthand in July 1911.
His first job was as an office boy at Whiteley & Pickering, a law firm.
He also had brief employment at Royal Enfield Cycle Company.
After the war he joined Clarkes Spring Manufacture in 1924, and he became their Company Secretary in 1932.
He eventually retired in 1964.
During WWII, he served as a sector warden for the ARP (Air Raid Precaution).
Community and Remembrance Legacy
Kenneth helped to organise the original dedication of Redditch’s war memorial cross outside St Stephen’s Church on 2nd April 1922.
This was highlighted during its 100‑year re‑dedication in 2022, which was organised by his son Philip Jarvis, president of the Redditch Royal British Legion.
Kenneth was a founding member of the Royal British Legion, Redditch Branch, which was established on 21stSeptember 1921.
The Redditch Branch of the Royal British Legion has named its committee space the “Jarvis Room” in his honour.
The room was dedicated by Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP, Minister for the Armed Forces.
Death
Kenneth passed away on 11th December 1975 in Redditch, Worcestershire.
Philip Baylis Jarvis (1896 - 1917)
Philip Baylis Jarvis in Army uniform
His attestation to join the Army was on 10th December 1915, and he became a gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery, 289th Siege Battery.
He was killed in action 27th October 1917 in France & Flanders.
He is buried in Plot 3, Row G, Grave 2, Number of Stone 405 in Klein-Vierstraat British Cemetery, Belgium.
This photo was taken by Kenneth in 1928 when the Royal British Legion arranged a Pilgrimage for veterans to revisit the Battlefields.
In 2018, during the Great Pilgrimage 90, Philip, Kenneth's son, honoured his uncle's memory by revisiting his grave.
Map of Klein-Vierstraat British Cemetery.
For his service he was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The area in Flanders, particularly around Passchendaele, saw significant losses, and many soldiers from various regiments were reported as killed in action.
Historians frequently cite roughly 500,000 total casualties (about 275,000 Allied and ~200–250,000 German), but exact totals remain disputed.
The Battle of Passchendaele, also known as the Third Battle of Ypres. This battle was fought between British and Allied forces against the German army, beginning on 31st July 1917 and continuing until 10th November 1917.
