Robert Kent was born in Brandon in 1877 to Robert and Emma Kent (nee Pettit).

In 1894 he joined the Suffolk Regiment. Three years later he was posted to Malta, where he served until January 1899. After being back in England for most of the year the regiment was posted to South Africa to serve in the Boer War. For his service in South Africa Robert was awarded the Queens Medal with bars for Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal and the Kings Medal.

After returning home in 1902 he married Emma Jane Edwardsin Brandon on 20 June 1903.

They had four children:

• Frank born on 28 Oct 1903 in Weeting
• Percy born on 21 June 1907 in Brandon
• Olive May born on 23 Jul 1910 in Weeting
• Robert Charles born on 11 May 1915 in Weeting

Discharged from active service in 1906, Robert gained employment as a labourer on the Weeting Hall estate.

Recalled to the colours in 1916, he served with the 69th Provisional Battalion, which became 19th The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment), at Lowestoft for the remainder of the war.

His discharge certificate was issued 30 Jan 1919 in Thetford

The information presented here has been derived from surviving public and military records as well as from contemporary press reports. We hope you find it of interest ‐ if you think we have made an error, or can add any further details, please get in touch.