Lieutenant Horatio John Vicat

Killed in action, 13th September 1914, aged 29

What was Lieutenant Vicat’s connection with Kippington?
His widowed mother resided at East Lodge, St. John’s Road, Sevenoaks. Her surviving child, Cicely, was the grandmother of Sir Michael Harrison, a current member of St Mary Kippington.

What was his background?
Born 1885 in the Province of Quebec, he was educated at Tonbridge Castle School, Cheltenham College, then the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.

Assigned to the Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) in 1905 he was promoted to lieutenant in 1908 and served in Malta. He was attached to the West African Frontier Force in 1910-1911.

What was his role in The Great War?
In August 1914 he went to France with the British Expeditionary Force. He was killed during the Battle of the Aisne on 13th September 1914 while leading his company to capture a bridge held by the enemy.

As well as the St Mary Kippington War Memorial where else is Henry remembered?

• A memorial plaque in St Mary Kippington (on the right wall when facing the altar)

• The Sevenoaks War Memorial at the Vine

• La Ferté-sous-Jouarre Memorial to the Missing, in France

• Cheltenham College Chapel

• His name is engraved on his mother’s grave at Greatness Cemetery, Sevenoaks

• In Richmond, Quebec, Canada: The Vicat family memorial at St. Anne’s Cemetery, the Roll of Honour at St. Anne’s Church and the town War Memorial.

Sources
Kent & Sussex Courier, 2nd April 1920
Matthew Ball, Sevenoaks War Memorial (Amberley: 2014)
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Kent Fallen
1911 Census