The Battle of Bossenden Wood took place on 31 May 1838, near Dunkirk, Kent. It is known as the last battle on English soil and involved a group of agricultural labourers from Dunkirk, Hernhill and Boughton led by John Nichols Thom, who used the self claimed title Sir William Percy Honeywood Courtenay, Knight of Malta, and a detachment of soldiers from Canterbury, who had been sent to arrest Courtenay. Eleven men died; Courtenay, eight of his followers and two sent to arrest him.
Courtenay was originally a wine merchant from Cornwall but had moved to Canterbury in 1832. In 1833 he was convicted of perjury, originally sentenced to transportation, but transferred to Barming Heath Asylum after the discovery he had previously been treated for insanity. On his release in 1837 he remained in Kent and established a following within Boughton under Blean, Herne Hill and Dunkirk. The area had experienced agrarian unrest and protest against the New Poor Law of 1834. Courtenay denounced the 1834 Poor Law Act and he developed a following who were receptive to his preaching and promises of a better life.
Between the 28th and 29th May 1838 Courtenay and with his followers marched from Boughton onto Goodnestone, Herne Hill , Dargate Common, Sittingbourne then onward to Eastling, Throwley, Seldwich, Lees and Selling before returning to Bossenden Farm. They marched in a column with a loaf placed on the top of a pole, which bore a flag of blue and white upon which was a lion rampant. Courtenay was on horseback, his followers on foot. Although peaceful, the local landowners were alarmed as they were losing some of their labourers to the march. On the 31st May an arrest warrant was issued for Courtenay, parish Constable Nicholas Mears was fatally shot by Courtenay whilst trying to apprehend him.
Authorization was made to call out the soldiers from Canterbury. A detachment of the 45th Foot was despatched comprising 100 soldiers and three junior officers under the leadership of Major Armstrong.
Courtenay and 40 of his followers had moved into Bossenden Wood. The regiment were split into two detachments, Armstrong led one detachment to the wood via Old Barn Road, the other led by Captain Reid, approached the wood further east by Bossenden Farm. Reid’s detachment included Lieutenant Henry Boswell Bennett who was killed by Courtenay whilst attempting to arrest him. As only Courtenay and one other had fire arms, the rest of the party were armed with just sticks the resulting battle was brief, Courtenay and eight of his men were killed and seven injured.
Bennett was buried with full military honours in Canterbury Cathedral precincts. Two of Courtenay’s men were buried in Boughton Churchyard, Courtney and the rest of were buried in Hernhill Churchyard.
About 30 of Courtenay’s followers were arrested and 16 were committed for trial for the murder of either Nicholas Mears or Lieutenant Bennett. The trial took place at the Maidstone Assizes Court, 9th August 1838. All were found guilty and were sentenced to death but immediately reprieved, two were sentenced to be transported to Australia for life, one for ten years, and the rest received a one year prison sentence. (1-6)

<1> Battle of Bosenden Wood (Website). SKE56247.

<2> Thomas Mears and others: The Canterbury Rioters, 31st May 1838 (Website). SKE56248.

<3> David Shire, The Battle of Bossenden Wood (Bibliographic reference). SKE56249.

<4> Faversham Life, 2018, The Battle of Bossenden Wood, 1838 (Website). SKE54930.

<5> http://country-standard.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/battle-of-bossenden-wood-1838.html (Website). SKE56250.

<6> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bossenden_Wood [Accessed 04/12/2017] (Website). SKE56251.