Building record TR 36 NE 2728 - 61-67 Rumfields Road, Broadstairs

61-67 Rumfields Road, Broadstairs as shown on the 4th Edition O/S map. The cottages are still in use as shown on the current O/S map.
The Buffs Cottages were opened in 1902 and 1906 and consisted of four dwellings, erected to the memory of the officers and men of 2nd Battalion The Buffs(East Kent Regiment) who fell in the South African War(1899-1902) and for disabled members of that regiment. The first pair, built on land donated by a Mr Friend, were opened in 1902 in memory of H H Prince Christian Victor of Schleswig-Holstein and the second pair in 1906 in memory of Lt. Col. Bryan Francis Holme and officers and men of the Buffs who fell in South Africa. Prince Christian died in action fighting for the British and Lt Col Holme died in Burma. Although the Buffs Regiment was disbanded in 1961, the upkeep of the cottages was funded by the Regimental Associations of the Queen's Own Buffs. The cottages were handed over to Haig Homes(the UK's largest ex-servicmen's housing association) in June 2003. All residents get a life tenancy and are either members of the regiment or married to an ex-Buff.
Both pairs of cottages include the regimental badge of the Buffs prominently displayed on the roadside elevations.
Further details of the occupants of the cottages can be found on the 1911 and 1921 Census Returns.

Landmark, Ordnance Survey 1:2,500 map (OS 4th Edition, 1929-1952): Landmark Epoch 4 (Map). SKE30967.