2nd Lieutenant Brian Charles Hannan Kimmins, Royal Field Artillery (att RHA)

Brian Charles Hannan Kimmins was born in north London in 1899, his birth registered at Hendon, in September of that year.  He appears on the 1901 census of England and Wales as the only son of Charles W Kimmins (aged 44) and Grace Kimmins (aged 30).  The family was living at what appears to be lodgings within Part of London University at Bermondsey.  Charles’ profession is noted as “Inspector of Sciences and Secretary of London University Extension [possibly] Society.”  The address, shared with a number of other academics and medical professionals, is noted as Bermondsey Settlement, Institution. 

Grace Kimmins, (later Dame Grace Kimmins), co-founded Chailey Heritage Hospital (previously the Chailey Union Workhouse) with Alice Rennie the following year.  The following information is taken from East Sussex County Council’s page on Chailey Heritage Hospital: 

“It is world-famous for its ground-breaking approach to orthopaedics. Originally it offered hospital treatment, education and training in craftwork to children with severe physical disabilities. Much of the philosophy of care derived from Grace Kimmins' husband, Dr C W Kimmins, who was an educational psychologist for the London County Council. Chailey Heritage was initially a private institution and relied heavily on donations for its survival. Grace Kimmins tirelessly and inventively raised funds for the hospital. She was well-connected and used her contacts to secure the patronage and support of royalty, the aristocracy, affluent businessmen and the press.”  

Brian Kimmins first appears in Chailey’s parish magazine in April 1917 as a cadet at the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich.  In December he is noted as a second lieutenant with the Royal Field Artillery, attached to the Royal Horse Artillery and this information is then repeated monthly up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919. 

Brian Kimmins continued his military career after the First World War and during the Second World War, as lieutenant colonel (temporary brigadier) commanded the Home Counties District for a time.  As major general, he was latterly attached to the headquarters of the Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia and has the distinction of being the signatory on a loan document for carpets used in the Municipal Council Chamber at Singapore on 12th September 1945 for taking the Japanese surrender. Brian's younger brother Anthony Kimmins also served his King and Country during the First World War.   

Chailey Heritage 1928

My thanks to Roger Dougherty of Coneyhurst Paper Collectables for sending me the photo above. It shows Dr Charles William Kimmins and, presumably, boys from Chailey Heritage. It was taken in 1928. The biographies of Dr Kimmins's sons Anthony Martin Kimmins and Brian Charles Hannan Kimmins are on the Chailey 1914-1918 website.

Midshipman Anthony Martin Kimmins, HMS Marlborough

 

Anthony Martin Kimmins was born on 11^th October 1901, his birth registered at Hendon, north London in March the following year.  His mother, Grace Kimmins, (later Dame Grace Kimmins), co-founded Chailey Heritage Hospital (previously the Chailey Union Workhouse) with Alice Rennie the following year.  The following information is taken from East Sussex County Council’s page on Chailey Heritage Hospital:

“It is world-famous for its ground-breaking approach to orthopaedics. Originally it offered hospital treatment, education and training in craftwork to children with severe physical disabilities. Much of the philosophy of care derived from Grace Kimmins' husband, Dr C W Kimmins, who was an educational psychologist for the London County Council. Chailey Heritage was initially a private institution and relied heavily on donations for its survival. Grace Kimmins tirelessly and inventively raised funds for the hospital. She was well-connected and used her contacts to secure the patronage and support of royalty, the aristocracy, affluent businessmen and the press.”

Anthony Kimmins spent two years at Osborne and two terms at Dartmouth before first going to sea in HMS Marlborough.  He first appears in Chailey’s parish magazine as Cadet Captain A Kimmins, Royal Navy, in October 1916.  By April 1917 he is listed as A M Kimmins and by December that year is recorded as Midshipman A M Kimmins, HMS Marlborough.  This information is then repeated monthly up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919.

 
Anthony Kimmins joined the Fleet Air Arm in the inter-war years until retirement from the Royal Navy.  Immediately after, he entered the film world, starring first as an actor (his debut was in 1933 in The Golden Cage) and latterly as a director (from 1937).  He rejoined the Royal Navy during the Second World War, serving first as a naval broadcaster and latterly becoming a captain on the staff of the Director of Naval Intelligence.  After the war he went back to producing and directing films.  He wrote his autobiography – Half Time – in 1948 and died in 1964.

Anthony’s older brother Brian also served his King and Country during the First World War.

On a separate note, on this day 89 years ago, my grandfather's brother, John Frederick Nixon, was killed in action whilst attached to the 8th London Regiment (The Post Office Rifles). Jack has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois memorial in France. May he rest in peace.