Kent Borrisokane collection
Title
Kent Borrisokane collection
Subject
A collection of material relating to the family and business of Walter F. Kent of Borrisokane
Description
Walter Francis Kent was a merchant and grocer who operated a business in Borrisokane, County Tipperary, Ireland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in 1856, Kent was one of 13 children to Thomas and Esther Kent of Elmville, Terryglass. Before opening his own shop, Kent apprenticed at Fayle's Hardware in Birr, County Offaly, where he learned the trade. His shop in Borrisokane offered a wide range of goods, including builders' supplies, farm and garden seeds, coal, and groceries. The shop's ledgers, which date from 1896 to 1932, provide insight into the daily lives of the local community, including farmers, carpenters, blacksmiths, and shopkeepers. Kent married Sarah Mary Hickie in 1881 and had eight children with her. He was also a licensed auctioneer and valuer. Kent continued to trade in Borrisokane until his death in 1930 at the age of 74. He was remembered as a respected and popular resident of the town.
Two of Walter Kent’s sons, Roland and Wilfred and his nephew Harold fought in World War 1. Both Roland and Harold Kent enlisted in the South Irish Horse in November 1915 and the collection includes photographs of Roland both during his training in Cahir barracks and his time in hospital in France and other memorabilia of his time in the army. He left the army in 1919 and returned to live in Borrisokane. The collection was kindly loaned for digitisation by Roland Kent’s grandson, Roland Dyer.
Two of Walter Kent’s sons, Roland and Wilfred and his nephew Harold fought in World War 1. Both Roland and Harold Kent enlisted in the South Irish Horse in November 1915 and the collection includes photographs of Roland both during his training in Cahir barracks and his time in hospital in France and other memorabilia of his time in the army. He left the army in 1919 and returned to live in Borrisokane. The collection was kindly loaned for digitisation by Roland Kent’s grandson, Roland Dyer.
Source
Roland Dyer
Publisher
Digitised by Tipperary Studies
Date
1884 - 1931
Format
Jpeg images and PDF files
Language
English
Identifier
TL/A/192
Coverage
Borrisokane, Co. Tipperary
Collection Items
Roland V Kent commission in the South Irish Horse. 20 November 1915
An envelope containing the commission of Roland Victor Kent as an officer of the South Irish Horse in 1915. Sent to his father Walter Kent of Borrisokane from the barracks in Cahir in July 1916 for safe keeping while Roland was fighting in France.
Roland V. Kent leaving hospital in France 1918
A damaged black and white photograph of Roland Kent (with bandaged head) and other uniformed men with two nurses outside a hospital in France. 1918
A photograph of Roland V. Kent with a newspaper clipping
A black and white photograph of Roland Kent in uniform and mounted on a horse with a newspaper clipping about the South Irish Horse attached.
Roland Kent in uniform seated on a bench
A black and white studio photograph of Roland Kent in uniform seated on a bench printed on a postcard. On the reverse is written 'what do you think of it? I don't think they are a bit like me. R.V.K.
Roland Kent and other officers of the South Irish Horse
A black and white photograph of Roland Kent and other soldiers in uniform outside a doorway with five dogs
A card of comradeship of the Great War enrolling Roland V. Kent. 14 August 1919
A coloured membership card of comrades of the Great War enrolling Roland V. Kent of the South Irish Horse. 14 August 1919
No. 1 class in physical and bayonet training. Headquarter gymnasium, Aldershot. March 1918
Black and white photographic image of an army training group including Roland V. Kent at Aldershot Gymnasium in March 1918
Roland V. Kent in uniform at Cahir barracks. 1915-16
Black and white image of Roland V. Kent in uniform and mounted on a horse at Cahir barracks. 1915-16
Roland V. Kent in the uniform of the South Irish Horse. 1915-16
A black and white studio photograph of Roland Kent in the uniform of the South Irish Horse. Probably 1915-1916
Bessie and Vera Kent, Borrisokane
A black and white studio photograph Elizabeth (Bessie) and Vera Kent, Borrisokane sisters of Roland. In the 1911 census Elizabeth is 28 while Vera is 7 so the photograph probably dates to WW1.
Collection Tree
- Kent Borrisokane collection