Vernon Creswell Best was born in Rainham, Kent, the youngest son of William Henry Best, a station master with the South Eastern & Chatham Railway, and his wife Amelia Beatrice (née Creswell). At the time of the 1921 census, he was aged two and living with his parents and siblings in a railway household in Station Road, Rainham.
He later worked as a gas fitter and served in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, attaining the rank of Corporal.
On 21st September 1940, he married Kathleen Cordelia Dawson, known as “Kitty”, from Gillingham at St Margaret’s Church, Rainham. Despite the air raids on Britain having already begun, the sirens were not sounded that afternoon. The bride was given away by her father, and the groom’s younger brother Roy was best man. The four bridesmaids received gifts of identity discs and bracelets from the bridegroom – a poignant reminder of the times. Although events of the war prevented several friends from being present, a reception for over sixty guests was held in the Co-operative Hall, Rainham, and the happy couple received upwards of seventy “useful and handsome” gifts.
Tragically, their happiness would be short lived. Vernon soon became seriously ill and was discharged from military service.
By the time of his death on 20 November 1942, aged 23, he was described as an ex-Corporal, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, and a gas fitter. He died at 71 Featherby Road, Gillingham. The cause of death was recorded as cachexia and pulmonary tuberculosis – then often known as “consumption” because of its wasting effect on the body.
Although he did not die in combat, Vernon Best is buried in a Commonwealth War Graves Commission grave, indicating that he was still regarded as serving at the time of his death. His inclusion among the war dead reflects the recognition given to those whose service was cut short not only by enemy action, but also by illness contracted during wartime service. He was laid to rest at St Margaret’s Church, Rainham, where he had married his wife just over two years earlier.
Corporal Vernon Creswell Best lies buried in St Margaret’s Churchyard, Rainham
