NEWSLETTER
Number 61: 2015
Cirencester Commemorates 1914-18
A century on, the First World War is being commemorated in communities all across the UK and not least here in Cirencester. This is an opportunity not only to remember the victims of war, and especially those whose supreme sacrifice is recorded on the town’s war memorials, but to research and investigate their stories in more depth, and to add to that record in our own time via the power of the internet as well as by using more traditional techniques of local history enquiry.
The Cirencester Commemorates 1914-18 initiative was sponsored by the Heritage Lottery Fund and brought various partners together, via a project team. It was widely regarded as a great success, and thanks are due not only to HLF but especially to the Corinium Museum, the Friends of Cirencester Parish Church and to Brewery Arts, as well as our own Society.
Through our own project team of Dale Hjort, Linda Viner and Florence Beetlestone, well supported by a number of Society members as researchers, stewards etc, we assembled and presented an exhibition in the Corinium Museum. It ran from 16 August until 14 September 2014 and attracted a good response. The work put into that forms only part of the Society’s wider and longer-term project researching the stories behind the names on the town’s war memorials. A substantial archive has been created, and our website at www.cirenhistory.org.uk is beginning to present them in what is intended to be a long-term record. See the running blog and also a fascinating contribution about Percy Gayton (d.1919). The story of Frank Webb of Cirencester (d.1915) was featured in Newsletter 60 last autumn as an exemplar of what can be achieved.
This issue of the Newsletter is devoted to more such stories, and we thank all contributors. If you can add any more to these or support the project in any other way, do please be in touch via the editor.
NEWSLETTER No 61 for 2015 has been compiled from contributions by David Viner; contact: [email protected]. The Newsletter serves as an update and archive of various activities and contributions are welcome. The Newsletter (and Annual Report) first appeared for the year 1958/59. An archive set of all these publications, plus the four editions of Cirencester Miscellany containing longer articles on local history, is held in Gloucestershire Archives under the reference number D10989, where members and other enquirers are welcome to consult them (www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/archives).
The views expressed in the Newsletters are those of the contributors and/or the editor in each case and are not necessarily those of the Society.
Is this Counter Espionage, or Cocking the Snoop?
‘EJH at School’: from a family album courtesy of Peter James Hood.
‘EJH’ was Eric James Hood, father of Peter James Hood who has very generously contributed this photograph. Eric stands with his brother Charlie (centre), we think outside the Bingham Hall in King Street. Can any of the other faces be recognised?
Eric emigrated to Canada c.1912, and joined up as a Canadian soldier in August 1914. He fought and survived, but was gassed and lost a leg. Two of his school friends died and are commemorated in Cirencester: John Trinder (‘Jack’, Killed in Action 27 August 1916), and J.H.C. White (‘Bert’, Killed in Action 16 August 1917).
Dale Hjort describes the ‘EJH at School’ photograph as remarkable.
‘All nine ‘soldiers’ are wearing what appear to be genuine German ceremonial helmets as worn by their infantry in the early months of the war. We know of one such helmet sent home to Cirencester in late 1914 [see below], but they were rare souvenirs and much sought after – today they would be worth a fortune!
Some of the boys have painted moustaches in the style of the German Kaiser, and I guess this photograph was made as a patriotic display of amused contempt – one of the lads seems to be about to burst into laughter!’
A War Relic
Wilts & Glos Standard 14 November 1914
On Thursday morning Mr J.T. Brockman, of the King’s Head Hotel, Cirencester, received from France a memento of the war in the shape of a German helmet. This helmet, which is surprisingly light in weight, is black and polished, with spike and binding of brass, and bears inside the following marks: J.R. 79/1903, 3B/1903, 10C/1,54. The trophy came from Messrs J.B. Hanks and W.A. Griffiths, who are serving with the British Red Cross Society in France, 3 in fulfilment of a promise jocularly given on their departure. In the accompanying letter, which has been censored, the writers say they have carried despatches and done work among Indian troops.
“We have heaps of work to do, including real Red Cross work. The others who came are working like slaves in hospitals.”
Webb and Riddler
Our previous Newsletter (60, Autumn 2014, pp.1-2) included a tribute to Rifleman Frank Webb who was killed on 4 June 1915. Robert Webb has also provided details relating to Wilfred (‘Billy’) Riddler, a friend of his father Sidney Webb, the younger son of Superintendent Webb, and brother to Frank
3995 Corporal Wilfred Henry Riddler
1st Life Guards, Household Cavalry.
Killed in Action 19 May 1918, aged 20
Wilfred (‘Billy’) Riddler in Life Guards Ceremonial
Uniform at the Knightsbridge Barracks in 1915.
Photograph courtesy of Robert Webb.
Sidney Webb [father of Robert Webb] was educated at the Council School in Lewis Lane and the Grammar School, and was later apprenticed to John Jefferies, the seedsman and nurseryman of Cirencester.
On 30 October 1915, aged 19, Sidney and a friend, Wilfred (‘Billy’) Riddler whose family were living at 37 Thomas Street at the time of the 1911 Census, volunteered at Cirencester Recruiting Office to join the army and chose to join the Life Guards. They were almost immediately sent to the Knightsbridge Barracks in London where they underwent training in riding and military duties. Later they were stationed at Windsor for cavalry training and took part in ceremonial parades such as the opening of Parliament.
However, with the continuing trench warfare in France an infantry battalion known as the Household Battalion was formed in September 1916 and both Sidney Webb and Wilfred Riddler were transferred to it. After training, this unit was sent to France and was on the Somme by December. Over the next fifteen months the unit saw front line service and was 4 involved in most of the major attacks including Arras and Passchendaele suffering very heavy casualties, although Sidney Webb and Billy Riddler survived.
In February 1918 it was disbanded and the men were transferred back to their original regiments. However, a number were selected for commissions and this included Wilfred Riddler. On 19 May 1918 he was in transit back to the UK for training and was at a transit camp at Etaples overnight when it was heavily bombed with many casualties. Wilfred Riddler was killed, and he is buried at Etaples War Cemetery. The War Graves Commission records his next of kin as being his mother who was living at 10 Thomas Street
Wilfred Sidney Larner, son of William and
Sarah Larner of 3 Chesterton Lane,
Cirencester.
The 1911 Census records Wilfred as 15-
years of age, employed as a carpet
warehouse apprentice.
37037 Private W.S. Larner, 27th Field
Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps.
Enlisted at the British Red Cross Camp, held
in Cirencester Park in August 1914.
Killed in Action 18 July 1916.
Grave II.H.11. Peronne Road Cemetery,
Maricourt.
Photo: Wilts & Glos Standard 29 Jul 1916.
The first day of July 1916 was the worst single day in British military history with over 19,000 men killed on the Somme. A number of Cirencester casualties mark the beginning of a series of slogging battles of attrition lasting until winter made movement impossible. The hoped-for break-through had failed.
Private Wilfred Sidney Larner, 27th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps, was one of those who died on Tuesday 18 July 1916. As his diary records he had been treating ‘heaps of wounded’ and was killed by shellfire at a Casualty Clearing Station. In October the local newspaper printed an extract from his diary recording the last days of his life. It is reproduced here complete with obvious slips in some of the dating.
5 Dead Cirencester Soldier’s Diary
Interesting and Pathetic Record
Wilts & Glos Standard 21 October 1916
We are now able to give our readers the young soldier’s diary from May 30th up to two days before his death, which was caused by a shell which burst in a dug-out. The entries in the diary are typical of the spirit which animates our incomparable Army – unreservedly frank and splendidly cheerful under all circumstances.
May 30, 1916 – We leave Bailleul for Douleau, a journey of 12 miles. Douleau is a small village. We stay here for five days. I start cooking. Everything very quiet.
June 5 – We leave Douleau for Morbiegue (?), a distance of 13 miles. We stay the night in bivouacs, and on the 6th we move to La Blesse, a journey of 14 miles. Wyatt and I walk to a village four miles away to buy cigs. When we reached the village the K.O.S.B. had cleared all cigs up.
Wednesday, 6th – We rest at La Blesse. I am on guard at night. In the morning we discover a farm-house where we bought coffee and brandy. At three o’clock we leave for Nouville, a journey of 12 miles. A small village, with two estaminets. Here we could buy spirits. Divisional manoeuvres were carried out on the 7th and 8th. On the 9 th, Friday, I was in trouble with the Colonel for cards. On Saturday we celebrated S— birthday not wisely but too well. On Sunday I have a bad head. Everything quiet. I find more trouble at night for pinching the farmer’s wood.
Whit-Monday, 12th June – We leave for Marthes, a journey of 10 miles. We stop the night and start at six Thursday morning for Rancourt, a journey of 70 miles. I enjoyed the journey, but was disappointed to find Rancourt such a small place – one estaminet, only one girl, and she was boss-eyed. We have no rations, so we look round for grub at a farm. While waiting for eggs to be cooked we amuse ourselves with a hay cutter. I broke it, then the boss-eyed girl used bad language about it.
Wednesday – We cannot get news of the Ambulance or get any rations. At mid-day we find we are in the wrong place. We are the wrong side of Amiens, so Thursday morning we start for Corbie, a journey of 22 miles. We pass through Amiens, a very big town, and at 12 o’clock we reach Corbie. Here we find the Ambulance and have a meal. Corbie is a big town, with a cinema. On Saturday we are moved into a brewery for our billets. I was a T.T. all the time. Sunday was a flag day. The girls of Corbie were very busy around us.
Monday, 19th – We leave Corbie for Celestin Wood, where there is a detachment of bearers. Here we see the preparations for the big drive.
Tuesday – I go to Bray. Here are no civilians, therefore no beer, girls, etc. Not much grub but plenty of shells. Wednesday, 20th [sic] – I go to Bringfry [Bronfay] Farm dressing station. We take officers to look around the trenches. On Thursday we leave to meet officers at four o’clock at the farm. Owing to tyre trouble we didn’t arrive till 5.30. The officers had walked back by that time. More trouble!
Friday – At 11 p.m. we start for Trigger Valley after a great sing-song with the 27th Brigade. Bombardment very heavy. The 7th Division started the charge on the 1st July, 4 a.m. I saw the French artillery shell the German lines. 1,200 prisoners were brought down.
Sunday – The British take Mametz and ….. The 27th Brigade are in reserve. 6
Monday, 3rd – 11 R.S., 12 R.S., and K.O.S.B. take Bornagay [Bernafay] Wood. Very heavy shelling on both sides. We make a dressing station in the second German line. In the German first line dead lie in heaps. We work all day and night. Tuesday – We have three hours off. In the afternoon the Ambulance has two casualties, one killed, one wounded, in Bornagay [Bernafay] Wood. The 27th Brigade lose heavily. German artillery very active. We have one wounded and four men suffer from shell shock through being buried. I get six hours’ sleep.
Wednesday – I get a parcel from R. At nine o’clock I am sent with seven others to the 12th R.S. for duty at Bornagay [Bernafay] Wood. A German dressing-station is found 60 feet under the ground. Continued shelling. The 15th Division join up on our left. We learn that the 12th R.S. have captured 12 guns.
Thursday evening – I am in the fire trench dressing the wounded as they fall. For four hours after we carry wounded to the dressing station. In the evening we were under very heavy shell fire for four hours. We have two wounded.
Friday – I pick up a wounded officer and take him to La Nouvelle. On our return journey we are had for exceeding the speed limit. So we bought a jar of beer to console us. Saturday was very quiet. We had a very heavy thunderstorm at night. We have a broken spring. We return to Corbie – the brewery. Monday – The bombardment started. Tuesday – The bombardment continues heavily. Wednesday, 20th – I am attached to Bearers’ section and am sent to Grove Town Camp, where the rest of the Bearers are. Thursday – The bombardment is a little quieter. We are waiting news of the charge.
Friday – I get relieved from the 12th R.S. We were jolly thankful.
Saturday – Morning quiet. At 5 a.m. the dressing station was shelled very heavily. Two of our men wounded. We have plenty of work again. At 8 p.m. the 27th Brigade is relieved. 200 prisoners come down. We march to West Peronne dressing station. That closes the hottest week I have had in my life.
Sunday, 9th – We are able to get a decent wash and change. While bathing we were shelled badly. We were shelled all night.
Monday – We are forced to dig ourselves in as the place is d—– hot. We have another man wounded. At 9 a.m. six of us Bearers were sent to Maricourt dressing station to assist 2 and 2A, as they had a rush. We had a good rum issue. Wednesday, 12th – Return from Maricourt, one killed, one wounded, 7 a.m. We are shelled continually. My number was almost up, as a high explosive burst alongside my dugout. Another has just this minute dropped covering me with dirt. Thursday, 13th – Shelling still continues, one wounded. We have more digging to do as our cook-house was knocked in. Very hard work. I confess my thoughts were at Ciren. to-day. At 6.30 attached to the 12th R.S.; 8.30 start for trenches; reach and stay in No-man’s Land at 11.30. The moon very bright. A shell kills twelve R.S.
Friday, three o’clock – Charge started. We have heaps of wounded. I got a hit in the leg from shrapnel. Hundreds of Germans captured. They have to carry wounded. At 12 o’clock we sat down for a sleep. They shell us very heavily. We get busy again. We have one officer, three men wounded.
Saturday, 15th – We go to L—— for dead officers. Very hot time, so very glad to get nice letter from R., especially with story.
Sunday, 16 – We take a dressing station in L—–. Very heavy shelling and rain. The 12th R.S. get an easier position. We return to valley for night. 7
Monday, 17 –
[the diary ends] .
Dale Hjort adds the following note: Wilfred was evidently sent as a reinforcement to 9th Division in preparation for the Somme 1916 offensive. He mentions Bronfay Farm, Bernafay Wood, Grove Town and Maricourt – all of which coincide with known movements of this Division. There are Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries at Bronfay Farm and Grove Town, associated with the Dressing Stations where he was working. Wilfrid also mentions 7 Division attacking Mametz on 1 July 1916 – Siegfried Sassoon was also watching and left a detailed and often-quoted account.
Percy Geyton
A heartening story which has emerged from all the interest generated by the commemoration of the outbreak of World War 1 has been the contact made with the niece of 2 nd Lieutenant Percy Geyton. Mrs Wiltsher, travelling from Devon, was able to attend the November Service of Remembrance in 2014 and brought with her a photograph of Percy and the George V half-penny which had stopped a bullet. The bullet saved his life but sadly Percy died on 29 July 1919 as a result of gas poisoning. His father arranged for his name to be inserted into the Church Memorial and he is buried in a family plot in Chesterton Cemetery. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has a responsibility to ensure graves are properly marked and maintained in perpetuity and discussions are in hand to ensure Percy’s grave is officially designated as the grave of a Casualty of the Great War. See the story on the website for more details.
Julia Herbert
We are indebted to Rex George and Nye Lewis for information relating to Julia Herbert, the only woman commemorated on the town’s war memorials.
Her death certificate records her death on 28 December 1918, living at 57 Chester Street with her brother Arthur. She is buried in an unmarked grave in Chesterton Cemetery. Records held by the Red Cross show she was aged 43 at the Date of Engagement on 22 December 1917, working as an assistant cook at the Golden Farm. She served as a VAD Cook in No. 10 Stationary Hospital, France, but was invalided home in June 1918, and sadly died of cancer. The 1911 Census lists Julia Ellen Herbert as a domestic cook, working at Kingham Grange, near Chipping Norton – evidence that her cooking skills were appreciated on all fronts.
Commemoration
The Fallen of the First World War are commemorated on a number of memorials in the town, principally on the wall of the south porch of St John Baptist and the facade of the former Memorial Hospital in Sheep Street. Smaller memorials elsewhere record the former members of the Church Lads’ Brigade, the bell ringers of Holy Trinity, Watermoor, the pupils of Cirencester Grammar School, the pupils of Oakley Hall, and the students and lecturers of the Royal Agricultural College. 8
This table sets out in chronological sequence the names of those recorded on the town’s two principal memorials, with the date of their death and the regiment in which they served. The date sequence and the cemetery/memorial location give an indication of the various theatres of war in which local men served and lost their lives.
This table sets out in chronological sequence the names of those recorded on the town’s two
principal memorials, with the date of their death and the regiment in which they served. The
date sequence and the cemetery/memorial location give an indication of the various theatres
of war in which local men served and lost their lives.
Name Death Regiment Cemetery/Memorial
LANDER, James 1914 Aug 27 1 Glosters Landrecies Comm Cem
SWANWICK, R Kenneth 1914 Sep 14 1 Glosters Vendresse British Cem
CHRISTIE, W G (W Charles) 1914 Oct 13 1 R Warwicks Meteren Mil Cem
RANDELL, George H 1914 Oct 13 1 Wilts
HOPE, Thomas 1914 Oct 19 1 Wilts Le Touret Mem
WATERS, Harry 1914 Oct 25 1 Somerset LI Ciren Cem
HOPKINS, Augustus 1914 Oct 29 1 Gren Guards Ypres (Menin Gate) Mem
BRUNSDON, Walter T 1914 Oct 30 1 Wilts Wimereux Communal Cem
GILLMAN, Frank 1914 Nov 1 1 Glosters Ypres (Menin Gate) Mem
BISHOP, H W 1914 Nov 2 1 Somerset Ploegstreet Mem
CROOK, Arthur 1914 Nov 7 1 Glosters Ypres (Menin Gate) Mem
KERSHAW, M 1914 Nov 7 2 Glosters Ypres (Menin Gate) Mem
THOMAS, Willoughby V 1914 Nov 7 1 Glosters Ypres (Menin Gate) Mem
BURDEN, Jack H 1914 Dec 17 2 RB Fauquissart Mil Cem
KENT, Albert 1914 Dec 21 1 Glosters Le Touret Mem
KEENE, Ralph 1915 Feb 8 3 Glosters Woolwich Cem
JAMES, Albert 1915 Feb 18 2 Glosters Ypres (Menin Gate) Mem
AGG, Alfred 1915 Mar 7 2 Glosters Ypres (Menin Gate) Mem
RICHARDS, Evan T 1915 Mar 10 2 FC RE Le Touret Mem
CURTIS, Robert C 1915 Mar 12 3 Worcesters Ypres (Menin Gate) Mem
FLETCHER, Reginald A 1915 Mar 12 1 Glosters Brown’s Rd Mil Cem
WEEKS, Percival 1915 Apr 18 1 Glosters Cabaret Rouge British Cem
HARRIS, George 1915 Apr 20 2 Glosters Ypres (Menin Gate) Mem
COLLETT, Robert H 1915 May 9 1 Glosters Le Touret Mem
TROTTER, Reginald B 1915 May 9 2 Cameron H Le Touret Mem
BARRETT, Richard E 1915 May 13 Royal Navy Chatham Naval Mem
KILBY, Christopher 1915 May 17 1 Glosters Menin Gate
WEBB, Frank 1915 Jun 4 1/16 London Ypres (Menin Gate) Mem
FOWLER, Theodore H 1915 Aug 17 HAC Ciren Cem
GETHING, Hugh B 1915 Aug 21 RGH Green Hill Cem
NIVEN, William E G 1915 Aug 21 Berks Yeo Green Hill Cem
HARMER, Walter J 1915 Aug 28 4 NZEF Hill 60 NZ Mem
HERBERT, Fred 1915 Sep 26 6 Royal Scots F Loos Mem
BRIDGEMAN, Harry 1915 Sep 27 2 Wilts Loos Mem
GARDINER, Walter [GARDNER] 1915 Sep 29 2 East Surrey Loos Mem
FLETCHER, Edward 1915 Oct 3 2 Wilts Etaples Mil Cem
PEART, Edward J 1915 Oct 8 1 Glosters Loos Mem
HAYWARD, Maurice F B 1915 Nov 26 1 Canadian FA Wulverghem-lindenhoek Cem
CRIPPS, Sidney 1915 Dec 3 3 Canadian Eng Dranoutre Mil Cem
LEWIS, Arthur A 1916 Jan 7 S Wales
GARDENER, Herbert 1916 Apr 9 Borderers 5 Wilts Basra Mem
WITTS, Jesse 1916 Apr 19 7 Glosters Basra Mem
QUENINGTON, Michael Hugh,
Viscount (MP)
1916 Apr 23 RGH Cairo New British Prot Cem
STOCKWELL, Walter 1916 Apr 25 7 Glosters Amara War Cem
LYONS, Arthur 1916 May 14 ASC Nunhead, London, Cem
Page 2
KILBY, George 1916 May 22 RGH Basra Mem
PANTOLL, Alfred 1916 May 22 16 Div HQ ASC Bethune Town Cem
HUTCHINGS, A George 1916 May 28 10 RFA Basra Mem
PEACHEY, William 1916 May 31 RNR Plymouth Naval Mem
TIMBRELL, Ernest 1916 May 31 Royal Navy Plymouth Naval Mem
RATCLIFF, Sidney 1916 Jun 4 1 R Warwicks Egypt
COLE, Clifford S 1916 Jun 19 2/5 Glosters Etaples Mil Cem
GUEST, Arthur J 1916 Jun 27 5 Wilts Amara War Cem
BRADLEY, Wilfred J 1916 Jun 30 12 Royal Sussex Loos Mem
BISHOP, Horace E 1916 Jul 1 1/5 London
SMITH, George W 1916 Jul 1 491 FC RE Wailly Orchard Cem
BOWLEY, Adolphus 1916 Jul 3 10 Worcester Thiepval Mem
JONES, Sidney 1916 Jul 3 8 Glosters Thiepval Mem
WOOD, Richard F W 1916 Jul 3 8 Glosters Thiepval Mem
TROTTER, Edward: DSO 1916 Jul 8 Grenadier Gua Peronne Road Cem
AGG, John 1916 Jul 14 MGC Thiepval Mem
REINGER, Edward J 1916 Jul 14 D/32RFA Sucrerie Mil Cem Colincamps
LARNER, Wilfred 1916 Jul 18 27 FA RAMC Peronne Road Cem
FLETCHER, Harry 1916 Jul 23 1/5 Glosters Thiepval Mem
PENSON, Arthur R 1916 Jul 23 1/4 OBLI Pozieres British Cem
JOHNSON, J 1918 Jul 25 2 Leics
ELDRIDGE, Walter J 1916 Aug 8 10 SF Thiepval Mem
DRUETT, W Thomas 1916 Aug 16 10 Glosters Pozieres British Cem
GILES, Reginald S 1916 Aug 20 1 Glosters Thiepval Mem
GIBBONS, Charles 1916 Aug 21 1/5 Glosters Ciren Cem
COX, Thomas 1916 Aug 22 1 Glosters Thiepval Mem
TIMBRELL, Edward 1916 Aug 25 1/6 Glosters Boulogne Eastern Cem
SHILL, Howard P 1916 Aug 26 13 Glosters Thiepval Mem
TRINDER, A John: MM 1916 Aug 27 1/5 Glosters Thiepval Mem
MAY, Evan 1916 Aug 31 ? 10 Glosters Thiepval Mem
BUTLER, John F P: VC, DSO 1916 Sep 5 2 KRRC Morogoro Cem
BISHOP, Charles A 1916 Sep 6 Canadian Inf Vimy Mem
GIBBONS, Alfred 1916 Sep 9 1 Glosters Caterpillar Valley Cem
TOWNSEND, Gilbert J 1916 Sep 9 4 Royal Irish Regt Cork
ALLAWAY, William J 1916 Sep 10 1 Glosters Heilly Station Cem
KEENE, Frederick A 1916 Sep 17 5 CMR Vimy Mem
MASSEY, Walter W 1916 Sep 17 4 Yorks Thiepval Mem
STRATFORD, Frederick G 1916 Sep 30 Gren Grds Etaples Mil Cem
BROWN, Macdonald W 1916 Oct 12 17 Manchester Thiepval Mem
HEYWOOD, Jac T 1916 Oct s0 2 Lancs Fus Thiepval Mem
PEARCE, Frederick 1916 Nov 1 23 R Fusiliers Euston Road Cem Colincamps
BAXTER, Arthur 1916 Nov 13 7 RF Ancre British Cem
BARRETT, James 1916 Nov 14 Essex Ciren Cem
MABBERLEY, William E 1916 Nov 14 11 RWarwicks Serre Road Cem No 1
BOOTH, Frank 1916 Nov 18 8 Glosters Grandcourt Road Cem
COOPER, Corin H B 1916 Nov 20 CRE Etaples Mil Cem
STONE, John V 1916 Nov 25 8 Glosters Ciren Cem
KENT, Alfred A 1916 Dec 7 10 Glosters Dernancourt Comm Cem Ext
WILKINS, Thomas A 1916 Dec 7 2 Glosters Doiran Mem
EDWARDS, Albert 1917 Jan 25 9 Worcs
HEAFORD, George 1917 Jan 27 2 Glosters Lahana Mil Cem
Page 3
WATERS, George W 1917 Feb 3 7 Glosters Basra Mem
COOK, Harold 1917 Feb 9 9 Worcs Amara War Cem
COLLETT, George 1917 Feb 10 7 Glosters Amara War Cem
BLACKWELL, Martin W 1917 Feb 25 7 Glosters Basra Mem
WILLIAMS, Cyril B 1917 Mar 5 2 R Sussex
BILES, Ernest F 1917 Apr 5 1/5 Glosters Villers-Faucon Com Cem
TAYLOR, Thomas H 1917 Apr 5 1/4 Glosters Bray Mil Cem
BLACKWELL, Reginald 1917 Apr 7 2/5 Glosters Vadencourt Brit Cem
FOX, Herbert: DCM 1917 Apr 9 2 Wilts Bucquoy Road Cem
CHERRY, Sidney H 1917 Apr 19 1 Australian Jerusalem Mem
SUFFOLK & BERKSHIRE, Henry
Earl of
1917 Apr 21 RFA Basra War Cem
BRUTON, Cyril 1917 Apr 24 11 Worcs Doiran Mem
PEACHEY, William J 1917 Apr 27 9 RB Arras Mem
FEAR, Walter 1917 May 2 43 Canadian Inf Lapugnoy Mil Cem
COLE, Maxwell G 1917 May 18 1 RFC Oostaverne Wood Cem
BUDDEN, E 1917 Jun 6 ASC Essex Farm Cem
BURROWS, Charles 1917 Jun 6 RFA
HALLAM, Ernest G 1917 Jun 8 2 Leinster Ypres (Menin Gate) Mem
STEVENS, John 1917 Jun 17
TIMBRELL, E Richard 1917 Jun 19 RFA Irish House Cem
BOOTH, Walter E 1917 Jun 23 Glosters Ciren Cem
WAIT, Robert 1917 Jul 9 Royal Navy Chatham Naval Mem
PEARSON, Sidney F 1917 Jul 13 1 RB Roclincourt Mil Cem
CURRAN, Ernest H 1917 Jul 24 475 Field Co Abbeville Comm Cem Ext
FERRIMAN, William E 1917 Jul 28 8 Glosters Ypres (Menin Gate) Mem
BLACKWELL, Ernest G 1917 Jul 31 13 Glosters Duhallow ADS Cem
GATLEY, Frank 1917 Jul 31 13 Glosters New Irish Farm Cem
SIMPSON, Frank 1917 Aug 3 8 Border Ypres (Menin Gate) Mem
BROWN, Benjamin H 1917 Aug 6 1/5 Glosters New Irish Farm Cem
POOLE, Albert E 1917 Aug 10 11 Lancs Fus Ypres (Menin Gate) Mem
LEATT, Harry 1917 Aug 16 1/5 Glosters Tyne Cot Mem
TARRANT, Percy 1917 Aug 16 8 RDF Tyne Cot Mem
WHITE, J Herbert C: MM 1917 Aug 16 1/5 Glosters Tyne Cot Mem / Ciren Cem
CUTTER, James S 1917 Aug 27 1/7 Worcesters Tyne Cot Cem
PARSONS, Algernon 1917 Aug 28 2/6 Glosters Tyne Cot Mem
PERRY, Chester 1917 Aug 28 2/6 Glosters Tyne Cot Mem
CHESTER-MASTER, Richard C: 1917 Aug 30 13 KRRC Locre Hospice Cem
THOMPSON, George 1917 Sep 8 3/4 QO/RWKR Sunken Road Cem
LAMBERT, Edgar W 1917 Sep 24 7 KRRC West Bromwich, Staffs, Cem
WITTS, C 1917 Sep 24 1/8 Kings Mendinghem Mil Cem
BENNETT, Wilfred J 1917 Sep 20 20 AIF Ypres (Menin Gate) Mem
TAYLOR, Wilfred W 1917 Oct 9 Glosters Poelcapelle Brit Cem
MILLS, Frank 1917 Oct 12 FA RAMC Tyne Cot Mem
CURTIS, Thomas B 1917 Oct 25 11 Cheshire Bethune Town Cem
TIMMS, M 1917 Oct 26 8 Devons Tyne Cot Mem
MADDOCK, William H 1917 Oct 27 ? 1/5 Glosters Etaples Mil Cem
CREESE, Harold R 1917 Oct 29 50 Canadian Inf Ypres (Menin Gate) Mem
HALE, Charles W 1917 Oct 30 8 London ROF Cement House Cem
LAFFORD, Wilfred 1917 Oct 30 London Reg Tyne Cot Mem
ROSE, Frank 1917 Oct 30 4 Bedfords Tyne Cot Mem
BISHOP, James 1917 Nov 3 ? 1 OBLI Baghdad War Mem
Page 4
HUGHES, Lewis 1917 Nov 6 31 Canadian Inf Passchendaele New Brit Cem
ANDERSON, R Graham 1917 Nov 12 RGH Gaza War Cem
WAINWRIGHT, Joseph H 1917 Nov 12 1 Glosters Vlamertinghe Mil Cem
WINTER, Percy 1917 Nov 15 1 Bedfords Lijssenthoek Mil Cem
HOPKINS, Tom 1917 Nov 26 RHA Tyne Cot Mem
LANE, William 1917 Dec 20 KSLI
WAGER, Ernest C 1918 Feb 17 2/6 S Staffs Achiet Le Grand Comm Cem
COOK, Alfred D 1918 Mar 21 2/5 Glosters Pozieres Mem
JAQUES, Wilfred 1918 Mar 21 Tank Corps Pozieres Mem
PAGET, Desmond O 1918 Mar 21 7 KRRC Grand Seraucourt Brit Cem
WATERS, John 1918 Mar 23 8 London Rifles Pozieres Mem
CURTIS, George 1918 Mar 26 2/5 Glosters Mont Huon Mil Cem
GIBBS, Bertram 1918 Mar 28 3 Grenadier Gds Arras Mem
SELMAN, W G H (William G H) 1918 Mar 28 8 Glosters Arras Mem
GILLMAN, Ernest 1918 Apr 4 10 Glosters Pozieres Mem
TANNER, C (Cecil) 1918 Apr 4 D Co 9RB Pozieres Mem
CURRAN, Francis J 1918 Apr 12 MB Res RNVR Dunkirk Town Cem
HALL, Albert E 1918 Apr 14 2 Worcesters Boulogne Eastern Cem
SMITH, Leslie 1918 Apr 14 1/5 Glosters Mazargues War Cem
TALBOT-RICE, J A: MC, C de G 1918 Apr 14 5 RI Lancers Grand Seraucourt Brit Cem
NEWMAN, Harold W 1918 Apr 15 9 Norfolk Tyne Cot Mem
MOURBY, Tom 1918 Apr 17 1/5 DCLI Loos Mem
JAMES, Walter 1918 Apr 18 2/5 Glosters Loos Mem
BERRY, Edward 1918 Apr 26 1 Wilts Tyne Cot Mem
HIBBERT, Bertram 1918 Apr 26 London Scot Aubigny Comm Cem
LUKER, Sam 1918 May 2 Glosters Ciren Cem
WILKINSON, F J (Joe) 1918 May 4 13 Welsh Harponville Comm Cem
BERRY, Albert 1918 May 15 1 Glosters Ciren Cem
RIDDLER, Wilfred H 1918 May 19 1 Life Guards Etaples Mil Cem
BROTHERIDGE, William 1918 May 27 Yeo Chatby Mem Alexandria
CHAMBERLAIN, A John (Jack) 1918 May 27 1 Wilts Soissons Mem
DICKS, Neville 1918 May 27 2/8 Worcesters Aire Comm Cem
PACE, Harold R 1918 May 27 RASC Vailly British Cem
PAISH, William P 1918 May 27 5 Northumb Fus Soissons Mem
PAISH, Harry 1918 Jun 3 8 Glosters Bouilly Cross Roads Mil Cem
ANGELL, William 1918 Jun 7 7 KSLI Wimereux Communal Cem
GUEST, Albert E 1918 Jun 20 11 Welsh Doiran Mil Cem
BROCKLEHURST, Frederick H 1918 Jun 21 RAMC Ciren Cem
POLLARD, William F 1918 Jun 28 15 R Warwicks Merville Comm Cem Ext
FLETCHER, Thomas C 1918 Jun 29 1 DCLI Aval Wood Mil Cem
DORLING, George J 1918 Jul 17 1 KRRC St Amand British Cem
MEDD, Alfred 1918 Sep 5 10 Queens Grootebeek British Cem
CALLOW, William J 1918 Sep 14 9 Worcester Baku Mem
WAITE, Arthur J 1918 Sep 18 1 Northants Vermand Comm Cem
LOCK, Thomas C 1918 Oct 7 3 Worcesters Malbork Mem
GRIFFIN, William R 1918 Oct 12 85 AA RGA Ramleh War Cem
DOBBS, Cecil 1918 Oct 20 1 Devonshire Bethencourt Comm Cem
HOWLEY, Charles W 1918 Oct 22 124SB/RGA St Souplet British Cem
MUSTOE, Edward: DCM 1918 Oct 24 1 Glosters Vadencourt Brit Cem
JAMES, Frank 1918 Nov 5 1 HSB RWK Ciren Cem
OLLIFFE, Roland 1918 Nov 5 US Artillery
Page 5
WRIGLEY, Ralph M 1918 Nov 6 3 RE Abbeville Comm Cem Ext
SHILL, William 1918 Nov 22 11 OBLI Tourcoing Pont Neuville Cem
ALLAN, Frederick G 1918 Dec Somerset LI
HERBERT, Julia H 1918 Dec 28 Red Cross Ciren Cem
RICHINGS, Frederick W 1919 Feb 17 Glosters Ciren Cem
COLE, C L (Cyril L) 1919 Mar 14 2/5 Glosters RIF Cem Laventie
WRIGHT, M A (Mark A) 1919 Mar 15 15 RE Etaples Mil Cem
GEYTON, Percy 1919 Jul 29 MGC Ciren Cem
KENT, J 1919 Oct 26 19 Hussars Ciren Cem
NEWELL, Charles H 1920 Sep 1 KSLI Ciren Cem
HAINES, A C (Arthur C) 1920 Feb 20 RMLI Ciren Cem
For summary biographies of all those commemorated please visit our website, www.cirenhistory.org.uk. Work continues and we would welcome help in clarifying the service and deaths of the following – do you know of their family links to the town? Walter ANGELL, Frederick G. BURGE, Henry COLLETT, Arthur C. HARDING, William LUDLOW, Joe MATHEWS, Frank MOSS, William MUSTOE, Fred ROSE, and F. James SPARKS. The Friends of Cirencester Parish Church will continue to maintain the timeline in the Parish Church until 2018, please make a point of visiting regularly.
Consequent on these events in World War One is the whole story, still to be written up in detail, of how Cirencester comes to have not one but two principal war memorials, in itself an interesting episode of town history.
The Market Place group is well recorded in this view on a J. Valentine postcard of the 1920s. Unveiled as early as 31 October 1918, the free-standing memorial cross also has its own tale to tell, not least its repair after storm damage broke off its Calvary in January 1921.
For decades it stood protected behind railings until the more modern concept of a public open space led to its being opened up, still as a central feature in its own piazza.
The listing and presentation of the memorial names on the wall of the South Porch or Town Hall, completed in February 1920, is probably as well conserved now as it has ever been, a significant outcome in the recent South Porch restoration.
The current dynamics of ‘restoring’ a more open, pedestrian-friendly market place as a whole can be seen foreshadowed in period photographs such as this
one.