Detailed information of the people whose names are on the Cirencester Memorials
Click here to see Introduction to this project for an explanation of why the names are or are not on each memorial. These pages outline what we know about the named people, in many cases, very little. If you find errors or have more information we would be pleased to know. Contact: WW1 @ cirenhistory.org.uk
The Names
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A chronological list of Cirencester deaths is available in Newsletter 61
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Collet to Curtis
COLLETT, George
Memorial Parish Church GEORGE COLLETT.
Memorial Hospital COLLETT, G.
11942 Corporal George Collett. 7th (Service) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.
Born [c.1891. Maisey Hampton].
Enlisted Cirencester.
Died 10 February 1917. [Aged]. Killed in Action. Mesopotamia
Grave XXIX.B.1/40. Amara War Cemetery.
Notes: In 1911 Census, George Collett (aged 20, c.1891, Maisey Hampton), living at 73 Watermoor Road, occupation gardener. Living with step-father David Dance, mother Elizabeth Dance (married 2 years); and siblings.
Wilts & Glos Standard 29 January 1916
WATERMOOR MAN WOUNDED A SECOND TIME
We regret to announce that Lance-Corporal G. Collett, of the 7th Gloucester Regiment, was wounded for the second time on December 30th [1915]. He is the 5th son of Mrs E. Collett, 12 Midland Road, Watermoor, Cirencester, and brother of Harry Collett, of the 1st Gloucester Regiment, who was killed in action on May 9th. He has also a brother still serving in France, and two others under the Group System.
Source: FB 1916 01 29 Ref 210 Wilts & Glos Standard 3 March 1917
CIRENCESTER MAN KILLED IN MESOPOTAMIA. CORPORAL GEORGE COLLETT
Among the members of the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force killed in the action of February 10 was Corporal George Collett, Gloucestershire Regiment. He was a son of Mrs E. Collett, of 12 Midland Road, Cirencester, who received the sad news, with the condolences of T.M. the King and Queen and the sympathy of the Army Council, on Thursday, in last week. Corporal Collett had previously been wounded, while taking part in the ill-fated Dardanelles Expedition. Mrs. Collett lost a son in France some time since, and two others are now engaged on active service, and yet another is in training in England. Mrs Collett also has three sons-in-law and a grandson serving.
Source: FB image 1917 03 03 Ref 157
COLLETT, Henry
Memorial Parish Church HENRY COLLETT
Memorial Hospital COLLETT H
Nothing known
COLLETT, Robert H.
Memorial Parish Church ROBERT H. COLLETT.
Memorial Hospital COLLETT R.H.
7641 Private Robert Henry Collett. 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.
Born [c.1884. Cirencester].
Enlisted Cirencester. D
ied 9 May 1915. Aged 32. Died of Wounds. France
Grave No. MR0022. Panel 17. Le Touret Memorial.
Notes: See George Collett for reference to Elizabeth Dance. Son of Mrs Elizabeth Ann Dance, 12 Midland Road, Watermoor
Wilts & Glos Standard 19 June 1915
CIRENCESTER MAN KILLED IN ACTION
News has been received of the death of Private Robert Henry Collett, 1st Gloucestershire Regiment, who was killed in action near Ypres on May 9th. Private Collett was the son of Mrs E. Collett, of 12 Midland Road, Cirencester, and was 32 years of age. He was a reservist, and was recalled to the colours on the outbreak of war, his previous service including 10 years in India. Two brothers of Pte. Collett are serving their country in the Army, both being in the firing line.
Source: FB image 1915 06 19 Ref 225, and 245 with photograph
COOK, Alfred D.
Memorial Parish Church ALFRED D. COOK
Memorial Hospital COOK A.D.
203481 Private Alfred Dennis Cook. 2/5th (Territorial), Gloucestershire Regiment.
Born [c.1882. Duntisbourne].
Enlisted Cirencester. Died 21 Mar 1918. Aged 36. Died. France
Panel 40 and 41. Pozieres Memorial.
Notes: In 1911 Census aged 28 (c.1883 Duntisbourne) living at 29 Coxwell Street, domestic groom. Married for one year to Amy (age 33, Newark Notts) with son, Dennis, aged 1 month, born in Cirencester
COOK, Harold
Memorial Parish Church HAROLD COOK.
Memorial Hospital COOK H.
31351 Private Harold Cook. 9th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment.
Born [1894. Cirencester].
Enlisted Lydney.
Died 9 February 1917. [Aged]. Died of Wounds. Mesopotamia,
Grave III.E.10. Amara War Cemetery.
Notes: Grammar School Memorial, Bingham Hall, Cirencester.
Wilts & Glos Standard 3 March 1917
DEATH FROM WOUNDS OF A CIRENCESTER SOLDIER. PRIVATE HAROLD COOK, WORCESTER REG
News has been received from the War Office by Mr and Mrs Thomas Cook, 9 Querns Lane, Cirencester, to the effect that their son, Private Harold Cook, Worcester Regiment (whose name appeared in Monday’s casualty lists as wounded) has died at 2nd British General Hospital, Amara, Mesopotamia, on February 9th from wounds received in action. Part of his education was received at the Council School, the remaining three years being at the Grammar School, where he passed his Oxford Local Examination. Going to Gloucester on leaving school, he was employed by Mr. J.H. Bell, tailor and draper, with whom he served seven years. After gaining experience in the shop, he later became a traveller. By intelligence and tact he was not only successful in business, but also made a large circle of friends. He was of a particularly cheerful and pleasant nature, and had a happy word for all he met. By his late employer he will be greatly missed, being highly esteemed for his sterling character and qualities of perseverance and of complete trust. Deepest sympathy is extended to his sorrowing father and mother and family in their great loss of a devoted and loving son and brother.
Source: FB image 1917 03 03 Ref 155-6 with photo
COOPER, Corin H.B.
Memorial Parish Church CORIN H.B. COOPER
Memorial Hospital COOPER C.H.B.
Temp Lieutenant Corin Henry Benedict Cooper. Corps. of Royal Engineers.
Born [Date. Place]. [?? Native of Cirencester]
Enlisted [location].
Died 20 November 1916. [Aged]. Died of Wounds.
Grave I.A.70. Etaples Military Cemetery.
Notes: 178 Tunnelling Co. RE. Son of Rev S. & Mrs E. Cooper of Heyford, Oxon. Native of Cirencester. M.Sc. McGill University, Montreal. Wills & Administrations: dated 27 Mar 1917, of Upper Heyford Rectory, Banbury, Oxon. Administration to Rev. Sydney Cooper. Effects £159 3s 2d
COX, Thomas
Memorial Parish Church THOMAS COX.
Memorial Hospital COX T.
20398 Private Thomas Cox. 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.
Born [c.1895. ?Cirencester].
Enlisted Cirencester.
Died 22 August 1916. Aged 21. Killed in Action. France
Pier and Face 5A and 5B. Thiepval Memorial.
Notes: Son of G.W. and J. Cox, of 24 Chester Street, Cirencester. In 1911 Census, Thomas Martin Cox (age 15) was living at 24 Chester Street with parents and four siblings. Occupation: errand boy, fishmonger
CREESE, Harold R.
Memorial Parish Church HAROLD R. CREESE.
Memorial Hospital CREESE H.R.
895116 Private Harold Ridall Creese. Canadian Infantry.
Born [25 Jul 1879. Cirencester].
Enlisted [location].
Died 26 October 1917.
Panel 24-28-30. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
Notes: Canadian Expeditionary Force. Grammar School Memorial, Bingham Hall, Cirencester. Father Edward James Edgell Creese (1852-1921) of Cirencester and mother Mary Augusta Ridall from Yorkshire. In 1901 Census his mother was Principal of the Girls’ College.
Wilts & Glos Standard 12 January 1918
PRIVATE HAROLD CREESE KILLED IN ACTION
We hear with much regret that Private Harold R. Creese, of the Canadian Forces, elder son of Mr and Mrs E.J.E. Creese, of Balham, S.W., and formerly of Cirencester, previously reported “missing” is now reported killed. He had been rendering “first aid” with the Canadian Red Cross at the battle of Passchendaele, and we understand that he was severely injured by a shell and died whilst being taken to the dressing station.
Source: FB image 1918 Jan 5th to July 27th 1918 01 12 Ref 102
Wilts & Glos Standard 19 January 1918
THE LATE PRIVATE HAROLD CREESE
With reference to the death in action of Private Harold Creese, reported last week, a comrade writes: “His ‘funkhole’ was not far from mine and I saw a shell hit it. He was carried out wounded in the knee and died on the way. They claim that he died of shell-shock. It was after we had come out of the line and we were in reserves and were billeted in between batteries.” This information came to Mr and Mrs Creese from the Canadian Red Cross Society, Cockspur-street, and to them from the British Red Cross through their searchers.
Source: FB image 1918 Jan 5th to July 27th 19 January 1918 01 19 Ref 110
CRIPPS, Sidney
Memorial Parish Church SIDNEY CRIPPS.
Memorial Hospital CRIPPS S.
45065 Spr Sidney George. [Battalion], 3 Field Co. Canadian Engineers.
Born [c.1893. Place].
Enlisted [location].
Died 3 December 1915. Aged 22.
Grave [Ref]. Dranoutre Military Cemetery.
Notes: Son of George and Ruth Cripps, Cerney Wick. In 1911 Census, Sidney Cripps (age 17, c.1894, Edgeworth) living at 8 Beeches Road, gardener; with parents and two sisters. Emigrated to Canada with Roland Olliffe (q.v.). Canadian Military Records: Attested 28 September 1914 – Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force. http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Pages/home.aspx
CROOK, Arthur
Memorial Parish Church ARTHUR CROOK.
Memorial Hospital CROOK A. 7122 Private Arthur Crook. 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.
Born [c.1884. Cirencester].
Enlisted Cirencester.
Died 7 November 1914. Aged 30. Died of wounds France
Panel 22 and 34. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
Notes: In 1901 Census, living at 6 Concrete Cottages, Stepstairs Lane (age 15), mason’s assistant; with parents (8 children in total). In 1911 Census, married (age 27, c.1884, Cirencester) living at 13 Percy Street, Swindon, Wilts. Machinist at G.W.R. Loco Works. Married to Polly (age 34) with two children.
.CURRAN, Ernest H.
Memorial Parish Church ERNEST H. CURRAN.
Memorial Hospital CURRAN E.H.
496453 Sapper Ernest Henry Curran. 475th Field Coy., Corps of Royal Engineers.
Born [c.1894. Place].
Enlisted Bristol.
Died 24 July 1917. Aged 23. Died of Wounds. France
Grave III.B.9. Abbeville Communal Cemetery. Extension.
Notes: Son of Alfred and Elizabeth Curran, of 105 Dyer Street. Brother of Francis J. Curran
CURRAN, Francis J.
Memorial Parish Church FRANCIS J. CURRAN
Memorial Hospital CURRAN F.J.
MB/2114 Motor Mechanic Francis Joseph Curran. (Motor Boat Reserve) H.M.C.B. “33A”, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Born [c.1897. Place].
Enlisted [location].
Died 12 April 1918. Aged 21.
Grave IV.B.23. Dunkirk Town Cemetery.
Notes: Son of Alfred and Elizabeth Curran, of 105 Dyer Street. Brother of Ernest H. Curran. Wilts & Glos Standard 27 April 1918
DEATH OF A PLUCKY CIRENCESTER LAD
Another plucky and promising career has been cut short by the death “in action” of Motor Mechanic Francis Joseph Curran, R.N.V.R., the second son to be lost to Mr and Mrs A.E. Curran, of 105 Dyer Street, by the war. When men of the New Armies were training at Cirencester, “Joe” Curran, as he was generally known, looked on enviously from the shaky support of a pair of crutches, for he was making slow recovery from a long and severe illness. After some months he was able to discard his crutches for a stick, and it was a great day when, again after months, he threw away his stick and once more walked unaided. The result of his illness persisted, however, and he chafed under this enforced return to a civilian occupation, as four certificates of rejection bear witness. Eventually, however, in July last, he persuaded a doctor to certify him fit for service, and joyfully set out next day to join the coastal motor boat branch of the Royal Navy. The keenness displayed during his period of training led to his being selected to undergo a complete course of motor engine instruction at the famous works of Messrs. Thorneycorft. Leaving there a few weeks ago, he went straight to sea as engineer on a c.m.b., though he had had no previous sea experience. Exactly how his death occurred there is nothing to show, but the recent “dare-devil” exploit at Ostend and Zeebrugge has brought to light the hazards of the c.m.b. service, and much may be gleaned from a series of letters recently received by his parents. The first, received from the Admiralty on the 14th instant stating that M.M. Curran was missing, was followed by the receipt on the 17ths of a letter written by the missing sailor himself on the 11th, but posted at Dover on the 16th, from which we quote: “I am writing this just before I leave here for Ostend and Zeebrugge, which as you know are German ground. If you never hear from em again you will know that I have gone the same way as poor Harry went, but you can be sure that I did my very best to make up for him. I am quite happy now the chance has come for which I have waited so long … will now close to make final preparations for the ‘stunt’ so good-bye.” A third letter, dated April 16 from the Commanding Officer of a C.M.B. Advanced Base said: “M.M. Curran was killed in action on April 11th. He was buried the day before yesterday at Rosendael, just outside Dunkirk, with full naval honours”; and the next day the Admiralty supplied the information that “his body was washed ashore near Malo, Dunkerque, on the 15th instant, and was buried in Rosendael Cemetery on the 17th instant.”
Source: FB image 1918 Jan 5th to July 27th 1918 04 27 Ref 216, with photo
CURTIS, George
Memorial Parish Church GEORGE CURTIS.
Memorial Hospital CURTIS G.
241607 Private George Curtis. 2/5th (Territoral) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.
Born [c.1894. Cirencester]. Enlisted Cirencester.
Died 26 March 1918. Aged 24. Died of Wounds. France
Grave VI.F.4A. Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport.
Wilts & Glos Standard 6 April 1918
CIRENCESTER MAN KILLED IN THE GREAT BATTLE
We regret to learn that Private George Curtis, Gloucestershire Regiment, son of Mrs Curtis, of 16 Waterloo, Cirencester, has died in France as the result of wounds received in the recent heavy fighting. Private Curtis was for some time employed at the Bingham Library and later at the Cirencester Post Office, and was for many years a member of the Cirencester Company of the Church Lads’ Brigade. From a series of letters from the hospital, and telegrams from the Record Office, Warwick, it is gleaned that private Curtis was admitted to the 16th General Hospital, an American hospital, on the 24th March, with “gunshot wound of the brain,” the physician in charge regarding his condition as very serious. On the 26th the Chaplain of the hospital wrote that Private Curtis was improving slightly, adding that he did not seem to be in any very great pain, and on the same day the Record Office wired that he was dangerously ill. On the 27th the Chaplain wrote: “You will probably have received the sad news of your son’s death in this hospital on March 26th. He had been desperately wounded in the head and had been practically unconscious since he came in. The doctors and sister did all they could for him. We were praying for him when he died. He will be buried in our little cemetery, when a cross will mark his grave. I am very sorry for you. He has done all a man can do and by this sacrifice of his life for others has linked his life with the Life of Him Who did for us.” This sad news was officially confirmed by wire on the 28th. March 26, at the 16th General Hospital, Le Treport, France, George Curtis, of 16 Waterloo, Cirencester, aged 23 years.
Source: FB image 1918 Jan 5th to July 27th 1918 04 06 Ref 188, 189 When the Imperial War Graves Commission (now the Commonwealth War Graves Commission) laid out the cemeteries, relatives were invited to submit an inscription to be carved into the headstone. Mary Ann Curtis chose ‘Rest In Peace’ and so would have been charged for eleven letters (Headstone 1290)
CURTIS, Robert
Memorial Parish Church ROBERT CURTIS.
Memorial Hospital CURTIS R.C.
9558 Private Robert Charles Curtis. 3rd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment.
Born [c. 1873. Uffington, Berks.].
Enlisted Cirencester.
Died 12 March 1915. Aged 43. Killed in Action. France
Panel 34. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
Notes: Husband of Mary Ann Curtis. In 1911 Census, Robert Curtis (age 38, c.1873, Uffington) with family, living at 50 Gloucester Street, Cirencester: general labourer, roadman.
Wilts & Glos Standard 4 March 1916
CIRENCESTER RESERVIST KILLED
Private W.V. Thomas, 1st Gloucestershire Regiment, formerly of Cricklade Street, Cirencester, who has been missing since November 7th 1914, is now reported as killed in action on that date. Private Thomas was a reservist and rejoined the colours at the outbreak of war. He leaves a widow, and one child. Private Thomas’s step brother, Private R. Keen, of the same regiment, was killed in an accident at Woolwich in the early part of February, and his father-in-law, Private R.C. Curtis, of the 3rd Worcesters, after being reported missing from November 12th 1914, is now also reported killed.
Source: FB image 1916 03 25 Ref 336-7, 338 photo
CURTIS, Thomas B.
Memorial Parish Church THOMAS B. CURTIS.
Memorial Hospital CURTIS T.B.
2/Lieutenant (T) Thomas Britt Curtis. 11th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment.
Born [c.1896. Cirencester].
Enlisted [location].
Died 25 October 1917. Aged 21. Died of Wounds
Grave III.J.17. Bethune Town Cemetery.
Notes: In 1901 Census, Thomas Curtis (age 40) was living at 6 Grosvenor Villas, employed as a corn merchant’s accountant; with wife Clara (aged 41) and son Thomas B., aged 5. In 1911 Census, Thomas Britt Curtis (age 15, c.1896, Cirencester) was living at 6 Grosvenor Villas, Cirencester; scholar. Widowed father, Thomas (aged 50), employed as miller’s traveller. Grammar School Memorial, Bingham Hall, Cirencester.
Wilts & Glos Standard 3 November 1917
DEATH OF LIEUTENANT T.B. CURTIS
We deeply regret to state that within a few hours of the publication of our last issue, containing the announcement that Second-Lieutenant T.B. Curtis, Cheshire Regiment, had been dangerously wounded, his father, Mr T. Curtis, of Grosvenor Villas, Cirencester, received further communication from the War Office conveying the sad intelligence that his son had succumbed to his injuries. …
A letter from his Company Commander: C Company, the Cheshire Regiment, B.E.F., 24,10.17.
Dear Mr Curtis, – Your son asked me to write to you and tell you that he had been wounded, but I expect he will be home in England before this letter reaches you. He was hit in the hand and the right leg at half past eleven this morning. I’m afraid the wounds are rather severe, as his right leg was broken above the knee, but we got him packed off to the Ambulance, and the latest report from the Doctor is that he is going on fairly well. He was most extraordinarily brave and cheerful, and went off on a stretcher cheerfully puffing a cigarette. You can rest assured that he is in good hands and will be well attended and will want for nothing that science and careful nursing can do. .. I am most sorry to lose your son, even temporarily; he is such a good fellow, and such a good and keen officer. Yours faithfully H. Verdon Leonard, Capt.
Lieut. Curtis, however, was destined never to return to England, and it became Captain Leonard’s painful duty ot supplement this information by a second letter: 25.5.17.
Dear Mr Curtis, – I have a very sad and painful duty to perform, to inform you of the death from wounds of your son, Second-Lieutenant T.B. Curtis. He was wounded at about 11.30 yesterday morning and died this morning in the 334d Casualty Clearing Station at Bethune. He will be buried in the Military Cemetery there at 2.0p.m. tomorrow, the 25th. I wrote to you yesterday the letter which I enclose, informing you that he had been wounded, but before I could send it to the post I heard that he had died. It was a great shock to me, and I can find no words with which to express my great sympathy with you. … Another officer, by name Peake, and two men, were hit by the same shell. Mr Peake was killed outright, but I have hopes the other two may recover. The cause of death was shock and loss of blood, as the artery in the leg was severed. The Doctor tells me his cheerfulness and courage were wonderful and an inspiration to the other wounded, so that he has died as he lived, a very gallant soldier. …
Source: FB image 1917.11.03 DSCN 3326