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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CUTTER, James S.
Memorial Parish Church JAMES S. CUTTER
Memorial Hospital CUTTER J.S.
203785 Private James Simon Cutter. 1/7th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment.
Born [c.1892. Cirencester].
Enlisted Great Malvern, Worcestershire.
Died 27 August 1917. [Aged]. Killed in Action. France
Grave IX.G.22. Tyne Cot Cemetery.
Notes: In 1901 Census, James S. Cutter (age 9, c.1892, Cirencester) living at Rock Cottages (near Woodbine Inn) with parents and siblings. Father: railway goods checker.
DICKS, Neville
Memorial Parish Church NEVILLE DICKS.
Memorial Hospital DICKS N.
2/Lieutenant Francis James Neville Dicks. 2/8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment.
Born [c.1897. Cheltenham].
Enlisted [location].
Died 27 May 1918. Aged 21. Died of Wounds.
Grave II.K.29. Aire Communal Cemetery.
Notes: Son of Mr & Mrs Ernest A. Dicks, Buckingham Lawn, Wellington St, Cheltenham: Professor of Music. In 1911 Census, Francis Dicks, age 14, living in Cheltenham with his parents and siblings. Commemorated on Cheltenham War Memorial.
Wilts & Glos Standard 8 June 1918
DEATH OF SECOND-LIEUTENANT F.J.N. DICKS [poor quality – died 27 May 1918]
Source: FB image 1918 Jan 5th to July 27th 1918 06 08 Ref 333
DOBBS, Cecil
Memorial Parish Church CECIL DOBBS.
Memorial Hospital DOBBS C.
34183 Private Cecil Dobbs. 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment.
Born [c.1893. North Cerney].
Enlisted Cirencester.
Died 20 October 1918. [Aged]. Killed in Action. France
Grave B.6. Bethencourt Communal Cemetery.
Notes: Formerly 15257 Gloucestershire Regiment. In 1911 Census, Cecil Dobbs, single (age 18, c.1893, North Cerney) living at New Buildings, Perrotts Brook; under carter on farm. Father William and mother Fannie. Son of William & Fannie, 67 Gloucester Street. Husband of Fannie Maria Dobbs, 17 Redcliffe St, Swindon
DORLING, George J.
Memorial Parish Church GEORGE J. DORLING.
Memorial Hospital DORLING G.J.
44873 Rifleman George John Dorling. 1st Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps.
Born [c.1885. Bury St Edmunds].
Enlisted Cirencester.
Died 17 July 1918. [Aged]. Killed in Action. France
Grave IV.B.15. St Amand British Cemetery.
Notes: Formerly S/2/15498, R.A.S.C. In 1911 Census living at 9 Apsley Terrace, Watermoor, with widowed mother Elizabeth Dorling (nee Brunsdon, born Ciren). Age 26, baker. Wilts & Glos Standard 10 August 1918
DEATH OF ANOTHER CIRENCESTER SOLDIER
Information has been received of the death in action of Corporal George J. Dorling, son of Mrs W. Dorling, of 9 Apsley Terrace, which occurred on the 17th July 1918. He joined the A.S.C. at the outbreak of war and has been in France since December 1914. He was transferred about four months ago to the 1st King’s Royal Rifle Corps. The following letter has been received by his wife from an officer of his company:
I fear that by now you will have received official intimation of the death of your husband, Corporal Dorling. I have been in such close touch with so many of these tragedies that experience tells me it is not within my power to offer much consolation for such an irreparable loss. But as an officer who knew him well – I often had a friendly chat with him – I should like to tell you how much I and his comrades in this company feel his loss. He was a good soldier, and I trust that the fact that he died doing his duty to his country will prove some small consolation to you. Please believe me in my real and sincere sympathy with you in your great loss, which is ours as well. Yours sincerely, S. Perkin. Second-Lieutenant.
Source: FB image 1918 1st June 1918 to Dec 1918 08 10 Ref 105. 106 with photo
Memorial Parish Church W. THOMAS DRUETT.
Memorial Hospital DRUETT W.T.
24696 Private William Thomas Druett. 10th (Service) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.
Born [c.1887. Cirencester].
Enlisted Cirencester.
Died 16 August 1916. Aged 29. Killed in Action. France Grave IV.E.42. Pozieres British Cemetery, Ovillers La Boiseselle.
Notes: Son of Edmund James Druett and Emma Druett. In 1911 Census living at 141 Gloucester Street, single (age 24, c.1887, Ciren), employed as gardener, with parents and siblings.
Cheltenham Chronicle & Glos’ Graphic, 21 Oct 1916, with photo. “Corpl. T. Druett, Glos. Reg., killed in action recently. Son of Mr Druett, 141 Gloucester Street. Previous to the war he worked at Cirencester Brewery. He has another brother at the front.”
Wilts & Glos Standard 9 September 1916
CIRENCESTER CORPORAL KILLED.
Mr and Mrs Edmond Drewitt, of 141 Gloucester Street, Cirencester, have received news of the death of their elder son, Corporal W.T. Drewitt, of the Gloucestershire Regiment, which took place during a British attack in France on the 17th August. Following the official intimation came the following letter from Corporal Drewitt’s platoon commander: 1st September 1916
Dear Sir, – I regret to report that your son, Corporal Drewitt, was killed in action on the 17th of last month, on which date we made an attack on the German trenches. I saw him just before we went over the top, and later finding him missing, made inquiries and was informed that he had been hit through the head – in which case death must have been instantaneous. His death came as a great blow to us all. He was very popular in the platoon. Corporal Drewitt in the short three months he was with us proved himself to be a true British soldier, and at all times could be relied upon for cool bravery. Offering you my sincere sympathy in your great bereavement, I remain yours faithfully, Everard Davis, 2nd Lt., 14th Platoon, D Company.
Corporal Drewitt was 29 years of age, and enlisted in the 11th Gloucesters in November 1915, being transferred to one of the Territorial battalions some months later. He had seen considerable service in France, where his brother, Private W.E. Drewitt, of the M.T., A.S.C., is also serving. Before enlisting, Corporal Drewitt and his brother were employed at the Cirencester Brewery, where their father is also engaged, and they were held in high esteem by the principals and staff alike, and nowhere is Corporal Drewitt’s death more deeply deplored.
Source: FB image 1916 09 09 Ref 188 [Item 3
EDWARDS, Albert
Memorial Parish Church ALBERT EDWARDS.
Memorial Hospital EDWARDS A.
31699 Private Albert Ernest Wilfred John Edwards. 9th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment.
Born 1895. Cirencester.
Enlisted Cirencester.
Died 25 January 1917. [Aged]. Killed in Action. Mesopotamia,
Grave/Memorial not known
Notes: In 1901 Census, Albert [Ernest Wilfred John] Edwards, aged 15, was a barber’s apprentice, living at 55 Chester Street with his widowed mother, Florence Emily, and brothers Reginald (age 11) and Stanley (age 9).
ELDRIDGE, Walter J.
Memorial Parish Church WALTER J. ELDRIDGE.
Memorial Hospital ELDRIDGE W.J.
6265 Private Walter Joseph Eldridge. 10th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys Regiment).
Born [c.1878. Cirencester].
Enlisted Derby.
Died 8 August 1916. Aged 38. Killed in Action. France
Pier and Face 10C 10D & 11A. Thiepval Memorial.
Husband of Frances Selina Eldridge, 7 Garden Avenue, Shirebrook, Mansfield. In 1911 Census recorded (twice) in Derbyshire, as coal miner (hewers filler). Married with 11 month old daughter; wife, Frances, born in Siddington
Wilts & Glos Standard 9 September 1916
SERGEANT W.J. ELDRIDGE KILLED Mrs W.J. Eldridge, of Siddington, has received official notification that her husband, Sergeant Walter J. Eldridge, of the Sherwood Foresters, was killed in action in France on August 8th last. Sergeant Eldridge joined the Sherwoods from the National Reserve, proceeding to the Dardanelles, where he was wounded. He was invalided to England, and on his recovery was drafted to France. He had previously seen service with both line battalions of the Welsh Regiment, in India and in South Africa during the campaign of 1899-1902. Sergeant Eldridge was the youngest son of the late Mrs Eldridge, of Dyer Street, Cirencester, and was 39 years of age.
Source: FB image 1916 09 09 Ref 190 [Item 3]
Source: FB image 1916 09 16 Ref 195-6 photo [Item 3]
FEAR, Walter
Memorial Parish Church WALTER FEAR.
Memorial Hospital FEAR W.
7859163 Private Walter Fear. 43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry.
Born [c.1895. Place].
Enlisted [location].
Died 2 May 1917. Aged 22.
Grave IV.F.5. Lapugnoy Military Cemetery.
Notes: Son of the late Joseph & Annie Fear
FERRIMAN, William E.
Memorial Parish Church WILLIAM E. FERRIMAN.
Memorial Hospital FERRIMAN W.E.
26755 Private William Ferriman. 8th Service Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.
Born [c.1877. Leafield, Oxon.].
Enlisted Cirencester.
Died 28 July 1917. Aged 40. Killed in Action. France
Panel 22 and 24. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
Son of the late Mr & Mrs Samuel Ferriman. Husband of Alice Ferriman, 6 Midland Road, Watermoor
FLETCHER, Edward
Memorial Parish Church EDWARD FLETCHER.
Memorial Hospital FLETCHER E.
7190 Private Edward Winterbotham Fletcher. 2nd Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh’s (Wiltshire Regiment).
Born [c.1886. Watermoor].
Enlisted Swindon, Wilts.
Died 3 October 1915. Aged 29. Died of Wounds. France
Grave IV.H.17A. Etaples Military Cemetery.
Wilts & Glos Standard Oct 3 1914
THREE CICETER MEN WOUNDED
News was received early in the present week of three more Ciceter men who had been wounded in action. Mr and Mrs William Fletcher, of School-lane, have received information that their son, Private Edwin Fletcher, a reservist of the Wilts Regiment, is at one of the base hospitals in France suffering from a slight scalp wound. The other two men were Private Edwin Peart and Private Frederick Francis, both reservists of the Gloucester Regiment, and before rejoining the colours were carters in the employ of Mr. W.G. Lock, timber merchant. Peart has received a wound in the head and Francis, whose parents reside at Tarlton, is at present in Brighton Military Hospital suffering from an injury to one of his ankles. All three men are progressing favourably.
NOTE: Edward Fletcher, died Oct 3 1915, 2 Wilts. Photo in CC&GG Oct 23 1915.
Edward J. Peart, died Oct 8 1915?, 1 Glosters. Photo in CC&GG Dec 25 1915.
Wilts & Glos Standard 9 Oct 1915
DEATH OF A CIRENCESTER SOLDIER FROM WOUNDS
We regret to state that Mrs E. Fletcher has received a telegram from the War Office, announcing the death of her husband, Private E. Fletcher, 2190, 2nds Wilts Regiment. This was the third time he had been wounded. He leaves a widow and one child, with whom deep sympathy is felt. He was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs W. Fletcher, of 1 School Lane, Watermoor, Cirencester. He died at No. 8 Canadian General Hospital, at the age of 26, on Sunday October 3rd.
Source: FB image 1915 10 09 Ref. 365.
Cheltenham Chronicle & Glos’ Graphic, 23 Oct 1915, with photo. “Pte. E. Fletcher, 2nd Wilts Reg died from wounds Oct 3, received in action in France, age 29. He leaves a widow and one child. He was the youngest son of Mr & Mrs Wm. Fletcher, 1 School Lane, Cirencester.
FLETCHER, Harry
Memorial Parish Church HARRY FLETCHER.
Memorial Hospital FLETCHER H.
240421 [Rank] Harry Fletcher. 1st/ 5th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.
Born c.1894. Weston-super-Mare.
Enlisted [location].
Died 23 July 1916.
Pier and Face 5A and 5B. Thiepval Memorial.
In 1911 Census, at 180 Gloucester Street. Head of house, widower, Harry Fletcher, aged 47, window cleaner, born Cirencester. Also present, children: Ellen (19), Harry (17, newspaper errand boy, born Weston-super-Mare), Gilbert John (13), Thomas Charles (12), and Fanny Emily (9)
FLETCHER, Reginald A.
Memorial Parish Church REGINALD A. FLETCHER
Memorial Hospital FLETCHER R.A.
10003 Private Reginald Fletcher. 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.
Born [c.1898. Cirencester].
Enlisted Bristol.
Died 12 March 1915. Aged 17. Killed in Action. France
Grave VII.H.8. Brown’s Road Military Cemetery, Festubert.
Wilts & Glos Standard 20 March 1915
PRIVATE REGINALD ARTHUR FLETCHER
News has been unofficially received of the death in action of Private Reginald Arthur Fletcher, No. 10003, A Company, 1st Gloucesters, son of Mr and Mrs Ernest Fletcher, of 63 Lewis Lane, Cirencester. Private Fletcher was only 17 years of age, and after some service in the Territorials he joined the Gloucester Regiment about a year ago. He did not accompany the regiment when it first went to France, but formed part of a draft sent over from the White City about three weeks ago, and has thus fallen in his first engagement. He has two brothers in the Navy, one on H.M.S. Nottingham and the other on H.M.S. Carnarvon, the former being in the Heligoland Bight action and the latter in the Falkland Islands engagement. Mr and Mrs Fletcher, with whom sincere sympathy will be felt, received the intelligence of their son’s death in the following letter:-
“Private S. Laker, 3032, A Company, 1 Platoon, 1st Gloucesters, British Expeditionary Force, France: Dear Madam, It is with great regret I now write to inform you that your son, Private Fletcher, 10003, was killed in action on the 12th. I being one of his chums in his section I thought it my duty to let you kow that he was buried alongside of some more of the regiment. The place I will let you know later on when the names of the places can be made known. With our deepest sympathy to you also to tell you he died without any pain. We remain, his chums, No. 4 Section, A Company, 1st Gloucesters, France, S.LAKER and Chums.
Photo: Prvate R.A. Fletcher, 1st Gloucesters, whose death we reported last week. Private Fletcher was a son of Mr and Mrs Ernest Fletcher, 63 Lewis Lane, Cirencester.
Source: FB image 1915 03 20 Ref 108 and 1915 03 27 Ref 116 with photo.
Cheltenham Chronicle & Glos’ Graphic, 10 Apr 1915, with photo.
“Private R.A. Fletcher, killed in action, in France, aged 17. Son of Mr & Mrs Ernest Fletcher, 63 Lewis Lane, Cirencester.”
FLETCHER, Thomas C.
Memorial Parish Church THOMAS C. FLETCHER. Memorial Hospital FLETCHER T.C.
41394 Private Thomas Charles Fletcher. 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry
Born [c.1899. Weston-super-Mare].
Enlisted Cirencester, Somerset. ??
Died 29 Jun 1918. [Aged]. Killed in Action. France
Grave III.B.15. Aval Wood Military Cemetery, Veux-Berquin
Formerly 8/17461, T.R.Bn.
In 1911 Census age 12 (c.1899, Weston super Mare) living at 180 Gloucester Street, with his widowed father, Harry, window cleaner (age 47, born Cirencester) and siblings.
Wilts & Glos Standard 20 July 1918
A CICETER MAN KILLED Mr H. Fletcher, Lake House, Frampton-on-Severn, and late of 180 Gloucester Street, Cirencester, has received official information that his son, Private T.C. Fletcher, was killed in action on June 29. This is the second son Mr Fletcher has lost in the war. Deceased was well known as a window cleaner etc., in Cirencester. Source: FB image 1918 Jan 5th to July 27th 1918 07 20 Ref 423
Wilts & Glos Standard 17 August 1918
THE LATE PRIVATE TOM FLETCHER We publish this week a portrait of Private T.C. Fletcher, youngest son of Mr H. Fletcher, of Lake House, Frampton-on-Severn, and late of 180 Gloucester Street, Cirencester, who was killed in action on June 29. The deceased soldier, who was but 20 years of age, is the second son lost by Mr Fletcher in the war. He was well-known to Cirencester, having assisted his father in his window cleaning business before joining the colours. He had had about two years of service and had been in France about six months when he received his first wounds, which proved fatal. Private Fletcher appears to have inspired confidence and respect in all with whom he came in contact, as is shown by a letter received by his father from Mrs G. Boast, of 84 Connaught Road, Norwich, where he was billeted during training:
“Dear Mr Fletcher, – Just a few lines to convey my deepest sympathy in the loss of your son who died like a hero, cheering the fellows on. He wrote you a little letter before he passed away and gave it to a chum to be sent on to you, and I am sending it as it was sent on to me. I am very pleased to say Tom had a nice burial, which he richly deserved. … Jack Baker, who sent this letter to me, was with Tom nearly to the last. He was very nice boy and I greatly missed him when he left me. I think he was very comfortable with me: tried to make it so for all the boys I had with me. Tom was the second young fellow I had who has been killed.”
The letter here referred to, which shows a brave spirit, is as follows:
“Dear old Dad, – I am going, I know, but I have tried to do my best. I have been none too good, I know, but I hope I have made good. Don’t take on, Dad: think for whom and in what cause I am giving my life. Your loving son, Tom.”
Source: FB image 1918 1st June 1918 to Dec 1918 08 17 Ref 117, 118, with photo
FOWLER, Theodore H.
Memorial Parish Church THEODORE H. FOWLER. Memorial Hospital FOWLER T.H.
2446 L/Corporal Theodore Humphrey Fowler. Infantry, Honourable Artillery Company.
Born [1879. Cirencester].
Enlisted Armoury House.
Died 17 August 1915. Aged 36.
Died. Home.
Grave R.75. Cirencester Cemetery.
Son of Dr Oliver H. and Mrs C. Fowler. In 1901 Census living at Ashcroft House with parents and brother Claud. In 1911 Census, age 31 (c.1880, Cirencester) living as lodger at 4 Belmont Place, Weymouth; occupation, operating brewer
Cheltenham Chronicle & Glos’ Graphic, 4 Sep 1915, with photo.
“Corpl. Theo. H. Fowler, H.A.C., who died in hospital following an operation of Aug 17. Youngest son of the late Dr. O.H. Fowler of Cirencester, a fine cricketer, having played for Gloucestershire.”
Wills and Administration: T.H. Fowler of Ashcroft House, Cirencester, died at the County of London War Hospital, Epsom. Probate 23 Oct 1915 to Robert William Ellett, Solicitor. Effects £12854 18s 8d.