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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TIMMS, M.
Memorial Parish Church Not recorded
Memorial Hospital TIMMS M.
33559 Private Mark Beaconsfield Timms. 8th (Service) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment.
Born [c.1887. Bladon, Oxon].
Enlisted Cirencester.
Died 26 October 1917. [Aged]. Killed in Action. France
Grave LII.D.3. Tyne Cot Cemetery
In 1911 Census, boarder at 7 Dollar Street, working as gardener (age 24, c.1887, Bladon, Oxon.
TOWNSEND, Gilbert J.
Memorial Parish Church GILBERT J. TOWNSEND
Memorial Hospital TOWNSEND G.J.
11160 Sergeant John Gilbert Townsend. 4th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment.
Born [c.1872. Cirencester].
Enlisted London.
Died [8 or 9] September 1916. [Aged]. Died. Home, Cork, Ireland,
Grave/Memorial
In 1881 Census in Cirencester, parents Henry Townsend and Jane Hiran.
In 1891 Census in Nottinghamshire. In 1898 married Alice Maud Yates. (25 Mar 1898).
In 1911 Census John Gilbert Townsend (age 38, c.1873, Cirencester). Married. 2nd Dublin Fusiliers. Sergeant. Tournay Barracks, Marlborough Lines Church, East Square, Marlborough Lines, Aldershot.
TRINDER, A. John
Memorial Parish Church A. JOHN TRINDER
Memorial Hospital TRINDER A.J.
2425 L/Corporal [Alfred or Alan] John Trinder. 1st/5th (Territorial) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.
Born [c.1896. Cirencester].
Enlisted Swindon, August 1914.
Died 27 August 1916. Aged 20. Killed in Action. France
Pier and Face 5A and 5B. Thiepval Memorial
Awards M.M.
Son of William & Letitia Trinder, Querns Hill. Information with Christopher Fear. Memorial in Cirencester Cemetery.
In 1911 Census age 14 (c.1897, Ciren) living at 5 Querns Hill, at school.
Grammar School Memorial, Bingham Hall, Cirencester.
Wilts & Glos Standard 2 September 1916
CIRENCESTER MILITARY MEDALLIST DIES OF WOUNDS
Though no official intimation has yet been received, Mr William Trinder, of Querns Hill, Cirencester, on Thursday received letters, dated the 28th instant, from the Rev. G.F. Helm and Dr. Leslie Hughes, stating that his son, Lance-Corporal Alan John Trinder, of the 1/5 Gloucesters, had been wounded in recent fighting, and had died on a stretcher whilst being conveyed to hospital. Lance-Corporal Trinder had recently been awarded the Military Medal for meritorious conduct. Source: FB image 1916 09 02 Ref 166 [Item 3]
TROTTER, Edward
Memorial Parish Church EDWARD TROTTER. D.S.O.
Memorial Hospital Not recorded.
Lieutenant-Colonel (T) Edward Henry Trotter. Grenadier Guards attd. 18th Bn. The King’s (Liverpool Reg.).
Born [c.1872. Kensington, London].
Enlisted [location]. Died 8 July 1916. Aged 44. Killed in Action. France
Grave IV.H.28. Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt.
Decoration, D.S.O.
Son of Major General Sir H. & Hon. Lucy Trotter. Brother of Reginald B. Trotter
In 1881 Census living at Golden Farm Lodge, age 8. Brother Reginald aged 7. Father Henry, age 37, Colonel Grenadier Guards.
In 1891 Census boarding with family in the King’s Head.
Wills & Adminstration: of 126 Sloane St, Middlesex, Major Grenadier Guards & Lieutenant Colonel King’s Liverpool Reg. Died 8 Jul 1916 in France. Probate London 23 Dec 1916 to Algernon Richard Trotter Colonel 2nd Reg. Life Guards D.S.O., M.V.O. and Walter Trelawny Boodle solicitor. Effects £25170 0s 3d. Cirencester connection: related to Thomas A.F. Kingscote.
Wilts & Glos Standard 22 July 1916
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL E.H. TROTTER, D.S.O., KILLED
Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Henry Trotter, D.S.O., Grenadier Guards, commanding a Service Battalion of the Liverpool Regiment, fell on July 8. He was the son of the late Major-General Sir Henry Trotter, of Morton Hall, Mid Lothian, and was 43 years of age. He was appointed to the Grenadier Guards from the Militia in 1892, became captain in 1900 and major in 1908, and was given command of a battalion of the Liverpool Regiment in September 1914. He first saw active service in the Nile Expedition (1898), being present at the battle of Khartum, and receiving the British medal and the Egyptian medal with clasp. In 1900-2 he served in the South African War with the City of London Imperial Volunteers, was employed as a staff captain, and afterwards with mounted infantry. He was mentioned in despatches, received the Queen’s medal with four clasps, and was awards the D.S.O. Colonel Trotter was a nephew of Lord Clifford and of the Hon. Mrs. Thomas Kingscote. ** ** Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Henry Trotter, D.S.O., Killed July 8 1916. Colonel Trotter was a nephew of Lord Gifford and of the Hon. Mrs. Thomas Kingscote.
Source: FB image 1916 07 22 Ref 267 See article by Coldstream District History Society, includes photo More biography on Wikipedia
TROTTER, Reginald B.
Memorial Parish Church REGINALD B. TROTTER
Memorial Hospital Not recorded
Captain Reginald Baird Trotter. 2nd Battalion, Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders.
Born 25 Mar 1874. Brompton, London.
Enlisted [location].
Died 9 May 1915. Aged 41. Killed in Action.
Panel 41 and 42. Le Touret Memorial
Brother of Edward Trotter
Mentioned in Despatches.
In 1881 Census living at Golden Farm Lodge.
In 1891 Census boarding at King’s Head Hotel.
Captain Trotter was a nephew of Lord Gifford and of the Hon. Mrs. Thomas Kingscote, hence the Cirencester connection
WAGER, Ernest C.
Memorial Parish Church ERNEST C. WAGER
Memorial Hospital WAGER E.C. 45212
Private Ernest Charles Wager. 2nd/6th (T.F.) Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment.
Born [c.1884. Cirencester].
Enlisted Cirencester.
Died 17 February 1918. Aged 34. Died of Wounds. France
Grave II.F.4. Achiet-Le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension
In 1911 Census Ernest Charles Wager, age 27 (c.1884 Cirencester), postman, married for 1 year, living at 2 Claverton Cottages, Prospect Place, Cirencester.
WAINWRIGHT, Joseph H.
Memorial Parish Church JOSEPH H. WAINWRIGHT
Memorial Hospital WAINWRIGHT J.H.
8725 Private J. Wainwright 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.
Born [c.1888. Cirencester].
Enlisted Cirencester.
Died 12 November 1917. [Aged]. Killed in Action, Flanders, Belgium
Grave IV.M.3. Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery.
Son of Joseph Wainwright, 19 School Lane. In 1901 Census living with parents and 4 brothers at 21 Albion Street, Stratton, working as an errand boy.
In 1911 Census, Private with 2 Gloster Regt. in Malta.
Wilts & Glos Standard Nov 24 1917
ANOTHER CIRENCESTER SOLDIER KILLED
To the roll of Ciceter’s honoured dead must be added the name of Private Joseph Henry Wainwright, of the Gloucestershire Regiment, second son of Mr and Mrs Joseph Wainwright of 19 School Lane, Cirencester, who was killed in action on November 12. The sad intelligence was conveyed to Mr and Mrs Wainwright in a letter from a comrade who writes:
“I am sorry to inform you that your dear son, Joseph, was killed to-day (Monday) about 10 o’clock, whilst on duty with his horses, by a long-range enemy shell. His death was instantaneous, so you know he suffered no pain. I cannot express in words how deeply his comrades mourn his loss, for he was a good soldier, very genial, with always a pleasant word for everyone, no matter who it was … We are burying him tomorrow with as full honours as possible in the circumstances. We have had a cross made for him, and it it is possible to get a photo of his grave I will send one. He will be buried in a soldiers’ cemetery in the village close by. I am going to try and find his brother tomorrow to let him know all about it.”
The letter concludes with an expression of sincere sympathy, as does a letter received from the Transport Officer of the battalion, who says: “Your son has been in the Transport with me for the last two years and will be greatly missed by men and myself.” Pte. Wainwright, who was 27 years of age at the time of his death, had just completed his period of military service when war was declared, and immediately rejoined the colours. He went to France at once, and, as stated above, was for a considerable time engaged with the transport of the Gloucestershire Regiment. He has three brothers serving. Source: FB image DSCN 3358, 336
WAIT, Robert
Memorial Parish Church ROBERT WAIT
Memorial Hospital WAIT R.
J/27168 Signalman Robert Wait. Royal Navy, H.M.S. Vanguard.
Born 9 Jun 1898. Cirencester.
Enlisted [location].
Died 9 July 1917. Aged 19. Explosion. Scapa Flow. Memorial 27. Chatham Naval Memorial.
In 1911 Census living at The Marsh, Calne, Wilts with parents and siblings, age 12, born c.1899, Cirencester; scholar. Explosion on board H.M.S. Vanguard, in Scapa Flow. c.804 killed, 2 survivors. Designated wreck site
WAITE, Arthur J.
Memorial Parish Church ARTHUR J. WAITE
Memorial Hospital WAITE A.J.
49878 Private Arthur James Waite. 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment.
Born [c.1899. Marston Meysey].
Enlisted Cirencester.
Died 18 September 1918. Aged 19. Died of Wounds. France
Grave A.14. Vermand Communal Cemetery
Son of Thomas and Priscilla Waite, 12 Siddington Road.
In 1911 Census age 12 living at 90 Preston, Cirencester; father Thomas, farm labourer.
Wilts & Glos Standard 5 October 1918
ANOTHER CICETER SOLDIER KILLED
Though the War Office intimation is still lacking, Mr and Mrs T. Waite, 12 Siddington Road, Cirencester, have received from his platoon commander news of the death of their eldest son, Private A.J. Waite, Northamptonshire Regiment.
Lieutenant C. Smeathers, writes:
Dear Mrs Waite – I am deeply sorry to inform you that your son, Private A.J. Waited, died of wounds in the early hours of Wednesday, September 18th. We were lying in readiness for an attack when he was struck in the head by a piece of shell soon after midnight. You may console yourself with the thought that he did not recover consciousness after being hit, so that he felt no pain before he passed away, about 3 a.m. in No. 2 Field Ambulance. I have been his Platoon Officers for about a month, and I considered him by best man and had put him forward for promotion. This afternoon I am going to find out where he is buried and if possible I will let you know. We go up for another attack tomorrow so I hope you will understand if I am not able to write to you again. Please convey my deepest sympathy to his Father and to all his relations and friends. Later: I have found your son’s grave and have seen the Chaplain who buried him and left him your address. Your son is buried in an old French cemetery in Vermand. I am sending the map reference of his grave, so that you may get some one who can read a map to show you the place. I am also arranging for a cross to be put up today.
Private Waite, who was but 19 years and 6 months old, was formerly employed on the M and S.W. Junction Railway at Cirencester. He joined the colours on Mary 24th last year, on attaining military age and had been in France about seven months. He was an old member of the C.L.B. Source: FB image 1918 1st June 1918 to Dec 1918 10 05 Ref 244-7 with photo
WATERS, George W.
Memorial Parish Church GEORGE W. WATERS
Memorial Hospital WATERS G.W.
20576 Private George William Waters. 7th (Service) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.
Born [c.1895. Cirencester].
Enlisted Cirencester.
Died 3 February 1917. Aged 22. Killed in Action. Mesopotamia,
Panel 17. Basra Memorial.
Son of Charles W. and Kate Waters, of 4 Gooseacre Lane. In 1911 Census, aged 17, working as butcher’s assistant. Only child, living with parents at 6 Gooseacre Lane
WATERS, Harry
Memorial Parish Church HARRY WATERS
Memorial Hospital WATERS H.
7501 Sergeant Harry Waters. 1st Battalion, Prince Albert’s (Somerset Light Infantry).
Born [c.1888. Cirencester].
Enlisted Cirencester.
Died 25 October 1914. Aged 27.Grave L.61. Cirencester Cemetery
Wilts & Glos Standard 31 October 1914
SOLDIERS’ FUNERAL AT CIRENCESTER DIED OF WOUNDS
The funeral of Sergeant Harry Waters, of the Somerset Light Infantry, took place at Cirencester Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon, and was marked with semi-military honours. Sergeant Waters, who was 27 years of age, was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Waters, of 16 Gloucester Street, Cirencester. He had been in the Somerset Light Infantry ten years, and was serving with his regiment at the front when he received the wounds in the head which caused his death. Taken from the base hospital to the coast, he was placed aboard the hospital yacht Albion for conveyance to Netley Hospital, but died on Sunday last while yet two miles from Southampton. The official intimation to Mr and Mrs Waters of the death of their son was supplemented by a kind and sympathetic letter from the Red Cross nurse who had been in attendance upon him, who, while carrying out the last wishes of her charge, took occasion to express her sympathy with the bereaved parents. Under arrangements with Messrs W.G. Bridges, Limited, of Cirencester, the remains were conveyed by motor to Cirencester for interment. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack, and the cortege was headed by Messrs. C. Hale and A. Houseman (of the M. & S.W.J.R. Works Band) as buglers, and a detachment of the 4th Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (from the details guarding the G.W.R. water works at Kemble) under Sergeant Richards. Following the mourning coaches were Messrs P. Lemaitre and C. Phillips, representing the staff of Cirencester Post Office, where deceased was formerly employed as a telegraph messenger … service … floral tributes.
Source: FB image 1914 10 31 Ref 138.
Cheltenham Chronicle & Glos’ Graphic, 31 Oct 1914, photo.
“Died on Sunday last on the Albion hospital ship at Southampton from wounds received in battle in France.”
Family gravestone in Cirencester Cemetery (photo 22/1180): Son of William Henry and Mary Jane Waters, brother of John (Jack) Waters
WATERS, John
Memorial Parish Church JOHN WATERS
Memorial Hospital WATERS J.
371559 Rifleman John Waters. 8th (City of London) Battalion (Post Office Rifles), London Regiment.
Born c.1893, Cirencester.
Enlisted London. 23 March 1918. Aged 25. Killed in Action. France
Panel 87. Pozieres Memorial.
In 1911 Census living at 16 Gloucester Street, aged 18, working as a miller’s labourer. Father William Henry Waters was a roller man in a flour mill, with mother, Mary Jane. John’s twin brother, William, was an under gamekeeper.
Family gravestone in Cirencester Cemetery: son of William Henry and Mary Jane Waters, brother of Harry Waters