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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Bradley to Burrows……
BRADLEY, Wilfred J.
Memorial Parish Church WILFRED J. BRADLEY.
Memorial Hospital BRADLEY W.J.
SD/4971 Private Wilfred James Bradley. 12th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment.
Born [c.1890, Cirencester].
Enlisted Eastbourne.
Died 30 June 1916. Aged 26. Killed in Action. British Expeditionary Force, .
Panel 69 to 73. Loos Memorial.
Notes: In 1901 Census Wilfred J. Bradley, scholar aged 12, living at 145 Gloucester Street, with his widowed mother. In 1911 Census Wilfred J. Bradley (age 22, c.1889 Cirencester) living at 23 Thomas Street, occupation gardener. Relative of the head of house, John Tenty, labourer.
Wilts & Glos Standard 12 August 1916
A MISSING CICETER MAN
An intimation received by his mother from the Infantry Record Office at Hounslow states that Private Wilfred James Bradley, of the 12th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment, was posted missing after an engagement on June 30th 1916. Private Bradley, 27 years of age, is the son of Mrs John Rogers, of 99 Watermoor Road, Cirencester, who last heard from him on June 27th, and is now naturally torn with anxiety. Before removing to Eastbourne, where at the outbreak of war he was employed in the Corporation Gardens, Private Bradley lived in Cirencester and was engaged at the Barton. A brother, who was also at Eastbourne when hostilities commenced, and previously in the employ of Mr H.F. Norris, of Cirencester, is now in the Royal Flying Corps, expecting early orders for the front. Source: FB image 1916 08 12 Ref 126-7 [Item 3]
Wilts & Glos Standard 28 October 1916
A MISSING CICETER MAN
Efforts to trace Private W.J. Bradley, Royal Sussex Regiment, son of Mrs J. Rogers, 99 Watermoor Road, who was reported missing after an engagement on June 30th, have been unavailing. Mr O.O. Buckler, writing for the Earl of Lucan, British Red Cross and order of St. John, says “It is not possible to obtain further information about the men of his unit who were missing on June 30th 1916. In the attack of that date the battalion suffered … from the enemy’s machine guns and shrapnel fire, and it is to be feared that of those who are still missing there is but a very slight chance that any will prove to be prisoners of war in Germany.
Source: FB image 1916 10 28 Ref 288 [Item 3]
Wilts & Glos Standard 21 April 1917
CIRENCESTER MAN NOW PRESUMED TO BE DEAD
Official notification has been received by Mrs John Rogers of 99 Watermoor Road, Cirencester, that her youngest son,
Private Wilfred James Bradley, of the Royal Sussex Regiment, who had been previously reported missing since June 30th, as already announced in our columns, is now reported presumed to be dead. Private Bradley enlisted at Eastbourne, where he was then residing, being employed in the Municipal Gardens, and had been in France some months having had only one night’s leave during his training. An elder son, A/M Charles James Bradley, is in the Flying Corps, and is now in France.
Source: FB image 1917 04 21 Ref 228, 229
BRIDGEMAN, Harry
Memorial Parish Church HARRY BRIDGEMAN.
Memorial Hospital BRIDGEMAN H.
6662 Private Henry Bridgeman. 2nd Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh’s (Wiltshire Regiment). Born [Date. Cirencester]. Enlisted Cirencester. Died 27 September 1915. Aged 29. Killed in Action. France. Panel 102. Loos Memorial. |
Wilts & Glos Standard 26 September 1914 CICETER MAN “WOUNDED BUT COMFORTABLE” News reached his relatives on Thursday that Private Harry Bridgeman, of Dyer Street, Cirencester (reservist 1st Wilts Regiment), has been admitted to Trinity College Hospital, Cambridge, “wounded, but comfortable.” In the early days of the war Private Bridgeman was sought out by his brother, Private A.C. Bridgeman (now in Netley Hospital), with the remark, “If we are to die, we’ll die side by side.” Side by side they fought in the trenches at Mons for four days, till his brother was badly wounded by shrapnel. Of Private Arthur Bridgeman it is satisfactory to learn that his progress at Netley Hospital has been so satisfactory that he expects shortly to be removed to a convalescent home. Private Bridgeman has two other brothers serving with the same regiment, one now at the front, and other, attached to a machine-gun section, still in England. Source: FB image 1914 09 26 Ref 094. Wilts & Glos Standard 3 October 1914 BROTHERS WOUNDED News reached his family this week that Private George Bridgeman, of Cirencester, a reservist of the 1st Wilts Regiment, had been admitted to one of the base hospitals in France, having been shot through the calf. This is the third of four brothers, all of the Wilts Regiment, who have been wounded in the present war. The first brother, Private Arthur Bridgeman, is making satisfactory progress in Netley Hospital, and similar good news has been received of Private Harry Bridgeman, who is being treated in Trinity College Hospital, Cambridge. The fourth brother, Private William Bridgeman, left England for the front last week with a machine-gun section of his regiment. Wilts & Glos Standard 7 August 1915 A FIGHTING FAMILY Our portraits show the four sons of Mr and Mrs H. Bridgeman, of Sheep Street, Cirencester, all of the 1st Wiltshire Regiment, and all of whom have been wounded in the present campaign. Pte. Arthur Bridgeman, who previous to the outbreak of war was employed at the G.W.R., Cirencester, was wounded in the thigh in the battle of Mons, after fighting in the trenches, side by side with his brother Harry, for four days. He arrived at Netley Hospital with the first batch of wounded to reach England, and was the first Cirencester casualty to be recorded. He has now been discharged as unfit for further service. Pte. Harry Bridgeman, who was employed at Cirencester Parish Church, was the next to appear in the casualty lists. He was wounded in the calf at the battle of the Aisne, and after a period of convalescence in England returned to France to be again invalided home, this time with sciatica. He has now gone to the front for the third time. Pte. George Bridgeman was wounded, in the arm, on the same day and in the same engagement as his brother Harry. He returned to France in January and is still in the trenches. Pte. William Bridgeman, the eldest son, who was with a machine gun section, was badly wounded in the side at La Bassee, and is now retained at Weymouth for home defence only, being unfitted for further service abroad. Their father also is not without military experience, having previously held non-commissioned rank in the now defunct 4th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (Militia). Source: FB image 1915 08 07 Ref 291, with photographs of Arthur, Harry, William and George. Wilts & Glos Standard 23 October 1915 |
PRIVATE HARRY BRIDGEMAN 1st Wiltshire Regiment, who, as we recently reported, was killed in action in France on Sept., 27th. Private Bridgeman lived in Dyer Street, Cirencester, and was employed at Cirencester Parish Church previous to rejoining the colours.
BROCKLEHURST, Frederick H. Memorial Parish Church FREDERICK H. BROCKLEHURST. Memorial Hospital BROCKLEHURST F.H. 527461 A/Sergeant Frederick Heathcote Brocklehurst. (Territorial Force), Royal Army Medical Corps. Born [c.1891. Slough, Berks.]. Enlisted Chelsea, S.W., London. Died 21 June 1918. Aged 27. Died Napsburg War Hospital St Albans. Grave PP.14. Cirencester Cemetery. Notes: Son of the late Frank Brocklehurst of 14 Purley Road, Cirencester. In 1911 Census Frank Brocklehurst, (age 48 c.1863 Hinckley, Leics) living at 8 Ashcroft Road, Cirencester. Widower, foreman letterpress printer. In 1911 Census Frederick Heathcote Brocklehurst, age 19 c.1892, Slough, Berks, living at 23 Wellington Street, Slough. Student, in the home of his grandfather, John Brown Seymour. Index of Wills & Administration: Probate 25 Oct 1918. Death date 21 Jun 1918. Gloucester. Frederick Heathcote Brocklehurst of 14 Purley Road, Cirencester, private acting sergeant 1st London Sanitary Co. R.A.M.C. died 21 Jun 1918 at the War Hospital Napsburg, St Albans, Herts. Administration (with will) Gloucester 25 Oct to Jessie May Brocklehurst spinster. E ects. £483 5s 8d. Grammar School Memorial, Bingham Hall, Cirencester. |
BROTHERIDGE, William
Memorial Parish Church WILLIAM BROTHERIDGE.
Memorial Hospital BROTHERIDGE W.
310871 Private William Brotheridge. Warwickshire Yeomanry, Household Cavalry & Cavalry of the Line (incl. Yeomanry & Imperial Camel Corps).
Born [Date/Place].
Enlisted Cirencester.
Died 27 May 1918. [Aged]. At Sea.
Chatby Memorial, Alexandria Egypt.
Notes: In 1902 William Brotheridge, age 4, living at Wroughton, Wilts. In 1911 Census, William Brotheridge, agricultural labourer, aged 14, living with family, Ashton Keynes, Wilts.
BROWN, Benjamin H.
Memorial Parish Church BENJAMIN H.
BROWN. Memorial Hospital BROWN B.H.
241471 Private Benjamin Harry Brown.. 1/5th (Territorial) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.
Born [Date. Stratton].
Enlisted Gloucester.
Died 6 August 1917. [Aged]. Killed in Action. France.
Grave XIV.B.1. New Irish Farm Cemetery.
Notes: Cheltenham Chronicle & Gloucestershire Graphic, 21 Oct 1916. Photograph of 1/5th Gloucesters’ Band Somewhere Abroad: includes B. Brown, Cirencester
BROWN, Macdonald W.
Memorial Parish Church MACDONALD W. BROWN. Memorial Hospital Not recordeded. Captain (T) Macdonald Warriner Brown. 17th Battalion, Manchester Regiment.
Born [c.1890. Penarth, Glam.].
Enlisted [location].
Died 12 October 1916. Aged 26. Killed in Action. France
Pier and Face 13A and 14C. Thiepval Memorial.
Notes: Son of Rev. F. Brown, Nottingham. Husband of Jean Warriner Dodds (Brown), Guildford.
Wills & Administration: Brown Macdonald Warriner of Dane-in-Shaw 13 Elms Avenue, Lytham, Lancashire captain 17th Battalion Manchester Regiment died 12 Oct 1916 in France on active service. Probate London 25 Nov 1916 to Jean Brown widow. Effects £352 15s.
Grammar School Memorial, Bingham Hall, Cirencester.
BRUNSDON, Walter T.
Memorial Parish Church WALTER T. BRUNSDON.
Memorial Hospital BRUNSDON W.T.
7851 Private Walter Thomas Brunsdon. 1st Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh’s (Wiltshire Regiment).
Born [c.1891, Swindon].
Enlisted Swindon.
Died 30 October 1914. Aged 23. Died of Wounds. France
Grave I.A.5A. Wimmereux Communal Cemetery.
Notes: Son of Walter Brunsdon, of Cirencester.
Wilts & Glos Standard 14 November 1914
A CICETER MAN DIES FROM HIS WOUNDS
Private Walter Thomas Brunsdon, of the Wilts Regiment, son of the late Walter and Mrs Brunsdon, 13 School Lane, Watermoor, Cirencester, died at the General Hospital, Boulogne, on October 30, from the effects of his wounds. Source: FB image 1914 11 14 Ref 159
BRUTON, Cyril
Memorial Parish Church CYRIL BRUTON.
Memorial Hospital BRUTON C.
17120 Private Cyril Bruton. 11th “A” Coy Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment.
Born [c.1892, Cirencester].
Enlisted Cirencester.
Died 24 April 1917. Aged 25. Killed in Action (Salonika).
Notes: Son of Joseph and Elizabeth Bruton, 6 Council Houses, Ampney Crucis. In 1911 Census Cyril Bruton (age 19, c.1892, Cirencester) living at 91 Watermoor Road, occupation gardener; with father, mother and sister.
Wilts & Glos Standard 3 August 1918
LOST AT SALONIKA
Some of the most poignant tragedies of the war are the cases of “missing” when after months of weary anxiety they are followed by the notice “now believed dead”. Such a case is that of Mrs E. Bruton, of 9 Watermoor Road, Cirencester, whose youngest son, Private Cyril Bruton, Worcestershire Regiment, reported missing from April 24th 1917, is now, according to official intimation, presumed to have died on that date. Private Bruton, who was 25 years old, was one of “Kitchener’s boys,” having left the service of Mr T.H. Rycroft, of the Bartonbury, to join the colours when the war was young. After training he was sent to Salonika, where he had spent between two and three years before his name appeared in the list of missing.
Source: FB image 1918 1st June 1918 to Dec 1918 08 03 Ref 080, with photo
BUDDEN, E.
Memorial Parish Church Not recorded. Memorial Hospital BUDDEN E.
M2/180906 Private Ernest Budden. Royal Army Service Corps., Mechanical Transport attd. 173rd Tunnelling Coy., Royal Engineers.
Born [Date. Crewkerne, Somerset].
Enlisted Cirencester.
Died 6 June 1917. [Aged]. Killed in Action. France
Grave II.z.1. Essex Farm Cemetery. Wilts & Glos
Standard 23 June 1917
ANOTHER CICETER MAN KILLED
Mrs E. Budden, of The Abbey Lodge, Dollar Street, has been notified of the death of her husband, Private Ernest Budden, M.T., A.S.C., who was killed as the result of a shell explosion on June 6th. Private Budden, who enlisted on May 12th 1916, for the past 12 years has been in the employ of Major J. Gordon Dugdale, of The Abbey, Cirencester, as chauffeur. He leaves a widow and two children. Particulars of the manner in which he met his death may be gathered from the following extracts from letters received from his officers, which testify also to the high esteem in which he was held by his unit:
“Your poor husband, while in the execution of his duty, was killed by a piece of shell. He died almost immediately afterwards. Private Budden was a brave man and a good soldier and extremely well liked by all, and consequently his loss will be keenly felt. He was buried at Essex Farm Military Cemetery, about two miles north of Ypres.”
Another letter says:
“Your husband was killed on the night of the 6/7th, about midnight, near the front line system while on duty. His work as motor transport driver with units like ours is often a dangerous one, and he was if anything braver and required more pluck than the great majority of infantry soldiers. He and his look- out man were both fatally hit by an enemy shell which exploded under his lorry. He must have been killed instantaneously. He was buried in a British cemetery not far from the firing line on the Canal bank a little to the north of Ypres. A Divisional Chaplain read the Burial Service, which was attended by many of his comrades. He was well liked by all his section men and his Commanding Officer, officers, non-commissioned officers and men unite in offering to you our sincerest sympathy.”
Source: FB image 1917 06 23 Ref 32
BURDEN, Jack H.
Memorial Parish Church JACK H. BURDEN.
Memorial Hospital BURDEN J.H.
1416 Rifleman John Burden. 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort’s Own).
Born [c.1884, York].
Enlisted Cirencester.
Died 17 December 1914. Aged 30. Killed in Action. France
Grave B.4. Fauquissart Military Cemetery Laventine.
Notes: Son of Thomas and Catherine Burden, of Cirencester. In 1891 Census, living at The Armoury, Cecily Hill, where his father, Thomas Burden, was a Soldier Drummer. In 1911 Census, Thomas Burden (age 65, c.1846, Milton Devon), head, living at 66 Watermoor Road; occupation nursery gardener; with wife Catherine.
BURGE, Frederick G.
Memorial Parish Church FREDERICK G. BURGE.
Memorial Hospital Burge FG
BURROWS, Charles
Memorial Parish Church CHARLES BURROWS.
Memorial Hospital BURROWS C.
33034. Bombadier Charles Burrows. Royal Field Artillery.
Born [Date. Place].
Enlisted [location].
Died 6 June 1917. [Aged].
Grave/Memorial [Ref]. Cemetery: Henin Communal Cemetery Extension.
Wilts & Glos Standard 23 June 1917
KILLED IN ACTION Mrs Burrows, The Avenue, Cirencester, has received the sad news that her only son, Bombadier Charles Burrows, R.F.A. has been killed in action. Death Notice. June 6, killed in action, Bombardier C. Burrows, R.F.A., only son of the late C. Burrows and Mrs Burrows, The Avenue, aged 30 years. Source: FB image 1917 06 23 Ref 324, 329