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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WEBB, Frank
Memorial Parish Church FRANK WEBB
Memorial Hospital WEBB F.
1981 Rifleman Frank Longstone [Langston] Webb. 16th (County of London) Battalion (Queen’s Westminster Rifles), London Regiment.
Born [c.1894. Sudbury, Glos].
Enlisted Westminster.
Died 4 June 1915. Aged 21. Killed in Action France Grave/Memorial [Ref]. Menin Gate Memorial
Son of Charlotte and the late Frank Webb, of 3 Chester Terrace. Family photographs etc courtesy of Robert Webb. The letter of 5 June 1915 remains with the family. See also extract from Robert Webb’s letter from Newsletter 60
Wilts & Glos Standard 12 June 1915
POPULAR CICETER LAD KILLED CELEBRATED COMING-OF-AGE IN THE TRENCHES
On Thursday morning Mrs F. Webb of 1 Chester Terrace, Lewis Lane, Cirencester, received the sad intelligence that her elder son, Rifleman Frank Langston Webb, of the Queen’s Westminster Rifles, had met his death from shell-fire whilst serving with the British Expeditionary Force. The news was conveyed in the following letters:-
5th June 1915
Dear Madam, It is with the very greatest regret and the sincerest sympathy that I write to inform you of the death of your son, Rifleman Webb, No. 1981, of the Company under my command. He was yesterday at his post in the trench while we were being shelled, when a large shell exploded close to him killing him instantly with several of his comrades. Your son was buried late last night by the Chaplain to the Brigade by the side of his comrades. The Colonel Adjutant and his Company officers attended with many of his friends as a last mark of respect and esteem. Your son’s grave will be marked by a simple wooden cross bearing his name and that of his regiment, while a careful record of its position will be kept at our headquarters, 58 Buckingham Gate, S.W. Your son will be much missed by his many friends, while their sympathy goes out to you with mine in your great loss. Yours very truly N.B. Tyrwhitt, Major.
Letter also from Edward M. Pocock [not transcribed] Rifleman Webb was 21 years of age, having celebrated his coming-of-age in the trenches in February last. He served an apprenticeship to Mr S. Clappen, outfitter, of Cirencester, and after filling a situation at Bridgwater, Somerset, entered the services of Messrs. Morley, of Wood Street, London, with whom he was engaged at the outbreak of war. Entering the Queen’s Westminsters (16th London Territorials) on August 11th, he accompanied his regiment to France in October last, his early training in the Cirencester Company of the Church Lad’s Brigade standing him in good stead.
Source: FB image 1915 06 12 Ref 220, 226 with photograph.
Cheltenham Chronicle & Glos’ Graphic, 26 Jun 1915, with photo.
Private Frank L. Webb, Queen’s Westminster Rifles (T.F.) killed in action in France, June 4, age 21. Son of late Police-Supt. Webb and Mrs Webb, 1 Chester Terrace, Lewis Lane.
WEEKS, Percival
Memorial Parish Church PERCIVAL WEEKS
Memorial Hospital WEEKS P.
10014 Private Percy Weeks. 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.
Born [c.1895. Cirencester].
Enlisted Cirencester.
Died 18 April 1915. Aged 20. Killed in Action. France
Grave XXIX.B.23. Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez
In 1911 Census, Percy Weeks, age 17, labourer, living at 35 Dyer Street; grandson of head of house, Mary Weeks, aged 81, widow
Wilts & Glos Standard 1 May 1915
CIRENCESTER SOLDIER KILLED
On Friday Mrs L. Wainwright, of 63 Watermoor Road, Cirencester, received the sad news that her son, Private Percival Weeks, 1st Gloucester Regiment, was killed in action in France on the previous Sunday. The news was sent by Captain M. Pagan, commander of C Company 1st Gloucester Regiment, who wrote:
“I very much regret to have to write and tell you that No. 10014 Private Percival Weeks, your son, of my company, was killed in action yesterday (April 18). Your son was killed instantly and could have suffered no pain. You have the sympathy of your son’s comrades and of myself in your loss. Your son was a good soldier and always did his work well, and it will be a consolation to you to know that he died as he has done. If I can give you further information I hope you will write to me. I am sending you a package of his things.”
Private Weeks, who was 20 years of age, joined the 1st Gloucesters on July 29, the week prior to the declaration of the war with Germany. At one time he belonged to the Cirencester Boys’ Brigade and the Cirencester Territorials, and was a porter in the employ of Messrs. Bishop Brothers, grocers, of Cirencester.
Source: FB image 1915 05 01 Ref 166. Cheltenham Chronicle & Glos’ Graphic, 1 May 1915, with photo.
Private Percival Weeks, 1st Glos. Reg. killed in battle of Hill 60 in France on Sunday April 18, aged 20.
Son of Mrs Levi Wainwright, 63 Watermoor Road
WHITE, J. Herbert C., M.M.
Memorial Parish Church J. HERBERT C. WHITE, M.M.
Memorial Hospital WHITE J.H.C.
240552 Corporal John Herbert Charles White. 1st/5th (Territorial) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.
Born [Date. Cirencester].
Enlisted Gloucester.
Died 16 August 1917. [Aged]. Killed in Action. France
Panel 72 to 75. Tyne Cot Memorial
Awarded, M.M. in 1916.
In 1911 Census, aged 15, at school, living at 37 Ashcroft Road, with parents and sister.
Memorial in Cirencester Cemetery: appeal by Christopher Fear, Wilts & Glos Standard 24 Sep 2009, for known relatives, for permission to repair monument.
Research notes prepared by Christopher Fear, 2014.
Grammar School Memorial, Bingham Hall, Cirencester.
Wilts & Glos Standard 16 September 1916
MILITARY MEDAL FOR A CICETER LAD
Private J.H.C. White, 1/5th Gloucesters, son of Mr and Mrs J.W. White, of Ashcroft Road, was at the church parade on Sunday the 3rd September awarded the Military Medal for meritorious conduct in the field. Private White, who is an old Cirencester Grammar School boy, joined the 5th Gloucesters on the outbreak of the war, and has served with them throughout their war service. He has just completed his 21st birthday.
Wilts & Glos Standard 25 August 1917
CICETER TERRITORIAL KILLED IN ACTION
We learn with regret that Corporal J.H.C. White, Gloucestershire Regiment, only son of Mr and Mrs J.W. White, of Ashcroft Road, was killed in action on August 16th. The first intimation of Corporal White’s death was conveyed in a letter from a comrade in arms, the sad intelligence being confirmed by the following letter from his Company Commander received this (Friday) morning:
Dear Mrs White, – It is with a very great regret that I have to inform you of the death of your son, Corporal White. He was killed in action on the morning of the 16th, whilst gallantly leading his Lewis gun section in the attack. I cannot speak in high enough terms of his splendid courage and leadership, and more especially on this morning. It will always be remembered by those who were with him. His loss to the Company is indeed a great one. It may be some consolation to you to know that he was killed instantaneously and could not have suffered any pain. I shall be always pleased to give you any further information, also about the place where he was buried. Please accept my most sincere sympathy in your bereavement. Yours very sincerely, Robert McDowall, Captain.
It will be remembered that in September last year Corporal White was awarded the Military Medal for meritorious conduct in the field
WILKINS, Thomas A.
Memorial Parish Church THOMAS A. WILKINS
Memorial Hospital WILKINS, T.A.
29838 Private Thomas Ashley Wilkins. 2nd Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.
Born [c.1888. Cirencester].
Enlisted Bristol.
Died 7 December 1916. Aged 28. Killed in Action. Salonika, Greece.
Doiran Memorial.
In 1901 Census, age 13, living at 51 Coxwell Street, mother Edith listed as head of house. In 1911 Census, age 23, boarder at 4 Pembroke Street, Gloucester, single, assistant grocer. Died on the Salonica front age 28 on 7 December 1916, on active service.
Thomas Ashley Wilkins was the son of Edith Alice Wilkins (nee Smith) and the late Arthur Wilkins of Cirencester; husband of Mabel Wilkins (nee Miller), of “Holmwood”, Purley Road; he was born Ethelred Ashley Wilkins in Cirencester in 1888 and by 1911 was boarding at 4 Pembroke St., Gloucester working as a Grocer’s Assitant.
Wills of Soldiers in the Gloster or Royal Glos Hussars, WW1: Probate of his will granted to Edith Ellen Wilkins, 15 July 1919, value of estate £163 18s 10d
WILKINSON, F.J.
Memorial Parish Church F.J. (JOE) WILKINSON
Memorial Hospital WILKINSON F.J.
63717 Private Frederick John Wilkinson. 13th Battalion, Welsh Regiment.
Born [c.1899. Cirencester].
Enlisted Hereford.
Died 4 May 1918. Aged 19. Killed in Action. France
Grave B.1. Harponville Communal Cemetery
Son of Ben and Ellen Wilkinson, V.W.H. Kennels, Cirencester.
Grammar School Memorial, Bingham Hall, Cirencester.
Wilts & Glos Standard 18 May 1918
DEATH OF PRIVATE JOE WILKINSON
We record with much regret the death in France of Private F.S. Wilkinson, Royal Welsh Regt., eldest son of Mr and Mrs Ben. Wilkinson, the Kennels, Cirencester. In a letter written on the 7th inst. to Mrs Wilkinson conveying the news of her boys’ death, his Commanding Officer said:
“We were encamped for the night about four miles behind the front line when suddenly an enemy shell without any warning dropped within five yards of your son’s tent. A fragment of the shell lodged in the side of his neck and he was killed instantaneously. It would be futile on my part to attempt to describe how all the officers and men in the company feel for you in your terrible bereavement. It must be an irreparable loss because he was a grand boy: fearless in action, cheerful under the most adverse circumstances and only too willing to do all he was asked. His loss is very keenly felt in the Company and we miss him every day. … He was buried at … alongside other brave lads who have sacrificed all in this terrible
One who knew him at schools says:
“F.S. Wilkinson was born in 1899. He entered the Cirencester Grammar School in 1912 and left in 1915 to join the staff of Lloyds Bank. At school his work was characterised by a thoroughness and a will altogether beyond praise and he always took a very high place in his Form. He was an enthusiastic sportsman and his keenness for all outdoor games was infectious. Cricket, in which he put up many good performances both with bat and ball, was perhaps his favourite game. Modest, unassuming, kind, sympathetic and generous, he was a boy of a beautiful disposition. To know him was to love him and few boys have in their day and generation made more friends at school than he. R.I.P.”
Mr and Mrs Wilkinson’s second son joined up three days before the news of his brother’s death.
Source: FB image 1918 Jan 5th to July 27th 1918 05 18 Ref 280
WILLIAMS, Cyril B.
Memorial Parish Church CYRIL B. WILLIAMS
Memorial Hospital WILLIAMS C.B.
315435 Private Cyril Brise (Brice) Williams. 16th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment.
Born 1895, Cirencester.
Enlisted Chelmsford.
Died 5 March 1917. Aged 21. Died due to sickness contracted while en route to Egypt, in Malta military hospital.
Buried Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta, DXVIII.3.
Grammar School Memorial, Bingham Hall, Cirencester.
Deaths reported 17 March 1917 edition of Wilts & Glos Standard: March 5, in a military hospital at Malta, of sickness contracted while en route to Egypt, Private Cyril Brise Williams, only son of Mr & Mrs J.W.C. Williams, 18 Market Place, Cirencester, aged 21 years.
Source: FB image 1917 03 17 Ref 180; 1917 03 31 Ref 201 with photo. (See also Ref 178, for part report)
Died Mar 5 1917. Research (August 2014) by Simon Fielding has confirmed a number of details. His service records show he enlisted at Colchester, Private, 2088 3/8th Essex Regt.; transferred to G/14645 2nd Royal Sussex Regt.; and finally 315435 16th Royal Sussex Regt.
The 1911 Census records Cyril Brier [sic] Williams, aged 15, scholar, living at 18 Dyer Street, with his parents and sister
WINTER, Percy
Memorial Parish Church PERCY WINTER.
Memorial Hospital WINTER P.
203966 Corporal Percy Winter. 1st Battalion, Bedfordsire Regiment.
Born [c.1883. Whelford].
Enlisted Hertford.
Died 15 November 1917. Aged 34. Died of Wounds. Flanders
Grave XXII.GG.2. Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery
Formerly 31232, Suffolk Regt. In 1891 Census, age 7, living at Coates with parents and siblings.
In 1911 Census, age 29, working as butler at Sprangewell, Ware, Herts in home of Alfred Reginald Percival.
Wilts & Glos Standard 1 December 1917
DEATHS: Died of wounds on Nov. 15, in France, Corporal Percy Winter, Bedfordshire Regiment, the dearly beloved husband of Mrs Percy Winter, of Hatfield, Herts, and dearly-loved youngest son of Mr and Mrs John Winter, 3 Park Street, Cirencester, aged 34 years.
Source: FB image 1917 12 01 Ref 037
Cheltenham War Memorial. D22/1165
WITTS, C.
Memorial Parish Church Not recorded.
Memorial Hospital WITTS C.
32500 Private Charles Witts. 8th Battalion, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment.
Born c.1879 Cirencester.
Enlisted Caerphilly, Glams.
Died 24 September 1917. [Aged]. Died of Wounds. Flanders,
Grave VII,D.25. Mendinghem Military Cemetery
Formerly 2972, Essex Regiment. In 1881 Census living at 1 Somerford Road, aged 2. Jane Witts, aged 36, dress maker listed as head. Children: Louisa Jane, 7; George, 5; and Charles, 2
WITTS, Jesse
Memorial Parish Church JESSE WITTS
Memorial Hospital WITTS J.
20556 Private Jesse Witts. 7th (Service) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.
Born [c.1896. Cirencester].
Enlisted Cirencester.
Died 19 April 1916. Aged 20.
Killed in Action. Mesopotamia
Panel 17. Basra Memorial
In 1911 Census, age 14, living at 165 Gloucester Street, errand boy for watchmaker.
Wilts & Glos Standard 10 June 1916
CIRENCESTER BREWERY EMPLOYEE KILLED IN ACTION
An official intimation has reached Mrs B. Witts, of 165 Gloucester Street, Cirencester, that her son, Private J. Witts, of the Gloucestershire Regiment, was killed in action on April 19th, whilst serving with the Indian Expeditionary Force. A further communication, from Lord Kitchener, conveyed the condolences of T.M. the King and Queen. Private Witts, who was 19 years of age, was, previous to enlistment, in the employ of the Cirencester Brewery, Limited. No further news of Private Witts has so far been received.
Source: FB image 1916 06 10 Ref 165
WOOD, Richard F.W.
Memorial Parish Church RICHARD F.W. WOOD
Memorial Hospital WOOD R.F.W. 23250 Private Richard Francis William Wood. 8th (Service) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.
Born [c.1896. Cirencester].
Enlisted Tidworth, Hants. August 1914.
Died 3 July 1916. Aged 20. Killed in Action. France
Pier and Face 5A and 5B. Thiepval Memorial
Son of Frederick & Rose Wood, 17 Queen Street. Post Office employee.
Wilts & Glos Standard 30 September 1916
CIRENCESTER MACHINE GUNNER KILLED
Private R.F.W. Wood. [Photo] Mr F. Wood, of 17 Queen Street, Cirencester (well-known as the driver of the King’s Head Hotel G.W.R. bus), has been notified of the death of his son, Private R.F.W. Wood, No. 23250, Machine Gun Section, Gloucester Regiment, whose fate has been the subject of anxiety for nearly three months past. Early in last July Mr Wood was informed by means of a letter from one his son’s comrades that he had been severely wounded, but as no official intimation came to hand Mr Wood wrote to the regimental authorities, with the result that he received a letter from his son’s officer, dated July 12th, stating that he was wounded in the attack on LaBoisselle on July 3rd. A letter was also received from the sergeant of the Machine Gun Section about the same time stating that Private Wood was severely wounded by a bomb and taken to the dressing station. The latter added that the wound was severe, but that no further information had been obtained, though the parents were advised to be prepared for the worst. Last Friday an official notification was received that Private Wood was “wounded and missing,” but on Wednesday morning this was followed by a further official communication that he was “killed in action” on July 3rd. Accompanying the notification was the expression of the King and Queen’s regret and sympathy forwarded by the Secretary of State for War. Private Wood was a promising young soldier, only 30 years of age, having given up his appointment as postman at the Cirencester Post Office in August 1914, at the age of 18, to join the Gloucester Regiment on the outbreak of war. He had been in France for the last 18 months.
Source: FB image 1916 09 30 Ref 223-4 with photo [Item 3]
WRIGHT, M.A.
Memorial Parish Church Not recorded.
Memorial Hospital WRIGHT M.A.
497035 Sapper Mark Alfred Wright. 15th Div. Signal Coy., Royal Engineers.
Born [c.1886. Cirencester].
Enlisted [location].
Died 15 March 1919. Aged 39.
Grave LXXII.E.20. Etaples Military Cemetery
Son of Alfred Benjamin Wright. Husband of Agnes Wright (nee Edwards), Burton on Trent. Married 1912. Died after St John’s Church memorial engraved.
In 1911 Census living at 20 Queen Street, aged 26, iron moulder, with parents Alfred and Elizabeth.
WRIGLEY, Ralph M.
Memorial Parish Church RALPH M. WRIGLEY
Memorial Hospital WRIGLEY R.M.
Lieutenant Ralph Mortimer Wrigley. 3rd Railway Coy. Royal Monmouth, Corps. Of Royal Engineers.
Born [c.1897. St Arvans, Mons].
Enlisted [location].
Died 6 November 1918. Aged 21. Died. [Location], France
Grave V.B.11. Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension
Son of Louis Comyns & Beatrice Wrigley, The Barton, Cirencester.
Wills & Adminstrations. R.M. Wrigley of Cirencester, Lieutenant Royal Monmouthshire R.E. died 6 Nov 1918 in France. Administration London 18 Jan 1919 to Louis Comyns Wrigley estate agent. Effects £431 4s 5d.
Wilts & Glos Standard 16 November 1918
THE LATE LIEUTENANT R.M. WRIGLEY Died of pneumonia following influenza.
[POOR QUALITY] Source: FB image 1918 1st June 1918 to Dec 1918 11 16 Ref 367
Monmouth Priory Memorial