Our WW1 Memorials explored

Bethesda Remembers

2

Memorial transferred to Bethesda from Wesley Methodist Church

3

Bethesda Remembers

This booklet came about through curiosity to know more about the servicemen who are remembered on the WW1 memorials inside Bethesda Methodist Church.

As far as possible the information contained here is correct; more information may be found in the future.

Various invaluable books and websites were used for research including the following:

1. Devereux, Joseph and Sacker, Graham Leaving all that was dear: Cheltenham and the Great War Promenade Publications, 1997.

2. Dingle, Audrey The Cheltenham Gordon Boys Brigade Top Flight Printing, 2016.

3. Judge, G.H. Bancroft (Rev.) The origin and progress of Wesleyan Methodism in Cheltenham and District Wesleyan Methodist Circuit, 1912

4. Mann, Neela Cheltenham in the Great War The History Press, 2016.

5. www.ancestry.co.uk

6. www.glosgen.co.uk

7. www.remembering.org.uk

The photographs reproduced are from ‘The Graphic’, with thanks to Cheltenham Library Local Studies Section. The photograph of Percy Sumner came from a public posting on the internet for which permission to reproduce has been requested.

Thank you also to all members of the church who helped with ideas, collation and printing of this booklet.

Christine Wisdom for Bethesda Methodist Church 2018

© 2018 Bethesda Methodist Church

4

Ernest John Amery 3084 Private 1/5th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Private Ernest John Amery was killed in action in France, on 23rd July 1916, aged 20. Ernest Amery was born in Cheltenham, 12th January 1896. His parents were John Witfill Amery (builder’s clerk) and Lillie Amelia Parker. They had married in Twigworth 15th April 1895 and Ernest was their first born and only son. They also had two daughters – Margaret Lillie in 1899 and Winifred Mary in 1903. The family lived at 31, All Saints Terrace. Ernest attended Dunalley Street and Naunton Park Schools, and Cheltenham Grammar School. He was employed by the Cheltenham Building Society as a clerk.

Ernest enlisted on the 14th September 1914 and served in France. In July 1916 the 1/5th Battalion, (Territorial) Gloucester Regt were in the Somme sector, near Ovillers-la-Boisselle, bombarded by enemy artillery day and night as they tried to take the German defences. On 23rd July, Private Amery was wounded and, as he left the trenches for treatment, was struck by a shell and killed instantly.

After he died, his effects were paid to his father; they amounted to £4-19s-2d paid on 12th December 1917.

He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. His name is also recorded at Cheltenham War Memorial, St John’s and the Grammar School.

He has no known grave.

5

John Bedwell 16045 Private 10th Gloucestershire Regiment ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Private George John Henry Bedwell was killed in action in the Battle of Loos on 18th November 1915, aged 38. John was born in 1883 in Cheltenham to George Edwin Bedwell(bricklayer’s labourer) and Jane Whitfield, who were married at the parish church of St Mary’s in August 1880. George and Jane had six children: John, Albert, Frank, Hilda, William and Annie. In 1905 John Bedwell married Harriet Ryman and they had five children: Hilda, Florence, William, Nora and Lilian. Lilian was only one year old when her father was killed and the eldest, Hilda, was 10 years old. In 1911 the family were living at 19, Francis Street and John was a plasterer’s labourer.

John enlisted in Cheltenham, giving his address as 7, Kew Place, Bath Road. He was drafted to France on 9th August 1915. On 19th November the 10th Gloucestershire Regt were in the trenches at Loos where, on that day, according to the battalion War Diary, two people died, one a signaller and one an orderly. Private Bedwell is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, St Luke’s and Cheltenham War Memorial. He has no known grave.

6

Edward William Bell 443647 Lieutenant Machine Gun Corps _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lieutenant Bell was killed in action in Palestine on 8th December 1917, aged 30. William Edward (Will) Bell was born in 1886 to Frederick Oak Bell (optician) and Elizabeth (Lily) Robinson who had married in September 1884. He had one older brother, Frederick, and two younger sisters, Dorothy and Elsie. Edward was educated at Cheltenham Grammar School and, like his father, trained to be an optician. Edward’s father, Frederick, was a circuit steward 1905/1907 and his grandfather, William Moody Bell, was one of the original trustees for Bethesda Methodist Church and is named on the foundation stone. William Moody Bell was also the Weslyan Church secretary for 17 years from 1874, secretary of the loan Tract Society for 32 years and treasurer of the Missionary Society for 12 years. In 1916 Edward married, in Nottingham, Ethel Orynthia Saxton and they had a daughter, Joan, born in October 1917. They lived at 1, Cheltondale Villas; after the war, Ethel moved back to Nottingham. She remained a widow. Edward Bell enlisted as a volunteer, receiving a commission in 1915. He was first appointed to the West Riding Regt, transferring to 209 Company Machine Gun Corps. He was killed in action at the capture of Jerusalem. After his death, probate was obtained by his father; his effects amounted to £305-10-2d. Lieutenant Bell is buried in the Jerusalem War Cemetery, Row G, Grave 40 and is commemorated at St Luke’s, the Grammar School and the Cheltenham War Memorials.

7

Herbert Edward Berry 20391 Private 2nd Battalion, Gloucester Regiment _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Private Herbert Edward Berry died from malaria at Salonika, Greece, in the Balkan Theatre of War, 18th August 1918, aged 22. Herbert was the son of William Albert Berry and Kate Marie Taylor who had married at Gloucester Register Office in 1895. William was a cab driver and groom. There were several children: Herbert, born in Tuffley around January 1897, Norman, Evelyn, William, Cyril, Bridget, Margery and Nina. Herbert was educated at Naunton Park School. In 1901 the family lived at 3 Park View, St Stephens and in 1911 at 3, Gratton Street where Herbert, aged 14, is recorded as a ‘Gordon Boy (messenger)’. In 1913 Herbert and another lad walked to London, taking 3 1/2 days. There they were arrested with burglary tools in their possession. He was sent to trial, having also taken money from his employer, Messrs George’s Bakery Ltd, and was convicted of theft. The records of the County Gaol of 27th February 1913 describe Herbert as an errand boy, aged 16 years, 4ft 10 5/8 inches high with brown curly hair. His religion was given as Baptist. He was transported to Bristol prison. Herbert enlisted in Bristol in 1915 and served in France before being sent to Salonika. He died from malaria and mastoiditis and is buried in the Mikra British Cemetery, Salonika, Grave number 1352. His brother, Norman Berry, was also a private in the Gloucestershire Regt and was wounded in 1916 and again in 1918. Private Herbert Berry is also commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial.

8

Edgar Herbert Buckingham 37766 Private 2/7th Royal Warwickshire Regiment ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Private Edgar Buckingham was killed in action in Belgium on 14th April 1918, aged 19. Edgar Herbert Buckingham was born in Coventry in 1898; his parents were James Herbert and Sarah Ann Randle. His father, James Buckingham, was a baker and confectioner. In 1901 the census records the family at 40, Spon Street, Coventry. The family comprised: James aged 32, Sarah aged 37, Edgar aged 2, Mary aged 7 and Grace who was just 5 months. Later, another son, Reginald, was born in 1905. All the family were born in Coventry. After death Edgar’s effects were paid to his father; they amounted to £14-6s-10d. Edgar Buckingham enlisted in Cheltenham. He is commemorated on the Memorial in the cemetery at Ploegsteert, Hainaut, Belgium. He has no known grave.

9

Francis Spencer Byard 88607 Lance Corporal 12th The King’s (Liverpool Regiment) _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lance Corporal Byard died in France from his wounds on 24th March 1918, aged 30. Francis Spencer Byard, born in Cheltenham in 1888, was the youngest son of Amos Byard (porter), and his wife, Jane Whiting. They had seven children two of whom died in the Great War. In 1891 and 1901 they were living at 12, Park Street, in 1911 at 69, St George’s Place and then at 53, Marle Hill Road. Francis was educated at Cheltenham Parish School and later employed as a printer by Grove Printers of Wellington Passage. He married Mary Carter in Winchcombe in 1915. Francis enlisted in July 1916 as 8360 Gloucestershire Regt, transferring to the 12th Btn. The King’s (Liverpool Regt.) In 1918, he was wounded and died at the actions of the Somme Crossings, during the spring offensive. His older brother, Arthur Byard, a private in the Royal Army medical Corps, had died from wounds the previous December, while helping to bring in a wounded man by acting as a stretcher bearer. Private Arthur Byard is commemorated at Cambray, Cheltenham Parish School and Cheltenham War Memorial. Lance Corporal Francis Byard is buried in Noyon New British Cemetery, Plot II, Row C, Grave 6. His brother Arthur is buried in Metz en Couture Communal Cemetery, Plot II, Row E, Grave 17. Lance Corporal Byard is commemorated also at St Paul’s, Holy Trinity, Cheltenham Parish School and Cheltenham War Memorials.

10

Herbert George Caudle 49372 Sapper 82nd Field Company, Royal Engineers _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Herbert George Caudle enlisted at Newnham and was killed in action 18th November 1916, aged 26 years, in France. Herbert George Caudle was born in April 1890 in Leckhampton to William John Caudle (butcher) and his wife Ellen Phillips who were married at Westbury-on-Severn in November 1885. William Caudle had been widowed and Ellen was his second wife. William and his first wife, Emily Searle, had had four children, (Ethel, Percy, Elsie and Harold). William and Ellen had five children, of whom two died in infancy. In 1891, the census for Leckhampton, at Hill View House, 1, Grafton Road, has William Caudle, his wife Ellen who was born in Cornwall, Percy now a groom aged 13, Elsie, Ellen, and Herbert who was 11 months. The family moved and in 1901 and 1911 the family are living in Newnham, although by 1911 Ellen is a widow. Herbert (now called George) is a house decorator and painter’s labourer, and he has a younger sister, Constance Maud born in 1893. Herbert George enlisted at Newnham, and was sent out to France where he served in the battle of the Somme. He was killed in action on the final official day of the battle in 1916 and is buried in Connaught Cemetery, Thiepval, Plot XI, Row F, Grave 1. Herbert is remembered also in Newnham, on the Roll of Honour and the Newnham War Memorial.

11

William M Henry Caudle 290589 Private Army Service Corps ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Private William Caudle died in England on 6th July 1918 from his injuries and pneumonia. He was 31 years old. William was born in 1887, the son of Frederick John Caudle (shoemaker) and Ellen Emma. He had three siblings: Emma, Frederick and Lizzie, all born in Leckhampton. In 1891 the family lived at 9, Grantham Villas, off Moorend and by 1911, when William was 14, they were at Grantham, Church Road, (next to parish Hall). William attended Cheltenham Grammar School. In July 1909 William married Florence May Nelson and they had a daughter, Rhonna May Caudle, born 1910 in Wandsworth, who married John C Stevens in 1932. In 1911 William Henry Caudle, Florence and Rhonna are living at 31, Okeburn Road, Upper Tooting. William is a clerk in the London County Council Education Department. William Caudle enlisted in Tooting. The Absent Voter list of 1918 includes William Henry Caudle, Private of Wandsworth, reg: RSPD ASC no S/290589 William Henry Caudle is buried in the churchyard at St Peter’s Church, Leckhampton. He is commemorated in Leckhampton, Cheltenham Grammar School and Cheltenham War Memorial.

12

Robert Browell Chiverton 34941 Private Royal Army Medical Corps ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Private Robert Chiverton died in England from TB on 24 February 1917, aged 24 years. Robert was the son of Frank Chiverton who came from the Isle of Wight and his wife Selina Potter who was born in Devon. When Robert was born in 1892 Frank was a Chapel Keeper or caretaker in Horwich, Lancashire. He and Selina had three children, Robert, George and Ethel Annie. Frank Chiverton was the caretaker of the Weslyan Chapel and school in Kensington Road, Lambeth, in 1901 – right next door to the public baths. The family moved to Cheltenham where, in 1911, Frank is the caretaker of a Building Society, living at 18, Clarence Street. Frank was also a well known preacher at the Wesleyan Church. At this time Selina was in the Asylum in Horton Road, Gloucester, having been admitted in 1909; she was discharged in 1913 and lived until 1946. Robert worked originally for J Newth of Gloucester but, at the outbreak of war, was employed as a clerk on the staff of the Birmingham Labour Exchange. He enlisted 10th September 1914 in Birmingham and was sent to France where, after 18 months, his health broke down from the strain of ambulance work in the field. He was discharged from the services in July 1916 as ‘no longer physically fit for service’ owing to his TB, the result of his military service, and issued with a silver war badge acknowledging his army service. He is commemorated only at Wesley Church.

13

Henry Richard Dodwell 16009 Lance Corporal 8th Battalion, Gloucester Regiment ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lance Corporal Henry Dodwell died in France from his wounds on 12th September 1918. He was 31 years old. Henry Richard Dodwell was born in Charlton Kings in 1887. His parents were James Francis Dodwell and Emmeline Jane Kent. They had 9 children: James, Walter, Emily, Annie, Arthur, Frederick, Francis, Henry and Edward. In 1908 Henry married Eliza Ann Gregory and they had four children: Phyllis, Henry, Wilfred and the youngest, Cyril, who was less than 2 months old when his father died. In 1911 He was living at 24, Upper Norwood Street, working as a boot repairer and his wife, Eliza, was a ‘laundry hand’. Henry Dodwell enlisted in November 1914 in the 10th Gloucestershire Regt and was sent to France in August 1915. He was then transferred to the 8th Battalion, which was involved in daily attacks on the retreating German army near Givenchy. He was wounded during one of these attacks and died from his wounds in a casualty clearing station. He is buried in Lapugnoy Military Cemetery , Plot XI, Row A, Grave 6. L. Cpl Dodwell is commemorated also on the Cheltenham War Memorial.

Motto of “The Glosters”

By Our Deeds We are Known

14

Charles Foster 45520 Private 1/7th Battalion, Essex Regiment _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Private Charles Foster died in Palestine 17th July 1918 from injuries, aged 34. Charles was born in 1884 to Joseph Foster, a grocer and draper, and Helen Middlemiss. They had married in Cheltenham in 1865 and had seven children: James, Elizabeth, Helen, Annie, Isabel, John and Charles who was the youngest. Helen’s father, a gardener, came from Scotland while Joseph Foster was born in Buckinghamshire. The family lived at 323, High Street where Joseph had a grocery shop. When he enlisted, Charles gave his parent’s address as Oak Villa, St Marks, Cheltenham. In 1911 Charles was living with his brother James at 81-83, Wells Street, Totterdown, Bristol, where they were both employed as drapers. In the spring of 1918 Charles Foster married Gertrude Thompson at Newark, Lincolnshire. As his widow she obtained probate in November 1918, giving her address as The Drapery, Northampton, and his effects amounted to £652-10s-0d. Charles enlisted in Nottingham as 60378 RAMC and later he was transferred to the Essex Regt. Charles is buried in Hadra War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Row A, Grave 232. He is commemorated at St Mark’s and the Grammar School as well as the Cheltenham War Memorial.

15

James Christopher Gapper 13363 Lance Corporal 10th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

James Gapper was killed in action in France, 25th September 1915, aged 18. James was the son of James Christopher Lipscombe Gapper and Jane Wadley who had married in 1891. He was baptised at Cheltenham St Mary’s Parish Church on 26th February 1897, when the family were living at 11, Bloomsbury Place. James senior was a bricklayer and general labourer and Jane was recorded as a laundress in the 1901 census when they were living at 4, White Hart Street. In 1911 they were at 66, Burton Street, moving to 8, Burton Street by 1914. There were three children of the marriage: Matilda, Louisa and James, who was the youngest. James was a member of the Gordon Boy’s Brigade. James Gapper enlisted on 7th September 1914 and went to France on 9th August 1915. He was killed on the first day of the offensive at Loos, where his battalion was almost wiped out. James would have attended the Parish Church Boys School where his name was honoured. He is also commemorated on the Loos Memorial and Cheltenham War Memorial. He has no known grave.

16

William Charles Humphries 641051 Private Labour Corps _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Private William Humphries died at the Over Sanatorium, Gloucester on 21st February 1921 from injuries and TB, aged 24. Born in 1896, William was the eldest of the seven children of Christopher Charles Humphries (coachman) and Elizabeth Hughes who were married in St Mary’s Church, Cheltenham in November 1893. William’s attestation papers show he gave his address as 15, Kew Place, Bath Road, his religion as Weslyan and his occupation as linotype operator. He was employed by the Gloucestershire Echo. William enlisted 28th June 1915 aged 19 years 5 months in the 11th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regt, Private 23355. During his service in the war William was wounded twice, the second time on 11th September 1916, which may have occasioned his eventual transfer to the Labour Corps in 1918. In March 1922 his father received the medals from his service with the Gloucestershire Regt. He is commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial.

17

"Remember the men of Cheltenham who gave their lives for you in the Great War 1914 - 1919. If they were strangers to one another here in their common home, they served and wrought and died in many lands near and far as a Band of Brothers. Learn from them so to live and die that, when you have followed them and are no more seen, you may, like them, be re-membered and regretted." Inscription on the Cheltenham War Memorial.

18

Allen James Jenkins 83038 Lance Corporal 102nd Company, Machine Gun Corps _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lance Corporal James Allen Jenkins was killed in action in France 4th June 1917, aged 21 years. Allen Jenkins was born 8th October 1895 at Woolaston, Newnham and baptised at Alvington when 19 days old. His father, Sylvester Jenkins, worked for GWR as a platelayer and inspector. His mother was Louisa Young and she had married Sylvester at Tiddenham 18th October 1884. The family had 8 children: Emma, Sydney, Gladys, Amy, Allen, Christopher, Esther and two others who died in infancy. In 1911 the family were living at 7, Mossleigh Terrace, Cheltenham but by 1914 they had moved to Hinton Lodge, St George’s Road. Before enlistment, Allen was working as a shop assistant. Allen enlisted as James Allen Jenkins. He had previously been no. 11145 in the 8th Battalion, Gloucester Regiment but discharged. His attestation records give his religion as Weslyan. He enlisted in the 2/5th (territorial) Gloucester Regiment, 28th October 1914 and was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps in early 1917. He was killed by a shell as he stood by his gun during the Arras offensive. Lance Corporal Jenkins is commemorated on the Arras Memorial and Cheltenham War Me-morial. He has no known grave.

19

John Wesley Jones 37937 Private 6th Battalion, Prince Albert’s (Somerset Light Infantry) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Private John Wesley Jones was killed in action in France on the 21st March 1918, aged 27. John Wesley Jones was born in Clydach, Monmouthshire in 1891, the second son of John Jones, bootmaker, and his first wife, Catherine, who died in Stockport in 1902. John Jones married his second wife, Mary Jane Potter in 1903. The 1891 census for Cheltenham for 346, High Street shows John Jones, born in Wrexham, Denbighshire, manager of a boot warehouse; Catherine his wife, born in Monmouthshire; William Hugh Norman Jones aged 3 and John Wesley Jones just 6 months. By 1911 the family was living at 16, Great Norwood Street, John was employed on the staff of the Cheltenham Building Society. John Wesley Jones enlisted in Cheltenham as 2337 Royal Army Veterinary Corps, and was later transferred to the Somerset Light Infantry with whom he served in France. Private Jones died on the first day of a month long offensive in the section south of the line of St Quentin. 370 men died in the offensive on that day.

Private John Wesley Jones is buried at the Ribemont Communal Cemetery Extension, Row B, grave 16, Picardie, France. He is commemorated on his parents’ grave in Cheltenham Borough Cemetery and the Cheltenham War Memorial.

20

John Douglas Martin 12460 Corporal 10th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Corporal Martin was killed in action in the battle of Loos, France, 13th October 1915, aged 23. John Douglas Martin was born on 8th August 1892, son of Edwin George Martin (electrical workman) and Catherine (Kate) Westborough, his second wife; they had married in Cheltenham 17th June 1877 following the death of his first wife, Alice Dallimore. John was baptised at the parish church of St Mary’s on 5th October 1892, when the family were living in Great Norwood Street. According to the 1911 census for 100, Upper Bath Road (now Bath Road) Edwin and Kate had 12 children, of which 9 were still living. Edwin also had 2 sons from his previous marriage. Edwin put his occupation as ‘electrician, gas fitter and bell ringer’. By 1914 the family were living at 10, Upper Norwood Street. In 1911 John Douglas Martin is recorded as a shop assistant, in Devonport. He enlisted in Devonport in September 1914 and went to France in August 1915. On 13th October 1915 the Gloucesters attacked the German front line west of the Lens, coming under severe machine-gun and rifle fire; They lost more than 150 men and Officers in the offensive, including Corporal Martin. Following his death, Private John Douglas Martin’s effects totalling £5-17s-11d were paid to his father on 19th October 1916. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial and Cheltenham War Memorial. He has no known grave.

21

Alfred Henry Victor James Moon 2117 Corporal 7th Gloucestershire Regiment _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Corporal Moon was killed in action on 8th August 1915, at Gallipoli, aged 18. Alfred Moon was born in Cheltenham in 1897. He was the son of Henry James Moon (plasterer) and Emily Eliza Bird who married at St James’ Church, 7th October 1888. According to the 1911 census Henry and Emily had eleven children, but five had died before that date. The family were

then living in a 6 roomed house at 21, Upper Norwood Street. Alfred enlisted in the 7th Gloucestershire Regiment and was sent in July 1915 to Gallipoli. On 8th August of that year the Gloucesters, with New Zealand Units, attacked the well defended Turkish positions at Chunuk Bair. They had to struggle uphill against heavy machine-gun fire. During the battle every Officer and senior non-commissioned officer was killed or wounded; at the days end only 181 men out of 1,000 men remained alive and unwounded.

Corporal Moon was killed during this battle. Corporal Alfred Moon died owing £2-5s-10d which was written off. He was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War medal. Corporal Alfred Moon is commemorated on the Helles Memorial as well as St Philip’s, St James and St James’ school and Cheltenham War Memorials. He has no known grave.

22

Arthur Moorman 220450 Private 2nd Royal Berkshire Regiment _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Private Arthur Moorman was killed in action in France on the 6th October 1918, aged 29. Arthur was the son of Walter Moorman (plasterer) and Emily Moorman who married in West Bromwich where Arthur was born in July 1889. The family moved to Cheltenham, living at 1, Leckhampton View, Old Bath Road, in 1911. Arthur married Gertrude May Seal in July 1911 and they had three daughters: Edna May, Elsie Gertrude and Marjorie. He was a bricklayer by trade. Arthur Moorman enlisted on the 24th November 1914 in Cheltenham, no. 3658, the 5th Gloucestershire Regt. At that time he gave his address as 3, Temple Mead, Old Bath Road. He was recorded as being 5ft 10” tall, weighing 160 pounds, with a chest of 37” and a 2” expansion range, being of good physical development. He later transferred to 2nd Battalion, Royal Defence, the 4th Glos and finally to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regt. During the final advance in Artois Private Moorman was killed, leaving a widow and three daughters under 6 years old. His effects, photos and a field card, were sent to his widow in 1919. He is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Leckhampton, St Peter’s and Cheltenham War Memorials. He has no known grave.

23

Arthur Cecil Rutland 9928 Private 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Private Arthur Rutland was killed in action in Belgium on 11th December 1915, aged 24. Arthur Cecil Rutland was born 28th March 1891 in Cheltenham, the son of William Thomas Rutland (bootmaker) and his second wife Ann Burt; they had married in Christchurch, Cheltenham, in December 1884. They were married for only 9 years, and had 7 children in that time, although two died before 1911. William’s first wife was Eliza Underwood and she and William had four children. By the 1901 census William is a widower again.

In 1911 census Arthur Rutland is working as a builder’s labourer in Merthyr Tidfil. Arthur enlisted as a regular soldier at Bristol in January 1914, giving his parent’s address as 5, Fairfield Avenue. He enlisted in the 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regt and went with the Expeditionary Force to France and Flanders in 1914. On 20th October he was posted missing following action during a confused offensive in bad weather, but was soon reunited with his unit. On 11th December 1915 the Gloucesters were relieving the South Wales Borderers in the front line, near Loos, and it was in this action he was killed.

Private Arthur Rutland is commemorated on the Menin Gate and Cheltenham War Memorials. He has no known grave.

24

William Henry Smith 163 CSM 1/5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sergeant Major Smith was accidentally killed in France, 13th February 1916, aged 34.

William Henry Smith was born in Cheltenham 12th February 1882, the son of Henry (furniture porter/remover) and Emily Durham who married at St Mary’s Church, Cheltenham, 7th September 1879. Henry and Emily had four children, Lilly, William, Alick and Doris; they lived at 7, Naunton Parade.

William was educated at Bethesda Weslyan School and became an engineering or gas fitter. In 1909 William married at Ilkeston, Nottinghamshire, to Lilly Wright. William and Lilly had three children: Roma, Wilfred and Durham.

In 1902 William had joined the Wiltshire Volunteers; moving to Derbyshire in 1905 he transferred to 1/5th Territorial Battalion of the Notts and Derby Regiment. At the outbreak of war, 1914, William volunteered for foreign service and went to France, 28th February 1915. He served in the trenches until he was sent to work at the 2nd Army Workshops in France, on a special project.

In 1916, at Hazebrouck, William was killed in an accident; he was in the mess, pretending to be a violinist but using his rifle and a poker. The rifle went off and he was killed instantly.

CSM Smith is buried at Hazebrouck Cemetery, Plot II, Row F, Grave 3. He is commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial.

Author’s Note William Smith is not easy to pinpoint for the Wesley Church Memorial. The following four men are named on the Cheltenham War Memorial and any one of them could have had connections to Wesley Church; therefore all four are remembered here.

25

William Howard Smith 137740 Driver Army Service Corps ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Died from illness in Egypt 4th November 1918, aged 21. William Howard Smith was born in Cheltenham 1897 to John Edward (butcher) and Elizabeth Annie Smith. He had four sisters and two brothers. He was a plumber by trade. William Howard enlisted on 11th November 1915 at which time his attestation papers record he was 5ft 2 7/8” high, with a 34” chest and a 3” chest expansion. He enlisted to learn to be a driver and served in no. 983 MT Company. His records comment that he was a ‘very good driver’. In 1916/17 he contracted malaria. In 1918 he was admitted to the General Hospital in Alexandria suffering from dysen-tery, dying just seven days before the Armistice. Driver W H Smith is buried in the Hadra War Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt, Plot E, Grave 119. He is commemorated at St Pauls and Cheltenham War Memorials.

26

William Frank Smith 11994 Private 10th Gloucestershire Regiment ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Killed in action in France on 25th September 1915, aged 31. William Frank Smith was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1884. He was one of the four sons of Thomas Smith (butler) and Rachel ; he had two older sisters. The family lived at Rose Cottages by Hambrook Street in Charlton Kings. William was employed by Messrs. Eggletons of Tewkesbury Road, as a plumber. On 21st December 1912 he married, at the parish church of Charlton Kings, Winifred Beatrice Humphrey and they had at least one child. After the war, Winifred Smith remarried and moved to Marle Hill Road. William Frank enlisted in the 10th Gloucestershire Regt in September 1914, giving his address as 19, St Philip’s Street, and went to France in August 1915. On 25th September the battle of Loos began, wiping out almost the entire battalion; only 100 men remained alive and unwounded at evening roll call. Private Smith was killed during this offensive. Private W F Smith is commemorated on the Loos and Cheltenham War memorials. He has no known grave.

27

William Francis Smith 13304 Private 10th Gloucestershire Regiment _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Died of wounds in France on 8th October 1915, aged 22. William Smith was born in 1893 in Cheltenham; his parents were Meletaih and Margaret Kate Smith. They had five children including William and another son, Frederick, who also served in the war but survived. William was employed at Mayo’s cabinet Works in Selkirk Street; his father was also a cabinet maker. In 1910 the family were living at 30, Duke Street but when William enlisted they were at 5, Francis Street. William enlisted in September 1914 and went to France in August 1915. On 25th September, the first day of the battle of Loos, Private Smith was severely wounded – it was a devastating battle and at the end of the day only 100 men were left alive and unwounded answering the roll call. He was evacuated to a base hospital on the French coast at Etaples where he died.

Private W F Smith is buried in the War Cemetery at Etaples, Plot III, Row C, Grave IIA. He is commemorated at St Philip’s and St James and on the Cheltenham War Memorial

28

William James Smith 1182 Band Corporal 1/5th Gloucestershire Regiment _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Band Corporal Smith died from illness in England 18th February 1915, aged 37. William James Smith was born at Coberley in 1878 to Alfred Smith (stone mason) and Jane. The family lived in Charlton Kings; in 1881 they were at 2, Chestnut Row. William was a plumber, employed by Mr Yates of Bennington Street and, on Christmas day 1900, he married Alice Cooper in the parish church at Charlton Kings. In 1901 William and Alice were living at 31, Hungerford Street, Cheltenham; by 1911 they were at 115, Naunton Crescent and his address at enlistment for war service was 12, Churchill Road, Naunton Park. His papers record he was 5ft 7” tall with a 37” chest and a 3” chest expansion. After the war his widow, Alice, remarried and moved to Chester. Band Corporal Smith had been a euphonium player in the Territorial Army for many years when he volunteered for service overseas at the outbreak of war. He was sent to Chelmsford, Essex, training camp but in October 1914 he was sent to the Cotswold Sanatorium suffering from consumption or, as we know it, TB. He was discharged as incurable and died at his home in Churchill Road. He was buried in the Cheltenham Borough Cemetery, Plot B1, Grave 881. He is commemorated at Coberley, St John’s and Charlton Kings as well as the Cheltenham War memorial.

29

Percy John (Jack) Sumner 16803 Private 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Private Percy John (Jack) Sumner was killed in action in France on 14th September 1916, aged 29. Percy John Sumner was born in 1887 and baptised at St James Church on 9th October 1887 at which time his parents, Francis William Sumner and Elizabeth Potter were living at 3, Andover Cottages. Francis and Elizabeth had married in Cardiff in 1877. Francis was a farrier or shoeing smith; according to the census he was employed by the Andover Dairy. Percy was their youngest child, having at least five brothers and two sisters: Charles, Elizabeth, William, Arthur, Francis, Ada and Henry. In 1901 and 1911 the family were at Blandford Villa, Andover Road. When Percy was 21 his father Francis died and probate was granted to his widow, Elizabeth.

Percy enlisted in Leeds in the Cold-stream Guards as Jack Sumner, giving his home address as Cheltenham. He is recorded on the British Army Medal Roll Index for the Victory and British Medals, Coldstream Guards. There is no record of Percy having married. Ac-cording to the Army registers of Soldiers Effects, Jack died on or around 14th September 1916 and his effects of £5.10s.0d were paid to his mother, Elizabeth, at the request of his brother Francis.

Percy J Sumner is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial and, as PG Sumner, on the Cheltenham War Memorial. He has no known grave.

30

Edgar Gideon Wicksey 767112 Private 123rd Battalion, Canadian Pioneers _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Private Wicksey was killed in action 10th November 1917, aged 28. Edgar Gideon Wicksey was born 18th March 1889 in Cheltenham to Gideon Wicksey and Mary Ann Longford; they had married in 1879 and she died in 1905. He was their fourth of seven children. Edgar’s grandparents, William and Julia Wickey, had emigrated to Canada in 1882. Edgar was educated at Cheltenham Parish Church School and St Paul’s College. He was then employed by Messrs. Drake & Co, Drapers and outfitters of Winchcombe Street. His father Gideon was a china packer. Edgar Wicksey left England for Canada in 1907, sailing from Liverpool on the Van-couver and in 1911 his younger brother Frederick joined him. They are both on the Canadian census for 1911, but by August of that year Fred had died and is buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto. In Septem-ber 1911 Edgar married Rachel Tomlinson and they had three children – Joseph, Catherine and Raymond. Private Wicksey served in the battles at Passchendaele during October and November 1917. On the 10th November, following a final push to expel the German troops from a low ridge overlooking what remained of the village, during a strong counter attack to consolidate the Canadians’ position, he was killed. Commemorated in Canada and Cheltenham, he is buried in the White House Cemetery, Menin Road, Plot I,Row A, grave 36.

31

Bethesda Remembers

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

32

Bethesda Methodist Church Great Norwood Street, Cheltenham. GL50 2AP