Alderton's WW1 War Dead
Below are the biographical and military details of the sixteen men listed on the Alderton War memorial. I have also included two men whose names do not appear on the Alderton village memorial. Only one of the two Grimmett brothers appears on the memorial, so details of both are included below, and Jesse James, who was born in Alderton but lived in Stanton, where he is commemorated.
Name/Rank: Private William Diston
Regiment/Battalion: 10th battalion Gloucestershire regiment
Service No: 13349
Date died: 25/09/1915
Buried/Commemorated: Loos Memorial to the Missing
Commemorated: William Diston is commemorated on the Alderton war memorial and on the war memorials at St John the Baptist Church in Beckford and All Saints Church, Cheltenham (listed as Walter).
William Diston was born in Walsall in 1895. His Father William and mother Annie-Maria had a further twelve children, though by the 1911 census only five were still alive. At some point between 1901 and 1911 the family moved to the Alderton area and the 1911 census shows William living at Wrens Nest Villas alongside his father, mother, his brother-in-law Arthur Manders, his sister Ada Jane Manders and his niece Edith Elizabeth Manders. William’s father was a haulier and James Tilling, Arthur Manders and William Diston are listed as farm labourers.
Analysis of Gloucestershire regiment army service numbers suggests that William enlisted in the 10th battalion the Gloucestershire regiment at Cheltenham in September 1914. After a period of training the battalion arrived in France on 9th August 1915, forming part of the 1st brigade, 1st Division.
On 25th September 1915 the 10th battalion Gloucestershire Regiment took part in the opening day of the battle of Loos. The battalion went over the top just after 6am at Lone Tree just north of the town of Loos. This was the 10th Gloucestershire's first major action since arriving in France in August, this truly was their baptism of fire. The battalion lost 8 officers and 159 men that day including William Diston, who has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial to the missing.
At the time of William’s death his parents were living at of Brook Farm, Mount Pleasant, Teddington, Tewkesbury. William Diston’s picture and memorial notice appeared in the Cheltenham Chronicle and Graphic on 13th November 1915 alongside which his father said, "although out there for a short time he did his little bit". The Gloucestershire Echo also printed the following notice on 5th November 1915 KILLED ON THE FATEFUL 25th. Latest notifications of casualties in the fight at Loos Sept 25 include the following: Private William Diston (killed), of the 10th Gloucesters, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Diston, of Brook Farm, Teddington near Tewkesbury.
Following William’s death, the Army record of soldiers’ effects lists two amounts of £4 2s 8d & £3 10s that were paid to his father William in December 1915 and September 1919 respectively. The first payment would likely have been the remains of William’s army pay and the second a war gratuity paid out to soldiers and their dependants. No pension records for William Diston have been found.
William’s service in 1915 entitled him to the 1914-1915 Star as well as the Victory and British War medals.
William Diston is commemorated on the Alderton war memorial and on the war memorials at St John the Baptist Church in Beckford and All Saints Church, Cheltenham (listed as Walter). William Diston is also recorded in the book "Leaving All that was Dear by Joe Devereux and Graham Sacker the seminal work on Cheltenham’s WW1war dead.
William’s brother-in-law Arthur Manders enlisted in the 7th East Surrey regiment (No.4261) and went to France in May 1916. He was later transferred to the 16th Manchester regiment (No.41877) and then the 1st Border regiment (No.29845) and unfortunately died of wounds in October 1918. Arthur’s wife Ada-Jane, William’s sister, pre-deceased Arthur and their daughter Edith was subsequently cared for by William’s mother. There is a letter written in April 1920 by William Diston senior, asking for any medals and effects belonging to Arthur Manders to be forwarded to his daughter Edith, at their address in Teddington.
Regiment/Battalion: 10th battalion Gloucestershire regiment
Service No: 13349
Date died: 25/09/1915
Buried/Commemorated: Loos Memorial to the Missing
Commemorated: William Diston is commemorated on the Alderton war memorial and on the war memorials at St John the Baptist Church in Beckford and All Saints Church, Cheltenham (listed as Walter).
William Diston was born in Walsall in 1895. His Father William and mother Annie-Maria had a further twelve children, though by the 1911 census only five were still alive. At some point between 1901 and 1911 the family moved to the Alderton area and the 1911 census shows William living at Wrens Nest Villas alongside his father, mother, his brother-in-law Arthur Manders, his sister Ada Jane Manders and his niece Edith Elizabeth Manders. William’s father was a haulier and James Tilling, Arthur Manders and William Diston are listed as farm labourers.
Analysis of Gloucestershire regiment army service numbers suggests that William enlisted in the 10th battalion the Gloucestershire regiment at Cheltenham in September 1914. After a period of training the battalion arrived in France on 9th August 1915, forming part of the 1st brigade, 1st Division.
On 25th September 1915 the 10th battalion Gloucestershire Regiment took part in the opening day of the battle of Loos. The battalion went over the top just after 6am at Lone Tree just north of the town of Loos. This was the 10th Gloucestershire's first major action since arriving in France in August, this truly was their baptism of fire. The battalion lost 8 officers and 159 men that day including William Diston, who has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial to the missing.
At the time of William’s death his parents were living at of Brook Farm, Mount Pleasant, Teddington, Tewkesbury. William Diston’s picture and memorial notice appeared in the Cheltenham Chronicle and Graphic on 13th November 1915 alongside which his father said, "although out there for a short time he did his little bit". The Gloucestershire Echo also printed the following notice on 5th November 1915 KILLED ON THE FATEFUL 25th. Latest notifications of casualties in the fight at Loos Sept 25 include the following: Private William Diston (killed), of the 10th Gloucesters, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Diston, of Brook Farm, Teddington near Tewkesbury.
Following William’s death, the Army record of soldiers’ effects lists two amounts of £4 2s 8d & £3 10s that were paid to his father William in December 1915 and September 1919 respectively. The first payment would likely have been the remains of William’s army pay and the second a war gratuity paid out to soldiers and their dependants. No pension records for William Diston have been found.
William’s service in 1915 entitled him to the 1914-1915 Star as well as the Victory and British War medals.
William Diston is commemorated on the Alderton war memorial and on the war memorials at St John the Baptist Church in Beckford and All Saints Church, Cheltenham (listed as Walter). William Diston is also recorded in the book "Leaving All that was Dear by Joe Devereux and Graham Sacker the seminal work on Cheltenham’s WW1war dead.
William’s brother-in-law Arthur Manders enlisted in the 7th East Surrey regiment (No.4261) and went to France in May 1916. He was later transferred to the 16th Manchester regiment (No.41877) and then the 1st Border regiment (No.29845) and unfortunately died of wounds in October 1918. Arthur’s wife Ada-Jane, William’s sister, pre-deceased Arthur and their daughter Edith was subsequently cared for by William’s mother. There is a letter written in April 1920 by William Diston senior, asking for any medals and effects belonging to Arthur Manders to be forwarded to his daughter Edith, at their address in Teddington.
Name/Rank: Private Frank Ambrose Fisher
Regiment/Battalion: 1/6th battalion Royal Warwickshire regiment
Service No: 307465
Date died: 27th August 1917
Buried/Commemorated: Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium
Commemorated: Alderton war memorial
Frank Ambrose Fisher was born in Winchcombe in 1886. He was the youngest of thirteen children born to Charles and Amelia Fisher between 1862 and 1886. At the time of the 1891 census Frank was living in Gloucester Street, Winchcombe with his parents and siblings George, Ernest, Francis, Bessie and Percy. By 1901 Frank had moved to Cheltenham and was living as a boarder at 38 Duke Street and was working as a porter. In 1907 Frank married Louisa Lucy Lloyd and by 1911 they were living at 10 Station Street, Cheltenham with her father, Albert Edward Lloyd; they’d had two children, neither of whom survived. Louisa was 37 at the time of the 1911 census, so 12 years older than Frank whose occupation was listed as furniture shop assistant.
Frank enlisted in 1916 in Cheltenham and was subsequently posted to the 1st battalion the Royal Warwickshire regiment, transferring to the 1/8th battalion on arrival in France in November 1916. Medical records show Frank was diagnosed with I.C.T on his heel in December 1916. I.C.T is an abbreviation for Inflamed Connective Tissue very commonly caused by marching, or more marching than normal and in poor weather conditions. After being treated in France Frank returned to the UK for treatment/hospitalisation in January 1917. Frank returned to France in June 1917 and was posted to 1/6th battalion Royal Warwickshire regiment, who were part of 143 brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division.
The Third Battle of Ypres had started at the end of July 1917 and the 1/6th battalion Royal Warwickshires moved into position in the St. Julien area in the Ypres region on the 27th August and attacked the German positions at Winnipeg Farm. The advance was impossible due to the state of the ground and the heavy machine gun fire from concrete pill boxes. During the attack Frank Fisher was killed, though originally listed as wounded and missing, alongside fifty-one men from his battalion. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial near Ypres. Notices appeared in both the Gloucestershire Echo and Gloucester Journal in early October 1917 listing Frank as missing, and later that month the Gloucester Journal listed him as wounded and missing.
Following Frank’s death, his wife Louisa received a pension of 13s 9d from 29th April 1918. In addition, the Army record of soldiers’ effects lists two amounts of £1 19s 11d and £4 that were paid to Louisa in September 1918 and to his sister-in-law Fanny Hurcombe in April 1919 respectively. The first payment would likely have been the remains of Frank’s army pay and the second a war gratuity paid out to soldiers and their dependants. Records held under the National Probate Calendar show an amount of £238 16s 2d in respect of Frank Ambrose Fisher of 10 Station Street, Cheltenham was granted to the Secretary of the Cheltenham & Gloucester Building society in January 1918.
In December 1920 Fanny Hurcombe wrote to the Infantry Record Office advising them that Frank’s widow Louisa Fisher had died on the 1st of October 1918. Louisa Fisher was living at The Laurels, Cainscross, Stroud with her sister at the time of her death.
Frank's father Charles Fisher had remarried ~1894 following the death of his first wife Amelia in 1893 and had moved to live in Great Washbourne by the time of the 1911 census. Records suggest he had three further children with his new wife Jane - Margaret, Dorothy/Dolly and Raymond.
Frank was entitled to the two standard WW1 service medals, the Victory medal and the British War medal.
Frank is commemorated on the Alderton war memorial and the Tyne Cot memorial in Belgium.
Regiment/Battalion: 1/6th battalion Royal Warwickshire regiment
Service No: 307465
Date died: 27th August 1917
Buried/Commemorated: Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium
Commemorated: Alderton war memorial
Frank Ambrose Fisher was born in Winchcombe in 1886. He was the youngest of thirteen children born to Charles and Amelia Fisher between 1862 and 1886. At the time of the 1891 census Frank was living in Gloucester Street, Winchcombe with his parents and siblings George, Ernest, Francis, Bessie and Percy. By 1901 Frank had moved to Cheltenham and was living as a boarder at 38 Duke Street and was working as a porter. In 1907 Frank married Louisa Lucy Lloyd and by 1911 they were living at 10 Station Street, Cheltenham with her father, Albert Edward Lloyd; they’d had two children, neither of whom survived. Louisa was 37 at the time of the 1911 census, so 12 years older than Frank whose occupation was listed as furniture shop assistant.
Frank enlisted in 1916 in Cheltenham and was subsequently posted to the 1st battalion the Royal Warwickshire regiment, transferring to the 1/8th battalion on arrival in France in November 1916. Medical records show Frank was diagnosed with I.C.T on his heel in December 1916. I.C.T is an abbreviation for Inflamed Connective Tissue very commonly caused by marching, or more marching than normal and in poor weather conditions. After being treated in France Frank returned to the UK for treatment/hospitalisation in January 1917. Frank returned to France in June 1917 and was posted to 1/6th battalion Royal Warwickshire regiment, who were part of 143 brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division.
The Third Battle of Ypres had started at the end of July 1917 and the 1/6th battalion Royal Warwickshires moved into position in the St. Julien area in the Ypres region on the 27th August and attacked the German positions at Winnipeg Farm. The advance was impossible due to the state of the ground and the heavy machine gun fire from concrete pill boxes. During the attack Frank Fisher was killed, though originally listed as wounded and missing, alongside fifty-one men from his battalion. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial near Ypres. Notices appeared in both the Gloucestershire Echo and Gloucester Journal in early October 1917 listing Frank as missing, and later that month the Gloucester Journal listed him as wounded and missing.
Following Frank’s death, his wife Louisa received a pension of 13s 9d from 29th April 1918. In addition, the Army record of soldiers’ effects lists two amounts of £1 19s 11d and £4 that were paid to Louisa in September 1918 and to his sister-in-law Fanny Hurcombe in April 1919 respectively. The first payment would likely have been the remains of Frank’s army pay and the second a war gratuity paid out to soldiers and their dependants. Records held under the National Probate Calendar show an amount of £238 16s 2d in respect of Frank Ambrose Fisher of 10 Station Street, Cheltenham was granted to the Secretary of the Cheltenham & Gloucester Building society in January 1918.
In December 1920 Fanny Hurcombe wrote to the Infantry Record Office advising them that Frank’s widow Louisa Fisher had died on the 1st of October 1918. Louisa Fisher was living at The Laurels, Cainscross, Stroud with her sister at the time of her death.
Frank's father Charles Fisher had remarried ~1894 following the death of his first wife Amelia in 1893 and had moved to live in Great Washbourne by the time of the 1911 census. Records suggest he had three further children with his new wife Jane - Margaret, Dorothy/Dolly and Raymond.
Frank was entitled to the two standard WW1 service medals, the Victory medal and the British War medal.
Frank is commemorated on the Alderton war memorial and the Tyne Cot memorial in Belgium.
Name/Rank: Private Ralph Cecil Fletcher
Regiment/Battalion: 12th battalion Royal Sussex regiment
Service No: G/17078
Date died: 20th October 1917
Buried/Commemorated: Outtersteene Communal Cemetery extension in northern France
Commemorated: Alderton war memorial and on his parent’s gravestone in St. Margarets church in Alderton. Ralph is also commemorated on the Tewkesbury Grammar school memorial and on the Cheltenham war memorial
Ralph Cecil Fletcher was born in London on 31st August 1898 and was christened in St. Paul’s Cathedral. Ralph’s parents Phillip, who was born in Alderton, and Rebecca also had another son Phillip, who was six years older than Ralph. In 1901 the family were living at 16-17 Devonshire Square, Bishopsgate, London and Ralph’s father's occupation was listed as Housekeeper. By 1911 the family had moved to Alderton and Ralph’s father and brother were both listed as working as closers in a canning factory. Ralph was a pupil at Tewkesbury Grammar school. Later Ralph’s parents ran the Hobnails Inn situated on the main road just outside Alderton. After leaving school Ralph was apprenticed to the military outfitters Slades in Cheltenham. Ralph enlisted in Cheltenham in 1917 and joined the 12th battalion Royal Sussex regiment, who were part of 116th Brigade, 39th Division.
The 12th battalion Royal Sussex regiment were involved in the Third battle of Ypres which began on 31st July 1917. Ralph’s battalion spent three days in the front-line trenches in the Tower Hamlets sector near Ypres between 15-17th October 1917. During this period of holding the line Ralph Fletcher, who by now was a Lance Corporal (acting/unpaid), was wounded on 16th October. He was taken to the Australian Casualty clearing station where he subsequently died of his wounds on the 20th October. He is buried in the Outtersteene Communal cemetery extension in northern France.
Following Ralph’s death his mother Rebecca received a pension of 7s a week from May 1918. The Army record of soldiers’ effects lists two amounts of £2 16s 9d and £3 that were paid to his mother Rebecca in May 1918 and September 1919 respectively. The first payment would likely have been the remains of Ralph’s army pay and the second a war gratuity paid out to soldiers and their dependants.
An In Memorium notice was published in the Cheltenham Chronicle on 19/10/18 from his brother and mother. It reads: “Lce.-Corpl. R. C. Fletcher. Mr. and Mrs. Philip Fletcher, of the Hobnails, Alstone, have also received sad news, for they have been notified by the War Office that their youngest son, Lce- Corp. Ralph Cecil Fletcher, of the Royal Sussex Regiment, died from wounds, received in action, on the 20th October. They first received news that the brave lad was wounded on the 16th October, and a kindly letter from the sister of the hospital supplemented the official notice of his death. She said his wounds were bad, and he passed quietly away. Lce.-Corpl. Fletcher was only 19 years of age he and his brother, who is also on service, were christened in St. Paul's Cathedral by Archdeacon Sinclair. He attended Alderton School and Tewkesbury Grammar School until he was apprenticed to Mr. Slade, outfitter, of Cheltenham. He joined the Army in February last. His parents mourn the loss of a steady worthy lad, who was much liked by all who knew him, and much sympathy is extended to them in their sorrow."
Rebecca Fletcher also paid for a private inscription on his gravestone which reads "His life he freely gave".
Ralph was entitled to the two standard WW1 service medals, the Victory medal and the British War medal.
Ralph is commemorated on the Alderton war memorial and on his parent’s gravestone in St. Margarets church in Alderton. Ralph is also commemorated on the Tewkesbury Grammar school memorial and on the Cheltenham war memorial, and he is buried in Outtersteene Communal cemetery extension in northern France.
Ralph Fletcher is also recorded in the book "Leaving All that was Dear by Joe Devereux and Graham Sacker the seminal work on Cheltenham’s WW1 war dead and in “A Noble Band of Heroes” by John Dixon which commemorates the men from Tewkesbury who lost their lives in WW1.
Regiment/Battalion: 12th battalion Royal Sussex regiment
Service No: G/17078
Date died: 20th October 1917
Buried/Commemorated: Outtersteene Communal Cemetery extension in northern France
Commemorated: Alderton war memorial and on his parent’s gravestone in St. Margarets church in Alderton. Ralph is also commemorated on the Tewkesbury Grammar school memorial and on the Cheltenham war memorial
Ralph Cecil Fletcher was born in London on 31st August 1898 and was christened in St. Paul’s Cathedral. Ralph’s parents Phillip, who was born in Alderton, and Rebecca also had another son Phillip, who was six years older than Ralph. In 1901 the family were living at 16-17 Devonshire Square, Bishopsgate, London and Ralph’s father's occupation was listed as Housekeeper. By 1911 the family had moved to Alderton and Ralph’s father and brother were both listed as working as closers in a canning factory. Ralph was a pupil at Tewkesbury Grammar school. Later Ralph’s parents ran the Hobnails Inn situated on the main road just outside Alderton. After leaving school Ralph was apprenticed to the military outfitters Slades in Cheltenham. Ralph enlisted in Cheltenham in 1917 and joined the 12th battalion Royal Sussex regiment, who were part of 116th Brigade, 39th Division.
The 12th battalion Royal Sussex regiment were involved in the Third battle of Ypres which began on 31st July 1917. Ralph’s battalion spent three days in the front-line trenches in the Tower Hamlets sector near Ypres between 15-17th October 1917. During this period of holding the line Ralph Fletcher, who by now was a Lance Corporal (acting/unpaid), was wounded on 16th October. He was taken to the Australian Casualty clearing station where he subsequently died of his wounds on the 20th October. He is buried in the Outtersteene Communal cemetery extension in northern France.
Following Ralph’s death his mother Rebecca received a pension of 7s a week from May 1918. The Army record of soldiers’ effects lists two amounts of £2 16s 9d and £3 that were paid to his mother Rebecca in May 1918 and September 1919 respectively. The first payment would likely have been the remains of Ralph’s army pay and the second a war gratuity paid out to soldiers and their dependants.
An In Memorium notice was published in the Cheltenham Chronicle on 19/10/18 from his brother and mother. It reads: “Lce.-Corpl. R. C. Fletcher. Mr. and Mrs. Philip Fletcher, of the Hobnails, Alstone, have also received sad news, for they have been notified by the War Office that their youngest son, Lce- Corp. Ralph Cecil Fletcher, of the Royal Sussex Regiment, died from wounds, received in action, on the 20th October. They first received news that the brave lad was wounded on the 16th October, and a kindly letter from the sister of the hospital supplemented the official notice of his death. She said his wounds were bad, and he passed quietly away. Lce.-Corpl. Fletcher was only 19 years of age he and his brother, who is also on service, were christened in St. Paul's Cathedral by Archdeacon Sinclair. He attended Alderton School and Tewkesbury Grammar School until he was apprenticed to Mr. Slade, outfitter, of Cheltenham. He joined the Army in February last. His parents mourn the loss of a steady worthy lad, who was much liked by all who knew him, and much sympathy is extended to them in their sorrow."
Rebecca Fletcher also paid for a private inscription on his gravestone which reads "His life he freely gave".
Ralph was entitled to the two standard WW1 service medals, the Victory medal and the British War medal.
Ralph is commemorated on the Alderton war memorial and on his parent’s gravestone in St. Margarets church in Alderton. Ralph is also commemorated on the Tewkesbury Grammar school memorial and on the Cheltenham war memorial, and he is buried in Outtersteene Communal cemetery extension in northern France.
Ralph Fletcher is also recorded in the book "Leaving All that was Dear by Joe Devereux and Graham Sacker the seminal work on Cheltenham’s WW1 war dead and in “A Noble Band of Heroes” by John Dixon which commemorates the men from Tewkesbury who lost their lives in WW1.
Name/Rank: Lance Corporal Harold Franklin
Regiment/Battalion: 1/4th battalion Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
Service No: 204097
Date died: 30/09/1918
Buried/Commemorated: Loos Memorial at Dud Corner cemetery
Commemorated: Alderton war memorial, the Gloucester War memorial and the Longlevens war memorial tablet situated in Holy Trinity Church, Longlevens
Harold Franklin was born in Gloucester on 4th January 1898. By 1901 he was living at 238 Tuffley Avenue, with his father Arthur Reginald Bennett a clerk at a timber works, his mother Isabel and his younger brother Frederick. The family had moved to Pilcroft, Tuffley Avenue by 1911, probably a larger property, as Reginald now had three further brothers, and the family also employed a servant, Kate Hopkins.
Harold was the nephew of Ernest Adamson, Alderton's school Headmaster and later secretary of the Alderton war memorial committee. Harold and his brothers Jack and Fred also attended the village school during 1912.
Harold enlisted some time in 1916 in the 1/4th Gloucestershire regiment, a territorial battalion, with the service number 202937. At some point before going abroad he was transferred to the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, moving between the 5th, 1st and 1/4th battalions. Spells at the infantry base depot are also listed on his military records so it’s likely that Harold spent time back in the UK, possibly after being wounded or recovering from illness. There is a family story that his last letter home mentioned that he had been gassed. The 1/4th battalion were a territorial battalion and part of 56th brigade, 19th (Western) Division by February 1918.
By August 1918 the British and Allied forces had started a series of attacks that became known as the 100 days offensive and saw the Germans being pushed back along the whole of the Western Front. As part of this offensive the 1/4th King's Shropshire Light Infantry moved into the Mauquissart/Moulin de Pietre area on 27th September 1918. They carried out active patrolling to understand the strength of the enemy to their front. In the early hours of the 30th September the battalion moved out and attacked the enemy positions at Les Laies Ditch and it was during this attack that Harold Franklin was killed, alongside fifteen other members of his battalion. Harold has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial at Dud Corner cemetery.
Following Harold’s death a memorial notice appeared in the Gloucester Journal of 19th October 1918, which read: “Information has been received of the death in action in France Lc.-Cpl. Harold Reginald Franklin, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. R B. Franklin, Brookside, Cheltenham road. Gloucester. Deceased joined the Gloucester Territorials at the age of 17 in February 1915 and was transferred the King's Shropshire Light Infantry. He had been in France nearly two years and had been wounded once. Was formerly under foreman at Messrs. Moreland and Sons. Ltd. A letter from the Captain of deceased's company says Lce.-Corpl. Franklin was killed in a small attack which was entirely successful. He was shot through the head whilst leading his section and died instantly. The officer adds: " I am sure that the whole Company joins me in expressing our sorrow and our very deep sympathy with you. Personally, I feel the loss because he was one of the men I chose to be a leader, and I have always been pleased with his work. He was brave and efficient.”
A pension of 5s a week was awarded to Isabel Franklin from April 1919. Her address was listed as 187 Cheltenham Road, Gloucester. The pension record was originally marked to Harold’s father at the Brookside address, but he is noted as deceased, so it’s possible Harold’s mother had moved following her husband’s death.
Following Harold’s death, the Army record of soldiers’ effects lists two amounts of £7 18s 3d & £17 that were paid to his mother Isabel in 1919. The first payment would likely have been the remains of Harold’s army pay and the second a war gratuity paid out to soldiers and their dependants.
Harold was entitled to the two standard WW1 service medals, the Victory medal and the British War medal.
Harold is commemorated on the Alderton war memorial, the Gloucester War memorial and the Longlevens war memorial tablet situated in Holy Trinity Church, Longlevens.
*Additional information about Harold Franklin is taken from the article “Two Brothers, Two War Memorials” by David Adamson which appeared in The Western Front Association’s Bulletin No. 124 (June 2023).
Regiment/Battalion: 1/4th battalion Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
Service No: 204097
Date died: 30/09/1918
Buried/Commemorated: Loos Memorial at Dud Corner cemetery
Commemorated: Alderton war memorial, the Gloucester War memorial and the Longlevens war memorial tablet situated in Holy Trinity Church, Longlevens
Harold Franklin was born in Gloucester on 4th January 1898. By 1901 he was living at 238 Tuffley Avenue, with his father Arthur Reginald Bennett a clerk at a timber works, his mother Isabel and his younger brother Frederick. The family had moved to Pilcroft, Tuffley Avenue by 1911, probably a larger property, as Reginald now had three further brothers, and the family also employed a servant, Kate Hopkins.
Harold was the nephew of Ernest Adamson, Alderton's school Headmaster and later secretary of the Alderton war memorial committee. Harold and his brothers Jack and Fred also attended the village school during 1912.
Harold enlisted some time in 1916 in the 1/4th Gloucestershire regiment, a territorial battalion, with the service number 202937. At some point before going abroad he was transferred to the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, moving between the 5th, 1st and 1/4th battalions. Spells at the infantry base depot are also listed on his military records so it’s likely that Harold spent time back in the UK, possibly after being wounded or recovering from illness. There is a family story that his last letter home mentioned that he had been gassed. The 1/4th battalion were a territorial battalion and part of 56th brigade, 19th (Western) Division by February 1918.
By August 1918 the British and Allied forces had started a series of attacks that became known as the 100 days offensive and saw the Germans being pushed back along the whole of the Western Front. As part of this offensive the 1/4th King's Shropshire Light Infantry moved into the Mauquissart/Moulin de Pietre area on 27th September 1918. They carried out active patrolling to understand the strength of the enemy to their front. In the early hours of the 30th September the battalion moved out and attacked the enemy positions at Les Laies Ditch and it was during this attack that Harold Franklin was killed, alongside fifteen other members of his battalion. Harold has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial at Dud Corner cemetery.
Following Harold’s death a memorial notice appeared in the Gloucester Journal of 19th October 1918, which read: “Information has been received of the death in action in France Lc.-Cpl. Harold Reginald Franklin, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. R B. Franklin, Brookside, Cheltenham road. Gloucester. Deceased joined the Gloucester Territorials at the age of 17 in February 1915 and was transferred the King's Shropshire Light Infantry. He had been in France nearly two years and had been wounded once. Was formerly under foreman at Messrs. Moreland and Sons. Ltd. A letter from the Captain of deceased's company says Lce.-Corpl. Franklin was killed in a small attack which was entirely successful. He was shot through the head whilst leading his section and died instantly. The officer adds: " I am sure that the whole Company joins me in expressing our sorrow and our very deep sympathy with you. Personally, I feel the loss because he was one of the men I chose to be a leader, and I have always been pleased with his work. He was brave and efficient.”
A pension of 5s a week was awarded to Isabel Franklin from April 1919. Her address was listed as 187 Cheltenham Road, Gloucester. The pension record was originally marked to Harold’s father at the Brookside address, but he is noted as deceased, so it’s possible Harold’s mother had moved following her husband’s death.
Following Harold’s death, the Army record of soldiers’ effects lists two amounts of £7 18s 3d & £17 that were paid to his mother Isabel in 1919. The first payment would likely have been the remains of Harold’s army pay and the second a war gratuity paid out to soldiers and their dependants.
Harold was entitled to the two standard WW1 service medals, the Victory medal and the British War medal.
Harold is commemorated on the Alderton war memorial, the Gloucester War memorial and the Longlevens war memorial tablet situated in Holy Trinity Church, Longlevens.
*Additional information about Harold Franklin is taken from the article “Two Brothers, Two War Memorials” by David Adamson which appeared in The Western Front Association’s Bulletin No. 124 (June 2023).
Name/Rank: Private Aldred Vincent Grimmett
Regiment/Battalion: 13th battalion Royal Fusiliers regiment
Service No: G/65012
Date died: 23rd August 1918
Buried/Commemorated: Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, France
Commemorated: Memorial plaque in St. Margaret's church in Alderton, and on his adopted father’s gravestone. Aldred is also commemorated on the Tewkesbury Grammar school memorial. Aldred is remembered in the book “A Noble Band of Heroes” by John Dixon which commemorates the men from Tewkesbury who lost their lives in WW1.
Aldred Grimmett was born in March 1898 at Rectory Barn, Alderton. His parents Samuel and Millicent had a total of nine children, though by 1911 only seven were still living. By 1901 Aldred was living with Thomas and Joan Sharp his uncle and aunt, Thomas was a baker. Joan was his father’s sister and it’s likely that Thomas and Joan adopted Aldred as they had no children of their own. In 1911 Aldred was living with his uncle and aunt and is listed on the Tewkesbury Grammar School register for 1911-1913.
Aldred volunteered in December 1914, enlisting at Grove Park in London even though he was still living officially in Alderton. His casualty record suggests that he was initially assigned to a Mechanical Transport Company in the Army Service Corps (No. M2/268037). Later in the war Aldred was transferred to the infantry, initially posted to an Infantry Base Depot with the number 268037 before being assigned to the 13th battalion The Royal Fusiliers, forming part of 112th brigade, 37th Division. From analysis of Aldred’s army service number, it’s likely he joined the battalion in France in late 1916 or 1917.
By August 1918 the British and Allied forces had started a series of attacks that became known as the 100 days offensive and saw the Germans being pushed back as along the whole of the Western Front. During August 1918 the 13th Royal Fusiliers were involved in the Battle of Albert. In the early morning of 23rd August, the battalion attacked the enemy near Achiet-le-Grand. Although the attack was a success and the objectives were gained the battalion lost thirty-one men killed, one of whom was Aldred Grimmett. Aldred is buried in Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension alongside all thirty-one of his battalion comrades.
Following Aldred’s death, the Army record of soldiers’ effects lists two amounts of £6 2s 7d & £8 that were paid to his Aunt Joan in 1919. The first payment would likely have been the remains of Aldred’s army pay and the second a war gratuity paid out to soldiers and their dependants.
Aldred was entitled to the two standard WW1 service medals, the Victory medal and the British War medal.
Aldred is currently only commemorated on a memorial plaque in St. Margarets church in Alderton, and on his adopted father’s gravestone. Aldred is also commemorated on the Tewkesbury Grammar school memorial. Aldred is remembered in the book “A Noble Band of Heroes” by John Dixon which commemorates the men from Tewkesbury who lost their lives in WW1.
Aldred's father paid for a private inscription on the gravestones of both his sons, which reads "Rest in peace".
Aldred’s adopted father Thomas Sharp’s funeral notice in the Cheltenham Chronicle of 1st November 1919, noted that “For some time past Mr Sharp had been in failing health and succumbed to a heart attack; in fact he had never been his former self since the death of his nephew and adopted son, Aldred Grimmett, a bright and promising youth who fell in the Great War.”
Regiment/Battalion: 13th battalion Royal Fusiliers regiment
Service No: G/65012
Date died: 23rd August 1918
Buried/Commemorated: Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, France
Commemorated: Memorial plaque in St. Margaret's church in Alderton, and on his adopted father’s gravestone. Aldred is also commemorated on the Tewkesbury Grammar school memorial. Aldred is remembered in the book “A Noble Band of Heroes” by John Dixon which commemorates the men from Tewkesbury who lost their lives in WW1.
Aldred Grimmett was born in March 1898 at Rectory Barn, Alderton. His parents Samuel and Millicent had a total of nine children, though by 1911 only seven were still living. By 1901 Aldred was living with Thomas and Joan Sharp his uncle and aunt, Thomas was a baker. Joan was his father’s sister and it’s likely that Thomas and Joan adopted Aldred as they had no children of their own. In 1911 Aldred was living with his uncle and aunt and is listed on the Tewkesbury Grammar School register for 1911-1913.
Aldred volunteered in December 1914, enlisting at Grove Park in London even though he was still living officially in Alderton. His casualty record suggests that he was initially assigned to a Mechanical Transport Company in the Army Service Corps (No. M2/268037). Later in the war Aldred was transferred to the infantry, initially posted to an Infantry Base Depot with the number 268037 before being assigned to the 13th battalion The Royal Fusiliers, forming part of 112th brigade, 37th Division. From analysis of Aldred’s army service number, it’s likely he joined the battalion in France in late 1916 or 1917.
By August 1918 the British and Allied forces had started a series of attacks that became known as the 100 days offensive and saw the Germans being pushed back as along the whole of the Western Front. During August 1918 the 13th Royal Fusiliers were involved in the Battle of Albert. In the early morning of 23rd August, the battalion attacked the enemy near Achiet-le-Grand. Although the attack was a success and the objectives were gained the battalion lost thirty-one men killed, one of whom was Aldred Grimmett. Aldred is buried in Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension alongside all thirty-one of his battalion comrades.
Following Aldred’s death, the Army record of soldiers’ effects lists two amounts of £6 2s 7d & £8 that were paid to his Aunt Joan in 1919. The first payment would likely have been the remains of Aldred’s army pay and the second a war gratuity paid out to soldiers and their dependants.
Aldred was entitled to the two standard WW1 service medals, the Victory medal and the British War medal.
Aldred is currently only commemorated on a memorial plaque in St. Margarets church in Alderton, and on his adopted father’s gravestone. Aldred is also commemorated on the Tewkesbury Grammar school memorial. Aldred is remembered in the book “A Noble Band of Heroes” by John Dixon which commemorates the men from Tewkesbury who lost their lives in WW1.
Aldred's father paid for a private inscription on the gravestones of both his sons, which reads "Rest in peace".
Aldred’s adopted father Thomas Sharp’s funeral notice in the Cheltenham Chronicle of 1st November 1919, noted that “For some time past Mr Sharp had been in failing health and succumbed to a heart attack; in fact he had never been his former self since the death of his nephew and adopted son, Aldred Grimmett, a bright and promising youth who fell in the Great War.”
Name/Rank: Private Alfred Victor Grimmett
Regiment/Battalion: 8th battalion Gloucestershire regiment
Service No: 17237
Date died: 21st October 1918
Buried/Commemorated: Romeries Communal Cemetery Extension
Commemorated: Alderton War memorial and on the Tewkesbury Grammar school memorial. Alfred is remembered in the book “A Noble Band of Heroes” by John Dixon which commemorates the men from Tewkesbury who lost their lives in WW1.
Alfred Grimmett was born in December 1894 in Alderton. His parents Samuel and Millicent had a total of nine children, though by 1911 only seven were still living. Between 1901 and 1911 Alfred was living at Alstone Fields Farm with his parents and siblings which included brothers Wilfred and Cyril and sisters Millicent, Ruby and Winnifred. Alfred’s younger brother Aldred was living in Alderton with his Aunt and Uncle Thomas and Joan Sharp, who was Alfred’s father’s sister. Records suggest that Aldred had been adopted by the Sharps. Alfred is listed on the Tewkesbury Grammer School register between 1907 and 1913, though the 1911 census has his occupation as farmer’s son working on the farm.
Analysis of Gloucestershire regiment army service numbers suggests that Alfred enlisted in the Gloucestershire regiment at Tewkesbury in December 1914, initially with the 9th and 2/5th battalions before being transferred to the 8th battalion, which was part of 57th brigade, 19th (Western) Division. Alfred arrived in France on 20th September 1915 which qualified him for the 1914-15 Star medal. At some time during his war service, he was promoted to acting (unpaid) Lance Corporal.
By August 1918 the British and Allied forces had started a series of attacks that became known as the 100 days offensive and saw the Germans being pushed back as along the whole of the Western Front. On the 19th October the 8th Gloucestershire regiment paraded near the village of Haussy, east of Cambrai, in readiness for an attack the next day. On the 20th they took part in the general attack crossing the river Selle successfully taking the village of Haussy. During the attack the battalion lost twelve men killed, one of whom was Alfred Grimmett. Alfred is buried in Romeries Communal cemetery extension alongside six of his battalion comrades.
Following Alfred’s death, the Army record of soldiers’ effects lists two amounts of £44 16s 9d & £2 10s 8d that were paid to his mother Millicent in February and March 1919 respectively. These payments would likely have been the remains of Alfred’s army pay and also a war gratuity of £22 10s paid out to soldiers and their dependants. No pension records for Alfred Grimmett have been found.
Alfred was entitled to the 1914-1915 Star and the two standard WW1 service medals, the Victory medal and the British War medal.
Alfred is commemorated on the Alderton War memorial, and on the Tewkesbury Grammar school memorial. Alfred is remembered in the book “A Noble Band of Heroes” by John Dixon which commemorates the men from Tewkesbury who lost their lives in WW1.
Alfred's father paid for a private inscription on the gravestones of both his sons, which reads "Rest in peace".
