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.
Private William Lane
Name/Rank: Private William Lane
Regiment/Battalion: 2nd battalion Gloucestershire regiment
Service No: 16320
Date died: 21st October 1918
Buried/Commemorated: Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Salonika (Greece)
Commemorated: Alderton War memorial
William Lane was born in 1887 in Alstone, near Alderton. His parents William and Jane had three other sons, Hedley, Allen and Victor and a daughter Eunice who was blind from birth. In 1891 the family were living in Great Washbourne and William’s father’s occupation was a general labourer. William’s father died sometime after 1891, and the family later moved to Alstone and by 1911 all four sons were farm labourers.
Analysis of Gloucestershire regiment army service numbers suggests that William enlisted in the 2nd Gloucestershire regiment at Tewkesbury in December 1914. The 2/Gloucestershire were a regular battalion and on the outbreak of war were stationed in Tientsin, China. The battalion sailed back to the UK in September 1914 and became part of 81st brigade, 27th Division. They joined the rest of the British Expeditionary France (BEF) in France in December 1914. William joined the battalion in France in May 1915. In November 1915 the 2nd battalion embarked for Salonika (moving to the 82nd brigade) to join an allied force comprised of French, Serbian, Italian and British soldiers Although often considered a sideshow Salonika was the scene of several major battles against the Bulgarians, Austro-Hungarians and Germans between 1915 and the conclusion of the campaign in 1918. As well as enemy activity the troops also had to contend with extreme heat and disease such as malaria and influenza which combined for over hundred and thirty deaths in the battalion during its time in Salonika. William Lane was admitted to the 28th General Hospital in Salonika on 16th October 1918 suffering from bronchial pneumonia. He sadly died five days later with less than a month to go until the end of the war. He is buried at the Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Salonika (Greece).
A pension of 3s and 6d was awarded to William's mother and then sister effective from 29th April 1919 for life. William’s mother paid for a private inscription on his gravestone which reads "I Heard The Voice Of Jesus Say Come Unto Me And Rest".
Following William’s death, the Army record of soldiers’ effects lists an amount of £33 5s 11d which was paid to his mother Jane in 1919. This payment would likely have been the remains of William’s army pay and also included a war gratuity of £22 10s paid out to soldiers and their dependants.
William was entitled to the 1914-1915 Star and the two standard WW1 service medals, the Victory medal and the British War medal.
William is commemorated on the Alderton War memorial, and is buried at the Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Salonika (Greece).
Regiment/Battalion: 2nd battalion Gloucestershire regiment
Service No: 16320
Date died: 21st October 1918
Buried/Commemorated: Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Salonika (Greece)
Commemorated: Alderton War memorial
William Lane was born in 1887 in Alstone, near Alderton. His parents William and Jane had three other sons, Hedley, Allen and Victor and a daughter Eunice who was blind from birth. In 1891 the family were living in Great Washbourne and William’s father’s occupation was a general labourer. William’s father died sometime after 1891, and the family later moved to Alstone and by 1911 all four sons were farm labourers.
Analysis of Gloucestershire regiment army service numbers suggests that William enlisted in the 2nd Gloucestershire regiment at Tewkesbury in December 1914. The 2/Gloucestershire were a regular battalion and on the outbreak of war were stationed in Tientsin, China. The battalion sailed back to the UK in September 1914 and became part of 81st brigade, 27th Division. They joined the rest of the British Expeditionary France (BEF) in France in December 1914. William joined the battalion in France in May 1915. In November 1915 the 2nd battalion embarked for Salonika (moving to the 82nd brigade) to join an allied force comprised of French, Serbian, Italian and British soldiers Although often considered a sideshow Salonika was the scene of several major battles against the Bulgarians, Austro-Hungarians and Germans between 1915 and the conclusion of the campaign in 1918. As well as enemy activity the troops also had to contend with extreme heat and disease such as malaria and influenza which combined for over hundred and thirty deaths in the battalion during its time in Salonika. William Lane was admitted to the 28th General Hospital in Salonika on 16th October 1918 suffering from bronchial pneumonia. He sadly died five days later with less than a month to go until the end of the war. He is buried at the Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Salonika (Greece).
A pension of 3s and 6d was awarded to William's mother and then sister effective from 29th April 1919 for life. William’s mother paid for a private inscription on his gravestone which reads "I Heard The Voice Of Jesus Say Come Unto Me And Rest".
Following William’s death, the Army record of soldiers’ effects lists an amount of £33 5s 11d which was paid to his mother Jane in 1919. This payment would likely have been the remains of William’s army pay and also included a war gratuity of £22 10s paid out to soldiers and their dependants.
William was entitled to the 1914-1915 Star and the two standard WW1 service medals, the Victory medal and the British War medal.
William is commemorated on the Alderton War memorial, and is buried at the Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Salonika (Greece).
Name/Rank: Private William Pearson
Regiment/Battalion: 9th battalion Gloucestershire regiment
Service No: 19088
Date died: 22nd October 1916
Buried/Commemorated: Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery, (Greece)
Commemorated: Alderton War memorial
William Pearson was born in Winchcombe in 1875. His parents William and Julia had three other children Laura, Frederick and Harry. Between 1881 and 1901 the family lived in Bull Lane, Winchcombe, though by 1891 Wiliam’s father had died. The 1911 census records show that William had married Edith Jane Pearson and they had two children a daughter May and a son William Charles. William’s occupation was a shepherd and the family were living in Alderton.
Analysis of Gloucestershire regiment army service numbers suggests that William enlisted in the 9th battalion Gloucestershire regiment in January 1915. The battalion was formed in September 1914 as part of the 78th brigade and 26th Division. Following training in the UK William and the battalion embarked for France, arriving on 21st September 1915. However, the 26th Division were soon moved to Salonika in November 1915.
Although often considered a sideshow Salonika was the scene of several major battles against the Bulgarians, Austro-Hungarians and Germans between 1915 and the conclusion of the campaign. As well as enemy activity the troops also had to contend with extreme heat, malaria and influenza. William Pearson was taken sick with dysentery in September 1916, and he died on 22nd October 1916 as a result of this illness. He is buried in Salonika (Lembet Road) Military cemetery.
Following William’s death a pension of 22s 11d was paid to his wife Edith each week from 7th May 1917. Following William’s death, the Army record of soldiers’ effects lists two amounts of £7 14s 11d & £7 10s that were paid to his wife Edith in March/April 1917 and November 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.
Edith paid for a private inscription on his gravestone in Salonika which reads "He died that we might live". At the time Edith’s address was 11 Hasfield, Nr. Gloucester. Edith Pearson died aged 79 on 9th December 1961, and she was living at 30 Sherwood Green, Longford, at the time of her death.
William’s death was also listed in the casualty list in the Gloucester Journal of Saturday 25th November 1916 and in the Gloucestershire Echo of Monday 20th November 1916.
William’s service in 1915 entitled him to the 1914-1915 Star as well as the Victory and British War medals.
William Pearson is commemorated on the Alderton War memorial, and is buried in Salonika (Lembet Road) Military cemetery.
Regiment/Battalion: 9th battalion Gloucestershire regiment
Service No: 19088
Date died: 22nd October 1916
Buried/Commemorated: Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery, (Greece)
Commemorated: Alderton War memorial
William Pearson was born in Winchcombe in 1875. His parents William and Julia had three other children Laura, Frederick and Harry. Between 1881 and 1901 the family lived in Bull Lane, Winchcombe, though by 1891 Wiliam’s father had died. The 1911 census records show that William had married Edith Jane Pearson and they had two children a daughter May and a son William Charles. William’s occupation was a shepherd and the family were living in Alderton.
Analysis of Gloucestershire regiment army service numbers suggests that William enlisted in the 9th battalion Gloucestershire regiment in January 1915. The battalion was formed in September 1914 as part of the 78th brigade and 26th Division. Following training in the UK William and the battalion embarked for France, arriving on 21st September 1915. However, the 26th Division were soon moved to Salonika in November 1915.
Although often considered a sideshow Salonika was the scene of several major battles against the Bulgarians, Austro-Hungarians and Germans between 1915 and the conclusion of the campaign. As well as enemy activity the troops also had to contend with extreme heat, malaria and influenza. William Pearson was taken sick with dysentery in September 1916, and he died on 22nd October 1916 as a result of this illness. He is buried in Salonika (Lembet Road) Military cemetery.
Following William’s death a pension of 22s 11d was paid to his wife Edith each week from 7th May 1917. Following William’s death, the Army record of soldiers’ effects lists two amounts of £7 14s 11d & £7 10s that were paid to his wife Edith in March/April 1917 and November 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.
Edith paid for a private inscription on his gravestone in Salonika which reads "He died that we might live". At the time Edith’s address was 11 Hasfield, Nr. Gloucester. Edith Pearson died aged 79 on 9th December 1961, and she was living at 30 Sherwood Green, Longford, at the time of her death.
William’s death was also listed in the casualty list in the Gloucester Journal of Saturday 25th November 1916 and in the Gloucestershire Echo of Monday 20th November 1916.
William’s service in 1915 entitled him to the 1914-1915 Star as well as the Victory and British War medals.
William Pearson is commemorated on the Alderton War memorial, and is buried in Salonika (Lembet Road) Military cemetery.
Name/Rank: Private Victor George Pullom
Regiment/Battalion: 18th battalion Army Cyclist Corps
Service No: 22487
Date died: 26th June 1918
Buried/Commemorated: Terlincthun British cemetery, near Boulogne, France
Commemorated: Alderton War memorial and the Conderton and Overbury War memorial
Victor Pullom was born in Cutsdean on 23rd January 1899 and the 1901 census records show that he was still there in a house with his grandparents John and Jane, mother Rose, brother Frank and uncles Frederick and George. By 1911 Victor was living at Corner House in Alderton with his Father Frank John, mother and brother. Victor’s parents were both labourers in the fruit industry and his brother was a farm boy.
Victor attested for the military in January 1917 at Tewkesbury, when his address was Hollow Brooks, Conderton, Worcestershire and occupation was farm labourer. The records show he was 5ft 6in and in good physical condition. Victor initially enlisted into 2/1st Warks Yeomanry (No. 313817) in March 1917. However, following a period of training and recruitment the 2/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry became a cyclist unit in September 1917 and were attached to 214th brigade, 71st division. This brigade was formed into a special formation due for Murmansk in Russia, but in March 1918 all fit men in the brigade were drafted to France. Victor embarked from Southampton on 15th April 1918 arriving at Le Harve the next day and joined the Army Cyclist Corp at Rouen from where he was posted to the 18th battalion on 6th May 1918.
During June the battalion was supporting frontline troops in the Camblain L'Abbe area north of Arras. Between the 15-16th June they were setting up camouflage screens and suffered several casualties as a result of enemy shelling. Victor was reported wounded on the 16th with wounds to his back, right leg and left hand and due to a gas gangrene infection, his right leg was amputated from the thigh. Victor subsequently died of wounds on 26th June 1918 at 32 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux, a base hospital used to care for the wounded away from the front-line areas. Victor is buried in Terlincthun British cemetery, near Boulogne, a cemetery used mainly for burials from the nearby base hospitals.
A pension was paid to Victor's father from December 1918, though the records aren’t clear as to the exact amount. Unfortunately, Victor's mother, Rose, died in August 1918 in the Union Workhouse, Tewkesbury less than 2 months after his death.
Following Victor’s death, the Army record of soldiers’ effects lists two amounts of £10 4s 5d & £5 that were paid to his father in September 1918 and November 1919 respectively. The first payment would likely have been the remains of Victor’s army pay and the second a war gratuity paid out to soldiers and their dependants.
Victor was entitled to the two standard WW1 service medals, the Victory medal and the British War medal.
Victor's father paid for the following private inscription on his gravestone "Born January 23rd 1899".
Victor is commemorated on the Alderton War memorial and the Conderton and Overbury War memorial, and is buried in Terlincthun British cemetery, near Boulogne.
Regiment/Battalion: 18th battalion Army Cyclist Corps
Service No: 22487
Date died: 26th June 1918
Buried/Commemorated: Terlincthun British cemetery, near Boulogne, France
Commemorated: Alderton War memorial and the Conderton and Overbury War memorial
Victor Pullom was born in Cutsdean on 23rd January 1899 and the 1901 census records show that he was still there in a house with his grandparents John and Jane, mother Rose, brother Frank and uncles Frederick and George. By 1911 Victor was living at Corner House in Alderton with his Father Frank John, mother and brother. Victor’s parents were both labourers in the fruit industry and his brother was a farm boy.
Victor attested for the military in January 1917 at Tewkesbury, when his address was Hollow Brooks, Conderton, Worcestershire and occupation was farm labourer. The records show he was 5ft 6in and in good physical condition. Victor initially enlisted into 2/1st Warks Yeomanry (No. 313817) in March 1917. However, following a period of training and recruitment the 2/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry became a cyclist unit in September 1917 and were attached to 214th brigade, 71st division. This brigade was formed into a special formation due for Murmansk in Russia, but in March 1918 all fit men in the brigade were drafted to France. Victor embarked from Southampton on 15th April 1918 arriving at Le Harve the next day and joined the Army Cyclist Corp at Rouen from where he was posted to the 18th battalion on 6th May 1918.
During June the battalion was supporting frontline troops in the Camblain L'Abbe area north of Arras. Between the 15-16th June they were setting up camouflage screens and suffered several casualties as a result of enemy shelling. Victor was reported wounded on the 16th with wounds to his back, right leg and left hand and due to a gas gangrene infection, his right leg was amputated from the thigh. Victor subsequently died of wounds on 26th June 1918 at 32 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux, a base hospital used to care for the wounded away from the front-line areas. Victor is buried in Terlincthun British cemetery, near Boulogne, a cemetery used mainly for burials from the nearby base hospitals.
A pension was paid to Victor's father from December 1918, though the records aren’t clear as to the exact amount. Unfortunately, Victor's mother, Rose, died in August 1918 in the Union Workhouse, Tewkesbury less than 2 months after his death.
Following Victor’s death, the Army record of soldiers’ effects lists two amounts of £10 4s 5d & £5 that were paid to his father in September 1918 and November 1919 respectively. The first payment would likely have been the remains of Victor’s army pay and the second a war gratuity paid out to soldiers and their dependants.
Victor was entitled to the two standard WW1 service medals, the Victory medal and the British War medal.
Victor's father paid for the following private inscription on his gravestone "Born January 23rd 1899".
Victor is commemorated on the Alderton War memorial and the Conderton and Overbury War memorial, and is buried in Terlincthun British cemetery, near Boulogne.
