51st Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment
John William Lance Slee was born at Charlton Kings (in 1900), the son of William and Priscilla Slee of 3 Croft Road, Charlton Kings.
He enlisted in the 15th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment In Gloucester, giving a home address in Cheltenham and died of pneumonia on 24 October 1918 in Norfolk War Hospital, Thorpe St Andrew whilst in training and was later buried in Charlton Kings New Burial ground, Horsefair Street. On his grave, his service number is given as TR7/71275 Royal Warwickshire Regiment. This may be in error, the 15th (Reserve) Gloucestershire Regiment was replaced by the 93rd Training Battalion, whereas the 17th (Reserve) Warwickshire Regiment was replaced by the 92nd Training Battalion – both were part of 22nd Reserve Brigade.
John’s brother Thomas also died in the war. He was an Able Seaman in the Royal Navy (HMS Fury), who died whilst at sea, of unspecified causes, on 28 November 1914, when aged 34. He is buried at Osmondwall Cemetery Walls and Flotta, Isle of Hoy, Orkney Islands.
Researched by Graham Adams 28 July 2011
Taken from ‘Leaving all that was dear – Cheltenham in the Great War’ by Joe Devereux and Graham Sacker)