Author name: Adrian Smith

1st Battalion Border Regiment Herbert Sidney Park was born in Stroud on 3 June 1894, the son of Sidney Benyon Park and Ellen Park, who also had a daughter and the family lived at Highmead, Field Road, Stroud. He was educated at Wycliffe College, Stonehouse from 1904 – 1910, where he was a member of

Grenadier Guards Reginald Thomas Packer was born in Stroud in July 1895, the son of William and Harriett Packer.In 1901 the family were living at the Police Station in Painswick, where William Packer was Sergeant. In January 1909 the family moved to Cinderford when William Packer was promoted to Inspector in Charge. Reginald attended Double

201 Squadron, Royal Air Force Fleming Newton was the second son of Isaac Newton MRCS, Senior Medical Officer at Tonbridge School and his wife Alice, who later lived at Broadlands, The Park, Cheltenham. He was educated at Tonbridge School between 1912 and 1917, where he was a member of the OTC and captain of school.

10th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment Edward Hampton Moss was born in Yokohama on 13 August 1878. He was the son of C D Moss, a member of the Diplomatic Corps, and Mrs E J Moss, who later lived at Sussex House, Pittville, Cheltenham. Edward attended Cheltenham College as a day boy between January 1893 and April

King’s Shropshire Light Infantry Albert Edward Morris was born in the first quarter of 1890 at Bilson Green, Cinderford. He was the youngest of nine children of James and Sarah Ann Morris. His mother died in March 1890, aged 38 years: her death was probably related to his birth. As a result he was entrusted

7th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment Sidney Meek was born in 1889. He was one of fifteen children of John and Annie Meek of Harry Hill, Drybrook in the Forest of Dean. He was a coal miner. Sidney enlisted at Cinderford, his name appearing in a list of recruits published in the Dean Forest Mercury on Friday,

11th (Lonsdale) Battalion The Border Regiment Lonal James Meek was born in 1890 at The Pludds near Ruardean in the Forest of Dean. He was the son of George William and Mary Ann Meek. The family later moved into Ruardean village, and eventually to the Anchor Inn, Lydbrook. He worked as a miner at the

Royal Engineers Mervyn Matthews was born on 15 June 1893 to Colonel John Matthews and Helena Matthews of Glenure House, Cirencester Road, Charlton Kings. He was schooled at Albert Villas’ School from which he gained a scholarship to Clifton College and then proceeded to the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich. He gained the Rainey Anderson

4th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment Arthur Norris Marshall was born in 1896, at Newent, Gloucestershire, to William and Adela. He started education at Dean Close School after his parents moved from Newent to Camden Lawn, Portland Street, Cheltenham. As was the custom for boys at the school he was an active member of the Officer Training