Remembering

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

‘A’ Battery, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Brigade Charles Edward Chainey was born at Blockley (then part of Worcestershire) in December 1886, one of fourteen children born to William Frederick Chainey (landlord of the Crown Hotel) and his wife Sarah. He worked on the land and emigrated to Canada in March 1910. On 20 September 1914

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

2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards Valentine Arthur Bayliss Carter was born in Painswick, Gloucestershire in June 1886, to Ashton John Carter, a stone mason, and his wife Elizabeth. By his early teens he had ceased use of the name Valentine and was known by his second name, Arthur. After working for a period as a gardener,

10th (Service) Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment Joseph King was born at Leckhampton in 1899, the son of John and Annie King, who were then living at Fountain Cottages, St James’, Cheltenham. By 1911 the family (Joseph had two siblings) were living at Vine Tree Cottage, Chapel Lane, Great Norwood Street, Cheltenham. Joseph was a Boy Scout