‘D’ Training Battalion, Machine Gun Corps
Howard William English was born at Woolaston, between Lydney and Chepstow, in the final quarter of 1891, one of eight children born to Thomas English (a farmer) and his wife Emily Beatrice (née Thomas). At the time of the 1911 census the family lived at Ashwell Grange, Tiddenham, near Chepstow and Howard’s occupation was described as ‘farmer’s son, assisting farmer’.
In early 1917 Howard married Hannah Saunders at Gloucester and was probably conscripted into the Army towards the end of that year or in the early part of 1918. Unfortunately his Army Service Record has not survived but indications are that, having joined the Army in Chepstow he served less than a year and did not see service abroad.
He was probably undertaking training at Rugeley Camp, Cannock Chase, Staffordshire when he was struck down by pneumonia (according to a recently released Pension Record Card) and he died at the Brindley Heath Military Hospital, which served the camp, on 1 November 1918, aged 26. He was buried in the churchyard of St Andrew’s, Woolaston on 7 November 1918 and a private stone cross was erected over his grave.
Researched by Graham Adams 26 May 2016 (revised 26 July 2021)