The Cheltenham 22

Walk through the ornate iron gates into Cheltenham cemetery and on the right you will see a row of 22 small wooden crosses that were once the temporary grave markers of British servicemen from Cheltenham who are buried abroad or listed as missing in the Great War.

On May 23rd 1924, the Cross of Sacrifice, erected in Cheltenham Cemetery to commemorate those Cheltonians who fell during the Great War, was dedicated in a special ceremony. Accompanying the cross were 90 wooden crosses – original grave markers that were used to temporarily mark the resting places of the dead before more permanent headstones were put in place.

These 90 crosses were the first of some 300 that were sent back to England at the behest of the Cheltenham Remembrance Committee, but sadly the 22 at the cemetery entrance are all that remains of the crosses returned to Cheltenham.

I have listed the grave markers starting at the first cross and worked from right to left as you look at them and where possible I have included a little information about each man.

Many thanks to Joe Devereux and Graham Sacker the authors of “LEAVING ALL THAT WAS DEAR” a book listing all Cheltenham men who died in the Great War from which some personal details of the listed 22 have been taken.

To mark the centenary of WW1 the crosses are to be removed and treated to give them some protection from future damage. Upon their return they may be relocated to a new location possibly indoors but still accessible.

Location: Cheltenham Cemetery Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 5JT

Surveys and photographs courtesy of Ian Spelman.

In memory of all the Glosters and men of the town who fought, died or returned to the town and county.


CROSS 1 – Lt Hubert William CORKE

10th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, who was killed in action on 19th April 1916 in the Hulloch area of France and is buried in the Maroc British Cemetery.   He is commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial, the St Mark’s Church Roll of Honour, the Grammar School Roll of Honour, the Holy Apostles Church Roll of Honour and the Swindon Village War Memorial.   There is a commemorative plaque to Lt Corke in the St Lawrence’s Church Swindon Village

Cross details

Shaft Height: 780mm

Cross beam width: 505mm

Width of wood: 112mm

Thickness of wood: 60mm

Text type: Small GRU tag at bottom of cross beam. Very rusty with no visible text. Very poor markings on the cross beam some letters of surname and regiment just visible.

This cross is fixed outdoors onto a wooden frame; it is made of plain sawn wood, which was weatherproof treated in 2007. It is in very poor condition and is badly rotted on the right side of the crossbeam. It looks to have been mounted onto thin plywood at some time to strengthen it.

Lt Hubert William CORKE, 10th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, who was killed in action on 19th April 1916 in the Hulloch area of France and is buried in the Maroc British Cemetery. Son of the Rev. Hubert Alfred Corke and Louisa Alice Corke, of Swindon Rectory, Cheltenham, Glos.

 


CROSS 2 – Private Arthur Thomas HIRON

1/6th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment, who died of wounds on 15th October 1918 in a hospital in the Le Treport area of France.   He is buried in the Mont Huon Cemetery, Le Treport.   He is commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial, the St Paul’s Church War Memorial and the Holy Apostles Church Roll of Honour.   Pte Hiron is also commemorated on the grave of his parents in Cheltenham Cemetery.

Cross Details

Shaft height; 880mm

Cross beam width; 490mm

Width of wood; 85mm

Thickness of wood; 45mm

Text type GRU tags on both sides of cross beam stating Name, Regiment and date of Death.

There is also a tag on the left hand side of the cross beam with the numbers 1255-A

Small GRU tag in the upper centre of the shaft.

This cross has been repaired with two metal brackets across the front but its overall condition is fair due to its age and time out in the elements.


CROSS 3 –  Lt Reginald Anthony LYON

1/7th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, who was killed in action in the Nieuport area of Belgium on 13th August 1917 and is buried in the Coxyde Military Cemetery, Koksijde (north of Ypres), Belgium.   He is commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial and the Cheltenham Grammar School Roll of Honour.

Cross details

Shaft Height; 840mm

Crossbeam width; 600mm

Width of wood; 63mm

Thickness of wood; 60mm

Width of square arms; 38mm

Angle of arms; 45°

Thickness of arms; 38mm.

Text type; Carved text

Around the square:

(on top arms)
IN LOVING MEMORY

(On cross beam)
LIEUT R. A. LYONS

(on bottom arms)
KILLED IN ACTION

On upright shaft in centre of the square are other letters but at the moment I am unable to decipher them. The ends of the cross beam and the top of the shaft have been shaped. Overall condition is very good.

Reginald (‘Rex’) Anthony Lyon was the youngest son of Thomas and Margaret Lyon of Selkirk Parade and 17 Pittiville Villas, Cheltenham. After being educated at Cheltenham Grammar School he was employed at the local architects’ firm of Chatters and Smithson. When called up he was occupying a post with one of Yorkshire’s County Councils. He was commissioned at Wakefield into the West Riding Division of the Army Cyclists’ Corps in November 1917, later serving with the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. He was killed in action at Nieuport during the Third battle of Ypres.


CROSS 4 – Major John Gwynne GRIFFITH

32nd Lancers (Indian Army) serving as Brigade Major 9th Cavalry Brigade, who was killed in action on 24th May 1915 in the Ypres area of Belgium and buried in the Ypres Town Cemetery.   He is commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial and on the grave of his parents in Leckhampton (St Peter’s) Churchyard.

Cross details.

Shaft height; 885mm

Crossbeam width; 430mm

Width of plate; 100mm.

Text type; Cast metal plate mounted on a metal cross with details as per picture.

This is a cast metal black painted cross which is in my opinion a replacement for the original maybe made by the family. A very plain cross but none the less still a very poignant memorial to a loved one and by far in the best condition of all of the crosses.

Major John Gwynne GRIFFITH, was the 3rd son of the late Lieut Col. John Gilbert Erskine. Born Taraahur, Ajmere. India on 23 June 1874 and educated at Stubbington House School and Dulwich College.


CROSS 5 – Captain John Harold Ellerson RICKERBY MC

2/5th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, who was killed in action in the St Quinten area of France on 22nd March 1918 and is buried in the Savy British Cemetery.   He is commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial, the Shurdington (St Paul’s Church) Roll of Honour and the Cheltenham College Roll of Honour.

Cross details

Shaft height; 900mm.

Crossbeam width; 495mm.

Width of wood; 65mm.

Thickness of wood; 35mm.

Text type; GRU tags stating Name, regiment and date of death.

This cross looks like it has been encased in an outer wooden cross at some time the inner one shows signs of rot at the base but overall it is in good condition.

All measurements are of the outer cross.

John Harold Ellerson Rickerby was born at Cheltenham on 25th October 1895.   His parents, Major Thomas Ellerson Rickerby TD and Alice Emily Rickerby resided at “Hafod”, Chargrove, Shurdington, near Cheltenham.   Major Rickerby was a solicitor of Rickerby & Co, 2, Ormond Place and later at 16, Royal Crescent, Cheltenham and Area Recruiting Officer for Cheltenham.


CROSS 6 – Pte Harold Edgar RALPH

Labour Corps, who was killed in action in the Amiens area of France on 15th April 1918 and is buried in the St Pierre Cemetery, Amiens.   He is commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial and on the Christ Church Roll of Honour.

Cross details

Shaft height; 710mm.

Crossbeam width; 400mm.

Width of wood; 65mm.

Thickness of wood; 25mm.

Text type; Cast metal plate with details as per picture.

This cross is in very good condition considering it has been out side for 90+ years. There are no visible signs of rot and no signs of it ever being in the ground.

Pte Ralph was born in Cheltenham, the sixth son of Mr and Mrs Charles Ralph and lived with his parents at 2 Victoria Parade, now known as 130 Gloucester Road, Cheltenham. He joined the Royal Field Artillery in December 1916 and whilst serving overseas was wounded 3 times. He was transferred to the 6th Labour Company of the Devonshire Regiment and then to the Labour Corp in France. He was killed on 15th April 1918 and is buried in St Pierre Cemetery, Amiens. He left a wife who he had not seen since enlisting and a child born after he left England.


CROSS 7 – Unknown

This cross has no visible evidence of a name on it and no record of a name could be found.

Cross details

Shaft height; 710mm.

Crossbeam width; 400mm.

Width of wood; 65mm.

Thickness of wood; 25mm.

Text type; No visible signs of any kind of identification

This cross is in very good condition and seems to be painted with many coats of black gloss paint. There is a slight bit of rot/damage at the base from where it was in the ground at some time.


CROSS 8 – Unknown

This cross has no visible evidence of a name on it and no record of a name could be found.

Cross details

Shaft height; 720mm.

Crossbeam width; 410mm.

Width of wood; 67mm.

Thickness of wood; 30mm.

Text type; No visible signs of any kind of identification but at some time it did have GRU tags attached as there is evidence of holes where the nails would have been.

This cross is in very good condition with no signs of rot or damage and is mounted on plywood.


CROSS 9 – Pte Sidney Leonard DEAN

1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who was killed in action in the Albert area of France on 27th August 1918 and is buried in the Assevillers New British Cemetery.   He is commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial and on the Holy Trinity Church Roll of Honour.

Cross details

Shaft height; 670mm.

Crossbeam width; 378mm.

Width of wood; 65mm.

Thickness of wood; 23mm.

Text type; GRU tags attached to crossbeam, one with name, rank and number and one with regiment name. There is a tag with the letters GRU attached to the top of the upright shaft.

This cross is in very good condition with no signs of rot or damage.


CROSS 10 – 2 Lt Kenneth Gerrard GURNEY

2/5th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, who died of wounds on 17th December 1917 in the La Vacquerie area of France as a POW of the Germans.   He is buried in the Honnechy British Cemetery, Ligny, Belgium.   He is commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial and on the St Paul’s Church War Memorial.

Cross details

Shaft height; 660mm.

Crossbeam width; 350mm.

Width of wood; 120mm.

Thickness of wood; 53mm.

Text type; The name details have been lightly carved into the wood. On the top of the shaft is a 0 over 28, (what this means I have no idea). On the crossbeam is his name but it has been spelt GOURNEY not GURNEY. Also carved underneath is his hometown spelt as CHILTENHAM. On the shaft below the crossbeam is a small cross with the date he died underneath.

This cross is in good condition with no signs of rot or damage


Cross 11 – 2Lt Charles Wallace BOYCE

1/4th Gloucestershire Regiment attached to Machine Gun Corps, who was killed in action on 24th October 1918 during the Battle of the Selle.   He is buried in the Crucifix Cemetery, Vendegies-sur-Ecaillon.   He is commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial, the St Paul’s Church War Memorial and the St Philip’s Church War Memorial.

Cross details

Shaft height; 888mm.

Crossbeam width; 445mm.

Width of wood; 96mm.

Thickness of wood; 25mm.

Text type; There are no markings on this cross whatsoever to identify it as belonging to 2nd Lt Boyce but it is linked to him from internet research.

This cross is in good condition but has slight rot at the base. The picture on the left shows the cross with the crossbeam missing and the one on the right with the crossbeam attached by me as I found it lay in the undergrowth by the fence behind.


CROSS 12 – Unknown

This cross has no visible evidence of a name on it and no record of a name could be found.

Cross details

Shaft height 660mm.

Crossbeam width 410mm.

Width of wood 65mm.

Thickness of wood 18mm.

Text type; There are no GRU tags or any sign of text on this cross.

The overall condition is good with no signs of rot.


CROSS 13 – Major Lionel GOODEVE

6th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, who was killed in action in the Vermelles area of France on 23rd August 1915 and is buried in the Vermelles British Cemetery.   He is commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial, the All Saints Church War Memorial and the Cheltenham College Roll of Honour.

Cross details

Shaft height 910 mm.

Crossbeam width; 640mm.

Width of wood;68 mm.

Thickness of wood; 45mm.

There is a round backing plate to this cross measuring 310mm diameter x 25mm thick.

Text type. The details on this cross are carved and read thus

IN

MEMORY

OF

MAJOR L.GOODEVE

6TH BATTN ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS

KILLED

IN

ACTION

23.8.15

The top of the shaft and the ends of the crossbeam are ornately cut as per the picture.

In good condition but with slight signs of rot at the bottom of the shaft.


CROSS 14 – Private Arthur George MASLIN

1/5th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, who was killed in action on the Somme on 21st July 1916.   He is buried in Pozieres British Cemetery, Ovillers-la-Boisselle.   He is commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial and on the St Mark’s Methodist Church Roll of Honour.

Cross details

Shaft height; 508mm.

Crossbeam width; 400mm.

Width of wood; 68mm.

Thickness of wood; 28mm.

Text type. This cross has 2 GRU tags in the centre

PTE A.G. MASLIN 1914-1916

3-5 GLOSTERS   GRU

This cross is very short and shows signs of being cut off at some time due to rot in the lower part of the shaft. It is very cracked in places and the centre where the tags are is very poor condition. It has been fixed onto a ply backing board to strengthen it.


CROSS 15 – Private Charles William HARWOOD

1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who was killed in action in the Ypres area of Belgium on 4th October 1917 and buried in the Hooge Crater Cemetery.   He is commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial and the St Stephen’s Church Roll of Honour.

Cross details

Shaft height; 765mm.

Crossbeam width; 408mm.

Width of wood; 89mm.

Thickness of wood; 40mm.

Circle diameter 300mm

Width 45mm

Thickness 8mm

Text type. There is a small metal cross fixed to the shaft, more than likely added by his parents when it was returned to Cheltenham with stamped details as follows

2906491

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

MY SON

C.W.HARWOOD

KILLED

IN ACTION

OCT

1917

A very ornate cross with a small wooden shield fixed in the centre with cut outs around it. In fair condition with little sign of rot.


CROSS 16 – Unknown

This cross has no visible evidence of a name on it and no record of a name could be found.

Cross details

Shaft height; 830mm.

Crossbeam width; 470mm.

Width of wood; Shaft is 70mm and cross beam is 95mm

Thickness of wood; 25mm.

Text type; No signs of any GRU tag markings and no other details at all.

This cross is in very good condition with no signs of rot or decay.


CROSS 17 – Lt Francis Charles Erlin CLARKE

Royal Flying Corps, who died of wounds on 11th October 1917 in the Arras area and is buried in the Duisans British Cemetery.   His connection with Cheltenham is not known and he is not commemorated on any memorial in the town or the surrounding area.

Cross details

Shaft height 1050mm.

Crossbeam width 540mm.

Width of wood 100mm.

Thickness of wood 25mm.

Text type. On the upper part of the shaft are two GRU tags one is stamped GRU and below it is another stamped 6

A small metal plate is fixed to the cross beam with details as follows

LIEUT F.C.E.CLARKE WOS REG.

AND RFC

KILLED IN ACTION

11.10.17

The front of this cross has a chamfer on it and there are no signs of rot but it is fixed to ply to strengthen it.


CROSS 18 – Unknown

This cross has no visible evidence of a name on it and no record of a name could be found.

Cross details

Shaft height; 810mm.

Crossbeam width 410mm.

Width of wood Shaft 50mm. Crossbeam 60mm.

Thickness of wood 20mm.

Text type. No signs of GRU tags or any other identification marks at all.

It is in good condition with no signs of rot visible.


CROSS 19 –  Private William REGAN

1/3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment, who died of wounds on 22nd May 1915 in Liege as a POW of the Germans.   He is buried in the Liege (Robermont) Cemetery.   He is commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial, the St Paul’s Church War Memorial and the Cheltenham Parish Boys School Roll of Honour.

Cross details

Shaft height; 750mm.

Crossbeam width; 480mm.

Width of wood; 60mm.

Thickness of wood; 25mm.

Text type; A small brass plate mounted on a plywood square with engraved wording.

1371 PTE REGAN W

1st/3rd BATT MON REGT

22nd MAY 1915 AGE 22

WE REMEMBER

 

This cross has many cracks in the wood and signs of decay at the top of the cross.

Pte Regan was wounded on 9th May 1915 at Ypres and lay in a trench for two days before being found by the advancing Germans. He was taken to a hospital at Liege and wrote these words in a letter to his parents.

“I was wounded at Ypres where most of our boys were killed, I was taken prisoner of war after lying for two days in the trenches wounded. I have been shot through the back and through the mouth having my teeth blown out; I have suffered much pain but hope to get better soon. There are two more Englishmen here, a London Scot and one of the 3rd Monmothshires. I have been in several Hospitals but this is about the best. They treat me very well and I get very good food. When I was in the trenches I wanted to be in bed, but now I am in bed I want to get out”.

Sadly Pte Regan passed away on the 22nd May 1915.

Many thanks to Ann Harding his second cousin twice removed for the above information.


CROSS 20 – Private Ernest SMITH

2/5th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, who was killed in action on 6th April 1917 in the Bihecourt (Somme) area of France and is buried in the Vadencourt British Cemetery.   He is commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial, the Charlton Kings War Memorial and the Charlton Kings (St Mary’s Church) War Memorial.

Cross details

Shaft height; 860mm.

Crossbeam width; 455mm.

Width of wood; 107mm.

Thickness of wood; 37mm.

Text type. There Is a GRU tag in the centre of the cross beam 242336 PTE E SMITH.

The GRU tag is very badly corroded at the ends but name and number are just readable. There are markings for other GRU tags underneath which probably stated regiment and dates.

The cross is in overall good condition with no signs of wood rot.

Pte Smith died aged 29 and left a widow Esther Daisy Smith of 43 St Georges Street Cheltenham.


CROSS 21 – Private Henry Rudolph ARUNDELL

1/4th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, who died of wounds in a hospital in Le Havre on 15th April 1917 and is buried in the St Marie Cemetery, Le Havre.   He is commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial and the St Luke’s Church Roll of Honour.

Cross details

Shaft height; 910mm.

Crossbeam width; 510mm.

Width of wood; 85mm.

Thickness of wood; 50mm.

Text type. There is a small tag with the letters GRU and attached to the crossbeam underneath is a metal shield which is very poorly engraved and very hard to read, but after a close look with a magnifying glass I can say it reads from the top

On the rear of the cross cut into the wood are the numbers 622 and a small cross.

622 could possibly be the GRU number allocated to this grave.

The cross has chamfered edges all around and is in very good condition but looks as thought the bottom has been sawn off to tidy it up.

Pte Arundell is the son of William Arundell, of Cheltenham, Glos., and the late Jane Arundell and was the husband of H. R. Arundell, of 2, Oxford St., Maindee, Newport, Monmoth


CROSS 22 – L/Cpl Leslie James SILVESTER

1/5th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, who died of wounds in a hospital at Bailleul, France, on 20th May 1915.   He is buried in the Bailleul Community Cemetery.   He is commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial and the Christ Church Roll of Honour.

Cross details

Shaft height 770mm.

Crossbeam width; 415mm.

Width of wood; 65mm.

Thickness of wood; 28mm.

Text type. A metal plate in the centre of the cross with engraved lettering as below

1906

LAN CORL L.J. SILVESTER

1st 5th GLOSTERS

20-5-15

The cross is in fair condition but is showing signs of decay at the top and bottom of the shaft.


 

The Cross of Wood

God be with you and us who go our way
And leave you dead upon the ground you won.
For you at last the long fatigue is done,
The hard match ended; you have rest today.

You were our friends; with you we watched the dawn
Gleam through the rain of the long winter night,
With you we laboured till the morning light
Broke on the village, shell-destroyed and torn.

Not now for you the glorious return
To steep Stroud valleys, to the Severn leas
By Tewkesbury and Gloucester, or the trees
Of Cheltenham under high Cotswold stem.

For you no medals such as others wear-
A cross of bronze for those approved braveTo
you is given, above a shallow grave,
The Wooden Cross that marks you resting there.

Rest you content; more honourable far
Than all the Orders is the Cross of Wood,
The symbol of self-sacrifice that stood
Bearing the God whose brethren you are.

Cyril Winterbotham

2nd Lieutenant, Gloucestershire regiment.

Lieut. CYRIL WILLIAM WINTERBOTHAM Killed in action 27th August 1916
Born 27th February 1887, in Cheltenham. Educated Cheltenham College and Lincoln College, Oxford (Law degree). Commissioned September 1914. Killed when the Battalion, without support, attacked German positions near Mouquet Farm, Ovillers-la-Boiselle. Listed on the Thiepval Memorial. Winterbotham was a war poet. 1/5th Battalion