Roll of Honour - Oxfordshire

Ministry of Defence

Lest We Forget

The Royal British Legion

WATCHFIELD WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Andrew Dishman and Gill Cannell 2020

The war memorial is to be found in St Thomas’ Churchyard, High Street, Watchfield. It takes the form of a single-stepped rectangular base surmounted by a rectangular sectioned tapering plinth with chamfered top edges and rectangular sectioned Latin cross; the Inscription and names are on the plinth faces, in pinned-lead lettering. There are 11 names listed for World War 1 only and these have been sorted into alphabetical order for ease of reading and research.

Photographs Copyright © Andrew Dishman and Gill Cannell 2018

FOR GOD FOR KING FOR COUNTRY
IN PROUD AND GRATEFUL MEMORY OF
THE MEN OF THIS VILLAGE WHO GAVE
THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR
1914 - 1919

ANGER	William Thomas	[Listed as AINGER and 24 April 1917 on CWGC and SDGW; listed as ANGAR in 1911 census] Private, 7th Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regiment) formerly 1287, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment). Killed in action in Salonika 25 April 1917. Aged 24. Born and resident Shrivenham, Berkshire, enlisted Shepherd's Bush. Son of Thomas and Emily Ainger, of Watchfield, Shrivenham, Berks. In the 1901 census he was aged 8, born Watchfield, son of Thomas and Emily Anger, resident Street, Watchfield, Faringdon, Berkshire & Oxfordshire. In the 1911 census he was aged 18, born Watchfield. a Painter's Labourer, nephew of Percy and Edith Emily Ashburnham, resident 9, Poplar Walk Road, Herne Hill, Lambeth, London SE & Surrey. No known grave. Commemorated on DOIRAN MEMORIAL, Greece.
BUCKLAND	Frank Chester	[Memorial states 1st Battalion, aged 23] Private 9644, 5th Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Regiment). Killed in action 3 March 1916. Aged 21. Born Longcott, Berks, resident Shrivenham, Berks, enlisted Faringdon. Son of Ellen Miness (formerly Buckland), of Watchfield, Shrivenham, Berks. and the late Frank Buckland. Buried in VERMELLES BRITISH CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot V I. Row C. Grave 29.
BUCKNILL	James Riddell	[Memorial states 23] Lieutenant, H.M.S. Negro, Royal Navy. Drowned at sea when his ship sank when it collided with H.M.S. Hoste in the North Sea 21 December 1916. Aged 25. Born 18 October 1893. Son of George Edward and Alice Dorothy Bucknill, of Watchfield House, Shrivenham, Swindon, Wilts (his father was a Solicitor). Enrolled in the Navy 15 September 1906. Midshipman 15 May 1911; Acting Sub Lieutenant 15 September 1913; sub Lieutenant 15 May 1914; Lieutenant 15 May 1916. No kinown grave. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 15. Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1917: BUCKNILL James Riddell of 28 Ladbroke-square Middlesex and Watchfield House Shrivenham Berkshire lieutenant R.N. died 21 December 1916 at sea on active service Probate London 3 February to George Edward Bucknill solicitor. Effects £8297 5s. 9d.
FULLER	John William	Private 7539, 1st Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Regiment). Killed in action 25 October 1914. Aged 35. Born and enlisted Abingdon, Berkshire. He was a frame builder's assistant in No. 21A shop at Swindon Works. He was employed by the GWR for two years. No kinown grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 45.
HIGGINS	Albert Edward	Gunner 110667, 289th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Killed in action 5 July 1917. Aged 30. Born Highworth, Wiltshire, resident Shrivenham, Berkshire, enlisted Reading, Berkshire. Husband of A. H. Higgins, of Hillside Cottage, Watchfield, Shrivenham, Berks. Buried in DICKEBUSCH NEW MILITARY CEMETERY EXTENSION, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot II. Row B. Grave 29.
LOVEGROVE	Benjamin	Gunner RMA/7480, H.M.S. Defence, Royal Marine Artillery. Lost with his ship during the Battle of Jutland 31 May 1916. Aged 36. Born 27 September 1878 in Longcroft, Berkshire. Brother of John Lovegrove, of Old Field Farm, Easton Hastings, Farringdon, Berkshire. No known grave. Commemorated on PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire. Panel 21.
SIMMONDS	John	Lance Corporal 5926, 4th (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers), London Regiment. Killed in action 7 October 1916. Aged 34. Born Watchfield, Berks, resident and enlisted Greenwich. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 9 D and 16 B.
WALKER	Henry John	[Memorial states 2nd Battalion] Sergeant 8037, 6th Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regiment). Killed in action 7 July 1916. Aged 26. Born Bishopstone, Wiltshire, resident and enlisted Swindon. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 13 A.
WINTLE	Thomas	Private 6556, 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. Died of wounds 18 November 1914. Aged 34. Born Gloucester, enlisted Cirencester. In the 1911 census he was aged 30, born Gloucestershire, a Farm Labourer, married to Florence Ethel Wintle, with two daughters, resident Watchfield, Shrivenham, Oxfordshire. Buried in BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot III. Row A. Grave 53.
WOODHAM	George Henry	Private 18766, Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regiment). Died on service 16 February 1917. Aged 30. Born Wantage, Berkshire, resident Marlborough, Wiltshire, enlisted Devizes, Wiltshire. Buried in BAILLEUL COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, NORD, Nord, France. Plot III. Row A. Grave 39.
WYATT	Norman Booth	[Listed as Lance Corporal on memorial] Private 10262, 5th Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Regiment). Killed in action 13 [memorial states 14] October 1915. Aged 19 [CWGC states 18]. Born and resident Watchfield, Berkshire, enlisted Reading. Son of Sarah Jane Wyatt, of Watchfield, Shrivenham, Berks., and the late Charles Thomas Wyatt. No known grave. Commemorated on LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 93 to 95.

Last updated 5 May, 2023

War Memorials Trust