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Hereward Pattision Sadler

Army, Commemorated name/s, Reading School War Memorial, Royal Berkshire Regiment, Somme

Hereward Pattison Sadler
Second Lieutenant
6th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment

Divison 64
Extension

Sadler HP photo

Hereward Pattison Sadler,  was the only son of William and Jane Sadler, of ‘Oakdene’ 4, Hillside Gardens, Wallington, Surrey, late ‘Plassey’, Holmes Road, Reading. 

The 1911 census indicates that the family had also lived at 42, Hamilton Road. William Sadler was then the head teacher of an elementary school, sister Ethel is recorded as a teacher for the County council her father for the Borough council.  Hereward was still at school.  An elder sister not living at home in 1911 is recorded as a teacher in 1901 census.

Hereward  died of wounds on 19th July 1916, aged 20. This is the day that the battalion was making an attack on on the village of Longueval and Delville Wood, part of the Somme offensive. Many men in the battalion were killed in the bloody battle by artillery and machine gun fire. It is possible that Hereward Sadler was injured and removed to a place of safety rather than being killed immediately during the action. The wood became known as ‘Devil’s wood’ by the men who fought there.  Another Reading man, Samuel Robert Collier who is also remembered in the Old Reading Cemetery was in the same battalion and lost his life in the fighting.


Hereward Sadler  is buried in the Carnoy Military Cemetery.  Location K. 32

Agnes Maude Russell

Abbey Baptist Church, Dardanelles, Nurse, Registered War Grave

Agnes Maude Russell
Staff Nurse
Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service

 Division 3

CIMG2079

Military honours were accorded at the funeral of Sister Agnes Maude Russell, who died 4th October 1916, at Queen Alexandra’s Hospital for Sick Sisters. Sister Russell, aged 42, was nursing soldiers in Malta when she was invalided home on the 27th September.  The soldiers would probably have been those requiring treatment as a result of action in the Dardanelles.

 Formerly she had been a  school nurse employed by the London Education Committee.  She was also a Sunday School teacher at Westminster Chapel, where the first part of the funeral service was conducted.

Before the interment a service was held at Kings Rd. Baptist Church, the Rev. R. G. Fairbairn officiating.  The hymn “For all the saints”, was sung.    The mourners were Mr. Augustine Russell (father), Mr. E.A. Russell (brother), her sister, brother and sister in law and cousin.  The congregation included members of Westminster Chapel, Matron Q.A. Hospital, members of staff London Education Committee, Matron of No. 1 War Hospital, Numerous floral tributes including from her father, the Girl Guides of Westminster chapel, members of staff London Education Committee, Nurses and staff No. 1 War hospital, the School Nurses League.

Her grave has a CWGC headstone.

Herbert Roseblade

Commemorated name/s, Dardanelles, Other Regiments

Herbert Roseblade
Private PO/16133
Royal Marine Light Infantry

 Division 26

Roseblade H photo

Herbert Roseblade was the  son of Emma and Arthur Roseblade, of 4 St. Saviours Terrace, Field Road, Reading.  The 1911 census indicates that Arthur was a bricklayer as was older brother John. Herbert worked in a book repair shop. Emma had given birth to six children during her marriage, five survived but only three were living at home. The 1901 census gives the names of William and Albert. Herbert and his brothers all  served in the war.

Herbert is commemorated on the headstone of his parents grave.  Number 155542. 

 He was killed in action at Gallipoli on 6th May 1915.  British forces had landed on the 25th April 1915 and fierce fighting had taken place ever since.  The 6th May marked what was referred to as the 2nd Battle of  Krithia.  Herbert  was killed in action in the Dardanelles but his body was lost, he was aged 19. 

Herbert is commemorated on the Helles Memorial Panel 2 -7.