Frederick William Gill
Stoker 1st Class K/8734
H.M.S. “Hogue”, Royal Navy
Division 59
 |
Frederick William Gill, was the son of Arthur Frederick and Catherine Gill, of 72, Walbeck Street, Reading. He died on 22nd September 1914, aged 24. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire. Reference 4.
The “Hogue2 was sunk by enemy submarine together with the “Aboukir” and “Cressy”.
See entry for Franklin.
Sidney Henry George
Private 28566
11th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Division 29
 |
Sidney Henry George was the son of William John and Annie George, of 16, Richmond Road, Reading; and husband of Louisa George, of 19, Richmond Road, Reading, Berkshire. He was killed in action on 24th September 1917. He is commemorated upon the kerb stones of his parents grave in Reading Cemetery. Grave number 17590. The Berkshire Family History Society classification is 29G25.
Sidney George has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot memorial, Panel 23 to 28 and 163A.
The battle, of what was subsequently known as the Menin Road Ridge, began on September 20th. The British threw themselves at the German strong point known as “Tower Hamlets”. The Australians fought for Glencorse Wood and and Nonne Bosschen, the South Africans took the Breman Redoubt. There was fierce fighting all along the front, particularly in front of Langemarck. During the following days the Australians fought for Polygon Wood which was the key to the ridge and Passchendaele. It was during this fighting that Sidney George lost his life. Greater detail of the battle can be found in ‘Passchendaele’ by Martin Matrix Evans.
Sidney was wounded in the neck by shrapnel on April 28th 1917 but recovered sufficiently to be sent back to the front. His brother W.J.George was invalided out of the army with trench feet. (Reading Standard 12th May 1917)
William Frederick Fouracre Venner
2nd Lieutenant
13th Battalion Hampshire Regiment attached to the Royal Engineers.
Division 35
 |
 |
William died of Malaria fever in Mikesse, Dar-es-Salaam, German East Africa on December 5th 1916. He was 23 years. He was the only son of late Councillor W.J.D.Venner and grandson of Mrs. M. Venner of “Axbridge”, 76, London Rd. Reading. His father who had been a prominent business man in Reading died in February 1916. William is commemorated on a family grave in the cemetery. Grave number 12576
In the Chronicle 15th December 1916, he is described as “a gallant officer…most promising and had he been spared would undoubtedly have done extremely well in life. Educated at Lord Weymouth’s Grammar school, Warminster…..entered the firm of Messers. M. Venner & Sons of Southampton Street….he joined the first company of Royal Engineers (in 1915) which was formed at Wantage Hall, by the Deputy Mayor Mr Leonard Goodhart Sutton. He quickly obtained his commission and was appointed to the Hants. Regiment but subsequently rejoined the Royal Engineers and was given a position of officer commanding the 49th Motor Air Line Section.”
“Whilst at school he was head of the School Rifle Corps, and took a great interest in St. Giles’ Football club which he helped to found.” He was mourned by his Uncle Mr. R. Venner and other family members, a cousin was in the 32nd Company Royal Engineers also formed by the Deputy Mayor.