Category Archives: Commemorated name/s

Harry George Brewer

Army, Commemorated name/s, Other Regiments, Reading University College

Harry George Brewer
Lance Sergeant C/6276
18th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps

 Division 24

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Harry George Brewer was the son of Frank and Emma Brewer, of 653, Oxford Road, Reading. A grave to the family of Barton and Andrews also bears the initials “E.B. and F.B. and Cpl. H.G.B. son killed in action September 16th 1916, aged 27”  is commemorated on a small scroll.  Burial records revealed the name Brewer.  The 1911 census records indicate the Harry Brewer was a journeyman carpenter. His father was a plumber and other sons also had trades.

 CWGC information revealed that Harry George Brewer was killed on the 15th September 1916. He is listed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.  Pier and Face 13A and 13B.

 The 15th September was the beginning of the 3rd phase of the Somme offensive.   On this day an advance along six miles of front to a depth of 2000 -3000 yards took place.   The attack was special because it was the first time that the heavy armoured cars or tanks were used.  Although several tanks ditched along the way those that fought near Flers were very successful and assisted in the taking of the village.  During the next four days, all along the front, the fighting was bloody and many men lost their lives. Exactly where the  18th Battalion KRRC were positioned is not yet known. It is not clear upon which day Harry Brewer died but he had no known grave.  The allied attack was hindered on the 19th September by bad weather but,  resumed the day after and continued well into November.  During this time many thousands lost their lives.

William Henry Bolton

Army, Commemorated name/s, Other Regiments

William Henry Bolton
Private 17861
6th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment 

Division 66
Extension

Bolton WH photo Bolton WH grave

William Henry Bolton was the son of Frederick and Caroline Bolton, of Shinfield Road, Reading.  He is commemorated on the kerbs of the family grave in the Reading Cemetery. The grave number is 18155; the Berkshire Family History Society classification is 66E7.

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 William Bolton died of spotted fever (Meningitis) and is buried in the Wimereux Communal Cemetery. Location I.P.18A.  Wimereux was the Headquarters of the Q.M.A.A.C. and in 1919 the General Headquarters of the British Army.  Wimereux formed an important hospital centre which would account for William Bolton dying there. Due to ground subsidence in this cemetery the headstones are laid flat .

Lt.-Col. John McCrae, a Canadian doctor and poet is also buried in this cemetery.  He is famous for the poem, ‘In Flanders Fields’.  Unusually the headstones in the British portion of this cemetery are laid flat.

John Ritso Nelson Bolton and Stuart Bladen Bolton

Army, Commemorated name/s, Jutland, Loos, Navy, Other Regiments

John Ritso Nelson Bolton
Lieutenant
104th Battery 22nd Brigade
Royal Field Artillery

Division 69
Extension

 John Ritso Nelson Bolton and Stuart Bladen Bolton were the sons of Colonel A. H. and Mrs Mary A. Bolton, of Laugharne, Carmarthenshire.  They are commemorated on the grave of ?.  The Berkshire Family History Society classification is 69B14.

John Ritso Nelson Bolton is buried in the Fouquieres Churchyard Extension, location Plot 1, grave number 39.  He died on the 25th September 1915, aged 22 years.  The village of Fouquieres is 1 kilometre southwest of Bethune and west of the British front line.  On the 25th September 1915 the Battle of Loos commenced.  Bombardment started on the 21st September.  The main Loos battleground was south of Bethune.  It is possible that John Bolton was either injured or killed in counter battery operations prior to the start of the battle.  Further research is needed.

 Stuart Bladen Bolton
Midshipman  R.N. H.M.S. “Indefatigable”, Royal Navy

 Stuart Bladen Bolton lost his life during the Battle of Jutland on the 31st May 1916.  He was aged 18.  Details of the Battle can be seen in the story of Charlie Wake Division 30.

Stuart Bladen Bolten is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.  Panel number 10.