Category Archives: Registered War Grave

Elizabeth Holliday

Registered War Grave, RFC / RAF

Elizabeth Holliday
864. 73rd Wing
Woman’s Royal Air Force

Division 41

CIMG2129

Elizabeth Price was the daughter of Charles H.Holliday, of 21, Valentia Road, Oxford Road Reading.   She died at  the Royal Berkshire Hospital according to the Standard 29th May 1919.  She was aged 23.

The author has been unable to find out any more information other than that given in the CWGC register.

Elizabeth died on the 13th March 1919 and her name is commemorated on a  CWGC war pattern headstone on the family grave in Division 41, grave number 11967.

According to the 1911 census Charles worked on the corporation trams. The family was quite large and Elizabeth was working as a second housemaid in Hastings in 1911. It is believed that other members of the extended family lived a few doors away at 17 Valentia Road.

Arthur George Head

Army, Registered War Grave, Royal Berkshire Regiment

Arthur George Head
Private 30163
15th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment

Division 33

CIMG2194

Arthur George Head, was the son of Alfred and Hannah Head, of 12 Derby Street, Reading. His death was reported in the Reading Standard 24th June 1916, he was 37.  

“After having joined the Colours a couple of days, Arthur Head of 12 Derby Street,  Reading, was found dead with his throat cut, in the scullery of his home on Saturday evening.  The deceased, employed by Huntley, Borne and Stevens, joined up under the Derby Scheme, he  was in Group 15, and was single.  He obtained exemption on an appeal made by his employers.  He had been fitted for his uniform on the Friday.  At the inquest two reasons were put forward for him taking his life.  One was the death of his brother in law to whom he was attached, and the other was the fact of his having to join up.

His parents found him lying on the scullery floor on their return from shopping, with his face covered in blood.  A neighbour and the doctor were sent for.  He had a big gash in his throat and a razor was by his side.  A note on the table said “I am sorry, but my head has played me up so.  I am not a coward”.  The verdict was suicide during temporary insanity”. 

Arthur Head is buried in a registered war grave number 10996 and this is marked with a CWGC war pattern headstone. 

Francis John Harper

Army, Berkshire Yeomanry, Registered War Grave

Francis John Harper
Private 2351
1st/1st Berkshire Yeomanry

Division 24

CIMG2179

Francis J. Harper was aged 32 when he died.   He had been a member of the Berkshire Yeomanry for 12 years, resigning some years before the war at the rank of sergeant.  When war broke out he re-enlisted as a trooper (the equivalent of Private)  and  would have been entitled to be promoted because of previous experience.   He contracted a severe chill at Bear Wood whilst training and was brought to the Royal Berkshire Hospital where he died on the 6th January 1915  from double pneumonia.

The military funeral was attended by 140 officers and men of the Yeomanry, employees of Mr J. White, Castle St., staff from Whitley Special School, his brother Mr W. Harper of 102 Radstock Rd. himself an old Bucks. Yeoman,  his sister and widowed father.  A detachment of  men from Bear Wood followed his flag draped coffin to the grave, over which the customary three volleys were fired.

There was a wreath from the children of Whitley Special School, whom he used to drive to and from school.  The Standard reported that the  children had the kindest regard for Mr Harper, who when he enlisted received a letter from the physically defective pupils saying –  

Dear Mr. Harper,

We are all very glad to hear you are going to the front, but we are very sorry to have to say good-by to you.  We hope you will someday return safely, and come back to drive our carriage once more.  We have collected just a little money and we hope you will buy something you like with it.  The socks are knitted by the girls.  Thanking you for all your kindness to us. 

Yours sincerely the Children of P.D.SIDE 

P.S.  Will you please let  us know where you are stationed  so that we may write to you sometimes.

Francis John Harper is interred in a Registered War Grave with a war pattern headstone.