Category Archives: Registered War Grave

George Thomas Dowding

Army, Other Regiments, Registered War Grave

George Thomas Dowding
Rifleman 370879
8th London Regiment – Post Office Rifles

Division 2

George Thomas Dowding was the husband of Elizabeth Nellie Dowding, of 54, Katesgrove Lane, Reading.  Elizabeth Dowding was the eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs John Brown.

 He died on 21st February 1919 and was aged 30.

 Dowding’s grave is marked with kerbstones.  The grave has been buried for some time and as a result of this the name of George Thomas Dowding is also inscribed on a special memorial in the War Plot.  The grave was discovered again during the course of this research.

alternative mem 2

William George Dent

Army, Other Regiments, Registered War Grave

William George Dent
Gunner 125884
“Y” Battery, 2nd Siege Brigade,
Royal Garrison Artillery.

 Division 58

William Dent is buried in the cemetery and his is a registered War Grave although the headstone is a private memorial.  Grave number 11151.  He died on 4th June 1917 aged 35 years.

 The inscription on the headstone marks the sad end of a small family.  William Dent’s wife and young daughter are buried with him.  His child, Ivy,  died in 1908 aged 18 months and his wife Ethel, possibly because, by then, she had little to live for, died in 1922, there is no indication of her age.

Frank Groves Dawbney

Navy, Registered War Grave

Frank Groves Dawbney
Ships Steward M/11801
H.M.S. “Falmouth”

 Division 52

Dawbney FG photo

Frank Groves Dawbney died suddenly from heart failure.  He had enlisted on 8th February 1915 and had always enjoyed good health and passed three doctors. 

 The Captain of the Falmouth wrote to Mrs Dawbney ” I very much regret to have to inform you that your son Frank Groves Dawbney, ship steward’s assistant died suddenly at 4.15 a.m. on the 18th May 1915 of heart failure.  He had only been in the ship for a short period, and was well liked by the ship’s company, and his death was much felt among his mess mates.  There is no doubt that he has sacrificed his life for his country as truly as those who have fallen in action.  It must be a comfort to you to know that his death must have been  a painless one”.

 He was educated at Ardingly college and York House.  He stated his career as an Architect in Reading before moving to work for London County Council.  He was a young man of great promise – his early death coming as a great shock, only the day before his death he wrote to parents saying he was quite well.  The body was interred in the family grave, the coffin covered with a Union Jack and there were many floral tributes.  There were many mourners.  His father was a prominent Conservative and vice-chairman of the Katesgrove Ward No1.  The grave is a registered war grave, number 11925.