Preshute: WWI War Memorial

Mary Spender

The aftermath of the First World War saw the biggest single wave of public commemoration ever with tens of thousands of memorials erected across England. This was the result of both the huge impact on communities of the loss of three quarters of a million British lives, and also the official policy of not repatriating the dead which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.

One such memorial was raised at Preshute as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the sixteen members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. It was unveiled on Sunday 2 November 1919 at a ceremony attended by local dignitaries and clergy. The memorial was paid for by subscription at a cost of £70, and designed by architect G H Shackle who also designed the Grade II-listed Headbourne Worthy War Memorial.

The names of the eight parishioners who fell during the Second World War were subsequently added to the memorial.

Preshute WWI Wall Memorial

First World War memorial, 1919, with Second World War additions

The Preshute War Memorial stands on a raised mound in the churchyard of the Church of St George (Grade II*-listed), to the south-east of the chancel. It is of granite and takes the form of a tall, tapering Latin cross rising from a rough-hewn, four-sided, tapering plinth. The inscriptions and names are in incised lettering to the plinth and cross shaft respectively. The main inscription is incised into a recessed panel cut into the east face of the plinth and reads,

‘IN MEMORY OF THE MEN/ OF PRESHUTE/ WHO FELL IN THE WAR / 1914 – 1919’

The 16 names of those who died in the First World War are recorded above on the east face of the shaft, below a carved cross pattée symbol in a circle.The dates 1939 – 1945 are incised into a recessed panel cut into the north face of the plinth. The 8 names of those who died in the Second World War are recorded above on the north face of the shaft.

The Men of Preshute Who Fell in The War

Captain William Henry Bambridge
24th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers

  • Killed in action, aged 27, in France, 19 August 1917
  • War grave in Gorre British and Indian Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais
  • Son of William Samuel and Louisa Maria Bambridge of 35 London Road, Marlborough

Lance-Corporal William Besant
7th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment

  • Killed in action, aged 26, in Greece, 6 October 1917
  • War grave in Sarigol Military Cemetery, Kriston, Greece
  • Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Besant of Manton

Private Albert William (Bert) Blanchard
6th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment

  • Killed in action, aged 21, at Amiens, France, 4 April 1917
  • War grave in Elzenwalle Brasserie Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
  • Son of William and Emelie Blanchard of New Inn Cottages, Manton
    (Uncle of Lyn Whatley and the late Muriel Coburn, Manton residents)

Captain John G Bussell
7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment

  • Killed in action in Belgium, 28 June 1915
  • War grave in Tancrez Farm Cemetery, Hainaut, Belgium
  • Husband of Dorothea Bussell of Seven Stars, Marlborough

Private Henry John (Jack) Culley
1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment

  • Died of wounds, aged 27, at Ypres, 22 June 1915
  • War grave in Bedford House Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
  • Fourth son of Mr and Mrs Charles Culley of Manton

Corporal Fred Ford
29th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Lord Strathcoma’s Horse)

  • Died of wounds in France, 31 May 1916
  • War grave in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais
  • Son of Mr and Mrs D. Ford of Preshute

Private Thomas John Hawkins
26th Labour Company, Army Service Corps

  • Died, aged 35, in France, 19 April 1916
  • War grave in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais
  • Husband of Flora S. Hawkins of 4 Preshute Cottages, Manton

Private Frederick George Maslen
2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment

  • Killed in action in France, 27 September 1915
  • War grave in Rue-du-Bois Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, Pas-de-Calais.

Commander Thomas Hector Molesworth Maurice RN
HMS Princess Irene

  • Killed with all but one of his ship’s company following a major ammunition explosion, aged 38, off Sheerness, Kent, 27 May 1915.
  • Commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial and on a plaque in Preshute Church.

Sapper T. R. Petty
2nd Division Signal Company, Royal Engineers

  • Killed in action, aged 30, in France, 2 November 1918
  • War grave in Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais
  • Husband of Jessie Petty of 294 Leahurst Road, Lewisham

Private Isaac John Smith
2nd/8th Battalion, Manchester Regiment

  • Killed in action, aged 33, in France, 1 April 1917
  • War grave in Vermelles British Cemetery, Pas de Calais
  • Son of John Smith, Ogbourne St. Andrew. Left a widow and one child

Lance-Corporal Richard Henry Smith
2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment

  • Killed in action, aged 27, in France, 2 August 1917
  • Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
  • One of five sons of Henry Richard and Mary Jane Smith of 86 The George, Overton

Lance-Corporal John Henry (or James?) Strong
(No information available)

Private Reginald Robert Strong
5th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment

  • Killed in action at Gallipoli, 10 August 1915
  • Commemorated on Helles Memorial, Turkey
  • Fourth son of Francis and Rosa Strong of Manton

Private James Wheeler
4th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment

  • Killed in action, aged 25, early 1915?
  • Possibly son of William Wheeler of Barton Dene

Private Edwin John Woodroff
5th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment

  • Died of wounds, aged 20, in Mesopotamia, 10 April 1916
  • Commemorated on Basra Memorial, Iraq
  • Son of John Adam and Ruth Woodroff of High Street, Manton