War Graves in Prestbury (St Mary’s) Churchyard

   LEAVING CHELTENHAM …………..and all that was dear

War Graves of The Great War Located

in Prestbury (St Mary’s) Churchyard

Location:   St Mary’s Church, Prestbury, Glos

Location:   SO 972239

Date Last Visited:   31st July 2012

WW1 War Graves in the Churchyard:   5

War Graves of the Great War in the Churchyard

Pte Robert James DOWDESWELL, Reserve Supply Personnel Depot, Army Service Corps, is buried near the North gate of the Churchyard.

He died of illness in Shorncliffe Military Hospital on 20th April 1917, aged 24.

He is commemorated on the Prestbury War Memorial, the Prestbury (St Mary’s Church) Roll of Honour Tablet and on the Order of Oddfellows Roll of Honour.

His mother, Mrs E H Dowdeswell, resided at Shaw Green, Prestbury.

Captain Arthur Vincent HOLMAN, 3/1st Battalion Herefordshire Regiment, is buried in the East part of the Churchyard.

He died of illness in Cheltenham on 9th January 1917, aged 40.

He is commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial.

Captain Holman left a widow, Mrs Elsie Holman, who resided at “Melfort”, All Saints Road, Cheltenham.

In October 2004, the CWGC agreed to liaise with the church authorities and seek their permission to erect an official headstone on his grave in due course.   The new headstone was erected in July 2009.

Major Arthur McCulloch INGLIS, DSO, Gloucestershire Regiment and Tank Corps, is buried in the South East of the Churchyard.

He died of illness in Cheltenham on 12th May 1919, aged 34.

Major Inglis is commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial, the Prestbury (St Mary’s Church) Roll of Honour Tablet and on the Cheltenham College Roll of Honour.  

He resided at “Inglesby”, New Barn Lane, Prestbury.

In October 2004, the CWGC agreed to liaise with the church authorities and seek their permission to erect an official headstone on his grave in due course.   The new headstone was erected in July 2009.

Pte Arthur Grace LOUIS, Royal Army Medical Corps, is buried in the South-East of the Churchyard.

He died of illness in the UK on 22nd September 1916, aged 42.

He is commemorated on the Prestbury War Memorial, the Prestbury (St Mary’s Church) Roll of Honour Tablet and on the Cheltenham College Roll of Honour.

He left a widow, Mrs Caroline Elizabeth Louis, who resided at “Hygeia”, Prestbury and later at “Daylesford”, Wellington Square, Cheltenham.

Pte Jesse George WEBBER, 3rd (Reserve) Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, is buried in the East of the Churchyard.

He died of illness in the UK on 18th February 1917, aged 45.

He is commemorated on the Prestbury War Memorial and on the Prestbury (St Mary’s Church) Roll of Honour Tablet.

He left a widow, Mrs Fanny Webber, who resided at Prestbury until her death on 31st July 1921.

The following are commemorated on graves in the Churchyard which can be viewed here

Asst Clk Basil St M CARDEW, RN, HMS Monmouth, Killed in action at sea on 1st November 1914.

Pte Albert Edward GIBBINS, 8th Bn Somerset Light Infantry, Killed in action, Arras, France, 11th April 1917.

Rfn Percy Goddard GARRAWAY, 8th Bn Canadian Inf, Died of wounds, Lijssenthoek, Belgium, 12th November 1917.

2Lt Lionel Bruce MABY, 2nd Bn Scots Guards, Killed in action, Havrincourt, France, 12th September 1918.

Pte Ernest Edward PARKER, 8th Bn Devon Regt, Killed in action, Broodseinde, Belgium, 5th October 1917.

Pte Frank Leslie PARKER, 2nd Bn Grenadier Guards, Killed in action, River Selle, France, 25th October 1918.

Pte Edgar ROBINSON, 3rd (Res) Bn Glos Regt, Died of illness, London, 23rd February 1915.

Pte Edward ROBINSON, 12th Bn Glos Regt, Killed in action, Guillemont, France, 3rd September 1916.

Major John Francis SUMPTION, 14th Bn Canadian Inf, Died of wounds, Rouen, France,  22nd October 1916.

Notes:

1.   The civilian headstones of Holman and Inglis were replaced by official CWGC headstones in July 2009.

2.   Louis is buried in a civilian grave which is officially recognised by the CWGC and listed in the Debt of Honour Register.

3.   Commemorations in the cemetery can be viewed here.

4.   Prestbury War Memorial can be seen here.

5.   Prestbury (St Mary’s Church) Roll of Honour Tablet can be viewed here.