Gunner, Royal Artillery, Service Number 199415 William Edward (Bill) Hazell was born in St Philips Marsh, Bristol, on 20 March 1886. His childhood was divided between the city and the quieter countryside of Pensford, where he lived with his grandparents. In 1907 he married Ellen Mary Hancock, beginning a family life that would eventually root […]
The Bristol Memorial Woodlands once again hosted its Annual Service of Remembrance, a formal and deeply moving ceremony honouring all who have died or been injured in the service of our country in the last 26 years since 2000, whether in the Armed Forces, the police, the fire and rescue services, the ambulance service, or […]
In contrast, the grave of Herbert Percy Davis is prominent, facing the well known memorial to victims of the 1928 train crash. WO Davis the son of Herbert and Emily of Mill Yard, joined the RAF in 1938, having formerly worked at Charfield Mill as a printer. In December 1943, he was serving with 101 […]
The Charfield Rail disaster of 1928 was a tragic event that claimed 16 lives, including two unknown children, making the memorial a poignant reminder for the community and holding deep historical and emotional value for residents. However, over time the surrounding dry-stone wall has become unsafe, partially collapsing in several sections, with ivy and other vegetation […]
A Family Deeply Rooted in Wotton‑under‑Edge John James “Jim” Cooke grew up in a proud Wotton‑under‑Edge family whose story reflects both the hardship and the resilience of wartime Britain. His father, James Cooke, served with the 5th Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery (RFA) before returning home to become the landlord of The Royal Oak, […]
The Veterans on the Edge breakfasts didn’t begin with a plan to build a group or create a new community project. They began with a simple act of remembrance in 2024, when a small group of us joined the Friends of St James to clean and restore the headstones of thirteen World War I veterans […]
Andrew W White Died 1955 Age Not Known Andrew was a Private in the 12th Battalion the Gloucestershire Regiment. Records show he was wounded in action but continued to serve his Country. His grave, in the churchyard at St James’s in Charfield, was restored by Denice and Sharon who are both Army veterans themselves.
William Ivor Merrett . Died 1969 aged 74 William Ivor Merrett enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1929 and was a Cheif Petty Officer by the time he left. Serving in many ships such as HMS Achilles and the Victory. He was awarded the Long Service and Good conduct Medal as well and the Kings […]
Thomas Theophilus George Hignell Died 1937 aged 73 Thomas was a Boer War veteran, enlisting into the Royal Marines in 1881. Not much more could be found out about Thomas but he was the local Ironmonger in Charfield in 1925. This grave, which is in the old churchyard at St James’s Churchend, Charfield, was restored […]
29401 Private Ernest Albert Berry CLARK 1st Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry Killed in action on 30 August 1918. Aged 19 yrs old. No Known Grave – commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial to the Missing Ernest Clark was born in early 1899 at Charfield. He was one of two sons and a daughter born to Ernest […]