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Posts by ParmoorAdmin

Posts by ParmoorAdmin

Major – 32nd Lancers (Indian Army)

Died: 24th May 1915

Aged: 41 years old

Killed In Action Battle of Bellewaarde, Belgium

John Gwynne Griffith was born in Taraghur, India on 23rd June 1874 to Lt-Col John Gilbert Griffith of the Indian Staff Corps and his wife Fanny Augusta. When the family moved to Cheltenham they were living at Fairfield House, Leckhampton

John was educated at Stubbington House School and Dulwich College. He married Florence Ethel Baker at St. Philip and St. James’ Church, on 15th June 1889.

The couple lived at 29 Park Place, Cheltenham. In his will he left all his property to his wife including the estate of ‘Hodges Pen’ in Jamaica, West Indies.

John was a professional soldier who had an illustrious career. His military career began in 1893 when he joined the 3rd (Militia) Battalion of the South Wales Borderers. During his military work he was on plague duty in India; officiating Inspector Officer with the Imperial Service Cavalry and Military Attaché in Bombay. Selected as one of eight senior subalterns, John took part in operations in South Africa, in the Transvaal and Orange River County.

In 1911 he was sent to Australia for two years as Director of Military Training. Whilst home on leave war was declared and John joined the 7th Cavalry, becoming Brigade Major of the 9th Cavalry. He embarked for France on 20th October 1914.

On 24th May 1915, at the Battle of Bellewaarde, south east of Ypres, he was killed instantly whilst giving orders to his brigade. Lord French mentioned him in despatches a few days later for gallant and distinguished service in the field. General Greenly wrote of him “He was the sort of English gentleman who has made the Empire what it is.”

He is buried at Ypres Town Cemetery, Menin Road and commemorated in Cheltenham on the Cheltenham war memorial and on his parent’s grave in St. Peters, Leckhampton.

He was the sort of English gentleman who has made the Empire what it is.

General Greenly

The Fallen

Lieutenant ‘REX’ REGINALD ANTHONY LYON

‘Rex’ Reginald Anthony Lyon

Private ARTHUR GEORGE MASLIN

Arthur George Maslin

Private ARTHUR THOMAS HIRON

Arthur Thomas Hiron

2nd Lieutenant CHARLES WALLACE BOYCE

Charles Wallace Boyce

Private CHARLES WILLIAM HARWOOD

Charles William Harwood

Lieutenant CYRIL WILLIAM WINTERBOTHAM

Cyril William Winterbotham

Private ERNEST SMITH

Ernest Smith

Lieutenant FRANCIS CHARLES ERLIN CLARKE

Frances Charles Erlin Clarke

Private HAROLD EDGAR RALPH

Harold Edgar Ralph

Private HENRY RUDOLPH ARUNDELL

Henry Rudolph Arundell

2nd Lieutenant HUBERT WILLIAM CORKE

Hubert William Corke

Major JOHN GWYNNE GRIFFITH

John Gwynne Griffith

Captain JOHN HAROLD ELLERSON RICKERBY MC

John Harold Ellerson Rickerby MC

2nd Lieutenant KENNETH GURNEY

Kenneth Gurney

Lance Corporal LESLIE JAMES SILVESTER

Leslie James Silvester

Major LIONEL GOODEVE

Lional Goodeve

Private SIDNEY LEONARD DEAN

Sidney Leonard Dean

Private WILLIAM REGAN

William Regan

Circumspice 19: answer to mini-quiz item in the summer edition of OurTown

6 Jul at 7:07 pm

Blue plaque celebrates Cheltenham architect

21 Jun at 2:19 pm

Irony hits home hard as council uses the 131 precedent to justify Pump Room café proposal

30 May at 5:17 pm

Elms Park planning juggernaut ploughs on regardless

29 May at 7:49 pm

Cautious welcome for luxury hotel conversion of municipal offices

25 May at 5:34 pm

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