During the Great War it was the policy of the British Government not to repatriate servicemen who died on active service overseas, instead they were buried near to where they died. The only exceptions to this policy are a very small number of private repatriations prior to 1915 by families who could afford the expense. The main reason why some servicemen are buried in local churchyards are that they have died whilst in Britain. The causes of these servicemen’s deaths tend to be from illness, disease, wounds, injuries, and accidents.
Six servicemen who died whilst on active service during the Great War are buried in the churchyard at All Saints, Gresford. This report has been produced in remembrance of the sacrifice that was made by each of these servicemen, and the grief that must have been suffered by their families.
Quartermaster Sergeant 13079 William Barratt, MM, MSM, Canadian Infantry
Rifleman 107640 Thomas Beech Barton, The King’s Liverpool Regiment
Private 8576 Walter James Field, Lancashire Fusiliers
Captain Charles Eustace Fishbourne, Royal Engineers
Ordinary Seaman Z/6158 Reginald Eyton Griffiths, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Captain Arthur Henry Leslie Soames, MC, Légion d’Honneur, King’s Own Hussars & Royal Flying Corp.
Source: With kind permission.
Published September 2011 by Historical Gems, Copyright ©2011
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