Name
Joseph Samuel Demmery
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/12/1916
33
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
2526
Gloucestershire Regiment
1st/5th Bn.
"D" Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ADANAC MILITARY CEMETERY, MIRAUMONT
IV. G. 31.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Bushey Town Memorial, St Peter’s Church Memorial, Bushey Heath
Pre War
Born in Stroud, Gloucestershire in 1884, Joseph Samuel Demmery was the son of Samuel and Emma (née Hunt) Demmery. His parents were married in the last quarter of 1877 in the Stroud registration district. The family were living at 6 Bridge Street, Stonehouse, Nr. Stroud and his father was a shoemaker. Emma died in 1909, the death register in Q3 in the Stroud registration district.
He had an older brother, William Henry, who was born in the third quarter of 1878 and a sister, Ada, who was born in the first quarter of 1880. Both births are also recorded in the Stroud registration district. The death, aged 20, of a William Henry Demmery is also recorded in the fourth quarter of 1898 in the Stroud district and is assumed to be Joseph’s brother.
In 1911, Joseph was 27 and employed by Middlesex County Council as a schoolmaster, boarding at ‘Glenroy’, 59 Wolseley Road, Wealdstone, Middlesex. He later moved to ‘Selsley’ Caldicote Hill, Bushey Heath.
Wartime Service
Joseph enlisted as Private 2526 in Gloucester with the Gloucestershire Regiment and served on the Western Front. On 25 March 1915, he made his last will and testament:
“I leave all property, land, furniture, clothes etc. together with all monies to my sister, Ada Demmery; my bank book in the charge of J. H Whatmore Esq of Clovelly, Beresford Road, Harrow, Middx., together with receipts of various bills he has paid for me including two payment books of Cunningham Building Society. Should his accounts prove satisfactory as I feel they will, I wish the sum of £5 to be given to him for his painstaking care. The sum of £30 is also due to me from Philip Geo. May Esq of 1 Risingholme Terrace, Wealdstone, Middx. His receipt for same will be found among my papers. Certain monies will also be due from Arthur Foxall Esq tenant of Selsley, Bushey Heath, particulars of which enclosed. All monies etc. I leave in my sister’s hand to do as she pleases.”
Joseph was killed in action on 1 December 1916 and is remembered with honour at the Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont in France. He is also commemorated on the Bushey Memorial, at St Peter’s Church, Bushey Heath and on the memorial in the village of Letchmore Heath, Hertfordshire.
Additional Information
Information provided with the kind permission of Bushey First World War Commemoration Project – Please visit www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk
Acknowledgments
Andrew Palmer
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild
