Captain, 1/5th (Territorial) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. Killed in action 15 June 1918. Aged 39. Son of Henry William and Flora Emily Bruton, of Gloucester; husband of Isabel Frances Stewart Bruton, of 88, London Road, Gloucester. Birth registered in the October to December Quarter 1878 in the Gloucester Registration District. In the 1881 census he was a grandson, aged 2, with his grandparents Henry and Gertrude Bruton, born Gloucestershire, resident Wotton Hill, Wotton St Mary, Gloucester. In the 1891 census he was 12, a Scholar, son of Henry W and Flora E Bruton, Born Gloucestershire, resident 99 Lonon Road, St. Catherine's, Gloucester. In the July to September Quarter 1909 he married Isabel Frances Robertson in the Gloucester Registration District. In 1909 he was a City Councillor for the Alington Ward according to kelly's Directory Gloucestershire 1910. In the 1911 census he was living with his wife, Isabel, and they had one daughter, Shirley, he was 32, born Gloucester, a Surveyor and Estate Agent, resident The Palmers, Hucclecote, Gloucester. Overseas to Italy 2 January 1917. Mentioned in Despatches. Buried in BOSCON BRITISH CEMETERY, Italy. Plot 2. Row D. Grave 7.

Extract from England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966 about Basil Vassar Bruton:

BRUTON Basil vassar of 88 Lonodon-road Gloucester a lieutenant (acting captain) the 1/5th battlaion Gloucestershire regiment died 15 june 1918 in Italy killed in action Probate Gloucester 20 August {1918] to Isabel Frances Stewart bruton widow.
Effects £4742 17s. 7d.

Note: Following the collapse of the Italian Army at Caporetto, several Divisions of the British Army including the 48th (South Midland) Division were sent to Italy to bolster the defence in the Alps. On 15th June 1918 the Austrians launched an attack at Cesuna attempting to push the British off the Asiago Plateau. The line was being held by the 1/5th Glosters and 1/5th Warwicks. Both of these battalions were almost wiped out. In the crucial battle around Cesuna on 15th/16th a night counter attack through the Asiago forest the 1/7th and 1/8th Worcs. pushed the Austrians back to their start point. This was very demoralising for the Austrians and marked the end of their offensive. Sources; King's School, Gloucester War Memorialegiment Asiago;The battle in the woods and the clouds- MacKay, Francis.

Private PS/8887, 20th (3rd University and Public Schools ) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Killed in action at High Wood 20 July 1916. Aged 21. Born Whitland, Carmarthenshire, enlisted Epsom, resident Newark Farm, Gloucester. Son of Mr & Mrs Benjamin Davies, Newark Farm, Hempsted Gloucestershire. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL Somme France. Pier and Face 8 C 9 A and 16 A. Also commemorated on Whitland War Memorial

Commemorated on family gravestone in the churchyard:

John Harries DAVIES
Killed in Action on the Somme
July 20th 1916, Aged 22 Years

Extract from the War diary of the 20th Royal Fusiliers:

HIGH WOOD 20.7.1916

‘19th Brigade attacks at 3.25am on HIGH WOOD. Attack by 1st Cameronians and 5th Scottish Rifles. 20th Royal Fusiliers in support. 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers in reserve. North corner & North west corner of wood not taken. Rest taken and consolidated. 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers came up about 12 noon. A front & support line consolidated across wood from East to West. Held on to position until relieved by 100th brigade at midnight then withdrew to old bivouacking ground at Mametz wood. Casualties, Lt Col [Charles Hugh] Bennett - wounded. Killed: Lt [Stuart Milner ] Rawson, Lt [John William Henry] Palmer, 2nd Lt [John Thomas]Price, 2nd Lt [Eric] Coventry [born Zeederberg] missing, 2nd Lt. [Thomas Charles] Hine, Missing believed killed: Capt [Edward Northcote] Toller, Lt [Herbert] Wallwork, Lt Evans Wounded: Capt [David W.] Hollingsworth, 2nd Lt Bell, 2nd Lt Cooke, 2nd Lt Brooke, 2nd Lt [Niels Frederic] Fabricius, 2nd Lt [Frederick Thomas Reginald] Ives, 2nd Lt Herbert. Other Ranks killed, wounded or missing: 375.’