Tyrrell, Edwin 1916.

Edwin Tyrrell. Died 27 May 1916
Edwin was born on Christmas Day 1894 to father, Thomas and mother Elizabeth in Clewer, Berkshire.  He was the youngest born and had five siblings, three brothers and two sisters (Edith was the eldest).

By the age of 16, Edwin had become a painter like the rest of the brothers and his foreman father. His parents lived on the Broadmoor Road in 1901.  Later, his family moved to St Michaels Cottages (which still exist), Old Wokingham Road, Pinewood and they remained there during the war years.

On the outbreak of war, Edwin enlisted at Wokingham and joined the 1st/4th Battalion, The Royal Berkshire Regiment.  At some point he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps.   The following two postcards sent to his family, give an insight into his movements before he was sent to France – possibly in February 1916.

(1)  Sepia Postcard of East Street, Rochford, Essex.  Postmark: 29th June 1915.

It reads:  “I am sending you a view of this place.  I am billeted 1 mile from here at a place called Stambridge.  We arrived here today by 2 p.m.”

(2)  Coloured Postcard of The Bridges, Newcastle.  Postmark:  6th February 1916 (written on the 5th).  It reads: “Arrived at Newcastle safe, had no trouble in catching trains.  I need not have started so early, troop train left Kings Cross at 2.15 p.m.”

There was an army camp near Rochford which was also the location for an airfield.  It is not known at present, why Edwin was sent to Newcastle or where he served in France.

Like many soldiers, Edwin succumed to infection.  A boil on his back became badly infected and he was evacuated to the ArmyHospital in Colchester.  Whilst there, Edwin managed to send a letter home, the appearance of which alarmed his mother and a family visit to the hospital was arranged.  On arrival, Edwin was found to be in a critical condition; his mother was prevented from seeing him.  Edwin was 21 years old and died of Gangrene infection on the 25th May 1916.

Edwin was buried at St. Sebastian’s, Nine Mile Ride.  Due to an extension built in modern times, Edwin’s grave and those of other soldiers, is closer to the Church than it was in 1916.  Edwin’s name appears on the memorial in Wokingham Town Hall and on the memorial window in St. Sebastian’s Memorial Hall.  This window is unusual, as it contains real butterflies pressed between glass.

Edwin’s CWGC grave record shows that Edwin’s family had by 1920, moved to Cavendish Cottages, Easthampstead Road, Bracknell.

By Ros Sarney (Edwin’s Great Niece).   

Name: TYRRELL, EDWIN CHARLES
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment Service: Royal Berkshire Regiment
Unit Text: 4th Bn.
Age:21
Date of Death:27/05/1916
Service No:1751
Additional information: Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Tyrrell, of Cavendish Cottage, Easthampstead Rd., Bracknell, Berks.
Born at Clewer, Windsor.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Spec. Plot. 13.Cemetery:
WOKINGHAM (ST. SEBASTIAN) CHURCHYARD

Clewer Village (birthplace)
Broadmoor Road Wokingham / Crowthorne. 1901
St Michaels Cottages, Wokingham
Cavendish Cottage, Easthampstead Road, Bracknell, Berkshire

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