Albert Louis Quarterman





The local pub on Upper Green St (picture from SWOP website)

Albert Louis Quarterman's grave in High Wycombe Cemetery





Albert Louis Quarterman 1896 - 1916

I am Albert Louis Quarterman and I was born on the 14th January 1896 in High Wycombe. Most people call me Bert. My parents were Ernest & Rachel nee Spicer. In 1901 we were living at Upper Green Street and my father was working as a chairmaker. We were a large family and I had the following brothers and sisters: Ellen, Chris, Ernest, William, Florence, Mabel and Albert with my little Percival to arrive later.

Ten years later we were still living in Upper Green Street and my brothers and myself had all become chairmakers following in our father's footsteps. This was not particularly unusual as Wycombe was the centre of chairmaking and there was usually plenty of employment.

I was employed at E. Gomme’s, the Leigh Street chairmakers, before I joined the army. I was quick off the mark and I enlisted at High Wycombe on 12 August 1914 and firstly served with the Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry, service number 8656. I was subsequently attached to the 1st Wiltshire Regiment and served with them in France.

I was wounded twice in France and on June 15th 1915 I received bayonet wounds to my hand while serving on the Front. I was brought back to England to Walmer V.A.D Hospital and later taken to Folkestone and Shorncliffe Military Hospital in Kent. It was here, after much suffering that I died from blood poisoning on 25th April 1916.

I hope my family were proud of me as on the day of my funeral many people lined the street to watch the gun carriage pass by with my coffin draped in the Union Jack. The R.F.A (No 4 Training school) provided the carriage, bearers, buglers and the firing party. At my graveside three volleys were fired and the Last Post played. Among my relatives who attended was my brother who was a Lance Corporal in the Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry. My best friend Private John Moreton who was wounded in action on the same day, also attended.

A number of beautiful floral tributes were sent from my grieving family, friends and my previous employer.

The inscription on my grave reads: “ THY WILL BE DONE”

I am also remembered on the High Wycombe Hospital Memorial Plaque.



Researched by Ruth Bowler, Flackwell Local Area History Group

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