BELCHER, Edward William

Newport Cemetery, Isle of Wight UKCredit: Gary Newman

Rifleman
8th Battalion Isle of Wight Rifles
Hampshire Regiment

Edward was born 1877 in Salisbury, Wiltshire to Charles & Esther BELCHER (nee BRYANT). By 1891 Edward was living at 13 High Street in Newport.

On the 17th of  October 1914 Edward died from head injuries sustained when an inspection pit belonging to the Electric Light Company exploded near to where he was standing at the junction of Pyle Street & St James' Street in Newport. An inquest concluded this was caused by a 'build up' of gases within the pit, but was unclear about the source of ignition.

CWGC Casualty Record

Cemetary

Newport Cemetery

Location

Situated on Fairlee in Newport PO30 2EJ & established in 1858 at a cost of £3,000 &, in 1898, was controlled by a Burial Board of 9 members - the clerk was William Weeks, Crocker House, Crocker street; the keeper Richard Parsons. The cemetery contains 6 First World War & 5 Second World War graves & is managed by Bereavement Services at the Isle of Wight Council.