Lives of the First World War

Timeline

1869

sibling George Merritt Source:9539061 December 1869

1871

birth Bishop's Cannings, Wiltshire, United Kingdom Source:9538959 Source:8588239 18th January 1871

1903

marriage Matilda Jane Cassell Source:9538979 24th January 1903

1903

marriage Matilda Jane Cassell Source:9538982 24th January 1903

1903

marriage Matilda Jane Cassell Source:8588241 1903

1905

children Ivy May Merritt Source:9539061 30th May 1905

1908

children Marjorie Nora Merritt Source:9539061 12th November 1908

1914

children Leonard Ernest Henry Merritt Source:9539061 22nd January 1914

1914

enlistment Devizes, in the county of Wells United Kingdom Source:9539061 22nd August 1914

1914

service British Army Company Quarter Master Serjeant 3/256 Wiltshire 6th Battalion Source:9539061 22nd August 1914 - 25th December 1915

1915

theatres France & Belgium: 1a Source:9546194 19th July 1915 - 25th December 1915

1915

dates Age 44 Source:8638186 25th December 1915

employment General Labourer Nursery Garden Chirton, Devizes United Kingdom Source:9539123

employment Miller Marden, Devizes United Kingdom Source:9539061

marriage Matilda Source:8638186

service British Army Company Quarter Master Serjeant 3/256 Wiltshire Regiment Source:3015051

service British Army Acting Colour Serjeant 3/256 Wiltshire Regiment Source:3015051

service British Army Company Quartermaster Serjeant 3/256 Wiltshire Regiment Source:7273435

service British Army Wiltshire Source:9539083

service British Army Company Quarter Master Serjeant 3/256 Wiltshire Regiment 6th Battalion Source:9539089

service British Army Company Quarter Master Serjeant 3/256 Wiltshire Regiment 6th Battalion Source:9546194

service British Army C. QMR. SERJT 3/256 Wiltshire Regiment 6th Battalion Source:9560878

1915

death Killed in Action In the Trenches, Bethune. Christmas Day 1915. Instantaneously killed by a whizz-bang (a 77mm shell fired from a German field gun), whilst unloading Christmas rations for his men from the trolley head. Bethune France Source:7273435 Source:9538959 25th December 1915

burial St. Vaast Post Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L'avoue CWGC Cemetery/Memorial Pas de Calais Interred at the Military Cemetery near Neuve Chapelle. France Plot II.J.2 Source:9538959

Details

Names

Type	Name
First Names	Simon
Initials	S
Last Name	Merritt
Source	3015051
First Names	Simon
Initials	S
Last Name	Merritt
Source	9538959

Gender

Gender	Source
Male

Contribution

Military Service

Service	Number	Unit	Section	Rank
British Army	3/256	Wiltshire Regiment		Company Quarter Master Serjeant
British Army	3/256	Wiltshire Regiment		Acting Colour Serjeant
British Army	3/256	Wiltshire Regiment		Company Quartermaster Serjeant
British Army		Wiltshire
British Army	3/256	Wiltshire	6th Battalion	Company Quarter Master Serjeant
British Army	3/256	Wiltshire Regiment	6th Battalion	Company Quarter Master Serjeant
British Army	3/256	Wiltshire Regiment	6th Battalion	Company Quarter Master Serjeant
British Army	3/256	Wiltshire Regiment	6th Battalion	C. QMR. SERJT

Awards

Award	Type	Source
1914/15 Star	First World War Campaign/Service Medal
British War Medal	First World War Campaign/Service Medal
Victory Medal	First World War Campaign/Service Medal

Family

Children

Name	Relationship	Dates
Ivy May Merritt	daughter	30th May 1905
Marjorie Nora Merritt	daughter	12th November 1908
Leonard Ernest Henry Merritt	son	22nd January 1914

Parents

Name	Relationship	Dates	Source
Thomas Merritt	father
Eliza Merritt	mother

Siblings

Name	Relationship	Dates	Source
George Merritt	brother	December 1869

Spouse

Name	Relationship	Dates
Matilda Jane Cassell	wife	1903
Matilda	wife
Matilda Jane Cassell	wife	24th January 1903
Matilda Jane Cassell	wife	24th January 1903

Physical

Complexion	Eyes	Hair	Source
Fair	Brown	Brown

Date	Height	Source
1914-08-09	5'9"

Religion

Date	Religion	Source
1914-08-09	Anglican - Church of Eng, Irl, Wales or other

Media

3/256 Company Quartermaster Serjeant Simon Merritt

6th Bn. Wiltshire Regiment

Contributed by:
luc39051
Memorial Brass in Church at Marden, Wiltshire

names of war dead from village of Marden, Wiltshire

Contributed by:
Clifford40380
Folder in All Saints' Church, Marden

details of three Marden war dead contained in the folder

Contributed by:
Clifford40380
from folder in All saints' Church, Marden, Wilts

gives name of father as Thomas Merritt and wife Matilda

Contributed by:
Clifford40380
Original Birth Certificate of Simon Henry Merritt

Birth certificate showing birth date as 18th January 1871

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Permission to marry

Permission granted from the Army for Simon to marry Matilda Jane Cassell.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Marriage Certificate

Certified copy of the marriage certificate of Simon Henry Merritt and Matilda Jane Cassell

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Soldier's Small Book

"The Small Book"

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Memorial Cards

Memorial Cards given at a memorial service held in honour of C.Q.M.S Simon Merritt back in England.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Memorial Scroll

Memorial Scroll given in honour of the sacrifice made by C.Q.M.S Simon Merritt.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Soldier's Small Book

Page 1

Contributed by:
Tim144218
1911 Census

Details recorded on the 1911 Census

Contributed by:
Tim144218
1915 Christmas Card sent by Simon

Last Christmas Card ever sent by Simon. Unless it was sent before his final latter on 21 December 1915 it would have been the very last form of communication ever sent back home to his wife Matilda before his death.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
1915 Christmas Card

Inside of the final Christmas Card and possibly final form of communication ever sent by Simon.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
C.Q.M.S Simon Merritt

In uniform

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Soldier's Small Book

Page 3

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Soldier's Small Book

Page 4

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Soldier's Small Book

Page 5

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Soldier's Small Book

Page 6

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Letter from Simon to Matilda dated 28 July 1915

Page 1. Written from trenches in the Western Front.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Letter from Simon to Matilda dated 29 July 1915

Page 2 - posted with page 1 written a day earlier.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Transcripts of letters from 28 and 29 July 1915

Transcripts of the letters, easier to read.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Letter from Simon to Matilda dated 19 August 1915

Letter written in the trenches of the Western Front.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Transcript of letter dated 19 August 1915

Transcript, easier to read.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Letter from Simon to Matilda dated 25 August 1915

Written in the trenches on the Western Front

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Transcript of letter dated 25 August 1915

Transcript, easier to read.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Transcript - letter from Simon to Matilda 19/10/15

Transcript

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Transcript - letter from Simon to Matilda 3/11/15

Transcript

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Letter from Simon to Matilda dated 22 Nov 1915

Written in the trenches of the Western Front

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Transcript of letter dated 22 November 1915

Transcript of letter, easier to read.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Letter from Simon to Matilda on 13 Dec 1915

Written in the trenches of the Western Front

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Transcript of letter dated 13 December 1915

Transcript, easier to read.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Transcript - letter from Simon to Matilda 17/12/15

Transcript

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Letter from Matilda to Simon dated 21 Dec 1915

First page of letter written from Matilda to her husband Simon, fighting in the trenches of the Western Front.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Letter from Matilda to Simon dated 21 Dec 1915

Second page of letter written from Matilda to her husband Simon, fighting in the trenches of the Western Front.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Transcript of Matilda's letter dated 21 Dec 1915

Easier to read transcript of the letter written from Matilda to her husband Simon, fighting in the trenches of the Western Front.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Transcript of Simon's last letter - 21 Dec 1915

Transcript of Simon's final ever letter home.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Entry in Wilts Regiment 6th Bn diary 25 Dec 1915

Wiltshire Regiment 6th Battalion Diary entries from 23 December 1915 to 29 December 1915

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Transcript of Regiment diary entry for 25 Dec 1915

Transcript of Wiltshire Regiment 6th Battalion Diary entry on 25 December 1915

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Envelope of last letter Matilda sent to Simon

This envelope was never opened and read by Simon - it was dated 28 December 1915, 3 days after Simon's death.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Sealed envelope of final letter written by Matilda

This envelope was never opened and read by Simon - it was dated 28 December 1915, 3 days after Simon's death. You can still see where it was - and remains - sealed.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Final letter written by Matilda to Simon 28/12/15

Page 1. Written on 28 December - Matilda did not know her husband was killed in action 3 days previously.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Final letter written by Matilda dated 28/12/15

Page 2. Written on 28 December - Matilda did not know her husband was killed in action 3 days previously.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Transcript of final letter from Matilda 28/12/15

Easier to read transcript. Written on 28 December - Matilda did not know her husband was killed in action 3 days previously.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Letter of Condolence sent to Matilda

Page 1 From Frances J. Kingstone.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Letter of Condolence

Pages 2 and 3 From Frances J. Kingstone.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Letter of Condolence

Page 4. From Frances J. Kingstone.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Transcript of letter of condolence

Transcript of letter of condolence from Frances J. Kingstone.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Transcript of Matilda's sister letter to her

Transcript of the letter of condolence sent by Matilda's sister Emily and her husband Bert.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Letter of Condolence - Wilts Working Men's Society

Transcript of letter of condolence written to Matilda from the Wiltshire Working Men's Conservative Benefit Society.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Letter of Condolence

Page 1. From Emily Young

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Letter of Condolence

Pages 2 and 3. From Emily Young

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Transcript of letter of condolence

Transcript of Emily Young's letter of condolence

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Medal Index Card

Contributed by:
Tim144218
1914-15 Star

Contributed by:
Tim144218
1914-15 Star (back showing inscription)

Back of the medal showing inscription: 3-256 C.Q.M.SJT S. MERRITT WILTS

Contributed by:
Tim144218
British War Medal (back)

The ribbon here was accidentally swapped for the ribbon of the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
British War Medal 1914-18

The ribbon here was accidentally swapped for the ribbon of the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
The Allied Victory Medal

Contributed by:
Tim144218
The Allied Victory Medal (reverse)

The Allied Victory Medal

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

Mistakenly with the ribbon from the British War Medal 1914-18

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Long Service & Good Conduct Medal

Mistakenly with the ribbon from the British War Medal 1914-18

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Simon's cap Badge from the Wiltshire Regiment

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Armistice Day Remembrance Service Bishops Cannings

Armistice Day Remembrance Service in Simon's home town.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Armistice Remembrance Service

Bishops Cannings

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Armistice Remembrance Service

Bishops Cannings

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Graves Registration Report Form

Burial plots at St Vaast Military Cemetery

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Index from St Vaast Military Cemetery

Plot II.J.2

Contributed by:
Tim144218
St Vaast Post Military Cemetery

Final resting place of C.Q.M.S Simon Merritt

Contributed by:
Tim144218
St Vaast Post Military Cemetery

The final resting place of C.Q.M.S Simon Henry Merritt.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
St Vaast Post Military Cemetery

Final resting place of C.Q.M.S Simon Henry Merritt

Contributed by:
Tim144218
St Vaast Post Military Cemetery

Final resting place of C.Q.M.S Simon Henry Merritt

Contributed by:
Tim144218
St Vaast Post Military Cemetery

Final resting place of C.Q.M.S Simon Henry Merritt

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Grave of C.Q.M.S Simon Henry Merritt

Final resting place.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Inscription on the headstone.

Final resting place of C.Q.M.S Simon Henry Merritt

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Grave of C.Q.M.S Simon Henry Merritt

Final resting place, with the symbol of remembrance - the Poppy.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
3 generations of the Merritt Family.

Remembering the bravest of them all. Grandson: Phillip Merritt Great Grandson: Timothy Merritt Great Great Grandson: Henry Merritt

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Grave of C.Q.M.S Simon Henry Merritt

Final resting place.

Contributed by:
Tim144218
Memorial Plaque

Otherwise known as the “Dead Man’s Penny”. Awarded to Matilda after Simon’s death.

Contributed by:
Tim144218

Communities

The dead of Christmas Day 1915

The dead of Christmas Day 1915

More about The dead of Christmas Day 1915

Evidence

IWM is not responsible for the content of external websites. Please note that some sources will require payment to view.

Official Records

Title	Connected by	More information
Medal Index Card
Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Casualty Records	Imperial1
Soldiers died in the Great War 1914-1919 Transcription	Bryan5462
1911 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription	Bryan5462
England & Wales marriages 1837-2008 Transcription	Bryan5462
1881 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription	Bryan5462

No external evidence

Multimedia

Title	Connected by	More information
3/256 Company Quartermaster Serjeant Simon Merritt	luc39051
Memorial Brass in Church at Marden, Wiltshire	Clifford40380
Folder in All Saints' Church, Marden	Clifford40380
from folder in All saints' Church, Marden, Wilts	Clifford40380
Original Birth Certificate of Simon Henry Merritt	Tim144218
Permission to marry	Tim144218
Marriage Certificate	Tim144218
Soldier's Small Book	Tim144218
Memorial Cards	Tim144218
Memorial Scroll	Tim144218
Soldier's Small Book	Tim144218
1911 Census	Tim144218
1915 Christmas Card sent by Simon	Tim144218
1915 Christmas Card	Tim144218
C.Q.M.S Simon Merritt	Tim144218
Soldier's Small Book	Tim144218
Soldier's Small Book	Tim144218
Soldier's Small Book	Tim144218
Soldier's Small Book	Tim144218
Letter from Simon to Matilda dated 28 July 1915	Tim144218
Letter from Simon to Matilda dated 29 July 1915	Tim144218
Transcripts of letters from 28 and 29 July 1915	Tim144218
Letter from Simon to Matilda dated 19 August 1915	Tim144218
Transcript of letter dated 19 August 1915	Tim144218
Letter from Simon to Matilda dated 25 August 1915	Tim144218
Transcript of letter dated 25 August 1915	Tim144218
Transcript - letter from Simon to Matilda 19/10/15	Tim144218
Transcript - letter from Simon to Matilda 3/11/15	Tim144218
Letter from Simon to Matilda dated 22 Nov 1915	Tim144218
Transcript of letter dated 22 November 1915	Tim144218
Letter from Simon to Matilda on 13 Dec 1915	Tim144218
Transcript of letter dated 13 December 1915	Tim144218
Transcript - letter from Simon to Matilda 17/12/15	Tim144218
Letter from Matilda to Simon dated 21 Dec 1915	Tim144218
Letter from Matilda to Simon dated 21 Dec 1915	Tim144218
Transcript of Matilda's letter dated 21 Dec 1915	Tim144218
Transcript of Simon's last letter - 21 Dec 1915	Tim144218
Entry in Wilts Regiment 6th Bn diary 25 Dec 1915	Tim144218
Transcript of Regiment diary entry for 25 Dec 1915	Tim144218
Envelope of last letter Matilda sent to Simon	Tim144218
Sealed envelope of final letter written by Matilda	Tim144218
Final letter written by Matilda to Simon 28/12/15	Tim144218
Final letter written by Matilda dated 28/12/15	Tim144218
Transcript of final letter from Matilda 28/12/15	Tim144218
Letter of Condolence sent to Matilda	Tim144218
Letter of Condolence	Tim144218
Letter of Condolence	Tim144218
Transcript of letter of condolence	Tim144218
Transcript of Matilda's sister letter to her	Tim144218
Letter of Condolence - Wilts Working Men's Society	Tim144218
Letter of Condolence	Tim144218
Letter of Condolence	Tim144218
Transcript of letter of condolence	Tim144218
Medal Index Card	Tim144218
1914-15 Star	Tim144218
1914-15 Star (back showing inscription)	Tim144218
British War Medal (back)	Tim144218
British War Medal 1914-18	Tim144218
The Allied Victory Medal	Tim144218
The Allied Victory Medal (reverse)	Tim144218
Long Service and Good Conduct Medal	Tim144218
Long Service & Good Conduct Medal	Tim144218
Simon's cap Badge from the Wiltshire Regiment	Tim144218
Armistice Day Remembrance Service Bishops Cannings	Tim144218
Armistice Remembrance Service	Tim144218
Armistice Remembrance Service	Tim144218
Graves Registration Report Form	Tim144218
Index from St Vaast Military Cemetery	Tim144218
St Vaast Post Military Cemetery	Tim144218
St Vaast Post Military Cemetery	Tim144218
St Vaast Post Military Cemetery	Tim144218
St Vaast Post Military Cemetery	Tim144218
St Vaast Post Military Cemetery	Tim144218
Grave of C.Q.M.S Simon Henry Merritt	Tim144218
Inscription on the headstone.	Tim144218
Grave of C.Q.M.S Simon Henry Merritt	Tim144218
3 generations of the Merritt Family.	Tim144218
Grave of C.Q.M.S Simon Henry Merritt	Tim144218
Memorial Plaque	Tim144218

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We remember Simon Merritt

Also remembered by 6 people

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We remember Simon Merritt

We remember Simon Merritt

Also remembered by 6 people

Timeline

Timeline

1869

1871

1903

1903

1903

1905

1908

1914

1914

1914

1915

1915

1915

Details

Details

Children

Parents

Siblings

Spouse

Media

Media

Communities

Communities

The dead of Christmas Day 1915

Evidence

Evidence

Official Records

Multimedia

Stories

Stories

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We remember Simon Merritt