Tr’p’t’r R Oxley (d. 1917)

Ronald Claude Cole Oxley was born at Wellington, Shropshire in 1897. From an early age he was raised by foster parents Albert and Elizabeth Bloomer. In 1901 the family lived in Ketley where Albert worked as a self-employed Commission Agent and Photographer and Ronald attended Ketley board School. By 1911 the family was living at "Watville", Watling Street, Wellington.

Ronald may already have been serving with the Shropshire Yeomanry at the outbreak of war (the amount of the War Gratuity paid to his foster mother indicates that his war service began in August 1914). He was later transferred to the 7th Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. He was killed in action at the Battle of Polygon Wood on 26th September, 1917 and is buried at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood. Zonnebeke, Belgium.

Private Oxley, 26684, was awarded the Victory and British Medals.

KILLED IN ACTION
[Bridgnorth Journal, 20th October, 1917]
2021 [sic] Trumpeter Ronald Claude Oxley, 2/1st Shropshire Yeomanry, attached to the 7th K.S.L.I., was wounded in action on the 26th ult, and while being carried down to the dressing station was hit again and died very shortly afterwards. Previous to joining the colours he was employed at Waterloo House, Bridgnorth.

Waterloo House was a large drapery business in Bridgnorth. Ronald is also remembered on the War Memorial at Wellington as R C Bloomer. Wellington Remembers web site.