Category: St. John’s Church, Warminster

Information and pictures for St. John’s Church, Warminster.

Why Is A Man From Hampshire Recorded On The War Memorial At St. John’s Church, Warminster?

Tuesday 28th October 2028

Sheelagh Wurr writes:

Hi Danny,
I have often wondered about the name Holly Cooper on the WW1 memorial in St John’s Church, Warminster, as it sounds like a woman which would be unusual. I can’t find anybody listed other than a George Holly Cooper who was in the navy.  He was born in Hampshire and I am not sure how he could come to be in Warminster. Have you  any information?

Danny Howell replies:

Hello Sheelagh,

Re: George Holly Cooper.

Yes he was in the Navy and he was from Hampshire – born at Broughton in 1885.

His naval career lists him at various times as a stoker and a petty officer, and as a mechanician when he died.

His official number was 300648 (Po).

He served on HMS Invincible and died on 31st May 1916. He was buried at sea.

He certainly had a Warminster connection.

He married Mildred Alvina Doel at St. John’s Church, Boreham, Warminster, on 1st July 1911.

George Holly Cooper was then aged 26 and he gave his occupation as a stoker in His Majesty’s Navy.

His bride was aged 27, and was the daughter of a gardener called John Doel who lived at East Street.

George Holly Cooper and Mildred Alvina Doel gave their addresses on the marriage certificate as Boreham, Warminster. 

At the time of the 1921 Census Mildred is living at 40 Hollam Road, Milton (Southsea area of Portsmouth – another naval place).

I presume on marriage Mildred went to live near naval ports, with George away serving.

The 1921 Census records she has an 8 year old daughter called Kathleen Joan Holly Cooper (she was born at Gillingham, Kent – another naval place I presume).

As far as I know Mildred Alvina Cooper died in 1957. Her death was registered in Warminster.

Hope this solves why a man born in Hampshire is recorded on the war memorial at St. John’s Church, Warminster.

Regards, Danny.

St. John’s At St. Aldhelm’s

Sunday 21st September 2025

The congregation from St. John’s, Boreham Road, Warminster, went to St. Aldhelm’s, Bishopstrow, on Sunday 21st September 2025 to join the Harvest Festival Service which was taken by the Rev. Richard Davies. St. John’s Church was temporarily closed while re-wiring takes place.

A Plaque In Memory Of Major & Mrs Teichman In St. John’s Church, Warminster

Sunday 2nd October 2016

A plaque in memory of Major & Mrs Teichman, on the south wall of the nave of St. John’s Church, Boreham Road, Warminster. The wording reads: “In loving memory of Major Oskar Teichman, D.S.O., M.C., who passed to his rest 21 April 1959. Also Edith Henrietta, his wife who passed to her rest 23 December 1963. The memory of the just is blessed.” Photograph taken by Danny Howell on Sunday 2nd October 2016.

A Plaque In St.John’s Church, Warminster, To The Memory Of Rev. Dixon

Sunday 2nd October 2016

A plaque on the south wall of the nave of
St. John’s Church,
Boreham Road, Warminster.

The wording reads:

To the memory of
Henry Lancelot Dixon, M.A.
Priest
Died 6th June 1943 aged 83 years.
At point of death thy priest. O glorious Christ
I pray thee to accept the scattered seeds
Which I have sown in honour of thy name.
I do not claim a place in honour’s roll
One thing I ask, salvation for my soul.

Photograph taken by Danny Howell
on Sunday 2nd October 2016.

A Plaque In Memory Of Edith Jane Channer, At St John’s Church, Warminster

Sunday 2nd October 2016

 A plaque on the south wall of the nave at
St. John’s Church, Boreham Road, Warminster.

The wording reads:

“In loving memory of Edith Janie Channer,
who died on the 7th August 1949.
For many years a devout worshipper
in this Church.
The Lord bless and keep thee.”

Photograph taken by Danny Howell
on Sunday 2nd October 2016.

Farewell Service And Present For Rev. Denis Brett, Rector Of The Parish Of Bishopstrow And Boreham

Wednesday 2nd December 2015

The Reverend Denis Brett, Rector of the Parish of Bishopstrow and Boreham, will retire from the Parish on 31st December 2015.

He intends to hold a farewell service for the parish in St. John’s on Sunday 20th December 2015 in order not to conflict with the Christmas Message. He will also conduct formal services over the Christmas period as Carols at 6 pm on Christmas Eve at St. Aldhelm’s, followed by a Midnight mass at St. John’s, and on Christmas Day, a Eucharist Service at 10 o’clock in St. Aldhelm’s, which will be his last actual service.

Denis was inducted into the Parish in May 1992 and quickly established a welcoming inclusive church for all. During his Ministry, he was Chair of the Governors of Kingdown, and supported two other schools in the Benefice with hands on teaching, is closely involved in Hospital Ministry throughout Wiltshire, is the driving force behind the Warminster food bank and pro-active in resolving homelessness in Warminster.

Above all, Denis has delivered outstanding pastoral care for those who needed it, confronting and acting where there is a social need, caring passionately for the sick and elderly through prayer and home visits and establishing the Benefice as the lead for Christian aid. As an example of the statistics Denis achieved during his ministry, he has conducted 328 baptisms!

Laura, his wife, has also been fully supportive to Denis and the pastoral side of the Benefice, and both will be hugely missed.

It is intended to give Denis a farewell present from the Parish at the lunch following his service on Sunday 20th December 2015.

If you would like to make a contribution towards the farewell present, however small, people will be walking around Boreham and Bishopstrow to take a collection at front doors. If you miss the street collection or would like to make a separate contribution, please put your monies in a sealed envelope marked for Rev. D. Brett and post through the door of either (i) 21 The Dene, Warminster, or (ii) 207 Boreham Road, Warminster.

Thank you for your contribution towards the farewell of a man who has given enormously to the wellbeing of the Parish of Boreham and Bishopstrow.