Dorset Yeomanry Archives - Page 2 of 5 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Cecil James Day

23rd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry, Hussars /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Day

Other names: Cecil James

Locations in this story:
Manston, Dorset
Twyford, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Egypt
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Gallipoli, Turkey

Story:
Cecil James Day was born in Manston, Dorset, on 29th April 1893 and baptised there on 30th July 1893, the son of Frederick Robert Day and Caroline Kate Bartlett Day (née Cluett). He lived his very early life in Manston until by 1907 he had moved with his family to Twyford, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Shoeing Smith. He enlisted with the 1/1st Battalion of the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry eventually being promoted to Corporal (Service No. 450). It is known that the Battalion was in action in Gallipoli, Turkey. He later transferred to the Corps of Hussars (Service No. 230024) and served in Egypt. He was eventually discharged on 27th June 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows he had returned to live with his parents in Twyford but was described as an Agricultural Smith working on his own account. He married Martha Alice Clist Chick at Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 26th December 1928. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Branch Farm, Twyford, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was described as a Dairy Farmer and Blacksmith. He died in the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, on 14th February 1963.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

St. James Street junction with Tanyard Lane

Arthur Stainer

4th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry, Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Stainer

Other names: Arthur

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Lyemarsh Farm, Mere, Wiltshire
St. James, Shaftesbury
Bimport, Shaftesbury

Story:
Arthur Stainer was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 1st December 1896 and baptised at St. James's Church on 27 Dec 1896 the son of George Theodore Stainer, a Cabinet Maker, and Jane Stainer (née Young). He spent his early life with the family at 83 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, until, by 1911, he was living and working for his uncle at Lyemarsh Farm, Mere, Wiltshire. He enlisted and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 762) but later transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 334553). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but following his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. By the 1921 census he had returned to 83 St. James Street and was living with his parents and working as a Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer. He married Florence Ethel Brickell in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 26th December 1921 and the 1939 Register shows he had moved to 17 Bimport, Shaftesbury, Dorset, still working as a Cabinet Maker. His death was recorded in Shaftesbury on 12 Feb 1983 and he was buried at St.James's Church shortly after.

Two of Arthur's siblings served in the war: Walter Charles (b.1893) with the Royal Field Artillery, and Harold George (b.1888) with the Devonshire Regiment, Labour Corps and Royal Flying Corps.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
Walter Charles Stainer
Harold George Stainer
The National Archives

Percival James Harding

19th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry, Labour Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Harding

Other names: Percival James

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Coventry, Warwickshire
Birmingham, Warwickshire
Solihull, Warwickshire
Banbury, Oxfordshire
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bleke Street, Shaftesbury

Story:
Percival James Harding was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 7th August 1890 and baptised at Cann, Shaftesbury, on 31st August 1890, the son of Rudolph James Harding and Mary Harding (née Down). He lived his early life with the family at 4 Bleke Street, Shaftesbury. By 1911 he had moved to 36 Smithford Street, Coventry, Warwickshire, to work with a Chemist and Druggist.

He enlisted and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 23094) and later transferred to the Labour Corps (Service No. 622879). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but after discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Eva Lucy Freer in the Birmingham South, Warwickshire, Registration District, in 1925 and they went on to have one son. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 84 Burman Road, Solihull, Warwickshire, and was described as a Finance Representative. His death was recorded at the Banbury, Oxfordshire, Registry in 1977.

Percival's brother Harold George (b.1878) also served in the war, with the Dorsetshire Regiment.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Harold George Harding

William Ernest Burden

29th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Corps of Hussars, Dorset Yeomanry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Burden

Other names: William Ernest

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Guy's Marsh, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Kit Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
William Ernest Burden was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 1 Jun 1893 and baptised at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, on 2nd July 1893, the son of James John Rideout Burden and Sarah Anne Burden (née Elliott). He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in the Shaftesbury/Guy's Marsh area. He enlisted and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 1681), later transferring to the Corps of Hussars (Service No. 230890). It is not known where he served but on his discharge on 5 May 1919 was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at Kit Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as a Dealer in Dairy Produce, Rabbits and Poultry. He married Elfreda Gladys Gray at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, on 22nd November 1921. By the 1939 Register he had moved to 79 Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was described as an 'egg collector in a small way and garden labourer'. He was also an ARP Warden and a Shaftesbury Councillor. His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1967. William's brothers, Victor Thomas (b.1887) and Albert Edward (b. 1890) and James John (b. 1877) also served in the conflict and all their names appeared on a Roll of Honour published in the St. James' Church Parish Magazine in Nov 1918.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Victor Thomas Burden

Herbert Charles Burlton

27th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Burlton

Other names: Herbert Charles

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Watford, Hertfordshire
East Finchley, London
Billericay, Essex
Dorchester, Dorset
Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Cottage Green, Alcester, Shaftesbury

Story:
Herbert Charles Burlton was born at the Union Workhouse, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 29th August 1881 and baptised at St. James' Church on 16th September 1881, the son of William James Burlton, the Master of the Workhouse, and Elizabeth Burlton (née Meaden). Following the death of his father in 1888, Herbert was sent to the London Orphan Asylum, Watford, Hertfordshire, but by 1911 was back with his mother at Cottage Green, Alcester, Shaftesbury, where she had set herself up as a poultry farmer. He enlisted and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry attached to the Corps of Hussars as a Private (Service No. 230597). It is not known where he served but on discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Ida Mary Kidd at All Saints, East Finchley, London, on 21st February 1920 and they had one son. The 1921 Census shows him living with his in-laws at 'The Limes', Bracken Mount, Billericay, Essex, described as a Poultry Farmer. The 1939 Register indicates he was at the same address but now described as a Smallholder. He died in Dorchester, Dorset, on 1st February 1966 and was later buried at St. Mary's Church, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset, having moved there previously to live at Fir Tree Cottage, Sixpenny Handley.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Edward Tom Ralph

14th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Ralph

Other names: Edward Tom

Locations in this story:
Charlton, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Stour Provost, Dorset
Gallipoli, Turkey
Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey
St. Michael's Church, Stour Provost

Story:
Edward Tom Ralph was born in Charlton, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, in 1892 and baptised at St. John the Baptist Church, Charlton, on 13th March 1892 the son of James Ralph and Eva Ralph (née Pike), a local family. He spent his early years in Charlton but, by 1901, the family had moved to Stour Provost, Dorset. Edward enlisted with the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry Battalion of the Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line as a Private (Service No. 481). He served at Gallipoli where he was killed in action on 21st August 1915. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey, (Panel 18). He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star.

"Tom Ralph" is remembered on a memorial plaque in St. Michael's Church, Stour Provost, and on the All Saints Church war memorial, now in the Stour Row Village Hall, along with his brother Walter Lynn Ralph, who also died in the war. Brother, Ivor Harry Ralph, served and survived.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Walter Lynn Ralph

Loftus Harold Lear

8th December 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Lear

Other names: Loftus Harold

Locations in this story:
Motcombe, Dorset
Woolcotts Farm, Sherborne Causeway, Motcombe, Dorset
Egypt
Gallipoli, Turkey
Church Farm, Margaret Marsh, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Hazelbury Bryan, Dorset
Southmead, Bristol
Malta

Story:
Loftus Harold Lear was born in Motcombe, Dorset, on 12th July 1891, the son of Thomas Lear and Emma Lear (née Bastable). He lived most of his early life in the immediate area. He enlisted as a Territorial on 14 Feb 1910 with the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 449). He attended annual training camps until he was embodied on 5th August 1914. His address at the time was given as Woolcotts Farm, Sherborne Causeway, Motcombe, Dorset. He served at Gallipoli, Turkey, from 23 Apr 1915 as well as in Egypt. He contracted dysentry whilst in Gallipoli and on 14th October 1915 was transferred to hospital in Malta. From here he was repatriated to the UK on 10th December 1915 and became a patient at 2nd War Hospital, Southmead, Bristol. His discharge coincided with the termination of his engagement and he was demobilized on 4th March 1916. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him back at Woolcotts Farm living with his brother and assisting on the farm. He married Kathleen Emily Abbott on 14th April 1925 at Motcombe, Dorset. They went on to have three children. By 1931, and per the 1939 Register, he had moved to Church Farm, Margaret Marsh, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as a Dairy Farmer. He died on 21st May 1966 and was later buried at Motcombe.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

James Stokes

5th December 2019/in 1914-1918 Corps of Hussars, Dorset Yeomanry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Stokes

Other names: James

Locations in this story:
East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Margaret Marsh, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Egypt
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Greens Farm, Margaret Marsh, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
James Stokes was born at East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 5th July 1897, the son of Stephen Nehemiah and Eliza Stokes. He lived most of his life in the vicinity. He enlisted and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry (Service No. 1416) later transferring to the Corps of Hussars (Service No. 230680). He served in Egypt from 6 Nov 1915 and was promoted to Lance Corporal. He was eventually discharged on 22nd March 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows he had returned to East Orchard and was living with his parents working as an Agrcultural Labourer. His marriage to Irene Violet Foyle was registered in Shaftesbury, Dorset, during 1929 and they went on to have at least two children. By the 1939 Register he is shown living at Greens Farm Cottage, Margaret Marsh, Shaftesbury, described as a Dairy Farmer and Rabbit Trapper. His death was registered at Salisbury, Wiltshire, Registry in 1981 and he was buried at Margaret Marsh on 8 Dec 1981.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Francis Edward Pickford

21st November 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Pickford

Other names: Francis Edward

Locations in this story:
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Coles Lane Farm, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Stour Provost, Dorset

Story:
Francis Edward Pickford (also known as Frank) was born in Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 22nd May 1896 and baptised there on 21st June 1896, the son of William Pickford and Julia Emma Pickford (née Pickford). He lived his early life with his parents at Manor Farm, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset. His mother died in 1909. There are no surviving Service Records in this case but there is a medal record showing he served as a Private with the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry (Service No. 230130). On his discharge on 28th April 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Flora Mary Gibbs at Stour Provost, Dorset, on 10th November 1920 and by the 1921 Census, as well as the 1939 Register, was living at Coles Lane Farm, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as a Dairy Farmer. He died in Shaftesbury on 4th August 1982 and was buried at Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, on 9th August 1982.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Gerald James Trowbridge

21st November 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Trowbridge

Other names: Gerald James

Locations in this story:
Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset
Egypt
Margaret Marsh, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Yeovil, Somerset

Story:
Gerald James Trowbridge was born on 12th September 1889 at Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset, and baptised there on 13th October 1889, the son of Robert Trowbridge and Annie Trowbridge (née Davis). He lived most of his early life in and around Okeford Fitzpaine. He enlisted on 2nd February 1909 as a Territorial with the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry (Service No. 337) with whom he was obliged to attend annual training camps. He was embodied on 5th August 1914 and given a new Service No. 1254. He served in Egypt as a Lance Corporal during which time he received a Gun Shot Wound to his left leg on 2nd October 1915. He recovered sufficiently to continue in the military but was discharged on 28th February 1916 having completed the term of his engagement. This discharge might not have happened if his younger brother, Reginald Trowbridge, had been granted exemption from the military service in order to assist on the family farm. As this was not granted Gerald took his discharge for family reasons. He was awarded the Victory and British War medal as well as the 1914/15 Star. Gerald married Ethel Mary Allen at Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset, on 2nd May 1920 and they set up home eventually at Gore Farm, Margaret Marsh, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where according to the 1921 Census, Gerald was the Farmer. There was one child of the marriage. He was still living at Gore Farm by the time of 1939 Register. He died on 20th May 1983 which fact was registered at the Yeovil, Somerset, Registry, having been living at Black Venn Farm, Margaret Marsh, the parish in which he was eventually buried.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives