William John Stainer
Surname: Stainer
Other names: William John
Locations in this story: Bimport, Shaftesbury, DorsetFrance & FlandersDozinghem Military Cemetery, Popperinge, West Flanders, BelgiumEnmore Green, ShaftesburyWest Knoyle, WiltshireSouth AfricaDorchesterSt. James, Shaftesbury
Story: William John Stainer was born in 1880 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 28th November, 1880. He was the son of Thomas Stainer and Mary Ann Stainer (née Woolridge). He lived his early life with his parents at 22 Bimport, Shaftesbury. In 1903 he married Georgina Trew from West Knoyle, Wiltshire. His father, Thomas, died in 1905 and his mother, Mary Ann, in early 1911. At the time of the 1911 Census, William was working as a farm implement fitter and living in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury.
He enlisted in Dorchester as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers (Service No. O/2904). He had a brief spell with the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 20113) but reverted back to the Royal Engineers (Final Service No. 508484). He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died of wounds on 2nd November 1917 whilst serving with the 502nd Field Company, Royal Engineers, and was buried at Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Popperinge, West Flanders, Belgium (grave id. XI.B.17). He is remembered on the Park Walk and St. James’ War Memorials. He also appears on the Roll of Honour inside St. James’ Church and on the Holy Trinity memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. His wife remained a widow for the rest of her life living at 44 St. James, Shaftesbury per the 1939 Register.
(NB. This person is not to be confused with William John Stainer (1876 - 1917) also from Shaftesbury. Please see separate entry with details of his service in the Canadian Forces.)
He enlisted in Dorchester as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers (Service No. O/2904). He had a brief spell with the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 20113) but reverted back to the Royal Engineers (Final Service No. 508484). He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died of wounds on 2nd November 1917 whilst serving with the 502nd Field Company, Royal Engineers, and was buried at Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Popperinge, West Flanders, Belgium (grave id. XI.B.17). He is remembered on the Park Walk and St. James’ War Memorials. He also appears on the Roll of Honour inside St. James’ Church and on the Holy Trinity memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. His wife remained a widow for the rest of her life living at 44 St. James, Shaftesbury per the 1939 Register.
(NB. This person is not to be confused with William John Stainer (1876 - 1917) also from Shaftesbury. Please see separate entry with details of his service in the Canadian Forces.)
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