Church Lane, Ashmore

Harry Taylor

Surname: Taylor
Other names: Harry
Other people in this story:
Harry Taylor
Louisa Taylor née Prince
George Taylor
Locations in this story:
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Harry Taylor was born at Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1900 and baptised there on 18th March 1900, the son of Harry Taylor and Louisa Taylor (née Prince). He lived all of his short life, apart from Military Service, in the Ashmore area.   He enlisted with the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 4081) and later transferred to the Bedfordshire Regiment (Service No. 204344).  After his discharge he was awarded the British War Medal only, which indicates he did not serve abroad.  By the 1921 Census he was living with his parents in Church Lane, Ashmore, helping his father with Farm Work.  He died in the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 9th August 1939 aged only 39 years and was buried at Ashmore on 12 Aug 1939.  He remained single throughout his short life. Harry's brother George (b.1898) also served in the war, with the Royal Garrison Artillery.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
George Taylor
PN47 (2)

Bennet George Young

Surname: Young
Other names: Bennet George
Other people in this story:
Frederick William Young
Harriett Young
Rosalind Mary Young née Churchill
Locations in this story:
St. Pancras, London
Bleke Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset
Bimport, Shaftesbury
High Street, Shaftesbury

Story:
Bennet George Young was born in St. Pancras, London, on 7th September 1884, the son of Frederick William Young and Harriett Young.  His parents were from Shaftesbury, Dorset.  He lived his early life at the Rose & Crown Inn, Bleke Street, Shaftesbury, where his father was the landlord.   He married Rosalind Mary Churchill at St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury, on 15th September 1909 and they went on to have three children.   He enlisted with the Territorial Force of the 4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 3981).  He was embodied on 11th Dec 1915 but not called to service until 31st May 1916 when he was transferred to the 2nd General Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment (Service Nos. 43610 & 204366).  It is noted he suffered from Malaria in 1919 and, though his theatre of war is not known, he was obviously in an overseas posting.  Following discharge he was awarded the British War Medal only.  He had given 6 Bimport, Shaftesbury, as his address in the 1918 Absent Voters List but by the 1921 Census he was living at 27 High Street, Shaftesbury, where he worked as an Assistant Ironmonger for his father. The 1939 Register indicates he was at the same address now described as an Ironmonger and Seedsman.   His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry, on 4th November 1966 and he was later buried in the Shaftesbury Town Cemetery on 8 Nov 1966.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
St. James, Shaftesbury 3

Alfred Joseph Gurd

Surname: Gurd
Other names: Alfred Joseph
Other people in this story:
Henry Gurd
Mary Ann Gurd née Davis
Elizabeth M. Gurd née Sennett
Hilda E. Gurd née Ewins
Percy Arthur Gurd
Locations in this story:
Stoke Devonport, Plymouth, Devon
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Andover, Hampshire
Salisbury, Wiltshire
St. James, Shaftesbury
France

Story:
Alfred Joseph Gurd was born in Stoke Devonport, Plymouth, on 26th July 1891 but his birth was not registered until his family arrived in Shaftesbury, Dorset, where he was baptised on 27th September 1891 at St. James' Church. He was the son of Henry Gurd (described as a 'Ship's Corporal') and Mary Ann Gurd (née Davis).   The family resided at 10 St. James, Shaftesbury.   Alfred enlisted as a Private with the 8th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment on 1st February 1915 (Service No. 19665).  He served in France but only until 6th June 1917 when he was discharged as unfit for further duty due to stomach abscesses.  He was awarded the Silver Badge No. 431480 along with the Victory and British medals and the 1915 Star.  He married Elizabeth M. Sennett in 1924 and by the 1939 Register they were living at 2 Norman Court Cottages, Andover, Hampshire, and Alfred was working as a Dairyman.  His wife passed away in 1959 and he remarried Hilda E. Ewins in Salisbury, Wiltshire, during 1960.  There were no children by either marriage.  He died in Salisbury in 1969.

Alfred's brother Percy Arthur (b.1894) also served in the war, with the Royal Engineers.

Images:
  • St. James, Shaftesbury 3a

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Percy Arthur Gurd