Coldstream Guards Archives - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Gordon James Gray

Surname: Gray

Other names: Gordon James

Locations in this story:
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Germany
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Long Langton, Dorset
Dewlish Mill, Puddletown, Dorset
Farnham, Dorset

Story:
Gordon James Gray was born in Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 13th March 1895 and baptised there on 5th May 1895, the son of Charles Gray and Elizabeth Ann Gray (née Taylor). He lived his early life with his family in Ashmore. He enlisted with the 1st Battalion of the Coldstream Guards as a Private (Service No. 10310). He served in France and Flanders from 26 Aug 1914 and at some time thereafter was taken prisoner and spent time in a POW Camp in Germany. On his release and discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. His father had died in 1918 and by the 1921 Census Gordon was living with his widowed mother in Noad Street, Ashmore, working as a Ploughman. He married Bessie Weeks on 4 Feb 1922 at Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, but she regrettably died at the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, and was buried at Farham, Dorset, on 8 Mar 1922 within weeks of the marriage. He went on to re-marry Winifred May Weeks (his first wife's sister) in Long Langton, Dorset, on 18th February 1930. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Dewlish Mill, Puddletown, Dorset, and was described as a Gamekeeper whilst also acting as an ARP Warden. He died in Dewlish Mill in 1970 and was buried there at All Saint's Church on 16th November 1970. Gordon's brother Herbert Charles (b.1899) also served in the war, with the Machine Gun Corps.

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Herbert Charles Gray

Francis Herbert Stainer

Surname: Stainer

Other names: Francis Herbert

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Lyme Regis, Dorset
Poole, Dorset
Bridport, Dorset
France & Flanders
Endell Street Military Hospital, London, WC

Story:
Francis Herbert (known as Herbert for most of his life) Stainer was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 20th June 1891, the son of Francis Henry Stainer and Sarah Jane Stainer (née Mayo). He spent most of his early life with his family at 6 Laundry Lane, Shaftesbury. He enlisted on 16 Nov 1915 and joined the Coldstream Guards as a Private (Service No. 17290). He married Amy Lilian Isaacs in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 2nd July 1916 and they went on to have four children. He served in France & Flanders from 27 Aug 1916 with the 2nd Battalion where he received gunshot wounds to the face and shoulder on 1 Aug 1917. He was returned to the UK on 9 Aug 1917 and spent time at the Endell Street Military Hospital, London, WC, receiving treatment. Following his discharge on 7 Feb 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. Prior to his military service he had been employed as a Grocer's Assistant at Stratton and Son, Shaftesbury, but on leaving the services he became a Police Constable based, by the 1921 Census, at the Police House, Poole, Dorset. The 1939 Register shows he had been posted and was living at 5 Windsor Terrace, Lyme Regis, Dorset. His death is recorded at the Bridport, Dorset, Registry in 1968 and he was buried at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, on 27 Nov 1968.

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The National Archives

Charles Card

11th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Coldstream Guards /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Card

Other names: Charles

Locations in this story:
Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Mere, Wiltshire
Brompton, London
France & Flanders
Cambrai Memorial, Louveral, Nord, France

Story:
Charles Card was born at Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 22nd January 1891 and baptised at Mere, Wiltshire, on 18th February 1891, the son of Richard Thomas Card and Hannah Mary Annie Card (née Lander). He lived his early childhood in and around Motcombe until, by 1911, the family had moved to Mere, Wiltshire. He enlisted and joined the Coldstream Guards as a Private (Service No. 21487). He married Eliza Mary Henly in Brompton, London, on 24th January 1917 and returned to service in France & Flanders where he was presumed killed in action on 27th November 1917. He is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial, Louveral, Nord, France, (Panel 2), and on the War Memorial at Mere, Wiltshire. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals.

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The National Archives
Commonwealth War Graves Commission

George Henry Stokes

13th February 2020/in 1914-1918 Coldstream Guards /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Stokes

Other names: George Henry

Locations in this story:
Back Lane, West Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Yeovil, Somerset
France & Flanders
Stoke-under-Hays, Yeovil
East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
George Henry Stokes was born at East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 8th January 1889, the son of William Stokes and Emily Stokes (née Andrews). George spent all his early life in and around nearby Back Lane, West Orchard. He married Florence Dora Dimond in Yeovil, Somerset, on 11th July 1910. There appear to be no children of the marriage. George enlisted on 12th December 1915 but was not mobilized until 4th January 1917 when he joined the 3rd Battalion of the Coldstream Guards as a Guardsman (Service No. 21354). He served in France & Flanders from 30 Dec 1917 and, whilst there, was reported missing on 13th April 1918. It was not until 27th December 1918 that it was reported he had been captured and become a prisoner of war. He was discharged on 7th October 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at 21 Glanville Road, Yeovil, working as a Leather Dresser for a local glove manufacturer but by the 1939 Register he was living at The Post Office, High Street, Stoke-under-Hays, Yeovil, Somerset and now employed as a Sub-Postmaster. He died in the Summerland Hospital, Yeovil, on 16th August 1962.

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The National Archives

Harold Cecil Weldon

28th October 2019/in 1914-1918 Coldstream Guards, Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Weldon

Other names: Harold Cecil

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Bimport, Shaftesbury
Alcester House, Shaftesbury

Story:
Harold Cecil Weldon was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 9th February 1884 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 9th March 1884, the son of William Weldon and Frances Mary Weldon (née Cass). The family lived in and around the Bimport area for many years. Harold enlisted on 11th December 1915 and joined the Coldstream Guards as a Private (Service No. 20489). He was transferred at a later date to the Royal Garrison Artillery (Service No. 225765). He served in France and was eventually discharged as being physically unfit for further duty on 3rd June 1919 and received the Silver War Badge No. B222466 plus he was awarded a short-term pension due to his disability. He was also awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him working as a Fish Dealer and living in Brickhill (now Church Hill), Enmore Green, Shaftesbury. By the 1939 Register he was shown as 'Cecil' Weldon and residing in Alcester House, Shaftesbury and described as a General Labourer. He remained single according to the Register. He died in Shaftesbury in 1948 and was buried in St. James Churchyard on 6th September 1948.

Harold Cecil's brother Frederick (b.1877) also served in the war, with the Royal Army Medical Corps and the Royal Army Service Corps.

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Frederick Weldon
The National Archives

Frank Davis

9th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Coldstream Guards /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Davis

Other names: Frank

Locations in this story:
Enmore Green, Motcombe, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cherry Orchard Farm, Cann, Shaftesbury
Abbey Walk, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Frank Davis was born in Enmore Green, Motcombe, Shaftesbury in 1882 and baptised at St. John's Church, Enmore Green, on 26th February 1882, the son of Frederick Davis and Emily Davis née Jenkins. He was the brother of Harry (b.1880) and Charles (b.1888) Davis, both of whom lost their lives in the First World War serving in the Dorsetshire Regiment. His other brothers, William Robert (b.1886) also served in the war with the Dorsets and Edward Frederick (b. 1898) with the Inniskilling Fusiliers. By 1901 the family had moved to Cherry Orchard Farm, St. James, Cann, Shaftesbury (Per 1901 Census). Frank married Rose Oliver on 19th October 1902 at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, and they went on to have one child. By 1911 they were living at 3 Abbey Walk, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted in the Coldstream Guards as a Guardsman (Service No. 20782) on 6 Dec 1915 but was not embodied until 9 Oct 1916. He was discharged on 11 Mar 1919 and later made a pension claim on 14th April 1920 which was rejected apart from receiving a £5 grant in lieu. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him still living at 3 Abbey Walk, Shaftesbury, working as a Baker's Roundsman. He died in Shaftesbury in 1934 and was buried in the Town Cemetery, Shaftesbury, on 22 Feb 1934.

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Harry Davis
Charles Davis
William Robert

Percy Lyulph Wyndham

4th April 2017/in 1914-1918 Coldstream Guards /by Ann Symons

Surname: Wyndham

Other names: Percy Lyulph

Locations in this story:
Saighton Grange, Chester
Soissons
La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, Ile-de-France, France
Park Lane, London
St. George's, Hanover Square, London, W.1.

Story:
Percy Lyulph Wyndham was born on 5th December, 1887 at Saighton Grange, Chester. He was the son of Rt. Hon George Wyndham M.P. and Sibell Mary Wyndham, Countess Grosvenor (nee Lumley). Percy enlisted in the Coldstream Guards in 1909 and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in May, 1910. At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at 35 Park Lane, London, W.1. He married Diana Lister (the daughter of Lord Ribblesdale) at St. George's, Hanover Square, London, on 17th April, 1913. There were no children of the marriage. In the same year Percy's father died. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals. He was missing presumed killed in action whilst serving with the 11 Guards Brigade at the Battle of Aisne, Near Soissons, France, on 9th September 1914 and his name appears on La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, Ile-de-France, France. He is remembered on the East Knoyle War Memorial.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Albert John Harris

4th April 2017/in 1914-1918 Coldstream Guards /by Ann Symons

Surname: Harris

Other names: Albert John

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Guards' Cemetery, Lesboeufs, Somme, France
Holloway, East Knoyle, Wiltshire
Salisbury

Story:
Albert John Harris was born in 1892 in Semley, Wiltshire. He was the son of Frederick George Frampton Harris, a Garden Labourer, and Emily Harris (née Burt). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Labourer and living at 2 Holloway, East Knoyle, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Salisbury as a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Coldstream Guards (Service No. 10884). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals and clasp. He was killed in action on 16th September 1916 and was buried at Guards' Cemetery, Lesboeufs, Somme, France (grave id. XIII.L.2). He is remembered on the East Knoyle War Memorial.

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Names on Donhead St. Andrew War Memorial 03

Walter Geoffrey Hill

30th March 2017/in 1914-1918 Coldstream Guards /by Ann Symons

Surname: Hill

Other names: Walter Geoffrey

Locations in this story:
East Knoyle, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Theipval Memorial, France
Parkstone Avenue, Parkstone, Dorset
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
St. Mary the Virgin Church, Bishops Knoyle (West Knoyle), Wiltshire
Salisbury
Pains Hill, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire

Story:
Walter Geoffrey Hill was born in January, 1896 in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, and baptised at St. Mary the Virgin Church, Bishops Knoyle (West Knoyle), Wiltshire. He was the son of John Henry Hill, a Gardener, and Elizabeth Ann Hill (née Bryant). His siblings included Percival Henry, born in 1894, who also died in the war. About 1903 the family moved to Pains Hill, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire when Walter registered at the Donhead St. Andrew C of E School. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as an Under Gardener and living in the family home at 78 Parkstone Avenue, Parkstone, Dorset. He enlisted in Salisbury as a Private in the 3rd Battalion of the Coldstream Guards (Service No. 10920). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died on 15th September 1916 and his name appears on the Theipval Memorial (Pier & Face 7 D & 8 D). He is remembered on the Donhead St. Andrew War Memorial.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Percival Henry Hill

Decimus Charles Hardiman

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 Coldstream Guards /by Ann Symons

Surname: Hardiman

Other names: Decimus Charles

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
Guard's Cemetery, Lesboeufs, Somme, France
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury

Story:
Decimus Charles Hardiman was born in 1896 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at St. James Church on 11 Dec 1896. He was the son of Charles Hardiman and Martha Ann Hardiman (née Brockway). (His father had been arrested a number of time accused of desertion and vagrancy and had spent time in prison. He also had denied paternity of the children of the marriage. His name does not appear further in the family records.) At the time of the 1911 Census Decimus was single, working as an under gardener and living at 37 St James, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in Dorchester as a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Coldstream Guards (Service No. 17289). He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 26th September 1916 and was buried at Guard's Cemetery, Lesboeufs, Somme, France (grave id. VI.V.10). He is remembered on the Park Walk and St. James’ war memorials. His name 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 mother lived at 37 St. James, Shaftesbury and died in 1937 aged 73 years. His brother, Ernest George Hardiman, also served in the conflict but survived. As a result of Decimus's death, his mother was awarded a pension of 3 shillings (15p.) per week on 8 May 1917 which increased to 5 shillings (25p.) per week from 6 Nov 1918 until her death in 1937.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Ernest George Hardiman