Devonshire Regiment Archives - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

George Garrett

Surname: Garrett

Other names: George

Locations in this story:
Summerleaze Farm, East Knoyle, Wiltshire
Egypt
France & Flanders
Newton Abbott, Devon
The Holloway, East Knoyle, Wiltshire

Story:
George Garrett was born at East Knoyle, Wiltshire in 1870, the son of John Garrett and Mary Ann Garrett (née Maidment). The family lived at Summerleaze Farm, East Knoyle, Wiltshire until George's father died in 1890. Following this, his mother moved to The Holloway, East Knoyle, Wiltshire, where she is recorded still living in the 1911 Census. George married Ann Venning on 14th September 1889 and there were 2 children of the marriage. George had previously served for a period in the Royal Garrison Artillery and had spent some time in Egypt. He re-enlisted on 2nd September 1914 and joined the 1st Service Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment (Special Reservists) where he eventually became a Lance Sergeant (Service No. 7223). He was at the time living in the Newton Abbott, Devonshire, area and working as a Groom. He had served in France & Flanders and was subsequently demobilized on 19th April 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. He died in 1956 in the Newton Abbott Registration District.

Source: Based on earlier research by Ken Baxter

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The National Archives

Henry James Lampard

10th April 2018/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Lampard

Other names: Henry James

Locations in this story:
East Knoyle, Wiltshire
Gilcombe, Bruton, Somerset
Lee Cottages, near Romsey, Hampshire
Winchester, Hampshire
Palestine
Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel
Tisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Henry James Lampard (also known as James Henry) was born in 1898 in East Knoyle and was baptised there on 9th January, 1898. He was the son of William Thomas Lampard, a Dairyman on a Farm, and Mary Jane Lampard (neé Beal). The family were all from East Knoyle, but moved frequently, and in 1901 were living at Gilcombe, Bruton in Somerset. By the time of the 1911 Census they were living at Lee Cottages, near Romsey, Hampshire. Henry James (now referred to as James Henry) was registered at Mottisford National/Church of England (Controlled) School in 1912, along with two of his sisters. In 1913 his mother Mary Jane Lampard died at the age of 43 years.

James enlisted at Winchester as a Private in the 16th (Royal 1st Devon Yeomanry and Royal Devon Hussars) Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment (Service No. 291486). He served in Palestine and was awarded the Victory, British War medals. He was killed in action on 3rd December 1917 and was buried in the Jerusalem War Cemetery (Grave id. A.51). Although his name was recorded on the East Knoyle Roll of Honour, it does not appear on the village war memorial.

His father, William Thomas Lampard, was living in retirement in Tisbury by the time of the 1939 Register and he eventually died in 1955 aged 89 years.

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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Bertram Percival Bowles

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Bowles

Other names: Bertram P.

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
Mesopotamia
Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Baghdad, Iraq
Old Workhouse, Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley
Axminster, Devon

Story:
Bertram Percival Bowles was born in Semley, Wiltshire, in 1893. He was the son of Frank Bowles, a Foreman Platelayer, and Bessie Alice Bowles (Nee Trevelian). His siblings included Alfred Radcliffe Bowles, born in 1895, who also died in the war. At the time of the 1911 Census, Bertram was single, working as a Railway Porter and living at the Old Workhouse, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Axminster, Devon, as a Private and joined the 1st/4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment (Service No. 2398 later changed to 200736). He served in Mesopotamia and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 16th April 1918 and was buried at the Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Baghdad, Iraq (grave id. IV.C.3). He is remembered on the Semley War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard, and on the Roll of Honour inside the church. His name was included on the Baptist Chapel plaque, now also in the church as well as the War Memorial at Axminster, Devon.

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Henry William Lucas

1st August 2017/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Lucas

Other names: Henry William

Locations in this story:
Andover, Hampsire
France & Flanders
St. Mary's Churchyard, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Bagthorpe Military Hospital, Nottingham
No.1 Australian General Hospital, Rouen, France

Story:
Henry William Lucas was born in 1887 in Sixpenny Handley and baptised there on 18th February, 1887. He was the son of William Lucas, a Road Contractor, and Matilda Ellen Lucas (nee Long). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Road Labourer and living at Sixpenny Handley, Dorset. He enlisted in Andover, Hampshire, as a Private in the Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire) Regiment (Service No. 29052). At a later date he transferred to the Devonshire Regiment (Service No. 17448) and finally to the 194th Company of the Labour Corps (Service No. 17448). He served in France & Flanders and was wounded in action and initially admitted to the No.1 Australian General Hospital, Rouen, France and then repatriated to the Bagthorpe Military Hospital, Nottingham, where he died on 15th November 1917. He was buried in the north west part of St. Mary's Churchyard, Sixpenny Handley, on 19th November, 1917. He is remembered on the Sixpenny Handley War Memorial.

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Percy George Barnes

21st June 2017/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Barnes

Other names: Percy George

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Dorset
Arras, France
Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, France
West Street, Fontmell Magna, Dorset
France
Gillingham, Dorset

Story:
Percy George Barnes was born in 1892 in Fontmell Magna, Dorset. He was the son of George Joseph Barnes, (known a Joseph), an Estate Labourer, and Emily Ann Barnes (nee Tuffin). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Barman and living at 54 West Street, Fontmell Magna. He enlisted in Gillingham, Dorset, on 8th September, 1914. He joined the 6th Service Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 10851) and was posted to the home depot where he rose rapidly from Private to Sergeant in the space of a few months. On the 12th February, 1917, he transferred to the Labour Corps (Service No. 54595) and was posted to France on 8th March, 1917, where he eventually joined the 169th Company of the Labour Corps with yet another Service No. 100803. His death on 31st July, 1917 was caused by an accident which happened a few days before, on the 27th July, 1917, when he was thrown off his cycle by a runaway horse and received injuries from which he did not recover. It was later stated at the inquiry that Sergeant Barnes was in no way to blame for the accident. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died at the 19th Casualty Clearing Station in Arras on 31st July 1917 and was buried at Duisans British War Cemetery, Etrun, France (grave id. V.A.52). He is remembered on the Fontmell Magna War Memorial, Shaftesbury.

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George Heremon Wyndham

4th April 2017/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Wyndham

Other names: George Heremon

Locations in this story:
Chelsea, London
France & Flanders
Dranouter Churchyard, Heuvelland, West Flanders, Belgium
Wellington College, Crowthorne, Berkshire
Clouds House, East Knoyle, Wiltshire
Magdalen College, Cambridge
Cranley Gardens, Kensington, London
Ypres Salient, Belgium

Story:
George Heremon Wyndham was born on 25th October, 1893, in Chelsea, London, and baptised at St. Peter's Church, Cranley Gardens, Kensington, London, on 27th November, 1893. He was the son of Lt. Col. Guy Percy Wyndham and Edwina Virginia Joanna Wyndham (nee Fitzpatrick). At the time of the 1911 Census, he was a student boarding at Wellington College, Crowthorne, Berkshire. At this time the family were living at Clouds House, East Knoyle, even though George's father spent time abroad as Military Attache in St. Petersburg, Russia. George later went on to Magdalen College, Cambridge. He enlisted in the 3rd Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment and also was attached to the 2nd Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers. He served in France & Flanders. and at the time of his death held the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He was killed in action on 24th March 1915 whilst serving with the Fusiliers on the Ypres Salient. He was buried at Dranouter Churchyard, Heuvelland, West Flanders, Belgium (grave id. II.B.16). He is remembered on the East Knoyle War Memorial as well as the Rolls of Honour at Wellington College and Magdalen College.

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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Lawrence Harold Tuffin

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Tuffin

Other names: Lawrence Harold

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna
France & Flanders
Hooge Crater Cemetery, Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium
Penn Hill, Bedchester
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Salisbury

Story:
Lawrence Harold Tuffin (sometimes known as Harold) was born in 1899 in Fontmell Magna, Dorset, and baptised there on 27th August, 1899. He was the son of Albert James Tuffin, a postman, and Bertha May Tuffin (nee Lawrence). His mother, Bertha, died in 1910. At the time of the 1911 Census he was still at school and living with his grandmother at 20 Penn Hill, Bedchester, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in Salisbury as a Private with the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 15509) and later transferred to the 8th (Service) Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment (Service No. 31040). He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died in Flanders on 26th October 1917 and was buried at Hooge Crater Cemetery, Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium (grave id. VI.L.9). He is remembered on the Park Walk and St James’ War Memorials. His name also appears and on the Roll of Honour inside St. James’ Church and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury.

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Philip James Young

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment, Dorsetshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Young

Other names: Philip James

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
Fontaine-Au-Bois Communal Cemetery, Nord, France
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury

Story:
Philip James Young was born in 1889 in Shaftesbury. He was the son of Henry Young, an engine smith, and Martha Young (nee Critchell). At the time of the 1891 Census the family were living at 26 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. By 1911 Philip himself had moved to Windsor and was working as a grocer's shop assistant. He enlisted back in Shaftesbury as a Private in the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 16112) and later transferred to the 9th (Service) Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment (Service No.33667) where he was promoted to Lance Corporal. He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 28th October 1918 and was buried at Fontaine-Au-Bois Communal Cemetery, Nord, France (grave id. D.10). The inscription on the Park Walk War Memorial, Shaftesbury, gives his middle initial as "S" but all available information indicates that his middle name was James. His name also appears on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. (NB. Philip's brother, Austin Henry Young had also served in the war and on his discharge applied to the War Graves Commission to be employed as a gardener's labourer in the graveyards in France. By the 1939 Register he was back in Shaftesbury and noted as 'incapacitated'.)

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Harry Gray

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Gray

Other names: Harry

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
Lussenthoek Military Cemetery, West Flanders, Belgium
St John's Hill, Shaftesbury
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Motcombe, Dorset
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury

Story:
Harry Gray was born in 1898 in Cann, Shaftesbury. He was the son of John Gray, a carter, and Linda Louisa Gray (nee Jenkins). His siblings included Sidney Charles, born in 1890, who also died in the war. At the time of the 1911 Census Harry was single and at school living in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, the family later moving to St. Johns Hill, Shaftesbury. He enlisted as a Private in the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 18971) but later transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment (New Service No. 30809). He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 16th August 1917 and was buried at Lussenthoek Military Cemetery, West Flanders, Belgium (grave id. XVII.AA.12A). He is remembered on the Park Walk, Enmore Green and St. James’ war memorials in Shaftesbury. His name also appears on the Motcombe War Memorial, the Roll of Honour inside St. James’ Church and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Bertram Keast

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Keast

Other names: Bertram

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium
Bell Street, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Essen, Germany
London
Dorchester
Paschendaele, Flanders

Story:
Bertram Keast was born on 10th October, 1889 in Shaftesbury and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 17th November, 1889. He was the son of Samuel John Keast, a law clerk, and Emily Keast (nee Taylor). He attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from September 1899 to July 1906. After leaving school he became a schoolmaster and then entered a solicitor's office, first in London and later in Dorchester. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was single and living in the family home at 7 Bell Street, Shaftesbury. On 28th December, 1914 he married Kate Taylor and they had one child, a son. On his marriage certificate he gives his occupation as Solicitor's Clerk. He enlisted in Dorchester and joined the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 18584) as a Private. He later transferred to the 9th (Service) Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment (New Service No. 31066) and went on to serve in France and Flanders.

Official records show that Bertram died on October 26th 1917 although this may be the day on which he was reported missing. The Shaftesbury Grammar School magazine gives some details: "Bertram Keast was shot in the left arm on the Paschendale front, on October 26th, 1917, and taken prisoner." According to this account he was transported to Germany and died there on November 5th. He was buried in the civilian churchyard at Essen.

Bertram was awarded the Victory and British War medals and his name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial (Panel 38 to 40). He is remembered on the Park Walk War Memorial, on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church and on the Shaftesbury Grammar School memorial in Shaftesbury School. His widow Kate remarried Ernest Ridgeway in 1926.

The June 1917 edition of the Shaftesbury Grammar School magazine mentions a donation by Bertram's father: "A framed list of the names of over 160 boys on active service, now adorns our Schoolroom wall. It was written by Mr. S.J. Keast, and presented by him to the School. We offer him our grateful thanks for his most artistic production, which is one more proof of the great interest he always takes in all that concerns the School." In Gold Hill Museum there is a hand written list of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys who served in the forces, updated throughout the war, but it is not known if this is the work of Mr. Keast. Bertram's name was included and an asterix can be seen next to his name, indicating that he had died.

Printed Source:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, March 1919
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1917

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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