Dorset Yeomanry Archives - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Frederick Edward Gillett

Surname: Gillett

Other names: Frederick Edward

Locations in this story:
Hazelbury Bryan, Dorset
Ditcheat, Shepton Mallet, Somerset
Egypt
Hartgrove Farm, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Marnull, Dorset
Moorcourt Farm, Moorside, Sturminster, Dorset
Weymouth, Dorset
Todber, Sturminster, Dorset
Sharpham, Somerset

Story:
Frederick Edward Gillett was born in Hazelbury Bryan, Dorset, on 7th June 1897 and baptised there on 15th August 1897, the son of Edwin John Gillett and Emily Mary Gillett (née Gould). He spent his early life in Hazelbury Bryan and later in Ditcheat, Shepton Mallet, Somerset. He enlisted with the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry (Service No. 1407) as a Private. he was posted to Egypt on 15 Nov 1916 and whilst there transferred to the Corps of Hussars (Imperial Camel Corps) Machine Gun Section with a new Service No. 50076. On his discharge on 27 Mar 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. It is not known when his family moved but by 1920 he was living with his parents at Hartgrove Farm, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He married Ada May Shute at the Parish Church in Marnull, Dorset, on 18th May 1920. The 1921 Census shows him now living at Sharpham Park, Sharpham, Somerset, working as a Dairyman. By the time of the 1939 Register he had again moved to Moorcourt Farm, Moorside, Sturminster, Dorset, and was described as a Dairy Farmer. His death was registered in the Weymouth, Dorset, Registry on 26 Apr 1983 and, as he had been living in Todber, Dorset, he was later buried at nearby St. Gregory's Church, Marnull, Dorset, on 4th May 1983. His name appears on the Fontmell Magna Roll of Honour.

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Gerald John James Andrews

24th September 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry, Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Andrews

Other names: Gerald John James

Locations in this story:
Marnull, Dorset
Tarrant Keynston, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Poole, Dorset
Woolcotts Farm, Sherborne Causeway, Shaftesbury
Palestine
Egypt
Hartgrove, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Blandford, Dorset

Story:
Gerald John James Andrews was born in Marnull, Dorset, on 2nd July 1894 and baptised there on 12 Aug 1894 the son of Edwin Walter Andrews and Lucy Beatrice Andrews (née Day). He lived his early life at Dairy House, Tarrant Keynston, Dorset. He enlisted as a Territorial on 9th February 1911 and joined the 'C' Squadron of the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry (Service No. 508). He attended regular annual training camps but was embodied at the outbreak of WW1 on 5th August 1914 eventually becoming a Corporal. He was discharged having completed his service time with his unit on 8th February 1916 but he re-enlisted and joined the Royal Engineers as a Driver (Service No. 152684). (His family have advised that he had sent postcards from the Palestine/Egyptian area whilst serving with the Royal Engineers and was en route returning to the UK during Apr 1919.) On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. By the 1921 Census he was living with his parents at a farm near Hartgrove, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, helping his father on the farm. He married Ruby Ada Lear at Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 29th Aug 1929. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Woolcotts Farm, Sherborne Causeway, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as a Dairy Farmer. He died in Blandford Hospital, Blandford, Dorset, on 21st January 1966 and was buried at St. Mary's Church, Motcombe.

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Edgar Still

30th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry, Hussars, Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Still

Other names: Edgar

Locations in this story:
Church Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Asia
Sherborne, Dorset
Plympton St. Mary, Devonshire
Podymore, Ilchester, Somerset

Story:
Edgar Still was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 13th August 1889, the son of Emily Still. No father was recorded. He lived his early life with his mother and grandparents in Church Street, Fontmell Magna. He enlisted and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 1437). He served in the Asiatic Theatre of War and transferred to the Railway Operations Department of the Royal Engineers (Service No. WR/195579) only to transfer back to the Yeomanry later on (Service No. H/231587) and be attached to the 1/1st Hussars. On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living with his mother and sister at Cross Tree Cross, Fontmell Magna described as 'Farming on own account'. He married Edith May Martin in the Sherborne, Dorset, Registry area in 1925. By the 1939 Register he was living at Myrtle Cottage, Plympton St. Mary, Devonshire, and was working as a Jobbing Gardener. At some time later he had moved back to 701 Podymore, Ilchester, Somerset, where he died on 2nd November 1971.

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George Stephen Hillier

29th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hillier

Other names: George Stephen

Locations in this story:
St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sutton Waldron, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Dairyhouse Farm, Shaftesbury
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
George Stephen Hillier was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 12th November 1885 and baptised at St. James' Church on 13th December 1885, the son of Frederick John Hillier and Emma Jane Hillier (née Upjohn). He lived his early life with the family in St. James Street, Shaftesbury, and later at Tanyard Lane, Shaftesbury. He enlisted and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry attached to the 7th Hussars as a Private (Service No. 231224). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge on 11th May 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working for his father as a Motor Driver. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Dairyhouse Farm, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was described as a General Farm Worker and single. He was admitted to the Newbridge Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire where his death was recorded at the Salisbury, Wiltshire, Registry in 1972. He was buried at Sutton Waldron, Dorset, on 20th October 1972. His brothers, Frederick John, Percival Frederick and Robert James also served in the conflict. Their names appear on a Roll of Honour published in the St. James' Parish Magazine in November 1918.

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Frederick John Hillier
Robert James Hillier
Percival Frederick Hillier

Percy John Foyle

28th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Corps of Hussars, Dorset Yeomanry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Foyle

Other names: Percy John

Locations in this story:
Kington Magna, Dorset
Lower Hartgrove, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Fewcott, Bicester, Oxfordshire
Oxford, Oxfordshire
Egypt
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Percy John Foyle was born in Kington Magna, Dorset, on 28th September 1896, the son of Charles Thomas Foyle and Annie Maria Foyle (née Francis). By 1901 he had moved with his family to Greens Farm, Lower Hartgrove, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted with the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 760). He served in Egypt from 23 Apr 1915 and whilst there he transferred to the Corps of Hussars (Imperial Camel Corps) (Service No. 230159). He was discharged on 21st April 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He married Winifred May Kick in the Shaftesbury, Dorset, Registration area in 1921 and the Census shows he had moved in with his parents in law in Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Cowman. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Fewcott, Bicester, Oxfordshire, and was a Foreman Concrete Worker. His death was registered at the Oxford, Oxfordshire, Registry on 18th June 1969.

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Benjamin George Chick

25th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry, Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Chick

Other names: Benjamin George

Locations in this story:
Hemyock, Devonshire
Dunkeswell, Devonshire
Blandford's Farm, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset,
Egypt
Palestine
Branksome, Poole, Dorset

Story:
Benjamin George Chick was born at Hemyock, Devonshire, on 15th December 1896 and baptised there on 21 Feb 1897 the son of Thomas Edward Chick and Sarah Ann Chick (nee Clist). He lived his very early life in Dunkeswell, Devonshire, intil 1906 when his father came to Blandford's Farm, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, to take over the tenancy from his brother who had recently died. Benjamin enlisted on 27th May 1915 and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 1436). He served in Palestine and Egypt mainly with various signals units. He transferred to the Royal Engineers and was promoted to Corporal (Service No. A/517855). He was employed as a Motor Cyclist Dispatch Rider. He later transferred back to the Dorset Yeomanry (Service No. 230697). He was discharged on 31st August 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living at Blandford's Farm with his parents and helping his father on the farm. He married Phyllis Margherita Burden at St. Aldhelm's Church, Branksome, Poole, Dorset, 0n 11 Apr 1928. By the time of the 1939 Register he was himself the tenant of Blandford's Farm, West Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, and was described as a Dairy Farmer. He died on 14th September 1968 and was buried at St. Andrew's Church, Fontmell Magna. Benjamin's brother Thomas (b.1888) also served in the war, with the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

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Thomas Chick

Ernest Edward White

25th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: White

Other names: Ernest Edward

Locations in this story:
Askerwell, Bridport, Dorset
Loders, Burton Bradstock, Dorset
North Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Blandford, Dorset

Story:
Ernest Edward White was born at Askerwell, Bridport, Dorset, on 19th April 1870 and baptised there on 12 Jun 1870 the son of Luke White and Ellen White (nee Gale). He lived his early life at Loders, Burton Bradstock, Dorset. He married Alice Louisa Lathey in Askerwell on 24th Jun 1894. By 1901 the family had moved to 9 North Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where Ernest worked as a Thatcher. He enlisted on 5th January 1915 and joined the 2/1st Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 250569). He served in the UK only and was eventually discharged as being unfit for further duty on 13th May 1919. He was awarded the Silver War Badge No. B244010. No other medal records are available. The 1921 Census shows him still living in Fontmell Magna, as a Thatcher on the Glyn Estate. His wife, Alice, died in 1929. By the 1939 Register he had moved to Kennyside, East Street, Blandford, Dorset, still working as a Thatcher but noted as being disabled. By the time of his death on 14th April 1947 he had returned to 9 North Street, Fontmell Magna and was buried at St. Andrew's Church on 17th April 1947.

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Archibald Arthur Still

25th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Corps of Hussars, Dorset Yeomanry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Still

Other names: Archibald Arthur

Locations in this story:
West Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Egypt
Martley, Worcestershire
Blandford, Dorset

Story:
Archibald Arthur Still was born at Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 26th January 1881, the son of Tom Still and Ellen Still (née West). He lived most of his life until just before 1939, except for his period of military service, in West Street, Fontmell Magna. He married Anna Jane Lane in Blandford, Dorset, on 18th September 1904. Archibald enlisted and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 965). He served in Egypt and was later transferred to the 'B' Squadron of the Corps of Hussars (Service No. 230320). He was still serving in 1920 but when discharged was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. By the 1921 Census he had been discharged from the Army and was back in West Street, Fontmell Magna. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to Thorngrove Cottage, Dark Lane, Martley, Worcestershire, where he was working as a Groom. His death was recorded in Martley in 1964. His brothers, Clarence Reginald Still and Stanley Charles Still, also served in the conflict.

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Stanley Charles Still
Clarence Reginald Still

John Clark Goldie

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

Surname: Goldie

Other names: John Clark

Locations in this story:
Manor Farm, Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Gallipoli, Turkey
Sitterton, Bere Regis, Wareham, Dorset
Dorchester, Dorset
Stalbridge, Dorset

Story:
John Clark Goldie was born in Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 11th May 1888, the son of George Goldie and Fanny Goldie (née Burt). He spent all his early life with his family at Manor Farm, Compton Abbas. He enlisted on 9 Sep 1914 and joined the 1/1st Battalion of the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service Nos. 1004 & 230350). He served at Gallipoli where he was captured and served his time as a POW in Turkey. He had the unfortunate experience of losing his right arm at that time. Following his release and later discharge on 22nd March 1919 he was given a pension and also awarded the Victory and British War medals along with the Silver Badge No. B214088. He married Dorothy Nora Cowing at Compton Abbas on 24th April 1919. The 1921 Census shows that he was living with his father at Cribhouse Farm, Stalbridge, Dorset, where he was helping out as a GeneraL Farmhand. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 2 Manor House, Sitterton, Bere Regis, Wareham, Dorset, working as a Farm Bailiff. He died in the Damers Road Hospital, Dorchester, Dorset, on 3 Mar 1960 and later buried at St. Mary's Church, Stalbridge.. John's sister Mildred Frances (b.1894) served with the Voluntary Aid Detachment in the UK and in Egypt.

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Mildred Frances Goldie
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Ernest John Foot

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

Surname: Foot

Other names: Ernest John

Locations in this story:
Bakers Farm, Twyford, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset
Gumms Farm, Twyford, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Gallipoli, Turkey

Story:
Ernest John Foot was born in Twyford, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 5th October 1895, the son of Alfred Foot and Dinah Jane Foot (née Brockway). He lived all his life in the Twyford, Shaftesbury, area except for his Military Service. His father died in 1909 whilst farming at Bakers Farm, Twyford. Ernest had enlisted as a Private with the 1/1st Battalion of the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry (Service No. H/230127). This Battalion is known to have been in action at Gallipoli, Turkey. He was discharged on 16 Mar 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals. The 1921 Census shows him back at Bakers Farm living with his widowed mother assisting her in managing the farm. He married Alice Maria Rebbeck at Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 10th December 1925. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Gumms Farm, Twyford, Shaftesbury, and was described as a Dairy Farmer as well as an ARP Warden. His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1965.

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