Dorset Yeomanry Archives - Page 4 of 5 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Alfred George Bristol

Surname: Bristol

Other names: Alfred George

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Motcombe, Dorset
Mere, Wiltshire

Story:
Alfred George Bristol was born on 1st September 1893 at Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, the son of William Alford Bristol, a farmer, and Rosa Mary Bristol (née Bartley). He enlisted on 25th January 1912 and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry, attending annual training camps until embodied on 5 Aug 1914 eventually becoming a Lance Corporal (Service No. 556). During his service in the UK only he was temporarily demobilized three times in order to run the family farm following the death, in 1909, of his father. Finally he was discharged for time expired on his service agreement and due to the needs of farming on 27th February 1916. He married Ethel Mary Perrett on 6 Apr 1921 at Mere Parish Church, Mere, Wiltshire, and they went on to have three children. The family set up home, per the 1921 Census, at the family farm North End Farm, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset. The details remained the same on the 1939 Regsiter. Alfred died in 1974 and was buried at St. Mary's Church, Motcombe.

Source: Based on original research by Ken Baxter

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Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Charles Hunt Blackwell

11th July 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry, Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Blackwell

Other names: Charles Hunt

Locations in this story:
Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Bozley Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
France
Baltonborough, Somerset

Story:
Charles Hunt Blackwell was born in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, on 10th July 1875, the son of Henry Blackwell and Harriet Blackwell (nee Hunt). He married Ada Arnold on 28th August 1900 at St. Dunstan's Church, Baltonborough, Somerset. There were three children of the marriage and by he 1901 had moved to Iwerne Minster, Dorset. Charles had served previously with the Dorset Yeomanry and had been discharged to the Reserves. He was mobilized on 15th December 1914 and served as a Private in the Army Service Corps (Service No. M2/002083). He served in France from 19 Dec 1914 with the BEF finally ending up with the 77th Company ASC (27th Divisional Supply Corps). He was demobilized on 5th March 1919 and was awarded the Victory and British War Medals and the 1914/15 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living in Blandford Road, Iwerne Minster, Dorset, working as a Chauffeur. By the 1939 Register he had moved to Spring Cottage, Bozley Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where he is was shown working as a Chauffeur/Gardener. Charles died in Shaftesbury on 5th March, 1942.

Source: Based on original research by Ken Baxter.

Images:

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The National Achives

Edgar Jesty

2nd December 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Jesty

Other names: Edgar

Locations in this story:
Fonthill Gifford, Wiltshire
The Farm, Nottington, Broadwey, Dorset
Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Gallipoli, Turkey
Helles Memorial, Turkey
St. Nicholas' Church, Broadway, Dorset
St. Mary's Abbey Church, Sherborne, Dorset

Story:
Edgar Jesty was born at Fonthill Gifford in Wiltshire in 1885. He was the son of John Jesse Jesty, a road surveyor & sanitary inspector and Sarah Ann Titt. He attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from May 1898 to July 1902 and appears in the 1901 Census as a boarder there. He became a farmer and lived at The Farm, Nottington, Broadwey, Dorset. He enlisted as a Trooper in the Dorset (Queen’s Own) Yeomanry (Service No. 571) and was awarded the 1915 Star, Victory and British War medals. He died at Gallipoli on 21st August 1915 and his name appears on the Helles Memorial in Turkey. He is remembered on the Broadwey War Memorial in the churchyard of St. Nicholas’ Church and on the Dorset Queens Own Yeomanry memorial in St. Mary's Church, Sherborne.

As a former pupil his name was recorded on the Shaftesbury Grammar School memorial in Shaftesbury School. Throughout the war a hand-written list was compiled of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving in the armed forces. An asterix can be seen next to Edgar’s name, indicating that he had died. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.

Printed Sources:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, November 1919

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Shastonian

Thomas Doggrell

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Doggrell

Other names: Thomas

Locations in this story:
Henstridge, Somerset
Egypt
Jerusalem Memorial
East End Farm, Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley
Gallipoli
Palestine
Motcombe, Dorset
Beitunia, Palestine

Story:
Thomas Doggrell was born in 1897 in Henstridge, Somerset and baptised there on 14th March, 1897. He was the son of Thomas Doggrell, a Farmer, and Sarah Ann Doggrell (née Burt). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, was a Worker on a Farm and living at East End Farm, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Motcombe, Dorset, and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry (Service No. 230084). He served in Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine, latterly with the 6th Mounted Brigade and, at the time of his death, held the rank of Sergeant. According to reports he was left wounded on the battlefield near Beitunia, Palestine, possibly being taken prisoner by the Turkish Forces. His death is recorded officially as 13th April, 1918 but his family refused to accept this and always maintained it was 2nd April, 1918. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. His name appears on the Jerusalem Memorial, Jerusalem (Panel 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.

During the war Thomas' sister Selina Elizabeth (b.1894) served as a VAD Nurse with the Red Cross at the War Hospital in Tisbury.

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Selina Elizabeth Doggrell

Jack Fitzroy Waters

1st August 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Waters

Other names: Jack Fitzroy

Locations in this story:
Charlton All Saints, Alderbury, Wilts
Egypt
Alexandria (Chatby) Military Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt
Woodyates Manor Farm, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Sixpenny Handley
Gallipoli
Agagia, Egypt
Malta

Story:
Jack Fitzroy Waters was born in 1890 in Charlton All Saints, Alderbury, Wiltshire, and baptised at Charlton All Saints on 30th May 1890. He was the son of Charles James Salway Waters, a Farmer, and Elizabeth Good Waters (nee Miles). Jack's mother died and was buried at Sixpenny Handley on 26th December, 1908. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single and living at Woodyates Manor Farm, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset. His occupation was recorded as "Farmer's Son". He enlisted at Okeford Fitzpaine and joined the 1/1st Battalion of the Dorset Yeomanry (Queen's Own) attached to the Household Cavalry of the Line (Service No. 459) and at the time of his death held the rank of Lance Sergeant. He served in Gallipoli, where he was wounded, and then on to Egypt after three months treatment in Malta. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He was killed in action at the Battle of Agagia, Egypt, on 25th Feb 1916 and was buried at Alexandria (Chatby) Military Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt (grave id. G.31). He is remembered on the Sixpenny Handley War Memorial and on the De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour. Jack's brother, George William Waters, also served but survived the conflict.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Joseph Arthur Chaldecott

1st August 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Chaldecott

Other names: Joseph Arthur

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
Egypt
Ramleh War Cemetery, Near Tel Aviv, Palestine
White Horse Hotel, Maiden Newton, Dorset
Chettle, Dorset
Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Maiden Newton, Dorset
East Orchard, Dorset

Story:
Joseph Arthur Chaldecott was born in 1894 in East Orchard, Dorset. He was the son of Arthur Edmund Chaldecott, a Journeyman Baker, and Selina Hannah Chaldecott (nee Parham). His siblings included William Thomas Chaldecott, born in 1901, who also died in the war. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Stable Boy and living at the White Horse Hotel, Maiden Newton, Dorset. He enlisted in Maiden Newton as a Private in the Dorset Yeomanry (Queen's Own) (Service No. 584) and later transferred to the Corps of Hussars, attached to the 1st/1st Battalion of his old Regiment, the Dorset Yeomanry (New Service No. 230055). He served in Egypt and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He was killed in action on 13th November 1917 and was buried at Ramleh War Cemetery, Near Tel Aviv, Palestine (Israel) (grave id. P.57). In 1918 the family were living at Chettle and he is remembered on the Sixpenny Handley War Memorial. His father died in 1918.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Sidney Charles Wareham

21st June 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry, Household Cavalry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Wareham

Other names: Sidney Charles

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
Egypt
Jerusalem War Cemetery, Jerusalem, Israel
High Street, Iwerne Minster, Dorset
Palestine
Sherborne, Dorset

Story:
Sidney Charles Wareham was born in 1878 in Iwerne Minster and baptised there on 1 September, 1878. He was the son of William Wareham, a farmer, and Charlotte Matilda Wareham (née Burt). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a groom and living at High Street, Iwerne Minster, Dorset. He enlisted in Sherborne, Dorset, as a Private in the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry (Service No. 860). He later transferred to the Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line (Service No. 230234). He served in Egypt and Palestine and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died of wounds on 9th June 1918 and was buried at Jerusalem War Cemetery, Jerusalem, Israel (then Palestine) (grave id. N.91). He is remembered on the Iwerne Minster War Memorial, Shaftesbury.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Harold Vernon Browne

21st June 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Browne

Other names: Harold Vernon

Locations in this story:
Port Gawler, South Australia
Gallipoli, Turkey
Hill 10 Cemetery, Turkey
Hoburne, Hampshire
Suvla Bay, Turkey
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
St. Mary's Church, Iwerne Minster
Wellington College, Crowthorne, Berkshire

Story:
Harold Vernon Browne was born on 25th August, 1885 in Buckland Park, Port Gawler, South Australia. He was the son of Leonard Gilbert Browne, described as living by his "own means", and Helen Mary Browne (née Price). The family moved to England in 1891 and by 1901 Harold was a boarder at Wellington College, Crowthorne, Berkshire. On 24th June, 1908 he married Mabel Doris Tillard, eventually moving to Iwerne Minster. They had four children: three boys and a girl. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was also living by his "own means", at Hoburne, Hampshire. He joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry in 1908. He became a Lieutenant in October 1913 and Captain in July 1915 - which rank he held at the time of his death. He served at Gallipoli and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. On 7th September 1915 he was killed by a shell whilst discharging his duties as Military Landing Officer on "A" Beach, Suvla Bay. He was buried at the nearby Hill 10 Cemetery, Turkey (grave id. II.B.12) and is remembered on the Iwerne Minster War Memorial, Shaftesbury and on a stone pillar in front of the pulpit of St. Mary's Church, Iwerne Minster. He is also mentioned on the De-Ruvigny's Roll of Honour and on the Wellington College Roll of Honour. His wife went on to re-marry Thomas Hartley Carlisle in Shaftesbury in 1922.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

William Ernest Pike

10th June 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Pike

Other names: William Ernest

Locations in this story:
Egypt
Jerusalem War Cemetery, Churchill Boulevard, Jerusalem, Palestine
Waterloo Farm, Motcombe, Dorset
Motcombe, Dorset
East Knoyle, Wiltshire

Story:
William Ernest Pike was born in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, in 1896 and baptised there on 19th July 1896. He was the son of Ernest James Pike, a Farmer, and Mary Agnes Pike (née Dowding). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, a Scholar and living at Waterloo Farm, Motcombe, Dorset. He enlisted at Sturminster Newton and joined the 1st Battalion of the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry (Service No. 716). Following a later posting of the Battalion, which was associated with the Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line, his Service No. changed to 230131. At the time of his death he held the rank of Lance Corporal. He served in Egypt and was awarded the Victory, British War and 15 Star medals. He died on 21st November 1917 and was buried at Jerusalem War Cemetery, Churchill Boulevard, Jerusalem, (grave id. Y.83). He is remembered on the Motcombe War Memorial, Dorset.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Hubert Martin Ricketts

10th June 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Ricketts

Other names: Hubert Martin

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Gallipoli, Turkey
Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey
Culverhouse, Motcombe, Dorset
Egypt
St. Mary's Abbey Church, Sherborne, Dorset
Sturminster Newton, Dorset

Story:
Martin Hubert Ricketts was born in Motcombe, Dorset, on 15th December, 1896 and baptised there on 19th February, 1897. He was registered and baptised as Martin Hubert but the family and military records used the names in reverse. He was the son of John James Charles Ricketts (known as Charles), a farmer, and Sarah Ann Ricketts (née Broadway). He attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from May 1908 to December 1911. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, a Scholar and living at Culverhouse, Motcombe, Dorset.

When war broke out he was farming with his father. He enlisted in Sturminster Newton, Dorset, as a Trooper in the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry with attachment to the Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line (Service No. No. 717). He died on 9th September 1915 at Gallipoli. His name appears on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey (Panel 17 and 18). He was awarded the Victory, British War and 15 Star medals and is remembered on the Motcombe War Memorial, Dorset. His name is also on the Dorset Queens Own Yeomanry memorial in St. Mary's Abbey Church, Sherborne and the Shaftesbury Grammar School memorial in Shaftesbury School.

Hubert's older brother Osborne Bernard (b.1892) also served with the Dorset Yeomanry and was severely wounded at Gallipoli on 2nd August 1915.

A "First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces" was produced by Shaftesbury Grammar School in September 1915. It shows the regiment in which the brothers served and the date and term in which they left school. Their names are also included on a hand written list of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving during the war. An asterix can be seen next to Hubert's name, indicating that he had died. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.

Printed Sources:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, October 1915
First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces, September 1915

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Shastonian
Osborne Bernard Ricketts