Dorsetshire Regiment Archives - Page 14 of 23 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

William Charles Abraham Burridge

Surname: Burridge

Other names: William Charles Abraham

Locations in this story:
Stoney Path, St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
William Charles Abraham Burridge (also known as 'Willie') was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 21st June 1897 the son of Charles Burridge and Alice Bessie Burridge (née Wilmott). He lived his whole life, apart from Military Service, in the locality. He enlisted on 21st October 1916 as a Gunner with the Royal Garrison Artillery attached to the R.A.E. Tank Corps serving in France from 14 Apr 1917 (Service No. 125985). He was demobilized on 14th October 1919 with a War Pension due to the effects of his service. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He re-enlisted for a period of one year in 1920 as a Territorial with the 4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 5720627). He was finally demobilized on 18 Mar 1921 and by the 1921 Census was shown living with his parents at 3 Stoney Path, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Gardener. He remained single throughout his life at the same address as recorded in the 1939 Register. He was always employed as a Gardener. William died in 1949 and was buried at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, on 16th September 1949. Source: Based on previous research by Ken Baxter.

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Sidney Frederick Gray

8th January 2018/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: Sidney Frederick

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury Workhouse, Breach Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Mesopotamia
Gallipoli, Turkey
Helles Memorial, Turkey
Portland Place, London

Story:
Sidney Frederick Gray was born in 1892 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury on 25th December 1892. He was the son of Thomas John Gray, a Carter, and Elizabeth Gray née Gumbleton. Sidney's father had died in 1900 and by 1901 the family were living in the Shaftesbury Workhouse in Breach Lane. Elizabeth was described as a “Washerwoman and Inmate of the Workhouse”. By 1911 Sidney was single and working as a House Servant in Portland Place in London whilst his mother was still in the workhouse. He enlisted in Salisbury as a Private with the 5^th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 10661). He served in Mesopotamia and was awarded the Victory, British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He died at Gallipoli, Turkey, on 27^th August 1915. His name appears on the Helles Memorial, Turkey, (Panel 137 to 140).

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Ernest James Mullins

10th November 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Somerset Light Infantry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Mullins

Other names: Ernest James

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Gillingham, Dorset
Blackford, North Cadbury, Somerset
France & Flanders
Thiepval Memorial, France
St. Michael's Church, Blackford, Somerset
Castle Cary, Somerset

Story:
Ernest James Mullins was born, along with his twin sister, Bessie Ada, in 1883 in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. He was the son of Adam Mullins, a market gardener, and Sarah Priscilla Mullins (née Galpin), a dressmaker. At the time of the 1901Census he was boarding at Wyke, Gillingham, Dorset and working as a Groom. On 13th October, 1904 Ernest married Ethel Bessie Miles in Gillingham. At the time of the 1911 Census they were living in Blackford, North Cadbury, Somerset where Ernest was working as a farm labourer.

Ernest enlisted in Castle Cary, Somerset, as a Private in the Somerset Light Infantry (Service No. 22569). He later transferred to the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 19046) and served in France & Flanders. He was presumed killed in action at the Somme on 11th January 1917 and his name appears on the Thiepval Memorial in France. He is remembered on the War Memorial and Roll of Honour in St. Michael's Church, Blackford, Somerset.

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Alfred Edward Wills

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

Surname: Wills

Other names: Alfred Edward

Locations in this story:
Winterbourne Monkton, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Theipval Memorial, France
White Bridge, Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley
Winterbourne Herringston, Dorset
Herringston House, Dorset

Story:
Alfred Edward Wills was born in 1891 in Winterbourne Herringston, Dorset, and baptised at Winterbourne Monkton on 25th October, 1891. He was the son of Alfred John Wills, a Dairyman, and Laura Wills (nee Gollop). His siblings included William, born in 1890, who also died in the war. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Gardener and living-in at Herringston House, Dorset, and employed by the landowner, Edmond Williams. His parents lived at White Bridge, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted as a Private in Dorchester on 31st August, 1914 and joined the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 10638). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died on 26th September 1916 and his name appears on the Theipval Memorial in France (Pier & Face 7 B). He is remembered on the Semley Baptist Chapel plaque, now in St Leonard's Church, and on the War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard.

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William Wills

William Wills

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

Surname: Wills

Other names: William

Locations in this story:
Stratton, Dorset
France & Flanders
Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas de Calais, France
White Bridge, Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley
Winterbourne, Monkton, Dorset
Dorchester

Story:
William Wills was born in 1890 in Stratton, Dorset and baptised at Winterbourne Monkton, Dorset, on 19th October, 1890. He was the son of Alfred John Wills, a Dairyman, and Laura Wills (nee Gollop). His siblings included Alfred Edward, born in 1891, who also died in the war. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single and living at White Bridge, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Dorchester as a Private in the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 10639). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died on 1st October 1916 and was buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas de Calais, France (grave id. VIII.C.163). He is remembered on the Semley Baptist Chapel plaque, now in St Leonard's Church, and on the War Memorial in St. Leonard's Churchyard.

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Alfred Edward Wills

Ernest William Gray

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

Surname: Gray

Other names: Ernest William

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Arras Memorial, Arras, Pas de Calais, France
Old Workhouse, Semley, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury

Story:
Ernest William Gray was born in Semley, Wiltshire, 1891 and baptised there on 20th September, 1891. He was the son of William Gray and Mary Jane Gray (née Rogers). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Farm Labourer and living at the Old Workhouse, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Shaftesbury as a Private and joined the 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 19525). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 12th April 1917 and his name appears on the Arras Memorial, Arras, Pas de Calais, France (Bay 6). 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.

Ernest's brother Frederick James (b.1888) also served in the war, with the Royal Garrison Artillery.

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Frederick James Gray

William Long

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

Surname: Long

Other names: William

Locations in this story:
Cadeby, Leicestershire
Mesopotamia
Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Iraq
Cottage Row, Gaywood, Kings Lynn, Norfolk
Semley, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury
St. Leonard's Church, Semley, Wiltshire
Walsingham, Norfolk

Story:
William Long was born in 1888 in Cadeby, Leicestershire. He was the son of Henry Long, a Gamekeeper, and Amy Long (née Bailey). He married Mary Ann Graver at Walsingham, Norfolk, in 1907. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was living at Cottage Row, Gaywood, Kings Lynn, Norfolk with his wife and children. He enlisted in Shaftesbury (having by then moved to Semley, Wiltshire,) and joined the 2nd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 14861) and served in Mesopotamia. At the time of his death on 10th December 1917 he held the rank of Sergeant. His name appears on the Nisbim Memorial 240 in the Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery in Iraq. The military death notice stated that he was a resident of Semley, Wiltshire. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals and is remembered on the War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard and on the Semley Baptist Chapel plaque, now in St. Leonard's Church.

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Clement Martin Maidment

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

Surname: Maidment

Other names: Clement Martin

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley
Knipe's Farm, Semley, Wiltshire
India
Dorchester

Story:
Clement Martin Maidment was born in Semley, Wiltshire, in 1897. He was the son of Thomas Clement Maidment and Ella Grace Maidment (née Flint). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as an Errand Boy and living at Knipe's Farm, Semley, Wiltshire.

He enlisted in Dorchester on 8th September, 1914, as a Private in the 1st/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 200907). He was posted to India from 9th October 1914 to 26th February 1917, when he joined the Middle East Expeditionary Force and was wounded on 26th September 1917. He returned to India on 21st December 1917, where he was hospitalized. He returned to the UK on 5th January 1918 and received further treatment but, on assessment, was declared unfit for further duty and discharged on 16th September 1918.

His pension, though shortlived, was equivalent £1.37p. per week. He died at home on 11th November 1918, and was buried in the north-west corner of St. Leonard's Churchyard. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. 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. His brother, Denis Hugh Maidment, also served but survived.

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Dennis Hugh Maidment

Stanley George Pitman

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

Surname: Pitman

Other names: Stanley George

Locations in this story:
Motcombe, Dorset
France & Flanders
Fienvillers British War Cemetery, Somme, France
Semley Villa, , Semley, Wiltshire
St Leonard's Church, Semley
Salisbury

Story:
Stanley George Pitman was born in Motcombe, Dorset, in 1889, and was baptised there on 3rd December, 1889. He was the son of John Pitman, an Egg & Poultry Dealer, and Mary Ann Pitman (née Phillips). His Mother died in 1898 and his father in 1907. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as an Egg/Poultry Dealer and living with his uncle, William Pitman, at Semley Villa, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Salisbury as a Private with Royal Warwickshire Regiment (Service No. 5062) but later transferred to the 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 19550). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 3rd September 1918 and was buried at Fienvillers British War Cemetery, Somme, France (grave id. D.14). 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. His three surviving brothers were recipients of all monies due from Stanley's estate. The brothers, William John Pitman (Stanley's twin brother), Hubert Morgan Pitman and Harold Arthur Pitman, all served and survived.

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Hubert Morgan Pitman
William John Pitman
Harold Arthur Pitman

George Robert Batson

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

Surname: Batson

Other names: George Robert

Locations in this story:
Trent, Dorset
France & Flanders
Tyne Cot Memorial, Flanders
Warnford, Bishops Waltham, Hampshire
Westcombe, Evercreech, Somerset
St. Catherine's Church, Sedgehill, Wiltshire
Bristol Road, Sherborne, Dorset
Sedgehill, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Pewsey, Wiltshire

Story:
George Robert Batson was born in 1883 in Trent, Dorset, and baptised there on 1st April, 1883. He was the son of Charles Batson, a Labourer, and his second wife, Jane Batson (née Sanders). He had joined the Dorsetshire Regiment during 1901 but had been discharged prior to 1909 and was living in Bristol Road, Sherborne, Dorset, where he married Flora Ellen Smith (nee England), (a widow), on 30th May, 1909. At the time of the 1911 Census they were living at Warnford, Bishops Waltham, Hampshire, along with his step-daughter, where he was working as a cowman. There were two children of the marriage - one boy and one girl. They were living at Sedgehill, Wiltshire, when he re-enlisted in Shaftesbury and joined the 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 14561). He served in France & Flanders and at the time of his death on 16th August 1917 held the rank of Sergeant. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals and his name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Flanders (Panel 92). He is remembered on the memorial plaque in St. Catherine's Church, Sedgehill.

In 1917 Flora re-married, to John W. Parham; they lived at Westcombe, Evercreech, Somerset. The 1939 Register shows the couple living at 105 High Street, Pewsey, Wiltshire.

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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