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).

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.

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.    

Story:
Alfred Radcliffe Bowles was born in Semley, Wiltshire, in 1895, and baptised there on 25th December, 1895. He was the son of Frank Bowles, a Foreman Platelayer, and Bessie Alice Bowles (née Trevelian). His siblings included Bertram Percival Bowles, born in 1893, who also died in the war as well as Leonard Frank Bowles and Harold Donald Victor Bowles who served and survived. 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 Semley as a Private and joined the 2nd/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 2463 later changed to 200790). He served in India where he died on 16th October 1918 whilst on attachment to the 3rd Wireless Section, Royal Engineers. (There is a note on the WGC record that he was buried in the Tank Cemetery 35 but no other information is given.) His name appears on the Delhi Memorial (India Gate) (Face 23). 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.