Story:
James Robert Hatcher was born in 1898 in Childe Okeford, Dorset, and baptised at Iwerne Courtney, Dorset, on 7th May 1899. He was the son of Robert Edwin Hatcher, an agricultural labourer, and Louisa Hatcher (née Wareham). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, a scholar and living at Hinton St. Mary. He enlisted in Shaftesbury as a Private in the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 14482). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died on 26th September 1916 and was buried at the Pozieres British Cemetery, Ovillers-La Boisselle, Somme, France (grave id. I.H.44). He is remembered on the Fontmell Magna War Memorial, Shaftesbury.

Further reading: "Fontmell Magna and the First World War", compiled by Chris Bellers, Fontmell Magna Village Archive Society, 2014.

Story:
William Sidney Lawrence was born in 1878 in Fontmell Magna, Dorset, and was baptised there on 14th April 1878. He was the son of Thomas Lawrence, a Farm Labourer, and Elizabeth Sarah Ann Lawrence (née Dibben). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as an estate labourer and living at 48 Fontmell Magna. He enlisted on 19th September 1895, as a Private in the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 4702) and was discharged to the reserves on 18th September 1907. At the outbreak of war he re-enlisted in Blandford and joined the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. No 3/7690). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals. He died on 2nd May 1915 and his name appears on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, Flanders (Panel 37). He is remembered on the Fontmell Magna War Memorial, Shaftesbury.

Printed Sources:
"Fontmell Magna and the First World War", compiled by Chris Bellers, Fontmell Magna Village Archive Society, 2014.

Story:
Frederick Rideout (known as Fred) was born in 1884 in Fontmell Magna, and baptised there on 13th April, 1884. He was the son of Frederick Rideout, a Colliery Hewer, and Emily Rideout (née Sage). By 1901 the family had moved to Llanhilleth, Pontypool, Monmouthshire and Frederick was employed as a Coal Hewer Miner. Frederick married Frances Jane Matthews in Abertillery, Wales, in 1909. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was a Colliery Worker living at Llanhilleth, Monmouthshire, Wales. He enlisted at Shaftesbury as a Private with the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 5987). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals. He died on 13th October 1914 and his name appears on Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France (Panel 22 & 23). He is remembered on the Fontmell Magna War Memorial, Shaftesbury.  His brother, George Rideout, also served but survived the conflict.

Printed Sources: "Fontmell Magna and the First World War", compiled by Chris Bellers, Fontmell Magna Village Archive Society, 2014.

Story:
William John Toomer was born in 1894 in Twyford, Shaftesbury. He was the son of Charles Toomer, a Bricklayer's Labourer, and Ellen Louisa Toomer (nee Rideout). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a farm labourer and living at 61 West Street, Fontmell Magna. He enlisted in Blandford on 7th September, 1914 and joined the 5th Service Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 11094) and at the time of his death held the rank of Lance Corporal. His first posting was to Gallipoli, Turkey, where he received a wound to the right hand on 24th August, 1915, and was admitted to the 24th Casualty Clearing Station. Following his recovery and further service in the area he embarked from Alexandria, Egypt, for France, arriving there on 9th July, 1916 and was posted into the field on 26th September, 1916. It was on that very day he was reported missing and presumed killed. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. His name appears on the Thiepval Memorial in France (Pier and Face 7 B). He is remembered on the Fontmell Magna War Memorial, near Shaftesbury.

Printed Sources: "Fontmell Magna and the First World War", compiled by Chris Bellers, Fontmell Magna Village Archive Society, 2014.