Names on Fontmell Magna War Memorial 4

Albert Jenkins

Surname: Jenkins
Other names: Albert
Other people in this story:
Henry Jenkins
Ellen Jenkins née Coombs
Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Dorset
France & Flanders
Blighty Valley Cemetery, Authuille Wood, Authuille, Somme, France
Smith's Hole, Fontmell Magna
Shaftesbury

Story:
Albert Jenkins was born in 1898 in Fontmell Magna. He was the son of Henry Jenkins, a shepherd, and Ellen Jenkins (née Coombs). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, a scholar and living at 44 Smith's Hole, Fontmell Magna. He enlisted at Shaftesbury and joined the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 13022) later transferring to the 1st Battalion. At the time of his death held the rank of Lance Corporal. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died on 2nd July 1916 and was buried at Blighty Valley Cemetery, Authuille Wood, Authuille, Somme, France (grave id. II.B.9). 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.

Images:
  • Names on Fontmell Magna War Memorial 2
  • Fontmell Magna War Memorial 4
  • Fontmell Magna War Memorial 3

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Fontmell Magna War Memorial 1

William Sidney Lawrence

Surname: Lawrence
Other names: William Sidney
Other people in this story:
Thomas Lawrence
Elizabeth Sarah Ann Lawrence née Dibben
Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Dorset
France & Flanders
Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders
Blandford

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.

Images:
  • Names on Fontmell Magna War Memorial 4
  • Names on Fontmell Magna War Memorial 2
  • Fontmell Magna War Memorial 4

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Names on Fontmell Magna War Memorial 2

Victor George Merrifield

Surname: Merrifield
Other names: Victor George
Other people in this story:
Henry John Merefield
Anne Stroud Merefield née Tanswell
Reginald Henry Merrifield
John Percival Merrifield
Edgar William Merrifield
Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Dorset
Gallipoli, Turkey
Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey
South Street, Fontmell Magna
Blandford

Story:
Victor George Merrifield (surname as registered) was born in 1892 in Fontmell Magna. He was the son of Henry John Merefield, (surname as registered) a farm labourer, and Anne Stroud Merefield (née Tanswell).  At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a gardener and living at 37 South Street, Fontmell Magna. He enlisted at Blandford on 27th August 1914 and joined the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 10194). He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal on 15th January 1915. He was reported missing at Gallipoli on 22nd August 1915 but presumed to have died on 21st August 1915. His name appears on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey (Panel 136 to 139) and on the Fontmell Magna War Memorial, Shaftesbury. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals (which were sent to his father at 37 South Street, Fontmell Magna). 

His brothers, Edgar William, Reginald Henry and John Percival, all served and survived.

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

Images:
  • Names on Fontmell Magna War Memorial 4
  • Names on Fontmell Magna War Memorial 1
  • Fontmell Magna War Memorial 4
  • Fontmell Magna War Memorial 2

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Edgar William Merrifield
John Percival Merrifield
Reginald Henry Merrifield
Fontmell Magna War Memorial 1

Frederick Rideout

Surname: Rideout
Other names: Frederick (Fred)
Other people in this story:
Frederick Rideout
Emily Rideout née Sage
Frances Jane Rideout née Matthews
George Rideout
Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Dorset
France & Flanders
Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France
Llanhilleth, Pontypool, Monmouthshire, Wales
Abertillery, Wales
Shaftesbury

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.

Images:
  • Names on Fontmell Magna War Memorial 5
  • Names on Fontmell Magna War Memorial 3
  • Fontmell Magna War Memorial 4

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
George Rideout
Fontmell Magna War Memorial 3

Sidney Shute

Surname: Shute
Other names: Sidney
Other people in this story:
Henry Young Shute
Anna Shute nee Merefield
Henry Shute
Locations in this story:
Smith's Hole, Fontmell Magna, Dorset
France & Flanders
Thiepval Memorial, France
Dorchester
Rouen, France

Story:
Sidney Shute was born in 1898 in Fontmell Magna, Dorset, and baptised there on 13th January, 1899. He was the son of Henry Young Shute, a general labourer, and Anna Shute (nee Merefield). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, a Scholar and living at 41 Smith's Hole, Fontmell Magna. He enlisted in Dorchester on 20th March, 1915, and joined the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 13026) and at the time of his death held the rank of Lance Sergeant. He traveled to Rouen, France, on 29th September, 1916, and entered the battlefield on 16th October, 1916. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 11th January 1917 and his name appears on the Thiepval Memorial in France (Pier and Face 7 B). He is remembered on the Fontmell Magna War Memorial, Shaftesbury.  His brother, Henry Shute, also served in the conflict and survived albeit, discharged early, due to sickness.

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

Images:
  • Names on Fontmell Magna War Memorial 5
  • Names on Fontmell Magna War Memorial 3
  • Fontmell Magna War Memorial 2
  • Fontmell Magna War Memorial 4

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Fontmell Magna War Memorial 4

William John Toomer

Surname: Toomer
Other names: William John
Other people in this story:
Charles Toomer
Ellen Louisa Toomer nee Rideout
Locations in this story:
Twyford, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Thiepval Memorial, France
West Street, Fontmell Magna, Dorset
Gallipoli, Turkey.
Alexandria, Egypt.
Blandford, Dorset

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.

Images:
  • Fontmell Magna War Memorial 3
  • Names on Fontmell Magna War Memorial 5
  • Names on Fontmell Magna War Memorial 3

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Iwerne Minster War Memorial 4

Reginald Eli James Clark

Surname: Clark
Other names: Reginald Eli James
Other people in this story:
James Clark
Sarah Anne Clark née Burt
Maurice Frederick Clark
Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
Gallipoli, Turkey
Helles Memorial, Turkey
Tower Hill, Iwerne Minster, Dorset
Suvla Bay, Turkey
Blandford, Dorset

Story:
Reginald Eli James Clark was born in 1889 in Iwerne Minster and baptised there on 7th April 1889. He was the son of James Clark, a mason, and Sarah Anne Clark (née Burt). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a bricklayer and living at Tower Hill, Iwerne Minster, Dorset. He enlisted at Blandford on 17th August 1914 as a Private in the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 9859). He served at Gallipoli and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He went missing at Suvla Bay on 21st August 1915 but he was not officially declared dead until 10th October 1915. His name appears on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey (Panel 136 to 139). He is remembered on the Iwerne Minster War Memorial, Shaftesbury.

Reginald's brother Maurice Frederick (b.1893) also served with the Dorsetshire Regiment during the war, but survived.

Images:
  • Names on Iwerne Minster War Memorial 2
  • Iwerne Minster War Memorial 3
  • Iwerne Minster War Memorial 01
  • Iwerne Minster War Memorial 02

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Maurice Frederick Clark
Names on Iwerne Minster War Memorial 2

Francis Frederick George (Frank) Crabbe

Surname: Crabb
Other names: Francis Frederick George (Frank)
Other people in this story:
George Crabbe
Ellen Elizabeth Crabbe (née Gale)
Sidney Herbert Crabbe
Locations in this story:
Beaminster, Dorset
France & Flanders
Cement House Cemetery, Langemark, West Flanders, Belgium
Shute Lane, Iwerne Minster, Dorset
Langemarke, Belgium

Story:
Francis Frederick George (Frank) Crabb was born in 1895 in Beaminster. (N.B. Early records give his family name as Crabbe but the 'e' was dropped by 1911). For most of his life he was known as Frank, including military records. He was the son of George Crabb, an agricultural labourer, and Ellen Elizabeth Crabb (née Gale). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single and living at Shute Lane, Iwerne Minster, Dorset. He enlisted in Blandford as a Private in the 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 16349). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He was killed in action on 19th November 1917 at Langemark, Belgium and was buried at Cement House Cemetery, Langemark, West Flanders, Belgium, (grave id. V.B.16). He is remembered on the Iwerne Minster War Memorial, Shaftesbury.  His brother, Sidney Herbert Crabbe, also served but survived the conflict.  Both the brothers are named on a Roll of Honour published privately in Iwerne Minster.

Images:
  • Iwerne Minster War Memorial 4
  • Iwerne Minster War Memorial 3
  • Iwerne Minister War Memorial 4
  • Iwerne Minster War Memorial 03
  • Iwerne Minster War Memorial 02

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Farnham War Memorial

John Eli Philip Day

Surname: Day
Other names: John Eli Philip
Other people in this story:
Eli Day
Mary Churchill Day née Jeans
Ellen (Nellie) Day née Courage
Locations in this story:
Manston, Dorset
France & Flanders
Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West Flanders, Belgium
Museum Hotel, Farnham, Dorset
St. Lawrence's Church, Farnham
Shillingstone, Dorset

Story:
John Eli Phillip Day was born on 24th May, 1881, in Manston, Dorset and baptised there on 19th June, 1881. He was the son of inn keeper Eli Day, who ran the Museum Hotel, Farnham, Dorset, and Mary Churchill Day (née Jeans). His father, Eli, died in 1901 shortly followed by his mother, Mary, on 1902. On 14th November 1905 John married Ellen (known as Nellie) Courage at Shillingstone, Dorset. There was one son of the marriage, born in 1912. At the time of the 1911 Census, John was, like his father beforehand, running the Museum Hotel, Farnham, Dorset.

He enlisted at Farnham and joined the 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 27178) and at the time of his death held the rank of Corporal. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died of wounds on 13th November 1917 and was buried at Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West Flanders, Belgium (grave id. XIII.F.1). He is remembered on the Farnham War Memorial in St. Lawrence's Church.    

Images:
  • St. Lawrence's Church, Farnham

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
fharris1

Francis George Harris

Surname: Harris
Other names: Francis George
Other people in this story:
Charles Harris
Edith Emily Harris née Hiscock
Walter James Harris
Francis Rogers Hiscock
Emily Hiscock
Reginald Henry Charles Harris
Locations in this story:
Farnham, Dorset
France & Flanders
Sailly-au-Bois Military Cemetery, Near Arras, France
Blandford, Dorset

Story:
Francis George Harris was born in 1897 in Farnham, Dorset and baptised there on 7th February, 1897. He was the son of Charles Harris, a Farm Labourer, and Edith Emily Harris (née Hiscock). His siblings included Walter James, (b. 1898) who also died in the war and Reginald Henry Charles Harris (b. 1895) who served and survived.  At the time of the 1911 Census Francis was single, working as a Farm Carter and living at Farnham, Blandford, Dorset. He enlisted at Blandford as a Private and joined the 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 11339). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died of wounds on 21st August 1916 and was buried at Sailly-au-Bois Military Cemetery, Near Arras, France (grave id. II.C.13). He is remembered on the Farnham War Memorial in St. Lawrence's Church. His death and that of his brother Walter are also commemorated in the churchyard on the headstone of grandparents Francis Rogers Hiscock and Emily Hiscock.

Images:
  • fharris2
  • Farnham churchyard
  • Farnham churchyard
  • Farnham churchyard
  • Francis and Walter Harris
  • Francis and Walter Harris
  • Farnham War Memorial

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Walter James Harris
My Family's Story by Mark Wareham