Story:
Sidney Charles Gray was born in 1890 in Shaftesbury and baptised at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, on 31st August, 1890. He was the son of John Gray, an agricultural labourer, and Linda Louisa Gray (nee Jenkins). His siblings included Harry, (b.1898), who also died in the war and Frank (b. 1895) who served in the Royal Navy until discharged in 1945. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Mason's Labourer and living in Enmore Green. He had enlisted as a Territorial Private in the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 298) and was later called up for duty with the 1/4th Battalion (New Service No. 200156). He served in Mesopotamia and was awarded the Victory, British War and Territorial Forces War medals. He died on 28th September 1917 and his name appears on the Basra War Memorial, Iraq (Panel 22 & 63). He is remembered on the Park Walk, Enmore Green and St. James' war memorials in Shaftesbury. His name also appears on the Motcombe War Memorial, on the Roll of Honour inside St. James’ Church, on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury.  

Story:
Edwin George Mullins was born on 1st October, 1889 at Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, and baptised at St Rumbolds Church, Cann, Shaftesbury on 3rd November, 1889. He was the son of George Richard Stephen Mullins, a Jobmaster, and Ellen Rosa Mullins (nee Gamlin). At the time of the 1911 Census Edwin was boarding at the Half Moon Inn, Cann, Shaftesbury working as a cab driver. He enlisted in Shaftesbury on 31 Aug 1914 and joined the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 10354).  He remained the the UK until posted to the Balkans Region on 1 Jul 1915 and was involved in the Gallipoli campaign following which his unit was transferred to the Somme Region in France on 3 Jul 1916 by then Edwin held the rank of Lance Corporal.  He went missing and was presumed killed in action on 26th September 1916 his name appearing on the Theipval Memorial, Somme, France (Pier & Face 7 B).  He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.  He is remembered on the Park Walk War Memorial and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury.  Of his brothers, Frank Mullins also served but survived.  (There is correspondence on his military record that shows his brother, Harry Mullins, had received his medals unbeknown to his mother.  One wonders if the matter was resolved in the family!)

Story:
Harry Charles Butt was born in 1892 in Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He was known as 'Harry' for all purposes. He was the son of Henry Butt, a gardener, and Emma Jane Butt (née Lydford). His siblings included Frederick Arthur, born in 1894 and Reggie, born in 1899, who both died in the war, whilst Albert Edward (b.1896) served and survived. His father died in 1901. At the time of the 1911 Census Harry was boarding with a family at The Brickyard, Maperton, Wincanton, Somerset, where he was employed as a farm labourer. The rest of the family lived at 82 St James Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in Shaftesbury as a Private in the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 14923). He served firstly in the Balkans and later in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War Medals as well as the 15 Star. He was killed in action on 26th September 1916 and was buried at Serre Road Cemetery No. 1, Serre, Pas de Calais, France (grave id. VIII.E.16).  His mother was in receipt of a dependent's pension as well as being in receipt of his financial effects.     He is remembered on the Shaftesbury Memorials in Park Walk and St. James’ Church. He also appears on the Roll of Honour in St. James’ Church and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury.

Story:
Harry Davis was born in 1880 in Motcombe, Shaftesbury. He was the son of Frederick Davis, an agricultural labourer, and Emily Davis (née Jenkins). His siblings included Charles, (b.1888) who also died in the war. Brothers Frank (b.1882) served in the Coldstream Guards, Edward Frederick (b. 1898) with the Inniskilling Fusiliers and William Robert (b.1886) served with the Dorsetshire Regiment. Before the war the family lived at a number of addresses in the area: Long Cross, Church Hill, Enmore Green, Nr Cherry Orchard Farm and in 1911 Foul Hill.

On 12th August 1898 Harry enlisted as a Private in the 39th & 54th Foot Battalions of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 3838 changed later to 5766). He was posted to India on 22nd December 1900 and received the Good Conduct badge on 3rd December 1907. On 29th October 1910 he was discharged from the army and by the 1911 Census was back in Shaftesbury working as a labourer and living with his parents. On 6th January 1914 Harry again enlisted, this time with the Territorial (4th) Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 2060). When the First World War broke out in August 1914 Harry was mobilized at once and sailed with the 1/4th Battalion for India. He was later posted to Mesopotamia, landing at Basra on 23rd February 1916. By the time of his death he held the rank of Sergeant. On 11th September 1916 he died of wounds received in action. He was buried at Basra War Cemetery, Iraq (grave id. VI.F.22), the same cemetery as his brother Charles. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals and is remembered on the Park Walk War Memorial, and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. His name was also included on the memorial in St. James' churchyard and on the roll of honour inside the church.