Dorsetshire Regiment Archives - Page 4 of 23 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Alfred George Padfield

Surname: Padfield

Other names: Alfred George

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Gillingham, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset
St. James, Shaftesbury

Story:
Alfred George Padfield was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 12th October 1888 and baptised at St. James' Church on 9th November 1888, the son of John Charles Padfield and Mary Eliza (as registered) Padfield (née Maidment). His early life was spent with the family at 36 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, his father having passed away in 1904. He enlisted and joined the 3rd Battalion and then the 15th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 16887) and was later transferred to the 10th Battalion of the South Wales Borderers (Service No. 42753). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Bessie Parsons at St. James's Church, Shaftesbury, on 25th December 1919 and by the 1921 census was living at 27 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, working as a Tailor with the local firm of Pryce and Barribal (Sports Tailors). By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 3 Orchard Road, Gillingham, Dorset, still working as a Tailor. His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1970.

Two of Alfred's brothers also served in the war: Edwin (sometimes known as Edward) (b.1891) with the Dorsetshire Regiment and Charles (b.1884) with the 5th Service Battalion.

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Edwin Padfield
Charles Padfield

Frederick Belbin

4th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Essex Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Belbin

Other names: Frederick

Locations in this story:
Blandford, Dorset
St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Frederick Belbin was born in Blandford, Dorset, on 26th October 1890 and baptised there on 21st November 1890, the son of Harry (or Henry) Belbin and Elizabeth Belbin (née Tucker). By 1901 the family had moved to 11 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset. Frederick enlisted with the 2/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 201837), later transferring to the 1st Battalion of the Essex Regiment (Service No. 59152). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Sarah Ann Dora Stacey in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 7th July 1919. The 1921 Census shows him living in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, working as a Painter and Decorator and later by the 1939 Register he was recorded at 'Glencot', Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, still working as a Decorator. His death was registered in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on 11 Feb 1961 and he was later buried at St. John's Church, Enmore Green on 16 Feb 1961. Of Frederick's brothers, George Reginald Belbin, also served and survived but regrettably both Charles Belbin and William John Belbin died during the conflict.

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George Reginald Belbin

Ernest George Hayter

3rd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hayter

Other names: Ernest George

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Battersea, London
Mons, Belgium
Laz Alexandrinenstr, Germany
Fulham, London
St. James, Shaftesbury
Lambeth, Surrey

Story:
Ernest George Hayter was born in Shaftesbury on 8th August 1886 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 29th August 1886, the son of Charles Hayter and Susan Jane Edwards Hayter (née Upjohn). He lived his early life latterly at 7 St. James Street, Shaftesbury. By 1911 he was boarding at 21 York Road, Battersea, London, SW, and described as working 'Under Government Army'. He enlisted and joined the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment and, at the outbreak of war was sent to Mons, Belgium, on 16 Aug 1914 and was almost immediately taken prisoner on 24th August 1914 only three weeks after the conflict began. He remained a Prisoner of War at a camp near Laz Alexandrinenstr, Germany, until his release at the time of the Armistice. He returned to Shaftesbury and there married Flora Kate Luke at Holy Trinity Church on 25th December 1918. He was eventually discharged from the army on 31st March 1920 with a pension and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living at 42 Cambria Road, Lambeth, Surrey, as an Indoor Messenger for the Ministry of Agriculture. His wife died in 1938 and he later re-married Ellen Lily May Fordham, a widow, at St. Dionis Church, Fulham, London, on 30 Jul 1939. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 12 Parsons Green Lane, Fulham, London, working as a Paper Keeper with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. He died at the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, on 2 Nov 1947 His brothers, Harry John Hayter and Percy Charles Hayter, also served in the conflict.

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Harold Tuffin

3rd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Rifle Brigade, Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Tuffin

Other names: Harold

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Croydon, Surrey

Story:
Harold Tuffin was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 9th September 1896, the son of Henry John Tuffin and Mary Tuffin née Yeatman. He lived his early life in Fontmell Magna until, by 1911, the family had moved to 47 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted with the 4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as Private (Service No. 1677). He later transferred to the Rifle Brigade (Service Nos. 2350 & 207220) and then to the Royal Engineers as a Pioneer joining the 75th Signal Company. It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. (The 1921 Census record cannot be found.) In 1928 he married Kathleen M. Bowley in Croydon, Surrey, and by the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 31 Pawsons Road, Croydon, working as a Lorry Driver. It is noted he enlisted in the Home Guard at Croydon on 31 Mar 1944. He died in Croydon on 6th January 1967.

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Augustus James Bealing

2nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 85th Provisional Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Bealing

Other names: Augustus James

Locations in this story:
Castle Cary, Somerset
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cann, Dorset
Londonderry, Ireland
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Lower Blandford Road, Shaftesbury

Story:
Augustus James Bealing was born in Castle Cary, Somerset, on 11th October 1894, the son of Augustus James Bealing and Emma Jane Bealing (née Gray). By 1901 the family had moved to Shaftesbury, Dorset, and finally set up home at 25 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. Augustus attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from 1907 to 1910.

Augustus enlisted on 5th September 1912 with the 4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 1671). He later joined the 85th Provisional Battalion (Service No. 200171) and served in Londonderry, Ireland, where he was promoted to Corporal. He was discharged on 22nd April 1919 having been granted a limited pension until 20 Nov 1920 due to knee problems caused during his service. No medal record can be found in this case. The 1921 Census shows him living with his parents back at 25 Slaisbury Street, Shaftesbury, assisting his father in his photographic business. He married Kathleen Ethel Fowler in Salisbury, Wiltshire, in 1932. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Brynmawr, Lower Blandford Road, Cann, Shaftesbury, described as a Photographer. His death was recorded at 25 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, on 24th January 1977.

A "First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces" was produced by Shaftesbury Grammar School in September 1915. It shows the regiment in which Augustus served and the year and term in which he left school. His name is also included on a hand written list of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving during the war, which is now in the archive at Gold Hill Museum.

Printed Sources:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1910
First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces, September 1915

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Shastonian

Alfred Hillier

2nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Machine Gun Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hillier

Other names: Alfred

Locations in this story:
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Kurdistan
Kenton, Harrow, Middlesex

Story:
Alfred Hillier was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 24th August 1894, the son of George Hillier (Watchmaker) and Sarah Annie Hillier (née Aldridge). He lived most of his early life at the family home at 12 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. His mother died in 1897 and his father re-married Matilda M. Wright in 1901. Alfred enlisted with the Territorial Force of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service Nos. 1538 & 8/3604). In time he rose to the rank of Sergeant. He transferred to the Machine Gun Corps (Service No. 62074) and, when on service in Kurdistan, with the 130th Company, was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal which was Gazetted on 12th February 1920. Following his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the Territorial Force War Medal though it is noted that the medals were returned to the issuing office on 6 Mar 1923. He has not been found on the 1921 Census and the last local address per the Electoral Roll of 1923 was still 12 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. He had been employed as a watchmaker's assistant. His death was recorded in Kenton, Harrow, Middlesex, on 10th August 1972. He remained single all his life. Alfred's brothers Harold Sydney, Reginald George, Bertram Edgar and Clarence Fred Hillier also served in the war and survived the conflict.

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Harold Sidney Hillier
The National Archives

Eustace Arthur Day

1st June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Day

Other names: Eustace Arthur

Locations in this story:
Parsons Pool, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Christchurch, Hampshire
Woolwich, London
Bromley, Kent
Bournemouth, Hampshire

Story:
Eustace Arthur Day was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 31st May 1898, the son of Samuel James Day and Sarah Jane Day (née Holmes). He spent his early life with his family at 14 Parsons Pool, Shaftesbury. He enlisted on 29th May 1916 and was mobilized on 17th July 1916, joining the 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 18975). He served in France and Flanders with the 3rd Battalion from 2 Sep 1917. He was later with the 6th Battalion when reported wounded and missing on 21st March 1918. It was confirmed later that he had been taken prisoner of war. He was released and rejoined his Regiment on 25th August 1918 at the UK Depot. He underwent an medical inquiry and was declared no longer physically fit for service and discharged on 4 Feb 1919 with an 80% pension due to a gunshot wound in the left leg and awarded the Silver War Badge No. B111793. He was also awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows he was boarding at 54 Washington Avenue, Bournemouth, Hampshire, working as a Compositor for W W Ascott Victory Press. That same year he married Ruby Ellen Norris in Christchurch, Hampshire. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 118 Wood Hall Road, Woolwich, Kent, and was described as a Certified Accountant and Company Secretary as well as being an Air Raid Warden. He died in Bromley, Kent, on 20th July 1974.

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Hubert George Sharp

1st June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Royal Army Service Corps, Royal Regiment of Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Sharp

Other names: Hubert George

Locations in this story:
Magdalene Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Butts Knap, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Larkhill, Wiltshire

Story:
Hubert George Sharp was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 16th March 1898 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 8th April 1898, the son of George Sharp and Frances Sarah Sharp (née Weldon). He lived his early life with his family at 4 Magdalene Lane, Shaftesbury. He enlisted with the 1st/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 18966). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but following his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows he was living with his widowed mother (his father having died in 1918) now at 3 Magdalene Lane, Shaftesbury, working for the 348th Company of the Army Service Corps as a Coach Trimmer at Larkhill, Wiltshire. He re-enlisted with the Territorial Force of the Royal Army Service Corps on 27th January 1923 for a period of four years (Service No. A/461218) but signed on for an indeterminate period after. He married Kathleen Helen Hounsell at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 18th May 1937. By the time of the 1939 Register his wife was living at Butts Knap, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, but Hubert had transferred to the Royal Artillery (Service No. 748866) for service in the Second World War. He was eventually discharged as being no longer physically fit for further service on 18th March 1944. His death was recorded at the North Dorset Registry in 1983 and he was buried at the Shaftesbury Town Cemetery on 29 Jun 1983.

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Arthur Mervin Belbin

30th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Royal Air Force, Royal Flying Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Belbin

Other names: Arthur Mervin

Locations in this story:
High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Blandford, Dorset
Guildford, Surrey

Story:
Arthur Mervin Belbin was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 29th April 1897, the son of John Belbin and Clementine Amelia Belbin (née Maidment). He lived his early life with the family at 63 High Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted originally with the Territorial Force of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private on 14th November 1915 (Service No. 3679). He was promptly discharged a day later on 15th November 1915 on the grounds he was unlikely to make an efficient soldier and there was some doubt about his age. He tried again and re-enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps on 25th April 1916 (Royal Air Force from 1st April 1918) (Service No. 26798). He rose to the rank of Corporal Mechanic with 204 Squadron. It is not known where be served but he was discharged on 28th March 1919. He qualified for the Victory and British War medals but no record can be found. By the 1921 Census he was living with his parents at the family home in Shaftesbury working as a Carpenter. He married Elsie Maud Wingfield in Blandford, Dorset, in 1922 and they had three children. By the 1939 Register he was living at 18 Woodside Road, Guildford, Surrey, and was described as a Registered Master Builder. It is not known why his marriage ended but he re-married, to Rosa Guti, in Guildford, Surrey in 1948. He died in St. Luke's Hospital, Guildford, Surrey, on 12th June 1964 and his funeral was held at the United Reform Church, Shaftesbury. His brothers, Frederick Percy Walter Belbin and Harold John Belbin, also served in the conflict.

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Frederick Percy Walter Belbin
Harold John Belbin
The National Archives

Harold John Belbin

30th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Belbin

Other names: Harold John

Locations in this story:
High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Guildford, Surrey
Farnham, Surrey

Story:
Harold John Belbin was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 2nd August 1892, the son of John Belbin and Clementine Amelia Belbin (née Maidment). He lived his early life with the family at 63 High Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted with the 1st/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service Nos. 2462 & 200789) rising to the rank of Sergeant. It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge on 24 Apr 1919 was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the Territorial Force War Medal. He married Florence Mabel Emma Wesker at St. Nicholas Church, Guildford, Surrey, on 19th June 1920. The 1921 Census shows he lived with his parents in Shaftesbury working as a Tinsmith. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 11 Worplesdon Road, Guildford, Surrey, and was working as an Ironmonger's Workshopman as well as being an ARP Warden. He died in Farnham, Surrey, on 17th April 1965. His brothers, Frederick Percy Walter Belbin and Arthur Mervin Belbin, also served in the conflict.

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Frederick Percy Walter
Arthur Mervin Belbin
The National Archives