Dorsetshire Regiment Archives - Page 7 of 23 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Francis Hubert Stainer

Surname: Stainer

Other names: Francis Hubert

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Dorchester, Dorset
Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bournemouth, Hampshire

Story:
Francis Hubert Stainer was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 11th July 1896, the son of Gideon Stainer and Emily Stainer (née Sims). He lived most of his life, apart from Military Service, in and around the Shaftesbury area. He enlisted and joined the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Territorial Soldier with the rank of Private (Service No. 0593). He later transferred to the 1st/4th Battalion with Service No. 1676. Following the end of the conflict he remained with his regiment until his discharge in 1923. It is not known which theatre of war he served in but he was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the Territorial Force War Medal. He had married Beatrice May Ailies in Dorchester, Dorset, on 17th October 1920 and they went on to have a number of children. The 1921 Electoral Register shows him living still in Bozley Hill. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 59 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was described as a Confectioner and Cake Maker. His death is recorded in the Bournemouth, Hampshire, Registry in 1987. His brothers, Austin Frederick Stainer, Ernest Stainer, William Edgar Stainer and Harry Gilbert Stainer, also served in the conflict.

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Austin Frederick Stainer
Ernest Stainer
Harry Gilbert Stainer

Herbert Ransome

3rd May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Labour Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Ransome

Other names: Herbert

Locations in this story:
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Higher Blandford Road, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
The Balkans
New York, USA
Culver City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Story:
Herbert Ransome was born in Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 6th February 1890, the son of James Ransome and Mary Hannah Ransome (née Jeans). He lived his early life mainly in Higher Blandford Road, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted and served mainly in the Dorsetshire Regiment with various units (Service Nos. 11766, 0698 and S (or 5) 119355). This last number was used on his promotion to Sergeant. He also served for a period with the Labour Corps (Service No. 133448). He saw service in the Balkans Theatre of war from 11 Jul 1915 and, on discharge during 1921, was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He married Jane Curtis in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 4th March 1924. They emigrated to the USA arriving in New York on 19th August 1931. Both Herbert and Jane took out American Citizenship on 9th March 1938 and by 1940 they were living in Culver City, Los Angeles, California, USA, and Herbert was described as a Secretary/Valet. He had to register for the draft on 25 Apr 1942 but it was unlikely he was called up for service. He died in Culver City in 1968. (N.B. His wife was called Jean on one record but on all others, including the application for US Citizenship, she is known as 'Jane'.)

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William John Parsons

3rd May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Parsons

Other names: William John

Locations in this story:
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
William John Parsons was born in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 22nd June 1894, the son of John Parsons and Elizabeth Harriet Parsons (née Pike). He lived all his life, except for Military Service, in and around the Shaftesbury area. He enlisted and joined the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 242261). He was later transferred to the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 200037). It is not known in which theatre he served but on discharge was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Louisa Alford at Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 12th May 1920 and they went on to have three children. The 1921 Census shows him living at 7 Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Sectional Roadman for Dorset County Council. He was still at the same address by the time of the 1939 Register in the same employment. He died on 4th Oct 1967 and was buried at the New Yard Cemetery, Melbury Abbas on 9th October 1967. His brothers, Charles Douglas Parsons and Harry Stanley Parsons, also served in the conflict.

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Charles Douglas Parsons
Harry Stanley Parsons

Charles Douglas Parsons

1st May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Hampshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Parsons

Other names: Charles Douglas

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Charles Douglas Parsons was born at Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 16th June 1896, and baptised there on 11 Oct 1896 the son of John Parsons and Elizabeth Harriet Parsons (née Pike). He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in the Shaftesbury area. He enlisted and joined the Hampshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 0386). He later transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 17303). It is not known in which theatre he served but on his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living with his parents at The Firs, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Roadman for the Dorset County Council. (The Census also shows the parents were fostering two children from the C of E Waifs and Strays Society.) His marriage to Lilian Edith Brickell was registered in Shaftesbury, Dorset, during 1922. By the 1939 Register he was living at 3 Mustons Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was working as a Road Foreman as well as being a Volunteer attached to the Shaftesbury Fire Brigade as 2nd Officer. He was living at 20 Bimport, Shaftesbury, at the time of his death on 19th November 1976 following which he was buried at the United Reform Church, Mustons Lane, Shaftesbury. His brothers, Harry Stanley Parsons and William John Parsons, also served.

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Harry Stanley Parsons
William John Parsons

Herbert John Holly

30th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment, Dorsetshire Regiment, Hampshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Holly

Other names: Herbert John

Locations in this story:
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shroton, Dorset
Cann Common, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Blandford, Dorset
Iwerne Mintser, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Herbert John Holly was born in Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 8th December 1892 and baptised there on 5th March 1893, the son of Mark Holly and Harriet Holly (née Smith). He spent his early life in and around the Melbury Abbas and Cann Common area. He enlisted and served successively with the Dorsetshire Regiment (service No. 25813), the Devonshire Regiment (Service No. 52660) and the Hampshire Regiment (Service No. 30396). His rank in all cases was Private. On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living with his parents in Higher Blandford Road, Cann, Shaftesbury, working as a Baker for Ernest Otto of Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury. He married Winifred Beatrice Gaisford at Shroton, Dorset, in 1923. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 1 The Corner, Blandford, Dorset, still working as a Baker. He died in Shroton on 2nd October 1983.

Herbert's brother, Harry Percival Holly (b.1891) also served and survived but his brother Ernest Walter (b.1895), died in the conflict while serving with the Royal Army Service Corps in Greece.

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Harry Percival Holly
Ernest Walter Holly
The National Archives

Bertie Gray

29th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: Bertie

Locations in this story:
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Littledown, Semley Road, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Asia
Dorchester, Dorset
South Africa

Story:
Bertie Gray was born in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1877, the son of Thomas Gray and Martha Gray (née Wright). He lived all his early life, apart from Military Service, in the Shaftesbury area. He had enlisted about 1898 with the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No.5749) and served with them in South Africa and continued into WW1 serving in the Asiatic Theatre from 6 Nov 1914 with the 2nd Battalion. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/1915 Star. He had remained in the Army and was finally discharged in Feb 1930 but was allowed to live in the barracks in Dorchester. On his death he was given a full military funeral at Dorchester Cemetery, with Last Post and Reveille being played, on 24 Sep 1930 and so honoured by being recognised as the longest serving soldier in the Regiment at the time with 32 years in the Colours (Western Gazette 26 Sep 1930). His death is recorded at the Dorchester, Dorset, Registry in 1930.

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William Alexander Stewart Blucke

29th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Royal Air Force, Royal Flying Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Blucke

Other names: William Alexander Stewart

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Cann Lodge, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Wandsworth, London
Southwark, London
France & Flanders
Ireland
Hurstpierrepoint Collage, Hassocks, Sussex

Story:
William Alexander Stewart Blucke was born at Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, on 24th July 1895 and baptised there on 17th August 1895, the son of Dr. Harry Frederick Stokes Blucke and Elizabeth Harriet Blucke (née Collins). He was a pupil at Hurstpierrepoint College, Hassocks, Sussex, from 1909 to 1912. William, whose father was the local Doctor, lived in Donhead St. Andrew for his early years until, by 1911, the family had moved to Cann Lodge, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset.

William enlisted on 24th November 1914 and joined the 3rd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment and held the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He transferred on 29th June 1918 to the Royal Flying Corps (later the Royal Air Force) as an Observer with the rank of Lieutenant. He served in France and Flanders and on his discharge on 4th November 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He was attached for sometime after to the ADRIC (Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary) in Ireland. The 1921 Census shows him visiting his parents at Cann Lodge, Cann. He married Jessica Huxford in 1932 and by the time of the 1939 Register they were living at 27 Christchurch House, Wandsworth, London, he was described as a Company Secretary and Director with a Commission Agent. He died, aged only 47, on 5th May 1943 and was buried at Southwark, London, on 12th May 1943.

His brother, Frederick Charles Blucke, also served in the conflict, with the Royal Garrison Artillery.

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Frederick Charles Blucke

Richard Miles Alner

28th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Alner

Other names: Richard Miles

Locations in this story:
Bozley Hill, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Asia
Sherborne, Dorset

Story:
Richard Miles Alner was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 18th November 1881 and was baptised at Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, on 25th December 1881, the son of Samuel Alner and Kezia Ann Alner (née Miles). He spent his all his life, apart from Military Service, in and around Cann. By 1911 he was serving with the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 7986). He was known to be in the Asiatic Theatre of war by 6th November 1914, the date of his medal qualification. He also served in the Princess Victoria's Royal Irish Fusiliers (Service No. G/25327). Following his discharge on 5 May 1919 was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 census shows him living with his parents at Bozley Hill, Cann, working as a Farm Labourer. He married Sarah Ann Gosling in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1926. By the 1939 Register he was still living at Bozley Hill, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as an Agricultural Contractor's Labourer. He died in the Yeatman Hospital, Sherborne, Dorset, on 8th April 1956 and was buried at Sherborne on 12th April 1956.

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William John Gray

27th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: William John

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Sturminster, Dorset
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury
Laundry Lane, Shaftesbury
Christies Lane, Shaftesbury

Story:
William John Gray was born on 19th December 1895 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, the son of George Henry Shefford Gray and Elizabeth (Bessie) Jane Gray (née Rideout). Apart from military service, William lived all his life in and around Shaftesbury. On 6th May 1915 he enlisted with the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 14503) and in time achieved the rank of Sergeant. He served with the 5th and 6th Battalions in France and Flanders and was awarded the Military Medal. He was demobilized on 15th March 1919 and on 20th August was presented with his Military Medal at Shaftesbury Town Hall. In 1921 he received the Victory and British War medals. He married Bessie Phillips Elsworth in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 22nd November 1925 and they went on to have six children. By the time of the 1939 Register, William was living at 9 Laundry Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Cowman. William and Bessie were living in Christies Lane in Shaftesbury at the time of his death on 31st December 1967. The death was recorded in 1968 at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry and he was buried in the Town Cemetery, Shaftesbury, on 4 Jan 1968. William's brothers Stanley Gray and Percy Rideout also served in the conflict.

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William Sims

27th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Lancashire Fusiliers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Sims

Other names: William

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Germany
Gold Hill, Shaftesbury

Story:
William (Billy) Sims was born on 20th December 1892 in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised there in St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, on 26th February 1893, the son of Edwin Sims and Emily Sims (née Gray), a local family. William (known as Billy in the family) lived all his life, apart from the military service, in and around Cann and Shaftesbury, Dorset. He married Emily Ellen Burden at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, on 23rd November 1914 and they went on to have a large family.

William enlisted on 5th June 1916, joining the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 24155), serving in France and Flanders. After the Armistice he transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers (Service No. 53044), serving in Germany and becoming 'Batman' to an officer.

Billy was finally demobilized on 15th November 1919. During his time in the army he had received a gunshot wound to his left hand and was now awarded a small short-lived pension due to his injury. He was also awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows that he was living at 20 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, working as a Grocer's Assistant for J. S. Cheater & Co, (Bakers) of 38 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. By the time of the 1939 Register his address was given as 17 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset, now working as a radio mechanic and salesman as well as volunteering as an ARP Warden. He died in Shaftesbury on 15th November 1979 and was buried at St. James Church on 20 Nov 1979.

Billy's brother Frank also served in the war, with the Wiltshire Regiment and the Royal Army Service Corps.

Source: Photograph of William Sims provided by Dave Hardiman.

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Frank Sims