Hussars Archives - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Edgar Still

30th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry, Hussars, Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Still

Other names: Edgar

Locations in this story:
Church Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Asia
Sherborne, Dorset
Plympton St. Mary, Devonshire
Podymore, Ilchester, Somerset

Story:
Edgar Still was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 13th August 1889, the son of Emily Still. No father was recorded. He lived his early life with his mother and grandparents in Church Street, Fontmell Magna. He enlisted and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 1437). He served in the Asiatic Theatre of War and transferred to the Railway Operations Department of the Royal Engineers (Service No. WR/195579) only to transfer back to the Yeomanry later on (Service No. H/231587) and be attached to the 1/1st Hussars. On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living with his mother and sister at Cross Tree Cross, Fontmell Magna described as 'Farming on own account'. He married Edith May Martin in the Sherborne, Dorset, Registry area in 1925. By the 1939 Register he was living at Myrtle Cottage, Plympton St. Mary, Devonshire, and was working as a Jobbing Gardener. At some time later he had moved back to 701 Podymore, Ilchester, Somerset, where he died on 2nd November 1971.

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Cecil James Day

23rd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry, Hussars /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Day

Other names: Cecil James

Locations in this story:
Manston, Dorset
Twyford, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Egypt
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Gallipoli, Turkey

Story:
Cecil James Day was born in Manston, Dorset, on 29th April 1893 and baptised there on 30th July 1893, the son of Frederick Robert Day and Caroline Kate Bartlett Day (née Cluett). He lived his very early life in Manston until by 1907 he had moved with his family to Twyford, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Shoeing Smith. He enlisted with the 1/1st Battalion of the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry eventually being promoted to Corporal (Service No. 450). It is known that the Battalion was in action in Gallipoli, Turkey. He later transferred to the Corps of Hussars (Service No. 230024) and served in Egypt. He was eventually discharged on 27th June 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows he had returned to live with his parents in Twyford but was described as an Agricultural Smith working on his own account. He married Martha Alice Clist Chick at Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 26th December 1928. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Branch Farm, Twyford, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was described as a Dairy Farmer and Blacksmith. He died in the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, on 14th February 1963.

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William Thomas Samways

22nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Hussars /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Samways

Other names: William Thomas

Locations in this story:
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
Poole, Dorset
Mere, Wiltshire

Story:
William Thomas Samways was born in Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 24th April 1899 and baptised there on 9th July 1899, the son of Richard George Samways and Edith Emma Samways (née Farmer). He spent his early years with the family at Well Bottom, Ashmore. He enlisted 5th Reserve Battalion of the Corps of Hussars as a Private (Service No. 69318). He was discharged as being physically unfit for further service on 12th December 1919 - he had a valvular disease of the heart aggravated by his service and received a short lived pension. No medal records have been found. By the 1921 Census he was recorded as 'Thomas' living with his parents in Green Lane, Ashmore, working as a Ploughman. He married Gladys A. Taylor in the Mere, Wiltshire, Registry area in 1928. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Bowers Barn Cottage, Iwerne Minster, Dorset, and was working as a Farm Carter. He died in the Poole, Dorset, Registration area in 1977.

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John Cox

2nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Hussars, Royal Tank Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Cox

Other names: John

Locations in this story:
Tanyard Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bangalore, India
Transvaal, South Africa
France & Flanders
Gloucester, Gloucestershire
Tisbury, Wiltshire
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury

Story:
John Cox was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1876, the son of Isaac Cox and Sarah Cox (née Lilly). He lived his early life in Tanyard Lane, Shaftesbury. He enlisted on 9th October 1899 and joined the Corps of Hussars as a Private (Service Nos. 4216 & 47445). He served in Bangalore, India and Transvaal, South Africa where he was awarded a total of six campaign medals and various clasps. He married Lottie Camelia Wright in the Tisbury, Wiltshire, Registration District in 1904. During the First World War he served in France & Flanders where, in due time, he was promoted to Corporal and transferred to the Royal Tank Corps (Service No. A/N 536301). At the time of the Absent Voters List of 1918 he gave his address as 16 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He was eventually discharged with a pension on 21st March 1922 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. It is noted that his medals were forwarded in 1923 to 62 Frampton Road, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, and he died in Gloucester during 1931.

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Alwin Thomas Gibbs

29th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Hussars, Lancers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gibbs

Other names: Alwin Thomas

Locations in this story:
Blynfield Farm, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Colchester, Essex
Todber, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Edwards Farm, Foyle Hill, Shaftesbury
Tisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Alwin Thomas Gibbs was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 15th August 1888 and baptised at St. James' Church on 9th September 1888. He was the son of Edwin George Gibbs and Mary Gibbs (née Matthews) who lived at Blynfield Farm near Shaftesbury. His siblings included Walter Matthews Gibbs, DCM, (b.1884) who served in the Dorset Yeomanry, Claude Ivor Bertie Gibbs (b.1897) who served in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Lucius George Gibbs (b. 1882) who served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment on receiving a commission in 1915 whilst his sister, Ada Prudence Gibbs, served with the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps in France. He lived all his early life in and around Shaftesbury until, by 1911, he had joined the 16th Lancers (The Queen's) (Service No. 5661) and was stationed in Colchester, Essex. At a later stage his Service No. was changed to L13212 and he was promoted to Sergeant. He was attached to the Corps of Hussars and served in France and Flanders from 17 May 1915. On his discharge on 22 May 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows he had returned to Blynfield Farm and was working for his father on the farm. He married Margaret Bertha Barnes at Todber, Dorset, on 5th December 1922 and they had four children. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Edwards Farm, Foyle Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset, was and described as a Farmer. His death was recorded in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on 19th December 1975.

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Walter Matthews Gibbs
Claude Ivor Bertie Gibbs
Lucius George Gibbs

Leonard Coombs

10th February 2020/in 1914-1918 Hussars, Royal Tank Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Coombs

Other names: Leonard

Locations in this story:
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Leonard Coombs was born in Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, on 15th August 1899, the son of John Langhorn Coombs and Amelia Coombs. He lived most of his life, apart from Military Service, in Tollard Royal. He did not enlist due to his age until 22nd May 1918 and joined the Hussars of the Line (Service No. H/69428). He was with the 5th Reserve Cavalry Regiment. On 1st September 1918 he transferred to the Tank Corps (Service No. 311925). Initially he was at the School of Gunnery but was sent to France on 28th October 1918 within days of the Armistice. He was discharged on 19th February 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living in Tollard Royal working on his own account as a Mail Contractor. He married Louise Taylor on 18th April 1927 in Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset. There are no records of children of the marriage. By the 1939 Register he was living at 28 Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, working as a Corn, Dairy and Poultry Farmer as well volunteering as an ARP Warden. He died at the early age of 43 years on 10th October 1942 in Tollard Royal.

Two of Leonard's brothers also served in the war: John Langhorn (b.1894) who was awarded the Military Medal while serving with the Middlesex Regiment and Reginald James (b.1895) who served with the Royal Field Artillery.

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Reginald James Coombs
John Langhorn Coombs

Charlie Dibben

19th November 2019/in 1914-1918 Hussars, Royal Tank Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Dibben

Other names: Charlie

Locations in this story:
Twyford, Compton Abbas, Nr. Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Wokingham, Berkshire
Horders Farm, French Mill Lane, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Charlie (sometimes known as Charles) Dibben was born in Twyford, Compton Abbas, Nr. Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 8th January 1899, the son of Alfred Dibben and Sarah Ann Dibben (née Rideout). At the time of the 1911 Census the family was living at 45 Twyford, Compton Abbas. He enlisted on 6th January 1917 but was not embodied until 22nd May 1918 when he joined the 25th Cavalry Reserve Battalion of the Hussars (Service No. H/69362). On 22nd May 1918 he was transferred to the 7th Battalion of the Tank Corps as a Private (Service No. 311932). He served in France from 28 Oct 1918 and was eventually discharged on 24th February 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals.

The 1921 Census shows him living with his parents a Horders Farm, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, where he was assisiting his father on the farm. He married Gladys J. Rideout in Wokingham, Berkshire in during 1928 and there was thought to have been one child of the marriage. The 1939 Register shows him still living at Horders Farm, French Mill Lane, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as a Dairy Farmer. He died in the North Dorset Registration District on 20th July 1986 whilst living at 13 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset. Of his brothers, Frank Dibben was killed in action and Claude Dibben served but survived.

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Frank Dibben
Claude Dibben
The National Archives

Walter Stewart Genge

24th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry, Hussars, Machine Gun Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Genge

Other names: Walter Stewart

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Hawkesdene Lane, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Waverley Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire
France
Broadstone, Dorset
Branksome, Poole, Dorset

Story:
Walter Stewart Genge was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 1st September 1889, the son of Walter Genge and Mary Genge (née Antell). He lived his early life with the family in Hawkesdene Lane, Cann, Shaftesbury. He had had previous military service with the Dorset Yeomanry which was time expired. He re-enlisted on 2nd September 1914 and joined the 9th Battalion of The Hussars Reserve Cavalry later joining the 3rd Battalion as a Private (Service No. 18335). On the 28th February 1916 he was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) and served with the 4th Squadron M.G. (Service No 41749). He served in France from 25 May 1915 and was eventually demobilized on 10th March 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals plus the 1915 Star. He married Elsie Sims on 11th October 1926 at Broadstone, Dorset. It is not known if there were any children of the marriage. By 1928 the family were living at 152 Holdenhurst Road, Branksome, Poole, Dorset but by the 1939 Register Walter and Elsie had moved to 21 Waverley Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire where he was working for the Bournemouth Corporation in the Entertainments Department. He died in Bournemouth in 1969.

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William Thomas Brown

7th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Durham Light Infantry, Hussars, Labour Corps, Northumberland Fusiliers, Yorkshire & Lancashire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Brown

Other names: William Thomas

Locations in this story:
Higher Blandford Road, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
India
France
Railway Terrace, Gillingham, Dorset
Wavering Terrace, Gillingham, Dorset

Story:
William Thomas Brown was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, on 7th March 1888 the son of Samuel Brown and Clara Brown (née Moore). William lived with his family in Higher Blandford Road, Cann, Shaftesbury, until enlisting in the 11th Hussars on 19th March 1906 (Service No. 5872). He was transferred shortly after to the 13th Hussars (Service No. 1177). He qualified as a Private (Shoeing Smith) and served in India. In March 1913 he was placed on Reserve during which time he became a Postman in the Shaftesbury area and married Constance Kate Gray in Gillingham, Dorset, on 10th December 1913. They went on to have four children. At the outbreak of war he was embodied on 5th August 1914 and re-joined his Regiment. On 17th June 1915 he was transferred to the 3rd Battalion of the Yorkshire & Lancashire Regiment (Service No. 3/20836) and posted to France. On the 16th September 1916 he was again transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers (Service No. 1073) and again to the Durham Light Infantry on 12th December 1916 (Service No. 25835). He spent his final few months of service from 30th June 1917 until his discharge (due to being unfit for further duty) on 19th November 1917 in the 378th Home Service Company of the Labour Corps (Service No. 165859) and awarded the Silver War Badge No. B156031 and a limited pension. He was also awarded the Victory and British War medals along with the 1914/15 Star. On discharge he went to live at Railway Terrace, Gillingham, Dorset. where, in the 1921 Census, was described as a Blacksmith. By the 1939 Register William and family were living at 10 Wavering Terrace, Gillingham, Dorset, with the same occupation. He died in Gillingham in 1961 and was buried there on 8th July 1961.

Two of William's brothers died in the war: Bertram George (b.1895) died on 4th April 1915 while a prisoner of war in Germany; Obery Archibald (b.1891) was killed in France on 19th March 1917 while serving with the East Kent Regiment. Two more brothers served in the war: Cyril (b.1894) in the Royal Navy and Harry (b.1885) with the Royal Army Service Corps.

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Cyril Brown
Harry Brown
Obery Archibald Brown
Bertram George Brown

George Brockway

4th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Hussars /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Brockway

Other names: George

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cheriton, Folkestone, Kent
Francis Road, Folkestone, Kent
Henstridge, Somerset
South Africa
India
France

Story:
George Brockway was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1878 and baptised there on 8th August 1878, the son of James Brockway and Sarah Ann Guliford Brockway (née Robins). George enlisted with the 13th Hussars on 1st January 1896 (Service No. 3688). He served in South Africa and India and was awarded four campaign medals. On his return to the UK in 1911 he married Lisa Maude Kitcall on 21st August 1911 at All Saints Church, Cheriton, Kent. (His parents had moved to Henstridge in the meantime). There were two children of the marriage. He served in France from 19th November 1914 to 11th August 1915. On 12th August 1915 he was posted to the 12th Reserve Regiment of the Corps of Hussars as a Farrier Staff Sergeant (Service No. 46536). He was discharged on pension on 17th October 1919 but regrettably died on 17th November 1919 at 11 Francis Road, Folkestone, Kent and buried in the Town Cemetery on 20 Nov 1919. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1914/15 Star Medals.

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