Labour Corps Archives - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Cecil George Fisher

Surname: Fisher

Other names: Cecil George

Locations in this story:
Iwerne Courtney, Blandford, Dorset
Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset

Story:
Cecil George Fisher was born at Iwerne Courtney, Blandford, Dorset, on 3rd June 1896 and baptised there on 2nd August 1896, the son of Henry Fisher and Sarah Harriet Fisher (née Baker). He spent most of his life at the family home at The Brickyard, Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted and served with the 443rd Labour Company of the Labour Corps as a Private (Service No. 134792). It is not known in which theatre of war he served nor is there any record of medals being awarded. The 1921 Census and the 1939 Register indicates he was living still at Brickyard Cottages, Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset, being described in 1939 as a Smallholder and still single. He death was recorded in the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1973. Cecil's brother William Henry (b.1893) also served in the war but sadly died of a fever in 1916 while serving with the Wiltshire Regiment in Mesopotamia.

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William Henry Fisher

Bertram Robert Stone

30th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Labour Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Stone

Other names: Bertram Robert

Locations in this story:
Shipton Gorge, Dorset
Parsonage Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Tolpuddle, Dorchester, Dorset
Bournemouth, Hampshire
Mesopotamia
India
Sturminster, Dorset

Story:
Bertram Robert Stone was born at Shipton Gorge, Dorset, on 4th October 1898, the son of John Stone and Eliza Elizabeth Stone (née Gale). By 1901 the family had moved to Parsonage Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where Bertram spent his early life. He enlisted on 13th November 1915 and was mobilized on 20th January 1916, joining the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 16354). He served in Mesopotamia and then India, rising to the rank of Lance Corporal. He was returned to the UK on compassionate grounds on 20th November 1917 due to the death of his two brothers, Charles Henry Stone and Thomas John Stone. He was transferred to the 449th Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps (Service No. 546444) on 31st March 1918 and eventually discharged on 8th March 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. By the 1921 Census he was living with his parents in Fontmell Magna working as a Cheese Maker at the Farmers Industry Dairy Ltd in Sturminster. He married Elizabeth Ann Cake at Tolpuddle, Dorchester, Dorset, on 21st December 1924. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 108 Strouden Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire, and was working as a Hire Motor Car Driver as well as being a volunteer with the ARP - (note his wife was living in Dorchester with her mother). His death was recorded in Bournemouth, Hampshire, in 1988.

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Thomas John Stone
Charles Henry Stone

John Stephen Lodge

24th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Labour Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Lodge

Other names: John Stephen

Locations in this story:
Hartgrove, East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Woodbridge Lane, Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset
East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
John Stephen Lodge was born at Hartgrove, East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 21st April 1877 and baptised at East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 27 May, 1877 the son of Edward George Lodge and Amelia Jane Lodge (née Bown). He married Emily Jane Curtis at Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 20th May 1903 and by 1911 they were living at 85 Woodbridge Lane, Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset. John enlisted and joined the 6th Battalion of the 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 12702). He served in France and Flanders from 13 Jul 1915 and later transferred to the 449th Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps (Service No. 432008). On his discharge on 4th March 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. By the 1921 Census he was living in Turnpike Terrace, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a General Labourer in a brickyard and by the the 1939 Register had moved to Gear's Mill, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as a Farmer. His wife, Emily, died in 1947 and John re-married Margaret Emma Mary Joyce in the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry area in 1949. John's death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry on 18th May 1958 and he was buried at Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, on 21st May 1958.

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Harry Jeanes

24th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Labour Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Jeanes

Other names: Harry

Locations in this story:
Church Road, Margaret Marsh, Shaftesbury, Dorset
West Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Egypt
Sturminster, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Harry Jeanes was born in Margaret Marsh, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 21st September 1873, the son of Henry Jeanes and Sarah Jane Jeanes (née Stokes). He lived all his life in the area apart from time on Military Service. He married Thirza Mary Russell in the Shaftesbury, Dorset, Registration area in 1900. They set up home in Church Road, Margaret Marsh. Harry enlisted and joined the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 13021). He served in Egypt from 22 Nov 1915 until he was transferred to the 449th Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps (Service No. 432009). His address on the Absent Voters List for 1918 was 60 West Street, Fontmell Magna. He was discharged on 8th March 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star and by the 1921 Census had remained in 60 West Street, Fontmell Magna, working as a Casual Labourer on his own account. His wife, Thirza, died in early 1932 and he went on to re-marry Phyllis Joyce Frampton in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in December 1932. By the time of the 1939 Register he was still living at 60 West Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, (where he remained for the rest of his life) described as an Occasional Council Worker and also an ARP Warden. His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry on 13th March 1958.

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Jesse Bradley

24th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Buckingham Regiment, Labour Corps, Royal Berkshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Bradley

Other names: Jesse

Locations in this story:
Hartgrove, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Parsons Lane, East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Kimberley House, Gillingham, Dorset
Manston, Sturminster, Dorset

Story:
Jesse Bradley was born at Hartgrove, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 12th August 1882, the son of Thomas Edward Bradley and Sara Ann Bradley (née Rose). He lived for a significant period of his life, except for Military Service, in the Hartgrove, East Orchard, area. He enlisted on 11th December 1915 and was embodied on 18th March 1916 in the 3/1st Battalion of the Buckinghamshire Regiment as a Private but very quickly was transferred to the Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire) Regiment (Service No. 30518). He served in France and Flanders where he received a severe grenade wound on 15th May 1917 which necessitated the amputation of a leg as well as leaving him with a fracture of his left arm. He was repatriated and spent time recovering at the Red Cross facility at Kimberley House, Gillingham, Dorset. On recovery he was transferred to the Southern Counties Company of the Labour Corps (Service No. 97893). He was eventually assessed as no longer physically fit for service and discharged on 9th August 1918. He was granted a pension and was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the Silver War Badge No. 431205. He initially returned to East Orchard, living in Parsons Lane but by the 1921 Census was living with his brother-in-law in School Road, Gillingham, Dorset, described as a Farm Labourer - Retired Disabled. By 1939 Register he had moved to Red House, Manston, Sturminster, Dorset, and was described as a Roadman (Disabled). He had remained single up to this point and there is no confirmed date of his death. His brother, Harry Bradley, also served in the conflict.

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Henry Bradley

Reginald James Woods

5th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Labour Corps, South Wales Borderers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Woods

Other names: Reginald James

Locations in this story:
St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Bath, Somerset
Gold Hill, Shaftesbury
Alcester, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Reginald James Woods was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 17th January 1898 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 10th February 1898, the son of Charles John Woods and Harriet Woods (née Pickford). He lived his early life at various addresses in the St. James District of Shaftesbury and at 16 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury. He enlisted on 8 Feb 1915 and joined the 10th Battalion of the South Wales Borderers as a Private (Service No. 21369). He served with his Unit in France and Flanders from 3 Dec 1915 until he was transferred to the Labour Corps (Service No. 327709). He was discharged on 18th May 1918 due to being no longer fit for service as a result of gunshot wounds received to the right thigh and awarded the Silver War Badge No. 362924 as well as the Victory, British War medals and the 1915 Star. He was also in receipt of a limited pension. Reginald returned to his family now at 45 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, and he later married Frances May Beeston in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1920. The 1921 Census shows he was living in Alcester, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as a General Labourer out of work. But by the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 32 Maybrick Road, Bath, Somerset, and was working as a Telecommunication Linesman. He died in the Woodside Rest Home, Bathwick Hill, Bath, Somerset, on 27th February 1995. Reginald's father Charles John Woods also served in the conflict, with the Dorsetshire Regiment and his brother John Charles (b.1900) with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

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John Charles Woods
Charles John Woods

Thomas George Pike

4th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Labour Corps, Machine Gun Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Pike

Other names: Thomas George

Locations in this story:
Stour Row, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset
St. James, Shaftesbury
Christys Lane, Shaftesbury
Kington Magna, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Thomas George Pike was born at Stour Row, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1893, the son of Mark Pike and Eliza Pike (née Elliott). He lived his early life with the family at Fir Tree Cottage, Stour Row, until, later on, they moved to 63 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset. Thomas enlisted and joined the Machine Gun Corps as a Private (Service No. 6371) but later transferred to the Mobile Graves Registration Unit of the Labour Corps (Service No. 418623). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but when he was discharged he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Edith Ann Taylor at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, on 12th January 1921 and by the 1921 Census was living at 71 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, working as a Road Labourer for the Shaftesbury Rural Council. The 1939 Register shows his wife and children were living at 5 Christys Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset, but there was no mention of Thomas at this time (this might indicate he was employed in some military unit even as a civilian). He had moved to Kington Magna, Dorset by the time of his death which was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1969. He was buried at Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 15 May 1969

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Percival James Harding

19th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry, Labour Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Harding

Other names: Percival James

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Coventry, Warwickshire
Birmingham, Warwickshire
Solihull, Warwickshire
Banbury, Oxfordshire
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bleke Street, Shaftesbury

Story:
Percival James Harding was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 7th August 1890 and baptised at Cann, Shaftesbury, on 31st August 1890, the son of Rudolph James Harding and Mary Harding (née Down). He lived his early life with the family at 4 Bleke Street, Shaftesbury. By 1911 he had moved to 36 Smithford Street, Coventry, Warwickshire, to work with a Chemist and Druggist.

He enlisted and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 23094) and later transferred to the Labour Corps (Service No. 622879). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but after discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Eva Lucy Freer in the Birmingham South, Warwickshire, Registration District, in 1925 and they went on to have one son. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 84 Burman Road, Solihull, Warwickshire, and was described as a Finance Representative. His death was recorded at the Banbury, Oxfordshire, Registry in 1977.

Percival's brother Harold George (b.1878) also served in the war, with the Dorsetshire Regiment.

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Harold George Harding

Francis Tom Wareham

14th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Labour Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Wareham

Other names: Francis Tom

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Semley, Wiltshire
Sturminster, Dorset

Story:
Francis Tom Wareham was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 18th April 1879 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 18th May 1879, the son of John Wareham and Elizabeth Wareham (née Francis). Francis lived all his life in the Shaftesbury area. He married Fanny Lintern at Semley, Wiltshire, on 13th May 1903 and they went on to have two children. Francis enlisted and joined the Labour Corps as a Private (Service No. 202542). He was attached to the Garrison Guard Company and served in the UK only. There are no medal records. The 1921 Census shows he was living at 24 bell Street, Shaftesbury, working as a Plumber for Messrs Harding & Sons of Shaftesbury, He was still at the same address by the time of the 1939 Register now described as a Master Painter and Decorator. His death is recorded in the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1963 and he was buried at the Town Cemetery, Shaftesbury, on 11 Apr 1963.

Francis' brother Frederick (b.1864) also served in the war, with the Dorsetshire Regiment and the Royal Defence Corps.

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Frederick Wareham

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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