Billy Sims (1)

William Sims

Surname: Sims
Other names: William
Other people in this story:
Edwin Sims
Emily Sims née Gray
Emily Ellen Sims née Burden
Frank Sims
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.

Images:
  • Billy Sims

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Frank Sims
Salisbury Guildhall Memorial

William Charles Knight

Surname: Knight
Other names: William Charles
Other people in this story:
Charles Knight
Elizabeth Ann Knight née Gray
Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Ploegsteert Memorial, Hainaut, Belgium
St. Leonard's Church, Semley

Story:
William Charles Knight was born in Semley, Wiltshire, in 1898 and baptised at St. Leonard's Church, Semley, on 20th February 1898, the son of Charles Knight and Elizabeth Ann Knight (née Gray).  He lived in Semley and St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset, until, by 1911, his family had moved to Salisbury, Wiltshire. He enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery (Service No. 176400) but later transferred to the 11th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers with the rank of Fusilier (Service No. 33489).  He was killed in action in Flanders on 10th April 1918. He is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Hainaut, Belgium (Panel 4) and on the Salisbury Guildhall Memorial in Salisbury, Wiltshire. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Motcombe War Memorial 2

Frederick James Smart

Surname: Smart
Other names: Frederick James
Other people in this story:
Samuel Smart
Eliza Lambert Smart nee Pitman
Locations in this story:
Dorchester
France & Flanders
Le Vertannoy British Cemetery, Hinges, Pas de Calais, France
Church Walk, Motcombe, Dorset
Motcombe, Dorset

Story:
Frederick James Smart was born in Motcombe on 21st February, 1896 and was baptised there on Easter Day, 5th April, 1896. He was the son of Samuel Smart, a Gardener's Labourer, and Eliza Lambert Smart (nee Pitman). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single and living at Church Walk, Motcombe, Dorset. He enlisted in Dorchester and joined the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 25792) but later transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers (Service No. 53045) and at the time of his death held the rank of Lance Corporal. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 9th August 1918 and was buried at Le Vertannoy British Cemetery, Hinges, Pas de Calais, France (grave id. D.18). He is remembered on the Motcombe War Memorial, Dorset.

Images:
  • Names on Motcombe War Memorial 1
  • Motcombe War Memorial 4
  • Motcombe War Memorial 1
  • Motcombe War Memorial 02

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives