London Regiment Archives - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

John Howard Wescott

Surname: Wescott

Other names: John Howard

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Oswestry, Shropshire
Bridport, Dorset

Story:
John Howard Wescott (Rev) was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 24th June 1899, the son of Alfred John Wescott, a Coal Merchant, and Bessie Wescott (née Scammell). He lived with his family in Park Walk, Shaftesbury, and attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from 1909 to 1916. He did well academically, particularly in English, and passed the Cambridge Preliminary, Junior and Senior Local Examinations with Honours. He was also a member of the school cadet force and was promoted to Lance Corporal in 1915.

In 1917 John enlisted with the Gloucestershire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 44692) but was soon transferred to the Prince of Wales's Own (Civil Service Rifles) (part of the London Regiment) Service No. 536887. It is not known in which theatre of war he served in but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Dorothy Primrose Hobley in Oswestry, Shropshire, in 1923. By the time of the 1939 Register he was still living in Park Walk, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was described as an HM Inspector of Taxes. It is recorded he joined the City Of London Regiment in the Second World War with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant but some time later was ordained as a Minister of Religion. He died in Bridport, Dorset, on 15th May 1972.

Printed Sources:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, October 1915
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1916
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, November 1917

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Shastonian

John Hart Edwards

28th June 2020/in 1914-1918 London Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Edwards

Other names: John Hart

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Blagdon, Somerset

Story:
John Hart Edwards was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1898, the son of William James Edwards (Grocer and Shopkeeper) and Abigail Mary Edwards (née Hart). He lived most of his life apart from Military Service in Fontmell Magna. He attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from 1910 to 1915. He did well academically, passing the Cambridge Senior Local Examinations with Honours in July 1914, and being awarded the VI Form Prize in 1915. In March 1915 he also passed the Competitive Examination for Clerk to Surveyor of Taxes and when he left school became a clerk with the Inland Revenue. He enlisted with the 15th Reserve Battalion of the London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles) as a Private (Service No. 537505). There is no other information regarding his service. John's father died in 1919. Following John's discharge he was working in Blagdon, Somerset, where he was described as a Civil Servant. He regrettably died in Blagdon at the young age of 23 years on 20th April 1922 and was buried at Fontmell Magna on 24th April 1922.

Printed source:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, October 1915.

Images:

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The National Archives
Shastonian

Maurice William Wright

20th May 2020/in 1914-1918 London Regiment, Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Wright

Other names: Maurice William

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
St. Pancras, London
Paddington, London
France & Flanders
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Half Moon Inn, Shaftesbury

Story:
Maurice William Wright was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 28th November 1887 and baptised at St. James Church on 25th December 1887, the son of Sylvester Wallace Wright and Laura Wright (née Young). He spent his early years at the Half Moon Inn where his father was the licensee. By 1911 he had moved to 11 Gower Place, St, Pancras, London, where he was employed as a House Porter in a business house. He enlisted with the 3rd Battalion of the London Regiment as a Private (Service No. 253772) later transferring to the Army Service Corps on 22 Oct 1917 and joining the 1029th Company (Motor Transport). He served in France and Flanders and following his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War medals. By the 1921 Census he was boarding at 49 Grafton Way, St. Pancras, London, W.1. working as a Kitchen Porter for Maple & Co, Furnishers. He married Gladys Martha Thorpe in 1925 in St. Pancras, London. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 47 Grafton Way, St. Pancras, London, working as a Department Store Catering Storekeeper for Maple & Co. His death was registered in the Paddington, London, Registry in 1952. Maurice's brother, Rebbick Leonard Wright, also served in the conflict.

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Rebbick Leonard Wright

John Seymour

3rd May 2020/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment, London Regiment, Royal Fusiliers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Seymour

Other names: John

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Holwell, Sherborne, Dorset

Story:
John Seymour was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 26th December 1898 and baptised at Cann, Shaftesbury, on 26th January 1899, the son of William John Seymour and Blanche Ellen Seymour (née Parsons). He lived most of his life, except for Military Service, in the Shaftesbury, Dorset, area. At one time his address was 27 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted as a Private and served with three regiments in their turn. The Devonshire Regiment (Service No. 70338), the London Regiment (Service No. GS/83336) and the Royal Fusiliers (Service No. as London Regiment). He served in France and Flanders and on his discharge on 17 Mar 1919 was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows he had taken employment at Holwell Manor, Near Sherborne, Dorset, and was boarding the the Stables working as a Horseman (Servant). He married Olive Margaret Broadway at Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 16th October 1929. They had at least one son. By the time of the 1939 Register John was living at Boyne Farm, Bozley Hill, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was described as a Dairy Farmer. He died locally on 13th June 1989 and was buried at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann.

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1914 Shaftesbury Grammar School Football Team

Roland Goetze Innocent

29th December 2017/in 1914-1918 London Regiment, Middlesex Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Innocent

Other names: Roland Goetze

Locations in this story:
Lechlade, Gloucestershire
Auckland Road East, Southsea, Portsmouth
Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Sailley-Saillisel British Cemetery, Somme, France

Story:
Roland Goetze Innocent was born in 1899 in Lechlade, Gloucestershire. He was the son of Bentley Frank Innocent, an auctioneer and valuer, and Fanny Innocent. In 1901 the family were living at Burford House, Sherborne Street East in Lechlade. By the time of the 1911 Census they had moved to Sherborne House in Lechlade and Roland was a boarder at 27 Auckland Road East, Southsea, Portsmouth. Roland attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from January 1912 to April 1916. While there he was a member of the 1914 football team and the 1915 cricket team. He also took part in the Dorset Inter-School Sports, winning the Hurdles in 1915 and Throwing the Cricket Ball in 1916.

On leaving school he worked in his father’s office in Cirencester. When he was of military age he joined a Cadet Flying School but after two months was transferred, for medical reasons, to an infantry regiment. He served as a Private in the Middlesex Regiment and the London Regiment (Service No. G/96705) and was posted to France in August 1918. He died on 1st September 1918 and was buried in the Sailley-Saillisel British Cemetery, Somme, France (grave id. II.J.6). He was awarded the Victory and British War medals and is remembered on a memorial in the parish church at Lechlade and the Shaftesbury Grammar School memorial in Shaftesbury School.

Throughout the war a hand-written list was compiled of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving in the armed forces. An asterix can be seen next to Roland’s name, indicating that he had died. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.

Printed Sources:  
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, March 1919

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Shastonian

1914 Shaftesbury Grammar School Athletics Team

Victor Charles Prince

10th December 2017/in 1914-1918 London Regiment, Rifle Brigade /by Ann Symons

Surname: Prince

Other names: Victor Charles

Locations in this story:
Salisbury, Wiltshire
St. Ann Street, Salisbury
Choir School, Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury
Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Drewsteignton, Devon
Bouchavenes, Arras, France
Vis-En-Artois Cemetery Memorial, France

Story:
Victor Charles Prince was born in 1898 in Salisbury, Wiltshire. He was the son of William John Prince, a baker, and Agnes Jane Prince. The family lived at 66 St. Ann Street, Salisbury. In 1906 Victor was admitted to the Choir School at Salisbury Cathedral and at the time of the 1911 Census was a boarder there. He attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from September 1913 to December 1915. He was an outstanding sportsman and was a member of the school football team in 1913, 1914 and 1915 (Captain). He was also a member of the cricket team in 1914 and 1915. He represented the school in the Dorset Inter-School sports, winning the 100 Yards, 220 Yards and Quarter Mile in 1914 and 1915. He was a founder member of the school Cadet Corps and became Platoon Sergeant. He was an assistant librarian in the school library and passed the Cambridge Junior Locals in 1915. On leaving school he entered the Salisbury branch of the London City and Midland Bank.

In August 1916 Victor joined the Rifle Brigade and in December received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion London Regiment. On 14th December 1917 he was posted to France. In August 1918 he returned on leave and visited the Shaftesbury Grammar School Cadet Camp at Drewsteignton. He returned to France and on 1st September 1918 was killed in action at Bouchavenes, south of Arras. According to the school magazine, “When killed, he was gallantly leading his men into action; he had already previously been wounded and had refused to go back, and he and his greatest friend were killed by the same shell.” In January 1919 it was announced in the London Gazette that he had been awarded the M.C. This was for the action in which he lost his life.

Victor’s name appears on the Vis-En-Artois Cemetery Memorial (Panel 10). He is also remembered on the Salisbury War Memorial, the memorials in St. Martin’s Church and the Choir School and on the Roll of Honour in St. Thomas' Church in Salisbury.

As a former pupil his name was recorded on the Shaftesbury Grammar School war memorial, now in Shaftesbury School. Throughout the war a hand-written list was compiled of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving in the armed forces. An asterix can be seen next to Victor's name, indicating that he had died. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.

Printed Sources:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, November 1918
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, March 1919

Images:

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

Frederick Maidment

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 London Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Maidment

Other names: Frederick

Locations in this story:
Tollard Street, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Bray Vale British Cemetery, Bray-sur-Somme, France
Rushmore Gardens, Berwick St. John
Wotton House, Nr. Dorking, Surrey
Guildford, Surrey

Story:
Frederick Maidment was born in 1880 in Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, and baptised there on 21st March 1880. He was the son of William Maidment, a Carpenter, and Sarah Maidment (née Faris). His father died in 1902 and by the 1911 Census his widow was still living in Tollard Royal working as a Telegraph Messenger. Meanwhile Frederick, who was single, was working as a Gardener and living at Rushmore Gardens, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire. Between that period and the outbreak of war he moved to Wotton House, Nr. Dorking, Surrey, where he became an estate fireman.

He enlisted in Guildford, Surrey, and joined the 2nd/5th Battalion of the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment (Service No. 3567), giving his address as Wotton House, Surrey. He later transferred to the 23rd (County of London) Battalion of the London Regiment with a new Service No. 6898 which changed yet again to No. 703161. He served in France & Flanders and rose through the ranks, being promoted to Sergeant on 20th April 1916. He died on 22nd August 1918 and was buried at Bray Vale British War Cemetery, Bray-sur-Somme, France (grave id. II.A.21). During his service he was awarded the Military Medal as well as the Victory and British War medals. He is remembered on the Tollard Royal War Memorial, The Surrey Fire Fighters Memorial Trust and on the Memorial Board in St. John's Church, Wotton, Surrey.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Those Who Fell on Ebbesbourne Wake Memorial

Charles Brownsey

4th April 2017/in 1914-1918 London Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Brownsey

Other names: Charles

Locations in this story:
Trent, Somerset
France & Flanders
Bedford House Cemetery, Yores, West Flanders, Belgium
Winton, Christchurch, Hampshire
East Meon, Petersfield, Hampshire
Ebbesbourne Wake, Wiltshire
Devizes, Wiltshire

Story:
Charles Brownsey was born in the final quarter of 1878 in Trent, Somerset. He was the son of George Brownsey, a Labourer, and Henrietta Celia Brownsey (née James). At the time of the 1901 Census he was single, working as bus driver and boarding out with a family in Winton, Christchurch, Hampshire. His mother died in 1905. By the 1911 Census he was working as a farm labourer and living with his sister's family at Horsedown Cottages, East Meon, near Petersfield, Hampshire. He enlisted in Devizes, Wiltshire and joined the 8th (City of London) Battalion of the Post Office Rifles (Service No. 8591). He served in France & Flanders and at the time of his death held the rank of Rifleman. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 18th February 1917 and was buried at Bedford House Cemetery, Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium (grave id. Enclosure No.4 I.E.13). He is remembered on the Ebbesbourne Wake War Memorial.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Leonard Frank Cecil Arnold

4th April 2017/in 1914-1918 Indian Army, London Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Arnold

Other names: Leonard Frank Cecil

Locations in this story:
Bulford, Wiltshire
India
Delhi War Memorial (India Gate)
The Vicarage, Ebbesbourne Wake, Wiltshire
Ebbesbourne Wake, Wiltshire
Jardola Cemetery No6, India.
Palosena, Waziristan
Cranleigh School, Cranleigh, Surrey

Story:
Leonard Frank Cecil Arnold was born on 6th November, 1897 in Bulford, Wiltshire, and baptised there on 5th December, 1897. He was the son of Rev. Cecil North Arnold, a Clergyman, and Sarah Alice Arnold (née Seary). At the time of the 1911 Census he was a boarder at Cranleigh School, Cranleigh, Surrey, whilst the rest of the family were living at The Vicarage, Ebbesbourne Wake, Wiltshire, where Leonard's father had become Rector. Leonard had joined the Public Schools Battalion as Bugler when attending Cranleigh School but he later enlisted on 21st November, 1914 and joined the Royal Navy as an Ordinary Seaman (Service No. Z/920). He was transferred back to the Public Schools (Hawke) Battalion, 'D' Company which eventually became part of the London Regiment. During his time in the military he had many medical problems and was frequently invalided home for treatment but eventually on 19th December 1916 he was well enough to take up a temporary commission as 2nd Lieutenant with the 3rd London Regiment attached to the 82nd Punjabis in India. He was awarded the Military Cross for his actions in an attack on the enemy on 2nd July, 1918, as well as being Mentioned in Despatches. There are unsubstantiated comments on his medal roll that he was appointed a 1st Lieutenant or even Captain - but these might have been field appointment only. He was killed in action at Palosena, Waziristan, on 21st December 1919, and buried in Jardola Cemetery No. 6, India. Other than the Military Cross he was awarded the Victory, British war and 1915 Star medals. His name is remembered on the Delhi War Memorial (India Gate) (Face 23), and on the Cranleigh School Roll of Honour. He is remembered locally on the Ebbesbourne Wake War Memorial. His brother, Basil Wilfred Henry Arnold, also served but with the Royal Air Force and survived the conflict.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

William George Newton

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 London Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Newton

Other names: William George

Locations in this story:
Bossingham, Hampshire
Mesopotamia
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
William George Newton was born in 1895 in Broughton, Hampshire. He was the son of George Newton, a feeding cake agent, and Mary Jane Newton (nee Jewell). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a butcher's apprentice and living at Clonmell, 5 Belle Vue Terrace, Victoria Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He had enlisted with the Territorial Unit of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 1670) until his unit was absorbed into the 1/4th Battalion and his Service No. changed to 200033. He served in Mespotamia attached to the Labour Corps and achieved the rank of Acting Warrant Officer Class 2. (Family records show he was also later attached to the Arab and Kurdish Levies).

He was discharged on 27 Aug 1919. He is then shown, on Military Records, to have died on 18 Aug 1920 in Mesopotamia (though the Probate Records show 1921). His mother had applied for a pension but there is no evidence that one was granted. He had been awarded the Territorial War Force Medal as well as the Victory and British War Medals. He is remembered on the Park Walk War Memorial and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. No record of any War Grave can be found for him at this time or if he is remembered elsewhere. His brother, Daniel Henry Newton, also served in the conflict and survived.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives