Story:
Edwin Scammell was born in 1895 at Portsea Island, Portsmouth, Hampshire. He was the son of John Scammell, a grocer, and Sophia E. Scammell. Edwin attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from January 1910 to December 1913, and at the time of the 1911 Census was a boarder there. While at the school “Ted” was a keen sportsman and played for the football and cricket teams of 1911 and 1912. He was also the school’s “Champion Athlete” in 1912 and won the Half-mile in the Dorset Inter-School Sports that year.

He enlisted in the Naval Service (Service No. 851668), but by November 28th 1917, on “medical advice, was only able to play the part of looker-on” at a school cricket match against the Old Shastonians. His death the following year was reported in the Grammar School magazine: “We also record with deep sorrow the death of E.J. Scammell. His health broke down suddenly, shortly after Christmas, and he died at his home in Portsmouth after a short illness. He was our Champion Athlete in 1912, and was probably the finest all-round sportsman the School has turned out.”

Edwin died as a civilian during the first quarter of 1918 and it can therefore be assumed that he had been discharged from the Naval Service due to illness. His name does not appear on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website or local war memorials, but he was awarded the Victory and British War medals in recognition of his service.

Sadly, his father John died six months later in 1918, and his mother Sophia in 1922.

Printed Sources:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, February 1913
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, March 1918
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1918