Royal Air Force Archives - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Arthur George Roberts

Surname: Roberts

Other names: Arthur George

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Putney, London, SW
Port Said, Egypt
Alexandria, Egypt
France & Flanders
Dover, Kent
Holloway, Islington, London
Folkestone, Kent

Story:
Arthur George Roberts was born in Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, on 26th January 1891 and baptised there on 22nd February 1891, the son of John William Roberts and Louisa Roberts (nee Haskell). He lived all his early life in Lower Street and later Bartholemew Street, Donhead St. Andrew, until by 1914 he had moved to Putney, London, SW and was working as a Police Constable. He married Emily Mann there in March 1914. He enlisted on 23rd February 1916 with the Royal Naval Air Service as an Air Mechanic Class 1 (Service No. F12246). He worked as a Rigger on Airships and on Balloons in places such as Port Said and Alexandria, Egypt, and France and Flanders. He was transferred to the newly formed Royal Air Force on 1st April 1918 with Service No. 212246. He was eventually discharged on 11th April 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. He returned to the Police Service and served for a number of years in Islington, London, the 1921 Census showing him living at 34 Jackson Road, Holloway, Islington. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 'Yoqa', Dover Road, Dover, Kent, and was still a Police Constable. His death was recorded in Folkestone, Kent, on 25th June 1964. His brother, William John Roberts, also served in the conflict.

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1914 Shaftesbury Grammar School Athletics Team

Henry Godwin Pratt

1st February 2021/in 1914-1918 Inns of Court Officers Training Corps, Royal Air Force, Royal Flying Corps, Welsh Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Pratt

Other names: Henry Godwin

Locations in this story:
Pokesdown, Christchurch, Hampshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bristol, Gloucestershire
Brighton, Sussex
France
Russia
Baku, Azerbaijan
Newport, Monmouthshire, South Wales

Story:
Henry Godwin Pratt was born in Pokesdown, Christchurch, Hampshire, on 23rd August 1897 and baptised there on 14th September 1897 at St. James' Church, the son of Arthur Godwin Pratt and Alice Mary Pratt (née Cooke). Regrettably Henry's mother died within weeks of his birth in 1897. In September 1909 he became a pupil at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset. The 1911 Census shows that he was a boarder. He represented the school at football in 1913, cricket in 1914 and was part of the athletics team that won the 1914 Dorset Inter-School Sports. On leaving school in July 1914 he entered employment at an engineering works in Newport, Monmouthshire, South Wales.

In 1915 he joined the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps and by February 1916 he had been awarded a Commission with the 3rd Battalion of the Welsh Regiment. He kept in touch with his old school, regularly writing letters to the headmaster Dr. Tovey. In the 1918 edition of the Grammar School magazine it was reported: "Godwin Pratt has recently been wounded in France, in the right hand and back; we are happy to be able to say the wounds are not serious. We hear he has applied for a transfer to the R.F.C."

He was transferred to the Royal Air Force on 5th April 1918 and served with the 62nd & 63rd Wings.It is not known in which theatre of war he served before the armistice but the June 1919 edition of the school magazine notes: "When we last heard of Godwin Pratt he was at Petrovsky, 150 miles N. of Baku, Russia." He was Mentioned in Despatches on two occasions and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. Following his discharge on 19th September 1919 he rejoined his old engineering firm at Newport. The November 1919 edition of the school magazine shows that he "has been spending a few days at the School. We offer him our heartiest congratulations on being "Mentioned in Despatches" for good work done in South Russia. He has been with a sea-plane squadron on the Caspian Sea."

The 1921 Census shows he was living at 6 Risca Road, Newport, described as an Apprentice Fitter and Turner with an Engineering firm. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 1 Wolferton Road, Bristol, Gloucestershire, described as a Commercial Traveller but also serving with the No. 11 Balloon Barrage (929 Squadron) as an Aircraftsman Class 2 (Service No. 861233). His death was recorded in Brighton, Sussex, in 1970.

A "First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces" was produced by Shaftesbury Grammar School in September 1915. It shows the regiment in which Godwin served and the date and term in which he left school. Throughout the war a hand-written list was also compiled of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving in the armed forces. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.

Printed Sources:
First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, October 1914
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, October 1915
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, February 1916
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, March 1918
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1919
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, November 1919
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1920

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Shastonian

Alfred George Jenkins Case

3rd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Air Force, Royal Naval Air Service, Royal Navy /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Case

Other names: Alfred George Jenkins

Locations in this story:
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Branksome, Poole, Dorset
Port Said, Egypt
Ilchester, Somerset
Dorchester, Dorset
Wyke Regis, Dorset

Story:
Alfred George Jenkins Case was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 13th September 1887 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 16th October 1887, the son of Philip Charles Case and May Lavinia Case (née Russell). He spent his early life in Shaftesbury mainly at 40 Salisbury Street. By 1911 he had moved to Branksome Police Station, Poole, Dorset, where he was a boarder and was working as a Policeman. He enlisted on 6th July 1915 and joined the Royal Navy (Service No. F6313). He served on land based establishments associated with the Royal Naval Air Service particularly in Port Said, Egypt, where he was promoted to Leading Mechanic with specific attention to the Kite Balloon Section. He was transferred to the newly formed Royal Air Force on 31st March 2018 (Service No. 206313) with the same rank. He was discharged on 10th March 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married May Pope at St. Mary Major Church, Ilminster, Somerset, on 21st April 1919 and they went on to have two children. The 1921 Census shows him living at 13 Victoria Road, Wyke Regis, Dorset, as a Police Constable and the 1939 Register indicates he had been transferred to Dorchester and was living at 42 Bridport Road, Dorchester, Dorset now described as a Retired Policemen, although he was listed on the 1st Police Reserves for Dorset Constabulary. He died in Dorchester, Dorset, on 8th January 1960.

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Albert James Lodge

2nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Air Force, Royal Naval Air Service, Royal Navy /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Lodge

Other names: Albert James

Locations in this story:
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Felixstowe, Suffolk
Scilly Isles
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Old Boundary Road, Cann, Shaftesbury
Filton, Bristol

Story:
Albert James Lodge was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 28th May 1894, the son of Charles Lodge and Sarah Ann Lodge (née Hunt). He lived his early life at 28 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted on the 2nd August 1917 and joined the Royal Navy attached to the Royal Naval Air Service as an Air Mechanic Class 1 (Service No. F34975). He served at Felixstowe, Suffolk, until 31st March 1918 when he was transferred to the Royal Air Force with the same rank (Service No. 234795). He served with the 234th Squadron on the Scilly Isles until his discharge on 22nd March 1919. He was awarded the British War Medal. He married Rose Emily Hopkins in Salisbury, Wiltshire, in 1919 and they went on to have two children. The 1921 Census shows he had moved to 25 Brook Road, Filton, Bristol, where he worked as a Cabinet maker for the Bristol Aircraft Company. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 12 Pauls Dean Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire, described as a Carpenter and Joiner. He had moved back to 12 Old Boundary Road, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, by the time of his death in the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, on 21st March 1954.

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Edgar Charles Toogood

1st June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Air Force, Royal Navy /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Toogood

Other names: Edgar Charles

Locations in this story:
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster Newton, Dorset
Hounslow, Middlesex
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Yeovil, Somerset

Story:
Edgar Charles Toogood was born in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 22nd December 1899 and baptised at St. John's Church on 14th January 1900, the son of Albert Charles Toogood and Selina Maud Toogood (née Munday). He lived his early life at The Bartons, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury. He enlisted with the Royal Navy (Royal Naval Air Service) on 25th January 1918 (Service No. F47909) but only remained with them until 31st March 1918 when he was transferred to the newly formed Royal Air Force (as from 1st April 1918) as an Aircraftsman Class 2 (Service No 247909) employed as a Rib Fitter (Aero). It is not known in which theatre he served but he was discharged on 7th May 1919 and awarded the British War medal only. The 1921 Census shows he was living with his parents at 4 Magdalene Lane, Shaftesbury, was working as a Rib Maker for Petters Aircraft Works, Yeovil, Somerset. His marriage to Doris Gertrude Branson was recorded at the Sturminster Newton, Dorset, Registry in 1926. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 13 Parsons Pool, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was working as a Painter and Decorator. He died in Hounslow, Middlesex, on 1st April 1975 whilst living at 24 Lyncroft Gardens, Hounslow.

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Arthur Mervin Belbin

30th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Royal Air Force, Royal Flying Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Belbin

Other names: Arthur Mervin

Locations in this story:
High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Blandford, Dorset
Guildford, Surrey

Story:
Arthur Mervin Belbin was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 29th April 1897, the son of John Belbin and Clementine Amelia Belbin (née Maidment). He lived his early life with the family at 63 High Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted originally with the Territorial Force of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private on 14th November 1915 (Service No. 3679). He was promptly discharged a day later on 15th November 1915 on the grounds he was unlikely to make an efficient soldier and there was some doubt about his age. He tried again and re-enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps on 25th April 1916 (Royal Air Force from 1st April 1918) (Service No. 26798). He rose to the rank of Corporal Mechanic with 204 Squadron. It is not known where be served but he was discharged on 28th March 1919. He qualified for the Victory and British War medals but no record can be found. By the 1921 Census he was living with his parents at the family home in Shaftesbury working as a Carpenter. He married Elsie Maud Wingfield in Blandford, Dorset, in 1922 and they had three children. By the 1939 Register he was living at 18 Woodside Road, Guildford, Surrey, and was described as a Registered Master Builder. It is not known why his marriage ended but he re-married, to Rosa Guti, in Guildford, Surrey in 1948. He died in St. Luke's Hospital, Guildford, Surrey, on 12th June 1964 and his funeral was held at the United Reform Church, Shaftesbury. His brothers, Frederick Percy Walter Belbin and Harold John Belbin, also served in the conflict.

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Frederick Percy Walter Belbin
Harold John Belbin
The National Archives

Victor Sidney Taylor

19th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Air Force, Royal Flying Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Taylor

Other names: Victor Sidney

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Surrey
Fitzroy Square, London
Willesden, Middlesex
North Dorset
Coppice Street, Shaftesbury
Bimport, Shaftesbury
Hampstead, London

Story:
Victor Sidney Taylor was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 2nd April 1893 and baptised at St. Rumbolds Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, on 11th May 1893, the son of Sydney Taylor and Kate Taylor (née Case). He lived his early life with his family at 16 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps on 14th January 1916 (the Royal Air Force from 1st April 1918) as an Aircraftsman 1 (AC1) (Service No. 18341). He was employed as a fabric worker and served in France and Flanders. He married Matilda Sarah Ann Ingle, first at a civil ceremony on 14th November 1917 in Surrey and then, by licence, on 18th November 1917 at St. John the Evangelist Church, Fitzroy Square, London. They went on to have six children. Victor was discharged from the RAF on 8th May 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. By the 1921 Census he was living at 3 Medley Road, Hmapstead, London, working as a Tailor for Messrs. Samuelson & Sons, of London and by the 1939 Register had moved to 51 Kings Road, Willesden, Middlesex, now working as a Tailor on his own account. It is recorded that by 1955 he had returned to Shaftesbury and was living at Alcester House, Bimport, Shaftesbury. His death was recorded locally on 8th May 1977.

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Arthur Edward Sidney Coaker

19th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Air Force, Royal Flying Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Coaker

Other names: Arthur Edward Sidney

Locations in this story:
Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Canterbury, Kent
Malta
Weymouth, Dorset
Victoria Street, Shaftesbury
Larkhill, Wiltshire
Figheldean, Durrington, Wiltshire

Story:
Arthur Edward Sidney Coaker was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 5th December 1897 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 9th January 1898, the son of Charles Coaker and Mary Ann Coaker (née Weatherdon). His early life was spent at home either at 11 Victoria Street or, from 1911, 8 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted and joined the Royal Flying Corps (Royal Air Force from 1st April 1918) on 29th March 1917 becoming an Aircraftsman 1 (AC1) (Service No 69036). It is not known where he served during the war period but he was posted after the Armistice to Malta for a short time in 1919. He had married a Lottie Longley in Canterbury, Kent, on 23rd April 1919 and gave 14 Palace Street, Canterbury, Kent, as his address. There were possibly two children of the marriage. Arthur was discharged from the RAF on 10th February 1920 and would have qualified for the Victory and British War medals though there are no obvious medal records in this case. The 1921 Census shows him working in a civilian capacity as a Motor Fitter & Turner for the 348th Company of the Royal Army Service Corps at Larkhill, Wiltshire, and living at 2 Carn Brea Cottages, Figheldean, Durrington, Wiltshire. By the 1939 Register he had moved to Berkley, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Motor Transport Driver. His death was recorded at the Weymouth, Dorset, Registry in 1959.

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Thomas Allen Mitchell

17th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Air Force, Royal Flying Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Mitchell

Other names: Thomas Allen

Locations in this story:
Bell Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Russia
Southampton, Hampshire
Dundee, Scotland
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury

Story:
Thomas Allen Mitchell was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 11th March 1899 and baptised at St. James' Church on 9th April 1899, the son of George Henry Ernest Mitchell and Katherine Mitchell (née Gould). He lived his early life in the family home at 15 Bell Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps (later the Royal Air Force) on 15th March 1917 becoming an Air Mechanic 2. (Service No. 66831). He served in France and Flanders with the 58th Squadron until, following the end of the war, he was posted to Russia for a short period until 31 Mar 1920. Whilst serving he married Mary Philp at St. Andrews Church, Dundee, Scotland, on 4th September 1920. He was eventually discharged on 14th March 1925 giving 14 Avenue Road, Southampton, Hampshire, as his forwarding address. He was entitled to the Victory and British War medals. On the 1st February 1939 he re-enlisted in the Royal Air Force as a Corporal. His death was recorded at the Southampton, Hampshire, Registry in 1963.

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Frederick James Tanswell

16th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Air Force, Royal Flying Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Tanswell

Other names: Frederick James

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Sturminster, Dorset
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury
Layton Lane, Shaftesbury

Story:
Frederick James Tanswell was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 28th July 1877 and baptised there on 26th August 1877, the son of Albert Tanswell and Mary Tanswell (née Hunt). He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in the Shaftesbury area. He married Ellen Massicks at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, on 1st April 1907 and set up home at 32 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. They went on to have five children.

Frederick enlisted on 23 Aug 1917 and joined Royal Flying Corps (later becoming the Royal Air Force on 1st Apr 1918). He became an Air Mechanic 2 (Service No. 93022) and was employed as a Tailor. He served in France and Flanders from 20 Nov 1917 to 9 Mar 1919 eventually being discharged on 5th April 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at 34 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, described as an out of work Journeyman Tailor. His wife, Ellen, died in 1937 and by the time of the 1939 Register Frederick had moved to 2 Layton Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as incapacitated. His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1961 and he was buried at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, on 13 Mar 1961.

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