Royal Army Service Corps Archives - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

John Hunter Watts

Surname: Watts

Other names: John Hunter

Locations in this story:
Bayswater, London
Farnworth, Lancashire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Weston-super-Mare, Somerset
Camberwell, London
Hinaidi, Mesopotamia

Story:
John Hunter Watts (known as 'Jack' to his family) was born in Bayswater, London, on 23rd October 1887 the son of John Hunter Watts and Catherine Jane Grace Watts (née Croll). He lived his early life in Camberwell, London, but by 1911 he was boarding out in Farnworth, Lancashire, where he was working as a Teacher. Sometime after 1911 he had taken up a position at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He left the school in 1914 to enlist in the Army Service Corps where he was promoted to Captain and, later, Brevet Major. He served in France & Flanders becoming a Requisitioning and Purchasing Officer. During 1916 he received gunshot wounds and was Mentioned in Dispatches. He would have been entitled to the Victory and British War medals but was also awarded the Order of the British Empire (Military Branch) for his work in the Army. His name appeared on the Shaftesbury Absent Voters List 1918. The 1921 Census shows he was still in the army but now based at the Main Supply Depot, Hinaidi, Mesopotamia (now Iraq) but he later returned to his teaching post at the Grammar School in 1922. He died on 4th April 1973 in the Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, Registry area.

Printed sources:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1922

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Shastonian
The National Archives

Walter Thomas Buckland

Surname: Buckland

Other names: Walter Thomas

Locations in this story:
Parsons Pool, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Reading, Berkshire
Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
Egypt
France & Flanders
Parchin, Germany
Hampstead, London
Hammersmith, London
Fulham, Middlesex
London, SW13

Story:
Walter Thomas Buckland was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 16th June 1883, the son of William Thomas Buckland, a Coal Merchant and Auctioneer, and Emma Buckland (née Guy).   He spent his early life in Parsons Pool, Shaftesbury, until by 1901 he had moved to Reading, Berkshire, where he was boarding out and working as an Apprentice Drapers Assistant. The Census of 1911 shows he was then lodging at 21 Kitsbury Road, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, and was working as a Wholesale Millinery Warehouseman.

He enlisted and joined the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 83321). He was posted to Egypt on 5 Jul 1915 and served with the 68th Brigade, rising to the rank of Bombardier. Whilst there he was hospitalized with dysentry and piles. He was transferred to France and Flanders where he joined the 86th Brigade. On 21st March 1918 the Germans had launched their Spring Offensive in the Somme area near Saint-Quentin. Whilst the offensive did not succeed, Walter was taken prisoner on the 21st Mar 1918 at Templeux-Le Guerard, a nearby village. He was held in a Prisoner of War camp at Parchin, Germany, until the end of hostilities. He was repatriated and eventually discharged and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star.   He promptly re-enlisted on 10th June 1919 and joined the Royal Army Service Corps as a Corporal (Service No. A/451055). He was finally discharged under Kings Regulation 322 (XXV) as being surplus to requirements on 10th May 1920.

The 1921 Census shows him boarding at 43 Radipole Road, Fulham, Middlesex, working as Ladies Hat Shaper in Buckram. At the time of the 1939 Registry he was living at 34 Constantine Road, Hampstead, London, was single, and working as a Civil Service Clerk at the Ministry of Supply.   He died at the West London Hospital on 10 Nov 1964 - his last known address being given as 24 Byfield Gardens, London, SW13.    His brother, Francis Hannen Buckland, also served in the conflict.

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The National Archives
Francis Hannen Buckland

William Frederick Conway

18th July 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Conway

Other names: William Frederick

Locations in this story:
Farnham, Nr. Shaftesbury, Dorset
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Aldershot, Hampshire
St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
William Frederick Conway was born at Farnham, Nr. Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 29th November 1890 and baptised there on 25th January 1891, the son of Frederick Charles Conway and Annie Conway (née Whitlock). He lived his early life at Farnham until, by 1901, his family had moved to Melbury Waters, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted and served with the Army Service Corps as a Driver (Service No. T/30335). His war service record has not survived but following his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. By the 1921 Census he was boarding at 4 Western Road, Aldershot, Hampshire, working as a Fitter Labourer at a Electric Power Plant. He married Rebecca Bramston at Farnham, Dorset, in Oct 1921. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 12 Whyte Avenue, Aldershot, Hampshire, and was working as a Boiler Cleaner Powder Salesman. He died in Aldershot on 19th October 1958. William's brothers Harry Edward (b.1892) and Albert Charles (b.1888), also served in the conflict. Sadly Albert died in 1915 while serving with the Dorsetshire Regiment in Mesopotamia. Their names appear on the St. James Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset, Roll of Honour of those serving as published in November 1918 in the Parish Magazine.

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Albert Charles Conway

Alfred Edward Lock

29th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Lock

Other names: Alfred Edward

Locations in this story:
Hinton Martell, Dorset
Witchampton, Dorset
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
Sutton Road, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
St. Thomas, Devon
Blandford, Dorset
Poole, Dorset

Story:
Alfred Edward Lock was born in Hinton Martell, Dorset, on 9th July 1893 and baptised at Witchampton, Dorset, on 3rd September 1893, the son of William John Lock and Elizabeth Lock (nee Saunders). By 1901 the family had moved to Iwerne Lodge, Iwerne Minster, Dorset, and later, by 1911, to 38 Sutton Road, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset. Alfred enlisted and served with the Army Service Corps as a Private (later an Acting Corporal) (Service No. M2/097569). He served in France and Flanders from 2 Oct 1915 and after his discharge on 9th February 1919 was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He married Clara Read at St. Thomas, Devonshire, in 1919. The 1921 Census shows him living at 4 School Park, Bryanston, Blandford, Dorset, working as a Motor Mechanic. By the 1939 Register he had moved to 61 Salisbury Street, Blandford, Dorset, still working as a Motor Mechanic as well as an ARP Driver. His wife died in 1942 and there is evidence that he re-married Doreen R. Fry in Bournemouth during 1945. His death was recorded at the Poole, Dorset, Registry on 16th March 1955 and his burial on 19th March 1955.

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The National Archives

Richard FitzGerald Glyn

24th June 2020/in 1914-1918 6th Cavalry Brigade, Royal Army Service Corps, Royal Dragoons /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Glyn

Other names: Richard FitzGerald

Locations in this story:
St. Georges, Hanover Square, Middlesex
Chelsea, London
France & Flanders
Cross House, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Poole, Dorset
Millbank Military Hospital, London
Hinton Parva, Dorset
Hinton Martell, Dorset

Story:
Sir Richard FitzGerald Glyn, DSO, Bt. was born at St. Georges, Hanover Square, Middlesex, on 13th May 1875, the son of Sir Richard George Glyn, Bt. and Frances Geraldine Glyn (née FitzGerald). He lived most of his civilian life in the Dorset area. He was with the Royal Dragoons as early as 1893 and served throughout, gaining many decorations and awards including the Distinguished Service Order. He married Edith Hilda Hamilton-Gordon at Holy Trinity, Chelsea, London, on 12th December 1906 and they went on to have five children. His service in the First World War in France and Flanders is noted for his being Mentioned in Dispatches twice as well as for being wounded and spending over a month at the Millbank Military Hospital, London. He was a Staff Officer with the rank of Captain attached to the Army Service Corps as well as A.D.C. to the Commanding Officer of the 6th Cavalry Brigade. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. He lived for a period at Cross House, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury. By the 1921 Census he had moved to Gaunts House, Hinton Martell, Dorset, and was still in residence there at the time of the 1939 Register. He died in the Poole, Dorset, area on 23rd March 1960 and was buried at Hinton Parva, Dorset, on 26th March 1960.

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The National Archives
Edith Hilda Hamilton-Gordon

Alfred Montague Ryall

23rd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Ryall

Other names: Alfred Montague

Locations in this story:
Eastleigh, Hampshire
Otterbourne, Hampshire
Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Charminster, Dorset
Africa

Story:
Alfred Montague Ryall was born at Eastleigh, Hampshire, on 17th January 1898 and baptised at Otterbourne, Hampshire, on 6th March 1898, the son of Alfred and Emma Jane Ryall. Shortly after 1907 the family moved to Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where the father managed the Temperance Hotel. Alfred enlisted on 7th June 1916 and was embodied on 20th September 1916, joining the Royal Army Service Corps as Private (Service No. M2/223383). He apparently served some time in East and South Africa but was invalided out on 19th August 1918 due to 'feeble mindedness'. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the Silver War Badge No. 439133 plus a life pension. The 1921 Census shows him as an inmate in the Herrison Hospital, Charminster, Dorset and by the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to Old Manor Mental Institute, Wilton Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire, where he was described as 'incapacitated - former lorry driver'. He died at the Institution on 17th February 1980.

Images:

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The National Archives

William John Farris

9th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Essex Regiment, Royal Army Service Corps, Yorkshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Farris

Other names: William John

Locations in this story:
Haimes Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France
Russia
Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire

Story:
William John Farris was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 3rd June 1898 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 3rd July 1898, the son of Charles Farris and Celia Jane Hoskins Farris (née Mayo). He lived his early life with the family at 17 Haimes Lane, Shaftesbury. William enlisted on 2nd June 1916 and served with, in succession, the Dorsetshire Regiment, the Army Service Corps (Motor Transport Reserve), the Essex Regiment (Service No. 39586) and the Yorkshire Regiment (Service No. 33829). He became in time a Lance Corporal and during his time served in France as well as a short period after the armistice in Russia. He was discharged on 3rd July 1919, being physically unfit to serve due to debility and defective vision. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. By the 1921 Census he was living in Victoria Street, Shaftesbury described as an Engineer working to John Farris & Sons (the local foundry). He married Olive Rachel Hanney in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, in 1923. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 19 Haimes Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as an Agricultural Engineer (Works Manager) as well as being a volunteer with the local Fire Brigade. He died in Shaftesbury on 1st October 1975.

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The National Archives

Frederick George Saunders

5th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Saunders

Other names: Frederick George

Locations in this story:
Wareham, Dorset
Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Hammersmith, London
Wimbledon, Surrey

Story:
Frederick George Saunders was born in Wareham, Dorset on 25th October 1885 and baptised there on 31st January 1886 the son of Henry Saunders and Jane Saunders (née Legg). He spent his early years in Wareham but, by 1911, had moved to 20 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He married Ethel Kate Munday on 25 Dec 1915 in Shaftesbury. He enlisted with the Army Service Corps rising to the rank of Sergeant (Service No. M2/150045). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He returned to Shaftesbury living at 94 St. James Street but by the 1921 Census he had moved to 28 Palmerston Road, Wimbledon, Surrey, where he was described as a Motor Mechanic and the 1939 Register shows he had moved to 23 Anley Road, Hammersmith, London, and was working as an Engine Fitter. No record of his death has been found.

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St. James Street junction with Tanyard Lane

Frank Sims

5th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps, Wiltshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Sims

Other names: Frank

Locations in this story:
Bozley Hill, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bournemouth, Dorset
Egypt
Christchurch, Dorset
St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Frank Sims was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 22nd November 1887 and baptised at Cann on 1st January 1888, the son of Edwin Sims and Emily Sims (née Gray). He lived with his family during his early life in Bozley Hill, Cann, Shaftesbury. By the time he enlisted the family had moved to 77 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted with the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 35925). He later transferred to the 922nd Heavy Transport Company of the Army Service Corps as a Driver (Service No. T4/071058). He served some of his time in Egypt and was eventually discharged on 28th September 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He had given 77 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, as his address on the Absent Voters List for 1918/1919. He married Ida Nettie Adams in Christchurch, Dorset, in 1920. Both the 1921 Census and 1939 Register shows he was living at 8 Madeira Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, and was working as an Antique China Restorer. He died in Bournemouth on 17th May 1980. Frank's brother William also served in the war, with the Dorsetshire Regiment and the Lancashire Fusiliers.

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The National Archives
William Sims

Ernest George Hardiman

4th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps, Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hardiman

Other names: Ernest George

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Dalton-in-Furness, Lancashire
Wimbledon, Surrey
France & Flanders
St. James, Shaftesbury
Pancras, London

Story:
Ernest George Hardiman was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 30th April 1890 and baptised at St. James' Church on 25th May 1890 the son of Charles Hardiman and Martha Ann Hardiman (née Brockway). (His father had been arrested for vagrancy and desertion on a number of times and served prison sentences. He had also denied paternity of the children of the marriage. His name does not appear on any other family records.) Ernest lived his early life with the family at 37 Andrews Yard, St. James Street, Shaftesbury. By 1911 he had moved for work as a chauffeur to Dalton-in-Furness, Lancashire, where he enlisted on 11th October 1914, joining the Army Service Corps as a Driver (Service No. T1/025721). He had envisaged driving motor vehicles but was told there were only openings for horse transport. This resulted in him being discharged on 19th November 1914. He went on to re-enlist and joined the Royal Engineers as a Driver (Service No. 32516). He served in France and Flanders being eventually discharged on 21st January 1920 and being awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He married Ethel Jane Brigden in Pancras, London, in 1929 and they went on to have three children. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 18 Cromwell Road, Wimbledon, Surrey, and was still working as a Chauffeur. His death was recorded in Surrey in 1972. His brother, Decimus Hardiman, also served but was killed in action.

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Decimus Charles Hardiman
The National Archives