Royal Army Service Corps Archives - Page 5 of 8 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Reginald Nehemiah Love

Surname: Love

Other names: Reginald Nehemiah

Locations in this story:
Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Hartingdon Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Reginald Nehemiah Love was born in Shaftesbury on 27th August 1884, the son of George Edwin Love and Elizabeth Love (née Lush). The family lived at 3 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury. Reginald enlisted on 13th September 1914 with the 126th Company (Horse Transport) of the Army Service Corps as Driver (Service No. T2/10040). He married Beatrice Annie Case on 15th December 1914 in Shaftesbury and she set up home at 95 St. James, Shaftesbury. There are no known children of the marriage. Reginald served only a few months and was discharged on 22nd March 1915 as his services were no longer required. He however re-enlisted on 9th September 1918 and joined the 379th Company of the Labour Corps as a Private (Service No. 535326). He served on both occasions in the UK only and was eventually demobilized on 22nd March 1919. There are no medal records although this was queried on his Military Records without obvious resolution. Both the 1921 Census and 1939 Register show him living at 18 Hartington Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire, working as a Milk Tipper on a Milk Farm. He died on 9th October 1978 in Newbridge Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire.

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Frederick George London

3rd October 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: London

Other names: Frederick George

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Brockenhurst, Hampshire
New Forest, Hampshire
Lymington, Hampshire
Tout Hill, Shaftesbury

Story:
Frederick George London was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 25th November 1888 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 20th January 1889 the son of Charles Lill London and Mary Ann London (née Mills). The family lived in and around Shaftesbury during Frederick's early years. He enlisted on 16th November 1914 and joined the Royal Army Service Corps (2nd Railway Transport Division, 66th Battery) rising in time to the rank of Sergeant (Service No. T/3/028608). He served in France and Flanders from 15 September, 1915, and towards the end of his time had broken a foot falling off a horse which required substantial hospital treatment and for which there was a Board of Enquiry. He was discharged on 9th November 1919 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He then lived on Tout Hill, Shaftesbury. The 1921 Census shows him living in Harting, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, working as a living-in Groom for a Surgeon and Physician. He married Alice Maud Fudge in 1925 in the Lymington Registry Area, Hampshire. There appeared to be no children of the marriage. By the 1939 Register they were living at Britton Cottages, North Weirs, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, and Frederick was still working as a groom. He died in 1950 in the New Forest Registration Area, Hampshire. Frederick's brothers, Charles Lill London and Jasper Hopkins London, also served in the conflict. All their names appeared on a Roll of Honour published in the St. James' Church Parish Magazine in Nov 1918.

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Charles Lill London

St. James Street junction with Tanyard Lane

James Hopkins

27th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Royal Army Service Corps, Royal Horse Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hopkins

Other names: James

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Mount Atlas, Manchester, Jamaica
Mesopotamia
Pewsey, Wiltshire
Abbots Ann, Andover, Hampshire
France & Flanders
India

Story:
James Hopkins was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 13th March 1886 and baptised there at Holy Trinity Church on 4th April 1886, the son of Edwin Hopkins and Charlotte Ann Hopkins (née Sanger). He lived his early life with his parents at 59 St. James Street, Shaftesbury. He had previously joined the 2nd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Reserves). He formally enlisted on 20th February 1904 and joined the Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery (Service No. 33311). He was quickly transferred to the Army Service Corps on 22nd August 1904 as a Private (Service No. S22334). He served in Jamaica during which time began his rise through the ranks to finally become a Staff Sergeant. Whilst in Jamaica he met and married Emily Louise Reynolds at St. Andrews Church, Mount Atlas, Manchester, Jamaica, on 2nd April 1911. They went on to have four children. He returned to the UK giving 71 St. James Street, Shaftesbury as his wife's address. At the outbreak of war he was posted to France followed by more postings to Mesopotamia and India. He was finally discharged on 14th December 1918 being no longer physically fit for duty and awarded a pension and the Silver War Badge No. B59520, having reverted to the rank of Sergeant. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914 Star. By the 1939 Register he was living at598 Zouch Cottages, Pewsey, Wiltshire, and working as an Ordnance Clerk for the War Department. He died in Abbots Ann, Andover, Hampshire, on 6th August 1967 aged 81 years.

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Edgar Hopkins

27th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hopkins

Other names: Edgar

Locations in this story:
Fountain Bank, Enmore Green, Motcombe, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Amesbury, Wiltshire
St. James, Shaftesbury
Breach Lane, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury

Story:
Edgar Hopkins was born in Enmore Green, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset on 20th June 1894, the son of Frank Hopkins and Caroline Eliza Hopkins (née Extance). His brothers Herbert (b.1876) and George (b.1890) both served with the Royal Engineers during the war. His early life was spent at Fountain Bank (near the Fountain Inn), Enmore Green. He was working as a Baker at the time of the 1911 Census. Edgar enlisted on 24th October 1915 and joined the 47th Field Bakery of the Army Service Corps as a Private (Service No. S4/143874). He later transferred to the 67th Field Bakery and, just prior to his demobilization, to the 'L' Supply Company. His service was entirely in the UK. He left the service on 19th August 1919 giving 71 St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset as his contact address. There are no records of any awards.

Edgar had married Mary Green on 18th March 1918 at the Amesbury Registry Office, Wiltshire and they went on to have two children. By the 1939 Register Edgar was living at 74 St. James, Shaftesbury, working as a Cabinet Maker and at the time of his death, on 20th January 1974, was residing at 18 Breach Lane, Shaftesbury.

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Herbert Hopkins
George Hopkins

Jasper James Gray

25th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: Jasper James

Locations in this story:
Bimport, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury

Story:
Jasper James Gray was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 17th December 1871, the son of Alfred Gray and Elizabeth Jane Gray (née Toomer). He married Emily Elizabeth Petty in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, on 24th December 1899. They had one child in 1901 before Emily died in 1912. Jasper remarried on 1st January 1913 to Martha Ann Weldon, herself a widow of a Mr. Wilmot, at Holy Trinity, Shaftesbury. There were no recorded children of the marriage.

Jasper enlisted on 1st November 1918 as a Private with the 3rd Battalion, 73rd Squadron, of the Royal Army Service Corps (Service No. R/444948). He served in the UK only and was discharged on 21st June 1919. There were no medal records found. His brother Frederick John also served in the war, with the Royal Garrison Artillery.

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Frederick John Gray

Henry Isaac Gray

25th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: Henry Isaac

Locations in this story:
Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset
The Cross Keys Inn, Devizes, Wiltshire
Salonika, Greece
Coombe Lodge, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Wilton, Salisbury, Wiltshire
St. Martin's Church, Salisbury, Wiltshire
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Queen's Head, The Embankment, Twickenham, Middlesex

Story:
Henry Isaac Gray was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 19th November 1886 and baptised at St. James' Church on 12th December 1886, the son of Samuel Gray and Sarah Ann Gray (née Oxford). He lived with his family on Gold Hill, Shaftesbury for most of his early life until his marriage to Elizabeth Cotton at St. Martin's Church, Salisbury, on 23rd October 1907. They went on to have four children. By 1911 Henry was living at the Cross Keys Inn, Devizes, Wiltshire. He enlisted on 19th November 1915 and was immediately placed on reserve and not mobilized until 27th April 1917 when he joined the Army Service Corps as a Private (Service No. M/316796). He served in Salonika as a lorry driver from 15 July 1917. He was discharged on 27th March 1919 being 'no longer physically fit for service' due to malaria. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at the Queen's Head, The Embankment, Twickenham, Middlesex, as a the Licensee. By the 1939 Register he had moved to Coombe Lodge, Salisbury Road, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. He died in Wilton, Wiltshire on 25th May 1982 and was buried in Holy Trinity Churchyard, Shaftesbury, aged 95 years.

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William Charles George Ginn

24th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Hampshire Regiment, Royal Army Service Corps, Worcestershire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Ginn

Other names: William Charles George

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sea Road, Pokesdown, Hampshire
Christchurch, Hampshire
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Livingstone Road, Pokesdown, Hampshire
Bournemouith, Hampshire

Story:
William Charles George Ginn was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 9th October 1884 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 4th December 1884, the son of William Ginn and Jane Ginn (née Stroud). William Charles lived with his family in Shaftesbury until 1891 when they moved from the area. William married Emma Yandell on 21st September 1910 at Christchurch, Hampshire, and they had at least one child. They lived by then at 53 Sea Road, Pokesdown, Hampshire, where William was working as a milkman.

He enlisted on 8th December 1915 and was placed on reserve with the Worcestershire Regiment (Service No. 30350). He was mobilized on 2nd June 1916 when he joined the 17th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 381018). He was again transferred to the Army Service Corps on 28th December 1918 as a Driver (Service No. T/446804). He was demobilized on 27th September 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. Both the 1921 Census and 1939 Register show he was living at 13 Livingstone Road, Pokesdown, Hampshire, latterly working in a Royal Navy Cordite Factory. He died on the 1st November 1959 in Christchurch Hospital.

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William Fanner

11th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Fanner

Other names: William

Locations in this story:
Melbury Road, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France
Bute Road, Croydon, Surrey
Butts Knapp, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Tisbury, Wiltshire
Islington, London
Croydon, Surrey

Story:
William Fanner was born on 19th December 1897 at Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, the son of James Fanner and Harriet Jane Fanner (née Stacey). His siblings included Frederick, who served in the Dorsetshire Regiment and the Royal Horse Artillery. The family lived at 4 Melbury Road, Melbury Abbas for a time before moving to Butts Knap, Cann, Shaftesbury by 1901.

William enlisted on the 3rd June 1916 and was mobilized on 25th September 1916 when he joined the Royal Army Service Corps as a Private (Service No. 223395). He served in France from 25 Mar 1917 with the 25th Motor Ambulance Company. At one time he was marked down as a deserter (following home leave) and on 30th May 1919 an inquiry was held. Unbeknown to the authorities he had been in hospital and this had not been recorded. Consequently the charge of desertion was duly dropped on 2nd July 1919. He was demobilized on 28th November 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living with an Uncle at 53 Marlborough Road, Islington, London, working as a Chauffeur. He married Grace Clara Coleman in 1924 in the Tisbury, Wiltshire, Registration District. They went on to have two children. By the 1939 Register he and his family were living at 36 Bute Road, Croydon, Surrey, described as a Motor Driver. His death was registered in Croydon during 1969.

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Frederick Fanner

Tom William Dennis

11th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Dennis

Other names: Tom William

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Hereford
Chestnut Grove, New Malden, Surrey
Brighton, Sussex
France
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Tan Yard Court, St. James, Shaftesbury
Acton, Middlesex

Story:
Tom William Dennis was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1879 and baptised at St. James' Church on 28th December 1879, the son of John Dennis and Emma Jane Dennis (née Blandford). He spent his first few years living with the family in Tan Yard Court, St. James, Shaftesbury, until the family moved to Hereford. Tom married Ruby Hilda Philips in New Malden, Surrey, on 22nd June 1911. They went on to have one child. Tom enlisted on 2nd November 1915 (giving his address as 102 Chestnut Grove, New Malden, Surrey) and joined the Army Service Corps (Service No. SS/21328). He rose to the rank of Corporal and served in France from 16 Dec 1915 being eventually demobilized on 6th February 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows he was living at 5 Bayham Road, Acton, Middlesex, working as a Newspaper Ledger Clerk for the Times Newspapers. His death on the 5th September 1937 was registered at the Brighton, Sussex, Registry.

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Samuel Thomas Dennis

10th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Dennis

Other names: Samuel Thomas

Locations in this story:
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France
Wandsworth, London
Belleville Road, Clapham Junction, London, SW
Weston Super Mare, Somerset

Story:
Samuel Thomas Dennis was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 21 Dec 1887, the son of Thomas Dennis and Emily Norton Dennis (née Barnes). The family lived at 31 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, according to Census records, from 1891 to 1911. Samuel moved to London and married Isabella Brickell at St. Luke's Church, Wandsworth, London, on 11th February 1909. They went on to have one daughter.

He enlisted on 10th May 1915 and joined the Royal Army Service Corps (604th Mechanical Transport Company) as a Driver (Service No DM2/097161). He served in France from 9 Sep 1915 and was eventually discharged on 1st July 1919, giving his address as 31 Belleville Road, Clapham Junction, London, SW. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. On 20th November 1919 he made a belated application for a pension based on an accident in the field when a lorry ran over his foot. This was considered by a panel but rejected with the exception that he received the sum of £35 as a gratuity in lieu. Both the 1921 Census and 1939 Register show he was still living at 31 Belleville Road, (now) Wandsworth, London, working as a Compositor. He died in the Weston Super Mare, Somerset, Registration District in 1965.

Samuel's brother Ernest Edwin (b.1895) also served in the war, with the Royal Marine Artillery.

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Ernest Edwin Dennis