Story:
Joseph Ransom (sometimes spelt 'Ransome') was born in Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 21st January 1879 and baptised at Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 2nd March 1879, the son of James Ransom and Mary Hannah Ransom (née Jeans).  He spent his early years in Melbury Abbas and Cann. By 1901 he had moved to the Knapp, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, and was lodging out.  He married Lucy Alice Burt at Winterbourne St. Martin, Dorset, on 11th June 1907 and set up home in Cann Common.  He enlisted and joined the Royal Army Veterinary Corps (Service No. SE.29476).  He rose to the rank of Corporal by the time of his discharge but it is not known which area he served in.  He was awarded the Victory and British War medals.  The 1921 Census shows him living still in Cann Common working as a Bricklayer.  By the 1939 Register he had moved to Higher Blandford Road, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, still employed as a Bricklayer.  His death was recorded in the Salisbury, Wiltshire, Registry in 1946 and he was buried in St. Rumbold's churchyard, Cann, on 9th January 1946.   His brother, Henry John Ransom, also served in the conflict, with the Royal Engineers and the Labour Corps.