Royal Engineers Archives - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Gerald John James Andrews

Surname: Andrews

Other names: Gerald John James

Locations in this story:
Marnull, Dorset
Tarrant Keynston, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Poole, Dorset
Woolcotts Farm, Sherborne Causeway, Shaftesbury
Palestine
Egypt
Hartgrove, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Blandford, Dorset

Story:
Gerald John James Andrews was born in Marnull, Dorset, on 2nd July 1894 and baptised there on 12 Aug 1894 the son of Edwin Walter Andrews and Lucy Beatrice Andrews (née Day). He lived his early life at Dairy House, Tarrant Keynston, Dorset. He enlisted as a Territorial on 9th February 1911 and joined the 'C' Squadron of the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry (Service No. 508). He attended regular annual training camps but was embodied at the outbreak of WW1 on 5th August 1914 eventually becoming a Corporal. He was discharged having completed his service time with his unit on 8th February 1916 but he re-enlisted and joined the Royal Engineers as a Driver (Service No. 152684). (His family have advised that he had sent postcards from the Palestine/Egyptian area whilst serving with the Royal Engineers and was en route returning to the UK during Apr 1919.) On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. By the 1921 Census he was living with his parents at a farm near Hartgrove, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, helping his father on the farm. He married Ruby Ada Lear at Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 29th Aug 1929. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Woolcotts Farm, Sherborne Causeway, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as a Dairy Farmer. He died in Blandford Hospital, Blandford, Dorset, on 21st January 1966 and was buried at St. Mary's Church, Motcombe.

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Edgar Still

30th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry, Hussars, Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Still

Other names: Edgar

Locations in this story:
Church Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Asia
Sherborne, Dorset
Plympton St. Mary, Devonshire
Podymore, Ilchester, Somerset

Story:
Edgar Still was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 13th August 1889, the son of Emily Still. No father was recorded. He lived his early life with his mother and grandparents in Church Street, Fontmell Magna. He enlisted and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 1437). He served in the Asiatic Theatre of War and transferred to the Railway Operations Department of the Royal Engineers (Service No. WR/195579) only to transfer back to the Yeomanry later on (Service No. H/231587) and be attached to the 1/1st Hussars. On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living with his mother and sister at Cross Tree Cross, Fontmell Magna described as 'Farming on own account'. He married Edith May Martin in the Sherborne, Dorset, Registry area in 1925. By the 1939 Register he was living at Myrtle Cottage, Plympton St. Mary, Devonshire, and was working as a Jobbing Gardener. At some time later he had moved back to 701 Podymore, Ilchester, Somerset, where he died on 2nd November 1971.

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Benjamin George Chick

25th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry, Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Chick

Other names: Benjamin George

Locations in this story:
Hemyock, Devonshire
Dunkeswell, Devonshire
Blandford's Farm, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset,
Egypt
Palestine
Branksome, Poole, Dorset

Story:
Benjamin George Chick was born at Hemyock, Devonshire, on 15th December 1896 and baptised there on 21 Feb 1897 the son of Thomas Edward Chick and Sarah Ann Chick (nee Clist). He lived his very early life in Dunkeswell, Devonshire, intil 1906 when his father came to Blandford's Farm, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, to take over the tenancy from his brother who had recently died. Benjamin enlisted on 27th May 1915 and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 1436). He served in Palestine and Egypt mainly with various signals units. He transferred to the Royal Engineers and was promoted to Corporal (Service No. A/517855). He was employed as a Motor Cyclist Dispatch Rider. He later transferred back to the Dorset Yeomanry (Service No. 230697). He was discharged on 31st August 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living at Blandford's Farm with his parents and helping his father on the farm. He married Phyllis Margherita Burden at St. Aldhelm's Church, Branksome, Poole, Dorset, 0n 11 Apr 1928. By the time of the 1939 Register he was himself the tenant of Blandford's Farm, West Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, and was described as a Dairy Farmer. He died on 14th September 1968 and was buried at St. Andrew's Church, Fontmell Magna. Benjamin's brother Thomas (b.1888) also served in the war, with the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

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Thomas Chick

Edwin James Fry

22nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Fry

Other names: Edwin James

Locations in this story:
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Edwin James Fry was born at Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, on 16th March 1879, the son of Charles Fry and Eliza Fry (née Kelly). By the time he was 12 years of age his family had moved to Green Lane, Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and he spent the rest of his life in the area apart from his time in the Army. He married Edith Mary West at Ashmore in 1899. He enlisted with the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 2484) and later transferred to the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (Service No. 202886). He transferred again to the Royal Engineers (Service No. 495986) and was discharged from their service on 6th March 1919 having been declared unfit for further duty due to arthritis and rheumatism (both attributable to his service) for which he received a pension. He was also awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living in Noad Street, Ashmore, working as a Woodman and Hurdle Maker. Regrettably his wife died on 14 Oct 1932 and by the time of the 1939 Register he had remarried Elsie Charlotte Ransome at Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 26 Mar 1939 and were living at Freak's Coppice, Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, Edwin being described as a Forestry Worker. He died in Ashmore in 1962 and was buried there on 15th February 1962.

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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

Percy Arthur Gurd

4th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gurd

Other names: Percy Arthur

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Edmonton, London
Bournemouth, Dorset
Aldershot, Hampshire
St. James, Shaftesbury
Lambeth, London

Story:
Percy Arthur Gurd was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 8th January 1894 and baptised at St. James' Church on 25th March 1894, the son of Henry Gurd and Mary Ann Gurd (née Davis). His father died in 1899 and by 1901 he was living with his mother at 10 St. James Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted on 17th January 1916 and joined the Royal Engineers as a Driver (Service No. 141177). During training at Aldershot, Hampshire, in the handling of mules, he was admonished for leaving his unattended on one occasion. It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living boarding at 11 Bolwell Street, Lambeth, Surrey, where he was described as a Grocer. He married Olive Eugenie Mackeeg at Lambeth, London, in 1922. By the time of the 1939 Register he was residing at 46 Westerham Avenue, Edmonton, London, and was working as a Grocery and Provisions Assistant. He had moved to Bournemouth, Hampshire, by 1981 where he died on 31st May in that year.

Percy's brother Alfred Joseph (b.1891) also served in the war, With the Bedfordshire Regiment.

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Alfred Joseph Gurd
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Harold Tuffin

3rd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Rifle Brigade, Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Tuffin

Other names: Harold

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Croydon, Surrey

Story:
Harold Tuffin was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 9th September 1896, the son of Henry John Tuffin and Mary Tuffin née Yeatman. He lived his early life in Fontmell Magna until, by 1911, the family had moved to 47 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted with the 4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as Private (Service No. 1677). He later transferred to the Rifle Brigade (Service Nos. 2350 & 207220) and then to the Royal Engineers as a Pioneer joining the 75th Signal Company. It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. (The 1921 Census record cannot be found.) In 1928 he married Kathleen M. Bowley in Croydon, Surrey, and by the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 31 Pawsons Road, Croydon, working as a Lorry Driver. It is noted he enlisted in the Home Guard at Croydon on 31 Mar 1944. He died in Croydon on 6th January 1967.

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James Henry Russell

19th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Russell

Other names: James Henry

Locations in this story:
Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Shefford, Bedfordshire
Woking, Surrey

Story:
James Henry Russell was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 2nd December 1885 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 21st January 1886, the son of Mark Russell and Mary Ann Russell (née Fry). He lived his early life in and around the area and by 1911 the family home was at 13 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted and joined the Royal Engineers as a Sapper (Service No. 71198). He served with the Lines of Communication Signal Services in France and Flanders. Following his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Gwendolyne Gladys Irene Alldritt at St. Michael and All Angels Church, Shefford, Bedfordshire, in 1920. They went on to have four children. By the 1921 Census he was living at Kirkby Road, Horsell, Woking, Surrey, based at the Woking Post Office and by the 1939 Register had moved to 157 York Road, Woking, Surrey, working as a GPO Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist. His death was recorded on 15th December 1950 at Woking, Surrey.

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Walter Richard Trowbridge

17th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Trowbridge

Other names: Walter Richard

Locations in this story:
Bell Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Honiton, Devon
Chesham, Buckinghamshire
Amersham, Buckinghamshire

Story:
Walter Richard Trowbridge was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 25th March 1884 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 27th April 1884, the son of Isaac Trowbridge and Sarah Ann Trowbridge (née Ellis). He lived his early life at the family home at 17 Bell Street, Shaftesbury. By 1911 he had moved as a boarder to Honiton, Devonshire, where he was working as an upholsterer apprentice. He enlisted on 2nd March 1916 and joined the Royal Engineers as a Private (Service No. M/320118). Having served in the UK only he was discharged on 14th July 1918 being no longer physically fit for service. No medal records have been found in this case although he was awarded the Silver War Badge No. B251431. He returned at this time to 17 Bell Street, Shaftesbury. No record can be found for him in the 1921 Census but his widowed mother was lodging at 16 Gladstone Road, Chesham, Bucks, where, by the time of the 1939 Register, Walter was also living and working as a upholsterer and still single. His death was recorded at the Amersham, Buckinghamshire, Registry on 10th December 1962.

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William Henry Brockway

17th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Brockway

Other names: William Henry

Locations in this story:
Barton Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset

Story:
William Henry Brockway was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 22nd October 1893 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 16th November 1893, the son of Thomas Brockway and Emma Jane Brockway (née Foot). He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, at 6 Barton Hill, Shaftesbury. He enlisted with the Royal Engineers as a Sapper (Service No. 143210). It is not known which theatre of war he served in but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He had returned to the family home at 6 Bell Street by the 1921 Census and was working as a Carpenter for Edward Wright, Builder, of Angel Square, Shaftesbury. By the 1939 Register he was still at 6 Barton Hill and was described as a Master Builder and still single. He death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1973.

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