Royal Field Artillery Archives - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Sidney Gilbert Gray

Surname: Gray

Other names: Sidney Gilbert

Locations in this story:
Halfpenny Lane, Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Scotts Hill, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Wimereux, Near Boulogne, Pas de Calais, France
Eastleigh, Hampshire
Bishops Waltham, Hampshire

Story:
Sidney Gilbert Gray was born in Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 25th April 1898, the son of Thomas Gray and Alice Lavinia Gray (née Brickell). He lived his early life in Halfpenny Lane, Ashmore and, from 1905, at Pyle Oak Cottage, Scotts Hill, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire. He enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 148433). He served in France and Flanders as a signaller with the 153rd Brigade where was wounded in action. He died from the wounds on 31st May 1918 and was buried in the Wimereux Communal Cemetery, Near Boulogne, Pas de Calais, France, (Grave ref. XI. G. 4A). (His parents were by then residing in Eastleigh, Hampshire, and, by 1921, in Bishops Waltham, Hampshire, but neither of the local War Memorials carry names.)

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Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Commonwealth War Graves Commission

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

Frederick Thomas Beck

12th July 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Field Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Beck

Other names: Frederick Thomas

Locations in this story:
Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Frederick Thomas Beck was born in Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 3rd August 1891 and baptised there on 6th September 1891, the son of Charles Beck and Anna Louisa Beck (née Rabbets). He lived all his early life in Shute Lane, Iwerne Minster. He enlisted as a Territorial with the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service Nos. 2565 & 860456). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Olive Mabel Daniels at St. Mary's Church, Iwerne Minster, on 7 Sep 1920 and by the 1921 Census had set up home Near the Village Hall, Iwerne Minster, working as an Estate Bricklayer for the Ismay Estates. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to Watery Lane, Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was still described as a Bricklayer. His death was recorded at the Salisbury, Wiltshire, Registry in 1980.

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The National Archives

George Frederick Ashby

12th July 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Field Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Ashby

Other names: George Frederick

Locations in this story:
Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Blandford, Dorset
High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
George Frederick Ashby was born in Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 19th July 1888 and baptised there on 7th October 1888, the son of Charles Ashby and Catherine Ashby (née Marson). He spent most of his early life, apart from Military Service, at High Street, Iwerne Minster. His father had died in 1891. He enlisted as a Territorial with the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service Nos. 2564 & 860455). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War medals. At the time of the 1921 Census he was living with his widowed mother at High Street, Iwerne Minster, working as an Estate Mechanic for the Ismay Estates. He married Clara Rose Hillier in Blandford, Dorset, in 1923 and by the time of the 1939 Register living at 1 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Stoker and Handyman. His death was recorded at the Salisbury, Wiltshire, Registry in 1967. George's brother Robert (b.1879) also served in the war and sadly died in 1915 while serving with the Royal Engineers in France.

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The National Archives
Robert Ashby

Egbert Joseph Hiscox

30th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Field Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hiscox

Other names: Egbert Joseph

Locations in this story:
Pitts Cottages, Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Egypt
Monmouth, Wales
Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
Fontmell Magna, Dorset

Story:
Egbert Joseph Hiscox was born in Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 1 Oct 1897 and baptised at Fontmell Magna, Dorset, on 21st November 1897, the son of Henry James Hiscox and Maria Louisa Hiscox (née Smith). He lived his early life at Pitts Cottages, Bedchester, Shaftesbury. He enlisted and served with the Royal Field Artillery as, firstly, a Gunner and latterly, as a Driver. (Service No. 79301). He served in Egypt from 1 Jul 1915 and on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. By 1919 he was living in Bedchester, Dorset, but there is no apparent record of his whereabouts in the 1921 Census. He married May Elizabeth Mary Howard in Monmouth, Wales, during 1925. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Millend, West Dean, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, working as a Farm Manager (his widowed father was also living with him). His death was recorded at the Forest of Dean Registry, Gloucestershire, in 1967. His father, Henry James Hiscox, also served with the RASC during the conflict and survived. (N.B. The surname is also spelt 'Hiscocks' in some records but 'Hiscox' predominates.)

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The National Archives
Henry James Hiscox

Frederick John Hillier

29th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Field Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hillier

Other names: Frederick John

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Tanyard Lane, St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Laurel House, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sutton Waldron, Dorset
Iwerne Minster, Dorset

Story:
Frederick John Hillier was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 20th October 1898, the son of Frederick John Hillier and Emma Jane Hillier (née Upjohn). He lived his early life with the family in Tanyard Lane, St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset, later moving to Laurel House, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury. He enlisted and joined the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 248802). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him boarding at 'The Retreat', Home Farm, Iwerne Minster, Dorset, described as a Farm Pupil on the Ismay Estate. There is no obvious record in the 1939 Register but he was buried on 11th May 1985 at Sutton Waldron, Dorset. His brothers, George Stephen, Robert James and Percival Frederick also served in the conflict.

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The National Archives
George Stephen Hillier
Percival Frederick Hillier
Robert James Hillier

Frederick Frank Hillier

5th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Field Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hillier

Other names: Frederick Frank

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset

Story:
Frederick Frank Hillier was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 3rd August 1888 and baptised at St. James' Church on 2nd September 1888, the son of Robert Hillier and Blanche Elizabeth Lucy Hillier (née Stainer). Frederick lived his early life at 6 Tanyard Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted and joined the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 183702). It is not know in which theatre of war he served but following his discharge he was awarded the British War Medal only which would indicate he served solely in the UK. His father had died in 1918 and, by the 1921 Census, he was living with his widowed mother at 63 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, working as a Bricklayer. He married widow Bessie Violet Mary Gurd (neeTaylor) in Shaftesbury on 3rd August 1926 and by the 1939 Register they was living at 10 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, Frederick still described as a Bricklayer. His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1963 and he was buried at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, on 6 Apr 1963.

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The National Archives

Charles Brickell

5th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Field Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Brickell

Other names: Charles

Locations in this story:
St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset

Story:
Charles Brickell was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 5th November 1889 and baptised at St. James' Church on 15th December 1889, the son of George Brickell and Sarah Brickell (née Dennis). He spent all his life, apart from Military Service, at the family home at 86 St. James Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 226251). He served as a driver with the 79th Battery. It is not known in which theatre of war he served but after his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War medals. Both the 1921 census and 1939 Register shows he was still at 86 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, single, and working as a General Labourer. His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1946 and was buried at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, on 24 Jul 1946. His brothers, Thomas Dennis Brickell (b.1877) and Samuel (b. 1881) also served in the conflict. Regrettably Samuel was killed in action in 1918. Charles' name also appears on the Roll of Honour published in the St. James' Church Parish magazine in Nov 1918.

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The National Archives
Thomas Dennis Brickell

St. James Street junction with Tanyard Lane

Walter Charles Stainer

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

Surname: Stainer

Other names: Walter Charles

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Mere, Wiltshire
St. James, Shaftesbury
Christys Lane, Shaftesbury

Story:
Walter Charles Stainer was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 23rd June 1893 and baptised at St. James' Church on 16 Jul 1893 the son of George Theodore Stainer, a Cabinet Maker, and Jane Stainer (née Young). He lived his early life with his family at 83 St. James Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted and joined the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 135301). It is not known in which theatre of war he served in but on his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Florence Mabel Garrett in the Mere, Wiltshire, Registry District in 1918 and by the 1921 Census was living at 22 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, working as a Carpenter. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to Restville, St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was now described as a Builder. His death was recorded on 26th January 1979.

Two of Walter's siblings served in the war: Arthur Stainer (b.1896) the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry and Royal Garrison Artillery, and Harold George (b.1888) with the Devonshire Regiment, Labour Corps and Royal Flying Corps.

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The National Archives
Arthur Stainer
Harold George Stainer

Leonard Charles Imber

31st May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Field Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Imber

Other names: Leonard Charles

Locations in this story:
Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bergh Apton, Loddon, Norfolk
France & Flanders
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Layton Lane, Shaftesbury
France & Flanders

Story:
Leonard Charles Imber was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 7th August 1896, the son of John Imber, a Postman, and Elizabeth Ann Imber (née Lodder). He grew up in the family home at 2 Layton Lane in Shaftesbury. His mother died in 1900 and his father in 1912. Like his father before him he became a Postman in Jan 1913. He enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 128398). He was posted to France & Flanders where he was with the 31 Division Ammunition Column when he was awarded the Military Medal. At the time of his discharge he was with the Y/31 Trench Mortar Battery and was further awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows he was living at 2 Layton Lane with his brother-in-law and working as a Postman at Shaftesbury Post Office. He married Ethel Grace White Annis at St. Peter and St Paul's Church, Bergh Apton, Loddon, Norfolk, on 17th May 1923. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 57 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, still a Postman. His death was recorded in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 20th March 1981 and he was buried in the churchyard of St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 25th Mar 1981. Leonard's brothers, Bertie Howard, was killed in action serving with the Dorsetshire Regiment whereas Sidney William Imber served and survived.

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Bertie Howard Imber
The National Archives