Story:
Philip Ernest Silcox was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 15th December 1897 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 13th January 1898, the son of Edwin James Silcox and Emma Jane Silcox (née Weldon). They lived in Bleke Street, Shaftesbury. The father, Edwin, died in 1900 and his wife went on to re-marry Albert Coward pre-1908. The family went to live at Barton Cottage, Enmore Green, Motcombe. Philip became a Postman in March 1914 in Shaftesbury just prior to the outbreak of war. He enlisted on 15th May 1916 and joined the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service Nos. 153169 and TF725954). He was discharged at some time around March 1917 for an unknown reason but was appointed as a Postman at Portsmouth at that time. He had been awarded the Victory and British medals. He married Gladys Violet Louisa Dean in Portsmouth, Hampshire, in 1922 but she regrettably died in 1926. Philip went on to re-marry Nora Fanny Wetherall in July 1928 in Portsmouth, Hants. They went on to have two children. Philip and family were living at 160 Kensington Road, Portsmouth at the time of the 1939 Register and Philip was working as an Assistant Postal Inspector as well as being an Air Raid Warden. He had moved to 58 London Road, Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire, by the time he died in Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury, Bucks, on 9th March 1954.   His brothers, Harry Silcox and Philip Ernest Silcox, also served in the conflict.

Story:
Reginald Arthur Gale was born in Long Crichel, Dorset, in 1898, the son of William Alfred Gale and Elizabeth Gale (née Lewis).  He spent all his life in and around the Long Crichel and Wimborne areas.  He enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (later a Driver) (Service No. 1264).  He served originally in Egypt and later in France & Flanders where he died of wounds on 24th June 1916 and was buried in the Couin British Cemetery, Couin, France, (Grave Ref: I.A.12).  He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star.  He is remembered on the Semley, Wiltshire, War Memorial. (Information confirmed by posting on Flickr.)