Royal Garrison Artillery Archives - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Edward William Cuff

Surname: Cuff

Other names: Edward William

Locations in this story:
Staines, Middlesex
Poplar, London
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Portishead, Somerset
Gibraltar
Wandsworth, Middlesex
Louth, Lincolnshire
Bournemouth, Hampshire
Whitchurch, Dorset

Story:
Edward William Cuff was born in Staines, Middlesex, on 12th February 1892, the son of William J. Cuff, (a Sub-Divisional Inspector of the Metropolitan Police) and Amelia Cuff (née Robbins) who were both originally from Whitchurch, Dorset. Edward lived his early life with his family in Poplar, London, except for the period from 1905 to 1909 when he attended Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset. By the time of the 1911 Census he was boarding in Portishead, Somerset, where he was a Bank Clerk. He enlisted and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery (Transport Division) becoming a Lieutenant. He served most of his time in Gibraltar and on discharge was awarded the British War Medal. He married Edith Violet Mary Sheldrake in the Wandsworth, Middlesex, Registry area in 1931. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 4 Horncastle Road, Louth, Lincolnshire, and was still working as a Bank Clerk. His wife died in 1962 in Bournemouth, Hampshire, and Edward re-married soon after to Louie Saltmer. Edward died in Bournemouth in 1968.

A "First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces" was produced by Shaftesbury Grammar School in September 1915. It shows the regiment in which Edward served and the date and term in which he left school. Throughout the war a hand-written list was also compiled of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving in the armed forces. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.

Printed Sources:
First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, October 1909
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, October 1914
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, February 1916
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1916
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, February 1917
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, November 1918

Images:

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The National Archives
Shastonian

Edgar William Merrifield

Surname: Merrifield

Other names: Edgar William

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bath, Somerset
Mells, Frome, Somerset
Newbury, Frome, Somerset

Story:
Edgar William Merrifield (surname as registered) was born at Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1886 and baptised there on 8th August 1886, the son of Henry John Merefield (surname as registered) and Anne Stroud Merefield (née Tanswell). He lived most of his early life in and around Fontmell Magna except for Military Service. By 1911 he was living with the family at 38 Sutton Road, Fontmell Magna. He enlisted and served with the 472nd Siege Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery eventually holding the rank of Acting Bombardier (Service No. 65021). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but after discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. By the time of the 1921 Census he was living with his brothers and sister at Babington Lodge, Mells, Frome, Somerset, working as a Market Gardener. He had moved to Newbury House, Newbury, Frome, Somerset, by 1938 and his death was registered in Bath, Somerset, that year and he was buried at Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 22nd June 1938. He had remained unmarried throughout. His brother, Victor Gerald, also served but was killed, whereas, his other brothers, Reginald Henry Merrifield and John Percival Merrifield, also served but survived.

Images:

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The National Archives
Victor George Merrifield
Reginald Henry Merrifield
John Percival Merrifield

Harry Stone

23rd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Stone

Other names: Harry

Locations in this story:
Compton Abbas, Shaftesbuyr, Dorset
Drones Lane, Twyford, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Taunton, Somerset
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Harry Stone was born in Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 31st March 1897, the son of William Stone and Julia Stone (née Andrews). He spent nearly all his life in the Twyford, Shaftesbury, Dorset, area apart from his Military Service. He enlisted with the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 66660). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but he was attached at one time to the 141st Siege Battery. Following his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at 52 Twyford, Shaftesbury, living with his parents and out of work. He married Annetta Bessie May Gray in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1929. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Drones Lane, Twyford, Shaftesbury, and was described as a Dairy Farmer. His death was recorded at the Taunton, Somerset, Registry in 1982.

Images:

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The National Archives

Edward Isaac White

22nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: White

Other names: Edward Isaac

Locations in this story:
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset
Stoke sub Hamdon, Somerset
Portsmouth, Hampshire

Story:
Edward Isaac White was born at Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 23rd November 1884 and baptised there on 15th February 1885. He was the son of Isaac White, a Carrier, and Sarah Elizabeth White (née Street). He spent all his life, apart from Military Service, in the Ashmore area. He married Edith Bessie Tanswell at Stoke sub Hamdon, Somerset, on 5th January 1914. He enlisted with the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 239361). It is not known where he served but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living in Green Lane, Ashmore, working as a Farm Engine Tractor Driver, and later, by the time of the 1939 Register, at Laburnum Cottage, Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as a Gardener. His death was registered at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry on 28th January 1966 and he was buried at Ashmore on 15th February 1966. Edward had two children one of whom, Edward Leonard White (b. 1915), had served in the Royal Artillery (Service No. 3969933) with the 4th/2nd Maritime Regiment on board Royal Navy vessels. He was reported killed in action on 28 Nov 1942 and remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Portsmouth, Hampshire.

Images:

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The National Archives

George Reginald Belbin

8th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Belbin

Other names: George Reginald

Locations in this story:
Blandford, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Egypt
Yeovil, Somerset

Story:
George Reginald Belbin was born in Blandford, Dorset, in 1893 and baptised there on 15th October 1893, the son of Harry Belbin and Elizabeth Belbin (née Tucker). The family had moved to 11 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, by 1901. George enlisted on 26th January 1917 and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 136147). He served in Egypt with the 10th Mountain Howitzer Battery and whilst there suffered shell splinter wounds to the neck as well having nasal problems which were aggravated by his service conditions, as a result of which, he was awarded a short lived 10% pension. He was discharged on 24th April 1920 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. He had given 4 Victoria Street, Shaftesbury, on the 1918 Absent Voters List. He had married Bessie May (or Mary) Gullimore in Shaftesbury on 18 Jan 1917 just prior to his enlistment. By the 1921 Census he was living apparently apart from his wife at 4 Coronation Buildings, Yeovil, Somerset, described as an out of work Crane Driver and it was to this address his pension was made out. His wife meanwhile was living at 4 Victoria Street, Shaftesbury, with two children. Regrettably George died in Shaftesbury during 1929 and was buried in the Town Cemetery on 17 Jun 1929. Of George's brothers', Charles Belbin and William John Belbin both lost their lives whereas Frederick Belbin survived the conflict.

Images:

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Frederick Belbin
The National Archives

Charles Lemon

6th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Lemon

Other names: Charles

Locations in this story:
East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset
West Knoyle, Wiltshire
Blandford, Dorset
France & Flanders
Le Touret Military Cemetery, Richbourg-L'Avoue, Pas de Calais, France
Wilton, Wiltshire

Story:
Charles Lemon was born at East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset in 1886, the son of George Thomas Lemon and Eliza Lemon (née Dibben). He lived his early life in and around East Orchard. He married Florence Mabel Foyle in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1911 and they had two daughters. On his marriage he moved to West Hill Cottage, West Knoyle, Wiltshire. Charles enlisted at Blandford, Dorset, and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 14795). Whilst serving with the 35th Heavy Battery in France and Flanders he died, according to the reports, 'of apoplexy whilst on active service' on 20th February 1916. He was buried at the Le Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourg-l'Avoue, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France, (Grave ref: III.D.15). His parents had died prior to his death and his wife had moved to Wilton, Wiltshire, with her brother. No other memorial has been identified in this case. Charles's older brother, Samuel, also served in the conflict but survived.

Images:

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The National Archives
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Samuel Lemon

St. James Street junction with Tanyard Lane

Arthur Stainer

4th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry, Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Stainer

Other names: Arthur

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Lyemarsh Farm, Mere, Wiltshire
St. James, Shaftesbury
Bimport, Shaftesbury

Story:
Arthur Stainer was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 1st December 1896 and baptised at St. James's Church on 27 Dec 1896 the son of George Theodore Stainer, a Cabinet Maker, and Jane Stainer (née Young). He spent his early life with the family at 83 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, until, by 1911, he was living and working for his uncle at Lyemarsh Farm, Mere, Wiltshire. He enlisted and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 762) but later transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 334553). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but following his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. By the 1921 census he had returned to 83 St. James Street and was living with his parents and working as a Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer. He married Florence Ethel Brickell in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 26th December 1921 and the 1939 Register shows he had moved to 17 Bimport, Shaftesbury, Dorset, still working as a Cabinet Maker. His death was recorded in Shaftesbury on 12 Feb 1983 and he was buried at St.James's Church shortly after.

Two of Arthur's siblings served in the war: Walter Charles (b.1893) with the Royal Field Artillery, and Harold George (b.1888) with the Devonshire Regiment, Labour Corps and Royal Flying Corps.

Images:

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Walter Charles Stainer
Harold George Stainer
The National Archives

Charles Roberts

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

Surname: Roberts

Other names: Charles

Locations in this story:
Layton Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Abertillery, Monmouthshire, South Wales
France & Flanders
Poole, Dorset
Portland, Dorset
Leith, Scotland

Story:
Charles Roberts was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1888, the son of James Roberts and Emma Jane Roberts (née Lane). He grew up in the family home at 13 Layton Lane, Shaftesbury albeit his mother had died in 1894 and his father in 1918. By 1911 he was boarding at 30 Alma Street, Abertillery, Monmouthshire, working in the mines as a Timberman (Underground). He enlisted and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 47976). He served in France and Flanders with the 213th Siege Battery and following his discharge on 16th January 1919 was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. His address on the 1918 Absent Voters List had been given as 1 Layton Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He had moved to Poole, Dorset, by the 1921 Census living at 17 High Street working as a General Labourer for Poole Town Council. He was living with his parents-in-law having married their daughter Caroline Roberts (same surname) in 1919. He died in Leith Hospital, Leith, Scotland, in 1944 and was brought back to Dorset for burial at Portland on 3 Feb 1944.

Two of Charles' brothers also served in the war, James (b.1879) with the Dorsetshire Regiment and George (b.1887) with the South Wales Borderers and the Monmouthshire Regiment.

Images:

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James Roberts
George Roberts
The National Archives

Thomas Lionel Hull

30th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hull

Other names: Thomas Lionel

Locations in this story:
Stoke St. Mary, Somerset
High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Tisbury, Wiltshire
Weymouth, Dorset
Poole, Dorset

Story:
Thomas Lionel Hull was born in Stoke St. Mary, Somerset, on 12th September 1884 and baptised there on 2nd November 1884, the son of Wareham Hull and Ann Hull (née Tapp). He spent his early years with his family in Stoke St. Mary before eventually arriving by 1911 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, boarding and working at 45 High Street, Shaftesbury, as an assistant ironmonger. He enlisted and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery (Service No. 75477). He rose to the rank of Sergeant and served in France and Flanders with the 324th Siege Battery. Whilst there he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He was discharged on 3rd June 1919 and further awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census show he was boarding at 3 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, still working as an Ironmonger's Assistant for H. Hirst, Ironmongers, Shaftesbury. He married Olive Oxford in the Tisbury, Wiltshire, Registration District in 1930. By the time of the 1939 Register he had been in business since 1931 as an Ironmonger at 35 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset. His was eventually living in Poole, Dorset, but his death was recorded at the Weymouth, Dorset, Registry on 10th Oct 1970.

Images:

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The National Archives

Frederick James Snook

15th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Snook

Other names: Frederick James

Locations in this story:
East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Manston, Dorset
Compton Dundon, Somerset
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bournemouth, Hampshire

Story:
Frederick James Snook was born at East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 30th August 1878, the son of Robert Snook and Ellen Snook (née Denness). He spent his early life at Manston, Dorset, before moving to Shaftesbury some time before 1901. He married Eva Field at Compton Dundon, Somerset, on 20th December 1903 and they went on to have two children. By the time of the 1911 Census he was living at 20 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 129605). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but he was with the 328th Siege Battery towards the end of his service. Following his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows he and his family were still at 20 Salisbury Street, and he was described as Manager of a Mineral Water Factory run by Stratton, Sons & Mead of Shaftesbury. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 10 Alumhurst Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire, now described as a Grocer. He died in Bournemouth on 17th November 1947.

Images:

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The National Archives