Royal Garrison Artillery Archives - Page 2 of 5 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Robert Beman Minchin

30th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Minchin

Other names: Robert Beman

Locations in this story:
Hazelton, Gloucestershire
Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Horsham, Sussex
Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex
Widford, Essex

Story:
Robert Beman Minchin was born at Hazelton, Gloucestershire, on 20th November 1892 and baptised there on 8th January 1893, the son of William Beman Minchin and Helen Emmitt Minchin (née Tayler). He spent his early life in Hazelton where his father was a Farmer. In 1907 he became a pupil at Shaftesbury Grammar School where he thrived academically and represented the school at football, cricket and athletics competitions. In 1911, having completed his education as a pupil, he joined the teaching staff at the school.

Mr. Minchin enlisted at the outbreak of war in 1914 and joined the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry as a Private (Service Nos. 2765 and 200702). He served in France and Flanders from 29 Mar 1915 during which time he transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery on 30 Jun 1917 with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant later as a full Lieutenant. On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He resumed his career at Shaftesbury Grammar School and, on 20th March 1921, married May Doris Jeffreys at St. Mary's Church, Widford, Essex, and, per the 1921 Census, lived at Vale View, Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. There were two children of the marriage before May died on 15 Dec 1925. Robert subsequently went on to remarry Vivien Florence Fraser Scott on 1st August 1935 at St. Saviour's Church, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. They also had two children. By the time of the 1939 Register, Robert was living at Shaftesbury Grammar School and was now the Headmaster. His death is recorded in Horsham, Sussex, in 1971.

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 Robert Minchin served and the date on 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.

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Shastonian

Frederick Charles Blucke

28th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Blucke

Other names: Frederick Charles

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Cann Lodge, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Staines, Middlesex
Singapore

Story:
Frederick Charles Blucke was born in Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, on 10th August 1897 and baptised there on 2nd September 1897, the son of Dr. Harry Frederick Stokes Blucke and Elizabeth Harriet Blucke (née Collins). Frederick's father was the local Doctor and they lived at Donhead St. Andrew until, by 1911, they had moved to Cann Lodge, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He received some of his education at Shaftesbury Grammar School. Frederick had enlisted with the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 157936). He served in France & Flanders from apr to Nov 1918. He had been promoted to Lieutenant on 24 Nov 1916 and the Service No. dropped from his record. Following discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He was married at sometime, possibly not in the UK, to Antoinette. L. Blucke (maiden name not known). By the 1939 Register he was living at 27A Brightside Avenue, Staines, Middlesex, and was described as a Cleaner Sales Supervisor. He served for a time in WW2 as a Lieutenant with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (Service No. 116906). His death was recorded in Singapore on 31st October 1951. His brother, William Alexander Stewart Blucke also served in the war, with the Dorsetshire Regiment and the Royal Air Force.

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William Alexander Stewart Blucke
The National Archives

Victor Thomas Burden

28th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Burden

Other names: Victor Thomas

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Guy's Marsh, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Hartgrove, Shaftesbury, Dorset
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Salonika
East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset
East Knoyle, Wiltshire

Story:
Victor Thomas Burden was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 16th November 1887 and baptised at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, on 18th December 1887, the son of James John Rideout Burden and Sarah Ann Burden (née Elliott). Victor spent all his early life in Guy's Marsh, Shaftesbury. He enlisted on 27th November 1915 but, before he was mobilized, married Annie Emily Hawkins at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, on 27th December 1915. They went on to have three children. Victor was eventually mobilized on 29th February 1916 and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 65016). He served initially inn Salonika but mainly in France and Flanders with the 166th, 201st and 196th heavy batteries where he suffered back troubles and was eventually discharged as being unfit for further service on 17th January 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as a small short-lived pension. The 1921 Census shows he was living at Leigh Farm Cottage, East Knoyle, Wiltshire, working as a Farm Labourer. Regrettably his wife died in 1928. By the 1939 Register he had moved to a cottage at Hartgrove, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and working as a Public Works Contractor's Labourer. He died at Hartgrove in 1970. Victor's brothers William Ernest Burden, James John Burden and Albert Edward Burden, also served in the conflict and all their names appeared on a Roll of Honour published in the St. James' Church Parish Magazine in Nov 1918.

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William Ernest Burden

Thomas Fooks Oliver

27th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Oliver

Other names: Thomas Fooks

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Tisbury, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Motcombe Street, Shaftesbury

Story:
Thomas Fooks Oliver was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 27th August 1886 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 7th November 1886, the son of Henry John Oliver and Elizabeth Mary Oliver (née Hussey). He lived his early life in Shaftesbury until 1901 when he was boarding in Tisbury, Wiltshire, whilst apprenticed to a hairdresser. He had returned to Shaftesbury by 1911 to work on his own account as a Hairdresser. He enlisted with the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 65010). He served in France and Flanders during which time he was gassed. He was discharged on 6th September 1919 and received a short-term limited pension for his disability. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. By the Electoral Roll of 1921 he was living in Tanyard Lane, Shaftesbury, but by the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 48 Motcombe Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, single and still working as a Hairdresser. His death is recorded in the Salisbury, Wiltshire, Registry in 1952 and he was buried at St. Mary's Church, Motcombe, on 16 Dec 1952.

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The National Archives

Frederick John Gray

27th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: Frederick John

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury

Story:
Frederick John Gray was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 26th July 1882 and was not baptised until 29th May 1883 at Holy Trinity Church, the son of Alfred Gray and Elizabeth Jane Gray (née Toomer). Apart from Military Service he spent all his life in and around Shaftesbury. He married Elizabeth Fry in Shaftesbury in 1910. He enlisted and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 203668). It is thought he served in the UK only at the Base Camp. On discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. By the 1921 Census he was living at 19 Bell Street, Shaftesbury, working on his own account as a Fishmonger. Regrettably he died in Shaftesbury in 1935.

Frederick's brother Jasper James (b.1871) also served in the war, with the Royal Army Service Corps.

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Jasper James Gray

William Crutcher

1st April 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Engineers, Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Crutcher

Other names: William

Locations in this story:
Woodcutts, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
France & Flanders
Deanland, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset

Story:
William Crutcher was born at Woodcutts, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset, on 14th March 1888 and baptised at Sixpenny Handley on 6th May 1888, the son of William Crutcher and Mary Anne Crutcher (née Witherington). He lived all his civilian life in and around Sixpenny Handley. William enlisted on 11th December 1915 and was mobilized on 22nd May 1916 when he joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 82122). He served in France & Flanders. He was transferred to the No. 1 (RGA) Sussex Company (Service No. 374578) and then to the 368th Forestry Company, Royal Engineers 2 Aug 1918 as a Pioneer (Service No. 327932). He was finally discharged on 20th October 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at Deanland, Sixpenny Handley, living with his, by then, widowed father working as a Woodman and Hurdle Maker on his own account. He married Margaret Ellen Lane at Sixpenny Handley, Dorset, on 31st October 1921. There are no records of children. By the 1939 Register he was still living at Deanland, with the same occupation. His death is recorded on 17th August 1968 and he was buried at Sixpenny Handley on 20 Aug 1968.

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Charles Green

18th March 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Green

Other names: Charles

Locations in this story:
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
Newington, Kent
France & Flanders
Riseden Farm, Hawkhurst, Kent

Story:
Charles Green was born in Iwerne Minster, Dorset, on 22nd May 1881 and baptised there on 3rd June 1881, the son of John Green and Maria Green (née Lever). He lived his early life in and around Iwerne Minster until, by 1901, he had moved to Newington, Kent. He enlisted on 13th November 1915 and was mobilized on 28th March 1916 when he joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 71006). He served in France & Flanders from 31 Aug 1916 and received gun shot wounds on two occasions and an accidental injury on 21 Dec 1918 - on one occasion needing treatment back in the UK. He finally ended up with the 332nd Siege Battery from where he was discharged on 19th July 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at Riseden Farm, Hawkhurst, Kent, working as a Farm Labourer and by the 1939 Register at the same address but now a Farm Foreman. He remained single all his life and died in the Cottage Hospital, Hawkhurst, Kent, on 12th June 1964.

Charles' brother William (b.1874) also served in the war, with the Royal Marine Artillery.

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William Green

William James Brooks

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

Surname: Brooks

Other names: William James

Locations in this story:
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
Fulham, London, SW
France & Flanders
Poole, Dorset

Story:
William James Brooks was born in Iwerne Minster, Dorset, on 30 May 1882 and baptised there on 6th August 1882, the son of Thomas Brooks and Elizabeth Brooks (nee Wareham). He lived most of his life in Iwerne Minster. He married Elizabeth Mary Newcombe on 10th Dec 1904 at Fulham Registry Office, Fulham, London, SW, and they went on to have two children. William enlisted on 6th December 1915 and was mobilized on 1st June 1916 when he joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 91270). He was posted to France on 16 Nov 1916 and joined the 154th (Hampshire) Heavy Battery with a new Service No. 353926. He was demobilized on 8th September 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living in Tower Hill, Iwerne Minster, working as a Bricklayer's Labourer on the Ismay Estate. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to Church Hill, Iwerne Minster, Dorset, with the same occupation. His death was noted in the Poole, Dorset, Registration District in 1963.

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William Alfred Snook

17th February 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Snook

Other names: William Alfred

Locations in this story:
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, Hampshire
Collingwood, Isle of Wight, Hampshire
Portsmouth, Hampshire
France & Flanders
Italy
Water Lane, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire

Story:
William Alfred Snook was born in Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 16th February 1882 and baptised there on 9th April 1882, the son of John Edward Snook and Anna Mary Snook (née Scammell). He lived his early life in Melbury Abbas and later in Water Lane, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. He married Florence Ida Greenan in Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, on 17th June 1907 and they went on to have four children. William had already enlisted with the Royal Garrison Artillery on 6th February 1899 (Service No. 33500), serving in the UK and various places abroad until placed on reserve on 5th February 1907 and finally discharged on 5th February 1911. He re-enlisted on 7th September 1914 with the Royal Garrison Artillery (Service Nos.2572 & 277572) and served in France & Flanders from 15 Jul 1915 and later in Italy. He rose to the rank of Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant (WOII) which rank he held when discharged on 25th March 1919. He received a pension with regard to his length of service and was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living in Mill Terrace, Yarmouth, IOW, described as a Skilled Labourer (Out of work)and by the 1939 Register had moved to 'Collingwood', Ommanney Road, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, working as a Scavaging Contractor as well as an ARP Warden (from family information he later went on to join the Yarmouth Home Guard as a Sergeant). His wife died in 1946 and it appears he re-married a May Tabb in Portsmouth, Hampshire, during 1947. He died in St. Mary's Hospital, Kingston, Portsmouth, Hampshire, on 9th June 1950.

Images:

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The National Archives

William Stephen Maidment

16th February 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Maidment

Other names: William Stephen

Locations in this story:
The Green, Semley, Wiltshire
Hasting, Sussex
Chesswood Road, Worthing, Sussex
Shoreham-on-Sea, Sussex

Story:
William Stephen Maidment was born in Semley, Wiltshire, on 20th May 1886, the son of Stephen Maidment and Prudence Maidment (née Miles). He lived his early life with the family at The Green, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted on 24th June 1916 but was not mobilized until 24th February 1917 when he joined the Records Section of the Royal Garrison Artillery (Service No. 144518) firstly with the 46th Company and later with the No. 1 Depot (Clerks Section). His entire service was in the UK being promoted to Lance Bombadier. He married Beatrice Bessie Hills at St. Mary in the Castle, Hastings, Sussex, on 23rd June 1917. There were three children of the marriage. William was discharged from the Army on 18th February 1919. There are no medal records in this case. The 1921 Census shows him living at 87 New Road, Shoreham-on-Sea, Sussex, described as a Commercial Traveller in Baker and Confectioner Sundries. By the 1939 Register he had moved to 1 Chesswood Road, Worthing, Sussex, now described as a Wholesale Grocer and Baker's Sundries. He died in Worthing in 1971.

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