George Reginald Burr 3

George Reginald Burr

Surname: Burr
Other names: George Reginald
Other people in this story:
John Burr
Elizabeth Ann Burr née Brockway
Frances Emily Burr née Sharp
Job Burr
Locations in this story:
Guys Marsh, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Abertillery, South Wales
St. John's Hill, Shaftesbury
Victoria Street, Shaftesbury
St. George's Road, Shaftesbury

Story:
George Reginald Burr was born in Guys Marsh, Cann, Shaftesbury, on 21st October 1895, the son of John Burr and Elizabeth Ann Burr (née Brockway). He was living with the family at Guys Marsh in 1901 but by 1911 had moved to St. John's Hill, Shaftesbury. At the time of his enlistment on 10th February 1915 he was living in Abertillery, South Wales, and gave his occupation as a coal miner. He joined the South Wales Borderers as Private (Service No. 21372) but on 5th March 1915 he was discharged due to defective eyesight. He was issued with an armband on 31st January 1916 which signified he was a volunteer yet to be mobilised. On 14th September 1917 he again enlisted, this time with the Royal Navy (no mention of his eye problems) and joined HMS Vivid II (Service No. K45909). He was discharged on 22nd September 1922 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Frances Emily Sharp in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 3rd November 1923 and they went on to have eleven children. The 1939 Register shows the family living at 2 Bellevue Terrace, Victoria Street, Shaftesbury. From here they moved to 51 St Georges Road, Shaftesbury, where George died on 12th December 1952. His burial service at St Rumbolds Church, Cann, was followed by his interment at The Mampitts Road Cemetery on 17th December 1952.  His brother, Job Burr, also served in the conflict.   George's name was also on the Roll of Honour published in the Nov 1918 issue of the St. James' Church Parish magazine.

Images:
  • George Reginald Burr
  • PN31 (1)
  • George Reginald Burr 2
  • George Reginald Burr (1)

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Cyril Brown

Surname: Brown
Other names: Cyril
Other people in this story:
Samuel Brown
Clara Brown née Moore
Frances Ada Brown née Bird
William Thomas Brown
Bertram George Brown
Obery Archbald Brown
Harry Brown
Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Ash, Surrey
Fareham, Hampshire

Story:
Cyril Brown was born on 14th May 1894 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, the son of Samuel Brown and Clara Brown (née Moore). The family lived at Higher Blandford Road, Cann, Shaftesbury. Cyril enlisted in the Royal Navy on 23rd February 1911 (Service No. K10445). He achieved the rank of Stoker Petty Officer by the end of his service. He served on various ships and bases throughout his time ending up on HMS Minotaur. During his period of service he married Frances Ada Bird at St. Peters Church, Ash, Surrey, on 19th November 1918. They went on to have three children. He was discharged at the end of his enlistment on 8th November 1928 having been awarded the Victory and British War medals, the 1914/15 Star and, on 15th August 1926, the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. His last known address was 103 Hillson Drive, Fareham, Hampshire. He died on 13th April 1984 in Fareham.

Two of Cyril's brothers died during the war: Bertram George (b.1895) died on 4th April 1915 while a prisoner of war in Germany; Obery Archibald (b.1891) was killed on 19th March 1917 while serving with the East Kent Regiment in France. Two more brothers served in the war: Harry (b.1885) and William Thomas (b.1888).

Images:

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The National Archives
Bertram George Brown
William Thomas Brown
Obery Archibald Brown
Harry Brown
St. James Street junction with Tanyard Lane

Reginald John Baker

Surname: Baker
Other names: Reginald John
Other people in this story:
Samuel Baker
Sarah Jane Baker née Edgar
Martha Baker
Locations in this story:
Tan Yard, St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset
China
Jutland
Cosham, Portsmouth, Hampshire
Lydlinch, Dorset
Compton Dundon, Somerset
Llangafelach, Swansea, Glamorganshire

Story:
Reginald John Baker was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 31st December 1879, the son of Samuel Baker and Sarah Jane Baker (née Edgar). His early life was spent with his parents at Tan Yard, St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He was living with his grandparents in Compton Dundon, Somerset, at the time of the 1891 Census and by 1901 was boarding in Llangafelach, Swansea, Glamorganshire and working as a Fitter.

He joined the Royal Navy on 16 May 1901 (Service No. 270449). He served on many ships in time throughout the world and by 1911 was stationed on board HMS Inconstant in the China Area. He served at the Battle of Jutland in WW1 and was finally discharged on 19th October 1918. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. His final rank was Acting Artificer (Engineering). He is known to have lived at 18 St John's Road, Cosham, Portsmouth, Hampshire, where he died on 2nd March 1937, He was interred at Lydlinch, Dorset (his parents' birth place) on 7th March 1937. Probate was granted later to his widow, Martha Baker, though no record of the marriage can be found.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Shaftesbury Grammar School War Memorial

Harry Thomas Liversidge

Surname: Liversidge
Other names: Harry Thomas
Other people in this story:
George Liversidge
Ellen Liversidge
Locations in this story:
Salisbury, Wiltshire
French Mill Lane, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury General Infirmary, Salisbury, Wiltshire
London Road Cemetery, Salisbury, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Harry Thomas Liversidge was born in the registration district of Salisbury on 21st December 1897. He was the son of George Liversidge, an iron moulder, and Ellen Liversidge. In 1901 the family were living at Long Cross, Enmore Green and by 1911 they had moved to French Mill Lane, Cann, Shaftesbury. Harry attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from September 1909 to July 1912. He joined the Royal Navy on 16th April 1914 (Service No. J/30404) and in June 1916 was serving as a Wireless Operator on H.M.S. Yarmouth. He served on at least twelve different ships became a leading Telegraphist. His final ship was H.M.S. Victory. He contracted Tuberculosis and while still serving in the Navy he died of the disease at Salisbury General Infirmary on 25th April 1920. His military record describes his conduct throughout his service as "very good". He was buried at Salisbury (London Road) Cemetery. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the Victory and British War medals.

As a former pupil his name was recorded on the Shaftesbury Grammar School war memorial, now in Shaftesbury School. Throughout the war a hand-written list was also compiled of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving during the war. Usually an asterix was placed next to the name of anyone who had died. This was not the case with Harry, probably because he died quite a long time after the end of the war. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum. 

Printed Sources: 
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1916
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1920

Images:
  • Shaftesbury Grammar School Old Boys 1
  • Shaftesbury Grammar School Old Boys 5

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Shastonian
Names on Iwerne Minster War Memorial 2

Maurice Henry Green

Surname: Green
Other names: Maurice Henry
Other people in this story:
Harry Green
Sarah Green née Horlock
Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
Haslar Naval Hospital, Gosport, Hampshire
Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery, Gosport, Hampshire
Church Hill, Iwerne Minster, Dorset
Training Establishment, HMS Victory, Portsmouth

Story:
Maurice Henry Green was born on 2nd October, 1897 in Iwerne Minster and baptised there on 3rd June 1900. He was the son of Harry Green, a domestic gardener, and Sarah Green (née Horlock). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, a scholar and living at Church Hill, Iwerne Minster, Dorset. He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 16th November 1916 (Service No. K/37726), joining the Training Establishment, HMS Victory, Portsmouth and later serving on HMS Diadem. At the time of his death he held the rank of Stoker 2nd Class. He died from measles and bronchial pneumonia on 16th January 1917 in the Haslar Royal Naval Hospital, Gosport, Hampshire and was buried at the Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery (grave id. E.27.4). He was awarded the British War medal only, due to his short service, and is remembered on the Iwerne Minster War Memorial, Shaftesbury.

Images:
  • Iwerne Minster War Memorial 4
  • Iwerne Minster War Memorial 3
  • Iwerne Minster War Memorial 2
  • Iwerne Minster War Memorial 03
  • Iwerne Minster War Memorial 02

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Enmore Green War Memorial 01

Edward John Harnett

Surname: Harnett
Other names: Edward John
Other people in this story:
Sidney Harnett
Cecily Harnett née Green
Locations in this story:
Tisbury, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury
Motcombe, Dorset
Leigh Farm, Teffont Evias, Tisbury, Wiltshire
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury
Portsea, Hampshire
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire

Story:
Edward John Harnett was born on 26th January 1882 at Tollard Royal, Wiltshire. He was the son of Sidney Harnett, a farmer, and Cecily Harnett (née Green). The family lived at Leigh Farm, Teffont Evias, Tisbury, Wiltshire. His father died in 1903. Edward enlisted as a regular in the Royal Navy on 27th March 1906 for 12 years but was discharged early whilst serving on HMS Invincible on 21st October 1910 only to immediately re-sign and begin a new engagement on the same day and on the same ship (Service No. K9456). The 1911 Census shows him living as boarder in Portsea, Hampshire, but as a Royal Navy stoker. On 2nd December 1914, whilst serving on HMS Ghurka, by then as a Petty Officer, 1st Class, he was invalided out of the Navy suffering from anemopthsis (a form of rheumatoid gout). Regrettably he died on 26th February 1915 at Motcombe and was buried in Motcombe Churchyard. He was awarded Victory, British War and 14 Star medals. He is remembered on the war memorials at Motcombe and Enmore Green, Shaftesbury.

Images:
  • Enmore Green War Memorial 02
  • Enmore Green Memorial 01
  • Enmore Green War Memorial 03
  • Names on Motcombe War Memorial 1
  • Motcombe War Memorial 4
  • Motcombe War Memorial 1
  • Motcombe War Memorial 02

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Harold Percival Hoskins on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial

Harold Percival Hoskins

Surname: Hoskins
Other names: Harold Percival
Other people in this story:
John Charles Hoskins
Rosina Hoskins (née Tullett)
Thomas Frank Hoskins
Clarence` Hoskins
Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
Portsmouth
Long Cross, Enmore Green
Motcombe, Dorset

Story:
Harold Percival Hoskins was born on 24th July 1897 in Shaftesbury. He was the son of John Charles Hoskins, an agricultural labourer, and Rosina Hoskins (née Tullett). His siblings included Thomas Frank Hoskins, born in 1892, who died  in the war on 8th September 1916 and Clarence Hoskins who survived the conflict.  At the time of the 1911 Census Harold was single, a scholar and living in the family home at Long Cross, Enmore Green. He enlisted on 13th September 1913 into the Royal Navy (Service No. J/27193) and was assigned to HMS Impregnable as a Boy 2nd Class. Following training he was posted to HMS Invincible and in due time held the rank of Able Seaman. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 15 Star medals. He died on board HMS Invincible at the Battle of Jutland 31st May 1916 and his name appears on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial (Panel 13). He is remembered on the war memorials at Motcombe and Enmore Green, Shaftesbury. Harold and Thomas' mother, Rosina, also died in 1916.

Source: Photographs of the Portsmouth Naval Memorial taken by Richard Lunn.

Images:
  • Portsmouth Naval Memorial
  • Enmore Green Memorial 01
  • Enmore Green War Memorial 03
  • Motcombe War Memorial 4
  • Motcombe War Memorial 01
  • Motcombe War Memorial 02
  • Names on Motcombe War Memorial 1

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Thomas Frank Hoskins
Cecil Herbert Riggs on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial

Cecil Herbert Riggs

Surname: Riggs
Other names: Cecil Herbert
Other people in this story:
John Dennis (Senior) Riggs
Fanny Riggs née Raymond
John Dennis Riggs
Locations in this story:
Farnham, Dorset
Battle of Jutland
Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Tinkley Cottages, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Church of St. Peter and Vincula , Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
St. John the Baptist Church, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire

Story:
Cecil Herbert Riggs was born on 29th September 1893 in Farnham, Dorset. (NB Second name shown as 'Herb' on GRO Index but 'Herbert' used generally afterwards.) He was the son of John Riggs, a Gardener, and Fanny Riggs (née Raymond). His siblings included John Dennis, born in 1888, who also died in the war. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Farm Labourer and living with his brother, John Dennis Riggs, in Tollard Royal, Wiltshire. His parents lived at 25 Tinkley Cottages, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire. In 1913 he enlisted on 8th October, 1913, and joined the Royal Navy (Service No. K.20795 (PO)). He commenced his service at HMS Victory Training Unit and later was posted to HMS Albermarle where he qualified as a Stoker 1st Class. He returned to HMS Victory for a period before joining the crew of HMS Queen Mary. He died when the ship was sunk at the Battle of Jutland on 31st May 1916. His name appears on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial (Panel 19) and the memorial plaque inside the church at Berwick St. John, Wiltshire. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals.

He is also remembered in Tollard Royal, on the War Memorial and on the Roll of Honour inside the Church of St. Peter and Vincula in the village.

Source: Photographs of the Portsmouth Naval Memorial taken by Richard Lunn.

Images:
  • Portsmouth Naval Memorial
  • St. John the Baptist Church, Berwick St. John 01
  • Berwick St. John War Memorial
  • Tollard Royal War Memorial

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
John Dennis Riggs
Plymouth Naval Memorial 4

Gilbert John Maidment

Surname: Maidment
Other names: Gilbert John
Other people in this story:
William Gilbert Maidment
Ellen Caroline Maidment née Sheppard
Rose Mary Maidment
Locations in this story:
St. Leonard's Church, Semley, Wiltshire
Jutland
Plymouth Naval Memorial
Oysters Cottages, Semley
Shaftesbury, Dorset
St. Catherine's Churchyard, Sedgehill
St. James, Shaftesbury

Story:
Gilbert John Maidment was born on 5th April, 1900 in Sedgehill, Wiltshire and baptised there on 17th June, 1900. He was the son of William Gilbert Maidment, a farm labourer, and Ellen Caroline Maidment (née Sheppard). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, a scholar and living at Oysters Cottages, Semley. He enlisted on 18th October 1915 as a Boy 1st Class in the Royal Navy (Service No. J//45254) and was posted to HMS Impregnable for training. He died at sea aboard HMS Indefatigable at the Battle of Jutland on 31st May 1916 at 16 years of age. His name appears on the Plymouth Naval Memorial (Panel 13). His ship was part of the first wave of the Battle Cruiser Fleet and was the third ship to be sunk that day with the loss of 1017 lives and only two survivors who themselves were taken prisoner. When his mother was notified of his death she was living at 53, St. Andrew's Yard, St. James Street, Shaftesbury. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He is remembered on the Park Walk and St. James’ War Memorials. He also appears on the Roll of Honour in St. James’ Church and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury.

Gilbert's name was included on the Semley Baptist Chapel plaque, now in St. Leonard's Church, Semley. When his sister Rose Mary Maidment died in 1923 a memorial to Gilbert was inscribed on her headstone in St. Catherine's churchyard, Sedgehill:
GILBERT JOHN MAIDMENT WHO LOST HIS LIFE IN THE JUTLAND BATTLE MAY 31ST 1916.
HE WAS BOY 1ST CLASS IN THE ROYAL NAVY ON H.M.S. INDEFATIGABLE.
BORN APRIL 5TH 1900.
HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR HOME AND COUNTRY  

Images:
  • Names on Park Walk War Memorial 2
  • Park Walk War Memorial 1
  • Names on St. James' War Memorial 2
  • St. James' Roll of Honour
  • St. James' War Memorial
  • Gilbert John Maidment memorial 2
  • Gilbert John Maidment memorial 1
  • Semley Baptist Chapel Plaque
  • Holy Trinity Memorial in St. Peter's Church 3
  • Holy Trinity Memorial in St. Peter's Church 2
  • Holy Trinity Memorial in St. Peter's Church 1
  • Plymouth Naval Memorial 5
  • Plymouth Naval Memorial 3
  • G.J. Maidment on Plymouth Naval Memorial 1
  • G.J. Maidment on Plymouth Naval Memorial 2

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