Royal West Kent Regiment Archives - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Alfred William Wareham

Surname: Wareham

Other names: Alfred William

Locations in this story:
Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Gallipoli, Turkey
France & Flanders
Corton Denham, Wincanton, Somerset
Mesopotamia
Leigh, Sherborne, Dorset

Story:
Alfred William Wareham was born in Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 28th August 1889, the son of Charles Wareham and Susannah Wareham (née Brown). He spent all his early life at The Hollows, Iwerne Minster and later in Watery Lane, Iwerne Minster. He married Frances (aka Fanny) Elizabeth Boyte at Iwerne Minster on 26th December 1914. Alfred enlisted and served with the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment as a Private later becoming a Lance Corporal (Service No. 242103). He served in Gallipoli, Turkey, Mesopotamia and in France and Flanders. He was awarded the Military Medal whilst with the 7th Battalion in France (no citation found). On his discharge he was further awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows he was living at Leigh, Sherborne, Dorset, working as a Dorset Council Road Foreman and had moved by the 1939 Register to 4 Beacon Hill View, Corton Denham, Wincanton, Somerset, and was still working as a Road Foreman for the Dorset County Council as well as being an ARP Warden. It has to be noted that his son, Walter, was killed in action serving with the Royal Navy in the Second World War on 25th November 1941. Alfred himself died at Wincanton on 28th February 1966. One of his other brothers, Percy John Wareham, also served in the conflict with the Royal Flying Corps (Royal Air Force) and both their names are on a Roll of Honour published privately in Iwerne Minster. Printed source: "Iwerne Minster Before, During, and After the Great War", edited by P. Anderson Graham, printed for Private Circulation only.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Percy John Wareham

Albert Edwin Littlewood

2nd April 2020/in 1914-1918 Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, Royal West Kent Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Littlewood

Other names: Albert Edwin

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Newmarket, Cambridgeshire
France & Flanders
Tenterden, Kent
Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex
Birdbush, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire

Story:
Albert Edwin Littlewood was born at Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, on 25th September 1893 and baptised there on 11th November 1893, the son of George Hutton Littlewood and Elizabeth Littlewood (nee Harrison). He lived all his early life in Donhead St. Andrew. His mother died in 1909. He enlisted on 11th September 1914 and was mobilized on 4th November 1914, joining the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (Service Nos. 2328 & 265664). He served in France and Flanders from 29 Mar 1915 and rose to the rank of Corporal. Around 13 Oct 1917 he received a gunshot wound to the chest and was admitted to the 18th General Field Hospital being sent back to the UK for treatment. He returned to France on 30 Mar 1918 and transferred to the 3rd Battalion of the Queens (Royal West Surrey) Regiment on 1st Apr 1918 (Service No. 207993) and eventually discharged on 10th March 1919 as being permanently disabled and granted a 30% pension. He was awarded the Military Medal per a note on his record dated 1 Jun 1919. He received the Silver War Badge No. B166224 and was also awarded the Victory and British War medals and the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living with his widowed father at Birdbush, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, working as a Gardener. He married Lilian Nesta Bowman in Newmarket, Cambridgeshire, on 22nd December 1923 at the Parish Church. They went on to have one daughter. By the 1939 Register he was living at Unity Cottages, Tenterden, Kent, and was still working as a gardener in private service. He died on 19th September 1967 in Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Jubel Frederick Bridle

10th February 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Berkshire Regiment, Royal West Kent Regiment, Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Bridle

Other names: Jubel Frederick

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Wells, Somerset
Mere, Wiltshire

Story:
Jubel Frederick Bridle was born in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 8th May 1894, the son of Frederick Eli Bridle and Maria Bridle (nee Norris). He lived much of his life in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. He enlisted on 11th December 1915 in Shaftesbury and joined the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 20988). On the 4th May 1916 he was transferred to the 2/5th Battalion of the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment (Service no. 241262) during which time he was also attached for a period to the Royal Berkshire Regiment. He served all his time in the United Kingdom. He was discharged on 26th June 1917 being no longer physically fit for military service due to heart problems. He received the Silver War Badge No. B131877. He married Christina Mary Reakes in Wells, Somerset, in 1917. There is no information about children of the marriage. The 1921 Census shows him living at Church Cottage, Church Hill, Donhead St. Mary, working as a Mason's Labourer. he was at the same address by the 1939 Register now working as a Chimney Sweep. He died in the Mere, Wiltshire, Registration District in 1953.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

George Hull

21st November 2019/in 1914-1918 Military Foot Police, Royal West Kent Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hull

Other names: George

Locations in this story:
Milton, East Knoyle, Wiltshire
Mesopotamia
India
High Street, Gillingham, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
George Hull was born in 1893 at East Knoyle, Wiltshire, the son of Edwin George Hull and Anna Hull (née Merryweather). He lived his early life at Milton, East Knoyle, Wiltshire. He became a Policeman but nevertheless enlisted in June 1917 and joined The Buffs (Royal West Kent) Regiment (Service No. G/21421. He later transferred to the Military Foot Police (Service No. 14154) and served in Mesopotamia and India as an Acting Lance Corporal. He was discharged on 31st March 1920 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living with his parents at Park Farm, Milton, East Knoyle, where he helped his father on the farm but, by the Electoral Register of 1927, he had moved to High Street, Gillingham, Dorset along with Ada Hull. There are no records of a marriage or any entry in the 1939 Register. He died in the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 20 Nov 1949.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

William John Barter

16th November 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps, Royal West Kent Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Barter

Other names: William John

Locations in this story:
Grove Inn, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
South Dulwich, London
Upper Norwood, London, S.E. 19
High Street, Sheppey, Kent
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
William John Barter was born in Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire on 3rd October 1876 and baptised there on 29 Oct 1876 the son of Ebenezer Barter and Bessie Ann Barter (née Down). He lived with his parents most of his early life at the Grove Inn, Ludwell, where his father was the licensee. He received some of his education at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He married Lucy Gladys Trowbridge at St. Stephen's Church, South Dulwich, London, on 23rd April 1914 and they went on to have one child. William was living at 15 Colby Road, Upper Norwood, London, S.E. 19 when he was enlisted on 3rd August 1916 and joined the Army Service Corps 2/1st Kent Cyclist Battalion (Service No. 2644). His unit eventually came under the command of the Royal West Kent Regiment (New Service No. 266568). He served in the UK only and was eventually discharged on 19th February 1919. There are no medal records for his service though he may have been entitled to the Victory and British War Medals. The 1921 Census shows him back living at 15 Colby Road, Upper Norwood, working as a Clerk for the Ministry of Labour. By the 1939 Register he had moved to 92 High Street, Sheppey, Kent, and was described as a Tobacconist and Confectioner. He died in Sheppey, Kent, during 1945.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Geoffrey Matthew George Culley

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal West Kent Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Culley

Other names: Geoffrey Matthew George

Locations in this story:
Glendale, Northumberland
France & Flanders
Bulls Road Cemetery, Flers, Somme, France
Grove House, Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley

Story:
Geoffrey Matthew George Culley was born in 1883 in the Glendale Registration District of Northumberland. He was the son of Matthew Tewart Culley, described as "Living on own means", and Eleanor Jane Culley (née Darling). Geoffrey's father died on 2nd March, 1889. At the time of the 1911 Census, Geoffrey was a Regular Soldier with the rank of Captain serving with the 4th Reserves of the Durham Light Infantry and living at Grove House, Semley, Wiltshire (the home of his mother). He married Elizabeth Frances Twynam in 1914. There were two sons of the marriage both of whom died in the Second World War.

At the outbreak of war he joined the 9th Scottish Rifles but later transferred to the 11th Battalion of the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment. He served in France & Flanders and at the time of his death had retained the rank of Captain. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died on 15th September 1916 and was buried at Bulls Road Cemetery, Flers, Somme, France (grave id.III.G.8). He is remembered on the Semley War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard, and on the Roll of Honour inside the church. His name (spelt with a J) was included on the Baptist Chapel plaque, now also in the church.

His sons, George. W. Culley (b. 1915) was a Major in the Royal Artillery (Airborne Division) and won the Military Cross whilst Geoffrey Matthew Culley (b.1916) served as a Sergeant with 39 Squadron, Royal Air Force)

Images:

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

Roaby Henry Alfred Stacey

10th June 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal West Kent Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Stacey

Other names: Roaby Henry Alfred

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery, Wancourt, Pas de Calais, France
The Mill Cottage, Sisted, Nr. Braintree, Essex
Keepers Cottage, Motcombe, Dorset
Brickhill, Enmore Green
Warmington, Nr. Oundle, Northants
Street Farm, Pebmarsh, Bures, Essex
Braintree, Essex

Story:
Roaby Henry Alfred Stacey was born in 1881 in Motcombe, Dorset, and baptised at Motcombe Parish Church on the 13th February 1881. He was the son of George Stacey, a gamekeeper, and Harriet Jane Stacey (née Foot). They lived at Keepers Cottage, Motcombe. By the 1901 Census, Roaby had moved to Warmington, Nr. Oundle, Northants where he boarded out and worked as a Mason's Labourer. On 18th June, 1903 he married Elizabeth Jane Bosworth at Warmington Parish Church. At the time of the 1911 Census they were living at The Mill Cottage, Sisted, Essex and had, by then, four children: a boy and three girls (a fifth child was born later in 1915). Roaby was working as a forester. His parents were living at Brickhill, Enmore Green.

Roaby enlisted at Braintree, Essex, on 9th June, 1916 as a Private with the 6th Battalion of the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment (Service No. 15945). He served in France & Flanders. and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 9th April 1917 and was buried at Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery, Wancourt, Pas de Calais, France (grave id. III.H 19). He is remembered on the war memorials at Motcombe and Enmore Green, Shaftesbury. His wife, Elizabeth, moved to Street Farm, Pebmarsh, Bures, Essex, with her five children, and received a widow's pension of £1 3s. 9d. (£1.68p.) per week.

Images:

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

Frederick Augustus Snelgrove

4th April 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal West Kent Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Snelgrove

Other names: Frederick Augustus

Locations in this story:
Warminster, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Meaulte Military Cemetery, Meaulte, Somme, France
Norton Bavant, Warrminster, Wiltshire
Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Ludwell, Wiltshire

Story:
Frederick Augustus Snelgrove was born in 1888 in Norton Bavant, Warminster, Wiltshire. He was the son of William Snelgrove, a Farm Labourer, and Fanny Snelgrove (nee Foyle). At the time of the 1911 Census he was working as a Chauffeur and living at Norton Norton Bavant, Warminster, Wiltshire. In 1917 he married Grace Hilda Fitch - there were no known children of the marriage. He originally enlisted with the Princess Charlotte of Wales (Royal Berkshire) Regiment (Service No. 14297). He held the rank of Corporal. At some stage he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant and transferred to the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died on 24th August 1918 and was buried at Meaulte Military Cemetery, Meaulte, Somme, France (grave id. F.14). At the time of his death his wife was living at 198, Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. He is remembered on the war memorial at Ludwell.

Images:

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

Walter Sam Bennett

30th March 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal West Kent Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Bennett

Other names: Walter Sam

Locations in this story:
St. John the Baptist Church, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Ovillers Military Cemetery, Somme, France
Ashcombe, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Farnham, Dorset
Poplar, London
Church of St. Peter and Vincula, Tollard Royal
Bromley, Kent
London
Medway, Kent
Five Ways, Donhead St. Mary

Story:
Walter Sam Bennett was born in 1885 in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. He was the son of Thomas Bennett, a Game Keeper, and Annie Bennett (née Witt). His siblings included Bertie Harold, Reginald George and Thomas William, born in 1889, 1897, 1894, respectively, who all died in the war.

In 1891 the family was living at Philps Cottage, Five Ways, Donhead St. Mary and by 1901 had moved to Ashcombe, Tollard Royal,Wiltshire. Walter was working as a Gardener. In 1916 he married Ethel Flora Bennett in the Medway. Kent registration district. They lived in Farnham, Dorset, later moving to various addresses in London.

Walter enlisted in Bromley, Kent, as a Private in the 6th Battalion of the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) (Service No. G/10457). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. While attached to 'C' Company he was killed in action in Flanders, on 3rd July 1916, just a few weeks after his marriage. He was buried at Ovillers Military Cemetery, Somme, France (grave id. VII.D.9).

His widow Ethel remarried in 1920, to George Casbolt and they lived in Poplar, London. Of the five Bennett brothers only one survived the war. Frederick Harry (b.1889) served in the Somerset Light Infantry and the Devonshire Regiment during the war. He had a successful career as a gamekeeper and died in 1968.

Walter is remembered on the memorial plaque inside the church at Berwick St. John. He is also remembered in Tollard Royal as "T.W. Bennett" on the War Memorial and on the Roll of Honour inside the Church of St. Peter and Vincula in the village.

Images:

Frederick Matthew Taylor

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal West Kent Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Taylor

Other names: Frederick Matthew

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Tyne Cot Memorial
Love Lane, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
French Mill Lane, Shaftesbury

Story:
Frederick Matthew Taylor was born in 1898 in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He was the son of Henry Taylor, a labourer, and Emily Sarah Taylor (née Frost). At the time of the 1911 Census he was still at School and living at 1 French Mill Lane, Shaftesbury. He enlisted on 23rd May, 1916, and joined the 7th Battalion of the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment as a Private (Service Nos. 5804 & 242253). He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He was presumed killed in action on 12th October 1917 and his name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial (Panel 106 to 108). His service record in 1916 shows that he was single and that his home address had become 4 Love Lane, Shaftesbury. He is remembered on the Park Walk War Memorial and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. His father was eventually in receipt of his monies due and his mother apparently received a pension.

Images:

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