Somerset Light Infantry Archives - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Cecil Burridge

Surname: Burridge

Other names: Cecil

Locations in this story:
Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Cecil Burridge was born in Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 20th August 1887, the son of Lot Burridge and Ellen Burridge (née Ryall). He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in the Compton Abbas area. He enlisted and joined the 1st F.S.G. Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 34538). It is not known in which theatre of war he served in but on his discharge was awarded the British War Medal only. The 1921 Census shows him living with his widowed father at 20 Sand (or Land) Lane, Compton Abbas, assisting his father as a Blacksmith and by the time of the 1939 Register he was recorded with his brother at 26 Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, still working as a blacksmith. He remained single all his life and he died in the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 17 Jan 1967.

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George Farley Tucker

Surname: Tucker

Other names: George Farley

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
St. James, Shaftesbury

Story:
George Farley Tucker was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 3rd July 1890 and baptised at St. James' Church on 3rd August 1890, the son of Gideon Tucker and Mary Elizabeth Tucker (née Foot). He grew up in the family home at 25 St. James Street in Shaftesbury. He married Mabel Ethel Annie Brickell at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, on 23rd September 1916. He had enlisted with the Territorial Force of the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (later Corporal) (Service No. 33038). He served in France and Flanders and whilst there was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. After his discharge on 10 May 1919 he was also awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the Territorial Force War Medal. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 31 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was described as a Motor Painter; his 1931 Kelly's Directory entry called him a coach and body builder and painter. He died in Shaftesbury on 22nd December 1967 and was buried at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, on 27th December 1967. Three of George's brothers served in the war: Sidney Wilfred (b.1894) with the Dorsetshire Regiment, Victor Douglas (b.1888) with the Machine Gun Corps and Howard (b. 1886) with the Army Service Corps.

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Victor Douglas Tucker
Sidney Wilfred Tucker

Maurice George Watts

20th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Watts

Other names: Maurice George

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cowes, Isle of Wight, Hampshire

Story:
Maurice George Watts was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 21st September 1898, the son of Harry Gilbert George Watts and Rose Katherine Watts (nee Highman). He spent all his early life in and around Shaftesbury and, for a period, at the Ship Inn, 1 High Street, Shaftesbury, where his father was the licensee. He enlisted with the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 55020) later transferring to the 2/4th battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 30144). He was discharged on 17th February 1920 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living back at the Ship Inn, Shaftesbury, working as a Tailor's Apprentice for Pryce & Barrible, Sporting Tailors of Shaftesbury. He married Doris Louise Olive Payton on the Isle of Wight, Hampshire, in 1930. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Capri, Bellevue Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, and was described as the Manager and Cutter of a Naval Tailor as well as being a Special Constable. He died on the Isle of Wight in 1973.

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William George Wilmot

18th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Herefordshire Regiment, Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Wilmot

Other names: William George

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset,
Sturminster, Dorset
Gillingham, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury

Story:
William George Wilmot was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 23rd October 1896, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 27th December 1896, the son of John Richard Wilmot and Martha Ann Wilmot (née Weldon). He lived all his early life at the family home at 2 Magdalene Lane, Shaftesbury. His father died in 1910. William enlisted and joined the 1st/4th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 201750), later transferring to the 1st/9 Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment (Service No. 210924). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but following his discharge on 6 Feb 1920 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. By the 1921 Census he was living with his mother, who had remarried Jesper Gray, at 12 Bimport, Shaftesbury, working as a General Labourer at the Shaftesbury Gas Works. He married Elizabeth Georgina Beeston at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 4th August 1924 and they went on to have one child. By the time of the 1939 Register, William was living at 37 Station Road, Sturminster, Dorset, described as a Gasworks Manager. His death was registered in Gillingham, Dorset, on 15th June 1969.

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Wilfred Stanley George Hibberd

14th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hibberd

Other names: Wilfred Stanley George

Locations in this story:
South Newton, Wiltshire
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Moorside, Marnull, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset
France & Flanders

Story:
Wilfred Stanley George Hibberd was born in South Newton, Wiltshire, on 5th November 1877 and baptised there on 16th December 1877, the son of Emma Hibberd. Wilfred lived with his grandparents at South Newton until, by 1901, he had moved to the Post Office and Shop at Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where he met and married Bertha Hunt in 1912 and they set up home at 20 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted with the 11th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry and was promoted in time to Corporal (Service No. 265596). He served in France and Flanders and after his discharge on 11th March 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows he was living at Moorside, Marnull, Dorset, working as a Traveller and Gents Outfitter for Hine & Parsons, Drapers, of Shaftesbury. he was still living at the General Stores, Moorside, Marnull, at the time of the 1939 Register still described as an Outfitter's Traveller. It was also noted that he was a Methodist Lay Preacher. His death was recorded in the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1973 and he was buried at St. Gregory's Church, Marnull on 24th October 1973.

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Sidney William Imber

14th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Imber

Other names: Sidney William

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Poole, Dorset
Churchill Road, Parkstone, Dorset
Hinton Parva, Dorset
St. James, Shaftesbury
Egypt

Story:
Sidney William Imber was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 15th July 1891, the son of John Imber and Elizabeth Ann Imber (née Lodder). He lived his early life in and around the St. James area of Shaftesbury, Dorset. By 1911 he had moved to Poole, Dorset, to live with his cousin, following the death of his mother in 1900. His father died in 1912. He married Maude Ellen Rhoda Anderson at St. Osmund's Church, Parkstone, Dorset, on 14th November 1915. Sidney enlisted and joined the 1st/5th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 55086), later transferring to the 2nd/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 202147). He served in Egypt and on his discharge on 25th October 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him boarding out with his wife at 3 Parsons Pool, Shaftesbury, working as a Butcher's Assistant, then by 1922 to 31 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. By the 1939 Register he had again moved to 39 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, now described as a Butcher. By the time of his death on 3rd June 1966 he had moved to 124 Churchill Road, Parkstone, Dorset. His ashes were interred at the church in Hinton Parva, Dorset, on 22nd July 1966. Of his brothers, Bertie Howard, was killed in action whereas Leonard Charles MM, served and survived.

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Montague Wyndham Weldon

4th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Weldon

Other names: Montague Wyndham

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury Road, Cann

Story:
Montague Wyndham Weldon was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 24th April 1895, the son of Charles Weldon and Harriet Madonna Louisa Weldon (née Roberts). He spent most of his life at the at the family home known as the Round House or Toll House, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted and joined the 2/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 201898) but later transferred to the Somerset Light Infantry (Service No. 55127). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War medals. As the 1921 Census record has been missed on-line the Electoral Register of 1921 shows him still living at the Toll House. He married Alice Victoria Isaacs (mainly known as Victoria) in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1921 and they went on to have three children. By the time of the 1939 Register Montague was living in a Caravan, Nr. Hedgeside Farm, Salisbury Road, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was described as a Wood Merchant. By 1943 he was called a Scrap Iron Dealer per his mother's probate. He died at Shaftesbury on 11th February 1977 and buried in the Town Cemetery, Shaftesbury, on 16 Feb 1977. His brothers, Edgar Reginald Weldon and Victor Stanley Weldon, also served in the conflict.

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Edgar Reginald Weldon
Victor Stanley Weldon

William John Parsons

3rd May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Parsons

Other names: William John

Locations in this story:
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
William John Parsons was born in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 22nd June 1894, the son of John Parsons and Elizabeth Harriet Parsons (née Pike). He lived all his life, except for Military Service, in and around the Shaftesbury area. He enlisted and joined the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 242261). He was later transferred to the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 200037). It is not known in which theatre he served but on discharge was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Louisa Alford at Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 12th May 1920 and they went on to have three children. The 1921 Census shows him living at 7 Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Sectional Roadman for Dorset County Council. He was still at the same address by the time of the 1939 Register in the same employment. He died on 4th Oct 1967 and was buried at the New Yard Cemetery, Melbury Abbas on 9th October 1967. His brothers, Charles Douglas Parsons and Harry Stanley Parsons, also served in the conflict.

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Charles Douglas Parsons
Harry Stanley Parsons

Harry Stanley Parsons

1st May 2020/in 1914-1918 Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Parsons

Other names: Harry Stanley

Locations in this story:
Westbury, Wiltshire
Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Harry Stanley Parsons was born at Westbury, Wiltshire, on 21st April 1899 and baptised there at All Saints Church on 30th April 1899, the son of John Parsons and Elizabeth Harriet Parsons (née Pike). He lived his early life in Frog Lane, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, and later Foots Hill, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted with the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 40426) (per the Absent Voters List 1918). He was posted to the 7th Battalion and served in France and Flanders and on his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at The Firs, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, with his parents working as a Roadman for the Shaftesbury Rural District Council. (The Census also shows the parents were fostering two children from the C of E Waifs and Strays Society.) He married Evelyn Kate Wareham at Motcombe, Dorset, on 11 Jan 1927. Regrettably Evelyn died in 1937 and by the 1939 Register Harry was living at Milkwell, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, working as a Gardener and Chauffeur. (His niece, Jessie Parsons, was keeping house for him). His death was recorded in the North Dorset Registry area in 1983. His brothers, Charles Douglas Parsons and William John Parsons, also served in the conflict.

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Charles Douglas Parsons
William John Parsons
The National Archives

Harry Sidney Smith

28th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Smith

Other names: Harry Sidney

Locations in this story:
Wilton, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Hawkesdene, Cann, Shaftesbury
Alcester, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Harry Sidney Smith was born in Wilton, Wiltshire, in 1869 and baptised there on 29th November 1869, the son of Harry Smith and Mary Smith (née Mitchell). By 1871 the family had moved to Shaftesbury, Dorset. Harry had married Harriet Fanner in Shaftesbury on 31 Aug 1890 and they went on to have four children, one of whom died as an infant. Harry had obvious extended service with the military but the only information found is that he is listed on the Absent Voters list for 1918 as being Company Quartermaster Sergeant with the 13th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry (Service No. 265708). The 1921 Census shows him living in Alcester, Shaftesbury, working as a Decorator on his own account. His last known address was in Hawkesdene, Cann, Shaftesbury and his death was recorded at Shaftesbury on 14 Feb 1934.

Harry's brother Montague (b.1889) also had a career with the army, with the Lancers, the Machine Gun Corps and the Royal Tank Corps.

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Montague Smith