Somerset Light Infantry Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Henry John Tuffin

18th March 2020/in 1914-1918 Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, Labour Corps, Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Tuffin

Other names: Henry John

Locations in this story:
The Street, Sutton Waldron, Dorset
France & Flanders
Sturminster Newton, Dorset

Story:
Henry John Tuffin was born in Sutton Waldron on 23rd January 1877 and baptised there on 1st April 1877, the son of Frederick James Tuffin and Sarah Anne Tuffin (née Mullins). He spent all his civilian life in Sutton Waldron. His father died in 1912. He enlisted on 18th November 1915 and was mobilized on 24th March 1916, joining the 1st Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 24987). Almost immediately he was transferred with the same Service No. to the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry with whom he served in France & Flanders. He was again transferred and attached to the 1039th Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps on 6th May 1917 (Service No. 93437). He was discharged on 15th March 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. Both the 1921 Census and 1939 Register show he was living at his old family home at 17 The Street, Sutton Waldron, Dorset, working as an Agricultural Labourer. He remained single throughout his life and died in 1967. His death was registered at the Sturminster Newton District Registry, Dorset, and he was buried at Sutton Waldron on 30th November 1967.

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The National Archives

Fred Richard Godden

12th February 2020/in 1914-1918 Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, Somerset Light Infantry, Training Reserve Battalion /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Godden

Other names: Fred Richard

Locations in this story:
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Bradford Peverell. Dorset
France & Flanders
Dorchester, Dorset
High Street, Yeovil, Somerset
Sutton, Surrey
Arras, France
Halifax, Yorkshire

Story:
Fred Richard Godden was born on 10th April 1899 at Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, the son of William George Godden and Susanna Godden (née Whitmarsh). By 1901 he had moved with his parents to Bradford Peverell, Dorset, where he spent most of his early life. He enlisted on 6th February 1917 but was not mobilized until 7th May 1917 when he joined the 34th/35th Training Reserve Battalion as a Private (Service No. 8/55876). He was later attached to the Somerset Light Infantry (Training Reserve) (Service No. 40987). He was posted to France and Flanders on 3 Apr 1918 and transferred to the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry on 9 Apr 1918 (Service No. 38951). He received shrapnel wounds in the hand and chest at Arras, France, on 23rd August 1918 and was hospitalized both in the field and at the Spring Hill Hospital and the St. Lukes War Hospital, both in Halifax, Yorkshire. He was awarded the Military Medal. Regrettably he was eventually discharged on 8th February 1919 being no longer physically fit for service and received a life pension as well as the Silver War Badge No. B.170848. In addition he also recived the Victory and British War Medals. His marriage to Florence Parsons was registered in Dorchester, Dorset, during 1922. There are no known children of the marriage. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 342 High Street, Yeovil, Somerset, working as a road rolling machine driver. He died on 6th October 1993 in Sutton, Surrey, at the age of 94 years.

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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.

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Arthur Eldred Woolfries

6th December 2019/in 1914-1918 Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, Labour Corps, Northumberland Fusiliers, Somerset Light Infantry, Worcestershire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Woolfries

Other names: Arthur Eldred

Locations in this story:
Farnham, Dorset
Stroud Farm, Sturminster, Dorset

Story:
Arthur Eldred Woolfries was born in Farnham, Dorset, on 9th October 1892 and baptised there on 20th November 1892, the son of Francis Woolfries and Elizabeth Annie Woolfries (née Jeans). He spent much of his early life in and around Farnham. He enlisted on 9th December 1915 but was not mobilized until 8th February 1916 when he joined the 1st Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 33851). He was transferred to the 3rd Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry on 9th September 1916 (Service No. 21227) then on three other occasions to 10th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry (14th November 1916) (Service No. 33065), the Northumberland Fusiliers (14th July 1917) (Service No. 55155) and finally the 683rd Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps (20th February 1918) (Service No. 528523). Throughout his military service he was apparently based in the UK. He was finally discharged on 3rd April 1919 and went back to his parents home in Farnham. No medal records have been found in this case. The 1921 Census shows him living with his sister at Sutton Steeple, Arne, Dorset, working as a Farm Labourer. By the 1939 Register he had moved to Stroud Farm, Sturminster, Dorset, and described as a Farmer. He apparently had moved to Meadow Farm, Trinity, Jersey, and was held on the Island following the German Invasion on 10 Jan 1941. He survived this experience but remained single throughout his life and eventually died 13 Mar 1961 back in Farnham, Dorset, being buried there at St. Lawrence Church on 16th March 1961. Of his brothers Edwin Woolfries served but regrettably died at Gallipoli whilst Harry Woolfries and Charles Woolfries both served and survived.

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Harry Woolfries
Edwin Woolfries

Ernest Frank Young

29th October 2019/in 1914-1918 Labour Corps, Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Young

Other names: Ernest Frank

Locations in this story:
Forest Farm, Motcombe, Dorset
Penridge Farm, Penselwood, Somerset
Wincanton, Somerset
Gillingham, Dorset
Ireland
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Lodge Farm, Motcombe, Dorset

Story:
Ernest Frank Young was born at Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 10th September 1896 and baptised there on 18th October 1896, the son of James Young and Emma Jane Young (nee Ricketts). James Young was a farmer at Forest Farm, Motcombe. Ernest's brother George James (b.1893) also served in the war, with the Dorset Yeomanry. Ernest attended at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset, for some of his education. Ernest enlisted on 11th December 1915 but was not embodied until 16th May 1918. This delay was possibly due to the fact that his father had died in 1910 and he was needed on the farm. Eventually he was called up to join the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 50565). He joined the 3rd Battalion and served only in either Ireland and the UK at some time holding the rank of acting Lance Corporal. He was transferred to the Labour Corps as a Private on 14th October 1918 (Service No. 663120) and was attached to the 609th Agricultural Company. He was demobilized on 20th February 1919. There is no medal record although one of his Service Record forms has a rubber stamp 'Medal' but nothing else. He married Ida Ruth Rose on 22nd June 1920 at the Parish Church in Gillingham, Dorset. They went on to have three children. The 1921 Census shows him now living at Lodge Farm, Motcombe, described as a Farmer but by the time of the 1939 Register he has moved to Penridge Farm, Penselwood, Somerset, now described as a Dairy Farmer. His death was recorded at the Wincanton, Somerset, District Registry on 11 Jun 1969.

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George James Young

Austin Henry Young

29th October 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, Royal Army Service Corps, Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Young

Other names: Austin Henry

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Sturminster, Dorset
India

Story:
Austin Henry Young was born on 3rd June 1885 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, the son of Henry Young and Martha Young (née Critchell). The family lived continuously at 26 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. Austin's younger brother Philip James (b.1889) was killed on 28th October 1918 while serving with the Devonshire Regiment in France. Austin enlisted on 7th September 1914 and joined the 4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Territorial Force) as a Private (Service No. 2544). He served in India until he was discharged on 27th April 1915. Austin re-enlisted on 11th December 1915 and was allotted to the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 22184). His mother regrettably died in 1915. However he was not embodied until 29th February 1916 when he was instructed to join the 7th Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (Service No. 27558). He served with them in France form 14 Jan 1917 and whilst on duty received a severe injury to his foot on 23rd April 1917. He was eventually transferred to the Royal Army Service Corps on 10th July 1918 and joined the General Headquarters Mechanical Transport Company (Service No. T/419350). He was demobilized on 23rd August 1920 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. On the day of his discharge he applied for the position of Gardener's Labourer at a War Graves Commission site in France but there is no indication that he was successful. The 1921 Census show him living at 26 Salisbury Street with his widowed father described as a House Painter (out of work) and by the 1939 Register he was still living in Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, now described as Incapacitated. His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, District Registry in 1955 and he was buried in the Town Cemetery, Shaftesbury, on 24 Feb 1955.

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Philip James Young
The National Archives

William Peach

18th October 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Defence Corps, Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Peach

Other names: William

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury
Isle of Man

Story:
William Peach was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1874 and was baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 31st January 1875, the son of Walter Peach and Caroline Peach (nee Sims). He lived his whole life in and around Shaftesbury. He married Mary Elizabeth England on 5th January 1901 (the same year William's father died) in Shaftesbury and they appear to have had only one child. William enlisted on 25th July 1918, aged 44 years, and joined the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 54406) serving in the UK only. He transferred to the Royal Defence Corps on 18th November 1918 (Service No. 97531) and served in the Isle of Man from 23 Nov 1918 on PoW Camp duties. He was demobilized on 29th January 1919 giving his address as 11 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, where he was also shown on the 1921 Census working as a Hairdresser. No medal records can be found in this case. He died on 25th September 1936, his residence still given as 11 Salisbury Street.

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Robert Roy Gray

25th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry, Somerset Light Infantry, Worcestershire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: Robert Roy

Locations in this story:
Victoria Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Ireland
Gallipoli, Turkey
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury

Story:
Robert Roy Gray was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1868 and baptised at St. James' Church on 26th July 1868, the son of George Gray and Hannah Elizabeth Gray (née Wright). (A previous child called Robert had been born in January 1867 but had not survived.) Robert married Alice Louisa Brickell at St. James' Church on 14th July 1888 and they went on to have eleven children, one of whom, Frederick Percival Gray (b. 1896), was killed at Gallipoli on 21st August 1915. Robert had had previous experience with the Dorset Yeomanry. He enlisted on 18th April 1918 but was not mobilized until 6th September 1918 when he joined the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 54998). He was transferred to the 1st Garrison Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment from 5th December 1918 until his discharge on 24th January 1919 (Service No. 69393). He had served in Ireland and there are no records of any medals being awarded. By the time of the 1939 Register, Robert was living as a widower at 5 Victoria Street, Shaftesbury, described as a Retired Builder's Labourer. He died locally in 1946.

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Frederick Percival Gray

Thomas William Gatehouse

24th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gatehouse

Other names: Thomas William

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France
Zeals, Wiltshire
Walnut Farm, Sandfords, Somerset
Weston Super Mare, Somerset
Winscombe, Axbridge, Somerset

Story:
Thomas William Gatehouse was born on 30th April 1880 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at Cann Parish Church on 12th June 1881, the son of James Howe Gatehouse and Mary Gatehouse (née Farmer). He spent his childhood with his family at Ivy Cross, Shaftesbury. He married Evangeline Mary Read at St. Martin's Church, Zeals, Wiltshire, on 5th March 1912. They went on to have five children. Thomas had had 12 years previous service with the Dorsetshire Regiment and had served in Malta, India and South Africa and was the holder of the Queen's South African Medal with Clasps and had been discharged to the reserves. He was embodied on 26th November 1914 and joined the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 12547). He served in France from 31 Dec 1916 and later received a serious gun shot wound to the head and lesser ones to the right hand. He was eventually discharged on 17th March 1919 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as a Life pension. The 1921 Census shows he was living at Slow Pit Cottages, Winscombe, Axbridge, Somerst, working as a Quarryman. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to Walnut Farm, Sandfords, Somerset, still working as a quarryman. He died in the Weston Super Mare Registration area in 1965. His brothers, Ernest Edward, Sidney Herbert, Percy George and Charles Howe, also served in the conflict and survived whilst his nephew, Victor Stokes, was killed during the war in an accident. His remaining brother, Walter John, was purported to have served in the war but no reliable military record can be found.

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William Henry Fletcher

11th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment, Machine Gun Corps, Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Fletcher

Other names: William Henry

Locations in this story:
Higher Coombe, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
France
Egypt
Salonika, Greece
Willinghdon Road, Wood Green, Middlesex
Haringey, Greater London
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
William Henry Fletcher was born at Higher Coombe, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 30th October 1894 and baptised at Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 6th January 1895. He was the son of William Fletcher and Charlotte Ann Fletcher (née Watts) and brother of Sidney Frank (b.1892) who was killed during the Great War. During his childhood William lived with his family at Higher Coombe. He enlisted on 10th September 1914 with the Somerset Light Infantry (Service No. 14253) but was immediately placed on reserve. He rejoined on 22nd September 1914 and was transferred to the 10th (Service) Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment on 30th September 1914 (Service No. 13507). He embarked for France on 22nd September 1915 and on 31st October 1915 re-embarked for Egypt. He then served in Salonika during which time he transferred to the Machine Gun Corps on 14th August 1917 (Service No. 74545) and was attached to the 79th Company (Tank Corps). He suffered during his time in the Near East with malaria and had various spells in hospital. Nevertheless on the 22nd December 1918 he was promoted to Sergeant. He embarked for England on 11th April 1919 and was eventually demobilized on 25th May 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. By the 1939 Register he is shown living at 157 Willingdon Road, Wood Green, Middlesex, working as a hotel valet. He remained single and died in the Haringey, Greater London, Registry District in 1981. Two other brothers, Percy Edwin John Fletcher and Victor Reginald Fletcher, also served and survived.

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Sidney Frank Fletcher