Wiltshire Regiment Archives - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Maurice Frederick Clark

Surname: Clark

Other names: Maurice Frederick

Locations in this story:
Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Fremlicourt, Cambrai, Somme, France
France & Flanders
Balkans
Dorchester, Dorset.
Germany

Story:
Maurice Frederick Clark was born in Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 26th May 1893 and baptised there on 6th August 1893, the son of James Clark and Sarah Anne Clark (née Burt). He lived all his life in the Iwerne Minster area. He enlisted and joined the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (later Corporal) (Service No. 10143). He served with them in the Balkans. He later went to France and Flanders and whilst there transferred to the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 28887) He took part in the Battle of the Somme which commenced on 21st March 1918 but was taken prisoner on 24th March, 1918 at Fremlicourt, Cambrai, Somme, France, and spent time in a POW Camp in Germany. Following his repatriation he was discharged on 6th April 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. By the 1921 Census he was living in Tower Hill, Iwerne Minster, working as a Bricklayer for the Ismay Estates. He married Elsie Mabel Pike at Iwerne Minster, Dorset, on 26th September 1925. (No record of the whereabouts of his wife has been found after this time though she is thought to have died in 1994). By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at The Hollow, Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and still working as a Bricklayer. He died at Damers Hospital, Dorchester, Dorset, on 17th August 1961 and probate was eventually granted to another person other than his wife. Maurice's brother Reginald Eli James also served in the war with the Dorsetshire Regiment and was sadly killed at Gallipoli in 1915. Printed source: "Iwerne Minster Before, During, and After the Great War", edited by P. Anderson Graham, printed for Private Circulation only.

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Reginald Eli James Clark
The National Archives

Albert Edward Butt

6th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Wiltshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Butt

Other names: Albert Edward

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Bournemouth, Hampshire

Story:
Albert Edward Butt was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 29th October 1896 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 29th November 1896, the son of Henry Butt and Emma Jane Butt (née Lydford). He lived most of his early life at the family home at 82 St. James Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted and joined the 1st/4th Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service Nos. 3850 & 201800). He served in France and Flanders and on his discharge on 2 May 1919 was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living back at 82 St. James Street with his,by then, widowed mother working as a Farm Labourer. He married Ida Rose Golding in Bournemouth, Hampshire, during 1934. The 1939 Register shows him at 441A Wimbourne Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, now working as a Builders General Labourer. His death was recorded in Bournemouth in 1967. Albert's brothers, Henry (Harry) Charles Butt, Frederick Arthur Butt and Reggie Butt all served in the conflict but were all killed or died as a result.

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The National Archives
Frederick Arthur Butt
Reggie Butt
Henry Charles Butt

St. James Street junction with Tanyard Lane

Frank Sims

5th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps, Wiltshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Sims

Other names: Frank

Locations in this story:
Bozley Hill, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bournemouth, Dorset
Egypt
Christchurch, Dorset
St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Frank Sims was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 22nd November 1887 and baptised at Cann on 1st January 1888, the son of Edwin Sims and Emily Sims (née Gray). He lived with his family during his early life in Bozley Hill, Cann, Shaftesbury. By the time he enlisted the family had moved to 77 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted with the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 35925). He later transferred to the 922nd Heavy Transport Company of the Army Service Corps as a Driver (Service No. T4/071058). He served some of his time in Egypt and was eventually discharged on 28th September 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He had given 77 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, as his address on the Absent Voters List for 1918/1919. He married Ida Nettie Adams in Christchurch, Dorset, in 1920. Both the 1921 Census and 1939 Register shows he was living at 8 Madeira Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, and was working as an Antique China Restorer. He died in Bournemouth on 17th May 1980. Frank's brother William also served in the war, with the Dorsetshire Regiment and the Lancashire Fusiliers.

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The National Archives
William Sims

George Charles Hodson Kent

19th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Wiltshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Kent

Other names: George Charles Hodson

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Taunton, Somerset
Frome, Somerset
France & Flanders
Calcutta, India
Co. Monaghan, Ireland
Bleke Street, Shaftesbury

Story:
George Charles Hodson Kent was born at Cann Villa, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1895 and baptised at Cann on 21st November 1895, the son of Charles Hodson Kent, a Solicitor, and Ethel Mary Kent (née Manby). He lived his early life at Cann and later at Bleke House, Bleke Street, Shaftesbury, until, by 1911, he had become a boarding scholar at Kings College, Taunton, Somerset.

He enlisted with the 6th Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment with the rank of Lieutenant, later promoted to Captain. He served in France and Flanders and following his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He married Margaret Olive Henry in Co. Monaghan, Ireland on 30th December 1924. He and his wife went to Calcutta, India, and his medals were directed there after the war. He returned to the UK and died on 17th March, 1952 at Frome, Somerset, and was buried there at St. Mary's Church.

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The National Archives

Frederick George Thomas Alford

27th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Wiltshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Alford

Other names: Frederick George Thomas

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Parchim, Hamburg, Germany
Salisbury, Wiltshire
St. John's Hill, Shaftesbury
Mainvault, Mons
St. James, Shaftesbury
Tanyard Lane, Shaftesbury
Hong Kong

Story:
Frederick George Thomas Alford (known as 'Fred') was born in Shaftesbury on 8th October 1897 and baptised at St. James' Church on 31st October 1897, the son of Samuel George Alford and Eliza Jane Alford (née Oborne). At the time of his baptism the family were living in Tanyard Lane, but by 1901, they had moved to French Mill Lane. In the 1911 Census Frederick was living with his grandfather, also called Samuel Alford, at 15 St. James Street. Frederick enlisted with the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 23666). He served with both the 1st and 2nd Battalions in France and Flanders but was captured near 'Vault, (thought to be Mainvault, Nr. Mons) on 24th March 1918 and spent time in the Prisoner of War camp at Parchim, near Hamburg in Germany. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He remained in the Army and at the time of the 1921 Census was based at the HQ China Command in Hong Kong. On his return to the UK he married Violet Irene Bessie Stacey at Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1925. By the 1939 Register he was living at 'Inglenook', St. John's Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as a Fish Merchant (Retired). He died on 6th September 1982 per the Salisbury, Wiltshire, Registry and was buried on 10th September 1982. It is noted both his father, Samuel George Alford, and his brother, Thomas Henry Alford, served in the war albeit Thomas joined the Royal Navy right at the end of the conflict.

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Samuel George Alford
The National Archives

Ernest King

27th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Northamptonshire Regiment, Royal Engineers, Wiltshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: King

Other names: Ernest

Locations in this story:
Pigtrough Lane, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Swindon, Wiltshire
Birdbush, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Fovant, Wiltshire
Mere, Wiltshire

Story:
Ernest King was born at Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, on 6th December 1886, and baptised there on 9 Jan 1887 the son of Augustus King and Anne King (née Lewis). He spent his early life at the family home in Pig's Trough Lane, Donhead St. Andrew. (Modern usage of the address is Pigtrough Lane). He married Kate Gibbs in Swindon, Wiltshire, on 11th February 1911 and they went on to have five children. By 1911 they were living at Birdbush, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire.

Ernest enlisted on 27th February 1915 as a Private with the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 18895). He was posted to France on 6 Jul 1915 and transferred on the 13th March 1915 to the 2nd/4th Battalion of the Northamptonshire Regiment (Service No. 202423). He was admitted to Hospital on 4 Aug 1915 suffering from shell shock and was repatriated to the UK. He returned to France having transferred once again to the Royal Engineers (Service No. 359463) working with the Transport Section with the rank of Sapper. He moved back to the UK and was posted to the Fovant Light Railway Training School, Fovant, Wiltshire, as a Lance Corporal (Service No. WR/284715) employed as a Tailor. He was eventually discharged on 27th May 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. By the time of the 1921 Census he was back living in Pigstrough Lane, Donhead St. Andrew, and had resumed his calling as a Tailor with T. E. Gatehouse, Tailor of Ludwell, Wiltshire. He was at the same address by the time of the 1939 Register described as a Journeyman Tailor. His death is recorded at the Mere, Wiltshire, Registry in 1965 and he was buried in the Donhead St. Andrew Cemetery on 15 May 1965.

Images:

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The National Archives

George Brown

27th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Wiltshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Brown

Other names: George

Locations in this story:
Glyn Arms, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
South Stoneham, Hampshire
Eastleigh, Hampshire
France & Flanders
Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium

Story:
George Brown was born at Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1877 and baptised there on 14th October 1877, the son of John Stanford Brown and Emily Harriet Brown. George's father was licensee of the Glyn Arms, Melbury Abbas. George spent all his early years in Melbury Abbas until he married Annie Louise Fanny Gear in Stoneham, Hampshire, in 1902. There was one daughter of the marriage. George set up home in Eastleigh, Hampshire, where he was employed at the railway works by the LSWR as a Coach Finisher. He enlisted with the 2nd Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 31609). He served in France & Flanders and was presumed killed on 31st July 1917. He is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium. (Ref: Panel 53). He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. His wife, Annie, passed away in 1918.

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The National Archives
Commonwealth War Graves Commission

James Phillips

14th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Wiltshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Phillips

Other names: James

Locations in this story:
The Barton, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Tisbury, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Le Touret, Pas de Calais, France
Arundell Arms, Tisbury

Story:
James Phillips was born in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1886 and baptised at St. John's Church, Enmore Green, on 29th August 1886, the son of Edward Phillips and Edith Phillips (née White), a local family. James spent his early years in The Barton, Enmore Green, until, by 1901, the family had move to Tisbury, Wiltshire. In 1911 James was working as a Servant (Boots) in the Arundell Arms, Tisbury. He enlisted and joined the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 6403). He served in the very early weeks of the conflict in France and Flanders and was killed in action on 21st October 1914. He is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial, Le Touret, Pas de Calais, France, (Panel 33 & 34.) and also on the Tisbury War Memorial. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914 Star.

Three of James' brothers served in the First World War: Albert Charles (b.1877) with the Dorsetshire Regiment and South Wales Borderers; Frank (b.1885) with the Wiltshire Regiment and the Royal Field Artillery; Frederick William (b.1875) with the Dorsetshire Regiment.

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The National Archives
Albert Charles Phillips
Frank Phillips
Frederick William Phillips
Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Harold Francis Cosser

14th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Wiltshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Cosser

Other names: Harold Francis

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Mesopotamia
Basra, Iraq
Trowbridge, Wiltshire

Story:
Harold Francis Cosser was born in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 30th November 1894 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 24th January 1895, the son of George Cosser and Anna Louisa Cosser (née Hopkins), a local family. Harold spent his early years in Donhead St. Mary until, by 1911, he was boarding in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, and working as an apprentice ironmonger. He enlisted with the 1st/4th Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 1191). He was later attached to the 2nd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 200122). He served in Mesopotamia and died in Turkish hands whilst a prisoner on 22nd May 1917 and is remembered on the Basra Memorial, Basra, Iraq, (Panel 22 & 63). He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star.

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The National Archives
Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Frederick James Staples

14th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Wiltshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Staples

Other names: Frederick James

Locations in this story:
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Hainaut, Belgium

Story:
Frederick James Staples was born in Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, in 1897, the son of Bennett George Staples and Annie Kate Staples (née Horlock), a local family. Frederick lived all his life in and around Tollard Royal. He enlisted and joined the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 202416). He served in France & Flanders where he died on 12th April 1918. He is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Hainaut, Belgium, (Ref: Panel 8.). He is also remembered in the church at Tollard Royal with an inscription 'died in France, youngest son of Bennett George'. He does not appear on the village War Memorial. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals.

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The National Archives
Commonwealth War Graves Commission