Arthur Frank Hatch

Story:
Arthur Frank Hatch was born in Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 15 Mar 1894 the son of Albert Hatch and Mary Ann Hatch (nee Penny). He lived his early life in Bittles Green, Motcombe. He married Elizabeth Sarah Francis in Gillingham, Dorset, on 16 Nov 1914 whist apparently on leave. He had enlisted with, initially, the Reserves (Service No. 6719) eventually being placed with the 4th Dragoon Guards as a Private. He had served from 16 Aug 1914 in France and Flanders before being transferred to the Machine Gun Corps on 20 Apr 1917 (Service No. 39815). He was discharged on 9 May 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living at Culvers, Gillingham, Dorset, working as a Cowman on Culvers Farm. By the 1939 Register he had moved to 15 Addison Terrace, Gillingham, Dorset, where he was described as a General Labourer. He died in Gillingham during 1965 and was buried there on 13 Nov 1965. His brother, Ernest William Hatch, had served in the Royal Navy during the conflict.