Benjamin Fanner

Story:
Benjamin Fanner was born on 12th September 1877 at Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, the son of William Fanner and Sophia Fanner (née Blandford).  By 1901 he had moved to Branksome Park, Poole, Dorset.  It was here that he married Mary Cox on 26 Oct 1906 at St. John the Evangelist Church, Bournemouth, Hampshire.  There was one son of the marriage before Mary died in 1908.   Edward remarried on 25th October 1913 at All Saints Church, Branksome Park, Poole, Dorset, to Laura Cox (no relation to his previous wife).  Benjamin enlisted on 20th July 1916 and joined the 1/7th (Cyclist) Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 2289).  He was later attached to the 608th Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps (Service No. 441327).  He served in the UK only.  He had medical problems and appeared before a medical board on 15th July 1918. It is possible he was discharged thereafter although no date can be ascertained from the records available.  No medal or Silver War Badge records have been found.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Hillbrow, Hillbourne, Poole, Dorset, and was described as a smallholder.  His death is recorded in Poole, Dorset, in 1962.