Charles Howe Gatehouse

Story:
Charles Howe Gatehouse was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1889 the son of James Howe Gatehouse and Mary Gatehouse (nee Farmer).  He lived his early life at Ivy Cross, Shaftesbury, Dorset, until the family moved, firstly, to Milton on Stour, Gillingham, Dorset, and then to Peasemarsh, Gillingham.   He had married Gertrude Amy King at the Parish Church, Gillingham, on 12 Oct 1910.  He had enlisted and joined the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 9834). He is thought to have served in the Balkans from 13 Jul 1915 and later transferred to the Worcestershire Regiment (Service No, 62962).  It is recorded that during his service he received a gun shot wound to the hand (Left Index Finger).  On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star although it is noted the medals were returned due to his later record.  He was charged and tried on the 23 Oct 1919 of committing bigamy by marrying a Florence Mary Atherton in Easton in Gordano, Bristol, on 26 Jun 1918 whilst his first wife was still living.  He was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour.  Little else has been discovered of his life other than a possible death year of 1939 in Gillingham, Dorset.  His brothers, Percy George, Sidney Herbert, Ernest Edward and Thomas William, also served and survived whilst his nephew, Victor Stokes, who lived with the family, was killed.  The remaining brother. Walter John, was purported to have served but no reliable military record can be found.