Edward James Steele

Story:
Edward James Steele was born in Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, on 12 Nov 1899 and baptised at nearby St. Lawrence Church, Farnham, Dorset, on 12 Apr 1900 the son of Samuel Charles Steele and Fanny Steele (nee Bennett).  He lived his early life in Tollard Royal until by 1911 the family had moved to Lower Almer, Spettisbury, Dorset.  He had enlisted on 24 May 1918 and joined the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 40974).  He was initially posted to the 4th (Reserve) Battalion and later to the 1st Battalion.  He served for a short period in Londonderry, Ireland, and was discharged on 30 Nov 1919.  No medal records have been found.  His marriage to Ethel F. Partridge was recorded at the Wareham, Dorset, Registry during 1930.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Lewiston Lodge, Sherborne, Dorset, working as a Kitchen Gardener.  His death was recorded in Poole, Dorset, during 1984.  His brothers, Herbert Albert Steele and Douglas Harry Steele, both served and survived the conflict.