Edward William Cuff

Story:
Edward William Cuff was born in Staines, Middlesex, on 12th February 1892, the son of William J. Cuff, (a Sub-Divisional Inspector of the Metropolitan Police) and Amelia Cuff (née Robbins) who were both originally from Whitchurch, Dorset.  Edward lived his early life with his family in Poplar, London, except for the period from 1905 to 1909 when he attended Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset. By the time of the 1911 Census he was boarding in Portishead, Somerset, where he was a Bank Clerk. He enlisted and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery (Transport Division) becoming a Lieutenant.  He served most of his time in Gibraltar and on discharge was awarded the British War Medal.  He married Edith Violet Mary Sheldrake in the Wandsworth, Middlesex, Registry area in 1931.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 4 Horncastle Road, Louth, Lincolnshire, and was still working as a Bank Clerk.  His wife died in 1962 in Bournemouth, Hampshire, and Edward re-married soon after to Louie Saltmer.  Edward died in Bournemouth in 1968.

A "First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces" was produced by Shaftesbury Grammar School in September 1915. It shows the regiment in which Edward served and the date and term in which he left school. Throughout the war a hand-written list was also compiled of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving in the armed forces. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.

Printed Sources:
First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, October 1909
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, October 1914
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, February 1916
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1916
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, February 1917
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, November 1918