Francis George Wareham

Story:
Francis George Wareham was born on 6th October 1889 at Iwerne Minster, Dorset, and baptised there on 2nd February 1890, the son of George and Emma Georgina Wareham. He enlisted on 7th Sep 1914 as a Private with the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No 1403). He later transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the Essex Regiment (Service No. 33393). He served in France from 6 Feb 1915 and later in Mesopotamia from 23 Mar 1916 during which time he received gunshot wounds (25th March 1917). He was transferred to the Garrison Battalion on 28th March 1918 and posted to India. Whilst in India he suffered with influenza and was hospitalized for 20 days. He was eventually demobilized on 20th January 1920 with a 70% pension due to his previous wounds. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living in Watery Lane, Iwerne Minster, working as a Poultryman at Home Farm. He married Rosalie Theresa Legg in the Wareham, Dorset, Registry area during 1922. By the 1939 Register he was living at Fontmell Hill, Fontmell Magna, Dorset, now described as a Woodman. He died in 1961 where he was recorded as then living in South Street, Fontmell Magna, Dorset.  Francis' brothers, Edward Wareham, MM, and Frederick Wareham, also served in the conflict. Source: Based on previous research by Ken Baxter.