George Stokes Lodge

Story:
George Stokes Lodge was born in East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 25th October 1884, the son of William Lodge and Phoebe Lodge (née Stokes).  He lived most of his early life in Hartgrove, East Orchard. He had originally enlisted in 1901 as a Boy in the Royal Navy (Service No. 214764) but purchased his discharge shortly thereafter.  He married Ida Bessie Matilda Curtis in Todber, Near Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 26th October 1910.  He enlisted during the First World War and joined the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 201999). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but after his discharge on 27th April 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals.   The 1921 Census shows him living at Bloomers Farm, Gillingham, Dorset, as a Smallholder and later the 1939 Register records him at 6 West Bourton Road, West Bourton, Gillingham, Dorset, working as a Jobbing Gardener.   His death was recorded at the Abingdon, Berkshire, Registry on 8 Dec 1971 and his burial at West Bourton on 15 Dec 1971.   His brother, Harry James Lodge, also served in the conflict.