Tom Imber

Story:
Tom Imber was born on 17 September 1871 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 11th October 1871, the son of Harry Imber and Diana Imber (née Dunn).  His father was a butcher in the town and they lived locally throughout his childhood.   He enlisted on 10th March 1894 and joined the Household Cavalry eventually serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Life Guards where he achieved the rank of Corporal Major (Warrant Officer Class 2) (Service No. 1934).   He married Mabel Ashford at Portishead Parish Church, Somerset, on 14th July 1906 and they went on to have three children.  At the outbreak of WW1 he served in France and Flanders from 16 August 1914 where on 27th September 1914 he was wounded in the right thigh by a shell at Aisne, France.  He returned to duty after 2 months treatment and recuperation.  He was discharged on 30th June 1919 having completed the period of his engagement and was awarded the Silver Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct as well as the Victory and British War medals along with the 1914/15 Star and a life pension.  The 1921 Census shows he had become the Licensee of the Ship Inn, Bleke Street, Shaftesbury and was still there by the time of the 1939 Register.   He died early in 1947 at the age of 75 years and was buried in the Town Cemetery, Shaftesbury, on 15 January 1947.