Harry Walter Stainer

Story:
Harry Walter Stainer was born on 22nd September 1898 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, the son of Albert George Stainer and Martha Rosina Stainer (née Warren).  The family home was at 9 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury and Harry lived there throughout his life. He enlisted on 21st September 1916 but was not mobilized until 20th August 1917 when he joined the 34th Territorial Battalion as a Private (Service No. 8/20524).  He transferred to the 303rd Reserve Labour Company of the Labour Corps on 7th October 1917 and later, on the 17th November 1917, to the 649th Agricultural Company (Service No. 432205) as a Lance Corporal.  He was discharged as being physically unfit, by virtue of deformed feet, on 13th March 1919.  Whilst no medal record has been found there is an imprint on his Service Records which simply says 'MEDAL' and nothing else.  It is assumed he may have received the Victory and British War medals but the index cards are missing.  The 1921 Census and 1939 Register show he was still living at 9 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, with his sister. He was single and working as a Builders Labourer.  He died locally in 1962 and was buried in the Town Cemetery, Shaftesbury on 20 Jun 1962.