Ivor Harry Ralph

Story:
Ivor Harry Ralph was born in Stour Row, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 20 Dec 1897 the son of James Ralph and Eva Ralph (nee Pike).  He lived his early life at Yew Tree Farm, Stour Row.  He had enlisted on 16 May 1916 but was not mobilized until 21 May 1918 when he joined the 3rd Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 50567).  He was sent to France and Flanders where he joined the 4th Battalion and later still was transferred to the 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 21053).  On the 11 Dec 1918 he was hospitalized with the 'Spanish Flu' and was transferred back to the UK.  He was finally discharged on 20 Mar 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals.   The 1921 Census shows him living with his parents in Stour Provost, Dorset, assisting his father on the Farm. He married Stella May Down at East Stour, Dorset, on 23 Sep 1931.   By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Great House Farm, Stour Row, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as a Dairy Farmer.  He died in Marnhull, Dorset, on 9 Jan 1973.   His brothers, Walter Lynn Ralph and Edward Tom Ralph, were regrettably killed during the conflict.