James Robert Hatcher

Story:
James Robert Hatcher was born in 1898 in Childe Okeford, Dorset, and baptised at Iwerne Courtney, Dorset, on 7th May 1899. He was the son of Robert Edwin Hatcher, an agricultural labourer, and Louisa Hatcher (née Wareham). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, a scholar and living at Hinton St. Mary. He enlisted in Shaftesbury as a Private in the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 14482). He served in the Balkans from 17 Oct 1915 and later in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He was killed in action on 26th September 1916 and was buried at the Pozieres British Cemetery, Ovillers-La Boisselle, Somme, France (grave id. I.H.44). He is remembered on the Fontmell Magna War Memorial, Shaftesbury. His mother, by then living at 62 West Street, Fontmell magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, was in receipt of a dependent's pension.

Further reading: "Fontmell Magna and the First World War", compiled by Chris Bellers, Fontmell Magna Village Archive Society, 2014.