Jesse Cornelius Jeans

Story:
Jesse Cornelius Jeans was born in Kington Magna, Dorset, in 1891 the son of Reginald Jeans and Emily Ann Jeans (nee Butt).   He lived all his early life in Kington Magna until, by 1911, he was boarding in Bournemouth, Hampshire, and working as a Baker & Confectioner.   He married Gertrude Roberts in Christchurch, Hampshire, in 1911.   His father died in 1915. Jesse had enlisted with the Army Service Corps as a Driver (Service No. S4/109357).  He later transferred to the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles (Service No. 45852) becoming a Lance Sergeant.  He transferred once more to the Royal Irish Fusiliers (Service No. 42079).  He had been posted to France & Flanders on 4 Dec 1915 and served up until 2 Oct 1918 when he was reported missing in action.  His body was eventually recovered and he is buried at the Dadizeele New British Cemetery, Moorslede, West Flanders, Belgium. (Grave Ref: IV.D.39).  He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.  He is also remembered on the Kington Magna, Dorset, War Memorial and in the Ireland Memorial Records.  (NB: His name also appears on the Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, War Memorial on a plaque which is thought to have come from Kington Magna.)