Keble Stanley Gurd

Story:
Keble Sidney (*) Gurd (see Note below) was born in Donhead St Mary, Wiltshire, during 1894 the son of Sidney Gurd, a Blacksmith, and Susan Gurd (nee Brown).  He spent all his early life in Donhead St. Mary living at one time in Horse Hill Lane. (Note:  Until 1911 he was known by his birth name of Sidney Keble Gurd but from hereafter he always registered as above (*)).  He had enlisted on 25 Aug 1914 and joined the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 10198).  He served in the Balkans from 11 Jul 1915 with both the 5th and 6th Battalions reaching the rank of Lance Corporal.  Whilst there he received gunshot wounds on two occasions, one in the left arm and the second the right finger.  He was eventually discharged as being unfit for further service on 17 Apr 1919 and awarded the Silver War Badge No. B173379 as well as the Victory and British War Medals along with the 1915 Star.  He was also in receipt of a pension.  His marriage to Winifred Maud Curtis was recorded at Thrapston, Northamptonshire, during 1919.  Regrettably he died in Thrapston during 1937 aged only 43 years.   His brothers, Albert Harold Gurd and Reginald Leslie Gurd, also served during the conflict.