Laurence Harold Tuffin

Story:
Laurence Harold Tuffin (sometimes known as Harold) was born in 1899 in Bedchester, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at Fontmell Magna Parish Church on 27th August, 1899. (He was registered and baptised with the name spelt Laurence but in the military he was known as 'Lawrence' in some records.)  He was the son of Albert James Tuffin, a postman, and Bertha May Tuffin (nee Lawrence). His mother, Bertha, died in 1910. At the time of the 1911 Census he was still at school and living with his grandmother at 20 Penn Hill, Bedchester, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in Salisbury as a Private with the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 15509) and later transferred to the 8th (Service) Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment (Service No. 31040). He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died in Flanders on 26th October 1917 and was initially buried in a field grave at Zillebeke, West Flanders, until, following the Armistice, he was re-buried at Hooge Crater Cemetery, Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium (grave id. VI.L.9). He is remembered on the Park Walk and St James’ War Memorials. His name also appears and on the Roll of Honour inside St. James’ Church and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury.  His father was in receipt of his financial effects as well as a pension of 5s. (25p.) per week.