Loftus Harold Lear

Story:
Loftus Harold Lear was born in Motcombe, Dorset, on 12th July 1891, the son of Thomas Lear and Emma Lear (née Bastable).  He lived most of his early life in the immediate area.  He enlisted as a Territorial on 14 Feb 1910 with the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 449). He attended annual training camps until he was embodied on 5th August 1914.  His address at the time was given as Woolcotts Farm, Sherborne Causeway, Motcombe, Dorset.  He served at Gallipoli, Turkey, from 23 Apr 1915 as well as in Egypt.  He contracted dysentry whilst in Gallipoli and on 14th October 1915 was transferred to hospital in Malta. From here he was repatriated to the UK on 10th December 1915 and became a patient at 2nd War Hospital, Southmead, Bristol.  His discharge coincided with the termination of his engagement and he was demobilized on 4th March 1916.  He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star.  The 1921 Census shows him back at Woolcotts Farm living with his brother and assisting on the farm. He married Kathleen Emily Abbott on 14th April 1925 at Motcombe, Dorset.  They went on to have three children.  By 1931, and per the 1939 Register, he had moved to Church Farm, Margaret Marsh, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as a Dairy Farmer.  He died on 21st May 1966 and was later buried at Motcombe.