Stories Archive - Page 11 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Herbert George Gatehouse

17th October 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gatehouse

Other names: Herbert George

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Egypt
Marnull, Dorset
Portland, Dorset

Story:
Herbert George Gatehouse was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 30 Aug 1889 and baptised at Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 8 Dec 1889 the son of Frank John Gatehouse, a Tailor, and Elizabeth Gatehouse (nee Geen). He lived his early life in Cann until by 1901 the family had moved to Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary. Wiltshire. He had enlisted with the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 1276). He served in Egypt from 23 Apr 1915 and eventually his unit became part of the Corps of Hussars (Service No. 230560). On his discharge on 27 Jun 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He married Eva Lavinia Shute in Marnull, Dorset, on 27 Jun1919. Regrettably his wife died during 1934. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Rock Villa, Burton Street, Marnull, Dorset, (a Widower) working as a Master Butcher. He died at the Portland Hospital, Portland, Dorset, on 9 Jul 1961 and was buried at Marnull.

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Ernest Mark Fry

17th October 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Fry

Other names: Ernest Mark

Locations in this story:
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Ashmore, Dorset
Easthampstead, Berkshire
Gillingham, Dorset

Story:
Ernest Mark Fry was born in Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, on 27 Jul 1880 the son of Charles Fry and Eliza Fry (nee Kelly). He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in the Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, and nearby Ashmore, Dorset, area. His marriage to Amy Alice Fowler was recorded at Easthampstead, Berkshire, during 1909. He had enlisted with the Hampshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 381017). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but he was attached to the 15th Battalion and later the 1st Battalion and on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living in Buddons Row, Ashmore, Dorset, working as a Woodman. He died in St. Martins, Gillingham, Dorset, on 2 Feb 1961.

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Reginald Frederick John Fox

17th October 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Fox

Other names: Reginald Frederick John

Locations in this story:
West Fleet, Dorset
Alvediston, Wiltshire
West Stafford, Dorchester, Dorset
Dorchester, Dorset
Lower Frome, Dorchester, Dorset
Weymouth, Dorset

Story:
Reginald Frederick John Fox was born in West Fleet, Dorset, on 25 Mar 1898 the son of Charles James Fox and Eveline Cecilia Fox (nee Turner). Shortly after his birth the family moved to Twenty Acres, Alvediston, Wiltshire, until 1911 when they moved again to West Stafford, Dorchester. Dorset. Reginald had enlisted on 30 Apr 1917 with the 92nd & 93rd Training Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 7/2609). However his sight was found to be defective and he was transferred to the 303rd Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps (Service No. 433660) and again later to the 441st Company. He was ultimately discharged as being medically unfit for further service on 16 Sep 1919 and awarded the Silver War Badge No. B303229. No other medals appear to have been awarded. His marriage to Kathleen Hilda May Hawkins was recorded in Dorchester, Dorset, during the early part of 1929. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Hill Cottage, Lower Frome, Dorchester, Dorset, working as a County Council Roadman. His death was recorded in Weymouth, Dorset, during 1960.

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Harold Fletcher

14th October 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Fletcher

Other names: Harold

Locations in this story:
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
West Bromwich, Staffordshire
Perry Barr, Birmingham, Warwickshire

Story:
Harold Fletcher was born in Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 5 Jun 1894 and baptised there on 29 Jul 1894 the son of Harry Fletcher and Elizabeth Fletcher (nee Rideout). By 1901 the family were living at Lower Wincombe, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. Harold had enlisted with the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 22565). He had served in France and Flanders and had received gunshot wounds to the right buttock. He had been transferred to the Army Service Corps (Service No. M/396207). He was finally discharged on 27 Sep 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals. His marriage to Caroline Cardell Sims was recorded in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, during 1920. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 40 Oscott Road, Perry Barr, Birmingham, Warwickshire, working as a Motor Driver (Transport). He died in Perry Barr on 5 Apr 1984.

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Albert George Fletcher

14th October 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Fletcher

Other names: Albert George

Locations in this story:
Alvediston, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Blargies, Oise, France
Netton, Amesbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Albert George Fletcher was born in Alvediston, Wiltshire during 1886 the son of James Alfred Fletcher and Mary Fletcher (nee White). The family lived at Crook Hill, Alvediston, up until the father died in 1907. By 1911 Albert was boarding at Trow Cottage, Alvediston. He had enlisted with the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 12280). He served in France and Flanders from 21 Sep 1915 with the 7th Battalion and very late on in the war had been gravely wounded and spent much time in hospital. Regrettably he died on 5 Mar 1919 and was buried in the Blargies Communal Cemetery (Extension), Oise, France, (Grave Ref. I. H. 5.). He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals along with the 1915 Star. His mother had by then moved to Coffee Farm, Netton, Amesbury, Wiltshire, and this may explain why his name does not appear on the local Alvedsiton War Memorial. His brother, John Alfred Fletcher, may also have served but there is no definite evidence available.

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Alfred Lawrence Filley

14th October 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Filley

Other names: Alfred Lawrence

Locations in this story:
Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland
Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Tisbury, Wiltshire
Lancaster, Lancashire
Wallasey, Cheshire

Story:
Alfred Lawrence Filley was born in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, the son of George Frederick Filley and Sarah Louisa Filley (nee Wheeler). Alfred's father died in 1900 and he and his mother moved to Berwick St. John, Wiltshire, where she took up the position of the local school headteacher. Alfred had enlisted in the Royal Navy on 25 Aug 1914 as a Boy Artificer and eventually rose to the rank of Engine Room Artificer (similar to Petty Officer rank). He served in various ships and shore establishments during his time and remained in the service after the war. He had been awarded the Victory and British War Medals. His marriage to Annie Samson was recorded at Tisbury, Wiltshire, during 1919. Unfortunately his wife died in 1936. As time progressed Alfred became a Lieutenant (Engineering) on 1 Jul 1938 and it is presumed he continued through to WW2. He remarried Gwladys Jane Cross in Lancaster, Lancashire, on 19 Aug 1959. His death was recorded at the Eversleigh Nursing Home, Wallasey, Cheshire, on 22 Mar 1988.

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Harry John Feltham

14th October 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Feltham

Other names: Harry John

Locations in this story:
Milford, Wiltshire
Mere, Wiltshire
Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Sway, Brockenhurst, Hamshire
Lymington, Hampshire
Weston, Winchester, Hampshire
New Forest, Hampshire

Story:
Harry John Feltham was born in Milford, Wiltshire, on 5 Jan 1898 and baptised at Mere, Wiltshire, on 29 May 1898 the son of Harry Feltham, a Blacksmith, and Susan Caroline Feltham (nee Mells). He lived his early life in Berwick St. John, Wiltshire, until by 1911 he had moved to Sway, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, living with his grandparents. He had enlisted with the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 35270). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but at sometime he transferred to the Army Service Corps as a Driver (Service No. T/38848). On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. His marriage to Jessie Vida Rickman was recorded at Lymington, Hampshire, During 1923. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Weston Farm, Weston, Winchester, Hampshire, working as a Farm Baliff. His death was recorded during 1964 at the New Forest Registry, Hampshire.

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Gerard Montague Gordon

12th October 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gordon

Other names: Gerard Montague

Locations in this story:
Sherborne, Dorset
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Wye, Kent
Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium
Poperinge, Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium

Story:
Gerard Montague Gordon was born in Sherborne, Dorset, on 8 Jan 1891 and baptised there on 28 Feb 1891 the son of George Henry Gordon, an HM Inspector of Schools, and Mary Jane Gordon (nee Stanier). He lived his early life in Sherborne until his family moved to Wincombe House, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. By 1911 Gerard was boarding at the South Eastern Agricultural College, Wye, Kent, where he was studying agriculture. He had enlisted and obtained a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant with the Royal Fusiliers on 15 Aug 1914. He served with the 3rd Battalion and was posted to France and Flanders on 9 Feb 1915 and attached to the 12th Battalion eventually being promoted to Captain and Adjutant. He was regrettably killed in action whilst serving near Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium, on 9 Jun 1917. He was buried in the Reninghelst New Military Cemetery, Poperinge, Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium, (Grave ref: II. C. 23.). He is remembered in the De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star.

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Wilfred Fanner

4th October 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Fanner

Other names: Wilfred

Locations in this story:
Charlton, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Wool, Dorset
Tisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Wilfred Fanner was born in Charlton, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 24 Aug 1894 and baptised at the nearby Birdbush Independent Chapel, Donhead St. Mary, on 16 Sep 1894 the son of Arthur Fanner, a Carpenter, and Ellen Fanner (nee Martin). He spent all his life apart from Military Service in Donhead St. Mary. He had enlisted on 11 Dec 1915 with the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 16468). He served in the UK at Bovington Camp, Wool, Dorset, with the 7th Battalion until 12 Apr 1916 when he was released for service with the Royal Navy effective from 12 Sep 1916 as an Ordinary Seaman (Service No. J58456). He was transferred to the Special Trawler Reserve on 4 Dec 1916 (Service No. 13581/DA). It is, from what transpired later, that he was then not actually serving, even though he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals, as he died back at his home on 17 Feb 1919 at the age of only 24 years. His brother, Tom Fanner, also served and survived the conflict.

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Tom Fanner

4th October 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Fanner

Other names: Tom

Locations in this story:
Charlton, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Ansty, Wiltshire
Mere, Wiltshire

Story:
Tom Fanner was born in Charlton, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 28 Jun 1883 the son of Arthur Fanner, a Carpenter, and Ellen Fanner (nee Martin). He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in the Donhead St. Mary area. He married Alice Annie Dimmer at Ansty Parish Church, Ansty, Wiltshire on 6 Mar 1909. He had enlisted at some time with the Territorial Unit of the 1st South West Motor Brigade of the Army Service Corps as a Driver (Service No. T/374). He had not been enlisted for war service however until the 27 Jun 1916 as a Wheeler (Service No. T4/212695). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but he certainly went overseas as during Jul 1917 he was taken ill with Malaria. He had a spell in hospital but was released back to his unit until late Sep 1918 when the disease recurred. He was discharged on 14 Apr 1919 with a 30% pension (paid until 1922) and also awarded the Victory and British War Medals. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living in Water Lane, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, described as a Carpenter (disabled). His death was registered in Mere, Wiltshire, during 1942. His brother, Wilfred Fanner, also served and survived only until early 1919 when he died at the age of 24 years.

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