Stories Archive - Page 110 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Albert Kiddle

Surname: Kiddle

Other names: Albert

Locations in this story:
Farnham, Dorset
France & Flanders
Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Alverstoke, Hampshire
Gosport, Hampshire
Rugby, Warwickshire

Story:
Albert Kiddle was born in Farnham, Dorset, on 14th May 1894, the son of James Kiddle and Rose Kiddle (née Whitlock). He lived most of his early life around Farnham and Sixpenny Handley, Dorset. He enlisted on 15th April 1915 and joined the Royal Army Service Corps as a Private (Service No. M2/077250). He served in France and Flanders from 1 May 1915 where he contracted malaria in June 1916. This led to him receiving a small pension in due time. The effects of the disease were still evident from various medicals received up until 1923. He was demobilized on 29th April 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows he him boarding at 146 Railway Terrace, Rugby, Warwickshire, where he had obtained employment as a Motor Driver for a local firm. He married Dorcas Emily Miller in 1923 at Alverstoke, Hampshire. They went on to have four children. By the 1939 Register he was living at 10 Whitworth Road, Gosport, Hampshire, and was working as a Bus Driver. He died in Gosport in 1973. His brother, Harry James Kiddle, also served in the conflict but suffered greatly after his discharge.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

George James Harrison

Surname: Harrison

Other names: George James

Locations in this story:
Farnham, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Gussage St. Michael, Wimborne, Dorset
Holt, Dorset
Germany
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Gussage All Saints, Dorset

Story:
George James Harrison was born in Farnham, Dorset, in 1880 and baptised there on 13th June 1880, the son of James George Harrison and Sarah Ann Harrison (née Parsons). He lived much of his life in and around Farnham and Gussage St. Michael, Dorset. He married Jane Barnes Cole at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset on 30th September 1902 and they went on to have five children. Sadly Jane, though in trouble with the law herself, died on 11th November 1918 whilst in an Isolation Hospital. George had enlisted on 21st December 1914 and joined the 206th Company of the Royal Army Service Corps (Motor Transport) as a Driver (Service No. T4/038896). He served in France and Flanders from 13 Aug 1915 where, at some stage, he received shrapnel wounds which eventually led him to receiving a small pension. He also served as part of the occupying forces in Germany and was eventually discharged on 20th June 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He re-married Mabel Annie Burden on 18th May 1920 at Holt, Dorset, and they had four children. The 1921 Census shows him living in Gussage All Saints, Dorset, where he worked as a Carter on a farm. George died at the age of 56 years at Gussage All Saints on 14th April 1936.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Albert Bennett

5th December 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Royal Army Service Corps, Royal Field Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Bennett

Other names: Albert

Locations in this story:
Farnham, Dorset
France & Flanders
Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Brighton, Sussex.
Deanland, Nr. Wimborne, Dorset
Blandford, Dorset

Story:
Albert Bennett was born in Farnham, Dorset, on 19th February 1878 and baptised there on 17th April 1878, the son of Charles Bennett and Anne Bennett (nee Woodford). Whilst the family moved around the area during his early years he was mainly associated with the Farnham area. He had enlisted with the Dorsetshire Regiment in 1905 but had bought himself out within a few days of joining. He again enlisted on 6th December 1915 and joined the Army Service Corps as a Driver (Service No. T4/160362) serving with the 128th Company. On the 29 Jan 1917 he was transferred to the 16th Reserve Regiment of the Royal Field Artillery (Service No. 220813) and posted to France on 14 May 1918. He was taken ill in France and invalided back to the UK on 30 Jan 1919 spending some time in the Brighton War Hospital, Sussex. He was demobilized on 28th March 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows he had returned to Farnham and worked as a Farm Labourer and that by the 1939 Register he had moved to Deanland, Nr. Wimborne, Dorset, now working as a Contractors Labourer. His death was recorded at the Blandford, Dorset, Registry in 1947 and he was buried at Sixpenny Handley, Dorset, on 5th May 1947.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Henry George Brown

5th December 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Brown

Other names: Henry George

Locations in this story:
Farnham, Dorset
France & Flanders
India
Bromsden, Henley, Oxfordshire
Bloxwich, Staffordshire
Lower Whatcombe, Winterbourne Whitchurch, Dorset
Bix, Oxfordshire

Story:
Henry George Brown was born in Farnham, Dorset, on 26th August 1884 and baptised there on 6 Jun 1886 the son of George Brown and Emma Brown (née Rideout). He lived most of his very early life in and around Farnham. He married Edith Annie Keay on the 11th April 1914 in Bloxwich, Staffordshire, where he was working as an Under Game Keeper. They went on to have five children. He enlisted on 6th June 1916 and was placed on reserve with the 5th Reserve Brigade (Territorial Force) of the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 126248). He was mobilized on 30th October 1916 and posted to France. He was transferred on 11th June 1917 to the 4th Mountain Battery of the RGA in India (Service No. 301744). He was fully discharged on 31st March 1920 and awarded the British War Medal and the India General Service Medal with Clasp (Afghanistan 1919). The 1921 Census shows him living at Lower Whatcombe, Winterbourne Whitchurch, Dorset, working as a Gamekeeper and by the 1939 Register he had moved to West Lodge, Bromsden, Henley, Oxfordshire, and described as a Head Gamekeeper. He died in Bix, Oxfordshire, of a coronary thrombosis on 22nd April 1964.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

William Charles Barrett

30th November 2019/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment, Dorsetshire Regiment, Labour Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Barrett

Other names: William Charles

Locations in this story:
Farnham, Dorset
Chettle, Nr. Farnham, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
William Charles Barrett was born on 13th September 1880 in Farnham, Dorset, the son of Joseph Barrett and Eliza Barrett (née Hiscock). He spent most of his life, apart from Military Service, in and around the Farnham area. His father died in 1910. He enlisted on 20th January 1916 but was not mobilized until 10th October 1916 when he joined the 13th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 42126). Within days he was transferred to the 2nd Works Company of the Devonshire Regiment until the 28th April 1917 when he was transferred again to the 311th (Home Service) Labour Company of the Labour Corps (Service No. 171979). On the 23rd July 1918 he was again moved, this time to the 3rd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 46831). He served his whole time in the UK until being demobilized on 17th March 1919. No medal records can be found in this case. The 1921 Census shows he was living in Chettle, Nr. Farnham, Dorset, living with his widowed mother and working as a House Carpenter. The 1939 Register shows him still living in Farnham, Dorset, as a Carpenter. He died in the Salisbury, Wiltshire, Registration District during 1968 and was cremated on 27th September 1968 at Salisbury. His ashes were buried in the churchyard of Farnham Church on 24 Oct 1968. He had remained single throughout his life.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Francis Edward Pickford

21st November 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Pickford

Other names: Francis Edward

Locations in this story:
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Coles Lane Farm, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Stour Provost, Dorset

Story:
Francis Edward Pickford (also known as Frank) was born in Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 22nd May 1896 and baptised there on 21st June 1896, the son of William Pickford and Julia Emma Pickford (née Pickford). He lived his early life with his parents at Manor Farm, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset. His mother died in 1909. There are no surviving Service Records in this case but there is a medal record showing he served as a Private with the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry (Service No. 230130). On his discharge on 28th April 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Flora Mary Gibbs at Stour Provost, Dorset, on 10th November 1920 and by the 1921 Census, as well as the 1939 Register, was living at Coles Lane Farm, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as a Dairy Farmer. He died in Shaftesbury on 4th August 1982 and was buried at Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, on 9th August 1982.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Gerald James Trowbridge

21st November 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Trowbridge

Other names: Gerald James

Locations in this story:
Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset
Egypt
Margaret Marsh, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Yeovil, Somerset

Story:
Gerald James Trowbridge was born on 12th September 1889 at Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset, and baptised there on 13th October 1889, the son of Robert Trowbridge and Annie Trowbridge (née Davis). He lived most of his early life in and around Okeford Fitzpaine. He enlisted on 2nd February 1909 as a Territorial with the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry (Service No. 337) with whom he was obliged to attend annual training camps. He was embodied on 5th August 1914 and given a new Service No. 1254. He served in Egypt as a Lance Corporal during which time he received a Gun Shot Wound to his left leg on 2nd October 1915. He recovered sufficiently to continue in the military but was discharged on 28th February 1916 having completed the term of his engagement. This discharge might not have happened if his younger brother, Reginald Trowbridge, had been granted exemption from the military service in order to assist on the family farm. As this was not granted Gerald took his discharge for family reasons. He was awarded the Victory and British War medal as well as the 1914/15 Star. Gerald married Ethel Mary Allen at Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset, on 2nd May 1920 and they set up home eventually at Gore Farm, Margaret Marsh, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where according to the 1921 Census, Gerald was the Farmer. There was one child of the marriage. He was still living at Gore Farm by the time of 1939 Register. He died on 20th May 1983 which fact was registered at the Yeovil, Somerset, Registry, having been living at Black Venn Farm, Margaret Marsh, the parish in which he was eventually buried.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Charles Lane

21st November 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Lane

Other names: Charles

Locations in this story:
Church Hill, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Bourton, Dorset
Sally King's Lane, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury

Story:
Charles Lane was born in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, (Parish of Motcombe), on 3rd June 1878 and baptised there on 18th August 1878, the son of John and Maria Lane. He lived his early life in Enmore Green on Church Hill and in Sally King's Lane. He married Rachel Hicks at Enmore Green on 2nd October 1902 and there were three children of the marriage. He enlisted on 14th December 1915 but was not mobilized until 26th February 1917 when he joined the 336th Road Construction Company, Royal Engineers, as a Pioneer (Service No. 240500). He later transferred to the Railway Construction Company (Service No. WR25169). He served in France from 16 Mar 1917 eventually being demobilized on 25th February 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at Glen Cottage, Bourton, Dorset, and was still when registered there in the 1939 Register working as a Permanent Way Charge Hand on the railways. His death was registered at Sturminster, Dorset, Registry on 23 Apr 1962.

Charles' brothers Walter John (b.1892) and James (b.1883) also served with the Royal Engineers in the war.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
Walter John Lane
James Lane
The National Archives

Henry Charles Lampard

21st November 2019/in 1914-1918 Herefordshire Regiment, Monmouthshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Lampard

Other names: Henry Charles

Locations in this story:
Street Lane Cottages, Sedgehill, Wiltshire
Grosvenor Street, Hanover Square, London
Pontrilas, Herefordshire
Notting Hill, London
France & Flanders
Ploegsteert Memorial, Hainault, Belgium
Kensington, London

Story:
Henry Charles Lampard was born in Sedgehill, Wiltshire, in 1893, the son of Arthur Lampard and Anna Eliza Lampard (née Lush). He lived his early life with his parents at 1 Street Lane Cottages, Sedgehill, Wiltshire. By 1911 he had moved to 7, Grosvenor Street, St. George, Hanover Square, London, employed as a servant to the family of Col. Henry Crompton-Roberts. He enlisted on 17th November 1915 and was mobilized on 8th February 1916 joining the 48th Provisional Battalion of the Herefordshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 4279). He married Ada Louisa Ashby on 3rd June 1916 at St. Peter, Notting Hill, London. There were no children of the marriage. He was transferred to the 4th Battalion of the Monmouthshire Regiment (Service No. 315217). He was killed in action in Belgium on 12th April 1918 and is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Hainaut, Belgium. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows his widow living with her parents at 110 Portobello Road, Kensington, London, helping in the home. She went on to re-marry William H. McGhee in 1939.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Charles Imber

21st November 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, South Staffordshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Imber

Other names: Charles

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Malta
Crete
South Africa
Gibraltar
Highbury, London
Harbour Hill Road, Poole, Dorset
Litchfield, Staffordshire

Story:
Charles Imber was born on 31st January 1875 in Semley, Wiltshire, and baptised there on 28th February 1875, the son of Harry Imber and Marian Hodder Imber (née Flood). He lived with his parents in Semley and later on Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He trained as a Tailor which came in useful during his military career. Charles enlisted in the Dorsetshire Regiment on 7th January 1895 (Service No. 4607). He served in Malta, Crete, South Africa and Gibraltar, during which time he was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal (5 Clasps), the King's South African Medal (2 Clasps) and the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. He had married Susannah Grummitt at Christ Church, Highbury, London, on 18th February 1905 and they went on to have six children. He was transferred to the South Staffordshire Regiment on 15th December 1915 (Service No. SS8506). He held the rank of Sergeant Tailor, serving in the UK. He took his full pension on 7th January 1917 but was not discharged until 3rd December 1919 when his term of engagement had terminated. He was awarded the British War Medal. The 1921 Census shows him living at the Council Cottage, Botany Bay, Litchfield, Staffordshire, working as a Tailor but by the 1939 Register he had moved to 12 Harbour Hill Road, Poole, Dorset, now described as a Master Tailor (Army Retired) and as an ARP Warden. He died in Poole on 5th September 1952.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives