Stories Archive - Page 116 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Frederick Harry Bennett

Surname: Bennett

Other names: Frederick Harry

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Ashcombe, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Andover, Hampshire
France & Flanders
Possingworth Park, Sussex
Eastbourne, Sussex
Vicarage Road, Wallingford, Berkshire
Possingworth Park, Sussex
Waldron, Sussex

Story:
Frederick Harry Bennett was born in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, in 1889, the son of Thomas Bennett and Ann (Annie) Bennett (née Witt). He lived his early life with his family at Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, and Ashcombe, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire. He married Agnes Marjorie Ingram in the Andover Registration District, Hampshire, in 1910. He enlisted with the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 36457). He was transferred to the Devonshire Regiment (Service No. 76119) and served in France and Flanders where it is understood he was a sniper. After his discharge he was awarded the British War Medal. (There are no surviving military records in this case.) The 1921 Census shows him living at Keepers Cottage, Waldron, Sussex, working as a Gamekeeper but by the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 1 Vicarage Road, Wallingford, Berkshire. He took up a position of Gamekeeper at Possingworth Park, Sussex, where he was highly thought of. His death in 1968 was registered in the Eastbourne, Sussex, Registration District and buried at All Saints Church, Waldron, East Sussex. The tragedy is that he was one of five brothers of whom four, Bertie Harold, Walter Sam, Thomas William and Reginald George, were all killed in the conflict.

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Walter Sam Bennett
Bertie Harry Bennett
Reginald George Bennett
Thomas William Bennett

Bertie Merefield

Surname: Merefield

Other names: Bertie

Locations in this story:
North Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Church Farm, West Stour, Dorset
France & Flanders
Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Bertie Merefield was born on 27th November 1889 in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, the son of Frederick and Mary Ellen Merefield (nee Gray). The family lived in 3 North Street, Fontmell Magna, Dorset. By the outbreak of war Bertie had moved to Church Farm, West Stour, Dorset, where he was employed as a Wheelwright. He enlisted on 11th December 1915 but was not mobilized until 16th November 1916 when he joined the Royal Engineers (Service No. 212394). He carried on his trade as a Wheelwright. He transferred to the Durham Light Infantry on 17 Sep 1917 (Service No. 77005) with whom he served in France and Flanders. He transferred back to the Royal Engineers (Service No. 212394) eventually becoming an Acting Lance Corporal. He was discharged on 14th October 1919. (Note his military records show him as Bertram but he was registered as Bertie.) He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He married Dorothy May P. Yeatman in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1928. It is not known if there were any children of the marriage. By the 1939 Register he was living at Restmor, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury and was working as a General Carpenter. He died locally in 1974. His brother, Sidney Stanley Merefield, also served in the conflict.

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William John Mcghee

7th October 2019/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Mcghee

Other names: William John

Locations in this story:
Motcombe, Dorset
Jutland
Portsmouth, Hampshire
Whirlowdale Road, Sheffield, West Riding, Yorkshire
Poole, Dorset
Malta

Story:
William John Mcghee was born in Motcombe, Dorset, on 8th November 1889 and baptised there on 8th December 1889, the son of William Mcghee and Mary Maria Mcghee (née Bown). The family lived in Northend Lane, Motcombe, Dorset, until moving to 1 Bramble Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire by 1901. William enlisted in the Royal Navy on 11 Jul 1906 as a Junior Rating and served on many ships including HMS Dreadnought at the Battle of Jutland and HMS Naiad - a Cruiser and Minelayer. He worked his way through the ranks becoming an Engine Room Artificer with a Junior Officer rank described as Mte (E) on 5th April 1917. He married Mary Ann R. Herron in the Tyne & Wear, Northumberland, Registry area in 1919 and there is evidence of at least one child of the marriage. The 1921 Census shows him still serving now aboard HMS Centurion (a King George V Class Battleship) with the rank of Engineer Lieutenant based in Malta. There is no discharge date shown on his records. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals and the 1914/15 Star. By the 1939 Register it is known that he and his wife were living at 153 Whirlowdale Road, Sheffield, West Riding, Yorkshire, and that he was employed as a Naval Ordinance Inspector (Civil Service). His death was registered in Poole, Dorset, in 1967.

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St. James Street junction with Tanyard Lane

Percy Albert Mayo

7th October 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Mayo

Other names: Percy Albert

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Wandsworth, London
Kempshott Lane, Basingstoke, Hampshire
High Street, Shaftesbury
St. James, Shaftesbury
Basingstoke, Hampshire

Story:
Percy Albert Mayo was born on 10 March 1895 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at St. James Church on 7th April 1895, the son of Alfred Mayo and Eva Mayo (née Warren). He lived with his parents at 93 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, and later at 1 High Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted on 20th Nov 1915 and joined the Royal Engineers as a Pioneer (Service No. 226291). On being posted to France on 22 February 1917 he joined the 312th Road Construction Unit and was allotted Service No. WR/22416. He was demobilized on 21st November 1919 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living back with his parents at 1 High Street, Shaftesbury, described as a Painter (out of work). He married Mildred Kate Day in Wandsworth, London, in 1923. By the 1939 Register he was living in Oakley Lane, Basingstoke, Hampshire, working as a Hall Porter and had moved to 105 Kempshott Lane, Basingstoke, by the time he died on 1st December 1949.

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The National Archives

Fred Toogood

3rd October 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Toogood

Other names: Fred

Locations in this story:
St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset
India
Yeovil, Somerset
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury
Mesopotamia

Story:
Fred Toogood was born in St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1884 according to his Military enlistment papers. There is little information about his early years but it is known he lived for a time in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He had enlisted prior to WW1 with the Special Reserves of the 3rd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment and served with them for six years. By 1911 was working in Yeovil and boarding out. He married Margaret Annie Dunn in Yeovil, Somerset, in 1914. He was embodied on 1st September 1914 and joined the 5th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry (Service No. 2466) he later joined the 5th Battalion (Service No. 240823) in Mesopotamia and was attached to the Tank Corps. Whilst there he suffered severe wounds to his left leg and was transferred to India for medical treatment. Unfortunately his leg had to be amputated and he was sent back to the UK and found physically unfit for further service. He was discharged on 10 Aug 1917 with a full pension for life and awarded the British War Medal as well as the Silver War Badge No. 124600 . He went to live in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where his wife had been staying, before moving back to 44 Park Street, Yeovil, Somerset, and by the 1921 Census had moved to 4 Dampier Place, Yeovil, where he died in 1937.

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Charles Stone Mansfield

3rd October 2019/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Mansfield

Other names: Charles Stone

Locations in this story:
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
St. Pancras, London
Wolverton Avenue, Kingston on Thames, Surrey
Ifracombe, Devon

Story:
Charles Stone Mansfield was born in Shaftesbury in 1860 the son of William Charles Mansfield and Mary Elizabeth Mansfield (née Stone). He lived his early life in Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, until moving to St. Pancras, London prior to 1880 to work as a Railway Clerk. He married Mary Ann Jones on 6th July 1880 in St. Pancras, London, and they went on to have nine children. By 1911 Charles' family had moved to Kingston on Thames, Surrey. He enlisted on 4th November 1914 at 54 years of age and joined the 59th Company of the Royal Defence Corps (Service No. 35198). He transferred to the 61st Company and was promoted to Lance Corporal. He served in the UK only mainly on Pow Camp duties and was eventually discharged on 2nd March 1919. There are no medal records for this soldier. In 1921 the Census shows him described as a Visitor with his wife at 46 Station Road, Ilfracombe, Devon, working as a Railway Accountant. He died on 30th January 1933 at 20 Wolverton Avenue, Kingston on Thames, Surrey. (Charles' brother Thomas (b.1871) served with the East Surrey Regiment in the conflict.)

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Thomas Mansfield
The National Archives

Reginald Nehemiah Love

3rd October 2019/in 1914-1918 Labour Corps, Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Love

Other names: Reginald Nehemiah

Locations in this story:
Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Hartingdon Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Reginald Nehemiah Love was born in Shaftesbury on 27th August 1884, the son of George Edwin Love and Elizabeth Love (née Lush). The family lived at 3 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury. Reginald enlisted on 13th September 1914 with the 126th Company (Horse Transport) of the Army Service Corps as Driver (Service No. T2/10040). He married Beatrice Annie Case on 15th December 1914 in Shaftesbury and she set up home at 95 St. James, Shaftesbury. There are no known children of the marriage. Reginald served only a few months and was discharged on 22nd March 1915 as his services were no longer required. He however re-enlisted on 9th September 1918 and joined the 379th Company of the Labour Corps as a Private (Service No. 535326). He served on both occasions in the UK only and was eventually demobilized on 22nd March 1919. There are no medal records although this was queried on his Military Records without obvious resolution. Both the 1921 Census and 1939 Register show him living at 18 Hartington Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire, working as a Milk Tipper on a Milk Farm. He died on 9th October 1978 in Newbridge Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire.

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The National Archives

Frederick George London

3rd October 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: London

Other names: Frederick George

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Brockenhurst, Hampshire
New Forest, Hampshire
Lymington, Hampshire
Tout Hill, Shaftesbury

Story:
Frederick George London was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 25th November 1888 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 20th January 1889 the son of Charles Lill London and Mary Ann London (née Mills). The family lived in and around Shaftesbury during Frederick's early years. He enlisted on 16th November 1914 and joined the Royal Army Service Corps (2nd Railway Transport Division, 66th Battery) rising in time to the rank of Sergeant (Service No. T/3/028608). He served in France and Flanders from 15 September, 1915, and towards the end of his time had broken a foot falling off a horse which required substantial hospital treatment and for which there was a Board of Enquiry. He was discharged on 9th November 1919 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He then lived on Tout Hill, Shaftesbury. The 1921 Census shows him living in Harting, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, working as a living-in Groom for a Surgeon and Physician. He married Alice Maud Fudge in 1925 in the Lymington Registry Area, Hampshire. There appeared to be no children of the marriage. By the 1939 Register they were living at Britton Cottages, North Weirs, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, and Frederick was still working as a groom. He died in 1950 in the New Forest Registration Area, Hampshire. Frederick's brothers, Charles Lill London and Jasper Hopkins London, also served in the conflict. All their names appeared on a Roll of Honour published in the St. James' Church Parish Magazine in Nov 1918.

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The National Archives
Charles Lill London

Thomas William Lodge

2nd October 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Lodge

Other names: Thomas William

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
South Africa
Crete
Malta
India
Beaminster. Dorset
Thorncombe, Bridport, Dorset
Eccliffe, Gillingham, Dorset

Story:
Thomas William Lodge was born on 12th September 1879 in Cann, Shaftesbury, and baptised at St. Rumbold's Church on 25th July 1880, the son of Albin Andrew Lodge and Elizabeth Jane Lodge (née Kelly). The family lived in and around Cann throughout his childhood. He had previous experience with the 3rd Reserve Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment but enlisted as a Regular Soldier on 19th March 1897 and saw service in Crete, Malta, South Africa and, by 1911, in India. (His Service No. was 5345). He held the rank of Acting Regimental Sergeant Major at one time but was factually a Sergeant. He remained in India during the First World War until his discharge on 15th August 1920 having completed his period of engagement of over 23 years. According to his medal roll he was only awarded the British War Medal. He was on a full pension and lived initially at Eccliffe, Gillingham, Dorset. In 1929 he married Jessie Mary Ann Hutchings at Beaminster, Dorset. They had one child. By the 1939 Register he was living at Beaminster, Dorset but noted as incapacitated. He died in 1950 and was buried at Thorncombe, Bridport, Dorset, on 9 Oct 1950.

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The National Archives

Samuel Lemon

2nd October 2019/in 1914-1918 Scots Guards /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Lemon

Other names: Samuel

Locations in this story:
Hartgrove, West Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset
South Africa
France & Flanders
Broadway, Gloucestershire
West Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Neuve Chapelle, France

Story:
Samuel Lemon was born at Hartgrove, West Orchard, Shaftesbury, on 23rd November 1875, the son of George Thomas Lemon, an agricultural labourer and Eliza Lemon (née Dibben) who came from Fontmell Magna. The family lived in East and West Orchard during his younger days. Samuel had previous service as a reservist with the 1st Dorset Volunteer Reserves but formally enlisted on 14th May 1894 and joined the Scots Guards (Service No. 414). He served in South Africa and received a number of campaign medals along with the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. He had a distinguished career, rising to Acting Company Sergeant Major. He married Priscilla Jane Plowman on 21st February 1903 at Christ Church, Broadway, Gloucestershire. It is not known if there were any children of the marriage.

On 5th October 1914, after the outbreak of the First World War, Samuel was posted to France. While there he received gun shot wounds to the thigh in March 1915. He was repatriated to the UK to recuperate and on the 1st June 1915 it was announced in the London Gazette that he had been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. The citation read: "Corporal S. Lemon, 2nd Battalion Scots Guards - For gallant conduct and devotion to duty at Neuve Chapelle from 10th-14th, March, 1915. In dressing the wounded under fire and directing the stretcher bearers. He was himself wounded whilst performing this duty." He was finally discharged on a pension on 13th May 1916, having completed the term of his engagement - 22 years service. He was also in receipt of the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star.

The 1921 Census shows he took up residence at 9 West Orchard, Shaftesbury, where he was described as a General Labourer (out of work). By the 1939 Register he had moved to 54 West Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury still as a General Labourer. During the Second World War he served in the Fontmell Magna Home Guard, retiring in 1942, aged 66. He died on 25th December 1953 and was interred in St. Andrew's Churchyard, Fontmell Magna.

Samuel's youngest brother, Charles (b.1886) also served in the conflict but was killed in action in 1916 while serving in France with the Royal Garrison Artillery.

Printed Source:
"A Local Hero. Samuel Lemon DCM (1875-1953)" by Dave Hardiman

Images:

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The National Archives
Charles Lemon