Harold Fletcher

Surname: Fletcher
Other names: Harold
Other people in this story:
Harry Fletcher
Elizabeth Fletcher (nee Rideout)
Caroline Cardell Sims
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 was later 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.   He married Caroline Cardell Sims at St. Johns Church, Perry Barr, Staffordshire, on 27 Dec 1920. Both the 1921 Census and 1939 Register show 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.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Albert George Fletcher

Surname: Fletcher
Other names: Albert George
Other people in this story:
James Alfred Fletcher
Mary Fletcher (nee White)
John Alfred Fletcher
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 due to a road traffic collision 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, who was granted a dependent's pension, 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.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Harry John Feltham

Surname: Feltham
Other names: Harry John
Other people in this story:
Harry Feltham
Susan Caroline Feltham (nee Mells)
Jessie Vida Rickman
Locations in this story:
Milford, Wiltshire
Mere, Wiltshire
Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Sway, Brockenhurst, Hamshire
Lymington, Hampshire
Weston, Winchester, Hampshire
New Forest, Hampshire
Dublin, Ireland

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 7th Battalion of 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.   The 1921 Census shows he was still in the army and was based at the Royal Barracks, Dublin, Ireland, back with the 1st Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment. His marriage to Jessie Vida Rickman was registered 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 Bailiff.  His death was recorded during 1964 at the New Forest Registry, Hampshire.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Gerard Montague Gordon

Surname: Gordon
Other names: Gerard Montague
Other people in this story:
George Henry Gordon
Mary Jane Gordon (nee Stanier)
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.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Wilfred Fanner

Surname: Fanner
Other names: Wilfred
Other people in this story:
Arthur Fanner
Ellen Fanner (nee Martin)
Tom Fanner
Locations in this story:
Charlton, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Wool, Dorset
Tisbury, Wiltshire
Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire

Story:
Wilfred Fanner was born in Charlton, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 24 Aug 1894 and baptised at the nearby Birdbush Independent Chapel, Ludwell, 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 Charlton, Donhead St. Mary.   He had enlisted on 11 Dec 1915 and embodied on 25 Jan 1916 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.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Tom Fanner

Surname: Fanner
Other names: Tom
Other people in this story:
Arthur Fanner
Ellen Fanner (nee Martin)
Alice Annie Dimmer
Wilfred Fanner
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.  Both the 1921 Census and the 1939 Register shows 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.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Samuel Albert Eastment

Surname: Eastment
Other names: Samuel Albert
Other people in this story:
Albert William Eastment
Susanna Feaver Eastment (nee White)
Nellie Kathleen White
Locations in this story:
Bruton, Somerset
Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Heytesbury, Wiltshire
Wincanton, Somerset
Cricklade, Wiltshire
Croydon, Greater London
Milborne Port, Sherborne, Dorset.

Story:
Samuel Albert Eastment was born in Bruton, Somerset, on 1 Sep 1888 and baptised nearby on 10 Mar 1889 the son of Albert William Eastment and Susanna Feaver Eastment (nee White).  He lived his early life in various locations including Rushmore. Berwick St. John, Wiltshire.   By 1911 he was employed as a Dairyman at West Hill, Heytesbury, Wiltshire, where had had been classified as a Class W Reservist (i.e. on essential work in the civilian sector) thus he was not enlisted until 25 Jun 1918 and joined the 4th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 2626).  He was quickly transferred to the 5th Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment (Service No. 66735).  It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge on 31 Mar 1920 was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.   He had married Nellie Kathleen White in the Wincanton, Somerset, area during 1919.  The 1921 Census shows him living at Milborne Wick, Milborne Port, Sherborne, Dorset, working as a Dairyman. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to Marston Hill Cottages, Cricklade, Wiltshire, still working as a Dairyman.  His death was recorded in Croydon, Greater London, during 1969.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Ambrose Ellis Aspinall Dunston

Surname: Dunston
Other names: Ambrose Ellis Aspinall
Other people in this story:
Frederick Warburton Dunston
Louisa Florence Camilla Dunston (nee Gwatkin)
Ellen Mignonette Leonora Devoy
Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Charlton, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
India
Mesopotamia
Dublin, Ireland
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Oxford University, Oxford

Story:
Ambrose Ellis Aspinall Dunston was born in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 10 Jun 1895 and baptised at St. John the Baptist Church, Charlton, Donhead St. Mary, on 12 Aug 1895 the son of Frederick Warburton Dunston, a Barrister, and Louisa Florence Camilla Dunston (nee Gwatkin).  He was associated with his home at Burlton House, Church Hill, Donhead St. Mary, throughout his life.   He had enlisted with the Territorial Detachment of the Dorsetshire Regiment on 14 Sep 1916 being quickly appointed a 2nd Lieutenant on 3 Oct 1914.  He served in India and Mesopotamia and in due course became a 1st Lieutenant.  He was also at times attached to the Royal Flying Corps and later with the Royal Lancashire Regiment before returning to the 1st/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment.  He remained in the Army after the end of the war having been awarded the Victory and British War Medals and also the 1915 Star.  His name was placed on the Oxford University Roll Of Honour. He had married Ellen Mignonette Leonora Devoy in Dublin, Ireland, during 1920.  He was involved in various trips abroad on Military Political)business as well as having a considerable interest in the British Legion where he represented the Wiltshire County Branch on many occasions.  He was eventually at some time promoted to Captain.   By the time of the 1939 Register he was still at Burlton House, Donhead St. Mary, described as a Captain in HM Army (Retired).  His death was recorded in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on 17 Mar 1975.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

George Down

Surname: Down
Other names: George
Other people in this story:
Harry Down
Mary Down (nee Jacobs)
Emma Down
Locations in this story:
Great Wishford, Wiltshire
Stapleford, Wiltshire
Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Moor Crichel, Dorset
France & Flanders
Etaples, France

Story:
George Down was born in Great Wishford, Wiltshire, on 24 Dec 1886 and baptised there on 27 Feb 1887 the son of Harry Down and Emma Down.  He lived his early life in Stapleford, Wiltshire and later at Chapel Farm Cottages, SIxpenny Handley, Dorset.  His mother had died in 1893 and by 1901 his father had remarried Mary Jacobs (a widow). By 1911 George was boarding in Moor Crichel, Dorset, working as a Farm Carter.  He had enlisted with the Army Service Corps as a Private (Service No. M2/264785).  He served in France and Flanders and was attached to the 142nd Field Ambulance (RAMC).  He died whilst in service on 3 Jun 1918 and was buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery, France, (Grave ref: LXV. E. 34.).  He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Harry Edwin Charles Dowland

Surname: Dowland
Other names: Harry Edwin Charles
Other people in this story:
Alfred Henry Dowland
Amelia Dowland (nee Adlem)
Elsie Olive Anna Antell
Locations in this story:
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cann Common, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Harry Edwin Charles Dowland was born in Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, on 21 Nov 1894 the son of Alfred Henry Dowland and Amelia Dowland (nee Adlem).  He lived his early life in Tollard Royal until he enlisted in the Royal Navy on 16 Apr 1913 as a Stoker (Service No. K18698).  He served in various ships and shore establishments during his service rising to the rank of Leading Stoker.  He was eventually discharged on 27 Mar 1920 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star.  He also apparently served for a very short period during early 1921 but was finally released on 4 Jun 1921 and was recorded in the 1921 Census living with his mother, who had remarried following Alfred Dowland's death in 1908, in Higher Blandford Road, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Cowman.   He married Elsie Olive Anna Antell at St. Rumbolds Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 15 Apr 1922.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Ash Tree Cottage, Cann Common, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Market Gardener and Roadstone Quarrier plus being a volunteer with the Shaftesbury National Fire Service.  He died at Cann Common on 19 Feb 1979 and was buried at Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 23 Feb 1979.  

Images:

Links to related web content / sources: