Stories Archive - Page 130 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Jack Wallis Gauntlett

Surname: Gauntlett

Other names: Jack Wallis

Locations in this story:
South Grove Farm, Burbage, Pewsey, Wiltshire
Stapleford, Pewsey, Wiltshire
Middleton Farm, Norton Bavant, Bishopstrow, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Military Hospital, Warminster, Wiltshire
All Saints Churchyard, Norton Bavant, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Jack Wallis Gauntlett was born in 1898 in Stapleford, Pewsey, Wiltshire and was baptised on 11th April at Stapleford St. Mary. He was the son of George Farmer Gauntlett, a farmer, and Florence Mary Gauntlett. In 1901 the family were living at South Grove Farm, Burbage, Pewsey. By the time of the 1911 Census they had moved to Middleton Farm, Norton Bavant, Bishopstrow, Wiltshire. Jack attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from September 1913 to April 1915 and was a member of the 1914 football team. On leaving school became a farmer.

He enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps (Service No. 52597) becoming an Air Mechanic 2^nd Class. In 1917 he went home on leave and directly after returning to camp developed measles, followed by acute broncho-pneumonia. He died at the Military Hospital, Warminster, Wiltshire on 11^th May 1917. Sadly, when Jack was at home on leave he passed the measles infection on to his brother Robert, who also died, aged 2 years.

Jack was buried with full military honours in All Saints Churchyard, Norton Bavant, Wiltshire. He is remembered on the Norton Bavant War Memorial and on the Shaftesbury Grammar School memorial in Shaftesbury School. Throughout the war a hand-written list was compiled of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving in the armed forces. An asterix can be seen next to Jack’s name, indicating that he had died. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.

Printed Sources:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1917

Images:

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

Ernest James Mullins

10th November 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Somerset Light Infantry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Mullins

Other names: Ernest James

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Gillingham, Dorset
Blackford, North Cadbury, Somerset
France & Flanders
Thiepval Memorial, France
St. Michael's Church, Blackford, Somerset
Castle Cary, Somerset

Story:
Ernest James Mullins was born, along with his twin sister, Bessie Ada, in 1883 in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. He was the son of Adam Mullins, a market gardener, and Sarah Priscilla Mullins (née Galpin), a dressmaker. At the time of the 1901Census he was boarding at Wyke, Gillingham, Dorset and working as a Groom. On 13th October, 1904 Ernest married Ethel Bessie Miles in Gillingham. At the time of the 1911 Census they were living in Blackford, North Cadbury, Somerset where Ernest was working as a farm labourer.

Ernest enlisted in Castle Cary, Somerset, as a Private in the Somerset Light Infantry (Service No. 22569). He later transferred to the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 19046) and served in France & Flanders. He was presumed killed in action at the Somme on 11th January 1917 and his name appears on the Thiepval Memorial in France. He is remembered on the War Memorial and Roll of Honour in St. Michael's Church, Blackford, Somerset.

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Charles Score

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Ann Symons

Surname: Score

Other names: Charles

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No. 3, , Ypres, Belgium
Barkers Hill, Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley
London Road Cemetery Memorial, Salisbury
Hove, Sussex
Steyning, Sussex

Story:
Charles Score was born in 1888 in Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire. He was the son of Levi George Score, a Farm Labourer, and Prudence Kate Score (nee Haines). At the time of the 1911 Census he had left home and was working as a Carman and boarding at 32 Montgomery Street, Hove, Sussex. His parents were living at Barkers Hill, Semley, Wiltshire. In 1913 he married Mary Ann Tomblinson (Registered at Steyning, Sussex). (There is no record of any children of the marriage). He enlisted in Hove, Sussex, as a Private in the Army Service Corps (Service No. M2/184202). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He was serving with the 70th Auxiliary Petrol Company at the time he died on 18th September 1917 and was buried at Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No 3, Yores, Belgium (grave id. I.F 9). He is remembered on the Semley Baptist Chapel plaque, now in St. Leonard's Church, the War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard, Semley, Wiltshire, and on the London Road Cemetery Memorial, Salisbury.

Images:

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

Walter Vernon Stainer

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Ann Symons

Surname: Stainer

Other names: Walter Vernon

Locations in this story:
Bradford Abbas, Dorset
France & Flanders
Tourcoing (Pont-Neuville) Communal Cemetery, Tourcoing, Pas de Calais, France
Church Green, Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley
Grove Park, Greenwich

Story:
Walter Vernon Stainer was born in Bradford Abbas, Dorset in 1892 and was baptised there on 16th October, 1892. He was the son of Walter George Stainer, a Foreman Platelayer, and Mary Emma Stainer (nee Pavitt). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Domestic Gardener and living at Church Green, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted at Grove Park, Greenwich, on 7th December, 1915 but was not mobilized until 23rd August, 1916 as a Private in the Royal Army Service Corps (Service No. M2/203030). He served in many differing Units in both the UK and France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. At the time of his death he had just returned to France from leave and was admitted to the 43rd Field Ambulance on 2nd February, 1919 with influenza. This condition worsened over the next few days and he died on 11th February 1919 and was buried at Tourcoing (Pont-Neuville) Communal Cemetery, Tourcoing, Pas de Calais, France (grave id. L.8). He is remembered on the Semley War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard, and on the Roll of Honour inside the church. His name was recorded as "Vincent Stainer" on the Baptist Chapel plaque, now also in the church. His older brother, Percy George Stainer, also enlisted but was discharged after 76 days as he was unlikely to make an efficient soldier whereas Theodore Bridge Stainer served and survived.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

William Edwin Toogood

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Wiltshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Toogood

Other names: William Edwin

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
Egypt
Ramleh War Cemetery, Palestine
Church Green, Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley
Salisbury

Story:
William Edwin Toogood was born in Semley, Wiltshire, in 1896 and baptised there on 11th October, 1896. He was the son of William Toogood, a Domestic Gardener, and Emily Toogood (nee Hull). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Garden Boy and living at Church Green, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Salisbury as a Private and joined the 1st/4th (T.F.) Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 201994). He served in Egypt and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 10th April 1918 and was buried at Ramleh War Cemetery in Palestine (grave id. T.1). He is remembered on the Semley War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard, and on the Roll of Honour inside the church. His name was included on the Baptist Chapel plaque, now also in the church.

Images:

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

Ernest Willie Viney

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Military Police Corps /by Ann Symons

Surname: Viney

Other names: Ernest Willie

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
Mesopotamia
Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Baghdad, Iraq
Gutch Common, Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley
St. John the Baptist Church, Donhead St. Mary with Charlton,
Six Bells, Abertillery, Monmouthshire
Newport, Monmouthshire
Baghdad, Iraq

Story:
Ernest Willie Viney was born in Semley, Wiltshire, in 1882 and baptised there on 29th November, 1882. He was the son of William Viney, a General Labourer, and Sarah Viney (nee Haines). In 1901 he enlisted on 12th June, 1901, for a six year engagement with the 3rd Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 6645). On the 2nd February, 1904 he married Annie Gumbleton at St. John the Baptist Church, Donhead St. Mary with Charlton. At the time of the 1911 Census he was a Reserve Soldier and had moved with his family to 77 Arael Street, Six Bells, Abertillery, Monmouthshire where he was employed as an underground hitcher in the local coal mine. His parents were living at Gutch Common, Semley, Wiltshire. By 1915 the couple had 7 children: 3 boys and 4 girls. He re-joined the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment at Newport, Monmouthshire on 14th September, 1914 (Service No. 950). On 7th June, 1916, he transferred to the Military Police Corps (Service No. P/11523). He served in Mesopotamia and at the time of his death held the rank of Lance Corporal. He was admitted to the Isolation Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, on 1st March, 1918, suffering from smallpox. He died there on 12th March 1918 and was buried at Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Baghdad, Iraq (grave id. XVI.K.4). He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He is remembered on the Semley War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard, and on the Roll of Honour inside the church. His name was included on the Baptist Chapel plaque, now also in the church. His wife received a widows pension of the equivalent of £1.47p. for herself and three of her children.

Images:

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

Alfred Edward Wills

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Wills

Other names: Alfred Edward

Locations in this story:
Winterbourne Monkton, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Theipval Memorial, France
White Bridge, Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley
Winterbourne Herringston, Dorset
Herringston House, Dorset

Story:
Alfred Edward Wills was born in 1891 in Winterbourne Herringston, Dorset, and baptised at Winterbourne Monkton on 25th October, 1891. He was the son of Alfred John Wills, a Dairyman, and Laura Wills (nee Gollop). His siblings included William, born in 1890, who also died in the war. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Gardener and living-in at Herringston House, Dorset, and employed by the landowner, Edmond Williams. His parents lived at White Bridge, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted as a Private in Dorchester on 31st August, 1914 and joined the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 10638). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died on 26th September 1916 and his name appears on the Theipval Memorial in France (Pier & Face 7 B). He is remembered on the Semley Baptist Chapel plaque, now in St Leonard's Church, and on the War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard.

Images:

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

William Wills

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Wills

Other names: William

Locations in this story:
Stratton, Dorset
France & Flanders
Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas de Calais, France
White Bridge, Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley
Winterbourne, Monkton, Dorset
Dorchester

Story:
William Wills was born in 1890 in Stratton, Dorset and baptised at Winterbourne Monkton, Dorset, on 19th October, 1890. He was the son of Alfred John Wills, a Dairyman, and Laura Wills (nee Gollop). His siblings included Alfred Edward, born in 1891, who also died in the war. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single and living at White Bridge, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Dorchester as a Private in the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 10639). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died on 1st October 1916 and was buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas de Calais, France (grave id. VIII.C.163). He is remembered on the Semley Baptist Chapel plaque, now in St Leonard's Church, and on the War Memorial in St. Leonard's Churchyard.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Alfred Edward Wills

Stanley Glover

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Wiltshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Glover

Other names: Stanley

Locations in this story:
Yeovil, Somerset
France & Flanders
Thiepval Memorial, France
Clifton Road, New Sarum, Salisbury, Wiltshire
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Laverstock, Wiltshire
Salisbury

Story:
Stanley Glover was born in 1884 in Yeovil, Somerset. He was the son of John Glover, an Engine Driver for the LSWR, and Charlotte Glover (née Hambridge). At one time he worked as a Greaser on the London & South Western Railway before enlisting in the (Royal) Army Medical Corps. However by the time of the 1911 Census he was still a Regular Soldier but living at 45 Clifton Road, New Sarum, Salisbury, Wiltshire. By 1913 he had left the army and taken employment as a Postman in Salisbury. On 22nd November, 1913, he married Florence Mary Jerred at St. Andrew's Church, Laverstock, Wiltshire.

Stanley enlisted in Salisbury and joined the 6th Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 6883) and served in France & Flanders. At the time of his death on 2nd July 1916 he held the rank of Sergeant. His name appears on the Thiepval Memorial in France (Pier and Face 13 A). He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He is remembered on the Tollard Royal War Memorial and on the Salisbury Post Office Memorial which is on the Old Post Office Wall, Salisbury. His wife, Florence, died in Laverstock in 1937 aged 52 years.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Albert Thomas Kempshall

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Rifle Brigade /by Ann Symons

Surname: Kempshall

Other names: Albert Thomas

Locations in this story:
Alexandria, Egypt
Cape Mataplan
Mikra Memorial, Kalamaria, Central Macedonia, Greece
West Grinstead, Horsham, Sussex
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Theydon Towers, Epping, Essex

Story:
Albert Kempshall was born in 1883 in West Grinstead, Sussex and baptised in Horsham, Sussex, on 10th June, 1883. He was the son of Albert Edward Kempshall, a Railway Porter, and Alice Stemp Kempshall (nee Tanner). His mother died in 1892 and his father re-married in 1898 to Esther Mobsby. At the time of the 1911 Census his family were living in Station Cottage, West Grinstead, Sussex, but Albert was working as a Domestic Gardener and boarding out with a family at The Gardens, Theydon Towers, Epping, Essex. He enlisted in Devizes, Wiltshire, giving Salisbury as his residence, as a Private and joined the 3rd/8th Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (Service No. 5015) but transferred as a Rifleman to the of the Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) with a new Service No. 2218. He later joined the 20th (Northern) Battalion, (Territorial) of the Rifle Brigade with yet another new Service No. 207135. He died at sea on 1st January 1917 when RMS Ivernia was torpedoed 58 miles South East of Cape Matapan on the way to Alexandria, Egypt. He was one of 85 men who drowned out of a total of 2400 troops on board. His name appears on the Mikra Memorial, Kalamaria, Central Macedonia, Greece. He was awarded the British War medal and is remembered on the Tollard Royal War Memorial.

Images:

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