Stories Archive - Page 131 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Frederick Maidment

Surname: Maidment

Other names: Frederick

Locations in this story:
Tollard Street, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Bray Vale British Cemetery, Bray-sur-Somme, France
Rushmore Gardens, Berwick St. John
Wotton House, Nr. Dorking, Surrey
Guildford, Surrey

Story:
Frederick Maidment was born in 1880 in Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, and baptised there on 21st March 1880. He was the son of William Maidment, a Carpenter, and Sarah Maidment (née Faris). His father died in 1902 and by the 1911 Census his widow was still living in Tollard Royal working as a Telegraph Messenger. Meanwhile Frederick, who was single, was working as a Gardener and living at Rushmore Gardens, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire. Between that period and the outbreak of war he moved to Wotton House, Nr. Dorking, Surrey, where he became an estate fireman.

He enlisted in Guildford, Surrey, and joined the 2nd/5th Battalion of the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment (Service No. 3567), giving his address as Wotton House, Surrey. He later transferred to the 23rd (County of London) Battalion of the London Regiment with a new Service No. 6898 which changed yet again to No. 703161. He served in France & Flanders and rose through the ranks, being promoted to Sergeant on 20th April 1916. He died on 22nd August 1918 and was buried at Bray Vale British War Cemetery, Bray-sur-Somme, France (grave id. II.A.21). During his service he was awarded the Military Medal as well as the Victory and British War medals. He is remembered on the Tollard Royal War Memorial, The Surrey Fire Fighters Memorial Trust and on the Memorial Board in St. John's Church, Wotton, Surrey.

Images:

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

Percy John Moore Rideout

Surname: Rideout

Other names: Percy John Moore

Locations in this story:
East Orchard, Dorset
France & Flanders
Thiepval Memorial, France
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Cann Cottage, Cann, Shaftesbury
Shaftesbury

Story:
Percy John Moore Rideout was born on 29th February 1888 in East Orchard, Dorset. He was the son of Christiana Rideout. Census records show him living with his grandparents, Walter and Emily Rideout, in East Orchard. In 1895 Christiana married William Cuthbertson. The 1901 Census shows that she was working as a living in Domestic Servant for Dr. Robert Sawyer of Cann Cottage, Cann, Shaftesbury, with no mention of her husband. She died in 1918. At the time of the 1911 Census Percy was single, working as a groom and living with his grandmother Emily Rideout in Tollard Royal, Wiltshire.

On 12th August 1914 Percy enlisted in Shaftesbury as a Private in the 3rd Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment (Service No. 14052) (Service No. 10183) later transferring, on 21st May, 1915, to the 7th Battalion with new Service No. 10183. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He was reported missing in action and presumed dead on 13th August 1916. His name appears on the Thiepval Memorial in France (Pier and Face 6B and 6C) and on the Tollard Royal War Memorial. His next-of-kin was accepted as his Aunt, Mary Elizabeth Gwilliam (Nee Rideout), Kings Road, Sunnyhill, Berkshire.

Images:

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

George Robert Batson

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

Surname: Batson

Other names: George Robert

Locations in this story:
Trent, Dorset
France & Flanders
Tyne Cot Memorial, Flanders
Warnford, Bishops Waltham, Hampshire
Westcombe, Evercreech, Somerset
St. Catherine's Church, Sedgehill, Wiltshire
Bristol Road, Sherborne, Dorset
Sedgehill, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Pewsey, Wiltshire

Story:
George Robert Batson was born in 1883 in Trent, Dorset, and baptised there on 1st April, 1883. He was the son of Charles Batson, a Labourer, and his second wife, Jane Batson (née Sanders). He had joined the Dorsetshire Regiment during 1901 but had been discharged prior to 1909 and was living in Bristol Road, Sherborne, Dorset, where he married Flora Ellen Smith (nee England), (a widow), on 30th May, 1909. At the time of the 1911 Census they were living at Warnford, Bishops Waltham, Hampshire, along with his step-daughter, where he was working as a cowman. There were two children of the marriage - one boy and one girl. They were living at Sedgehill, Wiltshire, when he re-enlisted in Shaftesbury and joined the 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 14561). He served in France & Flanders and at the time of his death on 16th August 1917 held the rank of Sergeant. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals and his name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Flanders (Panel 92). He is remembered on the memorial plaque in St. Catherine's Church, Sedgehill.

In 1917 Flora re-married, to John W. Parham; they lived at Westcombe, Evercreech, Somerset. The 1939 Register shows the couple living at 105 High Street, Pewsey, Wiltshire.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Charles George Parsons

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

Surname: Parsons

Other names: Charles George

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Guards' Cemetery, Lesboeufs, Somme, France
Huggler's Hole Cottages, Semley
St. Catherine's Church, Sedgehill, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Charles George Parsons was born in 1898 in Semley, Wiltshire. He was the son of Walter Joseph Parsons (known as Joseph), a general labourer, and Frances Parsons (née Frost). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, a Scholar and living at Huggler's Hole Cottages, Semley. He enlisted in Shaftesbury as a Private and joined the 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 14501). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 9th November 1916 and was buried in the Guards' Cemetery, Lesboeufs, Somme, France (grave id. X.X.8). He is remembered on the Memorial Plaque in St. Catherine's Church, Sedgehill, the War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard, Semley, Wiltshire, the Semley Baptist Church Memorial Plaque (now in St. Leonard's Church). His other three brothers, Walter John Parsons, Percy Frank Parsons and Archibald Joseph Parsons, all served and survived the conflict.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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Percy Frank Parsons
Walter John Parsons
Archibald Joseph Parsons

Niel Shaw Stewart

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

Surname: Shaw Stewart

Other names: Niel

Locations in this story:
Belgravia, London
Guillemont, France
Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval, Somme, France
Hays House, Wiltshire
Eton College, Berkshire
St. Catherine's Church, Sedgehill, Wiltshire
Fonthill Abbey, Tisbury, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
University College, Oxford
St. Pancras Church, Marylebone, London

Story:
Niel Shaw-Stewart was born on 7th July, 1894 in Belgravia, London, and baptised at St. Pancras Church, Marylebone, London, on 10th July, 1894. He was the son of Walter Richard Shaw-Stewart and Mary Beatrice Sydney Shaw-Stewart (nee Leverson-Lane). At the time of the 1911 Census the family were living at Hays House, Sedgehill, Wiltshire, and Niel was single and a scholar at Eton College from where he went on to University College, Oxford, and obtained a B.A. degree in 1916. He enlisted in the 3rd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) served in France & Flanders, including Ypres and the Somme. he was wounded on 3rd May, 1915, but was able to return in due course to active duty. He died on 21st August 1916 in Guillemont in France. At the time of his death he held the rank of Lieutenant. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He was buried at Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval, Somme, France (grave id. XIII.N.10). He is remembered on the memorial plaque in St. Catherine's Church, Sedgehill. In 1922 his parents were living at Fonthill Abbey, Tisbury, Wiltshire. They commissioned a separate memorial to their son which is in the form of a stone cross on the A350 which was restored by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for the centenary commemorations in 2014. His name also appears on the De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Alfred Radcliffe Bowles

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

Surname: Bowles

Other names: Alfred Radcliffe

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
India
Delhi Memorial (India Gate)
Old Workhouse, Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley

Story:
Alfred Radcliffe Bowles was born in Semley, Wiltshire, in 1895, and baptised there on 25th December, 1895. He was the son of Frank Bowles, a Foreman Platelayer, and Bessie Alice Bowles (née Trevelian). His siblings included Bertram Percival Bowles, born in 1893, who also died in the war as well as Leonard Frank Bowles and Harold Donald Victor Bowles who served and survived. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Farm Labourer and living at the Old Workhouse, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Semley as a Private and joined the 2nd/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 2463 later changed to 200790). He served in India where he died on 16th October 1918 whilst on attachment to the 3rd Wireless Section, Royal Engineers. (There is a note on the WGC record that he was buried in the Tank Cemetery 35 but no other information is given.) His name appears on the Delhi Memorial (India Gate) (Face 23). 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:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Bertram Percival

Bertram Percival Bowles

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

Surname: Bowles

Other names: Bertram Percival

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
Mesopotamia
Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Baghdad, Iraq
Old Workhouse, Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley
Axminster, Devon

Story:
Bertram Percival Bowles was born in Semley, Wiltshire, in 1893. He was the son of Frank Bowles, a Foreman Platelayer, and Bessie Alice Bowles (née Trevelian). His siblings included Alfred Radcliffe Bowles, born in 1895, who also died in the war as well as Leonard Frank Bowles and Harold Donald Victor Bowles who served and survived. At the time of the 1911 Census, Bertram was single, working as a Railway Porter and living at the Old Workhouse, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Axminster, Devon, as a Private and joined the 1st/4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment (Service No. 2398 later changed to 200736). He served in Mesopotamia and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 16th April 1918 and was buried at the Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Baghdad, Iraq (grave id. IV.C.3). 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 as well as the War Memorial at Axminster, Devon.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Alfred Radcliffe Bowles

Horace William Brown

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

Surname: Brown

Other names: Horace William

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Cologne Southern Military Cemetery, Germany
Bow Marsh Cottage, Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley
Hendon, Middlesex
Winchester, Hampshire
Petersfield, Hampshire
Tisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Horace William Brown was born Hendon, Middlesex in 1893 but the birth was registered in Tisbury, Wiltshire. Both his parents were from Donhead St. Mary: Edward Brown, a cowman on a farm, and Elizabeth Brown (née Goddard). By the time of the 1911 Census the family had moved to Semley. Horace was single, working as a cowman on a farm and living at Bow Marsh Cottage, Semley, Wiltshire.

He enlisted in Winchester as a Private and joined the 1st Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment (Service No. 18167), giving his residence at the time as Petersfield, Hampshire. He also served with the 14th and 2nd Battalions. He served in France & Flanders and was with the 2nd Battalion when he was taken prisoner. He died on 16th November 1918 whilst in captivity and was buried at Cologne Southern Military Cemetery in Germany (grave id. XVII.A.4). The cemetery was used not only for original burials but also for men who died in prison camps elsewhere and were re-interred after the Armistice. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He is remembered on the War Memorial in St. Leonard's Churchyard, Semley, and the Semley Baptist Chapel plaque, now in the Church.

Images:

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

Ernest Leslie Butt

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal Marine Light Infantry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Butt

Other names: Ernest Leslie

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
Arras Memorial, France
Barkers Hill, Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley, Wiltshire

Story:
Ernest Leslie Butt was born in Semley, Wiltshire, in 1889. He was the son of James Butt, a Farm Labourer, and Elizabeth Ann Butt (née Kelly). His siblings included Wilfrid James Butt, born in 1896, who also died in the war as well as Edwin Albert Butt who served and survived. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Farm Labourer and living at Barkers Hill, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted on 29th July, 1916, as a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Marine Light Infantry (Service No. CH/1612(S)). He went missing presumed killed whilst with the 'C' Company, 10th Platoon of the 2nd RMLI on 28th April 1917 and his name appears on the Arras Memorial in France (Bay 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:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Wilfrid Butt

Wilfrid James Butt

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

Surname: Butt

Other names: Wilfrid James

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Etaples Military Cemetery, Etaples, Pas de Calais, France
Barkers Hill, Semley, Wiltshire
Warminster, Wiltshire

Story:
Wilfrid (as spelt on GRO Records and later census Records) James Butt was born in Semley, Wiltshrie, in 1896, and baptised there on 19th July, 1896. He was the son of James Butt, a Farm Labourer, and Elizabeth Ann Butt (née Kelly). His siblings included Ernest Leslie, born in 1889, who also died in the war and Edwin Albert Butt who served and survived. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Farm Labourer and living at Barkers Hill, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Warminster as a Private and joined the 6th Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 22690). (Army records show his name as Wilfred) He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 29th November 1916 and was buried at Etaples Military Cemetery, Etaples, Pas De Calais, France (grave id. XX.D.4A). 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 Leslie Butt