Stories Archive - Page 132 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Wilfrid James Butt

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

Lionel George Churchill

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Cape Mounted Rifles, Royal Gloucestershire Hussars /by Ann Symons

Surname: Churchill

Other names: Lionel George

Locations in this story:
Gillingham, Dorset
South Africa
Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey
St. Leonard's Church, Semley, Wiltshire
Gloucester

Story:
Lionel George Churchill was born in 1882 in Gillingham, Dorset. He was the son of Mark Churchill and Elizabeth Churchill (née Lush). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single and working as a shop assistant in Eastgate Street, Gloucester. He enlisted in Gloucester and joined the 1/1st Royal Gloucestershire Hussars (Yeomanry) (Service No. 2215) and at the time of his death held the rank of Corporal. He died at sea off Gallipoli on 24th August 1915 and his name appears on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey (Panel 18). He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star 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 parents were by then living in Semley, Wiltshire.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission citation states that Lionel had also served in the South African War, spending five years with the Cape Mounted Rifles.

Images:

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

Geoffrey Matthew George Culley

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal West Kent Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Culley

Other names: Geoffrey Matthew George

Locations in this story:
Glendale, Northumberland
France & Flanders
Bulls Road Cemetery, Flers, Somme, France
Grove House, Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley

Story:
Geoffrey Matthew George Culley was born in 1883 in the Glendale Registration District of Northumberland. He was the son of Matthew Tewart Culley, described as "Living on own means", and Eleanor Jane Culley (née Darling). Geoffrey's father died on 2nd March, 1889. At the time of the 1911 Census, Geoffrey was a Regular Soldier with the rank of Captain serving with the 4th Reserves of the Durham Light Infantry and living at Grove House, Semley, Wiltshire (the home of his mother). He married Elizabeth Frances Twynam in 1914. There were two sons of the marriage both of whom died in the Second World War.

At the outbreak of war he joined the 9th Scottish Rifles but later transferred to the 11th Battalion of the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment. He served in France & Flanders and at the time of his death had retained the rank of Captain. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died on 15th September 1916 and was buried at Bulls Road Cemetery, Flers, Somme, France (grave id.III.G.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 (spelt with a J) was included on the Baptist Chapel plaque, now also in the church.

His sons, George. W. Culley (b. 1915) was a Major in the Royal Artillery (Airborne Division) and won the Military Cross whilst Geoffrey Matthew Culley (b.1916) served as a Sergeant with 39 Squadron, Royal Air Force)

Images:

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

Ernest James Day

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal Field Artillery /by Ann Symons

Surname: Day

Other names: Ernest James

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Semley Baptist Chapel Yard
Balas Cottages, Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley
Fargo Hospital, Durrington, Wiltshire

Story:
Ernest James Day was born in Semley, Wiltshire, on 9th March, 1888. He was the son of Elizabeth Sarah Day - known as Sarah. (No father recorded on the birth certificate). His mother died in 1888. In 1891 Ernest was living with his grandmother Sarah Day and his aunt Emma J. Day. By 1901 he was living solely with his aunt. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Railway Porter and living at Balas Cottages, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Shaftesbury as a gunner in the 57th 3 'A' Reserve Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (Service No. 273336). There is no record of medals being awarded. He died in the Fargo Hospital, Durrington, Wiltshire, on 9th November 1918 and was buried in Semley Baptist Chapel Yard (grave id. O.207). 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

Thomas Doggrell

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Doggrell

Other names: Thomas

Locations in this story:
Henstridge, Somerset
Egypt
Jerusalem Memorial
East End Farm, Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley
Gallipoli
Palestine
Motcombe, Dorset
Beitunia, Palestine

Story:
Thomas Doggrell was born in 1897 in Henstridge, Somerset and baptised there on 14th March, 1897. He was the son of Thomas Doggrell, a Farmer, and Sarah Ann Doggrell (née Burt). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, was a Worker on a Farm and living at East End Farm, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Motcombe, Dorset, and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry (Service No. 230084). He served in Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine, latterly with the 6th Mounted Brigade and, at the time of his death, held the rank of Sergeant. According to reports he was left wounded on the battlefield near Beitunia, Palestine, possibly being taken prisoner by the Turkish Forces. His death is recorded officially as 13th April, 1918 but his family refused to accept this and always maintained it was 2nd April, 1918. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. His name appears on the Jerusalem Memorial, Jerusalem (Panel 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.

During the war Thomas' sister Selina Elizabeth (b.1894) served as a VAD Nurse with the Red Cross at the War Hospital in Tisbury.

Images:

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

Reginald Arthur Gale

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal Field Artillery /by Ann Symons

Surname: Gale

Other names: Reginald Arthur

Locations in this story:
Long Crichel, Wimborne, Dorset
France & Flanders
Egypt
Couin, France
Semley, Wiltshire

Story:
Reginald Arthur Gale was born in Long Crichel, Dorset, in 1898, the son of William Alfred Gale and Elizabeth Gale (née Lewis). He spent all his life in and around the Long Crichel and Wimborne areas. He enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (later a Driver) (Service No. 1264). He served originally in Egypt and later in France & Flanders where he died of wounds on 24th June 1916 and was buried in the Couin British Cemetery, Couin, France, (Grave Ref: I.A.12). He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He is remembered on the Semley, Wiltshire, War Memorial. (Information confirmed by posting on Flickr.)

Images:

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

Ernest William Gray

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

Surname: Gray

Other names: Ernest William

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Arras Memorial, Arras, Pas de Calais, France
Old Workhouse, Semley, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury

Story:
Ernest William Gray was born in Semley, Wiltshire, 1891 and baptised there on 20th September, 1891. He was the son of William Gray and Mary Jane Gray (née Rogers). 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 Shaftesbury as a Private and joined the 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 19525). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 12th April 1917 and his name appears on the Arras Memorial, Arras, Pas de Calais, France (Bay 6). 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.

Ernest's brother Frederick James (b.1888) also served in the war, with the Royal Garrison Artillery.

Images:

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

Alfred Sidney Harding

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

Surname: Harding

Other names: Alfred Sidney

Locations in this story:
Sedgehill, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Poelcapelle British War Cemetery, Langemark-Poelcappelle, Belgium
Hugglers Hole Cottage, Semley, Wiltshire
Gillingham, Dorset
St. Leonard's Church, Semley, Wiltshire

Story:
Alfred Sidney Harding was born in 1882 in Sedgehill, Wiltshire, and baptised there on 24th September, 1882. He was the son of Thomas Baker Harding, a Farm Labourer, and Mary Ann Harding (née Harding). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Haulier's Carter and living at Hugglers Hole Cottage, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Gillingham, Dorset, on 8th December, 1915, as a Private and joined the 3rd/8th Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (Service No. 306722). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He was originally reported 'wounded and missing' but his body was later recovered for burial. He died on 27th August 1917 and was buried at Poelcapelle British War Cemetery, Langemark-Poelcappelle, Belgium (grave id. XLII.C.19). He is remembered on the War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard, Semley and on the Semley Baptist Chapel plaque, now in St. Leonard's Church. Alfred's brother, Arthur John Harding, served with the Royal Flying Corps (later RAF) and survived.

Images:

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

Ernest Edward Hibberd

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Hibberd

Other names: Ernest Edward

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Ploegsteert Memorial, Ploegsteert, Hainaut, Belgium
Dairy Cottages, Semley, Wiltshire
Southampton
St. Leonard's Church, Semley, Wiltshire
Winchester Road, Shirley, Southampton

Story:
Ernest Edward Hibberd was born in 1899 in Semley, Wiltshire, and baptised there on 30th July, 1899. He was the son of Frank Reuben Hibberd, a Milk Factory Hand, and Ellen Hibberd (née Chubb). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, a Scholar and living at Dairy Cottages, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Southampton as a Private and joined the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (Service No. 41320). He noted on enlistment he was living at 48 Winchester Road, Shirley, Southampton. (His name was reversed on Military Records). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 13th April 1918 and his name appears on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Ploegsteert, Hainaut, Belgium (Panel 6). He is remembered on the War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard, Semley, Wiltshire, and the Semley Baptist Chapel plaque, now in St. Leonard's Church. Two of Ernest's brothers, Hubert William Hibberd and William Hibberd, also served but survived.

Images:

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

William Long

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

Surname: Long

Other names: William

Locations in this story:
Cadeby, Leicestershire
Mesopotamia
Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Iraq
Cottage Row, Gaywood, Kings Lynn, Norfolk
Semley, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury
St. Leonard's Church, Semley, Wiltshire
Walsingham, Norfolk

Story:
William Long was born in 1888 in Cadeby, Leicestershire. He was the son of Henry Long, a Gamekeeper, and Amy Long (née Bailey). He married Mary Ann Graver at Walsingham, Norfolk, in 1907. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was living at Cottage Row, Gaywood, Kings Lynn, Norfolk with his wife and children. He enlisted in Shaftesbury (having by then moved to Semley, Wiltshire,) and joined the 2nd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 14861) and served in Mesopotamia. At the time of his death on 10th December 1917 he held the rank of Sergeant. His name appears on the Nisbim Memorial 240 in the Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery in Iraq. The military death notice stated that he was a resident of Semley, Wiltshire. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals and is remembered on the War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard and on the Semley Baptist Chapel plaque, now in St. Leonard's Church.

Images:

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