Stories Archive - Page 133 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Wilfred Harry Merefield

Surname: Merefield

Other names: Wilfred Harry

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
Dickebusch New Military Cemetery Extension, West Flanders, Belgium
Compton Abbas, Dorset
St. Leonard's Church, Semley, Wiltshire
Devizes, Wiltshire
Bridgend, Glamorgan
Semley, Wiltshire

Story:
Wilfred Harry Merefield was born in Compton Abbas, Dorset, in 1882. He was the son of James Merefield and Amelia Merefield (née Merefield). Though by 1901 he was living with his brother Albert in Bridgend, Glamorgan, and working as a coal miner. He returned to Semley and married Louisa Gertrude Woodrow on 18th January 1904 at St. James's Church, Shaftesbury. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was working as a Cowman on a Farm and they were living at Compton Abbas, Dorset. By the time of his enlistment they were living at 229 Gutch Common, Semley, Wiltshire. His father had died in 1909 and his mother in 1913.

He enlisted in Devizes, Wiltshire, and joined 'C' Battery, 82nd Brigade, of the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 57938). He served in France & Flanders and he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 1st August 1917 and was buried at Dickebusch New Military Cemetery Extension, West Flanders, Belgium (grave id. II.F.14). 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

Stanley George Pitman

Surname: Pitman

Other names: Stanley George

Locations in this story:
Motcombe, Dorset
France & Flanders
Fienvillers British War Cemetery, Somme, France
Semley Villa, , Semley, Wiltshire
St Leonard's Church, Semley
Salisbury

Story:
Stanley George Pitman was born in Motcombe, Dorset, in 1889, and was baptised there on 3rd December, 1889. He was the son of John Pitman, an Egg & Poultry Dealer, and Mary Ann Pitman (née Phillips). His Mother died in 1898 and his father in 1907. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as an Egg/Poultry Dealer and living with his uncle, William Pitman, at Semley Villa, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Salisbury as a Private with Royal Warwickshire Regiment (Service No. 5062) but later transferred to the 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 19550). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 3rd September 1918 and was buried at Fienvillers British War Cemetery, Somme, France (grave id. D.14). 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 three surviving brothers were recipients of all monies due from Stanley's estate. The brothers, William John Pitman (Stanley's twin brother), Hubert Morgan Pitman and Harold Arthur Pitman, all served and survived.

Images:

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Hubert Morgan Pitman
William John Pitman
Harold Arthur Pitman

Maurice George Messer

1st August 2017/in 1914-1918 Wiltshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Messer

Other names: Maurice George

Locations in this story:
Tidworth, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Louvencourt Military Cemetery, Somme, France
Sixpenny Handley, Dorset

Story:
Maurice George Messer was born in 1892 in Sixpenny Handley, Dorset. He was the son of George Messer, a Wheelwright, and Sarah Messer (née White). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Labourer and living at Sixpenny Handley, Dorset. He enlisted in Tidworth, Wiltshire, and joined the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 9153) and at the time of death held the rank of Corporal. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals (Clasp). He died of wounds and gassing whilst serving with 'A' Company on 26th July 1918 and was buried at Louvencourt Military Cemetery, Somme, France (grave id. Plot 1. Row D. Grave 8). He is remembered on the Sixpenny Handley War Memorial. Of his brothers, Wilfred Purefoy (Jack) Messer and Reginald George Messer also served but survived.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Arthur New

1st August 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Royal Engineers, Royal Garrison Artillery /by Ann Symons

Surname: New

Other names: Arthur

Locations in this story:
Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
France & Flanders
Houplines Communal Cemetery Extension, Armentieres, France
Vale Farm, Sutton Waldron, Dorset
Dean End, Woodcutts, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset

Story:
Arthur New was born in 1877 in Sixpenny Handley and baptised there on 26th August, 1877. He was the son of Esan New, a Traction Engine Driver and Ann New (née Sanger). His siblings included Tom New, born in 1895, who also died in the war. The family lived at Vale Farm, Sutton Waldron, Dorset. On 23rd December, 1907, Arthur married Margaret Ethel Hill at St. Giles Church, Uley, Stroud, Gloucestershire. They had four children: 3 girls and a boy. At the time of the 1911 Census he was working as a Traction Engine Driver and living at Dean End, Woodcutts, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset. His mother died in 1911 and his father in 1913. Arthur had enlisted on 9th March, 1899 and served with the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 3987) and then the Royal Engineers. He was discharged from that engagement on 16th June, 1906, and placed on reserve. He was recalled to duty on 21st November 1914 and, after a short spell with the Royal Garrison Artillery, transferred as a Sapper to the Royal Engineers (Service No. 12918). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals. He was killed in action whilst serving with the 12th Field Company on 23rd March 1915 and was buried at Houplines Communal Cemetery Extension, Armentieres, France (grave id. III.C.15). He is remembered on the Sixpenny Handley War Memorial. His wife Margaret remarried, to Joseph Rideout on 2nd August, 1919.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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Tom New

Tom New

1st August 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: New

Other names: Tom

Locations in this story:
Woodcutts, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Mesopotamia
Basra Memorial, Basra, Iraq
Vale Farm, Sutton Waldron, Dorset
Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Iraq
Blandford, Dorset

Story:
Tom New was born in 1883 in Woodcutts, Sixpenny Handley. He was the son of Esan New, a Traction Engine Driver and Ann New (née Sanger). His siblings included Arthur New, born in 1877, who also died in the war . The family lived at Vale Farm, Sutton Waldron, Dorset. On 12th June, 1910 Tom married Ethel White at Sixpenny Handley. At the time of the 1911 Census Tom was working as a Woodman and living at Sixpenny Handley, Dorset. His mother died in 1911 and his father in 1913. He enlisted in Blandford, Dorset, as a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 17738). He served in Mesopotamia and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died in Iraq on 1st July 1917 and his name appears on the Basra Memorial, Basra, Iraq (Panel 22 and 63). He is remembered on the Sixpenny Handley War Memorial. His wife Ethel remarried, to Francis Mitchell in 1922. In 1939 she was living at 4 Council Houses, Handley.

Images:

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The National Archives
Arthur New

William George Phillips

1st August 2017/in 1914-1918 Wiltshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Phillips

Other names: William George

Locations in this story:
Fulham, London
France & Flanders
Bethune Town Cemetery, France
Roe Buck Inn, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Blandford, Dorset
Bethune No.6 Clearing Hospital.

Story:
William George Phillips was born in 1888 in Fulham, London. He was the son of Richard Phillips, a Brewer's Servant, and Helen Phillips (née Williams). His mother died in 1897 and his father in 1903. In the 1911 Census he is shown living with his cousin, William Williams, a groom, whose wife was the publican of the Roe Buck Inn, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset. He is described as an Army Reservist but by 1914 he had obtained employment as a Postman. On 17th June 1914 he married Helen Annie Day at Sixpenny Handley and there were no children of the marriage. He enlisted in Blandford, Dorset, as a Private and joined the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 6740) During the war he served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals (Clasp). He died of wounds on 24th Oct 1914 in the Bethune No.6 Clearing Hospital and was buried at Bethune Town Cemetery, Arras, Pas de Calais, France (grave id. I.B.20). He is remembered on the Sixpenny Handley War Memorial. His widow Helen remarried in 1920, to William S. Clarke.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Samson Rose

1st August 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Rose

Other names: Samson

Locations in this story:
Blandford, Dorset
France & Flanders
Red Cross Corner Cemetery, Beugny, Nord Pas de Calais, France
Dean End, Woodcutts, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Dardanelles
Pimperne, Dorset
Rouen, France

Story:
Samson Rose was born in 1893 in Pimperne, Dorset. His birth was registered in Blandford as "Samuel" but was always known as either Sam or Samson. He was the son of William Rose, a Hawker Ironmonger, and Martha Rose (nee Bull). His siblings included William Rose, born in 1887, who also died in the war. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Farm Labourer and living at Dean End, Woodcutts, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset. He enlisted as a Private on 11th August, 1914 and joined the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 9900). He served in the Dardanellesas as well as France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He was wounded in the Dardanelles and invalided back to England on 2nd October, 1915. On recovery he was posted to France and re-joined his Battalion at Rouen, France. He died of further wounds on 1st May 1917 and was buried at the Red Cross Corner Cemetery, Beugny, Nord Pas de Calais, France (grave id. I.B.4). He is remembered on the Sixpenny Handley War Memorial.

Images:

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The National Archives
William Rose

William Rose

1st August 2017/in 1914-1918 Wiltshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Rose

Other names: William

Locations in this story:
Redlynch, Hampshire
France & Flanders
Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, Pas de Calais, France
Dean End, Woodcutts, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Blandford, Dorset

Story:
William Rose was born in 1887 in Redlynch, Hampshire. He was the son of William Rose, a Hawker Ironmonger, and Martha Rose (nee Bull). His siblings included Samuel, known as Samson Rose, born in 1893, who also died in the war. In 1910 he married Edith Jane Weeks and they went on to have four children: three sons and a daughter (two of whom died at birth). At the time of the 1911 Census, William was working as a Farm Labourer and living at Dean End, Woodcutts, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset. He enlisted in Blandford, Dorset, as a Private in the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 18755) later transferring to the 2nd Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 26748). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He was killed in action on 2nd Apr 1917 and was buried at Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, Pas de Calais, France (grave id. VI.H.22). He is remembered on the Sixpenny Handley War Memorial.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Samson Rose

Henry George Scott

1st August 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Scott

Other names: Henry George

Locations in this story:
Gussage St. Michael, Dorset
France & Flanders
Montay-Neuvilly Road Cemetery, Montay, Nord, France
Chettle, Dorset
Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Poole, Dorset

Story:
Henry George Scott (known as 'George' in the family) was born in 1899 in Gussage St. Michael, Dorset. He was the son of Joseph Scott, a Carter, and Mary Jane Scott (nee Head). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single and still attending school and living in Sixpenny Handley, Dorset. His mother died and was buried on 13th September, 1911. He enlisted in Poole, Dorset, as a Private in the 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 41002). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He was killed in action on 11th Oct 1918 and buried at the Montay-Neuvilly Road Cemetery, Montay, Nord, France (grave id. I.E.3). His home address was recorded as Chettle near Blandford. He is remembered on the Sixpenny Handley War Memorial.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Lionel Bernard Thorne

1st August 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Thorne

Other names: Lionel Bernard

Locations in this story:
Woodcutts, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
France & Flanders
Regina Trench Cemetery, Grandcourt, Somme, France
Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Blandford, Dorset
Berwick St John, Dorset

Story:
Lionel Bernard Thorne was born in 1889 in Woodcutts, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset, and baptised there on 1st August, 1889. He was the son of Tom Thorne, a Labourer, and Eliza Thorne (nee Kiddle). His father died and was buried at Berwick St. John on 7th May 1907. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single and working as a Farm Labourer living at Woodcutts. He enlisted in Blandford, Dorset, on 11th August, 1914 as a Private and joined the 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 9910). He served in the Middle East until August 1916 when he was posted to France & Flanders. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He received a number of wounds whilst fighting in France but had eventually been reported missing presumed killed on 26th September 1916. A further report stated that he had been buried in the field. His remains were obviously recovered after the Armistice and re-buried at Regina Trench Cemetery, Grandcourt, Somme, France, along with bodies from other battlefield burial sites (grave id. IX.J.4). He is remembered on the Sixpenny Handley War Memorial.

Images:

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