Stories Archive - Page 138 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

William Sidney Lawrence

Surname: Lawrence

Other names: William Sidney

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Dorset
France & Flanders
Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders
Blandford

Story:
William Sidney Lawrence was born in 1878 in Fontmell Magna, Dorset, and was baptised there on 14th April 1878. He was the son of Thomas Lawrence, a Farm Labourer, and Elizabeth Sarah Ann Lawrence (née Dibben). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as an estate labourer and living at 48 Fontmell Magna. He enlisted on 19th September 1895, as a Private in the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 4702) and was discharged to the reserves on 18th September 1907. At the outbreak of war he re-enlisted in Blandford and joined the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. No 3/7690). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals. He died on 2nd May 1915 and his name appears on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, Flanders (Panel 37). He is remembered on the Fontmell Magna War Memorial, Shaftesbury.

Printed Sources:
"Fontmell Magna and the First World War", compiled by Chris Bellers, Fontmell Magna Village Archive Society, 2014.

Images:

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

Victor George Merrifield

Surname: Merrifield

Other names: Victor George

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Dorset
Gallipoli, Turkey
Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey
South Street, Fontmell Magna
Blandford

Story:
Victor George Merrifield (surname as registered) was born in 1892 in Fontmell Magna. He was the son of Henry John Merefield, (surname as registered) a farm labourer, and Anne Stroud Merefield (née Tanswell). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a gardener and living at 37 South Street, Fontmell Magna. He enlisted at Blandford on 27th August 1914 and joined the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 10194). He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal on 15th January 1915. He was reported missing at Gallipoli on 22nd August 1915 but presumed to have died on 21st August 1915. His name appears on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey (Panel 136 to 139) and on the Fontmell Magna War Memorial, Shaftesbury. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals (which were sent to his father at 37 South Street, Fontmell Magna).

His brothers, Edgar William, Reginald Henry and John Percival, all served and survived.

Printed Sources:
"Fontmell Magna and the First World War", compiled by Chris Bellers, Fontmell Magna Village Archive Society, 2014.

Images:

Wesley Harry Warren Mowlem

21st June 2017/in 1914-1918 Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Mowlem

Other names: Wesley Harry Warren

Locations in this story:
Holnest, Sherborne, Dorset
France & Flanders
Birr Cross Roads Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
West Street, Fontmell Magna, Dorset

Story:
Wesley Harry Warren Mowlem was born on 5th November, 1894, in Holnest, Sherborne, Dorset, and baptised in the parish church on 25th November, 1894. He was the son of Robert William Mowlem, an estate woodman, and Rosetta Mowlem (née Warren). He lived much of his early life in Holnest until by 1911 he was working as a farm labourer and living with his parents at 58 West Street, Fontmell Magna. He enlisted at Shaftesbury as a Private and joined the 3rd Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (Service No. 31744). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 30th October 1917 and was buried at Birr Cross Roads Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, (grave id. V.D.6). He is remembered on the Fontmell Magna War Memorial, Shaftesbury. Of his brothers, both Ernest William Warren Mowlem and Sidney Harold Warren Mowlem served and survived the conflict.

Printed Sources: "Fontmell Magna and the First World War", compiled by Chris Bellers, Fontmell Magna Village Archive Society, 2014.

Images:

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

Cecil John Reeves

21st June 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Ann Symons

Surname: Reeves

Other names: Cecil John

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Dorset
St. Andrew's Church, Fontmell Magna
Lahore, India
Wrexham
Babergh, Hadleigh, Suffolk
Michaels Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire

Story:
Cecil John Reeves was born in 1888 in Fontmell Magna and baptised there on 9th September, 1888. He was the son of Walter Reeves, a Brewer's Drayman, and Emily Reeves (née Bennett). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Confectioner and boarding with a family at 35 Michaels Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire, whilst the family were living at 40 Fontmell Magna. He enlisted in Wrexham and joined the (Royal) Army Service Corps (Service No. SS/1310). There is an indication from his records that he was posted to Lahore, India, with the 63rd Field Bakery attached to the 551st Company of the RASC. He returned to England and was admitted to a Military Hospital in the Babergh area of Hadleigh, Suffolk, where he died on 9th May, 1917. At the time of his death he held the rank of Corporal. He was interred in the churchyard of St. Andrew's Church, Fontmell Magna, on 14th May, 1917. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals and is remembered on the Fontmell Magna War Memorial, Shaftesbury.

Cecil's father and two of his brothers, Leo Bennett Reeves and Maurice Vernon Reeves, also served during the conflict and survived.

Printed Sources: "Fontmell Magna and the First World War", compiled by Chris Bellers, Fontmell Magna Village Archive Society, 2014.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Leo Bennett Reeves
Walter William Reeves
Maurice Vernon Reeves

Frederick Rideout

21st June 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Rideout

Other names: Frederick (Fred)

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Dorset
France & Flanders
Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France
Llanhilleth, Pontypool, Monmouthshire, Wales
Abertillery, Wales
Shaftesbury

Story:
Frederick Rideout (known as Fred) was born in 1884 in Fontmell Magna, and baptised there on 13th April, 1884. He was the son of Frederick Rideout, a Colliery Hewer, and Emily Rideout (née Sage). By 1901 the family had moved to Llanhilleth, Pontypool, Monmouthshire and Frederick was employed as a Coal Hewer Miner. Frederick married Frances Jane Matthews in Abertillery, Wales, in 1909. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was a Colliery Worker living at Llanhilleth, Monmouthshire, Wales. He enlisted at Shaftesbury as a Private with the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 5987). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals. He died on 13th October 1914 and his name appears on Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France (Panel 22 & 23). He is remembered on the Fontmell Magna War Memorial, Shaftesbury. His brother, George Rideout, also served but survived the conflict.

Printed Sources: "Fontmell Magna and the First World War", compiled by Chris Bellers, Fontmell Magna Village Archive Society, 2014.

Images:

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

Harold Martin Roberts

21st June 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal Warwickshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Roberts

Other names: Harold Martin

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Loos Memorial, Loos-en-Gohelle, Nord Pas de Calais, France
Blatchford Farm, Hartgrove, Fontmell Magna, Dorset
Fulham, London

Story:
Harold Martin Roberts was born in 1899 in Semley, Wiltshire, and baptised there on 2nd July, 1899. He was the son of Edgar Eli Roberts, a farmer, and Bertha Mary Roberts (nee Richardson). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, was a scholar and living at Blatchford Farm, Hartgrove, Fontmell Magna. He enlisted in Fulham, London, as a Private and joined the 10th Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (Service No. 40405). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 25th September 1918 and his name appears on the Loos Memorial, Loos-en-Gohelle, Nord Pas de Calais, France (Panel 22-25). He is remembered on the Fontmell Magna War Memorial, Shaftesbury. His brother, Thomas Edgar Roberts, also served in the conflict but survived.

Printed Sources: "Fontmell Magna and the First World War", compiled by Chris Bellers, Fontmell Magna Village Archive Society, 2014.

Images:

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

Sidney Shute

21st June 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Shute

Other names: Sidney

Locations in this story:
Smith's Hole, Fontmell Magna, Dorset
France & Flanders
Thiepval Memorial, France
Dorchester
Rouen, France

Story:
Sidney Shute was born in 1898 in Fontmell Magna, Dorset, and baptised there on 13th January, 1899. He was the son of Henry Young Shute, a general labourer, and Anna Shute (nee Merefield). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, a Scholar and living at 41 Smith's Hole, Fontmell Magna. He enlisted in Dorchester on 20th March, 1915, and joined the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 13026) and at the time of his death held the rank of Lance Sergeant. He traveled to Rouen, France, on 29th September, 1916, and entered the battlefield on 16th October, 1916. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 11th January 1917 and his name appears on the Thiepval Memorial in France (Pier and Face 7 B). He is remembered on the Fontmell Magna War Memorial, Shaftesbury. His brother, Henry Shute, also served in the conflict and survived albeit, discharged early, due to sickness.

Printed Sources: "Fontmell Magna and the First World War", compiled by Chris Bellers, Fontmell Magna Village Archive Society, 2014.

Images:

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

Humphrey Osborn Springfield

21st June 2017/in 1914-1918 Warwickshire Yeomanry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Springfield

Other names: Humphrey Osborn

Locations in this story:
Anner, Tipperary, Ireland
Gallipoli, Turkey
Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Kantara, Egypt
Norfolk
Fontmell Magna, Dorset
Framlingham College, Framlingham, Suffolk
Egypt

Story:
Humphrey Osborn Springfield was born on 31 Mar 1887 in Anner, Tipperary, Ireland. He was the son of Thomas Osborn Springfield and Maud Beatrice Springfield (nee Mandeville). The family were basically from Norfolk. By 1901 he was boarding as a scholar at Framlingham College, Framlingham, Suffolk. His mother died in Norfolk in 1910. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Dairyman Manager and living at Higher Mill, Fontmell Magna, Dorset. He enlisted in the 1st Battalion of the Warwickshire Yeomanry and at the time of his death held the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He served at Gallipoli (where he had been wounded) and in Egypt where he was Mentioned in Despatches. He was killed in action in Egypt on 5th August 1916 whist saving wounded men and was buried at Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Kantara, Egypt (grave id. A.30). He is remembered on the Fontmell Magna War Memorial, Shaftesbury, as well on the Framlingham Memorial and the Irish Roll of Honour. His brother George Patrick Osborn Springfield was killed in 1914 during the early part of the war but does not feature on local war memorials but is remembered alongside his brother in the Irish Roll of Honour.

Printed Sources: "Fontmell Magna and the First World War", compiled by Chris Bellers, Fontmell Magna Village Archive Society, 2014.

Images:

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

Charles Henry Stone

21st June 2017/in 1914-1918 Somerset Light Infantry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Stone

Other names: Charles Henry

Locations in this story:
Shipton Gorge, Dorset
France & Flanders
Couin British Cemetery, Couin, Pas de Calais, France
Parsonage Street, Fontmell Magna, Dorset
West Street, Bridport, Dorset
Yeovil

Story:
Charles Henry Stone was born in 1893 in Shipton Gorge, Dorset. He was the son of John Stone, an Estate Carpenter, and Eliza Elizabeth Stone (née Gale). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as an Ironmonger's Assistant in a cycle business and living with his Uncle at 9 West Street, Bridport, Dorset, whilst his parents resided at Parsonage Street, Fontmell Magna. He enlisted in Yeovil as a Private and joined the 1st Battalion of Prince Albert's (Somerset Light Infantry), (Service No. 15290). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died on 3rd July 1916 and was buried at Couin British War Cemetery Couin, Pas de Calais, France (grave id. I.D.3). He is remembered on the Fontmell Magna War Memorial, Shaftesbury.

Charles' brother Thomas John (b.1890) also served in the war and was sadly killed in 1917 while serving with the Royal Garrison Artillery in Flanders whilst his other brother, Bertram Robert Stone, served but survived the conflict.

Printed Sources: "Fontmell Magna and the First World War", compiled by Chris Bellers, Fontmell Magna Village Archive Society, 2014.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Thomas John Stone
Bertram Robert Stone

Thomas John Stone

21st June 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Ann Symons

Surname: Stone

Other names: Thomas John

Locations in this story:
Shipton Gorge, Bridport, Dorset
France & Flanders
Artillery Wood Cemetery, Boezinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Parsonage Street, Fontmell Magna, Dorset
West Street, Bridport, Dorset
Fontmell Magna, Dorset
Weymouth

Story:
Thomas John Stone was born in 1890 in Shipton Gorge, Bridport, Dorset. He was the son of John Stone, an estate carpenter, and Eliza Elizabeth Stone (nee Gale). One of his siblings was brother Charles Henry (b. 1894) who also died in the war whilst Bertram Robert Stone survived the conflict. At the time of the 1911 Census John and Eliza were living in Parsonage Street, Fontmell Magna. Thomas (along with his brother, Charles,) was employed by his uncle as an ironmonger's assistant in the cycle business and living in West Street, Bridport. He married Martha Alice Clist Chick at Fontmell Magna, Dorset, on 10th March, 1916. There were no children of the marriage. He enlisted in Weymouth as a Gunner in the 111th Siege Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery (Service No. 165818). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 16th August 1917 and was buried at Artillery Wood Cemetery, Boezinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (grave id. V.B.13). His wife went on to re-marry Cecil J. Day in 1928 and they had one daughter and lived at Brach Farm, Twyford, Shaftesbury. Thomas is remembered on the Fontmell Magna War Memorial, Shaftesbury.

Printed Sources: "Fontmell Magna and the First World War", compiled by Chris Bellers, Fontmell Magna Village Archive Society, 2014.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Charles Henry Stone
Bertram Robert Stone