Stories Archive - Page 140 of 164 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Cecil John Reeves

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.

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Leo Bennett Reeves
Walter William Reeves
Maurice Vernon Reeves

Frederick Rideout

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.

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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.

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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:

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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

William John Toomer

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

Surname: Toomer

Other names: William John

Locations in this story:
Twyford, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Thiepval Memorial, France
West Street, Fontmell Magna, Dorset
Gallipoli, Turkey.
Alexandria, Egypt.
Blandford, Dorset

Story:
William John Toomer was born in 1894 in Twyford, Shaftesbury. He was the son of Charles Toomer, a Bricklayer's Labourer, and Ellen Louisa Toomer (nee Rideout). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a farm labourer and living at 61 West Street, Fontmell Magna. He enlisted in Blandford on 7th September, 1914 and joined the 5th Service Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 11094) and at the time of his death held the rank of Lance Corporal. His first posting was to Gallipoli, Turkey, where he received a wound to the right hand on 24th August, 1915, and was admitted to the 24th Casualty Clearing Station. Following his recovery and further service in the area he embarked from Alexandria, Egypt, for France, arriving there on 9th July, 1916 and was posted into the field on 26th September, 1916. It was on that very day he was reported missing and presumed killed. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. His name appears on the Thiepval Memorial in France (Pier and Face 7 B). He is remembered on the Fontmell Magna War Memorial, near 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

Robert Ashby

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

Surname: Ashby

Other names: Robert

Locations in this story:
France & Flanders
Norfolk Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt, France
Elliston, Leicestershire
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
Becourt, Somme, France
Market Bosworth, Leicestershire
Child Okeford, Dorset

Story:
Robert Ashby was born in 1879 in Childe Okeford and baptised there on 25th May 1879. He was the son of George Ashby, a groom, and Katherine Ashby (née Bucklar). Though his parents lived in Iwerne Minster, Robert spent much of his life living in Market Bosworth (where his mother had been born). He found employment there as a coal miner. On 12 June 1905 he married Mary Jane Smith at the Baptist Chapel in Market Bosworth. They had three children from the marriage. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was working as a coal miner and living at Elliston, Leicestershire. His mother was living in Iwerne Minster.

He enlisted in London as a Sapper (Tunneller) with the 178th Company, Royal Engineers (Service No. 102813). He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. On 23rd Sept, 1915 he was slightly gassed and, after treatment, returned to duty only to be killed on 21st December 1915 at Becourt, Somme, France. He was buried at the Norfolk Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt, Somme, France (grave id. I.C.22). He is remembered on the Iwerne Minster War Memorial, Shaftesbury.

His wife received a widow's pension of £1.02p per week for herself and the three children. She continued to live in Elliston, according to the 1939 Register. Robert's brother George Frederick (b.1888) also served in the war, with the Royal Field Artillery.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
George Frederick Ashby

Frederick George Bridle

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

Surname: Bridle

Other names: Frederick George

Locations in this story:
Blandford Forum, Dorset
France & Flanders
Inchy Communal Cemetery Extension, Inchy-Beaumont, Cambrai, Nord, France
Tarrant Crawford, Blandford, Dorset
Inchy Hospital, France
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
Sturminster Newton, Dorset

Story:
Frederick George Bridle was born in 1899 in Tarrant Crawford, Blandford and baptised there on 8th Oct 1899. He was the son of George William Bridle, a carter on a farm, and Bessie Bridle (née Joyce). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, a scholar and living at Tarrant Crawford, Blandford, Dorset. He enlisted in Sturminster Newton as a Private in the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 36132). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died from wounds on 24th October 1918 at Inchy Hospital in France and was buried at Inchy Communal Cemetery Extension, Inchy-Beaumont, Cambrai, Nord, France (grave id. B. 43). He is remembered on the Iwerne Minster War Memorial, Shaftesbury.

Images:

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