Stories Archive - Page 147 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Edward William Broomfield

Surname: Broomfield

Other names: Edward William

Locations in this story:
Broomfield
France
Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Ludwell, Wiltshire
Chichester

Story:
Edward William Broomfield was born in 1886 in Harbridge, Ringwood, Hampshire. He was the son of Harry Jesse Broomfield, a Gamekeeper, and Fanny Broomfield (née Cook). His siblings included Frederick John Robert, born in 1884, who also died in the war. At the time of enlistment he was single, working as a Gamekeeper and living in Melbury Abbas, Dorset. The family was living at the Grove Arms, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, where his father was the licensee. Edward enlisted in Chichester and joined the 7th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment (Service No. G/2674). He served in British Expeditionary Force in France and at the time of his death held the rank of Lance Corporal. He died on 20th November 1917 and his name appears on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France (Panel 7). He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. and is remembered on the war memorial at Ludwell. Edward's other siblings were also involved in the conflict: Arthur, Ernest, Walter James and Harry all served but survived as did Percy William Norman, the husband of his sister, Eva Theresa Rose.

Images:

Frederick John Robert Broomfield

4th April 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Scots Guards /by Ann Symons

Surname: Broomfield

Other names: Frederick John

Locations in this story:
Harbridge, Ringwood, Hampshire
France & Flanders
St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France
Niton, Isle of Wight, Hampshire
Grove Arms, Ludwell, Wiltshire
Gillingham, Dorset
Tetbury, Gloucestershire

Story:
Frederick John Broomfield was born in 1884 in Harbridge, Ringwood, Hampshire. He was the son of Henry Jesse Broomfield, a Gamekeeper, and Fanny Broomfield (née Cook). His siblings included Edward William, born in 1886, who also died in the war. He enlisted with the Scots Guards on 16th April, 1902 (Service No. 4412). Having almost completed his three year engagement he was discharged from service on 14th February, 1905 being found medically unfit for further military service. At the time he confirmed his willingness to serve in a home capacity if mobilization was called for in the future. On 4th April, 1908 he married Jane Morris in Niton, Isle of Wight. At the time of the 1911 Census they had two children: a son and a daughter, and he was working as a Domestic Gardener and living on Isle of Wight, Hampshire. A third child, a daughter, was born in 1912. Meanwhile his father had become the landlord of the Grove Arms, Ludwell, Wiltshire. When war broke out Frederick enlisted in Gillingham, Dorset, and joined the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 3/7868). At the time of his death held the rank of Corporal. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals. He died on 12th October 1915 and was buried at St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France (grave id. A.12.28). He is remembered on the war memorial at Ludwell. Frederick's other siblings were also involved: Arthur, Ernest, Harry and Walter James all served in the forces but survived as did Percy William Norman, the husband of sister Eva Theresa Rose. Frederick's widow did not remarry and was living with her son in Tetbury, Gloucestershire at the time of the 1939 Register.

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Sidney Frank Fletcher

4th April 2017/in 1914-1918 Rifle Brigade /by Ann Symons

Surname: Fletcher

Other names: Sidney Frank

Locations in this story:
France & Flanders
Thiepval Memorial, France
Old Boundary Road, Shaftesbury
Higher Coombe, Shaftesbury
Little Ridge Stable, Ridge, Chilmark, Wiltshire
Ludwell, Wiltshire
Cann Parish Church, Shaftesbury
Shaftesbury

Story:
Sidney Frank Fletcher was born on 21st December, 1892, in Higher Coombe, Shaftesbury, and baptised at Cann Parish Church, Shaftesbury, on 22nd January, 1893. He was the son of William Fletcher, a Gardener, and Charlotte Ann Fletcher (née Watts). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a domestic groom and living Little Ridge Stable, Ridge, Chilmark, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Shaftesbury as a Rifleman and joined the 1st Battalion of the Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) (Service No. 6031). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died on 1st July 1916 and his name appears on the Thiepval Memorial (Pier and Face 16B and 16C). By the end of the war Frank's parents had moved to Glenlyne, 17 Old Boundary Road, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He is remembered on the war memorial at Ludwell. His brothers, William Henry, Percy Edwin John and Victor Reginald Fletcher, all served but survived the conflict.

Images:

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

Harry Gillingham

4th April 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal Engineers /by Ann Symons

Surname: Gillingham

Other names: Harry

Locations in this story:
France & Flanders
Arras Memorial, France
St. John the Baptish Church, Charlton, Wiltshire
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Ludwell, Wiltshire
Melksham, Wiltshire

Story:
Harry Gillingham was born in 1889 in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. He was the son of John Gillingham, a Market Gardener, and Clara Gillingham (née Ingram). At the time of the 1911 Census, he was working as a Wheelwright and living with his brother John at The Hollies, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. On 23rd December, 1912, he married Daisy Millicent Rogers at St. John the Baptist Church, Charlton, Wilshire. There were two children of the marriage: Joseph H.(b.1913) and Ernest P. (b.30 March 1917).

Harry enlisted as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers (Service No. 160194). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died whilst serving with the 2nd Special Company of the Royal Engineers on 23rd June 1917 and his name appears on the Arras Memorial (Bay 1). He is remembered on the war memorial at Ludwell.

At the time of his death his wife was living at Hope Cottage, Donhead St. Mary. She did not remarry and by the 1939 register was living with her son Ernest, in Melksham, Wiltshire.

Images:

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

Claude Miles Hall

4th April 2017/in 1914-1918 King's Royal Irish Hussars, Northumberland Fusiliers /by Ann Symons

Surname: Hall

Other names: Claude Miles

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Bray Military Cemetery, Bray-sur-Somme, France
Hillside Farm, Shaftesbury
Ludwell, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Dublin, Ireland

Story:
Claude Miles Hall was born in 1893 in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. (Registry Office entry shows him as 'Claud'). He was the son of William Hall, a farmer, and Annie Elizabeth Hall (née Miles). He attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from September 1905 to December 1907. When he left school he became a farmer and at the time of the 1911 Census he was single and living at Hillside Farm, Shaftesbury.

On a list of old boys who have recently joined up, the June 1917 edition of the Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine shows that Claude had enlisted in Dublin, Ireland, and joined the 8th (King’s Royal Irish) Hussars (Service No. H/35308). In March 1918 it is noted that he visited the school while home on leave. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. At the time of his death he was attached to the 1st Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers and held the rank of Private. He was killed in France on 22nd August 1918 and was re-interred buried in the Bray Military Cemetery, Bray-sur-Somme, France (grave id. II.J.21), having been moved from a nearby temporary battlefield burial. He is remembered on the war memorial at Ludwell and on the memorial at Shaftesbury School. Claude's brother, Alfred John Reginald (aka Reginald) Hall, also served in the conflict, but survived.

His name was also included on a hand written list of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving during the war. An asterix can be seen next to Claude's name, indicating that he had died. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.

Printed Sources:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1917
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, March 1918
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, November 1918

Images:

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

Albert Hayter

4th April 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Ann Symons

Surname: Hayter

Other names: Albert

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
St. John the Baptist Church, Charlton Cemetery, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Salisbury Road, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Albert Hayter was born on 16th April, 1893 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was baptised at Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset on 21st May, 1893. He was the son of Henry M. Hayter, a Market Gardener, and Emily Georgina Hayter (née Harris). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single and living in Salisbury Road, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. On the 8th May, 1912, he enlisted in the Territorial Forces and joined the T & S Col, 1st SWM Brigade (Service No. T182) - this was the precursor of the Army Service Corps which came into being in 1914. He transferred to the Army Service Corps as a Driver on 11th September, 1916 (Service No. T4/247397). Though he did not serve abroad he was eventually discharged as unfit on 2nd April, 1917, on the grounds he was no longer physically fit for military service whilst suffering from Tubercular Laryngitis. He received the Silver War Badge (No. 154013) and was qualified for the Victory and British War medals though there is no record on his medal cards. He died on 24th August 1918 and was buried in a War Graves Commission marked grave at St. John the Baptist Church, Charlton Cemetery, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, (grave id. II.13). He is remembered on the war memorial at Ludwell. His mother continued to receive a dependents allowance for a period after Albert's passing - certainly up until 1924.

Images:

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

Marcus Jenkins

4th April 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal Marine Artillery /by Ann Symons

Surname: Jenkins

Other names: Marcus

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Freetown (King Tom) Cemetery, Sierra Leone
Ludwell, Wiltshire
Devonport, Plymouth

Story:
Marcus Jenkins was born in 21st October, 1871 in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. He was the son of Eli Jenkins, a farmer, and Sarah Jenkins (née Witt). There is no record of Marcus at home in the 1901 Census and it is possible he was already in the Marines. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single and a Sergeant in the Royal Marine Artillery (Service No. RMA/5814), stationed at H.M.S. Warrior in Devonport, Plymouth. Later records up until his death show him as a Gunner. In 1911 he was awarded the Coronation Durbar medal for service on the Guard of Honour to the visiting Royalty. For his service during the war he was awarded the Victory, British and 14/15 Star medals. He died "by means other than disease, accident or enemy action" on 29th July 1918 on board HMS Africa and was buried at Freetown (King Tom) Cemetery (grave id. 1.F.11). At the time of death his next of kin was his brother, Charles Jenkins, who lived at Donhead St. Mary, his father having died in 1917. Marcus is remembered on the war memorial at Ludwell.

Images:

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

Henry John Lucas

4th April 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Lucas

Other names: Henry "Harry" John

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Le Touret Memorial, Richelbourg-l'Avour, Pas de Calais, France
Wolverton, Zeals, Wiltshire
Ludwell, Wiltshire
India

Story:
Henry John Lucas, sometimes known as Harry, was born in 1882 in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, and baptised there on 8th June, 1882. He was the son of Andrew Lucas, a Farm Worker, and Emma Lucas née Read. By 1911 census the family lived at Wolverton, Zeals, Wiltshire. On 1st October, 1898, Harry had enlisted as a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 3877). By the time of the 1911 Census he was serving in India. He re-enlisted in Dorchester, having completed his original service with the regiment, for a second time, with the 1st Battalion and a new Service No. 5816. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals. He died on 22nd October 1914 and his name appears on Le Touret Memorial, Richelbourg-l'Avour, Pas de Calais, France (Panel 22 and 23). He is remembered on the war memorial at Ludwell. Henry's father died in 1915.

Images:

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

Leonard Charles Rogers

4th April 2017/in 1914-1918 Wiltshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Rogers

Other names: Leonard Charles

Locations in this story:
Tisbury, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Tyne Cot Memorial, Flanders
Horse Hill, Coombe, Shaftesbury
Ludwell, Wiltshire

Story:
Leonard Charles Rogers was born in 1899 in Tisbury, Wiltshire. He was the son of Edwin Charles Rogers, a Farm Labourer, and Bessie Rogers (nee Thompson). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, a Scholar and living at Horse Hill, Coombe, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in Devizes, Wiltshire, as a Private in the 6th Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 35744). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 10th April 1918 and his name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial (Panel 119 to 120). He is remembered on the war memorial at Ludwell.

Images:

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

Frederick Augustus Snelgrove

4th April 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal West Kent Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Snelgrove

Other names: Frederick Augustus

Locations in this story:
Warminster, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Meaulte Military Cemetery, Meaulte, Somme, France
Norton Bavant, Warrminster, Wiltshire
Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Ludwell, Wiltshire

Story:
Frederick Augustus Snelgrove was born in 1888 in Norton Bavant, Warminster, Wiltshire. He was the son of William Snelgrove, a Farm Labourer, and Fanny Snelgrove (nee Foyle). At the time of the 1911 Census he was working as a Chauffeur and living at Norton Norton Bavant, Warminster, Wiltshire. In 1917 he married Grace Hilda Fitch - there were no known children of the marriage. He originally enlisted with the Princess Charlotte of Wales (Royal Berkshire) Regiment (Service No. 14297). He held the rank of Corporal. At some stage he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant and transferred to the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died on 24th August 1918 and was buried at Meaulte Military Cemetery, Meaulte, Somme, France (grave id. F.14). At the time of his death his wife was living at 198, Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. He is remembered on the war memorial at Ludwell.

Images:

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