Stories Archive - Page 148 of 164 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Those Who Fell on Ebbesbourne Wake Memorial 2

Reginald George Dimmer

Surname: Dimmer

Other names: Reginald George

Locations in this story:
Bowerchalke, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium
Topp Hill, Ebbesbourne Wake, Wiltshire

Story:
Reginald George Dimmer was born on 12th April, 1897 in Bowerchalke, Wiltshire, and baptised there on 13th May, 1897. He was the son of George Edward Dimmer, a carter working on a farm, and Kate Elizabeth Dimmer (née Foyle). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Farm Hand and living at Topp Hill, Ebbesbourne Wake, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Salisbury as a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 33230). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 30th July 1917 and his name appears on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium (Panel 53). He is remembered on the Ebbesbourne Wake War Memorial.

Images:

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

Henry George Hardiman

Surname: Hardiman

Other names: Henry George

Locations in this story:
Pound Street, Ebbesbourne Wake, Wiltshire
Gallipoli, Turkey
Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey
The Cross, Ebbesbourne Wake, Wiltshire
Ebbesbourne Wake, Wiltshire

Story:
Henry George Hardiman was born on 10th April, 1881 in Ebbesbourne Wake, Wiltshire. He was the son of William Hardiman, a farm labourer, and Sarah Ann Hardiman (nee Coombs). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, living in Pound Street, Ebbesbourne Wake and working as a Farm Labourer. His mother died in 1913. He enlisted in Devizes, Wiltshire, as a Private and joined the 5th Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 18773). He served at Gallipoli and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died on 10th August 1915 and his name appears on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey (Panel 156 to 158). At the time of his death his father was next of kin and living at The Cross, Ebbesbourne Wake. Henry is remembered on the Ebbesbourne Wake War Memorial. His brother, Bertram John Hardiman, served and survived the conflict.

Images:

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

Frederick Powell

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

Surname: Powell

Other names: Frederick

Locations in this story:
Ebbesbourne Wake, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Bailleul, Nord, France
Pound Street, Ebbesbourne Wake, Wiltshire
Devizes, Wiltshire

Story:
Frederick Powell was born on 28th February, 1897 in Ebbesbourne Wake, Wiltshire. His mother was Sarah Ann Powell (there was no father named on his birth certificate). Frederick lived with his grandparents in Pound Street, Ebbesbourne Wake. His mother died at Ebbesbourne Wake in 1910 and was buried there on 24th May, 1910. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Farm Labourer and living with his grandmother, a widow, at Pound Street. His grandmother died in 1916.

Frederick enlisted in Devizes, Wiltshire, as a Private and joined the 2nd Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 25688). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died of wounds on 28th August 1917 and was buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Bailleul, Nord, France (grave id. III.E.217). He is remembered on the Ebbesbourne Wake War Memorial. His only living relative at the time was his Uncle, George Powell, living in Pound Street, Ebbesbourne Wake.

Images:

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

Percy Albert Aish

4th April 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Aish

Other names: Percy Albert

Locations in this story:
Tisbury, Wiltshire
Alexandria, Egypt
Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery
Home Farm, Charlton, Ludwell, Wiltshire
Ludwell, Wiltshire
Palestine
Agagia, Egypt
St. Mary's Church, Sherborne
Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Percy Albert Aish was born in 1893 in the registration district of Tisbury and baptised at Donhead St Mary on 1st Oct 1893. He was the son of Albert Aish, a farmer, and Ann Aish (née Pike). Percy attended Shaftesbury Grammar School between 1907 and 1909. After leaving school he became a farmer with his father. In the 1911 Census Albert and Ann were living at Home Farm, Charlton, Ludwell, Wiltshire, but Percy was not listed.

He enlisted at Charlton and joined the 1st Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry with service No. 559. In time he transferred to the 1st Battalion of the Corps of Hussars (Service no. 230040) and went to Egypt in 1915, taking part in the Battle of Agagia and the Palestine campaign. At the time of his death held the rank of Corporal. While at Alexandria he caught a fever and died on 23rd October 1918 in No.19 General Hospital. He was buried at the Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria (grave id. E.56). He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He is remembered on the War Memorial at Ludwell and on the memorial at Shaftesbury School. His name also appears on the memorial to the Comrades of the Queens Own Dorset Yeomanry in St. Mary's Church, Sherborne.

A "First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces" was produced by Shaftesbury Grammar School in September 1915. It shows the regiment in which Percy served and the date and term in which he left school. 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 Percy's name, indicating that he had died. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.

Printed Sources:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, March 1919
First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces, September 1915

Images:

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

Arthur James Biddiscombe

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

Surname: Biddiscombe

Other names: Arthur James

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders
Salisbury Road, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Ludwell, Wiltshire
Cardiff
Pembroke Dock Barracks, Pembroke, Wales

Story:
Arthur James Biddiscombe was born in 1877 in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, and baptised there on 26th August, 1877. He was the son of Henry Biddiscombe, a Builder, and Emma Foot Biddiscombe (née Smart). At the time of the 1911 Census his parents were living in Salisbury Road, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. Arthur had by this time enlisted in Cardiff and joined the 2nd Battalion of the Welch Regiment (Service No. 8116) and the 1911 Census shows him based at Pembroke Dock Barracks, Pembroke, Wales. At the time of his death held the rank of Lance Corporal. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals and clasp. He died on 6th November 1914 and his name appears on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres (Panel 37). He is remembered on the War Memorial at Ludwell. Arthur's brother Ernest John (b.1879) also served in the war, with the Royal Engineers. Their father died in 1915 and their mother in 1922.

Images:

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

Samuel Blandford

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

Surname: Blandford

Other names: Samuel

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Dardanelles
Pieta Military Cemetery, Triq id-Duluri, Malta
Charlton, Ludwell, Wiltshire
Malta
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Samuel Blandford was born in 1896 in Donhead St. Mary and baptised there on 5th July, 1896. He was the son of James Blandford and Bertha Blandford (née Turner), a Laundress. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Gamekeeper and living at Charlton, Ludwell, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 31st August, 1914, and joined the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 10289) and on 10th May, 1915 was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. He was posted to the Dardanelles area on 1st July, 1915, and, despite being fully inoculated in November, 1914, he died of Enteric Fever in a Military Hospital on Malta on 22nd September, 1915. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He was buried at Pieta Military Cemetery, Triq id-Duluri, Malta (grave id. B.XIII.3). He is remembered on the war memorial at Ludwell.

Images:

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

Edward William Broomfield

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

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.

Images:

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