Stories Archive - Page 148 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Edwin John Durrant

Surname: Durrant

Other names: Edwin John

Locations in this story:
Stourton Caundle, Dorset
France & Flanders
Merville Communal Cemetery, Merville, Pas de Calais, France
Shaftesbury Road, East Knoyle, Wiltshire
East Knoyle, Wiltshire

Story:
Edwin John Durrant was born in 1895 in Stourton Caundle, Dorset. He was the son of James Arthur Durrant, a carter on a farm, and Isabella Durrant (née Williams). His father died in 1907 and was buried at East Knoyle on 20th October, 1907. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Farm Labourer and living at Shaftesbury Road, East Knoyle, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Shaftesbury as a Private in the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 1978). He later transferred to the 2nd/1st Bucks Battalion of the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (New Service No. 5416). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War War medals. He died of wounds on 20th July 1916 and was buried at Merville Communal Cemetery, Merville, Pas de Calais, France (grave id. XI.A.37). He is remembered on the East Knoyle War Memorial. His mother died in 1919. His brother, Sidney Frank Durrant, also served in the conflict but survived.

Images:

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

James Frederick Alfred Fletcher

Surname: Fletcher

Other names: James Frederick Alfred

Locations in this story:
East Knoyle, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, Nord Pas de Calais, France
Milton, East Knoyle, Wiltshire
Romsey, Hampshire
Farley Chamberlayne, Hampshire

Story:
James Frederick Alfred Fletcher was born in 1895 in East Knoyle and baptised there on 5th January, 1896. He was the son of Henry Fletcher, a General Labourer, and Amy Elizabeth Fletcher (née Chalke). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Shepherd on the Clouds Estate and living at Milton, East Knoyle, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Salisbury, giving Romsey, Hampshire as his address, and joined the 2nd Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 21254). He served in France & Flanders and at the time of his death held the rank of Lance Corporal. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died of wounds on 28th April 1917 and was buried at Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, Nord Pas de Calais, France (grave id. I.C.23). He is remembered on the East Knoyle War Memorial as well as the memorial in St John's Church, Farley Chamberlayne, Hampshire, near to where his parents had moved.

Images:

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

Gerald Sidney Forward

4th April 2017/in 1914-1918 South Wales Borderers /by Ann Symons

Surname: Forward

Other names: Gerald Sidney

Locations in this story:
Zeals, Wiltshire
Farnham, Surrey
St Mary's Church, East Knoyle, Wiltshire
White Cross, Zeals, Wiltshire
Colchester Military Hospital , Essex
Aldershot, Hampshire
Shaftesbury
East Knoyle, Wiltshire

Story:
Gerald Sidney Forward was born in Zeals, Wiltshire, on 18th July, 1889, and baptised there on 29th August 1889. He was the son of Sidney Forward, a carpenter, and Lucy Forward (nee Matthews). Lucy died in the same period as Gerald's birth possibly due to complications and by 1911 his father had remarried and moved to Aldershot, Hampshire. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was living at White Cross, Zeals, Wiltshire. His father, Sidney, died in 1914 in the Farnham, Surrey area.

On 30th July, 1916 Gerald married Bertha Mallett at St. Mary's Church, East Knoyle, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Shaftesbury as a Private and joined the Suffolk Regiment (Service No. 5710). He later transferred to the 52nd Battalion of the South Wales Borderers (New Service No. 4/64728). He died from unknown causes at Colchester Military Hospital, Essex, on 10th November 1918 and was buried in the cemetery extension at St Mary's Church, East Knoyle, Wiltshire (grave id. 240). He is remembered on the East Knoyle War Memorial. A search of the Medal Index has failed to find if any medals were issued in his name.

Images:

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

William Thomas Fricker

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

Surname: Fricker

Other names: William Thomas

Locations in this story:
East Knoyle, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Thiepval Memorial, France
Milton, East Knoyle, Wiltshire
Devizes, Wiltshire

Story:
William Thomas Fricker was born in 1889 in East Knoyle. He was the son of James Fricker, a Gardener, and Annie Fricker (née Read). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Farm Labourer and living at Milton, East Knoyle, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Devizes, Wiltshire, as a Private in the 5th Battalion of Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire) Regiment (Service No. 23678). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He was missing and presumed killed in action on 19th October 1916 and his name appears on the Thiepval Memorial (Pier & Face 11 D.). He is remembered on the East Knoyle War Memorial. His brother, Alfred Henry Fricker, also served in the conflict and survived.

Images:

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

Robert Eric Griffiths

4th April 2017/in 1914-1918 Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) /by Ann Symons

Surname: Griffiths

Other names: Robert Eric

Locations in this story:
East Knoyle, Wiltshire
Wandsworth (Earlsfield) Cemetery, London
Knoyle Street, East Knoyle
Chobham Road, Stratford, London
London
South Drive, Wokingham, Berkshire

Story:
Robert Eric Griffiths was born in 1896 in East Knoyle and baptised there on 26th January, 1896. He was the son of John Griffiths, a labourer, and Augusta Mary Griffiths (née Brockway). Robert lived most of his childhood with his grandmother, Sarah Brockway, a widow, at 15 Knoyle Street, East Knoyle, Wiltshire. His mother was employed as a parlour maid and living away from home. There is no record of the whereabouts of his father at this time. By the 1911 Census, Robert had moved away from East Knoyle and was living with his uncle, Joseph Fountain, at 61 Chobham Road, Stratford, London, where he was an apprentice tailor. He enlisted in London as a Private in the 10th Battalion of the Queen's Own (Royal West Surrey) Regiment (Service No. G/10059) and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died of an unknown cause in the UK on 13th April 1916 and was buried at Wandsworth (Earlsfield) Cemetery, London (grave id. Screen Wall G.B.18.136). He is remembered on the East Knoyle War Memorial. (NB His parents were shown on the WGC Memoriam as living at St. Mary's Cottage, South Drive, Wokingham, Berkshire.)

Images:

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

Albert John Harris

4th April 2017/in 1914-1918 Coldstream Guards /by Ann Symons

Surname: Harris

Other names: Albert John

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Guards' Cemetery, Lesboeufs, Somme, France
Holloway, East Knoyle, Wiltshire
Salisbury

Story:
Albert John Harris was born in 1892 in Semley, Wiltshire. He was the son of Frederick George Frampton Harris, a Garden Labourer, and Emily Harris (née Burt). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Labourer and living at 2 Holloway, East Knoyle, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Salisbury as a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Coldstream Guards (Service No. 10884). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals and clasp. He was killed in action on 16th September 1916 and was buried at Guards' Cemetery, Lesboeufs, Somme, France (grave id. XIII.L.2). He is remembered on the East Knoyle War Memorial.

Images:

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

Herbert Joseph Wellstead

30th March 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal Field Artillery /by Ann Symons

Surname: Wellstead

Other names: Herbert Joseph

Locations in this story:
Fulham, Middlesex
Western Europe
Etaples Military Cemetery, Etaples, Pas de Calais, France
Brook Hill, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Galloway Road, Shepherds Bush, London.
Donhead St. Andrew
Merton, Surrey

Story:
Herbert Joseph Wellstead was born in 1896 in Fulham, Middlesex. He was the son of Fred Wellstead, a Stone Quarryman, and Ellen Mary Wellstead (nee Reeks). At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Brook Hill, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire. In 1915 he married Jane Haines and they had a daughter called Joan Elsie. He enlisted in London as a Gunner in the Royal Field Artillery (Service No. L/46669). He served in Western Europe and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. At the time of his death on 20th October 1918 he was serving with the 33rd Div. Ammunition Company and was buried at Etaples Military Cemetery, Etaples, Pas de Calais, France (grave id. LXVII. K. 7). At the time of his death his wife was living at 42 Galloway Road, Shepherds Bush, London. He is remembered on the Donhead St. Andrew War Memorial. His father died in 1919. His wife did not re-marry and by 1939 was living in Merton, Surrey.

Images:

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

John Dennis Riggs

30th March 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Riggs

Other names: John Dennis

Locations in this story:
Farnham, Dorset
Gallipoli, Turkey
Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Hillside, Manswood, Wimborne
Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Melbury Abbas, Dorset
Church of St. Peter and Vincula, Tollard Royal
St. John the Baptist Church, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
John Dennis Riggs was born in 1888 in Farnham, Dorset, and baptised at Tollard Royal on 20th January, 1889. He was the son of John Dennis Riggs, a Gardener, and Fannie Riggs (née Raymond). His siblings included Cecil Herbert, born in 1893, who also died in the war. The 1911 Census shows that John was working as a Farm Labourer and living at Tollard Royal, Wiltshire. John married Alice Rachel Andrews at Witchampton, Dorset, on 26th December, 1911. He enlisted at Shaftesbury as a Private in the Dorset Yeomanry (The Queen's Own) (Service No. 1180). He served at Gallipoli and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died on 21st August 1915 and his name appears on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey (Panel 17 and 18). John's widow Alice was at this time living with their two daughters at Hillside, Manswood, Wimborne. He is remembered on the Melbury Abbas War Memorial and on the memorial plaque inside the church at Berwick St. John, Wiltshire.

He is also remembered in Tollard Royal, on the War Memorial and on the Roll of Honour inside the Church of St. Peter and Vincula in the village.

Images:

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

Cecil Herbert Riggs

30th March 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal Navy /by Ann Symons

Surname: Riggs

Other names: Cecil Herbert

Locations in this story:
Farnham, Dorset
Battle of Jutland
Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Tinkley Cottages, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Church of St. Peter and Vincula , Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
St. John the Baptist Church, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire

Story:
Cecil Herbert Riggs was born on 29th September 1893 in Farnham, Dorset. (NB Second name shown as 'Herb' on GRO Index but 'Herbert' used generally afterwards.) He was the son of John Riggs, a Gardener, and Fanny Riggs (née Raymond). His siblings included John Dennis, born in 1888, who also died in the war. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Farm Labourer and living with his brother, John Dennis Riggs, in Tollard Royal, Wiltshire. His parents lived at 25 Tinkley Cottages, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire. In 1913 he enlisted on 8th October, 1913, and joined the Royal Navy (Service No. K.20795 (PO)). He commenced his service at HMS Victory Training Unit and later was posted to HMS Albermarle where he qualified as a Stoker 1st Class. He returned to HMS Victory for a period before joining the crew of HMS Queen Mary. He died when the ship was sunk at the Battle of Jutland on 31st May 1916. His name appears on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial (Panel 19) and the memorial plaque inside the church at Berwick St. John, Wiltshire. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals.

He is also remembered in Tollard Royal, on the War Memorial and on the Roll of Honour inside the Church of St. Peter and Vincula in the village.

Source: Photographs of the Portsmouth Naval Memorial taken by Richard Lunn.

Images:

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

Victor James Stacey

30th March 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Ann Symons

Surname: Stacey

Other names: Victor James

Locations in this story:
Alderholt, Dorset
France & Flanders
Mondicourt Communal Cemetery, Near Arras, Pas de Calais, France
Hinton St. Mary, Dorset
Baydon Hill, Baydon Street, Aldbourne, Wiltshire
Delden, Gelderland, Netherlands
Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Hursley, Hampshire
Warlincourt, France

Story:
Victor James Stacey was born on 13th January, 1888, in Delden, Gelderland, Netherlands and baptised in Alderholt, Wiltshire, on 6th May, 1888. He was the son of Thomas (Tom) Stacey, a Game Keeper, and Sarah Ann Stacey (nee Foster). (NB The records show Victor variously as 'James'; 'Victor James' and 'James Victor'. The Military records give his name as 'Victor James' as he was baptised.) At the time of the 1911 Census his family were living in Berwick St. John, Wiltshire. Victor was boarding with his brother at Baydon Hill, Baydon Street, Aldbourne, Wiltshire, where he worked as a Builder's Labourer. Shortly after the Census his father died in that year. On 2nd April, 1916 he married Ethel Mona King and they lived in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset. He enlisted at Hursley, Hampshire, as a Private in the 146th Company of the Royal Army Service Corps (Service No. T4/124982), later he joined the 17th Divisional Company. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died at Warlincourt, France, on 21st August 1916 and was buried near the north-west corner of Mondicourt Communal Cemetery, Near Arras, Pas de Calais, France. He is remembered on the Berwick St. John War Memorial. His brother, George Francis Arthur Stacey, also served but survived.

Images:

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