Stories Archive - Page 149 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

St. John the Baptist Church, Berwick St. John 01

Frederick William Stretch

Surname: Stretch

Other names: Frederick William

Locations in this story:
Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Birr Cross Roads Cemetery, Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium
Bridmore Gate Cottages, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Hooks Hill, Berwick St. John
Winton, Hampshire
Devizes, Wiltshire

Story:
Frederick William Stretch was born on 16th October, 1894 in Berwick St. John, Wiltshire. He was the son of Mary Stretch, a domestic servant. No father is recorded on the birth certificate. He lived with his mother at the home of her parents, John Stretch and Anne Stretch at Hooks Hill, Berwick St. John. Eventually his mother married Harry Smith about 1897/1899 (no marriage record has been found) but Frederick stayed with his grandparents. His mother, Mary, lived in Winton, Hampshire. At the time of the 1911 Census Frederick was single, working as a Farm Carter and living at Bridmore Gate Cottages, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire. He enlisted at Devizes, Wiltshire, as a Private in the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 18741). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died on 27th August 1915 and his name appears on Memorial 18, Union Street Graveyard 1 at Birr Cross Roads Cemetery, Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium. He is remembered on the Berwick St. John War Memorial.

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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Frederick Sweeting

Surname: Sweeting

Other names: Frederick

Locations in this story:
High Easter, Essex
France & Flanders
Tyne Cot Memorial, Flanders
Chalk Cottage, High Easter, Essex
Rushmore Park, Wiltshire
St. John the Baptist Church, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Church of St. Peter and Vincula, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Vine Cottage, London Road, Bolney, Cuckfield, Sussex

Story:
Frederick Sweeting was born in 1880 in High Easter, Essex. He was the son of William Sweeting, an Agricultural Labourer, and Sophia Sweeting (nee Mead). The 1901 Census shows him boarding at Vine Cottage, London Road, Bolney, Cuckfield, Sussex, where he was employed as an Under Gamekeeper. On 4th February, 1905, he married Florence Maria Fairs and lived with his parents at High Easter, Essex. They had three children: two sons and a daughter. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was working as a gamekeeper and living at Chalk Cottage, High Easter, Essex. On 11th December, 1915, he enlisted in Blandford, Dorset, as a Gunner in the 275th Siege Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery (Service No. 91617). His enlistment papers recorded his address as Rushmore Park, Wiltshire, and his occupation as gamekeeper. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 29th September 1917 and his name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial (Panel 6 to 7 and 162). Following his death his widow Florence married a Mr. Lattamore and continued to live at Rushmore Park. Frederick is remembered on the memorial inside the church at Berwick St. John.

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

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

William Herbert Waterman

30th March 2017/in 1914-1918 Wiltshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Waterman

Other names: William Herbert

Locations in this story:
Romsey, Hampshire
France & Flanders
Loker Churchyard, Nr. Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium
Stratford Sub Castle, Salisbury, Wiltshire
Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Salisbury

Story:
William Herbert Waterman was born in 1892 in Romsey, Hampshire. He was the son of Henry (Harry) Waterman, a Farm Labourer, and Annie Jane Waterman (nee Phillips). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Shepherd and living at Stratford Sub Castle, Salisbury, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Salisbury as a Private in the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 11077). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. When he died on 27th February 1915, he had been attached to 'A# Company and treated at the No. 7 Field Ambulance, Loker. He was buried at Loker Churchyard, Nr. Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium (grave id. II.F.9). He is remembered on the Berwick St. John War Memorial.

Images:

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The National Archives

Harry Charles Weeks

30th March 2017/in 1914-1918 Wiltshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Weeks

Other names: Harry Charles

Locations in this story:
Berwick St. John
France & Flanders
Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extn.
Luke Street, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Devizes, Wiltshire

Story:
Harry Charles Weeks was born in 1888 in Berwick St. John. He was the son of Mary Emma Weeks, a laundress - there is no father on the baptismal record. His mother married Frank Jacob in 1907 - they had one child, a half brother to Harry. At the time of the 1911 Census Harry was single, working as a Shepherd and living with his uncle in Luke Street, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Devizes, Wiltshire, as a Private in the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 18740) and he served in France & Flanders. He was awarded the British War, Victory and 15 Star medals. He died on 24th August 1916 and was buried at Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension (grave id. VII.D.53). He is remembered on the Berwick St. John War Memorial.

Images:

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Jehu Charles Weeks

30th March 2017/in 1914-1918 Wiltshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Weeks

Other names: Jehu Charles

Locations in this story:
Berwick St. John
France & Flanders
Templeux-Le-Guerard British Cemetery, Somme, France
The Cross, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury

Story:
Jehu Charles Weeks was born in 1894 in Berwick St. John. He was the son of Charles Weeks, a Farmer, and Sarah Ann Weeks (nee Sangen). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, was a Farm Worker and living at The Cross, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Shaftesbury as a Private in the 7th Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 17051). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died on 7th October 1918 whilst attached to the 'B' Company of the Regiment and was buried at Templeux-Le-Guerard British War Cemetery, Somme, France (grave id. I.J.9). He is remembered on the Berwick St. John War Memorial.

Images:

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Cecil Dashwood Milman Fowler

30th March 2017/in 1914-1918 Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) /by Ann Symons

Surname: Fowler

Other names: Cecil Dashwood Milman

Locations in this story:
Weaverham, Cheshire
France & Flanders
Loos Memorial, France
Donhead Lodge, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
St Mary Magdelane Church, Camden, London
Haileybury School, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire
St. Thomas' Church, Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Cecil Dashwood Milman Fowler was born on 2nd November, 1896, in Weaverham, Cheshire, and baptised at St Mary Magdelane Church, Camden, London, on 5th January, 1897. He was the son of Lt. Col. Valentine Augustus Milman Fowler, a Prison Governor, and Edith Marian Fowler (née Byas). At the time of the 1911 Census, he was single and a student boarding in the Sanditemum Hailey School House, Haileybury School, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire. His father was Governor of Norwich Prison and the family lived in that area. He enlisted early in 1914 and joined the 1st Battalion (2nd Foot), of the Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment and at the time of his death held the rank of Lieutenant. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals and clasp. He died on 25th September 1915 and his name appears on the Loos Memorial (Panel 13 to 15).

In 1917 Cecil's parents moved to Donhead Lodge, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire. Cecil is remembered on the Wiltshire Roll of Honour in St. Thomas' Church, Salisbury, on the De Ruvigny Roll of Honour and on the Haileybury School Roll of Honour.

Images:

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Names on Donhead St. Andrew War Memorial 02

Francis (Frank) George Haime

30th March 2017/in 1914-1918 Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) /by Ann Symons

Surname: Haime

Other names: Francis George

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Andrew
France & Flanders
Arras Memorial, France
Scots Hill, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Lowsly Cottage, Headley Road, Liphhok, Hampshire
Hazelmere, Surrey
Petersfield, Hampshire
Western Australia

Story:
Francis George Haime (know as 'Frank') was born in 1884 in Donhead St. Andrew. He was the son of Henry William Haime, a Miller's Labourer, and Mary Ann Haime (née Gurd). By 1901 he had moved from home, was working as a General Labourer and boarding at Deadwater, Headley, Alton, Hampshire. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a General Labourer and boarding at Lowsly Cottage, Headley Road, Liphook, Hampshire. His parents meanwhile were living at Scots Hill, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire. He married Dinisia Searle in 1912 in the Petersfield, Hampshire, Registry District. They went on to have three children: Evelyn (Lily) in 1913, George in 1914 and Agnes in 1916. Frank enlisted in Hazelmere, Surrey, as a Private and joined the 7th Battalion of the Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment (Service No. G/37752). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 3rd May 1917 and his name appears on the Arras Memorial (Bay 2). He is remembered on the Donhead St. Andrew War Memorial. His brother, William Henry Haime, who had emigrated to Western Australia, served with the Australian Infantry and survived. (NB. The family name appears to be Haime but Haimes was used frequently on records.)

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Reginal Charles John Head headstone, Donhead St. Andrew

Reginald Charles John Head

30th March 2017/in 1914-1918 Kings Royal Rifle Corps /by Ann Symons

Surname: Head

Other names: Reginald Charles John

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Northamptonshire War Hospital, Duston, Northamptonl
St. Andrew's Church, Donhead St. Andrew
Lowndes Square, Chelsea, London
Ludwell, Wiltshire

Story:
Reginald Charles John Head was born in 1898 in Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, and was baptised there on 16th October, 1898. He was the son of William and Thirza Jane Head (née Biddiscombe). His father died in 1905 and in 1907 his mother remarried a Reginald Andrews and they set up home at Birdbush, Ludwell, Wiltshire. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, and living in Ludwell but by 1917 was working as an Indoor Servant and living at 43 Lowndes Square, Chelsea, London. He enlisted in London on 3rd March, 1917, as a Private and joined the 19th Training Battalion of the King's Royal Rifle Corps (Service No. TR/13/14596 (later shortened to 14596)). At the time of his death his mother was living at The Rambler, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. He contracted Lobar Pneumonia and died in the Northamptonshire War Hospital, Duston, Northampton, on 8th April 1917 and was buried in the north-west part of St. Andrew's churchyard, Donhead St. Andrew. He is remembered on the Donhead St. Andrew War Memorial. His brother, William Frederick George Head, also served in the war and survived.

Images:

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William Frederick George Head

Nicholas Weatherby Hill

30th March 2017/in 1914-1918 Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Hill

Other names: Nicholas Weatherby

Locations in this story:
Weeke, Winchester
France & Flanders
Courcelette British War Cemetery, Somme, France
St. Andrew's Church, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Winchester College, Winchester, Hampshre
Donhead Cottage, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire

Story:
Nicholas Weatherby Hill was born on 7th August, 1896, in Weeke, Winchester, Hampshire. He was the son of Henry Leonard Gauntlett Hill, an Architect, and Mary Hill (née Weatherby). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single and a student boarding at Winchester College, Winchester, Hampshire, where he attended from 1909 to 1915. He enlisted with the 2nd Battalion of the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and at the time of his death held the rank of Lieutenant (Acting Captain). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Military Cross in 1916 just a few months before his death as well as the Victory and British War medals. He was killed at Courcelette by shell fire whilst on his way to the trenches on 16th January 1917 and was buried at Courcelette British War Cemetery, Somme, France (grave id. I.D.13). He is remembered on a brass tablet and wooden cross inside St. Andrew's Church at Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, also on the Winchester College War Cloister, Area F.1. His parents were living at Donhead Cottage, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, at the time.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Names on Donhead St. Andrew War Memorial 03

Percival Henry Hill

30th March 2017/in 1914-1918 East Yorkshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Hill

Other names: Percival Henry

Locations in this story:
East Knoyle, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres
Parkstone Avenue, Parkstone, Dorset
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Bishops Knoyle (West Knoyle), Wiltshire
Pains Hill, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Chedington Court, Beaminster, Dorset
Salisbury

Story:
Percival Henry Hill was born on 27th August, 1894, in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, and baptised at St. Mary the Virgin Church, Bishop's Knoyle (West Knoyle),Wiltshire, on 7th October, 1894. He was the son of John Henry Hill, a Gardener, and Elizabeth Ann Hill (née Bryant). His siblings included Walter Geoffrey, born in 1896, who also died in the war. He was first registered for school at East Knoyle C of E School in 1897. In 1903 when his family moved to Pains Hill, Donhead St. Andrew he was registered for schooling at Donhead St. Andrew C of E School. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single and working as a Domestic Footman and living at Chedington Court, Beaminster, Dorset, in the employ of Sir Henry Peto (Bart).

He enlisted in Salisbury and joined the 8th Battalion of the East Yorkshire Regiment (Service No. 16355) and at the time of his death held the rank of Corporal. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died on 31st March 1916 and his name appears on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres (Panel 21 & 31). He is remembered on the Donhead St. Andrew War Memorial. His parents were by then living at 78 Parkstone Avenue, Parkstone, Dorset.

Images:

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The National Archives
Walter Geoffrey Hill