Stories Archive - Page 153 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Cossley John Berkeley Hunt

Surname: Hunt

Other names: Cossley John Berkeley

Locations in this story:
Western European Theatre
Bedford House Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Cann , Shaftesbury
Dorchester, Dorset

Story:
Cossley John Berkeley Hunt was born in 1898 in Cann. He was the son of John Thomas Hunt, a farm labourer, and Wilhelmina Augusta Martha Hunt (née Knight). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, was a student and living at Cann, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in Dorchester as a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (Service No. 29223). He served in the Western European Theatre and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died in on 4th October 1917 and was buried at Bedford House Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (Enclosure No. 4, VIII.C.7). His grave is situated in Enclosure No. 4 which is described as 'the largest (site) which was used from June 1916 to February 1918 largely by the 47th (London) Division and after the Armistice it was enlarged when 3,324 graves were brought in from other burial grounds and from the battle fields of the Ypres Salient. Almost two-thirds of the graves are unidentified'. Cossley is remembered on the Cann War Memorial, Shaftesbury. His brother, Arthur Reginald George Hunt, served in the Royal Marines Light Infantry during the conflict and went on to transfer to the Royal Navy in 1929 until mid-way through WW2.

Images:

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

Charles King

Surname: King

Other names: Charles

Locations in this story:
Lacock, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
St. Souplet British Cemetery complex, Nord, France
Higher Coombe, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Ludwell, Wiltshire
Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Charles King was born in 1888 in Lacock, Wiltshire. He was the son of Jesse King, a gamekeeper, and Harriet King (née Holley). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, was working as a cabinet maker and living at Higher Coombe, Donhead St. Mary, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in Salisbury as a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 23746). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 1st April 1918 and his name appears on the St. Quentin German Cemetery Memorial 10, which is part of the wider St. Souplet British Cemetery complex at St. Souplet, Nord, France. He is remembered on the Cann War Memorial, Shaftesbury and the memorial at Ludwell in Wiltshire.

Images:

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

William Charles Mason

13th February 2017/in 1914-1918 Nyasaland Volunteer Reserve /by Ann Symons

Surname: Mason

Other names: William Charles

Locations in this story:
Surbiton, Surrey
Namiwawa, Nyasaland
St. Denis, Cann, Shaftesbury
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Haileybury College, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire
South-Eastern Agricultural College, Wye, Kent
U.S.A.
Pusa, India

Story:
William Charles Mason was born on 13th May, 1884 in Surbiton, Surrey, and baptised at St. Andrew's Church, Subiton on 8th June 1884, the son of William Joshua Mason, a manufacturing engineer, and Eliza Emily Mason (née Walters). William Charles appears in the 1901 Census as a boarder at Haileybury College, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire. In 1906 he travelled to Pusa in India to work as an entomologist. He returned to England in 1910 and attended the South-Eastern Agricultural College, Wye in Kent. By 1911 William Charles' parents had moved to St. Denis, Cann, Shaftesbury, and he is included on the Census as an Economic Entomologist. He continued his studies in that field as a Carnegie Student in the U.S.A.

He went out to Nyasaland to work as the Government Entomologist and while there he enlisted in the Nyasaland Volunteer Reserve. He died of blackwater fever at the Government Farm in Namiwawa, Nyasaland on 28th November 1917. He is remembered on the Cann War Memorial, Shaftesbury. He is also commemorated on one of the Stations of the Cross plaques in St. James’ Church and is included on the Haileybury College War Memorial.

Images:

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

Trevor Sharpe

13th February 2017/in 1914-1918 Corps of Hussars, Dorset Yeomanry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Sharpe

Other names: Trevor

Locations in this story:
Marnull
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Chatby Memorial, Alexandria, Egypt
Pigeon House Farm, Marnhull, Dorset
Butts Knapp, Cann, Shaftesbury
Shaftesbury, Dorset
St. Mary's Church, Sherborne, Dorset

Story:
Trevor Sharpe was born in 1885 in Marnhull and baptised there on 12th April 1885. He was the son of Walter Sharpe, a farmer, and Julia Elizabeth Sharpe (née Rowland). On 6th February, 1906 he married Laura Blanche Foot. They had three children: Hilda May (b.1907), Walter (b. 1912) and Mildred B. (b. 1917). At the time of the 1911 Census he was working as a gardener and living at Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. Later Electoral Rolls show the family had moved to Butts Knapp, Shaftesbury, by 1918. Trevor enlisted in Shaftesbury in the Dorset (Queen's own) Yeomanry (Service No. 1543) but later transferred to the Corps of Hussars (Service No. 230785) and at the time of his death held the rank of Corporal. He served in Egypt and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. On 13th October 1918 he died of pneumonia on board the hospital ship HMHS Assaye and was buried at sea. His name appears on the Chatby Memorial, Alexandria and on the memorial to the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry in St. Mary's Church, Sherborne. He is remembered on the Cann War Memorial, Shaftesbury on which the spelling of his surname is "Sharp", although the correct name is "Sharpe" but this is carried through in many records throughout the family. His brothers, Montague Harry Sharpe, Denzil Walter Claude Sharpe, Kenneth Cyril Sharpe and Leo Vernon Sharpe, all served and all survived the conflict.

Images:

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

Stanley Smith

13th February 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Smith

Other names: Stanley

Locations in this story:
Alcester, Shaftesbury
Mesopotamia
Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Waziriah Area, Baghdad, Iraq
Hawkesdene, Cann, Shaftesbury

Story:
Stanley Smith was born in Alcester, Shaftesbury, on 29th July, 1891 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 23rd August, 1891. He was the son of Harry Smith, a house painter, and Harriett Smith. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was working as a house painter and living at Hawkesdene, Cann, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in Shaftesbury in the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 1184) later joining the 1st/4th Battalion (new Service No. 200161) and at the time of his death held the rank of Temporary Sergeant. He served in Mesopotamia and was awarded the Victory, British War, 1915 Star and the Territorial Force War medals. He died on 28th September 1917 and was buried at Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Waziriah Area, Baghdad, Iraq (grave id. IX.D.4). The cemetery was begun in April 1917 and contains the graves of many of the dead brought in from other temporary burial grounds. He is remembered on the Cann War Memorial, Shaftesbury.

Images:

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

Henry Steel

13th February 2017/in 1914-1918 Kings Royal Rifle Corps /by Ann Symons

Surname: Steel

Other names: Henry (Harry)

Locations in this story:
Bromley, Kent
France & Flanders
Thiepval Memorial, France
Ash Cottage, Cann Common, Shaftesbury
Woodside, Surrey
Stroud Road, Croydon, Surrey

Story:
Henry Steel was born in 1894 in Bromley, Kent. He was the son of Edwin George Steel, a market gardener, and Elizabeth Mary Steel. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was living at Ash Cottage, Cann Common, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in Croydon, Surrey, on 18th July 1915 as a Rifleman joining the 18th (Service) Battalion of the King's Royal Rifle Corps (Service No. C//6415). At the time of his enlistment he gave his address as 16 Stroud Road, Woodside, Surrey. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 15th September 1916 and his name appears on the Thiepval Memorial (Pier & Face 13A and 13B). He is remembered on the Cann War Memorial, Shaftesbury.

Images:

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

John Francis Joiner (Frank) Thompson

13th February 2017/in 1914-1918 Northumberland Fusiliers /by Ann Symons

Surname: Thompson

Other names: John Francis Joiner (Frank)

Locations in this story:
St. Augustine's Church, Paddington, London
France & Flanders
Wandsworth Cemetery, Earlsfield, London
Melbury Street, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury
Hendon, Middlesex
Thomas Road, Islington, London
Hill View, Cann Common, Shaftesbury

Story:
John Francis Joiner Thompson (known by all as 'Frank') was born in 1887 in Hendon, Middlesex, and baptised on 27th November, 1887 at St. Augustine's Church, Paddington, London. He was the son of John and Jane Mary Thompson. His father had died prior to 1894 and his mother remarried in that year to Samson Trowbridge becoming the step brother of Ernest Trowbridge, Samson's son. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, a labourer and living at 66 Thomas Road, Islington, London, whilst his mother lived at 4 Melbury Street, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, later moving to Hill View, Cann Common, Shaftesbury.

He enlisted in London as a Private in the 1st Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers (Service No. 1188). He served in France & Flanders from 13 Aug 1914 and was eventually awarded the Victory, British War and 1914/15 Star medals. He died on 24th September 1915 having previously been wounded in battle and repatriated home. He was buried at Wandsworth Cemetery, Earlsfield, London. This cemetery was used by the 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth. His name appears on the cemetery memorial (Screen Wall F.B.18.131) and he is remembered on the Cann War Memorial, Shaftesbury. His step brother, Ernest Trowbridge, DCM, died during the conflict and is also remembered on the Cann War Memorial.

Images:

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

Ernest Trowbridge

13th February 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal Field Artillery /by Ann Symons

Surname: Trowbridge

Other names: Ernest

Locations in this story:
Okeforde Fitzpaine, Dorset
France & Flanders
Caudry British Cemetery, Cambrai, Nord, France
Crookham, Hampshire
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury
Hartley Whitney, Hampshire
Belturbet, Cavan, Ireland
Brighton, Sussex

Story:
Ernest Trowbridge was born in 1883 in Okeforde Fitzpaine, the son of Samson Trowbridge and Mary Amelia Trowbridge (nee Roberts). Regrettably his mother died in 1891 and his father went on to remarry Jane Mary Thompson (widow of John Thompson) in 1894 taking on her son, John Francis Joiner Thompson (generally known as Frank), as stepson and step-brother to Ernest. At sometime prior to the 1901 Census Ernest had enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery (Service No. 8358). Whilst serving in Ireland he met and married Kathleen (Catherine) Mary McGaharan in Belturbet, Cavan, Ireland, on 26 Feb 1905. There were five children of the marriage: two boys and three girls. At the time of the 1911 Census Ernest being a career soldier was living with his family in army accommodation near Crookham, Hampshire, and later moved to married quarters at the Artillery Barracks, Hartley Whitney. Hampshire. He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War, 1915 Star and Distinguished Conduct (DCM) medals finally holding the rank of Warrant Officer Class II. The citation for the DCM stated 'for conspicuous and consistent good work, notably with anti-aircraft guns'. He died at the 21st Casualty Clearing Station from pneumonia whilst serving with 'A' Battery, 158th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, as their Battery Sergeant Major on 27th November 1918 and was buried at Caudry British Cemetery, Near Cambrai, Nord, France, (grave id. II.D.28). His father had by then moved to Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset. Ernest is remembered on the Cann War Memorial, Shaftesbury, near where his father was eventually interred at St. Rumbold's Church in 1931. By the 1921 Census his wife was living at 45 New Crescent Street, Brighton, Sussex, working for the Convent of the Sacred Heart,Brighton. It is also understood Kathleen had been taking a course in Midwifery as recorded on her military pension records. She did not remarry and died in Brighton General Hospital on 26 June 1970. Ernest's step-brother, Frank. also died in the conflict and his name also appears on the Cann War Memorial.

Images:

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

William Frank White

13th February 2017/in 1914-1918 Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry /by Ann Symons

Surname: White

Other names: William Frank

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
Arras Memorial, France
Higher Blandford Road, Cann, Shaftesbury
Shaftesbury

Story:
William Frank White was born in 1888 in Cann, Shaftesbury. He was the son of George White and Sarah White (née Lush). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a bricklayer and living in Higher Blandford Road, Cann, Shaftesbury. His mother died in 1912 and his father in 1917. He enlisted in Shaftesbury as a Private in the 10th Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (Service No. 24763). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 25th March 1918 and his name appears on the Arras Memorial (Bay 6). He is remembered on the Cann War Memorial, Shaftesbury.

Images:

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

William Conway

13th February 2017/in 1914-1918 /by Ann Symons

Surname: Conway

Other names: William

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury

Story:
The name of William Conway appears on the Roll of Honour in St. James' Church, Shaftesbury. So far it has not been possible to find details of his life in official records. We would be grateful to anyone who may be able to provide information that would help us identify him.

Images:

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