Stories Archive - Page 154 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Harold Coward

Surname: Coward

Other names: Harold

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
Mesopotamia
Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Al-Russafa, Baghdad, Iraq
Motcombe
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury

Story:
Harold Coward was born in 1893 in Motcombe and baptised there on 12th November, 1893. He was the son of James Coward, a Farm Labourer, and Mary Jane Coward (née Miles). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Factory Hand and living at 38 Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted in Shaftesbury as a Private in the 1/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 200168). It is possible that he served prior to that time in the territorial force as he had another Service Number, 1553, on the medal rolls. He served in Mesopotamia and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died in Mesopotamia on 24th Jul 1917 and was buried at Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Al-Russafa, Baghdad, Iraq (grave id. XII.A.3). He is remembered on the St. James' and Motcombe War Memorials and on the Roll of Honour in St. James' Church, Shaftesbury.

Harold's brothers Charles Edwin (b.1892) and Victor (b.1897) also served with the Dorsets in the war, but survived the conflict.

Images:

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Charles Edwin Coward
Victor Coward

Tom Lowther

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

Surname: Lowther

Other names: Tom

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

Story:
The name of Tom Lowther 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:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Edwin Arthur Meaden

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

Surname: Meaden

Other names: Edwin Arthur

Locations in this story:
Hazelbury Bryan, Dorset
France & Flanders
Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Ypres, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Edwin Arthur Meaden was born in 1899 in Hazelbury Bryan, Dorset. He was the son of Albert Meaden, a farmer, and Martha Meaden (née Rose). He attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from 1909 to 1913. His address in the 1911 Census was 97 St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset. After leaving school he became a farmer. He enlisted in Dorchester as a Private in the 15th (Service) Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment (Service No. 28759) and served in France & Flanders. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 3rd Oct 1918, having been badly wounded the previous day. He was buried at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Ypres, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (grave id. IV.E.1). He is remembered on the St. James' War Memorial, on the Roll of Honour in St. James' Church, Shaftesbury. His name also appears on the Shaftesbury Grammar School memorial in Shaftesbury School.

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 Arthur 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 Arthur's name, indicating that he had died. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.

His brothers, Bertie Meaden, Frederick John Meaden and Walter Frank Meaden also served in the conflict and survived. All their names appear on a Roll of Honour published in St. James' Church Parish Magazine in November 1918.

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

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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Shastonian

John Thomas Oborne

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

Surname: Oborne

Other names: John Thomas

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
Tyne Cot Memorial
Poor Yard, Shaftesbury
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
23 Aynhoe Road, Brook Green, Hammersmith, London
St. Marylebone, London

Story:
John Thomas Oborne was born on 10th March, 1883, in Shaftesbury and baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, on 16th May, 1884. He was the son of Frederick Oborne, a Mail Cart Driver, and Elizabeth Oborne (née Roberts). By 1901 John had left home and was working as a Labourer in St. Marylebone, London. He was married on 5th September, 1903 to Emily Phillips in the Paddington Registry Area, London. At the time of the 1911 Census he was working as a Road Labourer and living at 23 Aynhoe Road, Brook Green Hammersmith, London. His parents meantime were living at Poor Yard, Shaftesbury. His father died in 1912. He enlisted in Hammersmith, London, on 13th June 1916 as a Rifleman in the 12th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) (Service No. S/21923). By that time his wife was living at 6 Bircham Mews, Blythe Road, Hammersmith. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He was missing presumed killed on 17th Aug 1917 and has no known grave. His name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial (Panels 145 to 147). He is remembered on the St. James' War Memorial and on the Roll of Honour in St. James' Church, Shaftesbury. His wife received a widow's pension the equivalent of £1.43p. per week with effect from 25th February 1918.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Herbert Quarry

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

Surname: Quarry

Other names: Herbert

Locations in this story:
Dublin, Ireland
South Africa
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Cambrin, France

Story:
A presumption has been made that certain members of the Army attended at St. James's Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset, when posted to Military Camps nearby. One of those named is Herbert Quarry who was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1882 the son of Professor Michael Quarry (Professor of Music) and Frances 'Fanny' Quarry (nee Whitham). Herbert had spent his early life in or near Dublin until he had enlisted on 12 Feb 1901 with the Imperial Yeomanry as a Trooper (Service No. 25207). He served in South Africa with the 74th Squadron VIII Battery for which he was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with 3 clasps. He was discharged on 7 Sep 1902 having completed the terms of his engagement. At the outbreak of WW1 he had re-enlisted and joined the Dragoons as a Private (Service No. 5278). Shortly thereafter, on 8 Dec 1914, he was appointed a 2nd Lieutenant and joined the Royal Field Artillery and served in France with the 'F' 8th Trench Mortar Battery. He was killed in action on 2 Aug 1916 and on 22 Sep 1916 his name appeared in the London Gazette announcing he had been awarded the Military Cross for 'conspicuous gallantry in the field'. He was also awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He was buried in the Cambrin Churchyard Extension, Cambrin, Pas de Calais, France, (Grave Ref: P. 20.) His name appears on the War Memorial in St. James's Churchyard, Shaftesbury, as well as on the Royal Artillery Roll of Honour and the Ireland Roll of Honour.

Images:

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The National Archives

Joseph Christopher Quincey

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

Surname: Quincey

Other names: Joseph Christopher

Locations in this story:
Irchester, Northamptonshire
Shrivenham, Berkshire
Upper Benefield, Oundle, Northamptonshire
Weymouth, Dorset
Gillingham, Dorset
France & Flanders
Boezinge, West Flanders, Belgium
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
The name of Christopher Quincy (no 'e') appears on the Roll of Honour in St. James' Church, Shaftesbury. The following is the known history of this person. Joseph Christopher Quincey (always known as 'Christopher') was born in Irchester, Northamptonshire, during 1896 but there is no record of his parents. He and his elder brother, John Quincey, were fostered by Anne Plowright (née Kemp) who, along with her husband, Alfred James Plowright, farmed at Upper Benefield, Oundle, Northamptonshire. He was boarding out with a family in Shrivenham, Berkshire, at the time of the 1901 Census but by 1911 was back with his foster mother in Upper Benefield.

He enlisted with the Northamptonshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 40002). He was posted to the 2nd Battalion whose headquarters was then based in Weymouth, Dorset, (due to the sea links to France) and later with the Training Unit near Gillingham, Dorset. He was eventually sent with the 2nd Battalion to France and Flanders and promoted to Lance Corporal. He was regrettably killed in action on 26th June 1917 and finally buried in the Bard Cottage Cemetery, Boezinge, West Flanders, Belgium, (Grave ref: II.B.22). He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. His foster mother received all his final monies due as well as a pension. It is very likely that he had attended at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, during his time in the area as had other service personnel.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Holy Trinity Memorial in St. Peter's Church 2

Ernest Brickell

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

Surname: Brickell

Other names: Walter Ernest

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
Wancourt British Cemetery
Coppice Street, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Odstock, Wiltshire
Brickhill, Enmore Green
Gillingham, Dorset
Crown Inn, High Street, Shaftesbury

Story:
Walter (known always as Ernest) Brickell was born in 1881 in Shaftesbury and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 25th September 1881. He was the son of Edward Brickell and Ellen Brickell (née Wareham), a Charwoman. The parents had had a previous child, Ernest, born in 1879 and who died in 1880. Most of Ernest's childhood was spent in Odstock, Wiltshire, but his family moved back to Shaftesbury and were living on Brickhill (now Church Hill), in Enmore Green by 1901. By this time Ernest was boarding in Gillingham and working as a Domestic Groom. His father died in 1906. By the time of the 1911 Census Ernest had moved back to Shaftesbury and was boarding at the Crown Inn, 40 High Street and was boarding as an Ostler.

Ernest enlisted in Dorchester as a Private with Dorset Regiment (Service No. 18729). At the time of enlistment was single, working as a bricklayer's labourer and living at 7 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury. At a later date he transferred to the Wiltshire Regiment (Service No. 26743) and served in France & Flanders. He was killed in action on 9th April 1917 and was buried in the Wancourt British Cemetery (grave id. VI.G.29). He was awarded the Victory and British War medals and is remembered on the Holy Trinity War Memorial, now in St. PeterÍs Church, Shaftesbury.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Frederick James Ford

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

Surname: Ford

Other names: Frederick James

Locations in this story:
Bridge, Kent
St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
La Neuville British Communal Cemetery, Corbie, France
High Street, Shaftesbury

Story:
Frederick James Ford's birth was registered in Bridge, Kent, in early 1888, the son of William and Jane Ford. He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in Bridge. He married Edith Linda Mayo in Bridge, Kent, in 1911. His wife had been born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, but she was working at the time of her marriage as a Housemaid in Bridge. Frederick (known normally as Fred) had joined the The Buffs (East Kent) Regiment rising to the rank of Lance Sergeant (Service No. G/5774). He died of wounds in France & Flanders on 21st August 1916 and was buried at the La Neuville British Communal Cemetery, Corbie, France, (Grave Ref: II.A.30). He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. His wife returned to Shaftesbury and lived at 44 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset. Frederick is remembered on the War Memorial at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, and on the Holy Trinity Church Memorial Board which is now situated in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. His name also appears on the War Memorial in Bridge, Kent. Edith did not remarry and by 1939 she was working as a Housekeeper for a Chemist at 14 High Street, Shaftesbury. (NB. This information was identified by Ian King as a result of his Dorset War Memorial research.)

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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Holy Trinity Memorial in St. Peter's Church 3

Sidney William Gibbs

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

Surname: Gibbs

Other names: Sidney William

Locations in this story:
The Street, Crewkerne, Somerset
France & Flanders
Bethune Town Cemetery, near Arras, Pas-de-Calais, France
Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Seaborough, Beaminster, Dorset
Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey

Story:
Sidney William Gibbs was born in 1893 in Shaftesbury and was baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 23rd May, 1893. He was the son of John Gibbs, a baker, and Mary Gibbs (née Tudball). Sidney's father died in 1894 and was buried at Holy Trinity on 16th February. His mother Mary remarried on 6th April 1896, to John Webber at Seaborough, Beaminster, Dorset and they set up home there along with Sidney. By the time of the 1911 Census Sidney had moved to The Street, Crewkerne, Somerset, where he was living with his sister Mabel and brother-in-law, William Edwards. William was a Hairdresser, Tobacconist and Confectioner and Sidney was assisting in the Hairdressing business.

Sidney enlisted in Kingston-on-Thames as a Private in the 4th Dragoon Guards (Royal Irish) attached to the Household Cavalry of the Line (Service No. 7842). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 15 Star medals. He died of wounds on 8th January 1916 and was buried at Bethune Town Cemetery, near Arras, Pas-de-Calais, France (grave id. III.D.34). He is remembered on the Holy Trinity War Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury.

Sidney's stepfather John Webber also died in 1916 and his mother Mary was shown on the War Graves Commission Memoriam as living at 440 Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth. She died in Bournemouth in 1930.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

William George Newton

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 London Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Newton

Other names: William George

Locations in this story:
Bossingham, Hampshire
Mesopotamia
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
William George Newton was born in 1895 in Broughton, Hampshire. He was the son of George Newton, a feeding cake agent, and Mary Jane Newton (nee Jewell). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a butcher's apprentice and living at Clonmell, 5 Belle Vue Terrace, Victoria Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He had enlisted with the Territorial Unit of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 1670) until his unit was absorbed into the 1/4th Battalion and his Service No. changed to 200033. He served in Mespotamia attached to the Labour Corps and achieved the rank of Acting Warrant Officer Class 2. (Family records show he was also later attached to the Arab and Kurdish Levies).

He was discharged on 27 Aug 1919. He is then shown, on Military Records, to have died on 18 Aug 1920 in Mesopotamia (though the Probate Records show 1921). His mother had applied for a pension but there is no evidence that one was granted. He had been awarded the Territorial War Force Medal as well as the Victory and British War Medals. He is remembered on the Park Walk War Memorial and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. No record of any War Grave can be found for him at this time or if he is remembered elsewhere. His brother, Daniel Henry Newton, also served in the conflict and survived.

Images:

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