Stories Archive - Page 155 of 164 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Stanley Smith

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

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

Harold Coward

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

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:

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

Links to related web content / sources:
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:

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

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