Stories Archive - Page 156 of 164 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

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:

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

Joseph Christopher Quincey

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:

Links to related web content / sources:
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:

Links to related web content / sources:
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:

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

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:

Links to related web content / sources:
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

Alfred Parsons

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

Surname: Parsons

Other names: Alfred

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
Long Cross, Enmore Green
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
St. James Street, Shaftesbury
Dorchester
Portland, Dorset
Kempston, Bedfordshire

Story:
Alfred Parsons was born on 29 Aug 1873 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, on 19th October, 1873. He was the son of George Pmarsons, a railway carman, and Emily Parsons (née Wright). His siblings included Charles, born in 1882, and Sidney George, born in 1890, both of whom died in the war. The family lived at Long Cross, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury. On 26th March, 1894 he married Emily Kate Gray. They had five children: three sons and two daughters. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was working as a coal carter and living at 78 St. James Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in Dorchester on 24th August, 1914, as a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 3/7475) he later transferred to the 1st HS Garrison Battalion of the Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire) Regiment (Service No. 34574). He served on home duties in view of his age at Portland, Dorset. On 5th April, 1917 he had a heart attack whilst on guard duty and went through a process of assessment for future military duty. He was assessed as unfit for further duty on 25th April, 1917 and eventually discharged on 22nd June 1917. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. (No record of the Silver War Badge was found). He regrettably died in early September 1917, and was buried in St. James' Churchyard on 14 Sep 1917, but this is not recorded as a war grave by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. He is remembered on the Park Walk and St. James’ War Memorials and on the Roll of Honour in St. James’ Church, Shaftesbury. His widow was awarded initially a pension of 27s. 6d. (£1.37p.) per week and, by 1920, was living in Kempston, Bedfordshire, and died there in 1940. His widow was awarded a pension initially of 27s. 6d (£1.37p.) per week.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Charles Parsons
Sidney George Parsons

Charles Parsons

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Parsons

Other names: Charles

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
Arras Memorial, Arras, Pas de Calais, France
Long Cross, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury

Story:
Charles Parsons was born in 1882 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, on 4th June 1882. He was the son of George Parsons, a railway carman, and Emily Parsons (nee Wright). His siblings included Alfred, born in 1873, and Sidney George, born in 1890, both of whom died in the war. His parents lived at Long Cross, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury in 1911. He enlisted as a Private with the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 16888) but later transferred to the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (New Service No. 31773). He served in France and Flanders where he was killed in action on 23rd April, 1917 and he has no known grave. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. His name appears on the Arras Memorial, Arras, Pas de Calais, France (Bay 6). He is remembered on the Park Walk and St. James’ War Memorials. He also appears on the Roll of Honour in St. James’ Church and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. His mother was in receipt of a pension which covered both Charles and Sidney George.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Alfred Parsons
Sidney George Parsons

Sidney George Parsons

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

Surname: Parsons

Other names: Sidney George

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
R. E. Farm Cemetery, Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium
Long Cross, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Gillingham, Dorset

Story:
Sidney George Parsons was born in 1890 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, on 7th December, 1890. He was the son of George Parsons, a railway carman, and Emily Parsons (née Wright). His siblings included Alfred, born in 1873, and Charles, born in 1882, both of whom died in the war. No record has been found of Sidney in the 1911 Census but the family lived at Long Cross, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, at the time. He enlisted in Gillingham, Dorset, as a Private in the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 3/6588). He served in France and Flanders where he was killed in action in Belgium. He was killed in action on 3rd December 1914 and was buried at R. E. Farm Cemetery, Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium (grave id. III.C.6). He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914 Star. He is remembered on the Park Walk and St. James’ War Memorials. His name also appears on the Roll of Honour inside St. James’ Church and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. His mother was granted a pension which covered both Sidney George and Charles Parsons.

Images:

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

Joseph Henry Powell

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

Surname: Powell

Other names: Joseph Henry

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Egypt
Gaza War Cemetery
High Street, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
London
Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Palmerston Road, Bournemouth
Chesterfield Gardens, Harringay, Tottenham, Middlesex

Story:
Joseph Henry Powell was born in 1879 in Shaftesbury and baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury on 9th September, 1879. He was the son of Francis Powell, a draper, and Rosa Powell (née Whitby) living at 28 High Street, Shaftesbury. He attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from April 1888 to August 1896. After leaving school he entered a firm of Chartered Accountants as a clerk and by 1901 boarded out at 30 Palmerston Road, Bournemouth. Both Joseph's parents died in 1909. By the 1911 Census he had moved to live with his brother, Ralph, at 75 Chesterfield Gardens, Harringay, Tottenham, Middlesex, still working as an Accountant's Clerk. Both of his parents had died in 1909 and were both buried in Holy Trinity Churchyard.

Joseph enlisted in Harringay in 1915 and joined the 11th (County of London) Battalion, Finsbury Rifles (Service No 4074). This Unit was renamed the London Regiment (Finsbury Rifles) and he was given a new Service Number 451613. He served in the Egyptian Theatre and was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. He was killed in action at Gaza whilst with the 1st/11th Battalion of his Unit on 2nd November 1917. He was buried at Gaza War Cemetery (grave id. XIV.A.15). He was awarded the Victory, British War and 15 Star medals and is remembered on the Park Walk War Memorial and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. His name also appears on the Shaftesbury Grammar School memorial in Shaftesbury School. Joseph's brother Hugh Eric Powell served in the war and survived.

Frederick's name was included on a hand written list of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving during the war. An asterix can be seen next to Joseph's name, indicating that he had died. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.

Printed Sources:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, March 1918

Images:

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