Stories Archive - Page 2 of 167 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

William Morgan

12th February 2026/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Morgan

Other names: William

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
India
France & Flanders
Paddington, London,
Marylebone, London
Harrow, Middlesex
Hendon, Greater London

Story:
William Morgan was born on 5 November 1889 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 1 December 1889 the son of George Morgan and Emily Morgan (nee Brockway). He lived his early life in Malthouse Lane, Shaftesbury, (later renamed Victoria Street). He had at some time enlisted with the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Dorset Regiment but went on to further enlist as a regular soldier on 21 March 1908 with the Corps of Dragoons of the Line as a Private (Service No. 1901). He served in India with the 1st Kings Dragoons from 4 September 1908 until 15 October 1914 in preparation for service in France and Flanders where he was posted on 11 November 1914. On the 23 September 1917 he was transferred to the 15th Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (New Service No. 26621). He was again transferred to the 14th Battalion on 14 October 1918 (New Service No. 32672). He was eligible around that time for discharge as a regular soldier but chose to remain until finally discharged on 30 March 1920 when he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/1915 Star. He married Clara Edith Small at St. Matthew's Church, Marylebone, London, on 13 June 1920. By the 1921 Census he was living at 26 Bishops Road, Paddington, London, W3, working as a Printer's Assistant. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 56 Kingshill Drive, Harrow, Middlesex, where he was now described as a Printer's Timekeeper. His death was recorded at the Hendon, Greater London, Registry on 15 October 1970. William's brothers, Stanley Charles and Percival Stewart, also served and the war and survived.

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Bertie Maurice Stainer

12th February 2026/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Stainer

Other names: Bertie Maurice

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Portsmouth, Hampshire
Oxford, Oxfordshire
France & Flanders
Mere, Wiltshire

Story:
Bertie Maurice Stainer was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 29 June 1883 and baptised there on 29 July 1883 the son of Gideon Stainer and Emily Stainer (nee Sims). He lived his early life with the family in Bozley Hill, Cann, until by 1909 he had moved to Portsmouth, Hampshire, in which year he married Jesse Rose Stonebridge. By the time of the 1911 Census Bertie was living at 43 Lynn Road, Buckland, Portsmouth, Hampshire, working as a Journeyman Baker. He had enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery as a Driver (Service No. 47795). He served in France and Flanders from 23 August 1915 with the 131st Brigade. He was later transferred to the Labour Corps with new Service No. 518782. On his discharge on 2 March 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. Both the 1921 Census and the 1939 Register show he was living at 102 Station Road, Buckland, Portsmouth, described as a Pastrycook and Cake Maker. His death was recorded at the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, Oxfordshire, on 23 May 1953 with his home address being noted as The Square, Mere, Wiltshire. Bertie was one of seven sons in the family and all served in the conflict and survived. These were Ernest, Harry Gilbert, Austin Frederick, William Edgar, Francis Hubert and Arthur George.

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Arthur George Stainer

11th February 2026/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Stainer

Other names: Arthur George

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Portsmouth, Hampshire
Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Arthur George Stainer was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 27th February, 1885, the son of Gideon Stainer and Emily Stainer (nee Sims). He lived his early life in the family home in Bozley Hill, Cann. By the 1911 Census he had moved to Buckland, Portsmouth, Hampshire, where he was working a Journeyman Baker where, during 1909, he had married Nellie Florence Hoare and they had one son. He had enlisted with the Hampshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 25406). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. By 1921 he had returned to the Portsmouth area where he was employed as a Pastry Cook. (It is noted his wife lived alone in Brighton, Sussex, from at least 1931 and they appeared not to have resided together thereafter.) The 1939 Register shows him then living at 44 & 46 Trinity Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, where he is described as a Grocer and Master Confectioner of Bread and Cakes. His death was recorded in Salisbury, Wiltshire, during 1957. He was one of seven boys in the family who all served in the conflict and survived. These were William Edgar, Francis Herbert, Harry Gilbert, Austin Frederick, Ernest and Bertie Maurice.

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Reginald Sidney Bryant

24th January 2026/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Bryant

Other names: Reginald Sidney

Locations in this story:
Middle Chase, Bower Chalke, Wiltshire
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Tisbury, Wiltshire
Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Reginald Sidney Bryant was born on 19 January 1898 in Middle Chase, Bower Chalke, Wiltshire. (His name was originally registered as Sidney Reginald Bryant but thereafter was always known as Reginald S. Bryant.) He was the son of James Bryant, a Shepherd, and Elizabeth Bryant (nee Dodington). He lived his early life in Bower Chalke but his family moved to Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and he registered that address on the 1918 Absent Voters List. He had enlisted and joined the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 3285). He served with the 1/4th Battalion with new Service No. 201453. It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge on 25 April 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He appears with his parents in Melbury Abbas on the 1921 Census and went on to marry Florence Cannings during 1934 which was registered in Shaftesbury. By the 1939 Register he was living in the Old Workhouse, Tisbury, Wiltshire, working as a Shepherd and also volunteering as an Auxiliary Fireman. His death was recorded in Salisbury, Wiltshire, during 1969. Of his brothers, Henry James Bryant, served but died whereas Herbert George Bryant served and survived.

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Arthur Steel

23rd January 2026/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Steel

Other names: Arthur

Locations in this story:
Bromley, Kent
Croydon, Surrey
Cann Common, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Egypt
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Cookham, Berkshire
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire

Story:
Arthur Steel was born in Bromley, Kent, on 28 December 1895 the son of Edwin George Steel, formerly of Cann Common, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and Elizabeth Mary Steel (nee Pratt). His early years were spent in Croydon, Surrey. The 1911 Census shows he was single and working for his father as an Assistant in his Market Garden business. He had enlisted with the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 1210). He served in the Egyptian theatre from 11 September 1915 during which time the Yeomanry was absorbed by the Corps of Hussars (Imperial Camel Corps) (New Service No. H/50095). On his discharge on 29 May 1915 he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He had given Cann Common, Shaftesbury, as his address on the Absent Voters List of 1918 where his father was by then living and running a farm. The 1921 Census shows Arthur living with his family described as a Farm Labourer. He married Olive Gladys Meredith at Christ Church, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, following final reading of Banns of Marriage recorded on 24 August, 1924. By the 1939 Register he was living at White Place Farm, Cookham, Berkshire, described as a Dairyman, His death was recorded in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, on 28 December 1964 and he was buried locally on 31 December, 1964.

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George Bone

21st January 2026/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Bone

Other names: George

Locations in this story:
Wimbledon, Surrey
Merton Surrey
Portsea Island, Hampshire
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Kirkwall, Scotland

Story:
George Bone was born in Wimbledon, Surrey, 7 January 1866 and baptised in Merton, Surrey, 8 April 1866. He was the son of Henry Bone, a Labourer, and Sophie Bone (nee Remlett). The family resided in the Wimbledon area during George's early life until, according to the records, George had enlisted with the Royal Marines Artillery on 7 November 1888 as a Gunner (Service No. 3698). In 1899, whilst still serving, he had married Charlotte Frankcom on Portsea Island, Hampshire. By the 1911 Census George's family were living at 5 Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where he is shown as a Farmer. He had obviously been on reserve from the Marines and had been called up for war service as the 1918 Absent Voters List shows him serving on HMS Cyclops 2. (HMS Cyclops 2 was a land-based facility in Kirkwall, Scotland, providing services to minesweepers.) There is no record of any service medals. By the 1921 Census he was still in Melbury Abbas now described as a Retired Royal Marine. He had moved at a later date to 17 Orchard Close, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, where he died on 17 March 1956.

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Edwin Percy Squire

20th January 2026/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Squire

Other names: Edwin Percy

Locations in this story:
Bere Heath, Dorset
Bere Regis, Dorset
Parkstone, Poole, Dorset
Bangalore, India
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset

Story:
Edwin Percy Squire was born in Bere Heath, Dorset, on 19 December 1884 and baptised in Bere Regis, Dorset, on 25 January 1885. He was the son of Edwin Squire, a Gardener, and Margaret Maria Squire (nee Peach). His family moved from place to place during his early life within Dorset and Somerset but by the 1911 Census Edwin was boarding out in Parkstone, Poole, Dorset, working as a Gardener in a Nursery. He married Bessie Russell in Shaftesbury, Dorset, during 1914 and set up home at 17A Bell Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted on 21 September 1916 and joined the Royal Engineers as a Driver (Service No. 199449). He served in Bangalore, India, with the No 1 Company from 29 July 1917. During September 1918 he was admitted to the Bangalore Station Hospital suffering from Rheumatic Fever and a short while later also contracted Influenza to such an extent he was returned to the UK for discharge on or about 9 May 1919 for which he received a pension. He was only awarded the British War Medal. The 1921 Census and 1939 Register show he remained at 17A Bell Street, Shaftesbury, working latterly as a Groom. His death was registered in Sturminster, Dorset, during 1946.

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Frederick Harold Adcock

20th January 2026/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Adcock

Other names: Frederick Harold

Locations in this story:
Warminster, Wiltshire
Wimborne, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bemerton, Wiltshire
Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Frederick Harold Adcock was born on the 20 September 1891 in Warminster, Wiltshire. He was the son of James Alfred Adcock, a Grocer, and Sarah Annie Adcock (nee Scott). He spent his early life in Warminster but had moved near to Wimborne, Dorset, where he married Winifred Miriam Ada Frampton during 1916. He had enlisted with the 2nd Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 204561). He later transferred and served with the 7th and 12th Battalions of the Somerset Light Infantry (New Service No. 30321). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. His wife by then had moved to 17A Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where Frederick joined her whilst working locally as a Grocery Clerk. By 1921 however he had moved to 6 Empire Road, Bemerton, Wiltshire, and later, by the 1939 Register, to 32 Kings Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire, where he was described as a Manager of a Wholesale Grocery. His death was recorded on 12 May 1972 in Salisbury. His brother, Alfred Henry Adcock, also served and survived the conflict.

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Henry Bertram Neville Morgan

19th January 2026/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Morgan

Other names: Henry Bertram Neville

Locations in this story:
St. James, Bristol, Gloucestershire
Henstridge, Somerset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Hereford, Herefordshire
Weston-super-Mare, Somerset

Story:
Henry Bertram Neville Morgan was born in St. James, Bristol, Gloucestershire, on 26 August 1884 the son of Henry David Morgan, a Confectioner, and Paulina Martell Madocks Morgan (Nee Harries). He lived his early life in Bristol later moving to Henstridge, Somerset, where he was in business as a Draper. He married Mildred Jane Allebone at the Parish Church in Henstridge on 17 September 1912. They went on to have two children. Prior to 1917 Henry had moved to 51 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in business as a Draper and Men's Outfitter. He had enlisted with the Royal Navy on 26 February, 1917, as an Ordinary Seaman (Service No. J67689). On 3 May 1917 he was transferred to the Royal Naval Reserve (Service No. 16142 DA). The Absent Voters List of 1918 shows he was serving on HMS City of Perth, an requisitioned armed merchantman formerly SS Perth, as a Deckhand. There is no record of his qualifying for any service medals following his discharge. The Census of 1921 shows him back in business in Shaftesbury at the same address. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved on to 'Overbury', Overbury Road, Hereford, where he is now described as a Company Director. His death was recorded in the General Hospital, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, his address then being given as Rydal Lodge, Beaconsfield Road, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.

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Ernest Charles Gray

28th November 2025/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: Ernest Charles

Locations in this story:
Sedgehill, Wiltshire
Plymouth, Devonshire

Story:
Ernest Charles Gray was born in Sedgehill, Wiltshire on 9 Dec 1904 and baptised there on 22 Jan 1905 the son of Alfred Ernest (known as Charles) Gray and Ellen Gray (nee Mills). At he time of his enlistment into the Royal Navy as a Boy (2nd Class) (Service No. J.100801) aboard HMS Impregnable in Plymouth, Devonshire, he had been living at Street Lane Cottage, Sedgehill, with his parents. The date of his enlistment is given as 28 Jan 1921 but he succumbed to a 'disease' from which he died in Plymouth on 27 Mar 1921. He is included in these records as he was granted a War Commission Grave marker in St. Catherine's Church churchyard, Sedgehill. His father had applied for a dependent's pension but the outcome is unknown.

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