Stories Archive - Page 21 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Richard James Wright

29th June 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Wright

Other names: Richard James

Locations in this story:
Swallowcliffe, Wiltshire
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Windsor, Berkshire
France & Flanders
Bolivia, South America
Carlisle, Cumberland

Story:
Richard James Wright was born in Swallowcliffe, Wiltshire, on 1 Oct 1891 and baptised there on 1 Nov 1891 the son of Henry Arthur Wright and Rose Rebbeck Wright (nee Hiscocks). By 1901 he was living with his family at Fern Farm, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, and later, by 1911, he was boarding out in Windsor, Berkshire, where he was a Hosiery Assistant. He had enlisted and joined the Army Service Corps as a Private (Service No. M2/049724). He served in France and Flanders from 25 Jul 1915 and was apparently promoted to Acting Corporal whilst there. He was discharged early and later awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He sailed for Bolivia, South America, on 19 Jan 1917 and on his return on 8 Mar 1922 was accompanied by his wife, Elsie Mary Wright, who he had married whilst abroad. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 'Langdale', Durdar Road, Carlisle, Cumberland, working as a Drapery Store Manager. He died in Carlisle on 29 Apr 1959. His brother, Hubert Arthur Wright MC, also served during the conflict.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Hubert Arthur Wright

29th June 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Wright

Other names: Hubert Arthur

Locations in this story:
Havant, Hampshire
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Maidenhead, Berkshire
Amesbury, Wiltshire
Bournemouth, Hampshire
Trowbridge, Wiltshire

Story:
Hubert Arthur Wright was born in Havant, Hampshire, on 1 Mar 1896 the son of Henry Arthur Wright and Rose Rebbeck Wright (nee Hiscocks). By 1901 he was living with his family at Fern Farm, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire. He had enlisted with the Army Catering Corps as a Private (Service No. 4682). He was promoted in time to Corporal serving in France & Flanders from 4 Mar 1916 where he was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry. On the 3 Nov 1917 he was commissioned and became, in time, a 1st Lieutenant. On his discharge he was further awarded the Victory and British War Medals. The 1921 Census shows him boarding at 106 Bradford Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, having become a Police Constable with the Wiltshire Constabulary. He married Annie Frances Miles in Maidenhead, Berkshire, during 1924. By the 1939 Register his address was given as The Police Station, Amesbury, Wiltshire, with the rank of Superintendent of Police. His death was recorded in Bournemouth, Hampshire, on 2 Jun 1965. His brother, Richard James Wright, also served and survived.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Tom Wright

29th June 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Wright

Other names: Tom

Locations in this story:
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Glasgow, Scotland
Tower Hill, London

Story:
Tom Wright was born in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, during 1896 the son of Charles Wright and Henrietta Wright (nee Mayo). He lived his early life in Brickhill, Enmore Green, until by 1911 he was working and boarding as an Ostler at the Knowles Arms, Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. He had joined the Merchant Navy at sometime prior to the war as an Assistant Cook and Baker. He was serving on the SS Cabotia out of Glasgow when his ship was sunk as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine on 20 Oct 1916. All hands were lost. His name is remembered on the Mercantile Marine Memorial, Tower Hill, London, (Pier 3. Face 'D'.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

John Kenneth Digby

29th June 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Digby

Other names: John Kenneth

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Brixham, Devon
Newton Abbot, Devon
Torbay, Devon

Story:
John Kenneth Digby was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 3 Sep 1899 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 2 Oct 1899 the son of Stanley William Digby and Lettie Digby (nee Lavis). He lived his early life at 35 High Street, Shaftesbury, where his father ran an Ironmongers business. His father died in 1914 and the family moved to 1 Belle Vue Terrace, Victoria Street, Shaftesbury. John had enlisted with the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 575360) and later with the 17th Battalion of the London Regiment (Service No. 40511). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but it appears he signed on as a Regular Soldier after the end of the war. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He married Edith Elizabeth Thorne in Newton Abbott, Devon, in 1960 and subsequently died in the Torbay, Devon, Registry area on 12 Oct 1983. His brother, Laurence Digby, had also served and survived the conflict.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

James Rideout

24th June 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Rideout

Other names: James

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bangalore, India
Islington, London

Story:
James Rideout was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, during 1882 the son of Elijah Rideout and Jane Rideout. He lived his early life in Foots Hill, Cann, Shaftesbury. He had enlisted by 1911 in the Royal Field Artillery as a Driver (Service No. 44002). He served with the 'O' Battery in Bangalore, India. On his eventual discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He married Edith Daisy Jarman in Islington, London on 17 Jul 1920. (The marriage certificate gives his occupation as a Pugilist (Boxer)). He died in Islington during 1935 and was buried there on 30 Oct 1935.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Herbert Rideout

24th June 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Rideout

Other names: Herbert

Locations in this story:
Ashmore. Shaftesbury, Dorset
Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Herbert Rideout was born in Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 24 Sep 1886 the son of Frederick Rideout and Mary Eliza Rideout (nee Jeffries). He lived nearly all his life, apart from his Military Service, in Green Lane, Ashmore. He had enlisted on 25 Nov 1915 and joined the Territorial Unit of the 4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 3735). He served in the UK only and was soon discharged on 16 Jun 1916 as he was no longer physically fit for service due to general debility and sight problems. For a short period from the time of the 1921 Census he was living at Whitehill, Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Roadman for the District Council. By the time of the 1939 Register he was back living in Green Lane, Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Gardener. He remained single throughout his life and died in Ashmore on 6 Jun 1944 and was buried there on 10 Jun 1944.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Harry Spicer Rideout

24th June 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Rideout

Other names: Harry Spicer

Locations in this story:
Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Southbourne, Hampshire
France & Flanders
Lapugnoy, Pas-de-Calais, France
Arras, Northern France

Story:
Harry Spicer Rideout was born in Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in Oct 1883 the son of Jehu (sometimes mis-spelt as John) Rideout and Ellen Rideout (nee Spicer). He spent all of his early life in Bedchester until by 1911 he was living-in as a servant in a household in Southbourne, Hampshire. He had enlisted and joined the 15th (Service) Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 18623). He was posted to France and Flanders and died of wounds sustained in a battle near Arras, Northern France, on 11 Apr 1917. He was buried in the Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France (Grave Ref. III. C. 5.). HIs mother was in receipt of a pension until 1927. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. His gravestone is inscribed 'The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God'.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Arthur George Rideout

23rd June 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Rideout

Other names: Arthur George

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Bournemouth, Hampshire
France & Flanders

Story:
Arthur George Rideout was born in the Shaftesbury Workhouse, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 10 Oct 1895 and baptised at St. James's Church on 17 Nov 1895 the son of Catherine (Kate) Rideout. Catherine married George Trowbridge on 6 Jun 1899 at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, and they set up home in Butts Knapp, Cann, Shaftesbury. Regrettably George Trowbridge died in 1903 and Catherine left the UK and sailed to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where she re-married William Joseph Wilken on 24 Jul 1909. Meantime Arthur had remained in the UK and by 1911 was boarding in Bournemouth, Hampshire, working as a Grocers Assistant. At some time later he had followed his mother to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and enlisted on the 11 Aug 1915 and joined the 83rd Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (10th Regiment of Royal Grenadiers) as a Private (later Corporal) (Service No. 171944). He sailed for France & Flanders on 20 May 1916 where he received Shell Wounds on 7 Oct 1916 but was not returned to duty until 27 Feb 1918. By that time he had been medically assessed and was formally discharged back in Canada on 15 Aug 1918 due to heart problems. He qualified for the Victory and British War Medals. He married Nellie Taylor in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on 17 Oct 1918 and they went on to have five children. No record of Arthur's death has yet been found.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Reginald Sidney Gray

21st June 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: Reginald Sidney

Locations in this story:
East Knoyle, Wiltshire
Dorchester, Dorset
India & Afghanistan
Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Reginald Sidney Gray was born in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, on 1 Dec 1893 the son of John Gray and Harriett Gray (nee Matthews). He lived most of his early life at Milton, East Knoyle. By 1911 he was boarding in Dorchester, Dorset, working as an Assistant in a Cycle Shop. He had enlisted and joined the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 23644). He was later transferred to the Machine Gun Corps as a Gunner in the Motor Branch (Service No. 163398). He served in India and Afghanistan being eventually discharged on 20 Feb 1920 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals along with the India General Service and Afghanistan North West Frontier 1919 Medal. The 1921 Census shows him lodging at 30 Hamilton Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire, working as a Plasterer. He married Gertrude Agnes Witt in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on 21 Jul 1929. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 90 St. Marks Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire, working as a Furniture Lorry Driver. His death was recorded in Salisbury during 1971. His brothers, Archibald Ernest Frederick Gray and Bertie William Gray, also served and survived the conflict.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Frederick George Dredge

21st June 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Dredge

Other names: Frederick George

Locations in this story:
Warminster, Wiltshire
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
India
France & Flanders
Ponders End, Middlesex
Enfield, Middlesex
Edmonton, Middlesex

Story:
Frederick George Dredge was born in the Warminster, Wiltshire, Workhouse on 26 Jul 1891 and baptised in Warminster on 24 Sep 1891 the son of Clara Dredge. Clara, Frederick's mother, married Walter Gray sometime in 1894 and Frederick thereafter became known for all purposes as Frederick George Gray. The family lived in Watery Lane, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, until Frederick enlisted on 13 Jul 1908 and joined the 4th Bedfordshire Regiment (Special Reserve) (Service No. 6051). He was actually embodied on 21 Oct 1908 and served in India. At the outbreak of WW1 he was transferred to the Royal Field Artillery (Service No. 52967) and rose through the ranks to become Battery Sergeant Major. He was posted to France and Flanders on 6 Nov 1914 where he remained throughout the war apart from a short break back in the UK. He was awarded the Military Medal for Gallantry in the Field on 4 Feb 1917 near Berthonval Wood, Flanders (Belgium) when a British aeroplane crashed in flames and he attempted to save the observer from the plane, which was unsuccessful, but continued to remove guns, ammunition and equipment from the burning wreckage thus saving many valuable assets. The award was announce on 14 Jan 1918 in the London Gazette. He was discharged on 20 Oct 1920 and further awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. On discharge he moved to Ponders End, Middlesex, and by the 1921 Census was living at 1 Sutherland Villas, Cedar Park Road, Enfield, Middlesex, working as a Police Constable for the Metropolitan Police. He had married Elsie Lamb at St Matthew's Church, Enfield, Middlesex, on 2 Oct 1920. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 63 Church Road, Enfield, Middlesex, working as a Police Constable. His death was recorded in Edmonton, Middlesex, during 1963. His brother, Walter James Dredge (Gray), also served and survived the conflict.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources: