Stories Archive - Page 22 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Walter James Dredge

20th June 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Dredge

Other names: Walter James

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Trowbridge, Wiltshire
Roydon, Essex
Balkans
Egypt
Mesopotamia
India
Ponders End, Enfield, Middlesex
Enfield, Middlesex

Story:
Walter James Dredge was born in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 28 May 1893 and baptised at Trowbridge, Wiltshire, on 20 Jun 1894 the son of Clara Dredge. Clara had married Walter Gray about 1894 and Walter James Dredge was adopted by him and became known thereafter as Walter James Gray. By 1901 the family were living in Watery Lane, Donhead St. Mary, until they moved to Roydon, Essex. Walter James Gray enlisted on 31 Aug 1914 and joined the Royal Field Artillery as a Driver (Service No. 95064). He was attached to the B/69 Battery and from 26 Jun 1915 served successively in the Balkans, Egypt, Mesopotamia and, from 10 Jul 1917, in India where he was sent having suffered a gunshot wound to the right leg as well as having dysentery. He was finally discharged on 18 Apr 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. On his discharge he moved to Ponders End, Middlesex. He married May Doreen Phillips at St. Matthews Church, Enfield, Middlesex, on 22 Aug 1920. They went on to have eleven children. The 1921 Census shows him living at 241 High Street, Ponders End, Enfield, Middlesex, working as a carman for a local baker. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 50 Brinsdown Road, Enfield, Middlesex working as a Public Works Labourer. His death was recorded in Enfield on 15 Feb 1965. His brother, Frederick George Dredge (Gray), also served in the conflict and had been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in France and Flanders.

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Howard James Gray

17th June 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: Howard James

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
Buckland, Portsmouth, Hampshire
Portsmouth, Hampshire
Cranwell, Buckinghamshire

Story:
Howard James Gray was born in Semley, Wiltshire, on 17 Aug 1889 the son of James Taylor Gray and Sarah Jane Gray (nee Scammell). By the time of the 1901 Census Howard's father had died in 1894 and Howard's mother with and his other siblings were living at Gutch Common, Semley, Wiltshire. By 1911 Howard had moved to Buckland, Portsmouth, Hampshire, where he was boarding out and working as a Pastry Cook. He married Gladys Evelyn Roskell in Portsmouth, Hampshire, on 10 Mar 1915. He had enlisted in the Royal Air Force as an Aircraftsman Cook on 3 Sep 1918 (Service No. 291030). He was due for discharge on 8 Feb 1919 but remained in the RAF at Cranwell, Buckinghamshire, until 16 Oct 1919. He did not qualify for any medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at 99 Sherand Road, Buckland, Portsmouth, still as a Pastry Cook. His wife regrettably died in 1934. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 36 Funtington Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, now described as a Baker and Confectioner's Van Driver. He remarried Dorothy Gladys Rose Stockwell in Portsmouth, Hampshire, during 1956 where he later died on 30 Dec 1961. His brother, Ernest John Gray, also served during the conflict.

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Bertie William Gray

17th June 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: Bertie William

Locations in this story:
East Knoyle, Wiltshire
Mere, Wiltshire
France and Flanders
Headington, Oxfordshire
Oxford, Oxfordshire
Tilehurst, Reading, Barkshire

Story:
Bertie William Gray was born in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, on 17 Aug 1891 the son of John Gray, a Blacksmith, and Harriett Gray (nee Matthews). He lived his early life in East Knoyle himself becoming a Blacksmith in due time. His marriage to Ethel Mary Eccles was registered in Mere, Wiltshire, during 1915. He enlisted on 7 Oct 1915 with the Royal Flying Corps (later becoming the Royal Air Force on 1 Apr 1918) as an Air Mechanic (Service No. 9480). He served in France and Flanders from 23 Oct 1915 to 8 Feb 1919 achieving Class 1 status in rank. He was discharged on 14 Mar 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living in Chapel Hill, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire, working as a Blacksmith for a local coach builder. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 39 Delbush Avenue, Headington, Oxfordshire, still working as a Blacksmith as well as being a voluntary ARP Warden. His death was recorded at the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, Oxfordshire, on 20 Feb 1965. His brothers, Archibald Ernest Frederick Gray and Reginald Sidney Gray, also served albeit Archibald was discharged soon after enlisting.

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Archibald Ernest Frederick Gray

17th June 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: Archibald Ernest Frederick

Locations in this story:
East Knoyle, Wiltshire
Warminster, Wiltshire
Alderbury, Wiltshire
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Laverstock, Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Archibald Ernest Frederick Gray was born in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, on 4 Jul 1888 the son of John Gray, a Blacksmith, and Harriett Gray (nee Matthews). He lived all his early life in East Knoyle until by 1915, following his marriage to Elina (or Eilena) Matilda Tanswell at East Knoyle on 14 Aug 1915, moved to West Street, Warminster, Wiltshire. He enlisted on 11 Dec 1915 and was initially placed on reserve with the East Surrey Regiment as a Private (Service No. 26027). However on his embodiment on 3 Jun 1916 he was transferred to the Devonshire Regiment (Service No. 29264) and yet again on 14 Jul 1916 to the Royal Berkshire Regiment where, on 11 Aug 1916, he was discharged as being unlikely to become an efficient soldier. The 1921 Census shows him living at 62 Endless Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, working as a Bricklayer. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 'Wayside', Southampton Road, Alderbury, Wiltshire, still working as a Bricklayer. By the time of his death on 7 Feb 1968 he had moved to 41 Grosvenor Avenue, Laverstock, Salisbury. His brothers, Bertie William Gray and Reginald Sidney Gray, also served in the conflict.

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Michael Vincent Dooley

17th June 2022/in 1914-1918 Australian Imperial Force /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Dooley

Other names: Michael Vincent

Locations in this story:
Rushworth, Victoria, Australia
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Egypt
France & Flanders
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Caulfield, Victoria, Australia
Bendigo, Victoria, Australia

Story:
Michael Vincent Dooley was born in Rushworth, Victoria, Australia, on 9th May 1894, the son of John Michael (Jack) Dooley and Annie Teresa Dooley (née McArdle). He lived all his early life in Rushworth. At the outbreak of the First World War he enlisted in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and joined the Australian Imperial Force on 15th May 1915 as a Private (Service No. 171). He left Australia on 8th May 1915 and served thereon in Egypt, France and Flanders, eventually finishing in the UK where he was discharged in London on 31st October 1919. During his Military Service he had been initially with the 24th Battalion 'A' Company but was later transferred to the Australian Provost Corps and rose in ranks to Sergeant.

On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. At this time he met Flossie Phillips whose parents, Harry and Amelia Phillips, lived in Shaftesbury, Dorset. He eventually married Flossie on 6th October 1919 at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury. They took up residence at the Knowles Arms, Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, as evidenced by the 1921 Census. By the time of the 1939 Register he was still living at Knowles Arms Cafe, Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, described as a Bacon Curer and he was also a member of the Auxiliary Fire Service during World War Two. Flossie died in 1970 and was buried locally on 29th December 1970. Michael then returned to Australia to live with his brother in Caulfield, Victoria, Australia, until his death on 2nd August 1972 and subsequent burial at Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, on 7th August 1972.

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The National Archives

Stanley Harold Gray

16th June 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: Stanley Harold

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Winford, Nr. Bristol, Somerset
Leicester, Leicestershire
Birstall, Leicestershire

Story:
Stanley Harold Gray was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 13 Jan 1898 the son of Walter Edwin Gray and Ellen Mary Gray (nee Merrifield). He lived his very early life in Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset until by 1911 he and his family had moved to Winford, Near Bristol, Somerset. His military record shows he had joined the Royal Kent Regiment as a Private (Service No. 202750). He was discharged due to epilepsy on 5 Apr 1918. He had not qualified for any medals nor did he receive any pension. His marriage to Constance Mabel Easom was registered in Leicester, Leicestershire, during 1937. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 'Lynton', Cossington Road, Leicester, Leicestershire, described as an Ophthalmic and Dispensing Optician. His death was recorded in Birstall, Leicestershire on 17 Apr 1977.

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Samuel James Chasey Gray

16th June 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: Samuel James Chasey

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire

Story:
Samuel James Chasey Gray was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 19 Jul 1894 and baptised at St. James Church on 5 Aug 1894 the son of James Chasey Gray and Susanna Kensell Gray (nee Norris). He lived all his life in the Shaftesbury and Enmore Green area. He had married Amelia Jane Case in Shaftesbury, Dorset, during 1915 and the marriage certificate indicated he was then serving as a soldier. There is no other military information available at this time. The 1921 Census shows him living at 8 Haimes Lane, Shaftesbury, described as a Fish Merchant on own account. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 2 Bell Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, still working as a Fish Merchant and Shopkeeper. He died at The Grove House Nursing Home, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 16 Sep 1940 and he was buried locally on 18 Sep 1940. It is known his wife went on to re-marry. His brother, William Henry Gray, also served and survived the conflict.

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Samuel Roberts

12th June 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Roberts

Other names: Samuel

Locations in this story:
Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary. Wiltshire
Sevenoaks, Kent
Swindon, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Plymouth, Devon
Exeter, Devon

Story:
Samuel Roberts was born in Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 8 Oct 1884 and baptised at the Birdbush Independent Chapel, Ludwell, on 9 Nov 1884 the son of William Roberts and Priscilla Roberts (nee Ingram). He spent his early life in and around Donhead St. Mary until by 1910 he had moved to Swindon, Wiltshire, working as an RSPCA Inspector. He married Lucy Helen Short in the Registry Office, Sevenoaks, Kent, on 19 Mar 1910. Regrettably his wife petitioned for divorce on the grounds of desertion and adultery though the case was eventually set aside on 29 Nov 1920. It is thought that Samuel had enlisted in the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 16311). He later transferred to the Royal Fusiliers (Service No. GS/141738) and later still to the Labour Corps (Service No. 485561). He had served in France and Flanders from 21 May 1915 where he had sustained gunshot wounds to the right leg. He was eventually discharged on 26 Feb 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. There is no information as to his whereabouts beyond this time other than his final address following discharge was YMCA, Plymouth, Devon, and his medals were dispatched to 6 Edmond Street, Exeter, Devon, in 1923.

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Harry Gray

12th June 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: Harry

Locations in this story:
Twyford, Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Fort George, Guernsey, Channel Islands
Southampton, Hampshire

Story:
Harry Gray was born in Twyford, Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 25 Oct 1899 the son of William Gray and Jane Gray (nee Hardiman). He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in the Compton Abbas area. He enlisted on 25 Oct 1917 but was not mobilized until 22 May 1918 and joined the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 3872). He spent most this period with the 2nd Battalion (No5. Platoon, 'B' Company) based at Fort George, Guernsey, Channel Islands. He was discharged on 14 Dec 1919 but did not appear to have warranted any medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at 14 Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, working as a Cowman. He married Beatrice Louisa Parker at Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 7 Nov 1928. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 3 East Compton, Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as a General Farm Labourer as well as being a volunteer ARP Warden. His death was recorded in Southampton, Hampshire, on 9 Nov 1998 aged 99 years. His brother, Frank Gray, also served and survived the conflict.

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Percival James Davis

4th May 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Davis

Other names: Percival James

Locations in this story:
Alcester, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Horton, Dorset
Bournemouth, Hampshire

Story:
Percival James Davis was born in Alcester, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 21 May 1892 the son of James John Davis and Maria Davis (nee Russell). He lived his early life in the Alcester (St. James) area until by 1911 he was boarding at Castle Hill House, Shaftesbury, working as a Servant to Dr. Harold Gould. His duties were to 'wait on gentlemen visitors'. He enlisted on 26 Jan 1912 in the Royal Navy as an Officers' Steward 2nd Class (Service No. L3391). His short service ended on 3 Mar 1913. He again enlisted on 25 Nov 1915 and joined the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment as a Private (Service Nos. TR/9/7089 & 23687). It is not known in which theatre of war he served in but he was with the 4th Battalion when he was discharged as being medically unfit due to heart problems on 12 Dec 1917 with the rank of lance Corporal and awarded the Silver War Badge No. 283961 as well as the Victory and British War Medals and a life pension. He married Annie Mary Louisa Extance in the Parish Church at Horton, Dorset, on 25 Dec 1919. The 1921 Census shows him living at 6 Bell Street, Shaftesbury, working as an Outfitter's Assistant for W.G. Salisbury, Draper and Outfitter, of 34 High Street, Shaftesbury. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 'Elhanan', Glendale Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire, still working as a Shop Assistant in a Gentleman's Outfitters. His death was recorded in Bournemouth during 1959. His brothers, Ernest George Davis and John Richard Davis, also served and survived the conflict.

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