Story:
Wilfred Purefoy (Jack) Messer was born in Sixpenny Handley, Dorset, on 16 Mar 1899 and baptised there on 29 Apr 1899 the son of George Messer and Sarah Messer (nee White).  He lived his early life in Sixpenny Handley.  He had enlisted and joined the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 22226).  It is not known in which theatre of war he served but he remained in the Army after the conflict for a period when other uses for the military had been found.  He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.  He married Joyce Louisa Bond in St Georges, Hanover Square, London, during 1926.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living and working at the County Hotel, Bridge Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, as a Waiter.   His death was recorded in the Launceston, Cornwall, area during 1995 at the age of 96 years.  Of his brothers, Maurice George Messer served but died during the conflict whilst Reginald George Messer served and survived.

Story:
Ernest Frank Roberts was born in Iwerne Minster, Dorset, on 26 May 1892 the son of Frank Roberts and Mary Eliza Roberts (nee Wareham).  He lived his early life in Iwerne Minster until by 1914 he had emigrated to Toronto, Canada, where he married Cecelia Bryant in York City, Toronto, on 30 Jul 1914.   He had enlisted on the 29 Jan 1916 with the 16th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force as a Private (Service No. 679169).  He arrived in France on 13 Dec 1916 and was transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the Canadian Pioneers as a Sapper. During his service he had many health problems and he was eventually repatriated back to Canada on the SS Aquitaine on 28 Nov 1918 suffering from shell shock. He was discharged as being medically unfit on 21 Dec 1918.  He had qualified for the Victory and British War Medals.  His wife died in 1943 and there is evidence that he returned to the UK and lived in Hawkhurst, Kent, and possibly re-married.  His death was recorded in the General Hospital, New Cross, London, on 12 Feb 1962 (evidenced by the Canadian Army Pension Records).  His brother, Frederick James Roberts, also served but regrettably died during the conflict.

Story:
Sidney John Scammell was born in Broad Chalke, Wiltshire, on 17 Mar 1888 and baptised there on 3 Jun 1888 the son of James Scammell and Elizabeth Scammell (nee Bridle).  He lived his early life in Broad Chalke until by 1911 he had moved with his parents to Crook Hill, Alvediston, Wiltshire, working as a Farm Labourer.   He had enlisted on 5 Sep 1914 and joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers as a Private (Service No. 15331).  He served with the 6th and 7th Battalions from 9 Aug 1915 in the Balkans and at one time was an Acting Lance Corporal.   He was discharged on 14 Sep 1916 suffering from Pulmonary Tuberculosis and awarded the Silver War Badge No. 83393 as well as a time limited pension.  In addition he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.  He married widow Jessie Tabitha Noyce (nee Chinchen), who had previously been married to William Harry Noyce who was killed in action on 1 Dec 1914 whilst serving in the Royal Navy. The marriage was registered in Wilton, Wiltshire, during 1918. By the 1921 Census he was living at 2 Fairfield Cottages, Netherhampton, Wilton, Wiltshire, working as a Farm Carter. By the 1939 Register he had moved to 3 Churchfields, Salisbury, Wiltshire, working as a Shepherd on a Farm.  His death was recorded in Salisbury during 1973.  Of his brothers, William George Edward Scammell served but was regrettably killed in action whilst Edward James Scammell (who had enlisted the same day as Sidney) was discharged due to a physical disability.

Story:
Samuel George Moxham was born in Alvediston, Wiltshire, on 31 Dec 1891 and baptised there on 14 Feb 1892 the son of Francis (Frank) Moxham and Elizabeth Ann Moxham (nee Francis).  He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in the Alvediston area.  He had enlisted and joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers as a Private (Service No. 15330).  He had served in the Balkans from 9 Aug 1915 and on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.   His father had died in 1916 and the 1921 Census shows him living with his widowed mother in Trow Cottage, Alvediston, working as a Farm Labourer. His marriage to Elsie Lilian May Vincent was registered at the Tisbury, Wiltshire, Registry during 1930.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living in Twenty Acre Cottages, Alvediston, Wiltshire, working as a Farm Carter.  His death was recorded in Berwick St John, Wiltshire, on 6 Jan 1967.  His brother, Bertram William James Moxham, also served but regrettably died during the conflict.

Story:
Charles Frank Wilkins was born in Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, in 1894 the son of George Frank Wilkins and Constance Catherine Emma Wilkins (nee Baker).  He lived most of his early life in Farnham, Dorset.  He married Lilian Kate Lucas at St. Lawrence Church, Farnham, Dorset, on 3 Feb 1915.  He had enlisted in the Royal Naval Air Service as a Fitter on 10 Sep 1917 and later transferred to the newly formed Royal Air Force on 1 Apr 1918 (Service No. 107517).  He served in Bombay, India and Alexandria, Egypt.  He became due for discharge on 25 Apr 1919 but elected to remain in service as a Sergeant until finally leaving on 28 Feb 1920.  He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. The 1921 Census shows his wife was living with her parents in Chettle, Farnham, Dorset, whilst her husband is not mentioned.  By the time of the 1939 Register his wife was living at 29 Maple Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire, as a married woman but no mention is made of Charles from which it has been presumed he was back in the RAF for WW2.  His death record has yet to be found.  His brother, Reginald James Wilkins, also served but regrettably died during the conflict.