Story:
Harold Donald Victor Bowles was born in Semley, Wiltshire, on 22 Aug 1897 and baptised there on 20 Feb 1898 the son of Frank Bowles and Bessie Alice (aka Betsy) Bowles (nee Smith).  He spent his early life in Semley living at the Old Workhouse (by then private homes).  He had enlisted with the Dorsetshire Regiment on 25 Jun 1913 but was not embodied until 1 Sep 1914 as a Private (Service No. 19505).  It is thought he served in France and Flanders with the 4th Battalion where he was wounded in action and it is understood was awarded the Military Medal for courage in the field in rescuing an injured officer under fire.  He was later transferred to the Labour Corps with Service No. 352840.  He was discharged as being medically unfit for further service on 19 Sep 1917 and awarded the Victory, British War Medals and 1914/15 Star along with the Silver War Badge No. 274689. (The 1914/15 Star was missed from the medal index but has been verified by seeing the actual medal.)  He married Rose Louise Kate Maidment in Axminster, Devon, on 23 Aug 1919. The 1921 Census shows him living at 25 Wallington, Fareham, Hampshire, working as a General Labourer at the Royal Victoria Military Hospital, Netley, Southampton, Hampshire.  By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to Lower Newland, Sherborne, Dorset, working initially as a House Decorator as well as being a volunteer ARP Warden later transferring to the Home Guard with the rank of Lieutenant.  His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry on 11 May 1971 his address at the time being given as 36 Vernalls Road, Sherborne.  He was buried in Sherborne on 14 May 1971. Of his brothers, Bertram Percival Bowles and Alfred Radcliffe Bowles, served but died during the conflict whereas Leonard Frank Bowles served and survived.

Story:
Archibald Joseph Parsons was born in Semley Wiltshire, on 17 Sep 1899 the son of Joseph Parsons and Frances Parsons (nee Frost).  He lived all his early life in the Semley area.  He enlisted on 17 Oct 1917 and joined the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. HM/2268).  It is not known in which theatre of was he served but he had three transfers during his time i.e. Royal Hussars (Service No. 139593), the Training Reserve Battalion and finally, the Labour Corps as a Private (Service No. 668075).  He was discharged on 12 Jun 1919 being unfit for further service due to debility and a hernia.  He was awarded the Silver War badge No.B229736 and received a small pension until 1921.  He appears to have qualified for the Victory and British War Medals.  He married Dorothy Louise Wright at Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 30 Oct 1927.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Station Road, Semley, Wiltshire, working as a Post Office Caretaker and Operator.  He later moved to 'Shaston', Shaftesbury Road, Gillingham, Dorset, and died there on 18 Dec 1979.  Of his brothers, Charles George Parsons served but died during the conflict whereas Walter John Parsons and Percy Frank Parsons both served and survived.

Story:
Hubert William Hibberd was born in Semley, Wiltshire, on 20 Jul 1895 and baptised there on 11 Aug 1895 the son of Frank Reuben Hibberd and Ellen Hibberd (nee Chubb).  He lived his early life in and around Semley.   He had enlisted and joined the Territorial Unit of the 1st/4th Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 1954).  It is not known in which theatre of war he served but his Service No. changed during the conflict to 200410.  He was discharged on 22 Apr 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the Territorial Forces War Medal.  His marriage to Mabel Hawkins was registered in Southampton, Hampshire, during 1922.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 27 The Quadrangle, Eastleigh, Hampshire, employed in Wire Drawing.  His death was recorded in the Winchester, Hampshire, Registry during 1975.  Of his brothers, Ernest Edward Hibberd, served but regrettably died during the conflict whereas William Hibberd served and survived.

Story:
Harold Arthur Pitman was born in Motcombe, Dorset, on 25 Jun 1895 and baptised there on 28 Jul 1895 the son of John Pitman and Mary Ann Pitman (nee Phillips).  He lived his early life in Motcombe and later in Semley Green, Semley, Wiltshire.   He had enlisted with the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 1392).  He served in Egypt from 6 Nov 1915 and later his unit became part of the Corps of Hussars (Service No. 230659).  He was eventually discharged on 25 Mar 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 12 Butleigh Wootton, Wells, Somerset, with his wife, Annie Elizabeth Pitman (although no marriage record can be found).  He was working as a Chauffeur and Gardener.   He died in Butleigh Wootton during 1949.  Of his brothers, Stanley George Pitman, was killed in action whereas William John Pitman and Hubert Morgan Pitman both served and survived.