William John Pitman

Surname: Pitman
Other names: William John
Other people in this story:
John Pitman
Mary Ann Pitman (nee Phillips)
Ethel Mary Maslin
Stanley George Pitman
Hubert Morgan Pitman
Harold Arthur Pitman
Locations in this story:
Motcombe, Dorset
Semley, Wiltshire
Egypt
Westbury, Wiltshire

Story:
William John Pitman was born in Motcombe, Dorset, on 3 Nov 1889 and baptised there on 15 Dec 1889 the son of John Pitman and Mary Ann Pitman (nee Phillips).  His mother died in 1898. He spent his early life in Motcombe until, by 1911, the family had moved to Semley Green, Semley, Wiltshire.  He enlisted with the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 647).  He served in Egypt from 22 Apr 1915 eventually combining with the Corps of Hussars with new Service No. 230082.  Whilst there he received multiple gun shot wounds and was finally discharged on 6 Apr 1919 and awarded the Silver War Badge No. 460887 and a Life Pension.  He was also awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.   The 1921 Census shows him living with his widowed father back in Semley working as a Produce Dealer in Eggs and Poultry (on own account). He married Ethel Mary Maslin in Westbury, Wiltshire, during 1922.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Church Cottage, Semley Green, Semley, Wiltshire, still working as an Egg and Poultry Producer as well as being a Volunteer Auxiliary Fireman.  He died in Semley on 29 Jul 1961.  His twin brother, Stanley George Pitman, served but was regrettably killed in action. His two other brothers, Hubert Morgan Pitman and Harold Arthur Pitman, both served and survived.

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Stanley George Pitman

Brian Benjamin Slade

Surname: Slade
Other names: Brian Benjamin
Other people in this story:
Leonard Gillott Slade
Maria Slade (nee Bishop)
Robert Bishop Slade
Locations in this story:
Blewbury, Berkshire
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Margate, Kent
Motcombe, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset

Story:
Brian Benjamin Slade was born in Blewbury, Berkshire, on 8 Oct 1897 the son of Leonard Gillott Slade, a farmer, and Maria Slade (nee Bishop).  He spent his early life at Manor Farm, Blewbury, until the family moved to Park Gate Farm, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, though by 1911 Brian was a scholar boarding out at a private school in Margate, Kent.  He had enlisted with the Cavalry of the Line (10th Hussars) on 21 Dec 1914 as a Private (Service No. H/19821).  Regrettably he was discharged on 29 Mar 1915 as he was unlikely to make an efficient solder due to defective eyesight.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Stourville, Shorts Green Lane, Motcombe, Dorset, described as a Factory Relief Worker and still single.  His death was recorded in Sturminster, Dorset, Registry during 1975.   His brother, Robert Bishop Slade, had also served in the conflict but was killed in action.

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William Henry Puig

Surname: Puig
Other names: William Henry
Other people in this story:
Henry Puig
Jane Ann Puig (nee Barker)
George Charles Puig
Locations in this story:
St. Marylebone, London
Gussage St. Michael, Wiltshire
East Molesey, Surrey
France & Flanders
Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Hastings, Sussex

Story:
William Henry Puig was born in St. Marylebone, London, on 15 Feb 1889 and baptised there at St. Barnabas Church on 4 Apr 1889 the son of Henry Puig, a House Painter, and Jane Ann Puig (nee Barker).  He lived his early life in St. Marylebone until, by 1911, he was boarding in East Molesey, Surrey, where he was working as a Carman on the railway.  His parents meantime had moved to Gussage St. Michael, Wiltshire.  He had enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1902 but remained for only two months before buying himself out of the engagement.  In WW1 he enlisted with the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 37530).  He served in France and Flanders from 17 Jul 1915 with the 25th Siege Battery.  On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.   His parents by this time had moved to Overway, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire.  By the time of the 1939 Register William was living at 5 Elm Gardens, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, working as an Ice Cream Salesman - he was still single at this time.  His death was recorded in the Hasting, Sussex, Registry during 1978.  His brother, George Charles, had also served in the conflict but was regrettably killed in action.

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George Charles Puig

William Henry Haime

Surname: Haime
Other names: William Henry
Other people in this story:
Henry William Haime
Mary Ann Haime (nee Gurd)
Kathleen Emily Mary Gurd
Francis (Frank) George Haime
Locations in this story:
Tisbury, Wiltshire
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Barnet, Middlesex
Perth, Western Australia
Gallipoli, Turkey
France & Flanders
Jolimont, Western Australia

Story:
William Henry Haime (sometimes spelt 'Haimes') was registered in Tisbury, Wiltshire, on 7 Oct 1885 the son of Henry William Haime and Mary Ann Haime (nee Gurd).   He lived his early life in and around Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire.  At some time after 1901 he had emigrated to Perth, Western Australia, where, on 20 Nov 1914 he had enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force as a Private (Service No. 1478).  He joined the 16th Battalion who were in action in Gallipoli, Turkey where he was wounded on 17 May 1915.  On his recovery he rejoined his unit in Etaples, France, on 23 Sep 1916 then attached to the 48th Battalion.  He received a gun shot wound to the right thigh on 11 Apr 1917 and was repatriated to the UK for treatment.  Whilst there he met and married Kathleen Emily Mary Gurd in Barnet, Middlesex, on 8 Feb 1918.  He was further repatriated back to Australia where he was discharged as being unfit for further duty on 19 Nov 1918.  He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.  He was known to be living at 4 Rosebery Street, Jolimont, Western Australia, in 1967 as he had applied for and received the Gallipoli ANZAC Memorial Medallion No. 62552 at that time.  His death was recorded in Perth, Western Australia, on 4 Nov 1969.  His brother, Francis (Frank) George Haime, had also served but had been killed in action.

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Alfred John Reginald Hall

Surname: Hall
Other names: Alfred John Reginald
Other people in this story:
William Charles Hall
Annie Elizabeth Hall (nee Miles)
Kathleen May Burr
Claude Miles Hall
Locations in this story:
Hartgrove, Fontmell Magna, Dorset
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Alfred John Reginald Hall was born in Hartgrove, Fontmell Magna, Dorset, on 2 Mar 1890 the son of William Charles Hall and Annie Elizabeth Hall (nee Miles).  Initially he lived at Kit Hill, Fontmell Magna, until by 1901 his family had moved to Hillside Farm, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire.  He had enlisted with the Royal Berkshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 14299).  He served in France and Flanders from the 19 Sep 1915 with the 7th Battalion eventually rising to the rank of Sergeant.  He was discharged on 26 Feb 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. By the 1921 Census he was living with his parents back at Hillside Farm but no occupation was shown.   He married Kathleen May Burr in Shaftesbury, Dorset, during 1923.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was residing at 19 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Dairy Farmer.  His wife died in 1946 and in due course he had moved to Flat 6 John Shoobridge House, Bleke Street, Shaftesbury, where he was living at the time of his death on 16 Oct 1973.  His brother, Claude Miles Hall, had also served but had regrettably been killed in action.

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Percy Edwin John Fletcher

Surname: Fletcher
Other names: Percy Edwin John
Other people in this story:
William Fletcher
Charlotte Ann Fletcher (nee Watts)
Dorothy Ellen Collins
Sidney Frank Fletcher
William Henry Fletcher
Victor Reginald Fletcher
Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Higher Coombe, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Exeter, Devon

Story:
Percy Edwin John Fletcher was born in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 25 Mar 1896 and baptised at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 26 Apr 1896 the son of William Fletcher and Charlotte Ann Fletcher (nee Watts).  He spent his early life with his parents at Higher Coombe, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, until he enlisted with the 1st/4th Battalion of the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 192).  He served in France and Flanders from 15 Dec 1915 with 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 204222) and later the 4th Battalion.  He had during his time received a gun shot wound to his right foot for which he eventually received a pension.  He was discharged on 19 Feb 1919 and was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.   The 1921 Census shows him living with his parents in Higher Coombe working asa Farm Worker. Later that same year he married Dorothy Ellen Collins in Salisbury, Wiltshire.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was recorded at 27 Holland Road, Exeter, Devon, working as a Tea Salesman.  His death was recorded at his home in Exeter on 10 May 1973.  Of his brothers, Sidney Frank Fletcher was killed in action and William Henry Fletcher and Victor Reginald Fletcher both served and survived.

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Victor Reginald Fletcher

Surname: Fletcher
Other names: Victor Reginald
Other people in this story:
William Fletcher
Charlotte Ann Fletcher (nee Watts)
Ethel Jane Marshelsea
William Henry Fletcher
Percy Edwin John Fletcher
Sidney Frank Fletcher
Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Higher Coombe, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
India
Bridport, Dorset
Crewkerne, Somerset
Ogwr, Mid Glamorgan, Wales
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Victor Reginald Fletcher was born in Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, on 12 Sep 1898 and baptised at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 9 Oct 1898 the son of William Fletcher and Charlotte Ann Fletcher (nee Watts).  He spent his early life with his parents at Higher Coombe, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, until he enlisted in the 1st/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment on 7 Sep 1914 as a Private (Service No. 2485).  He served with his Battalion in India and at some time had held the rank of Corporal and later Sergeant with new Service No. 200806.  He had suffered with enteric fever from 23 Feb 1916 but after recovery continued with his duties.  He was eventually discharged on 26 Feb 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals.  He married Ethel Jane Marshelsea in Bridport, Dorset, on 19 Jul 1920.  The 1921 Census shows he was living at 14 Folly Lane, Bridport, Dorset, working as a Van Salesman for the Brroke Bond Tea Company. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 'Glenhurst', Middle Path, Crewkerne, Somerset, still working as a Tea Salesman.  His death was recorded in Ogwr, Mid Glamorgan, Wales, during 1984.  Of his brothers, Sidney Frank Fletcher served and was killed in action whereas Percy Edwin John and William Henry Fletcher both served and survived.

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Frederick Hubert Biddiscombe

Surname: Biddiscombe
Other names: Frederick Hubert
Other people in this story:
Henry Biddiscombe
Emma Foot Biddiscombe (nee Smart)
Margaret Wilhelmina Shannon
Arthur James Biddiscombe
Ernest John Biddiscombe
Locations in this story:
Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Blandford, Dorset
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Scilly Isles
Trowbridge, Wiltshire
Warminster, Wiltshire

Story:
Frederick Hubert Biddiscombe was born in Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 9 Dec 1881 and baptised there at the Birdbush Independent Chapel on 13 Jan 1882 the son of Henry Biddiscombe and Emma Foot Biddiscombe (nee Smart).  He spent his early life in Ludwell until, by 1901, he was boarding in Blandford, Dorset, working as a Tailor.  He married Margaret Wilhelmina Shannon in Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, on 21 Aug 1907 and by 1911 was living with his parents-in-law in Donhead St. Andrew.  He enlisted with the Royal Navy on 30 Oct 1916 as an Air Mechanic (Service No. F22987) serving with the Royal Naval Air Service based in the Scilly Isles.  At the time he was transferred on the formation of the Royal Air Force on 1 Apr 1918 he was an Acting Air Mechanic Class 2 working as a Aero Rigger.  His new Service No. with the RAF became 222987.  He was discharged on 22 Mar 1919 and qualified for the Victory and British War Medals.  His address was then given as Park Gates, Donhead St. Mary. Wiltshire.   By the 1921 Census, and later in the 1939 Register, he was recorded living at 11 Wingfield Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, working as a Builder and Government Contractor.  He died in the Samborne Hospital, Warminster, Wiltshire, on 3 May 1957.   Of his brothers, Arthur James Biddiscombe died whilst serving and Ernest John Biddiscombe served and survived.

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Stanley Fred Gatehouse

Surname: Gatehouse
Other names: Stanley Fred
Other people in this story:
William Henry Gatehouse
Clara Madonna Gatehouse (nee Gray)
Rose Annie Goode
Locations in this story:
Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Tarrant Monkton, Dorset
Holten Heath, Dorset
Poole, Dorset

Story:
Stanley Fred Gatehouse was born in Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 18 Apr 1895 and baptised there at the Birdbush Independent Chapel on 15 Aug 1895 the son of William Henry Gatehouse and Clara Madonna Gatehouse (nee Gray).  He lived his early life in Ludwell until the outbreak of war when he enlisted in the Royal Engineers as a Driver (Service No. 26122). He served in France and Flanders from 5 Nov 1914 and on being finally discharged was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star.  He married Rose Annie Goode in Tarrant Monkton, Dorset, on 11 Sep 1920 and by the 1921 Census was boarding with his brother, Victor, in Tarrant Monkton, Dorset, working as a Barracks Labourer for the RASC in Wareham..  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 14 Council Cottages, Pardys Lane, Holton Heath, Dorset, working at the local Cordite Factory as well as being a Volunteer Observer and Fire Watcher.  His death was recorded at the Poole, Dorset, Registry in 1985.  His father and seven other brothers also served in the conflict and details of their service can be found by following the link below.

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William Henry Gatehouse
Ernest Edwin Gatehouse
Arthur Gatehouse
Percy Gray Gatehouse
Victor James Gatehouse
Reginald John Gatehouse
James Baldwyn Gatehouse
Henry George Gatehouse

Henry George Gatehouse

Surname: Gatehouse
Other names: Henry George
Other people in this story:
William Henry Gatehouse
Clara Madonna Gatehouse (nee Gray)
Mabel Clementina Hart
Locations in this story:
Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Portsmouth, Hampshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
East Knoyle, Wiltshire
Poole, Dorset
Jutland

Story:
Henry George Gatehouse was born in Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 14 Nov 1891 and baptised there at the Birdbush Independent Chapel on 13 Dec 1891 the son of William Henry Gatehouse and Clara Madonna Gatehouse (nee Gray).  He spent his early life in Ludwell until he enlisted in the Royal Navy in Portsmouth, Hampshire, on 8 Sep 1909 for a period of 12 years (Service No. J34860).  He served in various ships, including aboard HMS Canada at the Battle of Jutland, eventually rising in rank from Ordinary Seaman to Leading Seaman.  He remained in the Royal Navy serving latterly in a submarine No. K15 until his engagement ran out on 7 Sep 1921. He was visiting his family in Ludwell at the time of the 1921 Census.   He had been awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star.   He married Mable Clementina Hart in the Shaftesbury, Dorset, Registry area during 1935.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Lower Leigh Farm, Leigh Lane, East Knoyle, Wiltshire, working as a Dairy Farmer.  His death was recorded at the Poole, Dorset, Registry in 1977.  His father and seven other brothers all served in the conflict and details of their service can be found by following the link below.

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William Henry Gatehouse
Ernest Edwin Gatehouse
Arthur Gatehouse
Percy Gray Gatehouse
Victor James Gatehouse
Reginald John Gatehouse
James Baldwyn Gatehouse
Stanley Fred Gatehouse