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.

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.

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 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.   He married Dorothy Ellen Collins in Salisbury, Wiltshire, during 1921.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living 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.

Story:
Frederick Hubert Biddiscombe was born in Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 9 Dec 1881 and baptised there at the 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 into 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 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 time of the 1939 Register he was 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.

Story:
Henry George Gatehouse was born in Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 14 Nov 1891 and baptised there at the 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 rising in rank from Ordinary Seaman to Leading Seaman.  He remained in the Royal Navy until his engagement ran out on 7 Sep 1921.  He had been awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star.   He married Mable Clementina Hart in Shaftesbury, Dorset, 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.