Stories Archive - Page 40 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

William Henry Ainsworth

15th October 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Ainsworth

Other names: William Henry

Locations in this story:
Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Dean, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire
France & Flanders

Story:
William Henry Ainsworth was born in Sixpenny Handley, Dorset, on 2 Jan 1880 and baptised at the Parish Church in Gussage St. Andrew, Dorset, on 29 Feb 1880 the son of Henry Ainsworth and Ann Ainsworth (nee Webb). He lived his early life in the Sixpenny Handley area though after his father's death in 1887, he had moved to Dean, Sixpenny Handley. By the 1911 Census he was boarding out in Salisbury, Wiltshire, working as a Domestic Gardening Assistant. He married Minnie Vera Dicks in Salisbury on 4 Mar 1914 and they set up home at 37 Park Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire. William enlisted on the 18 Sep 1916 and joined the 2nd Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 5925) serving in France and Flanders from 16 Jun 1917 until the 14 Aug 1917 only. He was transferred to the 69th Battalion and given a new Service No. 301657. At some point he was again transferred to the Labour Corps (Service No. 588543). On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. Both the 1921 Census and the 1939 Register show he was still living at his old address in Park Street, Salisbury and working as a Public Works Contractor's Labourer. His death was recorded in Salisbury in 1962.

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George William Clarke

15th October 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Clarke

Other names: George William

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Middlesex
Southampton, Hampshire
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
George William Clarke was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 29 May 1900 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 1 Sep 1901 the son of Thomas William Clarke (Grocer) and Lilian Mary Clarke (nee Figgins). He lived nearly all his life in Shaftesbury not least at the family Grocer's shop at 56 High Street. He received some of his education at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, on leaving which he enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps as a Boy on 29 Nov 1917 (Service No. 158027). On achieving the age of 18 he was made a Private Class 2 in the, by now, Royal Air Force on 29 May 1918. He was promoted to Sergeant and posted to Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Middlesex, Cadet Wing for instruction in aviation on 14 Sep 1918. He was discharged on 17 Apr 1919 and resumed his employment in his father's business as evidenced in the 1921 Census. He married Winifred Ware Piper in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 29 May 1937 and by the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 7 Grosvenor Road, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as a Grocer and also a Volunteer ARP Warden. His death was recorded in Southampton, Hampshire, on 13 May 1968.

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Ian Cunningham Eaton

14th October 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Eaton

Other names: Ian Cunningham

Locations in this story:
Weymouth, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Pasadena, California, USA
San Gabriel, Los Angeles, California, USA
Nevada, USA

Story:
Ian Cunningham Eaton was born in Weymouth, Dorset, on 17 Feb, 1900 and baptised at Radipole, Weymouth, Dorset, on 24 Mar 1900 the son of Arthur Frederick Eaton and Mary Jane Eaton (nee McCrie). He had attended as a Boarder at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset, for some of his education. He had joined the Royal Air Force towards the end of the conflict but there are no other military records available. By 1919 he had emigrated to Pasadena, California, USA, He had married Violette Randall sometime after arriving in America but this ended in divorce. He went on to remarry Blanche Irene Dunn in Nevada, USA, on 2 Nov 1940. He had also been registered on the WW2 USA Military draft which indicates he was then living in San Gabriel, Los Angeles, USA. His death was recorded on 1 Jun 1974.

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Edward George Heard Maidman

14th October 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Maidman

Other names: Edward George Heard

Locations in this story:
Edinburgh, Scotland
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Poole, Dorset
Wareham, Dorset
Bledlow Ridge, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Story:
Edward George Heard Maidman was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on 1 Jan 1900 the son of Edward Charles Henry Maidman and Alice Elizabeth Maidman (nee Heard). He received some of his education at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and the School records indicate that he served as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 7th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment. No other military records have been found.

The 1921 Census shows him visiting relations at 'Westkirk' Chapel Road, Poole, Dorset, but he appears on a list of Old Boys living in London or suburbs in the February 1922 edition of the Shaftesbury Grammar School magazine. He married Marjorie Evelyn Mercer in Poole, Dorset, on 22 Feb 1922. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 'St. Christopher', Sandy Lane, Wareham, Dorset, working as a Laboratory Assistant. His death was recorded in Bledlow Ridge, High Wycombe, Bucks, on 26 Jun 1963.

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Victor Edward Duffett

14th October 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Duffett

Other names: Victor Edward

Locations in this story:
Ibberton, Blandford, Dorset
East Stour, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Wimborne, Dorset
Amesbury, Wiltshire
Ferndown, Dorset

Story:
Victor Edward Duffett was born in Ibberton, Blandford, Dorset, on 8 Aug 1905 the son of Edward Samuel Duffett and Elizabeth Kate Duffett (nee Creed). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living with his parents at Cole Street Farm, East Stour, Dorset. He had attended at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and the School records indicate that he had joined the Royal Navy (Wireless Section). There are no other military records. By the 1921 Census he had returned to his home at Cole Street Farm, East Stour, where he was assisting his father on the farm. He married Gwendoline Isabel Joy in Wimborne, Dorset, on 17 Apr 1933. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Rolleston Manor Farm, Amesbury, Wiltshire, working as a Farm Foreman. His death was recorded in Farnham, Dorset, on 3 Jan 2000.

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John Massey Fuller

20th September 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Fuller

Other names: John Massey

Locations in this story:
Bournemouth, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Exmouth, Devon

Story:
John Massey Fuller was born in Bournemouth, Hampshire, on 22 Jan 1900 and baptised there on 7 Apr 1900 the son of William James Fuller, an Analytical Chemist, and Valerie Fuller (née Thompson). He lived his early life in the Bournemouth area except for a period of education from 1913 to 1917 at Shaftesbury Grammar School. "Jack" represented the school at football and at the Inter School sports, becoming the school's "Champion Athlete" in 1917. As a member of the school's cadet force he rose to the rank of Quarter-Master Sergeant and in 1917 won the school Shooting Cup.

In July 1917 he passed the Civil Service examination for entry into the Royal Marines and on 1st Sep received his first commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. He remained in the Royal Marines, gradually being promoted to his final rank of Colonel just prior to his discharge due to ill health on 4 Jan 1946. He had received the Victory and British War Medals as well as WW2 General Service Medals. In 1925 he was seconded to the Royal Air Force and he gained his 'wings' following which he flew off of aircraft carriers for a time. He achieved the nickname of 'Crash' which might have described his exploits in the air. There is no indication that he married but he died in Exmouth, Devon, on 24 Aug 1966.

Printed Sources:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, February 1917
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1917
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, November 1917

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Shastonian

Edward Ralph Langford

20th September 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Langford

Other names: Edward Ralph

Locations in this story:
Alcester, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Dover, Kent
Long Ashton, Bristol

Story:
Edward Ralph Langford was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 19 Sep 1886 the son of Edward Langford, a Veterinary Surgeon, and Harriet Sowton Langford (nee Luscombe). He spent all his early life at home with his family at Park End Cottage, Alcester, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He attended for some of his education at Shaftesbury Grammar School. By 1911 he was living in Dover, Kent, working as a Clerk for a Provisions Merchant Company. According to the Grammar School magazine he had enlisted with the East Yorkshire Regiment but no records can be found to support this. He had married Edith Gertrude Rutter in Shaftesbury in 1916. By 1935 he had moved to Long Ashton, Bristol, and in the 1939 Register he is shown living at 'Hillsboro', Chestnut Road, Long Ashton, working as a Bank Clerk. (His wife at the time was patient in the St. Mary's Private Hospital, Bristol.) He died in Long Ashton in 28 Feb 1979.

Edward's brother Thomas Norman also served in the war but sadly caught Tuberculosis while in the army and as a result died in 1923.

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Thomas Norman Langford

John Howard Wescott

20th September 2021/in 1914-1918 Gloucestershire Regiment, London Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Wescott

Other names: John Howard

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Oswestry, Shropshire
Bridport, Dorset

Story:
John Howard Wescott (Rev) was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 24th June 1899, the son of Alfred John Wescott, a Coal Merchant, and Bessie Wescott (née Scammell). He lived with his family in Park Walk, Shaftesbury, and attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from 1909 to 1916. He did well academically, particularly in English, and passed the Cambridge Preliminary, Junior and Senior Local Examinations with Honours. He was also a member of the school cadet force and was promoted to Lance Corporal in 1915.

In 1917 John enlisted with the Gloucestershire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 44692) but was soon transferred to the Prince of Wales's Own (Civil Service Rifles) (part of the London Regiment) Service No. 536887. It is not known in which theatre of war he served in but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Dorothy Primrose Hobley in Oswestry, Shropshire, in 1923. By the time of the 1939 Register he was still living in Park Walk, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was described as an HM Inspector of Taxes. It is recorded he joined the City Of London Regiment in the Second World War with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant but some time later was ordained as a Minister of Religion. He died in Bridport, Dorset, on 15th May 1972.

Printed Sources:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, October 1915
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1916
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, November 1917

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The National Archives
Shastonian

Edward William Peckham

19th September 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Peckham

Other names: Edward William

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Malmesbury, Wiltshire
Bristol
Blandford, Dorset

Story:
Edward William Peckham was born in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 17 Oct 1900 the son of Reuben Abner Peckham, a Market Gardener and Haulier, and Melina Peckham (nee Burt). He spent all his early life in Donhead St. Mary and attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from 1912 to 1917. He did well academically, winning the form prize annually and gaining distinctions in Algebra and English in the Preliminary Cambridge Local Examination in 1914.

Edward enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps (Royal Air Force from 1 Apr 1918) as a Boy (Service No. 149046). He was classed as a Learner on the Aero Engineering section and served in the UK only eventually becoming a Private Class 2 described as a Learner Aero Engine Fitter. He was discharged on 24 May 1919. No medal record can be found. By the 1921 Census he was boarding at 2 Norrisville Road, Bristol, described as a Commercial Student. He married Dorothy Florence Hitchings in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, in 1935. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 40 Hazelbury Road, Bristol, described as an Accountant/Costing Clerk. His death was recorded at the Blandford, Dorset, Registry on 26 Jan 1996.

Printed Sources:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, October 1914
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, November 1917

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Oswald Pledger

19th September 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Pledger

Other names: Oswald

Locations in this story:
Wembley, Middlesex
Hampstead, London
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Loos, France
Monks Horton, Kent
Manitoba, Canada
France

Story:
Oswald Pledger was born in Wembley, Middlesex, on 23 Dec 1885 and baptised there on 9 May 1886 the son of Thomas Arthur Pledger and Mary Ann Pledger (nee Westcott). He lived his early life in Wembley and later in Hampstead, London. The family did become associated with Shaftesbury, Dorset, because Oswald's younger brother was born there about 1903 and Oswald had attended Shaftesbury Grammar School. He had emigrated to Canada landing in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 27 Jan 1912. He moved on to live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he met and married May Somers Booth on 24 Jun 1913. He had enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 19 Jun 1916 joining the 76th Depot Battery of the Field Artillery Brigade as a Gunner (Service No. 1250057). He was sent to France and joined the 1st Brigade and was in action at Loos, France, on 17 Aug 1917 where he was gassed and suffered from shell shock. He was repatriated back to the UK where he spent many months at the Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Monks Horton, Kent. In time he was sent back to Canada on 7 Dec 1918 and eventually discharged on 17 Jan 1919 being medically unfit for further duty. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. By 1921 he was still living in the Manitoba area and he and his wife had seven children. Of his children, two served in WW2 and both were killed in action. Kenneth Mervyn Pledger was killed in the 6 Jun 1944 (D-Day) whilst serving with the Canadian Parachute Brigade and shortly after, on 13 Jun 1944, his brother, Thomas Oswald Pledger, was killed serving with the RCAF (Bomber Command Contingent) over France for which he received the posthumous award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. Oswald himself passed away on 14 Dec 1951.

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