Stories Archive - Page 42 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Albert George Farmer

27th August 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Farmer

Other names: Albert George

Locations in this story:
Charminster, Dorset
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Clutton, Somerset
Peasedown St. Johns, Bathavon, Somerset
Bath, Somerset

Story:
Albert George Farmer was born in Charminster, Dorset, on 6 Dec 1895 and baptised there on 24 May 1896 the son of Thomas Farmer and Rosina Farmer (nee Bird). He lived his early life in Charminster. His father had died in 1898 and his mother had remarried in 1910 to Ephriam Rideout and had moved to The Common, Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where Albert also resided. He had enlisted with the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 3151). He joined the 1/4th Battalion and his Service No. was changed to 201355. It is not known in which theatre of war he served but he was discharged on 31 May 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals. According to the records he married Lily S. B. Dyer in Clutton Somerset, in 1926. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 15 Bath Road, Peasedown St. Johns, Bathavon, Somerset, working as a Baker & Confectioner (Cakes). His death was recorded in Bath, Somerset, on 17 Mar 1985. His brother, Charles Cyril Farmer, also served in the conflict.

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Charles Cyril Farmer

27th August 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Farmer

Other names: Charles Cyril

Locations in this story:
Charminster, Dorset
Portland, Dorset
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Portland, Dorset
Bath, Somerset

Story:
Charles Cyril Farmer was born in Charminster, Dorset, on 25 Jun 1893 and baptised there on 17 Sep 1893 the son of Thomas Farmer and Rosina Farmer (nee Bird). He lived his early life in Charminster and left when he enlisted in the Somerset Light Infantry on 5 Jul 1910 as a Private (Service No. 8988). His father had died in 1898 and his mother remarried Ephriam Rideout in 1910 and came to live at The Common, Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset. Charles gave this as his address throughout WW1 and was registered there on the Absent Voters Lists of 1918 and 1919. It is not known in which theatre of war he served but he was discharged as being physically unfit for further service due to sickness on 19 Sep 1919 and awarded the Silver War Badge No. B308357 as well as the Victory and British War Medals. He married Florence Louisa Bloom at Christchurch, Bath, Somerset, on 11 Sep 1924. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 21 Wellington Place, Bath, working as a Hospital Porter. His death was recorded at St. Martins Hospital, Bath, on 8 Jul 1955. His brother, Albert George Farmer, also served in the conflict.

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Leonard Curd

26th August 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Curd

Other names: Leonard

Locations in this story:
Brenchley, Tonbridge, Kent
Mickelham, Surrey
Kensington, London
Motcombe, Dorset
France & Flanders
East Garston, Nr. Hungerford, Berkshire
Newbury, Berkshire

Story:
Leonard Curd was born in Brenchley, Tonbridge, Kent, on 7 Apr 1884 and baptised there at All Saints Church on 25 May 1884 the son of Harry Curd and Jane Curd (nee Castleden). He spent his early life living with his parents in Brenchley, Kent, until by 1911 he had obtained employment in Mickleham, Surrey, and shortly after at Motcombe House, Motcombe, Dorset, where he lived in The Stables. He had enlisted on 3 Nov 1914 with the Army Service Corps as a Private (Service No. M1/09220). He served in France and Flanders from 25 Aug 1915. During one of his leave periods he married Ellen Jane Pike in Kensington, London, in Mar 1916. He was discharged on 20 Feb 1919 being physically unfit for further duty on account of Neuritis and awarded a short lived pension plus the Silver War Badge No. B267497. He was also awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He returned to Motcombe House Stables, as shown on the 1921 Census, to live and work as a Chauffeur but by 1931 had moved on to Pounds Farm, Eastgarston, Hungerford, Berkshire. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Oakhurst Cottages, East Wootton, Newbury, Berkshire, still working as a Chauffeur. He died in Newbury during 1973.

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John Hunter Watts

11th August 2021/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Watts

Other names: John Hunter

Locations in this story:
Bayswater, London
Farnworth, Lancashire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Weston-super-Mare, Somerset
Camberwell, London
Hinaidi, Mesopotamia

Story:
John Hunter Watts (known as 'Jack' to his family) was born in Bayswater, London, on 23rd October 1887 the son of John Hunter Watts and Catherine Jane Grace Watts (née Croll). He lived his early life in Camberwell, London, but by 1911 he was boarding out in Farnworth, Lancashire, where he was working as a Teacher. Sometime after 1911 he had taken up a position at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He left the school in 1914 to enlist in the Army Service Corps where he was promoted to Captain and, later, Brevet Major. He served in France & Flanders becoming a Requisitioning and Purchasing Officer. During 1916 he received gunshot wounds and was Mentioned in Dispatches. He would have been entitled to the Victory and British War medals but was also awarded the Order of the British Empire (Military Branch) for his work in the Army. His name appeared on the Shaftesbury Absent Voters List 1918. The 1921 Census shows he was still in the army but now based at the Main Supply Depot, Hinaidi, Mesopotamia (now Iraq) but he later returned to his teaching post at the Grammar School in 1922. He died on 4th April 1973 in the Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, Registry area.

Printed sources:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1922

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Shastonian
The National Archives

William Locke

10th August 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Locke

Other names: William

Locations in this story:
Lambeth, Surrey
West Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Manston, Sturminster. Dorset
Bristol, Gloucestershire
France & Flanders

Story:
William Locke was born in Surrey (possibly Lambeth) on 11 Apr 1895. It is currently not known who his parents were precisely but there is a distinct possibility they were Henry George Locke and Annie Priscilla Locke. He was admitted to the Lambeth, Surrey, Poor House & Institute in 1905. By 1911 he was living with Amelia Moore at 8 West Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset, as a boarder working as a Farm Labourer. He had enlisted on 31 Jan 1916 and joined the Devonshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 17372) serving with the Regimental No. 2 Labour Company until on 28 Feb 1916 he was transferred to the Princess Charlotte of Wales (Royal Berkshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 29051). He served in France and Flanders from 8 Jul 1916 with the Regimental 12th Labour Company during which time he was medically regraded and transferred to the 196th Labour Company of the Labour Corps as a Private (Service No. 116169). He was discharged on 3 Mar 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He returned to live on at 8 West Orchard and took up employment as a Farm Labourer at Higher Farm, Manston, Sturminster, Dorset. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to Middle House Farm, Manston, Sturminster, Dorset, working as a Tree Feller and still single. His death was recorded at the Bristol, Gloucestershire, registry during 1974.

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Absalom Lane

9th August 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Lane

Other names: Absalom

Locations in this story:
Compton Chamberlayne, Wiltshire
Birmingham, Warwickshire
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Plymouth. Devon
Bristol

Story:
Absalom Lane was born in Compton Chamberlayne, Wiltshire, on 28 Feb 1883 and baptised there on 15 Apr 1883 the son of Absalom Lane and Jane Lane (nee Sanger). He lived his early life in Wiltshire and enlisted in the Royal Navy on 18 Apr 1902 as a Stoker (Service No. 300490). He was discharged on 27 Jul 1908. His parents had moved to White Pit Lane, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and from there he enlisted on the 8 Sep 1914 in the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 11008). He was posted to the 6th (Service Battalion) but shortly after, on 14 Nov 1914, had been discharged due to varicose veins. He had moved to Birmingham and had apparently re-enlisted and managed to joined the Worcestershire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 29616). There is no other information concerning his military service. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 133 King Street, Plymouth, Devon, working as a Navvy. His death was recorded in Bristol in 1951.

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Bertram Fripp

9th August 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Fripp

Other names: Bertram

Locations in this story:
Hilton, Dorset
Minterne Magna, Dorset
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
Jubbulpore, Bengal, India

Story:
Bertram Fripp was born in Hilton, Dorset, in 1896 and baptised there on 18 Oct 1896 the son of William Charles Fripp and Dorcas Fripp (nee Ricketts). He lived his early life in Hilton and Minterne Magna, Dorset. He moved with his parents to The Chalk, Iwerne Minster, Dorset, sometime after 1911 he had enlisted with the Dorset Regiment as a Private (Service No. 15659). Some time later he was transferred to the Hampshire Regiment (Service No. 32011). It is not known in which theatre of war he served in but was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He remained in the Army and was posted to Bengal, India, prior to 1921 with Service No. 5485612. He died at Jubbulpore, Bengal, India, on 31 Dec 1926 and was buried at St. Michaels Church, Jubbulpore on 1 Jan 1927. His brother, Ernest Henry Fripp, also apparently served in the conflict and both their names were included on a private Roll of Honour published in Iwerne Minster.

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Harold Cuff

8th August 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Cuff

Other names: Harold

Locations in this story:
Winterbourne Whitchurch, Dorset
Milton Abbas, Dorset
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
Balkans
Norwich, Norfolk
Dorchester, Dorset
Bristol

Story:
Harold Cuff was born in Winterbourne Whitchurch, Dorset, on 18 Oct 1893 and baptised there on 24 Dec 1893 the son of Edward Stevens Cuff and Sarah Mary Cuff (nee Riggs). He spent his early life in Winterbourne Whitchurch until by 1911 he had moved with his family to Milton Abbas, Dorset. He later moved to Blandford Road, Iwerne Minster, Dorset, and from there he had enlisted with the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 10701). He served in the Balkans area from 11 Jul 1915 and had received gunshot wounds following which he was discharged as being physically unfit for further service on 12 Nov 1918 and awarded the Silver War Badge No. B40737 and a pension for life as well as the Victory and British War Medals and the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him then boarding at 2 Norrisville Road, Bristol, described as a Commercial Student. He married Alice Harriett Williams in St. Helens Church, Norwich, Norfolk, on 18 Sep 1923. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 18 Lorne Road, Dorchester, Dorset, working as a Storeman Clerk in the Roads and Buildings Dept. of the Dorset County Council. His death was recorded in Dorchester, Dorset, on 12 Oct 1970.

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Albert Locke

8th August 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Locke

Other names: Albert

Locations in this story:
Upper Winchcombe, Somerset
Blackford, Somerset
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
Yeovil, Somerset

Story:
Albert Locke was born in Upper Winchcombe, Somerset, on 12 Jul 1885 and baptised there on 9 Aug 1885 the son of James and Alma Locke. He spent his early years in Upper Winchcombe but married Mabel Frances Louise Hansford at St. Mark's Church, Blackford, Somerset, on 11 Sep 1909. By 1911 they had set up home in Shute Lane, Iwerne Minster, Dorset, where he was employed as a Farm Waggoner. He enlisted with the Army Service Corps as a Shoeing Smith (Service No. TS/9938). He later transferred to the Machine Gun Corps (Motor Section) as a Gunner (Service No. 191849). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge on 1 Jan1920 he was only awarded the British War Medal. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Drayton, Yeovil, Somerset, working as a Farm Foreman. His death was recorded in Yeovil in 1970.

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Charles Barber Edrich

8th August 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Edrich

Other names: Charles Barber

Locations in this story:
Hautbois Magna, Norfolk
Dorchester, Dorset
Charminster, Dorset
Mappowder, Dorset
South Africa
India
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
France & Flanders
Bridport, Dorset

Story:
Charles Barber Edrich was born in Hautbois Magna, Norfolk, on 25 Apr 1877 and baptised there on 12 Aug 1877 the son of Robert Edrich and Anna Edrich (nee Frary). He lived his early life in Hautbois Magna until he enlisted on 15 Aug 1894 with the Norfolk Regiment (Service No. 4045). He transferred to the Royal Horse Artillery as a Driver on 10 Nov 1896 (Service No. 17991). He served in India and South Africa with the 'A' Battery being awarded the Queen's South African Medal with 6 Clasps. By 1901 he had been posted to Dorchester, Dorset, and acted as a Batman and Groom to an officer there. He married Sarah Ann Jeanes at St. Mary's Church, Charminster, Dorset, on 11 Feb 1902. He was discharged from the Army on 14 Aug 1906. By 1911 he was living in Mappowder, Dorset, and sometime shortly after moved to The Stables, Iwerne Minster, Dorset, where he was employed as a Garden Labourer. He was recalled to the Royal Field Artillery as a Driver on 14 Aug 1914 (Service No. 88803). He served in France & Flanders from 16 Aug 1914 but on 18 Jul 1916 he was transferred to the Royal Engineers (Labour Company) as a Private (Service No.43714). On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. He returned to Iwerne Minster to work as a groom, the 1921 Census giving The Stores as his address, until 1928. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 35 Colliton Street, Dorchester, Dorset, still working as a Garden Labourer. His death was recorded at the Bridport, Dorset, Registry in 1954.

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