Howard Baker Spry

Surname: Spry
Other names: Howard Baker
Other people in this story:
Frederick Lamble Spry
Elizabeth Jane Spry (nee Baker)
Mildred Stones
Locations in this story:
Paignton, Devonshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Totnes, Devonshire

Story:
Howard Baker Spry was born in Paignton, Devonshire, on 22 Mar 1898 the son of Frederick Lamble Spry and Elizabeth (Bessie) Jane Spry (nee Baker).  He spent most of his early life in Paignton apart from some of his education at Shaftesbury, Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset.  In 1915 he moved to Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, where he was learning the trade of a Tailor & Outfitter.  He enlisted on 26 Apr 1917 with the Royal Flying Corps (later the Royal Air Force from 1 Apr 1918) and trained as a Lewis Gunner with the 24th Wing (Training Reserve Battalion) before transferring as an Office Cadet on 5 Apr 1918.  He became a registered member of the Royal Aero Club on 21 Oct 1918 and held Certificate No. 7176.  He was eventually discharged on 20 Mar 1919 and granted the rank of Honorary Lieutenant.  No medal records have been found in this case. The 1921 Census shows him living with the parents at 10 Victoria Street, Paignton, assisting ha father in the tailoring business  His marriage to Mildred Stones was recorded at the Totnes, Devonshire, Registry in 1925.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 21 Whitstone Road, Paignton, Devonshire, described as a Tailor and Outfitter (Shopkeeper) and also a Special Constable.  His death was recorded in Paignton on 1 Dec 1955.

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Arthur Douglas Reginald Bacchus

Surname: Bacchus
Other names: Arthur Douglas Reginald
Other people in this story:
Charles Edmund Bacchus
Annie Charlotte Bacchus (nee Wadsworth)
Pauline Giles
Locations in this story:
Ramsgate, Kent
Melcombe Regis, Dorset
Milford, Salisbury, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Arras, France
Germany
Exeter, Devonshire
Redlands, Bristol
Wimborne Minster, Dorset

Story:
Arthur Douglas Reginald Bacchus was born in Ramsgate, Kent, on 7 Jan 1887 and baptised in Melcombe Regis, Dorset, on 10 Apr 1887 the son of Charles Edmund Bacchus and Annie Charlotte Bacchus (nee Wadsworth).  He lived some of his early life in Ramsgate until by 1901 the family had moved to 'Rothays', Milford, Salisbury, Wiltshire.  His mother had died in 1912. Arthur had received some of his education at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset.  He married Pauline Giles in Exeter, Devonshire, on 8 Oct 1913 and they went on to have two children. He had possibly been a Territorial member of the Household Brigade prior to WW1 (Service No. 1529) but was embodied on 26 Nov 1915 as a Trooper in the Guards Machine Gun Regiment (Service No. 2282).  He served in France & Flanders but was taken prisoner at Arras, France, on 3 May 1917 and spent time in a POW Camp in Germany.  It is presumed he had received wounds at the time of his capture as it later transpired he had received an injury to his face and right foot.  He had also contacted tuberculosis and was discharged on due to his physical condition on 3 Jan 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the Silver War Badge No. B208056.    Regrettably he died at 29 Abbotsford Road, Redlands, Bristol, on 17 May 1924 (where he had been registered in the 1921 Census described as a Bank Clerk with the National Provincial & Union Bank) and was brought to Wimborne Minster, Dorset, for burial on 21 May 1924. The report of his funeral in the Wimborne press made much of the fact that he died as a result of his war wounds albeit seven years after the cause.

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Maurice Selwyn Fatt

Surname: Fatt
Other names: Maurice Selwyn
Other people in this story:
Sidney Selwyn Fatt
Louisa Fatt (nee Collier)
Freda Duffield
Locations in this story:
Warminster, Wiltshire
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Northampton, Northamptonshire
Daventry, Northamptonshire
Towcester, Northamptonshire

Story:
Maurice Selwyn Fatt was born in Warminster, Wiltshire, on 2 Oct 1898 and baptised at St. Deny's with St. Lawrence Church, Warminster, on 13 Nov 1898 the son of Sidney Selwyn Fatt and Louisa Fatt (nee Collier).  He lived his early life in Warminster until by 1911 he was a Chorister/Pupil at Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury, Wiltshire.  He later also received education at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset.   He had enlisted and joined the 6th Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 48346).  He later transferred to the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (Service No. 47510) becoming an Acting Corporal.  There is a record that he had been transferred to the Royal Air Force on 16 Apr 1918 for officer training but little else is recorded. It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. In 1920 he in fact re-enlisted with the Royal Tank Corps (Territorials) for a one year engagement (Service No. 539114). By the 1921 Census he was boarding in Park Street, Towcester, Northamptonshire, described as an Auctioneer's Articled Clerk.   He married Freda Duffield at Abington Church, Northampton, Northamptonshire, on 6 Sep 1934.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living in Kings Lane, Flore, Daventry, Northampton, described as a Chartered Surveyor as well as volunteering as an ARP Warden.  He died in Northampton on 1 Oct 1960 and was buried at All Saints Church, Flore, on 4 Oct 1960.

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Harry Bertram Davis Weare

Surname: Weare
Other names: Harry Bertram Davis
Other people in this story:
Harry Weare
Edith Louisa Weare (nee Davis)
Olive Wathen Dingle
Mollie M. Mcmanus
Locations in this story:
Gillingham, Dorset
France & Flanders
Exeter, Devon
Brixham, Devon
Totnes, Devon
Newton Abbot, Devon
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Harry Bertram Davis Weare was born in Gillingham, Dorset, on 10 Mar 1898 the son of Harry Weare (a Baker and Confectioner) and Edith Louisa Weare (nee Davis).  He lived most of his early life in Newbury Street, Gillingham.  He received some of his education at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset.  He enlisted on 27 Feb 1917 and joined the Royal Flying Corps (later the Royal Air Force from 1st Apr 1918) as a Baker (Service No. 63098).  He served  with both the 244th and 117th Squadrons and was in France and Flanders between 14 Nov 1917 and 17 Apr 1918.  On his discharge on 7 May 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.  He married Olive Wathen Dingle in Exeter, Devon, on 4 May 1931.  Regrettably Olive died in 1932 around the time of their daughter's birth.  By the time of the 1939 Register Harry was living at 64 Fore Street, Brixham, Devon, working as a Bread and Cake Baker as well as being a Volunteer Special Constable.  He married for a second time to Mollie M. Mcmanus in Totnes, Devon in 1952.  He died in Newton Abbot, Devon, on 29 Oct 1962.

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Stephen Robins

Surname: Robins
Other names: Stephen
Other people in this story:
James Robins
Emma Jane Robins (nee Cooke)
Harry Vaughan Robins
Kesia Barr
Locations in this story:
East Ham, Essex
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Stephen Robins was born in East Ham, Essex, in 1893 the son of James Robins (a Police Constable) and Emma Jane Robins (nee Cooke).  By 1911 his father had retied and had moved to 21 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset.  Stephen had received some of his education at Shaftesbury Grammar School.  Victor's mother died in 1914.  He married Kesia Barr at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, on 22 Sep 1915 and they set up home in Bimport, Shaftesbury.   He enlisted on 14 Mar 1917 and joined the Royal Flying Corps (Royal Air Force from 1 Apr 1918) as a Driver (Service No. 66887).  He served in France and Flanders from 21 Jan 1918 to 15 Jan 1919.  Following his discharge on 12 Feb 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. By the time of the 1921 Census he had returned to 21 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, where he was described as a Garage Proprietor.  He died in Shaftesbury on 24 Nov 1937 and was buried at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, on 27 Nov 1937.   His brother, Harry Vaughan Robins, had served with the Army during the conflict but was killed in action.

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Victor William Noel Bowles

Surname: Bowles
Other names: Victor William Noel
Other people in this story:
William Thomas Bowles
Constance Helena Bowles (nee Harlock)
Winifred Kate Batt
Locations in this story:
Lytchett Minster, Dorchester, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Christchurch, Hampshire
New Milton, Hampshire
Bournemouth, Hampshire
Walton-on-Thames, Surrey

Story:
Victor William Noel Bowles was born in Lytchett Minster, Dorchester, Dorset, on 25 Dec 1897 the son of William Thomas Bowles and Constance Helena Bowles (nee Harlock).  He lived his early life at the Police Station, Fordington, Dorchester, Dorset, where his father was stationed.  By 1911 he was living at the Police Station, Bell Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where his father had been promoted to Superintendent.  Victor had attended at Shaftesbury Grammar School for part of his education.   He enlisted on 6 Dec 1916 and joined the Royal Flying Corps (Royal Air Force from 1 Apr 1918) (Service No. 50619) as a Telegraphist with the final rank of Air Mechanic Class 2.  He served in France and Flanders with the 7th Squadron from 27 Mar 1917 to 27 Jun 1919 being finally discharged on 30 Jul 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals.  The 1921 Census shows him boarding at 150 Alma Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire, (the home of the Batt famiily) described as a Sorting Clerk and Telephonist with the General Post Office. He married Winifred Kate Batt in Christchurch, Hampshire, in 1923.  He was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Traffic with the London Telephone Service in 1927 and by the 1939 Register was residing at 35 Sidney Road, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, now as Superintendent of Traffic.  He died on 12 Aug 1991 where his address was recorded as 91 Alvandi Gardens, Herbert Road, New Milton, Hampshire.

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Richard Seward Withers

Surname: Withers
Other names: Richard Seward
Other people in this story:
Walter Seward Withers
Jane Hudson Withers (nee Bain)
Robert Charles Withers
Walter Seward Withers
Locations in this story:
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Basingstoke, Hampshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Newington, London, S.E.
France & Flanders
Upper Clatford, Hampshire

Story:
Richard Seward Withers was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on 30 Sep 1891 and baptised at St. Edmund's Church, Salisbury, on 8 Nov 1891 the son of Walter Seward Withers and Jane Hudson Withers (nee Bain).  He lived his early life in Salisbury but by 1901 had become a pupil at Queen Mary's School, Basingstoke, Hampshire, and later also attended at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset, which he left in 1906.  By 1911 he was boarding at 165 Kennington Park Road, Newington, London, S.E. working as a Drapery Warehouseman.  He enlisted and joined the Hampshire Yeomanry as a Private (Service Nos. 1019 and 100223).  It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.  It is known he applied for some benefit due to shrapnel wounds to his left leg following his service but this had been rejected by 1924 but it did indicate he might have served in France and Flanders.  Further information is being sought. In 1921 he was registered as a Merchant Seaman (No. R71166) and he worked as a Steward. At the time he gave his address as 'Harkaway', Upper Clatford, Hampshire. Nothing is is known beyond this time except for a possible death record in Scotland during 1947.  Of his brothers, Robert Charles Withers, also served in the conflict and survived but Walter Seward Withers, who had no apparent association with Shaftesbury, was killed in action.

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Robert Charles Withers

Surname: Withers
Other names: Robert Charles
Other people in this story:
Walter Seward Withers
Jane Hudson Withers (nee Bain)
Hilda Buxton
Richard Seward Withers
Walter Seward Withers
Locations in this story:
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Goodworth Clatford, Hampshire
Upper Tulse Hill, London
Lambeth, London
Battersea, London
Shaftesbury, Dorset
St. Pancras, Middlesex

Story:
Robert Charles Withers was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on 8 Jul 1893 and baptised at St. Edmund's Church, Salisbury, on 29 Oct 1893 the son of Walter Seward Withers and Jane Hudson Withers (nee Bain).  He lived his early life in Salisbury until by 1901 the family had moved to Goodworth Clatford, Hampshire.  Robert received some of his education at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset, which he left in 1907.  He had enlisted with the 18th Battalion of the London Regiment eventually holding the rank of Colour Sergeant (Service No. 2428).  He was at sometime transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers (Service No. 52197).  It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.  He had married Hilda Buxton at Holy Trinity Church, Upper Tulse Hill, London, on 21 Oct 1916.  Regrettably his wife died in Wandsworth, London, during 1920 and by the 1921 Census he was living at 4 St. Mark's Crescesnt, St. Pancras, Middlesex, described as a Commercial Traveller - Confectionery. By the time of the 1939 Register he at 67 Tasman Road, Lambeth, London, now described as a Representative for an Instrument Maker as well as a volunteer ARP Stretcher Bearer.  His death was recorded at the Battersea, London, Registry, in 1959.   Of his brothers, Richard Seward Withers, also served in the conflict and survived whilst Walter Seward Withers, who had no apparent association with Shaftesbury, was killed in action.

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Hugh Stowell

Surname: Stowell
Other names: Hugh
Other people in this story:
Herbert Sympathy Hawkes Stowell
Emma Jane Stowell (nee Maidment)
Amanda Sarah Board Cridland
Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Gallipoli, Turkey
Scapa Flo, Orkney Isles
Yeovil, Somerset
Warminster, Wiltshire
Chilmark, Wiltshire
Ham Common, Gillingham, Dorset

Story:
Hugh Stowell was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 21 Jan 1893 and baptised at St. James Church on 19 Feb 1893 the son of Herbert Sympathy Hawkes Stowell (the then High Sheriff of Dorset) and Emma Jane Stowell (nee Maidment).  He lived all his early life at the family home in Layton Lane, Shaftesbury.  For part of his education he attended Shaftesbury Grammar School which he left in 1904.  He had join the Merchant Navy as an an Engineer and during WW1 served on board HMS Hospital Ship 'Soudan' and was at times off Gallipoli, Turkey and Scapa Flo, Orkney Isles.  He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.   He married Amanda Sarah Board Cridland in Yeovil, Somerset, during 1919.  The 1921 Census shows him boarding (with his wife and daughter) at Ham Farm, Ham Common, Gillingham, Dorset, described as a Motor Engineer. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 35 Marsh Street, Warminster, Wiltshire, now described as an Engineer and Garage Works Manager (Ex Merchant Marine).  He died in Chilmark, Wiltshire, on 2 May 1973 his address at the time being given as Ash Farm, Chilmark, Wiltshire.

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Harry Churchill Smith

Surname: Smith
Other names: Harry Churchill
Other people in this story:
Thomas Smith
Sarah Lower Smith (nee May)
Locations in this story:
Colehill, Dorset
Wimborne Minster, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Pamphill, Wimborne Minster, Dorset
Egypt

Story:
Harry Churchill Smith was born in Colehill, Dorset, on 21 Mar 1894 and baptised at Wimborne Minster, Dorset, on 5 Oct 1894 the son of Thomas Smith and Sarah Lower Smith (nee May).  He lived all his short life in the Wimborne Minster area except for part of his education at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset, which he left in 1910.  He had enlisted with the Territorial Force of the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 689) but later was integrated into the Corps of Hussars (Service No. 230110).  He served in the Egyptian theatre of war during which time he had suffered from malaria. He was eventually discharged on 22 Mar 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the Territorial Force War Medal. At the time of the 1921 Census he was living at Barnsley Farm, Pamphill, Wimborne Minster, Dorset, working as a Farmer.   He died on 30 Mar 1925 and was buried at Wimborne Minster Cemetery, Dorset, on 2 Apr 1925. An inquest followed his death where it was indicated that he had died as a result of injuries caused by a shotgun being accidentally discharged on nearby farmland. The jury returned a verdict of 'accidental death'.

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