Stories Archive - Page 53 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Arthur William Barnes

17th December 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Barnes

Other names: Arthur William

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
South Africa
East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Story:
Arthur William Barnes was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 10 Sep 1877 the son of Gideon Barnes and Kate Barnes (nee Miles). He lived his early life with his family in Bell Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where his father ran a men's & boy's outfitters. During the early 1890's Arthur was a pupil at Shaftesbury Grammar School. Following his time at school he went to South Africa to take up employment. In 1904 he married Maude Amelia Stickells in South Africa. At the outbreak of WW1 he enlisted with the South African Contingent which was raised to support the British Army. Little else is known apart from the fact he is mentioned in his old school magazine as serving. No military or medal records have been found. Arthur died on October 1964 in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

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Harry Burfitt

16th December 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Burfitt

Other names: Harry

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Ashstead Common, Ashstead, Surrey
Jutland
Portsmouth, Hampshire
Water Street, Bourton, Wiltshire

Story:
Harry Burfitt was born in the Shaftesbury Workhouse, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 14th July 1898, the son of Eliza Jane Burfitt (no father has been identified). Eliza married Thomas Boxall on 8th December 1900 and she went to live in Ashstead Common, Ashstead, Surrey, whilst Harry lived with his grandmother in Water Street, Bourton, Wiltshire. Eventually Harry moved to Ashstead and joined up with his mother and step-father. On enlistment Harry gave the address of his next of kin as 3 Whittaker Cottages, Ashtead, Surrey. Harry enlisted in the Royal Navy on 1st October 1915 as a Boy 2nd Class (Service No. J/33560). He served in many ships of the line and eventually qualified as an Ordinary Telegraphist. He was posted to HMS Tipperary (a Faulkener-class Destroyer) on 21 Apr 1916. The ship, which had only been launched on 5 Mar 1916, became a Flotilla Leader and was dispatched to the Jutland area on 1 Jun 1916. Because of the weather conditions, ships were having difficulty to recognising other vessels and the Tipperary was within 1000 yards of its supposed target before hailing to make certain. They were immediately attacked and the ship caught fire and sank. Of the crew of 195 only 10 survived of whom 8 became prisoners of war. The body of Harry was not recovered and he was presumed dead. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. His name appears on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire, (Panel 15) and on the Ashstead War Memorial, St. George's Christian Centre, Barnett Wood Lane, Ashstead, Surrey. As a postscript his mother, Eliza Jane, died in 1920.

Source: Photographs of the Portsmouth Naval Memorial taken by Richard Lunn.

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The National Archives
Commonwealth War Graves Commission

John William Pickford

16th December 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Pickford

Other names: John Edward

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Alcester, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
John William Pickford was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 3 Dec 1894 the son of Mary Ellen Pickford (no father has been identified). (He was registered at birth as John William but always used John Edwin or the family name of Jack thereafter). By 1901 Mary had married Edward Genge and they were living in Chapel Lane, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, along with Mary's children including John. He enlisted and joined the 15th (The King's) Hussars as a Private (Service No. 29613). It is not known in which theatre of war he served in but on his discharge on 25 Mar 1919 was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He then took up residence at 10 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, but by the 1921 Census he had moved to Stoney Path, Alcester, Shaftesbury, working as a Farmhand. On 28 Nov 1920 he had married Beatrice Annie Barter at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved back to 16 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, working as a Farm Labourer. He died on 2 Jul 1950 and was buried at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, on 6 Jul 1950. (N.B. The use of the surnames Genge (that of his step-father) and Pickford were used alternately during his childhood but reverted to Pickford in later life throughout.)

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Arthur Thomas White

16th December 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Hampshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: White

Other names: Arthur Thomas

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Berwick St. John, Dorset
France & Flanders
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
St. James, Shaftesbury
Layton Lane, Shaftesbury
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury
Cann, Shaftesbury

Story:
Arthur Thomas White was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 9th March 1880 and baptised at St. James Church on 4th April 1880, the son of William White and Lydia White (née Hillier). He lived all of his life, apart from Military Service, in Shaftesbury. He had, prior to the First World War, served with the Territorial Unit of the 4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment and had been placed with the 1st Reserves. He re-enlisted on 27th August 1914 and joined the 3rd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 7654). He was sent to France and Flanders on 5 Dec 1914 and whilst serving there in August 1915 suffered from Trench Fever. He also suffered from being gassed and receiving a gunshot wound to the hand. Whilst on recovery leave he married Margaret White (same surname) in Berwick St. John, Dorset, on 20th November 1915. On 9th September 1916 he was transferred to the 3rd Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment (Service No. 29736) and was finally discharged on 8th February 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. In addition he was awarded a small pension in regard to the earlier gassing. On discharge he went to live at 3 Layton Lane, Shaftesbury. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 57 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, working as a Gardener. He died in 1949 and was buried at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, on 4th June 1949.

Arthur's brother John (b.1890) also served in the war, with the Royal Engineers.

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John White
The National Archives

William Frederick George Head

6th December 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Head

Other names: William Frederick George

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Poonah, India
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Mere, Wiltshire
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Station Bridge Cottages, Tisbury, Wiltshire
Sedgehill, Wiltshire

Story:
William Frederick George Head was born in Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, on 21st November 1888, the son of William Head and Thirza Jane Head (née Biddiscombe). He spent his early life in and around Donhead St. Andrew and sometime before 1911 he enlisted with the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 8210). His father had died in 1905 and his mother had married Reginald Andrews on 5th June 1907. The 1911 Census shows him at the Barracks in Poonah, India. He apparently served in the India/Asiatic region throughout the First World War and was eventually discharged on 5th May 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/1915 Star. On discharge on 5 May 1919 he had given an address at Birdbush, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, as his residence. The 1921 Census shows him living in at Hay House, Sedgehill, Wiltshire, employed as a Butler. He married Mable Kate Lampard in Mere, Wiltshire, in 1928. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Station Bridge Cottages, Tisbury, Wiltshire, described as a Gardener/Handyman as well as being a member of the National Defence Corps (which eventually became the Home Guard). He died at the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 8 Jan 1943. His brother, Reginald Charles Head, had also served but died in 1917 of pneumonia whilst in service.

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Reginald Charles John Head
The National Archives

William John Brickell

2nd December 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Brickell

Other names: William John

Locations in this story:
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shafrtesbury, Dorset

Story:
William John Brickell was born in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 7 May 1888 the son of Aaron Brickell and Mary Ann Brickell (nee James). He lived all his life, apart from a short period of Military Service, in and around Enmore Green, Shaftesbury. He married Matilda Francis at Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, on 6 May 1914. He enlisted on 12 Jun 1918 but was not mobilized until 14 Oct 1918 when he joined the 'H' Training Battalion, No. 2 Training Brigade, of the Machine Gun Corps as a Private (Service No. 181039). He was based in the UK only and was quickly discharged on 21 Feb 1919. He did not qualify for any medals. He was still in Enmore Green at the time of the 1921 Census working as a Deliverer of Groceries for Stratton, Sons & Mead Ltd, of Shaftesbury. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 3 Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Grocer's Porter. He died in Enmore Green on 29 Aug 1958 and was buried at St. John's Church, Enmore Green, on 2 Sep 1958.

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Frank Brickell

2nd December 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Brickell

Other names: Frank

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Battersea, London
Germany
Wandsworth, London

Story:
Frank Brickell was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 26 Sep 1881 and baptised at St. James Church on 13 Nov 1881 the son of Edwin Brickell and Ellen Augusta Brickell (nee Padfield). He spent some of his early years in Shaftesbury but by 1891 the family had moved to 24 Rowina Crescent, Battersea. London. Frank, a bricklayer, married Louisa Garner at Christ Church, Battersea, on 22 May 1904 and they were living at 60 Heaver Road, Battersea, by the time of the 1911 Census. He enlisted on 15 Jul 1916 but was not mobilized until 1 Oct 1917 when he joined the London Electrical Engineers Division of the Royal Engineers as a Private (Service No. 304908). He was due for discharge in Feb 1919 but agreed to stay on in the Army of Occupation in Germany and was not finally released until 26 Dec 1919. No medal record has yet been found in this case though he qualified for both the Victory and British War Medals. The 1921 Census shows he was living at 43 Burr Road, Wandsworth, London, working as a Bricklayer. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 145 Thorndon Gardens, Epsom & Ewell, Surrey, working still as a Bricklayer. His death was recorded in the Willesden, Middlesex, Registry in 1955 and he was buried in the Epsom, Surrey, Cemetery.

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Henry John Brickell

2nd December 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Brickell

Other names: Henry John

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
East Knoyle, Wiltshire
Bournemouth, Hampshire
Long Newton, Hampshire

Story:
Henry John Brickell's birth was registered at the Shaftesbury, Dorset, Registry in 1886 the son of Henry John Brickell and Alice Brickell (nee Coffin). He lived his early life at Hollow Way Lane, East Knoyle, Wiltshire, and later in Bimport, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He had enlisted on 2 Apr 1908 as a Territorial with the 4th Volunteer Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment giving his home address by then as 96 Norfolk Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire. He rose from Private to Sergeant by degrees and attended regular annual training camps. He married Louisa Amelia Houlton at Long Newton, Hampshire, on 5 Aug 1912. At the outbreak of WW1 he was mobilized and attached to the 7th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment (Service No. 67) but by virtue of his civilian employment with Handley Page and that he had completed 8 years service he was released on 30 Dec 1915 in order that he could resume his work at the Handley Page munitions factory. No medal records have been found in this case. The 1921 Census shows him living at 12 Rose Gardens, Moordown, Bournemouth, Hampshire, working as a Carpenter and Joiner. He unfortunately died in Bournemouth in 1926.

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Edney Horace Avery

1st December 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Avery

Other names: Edney Horace

Locations in this story:
Woodcutts, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Egypt
Cairo, Egypt
Westminster, London

Story:
Edney Horace Avery was born at Woodcutts, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset, in 1895 the son of Bellamy Herbert Avery and Laura Hyacinth Avery (nee Morey). The family had moved to Green Lane, Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, by 1901. In 1911 Edney was boarding at 7 Minster Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, whilst a pupil. He enlisted on 20 Feb 1915 and joined the Army Service Corps as a Private (Service No. S4/143317). He was discharged on 2 Oct 1915 as he was considered unsuitable for the duties of the Corps. He re-enlisted on 11 Nov 1915 and joined the Army Pay Corps (Service No. 5828). He served in Egypt and eventually rose to the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2 (Quarter Master Sergeant). He was discharged at his own request in Cairo on 17 Jun 1920 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He married Gisele Lucy M. Sammut in Cairo, Egypt, in 1920 and shortly after returned to Woodcutts, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset. He became a Civil Servant and was widely travelled throughout the world for many years. He was awarded the MBE in 1954 for his services in the Foreign Service. By 1964 he was living in retirement at 104 Cornwall Mansions, Westminster, London, and it was there he died in 1965.

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Percival Brine

1st December 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Brine

Other names: Percival

Locations in this story:
Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Percival Brine was born in Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 26 Jan 1892 the son of John Brine and Louisa Brine (nee Prior). He lived all his life, apart from a short period of Military Service, in Sherborne Causeway, Motcombe, Shaftesbury. He enlisted on 7 Sep 1914 and joined the Dragoons of the Line (part of the General Service Cavalry) as a Private (Service Nos. H23739 & 9349). He was declared unlikely to make an efficient soldier by the fact that he had lost two fingers of his left hand and was discharged on 6 Mar 1915. No record of a Silver War Badge has been found. He married Ellen Cecilia Henbest at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 1 Apr 1918. The 1921 Census shows him still at Sherborne Causeway working as a General Labourer. His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry on 26 Oct 1937 and buried at St. John's Church, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury. Of his brothers, Frank Brine and Albert Brine, both served and died during the conflict as did his cousin, Reginald Brine, who was in the Royal Navy. His other brother, Douglas Harold, served and survived.

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Douglas Harold Brine