Stories Archive - Page 66 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Henry John Toogood

24th August 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Toogood

Other names: Henry John

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sherborne Causeway, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Kilmington, Wiltshire
Frome, Somerset
France & Flanders
Melksham, Wiltshire

Story:
Henry John Toogood was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 15 Sep 1887 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 9 Oct 1887 the son of Henry John Toogood and Mary Jane Toogood (nee Brickell). He lived his early life at Sherborne Causeway, Shaftesbury and later Chapel Road, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury. His marriage to Edith Lucy Green was recorded on the 11 Jun 1911 at Mere, Wiltshire, Registry and they set up home in Kilmington, Wiltshire. They went on to have twelve children. Henry enlisted on 6 Nov 1915 and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 64668). He served in France and Flanders from 29 May 1916 with the 103rd and the 112th Siege Batteries and was eventually promoted to Bombardier. Whilst in France he was accused of desertion but, after an enquiry, was found not to be at fault. He was backed up by local police who advised his actions in helping a colleague who was in trouble, which caused his delay in reporting to his unit, were perfectly justified and laudable. He was discharged on 4 Apr 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals He gave his address as the time as West Woodlands, Frome, Somerset, though by the 1921 Census he had moved to Halfway, Melksham, Wiltshire, where he worked as a Farm Labourer. By the time of the 1939 Register he was recorded at Down Farm Cottages, Frome, Somerset, working as a Farm Carter. His wife, Edith, died in 1961 and Henry went on to re-marry Winifred King in Frome in 1970. He died at Rowden House Care Home, Frome, on 5 Nov 1975.

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William Hardiman

23rd August 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hardiman

Other names: William

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
William Hardiman was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 25 Oct 1882 the son of William Hardiman (who had died on 18 Oct 1882) and Christian Emily Hardiman (nee Lemon). He lived his early life with his mother and grandparents at East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He married Emily Tuffin in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 17 Mar 1906 and they went on to have ten children. William had enlisted with the 1st/5th battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 203630). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge on 25 Mar 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living near Tucker Farm, East Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as a Farm Thatcher. He died at Compton Abbas on 3 Mar 1963.

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Elsie Laura Mary Hannam

23rd August 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hannam

Other names: Elsie Laura Mary

Locations in this story:
Henstridge, Somerset
Tisbury, Wiltshire
Ludwell, Donhead, St. Mary, Wiltshire
Sturminster, Dorset
Chilmark, Wiltshire

Story:
Elsie Laura Mary Hannam was born in Henstridge, Somerset, on 15 Oct 1888 and baptised there on 11 Nov 1888 the daughter of William Hannam and Mary A. Hannam. She lived her early life in Henstridge. She was living at Ridge Farm, Chilmark, Wiltshire, at the time of hostilities in 1914 and volunteered in Feb 1915 for the Voluntary Aid Detachment becoming a Nurse at the Auxiliary Hospital based at the Vicarage, Tisbury, Wiltshire. She worked through until the unit closed in 1919. The 1921 Census shows her living with her widowed mother at Ridge Farm, Chilmark, Wilthsire, where she carried out home duties. Her marriage to Harry Horace Harris was recorded in the Tisbury, Wiltshire, Registry in 1924. Regrettably her husband died on 10 Jan 1930. By the time of the 1939 Register she was living at Birdbush Farm, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, widowed and helping a relative who was the farmer. Her death was recorded in the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry during 1954.

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John Elkins

23rd August 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Elkins

Other names: John

Locations in this story:
Marnull, Dorset
Stour Provost, Dorset
Sedgehill, Wiltshire
Charlton, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Mere. Wiltshire

Story:
John Elkins was born in Marnull, Dorset, on 20 Nov 1883 the son of Sydney George Elkins and Charlotte Louise Elkins (nee Hayward). He lived most of his early life in Marnull. He married Martha Ellen Bealing at the St. Michael and All Saints Church, Stour Provost, Dorset, on 2 Jun 1910. By 1911 he was living at Hays Cottage, Sedgehill, Wiltshire. He enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 150269). He served in France and Flanders from 16 Oct 1916 with the A/93rd Brigade and was eventually discharged on 2 Mar 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals. The 1921 Census shows him living in Culder's Cottage, Gillingham, Dorset, working as a Motor Lorry Driver. By the time of the 1939 Register he moved to 7 Charlton, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, working as a Groom in Private Service. His death was recorded at the Mere, Wiltshire, Registry in 1962.

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Basil Henry Applebee Eames

23rd August 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Eames

Other names: Basil Henry Applebee

Locations in this story:
Highworth, Wiltshire
Swindon, Wiltshire
Shepton Mallet, Somerset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Crediton, Devon
Woking, Surrey
Egypt

Story:
Basil Henry Applebee Eames was born in Highworth, Wiltshire, on 2 Mar 1895 the son of James A. Eames and Maud Eliza Eames. His early life was spent in various places including Swindon, Wiltshire, and Shepton Mallet, Somerset, until by the time of the war in 1914 he was registered for electoral purposes in Tout Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted with the 1/1st Squadron of the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private rising to the rank of Sergeant (Service No.759). He was later attached to the Corps of Hussars and served in Egypt from 23 Apr 1915 (Service No. 230158). He suffered from Malaria which was deemed attributable to his service and for which he received a time limited pension. He was discharged on 26 Jun 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals, the 1915 Star and Silver War Badge No. 464965. The 1921 Census shows him living back in Tout Hill House, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He married Ethel May Rice in Shaftesbury, Dorset, at the Wesleyan Chapel, Shaftesbury, on 15 Sep 1921. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 133 High Street, Crediton, Devon, described as a Bank Manager. His wife, Ethel, died in 1951 and he re-married a Joan M. H. Hutton in Surrey during 1966. Basil died in Woking, Surrey, on 2 Jun 1975.

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Ada Prudence Gibbs

23rd August 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gibbs

Other names: Ada Prudence

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Stour Provost, Dorset
East Stour, Dorset

Story:
Ada Prudence Gibbs was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 16 Nov 1894 and baptised at St. James Church on 16 Dec 1894 the daughter of Edwin George Gibbs and Mary Gibbs (nee Mathews). She lived her early life with her family at Blynfield Farm, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset. She enlisted on 28 Oct 1917 and joined the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps as a Worker (Service No. 3835). It is not known in which theatre of war she served but on her discharge on the 17 Oct 1919 was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. By the time of the 1921 Census she was back living with her parents at Blynfield Farm. She married Richard Wilfred Pike at Stour Provost, Dorset, on 14 Oct 1924. By the time of the 1939 Register she was now living at Newhouse Farm, East Stour, Dorset, and was described as a Dairy Farmer's wife. She died on 1 Oct 1979 and was buried on 5 Oct 1979. Her brothers, Claude Ivor Bertie Gibbs, Alwin Thomas Gibbs, Walter Matthews Gibbs, DCM, and Lucius George Gibbs, all served in the conflict.

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Lucius George Gibbs

Edward Frederick Davis

23rd August 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Davis

Other names: Edward Frederick

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Edward Frederick Davis was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1898 and baptised at St. James Church on 3 Apr 1898 the son of Frederick Davis and Emily Davis (nee Jenkins). He lived all his short life in and around Shaftesbury his last address being Nr. Cherry Orchard Farm, Foyle Hill, Cann, Shaftesbury. He enlisted and (according to the family) joined the Inniskilling Fusiliers as a Private (Service No. 41676) however his medal record at the time of his discharge on 24 Jan 1919 by reason of ill-health shows he was with the Somerset Light Infantry (Service No. 37133). There are no records available to show if he was transferred at any time. It is not known in which theatre of war he served in but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. By the 1921 Census he is shown living with his widowed mother (his father having died during 1916) at 17 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Builder's Labourer. He died in Shaftesbury, Dorset, at the very early age of 32 years in 1930 and was buried in the Town Cemetery, Shaftesbury, on 7 Aug 1930. His brothers, Harry Davis and Charles Davis also served but died whereas his other brothers, William Robert Davis and Frank Davis, served and survived.

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Ernest Edward Gatehouse

23rd August 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gatehouse

Other names: Ernest Edward

Locations in this story:
Ivy Cross, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Milton on Stour, Gillingham, Dorset
Mere, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
La Bassee, France

Story:
Ernest Edward Gatehouse was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1882 the son of James Howe Gatehouse and Mary Gatehouse (née Farmer). The family lived at Ivy Cross, Shaftesbury, until, by 1901 they had moved to Milton on Stour, Gillingham, Dorset. Ernest married Laura Mary Brown at the St. Michael the Archangel Church, Mere, Wiltshire, on 13th November 1912 and they went on to have six children. He was described as a Railway Delivery Agent on the 1911 Census. Ernest enlisted with the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 6151). He served in France and Flanders from 12 Sep 1914 with the 8th Battalion and was taken prisoner at La Bassee, France, on 23rd January 1915 and sent to Prisoner of War camp at Mersebury, near Liepzig in Germany. This was Camp Altengrabow. While there he had a trinket box and a cup made for his wife Laura Mary and engraved with her initials. Following his release he was not discharged until 31st March 1920. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living in Peasemarsh, Gillingham, Dorset, working as a Railway Agent's Carman. He died on 6 Apr 1935 in Mere, Wiltshire, and was buried in Mere on 10 Apr 1935. His brothers, Percy George, Charles Howe, Sidney Herbert, Ernest Edward and Thomas William Gatehouse, all served and survived the conflict whilst their nephew, Victor Stokes, died. His remaining brother, Walter John, was also purported to have served but no reliable military record can be found. His death was recorded in Edenbridge, Mere, Wiltshire, on 6th April 1935 and he was buried at Mere on 10th April 1935. One of his brothers, Thomas William Gatehouse, also served in the conflict and his nephew, Victor Stokes, was killed during the war in an accident.

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The National Archives

Cornelius James Rapley

23rd August 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Rapley

Other names: Cornelius James

Locations in this story:
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Brixton, London
France & Flanders
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Cornelius James Rapley was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on 12 Jun 1895 the son of Walter James Rapley and Mary Rapley (nee O'Neill). His family had moved to Brixton, London, by 1901 and Cornelius spent most of his early life in that area. He had enlisted and joined the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 44271). He served some time in France and Flanders from 10 Sep 1915 but had postings elsewhere as yet not determined. He contracted Malaria for which he eventually received a pension for two years. He was discharged on 14 Mar 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He gave his address at the time as 5 Laundry Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset , as well as in the 1921 Census where he was shown working as a Chauffeur and Gardener for Dr. Harris of Avishays, Shaftesbury. He married Hannah Kate Arnold in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 13 Mar 1919 and they went on to have three children. On 1 Jan 1923 he had signed on in the Territorial Unit of the Royal Artillery (Service No. 748410) as a Lance Sergeant in the Reserves. He was eventually discharged on 31 Dec 1927. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 77 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Driver (Car & Coach). His death was recorded in Shaftesbury during 1960 and he was buried in the Town Cemetery, Shaftesbury, on 9 Apr 1960.

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Charles Wright

22nd August 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Wright

Other names: Charles

Locations in this story:
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Aldershot, Hampshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset
France & Flanders
Motcombe, Dorset

Story:
Charles Wright was born in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 19 Jun 1893 the son of James William Wright and Emily Wright (nee Love). He spent his early years living in Enmore Green. By 1911 he was stationed at Aldershot, Hampshire, serving with the Army Service Corps as a Private (Service Nos. M/25950 & 561892). He was a Butcher by trade and served with the 10th Brigade. The Absent Voters List of 1918 shows his home address to be 34 Enmore Green, Shaftesbury. He served in France & Flanders from 13 Aug 1914 and on his discharge on 22 Feb 1919 was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. During his service he had received an injury to his lag and had been awarded a small pension. He married Edith Emily Brockway at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 22 Aug 1918. The 1921 Census shows him living at 6 Barton Hill, Shaftesbury, working as a Lorry Driver for C & G Prideaux's milk factory in Motcombe, Dorset. By the time of the 1939 Register he was still living at 6 Barton Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset, now described as a Butcher (Shopkeeper). His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1961.

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