Story:
Herbert Uriah Forward was born in Huntingford, Gillingham, Dorset, on 13 April 1880 and baptised there on 9 May 1880 the son of William Maidment Forward, a Dairy Farmer, and Mary Jane Matthews Forward (nee Butt).  He lived his early life in Huntingford and later Withies Farm, Motcombe, Shaftesbury,  Dorset, (despite being listed at that address on the East Knoyle, Wiltshire, 1901 Census).   He enlisted on 4 Jan 1915 with the Royal Field Artillery as a Driver (Service No. 58937).  He served in Salonika and was eventually discharged on 31 Oct 1917 as being physically unfit for further service due to a double hernia and a heart problem.  He was awarded the Silver War Badge No. 257463 as well as the Victory and British War Medals.  He received a short lived pension which ceased in 1922.  At the time of the 1921 Census he was living in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, working as a Handyman and by the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to Spring Terrace, Mere. Wiltshire, working as a Hotel Porter and still single.  His marriage to Fedora Mary Spry (nee Mills), a widow, was registered in Salisbury, Wiltshire, during 1947.  His death was also registered in Salisbury during 1952.

Story:
George Elkins was born in Whiteparish, Wiltshire, on 27 Jan 1898 the son of Ezekiel John Elkins and Louisa Elkins (nee Knight).  He lived his very early life mainly in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, until by 1911 the family had moved on to Amport, Hampshire.  He enlisted on 5 Jun 1916 with the Royal Marines Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 2312/S).  It is not known where he served but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.  He married Ellen Hoare in Weyhill, Southampton, Hampshire, on 22 Mar 1919.  The 1921 Census shows he was living in the High Street, Little Bedwyn, Hungerford, Wiltshire, working as a Cowman. Regrettably his wife, Ellen, died in 1934 but George went on to re-marry Vera Daisy Olive Newman in Marlborough, Wiltshire, on 22 Mar 1939.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 161 Crofton Road, Marlborough, Wiltshire, still working as a Cowman.  His death was recorded in Lymington, Hampshire, on 24 Mar 1971.

Story:
James Henry Davis was born in Ansty, Wiltshire, during 1890 the son of James Henry Davis (Snr) and Emily (baptised as Emma and always known as such) Ann Harris Davis (nee Vincent).  He lived his early life in Ansty and also East Knoyle, Wiltshire.  By the time of the 1911 Census he had already joined the Grenadier Guards as a Guardsman (Service No. 29052) and was in barracks at Greatham, Hampshire, attached to the 9th Lancers.  His father died in 1913. He served in France and Flanders with the 2nd Battalion and was killed in action near Ypres, Belgium, on 9 Oct 1917.  His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Tynecot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Ypres, Belgium, (Panel 9).  He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals but there is no mention of the 1914/15 Star which might have been assumed.   The 1921 Census shows his widowed mother went to live with her daughter in Thruxton, Nr. Andover, Hants. His brother, Fred Davis, was also killed in action serving in France.

Story:
Arthur Frederick Coombs was born in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, on 8 Aug 1884 and baptised at Chilmark, Wiltshire, on 21 Sep 1894 the son of Frederick James Coombs and Anna Coombs (nee Hayward).  He spent his early years in The Green, East Knoyle, where his father died in 1886 and his mother remained in the area as a Midwife and Parish Nurse.  Is is thought Arthur had joined the Army and was serving in Ireland where he married Florence Mary Cowie during 1907.  By 1911 he was employed in Burnham, Buckinghamshire, as a Domestic Valet.  He was recalled to the Colours and joined The Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) as a Private (Service No. 146).  He had served with the 1st Battalion in France and Flanders from 23 Aug 1914.  His name was listed on 1 Mar 1915 as being a Prisoner of War in Germany.  On his release and eventual discharge he was awarded the Victory and British Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star with clasp and roses.  Both the 1921 Census and 1939 Register show he was living at 11 Syers Road, East Liss, Petersfield, Hampshire, working as a Carpenter.  His death was recorded in Petersfield during 1968. Arthur had at least six children one of whom, Cyril Ernest Coombs, served in WW2 and was killed whilst flying with RAF Bomber Command in 1943 aged 23 years.

Story:
Reginald Percy Coggins was born in Monkton Deverill, Wiltshire, on 30 May 1895 and baptised at Freshford, Somerset, on 22 Sep 1895 the son of Charles William Coggins, a Police Constable, and Annie Maria Coggins (nee Rose).  He lived a good part of his early life at 17 Knoyle Street, East Knoyle, Wiltshire, where his father was serving until by 1911 his father was posted to Middle Winterslow, Wiltshire.  Reginald had enlisted on 21 Sep 1915 and joined the Royal Flying Corps (Royal Air Force from 1 Apr 1918) becoming an Air Mechanic Class 1 (Service No. 8849).  He served with the 34th and 181st Squadrons in France and Flanders from 5 Apr 1916 where he was employed as a Wireless Operator.   Following his discharge on 20 Feb 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.   By the 1921 Census he was boarding at 20 Parsons Green Lane, Fulham, London, described as a Clerk with the Ministry of Pensions.  He married Rose Mary Moran at St. Peter's Church, Paddington, London, on 19 Dec 1936.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 66 Bloomfield Rise, Bath, Somerset, described as a Civil Servant, Grade 4.   His death was recorded in Bath on 22 Apr 1983 and his funeral was held at the Haycombe Cemetery, Bath.   His brothers, Edwin Charles Coggins, Walter James Coggins and Alfred George Coggins, also served in the conflict.