Stories Archive - Page 76 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Harry George Gray

15th July 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: Harry George

Locations in this story:
Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Southampton, Hampshire

Story:
Harry George Gray was born in Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 10 Apr 1888 the son of Harry Gray and Lavinia Annie Gray (nee Wareham). He lived most of his early life in Watery Lane, Iwerne Minster. He married Mary Amanda Guy at Iwerne Minster on 6 Oct 1912 and they set up home in Shute Lane, Iwerne Minster. Harry enlisted and joined the Hampshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 0277) but later transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 25644). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. The 1921 Census shows him living still in Shute Lane, Iwerne Minster, working as an Agricultural Labourer. His death was recorded at the Southampton, Hampshire, Registry in 1970. His brothers, Benjamin Frank Gray, Richard Gray and Ernest Arthur Gray, all served during the conflict.

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Ernest Arthur Gray

14th July 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: Ernest Arthur

Locations in this story:
Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Blandford, Dorset
York Township, York South, Ontario, Canada

Story:
Ernest Arthur Gray was born at Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1897 the son of Harry Gray and Lavinia Annie Gray (nee Wareham). He lived most of his early life at Watery Lane, Iwerne Minster. He had enlisted with the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 16080). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but was with the 2nd Battalion at one time and on his discharge on 9 Apr 1919 was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He married Ida Maud Pullman at Blandford, Dorset, in 1919 and on the 23 Apr 1920 emigrated to Canada where his last know address was 43 Branston Road, York Township, York South, Ontario, Canada, where he was working as a Railway Labourer. No record of his death has been found. His brothers, Benjamin Frank Gray, Harry George Gray, John Gray, Frederick Charles Gary and Richard Gray, all served in the conflict.

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Benjamin Frank Gray

14th July 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: Benjamin Frank

Locations in this story:
Twyford, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Iraq
Normandy, France
Portsmouth, Hampshire

Story:
Benjamin Frank Gray (known as Frank) was born at Twyford, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 6 Jul 1895 the son of Harry Gray and Lavinia Annie Gray (nee Wareham). He lived much of his early life in Watery Lane, Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted and joined the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Private (Service No. 46820). He later transferred to the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 272133) but reverted back to the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Private (Service No. 205366). He served in France and Flanders and at the end of hostilities was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He remained in the Army and was serving in Iraq with the rank of Sergeant when he was awarded the General Service Medal and Clasp on 28 Nov 1923. He married Martha Elsie Ethel Maynard in Portsmouth, Hampshire, in 1924. He was still serving at the outbreak of World War 2 and was allotted Service No. 7251708. He took part in the Normandy, France, landings on 7 Jun 1944. He was awarded a further two clasps to his General Service Medal. He retired to Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and died there in 1978 and was buried in St. Mary's Churchyard on 17 May 1978. His brothers, Harry George Gray, Ernest Arthur Gray and Richard Gray, all served in WW1 and all their names are shown on a Roll of Honour published privately in Iwerne Minster.

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Cecil George Fisher

14th July 2020/in 1914-1918 Labour Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Fisher

Other names: Cecil George

Locations in this story:
Iwerne Courtney, Blandford, Dorset
Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset

Story:
Cecil George Fisher was born at Iwerne Courtney, Blandford, Dorset, on 3rd June 1896 and baptised there on 2nd August 1896, the son of Henry Fisher and Sarah Harriet Fisher (née Baker). He spent most of his life at the family home at The Brickyard, Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted and served with the 443rd Labour Company of the Labour Corps as a Private (Service No. 134792). It is not known in which theatre of war he served nor is there any record of medals being awarded. The 1921 Census and the 1939 Register indicates he was living still at Brickyard Cottages, Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset, being described in 1939 as a Smallholder and still single. He death was recorded in the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1973. Cecil's brother William Henry (b.1893) also served in the war but sadly died of a fever in 1916 while serving with the Wiltshire Regiment in Mesopotamia.

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The National Archives
William Henry Fisher

Harry William Domoney

14th July 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Domoney

Other names: Harry William

Locations in this story:
Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Sturminster, Dorset
Birmingham

Story:
Harry William Domoney was born at Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 19 Dec 1887 the son of Harry Adam Domoney and Elizabeth Ann Domoney (nee Plowman). He lived all his early life with the family at The Chalk, Iwerne Minster. He had originally enlisted with the Royal Marines Light Infantry on 2 Mar 1916 as a Private (Service No. 1896/S). He however soon transferred to the 3/4th Battalion of the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment on 21 Nov 1916 (Service No. 242090). He served in France and Flanders with various units and whilst there received a shrapnel wound in the shoulder on 4 Oct 1917. He was treated at the 18th General Hospital in France and then repatriated to the 2nd Birmingham Hospital for further treatment. On recovery he returned to his unit and was again transferred to the Royal Fusiliers (Service No. GS/93910) on 11 Oct 1918. He was eventually discharged on 26 Feb 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals plus a small pension due to his previous wounds. He married Annie Fudge at Iwerne Minster on 6 Jun 1920. The 1921 Census shows them living at Fontmell Hill, Fontmell Magna, Harry working as a Woodman and General Labourer. The 1939 Register indicates the same address and occupation. His death was recorded in the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1954 and he was buried at St. Andrew's Church, Fontmell Magna, on 8 Dec 1954.

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Frank Domoney

14th July 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Domoney

Other names: Frank

Locations in this story:
Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bournemouth, Hampshire
Winton, Bournemouth, Dorset
France & Flanders
Christchurch, Hampshire
Surbiton, Surrey

Story:
Frank Domoney was born in Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 12 Jun 1890 the son of Laban and Mary Domoney. He spent his early life at either The Chalk or Higher Street, Iwerne Minster. By 1911 he had moved to Bournemouth (then in Hampshire) working as a Chauffeur. He had enlisted with the Army Service Corps as a Private (Service No. M2/098573). He served in France and Flanders and had risen to the rank of Acting Sergeant by the time he was discharged on 28 Apr 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He married Florence Emily Fudge at Christchurch, Hampshire, in 1917. The 1921 Census shows Frank boarding at 1 South Place, Surbiton, Surrey, where he was working as a Motor Driver for a private employer whilst his wife was living in Bournemouth, Hampshire. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 46 Cardigan Road, Winton, Bournemouth, Dorset, working as a Motor Driver Mechanic. He died in Bournemouth on 1 Mar 1949. His brothers, Levi and Walter Domoney, also served in the conflict and all their names appear of a Roll of Honour privately published in Iwerne Minster.

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Edwin John Domoney

14th July 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Domoney

Other names: Edwin John

Locations in this story:
Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bryanstone, Blandford, Dorset
France & Flanders
Wolverhampton, Staffordshire

Story:
Edwin John Domoney was born at Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 27 Mar 1894 and baptised there on 17 Jun 1894 the son of Robert Domoney and Martha Domoney (nee Jeans). He spent his early life in Iwerne Minster until, by 1911, he was living with his uncle at Bryanstone Farm, Bryanstone, Blandford, Dorset, working as a Blacksmith's Shoe Boy. He had enlisted and joined the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Private (Service No. 46813). He served in France and Flanders with the 42nd Field Ambulance and was discharged on 6 Feb 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He had married Minnie Amelia Lockley at Bryanstone, Blandford, Dorset, on 10 Oct 1918. The 1921 Census shows him living at 37 Stafford Road, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, working as a General Labourer in the Wolverhampton Gas Works. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 73 Dickinson Avenue, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, still working as a Gasworks General Labourer. He died in Wolverhampton in 1969. (Whilst Edwin was registered and baptised with the names Edwin John some records, i.e. marriage and military, show him as Edmond or Edmund).

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Frederick Charles Dibben

13th July 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Dibben

Other names: Frederick Charles

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Yoxall, Staffordshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Frederick Charles Dibben was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1885 and baptised there on 8 Mar 1885 the son of Edwin John Dibben and Ellen Dibben (nee Pike). He lived his early life in Fontmell Magna and Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset. By 1911 he was working in Yoxall, Staffordshire as a Kitchen Gardener. He enlisted and served with the 489th (Heavy Transport) Company of the Army Service Corps with the rank of Driver (Service No. T/326050). There is no indication in which theatre of war he served or if he was awarded any relevant medals. The Absent Voter List of 1919 shows him still serving in the Army but showing his home address as Shillingstone Lodge, Shillingstone, Dorset. Regrettably his death was registered in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1931 and he was buried at St. Mary's Church, Iwerne Minster, on 20 Mar 1931. It is noted he remained single throughout his short life. His brothers, Edgar John Dibben and Edwin George Dibben, also served in the conflict. All their names appear on a Roll of Honour published privately in Iwerne Minster.

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Edwin George Dibben

13th July 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Dibben

Other names: Edwin George

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Alderbury, Salisbury, Wiltshire
Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Edwin George Dibben was born at Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 21 May 1883 the son of Edwin John Dibben and Ellen Dibben (nee Pike). He lived his early life at Fontmell Magna and Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted with the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 15 May 1903 (Service No. 12164). He transferred to the Royal Navy on 3 Dec 1905 (Service No. 309301). He held the rank of Leading Stoker and was eventually discharged on pension to reserve on 20 Apr 1923 having been awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. He had married Edith Mary Cox at Alderbury, Salisbury, Wiltshire, on 12 Jun 1920 and she was registered in the 1921 Census as living at Home Farm, Alderbury. Wiltshire whilst Edwin served the rest of his time in the Royal Navy. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 18 Waterloo Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire, working as a Laboratory Labourer (Naval Pensioner). His death was recorded in Salisbury in 1956. His brothers, Edgar John Dibben and Frederick Charles Dibben, also served in the conflict. All their names appear on a Roll of Honour published privately in Iwerne Minster.

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Frederick John Coffin

13th July 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Durham Light Infantry, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Coffin

Other names: Frederick John

Locations in this story:
The Chalk, Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Egypt
France & Flanders
Nesle, Peronne, Somme, France
Germany
Bradpole, Dorset
Chideock, Dorset

Story:
Frederick John Coffin was born in Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 17th May 1893 and baptised there on 6th August 1893, the son of Elizabeth Coffin (no father was mentioned in the records). Elizabeth went on to marry Robert Domoney; thus Frederick gained a step-father. The family lived at The Chalk, Iwerne Minster, throughout his early life. Frederick enlisted on 14th June 1915 and joined the 3/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service Nos. 3893 & 15052). He served in Egypt with the 7th Battalion until 15th January 1917 when he transferred to the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (Service No. 241328) and was posted to France and Flanders. On 25th December 1917 he was again transferred to the 10th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry (Service No. 351539). He took part in a battle in the Somme area which commenced on 21st March 1918 and was reported wounded and missing on 26th March 1918 at Nesle, Peronne, Somme, France, only to later be reported as being a Prisoner of War. He served his imprisonment in Germany and was eventually repatriated on 8th December 1918. He was finally discharged on 22nd March 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He married Hilda May Grinter at Chideock, Dorset, on 5th April 1920 and by the 1921 Census had set up home 'near' The School, Chideock, living with his wife's parents whilst Frederick was noted as an 'Out of Work Agricultural Labourer'. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Olinku Cottage, Chideock, Dorset, and was employed as a Roadman for Dorset County Council. His death was recorded at Bradpole, Dorset, on 20th December 1967 having latterly moved there to live at 1 Court Close, Bradpole. Printed source: "Iwerne Minster Before, During, and After the Great War", edited by P. Anderson Graham, printed for Private Circulation only.

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The National Archives