Stories Archive - Page 79 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Frederick John Hillier

Surname: Hillier

Other names: Frederick John

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Tanyard Lane, St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Laurel House, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sutton Waldron, Dorset
Iwerne Minster, Dorset

Story:
Frederick John Hillier was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 20th October 1898, the son of Frederick John Hillier and Emma Jane Hillier (née Upjohn). He lived his early life with the family in Tanyard Lane, St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset, later moving to Laurel House, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury. He enlisted and joined the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 248802). 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 boarding at 'The Retreat', Home Farm, Iwerne Minster, Dorset, described as a Farm Pupil on the Ismay Estate. There is no obvious record in the 1939 Register but he was buried on 11th May 1985 at Sutton Waldron, Dorset. His brothers, George Stephen, Robert James and Percival Frederick also served in the conflict.

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George Stephen Hillier
Percival Frederick Hillier
Robert James Hillier

John Henry Goddard

Surname: Goddard

Other names: John Henry

Locations in this story:
Frimley, Surrey
Hunsdon, Nr. Ware, Hertfordshire
Penn Hill, Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Stourpaine, Dorset
Romsey, Hampshire

Story:
John Henry Goddard was born at Frimley, Surrey, on 30th July 1892 and baptised there on 9th October 1892, the son of Henry Goddard and Emma Charlotte Goddard (née Davis). By 1901 he was living at Hunsdon, Nr. Ware, Hertfordshire and by 1911 he and the family had moved to 74 Penn Hill, Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset. Shortly after this his father died in the same year. John enlisted and joined 7th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment as a Private (Service No. G/2238). He served in France and Flanders from 24 Jul 1915 with the 8th Battalion and whilst there was awarded the Military Medal. He was eventually discharged on 2nd March 1919 and further awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He returned to live with his widowed mother in Bedchester and by the 1921 Census was working as a General Labourer at the Shaftesbury Golf Club. He married Laura Mary Barnett at Stourpaine, Dorset, on 26th July 1931. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 50 Duttons Road, Romsey, Hampshire, working as a Builder's Labourer. His death was recorded in Romsey in 1952.

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Bertram John Frampton

28th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Fusiliers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Frampton

Other names: Bertram John

Locations in this story:
Bleak's Hill, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Manston, Dorset
Arundell Farm Cottages, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Hartgorve, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Bertram John Frampton was born at Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 21st February 1899, the son of Edwin Thomas Frampton and Priscilla Frampton (nee Gray). He lived with his family at Bleaks Hill, Fontmell Magna. He enlisted and joined the 4th Company of the Royal Fusiliers as a Private (Service No. GS/58871). It is not known in which theatre of war he served in but it is known he was successively with the 4th and 23rd Battalions. He was discharged on 17th October 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at Hartgrove, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Carter. He married Ethel Clara Lewis at Manston, Dorset on 28th September 1930. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Arundell Farm Cottages, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, working as a Dairyman. His death was recorded at the Salisbury, Wiltshire, Registry on 1st April 1984. Bertram's brother Frederick George (b.1895) sadly died in Iraq in 1916 while serving with the Wiltshire Regiment.

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Frederick George Frampton
The National Archives

Percy John Foyle

28th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Corps of Hussars, Dorset Yeomanry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Foyle

Other names: Percy John

Locations in this story:
Kington Magna, Dorset
Lower Hartgrove, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Fewcott, Bicester, Oxfordshire
Oxford, Oxfordshire
Egypt
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Percy John Foyle was born in Kington Magna, Dorset, on 28th September 1896, the son of Charles Thomas Foyle and Annie Maria Foyle (née Francis). By 1901 he had moved with his family to Greens Farm, Lower Hartgrove, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted with the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 760). He served in Egypt from 23 Apr 1915 and whilst there he transferred to the Corps of Hussars (Imperial Camel Corps) (Service No. 230159). He was discharged on 21st April 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He married Winifred May Kick in the Shaftesbury, Dorset, Registration area in 1921 and the Census shows he had moved in with his parents in law in Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Cowman. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Fewcott, Bicester, Oxfordshire, and was a Foreman Concrete Worker. His death was registered at the Oxford, Oxfordshire, Registry on 18th June 1969.

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John Hart Edwards

28th June 2020/in 1914-1918 London Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Edwards

Other names: John Hart

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Blagdon, Somerset

Story:
John Hart Edwards was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1898, the son of William James Edwards (Grocer and Shopkeeper) and Abigail Mary Edwards (née Hart). He lived most of his life apart from Military Service in Fontmell Magna. He attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from 1910 to 1915. He did well academically, passing the Cambridge Senior Local Examinations with Honours in July 1914, and being awarded the VI Form Prize in 1915. In March 1915 he also passed the Competitive Examination for Clerk to Surveyor of Taxes and when he left school became a clerk with the Inland Revenue. He enlisted with the 15th Reserve Battalion of the London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles) as a Private (Service No. 537505). There is no other information regarding his service. John's father died in 1919. Following John's discharge he was working in Blagdon, Somerset, where he was described as a Civil Servant. He regrettably died in Blagdon at the young age of 23 years on 20th April 1922 and was buried at Fontmell Magna on 24th April 1922.

Printed source:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, October 1915.

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Shastonian

Benjamin George Chick

25th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry, Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Chick

Other names: Benjamin George

Locations in this story:
Hemyock, Devonshire
Dunkeswell, Devonshire
Blandford's Farm, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset,
Egypt
Palestine
Branksome, Poole, Dorset

Story:
Benjamin George Chick was born at Hemyock, Devonshire, on 15th December 1896 and baptised there on 21 Feb 1897 the son of Thomas Edward Chick and Sarah Ann Chick (nee Clist). He lived his very early life in Dunkeswell, Devonshire, intil 1906 when his father came to Blandford's Farm, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, to take over the tenancy from his brother who had recently died. Benjamin enlisted on 27th May 1915 and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 1436). He served in Palestine and Egypt mainly with various signals units. He transferred to the Royal Engineers and was promoted to Corporal (Service No. A/517855). He was employed as a Motor Cyclist Dispatch Rider. He later transferred back to the Dorset Yeomanry (Service No. 230697). He was discharged on 31st August 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living at Blandford's Farm with his parents and helping his father on the farm. He married Phyllis Margherita Burden at St. Aldhelm's Church, Branksome, Poole, Dorset, 0n 11 Apr 1928. By the time of the 1939 Register he was himself the tenant of Blandford's Farm, West Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, and was described as a Dairy Farmer. He died on 14th September 1968 and was buried at St. Andrew's Church, Fontmell Magna. Benjamin's brother Thomas (b.1888) also served in the war, with the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

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Thomas Chick

Ernest Edward White

25th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: White

Other names: Ernest Edward

Locations in this story:
Askerwell, Bridport, Dorset
Loders, Burton Bradstock, Dorset
North Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Blandford, Dorset

Story:
Ernest Edward White was born at Askerwell, Bridport, Dorset, on 19th April 1870 and baptised there on 12 Jun 1870 the son of Luke White and Ellen White (nee Gale). He lived his early life at Loders, Burton Bradstock, Dorset. He married Alice Louisa Lathey in Askerwell on 24th Jun 1894. By 1901 the family had moved to 9 North Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where Ernest worked as a Thatcher. He enlisted on 5th January 1915 and joined the 2/1st Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 250569). He served in the UK only and was eventually discharged as being unfit for further duty on 13th May 1919. He was awarded the Silver War Badge No. B244010. No other medal records are available. The 1921 Census shows him still living in Fontmell Magna, as a Thatcher on the Glyn Estate. His wife, Alice, died in 1929. By the 1939 Register he had moved to Kennyside, East Street, Blandford, Dorset, still working as a Thatcher but noted as being disabled. By the time of his death on 14th April 1947 he had returned to 9 North Street, Fontmell Magna and was buried at St. Andrew's Church on 17th April 1947.

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Archibald Arthur Still

25th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Corps of Hussars, Dorset Yeomanry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Still

Other names: Archibald Arthur

Locations in this story:
West Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Egypt
Martley, Worcestershire
Blandford, Dorset

Story:
Archibald Arthur Still was born at Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 26th January 1881, the son of Tom Still and Ellen Still (née West). He lived most of his life until just before 1939, except for his period of military service, in West Street, Fontmell Magna. He married Anna Jane Lane in Blandford, Dorset, on 18th September 1904. Archibald enlisted and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 965). He served in Egypt and was later transferred to the 'B' Squadron of the Corps of Hussars (Service No. 230320). He was still serving in 1920 but when discharged was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. By the 1921 Census he had been discharged from the Army and was back in West Street, Fontmell Magna. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to Thorngrove Cottage, Dark Lane, Martley, Worcestershire, where he was working as a Groom. His death was recorded in Martley in 1964. His brothers, Clarence Reginald Still and Stanley Charles Still, also served in the conflict.

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Stanley Charles Still
Clarence Reginald Still

Walter William Reeves

24th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Royal Defence Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Reeves

Other names: Walter William

Locations in this story:
Bourton, Dorset
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
East Indies
Blandford, Dorset

Story:
Walter William Reeves was born in Blandford, Dorset, on 30 Jul 1858 and baptised at Bourton, Dorset, on 10th October 1858, the son of William Reeves and Hannah Reeves (nee Suter). He married Emily Jane Bennett at Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 7th January 1885 and they went on to have thirteen children. From 24 Jul 1877 Walter had served in the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 490) serving some of his time in the East Indies but had been released on 17 Feb 1889 with the rank of Corporal. He rejoined the Reserve Service Battalion on 19 Feb 1893 and remained until discharged on 10 Jul 1901 with the rank of Sergeant. He re-enlisted on 17th August 1916 at the age of 57 years and joined the 168th Protection Company of the Royal Defence Corps as a Private (Service No. 33820). During his service he also served with the 163, 159, 157 and 165 Companies mainly as a Prisoner of War Camp Guard. He was discharged on 6th March 1919 being no longer physically fit to serve. There are no obvious medal records but he was awarded the Silver War Badge No. B228737. By the time of the 1921 census he was living in 40 Church Street, Fontmell Magna, working as a Gardener on the Glyn Estate. He was still residing at 40 West Street, Fontmell Magna, but died on 27 Jul 1937 in the Red Lion Hotel, Blandford, Dorset. and was buried at Fontmell Magna on 30th July 1937. Of his sons, Cecil John Reeves, died in service whilst Leo Bennett Reeves and Maurice Vernon Reeves served and survived the conflict.

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Maurice Vernon Reeves
Cecil John Reeves
Leo Bennett Reeves

John Stephen Lodge

24th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Labour Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Lodge

Other names: John Stephen

Locations in this story:
Hartgrove, East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Woodbridge Lane, Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset
East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
John Stephen Lodge was born at Hartgrove, East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 21st April 1877 and baptised at East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 27 May, 1877 the son of Edward George Lodge and Amelia Jane Lodge (née Bown). He married Emily Jane Curtis at Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 20th May 1903 and by 1911 they were living at 85 Woodbridge Lane, Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset. John enlisted and joined the 6th Battalion of the 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 12702). He served in France and Flanders from 13 Jul 1915 and later transferred to the 449th Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps (Service No. 432008). On his discharge on 4th March 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. By the 1921 Census he was living in Turnpike Terrace, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a General Labourer in a brickyard and by the the 1939 Register had moved to Gear's Mill, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as a Farmer. His wife, Emily, died in 1947 and John re-married Margaret Emma Mary Joyce in the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry area in 1949. John's death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry on 18th May 1958 and he was buried at Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, on 21st May 1958.

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