Stories Archive - Page 81 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Alfred Montague Ryall

Surname: Ryall

Other names: Alfred Montague

Locations in this story:
Eastleigh, Hampshire
Otterbourne, Hampshire
Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Charminster, Dorset
Africa

Story:
Alfred Montague Ryall was born at Eastleigh, Hampshire, on 17th January 1898 and baptised at Otterbourne, Hampshire, on 6th March 1898, the son of Alfred and Emma Jane Ryall. Shortly after 1907 the family moved to Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where the father managed the Temperance Hotel. Alfred enlisted on 7th June 1916 and was embodied on 20th September 1916, joining the Royal Army Service Corps as Private (Service No. M2/223383). He apparently served some time in East and South Africa but was invalided out on 19th August 1918 due to 'feeble mindedness'. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the Silver War Badge No. 439133 plus a life pension. The 1921 Census shows him as an inmate in the Herrison Hospital, Charminster, Dorset and by the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to Old Manor Mental Institute, Wilton Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire, where he was described as 'incapacitated - former lorry driver'. He died at the Institution on 17th February 1980.

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John Clark Goldie

Surname: Goldie

Other names: John Clark

Locations in this story:
Manor Farm, Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Gallipoli, Turkey
Sitterton, Bere Regis, Wareham, Dorset
Dorchester, Dorset
Stalbridge, Dorset

Story:
John Clark Goldie was born in Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 11th May 1888, the son of George Goldie and Fanny Goldie (née Burt). He spent all his early life with his family at Manor Farm, Compton Abbas. He enlisted on 9 Sep 1914 and joined the 1/1st Battalion of the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service Nos. 1004 & 230350). He served at Gallipoli where he was captured and served his time as a POW in Turkey. He had the unfortunate experience of losing his right arm at that time. Following his release and later discharge on 22nd March 1919 he was given a pension and also awarded the Victory and British War medals along with the Silver Badge No. B214088. He married Dorothy Nora Cowing at Compton Abbas on 24th April 1919. The 1921 Census shows that he was living with his father at Cribhouse Farm, Stalbridge, Dorset, where he was helping out as a GeneraL Farmhand. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 2 Manor House, Sitterton, Bere Regis, Wareham, Dorset, working as a Farm Bailiff. He died in the Damers Road Hospital, Dorchester, Dorset, on 3 Mar 1960 and later buried at St. Mary's Church, Stalbridge.. John's sister Mildred Frances (b.1894) served with the Voluntary Aid Detachment in the UK and in Egypt.

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Mildred Frances Goldie
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Ernest John Foot

23rd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Foot

Other names: Ernest John

Locations in this story:
Bakers Farm, Twyford, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset
Gumms Farm, Twyford, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Gallipoli, Turkey

Story:
Ernest John Foot was born in Twyford, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 5th October 1895, the son of Alfred Foot and Dinah Jane Foot (née Brockway). He lived all his life in the Twyford, Shaftesbury, area except for his Military Service. His father died in 1909 whilst farming at Bakers Farm, Twyford. Ernest had enlisted as a Private with the 1/1st Battalion of the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry (Service No. H/230127). This Battalion is known to have been in action at Gallipoli, Turkey. He was discharged on 16 Mar 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals. The 1921 Census shows him back at Bakers Farm living with his widowed mother assisting her in managing the farm. He married Alice Maria Rebbeck at Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 10th December 1925. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Gumms Farm, Twyford, Shaftesbury, and was described as a Dairy Farmer as well as an ARP Warden. His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1965.

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Cecil James Day

23rd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry, Hussars /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Day

Other names: Cecil James

Locations in this story:
Manston, Dorset
Twyford, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Egypt
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Gallipoli, Turkey

Story:
Cecil James Day was born in Manston, Dorset, on 29th April 1893 and baptised there on 30th July 1893, the son of Frederick Robert Day and Caroline Kate Bartlett Day (née Cluett). He lived his very early life in Manston until by 1907 he had moved with his family to Twyford, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Shoeing Smith. He enlisted with the 1/1st Battalion of the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry eventually being promoted to Corporal (Service No. 450). It is known that the Battalion was in action in Gallipoli, Turkey. He later transferred to the Corps of Hussars (Service No. 230024) and served in Egypt. He was eventually discharged on 27th June 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows he had returned to live with his parents in Twyford but was described as an Agricultural Smith working on his own account. He married Martha Alice Clist Chick at Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 26th December 1928. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Branch Farm, Twyford, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was described as a Dairy Farmer and Blacksmith. He died in the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, on 14th February 1963.

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Cecil Burridge

23rd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Burridge

Other names: Cecil

Locations in this story:
Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Cecil Burridge was born in Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 20th August 1887, the son of Lot Burridge and Ellen Burridge (née Ryall). He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in the Compton Abbas area. He enlisted and joined the 1st F.S.G. Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 34538). It is not known in which theatre of war he served in but on his discharge was awarded the British War Medal only. The 1921 Census shows him living with his widowed father at 20 Sand (or Land) Lane, Compton Abbas, assisting his father as a Blacksmith and by the time of the 1939 Register he was recorded with his brother at 26 Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, still working as a blacksmith. He remained single all his life and he died in the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 17 Jan 1967.

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Alfred James Blanchard

23rd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Worcestershire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Blanchard

Other names: Alfred James

Locations in this story:
Blandford, Dorset
Sutton Waldron, Dorset
Whitehall, Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Blandford St. Mary, Dorset

Story:
Alfred James Blanchard was born in Blandford St. Mary, Dorset, on 1st February 1874 and baptised there on 25th March 1874, the son of Robert Blanchard and Sophia Blanchard (née Best). He lived most of his early life in the Blandford St. Mary area. He married Louisa Amelia Whitty in Blandford, Dorset, on 12th March 1901 and by 1911 they had moved to Sutton Waldron, Dorset. The Absent Voters List 1918 indicates that he was serving with the 1st (Garrison) Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 63748). He gave his address at that time as 32 Whitehall, Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset. No records can be found either for service or medals to confirm his military background. The 1921 Census shows him living now in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as an out of work General Labourer. By the 1939 Register he was recorded at 63 Pipers Mill Cottage, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was now working as a farm labourer. He died locally on 11th October 1952.

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William Thomas Samways

22nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Hussars /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Samways

Other names: William Thomas

Locations in this story:
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
Poole, Dorset
Mere, Wiltshire

Story:
William Thomas Samways was born in Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 24th April 1899 and baptised there on 9th July 1899, the son of Richard George Samways and Edith Emma Samways (née Farmer). He spent his early years with the family at Well Bottom, Ashmore. He enlisted 5th Reserve Battalion of the Corps of Hussars as a Private (Service No. 69318). He was discharged as being physically unfit for further service on 12th December 1919 - he had a valvular disease of the heart aggravated by his service and received a short lived pension. No medal records have been found. By the 1921 Census he was recorded as 'Thomas' living with his parents in Green Lane, Ashmore, working as a Ploughman. He married Gladys A. Taylor in the Mere, Wiltshire, Registry area in 1928. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Bowers Barn Cottage, Iwerne Minster, Dorset, and was working as a Farm Carter. He died in the Poole, Dorset, Registration area in 1977.

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Charles Thomas Starr

22nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Starr

Other names: Charles Thomas

Locations in this story:
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Christchurch, Hampshire
Poole, Dorset
Boscombe, Hampshire
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire

Story:
Charles Thomas Starr was born in Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1893 and baptised there on 3rd December 1893, the son of Thomas Starr and Sarah Starr (née Rideout). He lived his early life with his family at Acorn Cottage, Ashmore. He enlisted with the 1/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service Nos. 1977 & 200422). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but after his discharge on 23rd June 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Ida Kathleen Hayter in Christchurch, Hampshire, on 14th October 1920 and initially lived, according to the 1921 Census, at Ashgrove Cottages, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, with Charles working as a Farm Labourer. Later on they set up home at Ramadi, Gorsehill Road, Long Fleet, Poole, Dorset. Charles died on 26th February 1934 at the Royal Victoria (West Hampshire) Hospital, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Hampshire, at the early age of 40 years. His wife went on to re-marry an Arthur E. Brown in Poole, Dorset, during 1935.

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Gordon James Gray

22nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Coldstream Guards /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: Gordon James

Locations in this story:
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Germany
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Long Langton, Dorset
Dewlish Mill, Puddletown, Dorset
Farnham, Dorset

Story:
Gordon James Gray was born in Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 13th March 1895 and baptised there on 5th May 1895, the son of Charles Gray and Elizabeth Ann Gray (née Taylor). He lived his early life with his family in Ashmore. He enlisted with the 1st Battalion of the Coldstream Guards as a Private (Service No. 10310). He served in France and Flanders from 26 Aug 1914 and at some time thereafter was taken prisoner and spent time in a POW Camp in Germany. On his release and discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. His father had died in 1918 and by the 1921 Census Gordon was living with his widowed mother in Noad Street, Ashmore, working as a Ploughman. He married Bessie Weeks on 4 Feb 1922 at Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, but she regrettably died at the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, and was buried at Farham, Dorset, on 8 Mar 1922 within weeks of the marriage. He went on to re-marry Winifred May Weeks (his first wife's sister) in Long Langton, Dorset, on 18th February 1930. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Dewlish Mill, Puddletown, Dorset, and was described as a Gamekeeper whilst also acting as an ARP Warden. He died in Dewlish Mill in 1970 and was buried there at All Saint's Church on 16th November 1970. Gordon's brother Herbert Charles (b.1899) also served in the war, with the Machine Gun Corps.

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Herbert Charles Gray

William Henry Gray

22nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Navy /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: William Henry

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Weymouth, Dorset
Chetnole, Dorset
Noad Road, Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Watery Lane, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Beicos, Malta

Story:
William Henry Gray was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 20th June 1896 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 12th July 1896, the son of James Chasey Gray and Susanna Kensell Gray (née Norris). He lived his early life with the family at 8 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury and later on in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury. He enlisted with the Royal Navy on 31st January 1912 as a Boy Class II later becoming an Able Seaman (Service No. J15923). He served throughout the war in various ships and shore establishments being regarded as a 'sharpshooter'. He eventually bought himself out of the service subject to him agreeing to remain on the Reserves on 30th June 1923. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. He had married Edith Annie Fry (who came from Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset) in 1917 and his address given on the Absent Voters List for 1918 was Noad Road, Ashmore. The 1921 Census shows that he was based on HMS Iron Duke then assigned to Beicos, Malta, whilst his wife lived at 19 Bell Street, Shaftesbury. By the time of the 1939 Register he had settled at Watery Lane, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, and was working as a Roadman for the Dorset County Council as well as being the local Civil Defence Decontamination Volunteer. He died in the Weymouth, Dorset, Registry District in 1988 and was buried at Chetnole, Dorset, on 13th April 1988. His brother, Gordon James Gray, also served during the conflict.

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