Stories Archive - Page 86 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Frederick Charles Long

2nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Norfolk Regiment, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment) /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Long

Other names: Frederick Charles

Locations in this story:
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset

Story:
Frederick Charles Long was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 18th April 1899, the son of Clarence Long and Martha Long (née Young). He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in Shaftesbury and was a pupil at Shaftesbury Grammar School. He enlisted with the 15th Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment as a Private (Service No. 37397) later transferring to the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment (The Sherwood Foresters) (Service No. 103236). 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 he had returned to the family home at 15 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, and the 1939 Register shows he was still living there, single and working as a Grocer's Invoice Clerk at Stratton & Sons of Shaftesbury. He eventually married Daphne May Styles in the Sturminster, Dorset, Registration area in 1955. In 1979 he produced "Tales of Old Shaftesbury" which provides a wealth of information about the town for local historians. He died in Shaftesbury on 2nd Aug 1985.

Images:

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The National Archives

Alfred Hillier

2nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Machine Gun Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hillier

Other names: Alfred

Locations in this story:
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Kurdistan
Kenton, Harrow, Middlesex

Story:
Alfred Hillier was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 24th August 1894, the son of George Hillier (Watchmaker) and Sarah Annie Hillier (née Aldridge). He lived most of his early life at the family home at 12 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. His mother died in 1897 and his father re-married Matilda M. Wright in 1901. Alfred enlisted with the Territorial Force of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service Nos. 1538 & 8/3604). In time he rose to the rank of Sergeant. He transferred to the Machine Gun Corps (Service No. 62074) and, when on service in Kurdistan, with the 130th Company, was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal which was Gazetted on 12th February 1920. Following his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the Territorial Force War Medal though it is noted that the medals were returned to the issuing office on 6 Mar 1923. He has not been found on the 1921 Census and the last local address per the Electoral Roll of 1923 was still 12 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. He had been employed as a watchmaker's assistant. His death was recorded in Kenton, Harrow, Middlesex, on 10th August 1972. He remained single all his life. Alfred's brothers Harold Sydney, Reginald George, Bertram Edgar and Clarence Fred Hillier also served in the war and survived the conflict.

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Harold Sidney Hillier
The National Archives

Stanley Frank Humphries

2nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Naval Division /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Humphries

Other names: Stanley Frank

Locations in this story:
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bridport, Dorset
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Carlton, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

Story:
Stanley Frank Humphries was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 23rd May 1896, the son of Samuel Humphries and Mary Humphries (née Young). He lived his early life at the family home at 10 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. By 1911 he had moved to live with his brother in Bridport, Dorset, where he had employment as an Ironmonger's Apprentice. He enlisted and joined the 2nd Reserve Battalion of the Royal Naval Division as an Able Seaman (Service No. R/798). This Unit was similar to the marines but designed for those who were not needed for service at sea; they could be used for fortifying and guarding Naval establishments. His address from the Absent Voters List of 1918 was still 10 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. He was eventually discharged on 14th December 1919 with a time limited pension due to chest trouble attributable to his service. He was awarded the British War Medal. On his discharge he moved to Nottinghamshire and there married Alice Louisa Courtis in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, in the latter part of 1919. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 10 Conway Crescent, Carlton, Nottingham, and was working as a Post Office Inspector (Engineering). For his services to the Post Office he was awarded the Imperial Service Medal on 29 Mar 1957. He died in Carlton, Nottingham, on 3rd October 1971.

Stanley's brother Reginald Charles (b.1889) also served in the war, with the Royal Engineers.

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Reginald Charles Humphries
The National Archives

Wilfred Henry Thorne

1st June 2020/in 1914-1918 Hampshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Thorne

Other names: Wilfred Henry

Locations in this story:
Broad Chalk, Wiltshire
Sheep Lane, East Knoyle, Wiltshire
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Layton Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset
India
Afghanistan
Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Wilfred Henry Thorne was born in Broad Chalk, Wiltshire, on 1st February 1898, the son of Charles Stephen Thorne and Agnes Charlotte Thorne (née Stephens). By 1901 he was living in Sheep Lane, East Knoyle, Wiltshire, and by 1911, in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted with the Hampshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 40065). He served on the North West Frontier in India and was eventually discharged on 8th December 1919. He was awarded the British War Medal and the India General Service (Afghanistan) Medal. He also received a limited pension due to contracting malaria whilst serving which ended on 22 Jun 1921. His address on the Absent Voters List for 1918 was 5 Layton Villas, Layton Lane, Shaftesbury. No 1921 Census record could be found. He married Ellen Hibberd in Salisbury, Wiltshire, during 1931. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 15 Trinity Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, and was working as a Gardener. His death was recorded in Salisbury, Wiltshire, in 1984. Of Wilfred's brothers, Walter Charles (b.1895) also served in the war but sadly died at Gallipoli in 1915 while serving with the Royal Irish Regiment and Cecil Bernard Longman Thorne served and survived the conflict.

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The National Archives
Walter Charles Thorne

Edgar Charles Toogood

1st June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Air Force, Royal Navy /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Toogood

Other names: Edgar Charles

Locations in this story:
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster Newton, Dorset
Hounslow, Middlesex
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Yeovil, Somerset

Story:
Edgar Charles Toogood was born in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 22nd December 1899 and baptised at St. John's Church on 14th January 1900, the son of Albert Charles Toogood and Selina Maud Toogood (née Munday). He lived his early life at The Bartons, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury. He enlisted with the Royal Navy (Royal Naval Air Service) on 25th January 1918 (Service No. F47909) but only remained with them until 31st March 1918 when he was transferred to the newly formed Royal Air Force (as from 1st April 1918) as an Aircraftsman Class 2 (Service No 247909) employed as a Rib Fitter (Aero). It is not known in which theatre he served but he was discharged on 7th May 1919 and awarded the British War medal only. The 1921 Census shows he was living with his parents at 4 Magdalene Lane, Shaftesbury, was working as a Rib Maker for Petters Aircraft Works, Yeovil, Somerset. His marriage to Doris Gertrude Branson was recorded at the Sturminster Newton, Dorset, Registry in 1926. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 13 Parsons Pool, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was working as a Painter and Decorator. He died in Hounslow, Middlesex, on 1st April 1975 whilst living at 24 Lyncroft Gardens, Hounslow.

Images:

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The National Archives

Eustace Arthur Day

1st June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Day

Other names: Eustace Arthur

Locations in this story:
Parsons Pool, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Christchurch, Hampshire
Woolwich, London
Bromley, Kent
Bournemouth, Hampshire

Story:
Eustace Arthur Day was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 31st May 1898, the son of Samuel James Day and Sarah Jane Day (née Holmes). He spent his early life with his family at 14 Parsons Pool, Shaftesbury. He enlisted on 29th May 1916 and was mobilized on 17th July 1916, joining the 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 18975). He served in France and Flanders with the 3rd Battalion from 2 Sep 1917. He was later with the 6th Battalion when reported wounded and missing on 21st March 1918. It was confirmed later that he had been taken prisoner of war. He was released and rejoined his Regiment on 25th August 1918 at the UK Depot. He underwent an medical inquiry and was declared no longer physically fit for service and discharged on 4 Feb 1919 with an 80% pension due to a gunshot wound in the left leg and awarded the Silver War Badge No. B111793. He was also awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows he was boarding at 54 Washington Avenue, Bournemouth, Hampshire, working as a Compositor for W W Ascott Victory Press. That same year he married Ruby Ellen Norris in Christchurch, Hampshire. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 118 Wood Hall Road, Woolwich, Kent, and was described as a Certified Accountant and Company Secretary as well as being an Air Raid Warden. He died in Bromley, Kent, on 20th July 1974.

Images:

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The National Archives

Hubert George Sharp

1st June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Royal Army Service Corps, Royal Regiment of Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Sharp

Other names: Hubert George

Locations in this story:
Magdalene Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Butts Knap, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Larkhill, Wiltshire

Story:
Hubert George Sharp was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 16th March 1898 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 8th April 1898, the son of George Sharp and Frances Sarah Sharp (née Weldon). He lived his early life with his family at 4 Magdalene Lane, Shaftesbury. He enlisted with the 1st/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 18966). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but following his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows he was living with his widowed mother (his father having died in 1918) now at 3 Magdalene Lane, Shaftesbury, working for the 348th Company of the Army Service Corps as a Coach Trimmer at Larkhill, Wiltshire. He re-enlisted with the Territorial Force of the Royal Army Service Corps on 27th January 1923 for a period of four years (Service No. A/461218) but signed on for an indeterminate period after. He married Kathleen Helen Hounsell at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 18th May 1937. By the time of the 1939 Register his wife was living at Butts Knap, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, but Hubert had transferred to the Royal Artillery (Service No. 748866) for service in the Second World War. He was eventually discharged as being no longer physically fit for further service on 18th March 1944. His death was recorded at the North Dorset Registry in 1983 and he was buried at the Shaftesbury Town Cemetery on 29 Jun 1983.

Images:

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The National Archives

George Farley Tucker

1st June 2020/in 1914-1918 Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Tucker

Other names: George Farley

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
St. James, Shaftesbury

Story:
George Farley Tucker was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 3rd July 1890 and baptised at St. James' Church on 3rd August 1890, the son of Gideon Tucker and Mary Elizabeth Tucker (née Foot). He grew up in the family home at 25 St. James Street in Shaftesbury. He married Mabel Ethel Annie Brickell at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, on 23rd September 1916. He had enlisted with the Territorial Force of the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (later Corporal) (Service No. 33038). He served in France and Flanders and whilst there was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. After his discharge on 10 May 1919 he was also awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the Territorial Force War Medal. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 31 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was described as a Motor Painter; his 1931 Kelly's Directory entry called him a coach and body builder and painter. He died in Shaftesbury on 22nd December 1967 and was buried at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, on 27th December 1967. Three of George's brothers served in the war: Sidney Wilfred (b.1894) with the Dorsetshire Regiment, Victor Douglas (b.1888) with the Machine Gun Corps and Howard (b. 1886) with the Army Service Corps.

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The National Archives
Victor Douglas Tucker
Sidney Wilfred Tucker

Leonard Charles Imber

31st May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Field Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Imber

Other names: Leonard Charles

Locations in this story:
Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bergh Apton, Loddon, Norfolk
France & Flanders
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Layton Lane, Shaftesbury
France & Flanders

Story:
Leonard Charles Imber was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 7th August 1896, the son of John Imber, a Postman, and Elizabeth Ann Imber (née Lodder). He grew up in the family home at 2 Layton Lane in Shaftesbury. His mother died in 1900 and his father in 1912. Like his father before him he became a Postman in Jan 1913. He enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 128398). He was posted to France & Flanders where he was with the 31 Division Ammunition Column when he was awarded the Military Medal. At the time of his discharge he was with the Y/31 Trench Mortar Battery and was further awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows he was living at 2 Layton Lane with his brother-in-law and working as a Postman at Shaftesbury Post Office. He married Ethel Grace White Annis at St. Peter and St Paul's Church, Bergh Apton, Loddon, Norfolk, on 17th May 1923. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 57 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, still a Postman. His death was recorded in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 20th March 1981 and he was buried in the churchyard of St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 25th Mar 1981. Leonard's brothers, Bertie Howard, was killed in action serving with the Dorsetshire Regiment whereas Sidney William Imber served and survived.

Images:

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Bertie Howard Imber
The National Archives

Charles Roberts

31st May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Roberts

Other names: Charles

Locations in this story:
Layton Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Abertillery, Monmouthshire, South Wales
France & Flanders
Poole, Dorset
Portland, Dorset
Leith, Scotland

Story:
Charles Roberts was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1888, the son of James Roberts and Emma Jane Roberts (née Lane). He grew up in the family home at 13 Layton Lane, Shaftesbury albeit his mother had died in 1894 and his father in 1918. By 1911 he was boarding at 30 Alma Street, Abertillery, Monmouthshire, working in the mines as a Timberman (Underground). He enlisted and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 47976). He served in France and Flanders with the 213th Siege Battery and following his discharge on 16th January 1919 was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. His address on the 1918 Absent Voters List had been given as 1 Layton Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He had moved to Poole, Dorset, by the 1921 Census living at 17 High Street working as a General Labourer for Poole Town Council. He was living with his parents-in-law having married their daughter Caroline Roberts (same surname) in 1919. He died in Leith Hospital, Leith, Scotland, in 1944 and was brought back to Dorset for burial at Portland on 3 Feb 1944.

Two of Charles' brothers also served in the war, James (b.1879) with the Dorsetshire Regiment and George (b.1887) with the South Wales Borderers and the Monmouthshire Regiment.

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James Roberts
George Roberts
The National Archives