Stories Archive - Page 92 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Sidney Wright

Surname: Wright

Other names: Sidney

Locations in this story:
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salonika, Greece
Balkans
Burnham, Buckinghamshire
Slough, Buckinghamshire
Eton, Buckinghamshire

Story:
Sidney Wright was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1891, the son of James Wright and Julia Wright (née Peters). He lived most of his early life at 7 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, apart from his Military Service. He enlisted with the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Private (Service No. 95604). He served in Salonika and the Balkans and he was treated for malaria in August and September 1918 at the 28th General Hospital. He was discharged from service on 9th December 1919 and he made a claim for a pension due to defective eyesight. This was refused. He was however awarded the Victory and British War medals. The records of Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, show that Marriage Banns were called, the last one on 25 Jun 1916, concerning his upcoming marriage to Louisa Mary Hyde of Burnham, Buckinghamshire. The 1921 Census shows him as a visitor with his wife and two daughters at the home of his parents-in-law in Burnham. The 1939 Register records him now living at 7 Ivey Cottages, Slough, Buckinghamshire, working as a Club Cleaner. His death was recorded at the Eton, Buckinghamshire, Registry during 1943.

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Samuel James Day

Surname: Day

Other names: Samuel James

Locations in this story:
Parsons Pool, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Pewsey, Wiltshire
Wyke, Gillingham, Dorset

Story:
Samuel James Day was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 27th May 1871 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 27th December 1871, the son of George Day and Mary Ann Day (née Allen). He spent much of his life in the Shaftesbury area until his retirement. He married Sarah Jane Holmes at Pewsey, Wiltshire, on 6th July 1897 and set up home at 14 Parsons Pool, Shaftesbury, Dorset. They went on to have five children. He enlisted and joined the Royal Defence Corps as a Private (Service No. 8628). It is presumed he served in the UK only as no medal record can be found. The 1921 Census shows him still at 14 Parsons Pool working as a Bricklayer's Labourer for J. Short, Builder and Contractor, of Shaftesbury. His wife, Sarah, died in 1924. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Wyke, Gillingham, Dorset, described as a Retired Gardener. He died in Gillingham in 1948 and was buried there on 30th October 1948.

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Reginald Charles Humphries

14th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Humphries

Other names: Reginald Charles

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
High Street, Shaftesbury
Donhead St. Mary with Charlton, Wiltshire
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Reginald Charles Humphries was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 22nd June 1889, the son of Samuel Humphries and Mary Humphries (nee Young). He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in Shaftesbury. The family home was at 10 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted on 1st January 1916 and joined the Royal Engineers (Motor Cycle Section) being promoted in time to Corporal (Service No. 148678). His training as a Motor Cycle Mechanic was useful to the Army and he served in France and Flanders from 14 Jul 1916 with various Troops. Whilst with the 9th Signal Troop was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal given for service in the field as announced in the London Gazette dated 3 Jun 1919. Following his discharge on 20th February 1919 he was further awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows he was living with his parents in the family home working on his own account as a Motor Cycle Mechanic. He married Alice Bertha Mullins at St. John the Baptist Church, Donhead St. Mary with Charlton, Wiltshire, on 26 Dec 1921 and they went on to have one daughter. They set up home at 54B High Steet, Shaftesbury, where they were still residing at the time of the 1939 Register with Reginald still working as a Cycle and Motor Mechanic. In retirement he was living at 'Ladymede', 41 Lower Blandford Road, Cann, Shaftesbury, when he died at the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, on 27th June 1960.

Reginald's brother Stanley Frank (b.1896) also served during the war, with the Royal Naval Division.

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Stanley Frank Humphries

Wilfred Stanley George Hibberd

14th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hibberd

Other names: Wilfred Stanley George

Locations in this story:
South Newton, Wiltshire
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Moorside, Marnull, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset
France & Flanders

Story:
Wilfred Stanley George Hibberd was born in South Newton, Wiltshire, on 5th November 1877 and baptised there on 16th December 1877, the son of Emma Hibberd. Wilfred lived with his grandparents at South Newton until, by 1901, he had moved to the Post Office and Shop at Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where he met and married Bertha Hunt in 1912 and they set up home at 20 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted with the 11th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry and was promoted in time to Corporal (Service No. 265596). He served in France and Flanders and after his discharge on 11th March 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows he was living at Moorside, Marnull, Dorset, working as a Traveller and Gents Outfitter for Hine & Parsons, Drapers, of Shaftesbury. he was still living at the General Stores, Moorside, Marnull, at the time of the 1939 Register still described as an Outfitter's Traveller. It was also noted that he was a Methodist Lay Preacher. His death was recorded in the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1973 and he was buried at St. Gregory's Church, Marnull on 24th October 1973.

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Sidney Ernest Bridle

14th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Bridle

Other names: Sidney Ernest

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Wardour, Tisbury, Wiltshire
High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury

Story:
Sidney Ernest Bridle was born in Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, on 28th June 1881, and baptised there on 7 Aug 1881 the son of William Bridle and Ellen Eliza Bridle (née Arnold). He lived his very early life at Wardour, Tisbury, Wiltshire. He married Kate Ann Imber at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 4th June 1906 and took up residence at 24 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, as a hairdresser. He enlisted on 8th December 1915 and placed on Reserve until mobilized on the 14th March 1917 when he joined the Army Service Corps as a Private (Service No. M/300929). He served in France and Flanders with, among others, the 565th Company and 305th Siege Battery as a Lorry Driver. He was discharged on 21st March 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. He was living at 24 High Street, Shaftesbury, at the time of the 1921 Census, now described as a Hairdresser and Tobacconist, and was still there by the time of the 1939 Register as a Master Hairdresser. He died in the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, on 29th December 1951 and was buried at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, on 2nd January 1952.

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Reginald Stevens

14th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Stevens

Other names: Reginald

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Dorchester, Dorset
Romford, Essex

Story:
Reginald Stevens was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 11th January 1889 and baptised at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 6th October 1889, the son of William Edward Stevens and Kate Stevens (née Spong). He lived his life mainly in the Cann and Shaftesbury area. He enlisted and joined the Army Service Corps as a Private (Service No. M2/188217). In 1915 he had married Rose Farris at Romford, Essex. It is not known in what theatre of war he served but he was reported to have contracted malaria which was due to his service thus had obviously served outside the UK. On his discharge on 11 Feb 1919 was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows he was living at 26 Bell Street, Shaftesbury, working as a Motor Driver. At the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 27 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, now working as a Bus Driver. At the time of his death on 1 Jun 1975 he had, per probate records, been living at 45 Iona Way, Dorchester, Dorset.

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Francis Tom Wareham

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

Surname: Wareham

Other names: Francis Tom

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Semley, Wiltshire
Sturminster, Dorset

Story:
Francis Tom Wareham was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 18th April 1879 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 18th May 1879, the son of John Wareham and Elizabeth Wareham (née Francis). Francis lived all his life in the Shaftesbury area. He married Fanny Lintern at Semley, Wiltshire, on 13th May 1903 and they went on to have two children. Francis enlisted and joined the Labour Corps as a Private (Service No. 202542). He was attached to the Garrison Guard Company and served in the UK only. There are no medal records. The 1921 Census shows he was living at 24 bell Street, Shaftesbury, working as a Plumber for Messrs Harding & Sons of Shaftesbury, He was still at the same address by the time of the 1939 Register now described as a Master Painter and Decorator. His death is recorded in the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1963 and he was buried at the Town Cemetery, Shaftesbury, on 11 Apr 1963.

Francis' brother Frederick (b.1864) also served in the war, with the Dorsetshire Regiment and the Royal Defence Corps.

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Frederick Wareham

Sidney William Imber

14th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Imber

Other names: Sidney William

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Poole, Dorset
Churchill Road, Parkstone, Dorset
Hinton Parva, Dorset
St. James, Shaftesbury
Egypt

Story:
Sidney William Imber was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 15th July 1891, the son of John Imber and Elizabeth Ann Imber (née Lodder). He lived his early life in and around the St. James area of Shaftesbury, Dorset. By 1911 he had moved to Poole, Dorset, to live with his cousin, following the death of his mother in 1900. His father died in 1912. He married Maude Ellen Rhoda Anderson at St. Osmund's Church, Parkstone, Dorset, on 14th November 1915. Sidney enlisted and joined the 1st/5th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 55086), later transferring to the 2nd/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 202147). He served in Egypt and on his discharge on 25th October 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him boarding out with his wife at 3 Parsons Pool, Shaftesbury, working as a Butcher's Assistant, then by 1922 to 31 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. By the 1939 Register he had again moved to 39 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, now described as a Butcher. By the time of his death on 3rd June 1966 he had moved to 124 Churchill Road, Parkstone, Dorset. His ashes were interred at the church in Hinton Parva, Dorset, on 22nd July 1966. Of his brothers, Bertie Howard, was killed in action whereas Leonard Charles MM, served and survived.

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William Robert Davis

12th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Davis

Other names: William Robert

Locations in this story:
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Wanowri Lines, India
France & Flanders
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
West Orchard, Shaftesbury
Milton-on-Stour, Near Gillingham, Dorset.

Story:
William Robert Davis was born in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 10th May 1886 and baptised there at St. John's Church on 6th June 1886, the son of Frederick Davis and Emily Davis (née Jenkins). His siblings included Harry (b.1880) and Charles (b.1888) both of whom died during the war. His other brothers, Frank (b.1882) served in the war with the Coldstream Guards and Edward Frederick (b. 1898) with the Inniskilling Fusiliers. William lived all his early life in and around Enmore Green until, prior to 1911, he enlisted with the 2nd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 7161) and, at the time of the 1911 Census, was serving at the Wanowri Lines, India. He later served with the 1st Battalion in France and Flanders from 16 Aug 1914 where he was promoted to Corporal. At the time of the Absent Voter List dated 1918 he was with the 5th Battalion. On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British medals as well as the 1914/15 Star with roses and clasp. He married Lilian Winifred Hayter at St. James's Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 2nd May 1920. They went on to have three children. The 1921 Census shows him living at 23 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, working as an Agricultural Labourer at Holyrood Farm, Shaftesbury. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 14 West Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset and working as a Horseman on a Farm. His death was recorded at the Gillingham, Dorset, Registry in 1945 and he was buried at Milton-on-Stour, Near Gillingham, on 26 March 1945.

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Frank Davis
Charles Davis
Harry Davis

Frederick Fanner

5th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Fanner

Other names: Frederick

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset,

Story:
Frederick Fanner was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 28th October 1894 and baptised at St. Rumbold's, Church on 23rd June 1895, the son of James Fanner and Harriet Jane Fanner (née Stacey). His siblings include William, born 1897, who served in the Royal Army Service Corps. The family lived at 4 Melbury Road, Melbury Abbas for a time before moving to Butts Knap, Cann, Shaftesbury by 1901.

He had previous military experience with the 4th Territorial Unit of the Dorsetshire Regiment but when he re-enlisted on 25th May 1916 he was posted to the 7th Artillery Training School of the Royal Horse and Field Artillery with the rank of Driver (Service No. 139804). Unfortunately he was discharged on 28th July 1916 being medically unfit and unlikely to make an efficient soldier. Nothing else is recorded regarding his life after discharge.

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William Fanner