Stories Archive - Page 95 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Herbert John Holly

Surname: Holly

Other names: Herbert John

Locations in this story:
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shroton, Dorset
Cann Common, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Blandford, Dorset
Iwerne Mintser, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Herbert John Holly was born in Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 8th December 1892 and baptised there on 5th March 1893, the son of Mark Holly and Harriet Holly (née Smith). He spent his early life in and around the Melbury Abbas and Cann Common area. He enlisted and served successively with the Dorsetshire Regiment (service No. 25813), the Devonshire Regiment (Service No. 52660) and the Hampshire Regiment (Service No. 30396). His rank in all cases was Private. On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living with his parents in Higher Blandford Road, Cann, Shaftesbury, working as a Baker for Ernest Otto of Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury. He married Winifred Beatrice Gaisford at Shroton, Dorset, in 1923. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 1 The Corner, Blandford, Dorset, still working as a Baker. He died in Shroton on 2nd October 1983.

Herbert's brother, Harry Percival Holly (b.1891) also served and survived but his brother Ernest Walter (b.1895), died in the conflict while serving with the Royal Army Service Corps in Greece.

Images:

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Harry Percival Holly
Ernest Walter Holly
The National Archives

Bertie Gray

29th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: Bertie

Locations in this story:
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Littledown, Semley Road, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Asia
Dorchester, Dorset
South Africa

Story:
Bertie Gray was born in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1877, the son of Thomas Gray and Martha Gray (née Wright). He lived all his early life, apart from Military Service, in the Shaftesbury area. He had enlisted about 1898 with the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No.5749) and served with them in South Africa and continued into WW1 serving in the Asiatic Theatre from 6 Nov 1914 with the 2nd Battalion. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/1915 Star. He had remained in the Army and was finally discharged in Feb 1930 but was allowed to live in the barracks in Dorchester. On his death he was given a full military funeral at Dorchester Cemetery, with Last Post and Reveille being played, on 24 Sep 1930 and so honoured by being recognised as the longest serving soldier in the Regiment at the time with 32 years in the Colours (Western Gazette 26 Sep 1930). His death is recorded at the Dorchester, Dorset, Registry in 1930.

Images:

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The National Archives

Claude Ivor Bertie Gibbs

29th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gibbs

Other names: Claude Ivor Bertie

Locations in this story:
Blynfield Farm, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Culverhouse Farm, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset
France & Flanders
Germany
Tisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Claude Ivor Bertie Gibbs was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 28th Jun 1897 and baptised on 22nd August 1897. He was the son of Edwin George Gibbs and Mary Gibbs (née Matthews), who lived at Blynfield Farm near Shaftesbury. He enlisted on 29th February 1916 but was not mobilized until 10th January 1917 when he joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers as a Private (Service No. 41862). He served with both the 2nd and 8th Battalions in France and Flanders where he received a gunshot wound to the left thigh on 16th August 1917 and at the same time was taken prisoner. He spent time in a POW Camp in Germany where his wounds were treated. He was released from captivity on 2nd December 1918 and was discharged on 15th October 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as a small limited period pension which ended on 20 Apr 1920. The 1921 Census shows that he had returned to Blynfield Farm and was working for his father. He married Ella Blanche Pickford at Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 1st October 1929 and they went on to have one daughter. By the time of the 1939 Register, Claude was living at Culverhouse Farm, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was described as a Dairy Farmer. His death is recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry on 3 Aug 1972. His brothers, Alwin Thomas Gibbs, Walter Thomas Gibbs, DCM, Stanley William Gibbs and Lucius George Gibbs, also served in the conflict whilst his sister, Ada Prudence Gibbs, served with the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps in France.

Images:

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Walter Matthews Gibbs
Alwin Thomas Gibbs

Alwin Thomas Gibbs

29th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Hussars, Lancers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gibbs

Other names: Alwin Thomas

Locations in this story:
Blynfield Farm, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Colchester, Essex
Todber, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Edwards Farm, Foyle Hill, Shaftesbury
Tisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Alwin Thomas Gibbs was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 15th August 1888 and baptised at St. James' Church on 9th September 1888. He was the son of Edwin George Gibbs and Mary Gibbs (née Matthews) who lived at Blynfield Farm near Shaftesbury. His siblings included Walter Matthews Gibbs, DCM, (b.1884) who served in the Dorset Yeomanry, Claude Ivor Bertie Gibbs (b.1897) who served in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Lucius George Gibbs (b. 1882) who served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment on receiving a commission in 1915 whilst his sister, Ada Prudence Gibbs, served with the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps in France. He lived all his early life in and around Shaftesbury until, by 1911, he had joined the 16th Lancers (The Queen's) (Service No. 5661) and was stationed in Colchester, Essex. At a later stage his Service No. was changed to L13212 and he was promoted to Sergeant. He was attached to the Corps of Hussars and served in France and Flanders from 17 May 1915. On his discharge on 22 May 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows he had returned to Blynfield Farm and was working for his father on the farm. He married Margaret Bertha Barnes at Todber, Dorset, on 5th December 1922 and they had four children. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Edwards Farm, Foyle Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset, was and described as a Farmer. His death was recorded in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on 19th December 1975.

Images:

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Walter Matthews Gibbs
Claude Ivor Bertie Gibbs
Lucius George Gibbs

Percy William Gatehouse

29th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps, South Lancashire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gatehouse

Other names: Percy William

Locations in this story:
Cann Farm, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Bristol
Chippenham, Wiltshire

Story:
Percy William Gatehouse was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 27th March 1889, the son of Morgan Gatehouse and Elizabeth Gatehouse (née Lodge). He spent his early life in and around Cann Farm, Cann. He enlisted and joined the Prince of Wales (South Lancashire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 32451). He served in France and Flanders with both the 1/5th and 2/5th Battalions before transferring to the Royal Army Service Corps (Service No. DM2/163548). On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows he was living back with his widowed mother in Cann Farm described as a Farmer. He married Annie Violet Little at Chippenham, Wiltshire, in 1938 and they went on to have two children. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 45 Richmond Road, Bristol, and was working as an Aircraft Fitter. He died in Cann, Shaftesbury, in 1980 and was buried there at St. Rumbold's Church on 1st Oct 1980.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

William Doggrell

29th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Doggrell

Other names: William

Locations in this story:
Warnford, Hampshire
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Egypt
Taunton, Somerset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Kenton Farm, Semley, Wiltshire
Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury
St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, Shaftesbury
Higher Beetham, Comb St. Nicholas, Near Chard, Somerset

Story:
William Doggrell was born in Warnford, Hampshire, in 1889, the son of William Doggrell and Tamar Doggrell (née Smith). The family moved to Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, by 1901 and later to Kenton Farm, Semley, Wiltshire. William enlisted on 13th July 1915 and joined the Royal Engineers as a Sapper (Service No. 108339). He served in Egypt with the M Signal Company as a Telegraphist. He was discharged on 13th June 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. By the 1921 Census he was working as a Farmer in partnership with another at Higher Beetham, Combe St. Nicholas, Near Chard, Somerset. He married Phyllis Elaine Power in Taunton, Somerset, in 1923. He died at the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 5th January 1934 and was buried at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, on 8th January 1934 aged only 36 years.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

William Ernest Burden

29th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Corps of Hussars, Dorset Yeomanry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Burden

Other names: William Ernest

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Guy's Marsh, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Kit Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
William Ernest Burden was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 1 Jun 1893 and baptised at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, on 2nd July 1893, the son of James John Rideout Burden and Sarah Anne Burden (née Elliott). He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in the Shaftesbury/Guy's Marsh area. He enlisted and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 1681), later transferring to the Corps of Hussars (Service No. 230890). It is not known where he served but on his discharge on 5 May 1919 was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at Kit Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as a Dealer in Dairy Produce, Rabbits and Poultry. He married Elfreda Gladys Gray at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, on 22nd November 1921. By the 1939 Register he had moved to 79 Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was described as an 'egg collector in a small way and garden labourer'. He was also an ARP Warden and a Shaftesbury Councillor. His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1967. William's brothers, Victor Thomas (b.1887) and Albert Edward (b. 1890) and James John (b. 1877) also served in the conflict and all their names appeared on a Roll of Honour published in the St. James' Church Parish Magazine in Nov 1918.

Images:

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The National Archives
Victor Thomas Burden

Harry Brown

29th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Brown

Other names: Harry

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Chard, Somerset
Mediterranean Theatre
Poole, Dorset
Gibraltar

Story:
Harry Brown was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1885, the son of Samuel Brown and Clara Brown (née Moore). He lived his early life at the family home in Higher Blandford Road, Cann, until, by 1901, he had moved to Chard, Somerset, as a Journeyman Baker. By 1911 he had joined the (Royal) Army Service Corps (Service No. S/18687) and was serving as a Lance Corporal in the Mediterranean area based in Gibraltar. He later became a Staff Sergeant with the 21st Company Field Bakery. Following discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died in the Poole, Dorset, Registration District in 1961. (Very little other information is available.)

Two of Harry's brothers died in the war: Bertram George (b.1895) died on 4th April 1915 in a German prisoner of war camp; Obery Archibald (b.1891) was killed in France on 19th March 1917 while serving with the East Kent Regiment. Two more brothers served in the war: William Thomas (b.1888) and Cyril (b.1894).

Images:

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William Thomas Brown
Obery Archibald Brown
Bertram George Brown
Cyril Brown
The National Archives

William Alexander Stewart Blucke

29th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Royal Air Force, Royal Flying Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Blucke

Other names: William Alexander Stewart

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Cann Lodge, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Wandsworth, London
Southwark, London
France & Flanders
Ireland
Hurstpierrepoint Collage, Hassocks, Sussex

Story:
William Alexander Stewart Blucke was born at Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, on 24th July 1895 and baptised there on 17th August 1895, the son of Dr. Harry Frederick Stokes Blucke and Elizabeth Harriet Blucke (née Collins). He was a pupil at Hurstpierrepoint College, Hassocks, Sussex, from 1909 to 1912. William, whose father was the local Doctor, lived in Donhead St. Andrew for his early years until, by 1911, the family had moved to Cann Lodge, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset.

William enlisted on 24th November 1914 and joined the 3rd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment and held the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He transferred on 29th June 1918 to the Royal Flying Corps (later the Royal Air Force) as an Observer with the rank of Lieutenant. He served in France and Flanders and on his discharge on 4th November 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He was attached for sometime after to the ADRIC (Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary) in Ireland. The 1921 Census shows him visiting his parents at Cann Lodge, Cann. He married Jessica Huxford in 1932 and by the time of the 1939 Register they were living at 27 Christchurch House, Wandsworth, London, he was described as a Company Secretary and Director with a Commission Agent. He died, aged only 47, on 5th May 1943 and was buried at Southwark, London, on 12th May 1943.

His brother, Frederick Charles Blucke, also served in the conflict, with the Royal Garrison Artillery.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Frederick Charles Blucke

Frederick Charles Blucke

28th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Blucke

Other names: Frederick Charles

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Cann Lodge, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Staines, Middlesex
Singapore

Story:
Frederick Charles Blucke was born in Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, on 10th August 1897 and baptised there on 2nd September 1897, the son of Dr. Harry Frederick Stokes Blucke and Elizabeth Harriet Blucke (née Collins). Frederick's father was the local Doctor and they lived at Donhead St. Andrew until, by 1911, they had moved to Cann Lodge, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He received some of his education at Shaftesbury Grammar School. Frederick had enlisted with the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 157936). He served in France & Flanders from apr to Nov 1918. He had been promoted to Lieutenant on 24 Nov 1916 and the Service No. dropped from his record. Following discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He was married at sometime, possibly not in the UK, to Antoinette. L. Blucke (maiden name not known). By the 1939 Register he was living at 27A Brightside Avenue, Staines, Middlesex, and was described as a Cleaner Sales Supervisor. He served for a time in WW2 as a Lieutenant with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (Service No. 116906). His death was recorded in Singapore on 31st October 1951. His brother, William Alexander Stewart Blucke also served in the war, with the Dorsetshire Regiment and the Royal Air Force.

Images:

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William Alexander Stewart Blucke
The National Archives