Stories Archive - Page 98 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

William John Gray

Surname: Gray

Other names: William John

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Sturminster, Dorset
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury
Laundry Lane, Shaftesbury
Christies Lane, Shaftesbury

Story:
William John Gray was born on 19th December 1895 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, the son of George Henry Shefford Gray and Elizabeth (Bessie) Jane Gray (née Rideout). Apart from military service, William lived all his life in and around Shaftesbury. On 6th May 1915 he enlisted with the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 14503) and in time achieved the rank of Sergeant. He served with the 5th and 6th Battalions in France and Flanders and was awarded the Military Medal. He was demobilized on 15th March 1919 and on 20th August was presented with his Military Medal at Shaftesbury Town Hall. In 1921 he received the Victory and British War medals. He married Bessie Phillips Elsworth in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 22nd November 1925 and they went on to have six children. By the time of the 1939 Register, William was living at 9 Laundry Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Cowman. William and Bessie were living in Christies Lane in Shaftesbury at the time of his death on 31st December 1967. The death was recorded in 1968 at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry and he was buried in the Town Cemetery, Shaftesbury, on 4 Jan 1968. William's brothers Stanley Gray and Percy Rideout also served in the conflict.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Joseph Isaac Jesse

Surname: Jesse

Other names: Joseph Isaac

Locations in this story:
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Lyndhurst, Hampshire
Islington, Middlesex
France & Flanders
Crosby, Merseyside
Liverpool

Story:
Joseph Isaac Jesse was born at Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1895 and was baptised at Lyndhurst, Hampshire, on 4th March 1898, the son of William Sidney Jesse and Ada Jesse (née Rideout). The family had moved following the death of Joseph's father in 1910, to Wiverley Lodge, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, where his mother was the Gatekeeper. He enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery as a Driver (Service No 58589) and served with them in France and Flanders from 25 Aug 1915. On discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. On his discharge he joined the Merchant Navy and signed on as a Steward on the RMS Olympic on 17 Mar 1919 - the vessel was the sister ship of the ill-fated Titanic. He remained in the Merchant Service throughout WW2 being involved in the Atlantic Convoys. He remained single until 1948 when he married Sophia M. (surname unknown) in Islington, Middlesex. In 1964 he married for a second time, in Crosby, Merseyside, to Lilian M. Ashton. His death was recorded in Liverpool North Registration District in 1969.

Joseph's brother Gilbert James also served in the war, but sadly died in 1917 while serving with the Hampshire Regiment in France.

Images:

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Gilbert James Jesse
The National Archives

William Sims

27th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Lancashire Fusiliers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Sims

Other names: William

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Germany
Gold Hill, Shaftesbury

Story:
William (Billy) Sims was born on 20th December 1892 in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised there in St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, on 26th February 1893, the son of Edwin Sims and Emily Sims (née Gray), a local family. William (known as Billy in the family) lived all his life, apart from the military service, in and around Cann and Shaftesbury, Dorset. He married Emily Ellen Burden at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, on 23rd November 1914 and they went on to have a large family.

William enlisted on 5th June 1916, joining the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 24155), serving in France and Flanders. After the Armistice he transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers (Service No. 53044), serving in Germany and becoming 'Batman' to an officer.

Billy was finally demobilized on 15th November 1919. During his time in the army he had received a gunshot wound to his left hand and was now awarded a small short-lived pension due to his injury. He was also awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows that he was living at 20 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, working as a Grocer's Assistant for J. S. Cheater & Co, (Bakers) of 38 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. By the time of the 1939 Register his address was given as 17 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset, now working as a radio mechanic and salesman as well as volunteering as an ARP Warden. He died in Shaftesbury on 15th November 1979 and was buried at St. James Church on 20 Nov 1979.

Billy's brother Frank also served in the war, with the Wiltshire Regiment and the Royal Army Service Corps.

Source: Photograph of William Sims provided by Dave Hardiman.

Images:

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The National Archives
Frank Sims

Ernest King

27th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Northamptonshire Regiment, Royal Engineers, Wiltshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: King

Other names: Ernest

Locations in this story:
Pigtrough Lane, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Swindon, Wiltshire
Birdbush, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Fovant, Wiltshire
Mere, Wiltshire

Story:
Ernest King was born at Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, on 6th December 1886, and baptised there on 9 Jan 1887 the son of Augustus King and Anne King (née Lewis). He spent his early life at the family home in Pig's Trough Lane, Donhead St. Andrew. (Modern usage of the address is Pigtrough Lane). He married Kate Gibbs in Swindon, Wiltshire, on 11th February 1911 and they went on to have five children. By 1911 they were living at Birdbush, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire.

Ernest enlisted on 27th February 1915 as a Private with the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 18895). He was posted to France on 6 Jul 1915 and transferred on the 13th March 1915 to the 2nd/4th Battalion of the Northamptonshire Regiment (Service No. 202423). He was admitted to Hospital on 4 Aug 1915 suffering from shell shock and was repatriated to the UK. He returned to France having transferred once again to the Royal Engineers (Service No. 359463) working with the Transport Section with the rank of Sapper. He moved back to the UK and was posted to the Fovant Light Railway Training School, Fovant, Wiltshire, as a Lance Corporal (Service No. WR/284715) employed as a Tailor. He was eventually discharged on 27th May 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. By the time of the 1921 Census he was back living in Pigstrough Lane, Donhead St. Andrew, and had resumed his calling as a Tailor with T. E. Gatehouse, Tailor of Ludwell, Wiltshire. He was at the same address by the time of the 1939 Register described as a Journeyman Tailor. His death is recorded at the Mere, Wiltshire, Registry in 1965 and he was buried in the Donhead St. Andrew Cemetery on 15 May 1965.

Images:

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The National Archives

Henry Stephen Lampard

27th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Durham Light Infantry, Royal Warwickshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Lampard

Other names: Henry Stephen

Locations in this story:
Sands Lane, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Egypt
Fovant, Wiltshire

Story:
Henry Stephen Lampard was born on 12th February 1888 at Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, the son of Cicely Lampard. (The name of the father is not known). He lived his entire life, except for the period of military service, at Sands Lane, Donhead St. Andrew. He married Ella Elsie Mullins at Donhead St. Andrew on 25th March 1913 and they went on to have three children. Henry enlisted on 5th June 1916 and was mobilized on 16th July 1916 when he joined the 1st Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry as a Private (Service Nos. 5343 & 301369) with whom he served in France & Flanders from 1 Jul 1917 until 7 May 1919. He later transferred to the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (Service No. 55332) and served with them in Egypt guarding a Prisoner of War Camp. Whilst there he suffered from the Influenza pandemic of the time. He at sometime held the rank of Lance Corporal but this is not reflected on his medal records. He was discharged on 20th January 1920 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census gives his address still as Sands Lane, Donhead St. Andrew, working as a General Labourer for the Military at Fovant, Wiltshire. By the 1939 Register was at the same address now a Roadman for the Wiltshire County Council. He died on 26th February, 1963 at Donhead St. Andrew and was buried in the local cemetery.

Images:

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The National Archives

George Brown

27th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Wiltshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Brown

Other names: George

Locations in this story:
Glyn Arms, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
South Stoneham, Hampshire
Eastleigh, Hampshire
France & Flanders
Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium

Story:
George Brown was born at Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1877 and baptised there on 14th October 1877, the son of John Stanford Brown and Emily Harriet Brown. George's father was licensee of the Glyn Arms, Melbury Abbas. George spent all his early years in Melbury Abbas until he married Annie Louise Fanny Gear in Stoneham, Hampshire, in 1902. There was one daughter of the marriage. George set up home in Eastleigh, Hampshire, where he was employed at the railway works by the LSWR as a Coach Finisher. He enlisted with the 2nd Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 31609). He served in France & Flanders and was presumed killed on 31st July 1917. He is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium. (Ref: Panel 53). He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. His wife, Annie, passed away in 1918.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Harold Joseph Garland

27th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Essex Regiment, Norfolk Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Garland

Other names: Harold Joseph

Locations in this story:
Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Parkstone, Dorset
France & Flanders
Pernes British Cemetery, Pernes-en-Artoir, Pas de Calais, France

Story:
Harold Joseph Garland was born at Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1899, the son of George Garland and Caroline Garland (née Baker), a local family. He lived his early childhood in Compton Abbas until, by 1911, his family had moved to Parkstone, Dorset. Harold enlisted with the Norfolk Regiment (Service No. 37331) and later, at the time of his death, was a Private with the 2nd Battalion of the Essex Regiment (Service No. 42717). He was serving in France and Flanders when he died of his wounds on 22nd April 1918 when only 18 years old. He was buried in the Pernes British Cemetery, Pernes-en-Artoir, Pas de Calais, France, (Grave Ref: I.D.10). He was awarded the Victory and British War medals.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Harold George Oxford

18th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Hampshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Oxford

Other names: Harold George

Locations in this story:
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shirley, Southampton, Hampshire
Fordingbridge, Hampshire
Gallipoli, Turkey
Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey

Story:
Harold George Oxford was born in Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1881 and baptised there on 5th June 1881, the son of Fred Oxford and Elizabeth Jane Oxford (née Lovell), a local family. He lived his early childhood in Melbury Abbas but, by 1901, had moved to Shirley, Southampton, Hampshire, where his father had employment in the Docks. Harold married Alice Margaret Wayman in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in the Apr/Jun Quarter of 1915. He had enlisted with the 10th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 10307). He served at Gallipoli and was presumed killed in action on 10th August 1915 within weeks of his marriage. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey, and on the church screen at St. Mary the Virgin in Fordingbridge. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Gilbert James Jesse

18th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Hampshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Jesse

Other names: Gilbert James

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Barkestone, Leicestershire
France & Flanders
Etaples Military Cemetery, Etaples, Pas-de-Calais, France
Bournemouth, Hampshire
Lyndhurst, Hampshire

Story:
Gilbert James Jesse was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1888 and baptised there on 19th November 1888, the son of William Sidney Jesse and Ada Jesse (née Rideout), a local family. Gilbert spent his childhood in Fontmell Magna until, by 1901, the family had moved to Barkestone, Leicestershire. Following his father's death in 1910 his mother moved to Lyndhurst, Hampshire.

Gilbert enlisted and joined the 14th (Service) Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 22998). He served in France and Flanders and died at the 30th General Hospital, France, on 27th June 1917. He was at the time Acting Lance Corporal. He was buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery, Etaples, Pas-de-Calais, France, (Grave Ref: XXII.L.7A). He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. His brother, Joseph Isaac Jesse, who had been living in Bournemouth, Hampshire, but was serving in the Royal Field Artillery, was eventually granted probate of Gilbert's estate.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Joseph Isaac Jesse

James Phillips

14th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Wiltshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Phillips

Other names: James

Locations in this story:
The Barton, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Tisbury, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Le Touret, Pas de Calais, France
Arundell Arms, Tisbury

Story:
James Phillips was born in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1886 and baptised at St. John's Church, Enmore Green, on 29th August 1886, the son of Edward Phillips and Edith Phillips (née White), a local family. James spent his early years in The Barton, Enmore Green, until, by 1901, the family had move to Tisbury, Wiltshire. In 1911 James was working as a Servant (Boots) in the Arundell Arms, Tisbury. He enlisted and joined the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 6403). He served in the very early weeks of the conflict in France and Flanders and was killed in action on 21st October 1914. He is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial, Le Touret, Pas de Calais, France, (Panel 33 & 34.) and also on the Tisbury War Memorial. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914 Star.

Three of James' brothers served in the First World War: Albert Charles (b.1877) with the Dorsetshire Regiment and South Wales Borderers; Frank (b.1885) with the Wiltshire Regiment and the Royal Field Artillery; Frederick William (b.1875) with the Dorsetshire Regiment.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Albert Charles Phillips
Frank Phillips
Frederick William Phillips
Commonwealth War Graves Commission