Richard Miles Alner

Story:
Richard Miles Alner was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 18th November 1881 and was baptised at Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, on 25th December 1881, the son of Samuel Alner and Kezia Ann Alner (née Miles). He spent his all his life, apart from Military Service, in and around Cann. By 1911 he was serving with the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 7986).  He was known to be in the Asiatic Theatre of war by 6th November 1914, the date of his medal qualification.  He also served in the Princess Victoria's Royal Irish Fusiliers (Service No. G/25327).  Following his discharge on 5 May 1919 was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star.  The 1921 census shows him living with his parents at Bozley Hill, Cann, working as a Farm Labourer. He married Sarah Ann Gosling in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1926.   By the 1939 Register he was still living at Bozley Hill, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as an Agricultural Contractor's Labourer.   He died in the Yeatman Hospital, Sherborne, Dorset, on 8th April 1956 and was buried at Sherborne on 12th April 1956.