Rufus William Inkpen

Story:
Rufus William Inkpen was born at Motcombe, Dorset, on 18th October 1884 and baptised there on 16th November 1884, the son of Edwin Thomas Inkpen (Licensee of the former Royal Oak Inn, Motcombe), and Mary Ann Inkpen (née Clack).  Rufus spent his early years at the Royal Oak Inn with his parents.  He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 18th October 1902 (Service No. 216884). He served on many ships in his time and held the rank of Able Seaman.  After serving on various ships and shore establishments he joined HMS Thunderer, the last of the Orion-class Dreadnought Battleships, when it was commissioned on 15th June 1912.  The ship entered the war and in 1916 was eighth in line at the Battle of Jutland.  Rufus was eventually discharged on 8th June 1921 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/1915 Star.  Acording to his discharge information he intended to live back in Motcombe at Bittles Green near his parents but the 1921 Census shows him actually boarding at 63 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as an Unemployed Labourer.  He married Mabel Annie Barter on 16th April 1927 at West Moors, Dorset, and they set up home at West Parley, Bournemouth, Dorset.  There appeared to be no children of the marriage.  No record of the 1939 Register could be found. Rufus died on 24th November 1951 which fact was registered at the Blandford, Dorset, District Register Office though his last address on the Probate was noted as 4 Moorlands Road, West Moors, Dorset.  His brother, Loftus Sam Inkpen, also served but survived the conflict.