Tom Fanner

Story:
Tom Fanner was born in Charlton, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 28 Jun 1883 the son of Arthur Fanner, a Carpenter, and Ellen Fanner (nee Martin).   He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in the Donhead St. Mary area.   He married Alice Annie Dimmer at Ansty Parish Church, Ansty, Wiltshire on 6 Mar 1909.   He had enlisted at some time with the Territorial Unit of the 1st South West Motor Brigade of the Army Service Corps as a Driver (Service No. T/374).   He had not been enlisted for war service however until the 27 Jun 1916 as a Wheeler (Service No. T4/212695).  It is not known in which theatre of war he served but he certainly went overseas as during Jul 1917 he was taken ill with Malaria.  He had a spell in hospital but was released back to his unit until late Sep 1918 when the disease recurred.  He was discharged on 14 Apr 1919 with a 30% pension (paid until 1922) and also awarded the Victory and British War Medals.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living in Water Lane, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, described as a Carpenter (disabled).  His death was registered in Mere, Wiltshire, during 1942.   His brother, Wilfred Fanner, also served and survived only until early 1919 when he died at the age of 24 years.