William Alfred Snook

Story:
William Alfred Snook was born in Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 16th February 1882 and baptised there on 9th April 1882, the son of John Edward Snook and Anna Mary Snook (née Scammell).   He lived his early life in Melbury Abbas and later in Water Lane, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire.  He married Florence Ida Greenan in Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, on 17th June 1907 and they went on to have four children.  William had already enlisted with the Royal Garrison Artillery on 6th February 1899 (Service No. 33500), serving in the UK and various places abroad until placed on reserve on 5th February 1907 and finally discharged on 5th February 1911.   He re-enlisted on 7th September 1914 with the Royal Garrison Artillery (Service Nos.2572 & 277572) and served in France & Flanders from 15 Jul 1915 and later in Italy.  He rose to the rank of Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant (WOII) which rank he held when discharged on 25th March 1919.  He received a pension with regard to his length of service and was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star.  The 1921 Census shows him living in Mill Terrace, Yarmouth, IOW, described as a Skilled Labourer (Out of work)and by the 1939 Register had moved to 'Collingwood', Ommanney Road, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, working as a Scavaging Contractor as well as an ARP Warden (from family information he later went on to join the Yarmouth Home Guard as a Sergeant).  His wife died in 1946 and it appears he re-married a May Tabb in Portsmouth, Hampshire, during 1947. He died in St. Mary's Hospital, Kingston, Portsmouth, Hampshire, on 9th June 1950.