William Edward Pike

Story:
William Edward Pike was born at Sixpenny Handley, Dorset, on 16th August 1875 and baptised there on 24th October 1875, the son of Edward Pike and Ann (also known as Hannah) Pike (nee Foot).   He spent his early life in Deanland, Sixpenny Handley.  He married Eleanor Elizabeth Witt at Fordingbridge, Hampshire, on 31st July 1901 and they set up home at Iwerne Minster, Dorset, from where they went on to have four children.   William enlisted on 11th December 1915 and was mobilized on 15th June 1916, joining the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 4099).   Within days he had been transferred to the Devonshire Regiment (Service No. 40664).  On the 20th September 1916 he was again transferred to the 155th Labour Company of the Labour Corps (Service No. (92804).  He served in France & Flanders and was eventually discharged on 10th April 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals.  Around the time of his discharge he made a claim for the effects of Rheumatism, which was partly caused by service conditions, for which he received a 20% pension.   The 1921 Census shows him living at Bowers Barn, Iwerne Minster, Dorset, working as a Woodman and Hurdle Maker and by the 1939 Register he had moved to Latchfield, Hampshire, still working as a Woodman and Hurdle Maker.  His death is recorded at Christchurch, Hampshire, in 1960.