William Henry Pelly

Story:
William Henry Pelly was born in Nether Compton, Sherborne, Dorset, on 11 Jun 1885 the son of Edward Pelly and Ellen Pelly (nee Smith).  He lived all his early life in Nether Compton until he had obtained employment at Motcombe House, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where he lived in garden accommodation.  He had enlisted on 11 Aug 1914 with the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No.  9860).  He was later attached to the Royal Artillery as a Driver (Service No. 34576).  He served in France and Flanders from 1 Jul 1915 where he received shrapnel wounds on 14 Sep 1915.  After an extensive recovery period he was transferred to the 18th Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment (Service No. 52864) and then again to the Labour Corps (attached to the Army Service Corps) as a Private (later Lance Corporal) (Service No. 638345).  During the latter stages of his service it is understood he was attached to the Royal Berkshire Regiment on duties with the Royal Defence Corps. On his eventual discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.  He had married Celia Emily Chase in Portsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, on 24 Nov 1917 and initially set up home in Elm Hill, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living in Cosham Road, Biddistone, Calne, Wiltshire, working as a Head Gardener.  His last known address was 66 Mildenhall Road, Clapton, London, where his death was recorded on 26 Apr 1971. He was later cremated at Newham, London, on 30 Apr 1971.