William Joseph Snelling

Story:
William Joseph Snelling was born in 1890 in Blandford, Dorset. He was the son of George James Snelling, a Farm Labourer, and Rose Mary Snelling (nee Wherry). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Groom and living at 13 Charles Street, Blandford, Dorset. He enlisted in Shaftesbury on 26th August, 1914 as a Private with the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 10197). He served initially in the Blkans from 11 Jul 1915 and later in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He was killed in action on 26th September 1916 and his name appears on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France, (Pier and Face 7B). At the time of his death his next of kin was his sister, Rose Mary Caines, his parents having passed away. He is remembered on the war memorial at Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire.