1914-1918 Archives - Page 102 of 164 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Harry Frederick Haines Chant

Surname: Chant

Other names: Harry Frederick Haines

Locations in this story:
Preston Plucknett, Somerset
Bincombe, Dorset
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
Salonika, Greece
Yeovil, Somerset
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Exeter, Devon
Crediton, Devon

Story:
Harry Frederick Haines Chant was born in Preston Plucknett, Somerset, on 11th October 1894 and baptised at Bincombe, Dorset, on 23rd December 1894, the son of Frederick William Chant and Kate Chant (née Haines). The family moved shortly after to Iwerne Minster where Harry lived for a considerable amount of his early civilian life. His mother died in 1909. He enlisted on 3rd November 1915 but was not mobilized until 30th January 1917 when he joined the Royal Army Service Corps as a Farrier (Service No. TS/9184). He served in Salonika and was eventually discharged on 14th March 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living with his newly remarried father at The Hollow, Iwerne Minster, Dorset, assisting him in his Blacksmith business. He married Annie Victoria Tribble in the Exeter, Devon, area on 17th December 1922 and they went on to have three children. By the 1939 Register he was boarding at 13 Danielsfield Road, Yeovil, Somerset, and was working as an aircraft fitter whilst his wife lived with her brothers in Crediton, Devon, where she died in 1942. There is a record of him having remarried Dorothy M. Simpson, in Exeter, Devon, during 1946. His death is recorded at the Salisbury, Wiltshire, District Registry in 1977.

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The National Archives

Albert Edwin Littlewood

2nd April 2020/in 1914-1918 Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, Royal West Kent Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Littlewood

Other names: Albert Edwin

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Newmarket, Cambridgeshire
France & Flanders
Tenterden, Kent
Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex
Birdbush, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire

Story:
Albert Edwin Littlewood was born at Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, on 25th September 1893 and baptised there on 11th November 1893, the son of George Hutton Littlewood and Elizabeth Littlewood (nee Harrison). He lived all his early life in Donhead St. Andrew. His mother died in 1909. He enlisted on 11th September 1914 and was mobilized on 4th November 1914, joining the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (Service Nos. 2328 & 265664). He served in France and Flanders from 29 Mar 1915 and rose to the rank of Corporal. Around 13 Oct 1917 he received a gunshot wound to the chest and was admitted to the 18th General Field Hospital being sent back to the UK for treatment. He returned to France on 30 Mar 1918 and transferred to the 3rd Battalion of the Queens (Royal West Surrey) Regiment on 1st Apr 1918 (Service No. 207993) and eventually discharged on 10th March 1919 as being permanently disabled and granted a 30% pension. He was awarded the Military Medal per a note on his record dated 1 Jun 1919. He received the Silver War Badge No. B166224 and was also awarded the Victory and British War medals and the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living with his widowed father at Birdbush, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, working as a Gardener. He married Lilian Nesta Bowman in Newmarket, Cambridgeshire, on 22nd December 1923 at the Parish Church. They went on to have one daughter. By the 1939 Register he was living at Unity Cottages, Tenterden, Kent, and was still working as a gardener in private service. He died on 19th September 1967 in Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex.

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The National Archives

William Edward Pike

2nd April 2020/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment, Dorsetshire Regiment, Labour Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Pike

Other names: William Edward

Locations in this story:
Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Fordingbridge, Hampshire
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
France & Flanders
Latchfield, Hampshire
Christchurch, Hampshire
Deanland, Sixpenny Handley

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.

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Henry Arthur Oborn

2nd April 2020/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment, Labour Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Oborn

Other names: Henry Arthur

Locations in this story:
Hammersmith, London
Horseshoe Inn, Ebbesbourne Wake, Wiltshire
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Crism Cottage, Ebbesbourne Wake, Wiltshire

Story:
Henry Arthur Oborn was born in Hammersmith, London, on 2nd June 1882, the son of Arthur Oborn (a Police Constable originally from Ebbesbourne Wake, Wiltshire) and Emily Jane Oborn (née Smith). By 1911 Henry's father had retired and moved back to his birthplace and become landlord of the Horseshoe Inn, Ebbesbourne Wake. Henry married Mabel Young at the Parish Church on 2nd May 1914 and they went on to have four children. Henry enlisted on 11th December 1915 and was mobilized on 3rd June 1916, joining the 13th Works Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 2648). He was transferred to the 312th Home Service Works Company of the Labour Corps on 28th April 1917 (Service No. 172906). He served in the UK and was eventually discharged on 15th July 1919. His military record shows he qualified for Medals which would have been the Victory and British War Medals. By the 1921 Census he was back in Ebbesbourne Wake working as a Carpenter and by the 1939 Register had moved to Crism Cottage, Ebbesbourne Wake, Wiltshire, in the same occupation. He died on the 29th December 1961 in Salisbury, Wiltshire. His brother, Ernest William Oborn, also served for a short time before being discharged as unfit fit further duty. Henry's sister Emily Beatrice (b.1886) also served in the war, with the Voluntary Aid Detachment in a number of military hospitals around the UK.

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Emily Beatrice Oborn
The National Archives

William Crutcher

1st April 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Engineers, Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Crutcher

Other names: William

Locations in this story:
Woodcutts, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
France & Flanders
Deanland, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset

Story:
William Crutcher was born at Woodcutts, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset, on 14th March 1888 and baptised at Sixpenny Handley on 6th May 1888, the son of William Crutcher and Mary Anne Crutcher (née Witherington). He lived all his civilian life in and around Sixpenny Handley. William enlisted on 11th December 1915 and was mobilized on 22nd May 1916 when he joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 82122). He served in France & Flanders. He was transferred to the No. 1 (RGA) Sussex Company (Service No. 374578) and then to the 368th Forestry Company, Royal Engineers 2 Aug 1918 as a Pioneer (Service No. 327932). He was finally discharged on 20th October 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at Deanland, Sixpenny Handley, living with his, by then, widowed father working as a Woodman and Hurdle Maker on his own account. He married Margaret Ellen Lane at Sixpenny Handley, Dorset, on 31st October 1921. There are no records of children. By the 1939 Register he was still living at Deanland, with the same occupation. His death is recorded on 17th August 1968 and he was buried at Sixpenny Handley on 20 Aug 1968.

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John Langhorn Coombs

1st April 2020/in 1914-1918 Middlesex Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Coombs

Other names: John Langhorn

Locations in this story:
Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Tollard Farm, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Birmingham, Warwickshire

Story:
John Langhorn Coombs (same names as his father) was born on 12th May 1894 at Berwick St. John, Wiltshire, the son of John Langhorn Coombs and Amelia Coombs (née Clarke). He spent all his civilian life in and around Berwick St. John and Tollard Royal, Wiltshire. He enlisted on 4th February 1915 and joined the Public Schools Battalion of the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment rising to the rank of Lance Corporal (Service No. 1558). He served in France and Flanders from 17 Nov 1915 and was awarded the Military Medal in accordance with the Special Army Order dated 14th August 1917. He also received the King's Certificate No. 10642 dated 7th September 1917. He was discharged on 12th Feb 1919 and further awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living with his parents in Tollard Royal assisting his father of the Farm.

His brother, Reginald James (b.1895) had also served and been wounded in the conflict, dying in 1926. John went on to marry his Reginald's widow, Annie Amelia Hart (Coombs), in Birmingham, Warwickshire, in 1928 and they had two children. Another brother, Leonard (b.1899) also served in the war, with The Hussars and the Tank Corps.

By the 1939 Register John was living at Tollard Farm, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, and described as a Dairy and Corn Farmer as well as a Special Constable. His death is recorded at the Salisbury, Wiltshire, District Registry on 20 Sep 1967 and he was buried at Tollard Royal.

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The National Archives
Leonard Coombs
Reginald James Coombs

Edward James Emm

1st April 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Emm

Other names: Edward James

Locations in this story:
Broad Chalke, Wiltshire
Water Street, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Poona, India
Flamestone, Wilton, Wiltshire
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Bishopstone, Wiltshire

Story:
Edward James Emms was born in Broad Chalke, Wiltshire, on 23rd April 1898 and baptised there on 22nd May 1898, the son of George Emm and Linda Emm (née Barter). The family had moved to Water Street, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire, by 1911 and from there Edward enlisted on 13th May 1916. He was mobilized on 11th January 1917, joining the Royal Engineers becoming a Sapper (Shoeing Smith) (Service No. 222108). He served in Poona, India, and was eventually discharged on 21st January 1920. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Violet May (or Marguerite according to the marriage record) Warman in Wilton, Wiltshire, on 9th Jun 1921 and initially, per the 1921 Census, lived in Water Street, Berwick St. John where Edward was described as a Shoeing and General Smith. There are no records of children. By the 1939 Register he was living at the Cottage, Flamestone, Wilton Wiltshire. His death is recorded at the Salisbury, Wiltshire, District Registry in 1972 and he was buried at Bishopstone, Wiltshire, on 1 Dec 1972.

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Archelaus Myall

1st April 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Royal Defence Corps, Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Myall

Other names: Archelaus

Locations in this story:
Stour Provost, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Stour Row, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire
South Africa
East Stour, Dorset

Story:
Archelaus Myall was born at Stour Provost, Dorset, in 1868 and baptised there on 11th June 1868, the son of Thomas Myall and Eliza Myall (née Pike). He lived most of his life in and around the Stour Provost and Stour Row, Dorset, area. His marriage to Bertha Elizabeth Tucker was registered in Shaftesbury, Dorset, during January 1906 and they went on to have five children. He had enlisted with the Territorial Unit of the 4th Dorsetshire Regiment on 17th March 1886 (Service No. 2202) and served in South Africa, (for which he was awarded the 1900-1901 South Africa medal and seven clasps) and was then placed on Reserve. He re-enlisted on 26th September 1914 and joined the Royal Engineers (Service No. 1634) rising to the rank of Lance Corporal. He moved from Company to Company within the UK, with Service No. 516322 when attached to the Royal Defence Corps. He was eventually discharged on 22nd October 1918 being physically unfit for further service due to Rheumatic Arthritis aggravated by his service and was granted a small pension. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals and issued with the Silver War Badge No. B31665. By the 1921 Census he was living at The Common, East Stour, Dorset, described as a Bricklayer (out of work). His death was recorded at the Salisbury, Wiltshire, District Registry in 1937.

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Walter George Bugler

1st April 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Labour Corps, Royal Berkshire Regiment, Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Bugler

Other names: Walter George

Locations in this story:
Winfrith, Dorset
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Mere, Wiltshire
France

Story:
Walter George Bugler was born in Winfrith, Dorset, on 23rd December 1888 and baptised at Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire on 16th May 1889, the son of Thomas Bugler and Elizabeth Bugler (née Mabey). By 1911 his family had moved to Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire where he married Ellen Louise Scammel on 14th April 1913. They went on to have five children.

He enlisted on 6th November 1914 with the 4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (with whom he had served as a Territorial earlier) as a Private (Service No. 3138 updated to 3730). He was immediately discharged on 7th November 1914 as being medically unfit for service. He re-enlisted on 22nd November 1915 and was accepted into the 13th Battalion of the Princess Charlotte of Wales (Royal Berkshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 30947). He served in France before being transferred to the Royal Engineers on 1 Jun 1917 as a Sapper (Service No. 308716) then again to the Labour Corps on 27 Jun 1917 (Service No. 98541). He was eventually discharged on 22nd March 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at Slate Cottage, Donhead St. Mary, working as a General Labourer and by the 1939 Register he had moved to Jenkins Corner, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, now working as a Stone Mason. His death was recorded at the Mere, Wiltshire, District Registry on 8 Sep 1968 and he was later buried at Donhead St. Mary.

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Reginald James Coombs

30th March 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Field Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Coombs

Other names: Reginald James

Locations in this story:
Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Salonika, Greece

Story:
Reginald James Coombs was born at Berwick St. John, Wiltshire, in 1895, the son of John Langhorn Coombs and Amelia Coombs (née Clarke). He lived much of his life, apart from Military Service, in the Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, area. He had enlisted on 7th December 1915 and was mobilized on 29th February 1916, joining the Royal Field Artillery as a Driver. He served in Salonika from 11 Nov 1916 and suffered from malaria which eventually qualified him for a pension following his discharge on 25th June 1919. (During his service he had moved from Battery to Battery and received Service Nos. 1025, 132620 and 169422). He was awarded the Victory and British War medals.

It is to be noted that his elder brother, John Langhorn Coombs (b.1894), served with the Middlesex Regiment and was awarded the Military Medal. Another brother, Leonard (b.1899) also served in the war, with The Hussars and the Tank Corps. By the time of the 1921 Census, Reginald had returned to Tollard Farm, Tollard Royal, and was assisting his father as a Horseman on the farm. He married Annie Amelia Hart on 15 Oct 1921 at Tollard Royal, Wiltshire. There were no recorded children of the marriage. Reginald death was recorded at the Salisbury, Wiltshire, District Registry in 1926. His wife remained at the Farm housekeeping for her father-in-law. She died in 1983.

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Leonard Coombs
John Langhorn Coombs
The National Archives