1914-1918 Archives - Page 106 of 164 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Mary Elizabeth Napier

Surname: Napier

Other names: Mary Elizabeth

Locations in this story:
Marylebone, London
Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
Portsea Island, Hampshire
Tisbury War Hospital, Tisbury, Wiltshire
Gunville House, Sedgehill, Wiltshire

Story:
Lady Mary Elizabeth Napier was born on 10th February 1871 in Marylebone, London, and baptised at Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, on 18th March 1871, the daughter on Admiral Sir Michael, 3rd Baronet Culme-Seymour and Mary Georgiana, Lady Culme-Seymour (née Watson). She married Vice-Admiral Treveylyan Dacres Willes Napier, RN, KCB, MVO, on 17th August 1899 at Portsea Island, Hampshire. Lady Mary lived in various places in the UK settling down at Gunville House, Sedgehill, Wiltshire, about the time of the outbreak of the First World War. She served with the Red Cross (Voluntary Aid Detachment) from October 1915 to April 1917 at the Tisbury (Auxiliary A) War Hospital, Wiltshire, giving aid to the sick and wounded. She was at some time made a Dame. She died in 1944 and was buried on the 16th October 1944 at the Parish Church, Sedgehill, Wiltshire.

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Andrew Harding

19th March 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Harding

Other names: Andrew

Locations in this story:
Sedgehill, Wiltshire
Burcombe, Wiltshire
Salonika, Greece
Warminster, Wiltshire
Egypt

Story:
Andrew Harding was born at Sedgehill, Wiltshire, on 10th March 1881 and baptised there on 8th May 1881, the son of George Harding and Dinah Harding (née Haynes). He lived his early life in and around Sedgehill. Andrew at some time had been in the Territorial Unit of the 4th Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment. By 1911 he was boarding in Burcombe, Wiltshire where he met and married Augusta Strickland on 15th March 1911 and they went on to have one son. Andrew enlisted on 16th November 1915 and was mobilized on 3rd June 1916, joining the Royal Engineers as a Sapper (Service No. 181430). He served in Salonika from 19 Sep 1916 before quickly transferring to the 273rd Railway Construction Company as a Platelayer based mainly in Egypt (Service No. WR/295382) on 9th October 1916. He was discharged on 5th May 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census and 1939 Register show he was living at 10A Victoria Road, Warminster, Wiltshire, and was employed as a Farm Worker. He died in Warminster on 27 Aug 1946.

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Henry King

18th March 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: King

Other names: Henry

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Bournemouth, Hampshire
Tarrant Hinton, Dorset
Deganwy, Conway, Wales

Story:
Henry King (sometimes referred to as 'Harry') was born on 15th December 1876 in Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, and baptised there on 28th January 1877, the son of Alfred King and Elizabeth King (née Lewis). By 1891 the family had moved to Tarrant Hinton, Dorset. Henry married Agnes Jane Dixon in Bournemouth, Hampshire, on 11th April 1896 and they went on to have three children. Henry (known as Harry on Military Records except for the Silver War Badge Record) enlisted and was deemed mobilized on 24th June 1916, joining the Royal Engineers as a Sapper (Service No. 286481). He served in the UK only at Depot TC Deganwy. He was deemed physically unfit for further service and discharged on 11th January 1918. There are no medal records but he was awarded the Silver War Badge No. 453719. The 1921 Census and 1939 Register show he was living at 14 Oakwood Road, Moordown, Bournemouth, Hampshire, described as Secretary of a Registered Friendly Society (The Independent Order of Rechabites - principally a temperance movement). He died in Bournemouth on 3rd June 1947.

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Benjamin Fanner

18th March 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Fanner

Other names: Benjamin

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Branksome Park, Poole, Dorset
Hillbourne, Poole, Dorset
Bournemouth, Hampshire

Story:
Benjamin Fanner was born on 12th September 1877 at Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, the son of William Fanner and Sophia Fanner (née Blandford). By 1901 he had moved to Branksome Park, Poole, Dorset. It was here that he married Mary Cox on 26 Oct 1906 at St. John the Evangelist Church, Bournemouth, Hampshire. There was one son of the marriage before Mary died in 1908. Edward remarried on 25th October 1913 at All Saints Church, Branksome Park, Poole, Dorset, to Laura Cox (no relation to his previous wife). Benjamin enlisted on 20th July 1916 and joined the 1/7th (Cyclist) Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 2289). He was later attached to the 608th Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps (Service No. 441327). He served in the UK only. He had medical problems and appeared before a medical board on 15th July 1918. It is possible he was discharged thereafter although no date can be ascertained from the records available. No medal or Silver War Badge records have been found. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Hillbrow, Hillbourne, Poole, Dorset, and was described as a smallholder. His death is recorded in Poole, Dorset, in 1962.

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Sidney Butt

18th March 2020/in 1914-1918 Hampshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Butt

Other names: Sidney

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Semley, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Wandsworth, London, SW
Andover, Hampshire
Lychett Maltravers, Dorset
Blandford, Dorset
Arras, France
Bournemouth, Hampshire

Story:
Sidney Butt was born in Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, on 17th January 1886 and baptised there on 14th February 1886, the son of George Butt and Annie Butt (née Scott). He spent his early life in Donhead St. Andrew before moving to Semley, Wiltshire. He married Rosa May Hickman in Andover, Hampshire, on 10th September 1914 where they set up home. There is no record of any children of the marriage. Sidney enlisted on 11th December 1915 and was mobilized on 30th May 1916, joining the Hampshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 24809). He served in France & Flanders. In action near Arras, France, he received a serious gun shot wound to the head and neck on 17th June 1917. He was duly repatriated to the UK and by 25 Jun 1917 was a patient in the 3rd London Hospital, Wandsworth, London, SW. He was declared physically unfit for further duty and discharged on 19th December 1917. He was medically assessed and received a 100% war pension. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals plus the Silver War Badge No. 294620. The 1921 Census shows him living at 227 Stewart Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire, undergoing training with the Ministry of Labour as a Watch and Clock Repairer. At the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to Roseway, Begine Road, Lychett Maltravers, and was now working as a skilled general builders assistant. His death was recorded at the Blandford District Registry, Dorset, in 1946.

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Henry John Tuffin

18th March 2020/in 1914-1918 Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, Labour Corps, Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Tuffin

Other names: Henry John

Locations in this story:
The Street, Sutton Waldron, Dorset
France & Flanders
Sturminster Newton, Dorset

Story:
Henry John Tuffin was born in Sutton Waldron on 23rd January 1877 and baptised there on 1st April 1877, the son of Frederick James Tuffin and Sarah Anne Tuffin (née Mullins). He spent all his civilian life in Sutton Waldron. His father died in 1912. He enlisted on 18th November 1915 and was mobilized on 24th March 1916, joining the 1st Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 24987). Almost immediately he was transferred with the same Service No. to the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry with whom he served in France & Flanders. He was again transferred and attached to the 1039th Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps on 6th May 1917 (Service No. 93437). He was discharged on 15th March 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. Both the 1921 Census and 1939 Register show he was living at his old family home at 17 The Street, Sutton Waldron, Dorset, working as an Agricultural Labourer. He remained single throughout his life and died in 1967. His death was registered at the Sturminster Newton District Registry, Dorset, and he was buried at Sutton Waldron on 30th November 1967.

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Ernest Edwin Merrifield

18th March 2020/in 1914-1918 Cheshire Regiment, Royal Army Medical Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Merrifield

Other names: Ernest Edwin

Locations in this story:
Sutton Waldron, Dorset
Fontmell Magna, Dorset
Christchurch, Hampshire
Bournemouth, Hampshire
Ham Hill, Sutton Waldron
Farnborough, Kent

Story:
Ernest Edwin Merrifield was born at Sutton Waldron, Dorset on 26th August 1874 and baptised at Fontmell Magna, Dorset, on 25th October 1874, the son of Samuel Merrifield and Mary Ann Merrifield (née Polden). He spent his childhood at Ham Hill, Sutton Waldron, Dorset, with his parents. By 1891, he had moved to Christchurch, Hampshire, and later to Bournemouth, Hampshire, where he was a Motor Man for the Co-operative Society. He enlisted on 22nd February 1915 and joined the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Private (Service No 55951). He later transferred to the Cheshire Regiment (Service No. 3/28219). He served only in the UK and was discharged on 18th November 1919 as being medically unfit for which he received a small pension. He was awarded the British War Medal. The 1921 Census shows him as a patient in a hospital near Farnborough, Kent, described as a Tram Driver for Bournemouth Corporation Transport but currently out of work. By the 1939 Register he was living at 3 Roberts Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire, and was working as a Gardener. He remained single throughout his life and died in Bournemouth in 1942.

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Arthur John Wills

18th March 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Wills

Other names: Arthur John

Locations in this story:
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
Tarrant Gunville, Dorset
Tarrant Launceston, Blandford, Dorset
Poole, Dorset
East Knoyle, Wiltshire
Blandford St. Mary, Dorset

Story:
Arthur John Wills was born in Iwerne Minster, Dorset, on 16 Aug 1890 the son of John Wills and Louisa Wills (nee Kingsbury). He lived most of his early life in and around Iwerne Minster. He married Josephine Ellen Butcher at Tarrant Gunville, Dorset, on 25 Dec 1915 and they went on to have three children. He enlisted on 6 Jun 1917 and was mobilized on 9 Sep 1917 joining the 30th Recruit Distribution Battalion of the Training Reserve as a Private (Service No. TR/8/27301). He served in the UK only and on 25 Jul 1918 was transferred to the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 44917) and attached in turn to the 407th and 609th Agricultural Company's of the Labour Corps. He was discharged on 22 Oct 1919. There are no medal records available. The 1921 Census shows him living at Upton, East Knoyle, Wiltshire, working as an Agricultural Engine Driver and by the 1939 Register he had moved to Tarrant Launceston, Blandford, Dorset, working as a Dairyman on a farm. His death on 6 Jan 1969 was recorded at the Poole District Registry, Dorset, and he was later buried at Blandford St. Mary, Dorset.

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Harry James Wareham

18th March 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Wareham

Other names: Harry James

Locations in this story:
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
Iwerne Steepleton, Dorset
Salonika, Greece
Alexandria, Egypt
Sturminster, Dorset
Brook Cottage, Iwerne Minster
Vale Cottages, Shillingstone, Dorset

Story:
Harry James Wareham was born in Iwerne Minster, Dorset, on 19th September 1893, the son of William Wareham and Anna Maria Wareham (née Coombes). He spent most of his civilian life in and around Iwerne Minster. He enlisted on 1st June 1915 and joined the Royal Army Service Corps as a Driver (Service No. T4/109675). He served in Salonika from 25 Nov 1915 and Alexandria, Egypt, from 30 Aug 1918 during which time he had many bouts of malaria. He was eventually discharged on 2nd April 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He married Mary Amelia Gillingham on 21st April 1919 at Iwerne Steepleton, Dorset, and they went on to have one daughter. Currently no 1921 Census record can be found. By the 1939 Register he was living at Brook Cottage, Iwerne Minster, working as a Coal Merchant and Haulage Contractor. At the time of his death on 8th April 1973 he had moved to 16 Vale Cottages, Shillingstone, Dorset, (registered at the Sturminster District Registry, Dorset).

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Charles Kingsbury

18th March 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Medical Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Kingsbury

Other names: Charles

Locations in this story:
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
Lindfield, Sussex
Haywards Heath, Sussex
Cuckfield, Sussex
Lewes, Sussex

Story:
Charles Kingsbury was born in Iwerne Minster, Dorset, on 19th May 1875 and baptised there on 1st August 1875, the son of George Kingsbury and Melina Kingsbury (née Northover). He lived his early life in Iwerne Minster but by 1891 had moved to Cuckfield, Sussex. He married Eliza Reeves on 8th June 1901 at Lindfield Parish Church, Sussex and they went on to have five children. By 1911 he had moved to Haywards Heath, Sussex, and was working as a Commercial Traveller. He enlisted on 8th December 1915 but his mobilization was delayed until 21st June 1918 when he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps as Private (Service No. 154264). He served in the UK only at the 'C' Company Depot and was discharged on 31st January 1919. There are no medal records. Whilst no 1921 Census records can be found the 1921 Electoral Register shows him living at 31 Queens Road, Cuckfield, Sussex, which address carried over to the 1939 Register working as a Grocer's Assistant. His death is recorded in the Lewes, Sussex, Registry in 1957.

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