1914-1918 Archives - Page 109 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

William Percy Norman

Surname: Norman

Other names: William Percy

Locations in this story:
Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Salonica, Greece
Epsom, Surrey
Christchurch, Hampshire

Story:
William Percy Norman was born in Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 16th February 1889, and baptised there at St. John the Baptist Church on 24th February 1889. He was the son of William Norman and Louisa Elizabeth Norman (nee Trowbridge). He spent all his early life in and around Donhead St. Mary. He enlisted on 5th August 1915 and joined the Royal Army Service Corps (Service Nos. DM2/112692 and S4/143706). He served in Salonica and the Mediterranean Theatre of War where, in due time, he rose to the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1 and held the position of Acting Staff Sergeant Major. He was discharged on 28th March 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals.

He had married Eva Theresa Rose Broomfield at Ludwell on 22nd November 1915 and they went on to have at least one child. By the 1939 Register he was living at 13 Lower Hill Road, Epsom, Surrey, and described as a Head Teacher. His death was registered at the Christchurch, Hampshire, District Registry in 1964.

Eva's brothers, Frederick John Robert Broomfield and Edward William Broomfield were both killed in the conflict whilst four other brothers served and survived: Arthur, Ernest, Harry and Walter James Broomfield.

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Arthur Broomfield

Surname: Broomfield

Other names: Arthur

Locations in this story:
Ellingham, Hampshire
Grove Arms, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Ireland
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury

Story:
Arthur Broomfield was born at Ellingham, Hampshire, on 26th January 1895, the son of Harry Jesse Broomfield and Fanny Matilda Broomfield (née Cooke). He spent his early life with his family in the Hampshire and Dorset areas where, by 1911, his father had become the landlord of the Grove Arms, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. Arthur enlisted for the war and joined the Royal Army Service Corps (Service No. M/152385) with whom he served in France and Flanders. He transferred to the Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. Following the end of the war he was posted to Ireland and was attached to the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary until it was disbanded in 1922. He was finally discharged on 4th February 1922 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals.

Arthur married Lilian Rose Dorothea Bealing at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 24th June 1919 and they went on to have three children. By 1939 Register he was shown living at 30 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, working as a Motor Mechanic. It is understood that he also served for a period in the Second World War. His death was recorded in the Salisbury, Wiltshire, Registry in 1986.

Arthur's brothers, Frederick John Robert Broomfield and Edward William Broomfield both served but were regrettably killed in action. Three more brothers served and survived the war: Ernest, Harry and Walter James. His sister, Eva Theresa Rose Broomfield had married William Percy Norman who also served and survived.

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Cyril Alfred Pitman

14th January 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Pitman

Other names: Cyril Alfred

Locations in this story:
North End Lane, Motcombe, Dorset
Church Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Cyril Alfred Pitman was born at Motcombe, Dorset, on 22nd May 1900 and baptised there on 1st July 1900, the son of Ernest Alfred Pitman and Dorcas Pitman (née Gray). He spent much of his life at the family home at 74 North End Lane, Motcombe, Dorset. He enlisted on 22nd May 1918 and was mobilized on 24th June 1918, joining the 36th Recruit Distribution Battalion of the Training Reserve (Service No. TR/27244). He was transferred to the 1156th (127th) LAMT Company of the Royal Army Service Corps on 15th November 1918 (Service No. M/398710). He served in the United Kingdom only and was eventually demobilized on 11th December 1919. There is no record of any medals being awarded. The 1921 Census shows him still living with his parents in North End Lane, Motcombe, working as a Motor Driver. He married Frances Charlotte Stone on 10th October 1923 at Motcombe, Dorset, and they went on to have three children. By the 1939 Register he was living at 8 Church Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Butcher's Roundsman and Shop Assistant. His death was recorded in the Salisbury, Wiltshire, Registration District in 1982.

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Loftus Harold Lear

8th December 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Lear

Other names: Loftus Harold

Locations in this story:
Motcombe, Dorset
Woolcotts Farm, Sherborne Causeway, Motcombe, Dorset
Egypt
Gallipoli, Turkey
Church Farm, Margaret Marsh, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Hazelbury Bryan, Dorset
Southmead, Bristol
Malta

Story:
Loftus Harold Lear was born in Motcombe, Dorset, on 12th July 1891, the son of Thomas Lear and Emma Lear (née Bastable). He lived most of his early life in the immediate area. He enlisted as a Territorial on 14 Feb 1910 with the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 449). He attended annual training camps until he was embodied on 5th August 1914. His address at the time was given as Woolcotts Farm, Sherborne Causeway, Motcombe, Dorset. He served at Gallipoli, Turkey, from 23 Apr 1915 as well as in Egypt. He contracted dysentry whilst in Gallipoli and on 14th October 1915 was transferred to hospital in Malta. From here he was repatriated to the UK on 10th December 1915 and became a patient at 2nd War Hospital, Southmead, Bristol. His discharge coincided with the termination of his engagement and he was demobilized on 4th March 1916. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him back at Woolcotts Farm living with his brother and assisting on the farm. He married Kathleen Emily Abbott on 14th April 1925 at Motcombe, Dorset. They went on to have three children. By 1931, and per the 1939 Register, he had moved to Church Farm, Margaret Marsh, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as a Dairy Farmer. He died on 21st May 1966 and was later buried at Motcombe.

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Motcombe Methodist Chapel and the Royal Oak Inn

Rufus William Inkpen

8th December 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Navy /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Inkpen

Other names: Rufus William

Locations in this story:
Motcombe, Dorset
Jutland
West Parley, Bournemouth, Dorset
Blandford, Dorset
Bittles Green, Motcombe
West Moors, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Rufus William Inkpen was born at Motcombe, Dorset, on 18th October 1884 and baptised there on 16th November 1884, the son of Edwin Thomas Inkpen (Licensee of the former Royal Oak Inn, Motcombe), and Mary Ann Inkpen (née Clack). Rufus spent his early years at the Royal Oak Inn with his parents. He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 18th October 1902 (Service No. 216884). He served on many ships in his time and held the rank of Able Seaman. After serving on various ships and shore establishments he joined HMS Thunderer, the last of the Orion-class Dreadnought Battleships, when it was commissioned on 15th June 1912. The ship entered the war and in 1916 was eighth in line at the Battle of Jutland. Rufus was eventually discharged on 8th June 1921 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/1915 Star. Acording to his discharge information he intended to live back in Motcombe at Bittles Green near his parents but the 1921 Census shows him actually boarding at 63 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as an Unemployed Labourer. He married Mabel Annie Barter on 16th April 1927 at West Moors, Dorset, and they set up home at West Parley, Bournemouth, Dorset. There appeared to be no children of the marriage. No record of the 1939 Register could be found. Rufus died on 24th November 1951 which fact was registered at the Blandford, Dorset, District Register Office though his last address on the Probate was noted as 4 Moorlands Road, West Moors, Dorset. His brother, Loftus Sam Inkpen, also served but survived the conflict.

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Frederick James Brickell

8th December 2019/in 1914-1918 Monmouthshire Regiment, Welsh Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Brickell

Other names: Frederick James

Locations in this story:
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Tredegar, Monmouthshire
France & Flanders
Bedwelty, Monmouthshire

Story:
Frederick James Brickell was born in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, (Parish of Motcombe) on 5th April 1884 the son of Thomas Brickell and Elizabeth Brickell (née Hoskins). He spent a very short time of his early life in Enmore Green before the family moved to Tredegar, Bedwellty, Monmouthshire, where his father obtained work in the coal mines. Frederick, now a miner himself, married Margaret Ann Bevan in Bedwellty on 26 Dec 1905 and they went on have three children. He enlisted on 1st September 1914 as a Private with the 1/3rd Battalion of the Monmouthshire Regiment (Service No. 2128). He served in France and Flanders from 13 Feb 1915 where he was gassed on three occasions during 1915 and also received a gunshot wound in his left arm. He was transferred to the 4th Reserve Battalion of the Welsh Regiment on 21st September 1916 (Service No. 53750). He soon joined the 9th Battalion in the field. During 1918 he was accused of desertion but this was dealt with by forfeiture of pay and bonuses and no trial was held. Despite all this he was awarded the Military Medal. He was discharged on 7th January 1919 and additionally awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He made a claim for a pension in 1919 due to the gassing and the gunshot wound that had previously occurred. After a considerable number of medicals he was awarded a limited pension. His address at the time, and on the 1921 Census, was 56 York Terrace, Tredegar, Bedwellty, Monmouthshire. His wife regrettably died in 1925 and he went on to re-marry Sarah Ann Durham in Bedwelty, Monmouthshire in 1929. His death was recorded in Tredegar on 1st December 1959. Frederick's younger brother Alfred John (b.1886) also enlisted with the Monmouthshire Regiment and transferred to the Welsh Regiment, but he sadly died in Flanders in 1917.

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Alfred John Brickell

Harry Rideout

7th December 2019/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Rideout

Other names: Harry

Locations in this story:
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Blandford St. Mary, Dorset
Newtown, Charlton Marshall, Blandford, Dorset
Corfe Mullen, Dorset
Poole. Dorset

Story:
Harry Rideout was born at Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 15th July 1885, the son of Ephriam Rideout and Ellen Rideout (née Sharp). He lived most of his early life at Ashmore. He married Emma Rosetta Fry on 16th May 1910 at Blandford St. Mary, Dorset, and they went on to have three children. Harry enlisted on 8th September 1914 as a Private with the 4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 2518 later changed to 200834). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but he was demobilized on 20th March 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. He made a claim for loss of sight which was finally rejected on 9th May 1922 as being not incurred due to military service. The 1921 Census shows him living at Knoll Lane, Corfe Mullen, Dorset, working as a Carter on a Farm. By 1924 he had moved, and was still register at in the 1939 Register, living at 2 Newtown, Charlton Marshall, Blandford, Dorset, described as an 'Odd Man - Heavy Worker'. He died in the Poole, Dorset, Registration District in 1970.

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Henry Frank Wilkins

6th December 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Hampshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Wilkins

Other names: Henry Frank

Locations in this story:
Farnham, Dorset
Chickerell, Dorset
France & Flanders
Dozinghem Military Cemetery, West Flanders, Belgium
Milborne St. Andrew, Blandford, Dorset.
Camberwell, London
Abingdon, Berkshire

Story:
Henry Frank Wilkins was born in Farnham, Dorset, in 1887 and baptised there on 19th June 1887, the son of Henry Wilkins and Julia Wilkins (née Mills). He lived his early years in and around Farnham, Dorset. He married Emily Ethel Harborne at St. Bartholemew's Church, Camberwell, London, on 5th March 1910 and they set up home at Chickerell, Dorset. They went on to have two children. Due to lack of military records it is not known when Henry enlisted for service but he was in France and Flanders as a Private with the 2nd Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment (Service No. 29739) when he died of wounds on 10th July 1917 in Belgium. There is a note that he had previously been with the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 15107). He was buried at the Dozinghem Military Cemetery, West Flanders, Belgium. (Grave Reference l.B.15). He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. the 1921 Census shows his wife living at Little England, Milborne St. Andrew, Blandford, Dorset, and Henry's name appears on the Village War Memorial there. By the 1939 Register his wife was living in Abingdon, Berkshire, and she died there in 1948.

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Arthur Eldred Woolfries

6th December 2019/in 1914-1918 Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, Labour Corps, Northumberland Fusiliers, Somerset Light Infantry, Worcestershire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Woolfries

Other names: Arthur Eldred

Locations in this story:
Farnham, Dorset
Stroud Farm, Sturminster, Dorset

Story:
Arthur Eldred Woolfries was born in Farnham, Dorset, on 9th October 1892 and baptised there on 20th November 1892, the son of Francis Woolfries and Elizabeth Annie Woolfries (née Jeans). He spent much of his early life in and around Farnham. He enlisted on 9th December 1915 but was not mobilized until 8th February 1916 when he joined the 1st Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 33851). He was transferred to the 3rd Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry on 9th September 1916 (Service No. 21227) then on three other occasions to 10th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry (14th November 1916) (Service No. 33065), the Northumberland Fusiliers (14th July 1917) (Service No. 55155) and finally the 683rd Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps (20th February 1918) (Service No. 528523). Throughout his military service he was apparently based in the UK. He was finally discharged on 3rd April 1919 and went back to his parents home in Farnham. No medal records have been found in this case. The 1921 Census shows him living with his sister at Sutton Steeple, Arne, Dorset, working as a Farm Labourer. By the 1939 Register he had moved to Stroud Farm, Sturminster, Dorset, and described as a Farmer. He apparently had moved to Meadow Farm, Trinity, Jersey, and was held on the Island following the German Invasion on 10 Jan 1941. He survived this experience but remained single throughout his life and eventually died 13 Mar 1961 back in Farnham, Dorset, being buried there at St. Lawrence Church on 16th March 1961. Of his brothers Edwin Woolfries served but regrettably died at Gallipoli whilst Harry Woolfries and Charles Woolfries both served and survived.

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Harry Woolfries
Edwin Woolfries

Harry Lucas

5th December 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Medical Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Lucas

Other names: Harry

Locations in this story:
Tollard Royal. Wiltshire
Farnham, Dorset
Bournemouth, Hampshire
Moss Side, South Manchester, Lancashire
Chester

Story:
Harry Lucas was born in Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, on 5th June 1895, the son of Thomas Lucas and Bessie Lucas (née Matcham). He lived much of his early life around Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, and Farnham, Dorset. His parents ran the Post Office at Farnham for many years and Harry eventually became a postman. He enlisted on 3rd March 1916 but was not mobilized until 4th April 1917 when he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Private (Service No. 110442). He served in the UK only due to the fact he had a glass eye fitted at Chester War Hospital, Chester. He was also based for a time at the 3rd Western General Hospital. He was demobilized on 8th December 1919. There are no medal records for Harry. He had married Flora Booth in Poole, Dorset, on 4 May 1918 and they had at least one child. The 1921 Census shows him living with his parents-in-law who lived at 29 Carlton Street, Moss Side, South Manchester, Lancashire. He lost his job as a Postman due to unfortunate reasons and the 1939 Register shows him at 20 Richmond Mansions, Richmond Gardens, Bournemouth, Hampshire, working as a Shop Assistant (Newsagent & Tobacconist). His death was recorded in Bournemouth during 1943.

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