1914-1918 Archives - Page 112 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

John George Day

Surname: Day

Other names: John George

Locations in this story:
Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Woodyates, Pentridge, Dorset
France & Flanders
Penn Hill Road, Parkstone, Poole, Dorset
Branksome, Dorset
Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France
Appleby Road, Upper Parkstone, Poole, Dorset

Story:
John George Day was born at Sixpenny Handley, Dorset, in 1874, the son of Charles Day and Jane Day (née Cookman). He lived most of his early life in and around Sixpenny Handley and nearby Woodyates, Pentridge, Dorset. He married Emily Agnes Martin on 6th October 1897 at Pentridge and they had one child, Stewart Arbuthnot Day (b. 1898 in Branksome, Dorset). Regrettably Emily died in 1909. John went on to re-marry Adelaide Ellen Rogers at Parkstone, Poole, Dorset, on 12th November 1910. There were no children of this marriage. John enlisted on 24th June 1916 but was not mobilized until 14th June 1918 when he joined the Royal Army Service Corps (Motor Transport) as a Driver (Service No. T/422713). He served in France from 9 Aug 1918 and was demobilized on 4th March 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. Tragically his son, Stewart, was killed on 3 Dec 1917 whilst serving with the Gloucestershire Regiment in France and whose name is recorded on the Cambrai Memorial, Louveral, France. The 1921 Census shows John living at 'Neath', Appleby Road, Upper Parkstone, Poole, Dorset, working as a Bricklayer and later, at the time of his death on 25th June 1930, at Prestbury, Penn Hill Road, Parkstone, Dorset. He was buried in Branksome Cemetery.

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Leo Bennett Reeves

Surname: Reeves

Other names: Leo Bennett

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salonika, Greece
Weymouth, Dorset
Pimperne, Dorset
University Road, Southampton, Hampshire

Story:
Leo Bennett Reeves was born on 15th August 1893 in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised there on 8th October 1893, the son of Walter William Reeves and Emily Reeves (née Bennett). He lived with his family during his early years in West Street, Fontmell Magna. By 1911 he had moved to Weymouth, Dorset, working as a baker. At the outbreak of war his firm were making bread for the military. He enlisted on 2 Nov 1915 and joined the 21st Field Bakery of the Army Service Corps (Service No. S4/145269). He served in Salonika from 24 Dec 1916 and was eventually demobilized on 19th August 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Frances Harris in Pimperne, Dorset, on 25th August 1920 and they set up home in Pimperne where, by the 1921 Census, he was working as a Baker's Saleman. No 1939 Register record can be found. In 1984 he was living at 141 University Road, Southampton, Hampshire, where he died on 14th Aug 1984 aged 91 years.

Leo's father and brother Maurice Vernon also served in the war and survived. Sadly brother Cecil John died in a military hospital in Suffolk on 9th May 1917, having also served as a baker with the Army Service Corps.

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Cecil John Reeves
Walter William Reeves
Maurice Vernon Reeves

Harry Dennis

16th November 2019/in 1914-1918 Cameron Highlanders, Dorsetshire Regiment, Labour Corps, Seaforth Highlanders /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Dennis

Other names: Harry

Locations in this story:
Church Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Nairn, Scotland
Merryton, Morayshire, Scotland

Story:
Harry Dennis was born on 11th November 1884 in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised there on 28th December 1884, the son of John Dennis and Ellen Dennis (née Jeffrey). He lived with his family in Church Street, Fontmell Magna, until he enlisted on 6th May 1902 and joined the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 4696). He transferred to the 3rd Volunteer Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders on 10th April 1907 and later the 6th Battalion (Service No. 8920). On the 2nd December 1910 he transferred yet again to the 4th Battalion of the Cameron Highlanders (Service No. 899). During this time he had progressed from the rank of Private to Sergeant. He was posted to France at the outbreak of war and on 19th March 1915 was wounded in action and was posted back to the UK with yet another Service No. 200050. On his recovery he joined the 7th Division (Salvage Company) of the Labour Corps as he was considered unfit for field duty (Service No. 222325). He was discharged on 22nd February 1919 and a few days later, on 26th February 1919, married Helen Dunbar in Nairn, Scotland. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals, the 1914/15 Star and the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal. He re-enlisted with the Labour Corps on 9th April 1920 until finally discharged on 8th April 1923. The 1939 Register shows him living at Denson Villa, Merryton, Morayshire, Scotland, described as Laundry Manager (Proprietor). He died in Nairn, Scotland, in 1953.

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Reginald John Creed

16th November 2019/in 1914-1918 227th Infantry Brigade, 9th (Secunderabad) Division, Royal Field Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Creed

Other names: Reginald John

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
Tisbury, Wiltshire
India
Stockbridge Road, Winchester, Hampshire

Story:
Reginald John Creed was born in Semley, Wiltshire, on 8th September 1891 and baptised there on 6th December 1891, the son of Charles Edmund Creed and Cymbriana Green Creed (née Berry). He lived with his family near Church Farm, Semley, Wiltshire. He was a Wheelwright and Carpenter when he enlisted on 7th December 1915 and mobilized on 4th March 1916, joining the Royal Field Artillery 3/3rd Brigade. (Service No. 2951). He served in India from 16 Jun 1916 joining the 9th (Secunderabad) Division of the British Indian Army (Service No. 861184). He again transferred to the 1103rd Battery of the 227th Brigade on 1st January 1917 (Service No. 288402). Throughout he was a Gunner in rank though his wheelwright skills were well used. He was released early to work with his father's business at Semley on 23rd February 1919. He was awarded the British War Medal only. No 1921 Census record can be found. He married Mary L. Williams in the Tisbury Registry area in 1926 and they went on to have one son. Regrettably his wife died in 1929. By the 1939 Register he was living as a widower at 25 Stockbridge Road, Winchester, Hampshire, and was described as an Allotments Secretary (Disabled). He died at Winchester on 10th August 1957.

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Richard William Brown

16th November 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Royal Army Medical Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Brown

Other names: Richard William

Locations in this story:
Sutton Waldron, Nr. Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Highworth Road, Lower Stratton, Swindon, Wiltshire
Dorchester, Dorset
Pennington, Neasr Lymington, Hampshire

Story:
Richard William Brown was born in Sutton Waldron, Nr. Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1886 and baptised there on 22nd August 1886, the son of Frederick Brown and Emily Brown (née Mullens). He lived his early life in and around Sutton Waldron and Fontmell Magna, Dorset. He enlisted as a Territorial Reservist with the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 1985) prior to the outbreak of war gaining experience of Field Hospitals. He married Grace Lilian Herbert at Lower Stratton, Wiltshire on 4th December 1912 and they went on to have two children. He was mobilized on 14th June 1915 with the Royal Army Medical Corps (Territorial Force) (Service No. 88407) and joined the 77th Field Ambulance serving in France on 14 Jun 1917. He received a gun shot wound in the left thigh on 25th May 1918 and was repatriated to the UK on 26th July 1918, receiving treatment in various military hospitals until 2nd January 1919. He was discharged on 8th March 1919 and gave his address as 12 Highworth Road, Lower Stratton, Swindon, Wiltshire. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals plus a limited pension. Both the 1921 Census and the 1939 Register show him living in Highworth Road, Lower Stratton, (or Stratton St. Margaret), Highworth, Wiltshire, and was described as a Pattern Store Manager (GWR). He died in the Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester, Dorset, on 5 Oct 1963 having been previously living in Pennington, Near Lymington, Hampshire.

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Ernest John Biddiscombe

16th November 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Biddiscombe

Other names: Ernest John

Locations in this story:
Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Sherborne, Dorset
Mere, Wiltshire
Salisbury Road, Ludwell

Story:
Ernest John Biddiscombe was born on 3rd August 1879 in Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, the son of Henry Biddiscombe and Emma Foot Biddiscombe (née Smart). Apart from his war service Ernest spent his whole life in and around Ludwell. He married Rose Park in Sherborne, Dorset, on 20th June 1906 and they went on to have four children. Ernest's brother Arthur James (b.1877) joined the Welsh Regiment and died in Flanders on 6th November 1914. Ernest enlisted on 7th December 1915 and was issued with a Reservist's Khaki Armband No. 57825 to wear until mobilized on 17th August 1916 when he joined the Royal Engineers (Service No. 185119) becoming in time a Corporal. On 1st January 1917 he was transferred to the 445th (Welsh) Company, Railway Operating Division, and was posted to France on 23rd March 1917 (New Service No. 448719). He then transferred again to the R.E. (ROD) with a new Service No. WR/282836 on 9th September 1917. He was discharged on 13th March 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. His address throughout was consistently shown as Hope Cottage, Salisbury Road, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, confirmed in the 1921 Census as well as the 1939 Register and always described as a Builder. He death was registered at the Mere, Wiltshire, Registry on 16th May 1959.

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Arthur James Biddiscombe

William John Barter

16th November 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps, Royal West Kent Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Barter

Other names: William John

Locations in this story:
Grove Inn, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
South Dulwich, London
Upper Norwood, London, S.E. 19
High Street, Sheppey, Kent
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
William John Barter was born in Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire on 3rd October 1876 and baptised there on 29 Oct 1876 the son of Ebenezer Barter and Bessie Ann Barter (née Down). He lived with his parents most of his early life at the Grove Inn, Ludwell, where his father was the licensee. He received some of his education at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He married Lucy Gladys Trowbridge at St. Stephen's Church, South Dulwich, London, on 23rd April 1914 and they went on to have one child. William was living at 15 Colby Road, Upper Norwood, London, S.E. 19 when he was enlisted on 3rd August 1916 and joined the Army Service Corps 2/1st Kent Cyclist Battalion (Service No. 2644). His unit eventually came under the command of the Royal West Kent Regiment (New Service No. 266568). He served in the UK only and was eventually discharged on 19th February 1919. There are no medal records for his service though he may have been entitled to the Victory and British War Medals. The 1921 Census shows him back living at 15 Colby Road, Upper Norwood, working as a Clerk for the Ministry of Labour. By the 1939 Register he had moved to 92 High Street, Sheppey, Kent, and was described as a Tobacconist and Confectioner. He died in Sheppey, Kent, during 1945.

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Motcombe Methodist Chapel and the Royal Oak Inn

William James Arnold

15th November 2019/in 1914-1918 Dragoon Guards, Royal Field Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Arnold

Other names: William James

Locations in this story:
The Street, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Canterbury, Kent
India
York, Yorkshire
Birmingham, Warwickshire
Brighton, Sussex

Story:
William James Arnold was born in Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1876 and baptised in Motcombe on 3rd September 1876, the son of Thomas Arnold and Thirza Arnold (née Case). He lived with his parents in The Street, (adjacent to the old Royal Oak Inn), Motcombe, until by 1901 he had joined the 1st Battalion of the Royal Dragoon Guards (Service No. 4464). By 1901 he was stationed in Canterbury, Kent, from where he did service in India. He married Christina Haddock in York, Yorkshire, on 18th November 1903 and, by 1911, he was on Reserve and living at 9 Ped Buildings, Ped Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, working as a Railway Carman. His wife died on 18th July 1915 (leaving three children) shortly after he had enlisted on 5th May 1915 and joined the Royal Field Artillery, 64th Brigade, No. 4 Depot, as a Shoeing Smith (Service No. 98883). He served in France from 3 Jun 1915 and promoted to Corporal Shoeing Smith and whilst there, on 10th August 1918, he was diagnosed with a tumour on his chest. He was repatriated to the UK on 15th August 1918 and admitted to the 18th General Hospital, Brighton, Sussex. On the 12th October 1918 he re-married Mary Vokins (née Gill) (widow of Robert Vokins) at Holy Trinity, Micklegate, York. He was eventually discharged on 14th March 1919 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star though it is recorded the medals were returned to the issuing office. The 1921 Census shows him living at 106 Charlotte Street, Birmingham, working as a Porter for the LNWR following this he moved in 1923 to 1 The Avenue, Ellen Street, Spring Hill, Birmingham, and died there during 1938 aged 61 years.

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William Henry Allen

29th October 2019/in 1914-1918 Grenadier Guards /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Allen

Other names: William Henry

Locations in this story:
Underhill, East Knoyle, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Southwark, London
Battersea, London
Lambeth, London
Chingford, Essex

Story:
William Henry Allen was born at East Knoyle, Wiltshire on 7 Dec 1892 and baptised there on 26th February 1893, the son of Henry Allen and Matilda Ann Allen (née Flower). He lived during his early years with his parents at 54 Underhill, East Knoyle. He enlisted on 15th October 1913 and joined the 5th (Reserve) Battalion of the Grenadier Guards as a Private (Service No. 16790). He married Elsie M. Early at St. Jude's Church, Southwark, London on 28th June 1914. There was one child of the marriage. He was posted to France on 8 Nov 1914 and joined the 1st Battalion where he was severely wounded by a shell including losing two toes. He was discharged as being unfit for further service on 8th April 1916. He was awarded the Silver War Badge No. 157395. There is no record of any other medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at 5 Tracey Street, Lambeth, London, working as a Telephonist and by the 1939 Register living at 50 Sinclair Road, Chingford, Essex, as a Night Telephonist. He died in the Battersea, London, Registration District in 1958. His brother, Percy Victor Allen, also served in the conflict.

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Herbert Alford

29th October 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Alford

Other names: Herbert

Locations in this story:
The Street, Motcombe, Dorset
Guillemont, France
Kinson, Wallis Down, Bournemouth, Dorset
Axbridge, Somerset
Devizes, Wiltshire

Story:
Herbert was born in Motcombe, Dorset, on 28th August 1890, the son of Sidney Herbert Alford and Clara Jane Alford (née Marshall). He lived with his family in The Street, Motcombe. By 1911 he was boarding in Kinson, Wallis Down, Dorset, where he married Elsie Mary Maud Williams at St. Andrews Church, Kinson, on 5th June 1911. There were three children of the marriage. He enlisted on 9th December 1915 but was not mobilized until 12th April 1916 when he joined the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 17410). He served in France and Flanders from 26 Jul 1916 and Whilst serving at Guillemont, France, he received a Shell Shrapnel Wound in the left foot on 3th September 1916. He was repatriated to the UK on 9th September 1916, at the same time transferring to the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (Service No. 31636). He was admitted to the B178 Military Hospital on 10th September 1916 where he remained until 5th January 1917. The medical report after his recovery indicated that his foot was now deformed and pieces of shrapnel remained embedded. He was declared unfit for further service and discharged with a limited period pension on 16th March 1917. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as Silver War Badge No. 145625. The 1921 Census shows him living in Canford Road, Kinson, Bournemouth, working as a Firewood Merchant. By the 1939 Register he moved to Sunny Mead, Axbridge, Somerset, working as a gardener. According to family records he died during 1954 in the Devizes, Wiltshire, area. Of his brothers, James Alford and Bertie Alford, both served and survived the conflict.

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