1914-1918 Archives - Page 113 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

John White

Surname: White

Other names: John

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Stendal, Germany
Sturminster Newton, Dorset
St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Layton Lane, St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bavilliers, Northern France.

Story:
John White, sometimes known as Jack, was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 23rd January 1890, the son of William White and Lydia White (née Hillier). The family lived at 8 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, for many years. His mother, Lydia, died in 1915 and shortly after Jack, who had worked as a Carpenter and Joiner, enlisted on 14th November 1915 and joined the Royal Engineers as a Sapper (Service No. 143211). He served in France and Flanders from 15 Jun 1916 with the 281st Army Transport Company and was reported missing on 30th March 1918 at Bavilliers, Northern France, with a subsequent report on 1st April 1918 that he had become a Prisoner of War, eventually ending up at a camp and Military Hospital in Stendal, Germany. Following his repatriation on 2 Dec 1918 he was attached to the 'G' Depot Company RE and was diagnosed with rheumatism caused by conditions in the POW Camp and finally discharged on 16th April 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He went back to live at 8 St. James Street, as confirmed in the 1921 Census, living with his widower father and working as a Carpenter. He married Minnie Elizabeth Davis in Shaftesbury during 1930 and set up home at 20 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury. By the 1939 Register he was living at Winterton, Layton Lane, Shaftesbury, still working as a Carpenter. His death at the early age of 50 years was registered at Sturminster, Dorset, in 1940 and he was buried in the Shaftesbury Town Cemetery on 24 Jul 1940.

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Arthur Thomas White

Harold Cecil Weldon

28th October 2019/in 1914-1918 Coldstream Guards, Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Weldon

Other names: Harold Cecil

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Bimport, Shaftesbury
Alcester House, Shaftesbury

Story:
Harold Cecil Weldon was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 9th February 1884 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 9th March 1884, the son of William Weldon and Frances Mary Weldon (née Cass). The family lived in and around the Bimport area for many years. Harold enlisted on 11th December 1915 and joined the Coldstream Guards as a Private (Service No. 20489). He was transferred at a later date to the Royal Garrison Artillery (Service No. 225765). He served in France and was eventually discharged as being physically unfit for further duty on 3rd June 1919 and received the Silver War Badge No. B222466 plus he was awarded a short-term pension due to his disability. He was also awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him working as a Fish Dealer and living in Brickhill (now Church Hill), Enmore Green, Shaftesbury. By the 1939 Register he was shown as 'Cecil' Weldon and residing in Alcester House, Shaftesbury and described as a General Labourer. He remained single according to the Register. He died in Shaftesbury in 1948 and was buried in St. James Churchyard on 6th September 1948.

Harold Cecil's brother Frederick (b.1877) also served in the war, with the Royal Army Medical Corps and the Royal Army Service Corps.

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Frederick Weldon
The National Archives

Frederick Weldon

28th October 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Medical Corps, Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Weldon

Other names: Frederick

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Kempton Park, Surrey
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Bimport, Shaftesbury
Magdalen Lane, Shaftesbury
St. James Street, Shaftesbury
Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Frederick Weldon was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 14th February 1877 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 4th March 1877, the son of William Weldon and Frances Mary Weldon (née Cass). The family lived in and around the Bimport area of Shaftesbury for many years. Frederick, who was working as a Dealer, enlisted on 3rd March 1916 but was not embodied until 18th June 1917 when he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Private (Service No. 120913) and was posted to the 6th Company. On 8th January 1918 he was transferred to the Western Command Labour Company, then part of the Army Service Corps (Service No. 506097). He was again transferred to the Royal Army Service Corps (Motor Transport Division) on 20 Feb 1918 (Service No. M/376837). His final transfer was to the VR Depot at Kempton Park (Horse Transport Company) (Service No. T/406598). Throughout his service he was posted within the UK only. His only medical problem appeared to be a case of vertigo which was reported on 16th August 1918. He was discharged on 4th March 1919 and went to live at 13 Magdalen Lane (or No. 3 per the 1921 Census), Shaftesbury, working as a Fish Hawker. There are no medal records in this case. By the 1939 Register he is shown living at 17 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, employed as a General Labourer. He remained single all of his life and died in the Salisbury, Wiltshire, Registration District in 1951.

Frederick's brother, Harold Cecil Weldon (b.1884) also served in the war, with the Coldstream Guards and the Royal Garrison Artillery.

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Harold Cecil Weldon

Cecil George Pickford Wareham

27th October 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps, Training Battalion /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Wareham

Other names: Cecil George Pickford

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salonica, Greece
Hambledon, Surrey
Church Lane, Shaftesbury
Victoria Street, Shaftesbury
High Street, Shaftesbury
Chard, Somerset

Story:
Cecil George Pickford Wareham was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 31st December 1892 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 5th February 1893, the son of George Wareham and Anna Wareham (née Pickford). The family home throughout Cecil's early life was 8 Church Lane, Shaftesbury. He enlisted on 16th August 1915 with the 3rd/1st Wessex Divisional Training Battalion as a Reserve Private (Service No. T1889). He was embodied on the 15th April 1916 with the Army Service Corps as a Driver (Service No. T4/185635). He was posted to Salonica, Greece, on 9 Aug 1916 and whilst there he had an accident in March 1918 resulting in the loss of his right middle finger. He was discharged on 8th July 1919 with an eventual gratuity in lieu of pension for his disability in addition he was also awarded the Victory and British War Medals.

The 1921 Census shows him boarding in East Street, Chard, Somerset, where he was working as a Grocery Assistant. He married Gertrude Amy Pocock at Hambledon, Surrey, in 1932 and there is evidence of at least two children. By the 1939 Register he was living at 'Quinton', Victoria Street, Shaftesbury, and described as a Wool and Draper Shopkeeper. The Kelly's Directory for that year lists his business as a "wool shop" at 37a High Street. He died in Shaftesbury on 15th April 1975.

Cecil's brother John Thomas (b.1886) also served in the war, with the Dorsetshire Regiment.

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John Thomas Wareham

Albert James Tuffin

27th October 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Tuffin

Other names: Albert James

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
South Africa
India
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
St. James, Shaftesbury

Story:
Albert James Tuffin was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 13th September 1872 and baptised there on 19th October 1872, the son of Albert Philip Tuffin and Susannah Tuffin (née Still). He spent his early years in Fontmell Magna. He had enlisted in 1890 with the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 3084). He served in South Africa and India and was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal (5 Clasps), the King's South Africa Medal (2 Clasps) and the India Medal (2 Clasps). His discharge date from this period of service is currently not known. He married Bertha Mary Lawrence in Fontmell Magna on 23 Nov 1898. They went on to have four children before Bertha died in 1910. He had re-enlisted with the 4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Territorial on 2nd April 1908 attending annual training camps but employed in civilian life as a Postman. He was embodied on 4th August 1914 and served in the UK only (Service No. 5632). He married Florence Mabel King at Holy Trinity, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 19th November 1914. There was one child of the marriage. Albert was finally discharged on 31st March 1916 having completed the terms of his engagement. There is no record of any further medals being awarded. The 1921 Census and the 1939 Register show him living at 22 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and, by 1939, was described as a retired postman. He died in Shaftesbury on 7th October 1947 and was buried at St. James Church on 11 Oct 1947.

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Sidney Wilfred Tucker

27th October 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Tucker

Other names: Sidney Wilfred

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
India
Oxley Wood Road, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire
St. James, Shaftesbury
Layton Lane, St. James, Shaftesbury

Story:
Sidney Wilfred Tucker was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 12th February 1894 and baptised at St. James' Church on 11th March 1894, the son of Gideon Tucker and Mary Elizabeth Tucker (née Foot). He lived with his parents at 25 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, throughout his early life and trained as a Tailor. He had enlisted with the 2/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment on 28th February 1911 as a Territorial (Reserve) Soldier (Service No. 1363) and attended annual training camps. He was embodied on 4th August 1914 and joined his regiment in India. On 23rd May 1916 he was discharged having completed the term of his engagement. He then went back to 25 St. James Street, Shaftesbury. On 1st August 1916 he re-enlisted with the 4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 4562). He was again posted to India, being transferred to the 29th Reserve Battalion as a Corporal (Service No. 202490). He was eventually discharged on 3rd January 1920 and went to live at 6 Layton Lane, Shaftesbury, where he was recorded in th e 1921 Census living with his parents and working as a Tailor for Messrs Pryce & Barribal, Sporting Tailors of Shaftesbury. He had been awarded the British War Medal. He later applied for the Territorial Force War Medal in 1926 but the result of this application is not known. He married Florence Amelia Thompson in Shaftesbury in 1930 and they appear to have had one child. By the 1939 Register he had moved to 178 Oxley Wood Road, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, where he is described as a Tailor (Journeyman). He died in Wolverhampton in 1977. Three of Sidney's brothers served in the war: Victor Douglas (b.1888) with the Machine Gun Corps, George Farley Tucker, who was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal while serving with the Somerset Light Infantry and Howard (b. 1886) with the Army Service Corps.

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George Farley Tucker
Victor Douglas Tucker

Albert James Tucker

27th October 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Tucker

Other names: Albert James

Locations in this story:
Stour Row, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Salisbury, Wiltshire
High Duncliffe Farm, Stour Row
Stour Provost, Dorset
Ireland

Story:
Albert James Tucker was born at Stour Row, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 1st March 1897 and baptised at Stour Provost, Dorset, on 20th June 1897, the son of Sidney William Tucker and Rosanna Tucker (née Davidge). He lived most of his life around the Stour Row area and for a number of early years at Higher Duncliffe Farm, Stour Row. He enlisted on 11th February 1916 but was not mobilized until 24th May 1918 as a Private in the 3rd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 40983). He served in France and Flanders and whilst there received both shell and gunshot wounds. The latter occurred on 12th October 1918 and it was followed by repatriation to the UK on 14th October 1918 for treatment and recovery. He also served for period in Ireland until he was discharged on 11th October 1919 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census and the 1939 Register show him living at The Stores, Stour Row, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and described as a shopkeeper. He remained single all his life and eventually died in 1966 in the Salisbury, Wiltshire, Registration District.

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Walter Edwin Stainer

22nd October 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Labour Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Stainer

Other names: Walter Edwin

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Jesty's Avenue, Broadwey, Melcombe Regis, Dorset
Weymouth, Dorset
Ireland
Dorchester, Dorset

Story:
Walter Edwin Stainer was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, on 15th January 1879, the son of Edwin Stainer and Martha Stainer (née Foot). He lived his early childhhood in Cann, Shaftesbury, until the family had, by 1891, moved away from Shaftesbury. Walter married Laura Clare on 31st March 1902 at St.Mary's Church, Melcombe Regis, Dorset, and they went on to have two children. He enlisted on 3rd September 1914 and joined the 4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 2407). He was later transferred to the 4th (Reserve) Battalion (Service No. 200743) and again, on 30th June 1917, to the 512th Home Service Company and the 628th Company of the Labour Corps (Service No. 285747). He served with the latter unit in Enniskillen and Londonderry, Ireland. He was discharged on 29th March 1919. No medal records can be found under any of the above Service Nos. The 1921 Census shows him living at 5 Louise Road, Dorchester, Dorset, working as a House Decorator. By the 1939 Register he had moved to 3 Jesty's Avenue, Broadwey, Melcombe Regis, Dorset, still working as a House Decorator. He died in Broadway on 21 Jan 1951.

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Harry Walter Stainer

22nd October 2019/in 1914-1918 Labour Corps, Territorial Force /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Stainer

Other names: Harry Walter

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Gold Hill, Shaftesbury

Story:
Harry Walter Stainer was born on 22nd September 1898 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, the son of Albert George Stainer and Martha Rosina Stainer (née Warren). The family home was at 9 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury and Harry lived there throughout his life. He enlisted on 21st September 1916 but was not mobilized until 20th August 1917 when he joined the 34th Territorial Battalion as a Private (Service No. 8/20524). He transferred to the 303rd Reserve Labour Company of the Labour Corps on 7th October 1917 and later, on the 17th November 1917, to the 649th Agricultural Company (Service No. 432205) as a Lance Corporal. He was discharged as being physically unfit, by virtue of deformed feet, on 13th March 1919. Whilst no medal record has been found there is an imprint on his Service Records which simply says 'MEDAL' and nothing else. It is assumed he may have received the Victory and British War medals but the index cards are missing. The 1921 Census and 1939 Register show he was still living at 9 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, with his sister. He was single and working as a Builders Labourer. He died locally in 1962 and was buried in the Town Cemetery, Shaftesbury on 20 Jun 1962.

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Harold George Stainer

22nd October 2019/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment, Labour Corps, Royal Air Force, Royal Flying Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Stainer

Other names: Harold George

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
St. James, Shaftesbury
Layton Lane, Shaftesbury

Story:
Harold George Stainer was born on the 30th September 1888 in Shaftesbury, Dorset and baptised at St. James' Church on 28th October 1888 the son of the George Theodore Stainer and Jane Stainer (née Young). He lived his whole life, apart from during Military Service, in St. James, Shaftesbury. He married Kate Mary King at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, on 10th September 1914. There are no records of any children.

Harold enlisted on the 7th June 1916 but was not mobilized until 12th March 1917 when he joined the Devonshire Regiment (Labour Battalion) as a Private (Service No. 59879). Shortly after on 9 June 1916 he was transferred to the Labour Corps 3rd Reserve Battalion and was posted to the 303rd Labour Company (Service No. 290276). On the 13th October 1917 he was transferred to the 191 Training Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps (which became the Royal Air Force on 1st April 1918) (Service No. 104964). He held the rank of Air Mechanic II and was employed as an Aero Rigger. He was discharged, having served the whole time in the UK, on 12th April 1919 as being unfit for further service and received the Silver War Badge No. 7071 and a short lived limited pension. There are no other obvious medal records. The 1921 Census shows him living at 1 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, described as a Cabinet Maker and by the 1939 Register he had moved to 18 Layton Lane, Shaftesbury, still working as a Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer. He died in Shaftesbury on 1st April 1955 and was buried in St. James Churchyard on 6th April 1955.

Two of Harold's siblings served in the war: Walter Charles (b.1893) with the Royal Field Artillery, and Arthur (b.1896) with the Dorset Yeomanry and Royal Garrison Artillery.

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Walter Charles Stainer
Arthur Stainer