1914-1918 Archives - Page 115 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

John Proudley

19th October 2019/in 1914-1918 Cameron Highlanders, Dorsetshire Regiment, Labour Corps, Royal Defence Corps, Royal Scots Fusiliers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Proudley

Other names: John

Locations in this story:
Enmore Green, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Poole, Dorset
Old Wareham Road, Newton, Parkstone, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Tout Hill, Shaftesbury
Peasemarsh, Gillingham, Dorset
Sedgehill, Wiltshire

Story:
John Proudley was born in Enmore Green, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, in 1877, the son of Joseph Proudley and Mary Jane Proudley (née Bown). He lived his early life on Tout Hill, Shaftesbury, until the family had moved to Poole, Dorset, by 1901. He married Maud Phillips (born Bessie Maud Phillips) at Kingstone, Poole, Dorset, on 19th May 1902 and they went on to have five children. John enlisted on 11th December 1915 and was placed on reserve. He was embodied on 14th June 1916 and joined the 1st Garrison Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 18228). He transferred to the 1st Garrison Battalion of the Cameron Highlanders on 29th January 1917 (Service No. 28048). He was transferred then to the Royal Defence Corps (20th Protection Company) on 27th November 1917 (Service No. 48485). On the 28th June 1918 he was yet again transferred to the 13th Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers (Service No. 61567). Finally, on the 4th October 1918 he ended up with the 609th Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps (Final Service No. 670018). Having served his whole time in the UK he was demobilized on 19th March 1919 and went to live at Old Wareham Road, Newton, Parkstone, Dorset. No Medal records have been found though his Active Service form is clearly stamped 'Medal' which indicates he was entitled. The 1921 Census shows he had moved to Dewdrop Cottage, Sedgehill, Wiltshire, working as a Bacon Curer for C & G Prideaux at Motcombe, Dorset. He had later moved to Peasemarsh, Gillingham, Dorset, at the time of his death on 1st May 1938 in the Infirmary at Salisbury, Wiltshire.

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Bertram James Pike

18th October 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Pike

Other names: Bertram James

Locations in this story:
Stour Provost, Dorset
Stour Row, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Italy
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
St. James Street, Shaftesbury
Bimport, Shaftesbury

Story:
Bertram James Pike was born at Stour Provost, Dorset, on 18th January 1883 and baptised at Stour Row Church, Dorset, on 29th January 1883, the son of James Pike and Julia Agnes Christina Pike (née Bastable). He lived his early life in and around the Stour Row, Shaftesbury, area. He became a wheelwright like his father and married Lucy Maria White at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, on 17th February 1908. They went on to have one child.

Bertram enlisted on 10th December 1915 and was placed on reserve until mobilized on 30th April 1917 when he joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner Wheelwright (Service No. 158683). He served in Italy from 29 Sep 1918, the latter period with the 438th Siege Battery, and was discharged on 28th March 1919 having been awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living with his parents-in-law at 8 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Wheelwright on his own account. He then went on to live at Higher Duncliffe, Stour Provost, until, by the 1939 Register, he had moved back to 8 St James Street, Shaftesbury, now described as a Builder. His wife died in 1943 and he subsequently re-married Violet Coombs in 1951 in Shaftesbury. He died on 4th January 1954 whilst living at 25 Bimport, Shaftesbury, and was buried in the Town Cemetery, Shaftesbury, on 9 Jan 1954.

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John Pearson

18th October 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Pearson

Other names: John

Locations in this story:
Norfolk Mount, Halifax, Yorkshire
Love Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Leeds, Yorkshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Chapel Allerton, Halifax, West Yorkshire

Story:
John Pearson was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, on 16th January 1898 and baptised there at St. James Church on 10th February 1898, the son of Joseph Wild Pearson and Annie Pearson (née Barker). Shortly after his baptism the family moved to Shaftesbury, Dorset, where his father carried on business as a Bookseller, Printer and Stationer at 11 High Street, Shaftesbury. (John's mother had died in 1904 and his father re-married a Sarah Hitchens in Halifax in 1905.) He received some of his education at Shaftesbury Grammar School. John was working for the Post Office when he enlisted on 2nd March 1916 and mobilized on 23rd October 1916 joining the Royal Engineers as a Sapper (Service No. 127658). Because of his expertise he trained as a Wireless Operator and served in France from 23 Feb 1917. Whilst serving there with the East Divisional Signals Company he was gassed on 16th September 1917. He was demobilized on 14th October 1919 and gave his address as 11 High Street, Shaftesbury, where he was also recorded in the 1921 Census working as a Post Office Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. By 1927 John had moved back to Halifax where he married Doris Greenwood during 1927. They appear to have had only one child. By the 1939 Register John was living at 99 Norfolk Mount, Chapel Allerton, Halifax, West Yorkshire, working as a Post Office Sorting Clerk plus being a volunteer Fireman with the Auxiliary Fire Service. John's brother Ralph (b.1891) also served in the conflict, with the East Yorkshire Regiment and the King's African Rifles. John died in the Leeds Registry District in 1966.

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Ralph Pearson

William Peach

18th October 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Defence Corps, Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Peach

Other names: William

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury
Isle of Man

Story:
William Peach was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1874 and was baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 31st January 1875, the son of Walter Peach and Caroline Peach (nee Sims). He lived his whole life in and around Shaftesbury. He married Mary Elizabeth England on 5th January 1901 (the same year William's father died) in Shaftesbury and they appear to have had only one child. William enlisted on 25th July 1918, aged 44 years, and joined the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 54406) serving in the UK only. He transferred to the Royal Defence Corps on 18th November 1918 (Service No. 97531) and served in the Isle of Man from 23 Nov 1918 on PoW Camp duties. He was demobilized on 29th January 1919 giving his address as 11 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, where he was also shown on the 1921 Census working as a Hairdresser. No medal records can be found in this case. He died on 25th September 1936, his residence still given as 11 Salisbury Street.

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John Padfield

18th October 2019/in 1914-1918 Lancers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Padfield

Other names: John

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
India
South Africa
France & Flanders
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury

Story:
John Padfield was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 9th June 1878 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 30th June 1878 the son of John Padfield and Jane Padfield (née Moore). He lived his early life in Love Lane, Shaftesbury. He originally enlisted on 4th January 1898 and joined the 12th Lancers of the Corps of Lancers of the Line (Service No. 4356). He served in India and South Africa gaining the Queen's South African medal with three clasps and the King's South African medal with two clasps. Whilst serving in the Army he married Kate Mahony at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury on 9th February 1903 and they set up home at 3 Laundry Lane, Shaftesbury. They went on to have two children. John was discharged to the reserves on 4th January 1905 having served five years with the colours. He was mobilized on 4th August 1914 again with the 12th Lancers (New Service No. 5156). He served in France from 19th October 1914 and whilst there transferred to the 16th Lancers (Service No. 13129). He had the rank of Private throughout his military service. He was demobilized on 29th January 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. Both the 1921 Census and the 1939 Register indicate he was still at 3 Laundry Lane working as a General Builders Labourer. He died in Shaftesbury in 1941 and was buried in the Town Cemetery on 30 December 1940.

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George Padfield

17th October 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Labour Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Padfield

Other names: George

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Wandsworth, London
France & Flanders
Putney, London, S.W.
Battersea, London
Egypt
India
South Africa

Story:
George Padfield was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1871 and baptised on 7th January 1872 at St. James' Church, the son of William Padfield and Martha Ann Padfield (née Cross). His father had died in 1886. George lived in the St. James, Shaftesbury, area throughout his early years. He married Elizabeth Howard in Wandsworth, London, during 1899 and they went on to have five children. He had enlisted on 9th January 1899 and served with the 1st (Service No. 2993) and 3rd Battalions (Service No. 3/8458) of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private. He had postings to Egypt, India and South Africa, being awarded various campaign medals. He was discharged after serving 13 years. He re-enlisted on 4th October 1914 and joined the 443rd Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps as a Private (Service No. 528319). He served in France from 23 October 1914 until 7th August 1917, thereafter in the UK. He was demobilized on 6th March 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. The 1921 census shows him living at 26 Quill Lane, Putney, Surrey, working as a Bricklayer's Labourer, and later moving to 1 Gladwyn Road, Putney, London, S.W. until his death during 1932 in the Battersea, London, Registration District.

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Charles Padfield

17th October 2019/in 1914-1918 Territorial Force /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Padfield

Other names: Charles

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
St. James, Shaftesbury
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury
Coppice Street, Shaftesbury
Tanyard Lane, Shaftesbury

Story:
Charles Padfield was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 1st May 1884 and baptised at St. James Church on 15 Jun 1884 the son of John Charles Padfield and Mary Elizabeth Padfield (née Maidment). He lived all his early years in and around St. James, Shaftesbury. He married Florence Ethel Galpin in Shaftesbury in 1908. They went on to have three children.

Charles enlisted in February 1911 with the 4th (86th Provisional) Battalion (Territorial Force) as a Private (Service No. 4892). He was embodied at the outbreak of war (Service No. 1362) and was eventually discharged on 27th February 1916 having completed the five year term of his engagement. He re-enlisted 19th August 1916 and served with the 5th (Service) Battalion (Service No. 202498) and was finally demobilized on 20th March 1919. There is no indication from the limited records available that he served anywhere other than the UK. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. On discharge he gave 5 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, as his address though by the 1921 Census this had changed to 7 Salisbury Street from where he was working as a Painter and Paperhanger. By 1939 he had moved to 89 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, now described as a House Painter. When he died on 2nd February 1963 he had been living at 10 Tanyard Lane, Shaftesbury.

Two of Charles' brothers served in the war with the Dorsetshire Regiment: Alfred George (b.1888) and Edwin (b.1891).

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Ernest William Newman

17th October 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Newman

Other names: Ernest William

Locations in this story:
Sutton Waldron, Nr. Shaftesbury, Dorset
East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Norfolk War Hospital, Thorpe, Norwich, Norfolk
Maperton, Wincanton, Somerset
Yeovil, Somerset
West Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Ernest William Newman was born in Sutton Waldron, Nr. Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 28th April 1899 and baptised at the Parish Church on 28th May 1899 the son of Henry Newman and Mary Elizabeth Newman (née Burden). He lived with his family at Sutton Waldron and later at East Orchard, Shaftesbury. He enlisted on 29th April 1917 but was not embodied until 24th May 1918 when he joined the 3rd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 40979). He left for France on 12th September 1918 and was posted to the 6th Battalion. He received a gun shot wound to the shoulder on 10th October 1918 and by 15th October 1918 had been repatriated to the Norfolk War Hospital, Thorpe, Norwich, from where he was discharged back to duty after recovery on 3rd December 1918. He was demobilized on 23rd January 1919 and gave his address as 19 West Orchard, Shaftesbury. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living with his parents in West Orchard working as an Agricultural Labourer. He married Phyllis May Jackson on 3rd December 1933 in Maperton, Somerset, and they went on to have two children. By the 1939 Regsiter he was living at Clapton, Maperton, Wincanton, Somerset and working as a Farm Carter. He died in the Yeovil Registration District in 1982.

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Frederick Harry Bennett

7th October 2019/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Bennett

Other names: Frederick Harry

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Ashcombe, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Andover, Hampshire
France & Flanders
Possingworth Park, Sussex
Eastbourne, Sussex
Vicarage Road, Wallingford, Berkshire
Possingworth Park, Sussex
Waldron, Sussex

Story:
Frederick Harry Bennett was born in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, in 1889, the son of Thomas Bennett and Ann (Annie) Bennett (née Witt). He lived his early life with his family at Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, and Ashcombe, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire. He married Agnes Marjorie Ingram in the Andover Registration District, Hampshire, in 1910. He enlisted with the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 36457). He was transferred to the Devonshire Regiment (Service No. 76119) and served in France and Flanders where it is understood he was a sniper. After his discharge he was awarded the British War Medal. (There are no surviving military records in this case.) The 1921 Census shows him living at Keepers Cottage, Waldron, Sussex, working as a Gamekeeper but by the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 1 Vicarage Road, Wallingford, Berkshire. He took up a position of Gamekeeper at Possingworth Park, Sussex, where he was highly thought of. His death in 1968 was registered in the Eastbourne, Sussex, Registration District and buried at All Saints Church, Waldron, East Sussex. The tragedy is that he was one of five brothers of whom four, Bertie Harold, Walter Sam, Thomas William and Reginald George, were all killed in the conflict.

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Walter Sam Bennett
Bertie Harry Bennett
Reginald George Bennett
Thomas William Bennett

Bertie Merefield

7th October 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Merefield

Other names: Bertie

Locations in this story:
North Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Church Farm, West Stour, Dorset
France & Flanders
Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Bertie Merefield was born on 27th November 1889 in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, the son of Frederick and Mary Ellen Merefield (nee Gray). The family lived in 3 North Street, Fontmell Magna, Dorset. By the outbreak of war Bertie had moved to Church Farm, West Stour, Dorset, where he was employed as a Wheelwright. He enlisted on 11th December 1915 but was not mobilized until 16th November 1916 when he joined the Royal Engineers (Service No. 212394). He carried on his trade as a Wheelwright. He transferred to the Durham Light Infantry on 17 Sep 1917 (Service No. 77005) with whom he served in France and Flanders. He transferred back to the Royal Engineers (Service No. 212394) eventually becoming an Acting Lance Corporal. He was discharged on 14th October 1919. (Note his military records show him as Bertram but he was registered as Bertie.) He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He married Dorothy May P. Yeatman in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1928. It is not known if there were any children of the marriage. By the 1939 Register he was living at Restmor, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury and was working as a General Carpenter. He died locally in 1974. His brother, Sidney Stanley Merefield, also served in the conflict.

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