1914-1918 Archives - Page 121 of 164 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Rivers Harrison Francis

Surname: Francis

Other names: Rivers Harrison

Locations in this story:
Motcombe, Dorset
Andover, Hampshire
Fernhill Road, New Milton, Nr. Lymington, Hampshire
Southampton
Burley, Hampshire

Story:
Rivers Harrison Francis was born on 31st March 1883 in Motcombe, Dorset, the son of Edwin Francis and Harriet Fanny Francis (née Lambert). He lived with his parents in The Street, Motcombe, during his childhood until moving to Andover, Hampshire, where he met and married Edith Lydia E. Rawlins on 19th December 1907. They went on to have three children. Rivers had previous military reserve service with the Dorsetshire Regiment and, when embodied, joined the 30th Distribution Battalion Training Reserves with his previous rank of Sergeant (Service No. TR/8/27351). He was transferred to the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment on 6th July 1918 (Service No. 45974). He is known to have served for a time in Ireland. He was discharged on 29th November 1919. Medal records cannot be found. The 1921 Census shows he was living at @brightwell', Bestone Road, Burley, Hampshire, working as a Carpenter for the Forestry Commission. By the 1939 Register he had moved to 'Danebury', Fernhill Road, New Milton, Nr. Lymington, Hampshire. He died on 3rd March 1969 in the Southampton Registry area.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Stanley Charles Foote

Surname: Foote

Other names: Stanley Charles

Locations in this story:
St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France
Newark, Nottinghamshire
Hampstead, London
Paddington, London

Story:
Stanley Charles Foote was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1893 but not baptised until 14th March 1895 at St. James Church, the son of Absolem and Matilda Foote. By 1911 the family were living at 42 St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset. Stanley enlisted on 8th September 1914 and joined the Royal Engineers eventually rising to the rank of 2/Corporal (Service No. 48668). Whilst serving in France from 27 Jul 1915 with the 2nd Company of the 24th Battalion he received serious gun shot wounds to the left thigh and was in the Field Hospital on 2nd July 1916. He was transferred to the 20th General Hospital, Newark, Nottinghamshire, on 9th July 1916. He eventually returned to his unit on 5th September 1916. He was reported in dispatches on the 1st July 1916 for gallantry and good conduct in the field plus devotion to duty. Regrettably nothing appeared to come out of this and even on his medal roll there is a query "why no award?". On his return to England he was employed as a Printing Office Clerk until his demobilization on 1st March 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals and the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows he was living at 116 Fernhead Road, Paddington, London, working as a Printer and Compositor. He married Ethel Walsh on 9th June 1923 in Hampstead, London, and they went on to have two children. Regrettably Stanley died in 1928 aged only 34 years and was buried in Hendon Cemetery on 3 Oct 1928.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Frank Francis

24th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Labour Corps, Rifle Brigade, Royal Surrey Regiment, Royal Warwickshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Francis

Other names: Frank

Locations in this story:
East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Hailsham, Sussex
France
Sackville Gardens, East Grinstead, Sussex

Story:
Frank Francis was born at East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 21st September 1888, the son of Frederick Francis and Elizabeth Jane Francis (née Moore). He spent all of his early life in and around East Orchard. He married Ada Chorley at East Orchard on 13th April 1914 and they went on to have two children. Frank enlisted on 11th December 1915 but was not embodied until 29th May 1916 when he joined the Royal Warwickshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 5805). He was transferred to the 25th (Reserve) Battalion of the Rifle Brigade (Service No. 2134) on 26th August 1916 and again to the Royal Surrey Regiment on 5th March 1917 and, finally, to the 443rd Agricultural (134th Labour Company) of the Labour Corps (Service No. 79957). He had served in France from 26 Aug 1916 and was demobilized on 22nd February 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. By the 1939 Register he and his family had moved to 24 Sackville Gardens, East Grinstead, Sussex, where he worked as a Corn Merchant's Labourer. He died in the Hailsham, Sussex, Registry area in 1963 and was eventually buried at East Orchard, Dorset, on 8 Jan 1963 .

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Douglas Harold Brine

11th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Navy /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Brine

Other names: Douglas Harold

Locations in this story:
Sherborne Causeway, Motcombe, Dorset
Hillview, East Stour, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Douglas Harold Brine was born at Sherborne Causeway, Motcombe, Dorset, on 13th December 1895. He was the son of John Brine and Louisa Brine (née Prior) and brother of Albert (b.1887) and Frank (b.1889), both of whom died in the Great War and Percival who served and survived. He lived most of his childhood with his family at Sherborne Causeway.

He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 21st August 1913 (Service No. K19991). During his time he served on a number of ships, the last one being HMS Centurion - a King George V-class Dreadnought battleship - as a Stoker (1st Class). He was discharged on 18th April 1922 following completion of his engagement. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. He married Katherine Sarah Francis in 1931 in the Shaftesbury, Dorset, Registration District. They went on to have four children. By the time of the 1939 Register he and his family were living at Hillview, East Stour, Dorset, and he was working as a Roadman for the Dorset County Council. He died on 24th November 1940 in Salisbury General Hospital, Wiltshire.

Douglas' cousin Reginald Brine also served in the Royal Navy but sadly died on board HMS Lion in 1918.

Source:
Photograph of the Brine family home on Sherborne Causeway provided by Nigel Garrett.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Albert Brine
Frank Brine
Reginald Henry Brine
Percival Brine

William Henry Fletcher

11th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment, Machine Gun Corps, Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Fletcher

Other names: William Henry

Locations in this story:
Higher Coombe, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
France
Egypt
Salonika, Greece
Willinghdon Road, Wood Green, Middlesex
Haringey, Greater London
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
William Henry Fletcher was born at Higher Coombe, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 30th October 1894 and baptised at Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 6th January 1895. He was the son of William Fletcher and Charlotte Ann Fletcher (née Watts) and brother of Sidney Frank (b.1892) who was killed during the Great War. During his childhood William lived with his family at Higher Coombe. He enlisted on 10th September 1914 with the Somerset Light Infantry (Service No. 14253) but was immediately placed on reserve. He rejoined on 22nd September 1914 and was transferred to the 10th (Service) Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment on 30th September 1914 (Service No. 13507). He embarked for France on 22nd September 1915 and on 31st October 1915 re-embarked for Egypt. He then served in Salonika during which time he transferred to the Machine Gun Corps on 14th August 1917 (Service No. 74545) and was attached to the 79th Company (Tank Corps). He suffered during his time in the Near East with malaria and had various spells in hospital. Nevertheless on the 22nd December 1918 he was promoted to Sergeant. He embarked for England on 11th April 1919 and was eventually demobilized on 25th May 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. By the 1939 Register he is shown living at 157 Willingdon Road, Wood Green, Middlesex, working as a hotel valet. He remained single and died in the Haringey, Greater London, Registry District in 1981. Two other brothers, Percy Edwin John Fletcher and Victor Reginald Fletcher, also served and survived.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Sidney Frank Fletcher

William Fanner

11th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Fanner

Other names: William

Locations in this story:
Melbury Road, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France
Bute Road, Croydon, Surrey
Butts Knapp, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Tisbury, Wiltshire
Islington, London
Croydon, Surrey

Story:
William Fanner was born on 19th December 1897 at Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, the son of James Fanner and Harriet Jane Fanner (née Stacey). His siblings included Frederick, who served in the Dorsetshire Regiment and the Royal Horse Artillery. The family lived at 4 Melbury Road, Melbury Abbas for a time before moving to Butts Knap, Cann, Shaftesbury by 1901.

William enlisted on the 3rd June 1916 and was mobilized on 25th September 1916 when he joined the Royal Army Service Corps as a Private (Service No. 223395). He served in France from 25 Mar 1917 with the 25th Motor Ambulance Company. At one time he was marked down as a deserter (following home leave) and on 30th May 1919 an inquiry was held. Unbeknown to the authorities he had been in hospital and this had not been recorded. Consequently the charge of desertion was duly dropped on 2nd July 1919. He was demobilized on 28th November 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living with an Uncle at 53 Marlborough Road, Islington, London, working as a Chauffeur. He married Grace Clara Coleman in 1924 in the Tisbury, Wiltshire, Registration District. They went on to have two children. By the 1939 Register he and his family were living at 36 Bute Road, Croydon, Surrey, described as a Motor Driver. His death was registered in Croydon during 1969.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Frederick Fanner

St. James Street junction with Tanyard Lane

Tom William Dennis

11th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Dennis

Other names: Tom William

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Hereford
Chestnut Grove, New Malden, Surrey
Brighton, Sussex
France
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Tan Yard Court, St. James, Shaftesbury
Acton, Middlesex

Story:
Tom William Dennis was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1879 and baptised at St. James' Church on 28th December 1879, the son of John Dennis and Emma Jane Dennis (née Blandford). He spent his first few years living with the family in Tan Yard Court, St. James, Shaftesbury, until the family moved to Hereford. Tom married Ruby Hilda Philips in New Malden, Surrey, on 22nd June 1911. They went on to have one child. Tom enlisted on 2nd November 1915 (giving his address as 102 Chestnut Grove, New Malden, Surrey) and joined the Army Service Corps (Service No. SS/21328). He rose to the rank of Corporal and served in France from 16 Dec 1915 being eventually demobilized on 6th February 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows he was living at 5 Bayham Road, Acton, Middlesex, working as a Newspaper Ledger Clerk for the Times Newspapers. His death on the 5th September 1937 was registered at the Brighton, Sussex, Registry.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Samuel Thomas Dennis

10th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Dennis

Other names: Samuel Thomas

Locations in this story:
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France
Wandsworth, London
Belleville Road, Clapham Junction, London, SW
Weston Super Mare, Somerset

Story:
Samuel Thomas Dennis was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 21 Dec 1887, the son of Thomas Dennis and Emily Norton Dennis (née Barnes). The family lived at 31 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, according to Census records, from 1891 to 1911. Samuel moved to London and married Isabella Brickell at St. Luke's Church, Wandsworth, London, on 11th February 1909. They went on to have one daughter.

He enlisted on 10th May 1915 and joined the Royal Army Service Corps (604th Mechanical Transport Company) as a Driver (Service No DM2/097161). He served in France from 9 Sep 1915 and was eventually discharged on 1st July 1919, giving his address as 31 Belleville Road, Clapham Junction, London, SW. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. On 20th November 1919 he made a belated application for a pension based on an accident in the field when a lorry ran over his foot. This was considered by a panel but rejected with the exception that he received the sum of £35 as a gratuity in lieu. Both the 1921 Census and 1939 Register show he was still living at 31 Belleville Road, (now) Wandsworth, London, working as a Compositor. He died in the Weston Super Mare, Somerset, Registration District in 1965.

Samuel's brother Ernest Edwin (b.1895) also served in the war, with the Royal Marine Artillery.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Ernest Edwin Dennis

Robert Dean

9th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Dean

Other names: Robert

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Enmore Green, Motcombe, Dorset
Newark, Nottinghamshire
Headstone Lane, Harrow, Middlesex
France
The Rhine Area, Germany
Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Brent, Greater London

Story:
Robert Dean was born on 26 Feb 1894 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, on 1st April 1894 the son of Herbert Francis Dean, a carpenter, and Kate Ellen Dean (née Adams). By 1901 the family had moved to Enmore Green, Motcombe, Dorset. By 1911 Robert was working as carpenter's apprentice. He enlisted on 3rd December 1915 but was not mobilized until 22nd January 1916 when he joined the Royal Engineers as a Private (Service No. 146048). After training and passing his proficiency Test as a Carpenter he was posted to France on 25 Jun 1916 as a Sapper. Records show he was admitted to hospital in December 1916 after which he returned to duty. He was admitted to hospital again on 3rd August 1917 and transferred back to England on 24th August 1917 to the Red Cross Hospital at Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, where he remained until 24th October 1917. Just prior to his hospitalization he was awarded the Military Medal whilst serving with the 155th Field Company per an announcement in the London Gazette on 17th July 1917 - no citation can be found except for a medal certificate. The medal awarded was numbered 93815. Following his recovery he was posted to the 17th Field Company on 3rd April 1918. After the Armistice he found himself in the Rhine Area of Germany and it was from here he proceeded to England for discharge on 30th September 1919. He was also awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Dorothy Nellie Pepper on 8 Nov 1919 at Christ Church, Newark, Nottinghamshire. They went on to have two children. The 1921 Census shows him living at 44 Askern Road, Carcroft, Adwick le Street, West Riding, Yorkshire, working still as a Carpenter on buildings. By the 1939 Register he had moved to 64 Headstone Lane, Harrow, Middlesex, where he was described as a carpenter and joiner. He died in the Brent, Greater London, area during 1971 aged 77 years.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Frank Davis

9th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Coldstream Guards /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Davis

Other names: Frank

Locations in this story:
Enmore Green, Motcombe, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cherry Orchard Farm, Cann, Shaftesbury
Abbey Walk, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Frank Davis was born in Enmore Green, Motcombe, Shaftesbury in 1882 and baptised at St. John's Church, Enmore Green, on 26th February 1882, the son of Frederick Davis and Emily Davis née Jenkins. He was the brother of Harry (b.1880) and Charles (b.1888) Davis, both of whom lost their lives in the First World War serving in the Dorsetshire Regiment. His other brothers, William Robert (b.1886) also served in the war with the Dorsets and Edward Frederick (b. 1898) with the Inniskilling Fusiliers. By 1901 the family had moved to Cherry Orchard Farm, St. James, Cann, Shaftesbury (Per 1901 Census). Frank married Rose Oliver on 19th October 1902 at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, and they went on to have one child. By 1911 they were living at 3 Abbey Walk, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted in the Coldstream Guards as a Guardsman (Service No. 20782) on 6 Dec 1915 but was not embodied until 9 Oct 1916. He was discharged on 11 Mar 1919 and later made a pension claim on 14th April 1920 which was rejected apart from receiving a £5 grant in lieu. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him still living at 3 Abbey Walk, Shaftesbury, working as a Baker's Roundsman. He died in Shaftesbury in 1934 and was buried in the Town Cemetery, Shaftesbury, on 22 Feb 1934.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Harry Davis
Charles Davis
William Robert