1914-1918 Archives - Page 121 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

William Thomas Brown

7th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Durham Light Infantry, Hussars, Labour Corps, Northumberland Fusiliers, Yorkshire & Lancashire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Brown

Other names: William Thomas

Locations in this story:
Higher Blandford Road, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
India
France
Railway Terrace, Gillingham, Dorset
Wavering Terrace, Gillingham, Dorset

Story:
William Thomas Brown was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, on 7th March 1888 the son of Samuel Brown and Clara Brown (née Moore). William lived with his family in Higher Blandford Road, Cann, Shaftesbury, until enlisting in the 11th Hussars on 19th March 1906 (Service No. 5872). He was transferred shortly after to the 13th Hussars (Service No. 1177). He qualified as a Private (Shoeing Smith) and served in India. In March 1913 he was placed on Reserve during which time he became a Postman in the Shaftesbury area and married Constance Kate Gray in Gillingham, Dorset, on 10th December 1913. They went on to have four children. At the outbreak of war he was embodied on 5th August 1914 and re-joined his Regiment. On 17th June 1915 he was transferred to the 3rd Battalion of the Yorkshire & Lancashire Regiment (Service No. 3/20836) and posted to France. On the 16th September 1916 he was again transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers (Service No. 1073) and again to the Durham Light Infantry on 12th December 1916 (Service No. 25835). He spent his final few months of service from 30th June 1917 until his discharge (due to being unfit for further duty) on 19th November 1917 in the 378th Home Service Company of the Labour Corps (Service No. 165859) and awarded the Silver War Badge No. B156031 and a limited pension. He was also awarded the Victory and British War medals along with the 1914/15 Star. On discharge he went to live at Railway Terrace, Gillingham, Dorset. where, in the 1921 Census, was described as a Blacksmith. By the 1939 Register William and family were living at 10 Wavering Terrace, Gillingham, Dorset, with the same occupation. He died in Gillingham in 1961 and was buried there on 8th July 1961.

Two of William's brothers died in the war: Bertram George (b.1895) died on 4th April 1915 while a prisoner of war in Germany; Obery Archibald (b.1891) was killed in France on 19th March 1917 while serving with the East Kent Regiment. Two more brothers served in the war: Cyril (b.1894) in the Royal Navy and Harry (b.1885) with the Royal Army Service Corps.

Images:

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The National Archives
Cyril Brown
Harry Brown
Obery Archibald Brown
Bertram George Brown

Cyril Brown

6th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Navy /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Brown

Other names: Cyril

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Ash, Surrey
Fareham, Hampshire

Story:
Cyril Brown was born on 14th May 1894 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, the son of Samuel Brown and Clara Brown (née Moore). The family lived at Higher Blandford Road, Cann, Shaftesbury. Cyril enlisted in the Royal Navy on 23rd February 1911 (Service No. K10445). He achieved the rank of Stoker Petty Officer by the end of his service. He served on various ships and bases throughout his time ending up on HMS Minotaur. During his period of service he married Frances Ada Bird at St. Peters Church, Ash, Surrey, on 19th November 1918. They went on to have three children. He was discharged at the end of his enlistment on 8th November 1928 having been awarded the Victory and British War medals, the 1914/15 Star and, on 15th August 1926, the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. His last known address was 103 Hillson Drive, Fareham, Hampshire. He died on 13th April 1984 in Fareham.

Two of Cyril's brothers died during the war: Bertram George (b.1895) died on 4th April 1915 while a prisoner of war in Germany; Obery Archibald (b.1891) was killed on 19th March 1917 while serving with the East Kent Regiment in France. Two more brothers served in the war: Harry (b.1885) and William Thomas (b.1888).

Images:

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The National Archives
Bertram George Brown
William Thomas Brown
Obery Archibald Brown
Harry Brown

Sidney Brockway

6th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Brockway

Other names: Sidney

Locations in this story:
St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sutherland Road, Maida Vale, London, NW
France
Leeds, Yorkshire
Barnet
Rugby, Warwickshire
Birmingham, Warwickshire
Marylebone, Middlesex

Story:
Sidney Brockway was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 24th September 1893 and baptised at St. James' Church on 3rd December 1893, the son of Mary Ellen Brockway (a single person). Sidney lived in the house of his grandmother at Andrews Yard, 41 St. James, Shaftesbury. Post 1911 he was boarding at 101 Sutherland Road, Maida Vale, London, NW and enlisted at Marylebone, Middlesex, on 8 Sep 1914 and joined the Royal Engineers as a Sapper (Service No. 48669). He qualified as a Proficient Carpenter prior to posting to France on 27 Jul 1915 where, on 24th June 1916, he received gunshot wounds in the right thigh. He was transferred from the Field Hospital back to England and arrived at the War Hospital, Leeds, Yorkshire on 2nd July 1916. He was not discharged until 3rd October 1916 having joined the 419th Field Company. He was demobilized on 13th March 1919 giving 41 St, James, Shaftesbury, as his home address. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. (The 1915 Star was returned for replacement as the name was spelt wrongly on the back and a new corrected medal issued on 5th March 1920). The 1921 Census shows him then boarding out at 32 West Leyes, Rugby, Warwickshire, working as a Builders Labourer, He eventually moved back to London where he married Ethel Marie Brazier during 1924 in the Barnet Registry District. They went on to have three children. By the 1939 Register he had moved to 7 Old Council Houses, Clifton upon Dunsmore, Rugby, Warwickshire, still as a Builder's Labourer. He died in 1942 in the Birmingham Registry area.

Images:

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The National Archives

St. James Street junction with Tanyard Lane

Jack Wright Brockway

4th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Labour Corps, South Wales Borderers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Brockway

Other names: Jack Wright

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Marylebone, Middlesex
Mere, Wiltshire
Salisbury, Wiltshire
France
Salonika, Greece
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
St. James, Shaftesbury
South Wales

Story:
Jack Wright Brockway was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 29th October 1894 and baptised at St. James' Church on 7th April 1895 the son of Harry Brockway and Kate Brockway (née Wright). The family home was at 3 St. James, Shaftesbury. Jack had moved to South Wales prior to the outbreak of war where he was employed as a miner and it was there on 2 Sep 1914 he enlisted with the South Wales Borderers as a Private (Service No. 7/14083). He served in France from 5 Sep 1915 with his Regiment. On 1 Jan 1918 he was transferred to the 983rd Company of the Labour Corps as he was suffering from deformed feet. He was posted to Salonika and based at the 42nd General Hospital. He married Gertrude Elsie Head on 13th October 1918 in Marylebone, Middlesex. They had one child in 1919 who passed away the same year and unfortunately his wife also died in 1920. He was demobilized on 3rd April 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living at 3 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, described as a Blast Furnaceman (Out of Work). He re-married Alice Mary Harris in Mere, Wiltshire, in 1924 and they went on to have seven children. By the 1939 Register the family were living at 39 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury. Jack died on 28th October 1971 in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and was buried in St. Rumbold's Churchyard, Cann, Shaftesbury, on 1st November 1971.

Images:

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The National Archives

George Brockway

4th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Hussars /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Brockway

Other names: George

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cheriton, Folkestone, Kent
Francis Road, Folkestone, Kent
Henstridge, Somerset
South Africa
India
France

Story:
George Brockway was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1878 and baptised there on 8th August 1878, the son of James Brockway and Sarah Ann Guliford Brockway (née Robins). George enlisted with the 13th Hussars on 1st January 1896 (Service No. 3688). He served in South Africa and India and was awarded four campaign medals. On his return to the UK in 1911 he married Lisa Maude Kitcall on 21st August 1911 at All Saints Church, Cheriton, Kent. (His parents had moved to Henstridge in the meantime). There were two children of the marriage. He served in France from 19th November 1914 to 11th August 1915. On 12th August 1915 he was posted to the 12th Reserve Regiment of the Corps of Hussars as a Farrier Staff Sergeant (Service No. 46536). He was discharged on pension on 17th October 1919 but regrettably died on 17th November 1919 at 11 Francis Road, Folkestone, Kent and buried in the Town Cemetery on 20 Nov 1919. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1914/15 Star Medals.

Images:

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The National Archives

Douglas Eric Bowra

4th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Bowra

Other names: Douglas Eric

Locations in this story:
Coombe, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Tucker House, Longfield Colony, Surrey
Dormansland, Surrey
France & Flanders
Farnham, Dorset

Story:
Douglas Eric Bowra was born at Coombe, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, on 9th April 1896, the son of William Charles Bowra and Margaret Eliza Bowra (née Ingram). Shortly after his birth the family moved to Farnham, Dorset. Douglas enlisted on 20th October 1914 with the 185th and later the 18th Siege Battalions of the Royal Garrison Artillery, eventually becoming a Bombardier (Service No. 47473). He served in France and Flanders where, on 29th October 1915, he received shrapnel wounds. He went on final leave to his, by then, parents home at Tucker House, Longfield Colony, Surrey. On 27th January 1919 he became ill and on 12th February 1919 died of influenza and pneumonia due to the effect of war service (per the citation). The Army noted his demobilization officially on 1st March 1919. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals and laid to rest with a Commonwealth War Graves headstone at Dormansland (St. John) Churchyard in Surrey. The CWGC citation also notes that his brother, Claude Victor Bowra, was also killed during the conflict.

Images:

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The National Archives
Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Frederick John Bown

4th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Guards Machine Gun Regiment, Kings Royal Rifle Corps, Royal Flying Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Bown

Other names: Frederick John

Locations in this story:
Bell Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Fisherton Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire
Blandford, Dorset
France
Gigant Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Frederick John Bown was born on 13th March 1895 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, the son of Frederick John Bown and Ellen Bown (née Wareham). The family lived at 8 Bell Street, Shaftesbury, moving, by 1911, to Park Road, Blandford, Dorset. Frederick enlisted on the 23rd February 1916 and joined the Royal Flying Corps eventually holding the rank of Corporal (Service No. 23420). On 23rd March 1918 he was compulsorily transferred to the 6th Battalion of the King's Royal Rifle Corps (Service No. 46196) quickly followed by a further transfer to the 5th (Reserve) Battalion of the Guards Machine Gun Regiment (Service No. 2155) finally holding the rank of Sergeant. Whilst with the RFC he had served in France; otherwise he was based at home except for a short period from 27 Jun 1918. He was demobilized on 18th July 1919 and took up residence at 161 Fisherton Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire. He was awarded the Victory and British medals. By the 1921 Census he was shown living with his parents at 159 Fisherton Street, Salisbury, described as a Motor Garage Proprietor He married Violet Annie Courtney in 1925 and they went on to have three children. By the 1939 Register the family had moved to 125 Gigant Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, where he was employed as a Motor Engineer. He died in Salisbury on 16th January 1970.

Images:

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The National Archives

William Bertie Bealing

4th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Bealing

Other names: William Bertie

Locations in this story:
Sherborne Causeway, Enmore Green, Dorset
India
Egypt
Gaza, Palestine
Poole, Dorset
Dorchester, Dorset
Nunwell, Cattistock, Dorset

Story:
William Bertie Bealing was born at Sherborne Causeway, Enmore Green, Dorset, on 20th October 1896, the son of William George Bealing and Martha Bealing (nee Smart). He lived his early life in the Sherborne Causeway area. He enlisted on 15th June 1914 and joined the 2nd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 200587). (His second name was shown as Bertram on Military Records whereas the General Register Office record indicates 'Bertie'). He served in India and then Egypt and Gaza. On the 14th June 1918 he received a gunshot wound in the lower forearm. He was demobilized on 28th June 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the Territorial Forces War Medal. In 1921 he married Lily (or Lilian) Evelyn Oliver in Poole, Dorset, and they went on to have one son. The 1921 Electoral Roll shows him living at the Police Station, Poole, Dorset, he being a Police Constable. By the 1939 Register the family were still living in Poole in Police accommodation. The last known address was Nunwell, Cattistock, Dorset (1955 Probate Record) when his estate was wound up following his death in Dorchester County Hospital, Dorchester, on 25th June 1955 following which he was later buried in Dorchester Cemetery.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Edgar Robert Barnes

4th September 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Barnes

Other names: Edgar Robert

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Wantage, Berkshire
Cippenham Lane, Slough, Buckinghamshire
Knap Hill, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France
Windsor, Berkshire
Steventon, Berkshire

Story:
Edgar Robert Barnes was born on 31st January 1896 at Shaftesbury, Dorset, the son of Gideon Barnes and Kate Barnes (nee Miles). By the 1911 Census they were living at Knap Hill, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset. Edgar enlisted on the 6th October 1914 and joined the 58th (London Division) of the Army Service Corps as a Private (Service No. S1030). On 1st September 1916 he was confirmed as a Regular in the Corps and given a new Service No. S4/238194. He served in France from 4 Feb 1917 and was discharged on 26th May 1919 on compassionate grounds due to the earlier death of his father during 1917. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at 76 Mill Street, Wantage, Berkshire, living with his widowed mother and working as a Clerk employed by the Air Ministry with No 3 Stores Depot, RAF Milton, Steventon, Berkshire. He married Clara A, Moore in Windsor, Berkshire, during 1924 and they went on to have one child. By the 1939 Register the family were living at 'Shaston', Cippenham Lane, Slough, Bucks, where Robert was a Civil Servant with the Inland Revenue Tax Office. No record can be found of his death.

Images:

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The National Archives

Percy Thomas Alford

3rd September 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Alford

Other names: Percy Thomas

Locations in this story:
Boyne Cottage, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
East Down, Blandford, Dorset
Bozley Hill, Cann
Butts Knapp, Cann
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bath, Somerset

Story:
Percy Thomas Alford was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset in 1887, and baptised at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, on 13 Mar 1887 the son of James Alford and Hannah Alford (née Pike). In 1891 the family were living at 5 Butts Knapp in Cann. In 1891 they were still living there and Percy was employed as an errand boy. By 1911 they had moved to Boyne Cottage, Cann and he was working as a carter on a farm. He married Mary Ann Perrett at Cann on 23rd December 1913. They lived at East Down, Blandford, Dorset, where he worked as a gardener and lodge keeper. They had one child in 1914 who regrettably passed away in 1918. Percy enlisted with the Royal Garrison Artillery on 10th December 1915 as a Gunner (Service No. 126723). He is known to have served abroad and contracted tuberculosis at some time towards the end of the war and was eventually declared unfit for further service and discharged on 6th December 1919, receiving the Silver War Badge No. B347557. He was also awarded the Victory and British medals. After the war Percy and Mary had a home in Bozley Hill, Cann, though the 1921 Census shows he was a patient at the Ministry of Pensions Hospital, Bath, Somerset, described as a Gardener. On 31st March 1925 Percy died at Bath Military Hospital and on 4th April he was buried in St. Rumbold's Churchyard, Cann.

Sadly two of Percy's brothers served and died in the war: Ernest John (b.1882) with the Royal Garrison Artillery and William (b.1890) with the Welsh Regiment.

Printed sources:
"The Alford Family of Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset", Gold Hill Museum Archives.

Images:

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The National Archives
William Alford