1914-1918 Archives - Page 127 of 164 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

George Jesse

Surname: Jesse

Other names: George

Locations in this story:
Blackven Farm, Fontmell Magna, Dorset
Manor Dairy, Blandford, Dorset
Worthing, Sussex
France
Buckland Newton, Dorset
Lushes Farm, Manston, Sturminster Newton, Dorset
Hartgrove, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
George Jesse was born in Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset on 9th September 1889 and baptised there on 27 Oct 1889 the son of Richard John Jesse and Mary Ann Jesse (nee Frampton). His early life was spent in the Hartgrove, Shaftesbury, area. He had enlisted on 8th June 1908 as a Territorial and joined the 2/1st Battalion of the Dorset (Queens Own) Yeomanry (Service Nos. 294 &1208) with attendance at annual camps. He had been promoted to Corporal until the outbreak of WW1 when he reverted to Private. Throughout this time he was farming at Blackven Farm, Fontmell Magna. He was mobilized on 4 Aug 1914 and on 21st May 1915 transferred to the 3rd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 19532). He served in France from 21 May 1915 where he was severely gassed on 10 May 1917 and was repatriated to the UK. On recovery he transferred on 9 Feb 1918 to the 609th Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps (Service No. 528403). He was demobilized on 5th March 1919 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He was also awarded a small pension due to the earlier gassing. He had married Ida Mary Dibben at Buckland Newton, Dorset, on 26th April 1915 and they went on to have three children. The 1921 Census Shows him living at Lushes Farm, Manston, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, working as a Farmer. His last known address was 2 Manor Dairy, Blandford, Dorset, where he was now employed as a Dairy Manager. He died in 1972 (Registered at Worthing, Sussex). Source: Based on previous research by Ken Baxter.

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George Jenkins

22nd July 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Jenkins

Other names: George

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Alton, Hampshire
Sierra Leone
Richmond Gardens, Hammersmith, London
Uxbridge, Middlesex
France
Southfield, Wandsworth, London

Story:
George Jenkins was born on 2nd April 1874 at Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, the son of Eli Jenkins and Sarah Ann Jenkins (nee Witt). He had enlisted on 10th March 1896 and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery (Service No. 14475). He served in many parts of the then Empire, including Sierra Leone, where he was at the time the War broke out. He was posted to France on 3 Oct 1915 for a period and then back to the UK. His career in the Army was very distinguished and after the full 21 years he was duly discharged on 10th March 1918 with the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major. Apart for the Victory and British War medals and 1915 Star he was also the holder of the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal. He married Lavinia Violet Jane Smith on 4th June 1918 in Alton, Hampshire, from which marriage there were no children. The 1921 Census shows him living at 51 Clonmore Street, Southfield, Wandsworth, London, working as a Clerk at the War Office. The last known address was 7 Richmond Gardens, Hammersmith, London, per the 1939 Register. George died in 1957 in the Uxbridge, Middlesex, Registration District.

Source: Based on previous research by Ken Baxter.

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Henry Jeffery

17th July 2019/in 1914-1918 Machine Gun Corps, Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Jeffery

Other names: Henry

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
France
Iraq
India
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Newport Street, Swindon, Wiltshire
Higher Berry Court Farm, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury Grammar School
Exeter, Devon

Story:
Henry Jeffery was born on 9th June 1896 at Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, the son of George Jeffery and Ellen Jeffery (née Pardy). They lived at Higher Berry Court Farm, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. His father died in 1904. Henry was recorded as a Boarder at Shaftesbury Grammar School in the 1911 Census. He left school in the summer of 1911 and on enlistment his occupation was given as 'Ironmonger's Apprentice'. He enlisted with the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 941) on 5th September 1914, later transferring to the Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry Section) (Service No. 52942). He was attached to the 15th Squadron of the Tank Corps and achieved the rank of Acting Sergeant, serving in France from 3 Dec 1915 and later in Iraq and India. He was demobilized on 3rd January 1920 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals, the 1915 Star and the India General Service Medal (Afghanistan & N.W. Frontier Clasps) 1919. His mother had died in 1916 and the 1921 Census shows him as a visitor at 19 Mont le Grand, Exeter, Devon, described as an Ironmonger's Assistant in Salisbury, Wiltshire. He married Dorothy Irene Glass at St. Thomas Church, Salisbury, Wiltshire, on 1st September 1925 and they went on to have one child. His last known address was 3 Newport Street, Swindon, Wiltshire, (per the 1939 Register) where he had his own Ironmongery business. He died at Swindon in 1968. Henry's brother, George Arthur Jeffery, was regrettably killed during the conflict whilst serving with the Australian Imperial Force. Source: Based on previous research by Ken Baxter. Printed Source: First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces, September 1915

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Frederick Frank Hunt

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

Surname: Hunt

Other names: Frederick Frank

Locations in this story:
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Mere, Wiltshire
Rushmore Park, Wiltshire

Story:
Frederick Frank Hunt was born in Tollard Royal, Wiltshire on 29th August 1887 and baptised there on 16 Oct 1887 the son of William Thomas Hunt and Margaret Jane Hunt (née Hibbs). Frederick enlisted as a Private in the 5th Service Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment on 31st August 1914 (Service No. 10521). His period of service was short lived as he was diagnosed with Chronic Enteritis and discharged on 26th October 1914 as 'unlikely to become an efficient soldier'. The 1921 Census shows him living with his parents at East Lodge, Ruchmorew park, Wiltshire, working as an Engine Driver of the estate.He married Elsie Mary Newman (nee Card) at Sixpenny Handley, Wiltshire, on 1st October 1923 and they had three children. His wife was the widow of John H Newman who had been killed in action during the war on 2 Nov 1918. His last known address was 32 Tollard Royal, Wiltshire (per the 1939 Register) where he worked as an estate labourer. He died in 1960 (Mere, Wiltshire, Registration District). His brothers, Edwin John Hunt, Reuben Henry (aka Harry) Hunt and William Thomas Hunt, all served in the conflict and survived albeit Edwin died in 1926. Source: Based on previous research by Ken Baxter.

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Herbert Hopkins

17th July 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hopkins

Other names: Herbert

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
South Africa
Malta
Gillingham, Kent
Whitworth Road, Woolwich, London
Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Mottingham, Kent

Story:
Herbert Hopkins was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 18th May 1876, the son of Frank Hopkins and Caroline Eliza Hopkins (née Extance). The family lived for some time at Steven's Building, King's Lane, Motcombe. In due time he became a Cabinet Maker. He married Amy Gertrude Smith at Gillingham, Kent, on 20th January 1905 and they went on to have six children. Herbert had previously enlisted on 15th October 1896 with the Royal Engineers and served in South Africa and Malta (Service No. 472). Prior to the First World War he held the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal, the 1899-1902 South Africa Medal with clasp 'Cape Colony', and the 1901-02 King's South Africa Medal with two clasps. He served from 1913 entirely in the UK. He had risen steadily in the non-commissioned ranks throughout his career, ending as Regimental Sergeant Major of the Royal Military Academy. He was described as an exemplary soldier on discharge on 15th June 1920 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at Devonshire Villa, Mottingham, Kent, working as a Cabinet Make on his own account. His last known address was 82 Whitworth Road, Woolwich, London, per the 1939 Register, still described as a Cabinet Maker. He died in the Woolwich Registry district in 1960.

Source: Based on previous initial research by Ken Baxter.

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George Hopkins
Edgar Hopkins

Charles Randolph Hiscock

17th July 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hiscock

Other names: Charles Randolph

Locations in this story:
Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shillingstone, Dorset
Cherry Orchard, Anvil Cross, Dunmow, Essex
Weymouth, Dorset
Manor Farm, Turnpike, Motcombe Road, Shaftesbury
Semley, Wiltshire

Story:
Charles Randolph Hiscock was born in Motcombe, Dorset on 15th July 1888, the son of Arthur Hiscock and Mary Sophia Hiscock (née Williams). The family lived at Manor Farm, Turnpike, Motcombe Road, Shaftesbury, Dorset where Charles assisted his father on the farm. He enlisted with the Territorial Force of the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry on 15th April 1908 attending annual training camps. After mobilization at the commencement of WW1 he served all his time in the UK and achieved the rank of Corporal (Service Nos. 896 & 219). Towards the end of his service he had two periods of temporary demobilization due to the need for work on the family farm. After completing 8 years service he was fully discharged on 14th April 1916 in order for him to return to his full time occupation as a Farmer. There are no medal records. The 1921 Census shows him living at Senior's Farm, Semley, Wiltshire, described as a Farmer. He married Mary Eileen Jesty at Shillingstone, Dorset, on 20th April 1927 and they went on to have one child. His last know address was Cherry Orchard, Anvil Cross, Dunmow, Essex, per the 1939 Register, where he was now working as a Farm Manager. He had later moved to 28 Links Road, Weymouth, Dorset where he died on 26th January 1968.

Source: Based on previous research by Ken Baxter.

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Charles John Hiscock

17th July 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Field Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hiscock

Other names: Charles John

Locations in this story:
Hartgrove, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Jordan Cottages, Preston, Weymouth, Dorset
France & Flanders
Litton-Cheney, Weymouth, Dorset

Story:
Charles John Hiscock was born at Hartgrove, Shaftesbury, on 14th April 1895, the son of Charles John Hiscock and Sarah Jane Hiscock (née Plummer). By the 1911 Census the family had moved to Preston, Weymouth, Dorset. Charles enlisted on 1st September 1914 and joined the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Driver) and served most of his time in France and Flanders from 27 Nov 1915 with the 4th Divisional Ammunition Company (Service No. 10748). He was demobilized on 31st March 1920 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. By the 1921 Census he was living with his parents at Jordan Cottages, Preston, Weymouth, Dorset, working as a Cowman. He married Alice Maud Webber in Litton-Cheney, Weymouth on 29th October 1927 and they went on to have one child. He was still living at Jordan Cottages per the 1939 Register. At this time Charles also volunteered as an ARP Warden. He died in Weymouth in 1979. Source: Based on previous research by Ken Baxter.

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Percy Charles Hayter

16th July 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Labour Corps, Somerset Light Infantry, Worcestershire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hayter

Other names: Percy Charles

Locations in this story:
St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cats Ash, Shepton Mallet, Somerset

Story:
Percy Charles Hayter was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset in December 1881, and baptised at St. John's Church, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, on 1 Jan 1882 the son of Charles Hayter and Susan Jane Edwards Hayter (née Upjohn). He married Harriett Minden Bendell on 20th July 1903 at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset and set up home at 7 St. James, Shaftesbury. There were at least four children of the marriage. By the 1911 Census he had moved to Shepton Mallet, Somerset for work as a Gardener. From here, having had previous military experience with the 2nd Volunteer Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment, he re-enlisted on 15th March 1913 as a Private in the Territorial Unit of the Somerset Light Infantry (Service No. 69115). He was embodied on 4th August 1914 and served throughout the war in the United Kingdom. He was transferred to the Labour Corps in 1918 (Service No. 200248) and then to the 16th Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment with the rank of Corporal (Service No. 204670). He was discharged on 23rd April 1919 having contracted a lung disease for which he received a War Pension plus the Silver War Badge. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at 4 Cats Ash, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, working as a Jobbing Gardener. Unfortunately he died in July 1926 at Shepton Mallett. His brothers, Ernest George Hayter and Harry John Hayter, also served in the conflict. Source: Based on previous research by Ken Baxter.

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William Green

15th July 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Horse Artillery, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment) /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Green

Other names: William

Locations in this story:
Alvediston, Wiltshire
Marylebone, London
Denman Street, Radford, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Egypt
Palestine

Story:
William Green was born in Alvediston, Wiltshire during 1879 the son of Augustus Philip Green and Jane Green (née Courtney). By the 1881 Census the family had moved to 81 York Street, Marylebone, London. William married Bertha Maud Osborne in Nottingham during 1906. There were four children of the marriage. He had enlisted in the Notts & Derby (Sherwood Foresters) Regiment on 12th June 1910 (Service No. 612062) and served in Egypt and Palestine during the First World War. He was promoted in due time to Wheeler Sergeant. He was later attached to the Royal Horse Artillery (283rd Notts. Battery) on 20th December 1918. Discharge came on the 29th January 1920 when he received a 30% Disability Pension for 'general debility' caused by his service. He was awarded the Victory, British War and Territorial Force Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. His last known address was 268 Denman Street, Radford, Nottingham, where he died in 1937.

Source: Based on previous research by Ken Baxter.

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Percy Gray

15th July 2019/in 1914-1918 Hampshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: Percy

Locations in this story:
Motcombe, Dorset
St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Portland, Dorset
Brambridge, Hampshire
France
Winchester, Hampshire
Southampton, Hampshire
Malta
Bermuda
South Africa

Story:
Percy Gray was born on 5th May 1884 at Motcombe, Dorset, and baptised there on 15th June 1884, the son of Benjamin Gray and Susan Pearce Gray (née Smith). The 1901 Census shows him living with the family at 53 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, but by 1911 he had moved to 11 Moorfield Road, Portland, Dorset. During those intervening years he had served the Territorial Unit of the Hampshire Regiment from 3rd January 1903 until 2 Jan 1911 when he had been transferred to the Reserves. During this early phase he had served in Malta, Bermuda and South Africa gaining at least four good conduct badges. On the outbreak of WW1 he was embodied on 5th August 1914 and joined the 1st Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment as an Acting Corporal (Service No. 6722). He was posted to France on 27 Aug 1914 where he received gunshot wounds to the chest and he was discharged on 2nd January 1916, having been deemed unfit for further service. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. During 1916 he married Hughina Livingstone Asher in the Southampton, Hampshire, Registration District. There were two children of the marriage. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Woodcroft Cottages, Brambridge, Winchester, Hampshire, and was working as a Private Chauffeur. His death was registered in the Winchester, Hampshire, Registry in 1949. His brother, Victor Pearce Gray, also served and survived the conflict. Source: Based on previous research by Ken Baxter.

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