1914-1918 Archives - Page 127 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

John Richard Davis

Surname: Davis

Other names: John Richard

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France
Sturminster, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
John Richard Davis was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 29th November 1893, the son of James John Davis and Maria Davis (née Russell). He spent all his life in the area. He enlisted on 13th November 1914 but was not embodied until 2nd June 1915, when he joined the Army Service Corps as a Private (Service No. S4/111324). He was attached to the 18th and 14th Field Bakery in France from 24 Jul 1915. During this time his mother died in 1916. He was demobilized on 26th May 1919 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals and the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living with his widower father in Alcester, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Baker. He married Ethel Gertrude Mitchell in 1926 but there were no children of the marriage. His address was 4 Bell Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset (per the 1939 Register) which describes him as a Master Baker. he later moved to Dinah's Crest, Cann, Shaftesbury from where his death, in the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, on the 3 Jul 1955, was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry. He was later buried in the Town Cemetery, Shaftesbury, on 6 Jul 1955. John's brother, Ernest George, is mentioned as having served according to the St. James Church Roll of Honour published in Nov 1918. His other brother, Percival James Davis, also served and survived the conflict. Source: Based on original research by Ken Baxter.

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George Cole

Surname: Cole

Other names: George

Locations in this story:
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Quarry Street, Keighley, Yorkshire

Story:
George Cole was born at Tollard Royal, Wiltshire in 1869 and baptised there on 7 Mar 1869 the son of Frederick Cole and Mary Cole (née Triggle). He lived in Tollard Royal until at least 1881. He married Elizabeth Bingham in Keighley, Yorkshire, on 25th May 1889. There were 5 children of the marriage. George had previous military service from 1 Feb 1888 to 31 May 1909 with the Imperial Yeomanry (Volunteer Force) (Service No. 314). He had been awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal during this time. He re-enlisted with the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment as a Private on 6th November 1914 (Service No. 12310). For some of the time he was attached to the Labour Corps (Home Service Employment Company). He served in the UK only and was finally demobilized on 19th March 1919 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. Unfortunately at the time of his discharge he was suffering from cancer and died at his home at 29 Quarry Street, Keighley, Yorkshire, in 1920.

Source: Based on original research by Ken Baxter

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William Charles Abraham Burridge

11th July 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Burridge

Other names: William Charles Abraham

Locations in this story:
Stoney Path, St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
William Charles Abraham Burridge (also known as 'Willie') was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 21st June 1897 the son of Charles Burridge and Alice Bessie Burridge (née Wilmott). He lived his whole life, apart from Military Service, in the locality. He enlisted on 21st October 1916 as a Gunner with the Royal Garrison Artillery attached to the R.A.E. Tank Corps serving in France from 14 Apr 1917 (Service No. 125985). He was demobilized on 14th October 1919 with a War Pension due to the effects of his service. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He re-enlisted for a period of one year in 1920 as a Territorial with the 4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 5720627). He was finally demobilized on 18 Mar 1921 and by the 1921 Census was shown living with his parents at 3 Stoney Path, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Gardener. He remained single throughout his life at the same address as recorded in the 1939 Register. He was always employed as a Gardener. William died in 1949 and was buried at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, on 16th September 1949. Source: Based on previous research by Ken Baxter.

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Bertie James Brown

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

Surname: Brown

Other names: Bertie James

Locations in this story:
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
Marylebone, London
Hitchin, Hertfordshire

Story:
Bertie James Brown was born in Iwerne Minster, Dorset on 13 Apr 1891 and baptised there on 7 Jun 1891 the son of Frederick Brown and Emily Maria Brown (née Mullens). He lived all his early life in Iwerne Minster. He had previously served with the Territorial before he was embodied on 7th October 1914 to the Army Service Corps, eventually becoming a Saddler Staff Sergeant (Service No. TS/3080). He served in France from 8 Oct 1914 and was eventually demobilized, with a pension due to contracting cystitis during his service, on 6th April 1919 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals and the 1914/15 Star. During the war he had married Ada Blanche Weston in Marylebone, London, on 11th April 1917. There were two children of the marriage. The 1921 Census shows he was then living with his widower father in The Chalk, Iwerne Minster, Dorset, working as a Farm Labourer. By the 1939 Register he had moved to 3 Stevenage Road, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, where Bertie was working as a civilian cook for the RAF as well as being an ARP Warden. Bertie died in 1970 in the Hitchin area. Source: Based on previous research by Ken Baxter.

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Percy Brockway

11th July 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Medical Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Brockway

Other names: Percy

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France
Cann Common, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Poole, Dorset

Story:
Percy Brockway was born at Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset on 23 Sep 1896, the son of Walter George Brockway and Martha Brockway (née Barter). He lived all of his life in the area apart from when on Military Service. He enlisted on 22nd November 1914 and joined the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Private (Service Nos. 2237 and 461450). He served in France from 13 Feb 1917 with the 2nd/3rd Wessex Field Ambulance as a Stretcher Bearer and Water Carrier and as a result he suffered from a severe hernia due to heavy lifting and he was also wounded in action on 26 Oct 1918. He was demobilized on 15th February 1919 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He had also applied for a pension but received a one off gratuity of only £35. The 1921 Census shows he was living as a Boarder in Cann Common, Shaftesbury, where his mother was working as a housekeeper. He was working as a Dairyman at the time. His marriage to Nellie Charlotte Mabel Farnfield was registered in Poole, Dorset, during 1927 and there was one child of the marriage. By the 1939 Register he was living at 1 Hillside Cottages, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, employed as a Cowman. He died on 27th January 1964 and was buried in the New Yard Cemetery, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset on 31st January 1964. Source: Based on original research by Ken Baxter.

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Samuel Shell Bristol

11th July 2019/in 1914-1918 King's Own Hussars /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Bristol

Other names: Samuel Shell

Locations in this story:
Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Reigate, Surrey
Shipleybridge Lane, Godstone, Surrey
Horsham, Sussex

Story:
Samuel Shell Bristol was born on 29th December 1878 at Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, the son of Edwin Bristol and Ellen Bristol (née Combes). He had served in various Army units prior to 1914 over a period of 18 years with periods of non-military service between. He re-enlisted on 30th December 1914, becoming a Sergeant with the King's Own Hussars (Service No. 101651). He was demobilized on 24th February 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals and the 1914/15 Star. The 1921 Census shows him boarding at 56 North Street, Horsham, Sussex, described as 'Farming on own account'. He married Dorothy K. Standage in Reigate, Surrey, in 1933. There were no known children of the marriage. His last known address was in the 1939 Register at Shipleybridge Lane, Godstone, Surrey, described as a Retired Farmer. He died in Godstone in 1971.

Source: Based on original research by Ken Baxter.

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Alfred George Bristol

11th July 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Bristol

Other names: Alfred George

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Motcombe, Dorset
Mere, Wiltshire

Story:
Alfred George Bristol was born on 1st September 1893 at Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, the son of William Alford Bristol, a farmer, and Rosa Mary Bristol (née Bartley). He enlisted on 25th January 1912 and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry, attending annual training camps until embodied on 5 Aug 1914 eventually becoming a Lance Corporal (Service No. 556). During his service in the UK only he was temporarily demobilized three times in order to run the family farm following the death, in 1909, of his father. Finally he was discharged for time expired on his service agreement and due to the needs of farming on 27th February 1916. He married Ethel Mary Perrett on 6 Apr 1921 at Mere Parish Church, Mere, Wiltshire, and they went on to have three children. The family set up home, per the 1921 Census, at the family farm North End Farm, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset. The details remained the same on the 1939 Regsiter. Alfred died in 1974 and was buried at St. Mary's Church, Motcombe.

Source: Based on original research by Ken Baxter

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Henry Bradley

11th July 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Bradley

Other names: Henry

Locations in this story:
Hartgrove, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salterton, Wiltshire
East Stour, Nr. Shaftesbury, Dorset
Chippenham, Wiltshire
France & Flanders

Story:
Henry Bradley was born at Hartgrove, near Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 8th October 1887, the son of Thomas Bradley and Sarah Ann Bradley (nee Rose) He enlisted on 8th April 1917 and joined the Royal Engineers becoming, in due time, a Lance Corporal. (Service Nos. 226284 and WR/22327). During his time he was attached to the 312 and later 319 Road Construction Company serving in France and Flanders from 22 Feb 1917. He was demobilized on 13th December 1919 and was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He married Minnie Ida Ethel Wadham on 22nd April 1920 at East Stour, Nr. Shaftesbury, Dorset, and they went on to have two children. The 1921 census shows him living in New Lane, East Stour, Dorset, working as a General Farm Labourer. By the 1939 Register, he had moved to 4 Salterton Farm Cottages, Salterton, Wiltshire, where he was employed as an Agricultural Labourer. Henry died on 9th August 1963 at St. Andrews Hospital, Chippenham, Wiltshire. Henry's brother, Jesse Bradley, also served in the conflict. Source: Based on original research by Ken Baxter.

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Jesse Bradley

Charles Hunt Blackwell

11th July 2019/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry, Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Blackwell

Other names: Charles Hunt

Locations in this story:
Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Bozley Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
France
Baltonborough, Somerset

Story:
Charles Hunt Blackwell was born in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, on 10th July 1875, the son of Henry Blackwell and Harriet Blackwell (nee Hunt). He married Ada Arnold on 28th August 1900 at St. Dunstan's Church, Baltonborough, Somerset. There were three children of the marriage and by he 1901 had moved to Iwerne Minster, Dorset. Charles had served previously with the Dorset Yeomanry and had been discharged to the Reserves. He was mobilized on 15th December 1914 and served as a Private in the Army Service Corps (Service No. M2/002083). He served in France from 19 Dec 1914 with the BEF finally ending up with the 77th Company ASC (27th Divisional Supply Corps). He was demobilized on 5th March 1919 and was awarded the Victory and British War Medals and the 1914/15 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living in Blandford Road, Iwerne Minster, Dorset, working as a Chauffeur. By the 1939 Register he had moved to Spring Cottage, Bozley Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where he is was shown working as a Chauffeur/Gardener. Charles died in Shaftesbury on 5th March, 1942.

Source: Based on original research by Ken Baxter.

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Arthur Balch

11th July 2019/in 1914-1918 16th Hussars, Corps of Hussars /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Balch

Other names: Arthur

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
South Africa
Mesopotamia
India
Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset
Weymouth, Dorset

Story:
Arthur Balch was born on 14 May 1879 in Shaftesbury, Dorset and baptised there on 18th July 1880. He was the son of William Balch and Mary Balch (née Highman). In 1891 the family was living in Parsons Pool in Shaftesbury. He had enlisted with the Royal Artillery as a Driver (Service No. 3776) on 18 Jan 1898 but was almost immediately transferred to the 16th Hussars on 22 Jan 1898 as a Private. He had served in South Africa and had been awarded various campaign and service medals including one for the Relief of Ladysmith. He went on reserve from 1905 and was called back for a short period between 1909 and 1910. In the meantime he had married Nellie Lodge in the Weymouth, Dorset, Registry area on 1 Jan 1907 and they set up home at 5 Walpole Street, Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, where they went on to have six children. He was mobilized again on 17 Jan 1914 as a Private with the Corps of Hussars (Service No. 47765). He served in both France & Flanders, Mesopotamia and India. Whilst serving in France he became the batman and groom to General Sir John French who was the Commander of the British Expeditionary Force until early 1915 when Sir John was relieved of his duties. Following the cessation of the war Arthur was eventually demobilized on 7 Dec 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals, the 1914/15 Star and the India Afghanistan North West Frontier Medal 1919. The census of 1921 shows the family living at 4 Walpole Street, Melcombe Regis, and Arthur was described as a Charabanc Driver for the Weymouth Motor Company. By the 1939 Register they were at the same address but Arthur was now Bus Inspector for Southern Buses. His death was recorded in Weymouth on 27 Sep 1960 and he was buried in Melcombe Regis Cemetery on 1 Oct 1960. Sources: Based on original research carried out by Ken Baxter for the exhibition "Shaftesbury and the Great War" at Gold Hill Museum in 2014.

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