1914-1918 Archives - Page 128 of 164 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

George Henry Grass

Surname: Grass

Other names: George Henry

Locations in this story:
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
India & North West Frontier
Mandalay, Burma
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Tisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
George Henry Grass was born at Tollard Royal, Wiltshire in 1866 and baptised there on 8 May 1866, the son of Robert Grass and Naomi Grass (nee Reynolds). His mother had died in 1875. He had served with the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 1740) between 2 Feb 1887 and his discharge after 12 years service on 1 Feb 1899, having served in the North West Frontier of India and Mandalay, Burma. His father died in 1908. George re-enlisted on 2nd July 1915 serving with the 1st Battalion, then the 4th Battalion and finally the 85th Provisional Battalion (Territorial Force) of the Wiltshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 3653). He served in the UK only and was discharged on 10th March 1916, being 'no longer physically fit'. There are no medal records. His sister, Elizabeth Selina Grass, had become his next-of-kin for military purposes - she lived at 19 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset. William died during 1925 in the Tisbury, Wiltshire, Registration District.

Source: Based on earlier research by Ken Baxter.

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Reginald Taylor Gifford

Surname: Gifford

Other names: Reginald Taylor

Locations in this story:
Green Lane, Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Norwich, Norfolk

Story:
Reginald Taylor Gifford was born at Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset on 16th May 1888, the son of William Gifford and Sarah Ann Gifford (née Taylor). He was a Baker by trade and his mother ran the local grocery shop. He enlisted on 3rd March 1916 but was not embodied until 26th February 1917 and joined as a Private with the 57th Field Bakery, Army Service Corps, near Norwich. (Service No. S/306788) He served in the UK only due to deafness problem and was finally demobilized on 17th December 1919. There are no medal records though he qualified for the British War Medal. He was living with the Taylor family at Green Lane, Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset at the time of the both the 1921 Census and 1939 Register. He was occupied in Wood Hauling and remained single. He died in Ashmore on 26th April 1977 and was buried at St. Nicholas Church, Ashmore, on 29th April 1977.

Source: Based on earlier research by Ken Baxter.

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George Garrett

14th July 2019/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment, Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Garrett

Other names: George

Locations in this story:
Summerleaze Farm, East Knoyle, Wiltshire
Egypt
Newton Abbott, Devon
The Holloway, East Knoyle, Wiltshire
Wolborough, Newton Abbot, Devon

Story:
George Garrett was born at East Knoyle, Wiltshire in 1870, the son of John Garrett and Mary Ann Garrett (née Maidment). The family lived at Summerleaze Farm, East Knoyle, Wiltshire until George's father died in 1890. Following this, his mother moved to The Hollow Way, East Knoyle, Wiltshire, where she is recorded still living in the 1911 Census. George married Ann Venning on 14th September 1889 and there were 2 children of the marriage. George had previously served for a period in the Royal Garrison Artillery and had spent some time in Egypt. He re-enlisted on 2nd September 1914 and joined the 1st Service Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment (Special Reservists) where he eventually became a Lance Sergeant (Service No. 7223). He was at the time living in the Newton Abbott, Devonshire, area and working as a Groom. He served in Egypt from 27 Sep 1915 and was subsequently demobilized on 19th April 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living at 77 East Street, Wolborough, Newton Abbot, Devon, working as a Chimney Sweep and Carpet Beater on his own account. He died in 1956 in the Newton Abbot, Devon, Registration District.

Source: Based on earlier research by Ken Baxter

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Humphrey Silvester Evans

14th July 2019/in 1914-1918 City of London Rifles /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Evans

Other names: Humphrey Silvester

Locations in this story:
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Carminia Road, Streatham, Wandsworth, London
Suva, Fiji, South Pacific.
Egypt
France & Flanders
Castle Hill House, Bimport, Shaftesbury

Story:
Humphrey Silvester Evans was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset in 1890 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, on 2nd November 1890. He was the son of Dr. Charles Silvester Evans and Lilian Mary Evans (née Barton). They were living at Castle Hill House, Bimport, Shaftesbury at the time of the 1891 Census. Following the death of Humphrey's father in 1896, the family moved to 59 Carminia Road, Streatham, Wandsworth, London. Before the outbreak of war Humphrey had started to study medicine but had enlisted on 18th February 1914 as a Private with the City of London Rifles (The Rough Riders) (Service No 2156). He served in Egypt from 7 May 1915 and later in France & Flanders. He was, however, discharged on 15th October 1915 in order that he could 'resume studies as a medical student'. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals and the 1915 Star. He married Phyllis Wheeler in 1916 and there were three children of the marriage. He went on to qualify as a Doctor and joined the Colonial Service. He held various Medical Officer posts throughout the world but mainly in Fiji where he died on Suva on 6th March 1965.

Source: Based on earlier research by Ken Baxter.

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Herbert Alexander Dudman

14th July 2019/in 1914-1918 Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment, Royal Dublin Fusiliers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Dudman

Other names: Herbert Alexander

Locations in this story:
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Hindon, Tisbury, Wiltshire
France
Bodenham, Salisbury, Wiltshire
Harmsworth Hospital, Harmsworth, Middlesex

Story:
Herbert Alexander Dudman was born at Tollard Royal, Wiltshire in 1895, the son of Thomas Dudman and Emily Dudman (née Pike). His early life was spent at 16 Silver Street, Hindon, Tisbury, Wiltshire. He enlisted on 5th September 1914 and joined the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 12186). He later transferred to the 7th Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers (Service No. 14950) and was promoted to Lance Corporal. He initially served in the Balkans from 9 Aug 1915 and later in France during the latter part of 1918. During his time in France he received gunshot wounds in his back which ultimately caused tuberculosis and was the main cause for his discharge on 4th November 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals and the 1914/15 Star. He was also issued with the Silver War Badge (No. B331563), The King's Certificate of Service and a war pension. The 1921 Census shows him living with his parents in Bodenham, Salisbury, Wiltshire, assisting his father in his baking business. He regrettably died, still single, of his disease on 31st July 1923, in the Harmsworth Hospital, Harmsworth, Middlesex.

Source: Earlier research by Ken Baxter.

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Edgar John Dibben

14th July 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Field Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Dibben

Other names: Edgar John

Locations in this story:
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
France
Greensward, Wokingham, Berkshire
Bradford Street, Bolton, Lancashire
Shillingstone Lodge, The Chalk, Iwerne Minster, Dorset.
Deptford, London
Shenfield on Loddon, Hampshire
Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Edgar John Dibben was born at Iwerne Minster, Dorset, on 27th March 1883, and baptised there on 10 Jun 1883 the son of Police Constable Edwin John Dibben and Ellen Dibben (née Pike). He spent his early childhood at Shillingstone Lodge, The Chalk, Iwerne Minster, Dorset. He enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery on 31st August 1914 and achieved the rank of Lance Bombardier (Service No. 98037). He served in France from 21 May 1915 on attachment to the 60th (Reserve) Battery though, on his return to the UK prior to discharge, he was serving as a Gymnastic Instructor. He married Elizabeth Ellen Harris on 5th March 1918 at St. John's Church, Deptford, London. He was demobilized on 17th February 1919 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals and the 1915 Star. The Electoral Register of 1921 shows him living at Church End, Sherfield on Loddon, Hampshure. By the 1939 Register he had moved to The Cottage, Greensward, Wokingham, Berkshire, working as a Private Gardener. His wife, Elizabeth died in 1942 and he remarried Beatrice May Hilton in the Salisbury, Wiltshire, area during 1943. There were no children of either marriage. Edgar died on 9th February 1955 at his then home, 145 Bradford Street, Bolton, Lancashire. His brothers, Frederick Charles and Edwin George, also served in the conflict and all their names appear on a Roll of Honour published privately in Iwerne Minster. Source: Based on previous research by Ken Baxter.

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Frederick George Dewey

13th July 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Dewey

Other names: Frederick George

Locations in this story:
Mansfield Farm, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
France
Tisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Frederick (Fred) George Dewey was born at Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire in the 1st Quarter of 1887, the son of Michael Thomas Dewey and Louisa Dewey (née Scammell). He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in the Donhead St. Andrew area. He had served in the military from 13th August 1909 with the Army Service Corps (Service Nos. T118 and T4247356). He eventually held the rank of Farrier Staff Sergeant. He served mainly in the UK and France. He was demobilized on 25th February 1919 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Mabel Nellie Pickford in 1920 (Registered at Tisbury, Wiltshire) and they had one child. His address was Mansfield Farm, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, per the 1911 Census which shows him working as a blacksmith and by the 1921 Census it was now New Road, Donhead St. Andrew. He died in 1926 (Registered at Tisbury).

Source: Based on original research by Ken Baxter.

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John Richard Davis

13th July 2019/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

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

13th July 2019/in 1914-1918 Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment /by Chris Stupples

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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