1914-1918 Archives - Page 132 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Niel Shaw Stewart

Surname: Shaw Stewart

Other names: Niel

Locations in this story:
Belgravia, London
Guillemont, France
Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval, Somme, France
Hays House, Wiltshire
Eton College, Berkshire
St. Catherine's Church, Sedgehill, Wiltshire
Fonthill Abbey, Tisbury, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
University College, Oxford
St. Pancras Church, Marylebone, London

Story:
Niel Shaw-Stewart was born on 7th July, 1894 in Belgravia, London, and baptised at St. Pancras Church, Marylebone, London, on 10th July, 1894. He was the son of Walter Richard Shaw-Stewart and Mary Beatrice Sydney Shaw-Stewart (nee Leverson-Lane). At the time of the 1911 Census the family were living at Hays House, Sedgehill, Wiltshire, and Niel was single and a scholar at Eton College from where he went on to University College, Oxford, and obtained a B.A. degree in 1916. He enlisted in the 3rd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) served in France & Flanders, including Ypres and the Somme. he was wounded on 3rd May, 1915, but was able to return in due course to active duty. He died on 21st August 1916 in Guillemont in France. At the time of his death he held the rank of Lieutenant. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He was buried at Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval, Somme, France (grave id. XIII.N.10). He is remembered on the memorial plaque in St. Catherine's Church, Sedgehill. In 1922 his parents were living at Fonthill Abbey, Tisbury, Wiltshire. They commissioned a separate memorial to their son which is in the form of a stone cross on the A350 which was restored by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for the centenary commemorations in 2014. His name also appears on the De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour.

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Wilfred Harry Merefield

Surname: Merefield

Other names: Wilfred Harry

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
Dickebusch New Military Cemetery Extension, West Flanders, Belgium
Compton Abbas, Dorset
St. Leonard's Church, Semley, Wiltshire
Devizes, Wiltshire
Bridgend, Glamorgan
Semley, Wiltshire

Story:
Wilfred Harry Merefield was born in Compton Abbas, Dorset, in 1882. He was the son of James Merefield and Amelia Merefield (née Merefield). Though by 1901 he was living with his brother Albert in Bridgend, Glamorgan, and working as a coal miner. He returned to Semley and married Louisa Gertrude Woodrow on 18th January 1904 at St. James's Church, Shaftesbury. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was working as a Cowman on a Farm and they were living at Compton Abbas, Dorset. By the time of his enlistment they were living at 229 Gutch Common, Semley, Wiltshire. His father had died in 1909 and his mother in 1913.

He enlisted in Devizes, Wiltshire, and joined 'C' Battery, 82nd Brigade, of the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 57938). He served in France & Flanders and he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 1st August 1917 and was buried at Dickebusch New Military Cemetery Extension, West Flanders, Belgium (grave id. II.F.14). He is remembered on the Semley War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard, and on the Roll of Honour inside the church. His name was included on the Baptist Chapel plaque, now also in the church.

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Alfred Radcliffe Bowles

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Bowles

Other names: Alfred Radcliffe

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
India
Delhi Memorial (India Gate)
Old Workhouse, Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley

Story:
Alfred Radcliffe Bowles was born in Semley, Wiltshire, in 1895, and baptised there on 25th December, 1895. He was the son of Frank Bowles, a Foreman Platelayer, and Bessie Alice Bowles (née Trevelian). His siblings included Bertram Percival Bowles, born in 1893, who also died in the war as well as Leonard Frank Bowles and Harold Donald Victor Bowles who served and survived. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Farm Labourer and living at the Old Workhouse, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Semley as a Private and joined the 2nd/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 2463 later changed to 200790). He served in India where he died on 16th October 1918 whilst on attachment to the 3rd Wireless Section, Royal Engineers. (There is a note on the WGC record that he was buried in the Tank Cemetery 35 but no other information is given.) His name appears on the Delhi Memorial (India Gate) (Face 23). He is remembered on the Semley War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard, and on the Roll of Honour inside the church. His name was included on the Baptist Chapel plaque, now also in the church.

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Bertram Percival

Stanley George Pitman

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Pitman

Other names: Stanley George

Locations in this story:
Motcombe, Dorset
France & Flanders
Fienvillers British War Cemetery, Somme, France
Semley Villa, , Semley, Wiltshire
St Leonard's Church, Semley
Salisbury

Story:
Stanley George Pitman was born in Motcombe, Dorset, in 1889, and was baptised there on 3rd December, 1889. He was the son of John Pitman, an Egg & Poultry Dealer, and Mary Ann Pitman (née Phillips). His Mother died in 1898 and his father in 1907. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as an Egg/Poultry Dealer and living with his uncle, William Pitman, at Semley Villa, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Salisbury as a Private with Royal Warwickshire Regiment (Service No. 5062) but later transferred to the 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 19550). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 3rd September 1918 and was buried at Fienvillers British War Cemetery, Somme, France (grave id. D.14). He is remembered on the Semley War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard, and on the Roll of Honour inside the church. His name was included on the Baptist Chapel plaque, now also in the church. His three surviving brothers were recipients of all monies due from Stanley's estate. The brothers, William John Pitman (Stanley's twin brother), Hubert Morgan Pitman and Harold Arthur Pitman, all served and survived.

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Hubert Morgan Pitman
William John Pitman
Harold Arthur Pitman

Bertram Percival Bowles

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Bowles

Other names: Bertram Percival

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
Mesopotamia
Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Baghdad, Iraq
Old Workhouse, Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley
Axminster, Devon

Story:
Bertram Percival Bowles was born in Semley, Wiltshire, in 1893. He was the son of Frank Bowles, a Foreman Platelayer, and Bessie Alice Bowles (née Trevelian). His siblings included Alfred Radcliffe Bowles, born in 1895, who also died in the war as well as Leonard Frank Bowles and Harold Donald Victor Bowles who served and survived. At the time of the 1911 Census, Bertram was single, working as a Railway Porter and living at the Old Workhouse, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Axminster, Devon, as a Private and joined the 1st/4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment (Service No. 2398 later changed to 200736). He served in Mesopotamia and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 16th April 1918 and was buried at the Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Baghdad, Iraq (grave id. IV.C.3). He is remembered on the Semley War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard, and on the Roll of Honour inside the church. His name was included on the Baptist Chapel plaque, now also in the church as well as the War Memorial at Axminster, Devon.

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Alfred Radcliffe Bowles

Horace William Brown

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Hampshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Brown

Other names: Horace William

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Cologne Southern Military Cemetery, Germany
Bow Marsh Cottage, Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley
Hendon, Middlesex
Winchester, Hampshire
Petersfield, Hampshire
Tisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Horace William Brown was born Hendon, Middlesex in 1893 but the birth was registered in Tisbury, Wiltshire. Both his parents were from Donhead St. Mary: Edward Brown, a cowman on a farm, and Elizabeth Brown (née Goddard). By the time of the 1911 Census the family had moved to Semley. Horace was single, working as a cowman on a farm and living at Bow Marsh Cottage, Semley, Wiltshire.

He enlisted in Winchester as a Private and joined the 1st Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment (Service No. 18167), giving his residence at the time as Petersfield, Hampshire. He also served with the 14th and 2nd Battalions. He served in France & Flanders and was with the 2nd Battalion when he was taken prisoner. He died on 16th November 1918 whilst in captivity and was buried at Cologne Southern Military Cemetery in Germany (grave id. XVII.A.4). The cemetery was used not only for original burials but also for men who died in prison camps elsewhere and were re-interred after the Armistice. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He is remembered on the War Memorial in St. Leonard's Churchyard, Semley, and the Semley Baptist Chapel plaque, now in the Church.

Images:

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Ernest Leslie Butt

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal Marine Light Infantry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Butt

Other names: Ernest Leslie

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
Arras Memorial, France
Barkers Hill, Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley, Wiltshire

Story:
Ernest Leslie Butt was born in Semley, Wiltshire, in 1889. He was the son of James Butt, a Farm Labourer, and Elizabeth Ann Butt (née Kelly). His siblings included Wilfrid James Butt, born in 1896, who also died in the war as well as Edwin Albert Butt who served and survived. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Farm Labourer and living at Barkers Hill, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted on 29th July, 1916, as a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Marine Light Infantry (Service No. CH/1612(S)). He went missing presumed killed whilst with the 'C' Company, 10th Platoon of the 2nd RMLI on 28th April 1917 and his name appears on the Arras Memorial in France (Bay 1). He is remembered on the Semley War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard, and on the Roll of Honour inside the church. His name was included on the Baptist Chapel plaque, now also in the church.

Images:

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Wilfrid Butt

Wilfrid James Butt

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Wiltshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Butt

Other names: Wilfrid James

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Etaples Military Cemetery, Etaples, Pas de Calais, France
Barkers Hill, Semley, Wiltshire
Warminster, Wiltshire

Story:
Wilfrid (as spelt on GRO Records and later census Records) James Butt was born in Semley, Wiltshrie, in 1896, and baptised there on 19th July, 1896. He was the son of James Butt, a Farm Labourer, and Elizabeth Ann Butt (née Kelly). His siblings included Ernest Leslie, born in 1889, who also died in the war and Edwin Albert Butt who served and survived. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Farm Labourer and living at Barkers Hill, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Warminster as a Private and joined the 6th Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 22690). (Army records show his name as Wilfred) He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 29th November 1916 and was buried at Etaples Military Cemetery, Etaples, Pas De Calais, France (grave id. XX.D.4A). He is remembered on the Semley War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard, and on the Roll of Honour inside the church. His name was included on the Baptist Chapel plaque, now also in the church.

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Ernest Leslie Butt

Lionel George Churchill

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Cape Mounted Rifles, Royal Gloucestershire Hussars /by Ann Symons

Surname: Churchill

Other names: Lionel George

Locations in this story:
Gillingham, Dorset
South Africa
Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey
St. Leonard's Church, Semley, Wiltshire
Gloucester

Story:
Lionel George Churchill was born in 1882 in Gillingham, Dorset. He was the son of Mark Churchill and Elizabeth Churchill (née Lush). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single and working as a shop assistant in Eastgate Street, Gloucester. He enlisted in Gloucester and joined the 1/1st Royal Gloucestershire Hussars (Yeomanry) (Service No. 2215) and at the time of his death held the rank of Corporal. He died at sea off Gallipoli on 24th August 1915 and his name appears on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey (Panel 18). He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He is remembered on the Semley War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard, and on the Roll of Honour inside the church. His name was included on the Baptist Chapel plaque, now also in the church. His parents were by then living in Semley, Wiltshire.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission citation states that Lionel had also served in the South African War, spending five years with the Cape Mounted Rifles.

Images:

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Geoffrey Matthew George Culley

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal West Kent Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Culley

Other names: Geoffrey Matthew George

Locations in this story:
Glendale, Northumberland
France & Flanders
Bulls Road Cemetery, Flers, Somme, France
Grove House, Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley

Story:
Geoffrey Matthew George Culley was born in 1883 in the Glendale Registration District of Northumberland. He was the son of Matthew Tewart Culley, described as "Living on own means", and Eleanor Jane Culley (née Darling). Geoffrey's father died on 2nd March, 1889. At the time of the 1911 Census, Geoffrey was a Regular Soldier with the rank of Captain serving with the 4th Reserves of the Durham Light Infantry and living at Grove House, Semley, Wiltshire (the home of his mother). He married Elizabeth Frances Twynam in 1914. There were two sons of the marriage both of whom died in the Second World War.

At the outbreak of war he joined the 9th Scottish Rifles but later transferred to the 11th Battalion of the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment. He served in France & Flanders and at the time of his death had retained the rank of Captain. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died on 15th September 1916 and was buried at Bulls Road Cemetery, Flers, Somme, France (grave id.III.G.8). He is remembered on the Semley War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard, and on the Roll of Honour inside the church. His name (spelt with a J) was included on the Baptist Chapel plaque, now also in the church.

His sons, George. W. Culley (b. 1915) was a Major in the Royal Artillery (Airborne Division) and won the Military Cross whilst Geoffrey Matthew Culley (b.1916) served as a Sergeant with 39 Squadron, Royal Air Force)

Images:

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