1914-1918 Archives - Page 133 of 164 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

George Robert Batson

Surname: Batson

Other names: George Robert

Locations in this story:
Trent, Dorset
France & Flanders
Tyne Cot Memorial, Flanders
Warnford, Bishops Waltham, Hampshire
Westcombe, Evercreech, Somerset
St. Catherine's Church, Sedgehill, Wiltshire
Bristol Road, Sherborne, Dorset
Sedgehill, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Pewsey, Wiltshire

Story:
George Robert Batson was born in 1883 in Trent, Dorset, and baptised there on 1st April, 1883. He was the son of Charles Batson, a Labourer, and his second wife, Jane Batson (née Sanders). He had joined the Dorsetshire Regiment during 1901 but had been discharged prior to 1909 and was living in Bristol Road, Sherborne, Dorset, where he married Flora Ellen Smith (nee England), (a widow), on 30th May, 1909. At the time of the 1911 Census they were living at Warnford, Bishops Waltham, Hampshire, along with his step-daughter, where he was working as a cowman. There were two children of the marriage - one boy and one girl. They were living at Sedgehill, Wiltshire, when he re-enlisted in Shaftesbury and joined the 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 14561). He served in France & Flanders and at the time of his death on 16th August 1917 held the rank of Sergeant. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals and his name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Flanders (Panel 92). He is remembered on the memorial plaque in St. Catherine's Church, Sedgehill.

In 1917 Flora re-married, to John W. Parham; they lived at Westcombe, Evercreech, Somerset. The 1939 Register shows the couple living at 105 High Street, Pewsey, Wiltshire.

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William Long

Surname: Long

Other names: William

Locations in this story:
Cadeby, Leicestershire
Mesopotamia
Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Iraq
Cottage Row, Gaywood, Kings Lynn, Norfolk
Semley, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury
St. Leonard's Church, Semley, Wiltshire
Walsingham, Norfolk

Story:
William Long was born in 1888 in Cadeby, Leicestershire. He was the son of Henry Long, a Gamekeeper, and Amy Long (née Bailey). He married Mary Ann Graver at Walsingham, Norfolk, in 1907. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was living at Cottage Row, Gaywood, Kings Lynn, Norfolk with his wife and children. He enlisted in Shaftesbury (having by then moved to Semley, Wiltshire,) and joined the 2nd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 14861) and served in Mesopotamia. At the time of his death on 10th December 1917 he held the rank of Sergeant. His name appears on the Nisbim Memorial 240 in the Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery in Iraq. The military death notice stated that he was a resident of Semley, Wiltshire. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals and is remembered on the War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard and on the Semley Baptist Chapel plaque, now in St. Leonard's Church.

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Charles George Parsons

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

Surname: Parsons

Other names: Charles George

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Guards' Cemetery, Lesboeufs, Somme, France
Huggler's Hole Cottages, Semley
St. Catherine's Church, Sedgehill, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Charles George Parsons was born in 1898 in Semley, Wiltshire. He was the son of Walter Joseph Parsons (known as Joseph), a general labourer, and Frances Parsons (née Frost). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, a Scholar and living at Huggler's Hole Cottages, Semley. He enlisted in Shaftesbury as a Private and joined the 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 14501). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 9th November 1916 and was buried in the Guards' Cemetery, Lesboeufs, Somme, France (grave id. X.X.8). He is remembered on the Memorial Plaque in St. Catherine's Church, Sedgehill, the War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard, Semley, Wiltshire, the Semley Baptist Church Memorial Plaque (now in St. Leonard's Church). His other three brothers, Walter John Parsons, Percy Frank Parsons and Archibald Joseph Parsons, all served and survived the conflict.

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Percy Frank Parsons
Walter John Parsons
Archibald Joseph Parsons

Clement Martin Maidment

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

Surname: Maidment

Other names: Clement Martin

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
St. Leonard's Church, Semley
Knipe's Farm, Semley, Wiltshire
India
Dorchester

Story:
Clement Martin Maidment was born in Semley, Wiltshire, in 1897. He was the son of Thomas Clement Maidment and Ella Grace Maidment (née Flint). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as an Errand Boy and living at Knipe's Farm, Semley, Wiltshire.

He enlisted in Dorchester on 8th September, 1914, as a Private in the 1st/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 200907). He was posted to India from 9th October 1914 to 26th February 1917, when he joined the Middle East Expeditionary Force and was wounded on 26th September 1917. He returned to India on 21st December 1917, where he was hospitalized. He returned to the UK on 5th January 1918 and received further treatment but, on assessment, was declared unfit for further duty and discharged on 16th September 1918.

His pension, though shortlived, was equivalent £1.37p. per week. He died at home on 11th November 1918, and was buried in the north-west corner of St. Leonard's Churchyard. He was awarded the Victory and British War 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 brother, Denis Hugh Maidment, also served but survived.

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Dennis Hugh Maidment

Niel Shaw Stewart

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Rifle Brigade /by Ann Symons

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

18th September 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal Field Artillery /by Ann Symons

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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