Alvediston War Memorial base

William George Edward Scammell

Surname: Scammell
Other names: William George Edward
Other people in this story:
James Scammell
Elizabeth Scammell née Bridle
Edward James Scammell
Sidney John Scammell
Locations in this story:
Broad Chalke, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium
Alvediston, Wiltshire
Devizes, Wiltshire

Story:
William George Edward Scammell was born in 1894 in Broad Chalke Wiltshire, and was baptised there on 30th December, 1894. He was the son of James Scammell and Elizabeth Scammell (née Bridle). At the time of the 1901 Census he was single and living at Broad Chalke. There is no entry for him in the 1911 Census but his family were then living in Alvediston, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Devizes as a Private in the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 9000). He joined the 2nd Battalion and served in France & Flanders. He went missing on 24th October 1914 and was presumed to have been killed in action. His name appears on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, Belguim (Panel 53) and he is remembered on the Alvediston War Memorial.  Of his brothers, Sidney John Scammell served and survived whilst Edward John Scammell enlisted on two occasions as he appeared keen to take part in the conflict but was quickly discharged on each occasion due to his physical disablilty of having a toe amputated years before.

Images:
  • Alvediston War Memorial

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Berwick St. John War Memorial

Bertie Harold (Harry) Bennett

Surname: Bennett
Other names: Bertie Harold (Harry)
Other people in this story:
Thomas Bennett
Annie Bennett née Witt
Reginald George Bennett
Thomas William Bennett
Walter Sam Bennett
Mabel Mary Bennett née Gray
Locations in this story:
Five Ways, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium
Ashcombe, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
St. John the Baptist Church, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Flanders
Church of St. Peter and Vincula, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Andover, Hampshire

Story:
Bertie Harold (Harry) Bennett was born in 1884 in Donhead St. Mary. He was the son of Thomas Bennett, a Game Keeper, and Annie Bennett (née Witt). His siblings included Reginald George, Thomas William and Walter Sam, born in 1897, 1894, 1885, respectively, who all died in the war. In 1891 the family were living at Philps Cottage, Five Ways, Donhead St. Mary. In 1910 Harry married Mabel Mary Gray. They had two children, both boys. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was working as a Game Keeper and living at Ashcombe, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire.

Harry enlisted in Andover, Hampshire, as a Private in the 14th (Service) Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment (Service No. 32568). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He was killed in action in Flanders on 26th Sep 1917 and his name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial (Panel 88 to 90 and 162).

He is remembered as "Harry" on the memorial plaque inside the church at Berwick St. John. The name "B.H. Bennett" is also marked in Tollard Royal, on the War Memorial and on the Roll of Honour inside the Church of St. Peter and Vincula. On both he is recorded as "Missing" on 6th September 1917, and official records show that he died on 26th September. Of the five Bennett brothers only one survived the war. Frederick Harry (b.1889) served in the Somerset Light Infantry and the Devonshire Regiment during the war. He had a successful career as a gamekeeper and died in 1968.

Images:
  • St. John the Baptist Church, Berwick St. John 01
  • Berwick St John War Memorial 03
  • Tollard Royal War Memorial

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Frederick Harry Bennett
Walter Sam Bennett
Reginald George Bennett
Thomas William Bennett
St. John the Baptist Church, Berwick St. John 01

Reginald George Bennett

Surname: Bennett
Other names: Reginald George
Other people in this story:
Thomas Bennett
Annie Bennett née Witt
Bertie Harold Bennett
Thomas William Bennett
Walter Sam Bennett
Frederick Harry Bennett
Locations in this story:
St. John the Baptist Church, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Mesopotamia
Amara War Cemetery, Iraq
Ashcombe, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Church of St. Peter and Vincula, Tollard Royal
Southampton
Five Ways, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire

Story:
Reginald George Bennett was born in 1897 in Berwick St. John, Wiltshire. He was the son of Thomas Bennett, a Game Keeper, and Annie Bennett (née Witt). His siblings included Bertie Harold, Thomas William and Walter Sam, born in 1889, 1894, 1885, respectively, who all died in the war. In 1891 the family was living at Philps Cottage, Five Ways, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. At the time of the 1911 Census Reginald was single and living in the family home at Ashcombe, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Southampton and joined the 134th Company of the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) (Service No. 33138) and he served in Mesopotamia. At the time of his death he held the rank of Lance Corporal. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 24th February 1917 and was buried at Amara War Cemetery in Iraq (grave id. XVII.H.13).

He is remembered on the war memorial inside the church at Berwick St. John. He is also remembered as "R.G. Bennett M.G.C" on the Tollard Royal War Memorial and on the Roll of Honour inside the Church of St. Peter and Vincula in the village. Of the five Bennett brothers only one survived the war. Frederick Harry (b.1889) served in the Somerset Light Infantry and the Devonshire Regiment during the war. He had a successful career as a gamekeeper and died in 1968.

Images:
  • Berwick St. John War Memorial
  • Tollard Royal War Memorial

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Frederick Harry Bennett
Walter Sam Bennett
Bertie Harold Bennett
Thomas William Bennett
Berwick St John War Memorial 02

Thomas William Bennett

Surname: Bennett
Other names: Thomas William
Other people in this story:
Thomas Bennett
Annie Bennett née Witt
Bertie Harold Bennett
Reginald George Bennett
Walter Sam Bennett
Frederick Harry Bennett
Locations in this story:
St. John the Baptist Church, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Vlamertiinghe Military Cemetery, Belgium
Ashcombe, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Church of St. Peter and Vincula, Tollard Royal
Southampton
Five Ways, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire

Story:
Thomas William Bennett was born in 1894 in Berwick St. John, Wiltshire. He was the son of Thomas Bennett, a Game Keeper, and Annie Bennett (née Witt). His siblings included Bertie Harold, Reginald George and Walter Sam, born in 1889, 1897, 1885, respectively, who all died in the war. In 1891 the family was living at Philps Cottage, Five Ways, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. At the time of the 1911 Census Thomas was single, working as a Farm Labourer and living in the family home at Ashcombe, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Southampton as a Private 2nd Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment (Service No. 29510). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He was killed in action in Flanders on 10th September 1916 and was buried at Vlamertiinghe Military Cemetery in Belgium (grave id. IV.D.12).

He is remembered on war memorial inside the church at Berwick St. John. He is also remembered in Tollard Royal as "T.W. Bennett" on the War Memorial and on the Roll of Honour inside the Church of St. Peter and Vincula in the village. Of the five Bennett brothers only one survived the war. Frederick Harry (b.1889) served in the Somerset Light Infantry and the Devonshire Regiment during the war. He had a successful career as a gamekeeper and died in 1968.

Images:
  • St. John the Baptist Church, Berwick St. John 01
  • Berwick St John War Memorial 03
  • Tollard Royal War Memorial

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Frederick Harry Bennett
Walter Sam Bennett
Bertie Harold Bennett
Reginald George Bennett
Berwick St John War Memorial

Walter Sam Bennett

Surname: Bennett
Other names: Walter Sam
Other people in this story:
Thomas Bennett
Annie Bennett née Witt
Bertie Harold Bennett
Reginald George Bennett
Thomas William Bennett
Ethel Flora Bennett née Bennett
George Casbolt
Frederick Harry Bennett
Locations in this story:
St. John the Baptist Church, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Ovillers Military Cemetery, Somme, France
Ashcombe, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Farnham, Dorset
Poplar, London
Church of St. Peter and Vincula, Tollard Royal
Bromley, Kent
London
Medway, Kent
Five Ways, Donhead St. Mary

Story:
Walter Sam Bennett was born in 1885 in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. He was the son of Thomas Bennett, a Game Keeper, and Annie Bennett (née Witt). His siblings included Bertie Harold, Reginald George and Thomas William, born in 1889, 1897, 1894, respectively, who all died in the war.

In 1891 the family was living at Philps Cottage, Five Ways, Donhead St. Mary and by 1901 had moved to Ashcombe, Tollard Royal,Wiltshire. Walter was working as a Gardener. In 1916 he married Ethel Flora Bennett in the Medway. Kent registration district. They lived in Farnham, Dorset, later moving to various addresses in London.

Walter enlisted in Bromley, Kent, as a Private in the 6th Battalion of the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) (Service No. G/10457). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. While attached to 'C' Company he was killed in action in Flanders, on 3rd July 1916, just a few weeks after his marriage. He was buried at Ovillers Military Cemetery, Somme, France (grave id. VII.D.9).

His widow Ethel remarried in 1920, to George Casbolt and they lived in Poplar, London. Of the five Bennett brothers only one survived the war. Frederick Harry (b.1889) served in the Somerset Light Infantry and the Devonshire Regiment during the war. He had a successful career as a gamekeeper and died in 1968.

Walter is remembered on the memorial plaque inside the church at Berwick St. John. He is also remembered in Tollard Royal as "T.W. Bennett" on the War Memorial and on the Roll of Honour inside the Church of St. Peter and Vincula in the village.

Images:
  • St. John the Baptist Church, Berwick St. John 01
  • Berwick St John War Memorial 02
  • Tollard Royal War Memorial

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Frederick Harry Bennett
Bertie Harold Bennett
Reginald George Bennett
Thomas William Bennett
Bell Street 1

Henry Walter Hardy

Surname: Hardy
Other names: Henry Walter
Other people in this story:
Walter Hardy
Elizabeth Hardy née Strange
Alma Annie Mary Hardy née Wright
Alma Hardy
Walter Hardy
Arthur Thomas Hardy
Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
Halliwell, Bolton, Lancashire
Bell Street, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
St. James, Shaftesbury

Story:
Henry Walter Hardy was born in 1888 in Shaftesbury and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 2nd September, 1888. He was the son of Walter Hardy, a plasterer, and Elizabeth Hardy (née Strange). At the time of the 1911 Census, he was working as an iron molder and living at 28 Bell Street, Shaftesbury. He married Annie Alma Mary Wright at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, on 8th April, 1912. He moved to Bolton and his daughter, Alma, was born there in 1912.

Henry enlisted with the 1st Battalion of the Yorkshire & Lancashire Regiment (Service No. 8867) later transferring to the North Staffordshire Regiment (Service No. 23444). He survived the war but was discharged on 11th August, 1919 as unfit for further military duty. At the time of his discharge he held the rank of Sergeant. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 15 Star medals. His son, Walter, was born in 1921.

Henry died at 290 Chorley Old Road, Bolton, Lancashire, on 31st March, 1922, of 'Acute Bright's Disease, Heart Disease and Bronchitis'. A family member recorded that he was gassed in the war and that this had a serious effect on his health. He was buried at St. Peter's Church, Churchgate, Halliwell, Bolton, Lancashire, on 4th April, 1922. He is remembered on the Holy Trinity War Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. Ultimately his wife moved back to Shaftesbury and by the 1939 Register was living at 14 St. James, Shaftesbury.

Henry's brother Arthur Thomas (b.1898) also served in the war, with the North Lancashire Regiment and the Northumberland Fusiliers.    

Images:
  • Holy Trinity Memorial in St. Peter's Church 3
  • Holy Trinity Memorial in St. Peter's Church 2
  • Holy Trinity Memorial in St. Peter's Church 1

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Arthur Thomas Hardy
Holy Trinity Memorial in St. Peter's Church 2

Bertie Howard Imber

Surname: Imber
Other names: Bertie Howard
Other people in this story:
John Imber
Elizabeth Ann Imber née Lodder
Leonard Charles Imber
Sidney William Imber
Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
Basingstoke, Hampshire
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Layton Lane, Shaftesbury
St. James Church, Shaftesbury
Layton Lane, Shaftesbury

Story:
Bertie Howard Imber was born in 1895 in Shaftesbury and baptised at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, on 26th February, 1895. He was the son of John Imber, a Rural Postman, and Elizabeth Ann Imber (née Lodder). The family lived at 2 Layton Lane in Shaftesbury. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Butcher's Assistant and living at 2 Layton Lane, Shaftesbury. He enlisted as a Private in the 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 15051). He survived the war and was discharged to 'Z' Reserve on 22nd February, 1919. He died in August 1928 at Basingstoke, Hampshire. The reason for his death is not known. He is remembered on the Holy Trinity War Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury.   Bertie's brother, Leonard Charles Imber, also served in the conflict and was awarded the Military Medal also his brother, Sidney William Imber, served and both survived  

Images:
  • Shaftesbury Remembrance Sunday 2016
  • Holy Trinity Memorial in St. Peter's Church 1
  • Holy Trinity Memorial in St. Peter's Church 3
  • Layton Lane 2

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Leonard Charles Imber
Holy Trinity Memorial in St. Peter's Church 1

Mark Imber

Surname: Imber
Other names: Mark
Other people in this story:
Frank Imber
Mary Anna Imber née Hunt
James Hunt Imber
Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
North Dublin, Ireland
Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Cabra, Dublin
Dublin Hospital
Layton Lane, Shaftesbury
Portsworth Road, Surbiton, Surrey
Hallowell Road, Northwood, Middlesex
Northwood

Story:
Mark Imber was born in 1879 in Shaftesbury and baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, on 29th August, 1879. He was the son of Frank Imber, a Butcher, and Mary Anna Imber (née Hunt). His siblings included James Hunt Imber (b.1886) who also served in the Household Cavalry during the war. The family lived at 2 Layton Lane, Shaftesbury. Mark's father died in 1900. Mark had left home by 1901 and was boarding at Cambridge Cottages, 1 Portsworth Road, Surbiton, Surrey, and working as a boat builder. He had moved by the time of the 1911 Census was single and living at 2 Marion Cottages, Hallowell Road, Northwood, Middlesex and working as a House Decorator. He enlisted in Northwood as a Private with the 6th Battalion of the Reserve Cavalry Regiment (5th & 12th Lancers) attached to the Household Cavalry of the Line (Service No. GS/10814) and served in North Dublin, Ireland. He died in Dublin Hospital of an unknown cause on 11th June 1915 and was buried at Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Cabra, Dublin (grave id. CE.800). He is remembered on the Holy Trinity War Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury.  

Images:
  • Shaftesbury Remembrance Sunday 2016
  • Holy Trinity Memorial in St. Peter's Church 3
  • Holy Trinity Memorial in St. Peter's Church 2

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
James Hunt Imber
Names on Ludwell War Memorial 1

Charles King

Surname: King
Other names: Charles
Other people in this story:
Jesse King
Harriet King née Holley
Locations in this story:
Lacock, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
St. Souplet British Cemetery complex, Nord, France
Higher Coombe, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Ludwell, Wiltshire
Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Charles King was born in 1888 in Lacock, Wiltshire. He was the son of Jesse King, a gamekeeper, and Harriet King (née Holley). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, was working as a cabinet maker and living at Higher Coombe, Donhead St. Mary, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in Salisbury as a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 23746). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 1st April 1918 and his name appears on the St. Quentin German Cemetery Memorial 10, which is part of the wider St. Souplet British Cemetery complex at St. Souplet, Nord, France. He is remembered on the Cann War Memorial, Shaftesbury and the memorial at Ludwell in Wiltshire.

Images:
  • Cann War Memorial
  • Ludwell War Memorial
  • Unveiling of Cann War Memorial

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
St. James' War Memorial

Frederick James Ford

Surname: Ford
Other names: Frederick James
Other people in this story:
William Ford
Jane Ford
Edith Linda Ford née Mayo
Locations in this story:
Bridge, Kent
St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
La Neuville British Communal Cemetery, Corbie, France
High Street, Shaftesbury

Story:
Frederick James Ford's birth was registered in Bridge, Kent, in early 1888, the son of William and Jane Ford.  He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in Bridge.  He married Edith Linda Mayo in Bridge, Kent, in 1911.  His wife had been born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, but she was working at the time of her marriage as a Housemaid in Bridge.  Frederick (known normally as Fred) had joined the The Buffs (East Kent) Regiment rising to the rank of Lance Sergeant (Service No. G/5774).  He died of wounds in France & Flanders on 21st August 1916 and was buried at the La Neuville British Communal Cemetery, Corbie, France, (Grave Ref: II.A.30). He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star.  His wife returned to Shaftesbury and lived at 44 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset.  Frederick is remembered on the War Memorial at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, and on the Holy Trinity Church Memorial Board which is now situated in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury.   His name also appears on the War Memorial in Bridge, Kent.  Edith did not remarry and by 1939 she was working as a Housekeeper for a Chemist at 14 High Street, Shaftesbury.  (NB.  This information was identified by Ian King as a result of his Dorset War Memorial research.)

Images:
  • St. James' Roll of Honour
  • Shaftesbury Remembrance Sunday 2016
  • Holy Trinity Memorial in St. Peter's Church 3
  • Holy Trinity Memorial in St. Peter's Church 2
  • Holy Trinity Memorial in St. Peter's Church 1

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives