Names on Cann War Memorial

William Frank White

Surname: White
Other names: William Frank
Other people in this story:
George White
Sarah White née Lush
Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
Arras Memorial, France
Higher Blandford Road, Cann, Shaftesbury
Shaftesbury

Story:
William Frank White was born in 1888 in Cann, Shaftesbury. He was the son of George White and Sarah White (née Lush). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a bricklayer and living in Higher Blandford Road, Cann, Shaftesbury. His mother died in 1912 and his father in 1917. He enlisted in Shaftesbury as a Private in the 10th Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (Service No. 24763). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 25th March 1918 and his name appears on the Arras Memorial (Bay 6). He is remembered on the Cann War Memorial, Shaftesbury.

Images:
  • Cann War Memorial
  • Cann memorial opening

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

William Conway

Surname: Conway
Other names: William
Other people in this story:


Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury



Story:
The name of William Conway appears on the Roll of Honour in St. James' Church, Shaftesbury.  So far it has not been possible to find details of his life in official records. We would be grateful to anyone who may be able to provide information that would help us identify him.      

Images:
  • St. James' Roll of Honour
  • St. James' War Memorial

Links to related web content / sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Motcombe War Memorial 03

Harold Coward

Surname: Coward
Other names: Harold
Other people in this story:
James Coward
Mary Jane Coward née Miles
Charles Edwin Coward
Victor Coward
Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
Mesopotamia
Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Al-Russafa, Baghdad, Iraq
Motcombe
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury

Story:
Harold Coward was born in 1893 in Motcombe and baptised there on 12th November, 1893. He was the son of James Coward, a Farm Labourer, and Mary Jane Coward (née Miles). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Factory Hand and living at 38 Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted in Shaftesbury as a Private in the 1/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 200168). It is possible that he served prior to that time in the territorial force as he had another Service Number, 1553, on the medal rolls. He served in Mesopotamia and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died in Mesopotamia on 24th Jul 1917 and was buried at Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Al-Russafa, Baghdad, Iraq (grave id. XII.A.3). He is remembered on the St. James' and Motcombe War Memorials and on the Roll of Honour in St. James' Church, Shaftesbury.

Harold's brothers Charles Edwin (b.1892) and Victor (b.1897) also served with the Dorsets in the war, but survived the conflict.

Images:
  • St. James' Roll of Honour
  • St. James' War Memorial
  • Names on St. James' War Memorial 1
  • Motcombe War Memorial 4
  • Motcombe War Memorial 1
  • Motcombe War Memorial 02

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

Tom Lowther

Surname: Lowther
Other names: Tom
Other people in this story:


Locations in this story:
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Shaftesbury



Story:
The name of Tom Lowther appears on the Roll of Honour in St. James' Church, Shaftesbury.  So far it has not been possible to find details of his life in official records. We would be grateful to anyone who may be able to provide information that would help us identify him.

Images:
  • St. James' Roll of Honour

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

Edwin Arthur Meaden

Surname: Meaden
Other names: Edwin Arthur
Other people in this story:
Albert Meaden
Martha Meaden née Rose
Bertie Meaden
Frederick John Meaden
Walter Frank Meaden
Locations in this story:
Hazelbury Bryan, Dorset
France & Flanders
Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Ypres, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Edwin Arthur Meaden was born in 1899 in Hazelbury Bryan, Dorset. He was the son of Albert Meaden, a farmer, and Martha Meaden (née Rose). He attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from 1909 to 1913. His address in the 1911 Census was 97 St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset.  After leaving school he became a farmer.  He enlisted in Dorchester as a Private in the 15th (Service) Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment (Service No. 28759) and served in France & Flanders. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 3rd Oct 1918, having been badly wounded the previous day. He was buried at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Ypres, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (grave id. IV.E.1). He is remembered on the St. James' War Memorial, on the Roll of Honour in St. James' Church, Shaftesbury. His name also appears on the Shaftesbury Grammar School memorial in Shaftesbury School.

A "First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces" was produced by Shaftesbury Grammar School in September 1915. It shows the regiment in which Arthur served and the date and term in which he left school. His name was also included on a hand written list of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving during the war. An asterix can be seen next to Arthur's name, indicating that he had died. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.

His brothers, Bertie Meaden,  Frederick John Meaden and Walter Frank Meaden also served in the conflict and survived. All their names appear on a Roll of Honour published in St. James' Church Parish Magazine in November 1918.

Printed Sources:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, March 1919
First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces, September 1915

Images:
  • Names on St. James' War Memorial 2
  • St. James' Roll of Honour
  • Shaftesbury Grammar School War Memorial
  • List of Old Shastonians 1
  • List of Old Shastonians 3
  • Shaftesbury Grammar School Old Boys 1
  • Shaftesbury Grammar School Old Boys 5

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

John Thomas Oborne

Surname: Oborne
Other names: John Thomas
Other people in this story:
Frederick Oborne
Elizabeth Oborne née Roberts
Emily Oborne née Philips
Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
Tyne Cot Memorial
Poor Yard, Shaftesbury
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
23 Aynhoe Road, Brook Green, Hammersmith, London
St. Marylebone, London

Story:
John Thomas Oborne was born on 10th March, 1883, in Shaftesbury and baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, on 16th May, 1884. He was the son of Frederick Oborne, a Mail Cart Driver, and Elizabeth Oborne (née Roberts). By 1901 John had left home and was working as a Labourer in St. Marylebone, London. He was married on 5th September, 1903 to Emily Phillips in the Paddington Registry Area, London. At the time of the 1911 Census he was working as a Road Labourer and living at 23 Aynhoe Road, Brook Green Hammersmith, London. His parents meantime were living at Poor Yard, Shaftesbury. His father died in 1912. He enlisted in Hammersmith, London, on 13th June 1916 as a Rifleman in the 12th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) (Service No. S/21923). By that time his wife was living at 6 Bircham Mews, Blythe Road, Hammersmith. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He was missing presumed killed on 17th Aug 1917 and has no known grave. His name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial (Panels 145 to 147). He is remembered on the St. James' War Memorial and on the Roll of Honour in St. James' Church, Shaftesbury. His wife received a widow's pension the equivalent of £1.43p. per week with effect from 25th February 1918.    

Images:
  • Names on St. James' War Memorial 3
  • St. James' Roll of Honour

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

Herbert Quarry

Surname: Quarry
Other names: Herbert
Other people in this story:
Michael Quarry
Frances Quarry (nee Whitham)
Locations in this story:
Dublin, Ireland
South Africa
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Cambrin, France

Story:
A presumption has been made that certain members of the Army attended at St. James's Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset, when posted to Military Camps nearby.  One of those named is Herbert Quarry who was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1882 the son of Professor Michael Quarry (Professor of Music) and Frances 'Fanny' Quarry (nee Whitham).  Herbert had spent his early life in or near Dublin until he had enlisted on 12 Feb 1901 with the Imperial Yeomanry as a Trooper (Service No. 25207).  He served in South Africa with the 74th Squadron VIII Battery for which he was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with 3 clasps.  He was discharged on 7 Sep 1902 having completed the terms of his engagement.  At the outbreak of WW1 he had re-enlisted and joined the Dragoons as a Private (Service No. 5278).  Shortly thereafter, on 8 Dec 1914, he was appointed a 2nd Lieutenant and joined the Royal Field Artillery and served in France with the 'F' 8th Trench Mortar Battery.  He was killed in action on 2 Aug 1916 and on 22 Sep 1916 his name appeared in the London Gazette announcing he had been awarded the Military Cross for 'conspicuous gallantry in the field'.   He was also awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.  He was buried in the Cambrin Churchyard Extension, Cambrin, Pas de Calais, France, (Grave Ref: P. 20.)  His name appears on the War Memorial in St. James's Churchyard, Shaftesbury, as well as on the Royal Artillery Roll of Honour and the Ireland Roll of Honour.

Images:
  • St. James' Roll of Honour

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

Joseph Christopher Quincey

Surname: Quincey
Other names: Joseph Christopher
Other people in this story:
Alfred James Plowright
Anne Plowright née Kemp
John Quincey
Locations in this story:
Irchester, Northamptonshire
Shrivenham, Berkshire
Upper Benefield, Oundle, Northamptonshire
Weymouth, Dorset
Gillingham, Dorset
France & Flanders
Boezinge, West Flanders, Belgium
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
The name of Christopher Quincy (no 'e') appears on the Roll of Honour in St. James' Church, Shaftesbury.  The following is the known history of this person.  Joseph Christopher Quincey (always known as 'Christopher') was born in Irchester, Northamptonshire, during 1896 but there is no record of his parents.  He and his elder brother, John Quincey, were fostered by Anne Plowright (née Kemp) who, along with her husband, Alfred James Plowright, farmed at Upper Benefield, Oundle, Northamptonshire.  He was boarding out with a family in Shrivenham, Berkshire, at the time of the 1901 Census but by 1911 was back with his foster mother in Upper Benefield. 

He enlisted with the Northamptonshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 40002).  He was posted to the 2nd Battalion whose headquarters was then based in Weymouth, Dorset, (due to the sea links to France) and later with the Training Unit near Gillingham, Dorset.  He was eventually sent with the 2nd Battalion to France and Flanders and promoted to Lance Corporal. He was regrettably killed in action on 26th June 1917 and finally buried in the Bard Cottage Cemetery, Boezinge, West Flanders, Belgium, (Grave ref: II.B.22). He was awarded the Victory and British War medals.  His foster mother received all his final monies due as well as a pension.  It is very likely that he had attended at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, during his time in the area as had other service personnel.

Images:
  • St. James' Roll of Honour

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

Cossley John Berkeley Hunt

Surname: Hunt
Other names: Cossley John Berkeley
Other people in this story:
John Thomas Hunt
Wilhelmina Augusta Martha Hunt née Knight
Arthur Reginald George Hunt
Locations in this story:
Western European Theatre
Bedford House Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Cann , Shaftesbury
Dorchester, Dorset

Story:
Cossley John Berkeley Hunt was born in 1898 in Cann. He was the son of John Thomas Hunt, a farm labourer, and Wilhelmina Augusta Martha Hunt (née Knight).  At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, was a student and living at Cann, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in Dorchester as a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (Service No. 29223). He served in the Western European Theatre and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died in on 4th October 1917 and was buried at Bedford House Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (Enclosure No. 4, VIII.C.7). His grave is situated in Enclosure No. 4 which is described as 'the largest (site) which was used from June 1916 to February 1918 largely by the 47th (London) Division and after the Armistice it was enlarged when 3,324 graves were brought in from other burial grounds and from the battle fields of the Ypres Salient. Almost two-thirds of the graves are unidentified'. Cossley is remembered on the Cann War Memorial, Shaftesbury.  His brother, Arthur Reginald George Hunt, served in the Royal Marines Light Infantry during the conflict and went on to transfer to the Royal Navy in 1929 until mid-way through WW2.

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

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

Ernest Brickell

Surname: Brickell
Other names: Walter Ernest
Other people in this story:
Edward Brickell
Ellen Brickell née Wareham
Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
Wancourt British Cemetery
Coppice Street, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Odstock, Wiltshire
Brickhill, Enmore Green
Gillingham, Dorset
Crown Inn, High Street, Shaftesbury

Story:
Walter (known always as Ernest) Brickell was born in 1881 in Shaftesbury and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 25th September 1881. He was the son of Edward Brickell and Ellen Brickell (née Wareham), a Charwoman. The parents had had a previous child, Ernest, born in 1879 and who died in 1880. Most of Ernest's childhood was spent in Odstock, Wiltshire, but his family moved back to Shaftesbury and were living on Brickhill (now Church Hill), in Enmore Green by 1901. By this time Ernest was boarding in Gillingham and working as a Domestic Groom. His father died in 1906. By the time of the 1911 Census Ernest had moved back to Shaftesbury and was boarding at the Crown Inn, 40 High Street and was boarding as an Ostler.

Ernest enlisted in Dorchester as a Private with Dorset Regiment (Service No. 18729). At the time of enlistment was single, working as a bricklayer's labourer and living at 7 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury. At a later date he transferred to the Wiltshire Regiment (Service No. 26743) and served in France & Flanders. He was killed in action on 9th April 1917 and was buried in the Wancourt British Cemetery (grave id. VI.G.29). He was awarded the Victory and British War medals and is remembered on the Holy Trinity War Memorial, now in St. PeterÍs Church, Shaftesbury.

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

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