1914-1918 Archives - Page 154 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Frederick James Ford

Surname: Ford

Other names: Frederick James

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.)

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William Charles Mason

Surname: Mason

Other names: William Charles

Locations in this story:
Surbiton, Surrey
Namiwawa, Nyasaland
St. Denis, Cann, Shaftesbury
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Haileybury College, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire
South-Eastern Agricultural College, Wye, Kent
U.S.A.
Pusa, India

Story:
William Charles Mason was born on 13th May, 1884 in Surbiton, Surrey, and baptised at St. Andrew's Church, Subiton on 8th June 1884, the son of William Joshua Mason, a manufacturing engineer, and Eliza Emily Mason (née Walters). William Charles appears in the 1901 Census as a boarder at Haileybury College, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire. In 1906 he travelled to Pusa in India to work as an entomologist. He returned to England in 1910 and attended the South-Eastern Agricultural College, Wye in Kent. By 1911 William Charles' parents had moved to St. Denis, Cann, Shaftesbury, and he is included on the Census as an Economic Entomologist. He continued his studies in that field as a Carnegie Student in the U.S.A.

He went out to Nyasaland to work as the Government Entomologist and while there he enlisted in the Nyasaland Volunteer Reserve. He died of blackwater fever at the Government Farm in Namiwawa, Nyasaland on 28th November 1917. He is remembered on the Cann War Memorial, Shaftesbury. He is also commemorated on one of the Stations of the Cross plaques in St. James’ Church and is included on the Haileybury College War Memorial.

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Holy Trinity Memorial in St. Peter's Church 3

Sidney William Gibbs

13th February 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Gibbs

Other names: Sidney William

Locations in this story:
The Street, Crewkerne, Somerset
France & Flanders
Bethune Town Cemetery, near Arras, Pas-de-Calais, France
Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Seaborough, Beaminster, Dorset
Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey

Story:
Sidney William Gibbs was born in 1893 in Shaftesbury and was baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 23rd May, 1893. He was the son of John Gibbs, a baker, and Mary Gibbs (née Tudball). Sidney's father died in 1894 and was buried at Holy Trinity on 16th February. His mother Mary remarried on 6th April 1896, to John Webber at Seaborough, Beaminster, Dorset and they set up home there along with Sidney. By the time of the 1911 Census Sidney had moved to The Street, Crewkerne, Somerset, where he was living with his sister Mabel and brother-in-law, William Edwards. William was a Hairdresser, Tobacconist and Confectioner and Sidney was assisting in the Hairdressing business.

Sidney enlisted in Kingston-on-Thames as a Private in the 4th Dragoon Guards (Royal Irish) attached to the Household Cavalry of the Line (Service No. 7842). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 15 Star medals. He died of wounds on 8th January 1916 and was buried at Bethune Town Cemetery, near Arras, Pas-de-Calais, France (grave id. III.D.34). He is remembered on the Holy Trinity War Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury.

Sidney's stepfather John Webber also died in 1916 and his mother Mary was shown on the War Graves Commission Memoriam as living at 440 Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth. She died in Bournemouth in 1930.

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Trevor Sharpe

13th February 2017/in 1914-1918 Corps of Hussars, Dorset Yeomanry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Sharpe

Other names: Trevor

Locations in this story:
Marnull
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Chatby Memorial, Alexandria, Egypt
Pigeon House Farm, Marnhull, Dorset
Butts Knapp, Cann, Shaftesbury
Shaftesbury, Dorset
St. Mary's Church, Sherborne, Dorset

Story:
Trevor Sharpe was born in 1885 in Marnhull and baptised there on 12th April 1885. He was the son of Walter Sharpe, a farmer, and Julia Elizabeth Sharpe (née Rowland). On 6th February, 1906 he married Laura Blanche Foot. They had three children: Hilda May (b.1907), Walter (b. 1912) and Mildred B. (b. 1917). At the time of the 1911 Census he was working as a gardener and living at Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. Later Electoral Rolls show the family had moved to Butts Knapp, Shaftesbury, by 1918. Trevor enlisted in Shaftesbury in the Dorset (Queen's own) Yeomanry (Service No. 1543) but later transferred to the Corps of Hussars (Service No. 230785) and at the time of his death held the rank of Corporal. He served in Egypt and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. On 13th October 1918 he died of pneumonia on board the hospital ship HMHS Assaye and was buried at sea. His name appears on the Chatby Memorial, Alexandria and on the memorial to the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry in St. Mary's Church, Sherborne. He is remembered on the Cann War Memorial, Shaftesbury on which the spelling of his surname is "Sharp", although the correct name is "Sharpe" but this is carried through in many records throughout the family. His brothers, Montague Harry Sharpe, Denzil Walter Claude Sharpe, Kenneth Cyril Sharpe and Leo Vernon Sharpe, all served and all survived the conflict.

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Stanley Smith

13th February 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Smith

Other names: Stanley

Locations in this story:
Alcester, Shaftesbury
Mesopotamia
Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Waziriah Area, Baghdad, Iraq
Hawkesdene, Cann, Shaftesbury

Story:
Stanley Smith was born in Alcester, Shaftesbury, on 29th July, 1891 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 23rd August, 1891. He was the son of Harry Smith, a house painter, and Harriett Smith. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was working as a house painter and living at Hawkesdene, Cann, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in Shaftesbury in the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 1184) later joining the 1st/4th Battalion (new Service No. 200161) and at the time of his death held the rank of Temporary Sergeant. He served in Mesopotamia and was awarded the Victory, British War, 1915 Star and the Territorial Force War medals. He died on 28th September 1917 and was buried at Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Waziriah Area, Baghdad, Iraq (grave id. IX.D.4). The cemetery was begun in April 1917 and contains the graves of many of the dead brought in from other temporary burial grounds. He is remembered on the Cann War Memorial, Shaftesbury.

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Henry Steel

13th February 2017/in 1914-1918 Kings Royal Rifle Corps /by Ann Symons

Surname: Steel

Other names: Henry (Harry)

Locations in this story:
Bromley, Kent
France & Flanders
Thiepval Memorial, France
Ash Cottage, Cann Common, Shaftesbury
Woodside, Surrey
Stroud Road, Croydon, Surrey

Story:
Henry Steel was born in 1894 in Bromley, Kent. He was the son of Edwin George Steel, a market gardener, and Elizabeth Mary Steel. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was living at Ash Cottage, Cann Common, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in Croydon, Surrey, on 18th July 1915 as a Rifleman joining the 18th (Service) Battalion of the King's Royal Rifle Corps (Service No. C//6415). At the time of his enlistment he gave his address as 16 Stroud Road, Woodside, Surrey. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 15th September 1916 and his name appears on the Thiepval Memorial (Pier & Face 13A and 13B). He is remembered on the Cann War Memorial, Shaftesbury.

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John Francis Joiner (Frank) Thompson

13th February 2017/in 1914-1918 Northumberland Fusiliers /by Ann Symons

Surname: Thompson

Other names: John Francis Joiner (Frank)

Locations in this story:
St. Augustine's Church, Paddington, London
France & Flanders
Wandsworth Cemetery, Earlsfield, London
Melbury Street, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury
Hendon, Middlesex
Thomas Road, Islington, London
Hill View, Cann Common, Shaftesbury

Story:
John Francis Joiner Thompson (known by all as 'Frank') was born in 1887 in Hendon, Middlesex, and baptised on 27th November, 1887 at St. Augustine's Church, Paddington, London. He was the son of John and Jane Mary Thompson. His father had died prior to 1894 and his mother remarried in that year to Samson Trowbridge becoming the step brother of Ernest Trowbridge, Samson's son. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, a labourer and living at 66 Thomas Road, Islington, London, whilst his mother lived at 4 Melbury Street, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, later moving to Hill View, Cann Common, Shaftesbury.

He enlisted in London as a Private in the 1st Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers (Service No. 1188). He served in France & Flanders from 13 Aug 1914 and was eventually awarded the Victory, British War and 1914/15 Star medals. He died on 24th September 1915 having previously been wounded in battle and repatriated home. He was buried at Wandsworth Cemetery, Earlsfield, London. This cemetery was used by the 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth. His name appears on the cemetery memorial (Screen Wall F.B.18.131) and he is remembered on the Cann War Memorial, Shaftesbury. His step brother, Ernest Trowbridge, DCM, died during the conflict and is also remembered on the Cann War Memorial.

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Arthur Thomas Toogood

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Toogood

Other names: Arthur Thomas

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
Perth Cemetery (China Wall), Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium
Jubilee Cottage, Wincombe Lane, Cann, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
7 Laundry Lane, St. James, Shaftesbury

Story:
Arthur Thomas Toogood was born in 1875 in Shaftesbury. He was the son of Thomas Burt Toogood, an agricultural labourer, and Rose Toogood (nee Upjohn). In 1898 he married Kate Winifred Oborne. They had five children: two boys and three girls. His mother, Rose, died in 1904. At the time of the 1911 Census Arthur was working as a cowman and living at Jubilee Cottage, Wincombe Lane, Cann, Shaftesbury. His father, Thomas, died in 1915. He enlisted as a Private in the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 3/7577). Later he transferred to the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (Service No. 20002) then back to the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Final Service No. 14760). By this time his wife and family had moved to 7 Laundry Lane, St. James, Shaftesbury. Arthur served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals. He died in Flanders on 12th June 1915 and is buried in the Perth Cemetery (China Wall), Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium, and named on the Transport Farm Annex Memorial 12. He is also remembered on the Park Walk War Memorial, Shaftesbury, and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. Following his death his widow was awarded a weekly pension of 25/- (£1.25p) for herself and four qualifying children which was later increased to 27/6 (£1.37) on 25 Jan 1916.

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Laurence Harold Tuffin

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Tuffin

Other names: Laurence Harold

Locations in this story:
Bedchester, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Zillebeke, West Flanders, Belgium
Hooge Crater Cemetery, Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium
Park Walk, Shaftesbury, Dorset
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Salisbury

Story:
Laurence Harold Tuffin (sometimes known as Harold) was born in 1899 in Bedchester, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at Fontmell Magna Parish Church on 27th August, 1899. (He was registered and baptised with the name spelt Laurence but in the military he was known as 'Lawrence' in some records.) He was the son of Albert James Tuffin, a postman, and Bertha May Tuffin (nee Lawrence). His mother, Bertha, died in 1910. At the time of the 1911 Census he was still at school and living with his grandmother at 20 Penn Hill, Bedchester, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in Salisbury as a Private with the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 15509) and later transferred to the 8th (Service) Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment (Service No. 31040). He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died in Flanders on 26th October 1917 and was initially buried in a field grave at Zillebeke, West Flanders, until, following the Armistice, he was re-buried at Hooge Crater Cemetery, Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium (grave id. VI.L.9). He is remembered on the Park Walk and St James’ War Memorials. His name also appears and on the Roll of Honour inside St. James’ Church and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. His father was in receipt of his financial effects as well as a pension of 5s. (25p.) per week.

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Hubert Frank Weldon

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Weldon

Other names: Hubert Frank

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres
Magdalen Lane, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury

Story:
Hubert Frank Weldon was born on 24th July, 1888 in Shaftesbury and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 18th August, 1888. He was the son of William Weldon, a shooting gallery proprietor, and Frances Mary Weldon (nee Cass). His father, William, died in 1905. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Hawker and living with his sister in Magdalen Lane, Shaftesbury. His mother, Frances, died in 1914. He enlisted as a Private in the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 3/7282). He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died on 5th March 1915 and his name appears on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres (Panel 37). He is remembered on the Park Walk War Memorial and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. (NB The WGC record shows an incorrect Service No. of 317282 instead of 3/7282.)

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