1914-1918 Archives - Page 154 of 164 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

St. John the Baptist Church, Berwick St. John 01

Reginald George Bennett

Surname: Bennett

Other names: Reginald George

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.

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Henry Walter Hardy

Surname: Hardy

Other names: Henry Walter

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:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Arthur Thomas Hardy

Holy Trinity Memorial in St. Peter's Church 2

Bertie Howard Imber

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

Surname: Imber

Other names: Bertie Howard

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

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Leonard Charles Imber

Holy Trinity Memorial in St. Peter's Church 1

Mark Imber

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

Surname: Imber

Other names: Mark

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.

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James Hunt Imber

Joseph Christopher Quincey

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

Surname: Quincey

Other names: Joseph Christopher

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:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Cossley John Berkeley Hunt

13th February 2017/in 1914-1918 Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Hunt

Other names: Cossley John Berkeley

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:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Ernest Brickell

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

Surname: Brickell

Other names: Walter Ernest

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:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Charles King

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

Surname: King

Other names: Charles

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:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Frederick James Ford

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

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.)

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

William Charles Mason

13th February 2017/in 1914-1918 Nyasaland Volunteer Reserve /by Ann Symons

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.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives