1914-1918 Archives - Page 155 of 165 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Alfred Edwin Messer

Surname: Messer

Other names: Alfred Edwin

Locations in this story:
St. John the Baptist Church, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France
Arundell Cottages, Rushmore, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Church of St. Peter and Vincula, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Nottingham

Story:
Alfred Edwin Messer was born in 1893 in Berwick St. John, Wiltshire. He was the son of Robert Messer, a Road Man, and Jemima Jane Messer (née Ferrett). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Gardener and living at 12 Arundell Cottages, Rushmore, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Nottingham as a Rifleman in the 10th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) (Service No. S/3260). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died on 21st November 1917 and his name appears on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France (Panel 10 and 11). He is remembered on the memorial plaque inside the church at Berwick St. John.

He is also remembered in Tollard Royal on the War Memorial and on the Roll of Honour inside the Church of St. Peter and Vincula in the village.

Images:

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

H.G. Melvin

30th March 2017/in 1914-1918 /by Ann Symons

Surname: Melvin

Other names: H. G.

Locations in this story:
Alvediston, Wiltshire

Story:
The name of H.G. Melvin appears on the war memorial at Alvediston in Wiltshire. 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 to identify him.

Images:

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

Bertram William James Moxham

30th March 2017/in 1914-1918 Wiltshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Moxham

Other names: Bertram William James

Locations in this story:
Trow, Alvediston, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinghe, West Flanders, Belgium
Upper Woodford, Wiltshire
Devizes, Wiltshire

Story:
Bertram William James Moxham was born in 1889 in Alvediston, Wiltshire and was baptised there on 13th October 1889. He was the son of Frank and Elizabeth Clara Moxham (née Frances). At the time of the 1911 Census he was then single, working as a Carter of a Farm and living at Trow, Alvediston. On 26th December 1914 he married Amy Davenport and they lived together in Alvediston. Their son, Bertram R.E.Moxham, was born in 1915. Bertram enlisted in Devizes, Wiltshire as a Private in the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 18889). He joined the 1st Battalion and served in France & Flanders. He died of wounds on 31st July 1915 and was buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinghe, West Flanders, Belgium. Records show that Amy was living at "Scotland", Upper Woodford, Wiltshire. In 1920 she married Henry J. Phillips. Her son Bertram died in 1946, aged 31 years Bertram William James Moxham is remembered on the Alvediston War Memorial. His brother, Samuel George Moxham, also served but survived the conflict.

Images:

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

William George Edward Scammell

30th March 2017/in 1914-1918 Wiltshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Scammell

Other names: William George Edward

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:

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

Bertie Harold (Harry) Bennett

30th March 2017/in 1914-1918 Hampshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Bennett

Other names: Bertie Harold (Harry)

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

Reginald George Bennett

30th March 2017/in 1914-1918 Machine Gun Corps /by Ann Symons

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.

Images:

Henry Walter Hardy

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

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:

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

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

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
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.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
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:

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