1914-1918 Archives - Page 155 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Alfred Parsons

Surname: Parsons

Other names: Alfred

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
Long Cross, Enmore Green
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
St. James Street, Shaftesbury
Dorchester
Portland, Dorset
Kempston, Bedfordshire

Story:
Alfred Parsons was born on 29 Aug 1873 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, on 19th October, 1873. He was the son of George Pmarsons, a railway carman, and Emily Parsons (née Wright). His siblings included Charles, born in 1882, and Sidney George, born in 1890, both of whom died in the war. The family lived at Long Cross, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury. On 26th March, 1894 he married Emily Kate Gray. They had five children: three sons and two daughters. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was working as a coal carter and living at 78 St. James Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in Dorchester on 24th August, 1914, as a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 3/7475) he later transferred to the 1st HS Garrison Battalion of the Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire) Regiment (Service No. 34574). He served on home duties in view of his age at Portland, Dorset. On 5th April, 1917 he had a heart attack whilst on guard duty and went through a process of assessment for future military duty. He was assessed as unfit for further duty on 25th April, 1917 and eventually discharged on 22nd June 1917. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. (No record of the Silver War Badge was found). He regrettably died in early September 1917, and was buried in St. James' Churchyard on 14 Sep 1917, but this is not recorded as a war grave by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. He is remembered on the Park Walk and St. James’ War Memorials and on the Roll of Honour in St. James’ Church, Shaftesbury. His widow was awarded initially a pension of 27s. 6d. (£1.37p.) per week and, by 1920, was living in Kempston, Bedfordshire, and died there in 1940. His widow was awarded a pension initially of 27s. 6d (£1.37p.) per week.

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Charles Parsons
Sidney George Parsons

Herbert Stephen Wright

Surname: Wright

Other names: Herbert Stephen

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Motcombe, Dorset
St. John's Church, Enmore Green

Story:
Herbert Stephen Wright was born in 1899 in Shaftesbury. He was the son of James William Wright, a horse dealer's groom, and Emily Wright (née Love). His father died on 20th September, 1907. The family had lived at 72 St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset. At the time of the 1911 Census he was at school yet working as an errand boy and living in Enmore Green. He enlisted in Shaftesbury as a Private in the 2/7th Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regt (Service No. 35211). He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 13th April 1918 and was buried at Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France (grave id. IX.B.14). He is remembered on the Park Walk, Enmore Green and St. James’ war memorials in Shaftesbury and on the Motcombe War Memorial. He also appears on the Roll of Honour in St. James’ Church and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. There is also a record that he is remembered on his father's grave in St. John's Churchyard, Enmore Green. His brother, Harry Frederick Wright, also served but survived the conflict.

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Charles Parsons

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Parsons

Other names: Charles

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
Arras Memorial, Arras, Pas de Calais, France
Long Cross, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury

Story:
Charles Parsons was born in 1882 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, on 4th June 1882. He was the son of George Parsons, a railway carman, and Emily Parsons (nee Wright). His siblings included Alfred, born in 1873, and Sidney George, born in 1890, both of whom died in the war. His parents lived at Long Cross, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury in 1911. He enlisted as a Private with the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 16888) but later transferred to the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (New Service No. 31773). He served in France and Flanders where he was killed in action on 23rd April, 1917 and he has no known grave. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. His name appears on the Arras Memorial, Arras, Pas de Calais, France (Bay 6). He is remembered on the Park Walk and St. James’ War Memorials. He also appears on the Roll of Honour in St. James’ Church and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. His mother was in receipt of a pension which covered both Charles and Sidney George.

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Alfred Parsons
Sidney George Parsons

Thomas William Wright

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Wright

Other names: Thomas William

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Aval Wood Military Cemetery, Vieux-Berquin, Nord, France
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
St. James, Shaftesbury,
Tan Yard, St. James, Shaftesbury

Story:
William Thomas Wright was born in 1899 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at St. James's Church, Shaftesbury, on 30th July, 1899. He was the son of Henry (Harry) Wright, a "Groom to Horse Dealer", and Eliza Wright (nee Foot). The family lived at 7 Tan Yard, St. James, Shaftesbury. By the time of the 1911 Census he was single, a scholar and living at 72 St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted in Shaftesbury as a Private in the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. (Service No. 41253). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 30th June 1918 and was buried at Aval Wood Military Cemetery, Vieux-Berquin, Nord, France (grave id. I.BB.14). He is remembered on the Park Walk and St. James’ War Memorials. He also appears on the Roll of Honour inside St. James’ Church and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. His mother was granted a pension of 5s. (25p.) per week.

Images:

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Sidney George Parsons

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

Surname: Parsons

Other names: Sidney George

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
R. E. Farm Cemetery, Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium
Long Cross, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Gillingham, Dorset

Story:
Sidney George Parsons was born in 1890 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, on 7th December, 1890. He was the son of George Parsons, a railway carman, and Emily Parsons (née Wright). His siblings included Alfred, born in 1873, and Charles, born in 1882, both of whom died in the war. No record has been found of Sidney in the 1911 Census but the family lived at Long Cross, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, at the time. He enlisted in Gillingham, Dorset, as a Private in the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 3/6588). He served in France and Flanders where he was killed in action in Belgium. He was killed in action on 3rd December 1914 and was buried at R. E. Farm Cemetery, Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium (grave id. III.C.6). He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914 Star. He is remembered on the Park Walk and St. James’ War Memorials. His name also appears on the Roll of Honour inside St. James’ Church and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. His mother was granted a pension which covered both Sidney George and Charles Parsons.

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Charles Parsons
Alfred Parsons

Philip James Young

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

Surname: Young

Other names: Philip James

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Fontaine-Au-Bois Communal Cemetery, Nord, France
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury

Story:
Philip James Young was born in 1889 in Shaftesbury, Dorset. He was the son of Henry Young, an engine smith, and Martha Young (née Critchell). At the time of the 1891 Census the family were living at 26 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. By 1911 Philip himself had moved to Windsor and was boarding out whilst working as a grocer's shop assistant. He enlisted back in Shaftesbury as a Private in the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 16112) and later transferred to the 9th (Service) Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment (Service No.33667) where he was promoted to Lance Corporal. He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 28th October 1918 and was buried at Fontaine-Au-Bois Communal Cemetery, Nord, France (grave id. D.10). The inscription on the Park Walk War Memorial, Shaftesbury, gives his middle initial as "S" but all available information indicates that his middle name was James. His name also appears on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. Philip's brother Austin Henry (b.1885) served in the war with the Dorsetshire Regiment. On his discharge he applied to the War Graves Commission to be employed as a gardener's labourer in the graveyards in France. By the 1939 Register he was back in Shaftesbury and noted as 'incapacitated'.

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Austin Henry Young

Joseph Henry Powell

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

Surname: Powell

Other names: Joseph Henry

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Egypt
Gaza War Cemetery
High Street, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
London
Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Palmerston Road, Bournemouth
Chesterfield Gardens, Harringay, Tottenham, Middlesex

Story:
Joseph Henry Powell was born in 1879 in Shaftesbury and baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury on 9th September, 1879. He was the son of Francis Powell, a draper, and Rosa Powell (née Whitby) living at 28 High Street, Shaftesbury. He attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from April 1888 to August 1896. After leaving school he entered a firm of Chartered Accountants as a clerk and by 1901 boarded out at 30 Palmerston Road, Bournemouth. Both Joseph's parents died in 1909. By the 1911 Census he had moved to live with his brother, Ralph, at 75 Chesterfield Gardens, Harringay, Tottenham, Middlesex, still working as an Accountant's Clerk. Both of his parents had died in 1909 and were both buried in Holy Trinity Churchyard.

Joseph enlisted in Harringay in 1915 and joined the 11th (County of London) Battalion, Finsbury Rifles (Service No 4074). This Unit was renamed the London Regiment (Finsbury Rifles) and he was given a new Service Number 451613. He served in the Egyptian Theatre and was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. He was killed in action at Gaza whilst with the 1st/11th Battalion of his Unit on 2nd November 1917. He was buried at Gaza War Cemetery (grave id. XIV.A.15). He was awarded the Victory, British War and 15 Star medals and is remembered on the Park Walk War Memorial and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. His name also appears on the Shaftesbury Grammar School memorial in Shaftesbury School. Joseph's brother Hugh Eric Powell served in the war and survived.

Frederick's name was included on a hand written list of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving during the war. An asterix can be seen next to Joseph's name, indicating that he had died. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.

Printed Sources:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, March 1918

Images:

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Shastonian

David Herbert (Bertram) Robins

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

Surname: Robins

Other names: David Herbert (Bertram))

Locations in this story:
Swallowcliffe, Wiltshire
Chocolate Hill, Near Suvla Bay, Gallipoli
Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey
Sunny Bank, Shillingstone
Dorchester
Hindon Road, East Tisbury, Wiltshire
Holy Rood Church, Shillingstone

Story:
David Herbert (Bertram) Robins was born in 1894 in Swallowcliffe, Wiltshire. He was the son of Rev. Samuel Robins, a Minister of the Gospel (Unitarian), and Eliza Frances Robins (nee Waters). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a grocer's assistant and living at Hindon Road, East Tisbury, Wiltshire, where his father was now described as a 'cycle repairer'. The family later moved to Sunny Bank, Shillingstone. He enlisted on 5th September, 1914 in Dorchester and joined the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 10585) and at the time of his death held the rank of Lance Corporal. He served in Gallipoli and was awarded the Victory, British War and 15 Star medals. He was presumed killed in action on 21st August 1915 whilst with No. 8 Platoon on Chocolate Hill near Suvla Bay and his name appears on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey (Panel 137-140). He is remembered as "Bertram Robins" on the Park Walk War Memorial and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church,, Shaftesbury. At some time he worked for the firm of Stratton, Son & Mead in Shaftesbury and is remembered on their Roll of Honour as well as on the War Memorial in the churchyard of Holy Rood Church, Shillingstone. His father was in receipt of his effects whilst his mother received a pension of 5s. (25p.) per week.

Images:

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Harry Robins

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

Surname: Robins

Other names: Harry Vaughan

Locations in this story:
East Ham, Essex
France & Flanders
Etaples Military Cemetery, Etaples, Pas de Calais, France
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Bournemouth
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Harry Robins was born in 1894 in East Ham, Essex. He was the son of James Robins, a police constable, and Emma Jane Robins (née Cooke). He attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from September 1905 to April 1912. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, a Scholar and living at 21 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. After leaving school he entered a wholesale drapery firm in Bournemouth. He enlisted in the 4th Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment (Service No. 28656) and at the time of his death held the rank of Lance Corporal. He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died of wounds in a military hospital in France on 29th August 1917 and was buried at Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France (grave id. XXII.R.12A). He is remembered on the Park Walk War Memorial and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. Harry's mother had died in 1914 and was buried in the Holy Trinity Churchyard. Following Harry's death the following inscription was added to the kerb surrounding her grave: Also of our brother, Harry, who died from wounds in France, Aug: 29th.1917, aged 22. Later his father received his personal effects and was also granted a pension of 5s. (25p.) per week. As a former pupil his name was also included on the Shaftesbury Grammar School memorial, now in Shaftesbury School. During the war a hand written list was compiled of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving in the armed forces. An asterix can be seen next to Harry's name, indicating that he had died. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum. Harry's brother, Stephen Robins, also served with the Royal Air Force and survived until his early death in 1937. Printed Sources: Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, November 1917

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Shastonian

Alfred Stainer

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers /by Ann Symons

Surname: Stainer

Other names: Alfred

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
Tyne Cot Memorial
St. James, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Dorchester
Ypres
Bristol

Story:
Alfred Stainer was born in 1881 in Shaftesbury. He was the son of George Stainer, a mason, and Sarah Ann Stainer (nee Hanham). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a cabinet maker and living at 80 St. James, Shaftesbury though he shortly after married Dorothy Mary Dunn at St. Simon's Church, Bristol, on 5 Jun 1911. He enlisted in Dorchester as a Private in the 8th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Service No. 41708). He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals (though the record shows the medals were returned and never claimed). He was presumed killed in action on 16th June 1916 and his name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial (Panel 70 to 72). He is remembered on the Park Walk War Memorial and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. He is also remembered on a cross/kerb (B77) in St. James's Churchyard with the words "Gave his life that we might live. Died at Ypres". His widow, then living at 23 Albany Road, Sussex Place, Bristol, was granted a pension of 13s. 9d. (about 67p.) per week which was eventually paid to her in Australia where she had moved to. There were no children of the marriage.

Images:

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The National Archives