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

David Herbert (Bertram) Robins

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.

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Harry Robins

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.

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William John Stainer

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

Surname: Stainer

Other names: William John

Locations in this story:
Bimport, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Popperinge, West Flanders, Belgium
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury
West Knoyle, Wiltshire
South Africa
Dorchester
St. James, Shaftesbury

Story:
William John Stainer was born in 1880 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 28th November, 1880. He was the son of Thomas Stainer and Mary Ann Stainer (née Woolridge). He lived his early life with his parents at 22 Bimport, Shaftesbury. In 1903 he married Georgina Trew from West Knoyle, Wiltshire. His father, Thomas, died in 1905 and his mother, Mary Ann, in early 1911. At the time of the 1911 Census, William was working as a farm implement fitter and living in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury.

He enlisted in Dorchester as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers (Service No. O/2904). He had a brief spell with the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 20113) but reverted back to the Royal Engineers (Final Service No. 508484). He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died of wounds on 2nd November 1917 whilst serving with the 502nd Field Company, Royal Engineers, and was buried at Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Popperinge, West Flanders, Belgium (grave id. XI.B.17). 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 wife remained a widow for the rest of her life living at 44 St. James, Shaftesbury per the 1939 Register.

(NB. This person is not to be confused with William John Stainer (1876 - 1917) also from Shaftesbury. Please see separate entry with details of his service in the Canadian Forces.)

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Frederick Matthew Taylor

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal West Kent Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Taylor

Other names: Frederick Matthew

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Tyne Cot Memorial
Love Lane, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
French Mill Lane, Shaftesbury

Story:
Frederick Matthew Taylor was born in 1898 in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He was the son of Henry Taylor, a labourer, and Emily Sarah Taylor (née Frost). At the time of the 1911 Census he was still at School and living at 1 French Mill Lane, Shaftesbury. He enlisted on 23rd May, 1916, and joined the 7th Battalion of the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment as a Private (Service Nos. 5804 & 242253). He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He was presumed killed in action on 12th October 1917 and his name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial (Panel 106 to 108). His service record in 1916 shows that he was single and that his home address had become 4 Love Lane, Shaftesbury. He is remembered on the Park Walk War Memorial and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. His father was eventually in receipt of his monies due and his mother apparently received a pension.

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Walter Charles Thorne

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

Surname: Thorne

Other names: Walter Charles

Locations in this story:
Midsomer Norton, Somerset
Suvla Bay, Gallipoli
Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey
Layton Lane, Shaftesbury,
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury

Story:
Walter Charles Thorne was born in 1895 in Midsomer Norton, Somerset, and baptised there on 8th December, 1895. He was the son of Charles Stephen Thorne, a grocer's carter, and Agnes Charlotte Thorne (nee Stevens). (NB Up until the 1911 Census the family name was spelt 'Thorn' the 'e' was added for all purposes thereafter.) At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Caker's Lad and living at Layton Lane, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in the 5th Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment (Service No. 1035) and at the time of his death he held the rank of Lance Corporal. He served at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He was presumed killed in action on 16th August 1915 and his name appears on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey (Panel 55). 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 name also appears on the Irish Roll of Honour. His father received a pension and his financial effects in due course. Walter's brothers Wilfred Henry Thorne and Cecil Bernard Longman Thorne, also served in the war and survived the conflict.

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Wilfred Henry Thorne

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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Frank White

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

Surname: White

Other names: Frank

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Stoneham, Hampshire
France & Flanders
Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium
St. James, Shaftesbury
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Eastleigh, Hampshire

Story:
Frank White was born on 28th January, 1885 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 19th February, 1885. He was the son of Henry Charles White, (known as Charles), a mason's labourer, and Thirza White (née Mayo). Frank spent most of his early life living with his grandfather, Samuel Mayo, in St James Street, Shaftesbury. His father died in 1911 just prior to the Census. At the time of the 1911 Census Frank was working as a Painter and living now with his mother at 68 St. James, Shaftesbury. In 1913 he married Edith Jane Batt in Stoneham, Hampshire, and records show that they had one son, Cyril William White, born in 1914. Frank enlisted as a Private in the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (Service No. 26256). He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He was presumed killed in action on 4th October 1917 and his name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial (Panel 80 to 82 & 163A). 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. Edith, his wife, then living at 21 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, received a pension in due course of £1. 0s. 5d. (£1.02p) per week until 10 Dec 1930. Edith White remarried in 1922, to William Harding and went to live in Eastleigh, Hampshire. Frank's brother Reginald Harry (b. 1897) also served in the war, with the Dorsetshire Regiment.

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Reginald Harry White