1914-1918 Archives - Page 157 of 165 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Tom Lowther

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

Surname: Lowther

Other names: Tom

Locations in this story:
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Shaftesbury

Story:
The name of Tom Lowther appears on the Roll of Honour in St. James' Church, Shaftesbury. 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 identify him.

Images:

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

Edwin Arthur Meaden

Surname: Meaden

Other names: Edwin Arthur

Locations in this story:
Hazelbury Bryan, Dorset
France & Flanders
Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Ypres, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Edwin Arthur Meaden was born in 1899 in Hazelbury Bryan, Dorset. He was the son of Albert Meaden, a farmer, and Martha Meaden (née Rose). He attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from 1909 to 1913. His address in the 1911 Census was 97 St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset. After leaving school he became a farmer. He enlisted in Dorchester as a Private in the 15th (Service) Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment (Service No. 28759) and served in France & Flanders. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 3rd Oct 1918, having been badly wounded the previous day. He was buried at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Ypres, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (grave id. IV.E.1). He is remembered on the St. James' War Memorial, on the Roll of Honour in St. James' Church, Shaftesbury. His name also appears on the Shaftesbury Grammar School memorial in Shaftesbury School.

A "First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces" was produced by Shaftesbury Grammar School in September 1915. It shows the regiment in which Arthur served and the date and term in which he left school. His name was also included on a hand written list of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving during the war. An asterix can be seen next to Arthur's name, indicating that he had died. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.

His brothers, Bertie Meaden, Frederick John Meaden and Walter Frank Meaden also served in the conflict and survived. All their names appear on a Roll of Honour published in St. James' Church Parish Magazine in November 1918.

Printed Sources:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, March 1919
First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces, September 1915

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Shastonian

John Thomas Oborne

13th February 2017/in 1914-1918 Rifle Brigade /by Ann Symons

Surname: Oborne

Other names: John Thomas

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
Tyne Cot Memorial
Poor Yard, Shaftesbury
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
23 Aynhoe Road, Brook Green, Hammersmith, London
St. Marylebone, London

Story:
John Thomas Oborne was born on 10th March, 1883, in Shaftesbury and baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, on 16th May, 1884. He was the son of Frederick Oborne, a Mail Cart Driver, and Elizabeth Oborne (née Roberts). By 1901 John had left home and was working as a Labourer in St. Marylebone, London. He was married on 5th September, 1903 to Emily Phillips in the Paddington Registry Area, London. At the time of the 1911 Census he was working as a Road Labourer and living at 23 Aynhoe Road, Brook Green Hammersmith, London. His parents meantime were living at Poor Yard, Shaftesbury. His father died in 1912. He enlisted in Hammersmith, London, on 13th June 1916 as a Rifleman in the 12th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) (Service No. S/21923). By that time his wife was living at 6 Bircham Mews, Blythe Road, Hammersmith. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He was missing presumed killed on 17th Aug 1917 and has no known grave. His name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial (Panels 145 to 147). He is remembered on the St. James' War Memorial and on the Roll of Honour in St. James' Church, Shaftesbury. His wife received a widow's pension the equivalent of £1.43p. per week with effect from 25th February 1918.

Images:

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

Herbert Quarry

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

Surname: Quarry

Other names: Herbert

Locations in this story:
Dublin, Ireland
South Africa
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Cambrin, France

Story:
A presumption has been made that certain members of the Army attended at St. James's Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset, when posted to Military Camps nearby. One of those named is Herbert Quarry who was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1882 the son of Professor Michael Quarry (Professor of Music) and Frances 'Fanny' Quarry (nee Whitham). Herbert had spent his early life in or near Dublin until he had enlisted on 12 Feb 1901 with the Imperial Yeomanry as a Trooper (Service No. 25207). He served in South Africa with the 74th Squadron VIII Battery for which he was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with 3 clasps. He was discharged on 7 Sep 1902 having completed the terms of his engagement. At the outbreak of WW1 he had re-enlisted and joined the Dragoons as a Private (Service No. 5278). Shortly thereafter, on 8 Dec 1914, he was appointed a 2nd Lieutenant and joined the Royal Field Artillery and served in France with the 'F' 8th Trench Mortar Battery. He was killed in action on 2 Aug 1916 and on 22 Sep 1916 his name appeared in the London Gazette announcing he had been awarded the Military Cross for 'conspicuous gallantry in the field'. He was also awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He was buried in the Cambrin Churchyard Extension, Cambrin, Pas de Calais, France, (Grave Ref: P. 20.) His name appears on the War Memorial in St. James's Churchyard, Shaftesbury, as well as on the Royal Artillery Roll of Honour and the Ireland Roll of Honour.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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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

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:

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

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

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
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:

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

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.)

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives