1914-1918 Archives - Page 36 of 164 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Charles William Hillier

5th January 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hillier

Other names: Charles William

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Boscombe Park, Bournemouth, Hampshire
Croydon, Surrey
Wandsworth, London
Twickenham, Middlesex

Story:
Charles William Hillier was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1886 and baptised at St. James Church on 5 May 1886 the son of George Stephen Hillier, a Coach Builder, and Bessie Eliza Hillier (nee Webber). He lived all his early life in the Shaftesbury area. He married Bertha Mabel Jeans in Bournemouth, Hampshire, on 10 Dec 1915 and his address was given as 1 Woodside Road, Boscombe Park, Bournemouth, Hampshire. He immediately joined the Royal Flying Corps (Service No. 16272) and eventually became a Corporal Mechanic working as a Draughtsman. As from 1st April 1918 his unit became part of the Royal Air Force. He was discharged on 26 Aug 1919 and had qualified for the Victory and British War Medals though no record can be found. The 1921 census shows him living at 4 Riverside Road, St. Margarets, Twickenham, Middlesex, working as an Engineer for the Air Ministry. By the time of the 1939 Register his address was given as Selsdon Road, Croydon, Surrey, but his name is blanked presumably for some security reason though it is reported in family records that he was exempt from Military service as he worked for Farnborough Research, Surrey. There is no reliable death record. His brother, Frederick Tom Hillier, also served in the conflict in the Royal Navy and both their names appear on a Roll of Honour published in the St. James' Church Parish Magazine in Nov 1918

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Frederick Tom Hillier

5th January 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hillier

Other names: Frederick Tom

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Romsey, Hampshire

Story:
Frederick Tom Hillier was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 27 Oct 1900 and baptised at St. James Church on 28 Nov 1900 the son of George Stephen Hillier, a coach builder, and Bessie Eliza Hillier (nee Webber). He spent all his early life in and around the Shaftesbury area. He enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 25 Jan 1918 (Service No. J84505). On his birthday on 27 Oct 1918, having achieved the age of 18 years, he was re-classified as an Ordinary Seaman and later became an Able Seaman and served on HMS Powerful and HMS Ramillies. He continued in the Navy after the war but was invalided out on 4 Nov 1925 with 'flat feet'. He had been awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He married Alma May Francis in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 19 Aug 1929. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 117 Winchester Road, Romsey, Hampshire, working as a Journeyman Coach Painter. His death was recorded in Romsey on 14 Feb 1969. His brother, Charles William Hillier, also served in the conflict and both their names were mentioned on a Roll of Honour published in the St. James' Church Parish Magazine in Nov 1918.

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George Gray

4th January 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: George

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Metz, France
Germany
Basra, Iraq
Sr. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
George Gray was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 3 Jun 1899 and baptised at St. James Church on 6 Aug 1899 the son of George Gray and Agnes Selina Gray (nee Arnold). He lived all his life, prior to Military Service, in the St. James Street area of Shaftesbury. He had enlisted and joined the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 40628). He was later transferred to the Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire) Regiment (Service No. 48606) and served in France and Flanders where was taken prisoner by the Germans on 26 Aug 1918 in Metz, France, and sent to a POW Camp in Germany. On his release following the Armistice he was posted to Iraq and whilst there was admitted to the Basra Military Hospital with pneumonia where he died on 2 Nov 1919. He was buried in the Basra War Cemetery, Al Basrah, Basra, Iraq, (Grave Ref: II. F.5.). (The gravestone refers to him being a Lance Corporal). His name appeared on a Roll of Honour published in the St. James' Church Parish Magazine in Nov 1918 and on the War Memorial in St. James Churchyard.

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Stanley William Gibbs

3rd January 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gibbs

Other names: Stanley William

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Delaware, United States of America
Henley, Oxfordshire
Bruton, Near Mere, Wiltshire
Zeals, Wiltshire

Story:
Stanley William Gibbs was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 2 Sep 1892 and baptised at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, on 2 Oct 1892 the son of Edwin George Gibbs, a Farmer, and Mary G. Gibbs (nee Matthews). He lived his early life at the family farm at Blynfield Farm, Shaftesbury, Dorset, until he emigrated to the United States of America in 1910. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in early 1918 in Delaware, USA, and left for the United Kingdom on 20 May 1918 with the 'K' Company of the 310th Infantry 78th Division with the rank of Corporal (Service No. 1763893). It is not known if he served elsewhere during his time on Military Service or if he returned to the USA for discharge. He married Catherine Emma Fouracre in Henley, Oxfordshire, during 1928. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Katesbridge Farm, Bruton, Near Mere, Wiltshire, described as a Farmer. He later moved to The White Cottage, Zeals, Wiltshire, where he died on 11 Jul 1973. His brothers, Alwin Thomas, Walter Matthew, Lucius George, and Claude Ivor, all served in the conflict and his sister, Ada Prudence, worked with the Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachment. Stanley's name appeared on a Roll of Honour published in the St. James' Church Parish Magazine in Nov 1918.

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Lucius George Gibbs

Arthur William Draper

3rd January 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Draper

Other names: Arthur William

Locations in this story:
Broadway, Somerset
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Arthur William Draper was born in Broadway, Somerset, on 29 May 1897 the son of Arthur William Draper and Sarah Draper (nee Durman). By 1901 the family had moved to 3 Barton Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and later to Layton Lane, Shaftesbury. Arthur had enlisted with the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 17600). It is not know in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge on 25 Sep 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. The 1921 Census shows him as a Boarder living in Layton Villas, Layton Lane, Shaftesbury, working as a Gardener. He married Dora Annie Gwendoline Francis in Shaftesbury, Dorset, during 1922. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 2 Old Boundary Road, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Baker (Bread). His death was recorded locally during 1975. His name appeared in a Roll of Honour published in the St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, Parish Magazine in Nov 1918.

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Ernest George Davis

3rd January 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Davis

Other names: Ernest George

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Verwood, Dorset
Poole, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Ernest George Davis was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 15 Jun 1889 the son of James John Davis and Maria Davis (nee Russell). He lived all his early life in the Shaftesbury area. He married Ada Adams at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1909 and they set up home in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where Ernest worked as a Domestic Gardener. He had enlisted with the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 12459). He served in France and Flanders from 13 Jul 1915 and was later transferred to the Labour Corps (Service No. 625940). On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living in Salisbury Road, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Baker. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 'Sunnycott', Manor Lane, Verwood, Dorset, working as a Kitchen Gardener. His death was recorded in Poole, Dorset, during 1964. His brother, John Richard Davis, also served in the conflict and their names were mentioned on a Roll of Honour published in the St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, Parish Magazine in Nov 1918. His other brother, Percival James Davis, also served and survived the conflict.

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Harry Edward Conway

3rd January 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Conway

Other names: Harry Edward

Locations in this story:
Farnham, Dorset
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Wimborne St. Giles, Dorset
France & Flanders
Charlton, Donhead St. Mary. Wiltshire
Hamworthy, Dorset
Poole, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Harry Edward Conway was born in Farnham, Dorset, on 25 Apr 1892 the son of Frederick Charles Conway and Annie Conway (nee Whitlock). By 1901 the family had moved to Melbury Waters, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset and later, by 1911, Harry had moved to Creech Hill, Wimborne St. Giles, Dorset, where he was lodging and working as an Under Carter on a farm. He had enlisted and joined the 1st Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment as a Private (later being promoted to Corporal). (Service No. 9631). He served in France and Flanders from 3 Dec 1914 where he suffered gunshot wounds to his head, left hip and foot. As a result of these wounds he was later transferred to the Recovery Section of the Labour Corps (Service No. 96003). He was finally discharged on 23 Sep 1919 and awarded the Silver War Badge No. B284790 as well as the Victory Medal, British War Medal and the 1915 Star. He had married Frances Maud Matthews in Hamworthy, Dorset, on 23 Dec 1915. On his pension record his address was given as 11 Charlton, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, as later confirmed in the 1921 Census where he was working as a Farm Carter. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 248 Blandford Road, Poole, Dorset, working as a Petroleum Yard Hand. His wife died in 1964 and Harry's death was recorded in Poole during 1985. Harry's brothers, Alfred Charles Conway and William Frederick Conway, also served in the conflict but regrettably Alfred was killed in action. All their names appeared on a Roll of Honour published in the St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset, Parish Magazine in Nov 1918.

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George Wilfred Clemas

2nd January 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Clemas

Other names: George Wilfred

Locations in this story:
Hindon, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Chertsey, Surrey
Merton Abbey, Surrey
Wimbledon, Surrey
Madrid, Spain

Story:
George Wilfred Clemas was born in Hindon, Wiltshire on 25 Nov 1889 the son of Edward Richard Clemas and Elizabeth Ellen Clemas (nee Brickell). He lived his early life in Hindon until by 1901 he was living at 59 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, with his Uncle presumably because his had mother died in 1893. By 1911 he had moved to Merton Abbey, Surrey, where he had become an Elementary School Teacher. His Military Service cannot be verified except his name appears on the Roll Of Honour published in the St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, in Nov 1918 and the fact that his service is acknowledged in the National Union of Teachers Roll of Honour. The 1921 Census shows him visiting his uncle at 59 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, now described as a Student Undergraduate at Cambridge University. By the time of the 1939 Register he was residng at 9 Delamere Road, Wimbledon, Surrey, described as an Assistant Master in a Secondary School. He was still single at this time. His death was recorded in the British American Hospital, Madrid, Spain, on 19 Aug 1965 and his address on the Probate records indicate he was officially living at 9 Rangers Hotel, Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex.

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Job Burr

1st January 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Burr

Other names: Job

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France and Flanders
Germany
Ensbury Park, Bournemouth, Hampshire

Story:
Job Burr was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1892 the son of John Burr and Elizabeth Ann Burr (nee Brockway). He lived some of his early life at Smith's Hole, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury. but later moved to Brickhill, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury. He had enlisted with the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 8775). He served in France and Flanders from 7 Oct 1914. He was apparently taken prisoner and held for a short time in Germany from where, after his release, he remained in the services and married Florence Kate Love in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, on 28 Sep 1919. He was eventually discharged on 16 May 1921 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/1915 Star. His Military Pension form indicates he received payments until 31 Jul 1921 then the form is marked 'Dead' but no record of a death can be found at this time. There is however an Electoral Roll record showing Florence and himself living at 12 Stanton Road, Ensbury Park, Bournemouth, Hampshire, but nothing beyond except his wife who was patient at the County Mental Hospital, Gloucester, at the time of the 1939 Register where she died during 1963. Job's brother, George Reginald Burr, also enlisted but was not accepted by the Military. Job's name was shown on the Roll of Honour published in the Nov 1918 issue of the St. James' Church Parish Magazine.

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Samuel Brickell

1st January 2022/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Brickell

Other names: Samuel

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bermondsey, London
Lambeth, London
France & Flanders
Somme, France
Pozieres, Ovillers-la-Boisselle, France
Kennington, London
Tipperary, Ireland

Story:
Samuel Brickell was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1881 and was baptised at St. James' Church on 9 Oct 1881 the son of George Brickell and Sarah Brickell (nee Dennis). He spent his early life in St. James Street, Shaftesbury, until by 1911 he had moved to Bermondsey, London, and was boarding with his brother and working as a Railway Porter. He enlisted on the 8 Nov 1915 and joined the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment as a Private (Service No. G/10824). He served some time in Tipperary, Ireland, where he was recovering from diptheria. He married Alice Louisa Ball (nee Barnett), the widow of John James Ball who had died in 1912, at St. Thomas Church, Lambeth, London, on 23 Apr 1916. He was posted to France and Flanders on 13 Mar 1918 and joined the 7th Reserve Battalion and was promoted to Corporal. He was reported missing in action on 21 Mar 1918 whilst the 5th Brigade was being involved during a retreat in the Somme area. He was officially presumed killed in action on 28 Mar 1918. His wife had to write from her home in Kennington, London, on 26 Jun 1918 asking for news of him. The Red Cross had also made enquiries as late as 20 Nov 1918 (after the Armistice). There had obviously been a considerable failure to advise his wife of the situation on the part of the Military authorities. Samuel was awarded the Victory and British War Medals and his name appears on the Pozieres Memorial in the Pozieres British Military Cemetery, Pozieres, Ovillers-la-Boisselle, France, (Panels 58 & 59). His name was also on the Roll of Honour published in the Parish Magazine of Nov 1918 by St. James' Church, Shaftesbury. Charles' brothers, Thomas Dennis Brickell and Charles Brickell, also served in the conflict and survived.

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