Harry John Cross

Surname: Cross
Other names: Harry John
Other people in this story:
Harry George Cross
Eliza Cross (nee Allen)
Locations in this story:
Bedchester, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bournemouth, Hampshire
Southampton, Hampshire
Furzebrrok, Wareham, Dorset
Portiswood, Southampton

Story:
Harry John Cross was born in Bedchester, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 23 Dec 1893 and baptised at Fontmell Magna on 18 Feb 1894 the son of Harry George Cross and Eliza Cross (nee Allen).  By 1901 the family had moved to Bournemouth, Hampshire, and Harry began his career as a Law Clerk.   He enlisted on the 30 Sep 1915 and joined the Royal Flying Corps (later the Royal Air Force from 1 Apr 1918) and became a Flight Sergeant (Clerical). (Service No 9301).  He was discharged on 12 Sep 1920 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals and was also mentioned for his valuable services during the war period.  The 1921 Censsu shows him boarding in Furzebrook, Wareham, Dorset, working as a Clay Cutter. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to St. Deny's Road, Southampton, Hampshire, working now as a Fitter at Thornycrofts.  By the time of his death on 22 Mar 1961 at the Chest Hospital, Southampton, he had been living at 37 Arnold Road, Portiswood, Southampton, and had remained single.

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Frederick John Best

Surname: Best
Other names: Frederick John
Other people in this story:
John Best
Sarah Jane Best (nee Wareham)
Martha Morris
Locations in this story:
Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Wimborne, Dorset
Bishopstone, Wiltshire
Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales
South Africa
France & Flanders
Bishops Waltham, Hampshire
Carmarthen, Wales

Story:
Frederick John Best was born in Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1879 and baptised there on 3 Aug 1879 the son of John Best and Sarah Jane Best (nee Wareham).   He lived for a short time only in Compton Abbas before his family moved to, firstly, to Wimborne, Dorset and then to Bishopstone, Wiltshire.  Frederick enlisted on 4 Apr 1899 with the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 5943) but was discovered to be under age at the time and was discharged. He re-enlisted with the same Regiment on 13 Jun 1899 once eligible and joined the 3rd Battalion serving in South Africa where he was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal (3 Clasps) and the King's South Africa Medal (1 Clasp).  On returning to the UK he met and married Martha Morris in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales, on 27 Oct 1906.  He was placed on reserve in 1911 and took up the position of Postman in Carmarthen, Wales.  He was mobilized on 5 Aug 1914 and joined the 2nd Battalion (Service No. 5339) being eventually posted to France and Flanders from 1 Jun 1915 and in time was promoted to Lance Corporal.  During 1917 he received Gun Shot Wounds and was discharged on 20 Sep 1917 as being physically unfit for further service.  He was awarded the Silver War Badge No. 134031 as well as the Victory and British War Medals and the 1915 Star.  His wife died during 1920 and by the time of the 1921 Census he was living at 47 Little Water Street, Carmarthen, with his four children, working still as a Postman. It is thought he remarried shortly after but no reliable record has been found. His death was recorded on 29 Jun 1923 in Bishops Waltham, Hampshire.

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Herbert John Coombs

Surname: Coombs
Other names: Herbert John
Other people in this story:
Thomas Coombs
Emma Jane Coombs (nee Lucas)
Ernest Walter Coombs
Locations in this story:
Ebbesbourne Wake, Wiltshire
Great Durnford, Amesbury, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Calais, France

Story:
Herbert John Coombs (sometimes spelt 'Coombes') was born in Ebbesbourne Wake, Wiltshire, in 1892 and baptised there on 17 Apr 1892 the son of Thomas Coombs and Emma Jane Coombs (nee Lucas).  He lived his very early life in Ebbesbourne Wake until by 1901 his family had moved to Great Durnford, Amesbury, Wiltshire,  Herbert had enlisted on 23 Jan 1909 and joined the 2nd Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 8327).   By 1911 he was stationed at St. Pietermaritzburg, South Africa with the 1st Battalion but on the outbreak of war in 1914 he rejoined the 2nd Battlion and was with the first troops to be sent with the Expeditionary Force to France & Flanders on 7 Oct 1914.   Regrettably he died of wounds in France on 5 Nov 1914 and was finally buried in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage Communal Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France, (Grave Ref. I.A.1.).  He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914 Star.  His younger brother, Ernest Walter Coombs, also served with the Royal Marines Light Infantry but was also killed in action.

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Edwin Charles Conway

Surname: Conway
Other names: Edwin Charles
Other people in this story:
Robert Conway
Eliza Ann Conway (nee Raymond)
Beatrice Mary Raymond
Robert Michael Conway
Locations in this story:
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Minchington, Farnham, Dorset
Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Tisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Edwin Charles Conway was born in Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, in 1884 the son of Robert Conway and Eliza Ann Conway (nee Raymond).   He lived all his life in the Minchington, Farnham, Dorset, area.  He had enlisted with the Dorsetshire Regiment on 8 Sep 1914 and was attached to the 6th Battalion as a Private (Service No. 10693).  His service was however cut short as he was discharged on 29 Oct 1914 for medical reasons.  Had he remained in the Army his Battalion had been decimated in battle in later months in a number of areas.  He married Beatrice Mary Raymond in Sixpenny Handley, Dorset, on 4 Dec 1922.  His death was recorded at the Tisbury, Wiltshire, Registry in 1935.  His brother, Robert Michael Conway, also served and survived the conflict.

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Percival Wilkins

Surname: Wilkins
Other names: Percival
Other people in this story:
William John Wilkins
Annie Emma Wilkins (nee Bennett)
Evelyn E. Wilkins
William Wilkins
Locations in this story:
Farnham, Dorset
Slough, Buckinghamshire
Leominster, Herefordshire

Story:
Percival Wilkins was born in Farnham, Dorset, on 3 Jan 1900 and baptised there on 18 Feb 1900 the son of William John Wilkins and Annie Emma Wilkins (nee Bennett).  He lived all his early life in the Farnham area.  He enlisted with the Royal Naval Air Service on 5 Feb 1918 (Service No. F49653) but transferred to the Royal Air Force on 1 Apr 1918.  He had the rank of Aircraftsman 2 (Service No. 249653).  He was discharged on 9 Feb 1919.  Sometime shortly after he had married Evelyn E. Wilkins (maiden name not know as no marriage record can be found).  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 8 Charter Road, Slough, Buckinghamshire, described as a Builders Plasterer now driving a lorry.  His death was recorded in Leominster, Herefordshire, in 1996.  His brother, William Wilkins, also served during the early part of the conflict and survived.

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Harold John Perrett

Surname: Perrett
Other names: Harold John
Other people in this story:
Samuel Perrett
Emma Perrett (nee Burden)
Edith May Noble
Locations in this story:
Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Odstock, Wiltshire
Arlesford, Hampshire
Winchester, Hampshire
Southampton, Hampshire
King's Somborne, Hampshire

Story:
Harold John Perrett was born in Berwick St. John, Wiltshire, on 1 Oct 1891 and baptised there on 29 Dec 1891 the son of Samuel Perrett and Emma Perrett (nee Burden).  He lived his very early life at Higher Bridmore, Berwick St. John, until the family moved, firstly, to Odstock, Wiltshire and then to Arlesford, Hampshire.  Harold married Edith May Noble in Winchester, Hampshire, in 1917 just prior to his enlistment on 6 Mar 1917 in the Royal Navy as an Ordinary Seaman (Service No. J68213).  He was transferred to the Naval Reserve on 12 Apr 1917 to become a deckhand on a civilian ship.  By the 1921 Census he was shown living at Fishpond Farm, King's Somborne, Hampshire, working as a General Labourer. He remained on the Royal Naval Reserve until 11 Nov 1930.  By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to Violet Hill, South Lynch, Winchester, Hampshire, working as a Stockman on a farm.  His death was recorded at the Southampton, Hampshire, Registry during 1983.

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Arthur Blandford Jenkins

Surname: Jenkins
Other names: Arthur Blandford
Other people in this story:
James Joseph Jenkins
Mary Jenkins (nee Blandford)
Locations in this story:
Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Portsmouth, Hampshire

Story:
Arthur Blandford Jenkins was born in Berwick St. John, Wiltshire, on 4 Dec 1893 the son of James Joseph Jenkins and Mary Jenkins (nee Blandford).  He lived all his early life in Water Street, Berwick St. John.  He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 11 Feb 1918 as an Engine Room Artificer Class 4 (Service No. M29213).  He was discharged to the Reserves on 5 Aug 1919 and remained with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve until 12 Nov 1936 with the final rank of ERA Class 1.   His death was recorded in Portsmouth, Hampshire, in 1974.

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Ernest Alphaeus Large

Surname: Large
Other names: Ernest Alphaeus
Other people in this story:
Arthur Robert Large
Emily Large (nee Jobbins)
Miriam Harlick
Locations in this story:
Berwick St. John, Wiltshire
Longhope, Gloucestershire
Edmonton, Middlesex
Toronto, Canada
Whitley Camp, Godalming, Surrey
Shorncliffe, Kent
Wood Green, Middlesex

Story:
Ernest Alphaeus Large was born in Berwick St. John, Wiltshire, the son of Arthur Robert Large, the local Schoolmaster, and Emily Large (nee Jobbins).  He lived his very early life at Curfew Cottage, Berwick St. John, until, by 1891, the family had moved to Longhope, Gloucestershire, and then, by 1901, to Wood Green, Middlesex.  Ernest married Miriam Harlick in Edmonton, Middlesex, during 1909.  He emigrated to Canada and settled down in Toronto, Ontario, working as a Grocery Clerk during 1912.   He had enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 30 Apr 1916 and joined the 208th Battalion (Service No. 249501) rising to the rank of Acting Sergeant.  He was sent to the UK and worked at the Canadian Base Camp at Whitley Camp, Godalming, Surrey, in the Orderly Room.  Whilst serving he contracted diptheria and was hospitalized at Shorncliffe Military Hospital, Kent, from 21 Dec 1918 to 5 Apr 1919.  He was eventually returned to Canada and discharged on 18 Aug 1919.  He immediately re-enlisted and served with the 110th Regiment until he was finally discharged on 30 Jun 1920 due to defective vision.  There is no medal record but he would have qualified for the Victory and British War Medals.  By 1921 he was living at 355 Greenwood Avenue, Toronto, Canada, working as a Grocery Salesman.  His death was recorded in Toronto on 6 Aug 1958.

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Frank Maidment

Surname: Maidment
Other names: Frank
Other people in this story:
John Eugene Maidment
Mary Jane Maidment (nee Read)
Dorothy Alice Blandamer
Hubert James Maidment
Locations in this story:
Charlton, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Fordington, Dorset
Mortonhampstead, Devon
Newton Abbot, Devon
Birdbush, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire

Story:
Frank Maidment was born in Charlton, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 9 Sep 1887 and baptised at the Birdbush Independent Chapel, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 9 Oct 1887 the son of John Eugene Maidment and Mary Jane Maidment (nee Read).  He lived his early life at Fiveways, Charlton, Donhead St. Mary.  He married Dorothy Alice Blandamer at St. Georges Church, Fordington, Dorset, on 25 Dec 1915.  He enlisted on 17 Sep 1918 and joined the Royal Air Force as an Air Mechanic Class 3 (Service No. 296180).  His wife was recorded as living in Mortonhampstead, Devon, at the time.  He was discharged on 27 Feb 1919.  The 1921 Census shows him living at 21 Kinsman Dale, Mortonhampstead, working as a Traction Engine Driver for the Newton Abbott Rural District Council. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 45 Ley Lane, Newton Abbot, Devon, described as a Steam Roller Driver.  His death was recorded in Newton Abbot on 18 Dec 1939.  His brother, Hubert James Maidment, also served in the conflict.

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Reginald Charles Charlton

Surname: Charlton
Other names: Reginald Charles
Other people in this story:
Henry Charlton
Abigail Charlton (nee Howell)
May Henley
Kathleen Keating
Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Islington, London
Portsmouth, Hampshire
Paddington, London
Mere, Wiltshire
Wood Green, Middlesex

Story:
Reginald Charles Charlton was born in Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, on 30 Sep 1881 and baptised there on 6 Nov 1881 the son of Henry Charlton, a Schoolmaster, and Abigail Charlton (nee Howell).  He lived his early life in Lower Street, Donhead St. Andrew, until by 1901 he had moved to Islington, London, where he was boarding out whilst working as a Warehouseman.   He married May Henley in Portsmouth, Hampshire, in 1911.  He enlisted with the Royal Naval Air Service on 25 May 1916 (Service No. F15038) and later transferred to the newly formed Royal Air Force on 1 Apr 1918 with Service No. 215038.  He served in the UK only and was eventually discharged on 15 Feb 1919.  Whilst no medal records can be found he would have qualified for the British War Medal at least. By the 1921 Census his wife and two children were registered at 140 Albert Road, Wood Green, Middlesex, but no mention of Reginald can be found. His wife regrettably died in 1923 in the same year their son also died.  By the time of the 1939 Register Reginald had moved to 85 Waverley Walk, Paddington, London.  He remarried Kathleen Keating in the Mere, Wiltshire, Registry area in 1942.  He died in Mere in 1948.

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