Story:
Oswald Pledger was born in Wembley, Middlesex, on 23 Dec 1885 and baptised there on 9 May 1886 the son of Thomas Arthur Pledger and Mary Ann Pledger (nee Westcott).  He lived his early life in Wembley and later in Hampstead, London.  The family did become associated with Shaftesbury, Dorset, because Oswald's younger brother was born there about 1903 and Oswald had attended Shaftesbury Grammar School.  He had emigrated to Canada landing in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 27 Jan 1912.  He moved on to live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he met and married May Somers Booth on 24 Jun 1913.  He had enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 19 Jun 1916 joining the 76th Depot Battery of the Field Artillery Brigade as a Gunner (Service No. 1250057).  He was sent to France and joined the 1st Brigade and was in action at Loos, France, on 17 Aug 1917 where he was gassed and suffered from shell shock.  He was repatriated back to the UK where he spent many months at the Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Monks Horton, Kent.  In time he was sent back to Canada on 7 Dec 1918 and eventually discharged on 17 Jan 1919 being medically unfit for further duty.  He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. By 1921 he was still living in the Manitoba area and he and his wife had seven children.  Of his children, two served in WW2 and both were killed in action. Kenneth Mervyn Pledger was killed in the 6 Jun 1944 (D-Day) whilst serving with the Canadian Parachute Brigade and shortly after, on 13 Jun 1944, his brother, Thomas Oswald Pledger, was killed serving with the RCAF (Bomber Command Contingent) over France for which he received the posthumous award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. Oswald himself passed away on 14 Dec 1951.

Story:
Maurice Burridge was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 8 May 1890 and baptised at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, on 15 Jun 1890 the son of Charles Burridge, a Blacksmith and Farrier, and Agnes Burridge (nee Flower).  He lived all his early life at home in Hawkesdene Hill, Cann, Shaftesbury, until he enlisted in the Royal Navy on the 4 Jun 1913 as a Cook (Service No. M. 6038).  He served in many ships during his time in the Navy and following the end of the war period was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star.   He married Dorothy Ada Evans in Portsmouth, Hampshire, in 1924.  In Sept 1928 he was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.  He was eventually discharged on 3 Jun 1935 and by the time of the 1939 Register was living at 44 Hale Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, described as a Saw Mill Labourer and Royal Naval Pensioner.  At the outbreak of World War 2 he had re-enlisted but was rejected on health grounds suffering from lumbago and rheumatism.  His death was reported in Portsmouth during 1975.  His brothers, George Burridge and Walter Burridge, also served during the conflict as well as their cousin, Percy Albert Burridge, who had used the family address in Cann on the Absent Voters List from 1918 up until 1921.

Story:
William Henry Pelly was born in Nether Compton, Sherborne, Dorset, on 11 Jun 1885 the son of Edward Pelly and Ellen Pelly (nee Smith).  He lived all his early life in Nether Compton until he had obtained employment at Motcombe House, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where he lived in garden accommodation.  He had enlisted on 11 Aug 1914 with the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No.  9860).  He was later attached to the Royal Artillery as a Driver (Service No. 34576).  He served in France and Flanders from 1 Jul 1915 where he received shrapnel wounds on 14 Sep 1915.  After an extensive recovery period he was transferred to the 18th Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment (Service No. 52864) and then again to the Labour Corps (attached to the Army Service Corps) as a Private (later Lance Corporal) (Service No. 638345).  During the latter stages of his service it is understood he was attached to the Royal Berkshire Regiment on duties with the Royal Defence Corps. On his eventual discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.  He had married Celia Emily Chase in Portsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, on 24 Nov 1917 and initially set up home in Elm Hill, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living in Cosham Road, Biddistone, Calne, Wiltshire, working as a Head Gardener.  His last known address was 66 Mildenhall Road, Clapton, London, where his death was recorded on 26 Apr 1971. He was later cremated at Newham, London, on 30 Apr 1971.