1914-1918 Archives - Page 43 of 164 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

William Stephen Riglar

30th August 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Riglar

Other names: William Stephen

Locations in this story:
Loders, Dorset
Blandford, Dorset
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
France & Flanders
Wareham, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
William Stephen Riglar was born in Loders, Dorset, on 14 Sep 1897 the son of Walter William Riglar and Harriet Riglar (nee Samways). He spent his early life with his parents at Upton Farm Dairy, Uploaders. Loders, Dorset. By 1915 he had moved to Littleton Dairy, Blandford, Dorset. He enlisted in Dec 1915 and joined the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 163958). He served with the 40th DAC in France and Flanders. He was wounded on 30 Apr 1918 and was not returned to duty until 31 Oct 1918. His address based on the Absent Voter List 1918 was Church Path, Iwerne Minster, Dorset where he remained after discharge until 1922. On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He married Hilda Victoria Mills in Wareham, Dorset, in 1923. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Church House Cottages, Sturminster, Dorset, working as a Gardener. His last known address was 2 High Glebe, Iwerne Minster, Dorset. His death was registered in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on 8 Feb 1971 and he was buried on 12 Feb 1971 at St. Mary's Church, Wareham, Dorset.

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Claude John Howard Rawlings

30th August 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Rawlings

Other names: Claude John Howard

Locations in this story:
Llanhilleth, Monmouthshire
Weston super Mare, Somerset
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
France & Flanders
Fowlmere, Cambridgeshire,
Bath, Somerset

Story:
Claude John Howard Rawlings was born in Llanhilleth, Monmouthshire, on 5 Nov 1896 and baptised there on 2 Dec 1896 the son of Sidney James Rawlings and Alice Ellen Rawlings (nee Webb). He lived his early life in Monmouthshire until by 1911 he was a pupil boarder in Weston super Mare, Somerset. He had joined the Territorial Unit of the 4th Reserve Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 3665). He had served in France and Flanders with the 3/6th Battalion later being allotted Service No. 201075. His address had been recorded in the Absent Voters List as Iwerne Minster, Dorset. He transferred to the Royal Air Force as a Flight Cadet with the 125th Squadron. Regrettably he was killed in a flying accident at Fowlmere Aerodrome, Cambridgeshire, on 12 Aug 1918. He was buried in the War Graves Commission plot at Bath Abbey Cemetery, Bath, Somerset, (Grave Ref: East Border 4. E. 29.). He had been awarded the Victory and British War Medals (these had later been returned to the Medal Office in 1922 for disposal).

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Walter George Clement Batstone

30th August 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Batstone

Other names: Walter George Clement

Locations in this story:
Alyesbeare, Devon
Corscombe, Dorset
West Clandon, Guildford, Surrey
Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bullingdon, Oxfordshire
Stenson Harcourt, Oxfordshire
Southminster, Essex
Honiton, Devon
France & Flanders

Story:
Walter George Clement Batstone was born in Alyesbeare, Devon, on 5 Apr 1886 the son of Walter Batstone and Alice Maria Batstone (nee Ponsford). He lived his early life in Aylesbeare until by 1901 he and the family had moved to Corscombe, Dorset. He married Alice Mary Blackford Tanner at the Parish Church, Crewkerne, Somerset, on 6 Jul 1910. By 1911 he had set up home at 2 Stoughton Cottages, West Clandon, Guildford, Surrey, working as a Cowman on a Farm. He had enlisted and joined the Royal Engineers as a Driver (Service No. 16131). He later transferred to the Labour Corps as a Private with Service No. 641086. He served in France & Flanders from 20 Aug 1914 and on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. His address in 1918 per the Absent Voters List was given as 18 Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset. The 1921 census shows him living in Station Road, Southminster, Essex, working as a Chauffeur/Gardener for a local vicar. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Drayton House, Bullingdon, Oxfordshire, working as a Foreman to a Farmer and Market Gardener. His wife died in 1952 and he went on to remarry Annie B. Druce in Honiton, Devon, during 1954. His death was recorded at Stenson Harcourt, Oxfordshire, on 2 Jan 1979 where he had retired to at 1 Fox Lane.

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Harry Adlem Trimbee

27th August 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Trimbee

Other names: Harry Adlem

Locations in this story:
Teddington, Middlesex
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Reigate, Surrey
Epping, Essex

Story:
Harry Adlem Trimbee was born in Teddington, Middlesex, on 12 Feb 1896 and baptised at Christ Church, Teddington, on 15 Apr 1896 the son of Harry Trimbee (born in Shaftesbury, Dorset,) and Ellen Trimbee (nee Adlem) (born in Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset.) Harry lived his early life in Teddington until by 1911 he was living with his Grandmother, Fanny Adlem, in Green Lane, Ashmore, Shaftesbury. He had enlisted with the Territorial Unit of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 1956). At a later stage his Service Number was changed to 200412. It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge on13 Dec 1919 was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the Territorial Forces War Medal. He married Ethel Sarah Summers in Epping, Essex in 1922. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Vendale, Reigate, Surrey, working as a Chauffeur Mechanic. He died in the Reigate area in 1984.

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Harry George Edgar Neale

27th August 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Neale

Other names: Harry George Edgar

Locations in this story:
Chippenham, Wiltshire
Romsey, Hampshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
West Hampstead, Middlesex
Upton Lovell, Warminster, Wiltshire
Brighton, Sussex

Story:
Harry George Edgar Neale was born in Chippenham, Wiltshire, on 15 Jun 1881 and baptised there on 1 Oct 1881 the son of Edgar Neale and Marianne Neale (nee Nodder). He lived all his early life in Chippenham until by the 1911 Census he was boarding out in Romsey, Hampshire. He had enlisted with the Honourable Artillery Company as a Private (Service No. 10958) rising to the rank at one time to Lance Corporal. He had registered his address on the Absent Voters Lists of 1918 and 1919 as 'Sorrento', Alcester, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He had married Dorothy Gwendoline Turner in West Hampstead, Middlesex, on 11 Jul 1915. It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. By the time of the 1939 Register his wife was living at The Cottage, Upton House, Upton Lovell, Warminster, Wiltshire. The reference to Harry has not been released (along with many others on the page) possibly due to military involvement in WW2. His death was recorded in Brighton, Sussex, on 16 Jun 1968.

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Albert George Farmer

27th August 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Farmer

Other names: Albert George

Locations in this story:
Charminster, Dorset
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Clutton, Somerset
Peasedown St. Johns, Bathavon, Somerset
Bath, Somerset

Story:
Albert George Farmer was born in Charminster, Dorset, on 6 Dec 1895 and baptised there on 24 May 1896 the son of Thomas Farmer and Rosina Farmer (nee Bird). He lived his early life in Charminster. His father had died in 1898 and his mother had remarried in 1910 to Ephriam Rideout and had moved to The Common, Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where Albert also resided. He had enlisted with the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 3151). He joined the 1/4th Battalion and his Service No. was changed to 201355. It is not known in which theatre of war he served but he was discharged on 31 May 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals. According to the records he married Lily S. B. Dyer in Clutton Somerset, in 1926. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 15 Bath Road, Peasedown St. Johns, Bathavon, Somerset, working as a Baker & Confectioner (Cakes). His death was recorded in Bath, Somerset, on 17 Mar 1985. His brother, Charles Cyril Farmer, also served in the conflict.

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Charles Cyril Farmer

27th August 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Farmer

Other names: Charles Cyril

Locations in this story:
Charminster, Dorset
Portland, Dorset
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Portland, Dorset
Bath, Somerset

Story:
Charles Cyril Farmer was born in Charminster, Dorset, on 25 Jun 1893 and baptised there on 17 Sep 1893 the son of Thomas Farmer and Rosina Farmer (nee Bird). He lived his early life in Charminster and left when he enlisted in the Somerset Light Infantry on 5 Jul 1910 as a Private (Service No. 8988). His father had died in 1898 and his mother remarried Ephriam Rideout in 1910 and came to live at The Common, Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset. Charles gave this as his address throughout WW1 and was registered there on the Absent Voters Lists of 1918 and 1919. It is not known in which theatre of war he served but he was discharged as being physically unfit for further service due to sickness on 19 Sep 1919 and awarded the Silver War Badge No. B308357 as well as the Victory and British War Medals. He married Florence Louisa Bloom at Christchurch, Bath, Somerset, on 11 Sep 1924. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 21 Wellington Place, Bath, working as a Hospital Porter. His death was recorded at St. Martins Hospital, Bath, on 8 Jul 1955. His brother, Albert George Farmer, also served in the conflict.

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Leonard Curd

26th August 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Curd

Other names: Leonard

Locations in this story:
Brenchley, Tonbridge, Kent
Mickelham, Surrey
Kensington, London
Motcombe, Dorset
France & Flanders
East Garston, Nr. Hungerford, Berkshire
Newbury, Berkshire

Story:
Leonard Curd was born in Brenchley, Tonbridge, Kent, on 7 Apr 1884 and baptised there at All Saints Church on 25 May 1884 the son of Harry Curd and Jane Curd (nee Castleden). He spent his early life living with his parents in Brenchley, Kent, until by 1911 he had obtained employment in Mickleham, Surrey, and shortly after at Motcombe House, Motcombe, Dorset, where he lived in The Stables. He had enlisted on 3 Nov 1914 with the Army Service Corps as a Private (Service No. M1/09220). He served in France and Flanders from 25 Aug 1915. During one of his leave periods he married Ellen Jane Pike in Kensington, London, in Mar 1916. He was discharged on 20 Feb 1919 being physically unfit for further duty on account of Neuritis and awarded a short lived pension plus the Silver War Badge No. B267497. He was also awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He returned to Motcombe House Stables, as shown on the 1921 Census, to live and work as a Chauffeur but by 1931 had moved on to Pounds Farm, Eastgarston, Hungerford, Berkshire. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Oakhurst Cottages, East Wootton, Newbury, Berkshire, still working as a Chauffeur. He died in Newbury during 1973.

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John Hunter Watts

11th August 2021/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Watts

Other names: John Hunter

Locations in this story:
Bayswater, London
Farnworth, Lancashire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Weston-super-Mare, Somerset
Camberwell, London
Hinaidi, Mesopotamia

Story:
John Hunter Watts (known as 'Jack' to his family) was born in Bayswater, London, on 23rd October 1887 the son of John Hunter Watts and Catherine Jane Grace Watts (née Croll). He lived his early life in Camberwell, London, but by 1911 he was boarding out in Farnworth, Lancashire, where he was working as a Teacher. Sometime after 1911 he had taken up a position at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He left the school in 1914 to enlist in the Army Service Corps where he was promoted to Captain and, later, Brevet Major. He served in France & Flanders becoming a Requisitioning and Purchasing Officer. During 1916 he received gunshot wounds and was Mentioned in Dispatches. He would have been entitled to the Victory and British War medals but was also awarded the Order of the British Empire (Military Branch) for his work in the Army. His name appeared on the Shaftesbury Absent Voters List 1918. The 1921 Census shows he was still in the army but now based at the Main Supply Depot, Hinaidi, Mesopotamia (now Iraq) but he later returned to his teaching post at the Grammar School in 1922. He died on 4th April 1973 in the Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, Registry area.

Printed sources:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1922

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Shastonian
The National Archives

William Locke

10th August 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Locke

Other names: William

Locations in this story:
Lambeth, Surrey
West Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Manston, Sturminster. Dorset
Bristol, Gloucestershire
France & Flanders

Story:
William Locke was born in Surrey (possibly Lambeth) on 11 Apr 1895. It is currently not known who his parents were precisely but there is a distinct possibility they were Henry George Locke and Annie Priscilla Locke. He was admitted to the Lambeth, Surrey, Poor House & Institute in 1905. By 1911 he was living with Amelia Moore at 8 West Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset, as a boarder working as a Farm Labourer. He had enlisted on 31 Jan 1916 and joined the Devonshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 17372) serving with the Regimental No. 2 Labour Company until on 28 Feb 1916 he was transferred to the Princess Charlotte of Wales (Royal Berkshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 29051). He served in France and Flanders from 8 Jul 1916 with the Regimental 12th Labour Company during which time he was medically regraded and transferred to the 196th Labour Company of the Labour Corps as a Private (Service No. 116169). He was discharged on 3 Mar 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He returned to live on at 8 West Orchard and took up employment as a Farm Labourer at Higher Farm, Manston, Sturminster, Dorset. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to Middle House Farm, Manston, Sturminster, Dorset, working as a Tree Feller and still single. His death was recorded at the Bristol, Gloucestershire, registry during 1974.

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