1914-1918 Archives - Page 44 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Robert Frank Ward

15th July 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Ward

Other names: Robert Frank

Locations in this story:
Christchurch, Hampshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Lewisham, Kent

Story:
Robert Frank Ward was born in Christchurch, Hampshire, on 13 Oct 1889 the son of Frank Ward and Annie Eliza Strickland Ward (nee Shepherd). His father died in 1905. He lived his early life in Christchurch until he obtained employment as a Grocer's Assistant with the Shaftesbury, Dorset, firm of Stratton, Sons & Mead. By 1911 he was boarding at Bell Vue House, Victoria Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted and joined Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No.14298). He served in France and Flanders from 19 Sep 1915 with the 7th Battalion eventually rising to the rank of Sergeant. He was discharged on 24 Feb 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. His name was also placed on his employer's Roll of Honour. He married Edith Phoebe Watts (nee Leach), widow of George E. Watts who had been killed in the war in 1915, in Lewisham, Kent, during 1918. Both the 1921 Census and the 1939 Register shows he was living at 56 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, still working as a Grocer's Assistant. His death was recorded in Shaftesbury on 16 Dec 1962.

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Ashton Burton

15th July 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Burton

Other names: Ashton

Locations in this story:
Litchfield, Hampshire
Andover, Hampshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salonika
France & Flanders
Sturminster, Dorset
Gillingham, Dorset

Story:
Ashton Burton was born in Litchfield, Hampshire, on 7 Oct 1887 the son of Thomas Burton and Sarah Burton (nee Harrison). He lived his early life in Litchfield until the death of his father in 1896 when he and his mother moved to Andover, Hampshire, and by 1911, to 25 Bimport, Shaftesbury, Dorset. Ashton had taken up employment with the local firm of Stratton, Sons & Mead as an Assistant Grocer. He had enlisted on 7 Sep 1914 and joined the Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 14439). He served for a short time in France and Flanders from 19 Sep 1915 before being posted to Salonika on 24 Nov 1915 with the 7th Battalion. It was here he contracted malaria in November 1916 which severely affected his health. He was hospitalised on many occasions both abroad and in the UK. He was eventually attached to the 3rd Battalion at the Regimental Depot until his discharge on 11 Mar 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. His name was also placed on his employer's Roll of Honour. The 1921 Census shows him now living with his widowed mother in Waverley Lane, Gillingham, Dorset, described as a Confectioner's Clerk. By the time of the 1939 Register he was still single and living with his mother and sister (who were both incapacitated) in French Mill Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as an Assistant Grocer. His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1963 and he was buried in the Town Cemetery, Shaftesbury, on 26 Oct 1963.

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Thomas Edward Tompkins

14th July 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Tompkins

Other names: Thomas Edward

Locations in this story:
Dorchester, Dorset
France & Flanders
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Lymington, Hampshire
West Fordington, Hampshire

Story:
Thomas Edward Tompkins was born in Dorchester, Dorset, on 29 Jul 1888 the son of John Tompkins and Janet Allen Tompkins (nee Price). He spent his early life in Dorchester until he enlisted with the Army Service Corps on 20 Nov 1903 using his skill as a Carpenter but was classified as a Driver (Service No. T/21298). He married Alice Maud Hodder in West Fordington, Hampshire, on 17 Apr 1911. He served in France and Flanders from 14 Aug 1914 with the 196th Company and was due for release on 19 Nov 1916 but was retained until final discharge on 31 Mar 1920. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. His address at the time, and on the 1921 Census, was given as Verandah House, 100 Layton Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He was working as a Grocer with the local firm of Stratton, Sons & Mead on whose Roll of Honour his name appears. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Fidelis, Ashley Road, Lymington, Hampshire, described as a Shopkeeper and Tobacconist. His wife was then listed as Iris E. Tompkins (nee Drake) thought to have been a second marriage. His death was recorded in Lymington on 28 Jun 1960.

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Tom Albert Sims

14th July 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Sims

Other names: Tom Albert

Locations in this story:
Milford on Sea, Hampshire
Tuckingmill, West Tisbury, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Alvediston, Wiltshire
Titchfield, Hampshire

Story:
Tom Albert Sims was born in Milford on Sea, Hampshire, on 3 Dec 1897 the son of Tom Henry Sims, a Farmer, and Blanche Sims (nee Charlton). Shortly after his birth the family moved to Tuckingmill, West Tisbury, Wiltshire, and, by 1911, to Church Farm, Alvediston, Wiltshire. Tom received some of his education at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He had enlisted and joined the Army Service Corps as a Private (Service No. M2/176714). 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 1921 Census he was living with his parents at Church Farm, Alvediston, described as a Farmer. His marriage to Ivy Constance Maloney was registered in Shaftesbury during 1923. By the time of the 1939 Register he was still living at Church Farm, Alvediston, Wiltshire, described as a Poultry Farmer and also serving as an ARP Warden. His death was recorded in Titchfield, Hampshire, on 3 May 1966 and his last address was 'Dicha', Stibbington Lane, Crofton, Titchfield, Hampshire.

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Henry Edward Marsh

14th July 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Marsh

Other names: Henry Edward

Locations in this story:
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Christchurch, Hampshire
Bournemouth, Hampshire

Story:
Henry Edward Marsh was born in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 13 Jul 1892 the son of William Henry Marsh and Ellen Marsh (nee Kearley). He lived his early life in Brickhill, Enmore Green, until by 1911 the family had moved to 49 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. He had received some of his education at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury. He married Mary A. Palmer in Christchurch, Hampshire, in 1914. He had enlisted and joined the Army Service Corps as a Private (Service No. 15862). He served with them in France and Flanders from 12 Sep 1915. He later transferred to the Labour Corps (Service No. 304775) and finally to the Royal Engineers (Service No. 604698). He was discharged on 6 Apr 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. Both the the 1921 Census and 1939 Register show he was living at 56 Cardigan Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire, in 1921 as a Tram Driver for the Bournemouth, Corporation and in 1939 as an Office Porter (Transport). His death was recorded in Bournemouth in 1975.

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Harold Edwin Miles

22nd June 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Miles

Other names: Harold Edwin

Locations in this story:
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Tisbury, Wiltshire
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Amesbury, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Harold Edwin Miles was born in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 8 Apr 1885 and baptised at St. John's Church, Enmore Green, on 24 May 1885 the son of Edwin Miles, a Market Gardener, and Lucy Jane Miles (nee Meade). He lived all his early life at Nettlebed Nursery, Enmore Green, receiving some of his education at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset, which establishment he left in 1900. By 1913 he was living in Tisbury, Wiltshire, working as a Returning Officer and it is there, at the Parish Church of St. John the Baptist, he married Mary Irene Jukes on 12 July 1913. According to the Shaftesbury Grammar School records he was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment and held the rank at the time of Corporal. No other military information has been found. The 1921 Census shows he was living in the High Street, Tisbury, described as Relieving Officer, Vaccinations Officer and Collector for the whole Tisbury District and employed by the Tisbury Board of Guardians (Local Authority). By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 285 Castle Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire, employed as a Registrar of Births, Marriages and Death for the Amesbury, Wiltshire, area. His death occurred shortly after on 12 Apr 1941 and was registered in Salisbury and he was later buried at the Town Cemetery, Shaftesbury. His brothers, Charles Ernest Miles and Arthur Douglas Miles, also served in the conflict.

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Edward William Cuff

21st June 2021/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Cuff

Other names: Edward William

Locations in this story:
Staines, Middlesex
Poplar, London
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Portishead, Somerset
Gibraltar
Wandsworth, Middlesex
Louth, Lincolnshire
Bournemouth, Hampshire
Whitchurch, Dorset

Story:
Edward William Cuff was born in Staines, Middlesex, on 12th February 1892, the son of William J. Cuff, (a Sub-Divisional Inspector of the Metropolitan Police) and Amelia Cuff (née Robbins) who were both originally from Whitchurch, Dorset. Edward lived his early life with his family in Poplar, London, except for the period from 1905 to 1909 when he attended Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset. By the time of the 1911 Census he was boarding in Portishead, Somerset, where he was a Bank Clerk. He enlisted and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery (Transport Division) becoming a Lieutenant. He served most of his time in Gibraltar and on discharge was awarded the British War Medal. He married Edith Violet Mary Sheldrake in the Wandsworth, Middlesex, Registry area in 1931. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 4 Horncastle Road, Louth, Lincolnshire, and was still working as a Bank Clerk. His wife died in 1962 in Bournemouth, Hampshire, and Edward re-married soon after to Louie Saltmer. Edward died in Bournemouth in 1968.

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 Edward served and the date and term in which he left school. Throughout the war a hand-written list was also compiled of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving in the armed forces. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.

Printed Sources:
First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, October 1909
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, October 1914
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, February 1916
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1916
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, February 1917
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, November 1918

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The National Archives
Shastonian

Roy Charlton

20th June 2021/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Hampshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Charlton

Other names: Roy

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire
Dursley, Gloucestershire
Swanage, Dorset

Story:
Roy Charlton was born in Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, on 8th April 1891 and baptised there on 10th May 1891, the son of Henry Charlton, a local schoolmaster, and Abigail Charlton (née Howell). He lived his early life in Donhead St. Andrew and received some of his education at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset, leaving in 1907. By the 1911 Census he was boarding at 44 Hudson Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, where he was working as a Bank Clerk with the National Provincial Bank. He enlisted with the 1/6th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment as a Private (Service Nos. 1972 & 280624). On the 18th April 1915 he was promoted to Lieutenant and joined the Dorsetshire Regiment. It is not known in which theatre of war he served but following his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. Whilst still serving in the forces he married Ethel Mary Wintle at Dursley, Gloucestershire, on 11th July 1917. The 1921 Census shows him living in Pine Close, Charminster Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire, still with the National Provincial Bank as a Checking Clerk. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 'Barford', Salisbury Road, Swanage, Dorset, where he was now a Bank Manager and also as a Volunteer Special Constable. He died on 7 Jan 1967 in Poole, Dorset.

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 Roy served and the date and term in which he left school. Throughout the war a hand-written list was also compiled of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving in the armed forces. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.

Printed Sources:
First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, March 1915
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1916
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, November 1916
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, March 1918

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The National Archives
Shastonian

Charles Reginald Miles Cox

18th June 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Cox

Other names: Charles Reginald Miles

Locations in this story:
Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Box Hill, Victoria, Australia
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Gallipoli, Turkey
France & Flanders
Denison, Tasmania, Australia
Mere, Wiltshire

Story:
Charles Reginald Miles Cox was born in Box Hill, Victoria, Australia, on 4 Nov 1888 the son of Charles Albert Cox (formerly of Mere, Wiltshire) and Mary Jane Cox (nee Miles) (formerly of Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset. Charles's parents had married at Compton Abbas on 10 Feb 1886 and shortly thereafter emigrated to Box Hill, Victoria, Australia. Arthur Roy Cox, Charles's brother, had also served in the conflict. Charles and his brother had returned to the UK for part of their education at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset. Charles had left school in 1904 and returned eventually to Australia in December 1913. Having had some previous Territorial Military Service, Charles had enlisted with the Australian Infantry Force and joined the 14th Battalion as a 2nd Lieutenant rising eventually in the ranks to Major. He served at Gallipoli, Turkey, where he was wounded and later moved to France and Flanders where again he received gun shot wounds as well as being badly gassed. At one time it was reported he was extremely ill as a result of his wounds and there were doubts as to his recovery. Recover he did and was given command of his Unit but this was eventually brought short due to his health and he was repatriated back to Australia in March 1918 described as 'war worn'. He was finally discharged 31 Jan 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. He married Mary Gladys Gellion in Victoria, Australia, in 1919. He obtained a position in Denison, Tasmania, in Government employment. At the outbreak of WW2 he had applied to joined the Indian Army but this was refused on health grounds and he continued in his employment. His rank at the time was shown as Lt. Colonel. He died in Tasmania on 24 June 1956.

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Arthur Roy Cox

4th June 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Cox

Other names: Arthur Roy

Locations in this story:
Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Box Hill, Victoria, Australia
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Gallipoli, Turkey
France & Flanders
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Mere, Wiltshire

Story:
Arthur Roy Cox was born in Box Hill, Victoria, Australia, on 25 May 1894 the son of Charles Albert Cox (formerly of Mere, Wiltshire) and Mary Jane Cox (nee Miles) (formerly of Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset). Arthur's parents had married at Compton Abbas on 10 Feb 1886 and shortly thereafter emigrated to Box Hill, Victoria, Australia. Charles Reginald Miles Cox, Arthur's brother, also served in the conflict. Arthur and his brother had returned to the UK for part of their education at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset, which he left in 1911 thereafter returning to Australia on 25 Apr 1913. Arthur enlisted with the Australian Infantry Force and joined the 14th Battalion as a 2nd Lieutenant eventually rising to the rank of Captain. He served in both Gallipoli, Turkey, and in France and Flanders during which time he had been wounded on three occasions. On his discharge he would have been entitled to the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. He married Doris Thelma Turner at St Philip's Church, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, on 17 Apr 1929. He was a Director in his father's firm of Clothing Manufacturers and Factors. His death was recorded in Sydney on 19 May 1972.

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