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

Alfred William Dennis

16th July 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Dennis

Other names: Alfred William

Locations in this story:
Winchfield, Hampshire
Hartley Whitney, Hampshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Tottenham, Middlesex

Story:
Alfred William Dennis was born in Winchfield, Hampshire, on 14 Mar 1884 the son of Frederick John Dennis and Catherine Dorothy Dennis (nee Darnell). He lived his early life in Winchfield. He married Annie Flora Henry in the Hartley Witney, Hampshire, Registration area in 1911. He had moved to Shaftesbury, Dorset, to work as a Post Office Clerk. He enlisted with the Royal Engineers as a Sapper (later becoming a Lance Corporal) (Service No. 152447). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but he was attached to the GHQ Wireless Group. On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He continue to live in Shaftesbury living at 3 Salisbury Street and later the The Bungalow, Alcester, Shaftesbury. In 1920 he was admitted to the Shaftesbury Lodge. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 75 Fifth Cross Road, Tottenham, Middlesex, working as a GPO Sorting Clerk and also as a Volunteer Auxillary Fireman. He died in Tottenham on 24 May 1950.

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Frederick Brickell

16th July 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Brickell

Other names: Frederick

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Southwark, London
Balkans
France & Flanders

Story:
Frederick Brickell (name registered as 'Fred') was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 4 May 1884 and baptised as 'Frederick' at Holy Trinity Church on 29 June 1884 the son of Eli Brickell and Mary Brickell (nee Case). He spent most of his life in the Littledown area of Shaftesbury. He married Teresa Hatton in Southwark, London, during 1906 and they went on to have five children. By the 1911 Census the family were still living in Littledown, Shaftesbury, and Frederick was employed by the local firm of Stratton, Sons & Mead. He enlisted and joined the 3rd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 8817). He served in the Balkans during which time he transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Munster Fusiliers and promoted to Corporal (Service No. 7136). He then went with his Battalion to France and Flanders where on the 18 Oct 1918 he was killed in action. He was buried in the Highland Cemetery, Le Cateau, France, (Grave Ref: III. A. 9.). He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. His name appears on his employer's Roll of Honour and on the Ireland's Memorial Records (Page 234). His wife returned to Southwark with her family. Frederick's brothers, James Brickell and Alfred Brickell, also served in the conflict.

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William James Hands

16th July 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hands

Other names: William James

Locations in this story:
Ilchester, Somerset
Enstone, Oxfordshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Kantara, Egypt

Story:
William James Hands was born in Ilchester, Somerset, on 9 Oct 1889 the son of Edwin James Hands and Letitia Mary Hands (nee Lemon). He lived his early life in Ilchester until by 1911 he was boarding in Enstone, Oxfordshire, where he was employed as a Grocer. Prior to the outbreak of WW1 he had moved to Shaftesbury, Dorset, and took up employment with the local firm of Stratton, Sons & Mead working as a Grocer. He had enlisted and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No 1722). He served in Egypt where the Yeomanry was absorbed into the Corps of Hussars (Service No. 230909). He died in Egypt on 28 Nov 1917 and was buried at the Kantara Military Memorial Cemetery (Grave ref. F.80.). He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. His name appears on the WW1 Memorial in Ilchester, Somerset, as well as on his employer's Roll of Honour.

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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

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). 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 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 Leach (Date and Place unknown). By the time of the 1939 Register 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 1952.

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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

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 a 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 before being posted to Salonika with the 7th Battalion. It was here he contracted malaria which severely affected his health. He was hospitalised 7 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. By the time of the 1939 Register he was still single and living in French Mill Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as an Assistant Grocer. His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 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 during WW1 with the 196 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 was given as Verandah House, Layton Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He was working 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, Wiltshire

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. 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.

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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. 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. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 56 Cardigan Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire, described 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 Mead). 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, 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. 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 in 1941 and was registered in Salisbury. 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