1914-1918 Archives - Page 51 of 164 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Harry Wilfred Benjafield

6th February 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Benjafield

Other names: Harry Wilfred

Locations in this story:
Stalbridge, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Ely, Cambridgeshire
Pannal, Ripon, Yorkshire
Cambridge, Cambs
Plymouth, Devon

Story:
Harry Wilfred Benjafield was born in Stalbridge, Dorset, in 1890 the son of Walter Benjafield and Pheobe Sarah Benjafield, (nee Scammell). He lived his early life in Stalbridge but attended Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset, for some of his education. By 1911 he was an Assistant Teacher and boarding out at Barton Road, Ely, Cambridgeshire. The Shaftesbury School records show him as serving with the Artists Rifles (London Regiment) during WW1 and his name appears on the listing made by the National Union of Teachers in recognition of his service. Regrettably no other Military or Medal records can be found. The 1921 Census shows he was still in Cambridge at 24 Fitzwilliam Street, described as a Teaching Undergraduate at the University. By 1931 he was teaching at Ashville College, Pannal, Ripon, Yorkshire. His death was recorded in the Plymouth, Devon, Registry on 17 Sep 1949 though his residence, per Probate Records, shows as 187 Hills Road, Cambridge. There is no record of any marriage.

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William Douglas Walker

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

Surname: Walker

Other names: William Douglas

Locations in this story:
Stoke Newington, London
Bushey, Hertfordshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Blandford, Dorset
Cheshunt, Hertfordshire
Lambeth, London

Story:
William Douglas Walker was born in Stoke Newington, London, on 19 Aug 1891 and baptised there at St. Andrews Church on 22 Nov 1891 the son or William Walker, a Stockbroker, and Annie Mary Walker (nee James). He lived his early life in Stoke Newington until his family moved to Bushey, Hertfordshire. He became a Pupil/Boarder at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1907. He had left school by 1910 and began work as a Stockbrokers Clerk at the same time enlisting on 28 Mar 1910 as a Territorial with the 28th (County of London) Battalion of the London Regiment (The Artists Rifles) as a Private (Service No. 840). He attended annual training camps until the outbreak of war when he was mobilised on 5 Aug 1914. (His father died in the same year.) He rose swiftly in rank to Sergeant and served with his unit in France and Flanders until by 11 May 1915 he was discharged from the Army and appointed a Sub Lieutenant with the Royal Naval Voluntary Reserve later serving with the Royal Naval Air Service and by the end of the war had become a Probationary Flight Officer. On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals along with the 1914/15 Star.

He married Dorothy Gertrude Pond at the Parish Church in Blandford, Dorset, on 2 Nov 1920. By the time of the 1921 Census he was living with his widowed mother at 'Salpeton'. Merry Hill Road, Bushey, Herts, described as a Stockbroker's Assistant. He appears on a list of Old Boys living in London or suburbs in the February 1922 edition of the Shaftesbury Grammar School magazine. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at The Cottage, Heathfield Road, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, described as a Stockbroker (a member of the Stock Exchange) as well as a Volunteer Sub Inspector in the Metropolitan Police Special Constabulary. His death was recorded at the Lambeth, London, Registry on 12 Nov 1968. (NB. The Shaftesbury School records in 1914 show him with the 'Australian Contingent' but no record of any such attachment has been found.)

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1914 Shaftesbury Grammar School Athletics Team

Henry Godwin Pratt

1st February 2021/in 1914-1918 Inns of Court Officers Training Corps, Royal Air Force, Royal Flying Corps, Welsh Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Pratt

Other names: Henry Godwin

Locations in this story:
Pokesdown, Christchurch, Hampshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bristol, Gloucestershire
Brighton, Sussex
France
Russia
Baku, Azerbaijan
Newport, Monmouthshire, South Wales

Story:
Henry Godwin Pratt was born in Pokesdown, Christchurch, Hampshire, on 23rd August 1897 and baptised there on 14th September 1897 at St. James' Church, the son of Arthur Godwin Pratt and Alice Mary Pratt (née Cooke). Regrettably Henry's mother died within weeks of his birth in 1897. In September 1909 he became a pupil at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset. The 1911 Census shows that he was a boarder. He represented the school at football in 1913, cricket in 1914 and was part of the athletics team that won the 1914 Dorset Inter-School Sports. On leaving school in July 1914 he entered employment at an engineering works in Newport, Monmouthshire, South Wales.

In 1915 he joined the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps and by February 1916 he had been awarded a Commission with the 3rd Battalion of the Welsh Regiment. He kept in touch with his old school, regularly writing letters to the headmaster Dr. Tovey. In the 1918 edition of the Grammar School magazine it was reported: "Godwin Pratt has recently been wounded in France, in the right hand and back; we are happy to be able to say the wounds are not serious. We hear he has applied for a transfer to the R.F.C."

He was transferred to the Royal Air Force on 5th April 1918 and served with the 62nd & 63rd Wings.It is not known in which theatre of war he served before the armistice but the June 1919 edition of the school magazine notes: "When we last heard of Godwin Pratt he was at Petrovsky, 150 miles N. of Baku, Russia." He was Mentioned in Despatches on two occasions and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. Following his discharge on 19th September 1919 he rejoined his old engineering firm at Newport. The November 1919 edition of the school magazine shows that he "has been spending a few days at the School. We offer him our heartiest congratulations on being "Mentioned in Despatches" for good work done in South Russia. He has been with a sea-plane squadron on the Caspian Sea."

The 1921 Census shows he was living at 6 Risca Road, Newport, described as an Apprentice Fitter and Turner with an Engineering firm. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 1 Wolferton Road, Bristol, Gloucestershire, described as a Commercial Traveller but also serving with the No. 11 Balloon Barrage (929 Squadron) as an Aircraftsman Class 2 (Service No. 861233). His death was recorded in Brighton, Sussex, in 1970.

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 Godwin 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 1914
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, October 1915
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, February 1916
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, March 1918
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1919
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, November 1919
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1920

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The National Archives
Shastonian

John Burrow

31st January 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Burrow

Other names: John

Locations in this story:
Woolfardisworthy, Devon
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Steeple Langford, Wiltshire
Gallipoli
Iwerne Courtney, Dorset
Chilhampton, Wiltshire
Egypt

Story:
John Burrow was born in Woolfardisworthy, Devon, in 1890 the son of William Newcombe Davey Burrow and Ann Burrow (nee Hockridge). By 1901 the family had moved to Manor Farm, Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and John attended at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset. which he left in 1906. By 1911 the family had moved again to Steeple Langford, Wiltshire, where John worked as a Farmer. He had enlisted on 8 Apr 1908 with the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry Territorials (Service No. 207) and was eventually embodied and posted to Egypt on 23 Apr 1915 from where he was involved in the battle at Gallipoli attached to the Tank Corps where he was wounded. He was discharged on 7 Apr 1916 due to his wounds and was awarded the Silver War Badge No. 21201. He was also awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He married Lilian Rose Hooper at St. Mary's Church, Iwerne Courtney, Dorset, on 3 Oct 1917. The 1921 Census shows he was living at Great Bathampton, Wylye, Wiltshire, still described as a Farmer. Regrettably he died on 25 Aug 1926 at Chilhampton, Wiltshire.

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James Louis Lawrence

29th January 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Lawrence

Other names: James Lewis

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Stalbridge, Dorset
Alderbury, Wiltshire
Upper Parkstone, Dorset
France & Flanders
Southampton, Hampshire

Story:
James Louis (sometimes spelt 'Lewis') Lawrence was born in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, in 1889 and was baptised in Alderbury, Wiltshire, on 13 Oct 1889 the son of Frederick Lewis and Clara Emma Lewis (nee Pike) who was from Stalbridge, Dorset. Whilst James was born in Donhead St. Mary, where the family had lived for at least three years, they had moved to Alderbury, Wiltshire, shortly after his birth and it was here he spent most of his childhood. By 1915 he had moved as a boarder to Pearson Avenue, Upper Parkstone, Dorset, where he was working as a Grocer's Assistant. He enlisted on 1 Nov 1915 and joined the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 6886). On the 13 Sep 1917 he was briefly transferred to the Territorial Unit of the Regiment (Service No. 320713) until finally ending up with the 6th Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 203307). On 3 Nov 1917, whilst in France & Flanders, he was charged with illegally discharging a firearm and wounding a fellow soldier and was sentenced to one year's imprisonment later commuted to 3 months. Regretfully his service conditions were such that he contracted tuberculosis and was discharged on 15 May 1918 as being unfit for further duty. He was awarded the Silver War Badge No. 411859 and a 100% Pension. He was further awarded the Victory and British War Medals. His death was recorded in Southampton, Hampshire, in 1920.

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Lionel George Prideaux

24th January 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Prideaux

Other names: Lionel George

Locations in this story:
Stalbridge, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Gillingham, Dorset
Mere, Wiltshire

Story:
Lionel George Prideaux was born in Stalbridge, Dorset, on 30 Nov 1897 and baptised there on 16 Jan 1898 the son of George Edward Prideaux and Mary Emma Kezia Prideaux (nee Hopkins). He lived most of his early life apart from his period of education and military service in Stalbridge. By 1911 he was a pupil/boarder at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted on 2 Dec 1915 but not embodied until 21 May 1917 and joined the Royal Flying Corps (the Royal Air Force from 1 Apr 1918). (Service No. 81183). He was transferred on 29 Aug 1918 in order to take up a temporary commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. He would have qualified for the Victory and British War Medals on discharge from the Service. The 1921 Census shows him now living with his parents at 'The Limes' Mere, Wiltshire, described as Manager of a Milk Factory of C & G Prideaux Wholesale Creameries Ltd. He married Marjorie Martha Light at Gillingham, Dorset, on 22 Apr 1925. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living in Gold Street, Stalbridge, Dorset, described as a Director and Manager of a Wholesale Dairy Factors. He died in Stalbridge, Dorset, on 23 Nov 1986 and was buried there on 28 Nov 1986.

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Richard Spencer Payne

24th January 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Payne

Other names: Richard Spencer

Locations in this story:
Christchurch, Hampshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Singapore, Malaya
Kensington, London
Bournemouth, Dorset

Story:
The birth of Richard Spencer Payne was registered at Christchurch, Hampshire, on 5 Sep 1900 the son of Charles Payne and Rebecca Edith Payne (nee Dixon). He lived his early life in Bournemouth, Dorset, and, by 1911, had become a Pupil/Boarder at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset. On finishing his education he signed on in 1918 as a Merchant Seaman (Registration No. 212830) attached to the Royal Naval Reserve as a Midshipman. Following the end of the war he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He sailed for Singapore on 20 Aug 1927 being described as a Rubber Planter and whilst there he married Phyllis Blair. He returned to the UK in 1934. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Flat 4 Holland Park Gardens, Kensington, London, described as a Civil Service Clerk. His death was recorded in Kirkmahoe, Dumfries, Scotland, on 6 Nov 1948 and he was buried in Kirkmahoe Churchyard on 8 Nov 1948.

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John Ernest Tollemache

21st January 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Tollemache

Other names: John Ernest

Locations in this story:
Travancore, India
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Surrey

Story:
John Ernest Tollemache was born in Travancore, India, on 19 Nov 1898 the son of Hugh Ernest Tollemache and Caroline Mary Tollemache (nee Payne). His family had returned to the UK in 1900 and by 1912 John was a Boarder/Pupil at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He had enlisted and joined the 5th Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders eventually becoming a 2nd Lieutenant. He served in France and Flanders and on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He had married Violet Edith Gertrude Sands. He appears on a list of Old Boys living in London or suburbs in the February 1922 edition of the Shaftesbury Grammar School magazine. By 1939 he had re-enlisted in WW2 serving in the Army. His death was recorded on 7 Apr 1969 in the Surrey North Western Registry.

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Ernest Frederick Charles Sutton

12th January 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Sutton

Other names: Ernest Frederick Charles

Locations in this story:
Semley, Wiltshire
Pitton, Devon
Ilfracombe, Devon
Barnstable, Devon
Catterick, Yorkshire
Exeter, Devon
Ireland

Story:
Ernest Frederick Charles Sutton was born in Semley, Wiltshire, in 1871 and baptised there on 31 Aug 1871 the son of Henry Sutton and Mary Sutton (nee Baker). The family had moved to Pitton, Barnstable, Devon, by 1881. Ernest married Louisa Scriven in Ilfracombe, Devon, on 27 Jul 1898. They had set up home by 1911 at Bristol Cottages, Barnstable, and went on to have twelve children. Ernest had enlisted on 18 Apr 1918 and was mobilized on 25 Jun 1918 as a Private with the 1st (Garrison) Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment (Service No. 16152). On 12 Dec 1918 he was transferred to Labour Corps (Service No. 683948) and attached to the 655th Home Service Employment Company (Irish Command) working as a Tailor. He later appeared to also have been attached to the 4th (Reserve) Battalion of the West Riding Regiment at Catterick, Yorkshire. He was discharged on 11 Feb 1919. There are no medal records. The 1921 Census shows his registered address to be 32 Lower Maudlin Street, Barnstable, Devon, but hie was in fact an inmate in Exeter Prison at the time. His death was recorded in Barnstable, Devon, in 2nd Quarter of 1925.

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Percy George Stainer

12th January 2021/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Stainer

Other names: Percy George

Locations in this story:
Bradford Abbas, Dorset
Motcombe, Dorset
Semley, Wiltshire
Wandsworth, London
Sutton, Greater London
France

Story:
Percy George Stainer was born in Bradford Abbas, Dorset, on 23 Feb 1890 the son of Walter George Stainer and Mary Emma Stainer (nee Pavitt). He lived his early life in Bradford Abbas until the family moved firstly to North End Lane, Motcombe, Dorset, and later to Church Green, Semley, Wiltshire, whilst the father maintained his employment on the railway. Percy had served prior to the war with the Army Service Corps on a Territorial basis and had completed an engagement of four years before being discharged. At the outbreak of war he was working as a Groom and Gardener and enlisted on 11 Nov 1914 as a Private with the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry (Service No. 1197). However he was discharged on 19 Jan 1915 as being unlikely to make an efficient soldier. No other reason was given. He had moved to Wandsworth, London, where he married Irene Ball (nee Hanslip), the widow of Samuel Wilfred Ball who had died in France on 19 May 1919 whilst serving with the Labour Corps, on 17 Oct 1920. Both the 1921 Census and the 1939 Register Percy show him living at 115 Strathville Road, Wandsworth, London, working as a Railway Shunter for the Southern Railway. His death was recorded in Sutton, Greater London, in 1987. Of his brothers', Walter Vernon Stainer was killed in action whilst Theodore Bridge Stainer served and survived.

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