1914-1918 Archives - Page 52 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Ernest Alfred Septimus Edwards

23rd December 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Edwards

Other names: Ernest Alfred Septimus

Locations in this story:
Abingdon, Berkshire
Reading, Berkshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Rotherfield, Sussex
France & Flanders
Caversham, Reading, Berkshire

Story:
Ernest Alfred Septimus Edwards was born in Abingdon, Berkshire, on 6 Apr 1883 the son of Alfred William Edwards and Harriet Elizabeth Edwards (nee Godfrey). He lived some of his early life in Reading, Berkshire, but by 1901 he was a boarder pupil at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset. Following his schooling he became a boarder at Lews Farm, Rotherfield, Sussex, where he was employed as a Domestic Chauffeur. He enlisted with the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 9809). He served in France and Flanders from 14 Aug 1914 where he was transferred to the Worcestershire Regiment (Service No. 75273). On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living with his parents at 35 Bulmershe Road, Reading, Berkshire, working on his won account as a Motor Engineer. He married Grace Euphemia Warburton in Abingdon, Berkshire, in 1925. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 'Banavie', 6 Brunswick Hill, Reading, Berkshire, stil described as a Motor Engineer. He died in Reading on 7 Mar 1951 and was buried at the Caversham Cemetery, Caversham, Berkshire, on 10 Mar 1951.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Victor George Imber

22nd December 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Imber

Other names: Victor George

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Finchley, Middlesex
Germany
Sturminster, Dorset

Story:
Victor George Imber was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 13 Mar 1898 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 13 Apr 1898 the son of George Henry Imber (Butcher) and Hannah Mary Imber (nee Kerridge). He lived his early life at 9 High Street, Shaftesbury. He was a boarder pupil at Shaftesbury Grammar School by 1911. He enlisted with the Royal Engineers as a Sapper (Service No. 327501). He served in France & Flanders and on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. The 1921 Census shows him baording at 6 Camden Terrace, Bristol, where he was working as a General Bank Clerk for the London County & Westminster Bank. He married Ella Irene Woodman in the St. Giles, London, Registry area in 1923. In 1924 their only son, Basil George Imber, was born. By the time of the 1939 Register Victor was living at 129 Abbotts Gardens, Finchley, Middlesex, described as a Bank Official. Basil Imber, the son, was killed in Germany on 20 Jan 1944. Victor's death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1972.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Longford Loftus Welman

21st December 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Welman

Other names: Longford Loftus

Locations in this story:
Longford, Ireland
Halkyn, Holywell, Flintshire, Wales
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Hammersmith, London
Brookwood, Woking, Surrey
Paris, France

Story:
Longford Loftus Welman was born in Longford, Ireland, on 5 May 1894 the son of Herbert Loftus Welman (Major retd.) and Annie Harriet Welman (nee Burrows). He however spent a lot of his very early life with the family at Halkyn Castle, Halkyn, Holywell, Flintshire, Wales. The 1911 Census shows him as a boarder pupil at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted on 3 Sep 1913 and joined the 1st Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant. He served in France and Flanders and rose to the rank of Captain (Acting Major). He was awarded the Military Cross for Distinguished Services according to an announcement in the London Gazette on 16 Sep 1918. At the end of hostilities he was also awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. He appears on a list of Old Boys living in London or suburbs in the February 1922 edition of the Shaftesbury Grammar School magazine. He remained in the Army being based at various locations during later years. He had married Gladys Conquest in Paris, France, on 9 Nov 1917. Longford died whilst still a Major with the Royal (The Queen's) Surrey Regiment on 3 Jul 1944 at the Royal Masonic Hospital, Hammersmith, London, and was buried at the Brookwood Military Cemetery, Woking, Surrey. One of his brothers, Capt. Noel Yvon Loftus Welman, was killed in action in France on 25 Sep 1915.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Edward Whitley Baker

21st December 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Whitley-Baker

Other names: Edward

Locations in this story:
Wimborne, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Berlin, Germany

Story:
Edward Whitley-Baker was born on 6 Feb 1889 and baptised at Wimborne Minster on 20 Apr 1889 the son of Edward Whitley-Baker (a Veterinary Surgeon) and Clara Mary Whitley-Baker (nee Dowsing). He lived most of his early life in Wimborne except between 1901 and 1911 he was a boarder pupil at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He had enlisted with the 5th Battalion of the Coldstream Guards becoming as Lance Corporal (Service No. 12853). However on 31 Aug 1916 he transferred to the Royal Engineers having become an Officer Cadet. He was eventually commissioned as a Lieutenant and served in France and Flanders from 17 Mar 1915 with the 17th Divisional Signal Company where he was awarded the Military Cross per a London Gazette notice dated 3 Jun 1919. Following the end of hostilities he was posted to Berlin, Germany, attached to the 65th Headquarters Company of the 51st Infantry Brigade. He however died on 16 Dec 1920 of pneumonia at the Burggrafen Street Infirmary, Berlin. He was buried back in the UK in the Wimborne Minster Cemetery on 24 Dec 1920 (WGC Grave Ref. C. 6. 5280). He was also awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He is also remembered on the Dorset Freemasons Memorial at Sherborne, Dorset.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Pryce Taylor

19th December 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Taylor

Other names: Pryce

Locations in this story:
Loughborough, Leicestershire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Story:
Pryce Taylor was born in Loughborough, Leicestershire, in 1891 the son of John William Taylor and Annie Mary Taylor (nee Bardsley). He lived his early life with the family at The Bell Foundry House, Loughborough. By 1901 he was a boarder pupil at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset. By 1911 he was living back in the family home in Loughborough. He had enlisted with the Royal Fusiliers originally but shortly after was transferred to the Leicestershire Regiment having gained a commission as a Lieutenant.. He also saw service in France & Flanders from 23 Feb 1916 with his regiment and later with the Machine Gun Corps. During this time he received a gunshot wound to his arm. His final posting was with the Royal Engineers from whom he was discharged and awarded the Victory and British War Medals. The 1921 Census shows him back at home in Loughborough living with his sister (his mother having died in 1904 and his father in 1919, where he was described as a Bell Founder. He sailed for Canada on 15 Jan 1926 and arrived at his destination on 25 Jan 1926. Unfortunately he died in the Wellesley Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on 15 Jul 1927. Of his brothers, who had all been pupils at Shaftesbury Grammar School, namely Arnold Bradley Taylor, Gerald Bardsley Taylor and John William Taylor, were all killed in action during the conflict.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
Gerald Bardsley Taylor
John William Taylor
Arnold Bradley Taylor

Rufus a’Barrow Jeffery

18th December 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Jeffery

Other names: Rufus a'Barrow

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Mesopotamia
India
Donhead St. Mary. Wiltshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Australia

Story:
Rufus a'Barrow Jeffery was born in Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, on 9 Jul 1891 and baptised at Berwick St. John, Dorset, on 6 Aug 1891 the son of John Jeffery and Sarah Alice Jeffery (nee Paul). Rufus lived his early life at Arundel Farm, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire. He attended Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset, for part of his education. His father had died in 1912. Rufus enlisted and joined the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 2272). He later transferred to the 1/4th Battalion and was attached to the Royal Air Force (Service No. 200633). He served in Mesopotamia from 23 Feb 1916 and for a short while later in India. On the 16 Mar 1918 he was commissioned with the 2/4th Battalion of the Wiltshire (Duke of Edinburgh's) Regiment becoming a Lieutenant. On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He had also applied for the Indian General Service Medal but apparently did not qualify. He had returned to Arundel Farm by the time of the 1921 Census where he was working as an Auctioneer and Valuer. He travelled to Australia in 1927 but did not settle there and had returned to the UK by the time of the 1939 Register and was living at Lower Wincombe Farm, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, still single and working as an Agricultural Auctioneer's Assistant. His death was recorded at the Mere, Wiltshire, Registry on 25 Jan 1963.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Percy George Hunt

17th December 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hunt

Other names: Percy George

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Yeovil, Somerset
France & Flanders
Sturminster, Dorset
Clutton, Somerset
Buckthorn Weston, Dorset
Chilcompton, Somerset

Story:
Percy George Hunt was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 2 Sep 1891 the son of Charles Hunt and Sarah Hunt (nee Wilkins). He lived his early life at 29 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where his father was in business as a Fruiterer and Florist. He attended Shaftesbury Grammar School and on leaving there boarded out in Yeovil, Somerset, where he was employed as a Clerk in a Newspaper Company. He enlisted with the Somerset Light Infantry rising to the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2 (Service No. 12107). He served with the 6th Battalion in France and Flanders from 21 May 1915 and was eventually discharged on 24 May 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living with a farming family at Beechford's Farm, Buckthorn Weston, Dorset, described as a Servant and Farm Pupil. His marriage to Winifred Nellie Galpin was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1924. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Bowden Hill, Clutton, Somerset, working as a Sub-Postmaster. He had later moved to 56 East Street, Chilcompton, Somerset, where he died on 7 Sep 1953 and was later buried at St. John the Baptist Church, Chilcompton. His brother, Stanley Charles Hunt, also served in the conflict.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Mark William Wallis Genge

17th December 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Genge

Other names: Mark William Wallis

Locations in this story:
Newtown, Tisbury, Wiltshire
West Hatch, Tisbury, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Canada
Egypt
Fonthill Gifford, Wiltshire
Devizes, Wiltshire
Mere, Wiltshire

Story:
Mark William Wallis Genge was born in Newtown, Tisbury, Wiltshire, on 10 Jun 1888 and baptised there on 5 Aug 1888 the son of Phillip Chitty Genge and Elizabeth Genge (nee Wallis). By 1891 he was living at Pyt House Farm, West Hatch, Tisbury, Wiltshire, where his father farmed. By 1901 he was boarding at Shaftesbury Grammar School as a Pupil. Sometime after leaving school he went to Canada but returned to the UK on 24 Oct 1912. He enlisted and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 993) later encompassing the Corps of Hussars. He served in Egypt from 7 Sep 1914 where in time he suffered from a gunshot wound to the left arm sufficient for him to be discharged on 25 Jun 1916 and awarded the Silver War Badge No. 101150. He received a pension for seven years from that time. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medal as well as the 1915 Star. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Stop Farm, Fonthill Gifford, Wiltshire, still single and described as a Farmer as well as a voluntary APR Warden. He married Sarah Smiley Morag Brownlie in Devizes, Wiltshire, in 1943. He died at Stop Farm, Fonthill Gifford, on 6 Jan 1965 and was buried at Holy Trinity Church, Fonthill Gifford.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Arthur William Barnes

17th December 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Barnes

Other names: Arthur William

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
South Africa
East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Story:
Arthur William Barnes was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 10 Sep 1877 the son of Gideon Barnes and Kate Barnes (nee Miles). He lived his early life with his family in Bell Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where his father ran a men's & boy's outfitters. During the early 1890's Arthur was a pupil at Shaftesbury Grammar School. Following his time at school he went to South Africa to take up employment. In 1904 he married Maude Amelia Stickells in South Africa. At the outbreak of WW1 he enlisted with the South African Contingent which was raised to support the British Army. Little else is known apart from the fact he is mentioned in his old school magazine as serving. No military or medal records have been found. Arthur died on October 1964 in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Harry Burfitt

16th December 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Burfitt

Other names: Harry

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Ashstead Common, Ashstead, Surrey
Jutland
Portsmouth, Hampshire
Water Street, Bourton, Wiltshire

Story:
Harry Burfitt was born in the Shaftesbury Workhouse, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 14th July 1898, the son of Eliza Jane Burfitt (no father has been identified). Eliza married Thomas Boxall on 8th December 1900 and she went to live in Ashstead Common, Ashstead, Surrey, whilst Harry lived with his grandmother in Water Street, Bourton, Wiltshire. Eventually Harry moved to Ashstead and joined up with his mother and step-father. On enlistment Harry gave the address of his next of kin as 3 Whittaker Cottages, Ashtead, Surrey. Harry enlisted in the Royal Navy on 1st October 1915 as a Boy 2nd Class (Service No. J/33560). He served in many ships of the line and eventually qualified as an Ordinary Telegraphist. He was posted to HMS Tipperary (a Faulkener-class Destroyer) on 21 Apr 1916. The ship, which had only been launched on 5 Mar 1916, became a Flotilla Leader and was dispatched to the Jutland area on 1 Jun 1916. Because of the weather conditions, ships were having difficulty to recognising other vessels and the Tipperary was within 1000 yards of its supposed target before hailing to make certain. They were immediately attacked and the ship caught fire and sank. Of the crew of 195 only 10 survived of whom 8 became prisoners of war. The body of Harry was not recovered and he was presumed dead. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. His name appears on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire, (Panel 15) and on the Ashstead War Memorial, St. George's Christian Centre, Barnett Wood Lane, Ashstead, Surrey. As a postscript his mother, Eliza Jane, died in 1920.

Source: Photographs of the Portsmouth Naval Memorial taken by Richard Lunn.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Commonwealth War Graves Commission