1914-1918 Archives - Page 54 of 164 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

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

John William Pickford

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

Surname: Pickford

Other names: John Edward

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Alcester, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
John William Pickford was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 3 Dec 1894 the son of Mary Ellen Pickford (no father has been identified). (He was registered at birth as John William but always used John Edwin or the family name of Jack thereafter). By 1901 Mary had married Edward Genge and they were living in Chapel Lane, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, along with Mary's children including John. He enlisted and joined the 15th (The King's) Hussars as a Private (Service No. 29613). It is not known in which theatre of war he served in but on his discharge on 25 Mar 1919 was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He then took up residence at 10 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, but by the 1921 Census he had moved to Stoney Path, Alcester, Shaftesbury, working as a Farmhand. On 28 Nov 1920 he had married Beatrice Annie Barter at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved back to 16 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, working as a Farm Labourer. He died on 2 Jul 1950 and was buried at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, on 6 Jul 1950. (N.B. The use of the surnames Genge (that of his step-father) and Pickford were used alternately during his childhood but reverted to Pickford in later life throughout.)

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:

Arthur Thomas White

16th December 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Hampshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: White

Other names: Arthur Thomas

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Berwick St. John, Dorset
France & Flanders
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
St. James, Shaftesbury
Layton Lane, Shaftesbury
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury
Cann, Shaftesbury

Story:
Arthur Thomas White was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 9th March 1880 and baptised at St. James Church on 4th April 1880, the son of William White and Lydia White (née Hillier). He lived all of his life, apart from Military Service, in Shaftesbury. He had, prior to the First World War, served with the Territorial Unit of the 4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment and had been placed with the 1st Reserves. He re-enlisted on 27th August 1914 and joined the 3rd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 7654). He was sent to France and Flanders on 5 Dec 1914 and whilst serving there in August 1915 suffered from Trench Fever. He also suffered from being gassed and receiving a gunshot wound to the hand. Whilst on recovery leave he married Margaret White (same surname) in Berwick St. John, Dorset, on 20th November 1915. On 9th September 1916 he was transferred to the 3rd Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment (Service No. 29736) and was finally discharged on 8th February 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. In addition he was awarded a small pension in regard to the earlier gassing. On discharge he went to live at 3 Layton Lane, Shaftesbury. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 57 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, working as a Gardener. He died in 1949 and was buried at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, on 4th June 1949.

Arthur's brother John (b.1890) also served in the war, with the Royal Engineers.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
John White
The National Archives

William Frederick George Head

6th December 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Head

Other names: William Frederick George

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Poonah, India
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Mere, Wiltshire
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Station Bridge Cottages, Tisbury, Wiltshire
Sedgehill, Wiltshire

Story:
William Frederick George Head was born in Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, on 21st November 1888, the son of William Head and Thirza Jane Head (née Biddiscombe). He spent his early life in and around Donhead St. Andrew and sometime before 1911 he enlisted with the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 8210). His father had died in 1905 and his mother had married Reginald Andrews on 5th June 1907. The 1911 Census shows him at the Barracks in Poonah, India. He apparently served in the India/Asiatic region throughout the First World War and was eventually discharged on 5th May 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/1915 Star. On discharge on 5 May 1919 he had given an address at Birdbush, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, as his residence. The 1921 Census shows him living in at Hay House, Sedgehill, Wiltshire, employed as a Butler. He married Mable Kate Lampard in Mere, Wiltshire, in 1928. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Station Bridge Cottages, Tisbury, Wiltshire, described as a Gardener/Handyman as well as being a member of the National Defence Corps (which eventually became the Home Guard). He died at the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 8 Jan 1943. His brother, Reginald Charles Head, had also served but died in 1917 of pneumonia whilst in service.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
Reginald Charles John Head
The National Archives