1914-1918 Archives - Page 62 of 164 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Harry Charles Andrews

28th September 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Andrews

Other names: Harry Charles

Locations in this story:
Heatherland, Poole, Dorset
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Market Lavington, Wiltshire
Egypt
Devizes, Wiltshire
Hounslow, London

Story:
Harry (sometimes known as Henry) Charles Andrews was born in Heathlands, Poole, Dorset, on 19 Apr 1889 and baptised there on 30 Jun 1889 the son of Edward Charles Andrews and Phoebe 'Ellen' Andrews (nee Matthews). He lived much of his early life in Albert Road, Heathland, Poole, and later, by 1901, in Mill Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He married Edith Davis at Market Lavington, Wiltshire, on 18 Oct 1913 giving Fontmell Magna as his residence. He enlisted and joined the Gloucestershire Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 2040) and later served in Egypt from 20 Apr 1915 with the Corps of Hussars (Service No. 235121). He was discharged on 16 May 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 5 Oak Lane, Easterton, Devizes, Wiltshire, described as a Small Holder (Poultry) and Incapacitated. His death was recorded at the Hounslow, London, Registry in 1969. His brother, Albert Edward Andrews, also served in the conflict.

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Stanley Harold Edwards

28th September 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Edwards

Other names: Stanley Harold

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
Blandford, Dorset
Evesham, Worcestershire

Story:
Stanley Harold Edwards was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 22 Apr 1886 the son of George Edwards and Mary Jane Edwards (nee Burden). He lived all his early life in West Street, Fontmell Magna. He enlisted and joined the Territorial Unit of the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 2562), Once he was embodied as a Gunner he was given a new Service No. 860453. It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. The Absent Voters List of 1918 registered an address in Iwerne Minster, Dorset, as his residence. The 1921 Census shows him boarding in The Stables, Iwerne Minster, working as an Estate Foreman - Carpenter. He married Carrie Rose at the Parish Church, Blandford, Dorset, on 24 Dec 1921. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Overbury, Evesham, Worcestershire, working as an Estate Clerk of Works as well as a volunteer ARP Warden. His death was recorded in Evesham on 5 Apr 1951.

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Henry George Coombs

25th September 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Coombs

Other names: Henry George

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Bournemouth, Hampshire

Story:
Henry George Coombs was born at Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 17 Nov 1892 the son of William Stephen Coombs and Susannah Coombs (nee Still). He lived much of his early life at Hampton Gate, Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted on 11 Dec 1915 but was not mobilised until 8 Feb 1916 and served with the Devonshire Regiment as a Private (Service Nos. 211487 & 23990). He was later transferred to the East Lancashire Regiment (Service No. 33293). He served in France and Flanders and was eventually discharged on 27 Sep 1919. He qualified for the Victory and British War Medals. His marriage to Lilian Mabel Tuffin was registered in Bournemouth, Hampshire, in 1935. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 8 Hazell Avenue, Bournemouth, Hampshire, working as a Nursery Gardener. He died in Bournemouth in 1980. His brother, Frederick Thomas Coombs, also served in the conflict.

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Frederick Thomas Coombs

25th September 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Coombs

Other names: Frederick Thomas

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Plymouth, Devon
East Stonehouse, Plymouth, Devon

Story:
Frederick Thomas Coombs was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 25 Oct 1885 and baptised there on 22 Nov 1885 the son of William Stephen Coombs and Susannah Coombs (nee Still). He spent his early life in Fontmell Magna until by 1901 he had moved to Hampton Gate, Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where he was working as a Thatcher's Labourer. He enlisted with the Royal Marines Light Infantry on 9 Apr 1902 as a Private (Service No. 11531). He married Maud Penaluna at the Wesleyan Chapel, Edgecombe Street, East Stonehouse, Plymouth, Devon, on 8 May 1905. It is not known in which theatres of war he served but qualified for the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 139 Beacon Park Road, Plymouth, Devon, working as a Flour Mill Storeman. He died in Plymouth in 1973. His brother, Henry George Coombs, also served in the conflict.

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Lucius George Gibbs

25th September 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gibbs

Other names: Lucius George

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Yeovil, Dorset
Gillingham, Dorset
India
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
East Stour. Dorset

Story:
Lucius George Gibbs was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 3 Jun 1882 and baptised at St. James Church on 2 Jul 1882 the son of Edwin George Gibbs and Mary Gibbs (nee Matthews). He lived most of his early life at Blynefield Farm, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset. By 1901 he was boarding in Yeovil, Somerset, whilst employed as an Apprentice Mechanical Engineer. He volunteered for the Territorial Force of the Dorsetshire Regiment on 14 Dec 1896 (Service No. 22) and attended the regular annual training camps thereafter. By the time of the outbreak of WW1 he held the rank of Sergeant. He was embodied on 4 Aug 1914 and on 26 Sep 1914 was promoted to Lance Sergeant. He served for a period in India where, in due time, he was again promoted to Lance Colour Sergeant and served with the 1/4th Battalion. He returned to the UK on 18 Nov 1915 and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant with the 13th (Reserve) Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He was discharged on 8 May 1919 whilst holding the rank of Acting Captain. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. He had married Marjorie Mary Burnell at the Parish Church, Gillingham, Dorset, on 25 Jan 1916. He became the Gillingham, Dorset, Relieving Officer and Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths. The 1921 Census shows him living at High Bridge Mill, East Stour, Dorset. Regrettably his wife died in 1932 and by the 1939 Register he was living at Butts Knap, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He died in Shaftesbury on 31 Aug 1949 and was buried at St. Rumbolds Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 3 Sep 1949. His sister, Ada Prudence, had served with the Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachment as a Nurse during the war and his brothers, Alwin Thomas Gibbs, Walter Matthews Gibbs DCM, and Claude Victor Gibbs, served in the conflict, Claude had been a Prisoner of War for some of the time.

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Montague William George Wareham

25th September 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Wareham

Other names: Montague William George

Locations in this story:
Horton, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Waitemata, Auckland, New Zealand
Jutland

Story:
Montague William George Wareham was born in Horton, Dorset, on 5 May 1895 and baptised there on 30 Jun 1895 the son of George Wareham and Emily Wareham (nee Sturgess). By 1911 he had moved to Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where he was living with his step father. He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 25 Aug 1911 as a Boy Class 2 (Service No. J13694). He rose to the rank of Able Seaman and served in various ships and shore establishments during his service (particularly at the Battle of Jutland aboard HMS Duke of Edinburgh) eventually being discharged on 30 Sep 1920 in order to transfer to the New Zealand Navy and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. Shortly after his discharge he emigrated to New Zealand where he married Louisa Victoria De Carle at North Head, Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand, on 20 May 1922. By 1928 he is recorded as living at Milford, Waitemata, Auckland. He remained in the Auckland area for the rest of his life (apart from a short visit to the UK in 1954) and died on 20 Jul 1968 and later buried in the Purewa Cemetery, Auckland, on 23 Jul 1968.

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Sidney Stanley Merefield

25th September 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Merefield

Other names: Sidney Stanley

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
New Forest, Hampshire

Story:
Sidney Stanley Merefield was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 23 Sep 1899 the son of Frederick Merefield and Mary Ellen Merefield (nee Gray). He lived his early life at 3 North Street, Fontmell Magna. He enlisted and served with the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service Nos. 01054 & 40114). It is not known in which theatre of war he served (possibly the Middle East as he had contracted malaria at some time) but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. The 1921 Census shows him living back in Fontmell Magna with his parents described as a Farm Worker. He married Kathleen Mary Bealing in Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 28 May 1928. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 1 North Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a General Labourer at a Waterworks. His death was recorded in the New Forest, Hampshire, Registry in 1984. His brother, Bertie Merefield, also served in the conflict.

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Thomas Chick

25th September 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Chick

Other names: Thomas

Locations in this story:
Hemyock, Devon
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Liverpool
Quebec, Canada
Heath, Alberta, Canada
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Gilt Edge, Alberta, Canada

Story:
Thomas Chick was born in Hemyock, Devon, on 22 Apr 1888 the son of Thomas Edward Chick and Sarah Ann Chick (nee Clist). He lived his early life in Devon until, by 1911, his family had moved to Blandfords Farm, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset. Thomas had found employment as a Carpenter and Wheelwright, He emigrated from Liverpool on the SS Lake Champlain and arrived in Quebec, Canada, on 7 May 1912. He lived in Heath, Alberta, Canada, where he was described as a Farmer. He enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 12 Nov 1917 as a Private (Service No. 211287). He served in France and Flanders where he joined the Machine Gun Corps on 3 Jan 1918. On his discharge on 26 Mar 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. The 1921 Census of Canada shows him living in Battle River, Gilt Edge, Alberta, Canada, working as a Farm Labourer. He died on 25 Oct 1930 and was buried in the Edmonton, Alberta, Cemetery on 27 Oct 1930. (NB There is some evidence that he had married Lily (or Lillie) Jackson in Alberta in 1927 but no definitive evidence has been found).

Thomas' brother Benjamin George (b.1896) also served in the war, with the Dorset Yeomanry and the Royal Engineers.

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Benjamin George Chick

Ernest Henry White

25th September 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: White

Other names: Ernest Henry

Locations in this story:
Hindon, Tisbury, Wiltshire
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Finsbury, London
Weymouth, Dorset

Story:
Ernest Henry White was born in Hindon, Tisbury, Wiltshire, on 2 Apr 1886 and baptised there on 2 May 1886 the son of Emanuel George White and Edith White (nee Dinham). He lived his early life from at least 1891 in South Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 11 Apr 1902 as a Boy Class 2 (Service No. 220351). He served in various ships and shore establishments in his time reaching the rank of Able Seaman. His principal service was on HMS Neptune, a Dreadnought Battleship, from 31 Aug 1912 through to 29 May 1918, during which time he took part in the Battle of Jutland. He served throughout WW1 and was eventually discharged on 19 May 1919 with a pension. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 417 St. John Street, Finsbury, London, working as a Porter in a Stores Department. He died in the Weymouth & District Hospital, Weymouth, Dorset, on 2 Jun 1959. His brother, Frederick James White, also served in the conflict. (NB It is thought Ernest had married but no definitive record can be found.)

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Clarence Reginald Still

24th September 2020/in 1914-1918 /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Still

Other names: Clarence Reginald

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
St Georges, Hanover Square, London
France & Flanders
Luton Bedfordshire
Hatherleigh Place College, Hatfield Peverel, Essex,

Story:
Clarence Reginald Still was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 13 Nov 1876 the son of Tom Still and Ellen Still (nee West). He lived his early life in Fontmell Magna. His marriage to Edith Kate Flower was recorded in Chelsea, London, Registry in 1900 and they had set up home by 1901 at 54 Gresham Street, St. George Hanover Square, London. Clarence was working as a Domestic Coachman. He enlisted and served with the Army Service Corps as Private (Service No. M2/074713). He served in France and Flanders from 1 May 1915 and was discharged on 28 Apr 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living at Hatherleigh Place College, Hatfield Peverel, Essex, working as a Chauffeur. By 1928 he had moved to Bedfordshire and by the time of the 1939 Register was living at 15 Kingsway. Luton, Bedfordshire, working as a Bus Driver. His death was recorded in Luton on 23 Mar 1950. His brothers, Archibald Arthur Still and Stanley Charles Still, also served in the conflict.

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Archibald Arthur Still
Stanley Charles Still