Story:
Percy William Jesse was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 8 Jul 1894 and baptised there on 19 Aug 1894 the son of William Jesse and Kate Rose Jesse (nee Jeans).   He lived his early life at Woodbridge Mill, Fontmell Magna, until the death of his father in 1905 when the rest of the family moved to Black Ven Farm, Fontmell Magna.   At some time after 1911 he had emigrated to New Zealand and had enlisted on the 10 Oct 1915 joining the 5th Battalion of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (Rifle Brigade) as a Rifleman (Service Nos. 14/616 and 25/646).  He served in France and Flanders where he was wounded on 6 Aug 1917.  On the 31 Oct 1917 it was announced he had been awarded the Military Medal for 'acts of gallantry in the field'.  He was discharged in the UK on 8 May 1919 and further awarded the Victory and British War Medals.  At that time he did not choose to return to New Zealand.  His marriage to Doris Evelyn Green was registered at Mere, Wiltshire, in 1924 and they had one child.  Regrettably his wife died in 1931.   By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Hadden Farm, Upton, East Knoyle, Wiltshire, described as a Dairy Farmer and widower.  (NB There is an uncorroborated record that he may have joined the Royal Artillery in WW2 under Service No. 2588024 though proof has yet to be found).  His death was recorded at the Mere, Wiltshire, Registry, on 7 Apr 1957.  His brothers, Charles Jesse and Frank Jesse, also served in the conflict though Frank did not return having been killed in action.

Story:
Edwin John Burbidge was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 23 Nov 1890 the son of Kate Burbidge (no father has been recorded).  He lived his early life with his grandparents and mother in Hutchinson Lane, Shaftesbury.   He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 15 Mar 1910 and served in many ships and ports becoming a Stoker Petty Officer (Service No. K5883). He qualified for the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star.   He married Ida Mabel McMahon in Portsmouth, Hampshire during 1922.  He was eventually discharged from the Navy on 8 Feb 1927.  He re-enlisted and continued his rank of SPO with the same Service No. and remained in the Navy until 21 Jul 1945.  He was awarded the Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.  He died in the Woolwich, London, Registry area on 8 Nov 1956 his address at the time was given as 101 Reidhaven Road, Plumstead, London, S.E.18.  (N.B.  Some of his Military records give his name incorrectly as 'Edward' not 'Edwin'.)

Story:
Frederick George Hall (known generally as 'George') was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 6 May 1891 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 7 Jun 1891 the son of Samuel Hall and Annie Hall (nee Ridout).   He lived his early life at 5 Haimes Lane, Shaftesbury.   He enlisted and joined Royal Horse Artillery as a Driver (Service No. 52574).  He served with the 'N' Battery as well as with the Royal Field Artillery.  It is not known in which actual theatre of war he served but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star.   He married Alice M. Brown in Poole, Dorset, in 1923.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 37 Strand Street, Poole, Dorset, working as a Steel Erector and Fitter.  He died in Poole during 1974.

Story:
Edward John Pike was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 6 Apr 1895 the son of Herbert Pike and Mary Hannah Pike (nee Sharp).  He lived his early life in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset.   He enlisted and joined the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 8578).  He had served in France and Flanders and had suffered gas poisoning.  He was discharged on 9 Apr 1919 and went to live in Bozley Hill, Cann, Shaftesbury.   He had applied for a pension in view of his perceived disability but this was refused.   There are no available medal records in this case.   His marriage to Mary A. E. Monk was recorded at the Edmonton, Middlesex, Registry in 1922.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 66 Franklin Avenue, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, working as a Hammer Driver.  His death was recorded at the Ware, Hertfordshire, Registry on 4 Sep 1970 and his burial was performed on 10 Sep 1970.

Story:
William George Padfield was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 18 Feb 1899 and baptised at St. James Church on 15 Mar 1899 the son of William George Padfield and Annie Padfield (nee Brickell).  He lived his whole life, apart from Military Service, in the St. James area of Shaftesbury.  He had enlisted and joined the Royal Engineers as a Sapper (Service No. 616296).  He was later transferred to the 3/4th Reserve Labour Company of the Labour Corps as a Private (Service No. 342049).  It is not known in which theatre of war he served in nor whether he was awarded any service medals.  He was discharged on 18 Oct 1919 and had made a claim for a pension due to weakness in the left arm but this was rejected as being non-attributable to his service.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was still single and living with his parents at 68 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Wheelwright and Painter.  He died in Shaftesbury on 11 Aug 1971.