1914-1918 Archives - Page 79 of 164 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

George Frederick Ashby

Surname: Ashby

Other names: George Frederick

Locations in this story:
Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Blandford, Dorset
High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
George Frederick Ashby was born in Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 19th July 1888 and baptised there on 7th October 1888, the son of Charles Ashby and Catherine Ashby (née Marson). He spent most of his early life, apart from Military Service, at High Street, Iwerne Minster. His father had died in 1891. He enlisted as a Territorial with the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service Nos. 2564 & 860455). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War medals. At the time of the 1921 Census he was living with his widowed mother at High Street, Iwerne Minster, working as an Estate Mechanic for the Ismay Estates. He married Clara Rose Hillier in Blandford, Dorset, in 1923 and by the time of the 1939 Register living at 1 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Stoker and Handyman. His death was recorded at the Salisbury, Wiltshire, Registry in 1967. George's brother Robert (b.1879) also served in the war and sadly died in 1915 while serving with the Royal Engineers in France.

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The National Archives
Robert Ashby

Alfred William Wareham

Surname: Wareham

Other names: Alfred William

Locations in this story:
Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Gallipoli, Turkey
France & Flanders
Corton Denham, Wincanton, Somerset
Mesopotamia
Leigh, Sherborne, Dorset

Story:
Alfred William Wareham was born in Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 28th August 1889, the son of Charles Wareham and Susannah Wareham (née Brown). He spent all his early life at The Hollows, Iwerne Minster and later in Watery Lane, Iwerne Minster. He married Frances (aka Fanny) Elizabeth Boyte at Iwerne Minster on 26th December 1914. Alfred enlisted and served with the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment as a Private later becoming a Lance Corporal (Service No. 242103). He served in Gallipoli, Turkey, Mesopotamia and in France and Flanders. He was awarded the Military Medal whilst with the 7th Battalion in France (no citation found). On his discharge he was further awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows he was living at Leigh, Sherborne, Dorset, working as a Dorset Council Road Foreman and had moved by the 1939 Register to 4 Beacon Hill View, Corton Denham, Wincanton, Somerset, and was still working as a Road Foreman for the Dorset County Council as well as being an ARP Warden. It has to be noted that his son, Walter, was killed in action serving with the Royal Navy in the Second World War on 25th November 1941. Alfred himself died at Wincanton on 28th February 1966. One of his other brothers, Percy John Wareham, also served in the conflict with the Royal Flying Corps (Royal Air Force) and both their names are on a Roll of Honour published privately in Iwerne Minster. Printed source: "Iwerne Minster Before, During, and After the Great War", edited by P. Anderson Graham, printed for Private Circulation only.

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Percy John Wareham

Percival John Munn

12th July 2020/in 1914-1918 Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment, Royal Army Veterinary Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Munn

Other names: Percival John

Locations in this story:
Dallington, Nr. St. Leonards, Sussex
Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Otago, New Zealand
Italy
France & Flanders

Story:
Percival John Munn was born at Dallington, Nr. St, Leonards, Sussex, on 23 May 1885 and baptised there on 5 Jul 1885 the son of Edward Nicholas Munn and Ellen Sarah Munn (née Miller). His life was seemingly on the move frequently until he ended up at Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset, living at The Stables, Iwerne Minster, and working as a Coachman. He married Hester Salter at Iwerne Minster on 3rd September 1912. He enlisted on 5th December 1915 and joined the Army Veterinary Corps (Service No. SE/14074). He rose to the rank of Corporal. He later transferred to the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment (Service No. 25982) and served with them both in France and Flanders as well as Italy. He was discharged on 21st February 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. The Census of 1921 shows he lived on in Iwerne Minster until he and his wife plus one child emigrated to Otago, New Zealand on 1st September 1921. He died in Otago, New Zealand, on 12th September 1961.

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William Green

12th July 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Marine Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Green

Other names: William

Locations in this story:
Higher Street, Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Everley Hill, Iwerne Courtney, Blandford, Dorset

Story:
William Green was born at Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 10th January 1874 and baptised there on 1st March 1874, the son of John and Maria Green. He lived most of his life in the Iwerne Minster area apart from Military Service. He married Sarah Anne Parkinson in 1899. By 1911 he was living at Higher Street, Iwerne Minster, and was working as a Gamekeeper. He had enlisted on 15th June 1918 with the Royal Marine Artillery as a Private (Service No. 3232). There are no other obvious available military records for William and it is not known in which theatre of war he might have served. By the time of the 1921 Census he was living in the High Street, Iwerne Minster, still employed as a Gamekeeper on the Ismay Estate and by 1939 Register he was living at Everley Hill, Iwerne Courtney, Blandford, Dorset, and was working now a General Labourer. He died on 15th January 1963. William's brother Charles (b.1881) also served in the war, with the Royal Garrison Artillery.

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Charles Green

Egbert Joseph Hiscox

30th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Field Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hiscox

Other names: Egbert Joseph

Locations in this story:
Pitts Cottages, Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Egypt
Monmouth, Wales
Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
Fontmell Magna, Dorset

Story:
Egbert Joseph Hiscox was born in Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 1 Oct 1897 and baptised at Fontmell Magna, Dorset, on 21st November 1897, the son of Henry James Hiscox and Maria Louisa Hiscox (née Smith). He lived his early life at Pitts Cottages, Bedchester, Shaftesbury. He enlisted and served with the Royal Field Artillery as, firstly, a Gunner and latterly, as a Driver. (Service No. 79301). He served in Egypt from 1 Jul 1915 and on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. By 1919 he was living in Bedchester, Dorset, but there is no apparent record of his whereabouts in the 1921 Census. He married May Elizabeth Mary Howard in Monmouth, Wales, during 1925. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Millend, West Dean, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, working as a Farm Manager (his widowed father was also living with him). His death was recorded at the Forest of Dean Registry, Gloucestershire, in 1967. His father, Henry James Hiscox, also served with the RASC during the conflict and survived. (N.B. The surname is also spelt 'Hiscocks' in some records but 'Hiscox' predominates.)

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Henry James Hiscox

Alfred Young

30th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Hampshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Young

Other names: Alfred

Locations in this story:
West Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Kit Hill, East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Purse Caundle, Dorset

Story:
Alfred Young was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 26th March 1895, the son of Alfred Young and Caroline Young (née Francis). His early life was spent at 99 Kit Hill, East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted and served with the Hampshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 21517). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Alice Eliza Bastable (nee Conway) in the Shaftesbury, Dorset, Registry area in 1919. (Alice was the widow of William Richard Bastable who had been killed in action during 1915 - search this name for more information.) The 1921 Census shows them living in Redmans Lane, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where Alfred was working as a Cowman at a farm associated with a local Mill. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 55 West Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was working as an Agricultural Labourer. His wife died in 1948 and she was buried in Puse Caundle, Dorset. Alfred's death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry on 12th March 1956 and he was buried at Purse Caundle, Dorset, on 24 Mar 1956. His brother, James Young, served but was killed in action.

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James Young
The National Archives

Bertram Robert Stone

30th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Labour Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Stone

Other names: Bertram Robert

Locations in this story:
Shipton Gorge, Dorset
Parsonage Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Tolpuddle, Dorchester, Dorset
Bournemouth, Hampshire
Mesopotamia
India
Sturminster, Dorset

Story:
Bertram Robert Stone was born at Shipton Gorge, Dorset, on 4th October 1898, the son of John Stone and Eliza Elizabeth Stone (née Gale). By 1901 the family had moved to Parsonage Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where Bertram spent his early life. He enlisted on 13th November 1915 and was mobilized on 20th January 1916, joining the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 16354). He served in Mesopotamia and then India, rising to the rank of Lance Corporal. He was returned to the UK on compassionate grounds on 20th November 1917 due to the death of his two brothers, Charles Henry Stone and Thomas John Stone. He was transferred to the 449th Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps (Service No. 546444) on 31st March 1918 and eventually discharged on 8th March 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. By the 1921 Census he was living with his parents in Fontmell Magna working as a Cheese Maker at the Farmers Industry Dairy Ltd in Sturminster. He married Elizabeth Ann Cake at Tolpuddle, Dorchester, Dorset, on 21st December 1924. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 108 Strouden Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire, and was working as a Hire Motor Car Driver as well as being a volunteer with the ARP - (note his wife was living in Dorchester with her mother). His death was recorded in Bournemouth, Hampshire, in 1988.

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Thomas John Stone
Charles Henry Stone

Edgar Still

30th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry, Hussars, Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Still

Other names: Edgar

Locations in this story:
Church Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Asia
Sherborne, Dorset
Plympton St. Mary, Devonshire
Podymore, Ilchester, Somerset

Story:
Edgar Still was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 13th August 1889, the son of Emily Still. No father was recorded. He lived his early life with his mother and grandparents in Church Street, Fontmell Magna. He enlisted and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 1437). He served in the Asiatic Theatre of War and transferred to the Railway Operations Department of the Royal Engineers (Service No. WR/195579) only to transfer back to the Yeomanry later on (Service No. H/231587) and be attached to the 1/1st Hussars. On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living with his mother and sister at Cross Tree Cross, Fontmell Magna described as 'Farming on own account'. He married Edith May Martin in the Sherborne, Dorset, Registry area in 1925. By the 1939 Register he was living at Myrtle Cottage, Plympton St. Mary, Devonshire, and was working as a Jobbing Gardener. At some time later he had moved back to 701 Podymore, Ilchester, Somerset, where he died on 2nd November 1971.

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Thomas Edgar Roberts

30th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Roberts

Other names: Thomas Edgar

Locations in this story:
Billingsgate, London
Stourpaine, Dorset
Blatchfords Farm, Hartgrove, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Ypres, Flanders
France & Flanders
New House Farm, Margaret Marsh, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Stour Provost, Dorset
Peckham, London, S.E.5

Story:
Thomas Edgar Roberts was born at Billingsgate, London, on 18th June 1898 and baptised at Stourpaine, Dorset, on 19th August 1898, the son of Edgar Eli Roberts and Bertha Mary Roberts (née Richardson). By 1911 he was living with his family at Blatchfords Farm, Hartgrove, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted on 7th June 1916 at Shaftesbury and served with the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 18974). He served in France and Flanders and whilst there received a shell wound to his left thigh during a battle at Ypres, Flanders. This had caused a fracture as well as outward wounds. He was admitted to the 91st Field Ambulance on 27th March 1918 and after treatment was repatriated by ambulance train on 30th March 1918 to the 4th London General Hospital at Peckham, London, S.E.5. He was assessed and finally discharged on 18th October 1918 having been judged no longer physically fit to serve due to having to wear a remedial boot to compensate for a shortening in his leg as a result of the wound. He was awarded a 70% pension for two years which was finally ended with the payment of a gratuity. He was also awarded the Silver War Badge No. B27415 as well as the King's Certificate No. 3932. There are no other medal records though he would have qualified for the Victory and British War Medals. The 1921 Census shows that he had returned to Blatchford's Farm and was assisting his father on the farm. Thomas married Dorothy Kate Drew at St. Michael and All Angels Church, Stour Provost, Dorset, on 16th February 1925. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at New House Farm, Margaret Marsh, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was described as a Dairy Farmer. He died at Margaret Marsh in 1993 aged 95 years and was buried at the Parish Church on 23 Nov 1993. Thomas's brother, Harold Martin Roberts, served in the war, but sadly died in 1918 while serving with the Royal Warwickshhire Regiment in France.

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Harold Martin Roberts

Reginald Henry Merrifield

30th June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Merrifield

Other names: Reginald Henry

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset
Blandford, Dorset
Childe Okeford, Dorset
Balkans
Mells, Frome, Somerset

Story:
Reginald Henry Merrifield (surname as registered) was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset on 23rd May 1889, the son of Henry John Merefield (surname as registered) and Anne Stroud Merefield (née Tanswell). He lived his early life in Fontmell Magna. He enlisted and served with the 5th and 6th Battalions of the Dorsetshire Regiment eventually becoming a Corporal (Service No. 10180). He served in the Balkans area from 11 Jul 1915 and on his discharge on 17th March 1919 was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living with his brothers and sister at Babington Lodge, Mells, Frome, Somerset, described as a Market Gardener. He married Lillian Hart in the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry area during 1928. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Lloyds Bank, Market Place, Blandford, Dorset, working as a Gardener (his wife was housekeeper to the Bank Manager). He died in Childe Okeford, Dorset, on 30th April 1950 and was buried at St. Nicholas Church on 3 May 1950. Of his brothers, Victor George Merrifield, died during the conflict whilst Edgar William Merrifield and John Percival Merrifield, both survived.

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Victor George Merrifield
John Percival Merrifield
Edgar William Merrifield
The National Archives