1914-1918 Archives - Page 83 of 164 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Alfred James Blanchard

Surname: Blanchard

Other names: Alfred James

Locations in this story:
Blandford, Dorset
Sutton Waldron, Dorset
Whitehall, Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Blandford St. Mary, Dorset

Story:
Alfred James Blanchard was born in Blandford St. Mary, Dorset, on 1st February 1874 and baptised there on 25th March 1874, the son of Robert Blanchard and Sophia Blanchard (née Best). He lived most of his early life in the Blandford St. Mary area. He married Louisa Amelia Whitty in Blandford, Dorset, on 12th March 1901 and by 1911 they had moved to Sutton Waldron, Dorset. The Absent Voters List 1918 indicates that he was serving with the 1st (Garrison) Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 63748). He gave his address at that time as 32 Whitehall, Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset. No records can be found either for service or medals to confirm his military background. The 1921 Census shows him living now in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as an out of work General Labourer. By the 1939 Register he was recorded at 63 Pipers Mill Cottage, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was now working as a farm labourer. He died locally on 11th October 1952.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

William Thomas Samways

Surname: Samways

Other names: William Thomas

Locations in this story:
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Iwerne Minster, Dorset
Poole, Dorset
Mere, Wiltshire

Story:
William Thomas Samways was born in Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 24th April 1899 and baptised there on 9th July 1899, the son of Richard George Samways and Edith Emma Samways (née Farmer). He spent his early years with the family at Well Bottom, Ashmore. He enlisted 5th Reserve Battalion of the Corps of Hussars as a Private (Service No. 69318). He was discharged as being physically unfit for further service on 12th December 1919 - he had a valvular disease of the heart aggravated by his service and received a short lived pension. No medal records have been found. By the 1921 Census he was recorded as 'Thomas' living with his parents in Green Lane, Ashmore, working as a Ploughman. He married Gladys A. Taylor in the Mere, Wiltshire, Registry area in 1928. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Bowers Barn Cottage, Iwerne Minster, Dorset, and was working as a Farm Carter. He died in the Poole, Dorset, Registration area in 1977.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Charles Thomas Starr

22nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Starr

Other names: Charles Thomas

Locations in this story:
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Christchurch, Hampshire
Poole, Dorset
Boscombe, Hampshire
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire

Story:
Charles Thomas Starr was born in Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1893 and baptised there on 3rd December 1893, the son of Thomas Starr and Sarah Starr (née Rideout). He lived his early life with his family at Acorn Cottage, Ashmore. He enlisted with the 1/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service Nos. 1977 & 200422). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but after his discharge on 23rd June 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Ida Kathleen Hayter in Christchurch, Hampshire, on 14th October 1920 and initially lived, according to the 1921 Census, at Ashgrove Cottages, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, with Charles working as a Farm Labourer. Later on they set up home at Ramadi, Gorsehill Road, Long Fleet, Poole, Dorset. Charles died on 26th February 1934 at the Royal Victoria (West Hampshire) Hospital, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Hampshire, at the early age of 40 years. His wife went on to re-marry an Arthur E. Brown in Poole, Dorset, during 1935.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Gordon James Gray

22nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Coldstream Guards /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: Gordon James

Locations in this story:
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Germany
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Long Langton, Dorset
Dewlish Mill, Puddletown, Dorset
Farnham, Dorset

Story:
Gordon James Gray was born in Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 13th March 1895 and baptised there on 5th May 1895, the son of Charles Gray and Elizabeth Ann Gray (née Taylor). He lived his early life with his family in Ashmore. He enlisted with the 1st Battalion of the Coldstream Guards as a Private (Service No. 10310). He served in France and Flanders from 26 Aug 1914 and at some time thereafter was taken prisoner and spent time in a POW Camp in Germany. On his release and discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. His father had died in 1918 and by the 1921 Census Gordon was living with his widowed mother in Noad Street, Ashmore, working as a Ploughman. He married Bessie Weeks on 4 Feb 1922 at Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, but she regrettably died at the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, and was buried at Farham, Dorset, on 8 Mar 1922 within weeks of the marriage. He went on to re-marry Winifred May Weeks (his first wife's sister) in Long Langton, Dorset, on 18th February 1930. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Dewlish Mill, Puddletown, Dorset, and was described as a Gamekeeper whilst also acting as an ARP Warden. He died in Dewlish Mill in 1970 and was buried there at All Saint's Church on 16th November 1970. Gordon's brother Herbert Charles (b.1899) also served in the war, with the Machine Gun Corps.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Herbert Charles Gray

William Henry Gray

22nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Navy /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: William Henry

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Weymouth, Dorset
Chetnole, Dorset
Noad Road, Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Watery Lane, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Beicos, Malta

Story:
William Henry Gray was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 20th June 1896 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 12th July 1896, the son of James Chasey Gray and Susanna Kensell Gray (née Norris). He lived his early life with the family at 8 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury and later on in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury. He enlisted with the Royal Navy on 31st January 1912 as a Boy Class II later becoming an Able Seaman (Service No. J15923). He served throughout the war in various ships and shore establishments being regarded as a 'sharpshooter'. He eventually bought himself out of the service subject to him agreeing to remain on the Reserves on 30th June 1923. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. He had married Edith Annie Fry (who came from Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset) in 1917 and his address given on the Absent Voters List for 1918 was Noad Road, Ashmore. The 1921 Census shows that he was based on HMS Iron Duke then assigned to Beicos, Malta, whilst his wife lived at 19 Bell Street, Shaftesbury. By the time of the 1939 Register he had settled at Watery Lane, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, and was working as a Roadman for the Dorset County Council as well as being the local Civil Defence Decontamination Volunteer. He died in the Weymouth, Dorset, Registry District in 1988 and was buried at Chetnole, Dorset, on 13th April 1988. His brother, Gordon James Gray, also served during the conflict.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Victor William Davidge

22nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Northumberland Fusiliers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Davidge

Other names: Victor William

Locations in this story:
Noad Street, Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset

Story:
Victor William Davidge was born at Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 26th December 1897 (registered as William Victor Davidge but mainly always referred to as Victor) and baptised there on 3rd April 1898, the son of David Davidge and Matilda Davidge (née Chapman). He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in the Noad Street, Ashmore, area. He enlisted and joined the 4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 2472) later transferring to the 2nd Garrison Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers (Service No. 205820). It is not know in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living with his parents at 1 Noad Street, Ashmore, working as a Farm Labourer and he was still there at the time of the 1939 Register now described as a General Labourer and ARP Warden. His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry on 9th February 1956 and he was buried at Ashmore on 14th February 1956. He remained single all his life. Neither of his two surviving brothers at the outbreak of war served in the conflict.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Edward Isaac White

22nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: White

Other names: Edward Isaac

Locations in this story:
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset
Stoke sub Hamdon, Somerset
Portsmouth, Hampshire

Story:
Edward Isaac White was born at Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 23rd November 1884 and baptised there on 15th February 1885. He was the son of Isaac White, a Carrier, and Sarah Elizabeth White (née Street). He spent all his life, apart from Military Service, in the Ashmore area. He married Edith Bessie Tanswell at Stoke sub Hamdon, Somerset, on 5th January 1914. He enlisted with the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 239361). It is not known where he served but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living in Green Lane, Ashmore, working as a Farm Engine Tractor Driver, and later, by the time of the 1939 Register, at Laburnum Cottage, Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as a Gardener. His death was registered at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry on 28th January 1966 and he was buried at Ashmore on 15th February 1966. Edward had two children one of whom, Edward Leonard White (b. 1915), had served in the Royal Artillery (Service No. 3969933) with the 4th/2nd Maritime Regiment on board Royal Navy vessels. He was reported killed in action on 28 Nov 1942 and remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Portsmouth, Hampshire.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Harry Taylor

22nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Bedfordshire Regiment, Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Taylor

Other names: Harry

Locations in this story:
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Harry Taylor was born at Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1900 and baptised there on 18th March 1900, the son of Harry Taylor and Louisa Taylor (née Prince). He lived all of his short life, apart from Military Service, in the Ashmore area. He enlisted with the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 4081) and later transferred to the Bedfordshire Regiment (Service No. 204344). After his discharge he was awarded the British War Medal only, which indicates he did not serve abroad. By the 1921 Census he was living with his parents in Church Lane, Ashmore, helping his father with Farm Work. He died in the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 9th August 1939 aged only 39 years and was buried at Ashmore on 12 Aug 1939. He remained single throughout his short life. Harry's brother George (b.1898) also served in the war, with the Royal Garrison Artillery.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
George Taylor

Edwin James Fry

22nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Fry

Other names: Edwin James

Locations in this story:
Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Edwin James Fry was born at Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, on 16th March 1879, the son of Charles Fry and Eliza Fry (née Kelly). By the time he was 12 years of age his family had moved to Green Lane, Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and he spent the rest of his life in the area apart from his time in the Army. He married Edith Mary West at Ashmore in 1899. He enlisted with the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 2484) and later transferred to the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (Service No. 202886). He transferred again to the Royal Engineers (Service No. 495986) and was discharged from their service on 6th March 1919 having been declared unfit for further duty due to arthritis and rheumatism (both attributable to his service) for which he received a pension. He was also awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living in Noad Street, Ashmore, working as a Woodman and Hurdle Maker. Regrettably his wife died on 14 Oct 1932 and by the time of the 1939 Register he had remarried Elsie Charlotte Ransome at Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 26 Mar 1939 and were living at Freak's Coppice, Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, Edwin being described as a Forestry Worker. He died in Ashmore in 1962 and was buried there on 15th February 1962.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Joseph Rideout

22nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Rideout

Other names: Joseph

Locations in this story:
Green Lane, Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Joseph Rideout was born at Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 12th December 1881 and baptised there on 12th February 1882, the son of Isaac Rideout and Ann Rideout (née Causton). He lived all his life in the Ashmore, Shaftesbury, area except for his period of Military Service. His father died in 1912. He enlisted with the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service Nos. 2898 & 201128). He served with the 1st/4th Battalion but it is not known to which area of conflict he was posted. He was discharged on 22nd April 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. He had returned to Green Lane, Ashmore, by the time of the 1921 Census where he worked as a Woodsman and Hurdle Maker. He married Mabel Mary Rideout (same surname) at Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 23rd August 1922. His wife regrettably died in 1938. By the time of the 1939 Register he was still living in Green Lane, Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, a widower, working as an Estate Woodman. His death was recorded at the Salisbury, Wiltshire, District Registry on 22nd March 1968 and he was buried at St. Nicholas Church, Ashmore on 27th March 1968.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives