1914-1918 Archives - Page 87 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Charles Roberts

Surname: Roberts

Other names: Charles

Locations in this story:
Layton Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Abertillery, Monmouthshire, South Wales
France & Flanders
Poole, Dorset
Portland, Dorset
Leith, Scotland

Story:
Charles Roberts was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1888, the son of James Roberts and Emma Jane Roberts (née Lane). He grew up in the family home at 13 Layton Lane, Shaftesbury albeit his mother had died in 1894 and his father in 1918. By 1911 he was boarding at 30 Alma Street, Abertillery, Monmouthshire, working in the mines as a Timberman (Underground). He enlisted and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 47976). He served in France and Flanders with the 213th Siege Battery and following his discharge on 16th January 1919 was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. His address on the 1918 Absent Voters List had been given as 1 Layton Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He had moved to Poole, Dorset, by the 1921 Census living at 17 High Street working as a General Labourer for Poole Town Council. He was living with his parents-in-law having married their daughter Caroline Roberts (same surname) in 1919. He died in Leith Hospital, Leith, Scotland, in 1944 and was brought back to Dorset for burial at Portland on 3 Feb 1944.

Two of Charles' brothers also served in the war, James (b.1879) with the Dorsetshire Regiment and George (b.1887) with the South Wales Borderers and the Monmouthshire Regiment.

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James Roberts
George Roberts
The National Archives

Francis Herbert Stainer

Surname: Stainer

Other names: Francis Herbert

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Lyme Regis, Dorset
Poole, Dorset
Bridport, Dorset
France & Flanders
Endell Street Military Hospital, London, WC

Story:
Francis Herbert (known as Herbert for most of his life) Stainer was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 20th June 1891, the son of Francis Henry Stainer and Sarah Jane Stainer (née Mayo). He spent most of his early life with his family at 6 Laundry Lane, Shaftesbury. He enlisted on 16 Nov 1915 and joined the Coldstream Guards as a Private (Service No. 17290). He married Amy Lilian Isaacs in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 2nd July 1916 and they went on to have four children. He served in France & Flanders from 27 Aug 1916 with the 2nd Battalion where he received gunshot wounds to the face and shoulder on 1 Aug 1917. He was returned to the UK on 9 Aug 1917 and spent time at the Endell Street Military Hospital, London, WC, receiving treatment. Following his discharge on 7 Feb 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. Prior to his military service he had been employed as a Grocer's Assistant at Stratton and Son, Shaftesbury, but on leaving the services he became a Police Constable based, by the 1921 Census, at the Police House, Poole, Dorset. The 1939 Register shows he had been posted and was living at 5 Windsor Terrace, Lyme Regis, Dorset. His death is recorded at the Bridport, Dorset, Registry in 1968 and he was buried at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, on 27 Nov 1968.

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Herbert Clarence Rutter

31st May 2020/in 1914-1918 Merchant Navy /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Rutter

Other names: Herbert Clarence

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sidcot School, Winscombe, Somerset
Ivy Cross, Shaftesbury

Story:
Herbert Clarence Rutter was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 12th October 1889, the son of John Kingsley Rutter, a Solicitor, and Emily Mary Rutter (née Bray). He lived his very early life at Belmont House, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, until, by 1901, he had become a pupil/boarder at Sidcot School, Winscombe, Somerset. During the First World War he served as a Merchant Seaman (No. 55220) aboard the S.S. Raven as an Engineer 1st Class. Merchant Seamen were entitled to the Victory and British War medals but no record can be currently found in this case. The 1921 Census shows he was living with his parents at Ivy Cross, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as a Mercantile Marine Engineer with the General Steam Navigation Co. Herbert married Beatrice Annie White in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1933. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at The Bungalow, Ivy Cross, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was described as the Chief Officer of the Shaftesbury Fire Brigade as well as the Gas Precautions Instructor for the ARP. His death was recorded on 2nd September 1961 in Shaftesbury, Dorset. His brother, William Farley Rutter, volunteered for the Friends Ambulance Unit during the war.

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William Farley Rutter
The National Archives

William Farley Rutter

31st May 2020/in 1914-1918 Friends Ambulance Unit /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Rutter

Other names: William Farley

Locations in this story:
St. Rumbolds Road, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sidcot School, Winscombe, Somerset
Evesham, Worcestershire
Warminster, Wiltshire
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Barnstable, Devon

Story:
William Farley Rutter was born on 9th January 1888 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, the son of John Kingsley Rutter, a Solicitor, and Emily Mary Rutter (née Bray). He lived his very early life at Belmont House, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, until, by 1901, he had become a pupil boarder at Sidcot School, Winscombe, Somerset.

During the First World War he served as a volunteer at the Headquarters of the Friends Ambulance Unit from 29th November 1915 to 3rd February 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Hester Elizabeth Fox in Evesham, Worcestershire, on 14th June 1921 shortly after the 1921 Census shows he was visiting and staying in a boarding house at Homecroft, Oakleigh Road, Barnstable, Devon, (likely he was on honeymoon!). By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 6 St. Rumbolds Road, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was described as a Solicitor and Town Clerk. His death was recorded at the Warminster, Wiltshire, Registry in 1991. William's brother, Herbert Clarence Rutter, served as a Merchant Seaman during the war.

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Herbert Clarence Rutter

William John Bench

30th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Navy /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Bench

Other names: William John

Locations in this story:
Sixpenny Handley, Dorset
Alvediston, Wiltshire
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Gibraltar (North Front) Cemetery, Gibralter
Alcester, Shaftesbury

Story:
William John Bench was born in Sixpenny Handley, Dorset, on 10th June 1882 and was baptised at Alvediston, Wiltshire, on 19th November 1882, the son of William John Bench and Elizabeth Ann Bench (nee Belbin). He spent much of his early life in and around Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire with his mother, as his father had died in 1886. His mother remarried and William lived for a time with his step-father but eventually joined the Royal Navy on 10th June 1899 (Service No. 192728). He served in many ships and establishments throughout his service and achieved the rank of Petty Officer. He died whilst still serving on HMS Cormorant at the Royal Naval Hospital, Gibraltar, on 24th February 1920. He was buried at the Gibraltar (North Front) Cemetery (Grave Ref: E. 4678) as recorded on the War Graves Commission site. He had been awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star.

William's mother had died in the Public Institution, Alcester, Shaftesbury, Dorset, (Previously the Workhouse) in 1913. His Electoral Registration in 1918 was 63 High Street, Shaftesbury, the home of her brother, John Belbin. He remained single throughout his life.

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Arthur Mervin Belbin

30th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Royal Air Force, Royal Flying Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Belbin

Other names: Arthur Mervin

Locations in this story:
High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Blandford, Dorset
Guildford, Surrey

Story:
Arthur Mervin Belbin was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 29th April 1897, the son of John Belbin and Clementine Amelia Belbin (née Maidment). He lived his early life with the family at 63 High Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted originally with the Territorial Force of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private on 14th November 1915 (Service No. 3679). He was promptly discharged a day later on 15th November 1915 on the grounds he was unlikely to make an efficient soldier and there was some doubt about his age. He tried again and re-enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps on 25th April 1916 (Royal Air Force from 1st April 1918) (Service No. 26798). He rose to the rank of Corporal Mechanic with 204 Squadron. It is not known where be served but he was discharged on 28th March 1919. He qualified for the Victory and British War medals but no record can be found. By the 1921 Census he was living with his parents at the family home in Shaftesbury working as a Carpenter. He married Elsie Maud Wingfield in Blandford, Dorset, in 1922 and they had three children. By the 1939 Register he was living at 18 Woodside Road, Guildford, Surrey, and was described as a Registered Master Builder. It is not known why his marriage ended but he re-married, to Rosa Guti, in Guildford, Surrey in 1948. He died in St. Luke's Hospital, Guildford, Surrey, on 12th June 1964 and his funeral was held at the United Reform Church, Shaftesbury. His brothers, Frederick Percy Walter Belbin and Harold John Belbin, also served in the conflict.

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Frederick Percy Walter Belbin
Harold John Belbin
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Harold John Belbin

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

Surname: Belbin

Other names: Harold John

Locations in this story:
High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Guildford, Surrey
Farnham, Surrey

Story:
Harold John Belbin was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 2nd August 1892, the son of John Belbin and Clementine Amelia Belbin (née Maidment). He lived his early life with the family at 63 High Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted with the 1st/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service Nos. 2462 & 200789) rising to the rank of Sergeant. It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge on 24 Apr 1919 was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the Territorial Force War Medal. He married Florence Mabel Emma Wesker at St. Nicholas Church, Guildford, Surrey, on 19th June 1920. The 1921 Census shows he lived with his parents in Shaftesbury working as a Tinsmith. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 11 Worplesdon Road, Guildford, Surrey, and was working as an Ironmonger's Workshopman as well as being an ARP Warden. He died in Farnham, Surrey, on 17th April 1965. His brothers, Frederick Percy Walter Belbin and Arthur Mervin Belbin, also served in the conflict.

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Frederick Percy Walter
Arthur Mervin Belbin
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Frederick Percy Walter Belbin

30th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Medical Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Belbin

Other names: Frederick Percy Walter

Locations in this story:
High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Freemantle, Southampton, Hampshire
France & Flanders
Aldrington, Sussex
Southwick, Brighton, Sussex
Stevenage, Hertfordshire

Story:
Frederick Percy Walter Belbin was born in Shaftesbury on 15th April 1890, the son of John Belbin and Clementine Amelia Belbin (née Maidment). He lived his early life with the family at 63 High Street, Shaftesbury. By 1911 he had moved to Freemantle, Southampton, Hampshire, where he was boarding and working as a Carpenter and Joiner. He enlisted and joined the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Private (Service No. 65085). He served in France and Flanders and, whilst there, suffered gun shot wounds to the Right Leg for which he eventually received a small pension. He was discharged on 25th March 1919 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. (NB No 1921 Census record could be found.) He married Louisa Mabel Mitford Wagstaff at St. Philip's Church, Aldrington, Sussex, on 18 Feb 1922 and they went on to have one daughter. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 86 Southwick Road, Southwick, Brighton, Sussex, working as a Carpenter and Joiner. His death was recorded in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, on 25th August 1975. Frederick's brothers, Harold John Belbin and Arthur Mervin Belbin, also served in the conflict.

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Arthur Mervin Belbin
Harold John Belbin

Ernest William Case

30th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Navy /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Case

Other names: Ernest William

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
West Indies
Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Osborne, Whippingham, Isle of Wight, Hampshire
Portsmouth, Hampshire
Petersfield, Hampshire
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Guys Marsh Farm, Shaftesbury

Story:
Ernest William Case was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 12th March 1880 and baptised at St. James' Church on 2nd May 1880, the son of Henry George Case and Emily Jane Case (née Dean). He lived his early life at Guys Marsh Farm, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where his father was the Farmer. He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 20 Jul 1899 (Service No. 342812) and served at various establishments and ships during his service. He married Elsie Clara Gatehouse at Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 18th August 1906. He rose to the rank of Shipwright Class 1 and, by 1911, was serving at the Royal Naval College, Osborne, Whippingham, Isle of Wight, Hampshire. At the outbreak of war he joined HMS Leviathan, a Drake Class armoured cruiser, which was the Flagship of the North American and West Indies Station. He was discharged with pension on 21st July 1921 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. At the time the 1921 Census shows he was visiting at 56 All Saints Road, Landport, Portsmouth, described as a Shipwright (RN) and his wife meanwhile was living with her parents and their daughter in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living alone at 56 Abingdon Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, and was described as a Carpenter. His death was recorded at the Petersfield, Hampshire, Registry on 9th October 1954.

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Thomas Lionel Hull

30th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hull

Other names: Thomas Lionel

Locations in this story:
Stoke St. Mary, Somerset
High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Tisbury, Wiltshire
Weymouth, Dorset
Poole, Dorset

Story:
Thomas Lionel Hull was born in Stoke St. Mary, Somerset, on 12th September 1884 and baptised there on 2nd November 1884, the son of Wareham Hull and Ann Hull (née Tapp). He spent his early years with his family in Stoke St. Mary before eventually arriving by 1911 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, boarding and working at 45 High Street, Shaftesbury, as an assistant ironmonger. He enlisted and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery (Service No. 75477). He rose to the rank of Sergeant and served in France and Flanders with the 324th Siege Battery. Whilst there he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He was discharged on 3rd June 1919 and further awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census show he was boarding at 3 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, still working as an Ironmonger's Assistant for H. Hirst, Ironmongers, Shaftesbury. He married Olive Oxford in the Tisbury, Wiltshire, Registration District in 1930. By the time of the 1939 Register he had been in business since 1931 as an Ironmonger at 35 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset. His was eventually living in Poole, Dorset, but his death was recorded at the Weymouth, Dorset, Registry on 10th Oct 1970.

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