1914-1918 Archives - Page 90 of 164 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Maurice William Wright

Surname: Wright

Other names: Maurice William

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
St. Pancras, London
Paddington, London
France & Flanders
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Half Moon Inn, Shaftesbury

Story:
Maurice William Wright was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 28th November 1887 and baptised at St. James Church on 25th December 1887, the son of Sylvester Wallace Wright and Laura Wright (née Young). He spent his early years at the Half Moon Inn where his father was the licensee. By 1911 he had moved to 11 Gower Place, St, Pancras, London, where he was employed as a House Porter in a business house. He enlisted with the 3rd Battalion of the London Regiment as a Private (Service No. 253772) later transferring to the Army Service Corps on 22 Oct 1917 and joining the 1029th Company (Motor Transport). He served in France and Flanders and following his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War medals. By the 1921 Census he was boarding at 49 Grafton Way, St. Pancras, London, W.1. working as a Kitchen Porter for Maple & Co, Furnishers. He married Gladys Martha Thorpe in 1925 in St. Pancras, London. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 47 Grafton Way, St. Pancras, London, working as a Department Store Catering Storekeeper for Maple & Co. His death was registered in the Paddington, London, Registry in 1952. Maurice's brother, Rebbick Leonard Wright, also served in the conflict.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Rebbick Leonard Wright

Frederick Sidney Alner

20th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Alner

Other names: Frederick Sidney

Locations in this story:
Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Gold Hill, Shaftesbury
India

Story:
Frederick Sidney Alner was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 25th November 1896 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 17th December 1896, the son of Sidney William Alner and Mary Ellen Alner (née Case). The family lived at 14 Gold Hill and Frederick lived all his life, except for Military Service, in the Shaftesbury area. He enlisted and joined the 1st/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service Nos. 3690 and 201752). He served in India on North West Frontier and following his discharge on 28th November 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the India General Service Afghanistan NWF Medal 1919. The 1921 Census shows he had returned to 14 Gold Hill with his parents and was employed as a Mineral Water Hand with Stratton, Son and Mead of Shaftesbury. He married Louisa Barter at Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, on 26th December 1931. By the 1939 Register he was living in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, and was working as a Painter. He later moved to 65 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury. His death was recorded in the Salisbury, Wiltshire, Registry on 13th April 1965 and he was buried at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, on 17th April 1965. His name appears on the Roll of Honour prepared by his former employers, Stratton, Son & Mead of Shaftesbury. Sadly Frederick's brothers Harry and Sidney both died in the war in 1918, less than a month apart.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Sidney William Alner
Harry Walter Alner

Percy Thorne

19th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Thorne

Other names: Percy

Locations in this story:
Yeovil, Somerset
Midhurst, Sussex
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Salisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
The early life of Percy Thorne is shrouded in doubt but it is more than possible that he was born on 15 Jun 1884 in Yeovil, Somerset, and baptised there on 16 Oct 1884 the son of William Thorne, a Hawker, and Ann Thorne. The mother died in 1892 and the father in 1904 both in Yeovil. The 1911 Census shows Percy Thorne (born in an estimated year of 1887 in Yeovil) working as a Domestic Groom and living at Cowdray Park Stables, Midhurst, Sussex. The first reference to Percy Thorne in Shaftesbury, Dorset, is on both the Absent Voters List and the Electoral Roll of 1918 showing he was registered at 12 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He had enlisted and joined the Army Service Corps as a Private eventually being promoted to Corporal (Service No. R4/066292). He served in France and Flanders from 4 Apr 1915 with the 4th B R D Remounts Section. He was discharged on 19th May 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He married Clara Taylor at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, in 1919 and they went on to have five children. The 1921 Census indicates that he had moved to 29 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, and was described as a Dealer (born in Yeovil). By the time of the 1939 Register he was living back at 15 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Gardener and gave his date of birth as 1887 not 1884. He continued to live at 15 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, right up to his death at the Newbridge Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire, on 10th October 1960 (as confirmed on the Probate Register). His wife continued to live in Gold Hill until her own death in 1979.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Albert Charles Phillips

19th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, South Wales Borderers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Phillips

Other names: Albert Charles

Locations in this story:
Brickhill, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Penybont Road, Abertillery, Monmouthshire, Wales
Bedwelty, Monmouthshire, Wales
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Brecon Military Hospital

Story:
Albert Charles Phillips was born in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 28th December 1877 and baptised there on 17th February 1878, the son of Edward Phillips and Edith Phillips (née White). He spent his early life in the family home at Brickhill (now Church Hill), Enmore Green, Shaftesbury. He had enlisted with the 1st/3rd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment and had served for sixteen years before the end of his first engagement. He married Ellen Gumbleton at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, on 18th July 1906 and they went on to have three children.

By 1911 Albert had moved to Abertillery, Monmouthshire, Wales, in order to work in the mining industry. He re-enlisted on 15th July 1914 and was mobilized on 8th Aug 1914 joining the South Wales Borderers (Special Reserve) as a Sergeant (Service No. 3/11615). He served in France and Flanders from 15 Mar 1916 with the 1st and 3rd Battalions and was gassed on 18th May 1916 and wounded on 8th Sep 1916. This involved hospital treatment at the Brecon Military Hospital where he was diagnosed with hysteria and duly declared unfit for further service and discharged on 28th August 1917. He was awarded the Silver War Badge No. 225758 as well as small pension and was later awarded the Victory and British War medals plus receiving the King's Certificate No. 1613. Both the 1921 Census and 1939 Register show him living at 24 Weavers Buildings, 63 Penybont Road, Abertillery, Monmouthshire, Wales, and described as a Colliery Timberman (below ground). His death was recorded in the Bedwelty, Monmouthshire, District Registry in 1940.

Three of Albert's brothers served in the First World War: Frank (b.1885) with the Wiltshire Regiment and the Royal Field Artillery; Frederick William (b.1875) with the Dorchester Regiment. The youngest, James (b.1886) was killed while serving with the Wiltshire Regiment in France on 21st October 1914.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
James Phillips
Frank Phillips
Frederick William Phillips

Victor Sidney Taylor

19th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Air Force, Royal Flying Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Taylor

Other names: Victor Sidney

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Surrey
Fitzroy Square, London
Willesden, Middlesex
North Dorset
Coppice Street, Shaftesbury
Bimport, Shaftesbury
Hampstead, London

Story:
Victor Sidney Taylor was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 2nd April 1893 and baptised at St. Rumbolds Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, on 11th May 1893, the son of Sydney Taylor and Kate Taylor (née Case). He lived his early life with his family at 16 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps on 14th January 1916 (the Royal Air Force from 1st April 1918) as an Aircraftsman 1 (AC1) (Service No. 18341). He was employed as a fabric worker and served in France and Flanders. He married Matilda Sarah Ann Ingle, first at a civil ceremony on 14th November 1917 in Surrey and then, by licence, on 18th November 1917 at St. John the Evangelist Church, Fitzroy Square, London. They went on to have six children. Victor was discharged from the RAF on 8th May 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. By the 1921 Census he was living at 3 Medley Road, Hmapstead, London, working as a Tailor for Messrs. Samuelson & Sons, of London and by the 1939 Register had moved to 51 Kings Road, Willesden, Middlesex, now working as a Tailor on his own account. It is recorded that by 1955 he had returned to Shaftesbury and was living at Alcester House, Bimport, Shaftesbury. His death was recorded locally on 8th May 1977.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

James Henry Russell

19th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Russell

Other names: James Henry

Locations in this story:
Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Shefford, Bedfordshire
Woking, Surrey

Story:
James Henry Russell was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 2nd December 1885 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 21st January 1886, the son of Mark Russell and Mary Ann Russell (née Fry). He lived his early life in and around the area and by 1911 the family home was at 13 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted and joined the Royal Engineers as a Sapper (Service No. 71198). He served with the Lines of Communication Signal Services in France and Flanders. Following his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Gwendolyne Gladys Irene Alldritt at St. Michael and All Angels Church, Shefford, Bedfordshire, in 1920. They went on to have four children. By the 1921 Census he was living at Kirkby Road, Horsell, Woking, Surrey, based at the Woking Post Office and by the 1939 Register had moved to 157 York Road, Woking, Surrey, working as a GPO Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist. His death was recorded on 15th December 1950 at Woking, Surrey.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Arthur Edward Sidney Coaker

19th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Air Force, Royal Flying Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Coaker

Other names: Arthur Edward Sidney

Locations in this story:
Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Canterbury, Kent
Malta
Weymouth, Dorset
Victoria Street, Shaftesbury
Larkhill, Wiltshire
Figheldean, Durrington, Wiltshire

Story:
Arthur Edward Sidney Coaker was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 5th December 1897 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 9th January 1898, the son of Charles Coaker and Mary Ann Coaker (née Weatherdon). His early life was spent at home either at 11 Victoria Street or, from 1911, 8 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted and joined the Royal Flying Corps (Royal Air Force from 1st April 1918) on 29th March 1917 becoming an Aircraftsman 1 (AC1) (Service No 69036). It is not known where he served during the war period but he was posted after the Armistice to Malta for a short time in 1919. He had married a Lottie Longley in Canterbury, Kent, on 23rd April 1919 and gave 14 Palace Street, Canterbury, Kent, as his address. There were possibly two children of the marriage. Arthur was discharged from the RAF on 10th February 1920 and would have qualified for the Victory and British War medals though there are no obvious medal records in this case. The 1921 Census shows him working in a civilian capacity as a Motor Fitter & Turner for the 348th Company of the Royal Army Service Corps at Larkhill, Wiltshire, and living at 2 Carn Brea Cottages, Figheldean, Durrington, Wiltshire. By the 1939 Register he had moved to Berkley, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Motor Transport Driver. His death was recorded at the Weymouth, Dorset, Registry in 1959.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Percival James Harding

19th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorset Yeomanry, Labour Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Harding

Other names: Percival James

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Coventry, Warwickshire
Birmingham, Warwickshire
Solihull, Warwickshire
Banbury, Oxfordshire
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bleke Street, Shaftesbury

Story:
Percival James Harding was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 7th August 1890 and baptised at Cann, Shaftesbury, on 31st August 1890, the son of Rudolph James Harding and Mary Harding (née Down). He lived his early life with the family at 4 Bleke Street, Shaftesbury. By 1911 he had moved to 36 Smithford Street, Coventry, Warwickshire, to work with a Chemist and Druggist.

He enlisted and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 23094) and later transferred to the Labour Corps (Service No. 622879). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but after discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Eva Lucy Freer in the Birmingham South, Warwickshire, Registration District, in 1925 and they went on to have one son. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 84 Burman Road, Solihull, Warwickshire, and was described as a Finance Representative. His death was recorded at the Banbury, Oxfordshire, Registry in 1977.

Percival's brother Harold George (b.1878) also served in the war, with the Dorsetshire Regiment.

Images:

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

Maurice William Sidney Harris

19th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Middlesex Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Harris

Other names: Maurice William Sidney

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sherborne School, Sherborne, Dorset
France & Flanders
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Calne, Wiltshire

Story:
Maurice William Sidney Harris was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 16th October 1897 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 17th November 1897, the son of William James Harris, MD, a local Doctor, and Kathleen Emily Harris (née Howe). In 1901 the family was living at 37 Bell Street, Shaftesbury, but by 1911 they had moved to "Avishayes" in Bleke Street. He attended Sherborne School, Sherborne, Dorset, from June 1910 to December 1914.

He enlisted with the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He served in France and Flanders from 29 May 1916 and promoted the 1st Lieutenant on 8 Dec 1916. Whilst serving in France it was announced in May 1918 that he had been awarded the Military Cross. Following his discharge he was further awarded the Victory and British War medals. He returned to the family home at "Avishayes", as evidenced by the 1921 Census and Electoral Rolls, where he took up employment as a Bacon Curer at Harris's of Calne, Wiltshire. His death was recorded in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on 27th July 1922 at the early age of 24 and he was later buried at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury. A brass plaque in his memory was placed in the Sherborne School Chapel.

Maurice's sister Mary also served in the war, firstly with the Voluntary Aid Detachment and later as a driver with the RAF.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
Mary Harris
The National Archives

Reginald Storey

19th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Medical Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Storey

Other names: Reginald

Locations in this story:
Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bleke Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Wareham, Dorset
Mill Hill, London

Story:
Reginald Storey was born in Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1895 and baptised there on 4th August 1895, the son of Loftus Storey, (a local schoolmaster), and Ellen Storey (née Parsons). He lived most of his early life at 1 Bleke Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, after his father died in 1900. He enlisted and joined the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Private (Service No. 44173). He served in France and Flanders and following his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He gave 1 Bleke Street, Shaftesbury, as his address on the Absent Voters List of 1918 but by 1919 was living at 10 Victoria Road, Mill Hill, London, NW. The last known address was in 1927 when he was living at 1 East Street, Wareham, Dorset, and was still single. No other information has been found.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives