1914-1918 Archives - Page 92 of 164 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

William Edward Southernwood Smith

Surname: Smith

Other names: William Edward Southernwood

Locations in this story:
Bell Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Southsea, Hampshire
Essex

Story:
William Edward Southernwood Smith was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 2nd July 1882 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 6th August 1882, the son of William Robert Smith and Elizabeth Dennis Smith (née Purnell). He lived his early life in Shaftesbury, attending Shaftesbury Grammar School for some of his education, until, by 1911, he had moved to premises at 54-66 Kings Road, Southsea, Hampshire, where he was a living-in Drapery Assistant. His mother meanwhile had died and his father had re-married and was living in the family home at 12 Bell Street, Shaftesbury. William enlisted and joined the Royal Army Medical Corps, becoming a Staff Sergeant (Service No. 45284). He served in France and Flanders from 3 Jun 1915 and following his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. His address per the Electoral Register of 1918 was 11 Bell Street, Shaftesbury, (where his Grandmother lived) and he was still there by the time of the 1939 Register still single and employed as a Drapery Salesman. He is thought to have died in the Essex South Western Registry area in 1960.

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William Henry Brockway

Surname: Brockway

Other names: William Henry

Locations in this story:
Barton Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset

Story:
William Henry Brockway was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 22nd October 1893 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 16th November 1893, the son of Thomas Brockway and Emma Jane Brockway (née Foot). He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, at 6 Barton Hill, Shaftesbury. He enlisted with the Royal Engineers as a Sapper (Service No. 143210). It is not known which theatre of war he served in but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He had returned to the family home at 6 Bell Street by the 1921 Census and was working as a Carpenter for Edward Wright, Builder, of Angel Square, Shaftesbury. By the 1939 Register he was still at 6 Barton Hill and was described as a Master Builder and still single. He death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1973.

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George Richard Freer

17th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Freer

Other names: George Richard

Locations in this story:
Barton Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Warsop, Nottinghamshire
Mansfield, Nottinghamshire

Story:
George Richard Freer was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 21st October 1894 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 11th April 1895, the son of John James Freer and Lucy Freer (née Brooks). He lived his early life at 4 Barton Hill, Shaftesbury, apart from time in the Military. He enlisted with the Army Service Corps as a Private (Service No. M2/101129). He served in France & Flanders from 31 Aug 1915 where he was awarded the Military Medal. He was eventually discharged on 3rd August 1919 and further awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He married May Ellen Mason at Warsop, Nottinghamshire, on 12th October 1918 and they went on to have five children. The 1921 census shows him living with his parents-in-law at 34 Victoria Street, Warsop, Nottinghamshire, working as a Motor Mechanic for the Warsop Motor Co. Ltd. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 62 Victoria Street, Warsop, still working as a Motor Mechanic. He died at the Victoria Hospital, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, on 20th August 1974.

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William George Chubb

17th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Chubb

Other names: William George

Locations in this story:
Carlingcott, Somerset
Victoria Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Ilkley, West Yorkshire
Bradford, West Yorkshire
Shipley, Yorkshire
Bingley, Yorkshire

Story:
William George Chubb was born at Carlingcott, Somerset, on 16th December 1892 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 2nd April 1893, the son of John William Chubb and Annie Chubb (née Heal). He lived most of his early life at 6 Victoria Street, Shaftesbury, apart from his Military Service. He enlisted on 4th August 1908 with the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 2471) on a Territorial basis attending annual camps until discharged to the reserve in 1912. He was embodied on 7th September 1914 and rejoined the 4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Sergeant (Service No. 200796). He served in France and Flanders from 18 Feb 1916 and was eventually discharged on 8th December 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the Territorial Force War Medal. He married Lucy Bye at St. Peter's Church, Shipley, Yorkshire, on 22nd May 1920 and they went on to have one daughter. The 1921 Census shows him living with his parents-in-law at Cottingley Hall Lodge, Near Bingley, Yorkshire, described as a Stuff and Woollen Warehouseman for A & S Henry & Co, Leeds Road, Bradford. By the 1939 Register he had moved to 17 Endor Crescent, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, working as a Poultryman. He died in the Bradford, West Yorkshire, Registry District in 1977.

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Sidney Charles Morgan

16th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Morgan

Other names: Sidney Charles

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
Guernsey, Channel Islands

Story:
Sidney Charles Morgan was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 22nd December 1885, the son of George Morgan and Emily Morgan (née Brockway). Apart from Military Service he spent all his life in and around Shaftesbury. He married Annie Louisa Morgan at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, on 8th October 1910 and they went on to have one son. He enlisted on 26 Sep 1914 and joined, successively, the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 20090), the Royal Engineers (Transport) as a Sapper (Service No. T/2903) and the Royal Engineers (Service No. 508483). He served in France & Flanders from 12 Feb 1917 to 7 Apr 1918 after which he was posted to 166th Fortress Company based at Fort George, Guernsey, Channel Islands. Following his discharge on 19 Feb 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at 4 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, working as a Fitter and Turner for J. Farris & Sons, Agricultural Engineers, of Shaftesbury. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 56 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, still working as a Fitter and Turner (Agricultural Work). He died in the Newbridge Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire, on 14th April 1961 and was buried in the Shaftesbury Town Cemetery on 18 Apr 1961.

Sidney's brother Percival Stewart (b.1887) also served in the war, with the King's Dragoon Guards.

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Percival Stewart Morgan

Sidney William Coward

16th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Royal Irish Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Coward

Other names: Sidney William

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Tanyard Lane, St. James, Shaftesbury

Story:
Sidney William Coward was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 26th December 1882 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 21st January 1883, the son of William Coward and Blanche Sarah Coward (née Hayter), He lived all his life, apart from when on Military Service, in the St. James, Shaftesbury, area. He married Blanche Gray in Shaftesbury on 26th December 1908 and they went on to have one daughter. He enlisted and served as a Private, successively, with 10th Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (Service No. 35868), the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment (Service No. 16167) and the 7th/8th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Service No 44258). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but following his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census and the 1939 Register both show him living at 7 Tanyard Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Cabinet Maker for G.L. Johnson, Cabinet Makers, of High Street, Shaftesbury. He died at the Odstock Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire, on 12th May 1950 and later buried at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, on 17 May 1950.

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Albert John Hillier

16th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hillier

Other names: Albert John

Locations in this story:
Holnest, Dorset,
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster Newton, Dorset
Sherborne Causeway, Shaftesbury

Story:
Albert John Hillier was born at Holnest, Dorset, on 8th June 1888 and baptised there on 1st September 1889, the son of Albert John Hillier and Alice Jane Hillier (née White). By 1891 he and his family had moved to Sherborne Causeway, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He married Violet Beatrice Warren Mowlem in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1909 and they went on to have seven children. They were then living in Breach Cottages, Breach Lane, Shaftesbury. He enlisted and joined the Army Service Corps as a Driver (Service No. T4/059625) and was attached to the 46th (Heavy Transport) Reserve Unit. It is not known 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 at 88 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as an Ostler at the Ship Hotel, Shaftesbury. He was living at the same address by the 1939 Register but now working as a Hotel Cellarman. His wife died in 1949 and he re-married Frances Alice Fulcher (nee Granados) at Sturminster Newton Registry Office, Dorset, on 28 Mar 1952. He died in Shaftesbury on 3rd January 1965.

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Harry Woods

16th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Woods

Other names: Harry

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury

Story:
Harry Woods was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1879 and baptised at Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 28th December 1879, the son of James John Woods and Sarah Ann Woods (née Oxford). He lived all his life, apart from his Military Service, in and around Shaftesbury. He enlisted with the 3rd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment, Territorial Unit, as a Private on 27th January 1896 (Service No. 3307) and regularly attended the annual camps. However he bought himself out on payment of £1 on 5th April 1899. He married Ella Triezia Flower Bishop at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, on 4th March 1901 and they went on to have four children. at the outbreak of WW1 he enlisted again with the 3rd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 18187). It is not known which theatre of war he served in but on his discharge on 1 Apr 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at 25 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, described as a Fishmonger. Harry died on 6th January 1936 whilst an inmate of the Public Assistance Institute, Shaftesbury, Dorset, (formerly the Workhouse). He was buried at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, on 11th January 1936. His brother, Charles John Woods, and his nephews, John Charles and Reginald James Woods also served in the conflict.

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Reginald James Woods

John Charles Woods

16th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Warwickshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Woods

Other names: John Charles

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Gold Hill, Shaftesbury
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury

Story:
John Charles Woods was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 1st March 1900 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 5th April 1900, the son of Charles John Woods and Harriet Woods (née Pickford). He spent all his life, apart from a short period of Military Service, in and around St. James Street/Gold Hill area of Shaftesbury. By 1911 he was living with his family at 16 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury. He enlisted on the 2nd April 1918 and was assigned to the Training Reserve of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 12028) he was transferred almost immediately to the 'B' Company of 53rd (YS) Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment with new Service No. TR/7/25443. He served his whole time in the UK and it appears there are no medal records. He was discharged on 20th February 1919. The 1921 Census shows him living with his parents at 45 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, working as a Labourer for Brockway Bros, Shaftesbury. He married Agnes Louisa Gray at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, on 1st June 1925 and they went on to have nine children. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 52 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Motor Lorry Driver. He died in Shaftesbury in 1970. His father, Charles John Woods, also served in the conflict, with the Dorsetshire Regiment. His brother Reginald James served with the South Wales Borderers and the Labour Corps.

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Charles John Woods
Harry Woods
Reginald James Woods

Charles John Woods

16th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Woods

Other names: Charles John

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
St. James Street, Shaftesbury

Story:
Charles John Woods was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 22nd March 1875 and baptised at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, on 14th April 1875, the son of James John Woods and Sarah Ann Woods (née Oxford). Charles spent all his life, apart from Military Service, in and around Shaftesbury. His father died in 1880 and his mother later re-married Samuel Gray. Charles enlisted with the 3rd Battalion of Dorsetshire Regiment on 2nd October 1890 and joined the Reserves (Service No. 1804). He married Harriet Pickford at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, on 31st October 1897 and they went on to have eight children. Charles however at times was less than supportive of his family and served a short prison sentence in 1914 due to his neglect. He was mobilized and re-joined the 6th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 3/7869). He served in France and Flanders and was discharged on 28th February 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star.

Charles's sons, John Charles (b.1900) and Reginald James (b.1898) also served in the conflict, with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and South Wales Borderers respectively. Following the war the family were back together again living at 45 St. James Street, Shaftesbury. By the time of the 1939 Register Charles and Harriet were still at 45 St. James Street, and he was working as a General Labourer. He died in Shaftesbury on 24th December 1960 and was buried shortly after at St. James' Church.

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John Charles Woods
Harry Woods
Reginald James Woods