1914-1918 Archives - Page 93 of 164 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Edward John Gray

Surname: Gray

Other names: Edward John

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury

Story:
Edward John Gray was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on the 14th August 1889 and baptised there on 6th September 1889, the son of Thomas Gray and Gertrude Eliza Gray (née Stokes). He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in Shaftesbury. He married Martha Sharp at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, on 31st May 1909 and they went on to have three children. He had enlisted for Military Service on 22nd February 1913. The Absent Voters List for 1918 shows his address as 58 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and that he was a Private in the 25th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry (Service No. 252230). However other records, namely his pension record, show he had possibly transferred to the Army Pay Corps (Service No. 22339). He was granted a limited pension due to aggravated gastric ulcers and his address was confirmed as 58 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. He was discharged on 3rd January 1919 being no long physically fit for service and awarded the Silver War Badge No. B146974. There are no other medal records. The 1921 Census shows him at the same address working on his own account as a Boot and Shoe Dealer. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 32 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, now described as a Boot and Shoe Maker. He died in Shaftesbury on 13th January 1966.

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Frederick James Tanswell

16th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Air Force, Royal Flying Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Tanswell

Other names: Frederick James

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Sturminster, Dorset
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury
Layton Lane, Shaftesbury

Story:
Frederick James Tanswell was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 28th July 1877 and baptised there on 26th August 1877, the son of Albert Tanswell and Mary Tanswell (née Hunt). He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in the Shaftesbury area. He married Ellen Massicks at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, on 1st April 1907 and set up home at 32 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. They went on to have five children.

Frederick enlisted on 23 Aug 1917 and joined Royal Flying Corps (later becoming the Royal Air Force on 1st Apr 1918). He became an Air Mechanic 2 (Service No. 93022) and was employed as a Tailor. He served in France and Flanders from 20 Nov 1917 to 9 Mar 1919 eventually being discharged on 5th April 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at 34 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, described as an out of work Journeyman Tailor. His wife, Ellen, died in 1937 and by the time of the 1939 Register Frederick had moved to 2 Layton Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as incapacitated. His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1961 and he was buried at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, on 13 Mar 1961.

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Victor Douglas Tucker

16th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Machine Gun Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Tucker

Other names: Victor Douglas

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Charminster, Dorset
St. James Street, Shaftesbury
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury
Mustons Lane, Shaftesbury

Story:
Victor Douglas Tucker was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 16th January 1888 and baptised at St. James' Church on 12th February 1888, the son of Gideon Tucker and Mary Elizabeth Tucker (née Foot). He grew up in the family home at 25 St. James Street in Shaftesbury. It is recorded in family records that he enlisted with the Dorset Volunteers in 1905 as a Bugler later transferring to the 1st/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment in a Territorial capacity. He married Martha Annie Woodrow at the Independent Chapel, Shaftesbury, on 25th April 1909 and they went on to have four children. He re-enlisted at the outbreak of the war and joined the Machine Gun Corps (Motor Unit) as a Private (Service No. 57580). He served in France and Flanders where, at one of the Battles of the Somme serving with the 32nd Reserve Company, he received gunshot wounds to the right leg and left hand. He was eventually discharged on 17th February 1919 and was awarded a grant of £70 in lieu of pension. He was also awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at 24 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, working as a Tailor with the local firm of Pryce and Barribal, Sporting Tailors, High Street, Shaftesbury. The 1939 Register has him at the same address but now described as a Master Tailor. He died at the Harrison Hospital, Charminster, Dorset, on 2nd January 1961 and was later interred at the Congregational Independent Chapel, Mustons Lane, Shaftesbury, on 5th January 1961. The family records also refer to his membership of the Shaftesbury Town Band for over 52 years. Three of Victor's brothers also served in the war: Sidney Wilfred (b.1894) with the Dorsetshire Regiment, George Farley (b.1890) with the Somerset Light Infantry and Howard (b. 1886) with the Army Service Corps.

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George Farley Tucker
Sidney Wilfred Tucker

Bennet George Young

15th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Bedfordshire Regiment, Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Young

Other names: Bennet George

Locations in this story:
St. Pancras, London
Bleke Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset
Bimport, Shaftesbury
High Street, Shaftesbury

Story:
Bennet George Young was born in St. Pancras, London, on 7th September 1884, the son of Frederick William Young and Harriett Young. His parents were from Shaftesbury, Dorset. He lived his early life at the Rose & Crown Inn, Bleke Street, Shaftesbury, where his father was the landlord. He married Rosalind Mary Churchill at St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury, on 15th September 1909 and they went on to have three children. He enlisted with the Territorial Force of the 4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 3981). He was embodied on 11th Dec 1915 but not called to service until 31st May 1916 when he was transferred to the 2nd General Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment (Service Nos. 43610 & 204366). It is noted he suffered from Malaria in 1919 and, though his theatre of war is not known, he was obviously in an overseas posting. Following discharge he was awarded the British War Medal only. He had given 6 Bimport, Shaftesbury, as his address in the 1918 Absent Voters List but by the 1921 Census he was living at 27 High Street, Shaftesbury, where he worked as an Assistant Ironmonger for his father. The 1939 Register indicates he was at the same address now described as an Ironmonger and Seedsman. His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry, on 4th November 1966 and he was later buried in the Shaftesbury Town Cemetery on 8 Nov 1966.

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Frederick James Snook

15th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Snook

Other names: Frederick James

Locations in this story:
East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Manston, Dorset
Compton Dundon, Somerset
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bournemouth, Hampshire

Story:
Frederick James Snook was born at East Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 30th August 1878, the son of Robert Snook and Ellen Snook (née Denness). He spent his early life at Manston, Dorset, before moving to Shaftesbury some time before 1901. He married Eva Field at Compton Dundon, Somerset, on 20th December 1903 and they went on to have two children. By the time of the 1911 Census he was living at 20 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 129605). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but he was with the 328th Siege Battery towards the end of his service. Following his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows he and his family were still at 20 Salisbury Street, and he was described as Manager of a Mineral Water Factory run by Stratton, Sons & Mead of Shaftesbury. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 10 Alumhurst Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire, now described as a Grocer. He died in Bournemouth on 17th November 1947.

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Sidney Wright

15th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Medical Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Wright

Other names: Sidney

Locations in this story:
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salonika, Greece
Balkans
Burnham, Buckinghamshire
Slough, Buckinghamshire
Eton, Buckinghamshire

Story:
Sidney Wright was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1891, the son of James Wright and Julia Wright (née Peters). He lived most of his early life at 7 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, apart from his Military Service. He enlisted with the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Private (Service No. 95604). He served in Salonika and the Balkans and he was treated for malaria in August and September 1918 at the 28th General Hospital. He was discharged from service on 9th December 1919 and he made a claim for a pension due to defective eyesight. This was refused. He was however awarded the Victory and British War medals. The records of Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, show that Marriage Banns were called, the last one on 25 Jun 1916, concerning his upcoming marriage to Louisa Mary Hyde of Burnham, Buckinghamshire. The 1921 Census shows him as a visitor with his wife and two daughters at the home of his parents-in-law in Burnham. The 1939 Register records him now living at 7 Ivey Cottages, Slough, Buckinghamshire, working as a Club Cleaner. His death was recorded at the Eton, Buckinghamshire, Registry during 1943.

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Samuel James Day

14th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Defence Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Day

Other names: Samuel James

Locations in this story:
Parsons Pool, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Pewsey, Wiltshire
Wyke, Gillingham, Dorset

Story:
Samuel James Day was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 27th May 1871 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 27th December 1871, the son of George Day and Mary Ann Day (née Allen). He spent much of his life in the Shaftesbury area until his retirement. He married Sarah Jane Holmes at Pewsey, Wiltshire, on 6th July 1897 and set up home at 14 Parsons Pool, Shaftesbury, Dorset. They went on to have five children. He enlisted and joined the Royal Defence Corps as a Private (Service No. 8628). It is presumed he served in the UK only as no medal record can be found. The 1921 Census shows him still at 14 Parsons Pool working as a Bricklayer's Labourer for J. Short, Builder and Contractor, of Shaftesbury. His wife, Sarah, died in 1924. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Wyke, Gillingham, Dorset, described as a Retired Gardener. He died in Gillingham in 1948 and was buried there on 30th October 1948.

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Reginald Charles Humphries

14th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Humphries

Other names: Reginald Charles

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
High Street, Shaftesbury
Donhead St. Mary with Charlton, Wiltshire
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Reginald Charles Humphries was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 22nd June 1889, the son of Samuel Humphries and Mary Humphries (nee Young). He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in Shaftesbury. The family home was at 10 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted on 1st January 1916 and joined the Royal Engineers (Motor Cycle Section) being promoted in time to Corporal (Service No. 148678). His training as a Motor Cycle Mechanic was useful to the Army and he served in France and Flanders from 14 Jul 1916 with various Troops. Whilst with the 9th Signal Troop was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal given for service in the field as announced in the London Gazette dated 3 Jun 1919. Following his discharge on 20th February 1919 he was further awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows he was living with his parents in the family home working on his own account as a Motor Cycle Mechanic. He married Alice Bertha Mullins at St. John the Baptist Church, Donhead St. Mary with Charlton, Wiltshire, on 26 Dec 1921 and they went on to have one daughter. They set up home at 54B High Steet, Shaftesbury, where they were still residing at the time of the 1939 Register with Reginald still working as a Cycle and Motor Mechanic. In retirement he was living at 'Ladymede', 41 Lower Blandford Road, Cann, Shaftesbury, when he died at the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, on 27th June 1960.

Reginald's brother Stanley Frank (b.1896) also served during the war, with the Royal Naval Division.

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Stanley Frank Humphries

Wilfred Stanley George Hibberd

14th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Hibberd

Other names: Wilfred Stanley George

Locations in this story:
South Newton, Wiltshire
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Moorside, Marnull, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset
France & Flanders

Story:
Wilfred Stanley George Hibberd was born in South Newton, Wiltshire, on 5th November 1877 and baptised there on 16th December 1877, the son of Emma Hibberd. Wilfred lived with his grandparents at South Newton until, by 1901, he had moved to the Post Office and Shop at Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, where he met and married Bertha Hunt in 1912 and they set up home at 20 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted with the 11th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry and was promoted in time to Corporal (Service No. 265596). He served in France and Flanders and after his discharge on 11th March 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows he was living at Moorside, Marnull, Dorset, working as a Traveller and Gents Outfitter for Hine & Parsons, Drapers, of Shaftesbury. he was still living at the General Stores, Moorside, Marnull, at the time of the 1939 Register still described as an Outfitter's Traveller. It was also noted that he was a Methodist Lay Preacher. His death was recorded in the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1973 and he was buried at St. Gregory's Church, Marnull on 24th October 1973.

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Sidney Ernest Bridle

14th May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Bridle

Other names: Sidney Ernest

Locations in this story:
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Wardour, Tisbury, Wiltshire
High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury

Story:
Sidney Ernest Bridle was born in Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, on 28th June 1881, and baptised there on 7 Aug 1881 the son of William Bridle and Ellen Eliza Bridle (née Arnold). He lived his very early life at Wardour, Tisbury, Wiltshire. He married Kate Ann Imber at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 4th June 1906 and took up residence at 24 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, as a hairdresser. He enlisted on 8th December 1915 and placed on Reserve until mobilized on the 14th March 1917 when he joined the Army Service Corps as a Private (Service No. M/300929). He served in France and Flanders with, among others, the 565th Company and 305th Siege Battery as a Lorry Driver. He was discharged on 21st March 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. He was living at 24 High Street, Shaftesbury, at the time of the 1921 Census, now described as a Hairdresser and Tobacconist, and was still there by the time of the 1939 Register as a Master Hairdresser. He died in the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, on 29th December 1951 and was buried at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, on 2nd January 1952.

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