1914-1918 Archives - Page 94 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

William John Parsons

Surname: Parsons

Other names: William John

Locations in this story:
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
William John Parsons was born in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 22nd June 1894, the son of John Parsons and Elizabeth Harriet Parsons (née Pike). He lived all his life, except for Military Service, in and around the Shaftesbury area. He enlisted and joined the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 242261). He was later transferred to the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 200037). It is not known in which theatre he served but on discharge was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Louisa Alford at Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 12th May 1920 and they went on to have three children. The 1921 Census shows him living at 7 Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Sectional Roadman for Dorset County Council. He was still at the same address by the time of the 1939 Register in the same employment. He died on 4th Oct 1967 and was buried at the New Yard Cemetery, Melbury Abbas on 9th October 1967. His brothers, Charles Douglas Parsons and Harry Stanley Parsons, also served in the conflict.

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Charles Douglas Parsons
Harry Stanley Parsons

Harry Stanley Parsons

1st May 2020/in 1914-1918 Somerset Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Parsons

Other names: Harry Stanley

Locations in this story:
Westbury, Wiltshire
Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Harry Stanley Parsons was born at Westbury, Wiltshire, on 21st April 1899 and baptised there at All Saints Church on 30th April 1899, the son of John Parsons and Elizabeth Harriet Parsons (née Pike). He lived his early life in Frog Lane, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, and later Foots Hill, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted with the Somerset Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 40426) (per the Absent Voters List 1918). He was posted to the 7th Battalion and served in France and Flanders and on his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at The Firs, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, with his parents working as a Roadman for the Shaftesbury Rural District Council. (The Census also shows the parents were fostering two children from the C of E Waifs and Strays Society.) He married Evelyn Kate Wareham at Motcombe, Dorset, on 11 Jan 1927. Regrettably Evelyn died in 1937 and by the 1939 Register Harry was living at Milkwell, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, working as a Gardener and Chauffeur. (His niece, Jessie Parsons, was keeping house for him). His death was recorded in the North Dorset Registry area in 1983. His brothers, Charles Douglas Parsons and William John Parsons, also served in the conflict.

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Charles Douglas Parsons
William John Parsons
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Charles Douglas Parsons

1st May 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Hampshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Parsons

Other names: Charles Douglas

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Charles Douglas Parsons was born at Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 16th June 1896, and baptised there on 11 Oct 1896 the son of John Parsons and Elizabeth Harriet Parsons (née Pike). He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in the Shaftesbury area. He enlisted and joined the Hampshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 0386). He later transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 17303). It is not known in which theatre 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 The Firs, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Roadman for the Dorset County Council. (The Census also shows the parents were fostering two children from the C of E Waifs and Strays Society.) His marriage to Lilian Edith Brickell was registered in Shaftesbury, Dorset, during 1922. By the 1939 Register he was living at 3 Mustons Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was working as a Road Foreman as well as being a Volunteer attached to the Shaftesbury Fire Brigade as 2nd Officer. He was living at 20 Bimport, Shaftesbury, at the time of his death on 19th November 1976 following which he was buried at the United Reform Church, Mustons Lane, Shaftesbury. His brothers, Harry Stanley Parsons and William John Parsons, also served.

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Harry Stanley Parsons
William John Parsons

Albert Padfield

1st May 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Padfield

Other names: Albert

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Margaret Marsh, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Wandsworth, London
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Tisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Albert Padfield's birth was registered at Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1883, the son of Charles Padfield and Sarah Maria Padfield (née Mussell). He lived his early life in Margaret Marsh, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He had enlisted on 13 Oct 1902 with the Corps of Lancers of the Line as a Private (Service No. 6173). He remained in service until discharged on 3 Jan 1906 following a Courts Martial. He married Phoebe Maud Coombes at Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 23rd March 1911 and they went on to have one daughter. Within weeks of his marriage he had moved to Wandsworth, London, to live with his brother-in-law. He enlisted on 16 December 1916 and joined the Royal Engineers as a Pioneer (Service No. 226294). He served in France and Flanders and at some time transferred to the 312th Road Construction Company RE as a Lance Corporal (Service No. WR/40245). He was discharged on 13th March 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. His wife and daughter had moved back to Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1918 and in 1919 Albert had given an address in Tisbury, Wiltshire, on his discharge. The 1921 Census shows him at the New Inn, Cann, Shaftesbury, as the Licensed Victualler. (No mention of his wife at this time.) The last record of him is in the Electoral Register 1926 where he gave Foots Hill, Cann, Shaftesbury, as his address. There is no record of him in the 1939 Register or of an obvious death record.

Albert's brothers Levi and James also served in the war, but James sadly died shortly after his discharge from the army in 1919.

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James Padfield
Levi Padfield

Arthur Daniel Padfield

1st May 2020/in 1914-1918 Hampshire Regiment, Lancers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Padfield

Other names: Arthur Daniel

Locations in this story:
Stour Row, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
India
Poole, Dorset
Christchurch, Hampshire

Story:
Arthur Daniel Padfield was born on 10 Jun 1894 in Stour Row, Shaftesbury, Dorset, the son of Harry Padfield and Flora Emily Padfield (née Tucker). He spent much of his life, apart from Military Service, in and around Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted with the 1st/7th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 45318). He was at one time attached to the 1st Lancers and served on the North West Frontier of India. He was discharged on 3rd January 1920 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the India General Service Medal 1919 with Clasp Afghanistan (North West Frontier). The 1921 Census shows him living with his brother and parents at Foots Hill, Cann, Shaftesbury, described as a Smallholder at Gears Farm, Cann. He married Dorothy Rose Pike at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, on 25th October 1921 and they had one daughter and by 1924 they were living at Gears Farm, Cann. Having moved to Poole, Dorset, by 1931 the 1939 Register gives his address as 17 Curtis Road, Poole, Dorset, working as a Landscape Gardener. His death was recorded at the Christchurch, Hampshire, Registry on 1 Dec 1961 following which he was buried at Poole Town Cemetery.

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Cecil James Lodge

1st May 2020/in 1914-1918 Kings Royal Rifle Corps, Machine Gun Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Lodge

Other names: Cecil James

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Westcliff on Sea, Essex
Glenside, Hailsham, Sussex
France & Flanders
Heathfield with Waldron, Sussex

Story:
Cecil James Lodge was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 28th February 1888 and baptised there at St. Rumbold's Church on 13th May 1888, the son of James Lodge and Emily Elizabeth Lodge (née Brickell). He lived his early life in Cann until, by 1911, he had moved with his family to Grove Farm, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted and joined the King's Royal Rifle Corps (Service No. 240) and served in France and Flanders. He later transferred to the Machine Gun Corps as a Sergeant (Service No. 13393). On his discharge 12 Mar 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He had married Barbara Emily Longman Hodgson at St. Alban the Martyr Church, Westcliff on Sea, Essex, on 4th September 1915 and they had three children. By the 1921 Census he was living at 17 East Melbury, Shaftesbury, working as a Farm Carter. Regrettably Cecil's wife died in 1934. He subsequently married Edith Mary Rumary at All Saints Church, Glenside, Hailsham, Sussex, in 1937 and they had one daughter. By the 1939 Register he was living at Dumbreck, Hailsham, Sussex, working as a Cowman. He died at Hailsham on 28th October 1962 and was buried at Waldron with Heathfield, Hailsham, Sussex, on 31 Oct 1962. His brother, Gilbert Frank Lodge (b.1893) also served in the conflict.

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Gilbert Frank Lodge
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Gilbert Frank Lodge

1st May 2020/in 1914-1918 Kings Royal Rifle Corps, Labour Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Lodge

Other names: Gilbert Frank

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Grove Farm, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Walthamstow, Essex
Waltham Forest, London
Chingford, Essex
Wealdstone, Middlesex
Cann Common, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Gilbert Frank Lodge was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 7th November 1893, and baptised there on 18 Mar 1894 the son of James Lodge and Emily Elizabeth Lodge (née Brickell). He lived his early life in Cann and later at Grove Farm, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted and joined the King's Royal Rifle Corps (Service No. 7136). He served with them in France and Flanders from 30 Jul 1915 where he became a Lance Corporal. He later transferred to the Labour Corps (Service No. 447954) as a Corporal. On his discharge on 4th March 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 census gives his address as Cann Common, Shaftesbury, where he worked as a Cowman. He married Violet May Crumpton at St. Saviour's Church, Walthamstow, Essex, on 25th June 1921. They went on to have two children. By the 1939 Register he was living at 28 Burnham Road, Chingford, Essex, working as a Carpenter and Joiner. He died in the Waltham Forest Registry area on 13 Jul 1974. His brother, Cecil James Lodge (b.1888) also served in the conflict.

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Cecil James Lodge

Ernest Harry White

1st May 2020/in 1914-1918 Rifle Brigade /by Chris Stupples

Surname: White

Other names: Ernest Harry

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Lockwood Terrace, Gillingham, Dorset
Sandleheath, Fordingbridge, Hampshire

Story:
Ernest Harry White was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 15th August 1898, the son of Charles White and Elizabeth Ann White (née Hart). He lived most of his early life in Bozley Hill, Cann. He enlisted and joined the Rifle Brigade as a Private (Service No. S/33321). It is not known which Theatre of War he served in but on his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living with his parents in Higher Blandford Road, Cann, Shaftesbury, working as a General Labourer for a local builder. He married Sarah Elizabeth Knight in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 27th December 1924 and they went on to have one son. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 9 Lockwood Terrace, Gillingham, Dorset, working as a Petrol Lorry Driver. He died at the Woodlands Rest Home, Sandleheath, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, on 22 Jun 1986.

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Robert Beman Minchin

30th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, Royal Garrison Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Minchin

Other names: Robert Beman

Locations in this story:
Hazelton, Gloucestershire
Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Horsham, Sussex
Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex
Widford, Essex

Story:
Robert Beman Minchin was born at Hazelton, Gloucestershire, on 20th November 1892 and baptised there on 8th January 1893, the son of William Beman Minchin and Helen Emmitt Minchin (née Tayler). He spent his early life in Hazelton where his father was a Farmer. In 1907 he became a pupil at Shaftesbury Grammar School where he thrived academically and represented the school at football, cricket and athletics competitions. In 1911, having completed his education as a pupil, he joined the teaching staff at the school.

Mr. Minchin enlisted at the outbreak of war in 1914 and joined the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry as a Private (Service Nos. 2765 and 200702). He served in France and Flanders from 29 Mar 1915 during which time he transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery on 30 Jun 1917 with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant later as a full Lieutenant. On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He resumed his career at Shaftesbury Grammar School and, on 20th March 1921, married May Doris Jeffreys at St. Mary's Church, Widford, Essex, and, per the 1921 Census, lived at Vale View, Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. There were two children of the marriage before May died on 15 Dec 1925. Robert subsequently went on to remarry Vivien Florence Fraser Scott on 1st August 1935 at St. Saviour's Church, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. They also had two children. By the time of the 1939 Register, Robert was living at Shaftesbury Grammar School and was now the Headmaster. His death is recorded in Horsham, Sussex, in 1971.

A "First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces" was produced by Shaftesbury Grammar School in September 1915. It shows the regiment in which Robert Minchin served and the date on which he left school. Throughout the war a hand-written list was also compiled of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving in the armed forces. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.

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Shastonian

Charles Jesse

30th April 2020/in 1914-1918 City of London Regiment, Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Jesse

Other names: Charles

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Hartgrove, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cosford Grange, Shifnal, Shropshire
France & Flanders
St. Lucia, West Indies

Story:
Charles Jesse was born at Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1898 and baptised there on 20th March 1898, the son of William Jess and Kate Rose Jesse (née Jeanes). He lived his early life in and around Fontmell Magna and later at Hartgrove, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He attended Shaftesbury Grammar School with his younger brother Frank, who sadly died in 1918 while serving with the Royal Berkshire Regiment in France. Another brother, Percy William, also served and survived whilst with the New Zealand Forces.

Charles enlisted on 18th October 1916 and joined the City of London Regiment as a Private (Service Nos. 6968), seeing service with the 2/8th Battalion. He was transferred to the 1st London Field Battalion (Service No. 373821) and served in France and Flanders from 4 Feb 1917 until 22 Sep 1917. He was later transferred again to the Royal Engineers following ill health with the rank of Sapper (Service No. 547822) and served as a Clerk at the 1st London Field Company. He was declared no longer physically fit for service and discharged on 12th September 1918 and awarded the Silver War Badge No. 448645 along with the Victory and British War Medals. His Pension Record ceased on 7th March 1920 where it is indicated that he had moved abroad. According to information received he had moved to St. Lucia, West Indies, and became in due course a priest in the Roman Catholic Church. He wrote a number of books about St. Lucia as well as being the writer of the lyrics of that island's National Anthem in 1967 which was adopted officially in 1979. He was awarded the MBE. He died in St. Lucia in 1985 and is buried at Castries Cathedral. Castries, St. Lucia.

Charles's name was included on a hand written list of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving during the war. An asterix can be seen next to his brother Frank's name, indicating that he had died. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.

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Frank Jesse
Percy William Jesse