1914-1918 Archives - Page 96 of 164 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Gilbert Frank Lodge

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

James Samuel Horder

30th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Hampshire Regiment, Royal Warwickshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Horder

Other names: James Samuel

Locations in this story:
Littledown, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Wincanton, Somerset
Sturminster, Dorset

Story:
James Samuel Horder was born on 3rd April 1899 in the Shaftesbury, Dorset, Registration District, the son of John Horder and Sarah Jane Horder (née Morgan). He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in the Shaftesbury area. He enlisted originally with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (Service No. 55957) but later transferred to the 1st & 3rd Battalions of the Hampshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 55194). It is not known where he served but on his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at Littledown, Shaftesbury, working as a Farm Carter. He married Ethel Agnes Lamb at Wincanton, Somerset, in 1925. There was one daughter of the marriage. By the time of the 1939 Register he was still living at Littledown, Shaftesbury, Dorset, as a Farm Carter. His death was registered at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1970 and he was buried at the Town Cemetery, Shaftesbury, on 5 Jan 1970.

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Herbert John Holly

30th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment, Dorsetshire Regiment, Hampshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Holly

Other names: Herbert John

Locations in this story:
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shroton, Dorset
Cann Common, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Blandford, Dorset
Iwerne Mintser, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Herbert John Holly was born in Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 8th December 1892 and baptised there on 5th March 1893, the son of Mark Holly and Harriet Holly (née Smith). He spent his early life in and around the Melbury Abbas and Cann Common area. He enlisted and served successively with the Dorsetshire Regiment (service No. 25813), the Devonshire Regiment (Service No. 52660) and the Hampshire Regiment (Service No. 30396). His rank in all cases was Private. 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 Baker for Ernest Otto of Iwerne Minster, Shaftesbury. He married Winifred Beatrice Gaisford at Shroton, Dorset, in 1923. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 1 The Corner, Blandford, Dorset, still working as a Baker. He died in Shroton on 2nd October 1983.

Herbert's brother, Harry Percival Holly (b.1891) also served and survived but his brother Ernest Walter (b.1895), died in the conflict while serving with the Royal Army Service Corps in Greece.

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Harry Percival Holly
Ernest Walter Holly
The National Archives

Bertie Gray

29th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gray

Other names: Bertie

Locations in this story:
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Littledown, Semley Road, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Asia
Dorchester, Dorset
South Africa

Story:
Bertie Gray was born in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1877, the son of Thomas Gray and Martha Gray (née Wright). He lived all his early life, apart from Military Service, in the Shaftesbury area. He had enlisted about 1898 with the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No.5749) and served with them in South Africa and continued into WW1 serving in the Asiatic Theatre from 6 Nov 1914 with the 2nd Battalion. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/1915 Star. He had remained in the Army and was finally discharged in Feb 1930 but was allowed to live in the barracks in Dorchester. On his death he was given a full military funeral at Dorchester Cemetery, with Last Post and Reveille being played, on 24 Sep 1930 and so honoured by being recognised as the longest serving soldier in the Regiment at the time with 32 years in the Colours (Western Gazette 26 Sep 1930). His death is recorded at the Dorchester, Dorset, Registry in 1930.

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Claude Ivor Bertie Gibbs

29th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gibbs

Other names: Claude Ivor Bertie

Locations in this story:
Blynfield Farm, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Culverhouse Farm, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Sturminster, Dorset
France & Flanders
Germany
Tisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Claude Ivor Bertie Gibbs was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 28th Jun 1897 and baptised on 22nd August 1897. He was the son of Edwin George Gibbs and Mary Gibbs (née Matthews), who lived at Blynfield Farm near Shaftesbury. He enlisted on 29th February 1916 but was not mobilized until 10th January 1917 when he joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers as a Private (Service No. 41862). He served with both the 2nd and 8th Battalions in France and Flanders where he received a gunshot wound to the left thigh on 16th August 1917 and at the same time was taken prisoner. He spent time in a POW Camp in Germany where his wounds were treated. He was released from captivity on 2nd December 1918 and was discharged on 15th October 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as a small limited period pension which ended on 20 Apr 1920. The 1921 Census shows that he had returned to Blynfield Farm and was working for his father. He married Ella Blanche Pickford at Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 1st October 1929 and they went on to have one daughter. By the time of the 1939 Register, Claude was living at Culverhouse Farm, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was described as a Dairy Farmer. His death is recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry on 3 Aug 1972. His brothers, Alwin Thomas Gibbs, Walter Thomas Gibbs, DCM, Stanley William Gibbs and Lucius George Gibbs, also served in the conflict whilst his sister, Ada Prudence Gibbs, served with the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps in France.

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Walter Matthews Gibbs
Alwin Thomas Gibbs

Alwin Thomas Gibbs

29th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Hussars, Lancers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gibbs

Other names: Alwin Thomas

Locations in this story:
Blynfield Farm, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Colchester, Essex
Todber, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire
France & Flanders
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Edwards Farm, Foyle Hill, Shaftesbury
Tisbury, Wiltshire

Story:
Alwin Thomas Gibbs was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 15th August 1888 and baptised at St. James' Church on 9th September 1888. He was the son of Edwin George Gibbs and Mary Gibbs (née Matthews) who lived at Blynfield Farm near Shaftesbury. His siblings included Walter Matthews Gibbs, DCM, (b.1884) who served in the Dorset Yeomanry, Claude Ivor Bertie Gibbs (b.1897) who served in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Lucius George Gibbs (b. 1882) who served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment on receiving a commission in 1915 whilst his sister, Ada Prudence Gibbs, served with the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps in France. He lived all his early life in and around Shaftesbury until, by 1911, he had joined the 16th Lancers (The Queen's) (Service No. 5661) and was stationed in Colchester, Essex. At a later stage his Service No. was changed to L13212 and he was promoted to Sergeant. He was attached to the Corps of Hussars and served in France and Flanders from 17 May 1915. On his discharge on 22 May 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows he had returned to Blynfield Farm and was working for his father on the farm. He married Margaret Bertha Barnes at Todber, Dorset, on 5th December 1922 and they had four children. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Edwards Farm, Foyle Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset, was and described as a Farmer. His death was recorded in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on 19th December 1975.

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Walter Matthews Gibbs
Claude Ivor Bertie Gibbs
Lucius George Gibbs

Percy William Gatehouse

29th April 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Army Service Corps, South Lancashire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Gatehouse

Other names: Percy William

Locations in this story:
Cann Farm, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Bristol
Chippenham, Wiltshire

Story:
Percy William Gatehouse was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 27th March 1889, the son of Morgan Gatehouse and Elizabeth Gatehouse (née Lodge). He spent his early life in and around Cann Farm, Cann. He enlisted and joined the Prince of Wales (South Lancashire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 32451). He served in France and Flanders with both the 1/5th and 2/5th Battalions before transferring to the Royal Army Service Corps (Service No. DM2/163548). On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows he was living back with his widowed mother in Cann Farm described as a Farmer. He married Annie Violet Little at Chippenham, Wiltshire, in 1938 and they went on to have two children. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 45 Richmond Road, Bristol, and was working as an Aircraft Fitter. He died in Cann, Shaftesbury, in 1980 and was buried there at St. Rumbold's Church on 1st Oct 1980.

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