Company Sergeant Acting Sergeant Major 5510, 1st Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regiment). Killed in action 11 August 1917. Aged 35. Born July 1882, and enlisted, Devizes, Wiltshire, resident Wandsworth, London. Son of George and Mary Ann Arter; husband of Margaret Mary (nee Kavanagh) Arter, of The Bungalow, Rocky Knapps, Dorchester Road, Weymouth, married 1912 in Devizes. Served in the South African Campaign. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 53.

Extract from Wiltshire Telegraph - Saturday 30 November 1912, page 3:

A marriage of interest to the members of the Regiment took place at the Church of the lmmaculate Conception, Devizes, on Monday. The bridegroom was Sergt. Bertram Charles Arter, youngest son of the late Mr. George Arter, of Devizes, and the bride Miss Margaret Mary Kavanagh, daughter of Mr. James Kavanagh, of Rathvine's, Dublin. The bridesmaid was Miss Dorothy Arter, niece of the bridegroom, and the bride was given away by Mr. W. H. Arter (brother of the bridegroom). Sergt. Lyne (2nd Battalion Wilts Regument) was best man. The officiating priest was the Rev. Father Louis Valluet. "The bride’s dress was of pale cream satin, trimmed with silver lace; she also wore a veil of Brussels lace, and carried a boquet of white chrysanthemums and camelias, the gift of the bridegroom. Her maid wore a fancy lace silk dress, and her gold bangles and chain were the gift of the bridegroom. She carried a bouguet of white chrysanthemums, also the gift of the brdegroom. After the ceremony a reception was given at which there was a goodly number present The newly-married couple were toasted at the bidding of Sergt. Lyne, and the bridegroom responded in a few words of thanks for many kindnesses shown to him and his wife. Later in the day Sergt., and Mrs. Arter left for their honeymoon, the bride’s travelling costume being of Irish tweed with set of furs:

The wedding presents were as follows:—

... (here is a list of those who gave gifts not transcribed here)

Extract from Devizes and Wilts Advertiser, 23 August 1917, page 5:

KILLED IN ACTION.

ARTER.—Killed in action, Bertram Charles Arter (Co.-Sergt.-Major). Wiltshire Regiment, youngest son of the late George Arter and Mary Ann Arter, of Devizes, aged 34 years. Deeply regretted; one we dearly loved.

Extract from Wiltshire Telegraph, 25 August 1917, page 3:

ARTER.—Killed in action in France, Sergt.-Major BERTRAM CHARLES ARTER, of the Wiltshire Regiment, youngest son of the late George and Mary Marian Arter, of Devizes, aged 35 years; deeply regretted; one we dearly loved.

Private No. 17184 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born in Weymouth in October 1896, son of Francis Adams, a licensed luggage porter, and his wife Emily Symonds. In 1911 Leslie was a grocer’s apprentice living with his parents at 9 Maiden Street, Weymouth. His father died in January 1916, and Leslie was killed in action on 4th October 1917. His mother was then living at 11 Governors Lane, Weymouth, and he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium panel 92.

Bombardier No. 84856 6th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Born at Disley, Cheshire on 3rd December 1887 (some records show 27 January 1888), son of Wallace Adams, a florist and market gardener, and his wife Emily Phillips. In the 1911 census the family were living in Blandford, where Wallace Jnr. was also living at 32 Salisbury Street, a florist, with two of his sisters who worked as his assistants. On 21st August 1911 at Sturminster Newton, Dorset he married Eveline Bessie Beale. He enlisted on 8th December 1915 and was killed in action on 27th May 1918. His parents were living at 81 Muscliffe Road, Winton, Bournemouth, and widow Eveline at 5 Orion Road, Rodwell, Weymouth. Commemorated on the Soissons Memorial, France.

Engine Room Artificer 4th Class No. M/7329. Born 16th October 1889 son of John Rice Allen and his wife Sarah nee Chaddock who lived at 9 Franchis Street, Weymouth. In the 1911 census he was living at home, single, and working as an Engineer’s turner at Whitehead’s Torpedo Works, as was his father. He died on 22nd September when HMS Hogue, a Cressy Class destroyer launched in 1900, was sunk by U-9 in the North Sea with the loss of 48 lives. Also sunk then by U-9 were HMS Cressy (see C Alderton) and HMS Aboukir - 837 sailors were rescued but 1,459 perished from the three ships. He is commemorated on the Chatham War Memorial Panel 4.

Able Seaman No. 176323 - born at Bury Edmunds, Suffolk 26th December 1877 son of Robert Alderton and his wife Mary Anne nee Lawless. Married on 27th August 1899 whilst serving on HMS Champion to Nellie Florence Jeanes, and in 1911 were living at 20 Chickerell Road, Weymouth but later at 2 St John’s Street, Weymouth. He died when U-9 sunk HMS Cressy along with HMS Aboukir and HMS Hogue (see J F Allen) on 22nd September 1914 in the North Sea. 837 seamen were rescued but 1,459 perished from the three ships.

Private No. 6135 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born in Weymouth on 11th March 1884, son of Thomas Hardy Apsey, a brewer’s maltster, and his wife Melina Ann Warder. In the census of 1911 John was single and a coal miner lodging at Twerton, Bath where he met Henrietta Rodford whom he married at Bath in April 1913. She was a widow, her first husband Fred Rogers had died in April 1912. John was killed in action on 25th November 1914, and is commemorated on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium panel 37. Henrietta was living at 41 Dorset Street, Twerton, Bath.

Lieutenant born India December 1888, son of Retired Major General John R. B. Atkinson (Indian Army) and his wife Margaret Augusta nee Turner of Elm House, Rodwell, Weymouth Dorset. He was educated at Clifton College Bristol, and R M C Sandhurst where he was a King's Indian Cadet and commissioned a 2nd Lt. on 9th September 1908. He married Edith Dean in Yorkshire on 17th September 1910. From December 1909 he served with the 59th Scinde Rifles (Indian Frontier Force) and he was killed in action serving with them in France on 19th December 1914 aged 26. No known grave. Commemorated on NEUVE-CHAPELLE MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 25.

Extract from Bond Of Sacrifice: Officers Died In The Great War 1914-1916, Volume 1:

LIEUTENANT JOHN CYRIL ATKINSON, 59th SCINDE RIFLES (FRONTIER FORCE), elder son of Major-General J. R. B. Atkinson, Indian Army (retired) and Mrs. Atkinson, was born on the 30th December, 1888, at Rajanpur, North West Frontier, Trans Indus, India.

He was educated at Clifton College, and the R.M.C., Sandhurst, at which he was a King's Indian Cadet. He joined the Army in November, 1908, being attached at first to the West Yorkshire Regiment in India, and being appointed to the 59th Scinde Rifles Field Force in December, 1909. He was promoted Lieutenant in December, 1910.

Fond of all sports, he spent his leave in India shooting in Kashmir and Ladak. He was a member of the East India United Service Club. Lieutenant Atkinson landed at Marseilles with the Indian Expeditionary Force in September, 1914, and went to the front the following month. He was killed in action on the 19th December, 1914, on the parapet of a German trench near La Bassée, France. The Officer Commanding his regiment thus described his death:—"He had led his platoon right up to the German trench and was shot dead on the parapet. His action could not have been more gallant." The Officer Commanding also referred to him as "a most gallant officer and a very well-loved comrade."

The Officer commanding his Company, who saw him killed, wrote:—"He was such a fine fellow in every way, and we all loved him. He was most hardworking and efficient as Quarter-Master in this war, and he was always keen on any dangerous or difficult job."

Another brother officer wrote:—"Since I have been in the regiment there has never been anyone who was more popular, not only with the officers, but also with the men. We have lost a splendid Officer and a good friend."

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1915:

ATKINSON John Cyril lieutenant 59th Scinde Rifles Indian Army died 19 December 1914 in France on active service Administration (with Will) London 15 September to John Richard Breeks Atkinson retired major-general His Majesty's Army. Effects £1427 6s. 10d.

Extract from Bristol Times and Mirror, 26 December 1914, page 8:

DEATHS.

ATKINSON.—Killed in action, on December 20th. Lieut. John Cyril Atkinson, aged 26, of 59th Scinde Rifles, son of General J. R. B. Atkinson, and grandson of the late John L. Turner, Esq., of Combo House, Backwell

Lieutenant 3rd Battn. attached 2nd Battn. Royal Berkshire Regiment. Born at Backwell, Somerset in July 1890 son of John Richard Breeks Atkinson, then a Colonel in the Indian Army, later Major General H M Army, and his wife Margaret Augusta Turner. Lionel was killed in action on 9th May 1915 aged 24 and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium panels 7 and 8. Probate to his father on 27th August 1915 amounted to £289. 10s 1d. His parents were living at “Elm House“ Rodwell, Weymouth.

Lieutenant (RAF) born Weymouth 26th December 1898 son of Robert A. Ayles, a plumber, and his wife Eleanor nee Powell who lived at 119 Chickerell Road, Weymouth, but later at 5 Baycliff Terrace, Weymouth He died in a flying accident at RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire aged 19 on 1st June 1918 whilst serving with 5th training Squadron RAF. He is buried in Weymouth cemetery - plot B ” C ” 614.

Private No. 777 12th Australian Expeditionary Force, born at Weymouth in January 1895, son of John Randall Baggs and his wife Martha Elizabeth nee Randall who, in 1911, were living at 9 Pretoria Terrace, Chickerell Road, Weymouth when Arthur aged 17 is listed as a merchant seaman. At some point he sailed to Australia as, on 14th September 1914 in Western Australian he signed to join the 11th A.I.F. declaring he had served 2 years on HMS Warspite. Back in UK on 15th January 1917 at Amesbury, Wiltshire he married Frances Gladys Ward who was living at 3 Park Terrace, Harefield, Middlesex when Arthur was killed in action in France on 25th August 1918 aged 23. He is commemorated on the Villiers-Brettoneaux Memorial, France.

Private No. 10/1405 New Zealand Expeditionary Force born at Southampton on 9th July 1888 son of Faithful Banks, a railway engine driver, and his wife Annie nee Ryde. In 1901 they were living at 78 Walpole Street Weymouth and still there when Arthur died of wounds at Gallipoli, Turkey on 15th August 1915. It appears he had joined the Royal Navy on 5th Match 1907 and served until 30th October 1910 - his last ship was HMS Impregnable, but by 1911 had sailed to New Zealand where on 29th December 1914 at Gisborne, N Z he joined the NZEF.

Private No. 12804 6th Battn. Dorsetshire Regiment born 1880 at Rampisham, Dorset son of Joseph Banks and his wife Frances nee Frampton. Married Bessie Jane Hoare at Rampisham on 12th April 1909, was a carter in 1911 living at Lower Wraxall, Rampisham, and joined up at Dorchester on 15th January 1915. He was killed in action on 25th July 1915 and is commemorated on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial panel 37.

Ordinary Seaman No. 55/4720 on HMS Bulwark, born at Sandown, isle of Wight on 14th October 1895, son of John Thomas Barfoot and his wife Mary nee Chegwin. In the 1911 census John Frederick was working as a footman/ servant in Chelsea, London, but joined the Royal Navy 9th February 1914. He died when his ship HMS Bulwark blew up at Sheerness, Kent, thought to be the result of an internal fire. Some 788 persons were killed. His father was a Royal Navy pensioner, and they were living at 38 Burdons Buildings, Weymouth. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial panel 3.

Ordinary Seaman No. J/88436 HMS Victory Born at Blandford, Dorset on 9th October 1885, son of George Alfred Barnes, an accountant, and his wife Anna Beer. He married Nellie Gertrude Carter at Weymouth in July 1906, and died on 27th May 1918 but I do not know the cause of death. He was buried in Melcombe Regis Cemetery grave 1. A. 1523.

possibly BARNICOAT Edwin Henry No. 3/7419 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born 1875 Weymouth son of Edwin W. Barnicoat, a carpenter, and his wife Mary Louise Mayne. I have found little detail about Edwin. His Army record says that he died of sickness on 3rd Match 1919 and was buried at Taranto Town Cemetery extension grave 1. G. 9. He had a widow Ethel May Rouse whom he had married in Weymouth in September 1911 and in 1919 she was living at 536 Oxford Road, Reading, Berkshire.

Private No. 6544 1st Dorsetshire Regiment born at Bath, Somerset on 6th May 1883, son of James, a railway worker, and his wife Hannah Hoskins. In February 1900 joined Great Western Railway aged 16 as a porter in Bristol but in 1911 was living at home at 5 Governers Way, Weymouth, working as a labourer. He was killed in action aged 32 on 26th March 1915 and is commemorated on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial Panel 37.

Sapper No. 15100 Royal Engineers 55th Company - died of wounds in St Omer hospital on 11th June 1915 and is commemorated at Longuenesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery No. 1.A. 54. He was born at Ditteredge, Box, Wiltshire in 1881, son of George Bartlett, who worked for Great Western Railway, and his wife Mary Ellen nee Wheadon who lived in later years at 26 Bath Street, Weymouth. In the 1901 census he was a bricklayer living at home in Weymouth with his parents and siblings, but is missing in 1911. He may by then have followed his brother Frederick by joining the Royal Engineers, but this is still to be confirmed.

Sapper No. 12686 Royal Engineers 28th Fortress Company, was brother of Alfred above, which see for his parent’s details. Born at Ditteredge, Box, Wiltshire in 1882. in 1901 he was a railway engine fireman lodging away from home in Reading, Berkshire with Great Western Railway. On 31st March 1903 he signed up to joined the Royal Engineers in Weymouth, and served from 23rd December 1904 to 30th December 1907 in the Valdous Mountains in Mauritius. He then served in England and Malta from 15th June 1910 until 1916, and the CWGC website records that he was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded a Gold Medal by the King of Serbia. On 20th October 1916 he is recorded as having shot himself in the head, and was buried in the Pieta Military Cemetery in Malta D.X111.6. His younger brother received his war gratuity of £12. 10s.

Private does not appear in the CWGC listing but an Army record suggests that he joined the Dorset Yeomanry No. 845 on 8th September 1914 but was discharged owing to unrecorded sickness on 30th January 1915. He was born at Hammersmith, London in 1890, son of William Bascombe, a detective sergeant in the police, and his wife Clara nee Parsons, living at Benbow Road, Hammersmith. William Snr. was a retired police inspector living in Bournemouth in the 1911 census, when William Jnr. was listed as a tailor’s cutter but an inpatient at the Royal Hospital for Chest Diseases at Ventnor, Isle of Wight. There is a death record for William H. Bascombe at Weymouth in the 1st quarter of 1915, whilst his parents were living in the town in the 1921 census. This is confirmed on his father’s probate in Weymouth in 1925 when he and Clara were running The Park Hotel, Weymouth.

Gunner No. 13823. The CWGC website says that he served with the 6th siege battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, and died of wounds on 18th March 1915 and his widow was Lucy Beatrice Bateman nee Billett, living at 94 Franchise Street, Chapelhay, Weymouth whom he had married in Weymouth in the first quarter on 1904. CWGC does not give his age, nor details about his parents. A UK casualty list suggests that he was born at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, but I could not confirm that. There is a Frederick B. Bateman born in Weymouth in 1881, living in John Street, Weymouth in 1911, but it is possible he died in 1959. In 1911 Lucy is living at 73 Franchise St. with their daughter Nellie aged 6 but Frederick is missing suggesting he was already serving in the Army. He is buried or commemorated at Merville Community Cemetery, France 11. H. 3.

Air Mechanic 2nd Class No. 308409 RAF 2nd Fighting School, Marske, Guisborough, Yorkshire. He joined up aged 16 on 17th October 1918 and died on 4th January 1919, suggesting that he was a student pilot killed in a flying accident. He was born in Weymouth on 4th January 1902, son of John Baugh and his wife Sarah Emma nee Lias. In 1902 and 1911 they were running the London Hotel, Upper Bond Street, Weymouth. Leslie is buried in the Melcombe Regis cemetery, Weymouth plot A 992.

Private No. 10828 of 1st Dorsetshire Regiment. A UK Casualty website suggests he was born in Norwich, Norfolk, but I think that may be wrong. The CWGC website says that he died (from poison gas) on 2nd May 1915, aged 20, and was the grandson of Mrs Sarah Mantell of 18 Penny Street, Weymouth, which might also explain why he served in the Dorsetshire Regt. After a lot of searching, it was found that Sarah and Benjamin Mantell had nine children, one of who was their daughter Alice Louisa born in Paddington, London in 1868. She appears to have married a Thomas Charles Baxter at Holborn in London in the summer of 1895 - it is probable that Thomas was born at Wandsworth in the last quarter of 1896, but in the census of 1901 and 1911 was living in Weymouth at 18 Penny St. listed as born at Wandsworth. Was he in fact only 18 when he died on 2nd May 1915 ? The 1911 census lists him as aged 16 and an assistant to a hairdresser ? He is commemorated on the Ypres Menin Gate memorial Panel 37.

No further information currently

Petty Officer 2nd Class No. 173325 died when his ship HMS Bayano, which he had joined on 31st December 1914, was sunk by SM U-27 en route from Glasgow to Liverpool. She sank very quickly and some 195 of the crew perished. She was built in 1913 for the Elders and Fyffes line as a banana boat, but commandeered by the Royal Navy as an Armed Merchant Cruiser in December 1914. It seems that Naval records have his birth date wrong at 6th October 1876 as there is a baptism record for Philip at St John’s church Melcolmbe Regis, Weymouth on 3rd November 1875. He was son of James Beer, a shoemaker, who died in 1903, and his wife Mary Ann Bishop who died in 1891. Philip joined the Royal Navy on 12th April 1893 serving on a variety of ships, and always had a very good conduct record. On January 1st 1902 he married Alice Cozens at Melcombe Regis when serving on HMS Marathon and, from November 1904 to 31st July 1914, served in H.M. Coastguard service at Balriggan, Co. Dublin. Alice was living at 12 North Quay, Weymouth at the time of Philip’s death. Philip is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial Panel 7.

Private No. 26793 with 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Sometime after 1911 he had previously joined the Dorset Yeomanry No. 1684, but was killed in action on 6th February 1917 aged 21. He was born in Weymouth in 1895, son of Alfred Frederick Bell, a tailor who died on 22nd January 1918, and his wife Frances Ann Glasswell known as Fanny, who lived at 22 Charles Street, Weymouth. There is an oddity about Theodore’s middle name. He was baptised Theodore Arthur Bell on 13th October 1895, the same day as his brother Frederick Harry Bell was baptised, but in later life they were known as Theodore Harry and Frederick Arthur Bell. Theodore is buried or commemorated at Beaumont-Havel British Cemetery, France B.40.

Private No. 36945 1st Somerset Light Infantry. His father William Bennett was a game keeper and had married Bessie Pullman at Sixpenny Handley, Dorset on 7th February 1888. Dorcey was born at Masbury, near Wells, Somerset on 25th June 1886 (Naval records) and baptised on 12th August 1888. In 1901, Dorcey was living at home at Long Bredy, Dorset helping his game keeper father, but on 13th March 1906, he signed to join the Royal Navy as a stoker, where the ships were all coal fired. He served until discharged for theft on 4th July 1911, after serving 90 days detention, and having been in the 1911 census recorded as a patient at Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, Gosport. Dorcey’s death was registered in Weymouth on 28th November 1918 - did he die from war wounds ? - and he is buried at Weymouth cemetery B. ” C ” 2339. His mother had died in 1909 and his father was living at 2 Queens Court, Queens Road, Weymouth in 1918.

Drummer No. 10285 2nd Battalion Welsh Regiment. Is son of William and Bessie Bennett, and brother of D G Bennett - see above, but little is known of his life as he and his father are missing from the 1911 census, and there is no Army record to show when he joined up. He was baptised at Sixpenny Handley on 28th January 1894, suggesting he was older when he died on 7th October 1914 than the 19 years quoted on the CWGC website. He is buried at the St. Nazaire (Toutes-Aides) Cemetery D. 68.

Private Dorsetshire Regiment Depot. Born at Bridport in 1851, but I failed to find his parents. Married Eliza Harriet Wood at Weymouth in June 1911 working as a general labourer. He died on 24th September 1919 aged 64, cause not known, and was buried at Fordington, Dorchester Cemetery grave New 776.

Commander R.N. was born at Wimbledon, Surrey on 27th June 1875, son of Sir Thomas W.P. Blomefield (Bart.) C.B. and his wife Lilias nee Napier. He joined the Navy aged 15 and appointed Midshipman on 15th March 1891, then promoted to Lieutenant in April 1897. On 27th June 1904 he married Margaret J. Landon at St. George’s church Hanover Square, London. Promoted Commander on 30th June 1910, he was away when Margaret was living in the 1911 census at 8 Old Castle Road, Rodwell, Weymouth with their two children. Thomas was given command of HMS Juno on 16th February 1914, but ceded command to Captain (later Vice Admiral) Arthur K. Macrorie R.N. on 1st August 1914, with Thomas staying on as the ship’s Commander. Thomas died leading a landing party on the shores of Persia on 13th August 1915, and was later buried at sea. By then Margaret had left Weymouth and was living at “Meadowside” in Sherborne, Dorset - per CWGC. Thomas is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial panel 8.

No further information currently

Petty Officer 1st Class No. 122437 who died on 13th January 1915 when HMS Viknor sank, without giving any distress signal, with the loss of 22 officers and 273 men off Troy Island, Ireland whilst on patrol. It is thought she might have hit a mine laid by the German auxiliary cruiser “Berlin” . HMS Viknor was previously the Royal Mail Steamer ” Atrato ” built in 1888, and looked more like a luxury yacht than a warship. Her name was changed to ” Viking ” in 1912, and top speed was limited to 14 knots so it was surprising when in 1914 the Royal Navy repurposed her as an Armed Merchant Cruiser. John was born 6th January 1868 at Loders, Dorset son of John Bowering, a labourer, and his wife Elizabeth Ann nee Lovell. He joined the Royal Navy on 21st February 1883, serving on many ships with a very good conduct record throughout, before leaving on 5th January 1906. He then rejoined on 2nd August 1914, and transferred to HMS Viknor on 12th December 1914 for it’s fateful last voyage. On 17th December 1895 he had married Maria Blunder at Portsea Island, Hampshire, and in the 1911 census John was working as a hotel Nightwatchman in Portsmouth. His body was washed ashore and he was buried at Larne New Cemetery in Section 3C.1074.

Private No. 28276 Somerset Light Infantry Born at Sherborne, Dorset in April 1880, son of Stephen Bown, a farm labourer who died in 1892, and his wife Ann Morris. Married Emily Hellier at Melcombe Regis on 13th September 1908, and in 1911 he was working as a bricklayer’s labourer, when they were living at 11 Stewarts Court, Governors Lane, Weymouth. He was killed in action on 24th August 1918 and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France panel 4.

Private No. 661 41st Battalion Australian Expeditionary Force, died in action 14th October 1918 aged 28. Charles was baptised at Weymouth on 14th May 1890 son of William Henry Branson, a clerk, and his wife Marion nee Dawson. In the 1911 census he is listed as a photographer’s assistant living at home at 13 Ranelagh Road, Weymouth, but sometime after that he sailed to Australia. On 26th January 1917 at Darwin, Northern Territories he sign up to join the A.I.F. He is buried or commemorated at the St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France S.11.V. 4.

Able Seaman No. J/23304 was born at Weymouth on 13th October 1897, son of Samuel John Brewer and his wife Annie Maria nee Cadman. By 1904, both his parents had died, and in 1911 census he was living at Muller’s Orphan House, Ashley Down, Bristol with his younger brother Reginald. On24th February 1913 he joined the Royal Navy as a Boy sailor - he was 5’ 2inches tall and listed as a ” show boy ” . On 31st March 1916 Arthur was serving on HMS Black Prince, an armoured cruiser launched in 1904, under the command of Captain Thomas P. Bonham R.N. as part of the 1st Cruiser squadron under Rear Admiral Robert Arbuthnot R.N. In early skirmishes, Black Prince got separated from the fleet and in darkness and trying to rejoin the squadron she was found by the German High Seas fleet. Under their floodlights she was attacked by five battleships and was sunk with the loss of her entire crew of 858 officers and men. Arthur still had a connection with Weymouth as his older sister Emily Dare was living at 12 Crescent Street in 1911 and then later at 37 Abbotsbury Road, Westham, Weymouth. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial panel 12.

Private No. 2000160 Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadian Army). Born in London on 25th December 1892 where his father George Albert Brinkley was a stable foreman in 1901, before he and his wife Mary Ann nee Cherry moved to 43 Brownlow Street, Weymouth by 1911 where George and William worked for the Anglo-American Oil. Co. On 14th January 1913 William signed to join the Dorset Territorial Force, but then decided to sail to Canada. He must have got a love of horses from his father, and had seen an advertisement to join the Royal North West Mounted Police in Canada as he arrived at Quebec on 5th August 1913 together with large batch of new recruits for the Force, bound for Regina, Saskatchewan. He served for three years before signing up to join the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 1st October 1916 joining Lord Strathcona’s Horse. He was killed in action by an enemy shell advancing with his Unit through the village of Berthy, France on 9th October 1918, and is buried or commemorated at Highland Cemetery Le Cateau France X.C. 12.

Second Lieutenant, previously Sergeant then Acting Warrant Officer 2nd Class, No. 16718 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment. He was born in Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland when his father Mark Brooke was a Drummer in the British Army. His mother Annie Diment died in 1910. On 5th April 1913 Henry married Mary Ellen Mooney at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Crewe, Cheshire whilst he worked as a fitter at Crewe Railway Works. By 24th March 1915 he was serving in France, and given a commission as a 2nd Lt. in Royal Berkshire Reg’t on 30th October 1917. Henry died of war wounds at his home 13 Middlewich Street, Crewe on 27th February 1920, and is buried in Crewe Cemetery grave No. C. 436. His father Mark Brooke was living at 20 Burdens Buildings, Bond Street, Weymouth. His younger brother Mark also died serving in World War One.

Drummer No. 6880 Suffolk Regiment. Son of Mark and Annie Brooke (see brother Henry Brooke above for his family details), and was born at Aldershot, Surrey on 30th September 1889. Aged 15 he joined the Suffolk Regiment on 12th December 1904, and in the 1911 census was recorded as absent with the Camel Corps in Abyssinia (now Ethiopia). He was injured in his right thigh on 6th May 1915 from a gunshot and discharged from the Army as Unfit on 8th May 1917. He died at Greenwich, Kent on 27th April 1918 from wounds, gas and tuberculosis, and was buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey grave X11.D.21A.

Private No. A/362794 Army Service Corps (Canteens) previously No. 6707. Born at Birmingham about 1882 son of Joseph Brookes, a brass founder, and his wife Elizabeth Ann Jones. Charles married May Elizabeth Frances Hawkes at Melcombe Regis on 6th May 1915. He was killed in action on 29th November 1917 and was buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium grave XXV1. AA. 5 . May remarried to James Kettle in January 1922 and they moved away, living at Battersea London in 1939.

Private No. 11866 Royal Army Medical Corps. Was born late in 1894, son of Frank Brown, a seaman later a publican in 1911 at Swan Inn, St Thomas Street, and his wife Jessica nee Pomeroy. In 1911 Frederick, aged 16, was an errand boy for the Home and Colonial Grocery stores. He was killed in action serving with 65th Field Ambulance R.A.M.C. on 17th September 1916 aged 21 and is buried or commemorated at Longueval Road Cemetery, France D.11. His parents were then living at 12 Dorset Place, Weymouth. His older brother Herbert M. Brown also died in World War One - below.

Gunner No. 11563 Royal Field Artillery. Is brother of Frederick C. Brown - see above for family details. He was born at Weymouth Apr-June 1893 and on 3rd June 1909 joined Great Western Railway as a saloon boy, but seems to have left the following day 4th ! On 19th September 1910 he joined the Oxon and Bucks Light Infantry No. 9311, but appears in a notice issued by the War Office of deserters and absentees as missing from O B L I on 26th June 1911. At some point he joined the Royal Field Artillery, and was attached to the 36th Trench Warfare Unit when he died of wounds on 6th November 1917. He is buried at Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery, Manancourt, France 1.F.17.

Rifleman No. 3086 London Regiment (6th Battalion City of London Rifles). Born at Pimlico, London 13th July 1893, son of Charles Mervyn Brown, a portmanteau maker who died in 1895, and his wife Sarah Jane nee Burnard. In 1911 he was an ironmonger’s apprentice living with his widowed mother at 17 Milton Road, Weymouth. He was attached to the 140th Trench Warfare Unit when he died of wounds in a casualty clearing station on 27th December 1916 aged 21. He is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium X.C.42. His probate to his mother Sarah was £140. 19s.

Private No. 6361 5th Battalion Connaught Rangers. Born at Weymouth in October 1894, son of William Brown, sometime butcher and publican, and his wife Mary Ann Honeybun. Died of war wounds at 17th General Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt on 7th October 1917, and was buried in Alexandria (Hadra) War Military Cemetery grave D. 187. In 1921 his father was landlord of the Old Borough Arms, Weymouth.

Lance Corporal No. 9823 Royal Scots Fusiliers. Was born in Weymouth on 9th September 1889 son of Frederick John Bruford, a railway engine driver who died in 1910, and his wife Georgina Vye who died in 1901, when they were living at 3 Argyle Road, Melcombe Regis. On 2nd December 1907 Arthur, a post boy, signed to join the Royal Navy but was discharged as Unfit on 4th June 1908. At some point he joined the Royal Scots Fusiliers as in the 1911 census he is recorded as a Private No. 641 serving with the 1st Battalion in South Africa. Sometime later he was promoted to Lance Corporal No. 9823 with the 2nd Battalion, and is listed as ‘Death presumed on or since 31st October 1914‘ and is commemorated on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial panel 19.

Private 96173 17th Squadron Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry). Born at Weymouth in 1894, son of William Francis Bugler, a cafe owner, and his wife Minnie Bull. Enlisted on 15th September 1915, previously 3 years in Dorset Yeomanry. Was killed in action on 13th November 1917 and commemorated on Jerusalem Memorial Israel, panel 54. In 1921 his father was living at Rodwell Road, Weymouth.

possibly BULL William Solomon Private No. 23515 121st Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Born at Stanmore, Middlesex on 11th May 1890, son of William George Bull, a park keeper and gardener, and his wife Louisa Helen Smy. Married Minnie Louisa Gladys Bearne at Weymouth in January 1914. William died of wounds at 57th Field Ambulance Station on 21st July 1917 aged 25, and was buried at Dickebusch New Military Cemetery Extn. Belgium grave 111. E. 26 His widow Minnie was living at Laurel View, Chickerell, but in July 1920 she married William Dalley, and in 1939 they were living at 52 Hallway Road, Weymouth. (Did William have a nick name such as Jack or Jim ?) .

Corporal No. 41974 Royal Engineers 73rd Field Company. Born at Weymouth on 22nd August 1887, son of Walter Burt, a dental surgeon, and his wife Jessica nee Plowman. Is missing from the 1911 census, so I assume he had already joined the Army. His death is listed as “On or since 26. 9. 1915 death presumed ” and he is commemorated on the Loos Memorial Panels 4 and 5. His parents lived at “Lydwell”, Buxton Road, Weymouth.

Private No. 8802 ‘C’ Company 2nd battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born in January 1890 at Weymouth, son of Robert Burt, a GWR Greaser/ Labourer, and his wife Elizabeth Moore. Served with 3rd Dorset Regiment Reserve and in 1911 was a GWR fireman living with his family at 79 Newstead Road, Weymouth. He died on 26th September 1916, and is commemorated on the Badgdad North Gate Military Cemetery Iraq XX!.B.17. His parents were living at 36 Penny Street, Weymouth. His older brother Robert also died in the Great War - see below.

Private No. 18563 6th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment Born at Salisbury, Wiltshire on 2nd December 1876 son of John Burt, a gardener, and his wife Maria Haime. Married Lily Elizabeth Seymour Palmer at Weymouth in 1st quarter of 1902. He was killed in action on 12th April 1917 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France Bay 6. His widow Lily was living at 20 Ilchester Road, Westham, Weymouth.

Stoker 1st Class. SS 103678 HMS Good Hope. Born at Weymouth on 29th August 1888, son of Robert and Elizabeth Hope - above. He enlisted on 6th September 1906, when working as a plasterer, until 5th November 1911, when he was placed on the R N Reserve, but rejoined on 13th July 1914. He had married Priscilla Bella Heaven in Bath, Somerset in the last quarter of 1911. On 31sy July 1914 he joined HMS Good Hope, a Drake class armoured cruiser, under Captain Philip Francklin R.N. when, along with HMS Monmouth, they encountered the German battle cruisers Gneisenau and Scharnhorst under Admiral Graf Maximillian Von Spee. In what was named the Battle of Colonel, off the coast of Chile on 1st November 1914, both Good Hope and Monmouth were sunk by the German ships. There were no survivors from either ship and a total of some 1,530 officers and men were lost. Robert is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial panel 4. His widow Priscilla was living at 5 Derby Street, Weymouth.

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Private No. 36104 Machine Gun Corps 219th Company. Born at Weymouth in April 1888, son of James Knight Caddy, a labourer, and his wife Emily nee Ironside. Worked as a bricklayer and living at home at 23 Penny Street, Weymouth in 1911. He signed on with the Machine Gun Corps on 11th June 1915, and was killed in action on 18th September 1917 aged 29. He is buried at Zuydcoote Military Cemetery, France 1.E.11.

Private No. 17060 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment. Born in 1894 at Weymouth, son of William Canterbury, a foreman with Great Western Railway, and his wife Hannah nee Honeybun of 9 Chelmsford Street, Weymouth. William was killed in action in the Gallipoli campaign on 2nd December 1915, and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey.

Sapper No. 26958 Royal Engineers attached to 9th Division Signals Corps. Born at Upwey, Weymouth on 29th February 1888, son of Frederick Carpenter, a seaman R.N. and coastguard, and his wife Caroline nee Legg of 8 Pretoria Terrace, Chickerell Road, Weymouth. Frederick signed on with Royal Navy from 17th January 1903 to 30th September 1905, then by 1911 had joined the 1st Dorsetshire Regiment when he was serving at Frimley, Surrey. He later transferred to the Royal Engineers and was killed in action on 13th June 1918 aged 29. His older brother Herbert was also killed during World War One - see below.

Private No. 9919 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Orford, Suffolk on 6th August 1882, and brother of Frederick Alfred Carpenter - see above for family details. Was listed as a baker’s assistant when briefly he joined the Royal Navy on HMS Colossus from 9th April 1913 to 2nd July 1913 before, on 2nd August 1914, he signed on to join the Dorsetshire Regiment. He died (in action ?) on 15th November 1915, and is buried or commemorated at Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt B. 105.

Private No. 29767 1st Battalion Wiltshire (Duke of Edinburgh’s) Regiment. Born July - Sept. 1891, son of Martha Carter nee Talbot, whose first husband Henry Francis Carter had died in 1889. In 1901 William was living with his step father Frederick Gillingham (died 1913) and his mother at 9 North Quay, Weymouth. In 1911 he was a labourer and the family had moved to 9 Burdens Buildings, Weymouth, before his mother then died in 1917. William was killed in action on 28th December 1916, and is buried at the London Rifle Brigade Military Cemetery, Belgium 11.D.4. A connection to Weymouth continued as his sister Mrs Agnes Bishop lived at 10 Edward Street, Weymouth.

Private No. 45871 8th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment Born at Radstock, Somerset in January 1900 son of Harry Herbert Chapman, a Great Western Railway Inspector at Weymouth, and his wife Annie Florence Woodland who died in 1912. Clifford was killed in action on 5th September 1918 and buried at Mericourt L’Abbe Community Cemetery extension, France grave 11. H. 7. His father in 1921 was living at 146 Abbotsbury, Road, Westham, Weymouth. His older brother Frank died in France in 1917.

Gunner No. 122376 ‘D’ Battery, 5th Battalion Royal Field Artillery. Born at Radstock, Somerset son of Harry and Annie Chapman above for family details. Frank was killed in action on 10th May 1917 and was buried at Cabaret Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, France grave V111. A. 4

Private No. 302333 5/6th Battalion Royal Scots. Born at Weymouth 15th July 1882, son of Charles Samuel Chick, a Fireman with Great Western Railway, and his wife Louisa Jane nee Parker. It seems Charles enlisted with the Royal Scots in 1902 No. 4604, but on 4th September 1910 when he married Bessie Eda Miller at Melcombe Regis he was listed as a GWR Fireman. They were living at 4 Albert Street, Weymouth. Charles was killed in action on 11th August 1918 and is buried at Bouchier New British Cemetery, France V.C. 19. His younger brother William Arthur Chick also died in World War One- see below.

Private No. 6615 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabinieri). Born in Weymouth on 11th August 1883, and brother of Charles Chick - see above for family details. In the 1901 census he is listed as a cleaner with GWR but is absent from the 1911 census. He was killed in action on 25th April 1915, and is commemorated on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial panel 5 in Belgium.

Private No. 66450 Royal Army Medical Corps attached to 19th Field Ambulance Unit. Born at Weymouth in April 1895 son of Robert Joseph Chipp, a bricklayer, and his wife Fanny nee Bailey. In 1911 when the family were living at 25 Penny Street, Weymouth Ernest was an errand boy for a boot/shoe shop, before signing to join the RAMC on 7th September 1915, by then a shoemaker. He died of wounds on 25th October 1916 aged 21 and is buried at Guillemont Road Cemetery, Guillemont, France I.D. 9. His parents were then living at 24 Argyle Road, Weymouth.

Officer’s Steward 2nd Class R.N. No. 361061. Born at Weymouth 18th April 1885, son of James Walter Chiveralls, a Painter/Decorator who died in 1902, and his wife Jane nee Tizard who died in 1905. On 25th March 1906 in Weymouth William married Elsie Victoria Nellie Ferry and they lived at 27 Spring gardens, Weymouth. He had signed to join the Royal Navy on 12th February 1902, and was noted as having very good conduct throughout his career. On the 1st June 1916 he was serving on HMS Fortune, an Acasta class destroyer under the command of Lt. Commander Frank Terry as part of 4th Destroyer Flotilla, sailing with HMS Ardent. In darkness, both ships encountered the German fleet and attacked but, at about 23. 20 hours, HMS Fortune sank with the loss of 67 officers and men - only one survived. HMS Ardent was also sunk. William is buried or commemorated at Kvieberg Cemetery, Sweden 1.A.7.

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Private No. 38512 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment. Born in October 1898, son of James Alfred Clarke, a retort fitter in 1911, and his wife Ada Mary nee Legg of 37 Commercial Road, Weymouth. He was killed in action on 19th November 1917, and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium panels 105/6.

Private No. 16341 2nd Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth in April 1895 son of Thomas John Cole, a mariner, and his wife Harriet nee Whettem who in 1911 lived at 134 Abbotsbury Road, Weymouth when William was a carpenter’s labourer. He died on 19th August 1916, and is buried at Amara War Cemetery, Iraq grave 1X.B.16.

Private No. 8645 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born in December 1891 son of John William Coleman, a cab driver, and his wife Susan nee Darby who lived at 80 Franklin Road, Weymouth. Having already been serving in the Dorset regiment Special Reserve, Walter signed on in December 1908 to join the 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment, and in 1911 was away serving in India and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). It appears that he was wounded serving in Mesopotamia, and died of his injuries at the General Hospital in Bombay, India on 30th May 1915. He is commemorated on the Kirkee 1914-1918 Memorial, India Face D.

[Transcribed as F COLES] Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class No. 272386 HMS Good Hope. Born at Stoke Demerell, Devon on 19th November 1883 son of Frederick Cole, a school caretaker, and his wife Ellen Jane Parker. Enlisted in the Royal Navy on 6th July 1907 and joined HMS Good Hope on 17th August 1914. She was off the coast of Chile when sunk at 19. 50 hours on 1st November 1914 after a massive explosion from a German shell from German Cruiser Scharnhorst blew the ship apart and all 926 officers and crew were killed. Frederick is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial panel 2. His widow was living at 1 Sunny View Villas, Longcroft Road, Westham, Weymouth, and she later married Benjamin C Deeming at Prescot, Lancashire in 1917.

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Major D.S.O., T.D., Royal Engineers 521 Field Company. Born at Birmingham on 12th July 1878, son of Alfred Coulson M.I.C.E., M.I.E.E., and his wife Margaretta (Maggie) Whittle. On 24th February 1900 he enlisted in the Royal Engineers and was involved in the 2nd Boer War which ended in 1902 when Douglas was a Second Lieutenant. He thus qualified for medal clasps for the Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal. At Cricklewood, Middlesex in May 1906 he married Kate Parminter Merson and in 1911 Douglas was working as a civil engineer for the Weymouth Gas Co. They were living at “Everley,” 22 Glendinning Road, Weymouth with their two sons Norman aged 3 and Alfred aged 1, with three servants. I could not find how he won the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.), and having served during the Great War, he died in the post war influenza pandemic on 3rd February 1919 in Syria. He was aged just 40, and was buried in Damascus Commonwealth War Cemetery grave B. 62, Syria. His probate to his wife Kate on 19th August 1919 showed an estate of £3,072, 13s. 1d, with them living at “Eversley,” Carlton Road North, Weymouth. Kate continued to live at Weymouth and died there in 1966 aged 89.

Petty officer Stoker 288551, H.M.S. "Tipperary", Royal Navy. Died when his ship was sunk in the night action at the Battle of Jutland, where she was acting as leader of the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla, 1 June 1916. Aged 38. Born 21 April 1877 in Liverpool, Lancashire. Son of William Coltart, of Liverpool; husband of Sarah Grace Coltart, of 171, Chickerell Rd., Weymouth, who later died when a V2 bomb hit her home in Chingford during World War 2. In the 1911 census his wife Sarah Grace Coltart was resident with their two children, Vera Grace (aged 3) and Alfred Stamper (aged 0), at 171 Chickerell Road Weymouth, Weymouth, Dorset. No known grave. Commemorated on PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire. Panel 16.

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Private No. 4/230218 Dorset Yeomanry or 1st County of London Yeomanry (Duke of Cambridge’s Own). Born at Buckland Newton, Dorset in Apr-June 1897 youngest son of George Coombs, a timber merchant and his wife Sarah Elizabeth nee Jarratt. Listed on Ancestry as dying of malaria on 14th October 1918, and was buried at Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, F.224, Egypt. His parents were living at 2 Mulberry Terrace, School Road, Weymouth.

Petty Officer R.N. No. 304104 HMS Invincible. He was born at North Scarle, Lincolnshire on 1st October 1884, so of John Coop, a farm labourer who died in April 1891, and his wife Charlotte nee Spawton, who died in April 1911. Frank joined the Royal Navy on 21st May 1903, and had a very good conduct record throughout his career on a number of different ships. He joined HMS St.Vincent on 28th May 1912 as a leading stoker, and whilst serving he married Ethel May nee Salisbury at Melcombe Regis, Weymouth on 22nd June 1913. They had a son Leonard L.V. Coop born in 1915 but sadly he died in March 1916. Frank had been promoted to Petty Officer Stoker on 1st December 1913 whilst serving on HMS St. Vincent, and on 31st July 1914 had joined HMS Invincible. In late May 1916, Invincible was part of Admiral Beatty’s 3rd Battlecruiser Squadron under the command of Rear Admiral Hon. Sir Horace Hood D.S.O. (later K.C.B.) in the Battle of Jutland. About 18. 30 hours on the 31st, a shell from the German battlecruiser ” Lutzow ” hit Invincible’s Q turret, and caused a massive ammunition explosion. She immediately broke into two, and sank within a minute - only six were saved and 1,025 officers and men lost their lives. His widow Ethel May was living at Monarch House, East Street, Weymouth. On 21st November 1921 she married Walter Harold Wade, a Chief Petty Officer R.N. at Melcombe Regis.

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While researching struggled with this - the CWGC website refers to a Private Joseph Alfred Corbett, whose wife was Mrs B. Corbett of Taunton. There is a Beatrice May Quick who married an Alfred John Corbett in Taunton on 7th October 1912. The marriage certificate says his father was a John Charles Corbett deceased, and there is a birth of an Alfred Joseph Corbett in Weymouth in 1889 - mother Sarah a widow in the 1891 census and CWGC says his mother was Mrs S. Corbett of Weymouth - but I cannot find any marriage for Sarah to John Charles Corbett, nor his death. Private Joseph Alfred Corbett No. 39007 12th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment is presumed to have died between 21 - 25th August 1918. He is buried or commemorated at the Ovilliers Military Cemetery, France XV11.U.10.

Private No. 69283 16th Battalion Royal Devon and Royal North Devon Yeomanry. Born at Weymouth in April 1899 son of John Thomas Corbin, a railway worker for L S W R Co. living at 10 Trinity Street, Weymouth in 1911. James was killed in action on 2nd September 1918 and is commemorated on Vis-en-Artois Memorial France panel 4.

Private No. 36884 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. Born on 26th April 1887 at Weymouth, son of Thomas Cornick, a master baker, and his wife Fanny Croad. His Army record suggests he enlisted at Aldershot, Hampshire at at one stage served in the Territorial Reserve No. 5/1579, but is missing from the 1911 census. On 24th February 1916 at Radipole, Dorset he married Bessie Carter, as was then a Corporal in the Royal Army Service Corps living at 49 Ramsbury Road, St. Albans, Hertfordshire. Bessie was living at 104 Dorchester Road, Weymouth. Edward was killed in action on the Pas-De-Calais on 20th November 1917, and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France Bays 2 and 3.

Stoker 2nd Class K/34990, H.M.S. "Negro," Royal Navy. Killed when his ship was in collision with H.M.S. "Hoste" causing two depth charges to explode 21 December 1916. Aged 31. Born 18 October 1885 in Branscombe, Dorset. Baptised 25 November 1885 in Branksome, St Aldhelm, Dorset. Son of Richard John and Mary Jane Cornick; husband of Annie (nee Lane) Cornick, of Albion Cottage, Dorchester Road, Weymouth, married 23 November 1913 in Melcombe Regis, Dorset. In the 1901 census he was aged 15, born Bourne Valley, Hampshire, a Carpenter's Labourer, son of Richard J and Mary J Cornick, resident Hollyrow Cottages, 6, Weymouth, Dorset. In the 1911 census he was aged 26, born Bourne Valley, Dorset, a General Labourer, son of Richard John and Mary Jane Cornick, resident Albion Cottage, Back of Union Place, Weymouth, Melcombe Regis, Dorset. No known grave. Commemorated on PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire. Panel 20.

For further information about this incident and details relating to Walter Cornick see the Lost in Waters Deep website, H.M.S. Negro section.

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Private No. 8428 Wiltshire (Duke of Edinburgh’s Own) Regiment 2nd Battalion. Born at Holt, Dorset in April 1897, son of William Cox, a labourer, and his wife Caroline nee Bryer. Is missing from the 1911 census suggesting that he had joined the Army by then, and was killed in action on 12th March 1915. Is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, France panels 33 and 34.

Corporal No. 145296 50th Battalion Machine Gun Corps and previously the 5th London Regiment No. 5059. Born in January 1883 in Weymouth, youngest son of Frederick Crabb, a tailor, and his wife Catherine nee Ellis. Was a tailor before joining the Army, and he died of war wounds at the American Hospital, Rouen France, and is buried or commemorated at St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen S.111.HH.17. His probate to his brother Percy Ellis Crabb on 16th December 1918 amounted to £729. 10s. - his address was 30 St. Thomas Street, Weymouth.

Stoker 1st Class No. K/29240 HMS Narborough, an ” M ” class destroyer built in 1916. Born at Yeovil, Somerset on 20th February 1895, son of George Creech, a labourer who died in 1908, and his wife Mary Hocking. In the 1911 census, George is listed aged 16 as an errand boy for a grocer, living with his widowed mother at 57 Franklin Road, Weymouth. On 22nd November 1915 George joined the Royal Navy as a stoker, and on 31st October 1917 he joined HMS Narborough under the command of Lieutenant Edmond M. Bowly. On the night of 12th January 1918, Narborough and her fellow destroyer HMS Opal were patrolling off the coast of Orkney in very bad weather, and were ordered to return to Scapa Flow. Owing to the awful weather, the wreckage of the two ships on rocks of Orkney were not found until two days later. 188 officers and men - the entire crew - were lost. George is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval memorial panel 30.

Lance Bombardier No. 334396. Born at Weymouth in July 1895, son of James John Croad, a joiner/carpenter, and his wife Mary Susan nee Warne. In the 1911 census, Walker was a baker’s assistant living at home with his parents at 111 Lulworth Terrace, Chickerell Road, Weymouth. He was killed in action serving with the 123rd Siege battery on 19th July 1918, and is buried at the Bellancourt Military Cemetery, Riviere, France in grave 111.B.2.

Leading Stoker No. K/10087 HMS Invincible. Born at Weymouth on 9th April 1892, with his mother listed on the baptism record as Hannah Croft, but no father. In January 1899 at Weymouth Hannah married Robert Frederick Grierson (was he Henry’s father) and in 1911 they were living at 1 Lower St. Edmund Street, Weymouth. By then Henry on 6th January 1911 had signed to join the Royal Navy as a stoker. He was noted as 5’ 4” tall and a shop assistant. Henry joined HMS Invincible on 27th January 1916, and in late May 1916, Invincible was part of Admiral Beatty’s 3rd Battlecruiser Squadron under the command of Rear Admiral Hon. Sir Horace Hood D.S.O. (later K.C.B.) in the Battle of Jutland. About 18. 30 hours on the 31st May 1916, a shell from the German battlecruiser ” Lutzow ” hit Invincible’s Q turret, and caused a massive ammunition explosion. She immediately broke into two, and sank within a minute - only six were saved and 1,025 officers and men lost their lives. Henry is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial panel 16.

Private No 10018 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Chilgrove, Sussex in October 1888, son of Edmund Croft, a farm shepherd, and his wife Fanny nee Barnes. By 1891, Edmund had died, and the family were living at Milborne St. Andrew Dorset. Fanny died in 1905 and in 1911 James was a farm carter lodging at Blandford Forum. On 22nd August 1914 he signed on to join the Dorsetshire’s, and died of Dysentry serving in the Gallipoli campaign on 17th September 1915. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey panels 137 - 140. His sister Rose Louise married Archibald R. Geddes in Weymouth in 1914, received his War Gratuity and they were living at East Street, Weymouth in 1920.

Private Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Born at Christchurch, Hampshire in April 1876 son of George Cross, a domestic coachman who died in 1921, and his wife Kate Cross who died in 1914. In 1911 the family were living at 47 Cromwell Road, Weymouth. Sidney was killed in action aged 39 on 9th May 1915 and was buried at Ration Farm Military Cemetery, La Chapelle-D’Armentieres, France grave V11.D.25.

Corporal No. 6853 8th Battalion Devonshire Regiment. Born at Bryher on isles of Scilly in 1884, son of William Henry Pitt Crouch and his wife Annie Maria nee Crocker, who died in 1912. In the 1911 census Percival was lodging in Weymouth working as a gas fitter, before late in 1911 he married Sarah L. Clark. William was killed in action on 14th July 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France pier / face 1C. Sarah later remarried to Charles L.E. Clark at Blandford in October 1919, and was living at 1 Belmond Terrace, Honiton, Devon.

Private No. 42311 2nd Battalion Berkshire (Princess Charlotte of Wales Own) Regiment. Born at Hammersmith, London on 3rd March 1899 son of Frederick John Croxford, an agent’s assistant selling oil cloth and jute who died in 1908, and his wife Emily Edith nee Taylor. In 1911 he was living with his widowed mother at 46 Somerset Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth. and died of war wounds on 25/26th April 1918. He is buried or commemorated on the Vignacourt British Cemetery France 1.F.17, when his mother was living at 27 Chelmsford Street, Weymouth.

Private No. 15039 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born in June 1891 in Pembrokeshire, Wales son of Thomas Crumplin, a Gunner in Royal Artillery who died in 1895, and his wife Emma nee Strode. They had married in Weymouth in 1886. In 1911 William was living with his widowed mother Emma at 4 Terrace Court, Weymouth working as a car man for a furnishing warehouse. He was killed in action on 26th September 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France pier and face 7B.

Private No. 15117 Connaught Rangers previously served No. 341 with Dorset R.E. Born at Weymouth in April 1892 son of Henry Edward Curling, a gardener who died in 1911, and his wife Emma Louise nee Stone. In the 1911 census Samuel was living with his family at 8 Albert Street, Weymouth, whilst working as a tailor, before in July 1916 at Weymouth he married Ada R. Burgess. Samuel was killed in action on 9th October 1918 aged 26 and is buried at Montry-Neuvilly Road Cemetery, Montry, France plot 1.F.14. His widow Ada was living at 9 Albert Terrace, Portland, Dorset.

Steward Mercantile Marine HMS Lynx died 1st September 1917 and buried Melcombe Regis cemetery grave A. 1556. The CWGC say his mother was Mrs E M Curtis of Walpole Street, and the Electoral Role for 1911 has George Edward Curtis at No. 3 Walpole Street, but no census record - away at sea ? I have failed to pin down this family. Reference to HMS Lynx is also a puzzle as that was sunk in 1915 - was he injured in it’s sinking after hitting a mine - 70 were killed but 26 of the crew survived ?

Private No. 5547 15th Battalion Australian Expeditionary Force. Born at Broadway, Weymouth in April 1877, son of William Curtis, in 1891 a hawker and greengrocer, and his wife Maria (Maud) Childs. Frederick served from 1899 to about 1908 in 12th Lancers No. 4614 and during that time I think he married, maybe abroad as no GRO record, Kate Osborne. In 1911 he was working as a hotel porter in Kennington, London with Kate and their two young daughters. At some point he left Kate and sailed to Australia as, on 24th January 1916, he signed at Brisbane to joined the A.I.F. He died on 25th August 1916 and is buried at Estaples Military Cemetery, France grave No. 1X.F.19A. It appears Kate remarried before he died to William Moore at Portsmouth in Jan - March 1915 and in 1921 they were living at 63 Suffolk Road, Eastney, Portsmouth.

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Private No. 592885 London Regiment (London Irish Rifles). Born in April 1891, son of Edward Damen, a coal merchant’s foreman, and his wife Phyllis Maria nee Harwood. In the 1911 census Edgar was living with his parents at 29 Chelmsford Street, Weymouth, and at St John’s church Melcombe Regis on 14th August 1911 he married Eliza Logsdail, when noted as a car driver. His death is presumed on or after 7th April 1917, and he is commemorated on Ypres Menin Gate Memorial, France panel 54. His widow Eliza was living at South Street, Stanstead Abbots, Ware Hertfordshire.

Petty Officer (Stoker) No. 286387 HMS Good Hope. Born at Woodsford, Dorset on 1st October 1878 son of George Richard Daniels, a farm labourer who died in 1910, and his wife Mary Ann nee Palmer. I did not find when he joined the Royal Navy, but in the 1901 census he was in Aden serving on HMS Juno, and in 1911 at Portsmouth Naval Base as a leading stoker. He was serving on HMS Good Hope, a Drake class armoured cruiser, under Captain Philip Francklin R.N. when, along with HMS Monmouth, they encountered the German battle cruisers Gneisenau and Scharnhorst under Admiral Graf Maximillian Von Spee. I what was named the Battle of Colonel, off the coast of Chile on 1st November 1914, both Good Hope and Monmouth were sunk by the German ships. There were no survivors from either ship or a total of some 1,530 officers and men were lost. John is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial panel 3.

Private No. 221 Royal Engineers - 1st 1st Dorset Field Company. Born at Birmingham, Warwickshire on 26th April 1894 son of Arthur Robert Davies, an electrician, and his wife Annie nee Perry who had married at Birmingham in December 1892. In the 1911 census, James was an apprentice engineer living with his parents in Birmingham. James died at Weymouth on 28th May 1916, his cause of death not known. He is buried in Weymouth cemetery grave B. “C” . 52. His parents were then living at 109 Chickerell Road, Weymouth.

[Later Munro Richard in Naval Records] Leading Stoker No. K/15254 HMS Penarth. Born 15th March 1894 at Weymouth, so of James Dench, a labourer, and his wife Charlotte Ellen nee Short. He is noted as a milkman when he joined the Royal Navy on 13th June 1912, and on 23rd January 1919 he joined HMS Penarth. She was an 800 ton Hunt class minesweeper employed on mine clearance in the North Sea, but on 4th February 1919, in fog and a snow storm, she hit a mine, exploded and sank. Two officers and 35 ratings including Munro died - only 7 survived. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial panel 32. His parents were living at 118 Abbotsbury Road Weymouth.

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Second Lieutenant 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Guildford, Surrey on 25th June 1889 son of retired Major Robert Dixon H.M. Reserve Forces who had been born in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia in 1859, and who died in 1912, and his wife Emma Annie nee Cutler, who had married at Aldershot, Surrey in 1878. Robert Jnr. was in the Clifton College, Bristol Cadet Force before joining the Royal Canadian Dragoons from about 1908 - 1911. He then joined the British South African Police for three years before, on 4th August 1914, he signed on to join the City of London Yeomanry (aka Rough Riders) until 15th March 1915 when he joined the Dorsetshires. At some point, possibly whilst serving abroad, he married Mabel Annie Jephcott, and in 1915 she was living at Upton Upon Severn, Worcestershire. Robert was killed in action in Mesopotamia, Iraq on 12th April 1916 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial, Iraq panels 22 and 63. His probate to his brother in law Alexander H. Payne R.N. and others issued in Edinburgh on 19th March 1920 had an estate worth £14,698. 18s. 6d.

Lance Sergeant No. 3/7649 ‘C’ Company 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at West Ham, London in 1883, son of Adolphus George Burt, a dock worker, and his wife Louisa Sophia Naylor who died in 1888. On 6th June 1909 John married Elsie Horsford Hartford at Melcombe Regis, and in 1911 they were living at 15 Chapelhay Street, Weymouth. He was killed in action on 1st July 1916 and is commemorated or buried at the Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuille, France 1.C.15.

Captain Royal Garrison Artillery, 1st Siege Brigade, 2nd Siege battery. Note CWGC has him as a Lieutenant but he was promoted Captain on 30th October 1914. Born at Isleworth, Middlesex on 24th November 1884, son of General Sir David Scott Dodgson K.C.B. (Bengal Staff Corps), who died in 1898, and his wife Lady Elizabeth nee Docker. He was educated at Summerfields near Oxford, Harrow school where he was Head of House, and Royal Military Academy Woolwich. Appointed as a Second Lieutenant on 21st December 1904, promoted Lieutenant on 21st December 1907 before, on 1st September 1908 at Paddington, London, he married Blanche Mary Leacroft of Derby. He was killed in action on 14th November 1914, and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, France panel 1. The London Gazette of 17th February 1915 recorded that he had been Mentioned in Despatches by Field Marshall Sir John Ffrench for “Gallant and distinguished service in the field.” On 26th February 1915 his probate was issued in London to his widow Blanche, giving his address as Red Barracks, Weymouth with an estate of £2,895. 9s.

Gunner No. 87010 30th Siege Battery, previously No. 4690 147 Battery RGA. Born October 1883 at Weymouth, son of Alfred George Dowell, a cab proprietor, and his wife Harriet nee Green. On 1st October 1904 at Holy Trinity church, Weymouth he married Rebecca Lily Churchill. In 1911 he was a cab driver and lived with Lily and children Lily aged 5 and Henry aged 1 at 1 Love Lane, Weymouth - later Arthur (1913) and John (1915) were born. He died of wounds received in action on 26th May 1917 aged 33, and is buried at the Red Cross Corner Cemetery, Beugny, France grave L.C.3.

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Private No. 240888 ‘B‘ Company 1/5th Battalion Welsh Regiment. Born at Downton, Wiltshire in June 1893, son of Albert James Downer and his wife Helena nee Grant. In 1901 and 1911 Albert was working in a gunpowder factory living in Fordingbridge, but the CWGC website records their address as 19 Argyle Road, Weymouth. He was killed in action on 26th March 1917 - some records say in Egypt, but the Register of Soldiers Effects says in Syria. He is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel panels 29 - 32.

Private No. 16336 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth in 1896, son of James Drake, a builder’s labourer, and his wife Sarah Samways. In 1911 Arthur was a butcher’s boy living at home with his parents at 78 Newstead Road, Westham, Weymouth. He was killed in action on 19th September 1918, and is buried or commemorated at the Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel F. 45. His father James died in late 1919.

Private No. 94133 1st Battalion King’s Liverpool Regiment. Born at Weymouth on 21st August 1888, son of James Albion Oliver, a fruit merchant, and his wife Blanche Oliver, who had married in Weymouth in July 1897. In 1911 the family were living at 60 St. Thomas Street, Weymouth. James Jnr. was killed in action on 16th April 1918 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France bay 3.

Private No. 8780 1st Dorsetshire Regiment, Born in April 1892 son of Harry Druitt, a market gardener, and his wife Elizabeth Summers. By the 1911 census George had already joined up and, aged 19, is listed at Frimley. He was killed in action in the first days of the Great war on 9th September 1914 aged 23, and is commemorated at Montreuil -Aux-Lions British Cemetery - special memorial panel, France. His parents were living at 64 Franklin Road, Westham, Weymouth.

Private No. 8148 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Lambeth, London in January 1888, son of Stephen Dudley who was an Able Seaman R.N. when he married Frances Louisa Summers in Weymouth in 1885, and settled in the town. John was a plasterer’s labourer when he signed on to join the Army in Weymouth on 25th October 1906. Recorded as having died on 22nd July 1916 as a prisoner of war at Mosul, Mesopotamia. Conditions there in the POW camp were very poor. ” Other Ranks ” were expected to work, so those fit for work were fed, but those not fit for work were not fed properly, and many died as a result. A later record suggests he died in hospital, without saying where. He is commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq panels 22 and 63. His younger brother Stephen also died in the Great War, just weeks after John. His parents were living at 84 Newstead Road, Westham, Weymouth.

Private No. 8644 ‘ F ‘ Company 2nd battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Southwark, London in January 1892, son of Stephen Dudley - see his older brother John above for family details. He was a town labourer when he signed on to join the Army on 18th December 1908, giving his age as 18 - in fact he was only 16. It says he had been serving in the 3rd Dorset Regiment Special Reserve. He was listed as ” Presumed Dead ” on 5th September 1916, only weeks after John had died. He is commemorated at Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Iraq XX1.C.15.

Private No. 310437 Royal Army Service Corps. Born at Weymouth in August 1886 son of Joshua Dunford, a bricklayer, and his wife Emily Groves who died in 1891. On 3rd October 1908 he married Florence Rendell in Weymouth and in the 1911 census they were living at 131 Abbotsbury Road, Weymouth, with Charles working delivering for a baker. On 12th December 1915 he signed on to join RASC, but was discharged as Unfit for Service on 17th August 1918. He died in Weymouth on 7th April 1919 and was buried at Weymouth Cemetery B. ” C ” 1794. His younger brother Sidney Albert also died during the Great War - see below.

Private 13944 Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria’s) 5th battalion. Born in December 1888 son of Joshua and Emily Dunford - see his brother Charles above for family details. On 24th May 1906 he signed to join GWR as an engine cleaner at Weymouth. Served also in Bristol and Tysley, ending as an engine fireman, before he was dismissed after 7 days notice on 12th October 1912 for leaving his engine, with the guard, spending 2 1/2 hours in a public house before they returned. At some point he joined the R I F, and was recorded having died of Dysentery on 10th November 1915 on board HM Hospital Ship Karpara, which was serving in the area of the Gallipoli Campaign. He is commemorated on the Dorian Memorial, Greece.

Trimmer No. T/S 6752 Royal Naval Reserve Hm M/L Lilicana. Born on 14th June 1891 in Weymouth, son of John Edward Dunn, a general labourer, and his wife Elizabeth Spencer. On 19th February 1910 he signed on to join the Royal Navy, but only served until 2nd February 1911. In the 1911 census he was back living with his family at 23 High Street, Weymouth working as a labourer. On 28th February 1915 he married Alice Elizabeth Hunt in Weymouth. Naval records say he died of unspecified disease on 29th October 1918 - his death was registered at Newhaven, Sussex, but he was buried back at Weymouth Cemetery grave B. ” C ” 190. His widow Alice remarried in Weymouth in April 1919 to Charles Owen Spencer, and they lived at 18 High Street, Weymouth.

Brigadier General C.M.G., D.S.O. Born at Wyke Regis, Weymouth on 28th August 1866, so of Captain later Rear Admiral James Wylie East and his wife Ruth Cunningham. In 1871 Ruth and family were living at Longhill Cottage, Wyke Regis whilst her husband was serving away at sea. Lionel was educated at Christs Hospital school and the Royal Military Academy Woolwich. Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in September 1885, he went to serve in India where he won the D.S.O. and was Mentioned in Dispatches. Whilst in India he married Margaret Reith Stephen on 22nd April 1897 at Shillong, Assam. He returned from India in 1909, and was appointed to command the Severn Defences. Posted to France in 1915, he was Mentioned in Despatches a further four times, and by 1918 was in command of the heavy artillery for X111 Corps. He is reported to have been shot on 6th September 1918 by a German sniper whilst out reconnoitring artillery positions. He was buried at Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, France grave X.D.1. He was also a member of the Russian Order of St. Stanislas. Probate was granted to his widow Margaret in London on 17th December 1918 and in Scotland on 6th February 1919 value of estate £3,941.15s. 9d.

Private No. 52309 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment. Born in Weymouth on 28th December 1888, son of Edgar John Eavis, a grocer’s assistant in 1891, and his wife Louisa Knight. In 1891 they were living at 2 Springfield Terrace, St Paul Weymouth, but by 1901 had moved to Selwood in Somerset where Edgar is listed as a farmer. Hubert was killed in action on 15th April 1918 and is commemorated on the Ploegstreet Memorial, Belgium panel 5.

Able Seaman No. 211149 - later Royal Naval Reserve No. B3728 HMS Doris. Born at Capel, Surrey sone of William Ede, a gardener, and his wife Jean Northlands Baker of Stylehurst, Capel, Surrey. On 22nd August 1900 he joined the Royal Navy as a boy sailor and served until 22nd April 1911, having it seems bought himself out, but the following day going the Royal Fleet Reserve. Reuben had married Kezia Stone at Weymouth on 11th April 1914. He joined HMS Doris, a light cruiser built in 1897, on 2nd August 1914, and is recorded as having died of a fractured skull (accident on board ship?) on 26th December 1916. He is buried at the Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Turkey / Gallipoli grave 1.101. His probate to his widow Kezia granted on 21st December 1923 gave an estate of £112. 19s. 2d, with Kezia living at 39 Franchise Street, Weymouth.

Private No. 8779 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Yeovil, Somerset on 4th April 1891 son of John Bird Edmonds, a bookmaker who died in 1902 and his wife Frances Sarah Gould. In 1891 the family were living at 1 Great Western Terrace, Yeovil, but by 1901 had moved to 9 Trinity Road, Weymouth. Alfred was noted as a carpenter when he signed on to join the Dorsetshires on 13th December 1909, having previously served in the 34th Dorset Regiment. He is recorded as missing presumed dead on or since 25th March 1917, and is commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq panels 22 and 63. His widowed mother was then living at 3 Hartford Terrace, Gloucester Street, Weymouth.

Private No. 20859 8th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment. Born at Weymouth on 5th April 1897 son of Tom Edwards, a carpenter, and his wife Eileen E. Edwards. In 1911 the family were living at 15 Prince of Wales Road, Weymouth. Frederick was killed in action on 18th November 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France bays 5A and 5B.

Private No. 27847 6th Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. Born at Weymouth about October 1896 son of Tom Ellis, a house painter, and his wife Elizabeth Stockting who died in 1909. In 1911 Thomas and his father were living at 22 Love Lane, Weymouth. Thomas was killed in action on 10th April 1917, and buried at Tigris Lane Cemetery, Wancourt, France grave 1.B. 3.

2nd. Lieutenant attached to 1st/20th Battalion London Regiment (First Surrey Rifles). A difficult family to track down, but I think George was born in London in 1896, son of Richard and Jane Eminson, who in 1911 were in Herefordshire with George aged 14. Jane is listed living at Lower Bond Street, Weymouth in 1920. George was killed in action on 1st September 1918, and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France panel 10.

Private No. 23456 4 Company 4th Battalion Grenadier Guards. Born at Weymouth in January 1891, son of Christopher, a gardener, and his wife Charlotte Jane Vaughan. In the 1911 census he appears to be a police constable in Dorchester and single. Has a wife Annie but no marriage found. Is killed in action presumed dead on 13th April 1918, and is commemorated on the Ploegstreet Memorial Belgium panel 1. His widow Annie’s address was 3 Edward Street, Weymouth.

Private No. 16484 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born in 1897 in Weymouth son of Henry Fidler, a gas stoker, and his wife Elizabeth Annie Pillar. In the 1911 census aged 14 is an errand boy living with the family at 11 Newstead Road, Weymouth. Recorded as ” Presumed Dead ” on 25th March 1917 and commemorated on the Basra memorial, Iraq panels 22 and 63.

Private No. 24114 ‘B’ Company 1st battalion Dorsetshire Regiment Born at Stratton St. Margaret, Wiltshire in 1898, son of Rev’d John W. Fish, a methodist minister, and his wife Tryphena Goddard who died in 1909. In the 1911 census Arthur was living with his father in Petersfield, Hampshire. He was killed in action on 11th August 1918 and is buried or commemorated on Bouchior New British Cemetery, France V1.E.27. His father’s address was then “Thelma” Salisbury Road, Blandford, Dorset. - NOTE assuming that this is correct as we cannot see a connection to Weymouth.

Second Lieutenant 13th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps. Born at Bournemouth, Hampshire on 24th January 1896, son of Frederick William Fleming, a crane driver for GWR, and his wife Ester Eleanor Selby. In 1911 Ernest is an outfitter’s apprentice living with his family at 34 Walpole Street, Weymouth. On 4th April 1918 he married Kathleen Ellen Davies at Weymouth. He was killed in action on 4th November 1918, a week before the Great War ended, and is buried or commemorated at Beaurain British Cemetery, France B.3. His widow Kathleen was living at 380 Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth.

Second Lieutenant 129th Brigade Royal Field Artillery, and before as Corporal Honourable Artillery Company No. 534. Born in Weymouth on 13th November 1887, son of Edward Fooks, a Registrar of Marriages when he died in 1915, and his wife Eliza Luckham, living at 37 St. Thomas Street, Weymouth. In 1911 Edward was an accountant for a timber merchant in London. Given a commission with R.F.A. on 25th February 1916, he was killed in action on 31st October 1916 aged 29. He is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial, Greece.

[Transcribed as P FOORD] Petty Officer Stoker No. 282139 HMS Bulwark. Born at Wyke Regis on 25th July 1875, son of Henry Ford, a labourer who died in 1910, and his wife Eliza Marshallsay Baggs who died in 1909. They lived at Glebe Cottage, Wyke Regis. He signed on to join the Royal Navy on 1st February 1896, and on 5th November 1905 he married Emma Maria Russell at Wyke Regis. On 1st August 1914 he joined HMS Bulwark a battleship commissioned in 1902. In July 1915, when moored near Sheerness on the River Medway under the command of Captain Guy Sclater, a cordite fire which happened about 8 am as the crew were going to breakfast caused a massive explosion of ammunition which blew the ship apart. Some 800 officers and men were killed including Fred, and his body was never found. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial panel 3.

Private No. 242277 10th Battalion Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment. Born at Melcombe Regis in July 1882 son of Henry John Fox who died in 1896, and his wife Dorcas Emma Davis who died in 1918. He married Fanny Rixton at Melcombe Regis on April 11th 1910, but was killed in action on 25th October 1918 aged 34. He is commemorated on the Heestert Memorial, Belgium panel B.12. His widow Fanny was living at 11 Abbotsbury Road, Westham, Weymouth.

Armourer’s Crew No. M/6421 HMS Pegasus. Born in Weymouth on 4th June 1894, son of William Frampton, licensee of Phoenix Inn at 4 Great George Street, Weymouth, and his wife Sarah Dowell Bird. Alfred joined the Royal Navy on 16th June 1910, and in 1911 was a boy telegraphist at Devonport in training, but later was switched to gunnery. He was posted to HMS Pegasus on 14th February 1914; she was a Pelorus class cruiser built in late 1890s, and on 26th November 1914 was at Zanzibar under Captain John A. Inglis having maintenance work. Early that morning she was found by the German cruiser Konigsberg which attacked. Outgunned HMS Pegasus was disabled after just eight minutes, with the loss of 38 killed and 55 wounded. Alfred is buried at Zanzibar’s Grave Island cemetery. His father William was still running the Phoenix Inn in 1921.

Lance Corporal No 8850 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born on Portland, Dorset in December 1889, son of John Gardner, formerly Royal Engineers and later a civil guard at Portland Prison, and his wife Augusta Teresa Thomas whom he married in 1863. Augusta died on Portland in June 1895 and John then married Annie Spracklen on 22nd January 1897. It seems Robert joined the Army aged 14 in 1904, and died on 18th November 1918 (of war wounds ?) and is buried or commemorated at Mazargues War Cemetery, Merseilles, France 1V.B.19.

Driver No. 2020 3rd / 3rd Wessex Brigade Royal Field Artillery. Born at Bridport, Dorset in January 1898 son of John Thomas Garrett, a market gardener, and his wife Ada Tewkesbury. In 1911 the family were living at “ Barnshayes “ Walditch, Bridport. Arthur died at home of unspecified illness on 6th November 1915 aged 18, and was buried on 11th July at Walditch (St Mary’s) Cemetery extension. The Weymouth connection = Arthur’s mother Ada was born at Chickerell, Weymouth.

[Transcribed as J GALE] Private 10626 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Woodsford, Dorset in 1894 son of John Gale, a shepherd and farm labourer, and his wife Mary Way. In 1911 the family were living at Bincombe, Weymouth. Arthur died of war wounds on the 7th October 1918 aged 24, and was buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, France grave LXV1. H. 10.

Lieutenant No 443251 54th Battalion Canadian Infantry. Born at Gibraltar on 6th June 1880, son of Richard Luther Geddes of Royal Engineers. His mother is said by CWGC and Army records to be Rebecca Earl whom Richard married at Brompton, Kent on 13th March 1870. She died in Yorkshire July - Sept. 1885 aged 35, and Richard then married Eliza Clewes at Weymouth in Apr - June 1889. In the 1891 census Richard Snr. is caretaker of The Nothe Fort at Weymouth. In 1899 Richard Jnr. signed to join the Dorsetshire Regiment No. 5895, ending up after 12 years as a Sergeant when he was discharged. He then sailed for Canada where on 24th March 1913 at Kamloops, British Columbia he married Agnes Elizabeth Bevan. He enlisted in the Canadian Infantry on 28th September 1915 at Vernon Camp, British Columbia, and is reputed to have been shot and killed by a sniper on 7th September 1917. He is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial, France. His widow Agnes was living at 738 Nicola Street, Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada.

Second Lieutenant Oxon and Bucks Light Infantry 2nd / 4th Battalion. Son of Charles Gefeall who was born in Baden, Germany in 1829 and was a carpenter, inn keeper at the Turks Head Inn in 1881 and later a lodging house keeper in 1901, before he died at Weymouth in 1906. He married Caroline Tizard in Weymouth on 20th October 1872. In the 1911 census George was living with his widowed mother at 11 Market Street, Weymouth working as a boot dealers shop assistant. He married Annie M. Waby in Weymouth early in 1913 before he joined the Army. He served in both the Devonshire and Dorsetshire Regiments as a Sergeant before joining the Oxon and Bucks. He was killed in action on 23rd March 1918, and is commemorated on the Posers Memorial panels 50 and 51. His probate to Annie his widow on 19th July 1918 left £126. 6s 2d.

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Private No. 23459 9th Battalion Cheshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth on 11th January 1896, son of William Gibson, a mariner, and his wife Maria Shepherd who died in 1908. In 1901 the family were living at 2 Chapel Row Weymouth, but after Maria died William Str. remarried at Liverpool on 12th December 1908. In 1911 he was on board ship in London Docks, and then died aboard the SS Red Rose at Falmouth Docks on 29th December 1912. William Jnr. is absent from the 1911 census and I suspect with his widowed father away sailing that he joined the Army as a boy soldier. He is listed as "Presumed Dead" on 6th June 1918 aged 20, and is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial, France. His younger brother Edward J. Gibson was living at 77 Alt Street, Liverpool having served as a Sergeant No. 1658 in the Royal Army Medical Corps during the Great War.

Sergeant No. 11146 1st formerly 6th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Richmond, Yorkshire in July 1893 son of Samuel Jobe Gilchrist, a hotel worker, and his wife Lily Elizabeth Collins. In 1911 Samuel Jnr. was a hotel worker in Eastbourne, Sussex before in 1914 enlisting into the Army. He was killed in action on 18th November 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France panel 7B. His parents were living at 7 Gloucester Row, Weymouth.

Private No. 631 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders. Born in January 1890 in Weymouth son of Caleb Gill, a watch and clock maker, and his wife Sarah Ann Hanman, when the family were living at 1 Lennox Street, Weymouth. Caleb died in 1905 and William is not with his mother in the 1911 census, so I suspect that he had joined the Army. He died on 6th November 1914 aged 24, and is buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France 111.B.33. His parents lived at 33 Ranelagh Road, Weymouth.

Private No. 29253 1st/6th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Born at West Coker Somerset in January 1893, son of Samuel John Gillim, a farm labourer, and his wife Annie Sartin. In 1891 the family were living at North Lane, Hardington Mandeville, Somerset before Samuel Snr. died in 1905. In 1911 Samuel Jnr. was working as a farm labourer boarding at English Coombe, Somerset. At some point Samuel Jnr. enlisted at Yeovil, Somerset to join the Dorsetshire Regiment No. 12803, before transferring to the Royal Warwicks. He was killed in action on 27th August 1917 and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium panels 23 - 28.

Private No. 3/7125 1st Dorsetshire Regiment. Born 6th December 1894 son of Alfred Charles Glover and his wife Sarah Ann Owens. In 1881 he father was a leading stoker in the Royal Navy but by 1911 was an engineman working at Whitehead’ s Torpedo Works, and living at 108 Dorchester Road, Weymouth. I think young Alfred signed to join the Dorset Reserve on 10th February 1913, whilst working as a butcher’s assistant aged 18, before transferring to the Dorsetshires. He was killed in action on 13th March 1915 and is commemorated on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial panel 37 in Belgium.

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Private No. TF/262690 3rd/10th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge’s Own). Born at Weymouth in July 1887, son of Henry Russell Golden, an insurance agent, and his wife Elizabeth Samways. Their address in 1911 was 47 Abbotsbury Road, Weymouth, when son Frederick was lodging in Bournemouth working as an hairdresser’s assistant. In the quarter Apr-June 1912 Frederick married Ethel Maud Shorey at Weymouth. Frederick is listed as "Missing Presumed Dead on or after 4th October 1917" at Langemark, Belgium and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial there panels 113-115. His probate to his widow Ethel living at 33 Suffolk Place, Bournemouth on 20th November 1918 was for £235. 10s 8d.

Chief Stoker No. 290035 HMS Gilia. Born at Dorchester, Dorset on 21st May 1877, son of Alfred John Grant, a soldier, and his wife Alice, and he was baptised at Christ Church, West Fordington on 2nd June 1878. His parents were John Grant, serving with Royal Horse Artillery at Fordington Barracks (born 1851 father John Grant a farm labourer), and Alice Dunesbury aged 21 who married at Christ Church, West Fordington on 10th November 1878. William joined the Royal Navy on 13th September 1898 and had a long and distinguished service. He married Frances May Fox at Hooke, Dorset on 23rd April 1904, whilst serving on HMS Naiad. He died of broncho-pneumonia at Malta Hospital on 19th March 1919 whilst serving on HMS Gilia, and was buried in Capuccini Cemetery, Malta grave 438. His widow Frances was living at 17 Love Lane, Rodwell, Weymouth.

Lieutenant 3rd attached to 1st Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Orcheston, Wiltshire in September 1895, only son of Herbert Green, gentleman living on own means, and his wife Clara Beatrice Eddowes. Their address in 1911 was "Massandra," Greenhill, Weymouth. He died on 6th July 1916 of wounds received in battle on 1st July. Is buried at Puchvillers British Cemetery, France 1.B.52.

Private No. 30906 8th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry. Born at Chester, Cheshire in October 1899, son of Bryan Gabriel Green, a GWR Goods Guard and his wife Rosa Wood of 4 Argyle Road, Weymouth in 1911. It seems he may have also served in the Dorsetshire Regiment No. 43235 (Medal Lists) having enlisted at Dorchester. He died aged 18 on 23rd August 1918 and is buried at Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezancourt, France grave 1V.F.33.

Private No 6463 Australian Expeditionary Force 10th Battalion. Born at Port Adelaide in South Australia in March 1891, so of Robert Groves and his wife Cecelia Brown. Robert appears to have been born in Weymouth and baptised at Melcombe Regis on 24th July 1859, son of William Groves, a Petty Officer R. N. in 1861 and a Coastguard in 1871 living at 32 West Terrace, Weymouth. Some time in the 1870’s Robert sailed to Australia, and on 19th June 1884 he married George’s mother Cecelia at Port Adelaide. George was educated at Port Adelaide public school, and then worked for three years as a tin man, before he and brother Robert William Groves, born 1885, both enlisted for the A.I.F. on 13th April 1915. Their father Robert Groves died on 7th August 1915. George was awarded the Military Medal (M.M.) for extraordinary courage and devotion to duty on 28th June 1918, when he single handed took out three German gun positions with his Lewis gun, with no thought to his own safety. It enabled a successful counter attack to then be launched. He was wounded by an exploding German bomb (grenade) and died of his wounds on 31st July 1918. He is buried at Longuenesse (Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, France grave V.D. 21 His brother Robert William survived the War and died in Australia in 1966.

Private No. 10592 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth in September 1893, son of James Groves, a house plasterer who died in 1903, and his wife Fanny Thomas. In 1911 Frederick was a builder’s assistant, before on 2nd September 1914 he enlisted to join the Dorsetshires. He was killed in action on 26th September 1916 aged 22, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France panel 7B. In 1911 his widowed mother was living at 16 St Leonards Road, Weymouth, but when he died she was living at 50 High Street, Weymouth.

Gunner 25776, 128th Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Died of wounds 19 September 1914. Aged 30. Born Petworth, Sussex, enlisted Aldershot, Hants. Son of Mrs. W. Corps (formerly Hall), of "Ivelle," Baynards, Sussex; husband of Sarah Honor Wills Hall, of 30, Horsford St., The Nothe, Weymouth. In the 1901 census he was aged 16, born Tillington, Sussex, a Wine & Spirit Merchants Assistant, son of Ellen Corps, step-son of Williasm Corps, resident Mill Lane, Godalming, Guildford, Surrey. In the 1911 census he was aged 27, born Petworth, Sussex, a Domestic Butler, married to Sarah Hall (born Weym,oth) with two daughters, resident 42, Wellington Street, Ipswich, Suffolk. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 5 and 9.

Guardsman No. 19069 2nd Battalion Scots Guards. Born about 1886. The CWGC say he was born in Weymouth, but his father is not in 1881 census, and I think he may have been born in Kildare, Ireland. His father Matthew was also in the Scots Guards, born at Wimborne, Dorset about 1848 and I think died at Naas, Ireland in 1895. On 14th December 1876 he had married Euphemia Smart at Portland, Dorset whilst based at Folkestone, Kent. In 1882 Matthew was a Sergeant in the 1st Battalion Scots Guards in Egypt No. 3584. Euphemia died at Weymouth in 1910. Alexander appears in no census returns, except possibly in 1911 at St George’s Hanover Square, London a Private in 2nd Battalion Scots Guards, born at Kildare Ireland. He died in Surrey aged 33 on 14th August 1919 - his Army record just says "Died after Discharge" - was it the influenza pandemic? He is noted at Morden Cemetery, Surrey screen wall N.1201.

Captain, ‘D’ Battery, 125th Brigade Royal Field Artillery. Born at Radipole, Weymouth 21st November 1885, so of Albert Hallett, a stockbroker, and his wife Edith Blanche Shelton who died in 1914. He was educated at Weymouth College May 1900 to April 1902 where he was good at sports. Commissioned a Second Lieutenant on 24th October 1903, and promoted Lieutenant 5th June 1905. Served briefly in India Oct. to Dec. 1909 and then South Africa until 1914. Married Irene Gwendoline Hamilton at St. Luke’s church Kensington, London on 18th January 1914. Promoted Captain on 30th October 1914 and moved to France 30th July 1915. Reported to have been shot in the head and killed by a sniper on 2nd June 1916. Is buried at Bienvillers Military Cemetery France grave 1X.A.7. In 1911 his father’s address was 3 Westfield Road, Weymouth.

Private No. 31227 8th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry, previously No. 26134 North Somerset Yeomanry. Born at Weymouth in April 1897 son of Elijah Hansford, a carman, and his wife Frances May Blandamer. In 1911 he was an errand boy living at home with his parents at 18 Walpole Street, Weymouth. He enlisted at Weymouth on 27th August 1914 and was killed in action on 10th October 1918. He is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France panel 4.

Lance Corporal No. 31715 Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry previously No. 17251 Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Loders, Dorset in October 1889, son of Ben Robert Hansford, a dairyman, and his wife Emma Eliza Hawkins. In 1911 Percy was lodging at Litton Cheney, Dorset working as a driver. He was killed in action on 8th May 1917 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France Bay 6. In 1911 his parents were living at North Cottage, Osmington, Dorset.

[Also listed in some records as Charles James HARDING] Private No. 50094 8th Company Imperial Camel Corps. Born at Weymouth on 28th March 1896, son of Charles James Harding, a coal porter at GWR Docks, and his wife Martha Jane Foster. In 1911 he was aged 15 also a coal porter living with his parents at 8 Granville Road Flats, Weymouth. He was shot and killed in action on 1st May 1918, but his body was not recovered. He is commemorated on the Jerusalem, Israel Memorial panel 22.

Lieutenant Royal Engineers Born at Weymouth in January 1890 son of Calvin Hardy, a sadler who died in 1919, and his wife Laura Elizabeth Birtles. In 1911 the family were living at 59 St Thomas Street, Weymouth, but Edgar, having obtained a Batchelor of Arts degree at Birbeck College London, was living away working in London as a 2nd division clerk at the Board of Education. He was killed in action on 7th October 1918 and buried at Quarry Cemetery, Marquion, France grave F.2. Probate granted to his father on 12th February 1919 was for £941. 10s. 4d.

Private No. 916474 3rd Battalion Canadian Infantry Born at Radipole, Dorset on 27th June 1880, son of Walter James Harris, a gardener, and his wife Ellen Jane Lucas. In 1901 he was living at home with his parents at 2 Holyrood Terrace, Weymouth, working as a gardener like his father. On 20th November 1907 he married Georgina Westmacott Hayward (aka Jessie), and in 1910 the family sailed to Canada for a new life, living at 70 Marjory Avenue, Toronto, Ontario. On 27th March 1916, James enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force, but was killed, shot by a sniper, when acting as a stretcher bearer on 30th August 1918. He was buried at Quebec Cemetery, Cherisy, France grave B. 5. Jessie remaining living in York, Ontario, married Maurice Goodman in September 1921, and died in 1949.

Sapper No. 285138 ‘G’ Depot Company Royal Engineers. Born at Weymouth in October 1874 son of Joseph Lovelace Hart, a carpenter who died in 1916, and his wife Emmeline Isabel Louisa Fisher. In July 1897 Frederick married Fanny Hyde at Dorchester, and in 1911 they were living at 1 Franchise Street, Weymouth, when he was working as a bricklayer. His Army records says he died of earlier wounds at 2nd Southern General Hospital, Bristol, and was buried at Weymouth Cemetery grave No. B. ” C ” . 2044.

Lance Corporal No. 9434 1st Hampshire Regiment. Son of Edward Hatton, a carpenter/joiner, and his wife Anna Eliza Dunn. In the 1911 census he is listed as a baker’s assistant living at home with his parents at 45 Walpole Street, Weymouth. Joined Royal Navy as an Officer’s Steward from 10th March 1912 to 10th August 1913. He was killed in action on 12th December 1914 aged 20 and is buried at the Lancashire Cottage Cemetery, Belgium grave I.C.17. Note CWGC record him as a Private, but his Army death record says Lance Corporal.

Private No. 10864 2nd Hampshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth on 21st May 1892. Son of Harry Hawker, a cab proprietor, and his wife Annie Elizabeth Marks. In 1911 Thomas was lodging at 9 St. Mary’s Street, Weymouth as a servant/pawnbroker’s boy, whilst his parents were living at 16 Great George Street, Weymouth. Thomas died of wounds on 14th April 1917, and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial France, bay 6.

Second Lieutenant 521 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. Born at Maiden Newton, Dorset on 5th September 1892, son of Thomas Barling Hawkes, a cabinet maker and upholsterer, and his wife Annie Stroud Humphrey, who died in 1894. In 1911 Gerald was a trainee Civil Servant living at home with his father at "Savernake," 13 Rodwell Avenue, Weymouth. From 9th October 1914 to 18th May 1915 he was a clerk with Anti-Aircraft Corps No. AA386 of Royal Naval Reserve. He married Frances Bessie Hawkes at West Fordington on 21st November 1917, and died of war wounds on 3rd July 1918, being buried at Aire Communal Cemetery France grave 111.G.34. Probate was given to his widow Bessie on 11th November 1918 for £446. 9s. 9d. She was living at 12 Cornwall Road, Dorchester.

[Memorial, CWGC and RN records have George Arthur but he was christened Alfred George at Holy Trinity church Weymouth on 26th April 1889, son of William and Sarah Hawkins.] Petty Officer Stoker No. K.13040 on HMS Nestor born on 10th June 1888. His father William Henry Hawkins was a Carpenter Lieutenant R.N. serving from 11th March 1885 to 12th January 1907, and he married Sarah Stone at Wyke Regis on 15th December 1878. William died at Weymouth in January 1919. Alfred first signed on for the Royal Navy on 11th June 1906 until 15th June 1911, then again on 12th October 1911. In the 1911 census he was lodging at Portsmouth as an Upholsterer. He married Catherine Georgina Lavinia Adams at Melcombe Regis on 21st February 1915. Alfred joined HMS Nestor on 29th April 1916, and a month later she was involved in the Battle of Jutland. She was an "M" class destroyer under Commander Edward Bingham, and ordered with other ships to make a torpedo attack on the German battle fleet on 31st May 1916, but was sunk by their gunfire. Only six men died, amongst them was Albert Hawkins. His widow Catherine was living at 33 Harley Street, Fratton, Hampshire. Note his older brother John Charles Hawkins was also killed at sea - see below.

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Petty Officer Stoker No. 306008 HMS Hampshire Born at Weymouth on 8th February 1884 son of William Henry and Sarah Stone - see his younger brother Alfred above. Signed for the Royal Navy on 15th February 1904 and had a very good conduct record throughout. Married Charlotte Victoria Dench at Holy Trinity church, Weymouth on 6th August 1908, when he was serving on HMS Good Hope based at Portland. Joined HMS Hampshire on 27th January 1914. In June 1916 Hampshire was under the command of Captain Herbert J. Savill, and was ordered by the Government to take Field Marshall Lord Kitchener on a fact finding mission to Russia, but on 5th June 1916 off Marwick Head, Orkney, she is thought to have struck a mine about 8 pm. 737 officers and men, including Lord Kitchener and his staff of 13, all died, and there were just 12 survivors. His widow Charlotte was then living at 36 Crescent Street, Weymouth.

Private No. 466726 8th Battalion Canadian Infantry. Born in Weymouth on 9th March 1894, son of Henry Robert Hayman, a hairdresser and barber, and his wife Harriet Jane Miall Pierce who died in 1914. In 1911 the family were living at 58 St Thomas Street, Weymouth, including 17 year old Sydney. I do not know when he sailed to Canada, but in Edmonton, Alberta on 19th July 1915 he enlisted in the Canadian Infantry. He is noted as being in Rouen Hospital France on 16th September 1916 suffering from shell shock, and was reported missing believed killed later confirmed on 28th April 1917. He is commemorated on the Vimy Canadian Memorial, France.

Gunner No. RMA 10966 Royal Marines HMS Vanguard Born at Ash, Surrey son of John Hebbern, a railway plate layer, mother not known. Enlisted into the Royal Marines on 5th September 1904, and on 17th August 1908 married Beatrice Ethel Mead at Holy Trinity church, Weymouth. He was aboard HMS Vanguard moored at Scapa Flow, Scotland on the evening of 9th July 1917 when an internal cordite fire caused a massive explosion of ammunition which blew the ship to pieces. Of 845 officers and men aboard, only three survived. His widow Beatrice was living at 8 East Row, Leonards Row, Chapelhay, Weymouth. In the 1911 census his unmarried father John was living at 2 Junction Cottages, Ash, Surrey.

Private 3rd Dorsetshire Regiment No 3/7395 Born at Weymouth in June 1869, son of George Herridge, a haulier who died in 1885, and his wife Rebecca Pitman. Enlisted in the Dorsetshire Regiment in 1888 No 2656, and in 1891 was with 2nd battalion at Plymouth Barracks. Married Alice Croft at Broadway, Weymouth on 15th December 1896, whilst working as a groom. In 1911 was a coachman whilst living with his family at 11 St Leonards Road, Weymouth. Re-enlisted and embarked on 23rd October 1914 as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France. Army records list his death at home in Weymouth as due to “B.I.F.” - presumably wounds received in action. He died 9th November 1915 and was buried at Melcombe Regis cemetery grave 111.C.3887. In 1921 his widow Alice and two children were living at 14 Worstfall Street, Chelsea, London.

Squadron Sergeant Major No. D/20357 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers). Born at Sherborne, Dorset in January 1884 son of William Higgins, a railway plate layer who died in 1911, and his wife Annie Amelia Wheadon. In 1901 the family were living at Dorchester Road, Upway and Joe aged 17 was working as a railway engine cleaner.
Details of his Army career are unclear but he arrived in France on 6th August 1914. He was killed in action on 26th August 1918, and was buried at Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval, France grave XX11.M.6. He was twice Mentioned in Despatches and was awarded the Medal Militaire (France).

possibly HILLYAR Albert Edward Victor Corporal No. 13146 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Maiden Newton, Dorset in January 1893, son of Thomas, a farm labourer, and his wife Fanny Fowler who had married in Dorchester in the quarter Apr-June 1893. In 1911 Albert was a dairy boy at home with his parents at Tincleton, Dorset aged 19. He enlisted on 13th April 1915, suggesting he had previously served in the Dorset Regiment, but no details, and died of war wounds on 18th August 1917. Is buried ay Mendinghem Military Cemetery Belgium grave 111.F.20.

Private No. 9747 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Dalston, London about February 1897, son of Eleanor Yeatman and stepson of Wilfred Yeatmen, a baker, whom she matted at Sherborne, Dorset in Jan-March 1908. In 1911 they were living at 77 Franklin Road, Westham, Weymouth. Edward enlisted on 4th May 1914 having previously served in the 3rd Dorset Regiment, when he was a dairyman. He was killed in action on 6th June 1915 and is commemorated on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium panel 37.

possibly HILLS James Henry Private No. 7311 1st/19th Battalion London Regiment. Previously No. 22199 Somerset Light Infantry. Born at Weymouth about October 1894 son of James Hills, a Gunner R.A. and Council worker, and his wife Annie Adams. In 1911 the family were living at 59 Chickerell Road, Weymouth, with James Jnr. an apprentice carpenter. By 1915 he had moved to London where he enlisted at Tottenham on 26th May 1915, but was killed in action on 5th January 1917 aged 22 and buried at Bedford House Cemetery, Belgium enclosure / grave 41. E. 12.

Private No. 19144 3rd Battalion Wiltshire (duke of Edinburgh’s Own) Regiment. Born at Kingston St Mary, Wiltshire on 24th September 1878, son of George William Hobbs, a farm labourer, and his wife Annie Hillier. On 5th June 1907 at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk he married Violet May Kemp whilst working as a butler in Herefordshire. In 1911 they were living at Church Street, Beaminster, Dorset where he was an agent for Prudential Insurance, but by 1913 they had moved to 10 kempston Road. Weymouth. William died at Radipole Isolation Hospital on 12th July 1915, and is buried at Weymouth cemetery grave B. "C" 2171. William’s probate on 9th August 1915 to his widow Violet at 10 Kempston Road was worth £208.

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Sapper No. 164709 202nd Field Company Royal Engineers. Born in July 1884 at Weymouth son of Thomas Holland, a labourer, and his wife Leah Moors. Married Lydia Moggeridge in Dorchester in January 1907 when the family were living at 26 Hope Street, Weymouth. By 1911 had moved to Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire where he was an engine cleaner in an iron works. He died at No 20 Casualty Clearing Station in France on 21st November 1916, and is buried at Warlincourt Haute British Cemetery, France grave 111.G.13.

Private No. 69943 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment. Note CWGC has George Walter, but he was christened George Watkins Walter at Charlton Horethorne, Somerset on 5th October 1884, son of Charles Holland, a farm labourer, and his wife Rose Brine. In 1911 he was lodging at Trent, Dorset working as a Groom, before it seems marrying Rosie May Law at Market Harborough, Leicestershire in the quarter July-Sept. 1911. He died of wounds on 27th October 1918 and is buried at Etaples Military cemetery, France grave LXX1.F.5. His widow Rosie was living at 26 Queen Street, Yeovil, Somerset.

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Gunner No. 42923 150th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. Born at Yeovil, Somerset on 23rd February 1886, son of John Hooper, a carter and farm worker who later died at Yeatman Hospital, Sherborne on 5th November 1911, and his wife Jane Toogood. I think he enlisted in the R F A in 1901 having lied about his age saying he was 18 and born at Wincanton - he thus appears in the 1901 census. He was killed in action on 21st March 1918 and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France panel 10. His mother Jane was recipient of his War Gratuity when she was then living at Stalbridge, Dorset after husband John had died. Thomas’s younger brother William also died in the Great War - see below.

Lance Corporal No. 12241 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment, son of John and Jane Hooper above, born at Shepton Mallet, Somerset on 7th February 1888. In 1911 he was a police constable with Metropolitan Police boarding at Wandsworth, London. He was killed in action on 26th September 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France pier/face 7B. His mother Jane received his War Gratuity.

Sapper No. 29959 6th Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers. Born about August 1880 at Swindon, Wiltshire son of Thomas Charles Hopkins, a railway clerk for G.W.R., and his wife Eleanor Wilson. In the quarter Jan-March 1911 Charles married Emily Pitman at Weymouth. He died at Weymouth (no reasons known) on 8th February 1915 and is buried at Weymouth Cemetery grave B. "C". 2288. His widow Emily was living at 77 Chickerell Road, Weymouth, and his parents at "Fairfield", 41 Goddard Avenue, Swindon.

Captain 4th Reserve Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Allington, Bridport in 1868 son of Charles, a net worker who died in 1879, and his wife Emma. Enlisted at Dorchester on 19th October 1886 in Devonshire Regiment No. 2274. Married Ellen Neal at Bombay, India on 24th March 1894 but died at Military Hospital, Waterside, Derry, Ireland on 6th October 1918 ( cause not known ). Probate to his widow Ellen at 5 Aldhelm Villas, Victoria Park, Dorchester on 16th December 1918 was for £521. 12s. 2d. - but what is the Weymouth connection ?

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Private No. 19016 2nd Battalion Wiltshire (Duke of Edinburgh’s Own) Regiment. Born at Frome, Somerset in April 1890 son of Edward Charles Houlton who worked for a tailor and his wife Hannah (aka Annie) Singer, who lived at Rose Cottage, 11 Summerhill, Frome in 1911 when William was there as a hairdresser - later his parents lived at 5 Victoria Street, Weymouth. William was killed in action on 8th July 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France Pier/Face 13A.

Private No. 5871 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Maiden Newton, Dorset in September 1882, son of George W. House, a railway worker, and his wife Sarah Jane Palmer. Married Catherine Teresa Winter early in 1908, and in 1911 they were living at 6 Rodwell Street, Weymouth, when Samuel was working at the dockyard, but later lived at 5 Franchise Street, Weymouth. Samuel’s date of death is recorded as "not known - before 13th October 1914". He is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, France panels 122 and 23.

Private No. 75862 “B“ Battalion, Royal Tank Corps. Born at Gloucester, Gloucestershire in November 1891, son of John Edward Hullett, a solicitor’s managing clerk, and his wife Sarah Kate Herbert. In 1911 was in lodgings as a bank clerk at Torquay, Devon, before he enlisted at Weymouth - was he then a bank clerk there ? He joined Royal Fusiliers No. 20221, before moving to the Tank Corps. His death is listed as “presumed on or since 23rd November 1917“ aged 26 and he is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial at Louveral, France panel 13. His probate to his father John on 10th July 1919 was for £727. 12s. His parents were living at 114 Charminster Road, Bournemouth, Dorset.

Private No. 49627 2nd Battalion Canterbury Regiment of New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Born at Weymouth on 26th June 1886, son of William Stroud House, an outfitter’s manager, and his wife Mary Ann Stocks. In 1891 the family were living at 6 Franchise Street, Weymouth, but by 1901 were then living in Scarborough, Yorkshire. The CWGC website records “Sidney relinquished a good position and prospects in Penang, Straits Settlements to voluntarily enlist in New Zealand”. There is a sailing record for Sidney travelling to Penang on 18th September 1915 on P and O ship SS Mongolia. He is missing from the 1911 census, suggesting he left UK before then. He had been in New Zealand for one week only when he enlisted on 10th March 1917 at Christchurch in the NZEF. He had been serving 5 years in Penang Volunteers, and was an outfitter in Penang for Pritchard and Co. He was killed in action on 4th September 1918, and is buried or commemorated at Beaumetz Crossroads Cemetery Beaumetz-Les-Cambrai, France F.19. His probate issued in London to John Howard Saunders on 6th August 1919 was for £570. 10s 11d. His parents were then living at 12 Dungar Terrace, Kingstown, Ireland.

Corporal No. 551368 Canadian Light Horse. Born at Weymouth on 12th February 1893 son of Thomas, a retired Army pensioner, and his wife Elizabeth Webb. In the 1911 census Arthur is living with his mother at 13 Walpole Street, Weymouth employed as a shop porter. His father, who was a retired Sergeant in the Royal Artillery, is recorded at the Dorset County Asylum where he died in 1915. He was not with the family in the 1901 census suggesting he had been a long term patient there. At some point, Arthur then sailed to Canada. On 21st January 1915 he enlisted in the Canadian Army recorded as a farmer. On the night of 3rd/4th November 1917 he was in charge of a party withdrawing 8 machine guns. He kept the party well organised, withdrawing all the guns successfully, and then going back to round up several wounded stragglers. He was thus awarded the Military Medal (M.M.) on 23rd February 1918. He died of influenza and pneumonia on 6th November 1918, and is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery, France XL1X.C.16.

Able Seaman No. 208702 HMS Invincible Born at Wyke Regis, Dorset on 6th March 1884, son of William Ironside, a farm labourer, and his wife Ester Pitcher. Joined the Royal Navy on 5th March 1900 as a Boy Sailor and in 1901 was at Portland on HMS Safflower, a training ship. Joined HMS Invincible on 3rd August 1914. In late May 1916, Invincible was part of Admiral Beatty’s 3rd Battlecruiser Squadron under the command of Rear Admiral Hon. Sir Horace Hood D.S.O. (later K.C.B.) in the Battle of Jutland. About 18. 30 hours on the 31st, a shell from the German battlecruiser “Lutzow” hit Invincible’s Q turret, and caused a massive ammunition explosion. She immediately broke into two, and sank within a minute - only six were saved and 1,025 officers and men lost their lives. Charles is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial panel 13. His parents were living at 56Franklin Road, Weymouth.

Drummer No. 6753 Royal Naval Reserve Born at Weymouth on 2nd October 1889, oldest son of Charles Jackett, a general labourer, and his wife Susanna Helena Pavey. In 1911 is a labourer living at 9 Newstead Road, Weymouth, before he married Lucy Amelia Read at Yeovil, Somerset in November 1914. I could not find him on the CWGC website, so wonder when he died in Weymouth on 10th January 1920 it was from the influenza pandemic? Sadly his younger brothers Charles and William also died in the Great War.

Private No. 26725 2nd Battalion Wiltshire (Duke of Edinburgh’s Own) Regiment - formerly No. 17538 of Dorsetshire Regiment. Born in Weymouth in October 1897, son of Charles and Susanna Jackett - see above. In 1911 was living with the family working as a grocer’s errand boy. He was killed in action on 9th April 1917, and is buried at Wancourt British Cemetery, France V.G.31.

Private No. 10342 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth in June 1895 son of Charles and Susan Jackett above. In 1911 was boarding at Fontmell Magna with the Park family and working as a Farm Carter, before on 5th September 1914 he enlisted. His death is recorded as presumed on or after 21st August 1914 and he is commemorated on the Helles Gallipoli Memorial, Turkey panels 137 - 140.

Private No. 16908 Canadian Corps. Cyclist Battalion. Born at Dover, Kent in July 1893 son of James Arthur Jackson, an accounts clerk, and his wife Katherine Elizabeth Purchase, who had married at Melcombe Regis on 2nd September 1890. In 1911 they were living at 20 Abbotsbury Road, Weymouth, but Arthur was absent. He is missing from 1911 census, and I think arrived in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada in July 1914. On 5th November 1916 he was admitted to Kamloops Hospital, British Columbia with pulmonary tuberculosis complicated by acute pneumothorax, dying there on 19th January 1917. He is buried in Kamloops (Pleasant St.) cemetery B.D. P.5. L.11 (North). His parents were living at 7 Dorchester Road. Weymouth.

Private No. 66913 Royal Army Medical Corps 100th Field Ambulance Corps. Born at Weymouth in 1891 son of Thomas William Jarvis, a coal carrier, and his wife Emily Churchill. In 1911 was a mason’s labourer living with the family at 63 Franklin Road, Weymouth. Enlisted on 16th October 1915 and he was killed in action on 25th March 1918. Is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France bay 10. His younger brother Thomas Francis Jarvis also appears below on the Roll of Honour.

Private No. T/36192, Army Service Corps. Born at Dorchester in April 1896 son of Thomas and Emily Jarvis above. In the 1911 census he was aged 15, born Dorchester, Dorset, an Errand boy in clothier shop, son of Thomas William Jarvis and Emily Jarvis, brother of Arthur Charles (above), resident 63, Franklin Road, Weymouth, Dorset. His enlistment form in Weymouth on 6th January 1915 was styled Thomas Frank Jarvis, aged 18 years 9 months, unmarried, born Dorchester, enlisted as T/36192, No. 1 Depot Company, Army Service Corps, son of Thomas William Jarvis, a coal carrier, and his wife Emily Churchill. Height 5 feet 8½ inches, weight 127 lbs, chest 32-33¾ inches, healthy complexion, blue eyes, bown hair, religious denomination Churc of England. Discharged 13th July 1915 under Para 392 (iii) King's Regulations, due to heart problems. He died aged 22 1st July 1918 in Weymouth, Dorset, buried in Abbotsbury Road Cemetery, Weymouth, Dorset. Not found on the CWGC website as he had been discharged. His brother, Arthur Charles Jarvis also appears above on the Roll of Honour.

Sapper No. 77109 Royal Engineers 25th Air Line Section Signal Company. Born at Weymouth in December 1894, son of William James Samuel Jeffery, a printer/compositor and post master of Chapelhay Post Office, and his wife Emma Harriet Snook. Charles died on 18th July 1916, cause not known, and is buried at the Basra War cemetery, Iraq grave V.V.8. Note although CWGC suggests his father had died, records say he died in 1923 in Weymouth.

Private No. 275255 1st Garrison battalion Somerset Light Infantry, and previously No. 3775 Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Chickerell, Dorset on 2nd February 1895 son of Charles Robert Jolliffe, a Painter, and his wife Mary Jane Walbridge. Joined Royal Navy on HMS Inflexible from 2nd July 1910 to 11th October 1910 No. L2030, then was an errand boy at home in 1911 with his parents at 70 South View, Westham, Weymouth. He died in Singapore on 11th October 1918, cause not known, and is buried at Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore grave 37.F.19.

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Private No. 37326 2nd/6th Gloucestershire Regiment Born at Weymouth in June 1890 son of William Joseph Keats, a cabinet maker, and his wife Elizabeth Susan Frampton. In the 1911 census he is boarding at Sanford, Poole working as a cabinet maker like his father. In May 1911 he married Emily Ellen Hobbs at Wareham. He was killed in action on 2nd December 1917 and is buried at the Cagnicourt British Cemetery, France grave 11. B. 2. His widow Emily was living at 24 Dukes Avenue Dorchester, whilst in 1915 his parents were living at 142 Abbotsbury Road, Weymouth.

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Corporal Dorset Yeomanry (Queens Own) Born in Weymouth in July 1892, son of Thomas Kellaway and his wife Ann Bicket Palfrey. Thomas Snr was an Innkeeper - in 1881 landlord of Half Moon Inn, Crescent Street, Weymouth, and later living at 31 Crescent Street in 1901 and 6 Kellaway’s Cottages, Westham, Weymouth, where Thomas Jnr. was a shop assistant in 1911. Thomas Jnr. died when the SS Leinster was struck by two torpedoes off Dun Laoghaire, Ireland on 1st October 1918. She was owned by City of Dublin Steam Packet Co. sailing between Holyhead and Ireland, and was sunk about 10 am that morning. Of 813 people on board, 569 lost their lives including Captain Birch in command. Thomas’s probate granted in London on 14th February 1919 to his father Thomas Snr. was for £477. 3s 8d.

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Sergeant No. 1640 London Regiment 16th Battalion Queen’s Westminster Regiment. Born at Camberwell, London in October 1893, only son of Frederick Hayward King, an ironmonger’s assistant in 1911, and his wife Bertha Edith Bate. Leonard was a furnishing apprentice in 1911 when living with his parents aged 17 at 20 Avenue Road, Weymouth. His death is recorded as "On or since 1st July 1916 - death was presumed".

Private No. 201866 1st / 4th Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Dorchester on 21st May 1879, only son of Frederick George Knight, a water bailiff, and his wife Ellen Miller. In 1911 he was working in Paddington, London, before marrying Annie Ether Croxall at Fulham in quarter July-Sept. 1901. In 1903 is recorded in baptism records as an insurance agent living at 8 Brownden Terrace, Dorchester. Joined the Royal Navy from 15th December 1910 until 15th October 1915 No. L3480. He died on 27th January 1920, aged 40, serving at Marharastra, in India and is Commemorated on the Kirk Memorial there face D. His widow was living at 14 Trinity Street, Weymouth, and his parents at Charminster.

Private No. 205064 Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment. Previously No. 8235 Cambridge Regiment. Born at Weymouth in January 1888, son of James Knight, a jobbing bricklayer, and his wife Phebe Chaffey. In 1911 he was living at home with his parents at 64 Walpole Street, Weymouth working as a bricklayer. On 6th November 1915 at Christ Church, Melcolmbe Regis George married Rose Hanger. I have not for a report of the award of his Military Medal, but he was killed in action on 21st September 1918 and is commemorated on the Artois Memorial, France panel 3. His widow Rose was then living at 11 Terminus Street, Weymouth.

Lance Corporal No. 8641 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Previously in the 1st Battalion Dorset Regiment R.G.A. Territorial Force. Born at Bedminster, Bristol about 1890 son of John Langdon, a publican in 1901, and his wife Sophia Properjohn. In 1901 was living with the family in Bedminster, Bristol, before enlisting on 10th December 1908 at Weymouth, when working as a Groom. In 1911 he was at Alma Barracks, Farnborough, Surrey with his regiment, whilst his parents were living at 9 Sandgate Street, Brislington, Bristol. His death is recorded as ” somewhere between 1.9. 1916 and 31. 12.1916. He is buried in the Baghdad North Gate Cemetery, Iraq grave XX1.H.25.

Private 25789 6th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born in Weymouth about January 1890, son of Richard Langford, a labourer, and his wife Clara Tidby. In 1911 Richard was an electrician, whilst his father was an invalid, and they lived at 4 Seymour Street, Lower St Alban Street, Weymouth. Richard is listed as having died “on or since 24th March 1918 - death presumed” and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France bay 6.

Private No. 201217 2nd Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth in June 1890, son of Francis George Legg, a fishmonger and poulterer, and his wife Jane Elizabeth Welch Monks who lived at 11 High Street, Weymouth. Bertie death is listed as ” Presumed Dead ” on 27th July 1916, and he is buried at Baghdad North Gate Cemetery, Iraq, grave XX1.D.51.

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Private No. 201246 2nd / 4th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment Born in Weymouth in December 1894 son of Francis and Jane Legg - see his older brother Bertie above for family details. William was killed in action on 27th October 1917 aged 23, and was buried at Gaza War Cemetery, Israel grave XXX11. E. 5.

Lieutenant Indian Cavalry attached to Queen Victoria’s Light Horse. Born at Weymouth on 8th September 1888, son of Colonel Andrew Alfred Le Mesurier C.B. Commandant of 8th King’s Liverpool Regiment who died in Jersey, Channel Islands in April 1894, and his wife Kate Josephine Vyse. Alfred was educated at Victoria College, Jersey and Wellington College. Left for India where he settled as a tea planter until on 30th October 1914 when he got a commission in the 12th Indian Cavalry. Posted to Iraq in February 1915 he was killed in action by unfriendly Arabs on 29th April 1915. He is commemorated on the Tehran Memorial, Iran panel 6 column 2.

Private No. 14703 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born January 1898 at Weymouth son of Herbert, a solicitor’s clerk in 1911, and his wife Frances Clement, who in 1911 lived at 7 Grange Road, Weymouth. Edward was killed in action on 5th July 1915 and is buried at Larch Wood (Railway Cutting) British Cemetery, Belgium grave 11.J.15.

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Second Lieutenant 4th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment attached to 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Born at St. Helens, Hastings, Sussex on 24th January 1885, son of Colonel Arthur William Drummond Lewis and his wife Emily Mary Judith Morris of 31 Midvale Road, Jersey, Channel Islands. He was educated at Victoria College, Jersey, spending four years in the O.T.C. Then at some point worked in Weymouth for Capital and Counties Bank, before on 3rd October 1914 obtaining a commission. Sent to France in May 1915 after training, he was killed in action on 8th July 1915 and buried beside the Yser Canal north of Ypres. Is commemorated on the Ypres Menin Gate memorial panel 35.

Gunner No. 334809 353rd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. Born at Sherborne, Dorset, son of Kate Loader (no father on baptism record although it says Robert Loader dec’d on his marriage certificate). Married Martha Adena Churchill at Christ Church, Melcombe Regis on 28th December 1907. In 1911 was a brewery worker living with his Churchill parents in law at 4 Icen Villas, Roman Road, Weymouth. Was killed in action on 21st July 1917, and buried at Kandahar Farm Cemetery Belgium grave 11.C.14. His widow Martha was living at “Engleside” Morelands Road, West Moors, Dorset.

Leading Seaman No. 225822 HMS Paragon. Born at Sherborne, Dorset on 16th June 1887, son of Albert Edward Long, a painter/decorator, and his wife Elizabeth (Bessie) Watts. Enlisted on 16th June 1905, and had very good conduct record throughout his career. Married Maggie Evelyn Dowding at Moordown, Bournemouth on 27th December 1909, whilst serving on HMS Duke of Edinburgh. Was killed on night of 17th March 1917 when HMS Paragon, a torpedo boat destroyer of 917 tons launched 1913, was on patrol with other boats off Straits of Dover under the command of Lt. Richard Grenville Bowyer. About 10.50pm Paragon was hit by two torpedoes and sank very quickly. Only 9 of a crew of 85 survived. Albert is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial panel 24. His widow Maggie was living at 33 Muscliffe Road, Winton, Bournemouth.

Private No. 105971 Canadian Infantry 28th Battalion. Born at Weymouth on 28th May 1890 son of Edward Alexander Lowe, an oversear in the Post Office, and his wife Hannah Best Way. In 1911 was living with family at 4 Gloucester Terrace, Weymouth working as an assistant in a furnishing business. On 28th March 1915 he arrived in New York on SS Megantic en route to Brownlee, Saskatchewan, Canada, describing himself as a farm labourer. He then enlisted into the Canadian Infantry on 29th March 1916, and was killed just north of Passchendaele on 6th November 1917. He is commemorated on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial, panel 28. His parents were then living at 2 Spring Avenue, Weymouth, Dorset.

possibly LOWE Thomas Edward No. 9252 Royal Marines Artillery, born in Manchester son of Thomas Lowe, a hay cutter, and his wife Alice Foy? On 9th January 1901 he enlisted in the R M A, and in the 1901 census he was serving at Eastney Barracks, Portsmouth, but in the 1911 was based at Portland - a Weymouth connection? It seems that he died when the S.S. Pacific Transport sank in a hurricane on 30th September 1918 in the Caribbean. The CWGC website says that he is commemorated on the Cathays Cardiff Cemetery EB.21. His parents in 1911 were living at 56 Duke Street, Off Bolton Road, Chorley, Lancashire.

Petty Office Stoker No. 301753 HMS Tipperary. Born at Bourton, Dorset on 31st August 1876 son of George Compton Lucas, an engine fitter at Whiteheads Torpedo Works, and his wife Harriet Rose. I think he married Elizabeth Ann Brown at Weymouth July - Sept. 1902, although the marriage record is in name of George Arthur Lucas, which is the name of their son born at the same time. Sadly, the baby son died soon after, followed by Elizabeth later in 1902. Was that why George enlisted in the Royal Navy in October 1902? He died serving on HMS Tipperary, a large destroyer launched in 1913. On the night of 31st May 1915 she was searching for the German High Fleet in what became the battle of Jutland. She was found by three battleships and sunk by their gunfire. Of the 197 officers and men aboard 150 lost their lives. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial panel 16. In 1911 his parents were living at 26 Prince of Wales Road, Weymouth.

Although George above had a younger brother born 1885 at Bourton it is unconfirmed that he served and died in the Great War, nor could another H W Lucas be found with a Weymouth connection.

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Leading Cook’s Mate No. M 3053 HMTB 17. Born at Weymouth on 3rd April 1892, son of Charles Frank Madden, a naval pensioner, later in 1911 a coal porter, and his wife Sarah Jane Dench. Enlisted on 17th August 1910 and also served as an Officer’s Steward. He died in the Italian Naval Hospital, Venice (cause not known) on 26th December 1918 and is buried at Venice San Michele Cemetery, protected section grave XV. His probate issued to his father on 12th January 1920 was for £152. 15s.

Gunner No. 102407 ‘D’ Battery, 50th Battalion Royal Field Artillery. Born at Weymouth in May 1897, son of Herbert George Madden, a jobbing gardener, and his wife Louisa Jane Honeybun. In 1911 he was a garden boy aged 14 for the Crocker-Fox family at Preston, Weymouth, and he was killed in action on 22nd April 1917 aged 20. He was buried at Henvin Farm British Cemetery, St Laurent-de-Blagny, France grave B.3. In 1911 his parents were living at Glencoe Cottage, Preston, Weymouth.

Private No. 18233 1st battalion Somerset Light Infantry. Born 9th September 1881 at Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, son of Jacob Marshall, a mariner who died at Weymouth in September 1887, and his wife Sarah Emily Moores. On 25th December 1908 at Melcombe Regis he married Edith Eliza Sams, being described then as a bootmaker. He was killed in action on 2nd November 1918 just days before the end of the War, and is buried in the Querening Communal Cemetery, France grave B.3. His probate granted to his widow Emily on 11th July 1919 was for £738. 17s. 7d.

Private No. 17537 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth in October 1897, son of Noah Martin, a Council street sweeper, and his wife Julia Louisa Chick. He was killed in action on 11th January 1917, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France pier/face 7B. In 1911 his parents were living at 10 Franchise Street, Weymouth.

Private 80837 Royal Army Medical Corps 47th Field Ambulance. Born at Weymouth in January 1892, son of Eustace Martin, a detective sergeant, and his wife Lilian Elizabeth Matilda Siddons. In 1911 he was lodging at Brockenhurst, Hampshire, working as a parcel porter for the London and South Western Railway Co. On 10th October 1913 at Radipole, Dorset he married Emma Lainsbury Nickson, described as a railway worker, and on 4th November 1915 he enlisted when they were living at Corfe Castle, Dorset. He died of war wounds on 30th July 1918 aged 27, and was buried at the Royallieu French National Cemetery, Compiegne, France grave G.1.10. In 1911 his parents were then living at 98 Dorchester Road, Weymouth.

Second Lieutenant 3rd Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Piddlehinton, Dorset on 14th December 1884, son of Charles Mayo, a retired farmer in 1891 who died in 1893, and his wife Emily Ann Read. In 1911 Percy was working as a bank clerk living with his mother at 28 Spa Road, Weymouth. Percy died in an accident taking part in a training exercise for officers at Wyke Regis camp in stripping a machine gun on 9th May 1916 at about 6.30pm - a misfire occurred with a live round and Percy was hit and killed. A court of enquiry found that he was regarded as being on duty and in no way responsible. He was buried at Radipole (St Ann) cemetery grave F.3 His widowed mother Emily was then living at 94 Spa Road, Weymouth.

Private No. DM2/154641 Army Service Corps 599th Motor Transport Co. Born at Weymouth in November 1897, son of George James McKelvey, an auctioneer’s clerk, and his wife Hester Hooper, who died in 1900. In 1911 he was at home living with the family at 12 Bath Street, Weymouth. He had been serving for 2 1/2 years in Kenya, British East Africa when he died of influenza on 21st November 1918. He was buried in Nairobi South Cemetery, Kenya grave No. 11. A. 7. His father had married his step mother Louisa Jane Bond at Melcombe Regis in April 1903, and when Frank died in 1918 they were living at 17 Derby Street, Weymouth.

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Lance Corporal No. DM2.196586 Army Service Corps. Born at Fordington, Dorset in June 1895, son of George Mears, a farm labourer/dairyman, and his wife Elizabeth Churchill. On 30th March 1911 Walter married Ellen Daisy Norris at Woodsford, Dorset, and in the 1911 census he was publican at the Butchers Arms Inn, West Street, Weymouth. He died at Hounslow Military Hospital, Middlesex on 20th August 1918 (no cause noted), and is buried at Melcombe Regis cemetery, Weymouth grave A. 1516. His probate granted to his widow Daisy on 17th December 1918 was for £909. 11s.

Sergeant No. 6350 Scots Guards. Born at Weymouth in October 1886, son of George Meech and Rosa Frances Seymour Warren. In 1886 George was an omnibus driver, later a general labourer, but he died in November 1908 in the Union Workhouse, Weymouth. Albert enlisted in the Army on 15th December 1905, and in 1911 was with his regiment in Egypt. In April 1915 at Godstone, Surrey he married Agnes May Matthews, but was discharged from the Army on 30th November as Unfit with a gunshot wound to his left leg. It seems they were living in Cornwall when he died at Helston, Cornwall on 27th February 1919. In 1921 his widow Agnes was living at “Wendron” Sithney, Cornwall. His younger brother William James Neech also died in the Great War - see below.

Private No. 100301 Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) “A” squadron. Formerly No. 2174 with Dorset Yeomanry. Born at Weymouth in October 1887 son of George and Rosa Meech - see his brother above for family details. In 1911 he was a shop assistant living with his widowed mother at 1 Terminus Road, Weymouth. His death is recorded as “Presumed on or since 31st December 1917” and he is commemorated on the Chatby Memorial, Egypt.

Private No. 19072 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth in May 1882, son of Walter Mellish, a labourer, and his wife Lavinia Cleall. In 1911 was living at 4 Lower Bond Street, Weymouth with his parents working as a shop assistant, before in Romsey, Hampshire on 6th November 1911 marrying Ada Maria Putnam. He was killed in action on 23rd April 1917 and was buried at the Windmill British Cemetery, Monchy-le-Preux, France grave 1.A.25. His widow Ada was living at 26 Delhi Street, Fratton, Portsmouth, Hampshire.

Private No. 31738 Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. Formerly No. 17074 7th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth on 5th September 1875, son of George Mendenhall, a poulterer and fishmonger who died in July 1906, and his wife Georgina Chick who died in 1914. In 1891 aged 17 Charles was a ” boy ” on vessel ” Jane ” at Falmouth, Cornwall, and in 1911 a carrier living in a cottage at the back of 11 Governors Lane, Weymouth. It seems he had a son Charles George Glover born 24th November 1909 - was the mother Ann Maria Glover but no trace of a marriage? Charles Jnr. died at sea in World War Two. Charles Snr. was killed in action on 4th September 1916, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial France pier/face 6B.

Gunner No. 334305 21st Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. Born at Wimborne, Dorset on 22nd May 1896, son of Edward Donald Menzies, a municipal gardener, and his wife Annie Rowland. In 1901 the family were living at Shirley, Southampton but in 1911 at 24 Milton Avenue, Weymouth where Alan aged 15 was helping his father in the municipal gardens. He died of war wounds on 28th September 1917 aged 21 and is buried at Bard Cottage Cemetery, Belgium grave 1V. I. 7. His parents were then living at New Lodge Farm, Hawkhurst, Kent.

Major 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment, and Poona Brigade. Born at Uxbridge, Middlesex on 24th February 1875, son of Charles Mercer, a brewer who died at Weymouth in February 1909, and his wife Grace Ewart Clark who died in 1918. They lived at Lansdowne Lodge, Wyke Regis in 1881 and 1891. Archibald was educated at Marlborough College and Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and commissioned as 2nd Lt. in Dorsetshire Regiment on 16th March 1895, and posted to India. Promoted Lieutenant on 12. 7. 1897, Captain on 19. 11. 1901 and Major on 19. 11. 1913. He was severely wounded fighting in India on 9th November 1897, and later married at Ugley, Essex Margaret Edith Tennant on 14th August 1913. Posted to the Persian Gulf in November 1914 with the Poona Brigade, part of the Dorsetshires, he was killed in action on 17th November 1914 and buried at Basra War Cemetery, Iraq grave 111. Q. 2. His probate to his widow Margaret granted in London on 4th March 1915 was for £8400.1s. 6d. She was living at Orford House, Ugley, Essex.

[Transcribed as C E MILLER] Battery Quartermaster Sergeant No. 15135 Royal Garrison Artillery. Born at Freshwater, Isle of Wight on 15th November 1887, son of Jesse Miller, a Sergeant R.G.A. in 1891 and Officers Mess Butler in 1901, and his wife Annie Henrietta Harrington. Enlisted in April 1903 and married Marion Beatrice Russell at Melcombe Regis on 30th September 1914. Was attached to Headquarters Staff, Portsmouth when taken ill and died at Alexandra Hospital at Cosham, Portsmouth. He was buried at Portsdown (Christ Church) Military Cemetery, grave B. 27. A. His widow Marion was living at 2 Longcroft Road, Weymouth. His parents were running Highdown Inn, Freshwater Isle of Wight.

Canteen Assistant HMS Queen Mary. Born at Kennington, London on 14th July 1876, but baptised at Melcombe Regis, son of Harry Miller, a hosier who died in 1895, and his wife Mary Louisa Hayman. In 1891 the family were living in Battersea, London, before Harry married Helen Mabel Hayman at Melcombe Regis on 2nd August 1903 when he was serving on S.S. Saxon. In 1916 he was serving on HMS Queen Mary, a new battle cruiser launched in 1913, when at the start of the Battle of Jutland she was hit by a salvo from the German battle cruiser Derflinger, and blown to pieces as her ammunition exploded. Only 18 survived and 1,266 officers and men were killed. His widow was living at 58 St Thomas Street Weymouth, and his widowed mother at De Laune Street, Kennington, London.

Sergeant No. 12026 ‘Q’ Company, 2nd Battalion Wiltshire (Duke of Edinburgh’s Own) Regiment. Born at Stoke Newington, London in June 1894, son of John David Millington, a blacksmith/farrier, and his wife Ellen Savill who died in 1912. In 1911 the family were living at 39 Londesborough Road, Stoke Newington, Frederick was working as shop assistant to a boot maker. On 26th November 1916 he married Amy Apsey at Melcolmbe Regis, but died of war wounds at hospital in Medway, Kent on 25th April 1917. He was buried at Weymouth cemetery grave B. “C”. 1978, and his widow Amy was living at 65 Chickerell Road, Weymouth.

Officer’s Steward No. 358425 HMS Vanguard. Born at Christchurch, Hampshire on 8th March 1884, son of Alfred Mills, a commission agent in 1891, and his wife Harriet Armstrong. Enlisted in the Royal Navy on 20th June 1900 and joined HMS Vanguard on 7th June 1914. She was at anchor on 9th July 1917 when a cordite fire caused a massive explosion of the ship’s ammunition which blew the ship to pieces. Only two of a crew of 845 survived. Alfred is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, panel 26. His parents were living at 52 Cromwell Road, Weymouth.

Bombardier No. 116599 132nd Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. Born at Melcombe Regis on 11th August 1885 son of George Thomas Mogg, a grocer in 1901 and 1911, and his wife Isabella Mary Latty. Percival was a grocer’s assistant on both occasions. He married Ethel Evelyn Wall at Saltley, Warwickshire on 29th June 1912. Percival enlisted at Weymouth on 8th December 1915, and at some point it seems he was a prisoner of war, and in hospital. He was assumed to be dead on 18th July 1918 aged 32, but appears to have been buried at St Souplet British Cemetery, on the Pas de Calais, France grave 1. F. 29. His probate granted to his widow Ethel on 28th July 1919 was for £143. 8s. 10d. She was living at 26 Chelmsford Street, Weymouth.

Mechanician No. K 4588 HMS Warrior Born at Wigan, Lancashire on 11th November 1885, son of William Hill Monks, a joiner/carpenter, and his wife Mary Amelia Halsall. Enlisted in the Royal Navy on 29th June 1904, when working as a coal miner, and married Winnie Kate Carter in Weymouth on 9th August 1915. Was serving on HMS Warrior which was heavily damaged at the Battle of Jutland and taken in tow, but abandoned in heavy seas when it sank. 743 officers and men were rescued, but there were 100 casualties. William was listed as “Buried at Sea” on 31st March 1916. His probate to his widow Minnie living at 21 Hope Quay, Weymouth granted on 3rd September 1917 was for only £22. 13s. 9d.

Private No. 301126 13th Hussars Born at Melcombe Regis in July 1896, son of Henry Charles Moore, in 1891 a railway porter and 1911 a cafe keeper, and his wife Sarah Hodges Maitland. Was a labourer when he enlisted on 11th December 1915 for Dorset Yeomanry (Queen’s Own) before switching to the Hussars. He married Florence Louise Davis at Weymouth on 18th January 1916. It seems he survived the war, but was discharged as no longer fit for service on 26th June 1920 - his address then 175 Chickerell Road, Weymouth, and he died at Weymouth on 9th November 1920. He was buried in Melcombe Regis cemetery A. “C ” . 1180.

Sergeant M.M. No. 618254 ‘A’ Battery, 298 Brigade Royal Field Artillery. Born at Weymouth on 25th January 1891 son of Josiah Moore, a hotel porter who died in November 1899, and his wife Sylvia Matilda Edwards. In 1911 Albert was working at a hotel in Jersey, and he died of wounds on 16th August 1918. Is buried at Daours Community Cemetery, France grave 1V. C. 3. No details of his award of the Military Medal have been located.

Bombardier No. 275974 15th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. Born at Down, Northern Ireland on 23rd October 1867, son of Thomas Mulholland, a bricklayer who died in 1916, and his wife Ellen Jane Ellison who died in 1911. Originally enlisted in the Royal Artillery in 1888 No. 66336. Married Anne Maria Whittle in Weymouth in October 1899, and in 1911 was working at a GWR porter living at 4 Hope Street, Weymouth. He died of wounds in a casualty clearing hospital on 27th October 1917, and was buried or commemorated at Beirut War Cemetery, Lebanon 16.

Petty Officer Stoker No. K/13417 HMS Lavender. His Naval record says he was born at Dunmore, Down, Ireland on 15th October 1885 but I have failed to find details of his parents. He enlisted on 11th December 1906, and married Ivy Ellen M. Kirby at Weymouth in quarter Jan- March 1913. He died when HMS Lavender, a sloop/minesweeper struck a mine laid by German submarine UC-75, and 22 officers and men were killed. He is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval memorial panel 22. Ivy was then living at 40 Prince of Wales Road, Weymouth.

Private No. 8571 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment, attached to 2nd Army Corps. Signals Co. Born October 1892 at Weymouth, son of John Nash, a coach smith, and his wife Mary Jane Humphries. He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 5th July 1907, giving his d.o.b. at 30th August 1890, but was discharged as ” Unsuitable ” on 16th October 1908. He then enlisted into the 2nd Dorsetshire Regiment, and in 1911 was recorded as away serving in India and Ceylon. He was killed on 18th January 1916 and buried or commemorated at Kut War Cemetery, Iraq panel C.13. His parents in 1911 were living at 8 Victoria Terrace, Weymouth.

Corporal No. G/36712 Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment attached to 2nd 20th Battalion London Regiment. Formerly No. S/4/094772 Royal Army Service Corps. Born at Weymouth in October 1894, son of Richard New, a brewery drayman, and his wife Jane Philips. In 1911 he was a baker’s assistant living with his parents at 1 Newbury Gardens, Weymouth. He died of war wounds on 8th October 1918 and is buried at St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France. S.11.L.20.

Assistant Cook HMS Baralong Born at Thorncombe, Dorset on 14th February 1884, son of John Newberry, a gardener, and his wife Mary Hallett. Enlisted in the Royal Navy on 1st October 1903, and in 1911 was at home with his family at 151 Chickerell Road, Weymouth. Appears to have died at home on 5th December 1915, cause not known, and been buried in Weymouth cemetery grave B. ” C ” 2736. His older brother Edward also died in the Great War.

Private No. 26722 2nd battalion Wiltshire (Duke of Edinburgh’s Own) Regiment, previously No. 17040 Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Thorncombe, Dorset in October 1878 so of John and Mary Newberry above. In 1901 was a gardener and in 1911 a general labourer living at home with the family at 151 Chickerell Road, Weymouth. Army records show he died in hospital, but no cause stated, and was buried in Weymouth cemetery grave B. “C”. 2735 - next to his brother Alfred?

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Sergeant No. 203174 1st/4th Battalion Hampshire Regiment. Born at Portsea, Hampshire in April 1896, son of Edward James Nickson, a skilled worker at Whitehead’s Torpedo Works, and his wife Annie Catherine Sainsbury who died in 1907. In 1911 Frederick was lodging with his brother in law in Christchurch, Hampshire working as a gas fitter’s apprentice. His father remarried in Weymouth in June 1913 to Sarah Hounsell. Frederick was killed in action on 24th February 1917 and was commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq panels 21 and 63.

Fleet Surgeon B.A., M.B. B.Chir. HMS Bulwark Born at Chatteris, Cambridgeshire on 28th December 1869, son of John Nix, a farmer and J.P. who died in 1901, and his wife Caroline Kent who died in 1902. Educated at Cheltenham College, then Pembroke College, Cambridge. Appears in Navy Lists as Surgeon R.N. in 1896, a Staff Surgeon in 1904 and later as Fleet Surgeon, serving for 18 years. He died when HMS Bulwark was blown up in a massive explosion when moored at Sheerness, Kent on 26th November 1914. It was caused by a fire from overheating cordite and 741 officers and men were killed. Percy is commemorated by a tablet at St John the Baptist church at Somersham, Huntingdonshire. His probate to his brother John and sister Millicent granted at London on 4th February 1915 gave his address as 11 Alexandra Road, Weymouth and was for £10,671. 2s. 9d.

Driver No. 663 ‘F’ Company, 2nd Battalion Australian Imperial Force. Born April 1893 at Weymouth son of Henry James Nobbs, collector of market taxes in 1901 who died in 1919 and his wife Jessie Nobbs (CWGC has Jessie as the wife of James in error). In 1911 he was a farm student at Dartington College, Devon, but at some point then sailed to Australia, as at Randwick, New South Wales on 26th August 1914 he enlisted in the A.I.F. He was killed on 13th March 1918, and is commemorated on Kemmel Chateaux Military Cemetery O. 23. His probate to his brother George Richard Victor Nobbs granted in London on 14th June 1918 was for £255.7s 2d. His mother Jessie was then living at “Kingswood”, Paignton, Devon. His father lived at Egerton House, Weymouth.

Gunner No. 15199 14th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Born at Dublin, Ireland in 1881 son of Michael Nolan, a policeman. Enlisted in Dublin and on 18th October 1905 married Alice Jane Berry at St John’s church Melcombe Regis. In 1911 he was living at 7 Victoria Road, Dorchester. He died of war wounds on 24th May 1915 aged 33 and was buried at Alexandria (Chatty) War and Military cemetery, Egypt grave H. 106. His widow Alice was living at 23 Argyle Road, Weymouth.

Private No. 290722 9th Battalion Devonshire Regiment. Born at Waddon, Dorset in January 1890 son of Charles Marsh Norman, a farm labourer, and his wife Elizabeth Legg. In 1911 he was living at home with the family at Waddon aged 21 working as a farm labourer, before on 13th April 1914 at Radipole he married Beatrice Boyt, he was described as a carriage cleaner. He was killed in action on 10th October 1917, and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium panels 38-40. His widow Beatrice was living at Chine Hill, Puddletown, Dorset. In March 1920 at Puddletown Beatrice married George William Sprackling. Note CWGC has his father listed as James - an error.

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Private No. 92173 Royal Army Medical Corps attached to 2nd Northumberland Field Ambulance. Born at Eastleigh, Hampshire on 20th September 1897, son of Henry John Northover, a hotel keeper, and his wife Mary Elizabeth Coombs. In 1911 the family were living at White Horse Hotel, 33 St Mary Street, Weymouth. On 20th April 1915, William enlisted in the RAMC Territorial force, and he died on 17th October 1918 aged 21. He is buried or commemorated on the Quietiste Military Cemetery, Le Cateau, France A.5. His father Henry had enlisted aged 15 in the Royal Navy on 5th October 1882, but was declared unfit at Haslar Hospital, Portsmouth on 7th November 1884.

Writer 3rd Class No. M/3927 HMS Niger Born at Puddletown, Dorset on 7th March 1892, son of Albert Edwin Orchard, a police sergeant, and his wife Katherine Ann Ralph. In 1911 was boarding at Poole, Dorset working as a clerk before enlisting on 12th December 1911. He died when HMS Niger commanded by Lt. Cdr. Arthur T. Muir was torpedoed by German submarine U-12 when moored about 2 miles off Deal, Kent - 15 were killed and Albert’s body was not recovered. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial panel 5. His parents were living at “Terra Nova”, Milton Road, Weymouth.

Petty Officer Stoker No. 362955 HMS Hampshire Born at Bournemouth, Hampshire on 26th April 1886, son of William Joseph Ormonde, a butler who died in 1905 and his wife Annie Browne who died in 1888. William enlisted in the Royal Navy on 29th April 1904, and on 6th November at Bridport, Dorset he married Annie Rogers. He joined HMS Hampshire 27th January 1914 in time to see action at the Battle of Jutland in May 1916. In June 1916 Hampshire was under the command of Captain Herbert J. Savill, and was ordered by the Government to take Field Marshall Lord Kitchener on a fact finding mission to Russia, but on 5th June 1916 off Marwick Head, Orkney, she is thought to have struck a mine about 8 pm. 737 officers and men, including Lord Kitchener and his staff of 13, all died including William and there were just 12 survivors. His widow Annie was living at 19 Stanley Road, Manor Park, Essex.

Lt. Colonel D.S.O. 2x Mentioned in Despatches. Born at Southampton, Hampshire on 10th January 1880, son of Thomas Ridley Oswald, a ship builder, and his wife Wilhelmina Catherine Russell. Educated at Clifton College, Bristol, Lancing College, Sussex and Rugby School. Commissioned on 29th March 1898 into 6th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers. Had a varied Army career in Egypt and in South Africa in the Boer War with the 5th battalion Dragoon Guards (Princess Charlotte’s Own) Regiment where he won the D.S.O. and later stayed on there and Rhodesia where he was interested in mining. Married Catherine Mary Yardley at St John’s church Melcombe Regis on 7th march 1905. Returned to Southampton from Africa on 30th April 1914. Went to France as a Lieutenant on 14th August 1914, promoted Captain 11.5.1915, Major in March 1916 and Lt. Colonel on commanding the 12th Battalion West Yorkshire (Prince of Wales Own) Regiment on 22nd May 1916. He was wounded by an exploding shell on 14th July 1916, taken to hospital but died there on the 17th July. He was buried at Dive Copse British cemetery, Sailly-le-Sec France grave 11. B. 25. His probate to his widow Catherine granted at Blandford on 19th September 1917 was for £300. Their address was St. Winning, Weymouth.

Private No. 202615 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth in July 1886 son of Daniel Izzard, a chimney sweep who died in 1904, and his wife Emily Jane Downton. In 1911was living with his widowed mother at 31 High Street, Weymouth also working as a chimney sweep. Married Jane Rendall on 27th May 1916 at Stoke Abbot, Dorset, but was killed in action on 28th September 1918 aged 32. Was buried at Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, France grave V11.A.33, when his widow was living at Stoke Abbot, Beaminster, Dorset.

Gunner No. 334376 221st Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery . Died 19th May 1918 aged 43 and buried at Melcombe Regis Cemetery grave 1. A. 1524. Despite detailed searches we have failed to identify this person.

Private No. 15389 6th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born July - Sept. 1893 youngest son of Thomas Robert Palmer, a gas works worker who died in 1904, and his wife Charlotte Chambers. In 1911 Fred was living with his widowed mother at 28 High West Street, Weymouth, working as a shoemaker’s apprentice. He was killed in action on 8th July 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France pier/ face 7B.

Private No. 8440 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth in March 1880, second son of John Thomas Palmer, a groom, and his wife Mary Jane Seymour. Married Kate Caroline Vine at Wyke Regis on 30th July 1899 when working as a groom. Previously in the 3rd Dorset Regiment when he enlisted at Weymouth on 3rd January 1908, when working as a town labourer. In 1911 was away serving with the Regiment in India and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Listed as ” Presumed Dead ” in Army records on 31st December 1916 and commemorated on the Basra memorial, Iraq panels 22 and 63, but a suggestion he had died a prisoner of war by 18th June 1916. His parents were living at 70 Newstead Road, Weymouth. His widow Kate was only 17 when she married and 3 months later gave birth to a baby boy Frank in November 1899, then Walter in Oct. 1901. She then had two children John in 1903 and Alice in 1909 with John Edward Upton, and they married late in June 1916 at Birkenhead, Cheshire after reports of Frank Palmer’s death. His younger brother Thomas also died in the Great War.

Private No. M2/100873 Mechanical Transport Section, Army Service Corps, attached to 312th Siege Battery, Royal garrison Artillery. Born at Weymouth in October 1895, youngest son of John and Mary Jane Palmer above. Was living with his family at 12 West Park, Weymouth in 1911 aged 15 working as a fitter, before enlisting at Weymouth on 26th May 1915. He died of pneumonia on 8th November 1918 and was buried at St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France grave S.111.P6.

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Lt. Colonel Royal Marines Light Infantry - 2nd Royal Marines Royal Naval Division. Born at Weymouth 1st September 1880, son of Lt. Colonel Reginald Coleridge Parry who died in 1912 and his wife Memoria Mary Mount who died in July 1881. He was commissioned into the Royal Marines on 1st January 1889, served on HMS Thunderer in the Battle of Jutland as a Captain R.M. He was wounded by a sniper on 16/17th January 1918 and died of wounds in the Red Cross Hospital at Rouen, France on 2nd February 1918. He was buried in the St Sever Cemetery for Officers at Rouen grave B.10.7. His probate to his brother Reginald St. Pierre Parry granted in London on 4th July 1918 was for £2,013. 2s.

Bombardier No. 55985 37th Battery, 27th Brigade Royal Field Artillery. He was born at Weymouth on 4th April 1894 - his mother was Alice Paton, but who was his father? His baptism record says Frederick Paton, but I cannot find one in the area, nor a marriage to Alice. Was it a pseudonym for Charles Winzer born 1859, with Edgar’s middle name Charles, who married Alice at St Hellier, Jersey on 14th July 1897, and who was called step father in the 1891 census? In the 1911 census Edgar was a trumpeter aged 16 with his battalion at Bulford Camp. He was killed in action on 23rd April 1918 and buried at Morbleque British cemetery France grave 1. E. 1. His step father Charles Winzer was paid his War gratuity.

Private No. 37996 2nd/4th Battalion Royal Berkshire (Princess Caroline of Wales Own) Regiment. Born at Bradpole, Dorset on 5th April 1890, son of George Patterson, a gardener who died in December 1899, and his wife Jane Ackerman. In 1911 was living with his widowed mother at 158 Abbotsbury Road, Weymouth working as a butcher’s assistant. Married Margaret Louise Harding (aka Maggie) at Weymouth on 8th September 1913. He was "Presumed Dead on or after 22nd August 1917", and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium panels 105 and 106. His widow Margaret remarried to James Restorick at Weymouth in January 1920, living at 20 Emmerdale Road, Westham, Weymouth. His older brother William George Patterson also died in the Great War - see below.

Able Seaman No. 228491 HMS Victory Born at Bradpole, Dorset on 9th March 1889, son of George and Jane Patterson above. In 1901 was living with his widowed mother Jane at 2 St Pauls Terrace, Weymouth, before he enlisted in the Royal Navy on 30th September 1903. He was serving on HMS Iron Duke from December 1915 to July 1916, including at the Battle of Jutland. Royal Naval records say he died of disease (unknown) on 4th August 1919 and was buried at Petrovsk Military Cemetery, Russia - CWGC say he was buried in Turkey. William’s mother Jane had remarried late in 1911 to James J. Marshallsay, and was living at 153 Abbotsbury Road, Weymouth.

Private No. TR/096292 29th Division Army Supply Column, Army Service Corps. Born at Weymouth in January 1878, son of Charles Lanning Pavey, a mariner who died in 1888 and his wife Ann Jolliffe who died in 1898. A mariner like his father he married Emily Scuffell at Melcombe Regis on 5th October 1904. In 1911 he was living at 37 Hardwicke Street, Weymouth listed as a domestic cook. He enlisted on 13th April 1915 and is noted in Army records as having died on 5th March 1916 at No 15 General Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt. He is buried or commemorated at Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery E.3.

Assistant Engineer HM Yacht Aries Royal Naval Reserve. Born at Weymouth in October 1885, son of William Pender a lighthouse Keeper who died in 1911, and his wife Mary Frances Jolliffe. In 1911 was living with his aunt Sarah Jolliffe at 19 Great George Street, Weymouth working as a marine engineer. On 20th March 1913 at St Paul’s church, Weymouth he married Mary Frances Best. HMY Aries was being used as an inshore patrol vessel when she hit a mine laid by submarine UC-9 the day before on 31st October 1915 off Leathercoat Point, Kent and 22 on board were killed . His probate granted in London to his widow Mary on 30th November 1915 was for just £81.5s.

Sergeant 22532 20th Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Born at Ashton, Essex on 7th September 1886, son of James Percy, a police sergeant who died in 1919, and his wife Eliza Norman. In 1901 Edwin aged 14 was a railway clerk living at home with his parents in South Shoebury, Essex, but by 1911 he had already joined the RGA and was away serving in Arabia, Cyprus and Gibralter. On 15th April 1914 at Southend On Sea Edwin married Meta Rose Barrett. He was killed in action on 19th July 1916, and is buried at Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Belgium, grave 1V. A. 5. His widow Meta was living at 16 Townley Terrace, Weymouth.

Saddler No. 91424 Royal Field Artillery attached to 150th Howitzer Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Formerly Gunner No. 6223 R G A. Born at Reading about July 1879 son of George Philpott, a railway worker who in 1891 was living at 2 Jubilee Terrace, Weymouth and who died in 1917, and his wife Emily Kenchington who also died in 1917. He married Eva Burns at Sheffield on 19th April 1905, but she died at Sheffield on 16th May 1911. In 1911 Frederick was a portmanteau maker living at 115 Washington Road, Sheffield. He was killed in action on 19th October 1916, and was buried at Quarry Cemetery Monauban, France grave 11.N.9. His brother Sydney Harold Philpott was living at 7 Belvedere, Weymouth.

Private 27851 6th Battalion Wiltshire (Duke of Edinburgh’s Own) Regiment. Born at Weymouth on 8th October 1887 son of Alfred Edward Pitman, a town labourer, and his wife Elizabeth Watts. In 1911 he was also working as a town labourer living with his family at Ivy Bank Cottage, Weymouth. On 4th October 1914 at Weymouth Registry Office he married Agnes Harriet Bolt. His death is recorded as ” Presumed on or after 10th April 1918 ” and he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium panels 119 and 120. His widow Agnes was living at 12 Pretoria Terrace, Chickerell Road, Weymouth.

Sapper No. 454746 9 Foray Company, Royal Engineers. I believe he was born at Weymouth in 1891 son of John Reuben Pitman, a labourer who died in 1897, and his wife Elizabeth Jane Burgess who died in 1889. Frederick married Charlotte Georgina M. Harris at Weymouth in quarter July - Sept. 1909 and in 1911 they were living at 8 West Row, St Leonards Road, Chapelhay, Weymouth. He was killed in action on 29th April 1918 and was buried at Brandhoek Military Cemetery, Belgium grave 11. J. 18. His widow was then still living at the above address.

3rd Engineer Officer HMS Melcombe Regis Mercantile Marine Reserve. Born at Weymouth on 15th August 1871, son of Frederick John Chapman Pitman, a fireman who died in 1892, and his wife Sarah Ann Till. Frederick married Mabel Keech at Yeovil, Somerset in 1900. I think he worked for Cozens and Co. Weymouth ship owners from aged 16. HMS Melcombe Regis, built in 1882, was a paddle steamer bought by Cozens and Co. in 1913 for use ferrying troops in Weymouth Bay. She was then used off Ireland and Frederick was “discharged dead” from the ship on 11th June 1918, and buried in Cobh Old Church cemetery, Ireland grave B. 22.38. His widow Mabel was living at 15 Nothe Parade, Weymouth.

Sergeant No. 85870 2nd / 6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry - previously No. 17726 Dorsetshire Regiment. Born 1st December 1884, son of James William Pitman, a brewer’s labourer who died in 1907, and his wife Mary Ann Winter who died in 1920. In 1901 was living with his family at 4 Mountway, Chickerell Road, Weymouth working as a labourer, and in 1911 was living at Pimperne, Dorset working as a farm labourer. Married Alice Mary Perrett at Holy Trinity church, Weymouth on 10th October 1914, and on 9th December 1915 enlisted in the Dorsetshire Regiment. He was killed in action on 5th November 1918, and commemorated at Ploegstraat Memorial, Belgium panels 8 and 9. His widow Alice was living at 28 Emmerdale Road, Weymouth.

Rifleman No. 573055 1st/17th Battalion County of London Regiment - previously No. 16849 Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth in January 1886 son of James Pitman, a butcher who died in 1901, and his wife Louisa Bartlett. In 1911 was living with his sister Rosa and his widowed mother at 6 Horsford Street, Weymouth and working as a wine merchant’s assistant. His Army records say that he was “Presumed Dead between 21st March 1918 and 27th November 1918”. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France panels 9 and 10.

Mechanician No. 283519 HMS Bulwark. Born at Islington, London son of Frederick Robert Poplar, a cabinet maker who died in 1895, and his wife Emma Harper who died in 1910. In 1891 John aged 14 was a factory boy living with his parents in Islington, but by 1901 had joined the Royal Navy and was then single and a stoker. He married Martha Amelia Checkley at Islington on 2nd May 1908, she having been born at Weymouth. He was killed when HMS Bulwark was blown up in a massive explosion when moored at Sheerness, Kent on 26th November 1914. It was caused by a fire from overheating cordite igniting the ship’s ammunition, and 741 officers and men were killed. John is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial panel 4. Martha was living at 21 East Street, Weymouth.

Clerk Royal Navy HMS Invincible Born at Harrow Middlesex on 18th June 1896, son of Frederick William Powell, an importer of fancy goods and later a political agent, and his wife Beatrice Isabel Turner. Educated at Christ’s Hospital School, Sussex he joined the Royal Navy on 15th January 1914, and joined HMS Invincible in May 1915. In late May 1916, Invincible was part of Admiral Beatty’s 3rd Battlecruiser Squadron under the command of Rear Admiral Hon. Sir Horace Hood D.S.O. (later K.C.B.) in the Battle of Jutland. About 18. 30 hours on the 31st, a shell from the German battlecruiser “Lutzow” hit Invincible’s Q turret, and caused a massive ammunition explosion. She immediately broke into two, and sank within a minute - only six were saved and 1,025 officers and men lost their lives. John is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial panel 11. His probate to his father Frederick granted on 19th July 1916 was for just £55. 2s. 3d.

Private No. CH/20784 Royal Marines Light Infantry HMS Otranto. Born at Exeter, Devon on 3rd March 1899, son of John Prescott, a Royal Naval Pensioner, Coastguard and Fireman, and his wife Frances Hannah Helley. In 1911 is at home with the family at 18 South View, Westham, Weymouth, before he enlisted in RMLI on 21st July 1916. HMS Otranto was a former liner converted into a troopship and she was en route to England with some 2,000 raw American soldiers. The journey was wracked by bad weather, and crew and soldiers by influenza and sea sickness. Off the Isle of Islay, Scotland she collided with another troopship SS Kashmir. The captain and crew of destroyer HMS Mountjoy rescued some 1,600 from Otranto, but could take no more on board. The Otranto ran on to rocks in the storm, sank and it is thought 353 US soldiers, 106 sailors and 6 French fisherman died. William aged 19 is buried in Kilchoman Military Cemetery on Isle of Islay grave 3. 7. His parents were then living at 20 Penny Street, Weymouth.

Ordinary Seaman No. 202266 Royal Navy. Born at Dorchester on 14th April 1884 - see his brother Bertie for family details. Enlisted in Royal Navy 30th December 1898 as a boy sailor through with very good conduct to 3rd February 1902 as an Ordinary Seaman on HMS Jupiter. His record then says “Run“ - did this mean he went “Absent without Leave“ as there are no other Naval records, no death record in his name, nor a service record for W W One on CWGC - a mystery. Did he go abroad or maybe change his name - searches for those found nothing.

Sergeant No. 8152 1st battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers. Born at Dorchester in July 1890, son of Arthur Prince, a carpenter who died in 1897, and his wife Mary Norris. Married Lilian Gladys Grace Poole at Melcolmbe Regis on 1st January 1917, and was killed in action on 20th November 1917. He was buried at Croisilles British Cemetery, France grave 11. C. 11. His mother Mary was living at 12a Governors Lane, Weymouth. His brothers Reginald Luke D.C.M. died in July 1916 and Joseph Ernest died in September 1918; both killed serving in the Great War.

Gunner No. 128399 ‘D’ Battery, 63rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Born at Weymouth in January 1896, son of Arthur Charles Pritchard, a butcher/ slaughter man, and his wife Mary Summers. In 1911 was an errand boy aged 15 living with his parents at 51 Newstead Road Weymouth. He died of war wounds at 41st Casualty Clearing Station on 31st May 1917, and buried at Duisans British Cemetery, France grave IV. M. 37.

Private No. R/329903 Remount Depot, Army Service Corps. Born at Weymouth in January 1884, son of Thomas Proudlove, a labourer who died in 1915, and his wife Sarah Anne Legg. Married Gertrude Eliza Butt on Portland on 25th September 1909, and in 1911 was an assistant dairyman living at 9 Ide Terrace, Love Lane, Weymouth. Henry enlisted on 5th December 1915, and he died at No 2 Southern General Hospital, Bristol (cause not stated) on 19th August 1917. His widow Gertrude was living at 52 South View Road, Weymouth.

Private No. 10857 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Bradford Peverell, Dorset in October 1892, son of John Prowse, a cemetery caretaker, and his wife Sarah Hayne Godden. In 1911 was a butcher’s assistant aged 18 living with his family at New Cemetery Lodge, Chickerell Road, Weymouth. He was killed in action on 19th August 1915, and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey and Gallipoli panels 137 - 140.

Petty Officer Stoker No. 301474 HMS Opal. Born at Liverpool, Lancashire on 12th February 1882, son of John Quigley, a dock labourer who died in 1906, and his wife Annie Killey. John enlisted into the Royal Navy on 9th September 1902, and on 11th February 1906 he married Charlotte Kate Crabb (aka Lottie?) at Holy Trinity church Weymouth - she was born in Weymouth in 1882, and in 1911 was living with her mother Mary at 4 Gordon Row, Chapelhay, Weymouth. HMS Opal was an ‘M’ class destroyer built in 1915. On night of 12th January 1918 she was on patrol with HMS Narborough off South Ronaldsway, and in a snow storm and bad weather they were ordered back to Scapa Flow. Contact was lost - both ships had run aground on rocks and were not found for 2 days. Only 1 of a crew of HMS Opal of 189 survived. John’s body was not recovered and he is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial panel 29.

Driver No. T2/016755 Army Service Corps. Born at Weymouth in October 1897, son of Jonathan Sire Ratcliffe, a labourer, and his wife Alice Georgina Joy. In 1911 is a schoolboy at home with the family at 70 Franklin Road, Westham, Weymouth. He is listed as dying on 11th February 1917 (no cause known) at Weymouth when his parents were living at 4 Newstead Road, Westham, Weymouth. Failed to find him on the CWGC website.

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Corporal No. 13465 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born on 4th August 1885 at Chirton, Northumberland, son of Cuthbert, a labourer at a gas works, and his wife Charlotte Foster. Served in 4th Durham Light Infantry before he enlisted in 1908 in 7th Dragoon Guards No. 1526 serving in India. Married Ethel Ansley Rooke at St John’s church, Melcombe Regis on 6th May 1917. He died of war wounds on 24th September 1917, and was buried at Haringe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery, Belgium grave 1. A. 8 His widow Ethel was living at 52 Ranalegh Road, Weymouth.

Private No. 266860 Oxon and Bucks Light Infantry ‘B’ Company 1st Battalion. Born at Weymouth in April 1880 son of Alfred John Rice, a baker who died in October 1915, and his wife Elizabeth Parker who died in March 1908. In 1911 he was living with his widowed father at 1 St Albans Cottages, West Way, Weymouth working as a house painter. He was killed in action on 16th April 1917 and buried at Unicorn Cemetery, Vendhuile, France grave 1. C. 30. Although the CWGC website refers to a wife Elizabeth it is thought that this is an error and refers to his late mother - his War Gratuity was paid to his brother William.

Private No. 15698 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth in December 1893, son of William Thomas Riggs, a plumber, and his wife Emily Selina Toms. In 1911 was working as an errand boy for a grocer and living with the family at 2 Daisy Cottages, Parish Road, Weymouth. The circumstances of his death on 11th August 1918 were not found, but he was commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France panel 7. His parents were then living at 6 Avenue Road, Weymouth.

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Private No. 205109 3rd / 4th Battalion Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. Born at Weymouth on 26th May 1881, son of William John Roper, a groom and gardener who died in March 1904, and his wife Emma Jane Stevens. Married Beatrice Eliza Brown at Weymouth in July 1907, and in 1911 was a bricklayer living with his family at 10 St Leonards Road, Weymouth. He died on 25th June 1917 (cause unknown) and was buried at Brown’s Copse Cemetery, Rouex, France 111.H. 28.

Possibly ROPER Archibald Sidney Corporal No. 11958 Army Service Corps 5th East Surrey Regiment. Born October 1889 in Weymouth, son of William and Emma above. In 1911 he was lodging at Swanage working at a boot and shoe shop. He enlisted in the A S C on 26th August 1914 and was discharged on 7th May 1919, but it did not say if he had been wounded in the War. He died at Weymouth on 18th January 1921, but no cause known.

Private No. 27111 6th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Andover, Minnesota USA after his grandparents had emigrated in 1881 - his parents William Roper, a carrier, and his wife Sarah Ann Bridge Watts had returned to Dorset by December 1885. William Jnr. married Louisa Jane Lake at Godmanstone, Dorset on 3rd February 1904 and in 1911 they were living at 9 Walpole Street, Weymouth. William was killed in action on 16th May 1917 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France bay 6. His parents were living at Frogmore Farm, East Morden, Dorset, and his widow Louisa at Springhead Cottage, Portesham, Dorset.

Private No. 240880 1st/5th Gloucestershire Regiment. Born at Taunton, Somerset on 3rd May 1894, son of Henry Rudman, a furniture salesman, and his wife Elizabeth Durdan. In 1911 the family were living at 26 Great George Street, Weymouth when Frank was working as a cycle repair mechanic. His death was “Presumed” on or about 21st July 1916, and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France pier/face 5A and 5B. His parents were then living at “The Haven” at Langton Herring, Dorset.

Private No. 39858 2nd Battalion Wiltshire (Duke of Edinburgh’s Own) Regiment. Born at Peckham, London on 21st April 1899, son of George Henry Ruffell, an insurance agent for the Prudential in 1911, and his wife Miriam Sophia Mansell. Educated at Choumert Road School, London from 21.4.1899 to 1.5.1909. Previously served No. 70930 Devonshire Regiment. He was “Presumed Dead on or about 30th May 1918” and is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial, France. In 1921 his parents were living at 10 Gloucester Terrace, Weymouth.

Private No. 305881 7th Battalion Tank Corps. Born at Blandford, Dorset in April 1894, son of Edwin John Russell, a bricklayer’s labourer, and his wife Eliza Jane Moore. In 1911 the family were living at 5 Emmadale Road, Weymouth and Alfred was an assistant in a piano shop. He died of war wounds on 14th April 1918 and is buried at Pernes British Cemetery, France grave 1. B. 25.

Private No. 11064 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Tolpuddle, Dorset in January 1884, son of George Russell, a miller, and his wife Charlotte Gill who had married at Weymouth in 1875. In 1911 Frederick was working as a servant for the Cox family at “Clayhanger” Swyre, Dorset. His death was “Presumed on or since 21st August 1915” and he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Greece panels 137-140. His mother Charlotte was paid his war gratuity.

Private No. 6516 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth in October 1884, son of Frederick Salisbury, a shoemaker who died in 1908, and his wife Susan Elizabeth Hallett who died in 1899. In 1911 Frederick was lodging with a cousin working as a railway porter at Temple Combe, Somerset. He was killed in action on 13th October 1914 aged 30 and commemorated on the Le Tournet Memorial, France panels 22 and 23. His sister Fanny was paid his war gratuity.

Mercantile Marine 4th Engineering Officer SS Irvington Court Born at Portsmouth, Hampshire in October 1897, son of Frederick Salter, a Chief Petty Officer in Merchant Navy, a labourer and by 1921 a carter, and his wife Ester Williams Holes. In 1911 Frederick aged 13 was at the Royal Hospital School for boys of Seamen at Greenwich. He died aged 20 when the SS Irvington Court was sunk by U-34 off the coast of North Africa en route from Barry, South Wales to Malta with a cargo of coal and general goods. He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial. In 1911 his parents were living at 2 Argyle Road, Weymouth, but by 1921 had moved away to Southampton.

Private No. 13715 6th Battalion The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Born at Lambeth, London in 1888, son of Frank William Salter, an accountant and house agent, and his wife Emma Moggeridge who died in 1900. By 1907 Stephen was living at 43 Lennox Street, Weymouth and in 1911 a bank cashier for Lloyds Bank living at 3 Gloucester Terrace, Weymouth. He enlisted at Weymouth on 9th December 1915, and his death is recorded as” Officially accepted as a prisoner of war in Germany by 16th July 1917”. His probate granted on 5th September 1918 for £304.17s was paid to Edith Florence Guy, a spinster. Edith was born in Weymouth in 1895 and in 1911 was living with her family at 92 St. Mary Street, Weymouth.

Private No. 11519 6th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Radiplole, Dorset in July 1894 son of James Ford Sansford, a police constable, and his wife Eliza Ann Groves. In 1991 Albert was living at home at 29 Argyle Road with the family, working as a chemist’s porter. He was killed in action on 15th December 1915, and buried at Birr Cross Roads Cemetery, Belgium grave 11. C. 17. Note his Army death record says Arthur not Albert.

Private No. 266861 1st Battalion Oxon and Bucks Light Infantry. Born at Preston, Weymouth in April 1893, son of Eli Sartin, a general labourer, and his wife Annie Elizabeth Ellis. In 1911 Edward was a servant for the Prideaux family at 12 Frederick Place, Weymouth, whilst his parents were living at 4 Harman Terrace, Holly Road, Weymouth. He was killed in action on 20th August 1918 and buried at Barenthal Military Cemetery, Italy grave 2. B. 4.

Captain Kent Cycle Battalion attached to 2nd Battalion Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment. Born at Camberwell, London in January 1892, son of Frank Schofield M.D. a physician who died in March 1907 and his wife Ann Traies who died in 1913. He attended Exeter College Oxford in 1911/12, when his widowed mother was living at “St Martins”, Buxton Road, Weymouth. He died aged 26 on 10th November 1918 and was buried at Baghdad North Gate Cemetery, Iraq grave X111.C.4. His probate to his sister Hilda Francis A. Russell granted on 12th May 1919 was for £10,748.12s.9d.

Probably SCOVELL Sidney Norman Private No. 455072 Royal Army Medical Corps attached 64th General Hospital. Previously Dorset Yeomanry No. 359133. Born at Weymouth in May 1896, son of Frederick Scovell, a bricklayer who died in 1905, and his wife Annie Bessie Male. In 1911 was boarding as a “house boy” at Perform, Surrey and on 18th August 1913 recorded as ship’s crew on the Majestic at Weymouth. He enlisted on 28th November 1915 but died of influenza and broncho-pneumonia on 5th January 1919 at 43rd General Hospital, Greece. Is buried at Mikra British Cemetery, Greece no. 1177. Note there was a Lance Corporal Stanley William Scovell born East Ham, London 1898 who died in France in 1917, no connection to Weymouth found for him.

Private No. 36942 1st Battalion Wiltshire (Duke of Edinburgh’s Own) Regiment. Born at Dorchester in October 1898 son of Walter Isaac Scriven, an upholsterer who died in 1915, and his wife Eliza Cole Gould. In 1911 was living with the family at 29 Ilchester Road, Westham, Weymouth. He is listed as “Reported Dead” on 24th March 1918 and is commemorated on Arras Memorial, France bay 7. By then his widowed mother had moved to 22 Ilchester Road, Weymouth.

Private No. 10595 6th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth in April 1897 son of Walter and Kate Scriven - see his brother Thomas below. In 1911 aged 14 and aka Jack is living with his father before enlisting on 31st August 1914, when working as a baker. He was killed in action on 6th November 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France pier/face 7B. His sister Daisy Kate Denman of 43 Ranalegh Road Weymouth collected his war medals.

Sergeant No. 358 1st / 4th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born in January 1886 at Dorchester, son of Walter and Eliza Scriven - see his brother Francis above. In 1911 he was lodging in Dorchester working as an auctioneer’s clerk, but was killed on 7th September 1916, and buried at the Basra War Cemetery, Iraq, grave 111.H.1.His Probate to his older brother Herbert granted on 19th November 1917 was for £274.1s. 6d. Reginald’s address was quoted as 34 Trinity Street, Dorchester.

Lance Corporal No. 34580 2nd/5th Battalion Oxon and Bucks Light Infantry. Born in October 1888 at Dorchester, son of Walter and Eliza above. In 1911 was living with the family at 29 Ilchester Road, Westham, Weymouth, before in April 1916 at Yeovil he married Nellie Childs. He was killed in action on 24th April 1918, a month after his brother Francis, and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France panels 83-85. His widow Nellie was living at 10 Essex Maisonettes, Westham, Weymouth.

Petty Officer No. 232477 HMS Hampshire Born 1st January 1889 at Yeovil, Somerset, son of Walter Scriven, a carpenter and joiner who died at Weymouth in 1916, and his wife Kate Sims (CWGC says Sarah ?) who died at Weymouth in 1902. In 1911 Walter a widower was lodging in Weymouth with young son Jack aged 14 (see John W above) and working as a government labourer. Thomas enlisted in the Royal Navy on 17th October 1904, and in the quarter Apr-June 1913 he married Rosina Honeyborne at Weymouth. He joined HMS Hampshire on 22nd September 1915. In June 1916 Hampshire was under the command of Captain Herbert J. Savill, and was ordered by the Government to take Field Marshall Lord Kitchener on a fact finding mission to Russia, but on 5th June 1916 off Marwick Head, Orkney, she is thought to have struck a mine about 8 pm. 737 officers and men, including Lord Kitchener and his staff of 13, all died, and there were just 12 survivors. Rosina was then living at 73 Newstead Road, Weymouth.

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Private No. 17277 6th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth in January 1897 son of Richard William Sherlock Hare Shettler, a teacher, and his wife Martha Anne Turner. In 1911 Harold was living with the family at 10 Franklin Road, Weymouth. He died of war wounds on 23rd August 1916 and was buried at Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty, France grave 111.A.11. His parents were then living at 13 Cairns Crescent, Ashley Road, Bristol.

Lance Corporal No. 19568 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Previously No. 1563 Dorset Yeomanry. Born at Otford, Kent in October 1890, son of Alfred Henry Shipton, a cab driver who died in 1891, and his wife Mary Anne Woodward. In 1911 was living with the Guppy’s at 3 Bridge Buildings, Dorchester Road, Upwey, and working as a dairyman. He died of war wounds on 31st May 1918 and is commemorated at Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel AA42. His mother Mary Anne had married William Guppy at Upwey in April 1893, and they were living in 1918 at Sunnybank Cottage, Stavordale Road, Westham, Weymouth.

Private No. 31319 1st battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth in 1897 son of William Alfred Siddons, a carpenter and house painter who died in January 1920, and his wife Louise Bence who died in 1907 - they had married at St John’s church Melcombe Regis on 16th November 1896, and in 1911 William was living at 18 Rose Terrace, Weymouth. William Jnr. was killed in action on 11th August 1918 and buried at Bouchoir New British Cemetery, France grave V. D. 15.

Corporal No. 55344 9th Battalion Royal Fusiliers. Born at Melcombe Regis on 14th November 1895, son of Edward Simmonds, a watchmaker who died in 1900, and his wife Ellen Louisa Dean. In 1911 is living with his widowed mother at 6 Little George Street, Weymouth, working as a baker. He died of war wounds on 10th August 1918, and is buried at Pernois British Cemetery, Halloy-les-Pernois, France grave 1V. A. 21. His mother was still living at the above address.

Leading Cook’s Mate No. M/2523 HMS Q. 12 (Tulip). Born at Sherborne, Dorset on 27th December 1889, but baptised Archibald William Sims there on 1st March 1891, son of William John Sims, a policeman in Sherborne in 1891, later a groom at Melcombe Regis in 1901 and 1911, address then 3 St James Court, West Parade, Weymouth, and his wife Mary Anne Amor. William Jnr. enlisted in the Royal Navy on 1st June 1908 as an Officer’s clerk, but changed to Cook’s mate on 1st October 1910, and joined the Q. 12 on 28th August 1916 under command of Commander Norman McC Lewis. He died when she was sunk by submarine U-62 on 30th April 1917. His parents were still living at No. 3 St James Court.

Private No. 172016 3rd Battalion Canadian Infantry. Born at Milton Abbas, Dorset on 7th July 1877 and baptised Good Syms Slade there on 24th September 1877. Son of Edward George Slade, a carpenter and wheelwright who died in Sept. 1906 and his wife Cordelia Best who died in 1896. Married Agnes Emma James at St John’s church, Melcombe Regis on 18th August 1906, and in 1911 they were living at 1 Burleston Terrace, Maumbury Way, Dorchester. On 12th July 1911 they sailed from Bristol to Quebec, Canada on SS Royal George, with their two young daughters, en route to 330 Pake Avenue, Toronto. He enlisted in Canada on 11th August 1915, and died in action on 8th October 1916, being buried at Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont, France grave 111.B.23. It seems his widow Agnes moved back to Dorset as CWGC gives her address as 45 Ranalegh Road, Weymouth.

Sapper No. 47025 12th Field Company Royal Engineers. Born at Devonport, Devon in October 1896, son of William Richard Blake Smale, a Royal Naval Carpenter and Coastguard, and his wife Phoebe Cannon who in 1911 were living at 25 Lennox Street, Weymouth. Stanley was killed in action on 21st March 1918 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France bay 1.

Driver No. T4/071665 Base Horse Transport Depot, Army Service Corps. Born at Weymouth in July 1895 son of Simeon Smith, a bricklayer and builder, and his second wife Caroline Leach. In 1911 the family were living at 15 Commercial Road, Weymouth, with Arthur working for a railway company as a clerk. He died on 26th October 1916 (no cause recorded) and is buried or commemorated on Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt C.28.

Private 7th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment died 17th May 1919 aged 47 and buried at Weymouth Cemetery grave B. ” Gen ” . 247. With many records not including a middle name or initial, finding him was tricky. He may have been William G. Smith son of Mary Smith, unmarried mother born Weymouth in 1837, who married Mary Carroll at Holy Trinity church Weymouth on 7th July 1897, giving his father’s name as William. I think he enlisted in Royal Garrison Artillery on 3rd January 1889 No. 70251, having been rejected by R.M.L.I. for a deformed toe from birth, then again on 22nd March 1902 No. 10227. In 1911 was a council labourer living with his family at 19 Newstead Road, Weymouth. A further enlistment on 7th September 1914 said he had served 21 years with R.G.A. and lived at 3 Silver Street, Weymouth the address of his widow on the CWGC website.

Captain 5th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Born on 18th December 1883 at Gwalior, Bengal, India son of Brigade Surgeon Lt. Colonel Frederick Augustus Smyth (H.M. Indian Army retired) and his wife Elizabeth Jane Banfield Cole (aka Lizzie) who died at Weymouth in August 1900. Richard was educated at Weymouth College and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on 31.07. 1902, then Lieutenant on 31. 07. 1905 and Captain on 30. 10. 1914, he served in the U.K. then six years in Ceylon (now Sr Lanka) before a posting to France in September 1914. Highly thought of by his fellow officers, he was Mentioned in Despatches there, but was shot by a sniper and killed on 7th November 1914. He was buried at Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenweerk, France grave 111.P. 2. Richard was awarded the Military Cross, gazetted on 18th February 1915 in error to another officer and as the M. C. cannot be awarded posthumously, the award was cancelled. His probate granted to his father at 6 Lansdowne Terrace, Weymouth on 23rd December 1914 was for £239. 1s. 9d.

Private No. P/O 15041 Royal Marines Light Infantry HMS Viknor. Born at Swaythling, Hampshire on 1st March 1890, son of Henry Snell, a carpenter and joiner who died in 1908, and his wife Millicent Parsons, who lived at Bitterne Park, Southampton. On 7th February 1914 at Holy Trinity church, Weymouth Frank married Annie Mary Holt, and he was a carpenter like his father. HMS Viknor was built in 1888 as the RMS Atrato, but taken over by the Royal Navy in late 1914 as an Armed Merchant Cruiser. He died when she sank in rough seas off the coast of Ireland on 13th January 1915 - there was a question “did she also hit a mine?” as no distress call was made. All 295 officers and men were killed. His widow Annie was living at 2 Hope Square, Weymouth. Their baby son, also Frank, was born and sadly died in the quarter Jan-March 1915.

Private No. 50865 12th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry. Born at Weymouth in April 1889, son of Thomas Joseph Squibb, a carman at the brewery, and his wife Priscilla Jane Taylor (aka Jennie), who were living at 28 Alma Road, Westham, Weymouth. Arthur died aged 19 of war wounds on 27th October 1918, and was buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France grave V1. D. 12.

Private No. 37997 2nd/4th Battalion Royal Berkshire (Princess Charlotte of Wales Own) Regiment. Born at Wyke Regis in October 1889, son of George Henry Squibb, a former coastguard and naval pensioner, and his wife Susan Jane Dowell who died in 1907. In 1911 he was a store keeper at Whiteheads Torpedo Works, living with his widowed father at Dorforg Cottage, Williams Avenue, Westham, Weymouth. On 27th February 1915 at Christ Church, Melcombe Regis he married Kathleen Elizabeth Wotherspoon. He was killed in action between 21 March 1918 and 3 April 1918, and was buried at Vadencourt British Cemetery, Maissemy, France grave 111. B. 28.

Deck Hand 15566 DA Royal Naval Reserve serving on HM Trawler Plethos, and formerly R N V R No, 6175. Born at Weymouth on 6th September 1897, son of William John Stacey, a leading Stoker R.N. and Ellen Prince k/as Nellie - they married after Ernest was born, at Melcombe Regis on 23rd September 1899. William was serving on HMS Agincourt. Ernest enlisted on 8th March 1917. HMS Plethos was a steam trawler built in 1913 for deep sea fishing but taken over by the Royal Navy. She sunk after hitting a mine laid by German submarine U-80 off the coast of Scotland with the loss of four lives including Ernest. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial panel 31. His parents were in 1921 living at 11 Trinity Road, Weymouth, and William was then working for Great Western Railway.

Private No. 10280 88th Company Machine Gun Corps. Formerly No. 20740 Oxon and Bucks Light Infantry. Son of Alfred James Stevens a jobbing mason, and his wife Fanny Emily Bishop who died in 1913. In 1911 the family were living at 1 Portland Place, Rodwell Road, Weymouth. He was killed in action on 31st July 1917, and buried at Canada Farm Cemetery, France grave 11. B. 22.

Corporal No. 0879 2nd Section Royal Army Ordnance Corps. Born at Weymouth in about June 1884 son of Alfred J Stevens - see his brother Frederick John for family details. In 1911 was living with the family at 1 Portland Place, Rodwell, Weymouth aged 26 a shoemaker and repairer. I could not find details of his military service but he died on 22nd April 1921 and was buried at Netley, Hampshire Military Cemetery grace CE. 2047.

Private No. 8485 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth on 2nd July 1890, son of John Pitman Stevens, a groom and horse cab driver who died in July 1916 and his wife Elizabeth White. He enlisted in June 1908 having served in the Dorset Regiment Reserve, and in 1911 was away with the 2nd battalion in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and India. He died at sea (cause not known) on board a hospital ship bound for Bombay, India, and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq panels 22 and 63. In 1915 his widowed mother was living at 1 Silver Street, North Quay, Weymouth.

No further information currently

No further information currently

Private No. 10518 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth in January 1886 son of George Stott, a brewery labourer who died in 1887, and Emma Jane Garland. He died of wounds at Gallipoli, Turkey and is commemorated on the Alexandria Chatby Military War memorial, Egypt panel J. 17. His widowed mother Emma was living at 9 Belmont Street, Weymouth in 1921.

Gunner No. 11695 “C” Battery, 60th Brigade Royal Field Artillery. Born ay Weymouth on 24th January 1895, son of George Stickland Styles, a general labourer, and his wife Emily Fanny Keats. In 1911 the family were living at 12 Rose Terrace, Weymouth and Sydney was working as an errand boy for a fishmonger. It seems he died of appendicitis on 12th August 1915, and was buried at Port Said War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt in grave A. 5.

Brigade Quarter Master Sergeant No. 61178 190th Battery 281st Brigade Royal Field Artillery. Born in July 1889 at Weymouth, son of Hori Swann, a grain warehouseman and his wife Hannah Evans. Enlisted I believe on 18th July 1907 and in 1911 was with his regiment in Kent. He was killed in action on 5th September 1918 and was buried at Queant Road Military Cemetery, Buissly, France grave V1.G. 31. His parents were living at 4 Mitchell Street, Weymouth.

Private No. 27960 2nd / 4th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth in July 1898 son of George Miller Swannie, an architectural draughtsman working for War Dept. and his wife Nellie R. Jessop. In 1911 the family with Frederick aged 12 were living at 1A Glen Avenue, Weymouth but by 1921 had moved to 69 St Leonards Road. Frederick is listed as have drowned/died at sea, but I failed to find any details. He is commemorated on the Chatby Memorial, Egypt.

Sapper No. W/R 289597 116th Railway Corps, Royal Engineers. Born at Weymouth in June 1890 son of Samuel Symes, a mariner who died in 1894, and his wife Mary Jane English who died in 1917. In 1911 he was living with his mother (father away at sea) at 33 Franchise Street. He married Lydia Ann White at Steeple Ashton, Wiltshire on 29th May 1917, but his health did not seem very good, with short spells in hospital in September 1917 and again in September 1918. He died of pneumonia on 2nd November 1918 and is buried or commemorated at Ramleh War cemetery, Israel EE.29.

Private No. 12475 7th Battalion South Lancashire (Prince of Wales Volunteers) Regiment. Born at Chickerell, Dorset on 29th September 1882, son of Benjamin Symes a butcher and meat hawker who died in 1905, and his wife Annie Legg Greenham who died in 1906. On the 8th February 1904 at Holy Trinity church, Weymouth he married Mary Louisa Chipping, and in 1911 they were living at 7 Alexandra Terrace, Alexandra Road, Chickerell. He was missing presumed killed in action on 5th July 1916 and commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France panels 7A and 7B.

Company Quarter Master Sergeant No. 334002 Dorset Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. Born at Weymouth in April 1876 son of Frederick Symonds, a cooper at the brewery, and his wife Elizabeth Martha Wallis. In 1900 was in Dorset Regiment Reserve No. 7121, and on 11th September 1902 at Holy Trinity church Weymouth he married Edith Kate Cross, when also working as a cooper. He was continuing to work as a coper in 1911 living with Edith at 46 Cromwell Road Weymouth. He died at the Royal Hospital Weymouth, cause not known, on 9th February 1918 and was buried at Weymouth Cemetery grave B. “C”. 2218.

2nd Corporal No. 37548 Establishment Engineers Services, Royal Engineers. Born at Weymouth in April 1896 son of Hugh Austin Talbot, a brewer’s clerk, and his wife Annie Martha Cole. In 1911 the family were living with Annie’s mother Martha at 1 Hope Street, Weymouth - Edward was a clerk in the Civil Service. He was killed in action aged 22 on 27th May 1918, and buried at Blargies Communal Cemetery Extension, France grave 1. D. 5.

Private No. 230708 “C” Squadron Dorset Yeomany (Queen’s Own). Born at Weymouth in January 1896 son of Frederick James Tarrant, a house painter, and his wife Mary Elizabeth Squibb. In 1911 the family were living at 4 Cove Street, Weymouth with Frederick aged 15 an errand boy at the brewery, Frederick Jnr. was killed in action on 28th November 1917 and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel panel 3.

Boy 1st Class No. J/85401 HMS Duke of Edinburgh. Born at Weymouth on 25th September 1900, son of George Taylor, a grocer’s storekeeper, and his wife Jane Bagg who had died in 1912. William enlisted in the Royal Navy on 19th February 1918 but died of pneumonia in the R.N. Hospital Haslar, Portsmouth. He was buried in Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery grave E. 30. 16

Lance Corporal No. 230202 1st / 1st Battalion Dorset Yeomany. Born at Langton Herring, Weymouth in October 1893 son of Charles Tett, a hot water engineer who died in 1914, and his wife Phillis Mowlam. In 1911 aged 18 he was living at 3 Crescent Street Weymouth, described as a plumber. He is said to have accidentally drowned on 20th May 1917 and was buried at Alexandria Chatby War and Military Cemetery, Egypt grave E. 118.

Second Lieutenant 14th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Born at Yeovil, Somerset in January 1896 son of William Henry Thompson, a domestic butler, and his wife Mary Jane Mead. In 1911 Arthur aged 15 was an invoice clerk for a company living with his family at Nine Springs Cottage, Barwick, Yeovil. He was killed in action on 2nd June 1916 and buried at Pond-du-Hem Military Cemetery, La Gorgue, France grave 1. A. 12. His parents had by then left Yeovil and were living at 6 Belvedere, Weymouth.

Private No. 3/6528 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth in April 1894 son of Amos Thompson, a coal porter, who married Edith Silage at Sherborne, Dorset in 1882. In 1911 the family were living at 23 Prince of Wales Road, Weymouth - Ernest was a council road sweeper. He died on 16th July 1915 cause not known and was buried at Boulougne Eastern Cemetery, France grave V11. B. 63.

Chief Petty Officer No. 170317 HMS Black Prince. Born at Portland Dorset in April 1877 son of John Thorne, a mariner and R.N. Pensioner who died in 1909 at Puncknowle, Dorset and his wife Drucilla Thorner who died in May 1887. George enlisted in the Royal Navy on 18th October 1892, and in 1902 he married Nellie Rhodes at Weymouth. He joined HMS Black Prince on 21st August 1914, being promoted later to C.P.O. but in the night of May 31st 1916 in the Battle of Jutland she got separated from the main battle fleet. In searching in the dark, she thought they had found Admiral Beatty’s ships but it was the German battle ships and at close range she stood no chance and was blown to pieces. 857 officers and men were killed. George is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial panel 11. His widow Nellie was living at 24 Sherborne Terrace, Chapelhay, Weymouth.

Private No. 3575 2nd/4th Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Chilbolton, Hampshire in July 1878 son of William Tilbury, a farmer at Church Farm, Chilbolton who died in 1890, and his wife Catherine Sarah Cake. After his father died William and two sisters were living with his Uncle William Cake at Woodford Dorset. He married Florence Rosina Clarke at St John’s church, Melcombe Regis on 7th April 1902. By 1911 though the family had moved away from Weymouth - they were living in Reading and he was a grocer’s assistant. At some point he joined the 2nd/4th Dorsetshire Regiment but died of an unknown disease at Colaba Hospital, Bombay, India and is commemorated on the Kirkee 1914-18 Memorial face D in India. Florence was then living at 28 Stanford Way, Norbury, London.

Possibly TISDALE George William Private No. M2/ 175398 Army Service Corps. Born at Bodenham, Herefordshire in 1882 son of George Herbert Tisdale, a farmer, and his wife Alice Mary Hill. On 23rd November 1907 married Mary Anne Richards in Cardiganshire, and in 1911 the family were living in Stroud, Gloucestershire, where he was a motor bus driver. The Weymouth connection seems to be that Jury Lists for 1915 - 1918 list him as Licensed Victualler at Royal Oak Inn, Weymouth, but he was killed in action on 8th October 1918, and is buried or commemorated on Louverval Military Cemetery, Doignies, France B. 24. By 1921 his widow Mary Ann is back living in Cardiganshire.

Sergeant No. 9346 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth in January 1894, son of Henry Charles Tomlinson, a coal merchant’s clerk who died on 22nd April 1916, and his wife Clara Ann Richards. In 1911 the family were living at 5 Argyle Road, Weymouth, with Percy a carpenter’s apprentice. He is recorded as ”Presumed Dead” on 1st July 1916, and buried at Pozieres British Cemetery, Ovillers-la-Boiselle, France grave 111.U.6.

Private No. 9966 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth on 26th July 1894, son of Henry Townsend a general labourer and his wife Alice Harper. In 1911 the family were living at 30 Burdon’s Buildings, Old Bond Street, Weymouth. William enlisted at Weymouth on 15th August 1914 when working as a fisherman and died of war wounds on 10th June 1917. He is buried or commemorated at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium N. 20. His parents were still living at the same address.

Private No. 12909 7th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry. Born at Merriott, Somerset in April 1896 son of George Trask, a Market Gardener and Fruiterer, and his wife Elizabeth Ellen Hallett who died in 1903. In 1901 George was already living in Melcombe Regis working as a market gardener before in January 1905 he remarried at Pontypridd, Wales to Margaret Osborne (k/as Annie). In 1911 the family were living at 40 Abbotsbury Road, Weymouth, and Isaiah was working also as a fruiterer. He was killed in action on 12th June 1916, and buried at Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Belgium grave 111. A. 1. His brother Thomas also died in the Great War - see below. Note - the CWGC website has him incorrectly listed as J. Trask.

Thomas [Arthur]

Private No. 13988 6th battalion Somerset Light Infantry. Born at Aberdare, Glamorgan, Wales in October 1894 son of George and Elizabeth Trask above. In 1911 he was working as a coal miner in Wales and was recorded as ”Presumed Dead” three months after his brother on 16th September 1916. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France pier / face 2A.

Gunner No. RMA/6308 3rd Royal Marines Battalion Royal Marines Artillery. Born at Portsea, Hampshire where his father George was a Petty Officer Royal Navy, but have found little about him - he married an Ellen Herne. James enlisted on 8th October 1896, and in 1901 was serving at Chatham, Kent before marrying Fanny Charlotte Wootten at St Paul’s church, Weymouth on 12th April 1910, his father George being noted as “Deceased”. He was serving on board HMS Centurion at the Battle of Jutland on 31st May 1916. In 1918 the former SS Dresden, now HMS Louvain was carry mail and officers and men for other R N ships in the Mediterranean, en route from Malta to Mudros on the Greek island of Lemnos. In the Aegean Sea she was sighted on 20th January 1918 by the mine laying German submarine UC-22 which fired one torpedo. Louvain sank quickly with the loss of 224 lives including James. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial panel 30. His widow Fanny was living at 143 Abbotsbury Road, Westham, Weymouth.

Paymaster Royal Marines Reserve HMS Bergamot. Born at Weston Super Mare, Somerset on 6th August 1881 son of John Thomas Franklin Turner, a company director of a stone quarrying firm who died at Weymouth in January 1912 aged 73. He had married Lucy Sare at Bath, Somerset in 1874. George first enlisted into the Royal Marines Light Infantry on 29th November 1898 No. 10094, and is missing from census returns in 1901 and 1911, so likely he was abroad. In the summer of 1912 he married Margaret Mary Thompson at Weymouth. HMS Bergamot was a brand new sloop launched in May 1917 to act as a “Q” ship but she was struck off Ireland by a torpedo from German submarine U-84, broke into two halves and sank in four minutes. George is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial panel 23, and his widow Margaret was living then at 27 Avenue Road, Weymouth. George’s probate granted on 28th August 1918 to his brother Franklin L. Turner (born 1866) and John M. Tucker (Solicitor) was for £831. 0s. 5d. His parents in 1911 were living at “Tintagel”, Dorchester Road, Weymouth, which was also his address given on George’s probate.

Ships Steward Mercantile Marine SS Isleworth. Born at Weymouth on 16th April 1866, son of Samuel Alfred Vickery, a superintendent of police who died in 1886, and his wife Sarah Waldron Barge who died in 1905. He appears to be missing from the census of 1891 and 1901 - at sea? - before on 10th October 1907 at St. Paul’s church Paddington, London he married Jane English - he was aged 41 she was 44. In 1911 the couple were lodging at 66 Corporation Street, Cardiff. SS Isleworth was a cargo boat that on 30th April 1918 was sailing with a cargo of iron ore from Bilbao, Spain to Middlesborough, Yorkshire when she was sunk by a torpedo from German mine laying submarine UC-17 off the Isle of Wight, and 39 on board were killed. Edgar was aged 53 and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. His widow Jane was living at Penylyn House, Llanilterne, St Fagans, Cardiff. NOTE - Edgar had a brother George Edgar Vickery born 1869 and died 1936 who was a railway worker with GWR.

probably VINCE Joseph or as CWGC lists VIZZACORRO Joseph Driver No. 238288 ‘D’ Battery 282nd Battalion Royal Field Artillery. He died on 22nd 0ctober 1918 and is commemorated on Villers-en-Cauchies Communal Cemetery France A. 4. I cannot sort out Joseph’s family but he is listed in 1911 aged 20 born at Bournemouth a rag and iron dealer living at 66 Newstead Road, Weymouth. He is marked “ Step son “ but am not sure which of the other Italian residents that refers too. It may be Maria Michele Mascolo aged 33 also listed as she appears on the Army Pension record for Joseph Vizzacorro above, which is also noted as Joseph Vince.

Gunner No. 159592 182nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. Although born at Ipswich, Suffolk in June 1880, he was baptised with other siblings at Wyke Regis in October 1884. His father Stephen was a grocer then but died in 1899, and his mother Jane Elizabeth Eastman, living at 15 Surrey Terrace, Wyke Regis. In 1901 he was living with widowed mother Jane and family at 57 Southfield Road, Weymouth, then in the summer of 1907 he married Alice Caroline Vine at Weymouth where she was born. In 1911 they were living at Nottingham where Arthur was a cane chair maker, but he was killed in action on 30th October 1917. He was buried at the Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery, Belgium grave 1.N. 20. His widow had moved back to Weymouth, living at 4 Turton Street.

Private No. 9569 “B “Company, 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born in April 1896 at Weymouth son of Charles Vining, a council labourer who died in 1924, and his wife Mary Ann Downton whom he married at Wyke Regis in July 1890. In 1911 the family were living at 5 Garibaldi Row, Weymouth. The Army death record for Walter lists him as William alias Walter and his death presumed on 13th October 1914 aged 21. He is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, France panels 22 and 23.

Private No. 27113 6th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born on 17th October 1889 at Higher Burton, Dorset son of William Walbrin, a farm carter who died in 1898, and his wife Mary Ann Barter. In 1911 he was living at Middle Farm Cottage, Dorchester with his widowed mother Mary and two brothers - all working as farm carters. On 8th April 1912 at Broadmayne, Dorset he married Amelia Grace Treviss, but died on 1st April 1918 and is buried at Ribemont Communal Cemetery Extension, France grave 1V. D. 7. His widow Amelia was living at 17 Glyde Path Road, Dorchester.

Private No. 9347 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born 2nd January 1897 in Weymouth, son of Robert Alfred Walden, a labourer, and his wife Sarah Alice Wright. In the 1911 census Walter was an errand boy for a drapers living with his family at 1 Queen’s Place, Chapelhay, Weymouth. It appears he applied to join the Royal Navy giving his d.o.b. as 2nd January 1893 but having been under training from 15th August 1911 to 11th November 1911 he was released as “Unsuitable”. He then applied to join the Dorsetshire Regiment on 4th March 1912 giving his age as 18 years and one month. He was killed in action on 17th November 1914 aged 17 and buried at Basra War Cemetery, Iraq grave 111. D. 2.

Seaman No. 178634 HMS Tipperary Born at Weymouth on 21st August 1878, son of Charles Wallis, a farm carter, and his wife Mary Ann Hallett. Joined the Royal Navy on 11th January 1894 and served until 21st August 1908, then had a break. In the 1911 census he was working as a Labourer living at home with his family at 24 Chickerell Road, Weymouth. On 7th July 1914 he married Bessie Guise, then rejoined the Navy on 19th October 1914. On the night of 31st May / 1st June HMS Tipperary was Flotilla Leader of 4th Destroyer Squadron but in that night was found by the German fleet and sunk by gunfire from SMS Westfalen, with the loss of 150 lives including John. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial panel 12. He parents had moved to 33 Chickerell Road, whilst he widow Bessie died in 1919.

Private No. 3088 “A “Company 2nd/7th Battalion Middlesex (Duke of Cambridge’s Own) Regiment. Born on Portland, Dorset in January 1888, son of John Warren, headmaster of St. George’s school, Portland who died in 1909, and his wife Penelope Palmer who died in 1917. Alec was educated at Foster’s school, Sherborne, Dorset (1899), St John’s College, Battersea, London (1908) and started training as a teacher / assistant master at Buxton Street school, Whitechapel, London (1908 - 1914). He was killed in action on 15th September 1916 aged 28, and buried at Combles Community Cemetery Extension, France grave V11. E. 39. His probate granted on 17th February 1917 to his brother James Maxwell Warren (born 1866) was for £447. 8s 8d.

Lance Corporal No. 3/7476 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at South Stoneham, Hampshire in October 1883, son of Samuel Thomas Wells, a railway carriage examiner for L & S W R, and his wife Catherine Mary Athey. In 1911 the family were living at 7 Brownlow Street, Weymouth, when Charles was working as a carpenter’s assistant. On 2nd January 1915 at St John’s church, Melcombe Regis he married Ethel May Watts, but was killed in action on 8th May 1916 and is buried or commemorated at Authuille Military Cemetery, Authuille, France A. 14. His widow Ethel had moved to Swindon by 1921 to live next door to her father, but on 17th September 1923 she married William Spackman at Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire.

Private No. 33206 15th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment . Bort at Portsea, Hampshire son of Charles James Wells, a Petty Officer Royal Navy, and his wife Charlotte Amelia Treliving who married at Portsea in 1880. In 1911 Charles Jnr. was living with his sister Kate Symes and her family at 10 Newstead Road, Weymouth. He enlisted in Weymouth first in the Lancers No. 1855 and 24265, but died of war wounds on 26th October 1917 and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium panels 23 to 26. Kate had married George Symes in Weymouth on 24th December 1904, but after he died she married William Allen, again in Weymouth, on 3rd April 1919. Kate was paid Charles’ s War Gratuity.

Private No. 29612 7th Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. Born at Melcombe Regis on 30th October 1898, son of Theophilus Wenlock, a bricklayer, and his wife Lucy Farwell. In the 1911 census the family were living at 8 Wesley Street, Weymouth. William is recorded as “Presumed Dead” on 2nd April 1918 and is commemorated on Pozieres Memorial, France, panel 45. His parents were then living at 18 King Street, Weymouth.

Private No. 26280 Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. Born at Bournemouth in July 1881, son of James Henry West, a baker, and his wife Mary Jane Amelia Cherett. On 27th February 1911 he married Harriet Mary Harvey at Melcombe Regis, and in the 1911 census Alfred was living with his parents at 6 Stewards Court, Stewards Lane Weymouth, working as a bricklayer. He was killed in action on 28th February 1917 and his widow Harriet was then living at 28 East Street, Weymouth. Alfred was buried at Gorre British and Indian cemetery, France grave 111. C. 18.

Officer’s Steward 2nd Class No. PO/L/2737 HMS Britannia. Born at Reading, Berkshire on 7th December 1892, son of Albert Edward Wheeler, a linesman for G.W.R., and his wife Eliza Matilda Richardson. He enlisted in the Royal Navy as an Officer’s Steward on 10th March 1911, and posted to HMS Britannia, a 1904 built battleship. On 9th November 1918, just before the Great War ended, she was en route to Gibraltar when torpedoed by German submarine UB-50. It caused a cordite explosion and 40 of the crew were killed, but many were rescued as she took three hours to sink. It appears Albert’s body was recovered and he was buried at Gibraltar’s North Front Cemetery grave B. 4213. His parents were living at 19 Penny Street, Weymouth.

o Sapper No. 15481 5th Field Company Royal Engineers. Born at Weymouth in January 1887, son of John Thomas Whettam, a builder who died in 1913, and his wife Sarah Annie Rollason. In 1901 they were living at 19 William Street, Weymouth. Frank sailed for Australia on SS Orantes on 26th September 1909, and in 1911 he married May Agnes Humbly at Waverley, New South Wales. In 1913 they were living at 766 Parramatta Road, Lewisham, N.S.W. but at some point he returned the the UK as he died of wounds on 4th October 1915 aged 29. He was buried at Chocques Military Cemetery, France, grave 1. E. 140. His brother Henry also died in the Great War.

2nd Corporal No. 4061 4th Field Company Australian Engineers. He was born at Radipole, Dorset in 1889 son of John and Annie Whettam above, but he is missing from the 1911 census, and I could find no record of when he sailed to Australia. On 17th January 1914 at Paddington N.S.W. he married Constance Elizabeth Harrison, working as a builder and stone mason. They were living at “Carinya”, Wentworth Street, Randwick, N.S.W. He enlisted at Liverpool, N.S.W. on 5th March 1915, but was killed on 28th October 1917, and is commemorated on the Ypres Memin Gate Memorial, Belgium panel 7. His probate granted in England to his widow Constance was for just £44. 6s 11d.

Ships Steward No. 152524 HMS Queen. Born at South Hackney, London on 15th December 1874, son of Edmund Joseph White, a Royal Navy Fitter who died in 1882, and his wife Mary Ann Biles who died in 1895. He enlisted as a boy sailor on 31st January 1890 and had a long career including the Benin River Expedition in 1894, and earned a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. On 6th September 1901 he married Lilian M. Legge at Portsmouth after Banns were read at Melcombe Regis. He died on 31st July 1915 from internal injuries caused by an accident on July 26th and was buried at Taranto Town Cemetery Extension, Italy grave 1V. G. 3. His widow Lilian was living at 1 Stavordale Villas, Westham, Weymouth, and his probate granted to her on 23rd November 1915 was for £333. 1s.

Private No. 10806 6th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth in January 1889 son of Francis Charles Henry White, a slaughter man and butcher and his wife Elizabeth Weaver. In the 1911 census he was living at home with his family at 5 Prince of Wales Road, Weymouth working as a butcher’s assistant. He was killed in action on 6th August 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France pier/face 7B. His younger brother Tom also died in the Great War.

Private No. 9965 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth in October 1894 son the Francis and Elizabeth White see above. In the 1911 census aged 17 he was an errand boy living at home with his parents. He was working as a Groom when he enlisted on 10th August 1914. Serving in the Gallipoli campaign he was wounded and transferred to hospital at Malta but died from Septicaemia from those wounds on 21st September 1915. He was buried in the Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta grave B. X111.6 See Ernest John White his brother above.

Private No. 31386 Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, previously No. 17448 Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth on 8th July 1896, son of Henry Wallace and Julia White - see above for family details. In 1911 he was living with his father at “Bay View “as above. He was killed in action on 28th October 1916 and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France panel 139 (addenda).

Private No. 9965 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth in October 1894 son the Francis and Elizabeth White see above. In the 1911 census aged 17 he was an errand boy living at home with his parents. He was working as a Groom when he enlisted on 10th August 1914. Serving in the Gallipoli campaign he was wounded and transferred to hospital at Malta but died from Septicaemia from those wounds on 21st September 1915. He was buried in the Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta grave B. X111.6 See Ernest John White his brother above.

Private No. 2018 24th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps. Born at Weymouth on 2nd July 1893 son of William P. White, a coal porter, and his wife Jane Bryer. In 1911 the family were living at 1 South Parade Court, Weymouth, and William died of war wounds on 12th March 1915. He was buried at Merville Communal Cemetery, France grave 1. M. 9. His parents were then living at 9 Prince of Wales Road, Weymouth.

Private No. 10805 ‘D’ Company 6th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Born at Weymouth in August 1889 son of John William Whittle, a brewer’s stableman, and his wife Elizabeth Brake. In the 1911 census George was a brewer’s cellerman living with his parents at 6 St Leonards Road Weymouth. He died of dysentery on 11th September 1915 and was buried at Etaples Military Cemetery, France grave 1V. F. 13A.

Private No. 21041 1st/6th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He was son of Charles Whittle and Dinah Mary Godden. Charles was born in Weymouth in 1856 but served in the Royal Navy as a seaman and later as a coastguard and was serving in Ireland when Walter was born at Kinsale, Cork in 1887. In 1901 the family were back in Weymouth living at 12 Mountway Terrace, Chickerell Road, with Charles then a house painter. In the quarter Oct-Dec. 1910 Walter married Annie Butler at Weymouth, and in 1911 they were lodging at Preston, Weymouth with Walter also as house painter. He was killed in action on 4th February 1917 and is buried at Assevillers British Cemetery, France grave 1V. D. 3. His widow Annie was living at 4 Honeysuckle Cottage, Preston, Weymouth.

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Able Seaman No. J/7307 HMS Queen Mary Born at Stevenage, Hertfordshire on 16th September 1893, son of Joseph Williams, a general labourer, and his wife Ellen Jewell. He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 17th February 1910, and in 1911 his family were living at 25 Prince of Wales Road, Weymouth. Joseph joined HMS Queen Mary on 15th May 1915 a new battle cruiser launched in 1913, when at the start of the Battle of Jutland on 31st May 1916 she was hit by a salvo from the German battle cruiser Derflinger, and blown to pieces as her ammunition exploded. Only 18 survived and 1,266 officers and men were killed. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial panel 14.

Corporal No. 41562 75th Field Co. Royal Engineers. Born in London in 1889 so of William Wilson, a brass finisher, and his wife Jane, who in 1901 were living at Salford, Lancashire. On 6th July 1913 Harry married Kathleen Eleanor Riley at St. John’s church Melcombe Regis, when he was working as a plumber and living at 8 Great Western Terrace, Weymouth. He was killed in action on 31st July 1917 and is buried at Canada Farm Cemetery, Belgium grave 11. B. 16. His widow Kathleen was then living at 6 Golden Row, Chapelhay, Weymouth

Sergeant No. 22228 Royal Garrison Artillery School of Experimental Gunnery. Born at Ryde, Isle of Wight in July 1884, son of Frederick Wilson, a R.G. A. Gunner who died in 1907, and his wife Elizabeth Clark. In 1901 the family were living at 4 Hope Street, Weymouth, but in 1911 Herbert was in India a bombardier serving with 74 Company R. G. A. He married Edith Mary Coupe at Rochford, Essex in July 1914, but died at the military hospital, Shoeburyness, Essex on 3rd May 1917 - cause not known. He was buried at St. Andrew’s church, South Shoebury. His widow Edith was living at 2 High Street, Shoeburyness.

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Private No. 39747 1st Battalion Wiltshire (Duke of Edinburgh’s Own) Regiment. Formerly No. 2853 with 2nd/1st North Somerset Yeomanry and No. 41378 Somerset Light Infantry. Born at Weymouth in January 1899 son of Reginald Tom Woodcock, a bus conductor who died in 1919, and his wife Alice Dance. In the 1911 census the family were living at 10 Crescent Street, Weymouth. Sidney died of war wounds on 17th September 1918 and was buried at Varennes Military Cemetery, France 1V. A. 13.

Corporal No. M2/188906 52nd Motor Transport Group Army Service Corps. Born at Melcombe Regis in April 1880 son of Robert James Wright, a grocer and provision merchant, and his wife Jane Carter. In 1901 the family were living at 49 and 50 St Mary Street, Weymouth. Herbert died on 22nd March 1918, maybe at Farnham, Surrey where there were Army Barracks, but was buried at Melcombe Regis Cemetery grave A. 207.

Private No. 3/8416 Not on the Roll of Honour but listed on the CWGC website who died of poison gas on 2nd May 1915. UK Soldiers who died in WW One lists him as Bowering, but he was baptised on 6th May 1873 at Moreton, Dorset son of Thomas Bowring, a labourer, and his wife Emily nee Coombs. In 1891 Robert is listed as a dairyman lodging at Turners Puddle, Dorset, is missing in 1901 and I suspect he joined the Army well before W W One. A Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioners list for a Robert John Bowering born 1873 says he was discharged from Dorset Regt. in 1910 No. 3335. He is buried at Bailleul Community Cemetery Nord Extension 1. A. 160.

Private No. Ply/193675 Royal Marines Light Infantry Royal Naval Division. Born at Holloway, London on 8th September 1896 son of Albert Stanley George Marshall, a milkman, and his wife Phoebe Starling. In 1911 was an odd job boy for a piano maker living with his parents in Islington, London. In the last quarter of 1915 at Weymouth he married Ada M. Stanley who was living at 39 Fortuneswell, Portland when he died, killed in action on 18th July 1917. He is buried at the Naval Trench Cemetery, Gavrelle, France grave D. 3.

Sergeant No. S/19944 5th Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). Born at Portsmouth, Hampshire on 16th May 1897, son of William Taylor, a Naval Pensioner and later a labourer, who married Anna Maria Clark at Wyke Regis in 1896. Ernest was killed in action on 22nd October 1918 and is buried at Harlebeke New British Cemetery, Belgium grave V. D. 3. His parents were living at 7 Ida Terrace, Galway Road, Wyke Regis, Weymouth.