Commonwealth War Graves Commission Burials at Wimborne Minster Churchyard
Research by Richard Smith into the lives and deaths of the CWGC War Casualties buried in Wimborne Minster.
CWGC Burials at Wimborne Minster Churchyard
BAKER Edward Whitley Lieutenant M.C. Royal Engineers
Born in Wimborne on 6th February 1889 son of Edward Whitley Baker
M.R.C.V.S. a veterinary surgeon, and his wife Clara May Dowsing. Educated
at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Dorset as a boarder, he first enlisted in
the Coldstream Guards No. 12853 as a Lance Corporal, before moving to the
Royal Engineers as an Officer Cadet, then was commissioned as a Lieutenant.
From 17th March 1915 he served with 17th Divisional Signal Corps in France
and Flanders and was awarded the Military Cross. Posted to Berlin, Germany
at the end of 1918, he died of pneumonia in Burggrafen Street Infirmary,
Berlin on 16th December 1920, but was brought back to Wimborne and buried
in grave No. C. 6. 5280. His parents were living at "Glenfield" Wimborne
when his probate was issued to his sister Mary Crow Whitley Baker on 1st
April 1921 for £1,243 3s. 6d.
BARROW Alfred William Private No. 72873 Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
Born in Wimborne on 3rd April 1889 son of Edward Barrow, a general labourer
who died in 1925, and his wife Anna Caroline Cobb who died in March 1918.
On 1st August 1910 Alfred married Margaret Mary Keogh and they lived at 28
King Street, Wimborne. When he enlisted on 28th August 1914 he said he had
served 6 years in 3rd Battalion Dorset Regt. Reserve. He did serve in
Europe, but was sent back to Shorncliffe Military Hospital, Kent suffering
from pulmonary tuberculosis, and declared unfit for further military
service on 10th August 1917. Was this the eventual cause of his death at
Wimborne on 18th April 1920? He was buried on the 21st in grave No. C. 2.
5226.
BARTLETT Louis Private No. 26701 19th Battalion Queen Alexandra's Own Royal Hussars
Born in Buckland Ripers, Dorset in October 1888 son of Theophilus Bartlett,
a domestic gardener, and his wife Sarah Ann Lee. They lived at "Brookside"
Colehill Hill Lane, Colehill, Dorset. He was posted to France on 1st May
1915 and died on 23rd May 1920, but nothing has been found about the circumstances
of his death which was registered at Wimborne. He was buried on the 27th in
grave No. C. 6. 5233.
BENISON Eric William 2nd Lieutenant Royal Garrison Artillery (Territorial Force).
Born in Frenchay, Gloucestershire on 22nd August 1889 son of Rev'd Ernest
Dewes Benison, a clergyman, and his wife Jessie Kemp Welch. Educated at
Cheam Preparatory School, Surrey, Sherborne School, Dorset and Magdalen
College Oxford, he was commissioned a 2nd Lt. on 18th March 1915. He was on
duty at the Breakwater at Weymouth when taken ill on 10th August 1915, was
operated on 11th but died of peritonitis on the 13th in Weymouth and was
buried on the 17th in grave No. C. 9. 4821.
His parents lived at "Yewsholt" Wimborne, and his probate to his father Ernest on the 28th December 1915 was for just £17 16s. 2d.
BENNETT William Thomas Private No. 202620 Dorsetshire Regiment later Labour Corps No. 246298 (30 Jun 1917)
Born in Shapwick, Dorset on 9th February 1880, son of Thomas Ball Bennett,
a carter who died in 1899, and his wife Mary Hebdidge who died in 1908. He
married Phyllis Hoare at Sturminster Marshall, Dorset on 28th February 1905
while working as a gardener. He enlisted at Dorchester on 13th October 1916
but on 13th May 1918 was declared no longer physically fit for military
service at the Military Hospital, Weymouth. No medical reason was given,
nor for his death on 26th August 1918. He was buried in grave No. C. 2.
5084 on the 29th. His widow Phyllis was living at 4 Chapel Lane, Wimborne.
BURDETT Henry Frederick James Aircraftman 2nd Class No. 1204511 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Born in Poole, Dorset on 20th August 1916 son of Henry Walter James
Burdett, a painter and decorator, and his wife Lily Eva May Dibben who in
1939 lived at 10 Kingston Road, Poole. Henry Jnr. in 1939 was living at
Ellery Grove, Lymington, Hampshire working on aero parts as a lathe
operator, and then in July 1939 he married Kay Dorothy Dunning at Wimborne.
He died on 2nd January 1942, and his death was registered at Romsey,
Hampshire but nothing has been found about the circumstances or cause of his
death. He was buried in grave No. 17. A2. 7143.
BURNS Francis Gilbert 2nd Lieutenant No. 95072 562 Company Royal Engineers. Awarded the King's Medal at R.M.A. Woolwich as leading officer cadet.
Born in India on 8th June 1919 where his father Francis Gilbert Burns was
serving in H.M. Army. He had enlisted in November 1902, and married May
Patricia Malone at Poona, India in 1914. He was a civil engineer by
profession. Army records say Francis Jnr. "Died as a result of an
unspecified Accident" whilst family trees on Ancestry say he was "blown up
on a beach" but have not been able to confirm that. His death was
registered at Hailsham, Sussex. He was aged 21, and was buried in grave No.
10A. 12. R.C. 6999. His probate to his father on 22nd January 1941 for
£94 2s. 11d. listed the family address as " Glen House "
Wimborne.
BURT Victor Edward George Leading Aircraftman No. 1192945 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Born in Wimborne on 4th October 1920 son of Frederick Henry Burt, a sheet
metal worker, and his wife Beatrice Hilda Bartlett who died in 1925. Victor
was working as a finance clerk, living at home at 24 Crescent Street
Wimborne in 1939. On 25th July 1941 he was flying an Airspeed Oxford from
RAF Shawbury, Shropshire on a solo training flight when, just after take
off, the plane stalled and spun into the ground before he could regain
control near Wellington, Shropshire. He was buried in grave No. 11. H9.
7101.
CARSHORE Walter Francis Lance Corporal No. TR/7/ 6732 93rd Battalion Training Reserve and 15th Reserve Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment.
Born in Wimborne in January 1899 son of Walter Joseph John Carshore, a
domestic chauffeur, and his wife Clara Critchell. They were living at
Henbury Manor Cottages, Wimborne when Walter enlisted at Dorchester in
October 1916, and then died from measles at Chiseldon Military Hospital,
Swindon, Wiltshire on 16th April 1917. He was aged 18 and buried on the
21st in grave No. C. 6. 4983.
CAVE Harold Percy Corporal No. M/ 339151 "V" Company Army Service Corps
Born in Canford, Poole, Dorset in January 1887, son of John Thomas Cave, a
domestic gardener, and his wife Ester Emily Hooper. In 1911 the family were
living at The Village, Witchampton, Wimborne. Harold died on 21st October
1918 at Colchester, Essex General Hospital but cause of death not stated.
He was buried in grave No. C. 6. 5099.
COFFIN Charles Private No. 20042 4th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment
Born in Wimborne Union Workhouse on 28th April 1865 to single mother Sarah
Coffin, with no father recorded. When he enlisted aged 46 on 26th September
1914, he stated he had previously served in the Dorset Regiment, although
in census returns 1881 to 1901 he was working as a tailor. In 1911 having
married Happy Ann Bishop around 1894, they were living at 14 Chapel Lane
Wimborne, with Charles working as a postman. He died at Wimborne on 28th
April 1916 but cause of death not found. He was buried in grave No.
U. 6. 4888. Happy was still living at Chapel Lane in 1939, but died at
Chelmsford, Essex in 1954.
CRYER Eric Lance Corporal No. 48747 17th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, previously No. K/ 1062 a Private in 22nd Royal Fusiliers.
Born in London in about March 1889 son of John Cryer, a warehouseman, and
his wife Charlotte Emma Pitman, who died soon after his birth in June 1889.
He was posted to France on 16th November 1915, but died of war wounds at
Wimborne Red Cross Hospital on 15th November 1918, and was buried in grave
No. C. 9. 5114 the following day. His probate to his sister Margaret Clubb
on 20th March 1919 was for £447 6s. 11d and gave his address as
2 Forest Side View, Epping, Essex.
CULL Frank Corporal No. 281905 Royal Garrison Artillery
Born in Colehill, Wimborne in October 1877 son of George Cull, a maltster's
labourer who died about October 1917, and his wife Ellen Lovell who died in
1906. Frank enlisted in the R.G.A. in 1895 No. 8438 and then in August
1908 at Chelsea, London he married Bridget Mary Flynn (Note CWGC say his
spouse was Ellen, but that was his mother). In 1911 he was serving with
City of London Police living at 52 Ruskin Buildings, Millbank, London. He
died at Wimborne on 9th December 1918 aged 41 and was buried on the 12th in
grave No. C. 4. 5124. Notes in the burial record say he died of gas
poisoning in France in 1917. Army records show he was diagnosed with
pulmonary tuberculosis and invalided to England on 20th December 1917. His
widow Bridget was living at Cobbs Lane, Colehill, Wimborne.
DENNICK John Private No. 21434 8th Supernumerary Co. 5th Battalion Hampshire Regiment
Born in Evesham, Worcestershire in April 1865 son of John Dennick, a sawyer
who died in 1916, and his wife Selina Gladden who died in 1923. He first
enlisted as a Gunner No. 59725 in Royal Field Artillery and served for 6
years in India. Having been discharged at the end of his service, he
enlisted on 8th March 1902 in Hampshire Regiment No. 22197, but was again
discharged on 7th August 1906. In 1911 he was working as a gardener living
at 32 Endless Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, but he re-enlisted for a third
time on 5th September 1914. On finding evidence of an aortic aneurysm he
was discharged on 4th May 1916, cause was previous heavy lifting duties on
past military service. He had married Gertrude Kate Hunt at Bournemouth on
24th December 1894. He died at Wimborne on 11th April 1920 aged 52, but
cause not found, and was buried in grave No. C. 2. 5223 on the 14th. His
widow Gertrude was living at 16 Victoria Road, Wimborne.
EVAMY Frederick Henry Private No. 27742 13th Works Battalion Devonshire Regiment
Born in Hill Butts, Wimborne about June 1876 son of Edmund Every, a
gardener for the Kingston Lacy estate who died in 1899, and is wife Ann
Elizabeth King who died in March 1882. Frederick also lived and worked as a
gardener at Kingston Lacy from 1891-1911 including when he married Bessie
Rose Barrett at Wimborne Minster on 22nd December 1906. Army records show
that he died at No. 1 Military Hospital, Reading, Berkshire on 6th December
1916, but no cause of death found. He was buried in grave No. C. 6. 4929 on
the 11th. His widow Bessie was living at "Tadden" Hill Butts, Wimborne.
FORWARD Frederick Reginald George Private No. 12411 3rd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment
Born in Cowgrove, Wimborne about October 1895 son of William Walter
Forward, a road labourer, and his wife Eva Mary Ann Stone, who in 1911 were
still living at Cowgrove, Pamphill, Wimborne. Frederick enlisted on 11th
November 1914, but was discharged as no longer physically fit for service
on 8th October 1915 - no actual reasons listed. He died at Wimborne on
either 15th or 16th February 1916 (records vary), again no cause of death
stated, and was buried in grave No. C. 3. 4859 on the 19th.
FOSTER William Herbert Guardsman No. 21441 Coldstream Guards
Born in Wimborne on 6th January 1899 son of John Foster, a railway worker
who died in 1902, and his wife Eliza Amelia Carter. He enlisted on 23rd
September 1916 when working as a harness maker, but early in 1918 was
diagnosed with broncho pneumonia and early signs of tuberculosis arising
from previous war service and was discharged on 5th March 1918 as no longer
physically fit for war service. He was aged 20 when he died at Wimborne on
9th June 1919, no doubt from the above diseases, and was buried in grave
No. C. 5. 5175 on the 13th.
GLADDIS Thomas Bombardier No. 885503 141 (The Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
Born in Wimborne on 31st March 1917 son of Thomas Richard Gladdis, a game
keeper, and his wife Yvonne Alice Williams, who in 1939 were living at
South Lodge, Kingston Lacy estate, Near Wimborne, but Thomas Jnr. was
absent. Army records say he was "Accidentally Killed near Berkhampstead,
Hertfordshire" on 31st July 1940, but gave no further details. He was buried in Grave No. A. 1.
HABGOOD Percy Owen Gunner No. 40171 41st Company Royal Garrison Artillery
Born in Colehill, Wimborne in March 1893, son of Sidney James Habgood,
(known as James) a plasterer and bricklayer, and his wife Emily Swyer. They had
married at Wimborne Minster on 19th May 1883, and in 1911 were still living
at Colehill, where Percy was assisting his father in bricklaying work. He
enlisted at Dorchester on 29th January 1914 and posted on 18th May to the
41st Regt. By 14th August 1914 he was in Davenport Military Hospital, near
Stockport, Cheshire having been diagnosed with tuberculosis and was
declared unfit for further military service. It is not clear if he already
had start of TB when he enlisted. He died on 9th November 1915 at Wimborne
and was buried in grave No. C. 3. 4769.
HOOPER George Edward Sergeant No. 19226 Devonshire Regiment
Born in Wool, Dorset about February 1875 son of Frederick Hooper, a
carpenter who died in 1899, and his wife Annie Coastfield Webber. He first
enlisted in the Dorsetshire Regiment on 21st May 1892, serving 12 years
until the end of his agreed service on 6th June 1904, which included
serving in the 2nd Boer War 1899-1902 in South Africa. He had married
Edith Bessie Frampton at West Knighton, Dorset on 10th June 1897. He
re-signed with the Dorsetshires on 26th November 1904 for a further 4 years
making a total of 16 years service. In 1911 he was working as a carpenter
living at Moreton, Dorset with Bessie after they had lost four children who
all died very young. He enlisted in the Devonshire Regiment on 25th August
1914, and died at Wimborne on 7th November 1920, cause of death not found.
He was buried in grave No. U. 5. 5271. His widow Bessie was living at 19
West Borough, Wimborne.
HORDER Francis George Corporal No. 2669 Royal Air Force
Born in Horton, Dorset in July 1887 son of Robert George Horder, a farm
bailiff, and his wife Caroline Elizabeth Meaby. Francis enlisted on 30th
December 1914 and he then died at RAF Military Hospital, Tarrant Monkton,
Dorset on 26th May 1918, but I did not find any cause of his death. He was
buried on the 29th in grave No. C. 6. 5072. His probate to his mother
Caroline on 4th December 1918 was for £236 10s 6d and gave his
address as Fussels Lodge Farm, Picton, near Salisbury, Wiltshire.
JOYCE William Joseph Lance Corporal No. 16323 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment
Born in Bournemouth, Hampshire in March 1895, son of Henry Joyce, a farm
carter, and his wife Henrietta Emily Bartlett who in 1911 were living at
Leigh Common, Colehill, Wimborne, Dorset. William died aged 21 from an
unspecified disease in hospital at Lambeth, London on 18th October 1916 and
was buried in grave No. U. 3. 4922.
KNOTT Edwin Lewis Private 5341 10th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers
Born in Lees, Lancashire in 1889 son of William Knott, a coal carter, and
his wife Elizabeth Bardsley. He died on 13th January 1915 aged 25 at
Beancroft Temporary Military Hospital, Colehill, Dorset but cause of death
not stated. He was buried on the 16th in grave No. C. 7. 4757. His home
address was 7 St. Andrews Villas, Bradford, Yorkshire.
LONG Arthur Stoker 1st Class No. 312113 H M Submarine E. 13
Born in Wimborne on 23rd April 1889 son of Frank Long, a railway plate
layer, and his wife Emily Elizabeth Hoare. He enlisted in the Royal Navy on
28th August 1907. His submarine was attempting to enter the Baltic Sea when
it ran aground and was stuck on a Danish island - a faulty gyro compass was
blamed. In a subsequent attack by German torpedo boats on 19th August 1915
fifteen of the crew were killed including Arthur but it is not clear when
he was then buried in grave No. U. 6. 4825. His parents were living at 518
Tamphill, Wimborne.
LOVELL Frank Edward Private No. M2/ 099342 Motor Transport Royal Army Service Corps
Born in Wimborne on 10th March 1897 son of William Edwin Lovell, a coachman
and gardener, and his wife Rose Ellen Scott. He was aged 21 and home on
leave from the British Expeditionary Force when he died of influenza at
Wimborne on 28th October 1918, and was buried in grave No. C. 3. 5013 on
November 1st. His parents were living at 15 West Borough, Wimborne.
MILLER George Edward Private No. M/ 280141 Tractor Depot Army Service Corps
Born in Wimborne on 21st August 1898 son of George Miller, a tailor, and
his wife Mary Ann Miller. He enlisted on 29th August 1916 as an engineer
aged 18 and was called up on 15th February 1917 working as a caterpillar
fitter. In 1911 the family were living at 66 West Borough, Wimborne, and it
was here at home he was seen by a doctor on 28th October 1918 who diagnosed
signs of influenza. Several further visits by the doctor found he then had
developed pneumonia and he died at home on 14th November 1918 aged 20. He
was buried in grave No. C. 4. 4/5115 on the 18th.
NORTHOVER Ernest Harry Private No. 43347 4th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment
Born in Wimborne about March 1900 son of Richard Northover, a railway
worker, and his wife Hannah Marie Palmer (known as Annie). In 1911 the family
were living at 7 Station Road, Wimborne. I did not find when Ernest
enlisted, but Army records show that he died at Londonderry, Northern
Ireland on 22nd January 1919 from chest and septic pneumonia. He was buried
in grave No. U. 5. 5138.
OLDBURY Victor Howard Edgar Leading Aircraftman No. 1409487 245 Squadron Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 30th October 1921 where his father Howard
Edward Oldbury was a rubber planter, but he died in 1940, and his wife
Dorothy Alice Edkins Kreutzberger. On 1st June 1943 he was serving as an
electrician at RAF Middle Wallop, Hampshire when he was declared unfit for
further Air Force service, but fit for civilian life but no explanation
given. He married Eileen Phyllis Turner at Blandford in July 1943 but died
at Royal Victoria Hospital, Boscombe, Bournemouth on 6th February 1946,
but no cause of death stated. He was buried in grave No. A. 6. His probate
to his widow Eileen on 5th November 1946 for £120 16s. 1d gave
their address as 15 Stour Road, Christchurch, Dorset.
OSMAN James Samuel Mechanical Sergeant Major No. M/ 23218 Royal Army Service Corps
Born in Hampreston, Dorset on 21st August 1880 son of Alfred John Osman,
manager of a gas works in 1891, and his wife Ellen Barker who died in 1902.
James was a gas fitter when he enlisted on his 19th birthday on 21st August
1899, and was posted on 21st October 1899. Regularly promoted, he was
wounded and Mentioned In Despatches during the Great War. He married Agnes
Annie Poole at Chalbury, Dorset on 27th October 1907. He was discharged
from the Army on 7th August 1918 as Unfit for further War Service, with the
reason listed as "Insanity" and he died at Herrison Asylum, Dorchester on
6th June 1919. He was buried in grave No. C. 7. 5172. His widow Agnes was
living at 17 Leigh Road, Wimborne.
OXFORD Frederick William Private No. 5392008 70th Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
Born in Wimborne on 29th March 1925 son of Frederick John Oxford, a
hairdresser, and his wife Mildred Harriet Old who married at Wimborne
Minster in 1919. In 1939 the family were living at 27 Hardy Crescent
Wimborne. It seems that Frederick Jnr. joined H M Army aged 16 or 17 but
died having contracted tuberculosis whilst training in Ireland but I found
no Army record to confirm this. He was aged 18 and buried in grave No. 17.
J3. 7279.
PITFIELD Henry Air Mechanic 1st Class No. F/ 49442 HMS President Royal Naval Air Service
Born in Dorchester, Dorset on 4th February 1899 son of Henry Pitfield, a
railway goods guard, and his wife Kate Dunford. In 1911 the family were
living at 33 Grove Road, Wimborne. He was working as a fitter when he
enlisted on 4th February 1918, but died on 1st March 1918 of brain lesion,
that a Board of Enquiry ruled was due to natural causes. He was aged 19 and
buried in grave No. C. 8. 5048.
RAINFORD William Private No. 3771248 8th Irish Battalion (King's Regiment) Liverpool.
Born in Liverpool in September 1918 son of William Rainford, a motor
driver, and his wife Evelyn Grace Bishop who in 1939 were living at 50
Farnsworth Street, Liverpool. Army records say he was "Accidentally Killed"
on 29th November 1943, at Poole, Dorset, but gave no more details, and he
was buried in grave No. A. 3.
RAY Donald William Garnham Lt. Colonel No. 27256 17th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment - also at some time Commanding 7th Battalion Hampshire Regiment
Born in Stoneleigh House, Wimborne on 2nd July 1903 son of Dr. Walter John
Orbell Ray M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. a surgeon and his wife Marie Estelle Wyckoff. He was
serving in 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers when he married Marcella Muriel
Winifred Barry (known as Marcy) at Kensington, London on 7th December 1932. He
was serving in India in 1935, and on 30th August 1940 was promoted from
Captain to Major. He died of war wounds on board a hospital ship bound for
Southampton on 12th July 1944. He was aged 41 and was buried in grave No.
17. A.11. 7377. His probate to his widow was for £19,471 2s 3d.
on 5th October 1944 and gave the family address Stoneleigh House, Wimborne.
His brother Major Philip Orbell Clement Ray died serving with the
Worcestershire Regiment on 17th March 1941 in Eritrea.
ROSS Wilfred Henry Private No. M/ 288149 Royal Army Service Corps Motor Transport
Born in Mumbai, India in 1899 where his father Frederick George Ross worked
as a mechanical engineer, but he died at Bombay, India in March 1920, and
his wife Priscilla Thomas who lived at "Essendine" 24 Poole Road, Wimborne.
Wilfred worked as a motor engineer when he enlisted on 26th October 1916,
and he served in Egypt in 1917/18. He died aged 21 at the Connaught
Hospital, Farnborough, Hampshire on 11th February 1920 from pneumonia/
influenza and was buried in grave No. C. 8. 5212 on the 14th February.
SAMWAYS Christopher Frank Able Seaman No. J/ 24972 HMS Broke Royal Navy
Born in Corfe Castle, Dorset on 8th September 1896 son of Eli Thomas
Samways, a farm labourer, and his wife Eliza Morgan. He enlisted as a Boy
Sailor on 19th May 1913, but died when HMS Broke was involved in a close
range battle with German destroyers off Dover, Kent on 21st April 1917. 40
of her crew were killed, Christopher was later buried in grave No. C.
5. 4986. His parents were living at 2 Fernhill Cottages, Colehill,
Wimborne. His older brother Edward George Samways born 1887 died serving
with 1st Dorsetshire Regt. at Ypres, Belgium on 1st June 1915.
SEVIOUR William Gunner No. 89634 50th Battery Royal Field Artillery
Born in North Bradley, Wiltshire in October 1872 son of Henry Seviour, a
farm labourer who died during 1916, and his wife Ann Sparey. William first
enlisted in the Royal Horse Artillery as a groom on 23rd January 1890 and
served 12 years including in South Africa 1899/1900, until released at the
end of his term on 1st April 1902. He married Sophia Squire at Gillingham,
Dorset on 15th July 1903 and, in 1911, was working as a coachman in
Blandford Dorset. He re-enlisted on 24th August 1914, but by 27th September
1915 was thought to be suffering from signs of an aortic aneurysm
aggravated by his war service and poor living conditions. He was discharged
as being no longer fit for further war service on 14th January 1916, and he
died at Wimborne on 10th April 1916 aged 43. He was buried in grave No. C.
8. 4879. His widow Sophia was living at 34 East Borough, Wimborne.
SIBLEY Albert George Private No. 1602963 238 Battery Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment Royal Artillery
Born in Wimborne on 16th April 1911 son of Reginald John Sibley, a carter
and public works labourer, and his wife Rose Burgess who died in September
1942. Reginald's parents were John Bennett and Mary Jane Sibley and he seems
to have adopted his mother's surname. In 1939 the family were living at 65
West Bow, Wimborne with Albert working as a railway labourer. Army records
show that he was killed in action in France aged 29 and buried in grave No.
A. 2. His brother Private Alfred Ernest Sibley also died serving in
Normandy, France with the Devonshire Regt. on 11th July 1944. He was buried
in the Bayeux War Cemetery.
SINGLETON Charles Gordon Private No. 62505 16th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment
Born in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset about July 1887, son of John Henry
Singleton, a gardener who died in 1902, and his wife Eliza Whitmarsh. When
he married Alice Eliza Elizabeth Ash at Bothenhampton, Dorset on 30th
October 1917 he declared he was a Lance Corporal with 3rd Battalion
Dorsetshire Regiment. He died aged 31 at Pembroke Dock Military Hospital,
Wales on 22nd November 1918, cause of death not stated. He was buried on
27th in grave No. C. 2. 5118. His widow Alice was living at 2nd Lodge
Cottages, Stephen's plot, Spetisbury, Blandford, Dorset.
STEVENS Charles Maxwell Gunner No. 78223 "B" Siege Depot, Royal Garrison Artillery
Born in Earlswood, Surrey about June 1887 son of Charles William Stevens a
stationer, and his wife Ellen Maxwell who died in November 1917, and in
1911 the family were living at Blandford Road, Wharncliffe, Broadstone,
Dorset. Charles was working as a munitions worker when he enlisted on 11th
December 1915. His Army record says he was posted on 1st May 1916, but not
where too, nor does it say he was ill, but says he died at Infectious
Diseases Alderney Hospital, Parkstone on 13th March 1917 - no cause of
death stated. He was buried in grave No. C. 8. 4975. His probate to his
father on 30th May 1917 was for just £26 18. 6d.
STODDERN Nathan Sergeant No. 7261819 Royal Army Medical Corps
Born in Redruth, Cornwall on 1st June 1912 son of Albert Stoddern a tin
miner who died as a Private with Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry at
Flanders on 17th January 1915. His mother was Elizabeth Mary Pascoe who
died in 1917. Nathan is missing from the 1939 census, so likely already
serving in H M Army, and he married Vera M. Harding at Blandford in January
1941. They were living in Wimborne when Army records show that he "Died" on
27th March 1944 at Bournemouth, but gave no further details. He was buried
in grave No. A. 5.
TAYLOR Philip Douglas Sergeant No. 7261819 The Glider Pilot Regiment - Army Air Corps
Born in Wimborne in January 1923 son of Frederick Henry Taylor, a butcher,
and his wife Hilda Margaret Westbrooke Foot. In 1939 his father was living
at 41 Gorse Hill Road, Poole, Dorset but Philip was absent. He was piloting
a Hotspur glider from RAF Netheravon on 7th December 1943 when he lost
control shortly after release in cloud, stalled and crashed at
Collingbourne Ducis, Wiltshire. He and six soldiers from the Alb were
killed, and he was buried in grave No. A. 4.
UPSHALL Arthur William Private No. 18145 Dorsetshire Regiment then Labour Corps No. 287197.
Born in Milborne Port, Somerset in January 1884. His father Walter Upshall
was a blacksmith whose first wife Mary Ann Ricks died in December 1881. He
then married Anna Chant at Wincanton, Somerset in January 1883 but she then
died in December 1888. He then married Emily Martha Fear at Wincanton in
April 1891. Walter died in 1904. Arthur married Ellen Maud Mary Old at
Holt, Dorset on 15th September 1915, but died at Western Heights Military
Hospital, Dover, Kent on 1st November 1918. It is not clear if he had been
evacuated from Europe with war wounds, or died of an unspecified illness.
He was buried on the 6th in grave No. C. 4. 5107. Ellen's address was 5
Walford Bridge, Wimborne.
WELSMAN Percival George Air Mechanic (Rigger) 2nd Class No. 77253 "T" Aeroplane Acceptance Park, Royal Air Force Coventry previously Royal Flying Corps.
Born in Sherborne, Dorset in April 1887 son of Frank Henry Welsman, a baker
who died in 1902, and his wife Martha Melina Pearce. In 1911 Percival was
boarding at Sherborne working as a furniture salesman, then in January 1916
he married Sybil R. Gould at Wimborne Minster. He enlisted on 27th April
1916. A report in the Coventry Evening Telegraph of 27th September 1918
suggests that on 24th September 1918 Percival was flying a plane low to the
ground which collided with a second plane, both crashed and he was killed
instantly. A Coroner's inquest found it was a flying accident and no one
was to blame. He was buried in grave No. U. 6. 5092. His widow Sybil was
living at 3 Belle View, Colehill, Wimborne.
WHITEWOOD William Charles Sick Berth Steward No. 350496 Princess Royal Mercantile Marine Reserve
Born in Hackney, London on 5th July 1877 son of William Charles Whitewood,
a brewer's traveller, and his wife Elizabeth (K/as Emma) Gardener. He first
enlisted as a sick berth attendant on 4th March 1897 and then at the end of
his service he re-joined in February 1909. He had already been promoted to
sick berth steward when he married Myra Rose Greenleaf at Wimborne Minster
on 23rd August 1911. He joined HMS Princess Royal on 25th June 1913, but he
died aged 38 of pulmonary tuberculosis at the R N Hospital, South
Queensferry on 7th August 1915. He was buried in grave No. C. 6. 4820. His
widow Myra was living at 44 Eastfield Road, Southsea, Hampshire when his
probate was issued to her on 22nd October 1915 for £134. 10s.
44 Names Listed
April 2025
Richard Smith
April 2025
Richard Smith
orchidgrower@btinternet.com
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