BALL

Albert [John]

Born: c1889/1887 in Weymouth or Blandford, Dorset
Parents: John Ball (born Charlton Marshall) and Grace H Ball (born Newbridge, Isle of Wight)
Married: Edith Gertrude ? between 1913 and 1918 in Weston Australia
Died: 4 September 1918, aged 32 years

Early Life: 1901 Census for Charlton Marshall gives Albert as aged 12 years (born Weymouth) and the eldest son of John and Grace Ball – his father is listed as innkeeper and wheelwright at The Charlton Inn – and he had two younger brothers: Wilfred aged 3 and Edmund aged 4months. John Ball made his living from being a wheelwright (he was also a carpenter, smith and undertaker) and holding the licence for the pub would have supplemented his income.
By the 1911 Census, Albert was already serving with the British Army in India/Singapore, aged 24 years (born Blandford) - back in Lower Road, Charlton Marshall, his mother had been widowed and was working as a shopkeeper from her home with the two younger boys attending school.
Military Career: Albert enlisted into the Royal Garrison Artillery at Poole on the 1 May 1905. His enlistment papers show him as being 18 yrs 5 months and his occupation as being ‘waiter’. His medical examination in Dorchester on 2 May shows his height as 5’ 7” and weight 135lbs (9st 9lbs).
Service History
05.05.1905 Fort Rowner, Gosport – Gunner
29.06.1905 Pembroke Dock, Western Coastal Defences – 44 Company
20.12.1906 Kingston, Jamaica – 66 Company
03.12.1909 Home Establishment
28.12.1909 Queenstown Harbour, South Irish Coastal Defences – 10 Company
10.09.1910 Straits Settlements, Singapore – 80 Company (shortly after arriving in Singapore he was diagnosed with malaria and admitted into hospital for treatment)
22.09.1913 Deserted at Singapore

A court of enquiry held on 20 October 1913 reported that Rgtl. no 22296, Gr A J Ball, no 80 Company, Royal Garrison was “illegally absented …. from RA Barracks Blakan Mati …. that he is still so absent …. deficient of the following articles of clothing and equipment one sunhat and 2 covers valued 2/9½ and one pull through* valued 2¼” .

There is no further record in his service documents as to what happened to him in Singapore but a check of Australian records showed that he must have made his way there at some point, married and in 1916, when living in North Fremantle, Western Australia, applied to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force. He was sent to Europe with the 2nd Bn, Australian Machine Gun Corps, Regtl. no 6537.

Died 4 September 1918 in France.

The Commonweatlth War Graves Commission: records show Albert is buried in Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France, Plot VIII, Row B, Grave 72.

BELL

Harry

Private 14758, 1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. Killed in action 5th July 1915. Born Salsibury, Wiltshire, enlisted Blandford, resident Charlton Marshall. Buried in Larch Wood (Railway Cutting) Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot II. Row J. Grave 16.

BUTT

James

Born: 1885 in Corfe Mullen, Dorset
Parents: William Butt (born Tollard Royal) and Sarah Butt (born Corfe Mullen)
Married: Priscilla Benham on 12 November 1911 at Charlton Marshall parish church.
Died: 23 February 1915 aged 30 years

Early Life: 1901 Census for Corfe Mullen lists the family as being William 69 years (Estate Bricklayer), Sarah 52 years (Laundress [own account at home]), James 16 years (Bricklayer Labourer), Agustine 9 years and Harriet Allen (Sarah’s sister) aged 56 (Laundress).
1911 Census for High Street, Charlton Marshall lists Mrs Sarah Butt as widow aged 62 and head of the household, living with two sons, James aged 24* (Steerman, Traction Engine) and Agustine** aged 19 (Farm Labourer).
When they marry in November 1911, James and Priscilla are described as being 22 years* and 20 years respectively and both living in Charlton Marshall. Priscilla’s father, George Benham, is listed as a Sweep.
Military Career: James’ service records show that he had previously served with the 3rd Dorsetshire Regiment, having been discharged on termination of engagement, but when this was is not shown. Following the outbreak of war in August 1914, James re-enlisted at Blandford into the Dorsetshire Regiment (Regtl. no 7688) on 1 September 1914 at the age of 26 years 211 days for one year’s service (form is for Army Reserve [Special Reservists] for One Years Service).
On 2nd September, James’s medical examination in Dorchester shows him as being 5’ 2½” and weighing 135llbs (9st 9lbs). He has a tattoo on both his left and right arms. Subsequent to his medical examination he is admitted into Dorchester Hospital on 8 September for treatment to a ‘wound (self-inflicted)’ – he is discharged from hospital on 2 October and posted on active service on 23 October 1914.
Killed in action in Flanders (Belgium) on 23 February 1915.
James’s personal effects were signed for by his wife, Mrs P Butt (c/o Mrs Benham, Charlton Marshall) on 1 October 1915 and his war medals (1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal) in July 1919.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission: records show James aged 38* at time of death and commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium, panel 37. There is no known grave.

CAINES

F

Private probably Frederic Henry CAINES, Private 44712, 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers. Killed in action 19th May 1917. Born Sturminster, enlisted Shepherd's Bush, London. Formerly 51392, Welch Regiment. No known grave. Commemorated on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 6.

COURAGE

George

Lance Corporal 27832, 2nd Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regiment). Killed in action 15th September 1918. Enlisted and resident Blandford. Formerly 15076, Dorsetshire Regiment. Buried V.C.1 St Vaast Post Military Cemetery. Richebourg-L’Avoue, Pas de Calais, France.

COURAGE

Harry

Private 9693 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment died 1st July 1916 age 23, son of Tom and Amelia Courage of The Close Charlton Marshall, Blandford Dorset. No known grave, commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 7 B.

DENNETT

Edward

Private 3/7704, 3rd Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. Died in United Kingdomn 25th December 1914. Born Charlton Marshall, enlisted Blandford. Buried to the left of the entrance path in Charlton Marshall Church cemetery.

FOOT

Frederick William

Private. PO/1711(S), 2nd Royal Marine Battalion, Royal Naval Division. Royal Marine Light Infantry. Died as P.O.W. 1st August 1918. Draft for British Eexpeditionary Force from 28th February 1917 until 28th April 1917 when he was taken Prisoner of War. Husband of Mary Foot, of Newtown, Charlton Marshall, Blandford, Dorset. Commemorated and buried Malbork Memorial, Poland.

Note: The Malbork Memorial forms the entrance to Malbork War Cemetery and commemorates 39 First World War casualties buried in Heilsberg Prisoners of War Cemetery (changed in 1953 to Lidsbark War Cemetery) where their graves could no longer be maintained.

KERLEY

William James

Private 14762, 1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. Died 8th September 1917. Born Winfrith, enlisted Blandford, resident Charlton Marshall. Buried St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France. Section P. Plot III. Row E. Grave 10B.

LEGG

Wilfred [John]

Driver T/325872, 1st Cavalry Reserve Park, Royal Army Service Corps. Died 9th November 1918. Aged 26. Born Pulham, Dorset, enlisted Warminster, resident Blandford. Brother of C. G. Legg, of Birch Close, nr. Blandford, Dorset. Buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. Plot V. Row B. Grave 34.

MABEY

William George

Private 31742, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, transferred to 465344, Labour Corps. Died 15th February 1919. Buried to the right of the entrance path in Charlton Marshall Church cemetery.

MARTIN

Bertie [Frank]

[Listed as Lance Corporal on memorial] Private 7171, "B" Company, 1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. Killed in action 1st July 1916. Aged 26. Born Charlton, enlisted Blandford. Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. D. Martin, of Charlton Marshall; husband of Gladys L. Jackson (formerly Martin), of 8, Sopers Lane, Christchurch, Hants. Buried in Serre Road Cemetery No. 2, Somme, France. Plot XXVII. Row B. Grave 5.

RIGGS

[Arthur] John

Born: c1896 in Charlton Marshall
Parents: Charles Riggs (born Blandford, Dorset) and Clara Riggs (née Scovell, born Witchampton, Dorset)
Died: 23 March 1918 aged 22 years

Early Life: John was born in Charlton Marshall and baptised Arthur John in the parish church on 7 May 1896 – there is unfortunately no mention of his birth date. However, in the baptismal records it is only his mother who is mentioned: Clara Scovell, resident of Charlton Marshall. It is not until April 1900 that Charles Riggs (aged 25 years, Painter) and Clara (aged 27 years, Laundress) are married in the parish church at Langton Long.
The family appear in the 1901 Census for Charlton Marshall living in Middle Drove: Charles’ employment is listed as Journeyman House Painter, John is now aged 6 years and there is a new addition to the family, baby Mabel 7 months.
Ten years later in 1911, Charles and Clara are still living in Charlton Marshall with now four children: John aged 16 years, Mable (sic) aged 10 years, Elsie aged 7 years and Dorothy aged 5 years. Both Charles and John are listed as being a Painter (House) – maybe they are working together? Living with them is Clara’s mother, Mary Scovell.
Military Career: Unfortunately the papers relating to John’s military service no longer exist, but the record of those soldiers who died in WWI indicates that Arthur John Riggs enlisted in Blandford (residence Charlton Marshall) and served as a Private in the 6th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment (Regtl. no 16060).
Killed in action in France on 23 March 1918.
The Medal Rolls Index Card shows Arthur John’s service with the Dorsetshire Regiment and that he was awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission: records show Arthur John is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Bay 6 in the Faubourg-d’Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France. There is no known grave.

COX

Sidney George

Private probably 14420679 8th Parachute Regiment Army Air Corp died 6th June 1944 age 19, son of Samuel George and Ida May Cox of Tadley Hampshire, buried V.B.1-22 Ranville War Cemetery Normandy. France.

EDWARDS

Kenneth Cyril

Sergeant probably 1795958. 75 Battery .44 Light A.A. Regiment. Royal Artillery. Died 5th May 1945 age 32. Commemorated Taukkyan War Cemetery, Burma.

LANNING

George Henry

Private 14273575. 1st Battalion Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding Regiment) died 30th January 1944 age 27, son of Frederic and Florence Lanning; husband of Iris Lanning of Charlton Marshall. Buried I.B.10. Anzio War Cemetery. Italy.

MAIDMENT

Reginald

Private 5727034 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment died 27th April 1944 age 26, son of Frank and Florence Maidment of Charlton Marshall Dorset. Buried Kohima War Cemetery.

READ

Leslie Walter

Aircraftsman 1st Class 1296836. 211Squadron Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve died 30th November 1944 age 23. Son of Frederick and F.L. Read of Charlton Marshall Dorset. No known grave, commemorated Singapore Memorial.

RIGGS

George Francis Arthur John

Lance Corporal2321880 Royal Corp of Signals died 27th April 1941 age 27. Son of Arthur James Riggs and Emily Jane Riggs of Blandford Forum Dorset. No known grave commemorated on Athens Memorial Greece.

ROGERS

William Albert

Private 5733780. 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment died 27th April 1944 age 23. Son of Mr and Mrs George Rogers stepson of Rose Emily Rogers of Blandford Dorset. Buried 7.B.12 Kohima War Cemetery.

WALKER

Samuel James Gresham

Lieutenant 433260, Royal Leicestershire Regiment. Killed in ambush by automatic fire from EOKA Terrorist at Phrenaros Cyprus 27th March 1956. Aged 32.