Shaftesbury

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Burials at Shaftesbury Borough Cemetery
Research by Richard Smith into the lives and deaths of the CWGC War Casualties buried in Shaftesbury.

Burials from CWGC at Shaftesbury Borough Cemetery

CWGC Burials at Shaftesbury Borough Cemetery

BACK Stanley William Gunner No. 1748699 Royal Artillery

Born in Brixton, London on 26th December 1909 son of Walter William Back, a fruit salesman at Covent Garden Market who died in 1937, and his wife
Mabel Francis Hare. In 1939 he was living with his widowed mother at 6 Cormont Road, Lambeth working as a travelling Post Office sorter, and then
in July 1940 he married Beatrice Ellen Robinson at Camberwell, London. He died at Shaftesbury Military Hospital on 12th January 1941, cause not
found, and was buried in grave No. 802. Probate to his widow Beatrice for £196. 10s 8d was granted on 22nd March 1941 - she was living at 57
Grosvenor Road, Finchley, Middlesex.

BEESTON William Ralph Humphrey Lieutenant Royal Armoured Corps attached to Army Air Corps.

Born in Cairo, Egypt on 15th April 1923, son or Humphrey Albert Beeston, an architect, and his wife Audrey Muriel Swannell. Educated at Tormore
Preparatory School, Deal, Kent and King's School, Canterbury 1936-1940. Graduated from Cadet to 2nd Lieutenant on 23. 1. 1944 and promoted to Lt.
23 July 1944. Served in Normandy but was evacuated with "Exposure" and died (at Shaftesbury Military Hospital ?) on 19th November 1944, before being
buried in grave No. 820. His parents were living at Temple Ewell, Kent.

BOIT Geoffrey Arthur Buller Trooper No. 7918893 Royal Armoured Corps.

Born in Fulham, London son of Percy Boit, a soldier who died at Flanders on 10th November 1917 serving with South Wales Borderers No. 45658, and his
wife Clara Jessie McKillican ( known as Jessie) who died in 1926. In 1939 Geoffrey was working as a dispatch clerk for a drapers, before he married
Iris Emily Allan Barnes at Willesden, London in January 1940. Army records say he died on 3rd May 1943 as a result of an unspecified "Accident" and
was buried in grave No. 817. His widow Iris was living at St John's Wood, London.

BOWDEN Thomas George Gunner No. 5332167 336 Battery, 104 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery.

Born in Clewer Within, Berkshire on 9th October 1935, son of Richard Bowden, a jobbing gardener, and his wife Margaret MacKenzie. He married
Clara Bennell at Windsor, Berkshire in October 1930 before moving to Derbyshire where in 1939 he was working as a colliery labourer living at
Grassmoor, Chesterfield. He died on 8th January 1941, cause not found, (maybe at Shaftesbury Military Hospital ?) and was buried in grave No. 801.

CHATTINGTON James Lance Corporal No. 2661554 4th Battalion Coldstream Guards.

Born in Fylde, Lancashire on 8th December 1913, son of Alfred Chattington, a Pumping Station Foreman, and his wife Elizabeth Cottam. He married Annie
Hodgkinson at Fylde in October 1933, and in 1939 they were living at Thirsk Grove, Blackpool with James working as a plumber. Army records say he
died of an unspecified "Accident" on 31st December 1942, and was buried in grave No. 815.

CLARK Sydney Thomas Bombardier No. 6015088 Royal Artillery, previously Essex Regiment.

Born in Tower Hamlets, London on 26th October 1915, son of George Frederick Clark, a road carter, and his wife Amelia Isabella Green. In 1921 the
family were living at 10 Burcham Street, Poplar, London. Sydney married Lilian May Benham at Tower Hamlets on 29th January 1938. Army records say
he was "Killed in Action" but his death was registered at Blandford, so maybe he was evacuated and he died of war wounds at the Military Hospital
there. He was buried in grave No. 807. His widow Lilian was living at Worcester Park, Surrey.

COLYER Denys Lieutenant No. 129733 5 Survey Regiment Royal Artillery.

Born in Kelham, Nottinghamshire in 1919 son of Sidney Colyer, Estate Manager later a farmer, and his wife Emily Ann Bainbridge. The family
were living at The White House, at Kelham in 1921. Was commissioned from cadet to 2nd Lt. on 27th April 1940, but died at Shaftesbury Military
Hospital on 15th December 1941 - not found if it was war wounds or illness ? He was buried in grave No. 809. Probate granted to his father granted on
9th March 1942 was for £265.3s. 6d. His address then was Averham Park, Nottinghamshire.

COSHAM Frederick Charles Gunner No. 11415037 Royal Artillery.

Born in London on 23rd January 1906, son of George Cosham, a baker, and his wife Sarah Jane Allum. He married Ivy Alexandra Dicker at Camden, London
on 11th March 1928, and in 1939 they were living at Tennyson Road, Willesden, Middlesex - he was a builder's labourer. Army records say he
"Died" on 2nd June 1942 I suspect at Shaftesbury Military Hospital, but I do not know if it were an illness or war wounds. He was buried in grave No. 813.

DANTER Robert William Major No. 56751 Royal Army Service Corps.

Born in Croydon, Surrey about April 1893 son of Robert Henry Danter, a Licensed Victualler who died in 1943, and his wife Rosetta Bonnett who died
in 1923. I do not know when he joined the Army, but he had a long career moving from Sergeant No. M/29646 to Lieutenant No. EMT/43838 to Major. He
married Annie Maria Fyles at Canterbury, Kent in January 1923. Whilst serving at Bulford Camp, Wiltshire Army records note he was dangerously ill
(cause not specified) and he died at Shaftesbury Military Hospital on 19th January 1943. He was buried in grave No. 816. His probate to Barclays Bank
on 5th July 1943 was for £3,990 9s. 8d.

FOLEY Robert Patrick (Bob) Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant No. 404076 Airborne Light Tank Squadron Royal Armoured Corps.

Born in Dublin, Ireland on 17th March 1906, son of Patrick Foley who died in 1935 and his wife Norah Heffernan who died in 1929. He married
Kathleen McGuigan at Elham, Kent in April 1933. Army records say he died as a result of an unspecified "Accident" on 26th May 1943 aged 36 and was
buried in grave No. 819. His widow was living at Hythe, Kent.

HARRIS A Sergeant No. 3597931 Seaforth Highlanders

I cannot find anything about his background. He died on 11th November 1946 and was buried in grave No. 826.

HOUSTON Henry Gunner No. 1783363 68 Battery, 3rd Light Anti Aircraft Regiment Royal Artillery.

Born in Fife, Scotland around late 1919, son of James Houston and his wife Annie Reid Barnes who died in 1943. They were living at Milton of Balgonie,
Fife. Army records just say Henry "Died" on 22nd January 1942 aged 22, no cause given, but his death was registered at Salisbury, Wiltshire so I
wonder did he die at the isolation hospital there? He was buried in grave No. 806.

HUMPHREY Francis Ernest Lieutenant Temporary Captain No. 60765 The Buffs (Royal East) Regiment.

Born in Dublin, Ireland son of Ralph Humphrey, a grocer's assistant who died in 1907, and his wife Helena Elizabeth. It seems by 1913 he had joined
the Army as he married Catherine G. O' Meara in India on 15th October 1913, and in 1939 they were living at 92 Eton Way, Wembley, Middlesex. Army
records record him as "Dangerously Ill, then having Died" on 30th January 1945 aged 58. Did he die at Shaftesbury Military Hospital as he was buried
in grave No. 821 ?

KEMIST Leslie Walter Ainsbury Gunner No. 1554843 Royal Artillery

Born in Salford, Manchester on 22nd February 1916 son of Frederick Kemist, a silversmith, and his wife Lydia Ainsbury who, in 1939, were living at 77
Broadfield Road, Sheffield, Yorkshire. On 9th November 1940 in Sheffield Leslie married Olive Topham, and I wonder if he had been wounded in action
or was ill as he died less than three months later on 25th January 1941 aged 24. There was no record of cause or circumstances of his death. His
death was registered at Sturminster, so the likelihood was that he died at Shaftesbury Military Hospital. He was buried in grave No. 804. His probate
to Olive on 29th March 1941 was for £159 12s. 2d.

LEIGH Edwin William Lance Bombardier No. 1509196 6 Battery 2nd Searchlight Regiment Royal Artillery.

Born in Hackney, London on 3rd August 1918 son of Edwin Leigh, a butcher, and his wife Lilian Saunders. In 1921 they were living at 67 Graham Road,
Hackney. Edwin married Margaret Young Littlejohn at Blandford in October 1940. Army records say Edwin died on 28th December 1942 aged 24 in an
"Accident" but gave no details, and he was buried in grave No. 814. Probate granted to Margaret on 26th March 1943 was for £119 4s. 1d. giving
his address as 9 Wayland Avenue, Hackney. Margaret was from Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, Scotland.

LEVER Harold Vernon Warrant Officer Class One No. 1468782 Royal Artillery

Born at Liverpool, Lancashire on 25th April 1895 son of Samuel Vernon Lever, an auctioneer and valuer who died in 1933, and his wife Amy
Kirkpatrick. Harold married first Dorothy Hardman at West Derby, Lancashire in 1920, then in April 1939 he married Vera Mabel Owen at Birkenhead,
Lancashire. I did not find details of any earlier Army career - in 1921 Harold was an auctioneer and valuer like his father. He enlisted on 23rd
April 1939 but died of colon cancer at Shaftesbury Military Hospital on 6th June 1947 aged 52 and was buried in grave No. 827. His probate to his
widow Vera on 8th September 1947 was for £521 15s. 3d. giving their address as 11 Looms Way, Irby, Wirral, Cheshire.

MATSON Peregrine Makepeace M. C. Temporary Captain No. 77506 2nd Field Regiment Royal Artillery.

Born in Ambala, India on 27th November 1918, son of Lt. Co. John Mason O.B.E. Indian Army who retired to New Zealand as a sheep farmer and died
there in 1950. His wife Silvia Mary Buchanan who was born in New Zealand died at Oxford in June 1946. Peregrine was commission as a 2nd Lt. in
November 1939, and promoted Lt. in October 1941. On 13th April 1942 he was amongst a group of military guests at Imber on Salisbury Plain,
Wiltshire to watch a rehearsal of a live firing exercise prior to a later visit by Winston Churchill. A flight of Hurricanes was to fire on dummy
targets but one pilot was disorientated by the glare of the sun and fired on the assembled guests. 27 were killed and many others injured. Peregrine
was obviously injured and died at Shaftesbury Military Hospital on the 18th, being buried in grave no. 812. Probate granted to his mother Sylvia
on 22nd September 1942 was for £1,181 7s 4d. His address then was 24 Polestead, Road. Oxford.

MATTHEWS Alan David Driver No. T / 19169116 Royal Army Service Corps.

Born in Lambeth, London on 28th August 1928, son of Alec Ivor Matthews, an estate agent, and his wife Millicent Baker. In 1939 the family were living
in Broomlands Lane, Rodenhurst, Surrey. CWGC lists Alan's death as 19th September 1947 registered at Sturminster, but I can find no Army record
about his death. I suspect it was at Shaftesbury Military Hospital. He was buried in grave No. 828.

MORGAN Christopher Gwyn M. C. Lieutenant No. 127802 Royal Army Service Corps.

Born about 1895 in Swansea, South Wales son of Christopher Morgan, a stone mason and his wife Margaret. Educated 1908 - 1913 at Gowerton Comprehensive
School and served as a Captain in West Yorkshire Regiment in 1914 - 18 War, which is where he won the Military Cross, but no details found of the
award. Married Anne Euphemia Birch at Kensington, London in January 1926. Appointed Lt. in R.A.S.C. on 8th May 1940, but developed pneumonia serving
on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire and died at Shaftesbury Military Hospital on 24th January 1941. Was buried in grave No. 803. His probate to widow Anne
on 31st May 1941 was for £185 0s. 9d.

PYNE Herbert Denis Acting Corporal No. 5382919 Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.

I think he was born in Bromley, Kent in January 1920 son of Ethel Ellen Short later of Preston, Kingsteignton, Devon. Army records say he died of
an unspecified Accident aged 23 on 11th May 1943, and was buried in grave no. 818.

SHERRINGTON Leslie Private No. T/ 149925 Royal Army Service Corps.

Born on the Wirral, Cheshire in July 1909 son of Jervis Sherrington who was a labourer for Lever Bros. at Port Sunlight, and who died in 1928, and his
wife Mary Ellen Bradshaw who died in 1920. Army records show Leslie died on 16th September 1941 at Shaftesbury Military Hospital, but does not say
if it were due to illness or accident. He was buried in grave No. 808 and was the adopted son of Sarah Highton of Prestatyn, Flintshire, Wales.

SOUTHERILL Charles William Gunner No. 1545094 21st Anti Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery.

Born in Downham Market, Norfolk on 3rd August 1918 as Charles William Mobbs he was adopted by John Southerill, who was working as a bricklayer's
labourer in 1911, and his wife Maud Elizabeth Haylock, who lived at 84 St. Johns Road, Ely, Cambridgeshire. He died on 26th December 1941 at
Shaftesbury Military Hospital after an unspecified "Accident" aged 22, and was buried in grave No. 810.

SOUTHWELL Peter John Gunner No. 5507635 1st Airborne Squadron, Reconnaissance Corps, Royal Armoured Corps.

Born in Southampton, Hampshire on 18th February 1922, son of John Thomas Southwell, a fishmonger and poulterer in 1939, and his wife Alice Emma
Tench. In 1939 their address was 18 Coalville Road, Cosham, Portsmouth. Army records say Peter was "Accidentally Killed" on 3rd May 1945, aged 23 but
gave no details and he was buried in grave No. 822.

TRICKETT Harry Gunner No. 11254826 Royal Artillery.

Born on 6th April 1901 in Waterfoot, Lancashire, son of Joshua Trickett, a woollen factory worker who died in 1912, and his wife Annie Thompson.
Harry signed to join the Royal Navy as a Boy Sailor on 30th October 1916 to 17th December 1919 No. J/ 61124 when he transferred to the Royal Fleet
Reserve, being demobbed on 10th June 1921. He then seems to have applied to join the Royal Air Force on 27th April 1923 No. 353980, but found no more
details. He married Ella Martinson at Paddington, London in June 1936, and in 1939 they were living at 86 Alexandra Road, Hampstead, London, with him
working as a cocktail barman. He died aged 40 on 12th February 1942, but I found no details of circumstances of his death which was registered at
Sturminster. He was buried in grave No. 811.

TUFFIN Kenneth Leading Aircraftman No. 1191057 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Flying Training Command.

Born in Shaftesbury about October 1920, son of Frederick Bennett Tuffin, who worked for a printing firm, and his wife Ethel Ellen Cadby. In 1921
the family were living at 1 Grove Cottage, Bimport Street, Shaftesbury. On 1st May 1941 he was doing permitted aerobatics as part of his pilot
training from RAF Meir, Staffordshire in a Miles Magister which spun into the ground near Groundslow Farm, near Tittensor, Stoke on Trent. He died
the following day and was buried in C of E grave No. 120.

VICCARS Thomas Raymond Gunner No. 1693842 Royal Artillery.

Born in Leicester, Leicestershire in July 1906, son of George Herbert Viccars, a manager for a manufacturing chemist, and his wife Alice Maud
Baines. Army records show Thomas died of war wounds, so I suspect he died at Shaftesbury Military Hospital on 18th February 1941. He was buried in
grave No. 805. Probate to his father was for £242 18s. on 21st April 1941, when his address was listed as 18 St. Phillip Road, Leicester.

YOUNG Sidney Johnstone Corporal No. 5504016 Corps of Military Police.

Born in Southampton, Hampshire on 20th December 1916 son of William Johnstone Young, an instructor in poultry keeping, and his wife Adelaide
Ethel Wood. In 1939 he was a builders merchants and ironmongers salesman living at 98 Elmes Road, Bournemouth, before he married Violet Constance
Evelyn Farris at Shaftesbury in April 1940. His death on 10th May 1942 was registered at Huntingdon, but I found nothing in Army records about the
circumstances - he was buried in C of E grave No. 56.

27 Names Listed

March 2025

Richard Smith

orchidgrower@btinternet.com

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