Sturminster Marshall

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Burials at Sturminster Marshall Churchyard (St Mary)
Research by Richard Smith into the lives and deaths of the CWGC War Casualties buried in Sturminster Marshall.

Burials from CWGC at Sturminster Marshall Graveyard (St Mary)

BLACKMORE Richard Joseph Private No. L/ 14821 3rd Battalion Middlesex (Duke of Cambridge's Own) Regiment.

Born in Kensington, London on 30th December 1895, son of Richard Blackmore, a labourer, and his wife Julia Hopkins who died in 1907. In 1911 the family
were living at 5 George's Road, Kensington, London. Richard enlisted on 2nd March 1914 and went to France with the British Expeditionary Force on 16th
August 1914. His Army record says he left France on 24th February 1915 having suffered a gunshot wound to his left shoulder. His death was
registered at Wimborne suggesting he died of his wounds at the Red Cross Hospital at Sturminster Marshall - he was buried in grave A. 13. He was aged 19.

BROOKSON Alfred Edward Sapper No. 1539 1st/1st London Division Signals Company Royal Engineers.

Born in London 26th February 1878 son of James Benjamin Brookson, a Fish Salesman who had retired by 1905 and died in April 1916, and his wife Mary
Ann Elizabeth Lacey who died in July 1916. Alfred married at Marylebone, London on 24th April 1905 Mary Ann Lindner, and in 1911 they were living
at 50 Villiers Road, Willesden Green, London, with Alfred working as a Scientific Instrument Maker. Alfred died on 22nd August 1916 at Newton Red
Cross Hospital, Sturminster Marshall of Dysentery, and was buried on the 24th in grave J. 1.

HOARE Vernon Frank Private No. 10427 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment.

Born in Sturminster Marshall in July 1894 son of George William Hoare, a labourer, and his wife Annie Love White who died about 1st February 1895.
In 1911 Vernon was living with his Uncle John George Mullett and family at Cowgill, Pamphill, Wimborne working with horses on a farm. He was wounded
in action on 19th August 1915, and declared physically unfit for further military service on 2nd October 1916. He died at the Duchess of Norfolk's
Hospital, Littlehampton, Sussex on 24th May 1917, and was buried on the 29th in grave H. 9. He was aged 22.

MARTIN Helen Patricia (Paddy) Corporal No. 889904 Womens Auxiliary Air Force

Born in Crewkerne, Somerset in 1921 daughter of William Martin, a surgeon, and his wife Alice Mary Nicholls (K/as Mollie) and in 1921 they were living
at 3 Marina Parade, Penarth, Glamorgan, Wales. Helen was killed whilst riding on the running board of an overloaded car which hit a wall near
Almer, Dorset on 25th December 1941.

SKILLER William Henry Private No. 5726363 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment

Born in Sturminster Marshall in January 1920 son of William Frederick Skiller, a contracting carter in 1921, and his wife Bessie Ada Cole. In
1939 his parents were living at 7 The Council Houses, Sturminster Marshall. William married Kathleen W. Butcher at Thanet, Kent in January 1944, but
died at the Isolation Hospital, Weymouth on 12th April 1946, cause not known. His probate to Herbert Trenchard (a farmer) on 26th April 1946 was
for £64, 1s 5d.

TAYLOR Frederick Private No. 363 6th Battalion Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment

Born in Lambeth, Surrey on 21st July 1897, but I failed to pin down his parents. He died of wounds at Red Cross Hospital, Sturminster Marshall on
23rd October 1915, and was buried on 30th in grave A. 12.

VATER William Edward Lance Corporal No. 16030 2nd Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment.

Born in Blandford Forum, Dorset about January 1893, son of Robert Vater, a domestic groom, and his wife Emily Carter. In 1911 the family were living
at Sturminster Marshall and William (Willie) was working aged 18 as a domestic under gardener. He died of wounds at King George's Military
Hospital, Stamford St. London on 3rd April 1917 and was buried in grave G. 1. By then his widow Mary Ann was living at 29 Beresford Avenue,
Walthamstow, Essex.

WHITE Sidney James Private No. 10302 Dorsetshire Regiment Depot.

Born in Sturminster Marshall on 17th December 1887 son of Arthur John White, a farm labourer, and his wife Emma Elizabeth Starr. Married Florence
Barnes at Sturminster Marshall on 7th September 1907, and in 1911 they were living at High Street, Sturminster Marshall. He enlisted on 31st August
1914, but was injured at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli, Turkey on 21st August 1915, which resulted in having a leg amputated, having been discharged from the
Army as medically unfit. He died at home at Sturminster Marshall on 25th October 1918 and was buried in grave H. 3 on 30th October.

February 2025

Richard Smith

orchidgrower@btinternet.com

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