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- Dorsetshire Regiment during the Great War -


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World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment

Dorsetshire Regiment




Want to know more about the Dorsetshire Regiment?


There are:7173 items tagged Dorsetshire Regiment available in our Library

  These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.


Those known to have served with

Dorsetshire Regiment

during the Great War 1914-1918.

  • Abraham James Henry. Sgt. 2nd btn. (d.5th July 1918)
  • Adams MM. James. Pte. 2nd Btn.
  • Allen Herbert. Pte. 8th Btn. (d.5th Aug 1917)
  • Allen MM. Reginald Hercules. Sgt. 6th Btn.
  • Anderson William Edward. Pte. 5th Btn. (d.31st Mar 1917)
  • Barrett William. Pte. 6th Battalion (d.23rd April 1916)
  • Baston William Edwell. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.1st Jan 1918)
  • Bateman Henry Ernest. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.4th Nov 1918)
  • Biggs Edward Frank. Cpl. 1st Btn., C Coy. (d.5th May 1915)
  • Bishop William James. Pte. 1st/4th Btn. (d.23rd Dec 1916)
  • Blackham Victor Charles. Pte 1st Btn
  • Bradley Arthur Edward. Pte. 9th Battalion (d.8th Oct 1918)
  • Caine E.. Pte. 1st Btn.
  • Cornick Joseph. 5th Btn.
  • Crabb Francis Frederick. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.19th November 1917)
  • Crabb Francis Frederick. Pte. (d.19th November 1917)
  • Crocker William Henry. Pte. 2nd Battalion
  • Cross W. M.. Pte. 5th Btn. (d.22nd September 1915)
  • Darch Albert. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.15th April 1918)
  • Dart Herbert. Pte. 6th Battalion (d.5th Nov 1918)
  • Dashwood Albert Frank. L/Cpl. 1st Btn. B Coy. (d.5th Mar 1915)
  • Diment MM. Albert Joe. Pte 5th Btn.
  • Dixon Henry Clarke. L/Sgt. 2nd Btn. (d.17th Nov 1914)
  • Dowse Alfred J.. Pte. 1st. Btn.
  • Eagle George Dodson. 3rd Battalion (d.3rd April 1916)
  • Elkins Frederick. Pte. 5th Btn. (d.19th Aug 1915)
  • Ellis William Henry. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.23rd July 1917)
  • Farnham Charles. Cpl 6th Btn. (d.3rd April 1918)
  • Fawn William Thomas. RQMS. D Coy. 6th Btn. (d.22nd Apr 1917)
  • Fisher Ernest Edwin. Cpl. 6th Btn. (d.13th Apr 1917)
  • Garnett William Owen. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.5th May 1915)
  • Gawler Sidney Ernest. Pte. 6th Batalion (d.9th Nov 1916)
  • Gibbon Oswald Frank. Sgt. 6th Btn. (d.25th Mar 1918)
  • Gibson Thomas William. Pte. 8th Btn.
  • Giles Frederick George. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.6th Sep 1916)
  • Goodwin Henry James. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.7th July 1916)
  • Gosney T.. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.26th July 1916)
  • Haggett Walter. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.10th May 1916)
  • Hainsworth Arthur. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.15th April 1918)
  • Hall Fred. 2Lt. (d.22nd September 1916)
  • Hawkings Fred. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.27th August 1918)
  • Hazell Albert Charles. Cpl. 6th Battalion (d.11th October 1918)
  • Holman William Victor. 4th Dorset
  • Hooper Francis Henry. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.30th Sep 1918)
  • Howarth George. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.24th Apr 1916)
  • Jackman Alfred. Pte. 1/4th Btn.
  • Kellaway Albert Alfred. Pte. 5th Btn. C Coy.
  • Kelly Thomas. L/Cpl. 5th Btn. (d.16th Aug 1917)
  • Kerslake George. Pte. 5th Btn. (d.29th Sep 1916)
  • Kitcher Henry Ernest. Capt 5th Btn (d.1916)
  • Knight Reginald Josiah. Pte. 5th Batallion
  • Lawson Sidney Rex. Sgt. 5th Btn. (d.18th Jun 1917)
  • Lewis John. Pte. 5th Btn. (d.19th Apr 1917)
  • Lugg James Richard. Pte. (d.25th Jan 1915)
  • Lugg William. Pte. 1st Battalion (d.15th Apr 1917)
  • McCall Archibald Ness. Pte. 6th Battalion
  • McIntosh Colin McKenzie. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.3rd Oct 1918)
  • Mellor John Percival. Capt. 5th Battalion
  • Menzies Sydney James. Pte. 3rd Btn. (d.1921)
  • Mullins Ernest James. Pte. 5th Btn. (d.11th Jan 1917)
  • Mullins Ernest James. Pte. 5th Btn. (d.11th January 1917)
  • Newcombe Ernest William. L/Cpl. 5th Battalion (d.11th Jan 1917)
  • Newman Charles. Pte. 2/4th Btn. (d.24th Nov 1917)
  • Oakes Wilfred Cecil. Pte. 5th Btn. (d.1st Oct 1918)
  • Packe Edward Alexander. Capt.
  • Pascoe Woodman. Pte.
  • Patten Bert. Pte. 1/4th Btn. (d.19th Jun 1917)
  • Patten Bert. Pte. 1st/4th Btn. (d.19th June 1917)
  • Paul Henry Walter Whetham. Pte. 5th Btn.
  • Paul Levi. Pte. 6th Battalion (d.12 April 1917)
  • Pinel MM. Raymond St.John. Cpl. 6th Battalion (d.9th Sep 1920)
  • Pitman Andrew James. L/Cpl. 5th Btn. (d.21st Aug 1915)
  • Powell Horace Randolph. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.14 April 1915)
  • Rich George Henry. Pte. 5th Btn.
  • Robinson James Temple. Pte. 5th Btn. (d.7th December 1915)
  • Rossiter Wilfred James Campbell. L/Cpl.
  • Shaw DSO. Donald Patrick. Mjr. 6th Btn.
  • Smith Christopher Frank. Pte.
  • Smith Hugh Deane. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.1st Sep 1918)
  • Spice William Bernard. 2nd Lt. 5th Btn.
  • Talbot Frederick James. 6th Battalion (d.24th August 1918)
  • Terry Lionel Douglas.
  • Thurley George William. Pte. 1st Btn.
  • Toogood Arthur Thomas. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.12th Jun 1915)
  • Tulk Harry William. Pte.
  • Upshall Stephen. L/Cpl. 1st Battalion (d.10th July 1916)
  • Warford William. Pte. 5th Battalion (d.13th June 1917)
  • Warren Claude Archibald John Henry. L/Cpl. 5th Btn. (d.29th September 1918)
  • White Bertie William John. Pte. 5th Battalion
  • White Wilfred Percy. Pte. 2nd Btn.
  • White William John. Pte. 5th Btn (d.19th Aug 1915)
  • White William Jarvis. Pte. 5th Battalion (d.19th Aug 1915)

All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please. Add a Name to this List

More Dorsetshire Regiment records.


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  • 12th March 2024

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      Did you know? We also have a section on World War Two. and a Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations.






257636

L/Cpl. Claude Archibald John Henry Warren 5th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.29th September 1918)

Claude Warren served with the 5th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment in WW1. He died 29th of September 1918 and is buried Chapel Corner Cemetery at Sauchy-Lestree in France.

L Wilkinson




256720

Pte. Alfred Jackman 1/4th Btn. Dorset Regiment

Alfred Jackman served with the 1/4th Battalion, Dorset Regiment. Still checking dates and places but he served in Middle East possibly Baghdad.

Stephen Jackman




256716

Cpl. Raymond St.John Pinel MM. 6th Battalion Dorset Regiment (d.9th Sep 1920)

Raymond Pinel was a relative of my husbands side, he died a year after his son's birth in 1920.

Nicole Pinel




255523

Pte Albert Joe Diment MM. 5th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment

Albert Diment won the Military Medal on 11th March 1918. It was awarded on the battlefield [immediate]. Twelve men went behind enemy lines near the quarries penetrating three hundred yards obtaining information about the 6th Bavarian Division. The raid was carried out without artillery or trench-mortor surport. The party got out without any casualties. CSM Cobb awarded was also awarded the Miltary Medal [immediate]

I am Joe Diment's grandson now 71. I would love to know what they did. I have his medal in my hand. It would be nice to know before I pop my cork!

Peter Bullen




255263

Pte. Sydney James Menzies 3rd Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.1921)

Sydney Menzies joined the 3rd Dorset Regiment in Sept 1914 and was attached to the 7th Royal Munster Fusiliers. He entered the theatre of war on 15th of October 1915 in the Balkans. He is believed to have fought at Kosturino and also saw service in France on the Somme and Belgium at Ypres. He was gassed twice in the war and died of the effects of the 2nd gassing in 1921.

Sim Menzies




254193

Pte. Wilfred Cecil Oakes 5th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.1st Oct 1918)

My great uncle Wilfred Oakes died on 1st of October 1918, aged 26. On 2nd of October 1915 he sent a postcard, to his elder brother Charles of some of the troops with whom he was stationed in Canterbury from 3 Troop C Squad. North Somerset Yeomanry.

The postcard reads "Dear Jim, A few lines to let you know I am going on alright. Photo of some of our Troop. Canterbury is a nice town but no lights at night because of Zep raids. A few miles from coast. Hern Bay 7, Deal 8, Folkestone about 17 miles. Buses run. Have nice rides in country. Hoping all are well. I remain yours, Wilf."

I believe that Wilfred is the middle of the 3 men stood at the back of the family photo.

Postcard sent from Wilfred Cecil Oakes to brother Charles

Mary Gunningham




253936

L/Cpl. Andrew James Pitman 5th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.21st Aug 1915)

Andrew Pitman served with the 5th Dorsetshire Regiment.

Joanna Peat




253516

Sgt. Oswald Frank Gibbon 6th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.25th Mar 1918)

Oswald Gibbon died during WW1 along with his brothers Albert and Thomas. Oswald came home on leave from the war and his daughter Beatrice age 4 refused to hug him because of his itchy soldier overcoat. She never saw him again and regretted her childish actions for the rest of her life. Oswald is buried in Lebucquiere Communal Cemetery in France.

Debra Ford




252958

RQMS. William Thomas Fawn D Coy. 6th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.22nd Apr 1917)

William Fawn, my great uncle was part of D Company, 6th Dorsets. Whilst in rear support, They left Wellington Quarry caves for the trenches at 11.50 pm. Whilst the Battalion were filing out of the caves, a shell fell just at the head of the exit, killing 6 and wounding 6 which included several important members of Quarter Master's Staff.

Anthony Butler




252415

Pte. Thomas William Gibson 8th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

Thomas Gibson was my grandfather, he was born at Moorside Farm on Kingsley Moor, Staffordshire in 1899. We know that he lied about his age and joined up at the age of 15 and he was sent to France early in the War and carried out duties as a despatch rider, carrying information between command posts on his bicycle. We believe he transferred to the 6th Dorsets some time in 1918. At some point, Tommy was wounded by flying shrapnel but appears it was not serious enough to be sent home.

After the War, Tommy took apprenticeship as a carpenter and wheelwright before inheriting the farm from his father. In later life Tommy was plagued by the experiences and injuries from his time in France. Although he handed over the running of the farm to his youngest son, he continued his carpentry work up to the period just before his death in 1979.

Thomas Gibson

Thomas Gibson

David Dawson




251894

Cpl. Albert Charles Hazell 6th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment (d.11th October 1918)

Albert Hazell served with 6th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment.

Michael Hazell




248666

L/Cpl. Wilfred James Campbell Rossiter Somerset Light Infantry

I never knew my grandfather Wilfred Rossiter. He left the marital home when my father was young. I have been researching my family for thirty year now. Unfortunately, little is known or available for this gentleman. I was fortunate to buy his war medals last October, and have sent a photo. He was initially in the Somerset Light Infantry. Later the Dorsetshire Regiment. Any information would be great. Strange thing, his name was Wilfred James Campbell Rossiter. Someone on processing the medal card has written William.

Linda Rossiter




247460

Pte. Woodman "Woody" Pascoe Dorsetshire Regiment

Woody Pascoe was wounded at the Somme but survived the war and went on to live until 1981 (he had been born in 1899). I have not found his service or pension records but have a copy of his medal card. No photos either.





246949

Pte. Francis Frederick Crabb Dorsetshire Regiment (d.19th November 1917)

Frank Crabb served in France and Flanders. He was killed in action at Langemarke, Belgium. He is buried at Cement House Cemetery.

He was my great uncle.

War memorial in Iwerne Minster, Franks home

Frank's name on memorial

Annette Best




244988

Cpl. Ernest Edwin Fisher 6th Btn. Dorset Regiment (d.13th Apr 1917)

Ernest Fisher was born in 1895 in Melbury Abbas. He was the son of a stonemason. At the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 he was living in Hardings Lane, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in his local Dorsetshire Regiment and at the time of his death held the rank of Corporal. He served in France and Flanders and was posthumously awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 13th of April 1917 and was buried at Duisans British Cemetery in Etrun. He is remembered on the Cann War Memorial, Shaftesbury.

William Proctor




244373

Cpl. Edward Frank Biggs 1st Btn., C Coy. Dorset Regiment (d.5th May 1915)

Frank Biggs was born in Odd Down on 12th February 1893 to Walter George Biggs and Amy Emily (nee Savage). He was the third of eight siblings, and before the war he worked as a railway contractor's labourer. He died as a result of gas poisoning on Hill 60 at Ypres.

Nick Powley




244310

Pte. Francis Frederick Crabb 6th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.19th November 1917)

Frank Crabb served with the 6th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment. He was my great uncle. He died on 19th of November 1917, aged 22, killed in action at Langemarke, Belgium. He is buried at Cement House Cemetery, Belgium.

Annette Best




241953

2nd Lt. William Bernard Spice 5th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment

William Spice was my grandfather and I have a picture of him in his uniform. He was born in 1893 and died in approx. 1973. He was in the Dorset Regiment, 5th Battalion which I believe was a volunteer battalion (Kitchener's Army). I knew that he had fought on the Somme but it looks like he was in Gallipoli, Passchendaele and the 100 days offensive as well. This was not something that he spoke to anyone about to my knowledge. I would like to know more.

I would have thought that to be a 2nd Lieutenant fighting in the above battles he would have to have done well to get through it.

Trevor Langton




241546

Lionel Douglas Terry Hampshire Regiment

From papers and medals and pictures I have I know my father, Lionel Terry, born 1897, served in Mesopotamia from 1915 (volunteer) till around 1920, transferring to the Hampshire Regiment and later to the police. He ended up in the Civil Service in London. I know he was a Lewis Gunner and had some special duties because of his languages which included Arabic. I know he entered Jerusalem with the Army because he sent the book with pictures and pressed flowers presented to British soldiers to his mother and now I have it. He told stories of a battle against Turkish troops where the goal was to control a field of water melons. He apparently escaped from captivity in a knife fight and he did have scars all over his body. At one stage he was blown up which I learned when I was about 15 because whuile he was shaving a opiece of shrapnel came out of a pitted scar neaer his ear and blood ran down his face and aseed-like bit of metal came out. Unforunately he didn't talk a great deal about the war but when I was about 6 I visited the regimental museum with him and he wore a Dorset tie. For a time he was in a mounted unit, I have a very old brown photo of him sitting on a horse which had what looks like a short sword under the saddle and another in which he had a large looking pistol on his hip, this in Basra.

Christopher Terry




241478

Pte. William Barrett 6th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (d.23rd April 1916)

William Barrett is my great grandfather. He worked as a glass blower in a bottle factory in Bristol, before joining up in August 1914. Serving as Private 10241 of the 6th (Service) Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, his unit sailed to France on 21st May 1915. He was wounded at the Second Battle of Bellewaarde, a diversionary attack to the east of Ypres for the larger offensive at Loos between 25th and 28th September 1915.

William was evacuated back to the UK and on recovery was re-deployed to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, Pte 16207. The Battalion he was to have joined was already besieged at Kut Al Amara in Mesopotamia (Iraq). William was part of a group of reinforcements attempting to break through and relieve the British forces trapped in Kut. The last attempt to break through the Turkish lines was the Battle of Sanniyat. British artillery had failed to keep the Turkish troops away from their lines, who were able to fire directly into the advancing British forces struggling over open and flooded ground. Their attack failed with terrible losses. Kut surrendered on 22nd April 1916.

William died from wounds on 23rd of April 1916, leaving his wife Sarah and daughter (my grandmother) Florence aged 6.

Chris








Recomended Reading.

Available at discounted prices.



History of the Dorsetshire Regiment 1914-1919


This reprint covers the Regular and TF battalions, each with their own index; And deals with the Service battalions and includes the Roll of Honour and the list of Honours and Awards for all battalions. It also has a separate index. There are numerous sketch maps in the text.




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