TO THE MEMORY OF GOD
AND IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF
THE MEN OF LONGBURTON WHO
GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR
COUNTRY IN THE GREAT WAR
1914 – 1918
NOTE – Sadly the memorial has suffered from erosion over the years and is now illegible. A small sign has been attached to the railings giving the names of the fallen, and what was presumably the original text on the memorial.
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GARETH HAMILTON-FLETCHER | GRENADIER GUARDS (ATTD SCOTS GUARDS)
2nd Lieut Gareth Hamilton-Fletcher 3 Bn Grenadier Guards, Attached 1 Bn Scots Guards. Gareth was born on the 13th May 1894 in London. He was educated at Eton, where he was part of the cadet corps and Captain of his house. He was also a keen cricket player, representing the school at Lords in 1912 and 1913. He then went on to Balliol College, Oxford, where he was studying when war was declared. Gareth was commissioned into the Grenadier Guards on the 5th September 1914. He was attached to the Scots Guards owing to a shortage of Officers, and arrived in France on the 5th January 1915. Gareth was Killed in Action during a German attack at Cuinchy on the 25th January 1915, aged 20. He had been wounded twice during the attack, and was finally killed by a gunshot wound to the head. His bullet damaged cap ended up with with another officer who was taken prisoner. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial. The CWGC lists “Son of George and Constance Hamilton-Fletcher, of Leweston Manor, Sherborne, Dorset.”
WILLIAM JAMES SQUIBB | 7TH HUSSARS
2739 Sgt William James Squibb 7th Hussars. William was born in Buckhorn Weston and resided in Sherborne. He was a pre war regular soldier, having enlisted in Taunton. William was Killed in Action in Mesopotamia on the 24th October 1918. He has no known grave, and is now commemorated on the Basra Memorial. His next of kin was listed as his mother, Mary, who lived at Longburton. His brother is also commemorated on the Longburton War Memorial, see next entry.
JOSEPH SQUIBB | ARMY VETERINARY CORPS
37945 Pte Joseph Squibb 1 Bn Somerset Light Infantry, formerly 102 Pte Army Veterinary Corps. Joseph was born in Wimborne and resided at Longburton. He enlisted for the Army at Worcester. Joseph was Killed in Action on the 29th March 1918. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. His next of kin was listed as his mother, Mary, who lived at Longburton. His brother is also commemorated on the Longburton War Memorial, see previous entry.
CHARLES EDWIN CADIE | 1ST DORSET YEOMANRY
777 L/Cpl Charles Edward Cadie 1/1 Dorset Yeomanry. Charles was born in Holwell and resided at Manor Farm, Longburton, where he worked as a servant. He enlisted for the Great War in Sherborne. At some stage, he was mentioned in Despatches. Charles was Killed in Action at the Charge at Agagia, on the 26th February 1916, aged 34. It was one of the last great cavalry charges made by the British Army. Charles is also remembered on our Agagia Roll of Honour. He is buried in Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Cemetery. The CWGC lists “Son of Charles and Grace Cadie, of Dolivers Farm, Holwell, Sherborne”.
ALFRED GEORGE ANTHONY | MACHINE GUN CORPS
101792 Pte Alfred George Anthony 1 Sqn Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry), formerly 1261 Pte Dorset Yeomanry. Alfred was born and resided in Longburton. He enlisted for the Great War in Sherborne. Alfred Died of Wounds at 41 Casualty Clearing Station on the 10th April 1918, aged 28. He is buried in Namps-Au-Val British Cemetery. The CWGC lists “Son of William and Emily Anthony, of Longburton, Sherborne, Dorset”.
HARRY COUSINS | 5TH DORSET REGT
10181 Pte Harry Cousins 5 Bn Dorset Regiment. Harry was born in Charlton Horethorne and resided in Longburton. He enlisted for the Great War on 27th August 1914 in Sherborne, although had already served briefly pre war with the Dorset Regiment, before purchasing his discharge. Harry was Killed in Action (wounded and missing) at Gallipoli on the 21st August 1915, aged 20. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial. The CWGC lists “Son of Harry and Mary Cousins, of Longburton, Sherborne, Dorset”.
ERNEST COX | 6TH SOMERSET LIGHT INFANTRY
204385 Pte Ernest Arthur Cox 6 Bn Somerset Light Infantry, formerly 1253 Pte Dorset Yeomanry. Ernest was born and resided in Longburton. He enlisted for the Great War in Sherborne. At some point, he was taken Prisoner of War. Ernest died of Pleurisy and Dysentery on the 27th September 1918. He is buried in Hautmont Communal Cemetery.
WILLIAM BIDDLECOMBE | DORSET YEOMANRY
1432 Pte William Charles Biddlecombe 3/1 Dorset Yeomanry. William was born in Poole and resided at Longburton. He enlisted for the Great War in Sherborne. William died on the 15th February 1916, aged 20. He is buried in Longburton (St James the Great) Churchyard. The CWGC lists “Son of Robert and Eliza Biddlecombe, of Long Burton, Sherborne, Dorset”. His brother is also commemorated on the Longburton War Memorial, see next entry.
LESLIE BIDDLECOMBE | NORTH SOMERSET YEOMANRY
31240 Pte Robert Leslie Biddlecombe 8 Bn Somerset Light Infantry, formerly 31301 Pte Dorset Regiment. Robert was born in Poole and resided at Longburton. He enlisted for the Great War in Dorchester. Robert was Killed in Action on the 9th October 1918, aged 18. He is buried in Naves Communal Cemetery Extension. The CWGC lists “Son of Robert and Eliza Biddlecombe, of Higher Lodge, Radipole Manor, Radipole, Weymouth. Native of Sherborne”. His brother is also commemorated on the Longburton War Memorial, see previous entry.
Dorset in the Great War 