Tales from the Front (28) recounts the life of Cecil Reginald (‘Tom’) Noble, a native of Victorian Bournemouth, who fought in World War I. In civilian life, a decorator, Noble saw greater opportunity as a professional soldier. In 1910, he enlisted with the 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade. This took him to India, where he served for a few years. Thereafter, he went to France, where he showed conspicuous gallantry at Neuve Chapelle. This earned him a posthumous Victoria Cross.
Tales from the Front (27) recounts the life of Percy Lockyer, a native of Victorian Bournemouth, who fought in World War I. Before the war, he had worked as a stationer’s assistant, living in Ringwood during 1911. He had enlisted with the 6th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, but later changed to the 3rd Battalion, City of London Regiment. On March 10th, Private Lockyer participated in the first day of the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, perhaps falling in the evening.
Tales from the Front (26) recounts the life of Albert Frank Dashwood, a native of Victorian Bournemouth, who fought in World War I. Before the war, he had worked as an errand boy and, later, an ironmonger’s porter. Before the war he had served with the Territorials, later going on reserve but recalled in 1914. Lance-Corporal Dashwood died of wounds at Vlamertinghe, near Ypres, early in March 1915.
Tales from the Front (25) recounts the life of George Collins, a native of Victorian Bournemouth who fought in World War I. Before the war, he had joined the regular army, serving with the 4th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, in India. They had returned to Europe as the BEF increased its numbers for the winter campaign in Western Europe. Sergeant Collins, a successful man from a successful family, fell at St Eloi early in March 1915.
Tales from the Front (24) traces the intertwined fates of Erasmus and William Trickett, two young labourers whose lives ended at Ypres in 1915. Their reconstructed story reveals how inherited customs, closed networks, and local identity struggled against the pressures of modernity, migration, and industrial conflict. Thus, through genealogy, social history, and battlefield detail, the narrative shows how war accelerated change and reshaped families whose futures once seemed secure.
Tales from the Front (23) tells the story of Thomas Avey Dix, a native of Victorian Bournemouth, who fought in the Great War. A professional soldier, he served with the 2nd Dorsets in India before coming with them to invade Mesopotamia (Iraq) in 1914. The official records list Private Dix’s demise as November 19th, two days after the expeditionary force won a significant victory at Sahil.
Tales from the Front (8) tells the story of George Robert Newman, Bournemouth-born, who fought in the Great War. His unit, the 2nd Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, belonged to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Corps. Newman, 19, fell on September 17th, 1914, during the Battle of the Aisne.
Victorian Bournemouth (259) traces how the greenfield Bourne Valley became a County Borough within sixty years. Local leaders and groups guided the community through various challenges, promoting unity beyond religion, politics, and puritanism. The example of the Chrysanthemum Society demonstrated cooperation between classes to create successful events, such as flower shows. Ultimately, the “Fountain” vision prevailed over the “Stream,” although the stream continues through the valley.
Victorian Bournemouth (257) analyses Thomas Hankinson’s res gestae speech, delivered at the conclusion of his mayoral tenure. The address summarised the year’s accomplishments with professionalism and clarity. Hankinson emphasised the commercial and social factors underpinning Bournemouth’s growth. As an influential figure in the town’s development, his actions and remarks presented a distinct alternative to prevailing models of privilege and paternalism. Hankinson advocated modernisation, ongoing improvement, and the increasing importance of civic governance.
Victorian Bournemouth (256) describes how the resort went through significant social changes after the mid-1800s. The old Arcadian world—where the gentry received automatic respect from those of lower status—disappeared. Instead, a merit-based town emerged, where successful individuals saw respectability as just as valuable as gentility. Reverend Pretyman’s awkward efforts at social engineering only highlighted the transformations taking place in Bournemouth.