Name
Maurice Philip Shafford
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/03/1915
18
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/359
The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
2nd
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BAILLEUL COMMUNAL CEMETERY, NORD
J.49
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Harpenden Town Memorial, The Buffs (East Kent) Regiment WW1 Book of Remembrance, Canterbury, Kent. St Johns Parishioners, Hedge End, Hants. Hedge End Memorial, Hedge End, Hants.
Pre War
Maurice Philip was born in 1896 in South Stoneham, Hants to William Shafford, farmer, and Elizabeth (nee Sharp). The family was living at Wildern Farm, hedge End, S. Stoneham. Maurice’s Mother died in 1900 and his father died in 1906.
He had 5 brothers and 3 sisters. On the 1911 census he is recorded as being a compositor (printing) and residing in the National Children’s Home, Bethnal Green, London. His connection to Harpenden has not been confirmed.
Wartime Service
Maurice attested on 26 Aug 1914 for the Buffs (East Kent) Regiment as Private G/359 for 3 years service.
He was posted on 28 Aug 1914 and joined the 3rd Battalion. On 6 Mar 1915 he left for France to join 2nd Battalion at Ypres. He died from wounds at 8 Casualty Clearing Station Hazebrouck.
Additional Information
Probate of £27 and War gratuity of £3 with arrears of £2 12s 3d was paid to his older sister Bessie.His brother Charles served in the Royal Marines Artillery aboard HMS Good Hope when it was sunk at the Battle of Coronel off Chile His body was not recovered and so is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval memorial.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, Mary Skinner, Harpenden & District Local History Society (www.harpenden-history.org.uk)
