Dulverton, Somerset
The Roll of Honour memorial is located within All Saints Church, and Miss B. K. Abbott of 'The Cottage' Dulverton, donated the Recreational Field to the Town in 1920 in memory of the Dulvertonians lost in the First World War, However, it wasn't until 2006 when the local Branch of the Royal British Legion organised a public collection that a suitable outdoor Memorial was erected at Kemps Way. The Memorial designed and crafted by local stone carver, Laurence Beckford, was unveiled by Major General Dare Wilson CBE MC DL FRG.
SECOND ANGLO BOER WAR 1899-1902
TROOPER Charles Baker Simpson (1868-1900)
He was born in January 1868 and served with the 27th Company of the 7th Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry. He died in South Africa on the 21st of September 1900.
The 27th (Devonshire) Company was raised in 1900; co-sponsored by Royal 1st Devonshire Yeomanry Cavalry, and Royal North Devonshire Hussars. A plaque to his memory is located at All Saints Church, Dulverton. |
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World War 1
LEADING STOKER Ernest Baker (1888-1916)
He was born at Dulverton, Somerset, on the 22nd of November 1888 and was the 5th of 7 sons to Charles and Eliza Ann Baker, of New Buildings, Northmoor Rd., Dulverton. Ernest resided at Castle Court, Dulverton. He elisted into the Royal Navy at Devonport, Plymouth, on the 10th of October 1907 as Service No. 312334, having previously been a Farm Labourer. He was killed in action on the 31st May 1916, aged 27 years, when his ship; HMS Indefatigable, was sunk at the Battle of Jutland off of the Danish coast.
The Indefatigable was a British Battlecruiser, lost at the Battle of Jutland on the 31st of May 1916. Around 16:00, Indefatigable was hit around the rear turret by two or three shells from the German Battlecruiser 'Von der Tann'. She fell out of formation to starboard and started sinking towards the stern and listing to port. Her magazines exploded at 16:03 after more hits, one on the forecastle and another on the forward turret. Smoke and flames gushed from the forward part of the ship and large pieces were thrown 200 feet into the air. It has been thought that the most likely cause of her loss was a deflagration or low-order explosion in 'X' magazine that blew out her bottom and severed the steering control shafts, followed by the explosion of her forward magazines from the second volley. More recent archaeological evidence shows that the ship was actually blown in half. Of her crew of 1,019, only three survived. Ernest's name is recorded on the Plymouth Naval Memorial at Plymouth Hoe, Devon |
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PRIVATE John Bristow (1878-1915)
He was born at Exford in 1878 and was the son of Robert Bristow of Winsford, Somerset (1850-1923) and Grace Bristow nee Crocker of Exford, Somerset (1852-1907).
in 1903 he married Florence Meddick of Brompton Regis (b.1881) and the couple lived at at 10, Bury Village, near Dulverton, and later at Higher Broford, near Dulverton. They had 5 children: 1. William John Bristow (1904 - 1989) 2. Grace Agnes Bristow (1907 - 1990) 3. Dorothy Jane Bristow (1909 - 2000) 4. Mary Bristow (1912 - 1948) 5. George Bristow (1911 - 1979) He served as Private 16716 in the 7th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry and was killed in action on the 15th of September 1915, aged 37 years. He was buried at Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. B. 56. |
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AIR MECHANIC 2ND CLASS Cecil William Burnett (1891-1917)
He was born at Dulverton in 1891 and was the son of Arthur Burnett (1864-1941) and Martha Burnett nee Wood (1854-1906), of 2, Barle Terrace, Dulverton. His siblings were Edith M. Burnett (b.1885), and Ivanhoe James Burnett (1887-1961). In the 1901 census the family resided at Lady Street, Dulverton. In the 1911 census Cecil's employment was shown as a watchmaker and instrument repairer. Around 1915 the family moved to reside at 2, Barle Terrace, Dulverton.
In 1916 he enlisted into the Royal Flying Corps at South Farnborough, Hampshire, and became Service Number: 43996 Air Mechanic 2nd Class. He was stationed at the RFC Recruits' Depot at Bristol, and died on the 16th of April 1917, aged 26, (circumstances unknown). He was buried in 'Soldiers Corner' in Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol, where his name is engraved on the Screen Wall, Plot 2. 677. |
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PRIVATE Edwin James Chilcott (1886-1917)
He was born in 1886 at West Anstey, Devon, and was the son of Edwin and Emma Chilcott, of 8, Castle St., Dulverton, Somerset.
He enlisted in the 1st/5th Battalion of the Devonshire (Prince of Wales's) Regiment and served as Private 315046. He was killed in action fighting the Ottoman Turks in Palestine, aged 31 years, and was buried at the Jerusalem War Cemetery. Plot B. 96. |
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MAJOR Robert Henry Collyns (1894-1918)
He was born at Dulverton on the 7th of August 1894 and was the son of Dr Robert John Collyns (1861-1918) and his wife; Eleanor Maud Collyns nee Abbot (1858-1949), of Bilboa, The Green, Dulverton.
He was educated firstly at Malvern College 1908-1910, where he was in House 2. His abilities and industry secured him a high place in the school. Those who had watched his progress fully expected that he would do well in his later career. From Malvern he attended Bristol University, where he was a Cadet in the Officer Training Corps. In July 1914 he gained his Bachelor of Science degree (BSc). During his time at the university he resided at 8 Richmond Hill, Clifton, Bristol. On the 9th of August 1914 (12 days since the commencement of WW1) he applied for an Army commission via his university Officer Training Corps and was successful in obtaining a commission with the Royal Engineers in January 1915. He attended the School of Military Engineering, Chatham, on the 7th of February 1915 and was, subsequently, appointed Second Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers on the 30th of January 1915. He was part of the 97th Field Company, Royal Engineers, when they were sent to France in October 1915. He was twice wounded before he received the wound from which he died. He was mentioned in despatches on December the 17th 1917, and was promoted in the field to Lieutenant and, subsequently, Captain (acting Major). On May the 27th 1918 at Chalons le Verguer: The sections and attached infantry, commanded by Capt. R H Collyns RE left under orders to report to 110th Infantry Brigade and thereafter came under the orders of the 64th Infantry Brigade and were detailed to act with the 15th Durham Light Infantry in holding the line of the light railway west of Cauroy. On May the 29th 1918: Capt. R H Collyns RE severely wounded in the right arm and chest whilst holding the main line of Railway at Jonchery-sur-Vesle, near the town of Muizon on the Vesle River. He was taken to the field dressing station south of Epernay, where he died of wounds on the 1st of June 1918, aged 23 years. He was buried nearby in a temporary grave. |
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He was awarded the Chevalier Legion D'Honneur (France) and the Mititary Cross (MC). Military cross citation: 'While in command of the company during enemy attacks he showed great coolness and ability in command of his men, and on the third day was dangerously wounded while distributing them in a new position. His example throughout was of a high order.'
In 1919 his temporary grave was located by the military authorities in an isolated area South of Epernay. His remains were moved and re-interred at the Epernay French National Cemetery (Epernay Military Cemetery). However, this was not the last time that Major Collyns would go on a journey around France: In 1964 all British Graves from both WW1 and WW2 at Epernay were exhumed and relocated to the Terlincthun British Cemetery at Wimille, France. Major Collyns' final resting place is at Plot VII. A. C. 7. |
PRIVATE Charles Cording (1879-1916)
He was born at Dulverton, Somerset, in 1879 and resided at Fore Street, Dulverton. During WW1 served as Private 3/26858 of the 4th Battalion, South Wales Borderers.
He died of War Related Sickness (Dysentery) at Basra, Mesopotamia (Iraq) on the 10th of June 1916. He was buried at Basra War Cemetery, Iraq. Plot V. K. 5. Regretfully, in more modern times, many of the gravestones at the Basra War Cemetery have been deliberately desecrated by Muslim extremists. |
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PRIVATE Walter John Court (1876-1918)
He was born at Hawkridge, near Dulverton, Somerset, on the 29th of August 1876 and was the son of William Thomas Court of Winsford, Somerset (1844-1910) and Elizabeth Court nee Wyburn of Cutcombe, Somerset (1842-1924).
In 1894 he married Gwenllian Morgan of Beaufort, Breconshire, Wales (1876-1924) with whom he had two daughters: Lucy Ann Court (1894 - 1975) and Florence M. Court (b.1899). During WW1 he joined the 1st/6th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment as Private 2690 (later 266034). He died of War Related Sickness; Pneumonia, at Basra, Mesopotamia (Iraq) on the 11th of October 1918, aged 42 years, and was buried at the Basra War Cemetery, Plot I. P. 11. Regretfully, in more modern times, many of the gravestones at the Basra War Cemetery have been deliberately desecrated by Muslim extremists. |
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SAPPER Bertram Frederick Crees (1885-1915)
He was born at Dulverton in 1885 and was the son of John Frederick Butt Crees (1859-1933) and Emily Mary Crees nee Hitch (1850-1918). His two siblings were: Jessie Louisa Crees (1883-1904) and Victor Charles Crees (1887-1951).
By 1891 the family had left Dulverton and were residing at Lilleson, North Curry, Somerset, and by 1901 had moved again to Brent Road, East Brent, Somerset, where Bertram was employed as a Labourer in Carpenters shop. By 1911 Bertram had left his parent's home and was living at 36 High Street, Taibach, Port Talbot, where he was employed as a Police Constable (PC 251) at Tonmawr in the Glamorgan Constabulary. He married Winifred Pickford (b. 1882) at St James Church, Cameley, Somerset, on the 23rd of April 1913 and the couple resided at Cholwell, near Temple Cloud, Somerset. By then he was employed as a Constable in the Somerset Constabulary. At the commencement of WW1 he enlisted into the Army at Taunton and became Sapper 13986 in the 11th Company of the Royal Engineers, and was subsequently deployed to France on the 17th of August 1914 with the 17th Field Company, Royal Engineers. He took part in the Battle of Mons, the Battle of Marne, and the Battle of Aisne, before moving up to Flanders. He fought at the Battle of Bassée at Messines in October 1914, taking part in the capture of Hill 60. He was killed in action on the 30th of April 1915, aged 30, during the second Battle of Ypres. |
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He has no known grave as his body was never recovered. Bertram is commemorated on Panel 9 of the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, Belgium. At home in England his name appears on the East Brent War Memorial, and also on a War Memorial plaque at the Old Baptist Chapel, Rooksbridge, near East Brent.
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SECOND LIEUTENANT Archibald Manaton Farrier (1891-1914)
He was born at South Molton, Devon, on the 13th of July 1891 and was the son of Richard Samuel Farrier (1863-1929) and his wife; Lucy Passmore Farrier nee Manaton (1864-1894). He was at an early age adopted by his Aunt; Mrs Edwards of Battleton, Dulverton, Somerset, who brought him up.
He was educated at the Devon County School, West Buckland, where he showed considerable ability, for he took a silver medal at the age of ten, and when eleven years old won a scholarship of £30. In 1907, aged 16, he joined the 2nd Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment, with which he served in Crete, Malta, Cyprus, and other places. While in the ranks he earnestly applied himself to his work and duties, obtaining a first-class (highest) certificate of education in October 1910, and in August 1911, as a Lance-Corporal, he obtained the certificate qualifying him to teach, among other subjects, map-reading, English history, and physical exercises, and for some time he acted as Assistant Schoolmaster for his battalion. For his success he was congratulated by General Kelly Kenny, then commanding in the district in which he was serving. He did not neglect the physical side of his education, for in 1911 he received a regimental certificate for swimming one mile while stationed at Pembroke Barracks, Malta. He returned to England in August 1914 (at the commencement of WW1) having received his commission in the South Wales Borderers (24th Regiment of Foot), and joined the 1st Battalion at Borden Barracks early in November. His Battalion were deployed to France, landing at Le Havre on the 13th of August 1914, and subsequently, deployed to their position on the Western Front from the 25th of November. They were involved in the Battle of Mons, the recapture of Gheluvelt, the Battle of Marne, The Battle of Ainse, the first Battle of Ypres and the winter operations of 1914-15. He was wounded in action at West Flanders on the 28th of December 1914 and 'died of wounds' the following day, aged 23 years. He was buried at the Gorre British And Indian Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. B. 9. |
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PRIVATE Frank Floyd (1890-1914)
He was born on the 10th of June 1890 at Dulverton, Somerset, and was the son of James and Elizabeth Ann Floyd, of Perry Cottage, Brushford nr Dulverton, Somerset.
On the 2nd of June 1908 he enlisted at Devonport, Plymouth, and served as PLY/14541 of the Royal Marine Light Infantry: Plymouth Division, Royal Navy. He was killed in action defending the Belgium city of Antwerp on the 5th of October 1914. He was buried at the Schoonselhof Communal Cemetery, Antwerp, Belgium. Plot IIa, 67. |
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PRIVATE George Fyfe (1888-1915)
He was born at Exebridge, Somerset, in 1888 and was the son of Martin Fyfe of Upton, Somerset (1848-1932) and Eliza Fyfe nee Goodrich of Elmswell, Suffolk (b.1849), who had married in 1880 and resided at High Street, Dulverton, Somerset.
George's siblings were Annie Chilcott nee Fyfe (b.1881), Thomas Fyfe, and Lizzie Fyfe. At the time of his enlistment he gave his address as Fore Street, Dulverton. He served as Private 3039 of the 2nd/4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. He was killed in action fighting the Ottoman Turks at Basra, Mesopotamia (Iraq), on the 23rd of October 1915, aged 27 years. He was buried at Basra war Cemetery, Plot VI. R. 11. Regretfully, in more modern times, many of the gravestones at the Basra War Cemetery have been deliberately desecrated by Muslim extremists. |
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PRIVATE James Giles (1888-1917)
He was born at Dulverton, Somerset, in 1888 and was the son of Mr and Mrs James Giles, of Castle Street, Dulverton, Somerset. On enlistment he gave his address as Lady Street, Dulverton.
During WW1 he served as Private 1211 (Later 200080) in the 1st/4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment - who were mobilised upon the outbreak of war, serving in the Devon and Cornwall Brigade of the Wessex Division, and were sent to India. He died on the 18th of December 1917, aged 29 years (Circumstances unknown), and was buried at Bolarum Cavalry Barracks Cemetery, Secunderabad, India, Plot D2. Grave 25. His name is also recorded on the Madras 1914-1918 War Memorial at Chennai (Madras), Tamil Nadu, India (Face 9). |
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PRIVATE Sidney John Goss (1878-1917)
He was born at Dulverton in 1878 and resided at Battleton, Dulverton.
In WW1 he served as Service Number: 205430 in the 4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. He died on the 30th of December 1917 (circumstances unknown) aged 39 years, and was buried at the Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. Plot F.61. |
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PRIVATE Frank Gunney (1891-1921)
He was born in 1891 and was the son of William and Mary Gunney, of Lady Street, Dulverton, and later of Barle Terrace, Dulverton.
During WW1 he served firstly as Private 6075 in the 12th London Battalion of the London Regiment, and secondly as Private 392444 in the Labour Corps. He died, aged 30, on the 15th of March 1921, from "War related illness" and was buried in the churchyard at All Saints Church, Dulverton. |
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PRIVATE James Gunney (1884-1917)
He was born in Dulverton, Somerset, in 1884 and resided at Carnarvon Arms Cottages, Dulverton. James was the husband of Emma Gunney, of The Mount, Whitchurch, Cardiff.
He served as Private M2/133372 in the Army Service Corps, 283rd Mechanical Transport Company and was killed in action on the 7th of April 1917, aged 33 years. He was buried at Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty, Pas de Calais, France. Plot V. J. 11. |
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CORPORAL William John Hawkins (1894-1916)
He was born at Exford, Somerset on the 28th of October 1894 and baptised as 'John William Hawkins'. He was the son of William Hawkins (1868-1947) and Emma Hawkins nee Bidgood (1868-1940), of Highercombe Cottages, Higher Combe, nr Dulverton, who were married in 1892. His parents later resided at Little Pixton, Skilgate, Somerset. His father was a farm labourer.
He enlisted on the 1st of May 1913, giving his address as Bury Hill Cottages near Brompton Regis, and serving as PLY/16185 of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Marine Light Infantry: Plymouth Division, Royal Navy. He was killed in action in France on the 13th of November 1916, aged 22 years, and his body was never identified/recovered. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial France. Pier and Face 1 A. |
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SERGEANT Walter C. Hayes (1883-1921)
He was born in 1883 at Taunton, Somerset, and became a career soldier. In 1911 was stationed at the Military Barracks in Malta as Private 6028 in the Somerset Light Infantry.
In 1914 he married Emily Mary Tarr and they resided at Broxbridge, Exebridge, near Dulverton. During WW1 he served as Serjeant 32177 in the Devonshire Regiment where he fought in the trenches of France and was subject to a poison gas attack. He 'Died of Wounds' (Lung damaged caused by gas attack) on the 12th Jan 1921, age 38 years, and was buried at All Saints Church, Dulverton. |
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PRIVATE George Henry Hobbs (1891-1918)
He was born at Dulverton, Somerset, in 1891 and was the husband of Florence D. Hobbs, of High Street, Dulverton.
He enlisted as Private 2192 (later 200575) in the Devonshire Regiment but at sometime later transferred to the 1st/5th Battalion of the Essex Regiment as Service Number: 253215. He died from Dysentery at Beirut on the 17th of November 1918, aged 27 years, and was buried at the Beirut War Cemetery, Beirut, Lebanon. Plot 304 |
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Frank Johnston ?Johnson
PRIVATE Albert Kingdom (1876-1915)
He was born in 1876 at Rackenford, near Tiverton, Devon, and was the son of Robert (b. 1839) and Caroline Kingdom who were married in 1858. He had two brothers: Henry and Frank, both who served in the Devonshire Regiment. Albert appeared in the 1881 census records as living with his parents at Tiverton, where his Father was a Roads Contractor. In the 1891 census he was shown as residing at Coombehead Farm, Withleigh, Tiverton, where he worked as a Farm Labourer.
When war came he was residing at Barns Close, Dulverton when he enlisted on the 17th of December 1914 as Private 7024 of the 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. He was killed in action in France on the 10th of March 1915, aged 39 years. His body was never identified/recovered and he is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, France. Panel 8 and 9. |
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PRIVATE George Thomas Lugg (1885-1916)
He was born in Brompton Regis, Somerset, in 1885 and was the son of Charles Lugg (1865-1901), a farm labourer, and Mrs Sarah Jane Radley (formerly Lugg) nee Denscombe (1865-1936) of North Moor Road, Dulverton, who had married at Brompton Regis on the 15th of October 1884.
His seven siblings were: 1. Richard Charles Lugg (b.1887) 2. Cecil Ivanhoe Lugg (1889-1944) 3. Walter James Lugg (1891-1973) 4. Ida Mary Lugg (b.1893) 5. Daisy Lugg (b.1895) 6. Dorothy Lilian Lugg (1898-1973) 7. Frederick Colenso Lugg (1900-1985) When war broke out George was residing at Rosemary Lane, Dulverton. He enlisted as Private 2795 (later 201069) in the 2nd/4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. He was killed in action on the 11th of September 1916, aged 31 years, and was buried at the Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Mesopotamia (Iraq). Plot XXI. S. 40. |
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PRIVATE Fred Milton (1885-1918)
He was born at Brushford, Somerset, on the 19th of August 1885 and was the son of Mr Edwin C. and Mrs Elizabeth A. Milton, of 5 Bridge Street, Dulverton. His baptism took place at All Saints’ Church, Dulverton, on the 13th of September 1885.
Before the war Fred resided and worked as an agricultural labourer at Lyncombe Farm, Brompton Regis. In WW1 he served as Private 203683, 1st Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, and was killed in action at Second Battle of Kemmel (Kemmelberg, Belgium) part of the wider ‘Battle of the Lys’, on the 26th of April 1918, aged 32 years. His body was never identified/recovered and he is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 38 and 39. His name also appears on the Dulverton War Memorial, and the war memorial within All Saints' Church at Dulverton. |
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GUARDSMAN Edward Murphy (d.1918)
During WW1 he served as Service Number: 9255 in the 3rd Battalion of the Irish Guards. He died on the 23rd of February 1918 and was buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery, Woking, Surrey. Plot XII. D. 20A.
Brookwood Military Cemetery was created during World War I to provide a burial site for armed forces personnel who died in the United Kingdom of wounds. This was usually for those who were injured in France and Belgium who had been evacuated to the Beechcroft Military Hospital at Woking, before succumbing to their wounds. |
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LANCE CORPORAL William John Newbery (1894-1916)
He was born at Dulverton in 1894 and was the son of John Newbery of Ottery St Mary, Devon (1856-1920) and Elizabeth Newbery nee Vicary of Molland, Devon (b.1857), who resided at Rosemary Lane, Dulverton.
In WW1 he served as Private 1501 (Later Lance Corporal) in the 2nd/4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. He died of wounds received fighting the Ottomon Turks in Mesopotamia, on the 24th of January 1916, aged 22 years, and was buried at the Kut War Cemetery, Iraq, Plot F. 10. |
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PRIVATE Frederick Parkhouse (1886-1917)
He was born at Kingsbrompton, Somerset, (today renamed Brompton Regis) in 1886 and was the son of John Parkhouse (1855-1908) and his wife; Ann Parkhouse (1851-1929), of the Paddock, Dulverton, Somerset. He resided at the White Horse Inn, Dulverton.
Before war broke-out in 1914 he was already serving in the Indian (British Colonial) Army as Private SS/1284 in the Lahore Divisional Signal Company of the Army Service Corps. During WW1 he served as Private 29344 in the 7th Battalion of the East Yorkshire Regiment. He was killed in action near to Ypres, Belgium, on the 25th of November 1917, aged 31 years old, and was buried at the Welsh Cemetery (Caesar's Nose), Boezinge, Arrondissement Ieper, West Flanders, Belgium. Plot I. C. 1. He is also commemorated on his parent's grave in All Saints Churchyard, Dulverton. |
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RIFLEMAN Sidney Roberts (1891-1917)
He was born in 1891 and was the brother of B. Roberts, of Hawkwell Cottage, Dulverton, Somerset.
He served in the 16th Battalion of the London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles) as Service No. 7122, later 553492. He 'died of wounds' on the 17th of August 1917, aged 26 years, at the Battle of Langemarck near Ypres in Belgium, whilst fighting the German 4th Army. He was buried at Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No 3, Vlamertinghe, Arrondissement Ieper, West Flanders (West-Vlaanderen), Belgium. Plot II. F. 15. |
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PRIVATE Herbert Harold Rudd (1899-1918)
He was born at Bedminster near Bristol in 1899 and baptised on the 3rd of August 1899 at St Paul's Church, Bedminster. He was the son of John Rudd (1865-1910) and Mary Ann Rudd nee Bidgood, who resided at High Street, Dulverton.
In WW1 he initially served as Private 46025 in the Hampshire Regiment, before being transferred as Private 44478 of the 2nd/4th Battalion of the Royal Berkshire Regiment. Herbert was killed in action on the 16th of April 1918, aged 18 years and 9 months. He was buried at Saint Venant-Robecq Road British Cemetery,Robecq, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. Plot I. A. 3. In addition to the Dulverton War Memorial his name is also commemorated on his Father's grave; located in All Saints Churchyard, Dulverton, and reads: In loving memory of John Rudd who passed peacefully away July 29th 1910 aged 45 years. Also of Herbert Harold, son of the above, who was killed in action in France on April 16th 1918, Aged 18 years - 9 Months. Thy will be done. |
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SAPPER John Sanger (1890-1919)
He was born at Dulverton in 1890 and was the son of James and Jane Sanger, of Allways End, East Anstey, Devon.
He served as 175204 (later WR/256736) in the 275th Railway Company of the Royal Engineers. He died in France, from pulmonary tuberculosis (Phthisis), age 29 years, on the 31st of July 1919, whilst involved in the reconstruction of the French Railways. He was buried at Le Quesnoy Communal Cemetery Extension, Le Quesnoy, Departement du Nord, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. Plot I. D. 18. |
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SERJEANT Isaac Saunders (1886-1918)
He was born in Dulverton, Somerset in 1886 and was the son of Isaac Saunders, of 1, Moore Villas, Castle Cary, Somerset. On enlistment he gave his address as Fore Street, Dulverton.
He served firstly as Serjeant 7037 of the Somerset Light Infantry, before being transferred as 19346 in the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment. Serjeant Saunders was a recipient of the Military Medal (MM), which was awarded for exceptional bravery. He was killed in action on the 3rd of October 1918, aged 32 years, His body was never identified/recovered and he is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 7. |
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LIEUTENANT Humphrey St. Barbe Sydenham (1896-1916)
He was born at Dulverton on the 1st of November 1896 and was the son of Dr George Francis Sydenham (1861-1924) and his wife: Rose Sydenham nee Hampson, of Battleton House, Dulverton, Somerset.
He was educated at St Mary's House School, Taunton, at Ellerslie School, Fremington, North Devon, and at Blundell's School, Tiverton. He was matriculated at the London University in July 1914. At the outbreak of WW1 he was a Sergeant in the Blundell's School Officer Training Corps and immediately applied for a commission. He was gazetted as 2nd Lieutenant in the 2/4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment on the 1st of October 1914 and was sent to India with his Battalion on the 25th of December 1914. He was promoted to Lieutenant in January 1916 and was sent to the Persian Gulf in the Spring of 1916 attached to the 1/4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment, where he was involved in several engagements with the Ottoman Turks along the River Tigris. He died from 'Blood Poisoning' on the 8th of October 1916, aged 20 years, and was buried at the Amara War Cemetery, Mesopotamia (Iraq), Plot XV.C.9. The Colonel commanding the 2/4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment in India wrote: "Sadly missed when he left us for the Gulf; he was a most loyal and efficient officer." The Colonel commanding the 1/4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment in the Gulf wrote: "He was much liked by all officers and men, and carried out his duties in a soldier-like manner." Regretfully, his headstone no longer exists. In 1933, all of the headstones were removed from the Amera War Cemetery when it was discovered that salts in the soil were causing them to deteriorate. Instead, they were replaced by a screen wall around the Cemetery that was erected with the names of those buried there engraved upon it. |
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PRIVATE John Tarr (1879-1915)
He was born in 1879 at Brushford near Dulverton and was the son of
Benjamin Tarr of Hockworthy, Devon (1836-1891) and Elizabeth Tarr nee Quick of West Anstey, Devon (1854-1934). His eight siblings were: 1. Harry Tarr (b.1873) 2. Elizabeth Ann Tarr (1875-1950) 3. Mary Ann Tarr (b.1877) 4. Benjamin Tarr 1881-1963 5. Emma Tarr (b.1883) 6. Eliza Tarr (b.1886) 7. William Tarr (b.1888) 8. Walter George Tarr (b.1890) He became the husband of Frances Thomas of Dulverton (b.1886) and they resided at 2 Weir Head, Dulverton. They had three children: 1. Edwin John Tarr (b.1903) 2. Frances Mary Tarr 3. William Henry Tarr (1909-1980) |
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In WW1 he enlisted as Private 15096 in the 2nd Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment, and gace his address as the New Inn, Dulverton. He was killed in action fighting on the Western Front at Fleurbaix, France, on the 4th of May 1915, aged 36 years. John was buried at Le Trou Aid Post Cemetery, Fleurbaix, France. Plot D. 8.
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LANCE CORPORAL Cecil Tee (d.1916)
He resided at Rosemary Lane, Dulverton.
He enlisted as Private 6021 (later 612318) in the 1st/19th Battalion of the London Regiment (St Pancras) and was later promoted to Lance Corporal.. He was killed in action near to Le Transloy, France on the 29th of September 1916. His body was never identified/recovered and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. Pier and Face 9 D 9 C 13 C and 12 C. |
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PRIVATE Edward W. White (d.1916)
During WW1 he served as a Private in the 8th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, Service Number: 19502. He was killed in action on 19th of November 1916 whilst deployed in France. His body was never identified/recovered and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France, Pier and Face 2 A.
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Francis John Williams (b.1896)
He was born at Dulverton in 1896 and was the son of John Williams of Tiverton, Devon (b.1874) and Eva Williams of Hawkridge, near Dulverton (b.1870), who resided at Castle Court, Dulverton.
His siblings were:
Alice Williams (b.1897)
Florence Williams (b.1906)
His military service is unclear, possibly Private 7797 of the Somerset Light Infantry. No other details known.
His siblings were:
Alice Williams (b.1897)
Florence Williams (b.1906)
His military service is unclear, possibly Private 7797 of the Somerset Light Infantry. No other details known.
World War 2
FLIGHT LIEUTENANT Henry Charles Alfred Chapman (d.1944)
He was the son of R.A.B. Chapman and Constance Chapman of "West Hele, Jury Road, Jury, Dulverton; and husband of Lily Chapman of Ewell, Surrey.
During WW2 he served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as Service No. 86817 of 514 Squadron, based at Waterbeach, just north of Cambridge. On the night of the 28th of July 1944 his squadron, together with others, were tasked on a operation over Stuttgart, Germany, with Flt Lt. Chapman acting as the air gunner of Avro Lancaster DS813. Taking-off from RAF Waterbeach at 21.54hrs they were part of a force of 496 aircraft involved in the bombing raid, which was successful. However, during the early hours of the 29th of July, during the return flight, German Night-fighters intercepted the bombers over France. The bright moonlit conditions lead to 39 Lancasters being shot down, 11 in the Lorraine District and with Flt Lt. Chapman's aircraft being shot-down at Deinvillers (Voges). The entire crew perished when their aircraft went down:
They were initially buried in the churchyard at Deinvillers but at the end of the war they were relocated to the Choloy War Cemetery, Choloy-Menillot, Departement de Meurthe-et-Moselle, Lorraine, France. Plot Coll. grave 4. A. 18-20. |
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On Saturday 24 July 2021 a commemorative plaque was inaugurated to honour the crew of Lancaster DS813. The plaque is at the church of Deinvillers, the location of their original burial place.
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FLYING OFFICER Roy Anthony Chilcott (1916-1944)
He was born at Dulverton in 1916 and was the son of Arthur Edward Chilcott and Annie Chilcott, of Milhams Lane, Dulverton, Somerset.
During WW2 he served in the RAF as Flying Officer (Navigator) Service Number: 139891, with 50 Squadron based at RAF Skellingthorpe in Lincolnshire, and was a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). He was killed in action on the 16th of February 1944, aged 27 years, and was buried at the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery in Germany. Plot 7. Z. 20. On the 15th of February 1944 he was part of a force deployed on a bombing raid to Berlin, Germany, and at 17.31hrs, as dusk fell, his aircraft; Lancaster Mk 1 no. DV376, took off from RAF Skellingthorpe, west of the city of Lincoln. The crew were:
It is suspected that the aircraft was hit by the defending anti-aircraft batteries, causing it to explode and break-up at altitude. |
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STOKER 1st CLASS Gilbert Farmer (1923-1942)
He was born at Dulverton in 1923 and was the son of Harold and Alice Farmer, of Battleton, Dulverton, Somerset.
He joined the Royal Navy as Service Number: D/KX 144053 and served on HMS Hecla. In the early hours of the morning on the 12th of November 1942, HMS Hecla, whilst being utilised as a troop transporter, was torpedoed by the German U-Boat U-515. The submarine fired a spread of four torpedoes at its target, though only one hit. That hit, in the engine room, was not immediately fatal to the ship. The submarine followed its first four shots with three additional torpedoes, sinking the ship, which was approximately 180 miles west of Gibraltar in the Atlantic Ocean. The sinking resulted in 281 casualties. Though one of HMS Hecla's two escorts, HMS Marne was badly damaged at the same time the other, HMS Venomous, rescued 568 survivors and landed them at Casablanca. Gilbert Farmer, aged 19 years, was one of those who perished in the sinking of HMS Hecla. His body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial at Plymouth Hoe, Devon. Panel 70, Column 1. |
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REGULATING PETTY OFFICER Albert Thomas Herniman (1908-1941)
He was born at Dulverton in 1908 and was the son of Louis and Edith Herniman of Dulverton, Somerset, and husband of Ivy Rose Herniman, of Keyham, Plymouth, Devon.
He served in the Royal Navy; Service Number: D/MX 55964 aboard HMS Gloucester. He was killed in action on the 22nd of May 1941 When HMS Gloucester was attacked by German Stuka dive bombers while in the Kythira Strait, about 14 miles north of Crete, during the Battle of Crete. Gloucester had been sent to recover the crew of the destroyer HMS Greyhound which had been broken in half following an attack by enemy forces. In spite of Gloucester’s shortage of high angle ammunition, which she had indicated at the time, confusion took hold and she was instructed to carry on with the task. She eventually ran out of the high angle ammo and the German aircraft swarmed down on her when they realised she was no longer able to return fire. HMS Gloucester succumbed quickly to the barrage of bombs raining down on her and the crew abandoned ship and went into the water. Many were killed onboard but there were many more who went into the sea. The Luftwaffe went about a systematic bombing and strafing of hundreds of men in the sea. In total; 722 men were lost from a crew of 807. Albert was aged 33 years and his body was never recovered. He is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 56, Column 1. |
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ABLE SEAMAN John McFadzean (1906-1940)
He was born at Dulverton in 1906 and was the son of John and Christine McFadzean of High Street, Dulverton, Somerset. He was the husband of Mabel Laura McFadzean, of Guildford, Surrey.
John joined the Royal Navy as Service Number: D/JX 192117. He undertook his training at H.M.S. President III (Bristol): which was a Royal Navy shore establishment, opened on the 28th August 1939, for training Royal Navy personnel as D.E.M.S. gunners (Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships). He was then posted to the British Merchant freighter SS Harpalyce, which would transit the North Atlantic in Convoys, bringing supplies from the United States to Britain. On the 25th of August 1940 the ship was travelling from Baltimore and Halifax, Nova Scotia, for Hull in Convoy HX-65A when she was torpedoed by German submarine U-124 without warning and sunk 23 miles North of the Butt of Lewis, Hebrides. 37 of the 42 crew were lost. The ship sank by the stern with a list to port within one minute after being hit by one torpedo, leaving the crew no time to launch the lifeboats. The master, the commodore, four naval staff members, 34 crew members and two gunners (the ship was armed with one 4in gun) were lost. John McFadzean was aged 34 years. His body was never recovered, and he is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Plymouth Hoe, Devon. Panel 38, Column 1. |
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ABLE SEAMAN Walter Albert Saunders (1921-1943)
He was born in 1921 at Dulverton and was the son of Albert and Letitia Saunders, of 'The Castle', Dulverton, Somerset.
He joined the Royal Navy and served as an Able Seaman, Service Number: D/SSX 30016, aboard the Q-Class Destroyed; HMS Quail. On the 15th of November 1943, whilst on patrol in the Adriatic, HMS Quail struck a mine that had been part of a barrage laid by German Submarine U-453. The mine exploded beneath the stern of the ship, blowing off the aft gun and killing its crew of 8 men, including 22-year-old Walter Saunders. His body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Plymouth Hoe, Devon. Panel 80, Column 1. |
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PRIVATE Clarence Cecil Stone (1923-1945)
Born in 1923 at Dulverton, he was the son of Samuel Milton Stone and Edith Stone, of Dulverton, Somerset.
He served as Private14407025 of the 2nd Battalion of the Welsh Regiment. He was killed in action, aged 21 years, on the 20th of January 1945 whilst fighting the Japanese in Burma (now renamed Myanmar). He was buried at the Taukkyan War Cemetery in Burma. Plot 19. C. 22, where the inscription on his gravestone reads: 'WE SHALL ALWAYS HAVE LOVING MEMORIES OF THE LOVED ONE WE MISS SO MUCH'. |
WW2 Evacuees to Dulverton
Jim (James) Lewis
I was born in Westminster in 1938. My father was an Air Raid Warden and I was evacuated in 1940, twice along with my mother. The third time I was evacuated alone to Dulverton in Somerset to the house of Mrs. Herbert. She had a big house which held 30 children all from Westminster. We all slept in a dormitory on the upper floor of the house. I cried for 2 or 3 weeks. We didn’t see any bombs. At Christmas I had toys made locally. Mrs. Herbert’s brother was the film star Reginald Denny and her sister Anne married into the Albertini family and lived in White Lodge in Richmond Park. After the War , Mrs Herbert who was 50 years old, moved into a cottage and I went with her. She was an eccentric, domineering old lady and she moved around a lot. My first real memories are from Exmoor when I was 3 ½ years old. But we also went to Okehampton, Widemouth Bay near Bude, and Hythe in Kent. I stayed with her until I was 21 years old and I had a private tutor but I used to go and visit my mother. |
Dulverton during WW2
The Second World War brought enormous change to Dulverton and brought the area out of its relative isolation. Infantry and artillery training turned Exmoor into a noisy battleground, land was ploughed for corn and potatoes, men left the land for the army and members of the Women’s Land Army and prisoners of war arrived to work on local farms, older and younger men joined the Home Guard, evacuees swelled the population although the holiday trade languished. Civilians endured blackout and rationing, although Exmoor’s self sufficiency probably helped. Although tourists disappeared from Dulverton many well to do people from the south-east took houses or hotel rooms to escape the Blitz. Child and adult evacuees from all over England were brought to Dulverton and several houses were requisitioned including Ashwick and Hollam. The additional population in July 1940 was 856, more than half the pre-war population of the town. Schools had to accommodate evacuees and their teachers. Many young people enjoyed the war and found life dull afterwards. There were evacuee children to play with and the older girls found boyfriends and husbands among the soldiers. Dulverton had a cinema, dances, concerts, and other entertainment for the evacuees and the troops. Even Simonsbath had a cinema and dances in a hut at Honeymead.1In 1944 several thousand American troops arrived at Dulverton by special troop trains in preparation for D Day. One day 15 troop trains arrived each carrying 1,000 men and stores. There wasa surprise visit by General Eisenhower, still remembered by local people. He arrived by train at Dulverton station. Provided with a horse, he rode over the moors to Winsford and Withypool, where he called at the Royal Oak before returning to Dulverton.