Watchet, Somerset
PARTS OF THIS WEBPAGE ARE STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION
WW1 1914-1918
PRIVATE William George Babb (1894-1914)
He was born at Watchet, Somerset, in 1894 and was the son of William Babb (1862-1925) and Edith Babb nee Stone (1875-1922). The family home was at 20 Causeway Terrace, Watchet.
In 1914 he enlisted at Taunton to become Private 9518 in 'A' Company of the 1st Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry. The Battalion were deployed to France early in the war, arriving as part of the British Expeditionary Force on the 22nd of August 1914. They first saw action on the 26th of August 1914 at 'The Battle of Le Cateau' on the Western Front, before defeating the Germans at 'The Battle of Marne' between the 5th and 12th of September 1914. This was immediately followed by 'The First Battle of the Aisne' between the 12th and 15th of September 1914. William was killed in action, aged 20 years, on the 21st of October 1914 at Ploegsteert Wood; near the Belgian village of Ploegsteert, and part of the Ypres Salient. The defence of Ploegsteert Wood saw reciprocal attempts by the opposing forces to envelop the northern flank of their opponent in what has been called the ‘Race for the Sea’. British troops moved north from the Aisne river in early October and joined the French in a major advance against the retreating Germans. Ordered to dig in at Ploegsteert Wood, just to the south of Messines, they repulsed a series of heavy German attacks over several days. |
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William was originally buried at the Ploegsteert Wood British Cemetery. However, much of the cemetery was destroyed by enemy shelling in 1918 and only 9 graves remained unharmed. All others were, where possible, exhumed and reburied at the Strand Military Cemetery, Hainaut, Belgium.
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LEADING SEAMAN Joseph William Ersken Bennett (1874-1914)
He was born at Plymouth, Devon, on the 10th of January 1874 and was the son of John Bennett of Millbrook, Cornwall, (b.1839) and Sarah Jane Sercombe Bennett nee Shears of Plymouth, Devon, (b.1840).
Joseph was the husband of Mary Ellen Bennett and the couple resided at 7 Constantine Street, Plymouth. In 1904, aged 30, they moved to Watchet in Somerset and Joseph was employed as a Coastguard, with the rank of 'Leading Boatman'. However, in 1914 he enlisted into the Royal Navy as 149298 Leading Seaman aboard the Cruiser 'HMS Monmouth'. He was killed in action on the 1st of November 1914, aged 46 years, when HMS Monmouth was sunk by the German light cruiser 'Nurnberg' at the Battle of Coronel, off of the coast of Chile. A German shell blew the roof from HMS Monmouth’s forward turret, creating a fire which in turn caused ammunition to explode with such force that the turret was blown from the ship, which was then seen to slow down and begin to veer. Although the fire was extinguished, she was taking water at the bow. The nearby crew of HMS Glasgow could do nothing but watch, as the sea was too dangerously rough to attempt any rescue efforts. The light cruiser Nurnberg saw that HMS Monmouth was listing, her guns unusable, and moved closer in the hope that she would surrender, at first firing high and then firing a torpedo, but with no response. Within half-an-hour HMS Monmouth capsized and sank. There were no survivors from the 738 crew. Joseph is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon, and also on the Watchet War Memorial in Somerset. |
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PRIVATE Ernest William Binding (1892-1917)
He was born in 1892 and was the son of William Henry and Mary Jane Binding, of 31, Causeway Terrace, Watchet, Somerset.
He served in WW1 as Private 1830 (later renumbered to 240385) in the 2nd/5th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Alberts). He died on the 13th of October 1917, aged 25 years. Military records give the cause of death as 'Accidental injuries'. According to post war records of 1925, his grave is located at the Gaya New Cemetery, Bengal, India at Plot 153a. However, the cemetery no longer exists. His name is commemorated upon Face 10 of the Madras 1914-1918 War Memorial, Chennai, India. |
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PRIVATE Walter Stephen Binding (1888-1916)
He was born in 1888 and was the younger son of John and Elizabeth Binding of 3, Baptist Cottages, Station Road, Watchet, Somerset.
He served in WW1 as Private 11203 of the Somerset Light Infantry, and later as Private 19997 of the 43rd Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). He was killed in action at the Somme on the 16th of September 1916, aged 28 years. Walter's body was never identified/recovered and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 5 C and 12 C. Walter's elder brother; William John Binding also served and was Killed in action during 1917 whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion of the South Wales Boarderers. |
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PRIVATE William John Binding (1886-1917)
He was born in 1886 and was the elder son of John and Elizabeth Binding of 3, Baptist Cottages, Station Road, Watchet, Somerset.
He served in WW1 as Private 4481 of the Monmouthshire Regiment, and later as Private 39464 of the 2nd Battalion of the South Wales Borderers 2nd. He died of wounds during the Battle of Cambrai, France, on the 21st of December 1917, aged 31 years. He was buried at the St. Aubert British Cemetery, Nord, France. PLOT V. A. 10. William's younger brother; Walter Stephen Binding also served and was Killed in action during 1916 whilst serving with the 43rd Company, Machine Gun Corps. |
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PRIVATE Edward Leonard Brown (1900-1918)
He was born in 1900 and was the son of Mr and Mrs F. L. Brown of 35, Causeway Terrace, Watchet, Somerset.
During WW1 he served firstly as Private 70799 of the Devonshire Regiment, and latterly as Private 34208 in the 2nd/4th Battalion of Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He was killed in action near to town of Saint-Venant, France, on the 16th of April 1918, aged 18 years. His body was never identified/recovered and he is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France. Panel 83 to 85. |
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ABLE SEAMAN William Bruford (1878-1916)
He was born in Watchet, Somerset on the 22nd of March 1878 and baptised at St Decumans Church, Watchet, on the 22nd of December 1878. William was the son of Henry George Bruford (1845-?) and Jane Bruford nee Webber (1845-1906), and was the brother of Mary Bruford (b.1876). His father was a Sailor. In the census records of 1881 he was shown with his mother and sister, as living at the home of his aunt in Williton, Somerset, whilst his father was at sea. In 1890 he was shown on the crew list of the sailing boat 'Argo' as a Cook. In 1901 he was sailing as the Mate on the 'Argo', and in the 1911 census showed him serving as Mate on the vessel 'Thistle' of Plymouth, which was moored at Lyme Regis Harbour. In 1906, at Newton Abbot, Devon, he married Mary Elizabeth Pile (1879-?) of 5 Brookdale Terrace, Teignmouth, and the couple made their home at 13 Grove Avenue, Teignmouth, Devon. On the 7th of April 1914 they had a daughter: Gwendoline Mary Jeane Bruford (1914-1999).
When war came in 1914 William, as an experienced Sailor, joined the Royal Navy Reserve (Service Number: 5276DA) and was posted aboard the HM Naval Trawler 'Lord Roberts' at Harwich as a Deck Hand. The Trawler was armed with 13lb and 12lb deck guns. At the outbreak of the First World War many civilian steam fishing trawlers were put into military service (manned by their fisherman crews). They cleared mines from sea routes and attacked enemy submarines. HMT Lord Roberts was a Steam Trawler built by Earle's shipbuilding in 1907, during her long career of patrol work in Harwich area she went to the assistance of many mined ships and rescued a very large percentage of their crews. She was sunk on the 26th of October 1916 as a result of striking a mine laid by the German submarine UC11 and sank six miles off the Shipwash Light Vessel. There were only two survivors, nine people were lost, including William Bruford. He was aged 38 years, and his body was never recovered. |
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In 1919 he was posthumously awarded the 1914 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. William Bruford is commemorated on several memorials: Plymouth Naval Memorial (Panel 19), the Minehead War Memorial, the Watchet War Memorial, the Teignmouth War Memorial, the stained glass war memorial at St James' Church, Teignmouth, and the stained glass war memorial at St Michaels' Church, Minehead.
WESTERN TIMES - FRIDAY 3RD NOVEMBER 1916 "Mrs. M. E. Bruford, Grove Avenue, Teignmouth has, this week, received the sad news that her husband. Mr. William Bruford, a deck hand on the Trawler Section of the Royal Navy, engaged on patrol duty, had been killed. Deceased. who was in the Royal Naval Reserve, joined the Navy soon after the outbreak of war. He was 38 years of age, and native of Minehead. A widow and little girl have been left." |
LANCE CORPORAL Albert William Bulley (1882-1918)
He was born at Watchet, Somerset, on the 4th of November 1882 and was the son of John and Mary Bulley, of Williton, Somerset, and the husband of Beatrice Bulley, of 6 Severn Terrace, Watchet.
He enlisted on the 15th of June 1917 into the 1st Royal Marine Battalion (Devonport Division), Royal Marine Light Infantry, serving as Private PLY/2289/S, later promoted to Lance Corporal. He was killed in action on the 5th of September 1918, aged 35 years, and was buried at the Bac-Du-Sud British Cemetery, Bailleulval, Pas de Calais, France. Plot III. F. 29. In addition to the Watchet War Memorial his name is also commemorated on the WW1 Memorial stained glass window at the old Methodist chapel at Williton, Somerset, (where his parents were members). |
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PRIVATE Walter James Carruthers (1890-1917)
He was born at Watchet, Somerset, in 1890 and was the son of Mrs. E. A. Carruthers, of Sunnyside, Watchet.
In WW1 he served as Private 241691 in the 1st/5th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry. He was killed in action, aged 27 years, on the 23rd of November 1917 during the third day of the Battle of Nebi Samwil, in southern Palestine. The battle was the first attempt by the forces of the British Empire to capture Jerusalem. The village of Nebi Samwil, also known as the "Tomb of Samuel", was part of the Ottoman defences in front of Jerusalem and its capture was considered vital to the eventual capture of the city. The battle was a success for the British. Walter was buried at the Jerusalem War Cemetery. Plot B. 13. |
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PRIVATE Herbert Carter (1891-1917)
He was born in Bawdip, near Bridgwater, Somerset, in 1891 and was one of nine children of Samuel Carter and his Wife; Agnes Beaumont Carter née Cottle, who were married in 1877 at Clutton, North Somerset. His Father was a Police Constable and became the Village 'Bobby' for Timberscombe sometime in the early 1900s. The 1911 census showed the family residing at the Timberscombe Police House, in fact his parents remained at Timberscombe in their retirement.
Herbert became an assistant grocer after leaving school and it seems likely that he moved to Herefordshire around 1913, as he enlisted at Leominster into the Herefordshire Regiment. He was in a draft of men transferred from the Herefordshire Regiment to the 1/5th (Territorial) Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment as Private 203598. They were deployed to Merelessart, south of Abbeville, France at the beginning of January 1917. On the 5th of April 1917 the battalion was part of 145 Brigade’s attack on the Germans at Lempire. Their next engagement with the Germans was at Tombois Farm (North East of Lempire) on the night of the 16th/17th April 1917.In stormy weather conditions the battalion overran the German positions, and also mounted an attack on nearby Priel Farm which. It was in April that Herbert was mortally wounded, although he did not finally succumb until early May. The most likely explanation is that he was wounded later in the month by shellfire while occupying defensive positions. He died of his wounds on the 9th of May 1917, aged 26 years, and was buried at the St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France. Plot P. II. L. 13A. |
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SAPPER Alfred Chidgey (1879-1915)
He was born at Watchet, Somerset, in 1879 and came from a long-established Somerset family involved in the coastal shipping trade. Alfred was the son, and one of ten children, of Captain Thomas ‘Tom’ Chidgey (1848-1926) of St Decumans, Nr Watchet, Somerset, and Sarah Ann Chidgey nee Wedlake (1848-1933) of Watchet, who had married on the 23rd of March 1869 at St Decuman’s Church, Watchet. The family home was firstly at 4 Almyr Cotts, Watchet, but by 1915 had moved to 8 Severn Terrace, Watchet, Somerset.
Alfred’s father was a Master Mariner, Ship Owner, and Artist, whilst his mother was the daughter of Captain Robert Wedlake of the Sailing Ship ‘Abeona’. His nine siblings were: 1. George Henry Chidgey (b.1870) 2. Thomas John Chidgey (1871-1952) 3. Alice Elizabeth Stevens nee Chidgey (1873-1954) 4. Robert John Chidgey (b.1876) 5. Henrietta Colwell nee Chidgey (1877-1954) 6. Ernest William Chidgey (1879-1969) 7. Walter Chidgey (1886-1956) 8. Ralph Chidgey (b.1889) 9. Arnold Chidgey (1892-1971) |
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In WW1 he enlisted into the Army and served as Sapper 11831 in the 12th Field Company of the Royal Engineers. He was killed in action in Belgium, aged 36 years, on the 22nd of March 1915. His body was never identified/recovered and he is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Hainaut, Belgium. His name also appears on the War Memorial in his home town of Watchet.
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RN WIREMAN Henry Lewis Davey (1896-1916)
He was born at Torquay, Devon, on the 17th of April 1896 and was the son of Henry Davey and Clara Davey nee Meadway of 1 Temple Villas, Swain Street, Watchet, Somerset. He was known as 'Lewis' rather than Henry, and was the brother of Evelyn Davey. His Father was a local business man and owned a grocery shop in Swain Street, Watchet.
'Lewis' joined the Royal Navy in 1915 and served as a Wireman (Electrician) 2nd Class, aboard the Cruiser; HMS Warrior, from October 1915. His service number was M13766. He was killed in action, aged 20 years, on the 31st of May 1916 aboard HMS Warrior during The Battle of Jutland. At 5:47pm on the 31st of May 1916 the squadron flagship; HMS Defense, and HMS Warrior spotted the German Navy's Scouting Group and opened fire. Their shells fell short and the two ships turned to port in pursuit. Shortly afterwards they spotted the disabled German light cruiser SMS Wiesbaden and closed to engage. When the two ships reached a range of 5,500 yards from the Wiesbaden they in turn were spotted by the nearby German battlecruiser SMS Derfflinger and four battleships. The fire from the German ships was heavy and HMS Defense blew up at 6:20. HMS Warrior was hit by at least 21 shells, but was saved when the German ships switched their fire to the battleship HMS Warspite when its steering jammed and caused HMS Warspite to make two complete circles within sight of much of the High Seas Fleet. HMS Warrior was heavily damaged by the German shells, which caused large fires and heavy flooding, although her engines continued running long enough to allow her to withdraw to the west. She was taken in tow by a seaplane tender; HMS Engadine, which took-on the 743 surviving crew members. Her crew evacuated calmly and professionally. Able bodied first and then wounded. HMS Warrior was abandoned in a rising sea the following day when the upper deck was only four feet above the water and it soon sank off of the Norwegian coast. Henry Lewis Davey is commemorated on Panel 20 of the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. |
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The Davey family are today remembered in Watchet due to the generosity of Henry Davey (Senior). Following his death in 1940 he made several bequests to the local community. In his will he states:
To Watchet Urban District Council, I should like a Playing Field to be bought, near the Gas Works if possible. For this I give four hundred pounds to belong forever to Watchet and used as a playing field or recreation ground – This gift is a Thank You offering for many happy years the wife and I have spent in Watchet and if I might suggest a name ‘Meadway Playing and Recreation Ground.’ Sadly, there is no mention of his son who died so tragically young and it seems fairly conclusive that the field was not dedicated to his son’s memory. What is intriguing is the name he wanted it called; “Meadway”, which was his wife's maiden name. However, today it is known as the 'Henry Davey Playing Field'. |
GUNNER Frederick Doble (1889-1917)
He was born in Watchet, Somerset in 1889.
Frederick served as Gunner 10573 of "C" Battery. 78th Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery. He died of wounds at the Somme, France, on the 11th of February 1917, aged 28 years, and was buried at the Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte, Somme, France. Plot III. B. 29. |
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PRIVATE Lionel Leonard Floyde (1899-1917)
(Not on the Watchet War Memorial - as is on the Minehead War Memorial)
He was born at Watchet in 1899 and was the son of Thomas Floyd of Watchet (1875-1940) and Louise Mary Floyd nee Chidgey of Watchet (1876-1941), who were married in 1897.
His siblings were: 1. Donald Redvers Russell Floyde (1900-1974) 2. Reginald Stanley Floyde (1902-1925) 3. Eda Winifred Floyde (1904-1983) 4. Frederic Russell Floyde (1906-1938) The family originally resided in Watchet but in 1901 they moved to 'Belmont', 109, Cher Road, Minehead. As soon as he was 18 he enlisted at Taunton as Private 34664 in the 1st Battalion of the Princess Charlotte of Wale's (Royal Berkshire Regiment) . He died from sudden illness at Portsmouth, Hampshire, on the 21st April 1917, aged 18 years, and was buried at Plot 1304 of Minehead Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Minehead War Memorial. Lionel's parents and brother; Frederick, are also buried at Minehead Cemetery. |
PRIVATE John Richard Barton Nicholas Hole (1885-1917)
He was born on the 18th of June 1886 at Carhampton and was the son of Thomas Hole of Cutcombe (1837-1917) and Mary Hole nee Blackmore of Brompton Regis (b.1843). His siblings were: George Hole (b.1861), William Hole (b.1863), Annie Hole (1865-1898), Thomas Hole (b.1869), Emily Hole (1871-1944), Maria Hole (b.1874), Mary Hole (b.1876), William Hole (b.1879), Sarah Jane Hole (b.1883), and John Hole (1886-1941).
In 1910 he married Elizabeth Ann Court and the couple made their home at 1 West Street, Watchet. On the 7th of August 1916 John enlisted into the Royal Marine Light Infantry and served as Private PLY/1532(S) in the Plymouth Division of the 1st Royal Marine Battalion, and subsequently deployed in France. He was captured as a prisoner of war on the 28th of April 1917 during the ‘Second Battle of Arras’ in Northern France and held by the Germans at occupied Valenciennes. He died in captivity on the 18th of July 1917, aged 32 years, from “war related sickness”, and was buried at plot 286 in the German extension of the Valenciennes (St Roch) Communal Cemetery. The town of Valenciennes was captured by the Allies in 1918. In 1921 all Commonwealth graves in the German extension were exhumed and reburied in the newly created Commonwealth Sector, of which John’s final resting place is at Plot IV. E. 3. |
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GUNNER Lewis Darius Hounsell (1895-1918)
He was born at Watchet, Somerset, in 1895 and was the son of Darius and Jane Hounsell.
He became a resident of St Agnes Island on the Isles of Scilly and was a Shoeing Smith (Blacksmith). During WW1 he enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery as Gunner 130354, and later as Gunner 202405 of the Royal Garrison Artillery, 85th Anti-Aircraft Section. He was deployed to Mesopotamia and died from 'War Related Sickness' (pneumonia) at Ramleh, Palastine (Israel) on the 21st of December 1918. Lewis was buried at the Ramleh War Cemetery, Plot A.2. A memorial was erected at St Agnes Churchyard, Isles of Scilly, to commemorate Lewis, together with Wilfred Mortimer, which reads: To the sacred memory of Wilfred Mortimer and Lewis Hounsell, who gave their lives for the Empire and to the honour of the sons of these Islands who served in The Great War 1914-18. |
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FIRST ENGINEER William George Lippiatt (1862-1918)
He was born at Bristol in 1862 and married Mary Jane Rowe in 1884. They resided at 2 West End Villas, Watchet, Somerset.
During WW1 he served in the Royal Navy Reserve and was the First Engineer (Mercantile Marine) of the S.S. Sofie; a cargo ship of 354 Gross Registered Tonnage. On the 1st of February 1918 the SS Sofie was en-route from Jersey (Channel Islands) to Cardiff in ballast when she was attacked in the Bristol Channel by the German Submarine U-101. The ship went down and all of the crew lost their lives. It was doubted that all the crew had drowned and there was strong evidence that the U-Boat crew had committed a 'war crime' by opening-fire on the unarmed survivors: A heavily machine-gunned lifeboat was washed ashore at Ginst Point in Carmarthenshire, Wales, on February the 8th and was found to contain the body of Domingo Mobile (a sailor from the SS Sofie) who had been killed by a gunshot to the head. 56-year-old William Lippiatt's body was never recovered. He is commemorated on the Merchant Navy Memorial at Tower Hill, London. The owners of the ship; Stephenson Clarke & Co. also have their own WW1 memorial in which William is named upon. It is located at the Church of St Hilda with St Thomas, South Shields. |
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PRIVATE Harry Percival Luck (1887-1916)
He was born at Northampton, Northamptonshire, in 1887 and was the son of Henry and Martha Luck. By 1911 the family were residing at Knapp Cottage, Fowlbridge, Watchet.
Harry served as Private 19429 in the 6th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry. He was killed in action, aged 29 years, on the 18th of August 1916 at the Battle of Delville Wood, on the Somme, France. His body was never identified/recovered and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 2 A. |
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CORPORAL James Philip Lyddon (1892-1917)
He was born at Watchet, Somerset in 1892 and was the son of James Lyddon (b.1868) and his wife; Selina Lyddon nee Howe, of 18 Gladstone Terrace, Watchet. His father was the local Milkman and Dairyman, and later became the proprietor of an Ice Cream shop in Swain Street, Watchet.
In WW1 he served as Gunner 35854 of the 104th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, and was promoted to Corporal. He was killed in action on the 31st of July 1917 at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge during the 1st day of the 3rd battle Ypres (also called the Battle of Passchendaele), and was buried at the Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot I. I. 19. |
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PRIVATE Daniel Norman (1877-1916)
He was born at Watchet, Somerset in 1877 and was one of ten children of John Norman (1828- 1899) and Emma Norman nee Hake (1833-1900) of Watchet. His nine siblings were:
1. John Norman (1852-1926) 2 Mary Ann Norman (b.1854) 3. Richard Norman (b.1856) 4. Abraham Norman (1859-1937) 5. Emma Norman (b.1862) 6. Caroline Norman (1862-1942) 7. James Norman (1864-1934) 8. Walter Norman (b.1867) 9. Alice Norman (1871-1938) Daniel became the husband of Sarah Elizabeth Norman of Stockport and the couple made their home at 16 Jodrell Street, Newtown, New Mills, Stockport. In WW1 he served as Private 18402 in the 1st Battalion of the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment (Sherwood Foresters). The battalion were deployed to France in November 1914, landing at Le Havre as part of the 24th Brigade in the 8th Division, and were then moved to stations on the Western Front. |
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Daniel was killed in action at the Somme, France, on the 6th of April 1916, aged 39 years. He was buried at the Aix-Noulette Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. A. 8.
He is commemorated at his home town; on the Watchet War Memorial. |
LANCE CORPORAL Howard Bramwell Norman (1896-1917)
He was born at Watchet, Somerset in 1896 and was one of six children of Ephraim Norman (1866-1950) and Ellen Norman nee Bryant (1864-1943), who resided at 6 Gladstone Terrace, Watchet.
His siblings were: 1. Richard Henry Norman (1887-1943) 2. James Norman (1890-1911) 3. Ephraim Norman (1892-1970) 4. Lilian Norman (b.1893) 5. Ethel Polly Norman (1899-1983) During WW1 he enlisted as Private 22590 in 'H' Company, 1st Battalion of the (Prince Albert's) Somerset Light Infantry. He was later promoted to Lance Corporal. The 1st Battalion were deployed to France at the outbreak of war in August 1914 as part of 4th Division, and spent the entirety of the First World War on the Western Front. Howard was killed in action at the Battle of the Scarpe, Arras, France, on the 9th of April 1917. He was aged 20 years and was buried at the Fampoux British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Plot A.7. The personal inscription on his gravestone reads: "FAITH TRIUMPHANT KNOWING NOT DEFEAT OR FEAR". |
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PRIVATE Clayton George Penny (1896-1918)
Clayton George Penny was born at Watchet, Somerset, in 1896 and was the son of William George Penny of Dunster (b.1870) and Emily Best Hudson Penny of Watchet (1874-1924). He was baptised at St Decuman's Church, Watchet, on the 13th of July 1896.
His siblings were: 1. Frederick Bromley Penny (1897-1988) 2. William Jordon Penny (b.1910) The family home was in Swain Street, Watchet, where Clayton's Father; William George Penny, an eminent businessman and councillor, ran his tailoring and drapery business. After leaving school Clayton worked at the family shop with his father but at the commencement of WW1, at age 18, expressed a wish to enlist into the Army and fight for 'King and Country'. His father, horrified by the thought of his young son's demise and convinced of the stories of the war being over by Christmas, forbid Clayton from travelling to Taunton to enlist. In January 1915, adhering to his father's instruction, he didn't bother travelling to Taunton to enlist…. He instead caught the Paddle Steamer from Minehead Pier and crossed the Bristol Channel to Porthcawl, Wales, and enlisted at the recruiting office at nearby Bridgend, where he was accepted into Glamorgan Yeomanry as Private R/2053. Transferring to the 7th (Service) Battalion of the South Wales Boarders as Private 3/28709, he was deployed with his Battalion to Salonica, Greece, in October 1916 to fight the Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria forces on the Macedonian front. In April and May 1917 the South Wales Boarders were in action at the Battles of Doiran. Later that year Clayton was taken ill. A military report dated the 8th of September 1917 states; "Private C. Penny to be put on an ambulance train the next day. Admitted for not yet diagnosed Pyrexia. Suspected Malaria. Age 21." After hospitalisation in Greece, rather than return him back to the Macedonian Front, Clayton was instead transferred into the 7th Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment (who were also at Salonica at that time) and became Private 30192. The 7th Wiltshire's were subsequently redeployed to France, arriving at Serqueux on the 1st of July 1918. |
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In France the 7th Wilshire's were in action at The Battles of the Hindenburg Line (12th September 1918 - 12th October 1918) and then at The Battle of the Selle (17th - 25th October 1918).
Clayton was killed in action on the 6th of November 1918 during 'The Final Advance in Picardy' - The hardest-fought of the final offensive actions. He was aged 22 years and was buried at Plot B.5 at Fontaine-Au-Bois Communal Cemetery, Nord, France. The personal inscription on his gravestone reads: "BELOVED BY ALL AT WATCHET" He is commemorated on the War Memorial in his home town of Watchet, Somerset. Clayton’s Brother; Frederick Bromley Penny, also enlisted into the Army during WW1. He served as Private 141600 (later promoted to Corporal) in the Royal Engineers. He survived the war and lived to the age of 90, passing-away in 1988. |
PRIVATE Thomas Penny (1896-1916)
CURRENTLY UNDERGOING RESEARCH
Born 31st July 1896. Enlisted at Taunton on the 6th of August 1914 (gave age as 18 years and 7 days). Place of birth given as Windsor, Middlesex (Windsor is in Berkshire not Middlesex.). Gave address as living with Mrs Allen of 5 West End Cottages, Watchet, Somerset and said that both his parents were deceased. (CWGC records Thomas as Mrs Allen's Foster Son). In the 1911 census Mrs Sarah Jane Allen nee Chidgley was shown as being the wife of Walter Allen and the couple were living at 5, West End Cottages, West St., Watchet, with their six children. Thomas Penny does not appear on the 1911 Census with them. Thomas Penny enlisted as Private 3/6808 in the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry. They were originally stationed at Taunton but were moved to Bull Point and other forts near Devonport, Plymouth, on the 8th August 1914 (two days after Thomas enlisted) and stayed there until November 1917. The 3rd (Reserve) Battalion was a training/depot unit. It did not see overseas service until 1917 - and then that was in Ireland. According to military records Thomas was discharged from the Army as physically unfit on the 22nd of September 1915 and died at Gravesend in Kent on the 20th of May 1916. However, yet another oddity is that his name appears on the Gravesend Cemetery Screen Wall WW1 memorial (suggesting he was still serving when he died). He is listed on the memorial as: 3/6808 Private T. Penney. Somerset Light Infantry. 20.5.1916. *Note surname spelt Penney rather than Penny; as in all other recordings. The memorial says those listed are buried either at Gravesend cemetery, or other cemeteries in Kent. Have been unable to locate any information giving cause of death. |
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RIFLEMAN Fred Peppin (1888-1917)
He was born is Watchet, Somerset, in 1888 and was the son of Isaac Peppin (1848-1930) and Caroline Peppin (1844-1916), of The Causeway, Watchet, and later of Ferndale House, Malvern Road, Watchet. His brother was Mr W.J.Peppin of Holly Cottage, Williton, Somerset. Fred was the husband of Emma J. Peppin, of 7, Glenmore Road, Minehead, Somerset.
He served as Private 8567 of the London Regiment and later as Rifleman 394330 of the 9th Battalion of the London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles). He 'died of wounds' at Arras, France, on the 7th of May 1917, aged 29 years, and was buried at the Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, Pas de Calais, France. PLOT III. K. 46. The personal inscription on his gravestone reads: THE DEATH HE DIED TO SAVE US. REST IN PEACE. He is also commemorated on his parents grave in St Decuman's Churchyard, Watchet, which reads: Also Fred Peppin, son of above. Husband of A. Peppin. Died of wounds at Arras. May 7th 1917. Aged 29. AT Rest. *An unexplained oddity is that on his parents' gravestone Fred is named as the Husband of A. Peppin. Whereas in military records he is named as the Husband of Emma J. Peppin. |
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PRIVATE Charles Redd (1891-1917)
He was born at Watchet, Somerset, in 1891and was the son of Thomas and Mary Redd, of The Square, Swain Street, Watchet.
In WW1 he enlisted at Minehead into the Somerset Light Infantry as Private 23921, and was later transferred to the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry as Private 27682. He was killed in action in France on the 8th of May 1917, aged 25 years. His body was never identified/recovered and he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 6. |
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ABLE SEAMAN Ben 'Benny' S.N. Rogers (1880-1917)
He was born at Minehead, Somerset on the 21st of January 1880. Son of the late William and Louisa Rogers, originally of Minehead, Somerset, and from 1901 residents of Watchet, Somerset, and bother of Mrs James of The Folly, Minehead.
In 1893, whilst aged 13 years, he joined the Royal Navy and served as Able Seaman 185115. He was on the China Station at Orlands during the Boxer uprising of 1899-1901, and in the early part of WW1he served on the Cruiser HMS Eclipse. When home on leave he resided at Watchet. He next served in the Royal Fleet Reserve as Able Seaman RFR/DEV/B/3073 aboard the Torpedo Boat Destroyer HMS Brisk. He was 'Killed by Enemy Action' on October the 2nd 1917 when HMS Brisk struck a mine that had been laid by U-79 in the North Channel off the Coast of Northern Ireland, with the loss of thirty-one men. The forecastle was reported to have been blown off, but the rest of the ship stayed afloat and made it to Loch Foyle. At the time HMS Brisk was helping the Cruiser HMS Drake, which had been torpedoed three miles north-east of Rathlin Island. Ben's body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial. Panel 21. |
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ABLE SEAMAN Ernest Searle (1897-1917)
He was born at Watchet, Somerset, on the 5th of September 1897 and was the son of Mrs Annie Searle, of Mineral Cottage, Watchet.
When war broke out in the late summer of 1914, the Royal Navy hastily raised a division’s worth of men, most of them stokers from the fleet reserve, to serve ashore as infantry soldiers. Ernest served as Able Seaman, Service No. BRISTOLZ/1367, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, Nelson Battalion, R.N. Division. He was killed in action in France on the 22nd of April 1917, aged 20 years. His body was never identified/recovered, and he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais. France. Bay 1. |
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SERJEANT Samuel Skelcher (1888-1915)
He was born at North Newington near Banbury, Oxfordshire, in 1888 and was the son of Mr P.B. Skelcher of 11 Upper Well Street, Coventry.
Samuel was the husband of Elsie Bessie Skelcher (1884-1972) who he married in 1909 at Taunton. The couple had two children: John Samuel Francis Skelcher (1913-1939) and Mariella Deborah Smith nee Skelcher (1914-2008). The family were residents of Watchet, Somerset, when in 1914 he enlisted at Taunton as Private 14914 (Later Serjeant) in the 6th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry. They were deployed to the Western Front, France, in May 1915, seeing action at Hooge and at the second attack on Bellewaarde. He 'died of wounds', aged 27 years, on the 10th of September 1915, and was buried at the Etaples Military Cemetery Pas de Calais, France. Plot IV. E. 1A. |
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PRIVATE Alfred Sully (1893-1918)
He was born at Watchet, Somerset, in 1893 and was the son of Albert and Mary Ann Sully, of 16, Gladstone Terrace, Watchet. Before WW1 Alfred, and his entire family, worked at Watchet's Wansbrough Paper Mill. When war was declared Alfred and his brother; Leonard, travelled to Taunton together to enlist in the 1st/5th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, with Alfred serving as Private 240717. They served overseas in Mesopotamia and the Middle East taking up positions in Palestine and Basra fighting the Ottoman Turks. Alfred was killed in action on the 30th of January 1918, aged 25 years. His body was never identified/recovered and he is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial. Panel 16.
His brother, Leonard had been killed in action two years earlier near to Bagdad. |
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PRIVATE Leonard Sully (1895-1916)
He was born at Watchet, Somerset, in 1895 and was the son of Albert and Mary Ann Sully, of 16, Gladstone Terrace, Watchet. Before WW1 Alfred, and his entire family, worked at Watchet's Wansbrough Paper Mill. When war was declared Leonard and his brother; Alfred, travelled to Taunton together to enlist in the 1st/5th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, with Leonard serving as Private 2075 (later changed to 240534). They served overseas in Mesopotamia and the Middle East taking up positions in Palestine and Basra fighting the Ottoman Turks. Leonard was killed in action at Bagdad on the 25th of June 1916, aged 21 years. His body was never identified/recovered and he is commemorated at the Baghdad (north Gate) War Cemetery, Iraq. Nisibin Memorial 257.
His brother; Alfred was killed in action two years later. |
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ABLE SEAMAN Richard Sulley (1899-1919)
He was born at Liverpool, Lancashire, on the 8th of January 1899.
During WW1 he served in the Royal Navy as Able Seaman J43778 on the H.M. Trawler "Frostaxe". Naval trawlers were requisitioned and operated by the Royal Navy in WW1 to maintain control of seaward approaches to major harbours, including mine clearance. Richard drowned at sea on the 29th of April 1919 when the 'Frostaxe' was in collision with the Greek steamer 'SS EPIROS and sank, with the loss of nine lives, off of Newhaven'. Richard's body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. |
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PRIVATE Edward George Thorn (1895-1916)
He was born at Aberaman, Glamorgan, Wales, in 1895 and was the son of George and Mary Thorn.
He enlisted at Bristol into the 12th (Bristol) Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment to become Private 22657. He was killed in action during the continuous battles on the Somme on the 9th of September 1916, aged 21 years, and was buried at the Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, Somme, France. Plot XII. B. 10. At the time of his death his Father's address was given as Rowton House Hostel, Newington Butts, London SE11 |
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PRIVATE Herbert Henry Trunks (1889-1918)
He was born in 1889 and was the Husband of Lilly Trunks nee Sully. They resided at 10, Selgrave Terrace, Watchet and before the war Herbert was employed at Watchet's Wansbrough paper Mill.
He served firstly as Private 30516 in the 13th Labour Battalion of the Royal Berkshire Regiment, and later transferred as Private 98235 of the 397th Home Service Company of the Labour Corps. He died, aged 29 years at Sandown on the Isle of Wight, on the 4th of November 1918 (Circumstances unknown). He body was returned home and buried in St. Decuman's Churchyard, Watchet (Near the North wall of chancel). |
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GUNNER Frederick John Watts (1890 - 1918) Name missing from Watchet War Memorial
Gunner Frederick John Watts
Royal Field Artillery Gunner 135386 D. Bty. 88th Bde.
Date of death: 11/04/1918 (aged 28) Died of Wounds
Cemetery: LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY, Belgium Plot XXVI. H. 10A.
Son of the late John and Bertha Watts, of Street, Somerset; husband of G. M. Watts, of Market St., Watchet, Somerset.
Royal Field Artillery Gunner 135386 D. Bty. 88th Bde.
Date of death: 11/04/1918 (aged 28) Died of Wounds
Cemetery: LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY, Belgium Plot XXVI. H. 10A.
Son of the late John and Bertha Watts, of Street, Somerset; husband of G. M. Watts, of Market St., Watchet, Somerset.
PRIVATE Frank Webber (1887-1918)
He was born at Watchet, Somerset in 1887
In WW1 he served as Private 27632 of the 8th Battalion of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He was killed in action on the 30th of July 1918, aged 30 years, around Lake Doiran on the Macedonian front, whilst fighting the Bulgarian Army. Frank was buried at the Karasouli Military Cemetery, Polykastro, Greece, Plot D. 894. |
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PRIVATE Frederick Webber (1886-1918)
He was born at Watchet, Somerset, in 1886.
In WW1 he enlisted at Taunton into the 7th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry and served as Private 39106. Frederick was killed in action at the Somme, France. on the 10th of June 1918. He was buried at the Sucrerie Cemetery, Ablain-St. Nazaire, Pas de Calais, France. Plot IV. C. 12. |
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PRIVATE Walter Webber (d.1918)
He was born at Watchet, Somerset.
In WW1 he served as Private 202927 in the 1st Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry. He 'died of wounds' on the 17th of January 1918 and was buried at Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, Pas de Calais, France. Plot V. E. 38. |
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PRIVATE William Robert Webber (1891-1918)
He was born in 1891. His Family were from Watchet and before the war he worked in the Wansbrough paper mill.
SERVICE Private 26680 Worcestershire Regiment 9th Bn Born 1891. DEATH 12TH MARCH 1918 aged 26 He sailed from Avonmouth in June 1915 and landed at the fated Gallipoli the next month and the Brigade moved to Egypt July 1918 and formed the north Persia Force. BURIAL Belgaum Government Cemetery, India Plot C. Grave 138. Also Face 5 of the Kirkee Memorial at Poona, India. He left a widow and 2 young sons Sidney and Geoffrey Webber, who were largely brought up by their grandparents in the Doone Valley, his widow remarried and became a Binding. |
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PRIVATE Charles Wallace White (1895-1916)
He was born in Watchet, Somerset, in 1895 and was the son of Arthur T. White and his wife; Eliza White, of Anchor Street, Watchet.
He enlisted as Private 31400 of the 10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars and was sent to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force. Landing at Ostend, Belgium, on the 8th October 1914. The Hussars were immediately deployed to Ypres on the Western Front and fought at the '1st Battle of Ypres' on the 19th October 1914. The following year they were in action at the '2nd Battle of Ypres' between the 22nd-25th May 1915), and next at 'The Battle of Loos' between the 25th of September to the 8th of Octoberoct 1915. Charles was killed in action on the Western Front on the 10th of October 1916, aged 21 years. He was buried at the Aveluny Communal Cemetery Extension, Aveluy, Departement de la Somme, Picardie, France. Plot K.48. |
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William Ethelburt Balman
BIRTH Watchet, Somerset 1891 SERVICE Private 1495 London Regiment, 16th London Battalion. Later Lance Corporal 550103 London Regiment, 2nd/16th Bn. London Battalion (Queen's Westminster Rifles) DEATH Died of wounds 26TH MARCH 1917 Age: 26 Buried SARIGOL MILITARY CEMETERY, KRISTON, Central Macedonia, Greece. Plot B. 250. Son of W. A. and Jane Balman, of High St., Wiveliscombe, Somerset. |
George Victor Dally
BIRTH Axbridge, Somerset December 1880
SERVICE Private 32183 Devonshire Regiment. Later Private 241687 Royal Scots Fusiliers, 1st/5th Bn.
DEATH Killed in Action France 2ND OCTOBER 1918 aged 37
BURIAL/Memorial: Vis-En-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 6.
Eldest son of Hannah (née Isaac) & Charles Sidney Dally (married 1880 Axbridge).
Husband of Josephine Emily Pavey (married1910 Watchet St Decuman's Church).
Named on the Wedmore War Memorial as well as Watchet War Memorial.
BIRTH Axbridge, Somerset December 1880
SERVICE Private 32183 Devonshire Regiment. Later Private 241687 Royal Scots Fusiliers, 1st/5th Bn.
DEATH Killed in Action France 2ND OCTOBER 1918 aged 37
BURIAL/Memorial: Vis-En-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 6.
Eldest son of Hannah (née Isaac) & Charles Sidney Dally (married 1880 Axbridge).
Husband of Josephine Emily Pavey (married1910 Watchet St Decuman's Church).
Named on the Wedmore War Memorial as well as Watchet War Memorial.
Robert John McDonald
BIRTH Culmstock, Devon 1896
ENLISTMENT Minehead, Somerset
SERVICE Corporal 20394 Somerset Light Infantry 1st Bn.
DEATH Killed in Action France 11TH MAY 1918 Age 21 years old
BURIAL St. Venant-Robecq Road British Cemetery, Robecq, Pas de Calais, France. PLOT II. E. 8
Son of John McDonald and Mary Luna McDonald (nee Dunn), of 85, Wellington Rd., Bridgwater, Somerset.
Personal Inscription THY WILL BE DONE
BIRTH Culmstock, Devon 1896
ENLISTMENT Minehead, Somerset
SERVICE Corporal 20394 Somerset Light Infantry 1st Bn.
DEATH Killed in Action France 11TH MAY 1918 Age 21 years old
BURIAL St. Venant-Robecq Road British Cemetery, Robecq, Pas de Calais, France. PLOT II. E. 8
Son of John McDonald and Mary Luna McDonald (nee Dunn), of 85, Wellington Rd., Bridgwater, Somerset.
Personal Inscription THY WILL BE DONE
John Richard Barton Nicholas Hole
BIRTH Taunton, Somerset 18TH JULY 1885
MARRIAGE Elizabeth Ann Court 1910
Residence 1 West Street, Watchet, Somerset
ENLISTMENT 7TH AUGUST 1916
SERVICE Royal Navy PLY/1532(S) Royal Marine Light Infantry: Plymouth Division 1st RM Btln.
DEATH War Related Sickness France 18TH AUGUST 1917 Aged 32 years
BURIAL Valenciennes (st. Roch) Communal Cemetery, Nord, France. PLOT IV. E. 3
BIRTH Taunton, Somerset 18TH JULY 1885
MARRIAGE Elizabeth Ann Court 1910
Residence 1 West Street, Watchet, Somerset
ENLISTMENT 7TH AUGUST 1916
SERVICE Royal Navy PLY/1532(S) Royal Marine Light Infantry: Plymouth Division 1st RM Btln.
DEATH War Related Sickness France 18TH AUGUST 1917 Aged 32 years
BURIAL Valenciennes (st. Roch) Communal Cemetery, Nord, France. PLOT IV. E. 3
William Edward O'Flaherty
BIRTH Watchet, Somerset 11TH OCTOBER 1897
Residence 5 West End Villas, Watchet, Somerset
ENLISTMENT Minehead, Somerset 27TH MAY 1916
SERVICE Royal Navy PLY/1590(S) Royal Marine Light Infantry: Plymouth Division
DEATH Killed in Action France 28TH APRIL 1917 Age: 19
Burial/Memorial: Arras Memorial, Arras, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. Bay 1.
Son of Stephen O'Flaherty, (Born 1874) of 5, West End Villas, Watchet, Somerset.
BIRTH Watchet, Somerset 11TH OCTOBER 1897
Residence 5 West End Villas, Watchet, Somerset
ENLISTMENT Minehead, Somerset 27TH MAY 1916
SERVICE Royal Navy PLY/1590(S) Royal Marine Light Infantry: Plymouth Division
DEATH Killed in Action France 28TH APRIL 1917 Age: 19
Burial/Memorial: Arras Memorial, Arras, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. Bay 1.
Son of Stephen O'Flaherty, (Born 1874) of 5, West End Villas, Watchet, Somerset.
Alec Davis
Son of W. & F. Davis Peace, Perfect Peace Name: Alec Davis Gender: Male Birth Date: 12 Jan 1888 Birth Place: Watchet, West Somerset District, Somerset, England Death Date: 13 Oct 1918 Aged 30 years Death Place: Camp Dodge, Polk County, Iowa, United States of America Cemetery: South Lead Cemetery Burial or Cremation Place: Lead, Lawrence County, South Dakota, United States of America NOTE: Alec Davis was the son of Walter and Fanny (Pitman) Davis) South Lead Cemetery records state that he was born in England; late residence - Camp Dodge, Iowa; cause of death - influenza and pneumonia; nearest relative or friend - father, Ralph H. Davis. Lead Daily Call (Newspaper), Monday, October 21, 1918, page 4: The funeral of Alec Davis was held from the Mead undertaking parlors at 2 p.m. Sunday. The body was accompanied to its last resting place by a body of the Home Guards, consisting of a firing squad, also pallbearers. Brief services were held at the grave, conducted by Rev. J. Maurice Hupp. Some choice floral offerings were presented by friends of the dead soldier. Owing to the serious illness of Mr. Miller, who resides near the cemtery, the firing squad omitted the customary salute. Many friends were at the grave to witness the last honor paid to the deceased soldier. The 1901 Census of Bendon Hill, Somerset, England finds Alec Davis residing with his parents and siblings: Walter Davis 49, born Watchet, Somerset; Grocer, shopkeeper (own account) Fanny Davis 42, born Didbrook, Gloucester; wife John P. Davis 19, born Brendon, Hill, Somerset; engineer, electrical (worker) Geoffrey Davis 16, born Brendon Hill, Somerset; grocer's apprentice Alec Davis 13, born Brendon Hill, Somerset; scholar Kathleen Davis 11, born Brendon Hill, Somerset; scholar Dennis Davis 5, born Brendon Hill, Somerset; scholar Dorothy Davis 2, born Brendon Hill, Somerset; scholar In the centenary of World War One some stories have emerged that are quite unique. Watchet has many of them. But on the 5th of June 1917, 100 years ago this year, a man of Watchet enlisted into the army, not the British Army but the American army. Alec Davis had left his family here in West Somerset to pursue the job of a miner. Alec's brother Geoffrey was a fishmonger in Swain Street in Watchet. Alec arrived firstly in Canada where he was given a work permit to work in the Klondike and while working there he was employed by the Homestake Mining Company and was quickly asked to go to America to work in a town called Lead in in the black hills of South Dakota. Lead had one of the largest Gold Mines in America and he would have felt quite at home here as it wasn't too dissimilar to the West Somerset hillsides and with its mining communities . In the summer of 1917 the American expeditionary Force joined the British expeditionary Force in France under the command of General John Pershing. They were mainly a combat unit but with Alec's mining background he would have been an asset to the army. ALEC DAVIS. He was linked to the mineral line company and went to America to seek his fortune before the war. He went to work for a company in Klondike where the gold rush was at it peak. He was seconded to the US Army in fought for the US army in WW1. He caught Spanish flu a world wide epidemic while in the trenches and was taken back to a military hospital in Iowa, USA where he died. He was trained in the hot American conditions only to be shipped to the waterlogged disease ridden trenches of Northern France. |
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WW2
Donald James Binding
Aircraftman 2nd class, Donald James Binding. My records show he was an RAF Volunteer Reservists who died on the 6th March 1942 in Singapore aged 22. He still has relatives living locally. remembered in the Kanji War Cemetery in Singapore. Name listed at Column 419 Singapore Memorial. |
Gordon Henry Binding
1625814 Private. 4th Btln. Wiltshire Regiment. Died 14th Oct. 1944 aged 29 years. Buried Mook War Cemetery, Mook, Mook en Middelaar Municipality, Limburg, Netherlands PLOT II. B. 21. Son of Alfred James Binding and Cathrine Amy Binding of Watchet Somerset. Husband of Dorothy Iris Binding. Text on his Headstone: Sweet memories Of our darling Gordon Who died that we might live. "At rest". |
Arthur Thomas Webber
Was a Royal Marine. Born on 11th Jan 1911 in Carhampton, West Somerset, he grew up in Dunster and some of his family lived in Watchet. He lived in Watchet before he went to war and worked at Watchet's paper mill. He married a local girl Dorothy Rosemary and they had two children. Arthur enlisted in the Marines in Plymouth on the 5th of August 1941 and trained as a Naval gunner. He was assigned to the landing craft flotilla and was aboard a HM landing Craft Flak (large)1, an armoured landing craft. The operational roll of the HMLCF's was to protect the assault landing forces by drawing enemy fire or by engaging them in beach defensive positions. The ship was part of the blockade known as the 'Trout line' off the mouth of the river Seine, protecting the well-known Mulberry Harbour and guarding against attacks from U-Boats and Weasels (Explosive motorboats.) Died 17 Aug 1944 (aged 33) BURIAL La Delivrande War Cemetery, Douvres-la-Delivrande, Departement du Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France. PLOT IV. B. 8. Son of Florence Webber; husband of Dorothy Rosemary Webber, of Watchet |
Corporal William Francis Bulger 7588394, Royal Army Ordnance Corps.
Died on 05 July 1941 Age 28. He was a passenger aboard the SS Anselm when it was torpedoed by a German U-boat. Son of Thomas and M.E. Bulger of Watchet, Somerset Husband of Ethel Bulger, of Watchet, Somerset MEMORIAL SITE Brookwood 1939-1945 Memorial. Panel 19, column 1. Brookwood, Woking Borough, Surrey, England The SS Anselm was sunk by U-96 on 5 July 1941 about 300 miles north of the Azores while on passage from Gourock, Scotland, to Freetown, Sierra Leone, carrying 1,200 troops. 254 men lost their lives (250 troops and 4 crewmen). The Monthly Anti-Submarine Report for September 1941, states that immediately preceding the attack, HMS Challenger and SS Anselm were in line ahead and were being screened by HMS Lavender and HMS Petunia. HMS Starwort, whose Asdic (anti-submarine detection equipment) was out of order, was stationed astern. The escorts had been keeping listening watch in thick fog, but at 0350 the fog cleared and both ships commenced transmitting. At this time, HMS Lavender and HMS Petunia took up screening positions on either bow of HMS Challenger and commenced a zigzag on a course just east of south at a speed of 11 knots. At 0426, in approximate position 44 30N, 28 30W, not far from the Canary Islands, the SS Anselm was struck by a torpedo on the port side amidships. The SS Anselm settled rapidly by the head and sank 22 minutes after being hit. All the lifeboats got away with the exception of No 6, which was damaged by the explosion. By skilful manoeuvring, HMS Challenger placed her bow alongside the SS Anselm’s port quarter, and in this manner rescued 60 men. Unfortunately, 254 men, including 175 RAF personnel, lost their lives, but it is probable that many of these were killed by the explosion of the torpedo which struck the ship immediately below the accommodation space. |
Guardsman Geoffrey James Morle (1919-1940)
He was born at Watchet, Somerset, in 1919 and was the son of Robert John Morle (1874-1942) and Emily Jane Morle nee Keen (1881-1962) of Watchet, Somerset, who had married in 1901.
His Five siblings were: Doris Annie Morle (1905-1986), Winifred May Morle (1907-1998), and Alice Maud Morle (1909-1988), Jack Morle, and Ethel Morle, Geoffrey was a Guardsman in the 1st Battalion of the Coldstream Guards (Service No. 2657655). As part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) his Battalion were deployed to France on the 30th of September 1939. They sailed from Portsmouth (No Man’s Land Fort) at 1am aboard the S.S. Duke of Argyll, in Convoy with four other Troopships and two Destroyers for escort, arriving at the Port of Cherbourg at 7am, after which they were moved by train to Sillé-le-Guillaume. Over the coming months they were moved slowly eastward through France via Lannoy, Bachy, Feuchy, Lorry-les-Metz, and St. Francois Lacroix before first encountering enemy patrols on the 17th of February at Waldweistroff. By May 1940 they had crossed the French/Belgium border and had reached Coyghem, where they were in regular skirmishes with the enemy as the Wehrmacht pushed ever westward for France. Geoffrey was killed in action at Coyghem, Belgium, on the 20th of May 1940. He was aged 21 years and his body was never recovered/identified. A week after his death the BEF were ordered back to Britain in ‘Operation Dynamo’; more famously known at the ‘Dunkirk Evacuation’ He is commemorated on Column 34 of the Dunkirk Memorial in France, and also on the war memorial in his home town of Watchet, Somerset. |
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The squadron was formed on 1 February 1920 at Ismailia by the renumbering of No.113 Squadron. It spent the pre-war years based in the Middle East, using a series of army cooperation aircraft, converting to the Westland Lysander in January 1939.
After the Italian entry to the war in June 1940 the squadron began to fly reconnaissance mission in the Western Desert, watching the more advanced Italian troop positions. It soon became clear that the Lysanders were very vulnerable to enemy attack, and so they were provided with a fighter escort, initially Gladiators and later Hurricanes. In November the squadron was given a number of Hurricanes which took over most of the reconnaissance duties, leaving the Lysanders to carry out artillery support and reconnaissance close to the front line. The squadron fulfilled these roles during Operation Compass, the British offensive of December 1940 that pushed the Italians back from the Egyptian border. Lysander I over the Suez Canal Lysander I over the Suez CanalSignatures of the personnel of No.208 Squadron Signatures of the personnel of No.208 Squadron In April 1941 the squadron moved to Greece, arriving just at the German invasion began. The squadron was posted to the western part of the front line, but had to pull back to Athens on 19 April, and the four remaining Lysanders were flown to Crete on 22-23 April. The Hurricanes remained in Greece a little longer in an attempt to provide some air defence, but they too had to evacuate on 24 April. The squadron moved the Palestine, and in June took part in the Allied invasion of Vichy Syria, providing a flight of Hurricanes. The squadron returned to the Western Desert in October 1941, and took part in Operation Crusader (November 1941), flying reconnaissance missions on the Allied left flank and locating the vehicles of the Italian Ariete Division. The squadron continued to operate with the army until December 1942 when it moved to Iraq. In December 1943 the squadron, still in Iraq, converted to the Spitfire to provide local air defence. |
41506 Flight Lieutenant Donald Escott Waymark
208 Squadron RAF Born 1916 Lewisham, London Died 10 Nov 1941 aged 25 years Memorial for Donald Waymark in St Decumans church yard Memorial Alamein Memorial El Alamein, Maṭrūḥ, Egypt Column 240. Memorial Watchet War Memorial Son of Edgar Clarence Waymark (1872-1942) RAF records say SON OF STANLEY AND EMILY GERTRUDE WAYMARK. Brother of Joan Gresham nee Waymark (1914-1997) On 10 Nov 1941 he was killed whilst flying his Hurricane Z4248 during a mid air collision over the Western Desert with Hurricane Z4775, flown by Flying Officer R W Tester (Survived) Date: 15-APR-1941 Westland Lysander Mk I Owner/operator: 208 Squadron Royal Air Force (208 Sqn RAF) Registration: L4719 Aircraft damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: Kazaklar - Greece Shot down by Bf.109s. Crew: F/O (41506) Donald Escott WAYMARK (pilot) RAF - injured?. F/O A.C. GOODFREY (A/Gnr) RAF - injured. On 15 April 1941, F/O DB Waymark in L4719 was one of two 208 Squadron Lysanders at Larissa, about to evacuate the two surviving members of 211 Squadron's disastrous Easter Sunday raid who had succeeded in regaining their own lines after being shot down. Both Lysanders were attacked by Messerschmitts shortly after taking off. P/O JW Stewart in L4690 with F/Sgt AG James as passenger was shot down almost at once: only Stewart survived. Waymark in L4719 took F/O AC Godfrey as his passenger and rear gunner pro-tem. Under attack by five Me 109s, Godfrey retaliated with the rear-gunner's VGO. Losing two fingers under fire, he continued to shoot with his left hand until the aircraft crashed. Now with an injured leg as well, Godfrey escaped the aircraft and subsequent ground strafing with Wymark's help. Eventually the two were evacuated by car and thence by air to Athens. Accounts of these events place them variously as near Larissa or near Kazaklar to the North. |
Henry (Known as Harry) Binding
Born Watchet, Somerset 1922. Son of Mr and Mrs W. Binding of Watchet Somerset. Occupation: Sailor, Merchant Navy. Died 1st May 1943, aged 21 Years, when the ship he was serving on was attacked by a German U-Boat whilst sailing Northeast of the Azores. Memorials: Watchet War Memorial and Merchant Navy memorial Tower Hill Memorial Panel 84. The SS Port Victor was motor passenger/ refrigerated cargo ship that was sunk on 1st May 1943 by torpedoes fired by German submarine U-107 at position 47° 49' N, 22° 02' W Northeast of the Azores. The Ship was en-route from Buenos Aires, via Montevideo, to Liverpool with a cargo of 7600 tons of refrigerated foodstuffs and 2000 tons of general cargo. At 00.30 hours on 1 May 1943, U-107 fired a spread of two stern torpedoes at the unescorted Port Victor (Master William Gordon Higgs, OBE) northeast of the Azores, which was zigzagging directly into a good firing position in about 1000 meters distance. The ship carried 65 passengers (including 23 women and children). It stopped after one torpedo hit amidships, and the crew made the lifeboats ready to be launched. After a first coup de grâce hit amidships at 00.36 hours the boats were lowered, but when she was hit in the bow by a second coup de grâce at 00.45 hours two lifeboats were destroyed and the occupants killed. The vessel developed a list to port but still sent radio messages until being hit underneath the bridge by a third coup de grâce, which broke the ship in two and caused her to sink. Twelve crew members, two gunners and five passengers were lost. The master, 74 crew members, ten gunners and 60 passengers were picked up by HMS Wren (U 28) and landed at Liverpool. |
Henry Bruford
BIRTH 23 Jan 1912 Watchet, Somerset, England Son of George J. and Clara Phoebe Bruford, of Watchet, Somerset, England. 5672689 GUNNER Royal Artillery, 3 Maritime Regt. Died aged 32 years on 11/02/1944, when the SS Empire Knight sunk off the coast of Cape Cod, Maine, USA. It ran aground in storms and a blizzard. Gunner Henry Bruford. The ship was a Defensively Armed Merchant Ship full of cargo and munitions. He was buried on the 17th of February 1944, with full military honours, at the Portsmouth Naval shipyard cemetery in Kittery, York County, Maine, USA. Grave 152. |
Ivor Norman
Service Number: 288013 PRIVATE Royal Army Ordnance Corps
Died 30 October 1943 Age 31 years old
Buried TRIPOLI WAR CEMETERY Libya PLOT 7. E. 15.
Son of Tom and Edith Ann Norman, of Watchet, Somerset.
Personal Inscription TO THE WORLD,JUST A SOLDIER; TO US, OUR DARLING SON. MUM AND DAD, WATCHET, ENGLAND
Service Number: 288013 PRIVATE Royal Army Ordnance Corps
Died 30 October 1943 Age 31 years old
Buried TRIPOLI WAR CEMETERY Libya PLOT 7. E. 15.
Son of Tom and Edith Ann Norman, of Watchet, Somerset.
Personal Inscription TO THE WORLD,JUST A SOLDIER; TO US, OUR DARLING SON. MUM AND DAD, WATCHET, ENGLAND
Gerald Sparks
Son of Albert William James Sparks and Edna May Sparks, of Watchet, Somerset. Brother of Ordinary Seaman Kenneth Sparkes of HMS Gloucester. service no.: D/JX 149995, Able Seaman Royal Navy, HMS Glorious Died 08/06/1940 Aged 19 years Plymouth Naval Memorial grave reference: Panel 38, Column 2. On the afternoon of 8 June 1940, two German battle cruisers, Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, sighted a wisp of smoke on the arctic horizon. Two hours later, the carrier HMS Glorious and her two escorting destroyers, Ardent and Acasta, had been sunk. More than 1,500 lives were lost, qualifying the incident as one of the worst naval disasters of the second world war. HMS Glorious and its two escorting destroyers were heading for Scapa Flow, having left the coast of northern Norway that morning. At about 4 o'clock, two German battle cruisers were spotted on the starboard horizon. Unable to launch its protective aircraft into the wind without turning straight towards the enemy. Shortly afterwards, one of the battle cruisers opened fire with terrifying accuracy. Following several direct hits, the order to abandon ship was eventually given at about 17.20. Only 41 survivors were picked up after two days in the icy waters of the North Sea. In world war two Watchet lost 16 of their townsmen. Two of them were the Sparks brothers, both naval men. Whose family owned the newsagent in Watchets Swain Street (now the Sanctuary). Gerald Sparks was just 19 when he died. He died at sea in the June of 1940 and was aboard HMS Glorious when it was sunk by the German battle ship “Scharnhorst” off the Norwegian coast while evacuating RAF Aircraft from Norway. There were 1207 casualties that day. Kenneth Sparks was killed not quite a year later aboard HMS Gloucester a light cruiser ship that saw heavy service in the Indian Ocean and later off of the South African coast in escort duties. She was part of the Mediterranean fleet in 1940. She was sunk off the coast of Crete on the 22nd of May 1941, with the loss of 722 men. Her sinking was considered one of Britain’s worst wartime naval disasters. |
Kenneth Sparks
Son of Albert William James Sparks and Edna May Sparks, of Watchet, Somerset. Brother of Able Seaman Gerald Sparks of HMS Glorious. Service No: D/JX 163236 Ordinary Seaman Royal Navy H.M.S. Gloucester DEATH 22 May 1941 Memorial: Plymouth Naval Memorial Panel 49 Column 3 HMS Gloucester was sunk during the German Invasion of Crete. While in the Kythira Strait, about 14 miles north of Crete, Gloucester was attacked by "Stuka"s of StG 2. Between 15:30 and 15:50. Gloucester was hit by several bombs and sank. |
WW2
Frederick A. J. Edwards
Dennis H. Lloyd
Frederick A. J. Edwards
Dennis H. Lloyd
The War Memorial Ground is a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives in the First World War. 2022 sees it celebrate a hundred years since the first goal was scored and the first cricket ball sent to the boundary. The following is an article that recently appeared in the Free Press giving just a little of its history.
In 1929 the Pavilion was built and as it approaches its own hundredth birthday is in urgent need of some restoration, requiring some serious funding. This as much as any building in Watchet deserves to be saved for future generations, details of how you might help are at the end of the article. The photograph shows the opening of the Pavilion. WAR MEMORIAL GROUND It is exactly a hundred years ago this year that the first mention of the founding of a memorial ground for the use of Watchet residents was mooted by the Wesley Guild. The Secretary in Watchet supplied a hand-written document, now a little battered and rough at the edges, listing the thirty-nine names of those who perished in World War I. The local community were asked in 1920 how they wished to commemorate their war dead, and they chose to have a memorial sports field. It would appear that negotiations took place between the Wesleyans/Methodists, who were highly influential in the town at this period, and the Wyndham Estate. A lease was signed in 1922 and the Memorial Ground saw its first competitive matches. Prior to this date, it is recorded that football was played on what was known as the recreation ground, an area much larger than it is today as coastal erosion has taken its toll and continues to do so. The ‘Rec’, as it became known, was the venue for the Watchet Town Football Club which apparently had been founded as early as 1887. This rather windswept position, on a warm and sunny day, commands wonderful views across the Channel to Wales and history tells us that it was a venue for many of the events that the town hosted prior to the founding of the Memorial Ground. It continued after the forming of the Memorial Ground and, certainly within the living memory of local residents, the fair, the circus, heavy horse shows and many other splendid occasions were held here. At this period there was easy access from the Pleasure Ground located just above the East Quay, the route most people would have used on their way to Rec. Old maps indicate that there was once a small public fountain, essential on hot summer days, not to mention the Beehive Tea Room that existed until it was burnt down by Edwardian vandals. The early days of cricket at Watchet were played out in close proximity to St Decuman’s Church, on a field that was and still is part of Parsonage Farm and retains the name ‘the cricket field’ today. From 1922, it would appear that both cricket and football were played on the new Memorial Ground but it became increasingly obvious that a Pavilion was required for the benefit of the players and also to accommodate spectators wishing to shelter from the elements. On a blustery day with a north-easterly wind on Thursday 29th June, this ambition was realised and, amid much pomp and circumstance, a crowd estimated at some 3,000 people witnessed the official opening of the brand new pavilion. A large procession had formed on the Esplanade including the guides and scouts and, led by the town band under the guidance of bandmaster A. Wedlake, they made their way to the Memorial Ground and an enthusiastic welcome. Standing on the steps of the pavilion and flanked by family members of those who had lost their lives in the conflict, Mr William Wyndham addressed the crowd. A dignified ceremony was conducted and ‘scarcely a movement was discernible as the dead were remembered’. This solemn address was followed by the normal platitudes and, of those mentioned, it appears that one name stands out; Mr C Durie, the honorary secretary whose single-minded, ‘tenacious’ activity in bringing about the erection of the pavilion could not be understated. Mr Wyndham, brandishing the key, duly unlocked the principal door to the building amidst tumultuous applause. It then fell to Dr J Erskine Collins to declare the fete open and the throng was able to watch various children’s races, games and competitions. The Free Press dutifully recorded the names of the successful entrants and amongst the numerous winners were Ronald Prole of ‘The Causeway’, Betty Binding of Waterloo Cottages and Ella Atiwell of Doniford. The Paper also mentions “the splendid help by the ladies who worked with real enthusiasm, notably the Mesdames J. Kingdom and W. Prole” and it was most satisfying that they had a “good clearance of their White Elephant Stall’. It must have been quite a day for the town with the vast majority of the population in attendance and great excitement and a good many of the children having a day they would remember for the rest of their lives. And so from the early discussions in 1920, and subsequent signing of the lease in 1922, it seems that the various churches and local bodies came together and an application for a grant from the United Services Fund of £68 being successful, it set the ball rolling. Interestingly, it represented 5s (25p) for each serving member of the town which numbered some 340 individuals from the forces and mercantile marine who had been involved or died in the hostilities. The War Memorial Ground Committee that was formed in those far off days is still operating today, in conjunction with the Watchet Town Council, maintaining the ground and pavilion. With the opening of the Memorial Ground, it was the intention in the near future to erect an obelisk or plinth at the entrance to the ground as a lasting visual reminder of the Watchet men who paid the ultimate sacrifice. In the Watchet Conservation Society archive is a poignant reminder, a photograph of a young sailor in his uniform obviously taken just before he made his way to the perils of the sea. As was so often the case, this could well have been the last image of one of these young men that his loved ones would have possessed, with many never to return home to see their families again. A more fitting memorial is hard to imagine and over the years, cricket and football have been played here since, we must assume, 1922. There have since been many improvements and additions to the ground, with tennis courts added fairly soon after the pavilion was built and, for a time, a putting green. An area has been fenced off specifically as a play area and has many attractions for young children. This wonderful facility is much appreciated by both residents and visitors. In the late 1960s, a Youth Club was built, a function it serves today in combination with the Community Centre. Sadly and inevitably, time has taken its toll on the pavilion as it approaches its centenary and it is in desperate need of repair. The War Memorial Committee, led by chairman Jim Nicholas, has launched a fund to raise money to help with these much-needed renovations. The effects of COVID, losing some sports teams and the Carnival Fete for two years has meant that the committee have been unable to afford the repairs that are now necessary to keep the Pavilion in good order. A funding project (crowdfunder.co.uk ) is now running to urgently raise some money, under the Watchet War Memorial Recreation Ground Management Committee, and can be accessed on Facebook. Donations can also be made by cash or cheque, made out to Watchet War Memorial Recreation Ground Management Committee and sent to James Nicholas 4,Roman Way, Watchet. TA23 0EH. We must hope that they are successful in saving this important and much-loved iconic building so that future generations can continue to enjoy and add to the fascinating history of this building that has been at the heart of Watchet for nearly a hundred years. |