Williton, Somerset
Rather than a village cenotaph, Williton commemorates the names of its war dead by the provision of both WW1 and WW2 stained glass windows at the Methodist Church on Tower Hill, and also a separate stone memorial located at the War Memorial Recreation Ground in Long Street. An abnormally is that whilst some of the men's names appear on both the window and stone memorials, others only appear on one of either of the memorials.
WW1 1914-1918
H Barker,
PRIVATE Albert George Branchflower (1891-1918)
He was born in 1891 and was the son of George and Hannah Branchflower, of Long Street, Williton.
In WW1 he served as Private 241769 in the 1st/5th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry. He 'died of wounds' on the 25th of September 1918 whilst deployed in Egypt, aged 27 years old, and was buried at the Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery. Plot F. 214. The personal inscription on his gravestone reads: TO FALL ASLEEP IS NOT TO DIE, TO DWELL WITH CHRIST IS BETTER LIFE |
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LANCE CORPORAL Albert William Bulley (1883-1918)
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 Stained-glass War Memorial Window at Williton's old Methodist chapel, his name is also commemorated on Watchet's War Memorial. |
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GUNNER Stanley Scott 'Cass' Casson (1890-1918)
Stanley Scott Casson (Known as 'Cass') was born in Williton, Somerset, in 1890. He was the son of Benjamin Frederic Casson (b.1859) and Caroline Louisa Casson nee Brice (b.1860), who had been married at Taunton in 1884, and who resided in Long Street, Williton. His father was a Saddler. Stanley had five siblings:
On the 8th of October 1916 at Sydney, Australia, he enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force to become Gunner 31154 of the 10th Australian Field Artillery Brigade, and placed into the 22nd Howitzer Brigade. His unit was deployed to France, embarking at Sydney Harbour on the 19th of December 1916, aboard the Troopship RMS Orontes. He was killed in action on the morning of the 26th of September 1918 at Bellicourt, France, during the Battle of the Cambrai-St Quentin Canal, receiving a shrapnel wound to the head. He was aged 27 years and was buried at Tincourt New British Cemetery, Tincourt, Picardie, France. Plot V. G. 20, where the personal inscription on his gravestone reads: 'FOR HIS KING, HIS COUNTRY & LOVE OF HOME'. His name is also commemorated on panel 16 of the Australian National War Memorial at Canberra, Australia, and on the Williton Playing Field Memorial. |
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PRIVATE James Chorley (1884-1917)
He was born in 1884 and was the son of Thomas and Sarah Chorley, of Stream, Williton, Somerset. In WW1 James served as Private 41807 in the 7th battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He was killed in action, aged 33 years, on the 16th of August 1917. His body was never identified/recovered and he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Mememorial in Belgium (Panel 70 to 72).
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CORPORAL James Layman Conibeer (1894-1917)
He was born at Williton, Somerset, in 1894.
Prior to joining the army, and possibly part of his pre-military training, he served for a short period in London's Metropolitan Police; joining on the 15th of March 1915, and leaving on the 1st of July 1915. He then served as Corporal P1895 of the Mounted Police Corps in the Military Mounted Police. He was killed in action in Belgium on the 29th of September 1917 and was buried at the Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium, at Plot I. F. 16. |
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PRIVATE Henry "Harry" Court (1871-1915)
Henry (known as Harry) was born in Minehead, Somerset, on the 28th of October 1871. The details of his early life are currently unknown, but he had obviously fallen upon hard times, being that he was an inmate at the Williton Union Workhouse before the war. At age 43 he enlisted into the Royal Marine Reserve as Private A/914, later becoming Private PLY/5162 in the Plymouth Division of the Royal Marine Light Infantry and serving aboard HMS Talbot - an Eclipse-class protected cruiser.
He died from "War Related Sickness" on the 15th of February 1915, aged 45 years, and was buried in a communal grave with 2 other naval servicemen at Plymouth's Ford Park Cemetery in Devon (Plot: Church S. 3. 6). The nature of a communal burial suggests he had no known relatives. |
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C E Dudderidge ( C Duddridge on window)
PRIVATE Henry Walter Eno (1898-1917)
He was born at Huish Episcopi, Somerset, in 1898 and was the son, and one of nine children, of Henry William Eno (1857-1944) and his wife; Ada Mary Eno nee Morgan (1864-1938), of Williton. His siblings were:
In WW1 Henry served as Private 201496 in the 2nd/4th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry. On the 25th of September 1917 the Battalion were deployed to Egypt, arriving at Suez and joined the 232nd Brigade of the 75th Division. They were in action against the Ottoman Turks at the Third Battle of Gaza (1-2 Nov. 1917), The Capture of Gaza (7th Nov. 1917), The Capture of Junction Station (13th Nov. 1917) , and the Battle of Nebi Samweil (17th-24th Nov. 1917). |
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Henry 'died of wounds' aged 19 years old, on the 29th of November 1917, in Palestine (Israel). His body was transported and buried at the Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, El-Qantarah el-Sharqiyya, Egypt. Plot F. 402. The personal inscription on his gravestone reads: "SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS".
A brass memorial plaque and photograph of Henry are located and displayed at St Peter's Church, Williton, Somerset. |
W C Forster
SECOND LIEUTENANT Archibald 'Archie' Harding Hosegood (1896-1917)
He was born at Aller Farm, Sampford Brett, Somerset, in 1896 and was the son of Thomas Hosegood (1853-1922) and Sarah Emma Hosegood nee Webber (1854-1940) of Inglebar, Tower Hill, Williton, Somerset.
His siblings were: Andrew Webber Hosegood (1880-1926), Tom Henry Hosegood (1880–1949), Bernard Hosegood (1883-1944), Ralph George Hosegood (1885-1941), Leonard Hosegood (b.1887), Frank Hosegood (1889-1971), and Muriel Hosegood (1891-1978). In WW1 Archie first served as Private 2408 in the Royal Fusiliers, before gaining a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the 86th Company of the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). He was killed in action at Cambrai, France, on the 26th of November 1917, aged 21 years, and was buried at the Villers-Plouich Communal Cemetery, Nord, France, Plot A. 23. The personal inscription on his head stone reads: "In Loving Memory of Archie, Youngest Son of T, and S.E. Hosegood". He is also commemorated on the Stained glass war memorial window at Williton's Methodist Church. His brother; Leonard Hosegood, served as Private 4967 in the Australian Imperial Force, having enlisted at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. |
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S Hunt
J.W. Killick
PRIVATE Arthur George Millard (1893-1916)
Arthur George Millard was born in Edmonton, Middlesex, in 1893, and was the son of Harriet Millard. From about 1910 he worked for Parr's Bank at Williton, Somerset. (Parr's Bank was a predecessor of today's National Westminster Bank).
During the First World War Arthur left his job at the bank's Williton branch to join the army, becoming Private B/23349 in the 26th (Bankers') Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. He was killed in action, aged 23 years, on the 10th of October 1916 whilst fighting on the Somme, and was buried at the A.I.F. Burial Ground, Flers, Departement de la Somme, Picardie, France. Plot IX. K. 8. |
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PRIVATE James Henry Morle (1883-1918)
Service Number: 29826
Regiment & Unit/Ship Royal Berkshire Regiment 12th Bn. Died 10 November 1918 Age 35 years old Buried TERLINCTHUN BRITISH CEMETERY, WIMILLE France. Plot X. D. 13. Son of Robert and Harriet Morle, of Williton, Somerset. Personal Inscription OF BRIDGE ST. WILLITON SOMERSET 29826 Private James Henry Morle, Died as 97643 Private 29th.Btn. Labour Corps, of Pneumonia at the 54th.General Hospital, Aubengue, Wimereux on the 10th.November 1918, Aged 35. James had previously served in the 12th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment and as 4882 in the Somerset Light Infantry. |
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PRIVATE Howard Henry Peppin (1897-1917)
E J Pugsley
PIONEER Joseph Newton Routley (1894-1915)
Listed as N. Routley on Playing Field memorial
Service Number: 25659
Royal Engineers 6th Signal Coy.
Died 04 May 1915 Age 20 years old
Buried LONGUENESSE (ST. OMER) SOUVENIR CEMETERY France. Plot I. A. 101.
Son of William John and Thersea Routley, of Long St., Williton, Taunton.
Personal Inscription MIZPAH - (meaning May God watch over you.)
Royal Engineers 6th Signal Coy.
Died 04 May 1915 Age 20 years old
Buried LONGUENESSE (ST. OMER) SOUVENIR CEMETERY France. Plot I. A. 101.
Son of William John and Thersea Routley, of Long St., Williton, Taunton.
Personal Inscription MIZPAH - (meaning May God watch over you.)
PRIVATE Godfrey Sparks (1888-1917)
He was born in 1888 and was the son of Walter and the Margaret Sparks. Godfrey enlisted into the army in 1914 and served as Private 16055 of 'D' Company, 8th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry.
He was killed in action, aged 29 years, on the 31st of July 1917 whilst deployed in Belgium. His body was never identified/recovered and he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium, panel 21. |
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PRIVATE Job Tapp (1897-1917)
He was born on the 13th of February 1897 at Kingsbrompton, Somerset, (now renamed as Brompton Regis) and was the eldest son, and one of eight children, of William Job Tapp and his wife; Harriet Jane Tapp (later Julian), of Venn Cottage, Kingsbrompton. His father was a Farm Carter and General Labourer.
His name only appears on the Williton Playing Field Memorial. It is not on the Methodist Church Memorial., and served as Private 2198 (later 200580) in the 1st/4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. The 4th Battalion were based in India for the early part of WW1 until arriving at Basra in Mesopotamia (Iraq) on the 2nd of March 1916 to fight the Ottoman Turks. In February 1917 they were moved to Amara. He was killed in action, aged 20 years, on the 14th of July 1917, and was buried at the Amara War Cemetery, Iraq. Plot XIII. J. 8. In addition to the Williton Playing Field War Memorial, his name is also on the Brompton Regis War Memorial. |
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PRIVATE Albert Edward Takel (1896-1918)
He was born in Williton on the 5th of March 1896 and was the youngest son of William George Takel and Alma Annie Takel, of 3, Church Cottages, Williton, Somerset. His siblings were Sisters; Blanche and Minnie, and his elder brother; George Simpson Takel (1891-1953), who in WW1 served as Serjeant in the Somerset Light Infantry.
Albert enlisted as Private 27453 in the 14th battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment. Died 23 March 1918 Age 22 years old Died of wounds He was wounded and his unit overrun. He was too badly injured to be included in their withdrawal. He died of his wounds. St Quentin - prob near Frieres-Faillouel France Buried or commemorated at NOYON NEW BRITISH CEMETERY Oise, France. Plot IV. B. 7. |
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PRIVATE William Henry Tipper
W Tipper
PRIVATE
WILLIAM HENRY TIPPER
Service Number: 32240
Somerset Light Infantry 8th Bn.
Died 28 April 1917
Buried or commemorated at
ARRAS MEMORIAL Bay 4. France
PRIVATE
WILLIAM HENRY TIPPER
Service Number: 32240
Somerset Light Infantry 8th Bn.
Died 28 April 1917
Buried or commemorated at
ARRAS MEMORIAL Bay 4. France
Second Lieutenant William Leigh Ward 10033
WARD, WILLIAM LEIGH
Son of Harry Burge Ward and Rosa Ward, of 2, Long Street, Williton, Somerset. Cemetery:VOORMEZEELE ENCLOSURE NO.3 Cemetery/memorial reference: XIII. L. 9. BIRTH1898 Private 10033 Officer Training Corps Wellington School Second Lieutenant Somerset Light Infantry DEATH 22ND DECEMBER 1917 Somerset Light Infantry 4th Bn. attd. 8th Bn. Age 19 years old Personal Inscription GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS relocated from field grave . reburial on 220919 |
G Watts
E Yeandle
Emily Eva Yeandle of Luccombe, Somerset, 1897-1918
Daughter of
Thomas Yeandle
1857 - 1924
Frances Jones
1868 - Unknown
Emily Eva Yeandle of Luccombe, Somerset, 1897-1918
Daughter of
Thomas Yeandle
1857 - 1924
Frances Jones
1868 - Unknown
RIFLEMAN W. Yeandle (1895-1917)
RIFLEMAN W YEANDLE
Service Number: 301477
Regiment & Unit/Ship London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade) 2nd/5th Bn.
Died 09 September 1917 Age 22 years old
Buried or commemorated at
DIVISIONAL COLLECTING POST CEMETERY AND EXTENSION Belgium. Plot I. D. 28.
Son of Mrs. E. Yeandle, of 67, Chaddon Rd., Taunton.
Personal Inscription
EARTH HATH ONE SOUL THE LESS BUT HEAVEN ONE ANGEL MORE
Or GUNNER
W YEANDLE
Service Number: 144688
Regiment & Unit/Ship
Royal Garrison Artillery
197th Siege Bty.
Date of Death
Died 09 December 1917
Age 33 years old
Buried or commemorated at
WHITE HOUSE CEMETERY, ST. JEAN-LES-YPRES
II. E. 3.
Belgium
Son of Peter Yeandle, of Williton, Somerset; husband of Alice Maud Yeandle, of 2, Brisbane Rd., Reading, Berks.
Personal Inscription
INTO THY HANDS
Service Number: 301477
Regiment & Unit/Ship London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade) 2nd/5th Bn.
Died 09 September 1917 Age 22 years old
Buried or commemorated at
DIVISIONAL COLLECTING POST CEMETERY AND EXTENSION Belgium. Plot I. D. 28.
Son of Mrs. E. Yeandle, of 67, Chaddon Rd., Taunton.
Personal Inscription
EARTH HATH ONE SOUL THE LESS BUT HEAVEN ONE ANGEL MORE
Or GUNNER
W YEANDLE
Service Number: 144688
Regiment & Unit/Ship
Royal Garrison Artillery
197th Siege Bty.
Date of Death
Died 09 December 1917
Age 33 years old
Buried or commemorated at
WHITE HOUSE CEMETERY, ST. JEAN-LES-YPRES
II. E. 3.
Belgium
Son of Peter Yeandle, of Williton, Somerset; husband of Alice Maud Yeandle, of 2, Brisbane Rd., Reading, Berks.
Personal Inscription
INTO THY HANDS
WW2 1939-1945
C Bourne
H F Bullpin
W Chilcott
C Duddridge ( C.A. Dudderidge on Playing field memorial)
CAPTAIN Gilbert Bryan Hawkins (1918-1944)
Gilbert Bryan Hawkins was born at Minehead, Somerset, on 28 March 1918, the son of Gilbert Harold Hawkins, a chemist, and his wife Dorothy Mary. He worked for the Westminster Bank at its Williton branch, joining in November 1936. Outside work he was a keen rugby player and played for Taunton Rugby Club. He was also a territorial soldier.
At the outbreak of war in September 1939 Hawkins was mobilised for military service. He served at first in England, and then volunteered to fight in the Middle East and Africa. He was sent to Africa to join the Northumbrian Brigade, with whom he served in Egypt and Tunisia. He was also involved in the invasion of Sicily. He went on to undertake a role training troops before taking part, with the Somerset Light Infantry, in the first Normandy landings on D Day. Captain Hawkins was killed in action near Caen, Normandy, on 12 August 1944. He was 26 years old, and was buried at the Tilly-Sur-Seulles War Cemetery,Tilly-sur-Seulles, Departement du Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France. Plot VI. E. 6. Gilbert B. Hawkins On bank plaque only not on window |
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C Hayes
S Hayes
CAPTAIN Frank Hibberd (1891-1946)
Frank Hibberd was born on 16 April 1891, the son of George Hibberd, a workhouse master, and his wife Emily.
In his youth Hibberd was a talented hockey player, and played at various times for Dorset, Somerset and the West of England. He also enjoyed cricket. He joined the staff of Stuckey’s Banking Co at its branch in Weymouth in 1908. The bank was taken over by Parr’s Bank the following year. The day after Britain entered the First World War in August 1914 Hibberd volunteered for the army, joining the Gloucestershire Regiment. He was commissioned in 1916 and rose to the rank of Lieutenant by the end of the war. Also in 1916, he married Gladys Marjorie Laverton. Their first child, a son, was born in 1918 and a daughter followed in 1922. By the time Hibberd returned to the bank after his war service, it had been through another substantial merger, becoming London County Westminster & Parr's Bank, later known more simply as Westminster Bank. He served at the bank's Clevedon and Taunton branches before being appointed manager of Williton branch in 1933. In his spare time he played cricket fort Williton, and was also an enthusiastic ornithologist. Britain began to prepare in earnest for another war in the late 1930s, including establishing a network of ARP wardens. Hibberd became head warden for Williton. He had also remained on the Reserve of Officers ever since his military service in the last war, and in 1940 the War Office invited him to rejoin. He did so, returning to the Gloucestershire Regiment. He undertook various administrative duties for the Regiment in England, and was then posted to Belgium on civil affairs duties. There, he was taken ill and repatriated to England for hospital treatment. He never recovered, and died on 28 May 1946. Captain Hibberd was 55 years old. Frank Hibberd On both Window and bank plaque memorials CAPTAIN FRANK HIBBERD Service Number: 48982 Regiment & Unit/Ship Gloucestershire Regiment Date of Death Died 28 May 1946 Age 55 years old Buried or commemorated at BICKNOLLER (ST. GEORGE) CHURCHYARD Son of George and Emily Hibberd; husband of Gladys Marjorie Hibberd, of Williton. Also served in the 1914-18 War. |
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R Hutchison
A Martin (A.G. Martin on Playing field memorial)
N Mitchell (F.N. Mitchell on Playing field memorial)
C Prole
G Wheeler
G Vincent