Winsford, Somerset
WW1 1914-1918
PRIVATE Harris Bertram Baker (1894-1917)
He was born at Winsford on the 28th of May 1894 and was the son of John Henry Baker and Sarah Jane Baker nee Adams. His father was a stonemason. He attended Winsford School and in 1917 married Gertrude Lillian Duddridge of Crowcombe (1894-1967).
In WW1 he enlisted into the West Somerset Yeomanry as Private 1480, later becoming Private 28739 of the 7th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. He was killed in action on the 16th of August 1917, aged 23 years, during the Battle of Langemark, part of the Third Battle of Ypres. His body was never identified/recovered, and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium. Panel 80 to 82. In 1920 his widow married Edwin John Coles (1893-1950) and they resided at 7, Jubilee Street, Rowbarton, Taunton. |
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PRIVATE Victor Abraham Bass (1888-1916)
He was born at St Peter's House, St Albans, Hertfordshire, on the 31st of May 1888 and was the son of Roger and Thomasina Bass. He was the brother of Roger Arthur Bass (born 1886).
Victor was educated firstly at Repton School, Derbyshire, entering in 1903. He progressed to Clare College, Cambridge University, between 1907-1911. In the 1911 census his residence was listed as his parents address at 13 Clifton Gardens, Folkestone, Kent. In 1916 he enlisted as Private 4594, (Later 34594) of the 20th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Victor was killed in action in the second phase of the Battle of the Somme at High Wood, part of Delville Wood, near Longeuval, France on the 19th of July 1916, aged 28 years. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 8 C 9 A and 16 A. On the 30th of September 1916 a Memorial Service was held for him in Winsford's St Mary Magdalene Church. |
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PRIVATE James Blake (1889-1916)
He was born at Dulverton on 17th of July 1889 and was the son of William Henry Blake (1854-1943) and Elizabeth Blake nee Middleton (1854-1892) of Higher Spire, Dulverton. He was the brother of Amy Langdon nee Blake (1884-1937). James had been a pupil at Winsford School and prior to WW1 had worked as a farm labourer at Liscombe Farm near Tarr Steps.
In 1915 he enlisted as Private 17425 in the 1st Battalion of Somerset Light Infantry and was subsequently deployed to France. On the 8th August 1916 the Germans bombarded the British Trenches near Poperinge, France, with mustard gas shells and James died from the effect of gas poisoning on the following day (9th August 1916). He was aged 27 years, and was buried at Ferme-Olivier Cemetery in Belgium. Plot 1 Row F Grave 8. The personal inscription on his gravestone reads: IN LOVING MEMORY FROM FATHER AND SISTER. FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH. |
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PRIVATE Archiebald 'Archie' Thomas Callaway (1890-1917)
He born at Winsford on 11th May 1890 and was the youngest of eight children to Thomas Callaway (1847-1914) and Elizabeth Callaway nee White (1849-1894). His siblings were:
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PRIVATE Frederick John Callaway (1884-1917)
He was born at Winsford on the 17th of December 1884 and was the youngest of eight children to Thomas Callaway (1847-1914) and Elizabeth Callaway nee White (1849-1894). His siblings were:
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LIEUTENANT (PILOT) Owen Vincent Le Bas (1894-1915)
He was born on the 3rd of October 1894 in Friern Barnet, London, and was the younger son of barrister Reginald Vincent Le Bas (1856-1938) and Florence Harriet Le Bas nee Lamb (1856-1946) of 38, Hornton Court, Kensington, and of Staddon Hill, Winsford, Somerset. His brother was Captain Rainald Stephen Le Bas (1887-1961), who in WW1 served in the Somerset Light Infantry and the Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment).
Owen was educated at Mr Gruggins, Hinwick House School, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, then at Charterhouse School, Godalming, Surrey, and lastly at Mr Cobbold's, West Wratting Park Cram School, Cambridgeshire. He joined the 1st Battalion of the Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) as Second Lieutenant on July the 31st 1914, but when the regiment went to France on the outbreak of war he was sent to the 3rd Battalion. He rejoined the regiment on the Western Front in the September of 1914, and was wounded at the Battle of Langemarck in October 1914 and sent home. Christmas Eve, 1914, he returned to the Western Front, and early in January 1915 he joined the Royal Flying Corps as an observer. He gained his Flying Certificate at the British Flying School at Le Crotoy, France, on April 29th, 1915 before returning to England on leave and where he was issued his pilot's certificate. In August he was gazetted a flying officer, and on August the 17th 1915 he flew across the English Channel to France to take up his duties as a Pilot. His aircraft was a Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c, serial number 1715. On November the 7th 1915 he and his observer, Captain T. D. Adams of the Lancs RFA, were killed in air combat with an unknown aircraft of the Fliegertruppen (German Air Force) at Douai, France. Owen was shot in the head. He was 21 years old. He was initially buried at Vitry-en-Artois, France. However, his body was exhumed circa February 1920 and reburied at Brown's Copse Cemetery in Rouex, France in Grave V11 F.36. In addition to his grave he has two known memorials. One is located within Winsford Church, Somerset, and the second is upon the war memorial at Charterhouse School Chapel. His parents, brother, and niece, all have their graves at Winsford Churchyard, Somerset. Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1916:
LE BAS. Owen Vincent of 38 Hornton-court Kensington Middlesex. Lieutenant 1st battalion The Queen's Royal West Surrey regiment and Royal Flying Corps. Died 7 November 1915 at Douai in France on active service. Administration: London 26 July to Reginald Vincent Le Bas barrister-at-law. Effects £160 19s. 1d. |
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PRIVATE James Newton (1894-1916)
He was born in Withypool, Somerset, on the 15th of February 1894 and was the son of James Newton and Mary Newton nee Bryant, of Little Ash, Withypool.
He enlisted as Private 17337 in the 6th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry and was deployed to France on the 8th of September 1915. James was killed in action on 16th September 1916, aged 22 years. His body was never identified/recovered. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France, Pier and Face 2 A. |
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PRIVATE William Quartley (1888-1917)
He was born in Winsford on 27th March 1888 and was the son of Ellen Needs nee Quartley (1866-1950) of Mousehanger, near Exton, Somerset. William was a pupil at Winsford School. He first joined the Army in 1911, enlisting at Bampton to become Private 8436 in the Devonshire Regiment. and spent time overseas guarding the Suez Canal in Egypt. He returned to England when war broke out and was sent to the Western Front in France on the 6th of November 1914. He was wounded on 3rd July 1916 and was admitted to the Stationary Hospital at Rouen. On recovery he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion (Duke of Edinburgh's) Wiltshire Regiment. He was once again wounded on 20th October 1916 and was admitted to the General Hospital at Etaples. He again recovered and returned to his regiment.
On Easter Monday, the 8th of April 1917, he took part in the great attack of the Battle of Arras. He was killed in action during the second day of the Battle on the 9th April 1917. He was aged 29 years and was buried in Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, France. Plot V1 L.1. |
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PRIVATE William John Treble (1896-1916)
He was born on 22nd July 1896 in High Bray near Brayford, North Devon, and was the son of William James Treble and Alice Susan Treble nee Hill of Milton's Cottage, Bridgetown, Nr Exton, Somerset. His father was a carpenter.
He attended Exton School as a pupil, after which he assisted his father in the carpentry business. In WW1 he served as Private 20411 in the 8th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry. William was killed in action on 4th September 1916, aged 20 years, during the Second Phase of the Battle of the Somme. His body was never identified/recovered and he is commemorated on Bay 4 of the Arras Memorial, France. |
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PRIVATE Ernest John 'Jack' Weetch (1890-1918)
Ernest John Weetch (known as John, and nicknamed Jack) was born on the 4th of January 1890 in Exton, Somerset, and was the son of James Weetch (1864-1945) and Mary Weetch nee Baker (1857-1945). His Father was a Gamekeeper and the family resided at Keeper's Cottage, Folly, Winsford. His siblings were Frederick James Weetch (1889-1918), Irene Mildred Farmer nee Weetch (1894-1970), and Ronald Leslie Weetch (b.1898).
When war came Jack enlisted into the Royal North Devonshire Yeomanry and served as Private 1054. On 4 January 1917 the regiment was amalgamated with the 1/1st Royal 1st Devon Yeomanry to form the 16th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, and Jack became Private 345644. The regiment were deployed to Palestine to fight the Ottoman Turks, and were involved in the 1917 capture and defence of Jerusalem, after which they were moved to Alexandria in Egypt. The regiment was then redeployed to France in 1918, arriving at Marseilles, France, on the 7th May 1918. Jack was killed in action on 2nd September 1918, aged 28 years, during the Second Battle of Bapaume, in Northern France. His body was never recovered, and he is commemorated on Panel 4 of the Vis-En-Artois Memorial, France. His elder brother, Frederick, died just 26 days later whilst serving in the 1st Battalion of the Coldstream Guards. He 'died of wounds' received at the Battle of the Canal Du Nord, part of the Fifth Battles of Ypres, in Belgium. |
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GUARDSMAN Frederick James Weetch (1889-1918)
He was born on the 11th of October 1889 in Exton, Somerset, and was the son of James Weetch (1864-1945) and Mary Weetch nee Baker (1857-1945). His Father was a Gamekeeper and the family resided at Keeper's Cottage, Folly, Winsford. His siblings were Ernest John 'Jack' Weetch (Born 4th January 1890-Died 2nd September 1918), Irene Mildred Farmer nee Weetch (1894-1970), and Ronald Leslie Weetch (b.1898).
In 1914 at St Andrews Church, Withypool, Somerset, Frederick married Laura Hawkins of Withypool. In WW he enlisted into the 1st Battalion of the Coldstream Guards and served as Guardsman 21410. His battalion were sent to France in 1914 and remained on the Western Front throughout the War. They were involved in many engagements; 1914 First Battle of Ypres, 1916 Battle of the Somme and 1917 the Battle of Passchendaele and the Third Battle of Ypres. Frederick died on the 28th of September 1918, aged 29 years, of wounds received in action at the Battle of the Canal Du Nord, part of the Fifth Battles of Ypres. His death came just 26 days after his brother Jack was killed in action at the Second Battle of Bapaume in Northern France whilst serving in the Devonshire Regiment. Frederick was buried at the Thilloy Road Cemetry, in Beaulencourt, France. Plot E34. |
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SHOEING SMITH Stephen Alfonso Hyett (1877-1916)
Missing from the Winsford War Memorial
He was born in Winsford, Somerset, in 1877 and was the son of William Burston Hyett (1837-1912) and Charlotte Hyett nee Rowe (1840-1885). Stephen's Father had been born in Crowcombe, Somerset, and was Winsford's Village Policeman between 1865 and1881. In the 1891 census was shown to be a 'Police Pensioner', whilst Stephen's Mother was a Canadian National who had been born in Montreal, Canada. They had been married in 1865 and had four children. Stephen's siblings were: William Robert Henry Hyett (1867–1903), Harold Hyett (1872–1886), and Catherine Victoria House nee Hyett (1879–1952).
Stephen's Mother died in the December of 1885, aged 45 years, when Stephen was just 8 years old. She was buried at St. Mary's Old Cemetery, Taunton. (Plot UNK-126). His Father died, aged 75 years, in August 1912. He was buried at St James Cemetery, Taunton, Plot 3/DA/313. In 1900 Stephen married Emily Tankard, and in the 1911 census Stephen's occupation was shown as being a Farrier. When war came Stephen enlisted as a Shoeing Smith 15531 in "C" Battery 60th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. The circumstances of his death are currently unknown but it is recorded that he 'died of wounds' on the 11th of January 1916 at Richmond Hospital, Richmond-upon-Thames, Surrey, aged 39 years. He was buried at Richmond Cemetery Plot Z. 5916. |
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WW2 1939-1945
VAD NURSE Constance May Burnell (1921-1946)
She was born in Winsford, Somerset, on the 6th of October 1921 and was the daughter of Francis William Burnell (1892-1955) and Gertrude May Burnell nee Westcott (1896-1972). Her only sibling was Russell Arthur Thomas Burnell (1922-2006).
During WW2 she joined the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD); a voluntary unit of civilians providing nursing care for military personnel in the United Kingdom and various other countries in the British Empire. She died at home in Winsford on the 14th of June 1946, aged 24 years (circumstances of her death currently unknown) and was buried in the churchyard at Winsford. PLOT N6. |
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LANCE CORPORAL Samuel William John Gifford England (1921-1943)
He was born in 1921 and was the son of John England (1894-1975) and Mildred Viola Gifford England, of Congresbury, Somerset, and later of the Police House, Winsford. His father had served as a Bombardier in the Royal Artillery during WW1.
In WW2 Samuel served as 2621533 Lance Corporal, Grenadier Guards. He was killed in action close to the town of Cassino in Southern Italy on the 4th of December 1943, aged 22 years. He was buried at the Cassino War Cemetery, Cassino, Provincia di Frosinone, Lazio, Italy. Plot XIX. E. 9. |
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LANCE CORPORAL William Thomas Noel Takle (1916-1944)
He was born in Exeter, Devon, on the 25th of December 1916 and was the son of Tom Takle (1878–1918) and Norah Mary Fisher nee Darch (1892-1969) of 'Whitney' Upton, Nr Skilgate, Somerset. When William was just two years old his father was killed in Belgium during WW1 whilst serving with the 2nd/4th Battalion of the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry.
William was married to Hannah Mary Takle and the couple resided at Winsford. During WW2 he served as Sapper 1922379, later promoted to Lance Corporal, in the 9th (Airborne) Field Company of the Royal Engineers. He was killed in action at the village of Wolfheze on the 18th of September 1944, aged 27 years, during the second day of the Battle of Arnhem in the Netherlands. The battle was the vanguard of Operation Market Garden and was fought in and around the Dutch city of Arnhem, the town of Oosterbeek, the villages Wolfheze and Driel and the near vicinity. The story of the events around Arnhem became more famous following the publication of the 1974 book 'A Bridge Too Far' and subsequent all-star cast of the 1977 major box-office film of the same name. William was buried at the Arnhem War Cemetery, Oosterbeek, Renkum Municipality, Gelderland, Netherlands. Plot 16. A. 15. |
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THE KOREAN WAR 1950-1953
SECOND LIEUTENANT George Villers Beeston Prescott-Westcar (1929-1951)
He was born on the 14th of March 1929 and was the son of Lt.-Col. Sir William Villiers Leonard Prescott-Westcar, 7th Baronet (1882-1959), and Thora Prescott-Westcar nee Fielding (d.1970). He was the brother of Jellis Prescott-Westcar (1926-2019).
He served in the Korean war as part of the United Nations Force. Service No. P/403657 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion of the Royal Ulster Rifles. He was initially reported as missing in action, and later confirmed as killed in action on the 4th of January 1951, aged 21 years, during the Battle of Chaegunghyon. He was buried at the UN Memorial Cemetery, Tanggok, Pusan, South Korea. Plot: 17, Row: 5, Grave: 740. He is also commemorated on the Sandwich War Memorial in Kent. The 1st Battalion of the Royal Ulster Rifles disembarked at Pusan in early November 1950 as part of the 29th Independent Infantry Brigade Group. They were transported forward to Uijongbu, where under the direct command of the 8th United States Army they were directed against guerrilla forces. By mid December a defensive line was being prepared on the south bank of the River Imjin protecting the approach to Seoul, the capital of South Korea. As the New Year started, the 50th Chinese Communist Army engaged the United Nations troops focusing on the 29th Brigade, who were dispersed over a very wide front (12 miles). The Battle at Chaegunghyon - known as the Battle of Happy Valley - was the most ferocious and famous battle fought by the 1st Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles in the Korean War. On the 3rd and 4th of January 1951, the Chinese Army, as part of their Fifth Offensive, made a concentrated attack on the Irishmen with the aim of breaking through the Allied Army and moving south to Seoul. |
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OTHER WINSFORD CONNECTIONS
CAPTAIN Rainald Stephen Le Bas (1887-1961)
He was born on the 13th of December 1887 in Friern Barnet, London, and was the elder son of barrister Reginald Vincent Le Bas (1856-1938) and Florence Harriet Le Bas nee Lamb (1856-1946) of 38, Hornton Court, Kensington, and of Staddon Hill, Winsford, Somerset.
His brother was Owen Vincent Le Bas (1894-1915), who in WW1 served as a Pilot in the Royal Flying Corps. Rainald was educated at Charterhouse School, and then at Oriel College, Oxford. He followed in his Father's footsteps as a Solicitor and then as a barrister, being called to the Bar in the inner temple. He was working in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) when war broke out in 1914. He returned to England and enlisted with the North Devon Yeomanry, before serving as a Officer in the Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) He was first gazetted as a temporary Second Lieutenant on the 12th of September 1914. His regiment were sent to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force, seeing action at the Battle of the Somme in 1916. He was promoted to the rank of Captain on the 23rd of March 1917 and on the 21st of June 1917 transferred to the Somerset Light Infantry, being deployed to Ireland before returning to France in 1918. In 1922 he married Winsome Earle Charles and the couple had a daughter: Rachel Ann Le Bas (1923-2020) . Rainald remained in the Army after WW1 and was at the Staff College in Camberley before being deployed to Egypt. He was injured whilst serving in Egypt, which forced his retirement from the Army on the 12th of May 1928. Returning to Winsford he then worked with Dr Myers of The Glebe Surgery, Winsford, researching the causes and effects of 'Shell Shock'. In 1929 he petitioned for divorce from his wife for infidelity, which was granted. His then ex-wife married Geoffrey Earnest Warren Franklyn in 1930. In 1938 he was appointed a Land Tax Commissioner for West Somerset with the Government. He had a number of business interests, including ownership of an estate in New South Wales, Australia. He died, aged 73 years, at home in Winsford and was buried in the churchyard at St Mary Magdalene Church. Winsford. |
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His daughter was Rachel Ann Le Bas, 'known as Ann', (1923-2020).
Ann was born in Camberley, Surrey on the 9th of April 1923. In 1929, she moved to Exmoor with her father to the village of Winsford where she lived for the rest of her life. Ann went to West Heath School in Kent and in 1945, after the war had ended, Ann’s talent was recognised – studying at the City & Guilds of London Art School under A. R. Middleton Todd RA RWS RE NEAC, Rodney Burn RA NEAC and Henry Wilkinson RE ARCA who taught her engraving. Ann had a technical skill and understanding of engraving, etching and aquatint that is rare. She made prints that reflect on observation of her surroundings, whether it be of a stand of beech trees, a dilapidated barn, an alpine pass, a Venetian sunrise, a saw mill, ducks, cows, sheep . . all beautifully convincing in the bringing together of knowledge, technique and sympathy for the subject. In her paintings, Ann used watercolour and oils, specialising in landscapes of Exmoor, still life and interiors, as well as studies made abroad. In 1960, Ann was elected to the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers, now known as the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers (RE). In 1972, she was elected to the New English Art Club. In 1969, she was elected to the Art Workers Guild and from 1995-1999 was Master of the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen. Her work has been exhibited widely, including at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and New English Art Club Annual Exhibition. She was best known for her landscape scenes, mostly of rural England – the West Country in particular – but also urban scenes of Paris and Pont Aven, France. Examples of her work are held by The Government Art Collection, Exeter Museum and the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, among others. She died at Winsford on the 4th of January 2020, aged 96 years, and like her father, was buried in the churchyard at St Mary Magdalene Church, Winsford. Plot D18. |
PRIVATE Maurice Eugene Heywood (1882-1974)
He was born at Winsford on the 2nd of October 1882 and was the son of John Heywood (1848 - 1911) and Mary Heywood nee Norman (1847 - 1924), who had married in 1869. Maurice's father was a Farmer at Great Nurcott Farm, Winsford.
His six siblings were: 1. George William Heywood (1870-1953) - who married Anna Mary Loosmore (1870 - 1961) - and raised a family of 4 children. 2. Frederick John Heywood (1871-1958) - who emigrated to Kansas, USA, and in 1899 married Lucy Jane Derby (1877-1950). They had a son. 3. Harris Edwin Heywood (1875-1957) - who in 1904 married Hannah Martha Pring (1880-1962) of Winsford. They had a son. 4. Sydney Thomas Heywood (1876-1964) 5. Laurence Edward Heywood (1880-1980) - who married Annie Stephens (1887-1968) of Park Farm, Smithincott, Devon. They emigrated to Kansas, USA, and had 6 daughters. 6. Mary Norman Heywood (1890-1982) In 1912, at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Winsford, Maurice was married to Emma Leah Turner (1891-1974), whose parents were the Licensees of the Rest and Be Thankful Inn at Wheddon Cross. Maurice and Emma made their home at Oldrey Farm near Winsford, where they had two daughters: 1. Alma Molly Heywood (1912-1961) 2. Freda Emma Heywood (1916-2002) |
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In WW1 he enlisted into the West Somerset Yeomanry, serving as Private 1027. In September 1915 he was deployed to Gallipoli, and in December 1915 evacuated to Egypt where the Yeomanry were dismounted and formed part of the 2nd Brigade of the Western Frontier Force.
In 1917 he was based in Ismalia, Egypt, becoming Private 295176 in the 74th Yeomanry Division, 12th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry, and in May 1918 was redeployed to France until the end of the war. In later life he would move to Brixham in Devon, where he died on the 8th of September 1974, aged 81 years. |