Uplyme 1914 War Memorial Rattenbury

UPLYME WAR MEMORIAL 1914 - 1918

by Vernon Rattenbury

Vernon can be contacted at v.r63@btinternet.com

What a position for a War Memorial, set high above the village alongside a busy main road. No possibility of forgetting these men - just lift your head as you come out of the distant church on Sundays and you will be reminded of them. Drive up the hill in your carriage or cart and you will be reminded of them. Curious then, that this is one of those few Devon monuments on which are recorded the men's names in order of military rank. Today, this seems pointless to us - they all made an equal sacrifice, irrespective of who they were. Vernon Rattenbury has written about them in alphabetical order which makes that clear but should you visit the memorial in person, be prepared to seek out individual names in rank order.on the plaques attached to the octagonal base.

JAMES BATE	Private 1st/4th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Service No:.2567 born in 1892 in Clovelly, North Devon Died 3 February 1917 in Mesopotamia James Bate, a resident of Uplyme, enlisted in the Devonshire Regiment at Axminster. He was killed during fighting to take the Hai Salient, south of Kutalong on the Shatt-al-Hai, Mespotamia. He was the son of Thomas and Susan Bate of 84, Clovelly, Devon. He is buried in Amara War Cemetery, Iraq, Grave XVIII G 16. and is commemorated on the War Memorial in Clovelly as well as on the Uplyme memorial
PERCY BATE	Private, 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment Service No: 33247 Born 1892 in Ferndale, Glamorganshire, Wales Died 13 September 1916 - Somme, France Percy Bate, a resident of Uplyme, enlisted in the Royal North Devon Yeomanry at Exeter before being transferred to the 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. He was killed in action on the Somme. Son of Thomas and Susan Bate of 84 Clovelly, Devon. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, Fracne, pier and face 1C as well as on the Uplyme Memorial.
EDWARD SIDNEY BOWDITCH	Private 1st/4th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment Servivce No: 2562 Born 1897 at Rhode Hill, Uplyme Died 14 July 1917 - Mesopotamia Edward Bowditch enlisted in the Devonshire Regiment at Lyme Regis. He was the son of Sidney and Maria Bowditch of The Rosary, Pound Road, Lyme Regis. He died of enteric fever and is buried in Basra War Cemetery, Iraq, Plot VT.5. He is commemorated on the Lyme Regis War Memorial as well as on the Uplyme Memorial
ENOCH BOWDITCH	Private, Worcestershire Regiment Service No: 5080 Born in 1877 in Hawkchurch, Devon Died 14 November 1918 in Colchester, Essex Enoch Bowdirtch was a farm labourer before the Great War and a resident of Uplyme, The son of James and Harriet Bowditch of Hawkchurch, Devon ,he is buried in Colchester Cemetery, Grave 1.15. 80 and is commemorated on the Uplyme Memorial.
JAMES ALBERT BERTRAM CAKE	9th Battalion, Royal Scots Regiment Service No: 30435 Born 29 April 1896 in :Lyme Regis Died 13 May 1918 in Pas de Calais, France Albert Cake was a groom by trade and lived at 4 Ware Cottages, Sidmouth Road, Lyme Regis. He enlisted at Lyme Regis in 1915 and joined 3rd Battalion, the Dorsetshire Regiment. He was wounded in 1916 but returned to France with the 9th Battalion, the Royal Scots Regiment in 1918 and was killed in action. He was ths son of George Bertram Cake and Emma Jane Cake of Haye Lane, Lyme Regis. He is buried in St Venant Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, Plot V.A.28 and is commemorated on the Uplyme Memorial
JOHN ("Jack") PRING CHAMPION	Private, 2nd Battalion, the Canadian Mounted Rifles, the British Colombia Regiment. Service No: 107151 Born 15 November 1916 in Aldershot, Hants Died 30 June 1916 in Leicester The 2nd Regiment of the Canadian Mounted Rifles took part in the Battle of Mount Sorreil 2nd to 13th of June 1916. He was probably wounded during the battle and evacuated to 5th Northern General, a Territorial Forces General Hospital in Leicester where he died, Son of Mrs Elizbeth Champion of Ivy Cottage, Harcombe, Uplyme, he is buried at Welford Road Cemetery, Leicester, screen wall, 01.271 and is commemorated on the Uplyme Memorial
ERNEST FREDERICK COPP	Chief Petty Officer, the Royal Navy, HMS Black Prince Service No: 195175 Born 2 February 1882 in Marshwood, Dorsetshire Died 31 May 1916 - HMS Black Prince lost Ernest Copp enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1897. His ship, HMS Black Prince was sunk at the battle of Jutland with the loss of all hands. The son of James and Eliza Copp of Uplyme he is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval memorial (panel 11) and and is commemorated on the Uplyme Memorial
ARTHUR CURTIS	Petty Officer 1st Class, Royal Navy, HMS Doris Service No: 230628 Born 5 May 1888 in Islington, London Died 25 Decmber 1918 at Port Said, Egypt Albert Curtis enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1904. Husband of Lilian E. Austin (formerly Curtis) of Valletta Cottage, Uplyme, he died of illness and is buried in Port Said Memorial Cemetery, Egypt, Grave L.21 and is commemorated on the Uplyme Memorial
JAMES FINNEMORE	Private, 1st Battalion, the Wiltshire Regiment Service No: 25437 Born in 1896 in Uplyme Died 24 August 1916 - Somme, France. James Finnemore was a baker's assistant by trade. The son of Richard H and Ellen Finnemore of Uplyme, he is buried in Puchevillers British Cemetery, Somme France, Grave III.E.12 and is commemorated on the Uplyme Memorial
CHARLES EDWARD GALE	Private 1st/4th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment Service No: 210000 Born in 1893 in Uplyme Died 12 September 1917 at Amara, Mesopotamia Charles Gale enlisted in Lyme Regis the son of Frederick and Elizabeth Anna Gale of Eveleigh Cottage, Uplyme, He is buried in Amara War Cemetery, Iraq, Grave XIV.B.6 and is commemorated on the Uplyme Memorial.
FREDERICK ALFRED GALE	Lance Bombardier 120th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery Service No: 60108 Born in 1882 in Bridport Died 6 June 1918 in Pas de Calais, France Frederick Gale died of his wounds. The son of Frederick and Elizabeth Anna Gale of Eveleigh Cottage, Uplyme and the husband of Marian Gale (née Bisson, she came from Jersey) of 3 South View, Chertsey Lane, Staines, he is buried in Bac-du-Sud British Cemetery, Baileulville, France, Grave I. E.27 and is commemorated on the Uplyme Memorial.
ALBERT ("Bert") GEORGE GUDGE	Private,"D" Company, 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Service No:9083 Born in 1893 in Uplyme Died 29 March 1915 in Pas de Calais, France Albert Gudge enlisted in Exeter and died of his wounds. The son of Joseph and Ellen Gudge of The Haven, Harcombe, Uplyme, he is buried in Sailly-sur-la-Lys Canadian Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, Grave II.A.6 and is commemorated on the Uplyme Memorial.
SYDNEY JOSEPH GUDGE	Stoker 1st Class, Royal Navy, HMS Doris Service No: K/14890 Born 2 April 1894 in Harcombe, Devon. Died 21 February 1917 in Salonioka, Greece. Sydney Gudge enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1912 and died of illness. Son of John and Emily Gudge of Venlake Cottgages, Uplyme, he is buried in Lambet Road Cemetery, Salonika, Greece, Grave 992 and is commemorated on the Uplyme Memorial
WILLIAM HOOPER	Not yet identified
VALENTINE HOWARD SUTTON JONES	Captain, 1st Battalion , Royal Marine Light Infantry, Royal Naval Division. Born 26 January 1882 at Stonehouse, Plymouth Died 8 May 1917 in the United Kingdom. Valentine Jones died of his wounds after being evacuated to England. The son of General Sir Howard Sutton Jones, K.C.B and Lady Katherine Louisa Anmelia Jones of Mona House, Uplyme. He is buried in Alverstoke Churchyard, Hants, and is commemorated on the Uplyme Memorial. He died in London from exhaustion following scarlet fever, having been wounded 28 April 1917 at the Battle of Arras.
STANLEY JONES	The 1st Battalion, the Royal Welsk Fusiliers Born: Stonehouse, Plymouth 26 October 1880 Died: 16 May 1915 in Festubert, France He was killed in the Battle of Festubert aged 34 leading his ompany in an attack on the German trenches on the night of 16-17 May 1915. The eldest son of General Sir Howard Sutton Jones and Lady Katherine Louisa Jones of Mona House, Uplyme and brother of Valentine Jones (see above). He is buried in Guards Cemetery Windy Corner, Cuinchy, France.
CHARLES FRANCIS G. MARCHANT	Guardsman,Coldstream Guards Service No: 28474 Born in 1895 at Uplyme Died 4 April 1919 - Uplyme Son of Walter and Emma Jane Marchant of St Mary's Uplyme, he is buried in Uplyme churchyard and is commemorated on the Uplyme memorial. NB He appears as Francis on the War Memorial
ALBERT SAMWAYS	Private 1st/4th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Service No: 2519 Born 1898 in Axmouth, Devon Died 3 February 1917 in Mesopotamia Albert Samways enlisted in Lyme Regic and was killed during fighting to take the Hai Salient, south of Kutalong the Shatt-al-Hais, Mesopotamia. The son of Edward and Ruth Samways of Uplyme, he is buried in Amara War Cemetery, Iraq, Grave XVIII. G. 11 and is commemorated on the Uplyme Memorial.
WILLIAM SMALLSHAW	Private 1st/4th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment Service No: 1773 Born in 1894 in Dalton, Lancashire. Died 3 February 1917 in Mesopotamia William Smallshaw enlisted in Exeter, the son of William and Margaret Smallshaw (née Fairclough) of Woodhouse Cottage, Uplyme. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq, Panel 11and is commemorated on the Uplyme Memorial.
SAMUEL SMITH	Not yet identified
FRANK STOCKER	Sergeant, 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards Service No: 18006 Born in 1894 in Uplyme Died 27 October in Hainaut, Belgium Son of Harry and Henrietta Stocker of \|Loom Cottage, Uplyme, he is buried in St Symphortien Military Cemetery, Hainut, Belgium, grave 1.B. 16 and is commorated on the Uplyme memorial
HARRY STOCKER	Private 19th Battalion, Manchester Regiment Service No: 41898 Born in 1888 in Uplyme Died 31 July 1917 in Passchendalele, Ypres He was killed during the Third Battle of Ypres. Son of Harry and Henrietta Maria Stocker of Loom Cottage, Uplyme. Husband of Bessie Stocker of 12 Sherborne Lane, Lyme Regis. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium, Panel 53 and 55, on the Uplyme Memorial and on Lyme Regis War Memorials in the parish church and in the town.
WALTER GEORGE STOCKER ("George")	*Petty Officer (Gunner), Royal Navy, HMS Cameleon* (also known as HMS Chameleon) Service No: 220505 Born 10 October 1885 in Uplyme Died 9 June 1917 in Malta** Walter Stocker, known as George, enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1912. He won the Distinguished Service Medal "For services rendered whilst attached to a landing party from HMS Doris at Alexandretta, 6-7 January 1915." He was drowned at Malta, the son of Harry and Henrietta Maria Stocker of Loom Cottage - he is buried in Capuccini Naval Cemetery, Malta, Plot 53 and is also commemorated on the Uplyme War Memorial. NB His name appears as "George" on the War memorial and as a Gunner in the army which is incorrect.
STEPHEN JOHN STOCKER	Gunner 17th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery Service No: 42310 Born in 1895 in Uplyme Died 16 July 1918 at Pas de Calais, France. The son of John and Alice Stocker of Eveleigh Cottage, Uplyme. He is buried in Aubigney Communal Cemetery Extension, France, Grave IV. F.13 and is commemorated on the Uplyme Memorial.
HERBERT JAMES STREET	*Stoker 1st Class, HMS Amphion,* Royal Navy Service No: SS/112915 Born 1 June 1894 in Axminster Died 6 August 1914 when Amphion was lost** Herbert Street enlisted in the Royal Navy on 22 October 1912 and was killed when HMS Amphion struck a mine off the Thames estuary. The son of William and Amelia Street (née Cox) of Rocombe. Uplyme, he is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 3 and is also commemorated on the Uplyme Memorial.
ARTHUR HERBERT WHEATON THOROTON	Private, Army Service Corps Service No: M2/149954 Died 1 April 1917 at Acton, Middlesex Arthur Thoroton lived in North Acton, Middlesex and is buried in Acton Cemetery, Section C, Row D, grave 32 and is commemorated on the Uplyme War memorial.
HERBERT ("Bertie") GEORGE TURL	Updated with information kindly supplied by a family member: Private 1st/7th Battalion, the Worcestershire Regiment Service No: 4711 Died 21 August 1916 - Somme, France 4711 Private Herbert Turl was a resident of Uplyme and has no known grave. The son of Tom and Elizabeth Turl of Whalley Lane, Uplyme. Born in Colyford in 1898. Died 21 August 1916 aged 18. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France, pier and face 5A and 6C, and is also commemorated on the Uplyme Memorial.
CLIFFORD GEORGE WHEADON	Private 9th Battalion. King's Royal Rifle Corps Service No: 12678 Born in 1899 in Roccombe Died 24 October 1917 at Passchendaele, Belgium Clifford Wheadon died during the Passchendaelle campaign . The son of Matthew and Alice Wheadon of Roccombe, Uplyme, he is buried in Bedford House Cemetery, enclosure No.4 IV.K.15 and is commemorated on the Uplyme Memorial.