LEST WE FORGET

Details of those from the parish of Kingston St Mary

who gave their lives in two world wars

2

INDEX

Page 3 … First Steps

Page 4… The Public Appeal Leaflet

Page 5 …Newspaper Report of the Unveiling of the Memorial Cross

Page 6….Other War Memorials (The Scout Memorial & Playing Field)

Page 8… The War Dead

Page 38.. The Roll of Service - Listing all men and women from the

parish who served in WW1

Page 43 Abbreviations and sources

Page 44 Addendum – Others with Close Links to the Parish

This booklet was compiled and researched by Ray Stokes on behalf

of the Kingston St Mary History Society.

Every care has been taken to ensure accuracy but if you spot any

errors or omissions, can add to the information or supply

photographs, please contact me on –

Tel: 01823 762417 or email raymstokes@tiscali.co.uk

3

FIRST STEPS

At a General Meeting of parishioners 28 May 1919, it was resolved that a Memorial should

be erected in the churchyard on a site close to the south gate, to honour the local men who

lost their lives while serving in the First World War.

Mr Frederick Bligh Bond of Bristol, a noted church architect, was employed to design and

supervise the erection of the Memorial Cross. The estimated cost, including bronze tablets

with the names of the Fallen and the architect’s fees was £350.

The following month a printed pamphlet was circulated in the parish (see next page)

appealing for donations. The committee felt it would “add greatly to the value and interest of

the Memorial, if the cost of its erection is shared by every parishioner and by all who have

an interest in Kingston.”

The chairman of the organising committee was the Vicar the Rev Percy Shattock and the

treasurer for the appeal was Mr Louis Hawkings, the headmaster of the school, who had

served in the fledging Royal Naval Air Service during the war.

Mr Bligh Bond produced a sketch plan of the proposed memorial in December 1919 which

met with the approval of the committee and it was erected the following year.

Made of Doulting stone and standing more than 14 feet high, the memorial takes the form

of an octagonal Latin cross on a square plinth and three stepped octagonal base. The

names of the 35 men who died in the First World War appear on plaques on the memorial.

An additional plaque was added after the Second World War listing the names of the eight

men who died in that later conflict and the inscription on the base updated to read: “IN

GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE MEN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR

1914–18 AND IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR.”

The memorial is a Grade 2 listed monument because of its historic interest “as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on the local community and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20.” It is described as “a modest but good example of a memorial in the form of a Latin cross”.

It was unveiled during the morning service on Christmas Day 1920 by Colonel Walsh of Kingston, and remains the centre point of the village’s Act of Remembrance each November.

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5

This account of the unveiling ceremony appeared in the Somerset County Gazette on

Jan 1st 1921

KINGSTON’S FALLEN

DEDICATION OF MEMORIAL CROSS

In commemoration of the men of Kingston who fell in the war a memorial cross has been

erected at the entrance to the parish church. The dedication and unveiling took place at the

morning service on Christmas Day. The cross which is of Doulton (sic) stone, stands about

14 feet in height, and the design is similar to those erected on the battlefields of France and

Flanders. It was designed by Messrs Bligh Bond, Falconer and Baker, the well-known

Bristol architects, and it stands on a plinth at the base of which is inscribed: “In grateful

memory of the men of Kingston who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1919.” On

either side of the cross are the names of those who made the supreme sacrifice, their

number being 35.

There was a crowded congregation at the morning service, which was conducted by the

vicar (the Rev P.E.F. Shattock) while Mr C Minett, Taunton town missionary read a portion

of Scripture (Rev. vii.,9, to end). The unveiling of the memorial was to have been performed

by Brigadier-General H.C. Frith C.B., but owing to unforeseen circumstances he was

prevented from attending, his place being taken by Colonel Walsh C.B., of Kingston, who

belongs to a well-known military family. Before the unveiling an eloquent and appropriate

address was delivered in the church by the Bishop of Taunton. Fortunately, the weather

was fine, the sun shining brightly when the congregation assembled around the cross in the

churchyard. Following the singing of the hymn “For All the Saints” Colonel Walsh unveiled

the memorial by releasing a Union Jack with which it was covered. He paid tribute to the

heroism of those who had fallen and to the sacrifice of many who had survived the conflict,

although still suffering from the effects of the hardships and dangers they had endured.

The form of service explained that the cross had been “erected in thankfulness for the gift of

victory; in remembrance of our brothers from this parish who served and suffered in the

war; and especially those who gave their lives.” Their names were as follows – Geoffrey

Francis Arnold, Percival Arthur Berry, Charles Billing, Wilfred Blackmore, Arthur Chidgey,

Sidney Clemow, Victor Dicks, Daniel Dykes, Edward Ferris, Reginald Furzer, William John

Furzer, Ernest Gamblin, Robert Anderson Gault, William George Gillett, William Hakes,

Charles Hayes, Gilbert Hurford, Frederick Elworthy Kidner, William Lowman, William Harry

Lye, John William Miles, Frank Ernest Palfrey, William Ring, Bertie Rowcliffe, William

Samways, Walter Saunders, Walter Sealey, Henry Short, Frederick Sloley, William Edward

Sully, John Charles Templeman, George Totterdell, Frederick George Tucker, Frank

Walford, Frank Woodley.

After the ceremony the Last Post and the Reveille were sounded by ex-Bugle-Major

Hughes of the 2/5th Somerset Light Infantry while the service which followed in the church

concluded with the playing of the National Anthem by the organist (Mr H.J.Treeby).

The cross was subscribed for by the parishioners. After the ceremony wreaths and flowers

were placed at the foot of the memorial by friends and relatives of those who served in the

war.

6

Other Memorials

There are a number of other war memorials in the village although they are not always

immediately recognisable as such.

The Scout Memorial

Just a short distance away from the

cross, is a lantern hanging over the

churchyard gate. It was put up by the

local Scouts to commemorate two of

their former members Geoffrey Arnold

and Frederick Sloley who died in the

First World War. The Scout emblem is

incorporated in the ironwork from which

the lamp hangs and a carved wooden

plaque recording the two men’s names

is set into the gate pillar.

The Village Hall

Although not officially registered as a war memorial, the erection of the hall came about as a result of

events in the village during the Great War (1914-1919).

In 1915 the ladies of the village formed a Christmas Present Working Party (CPWP) to put together

parcels to send to all the soldiers and sailors from Kingston. One later recalled: “Forty of us crammed

into the small reading room at the Club, an atmosphere of bootlaces, smokes, knitting and warmth; for

all those things and many others went into those parcels.” Fund raising events, including whist drives,

dances and jumble sales, were organised to meet the costs.

After the end of the war Miss Arnold, who had been vice-chair of the group, wrote: “How I shall miss it

all. We’d been happy working together.”

However, the village school where many of the social events had been held was not an entirely

suitable venue so it was decided at a meeting in the Vicarage on March 4 1919 “to remain in being

until the Parish Hall be built”.

The ladies stepped up their fund-raising and over the next three years raised a total of £426. After

making donations to the Welcome Home supper for local servicemen on Armistice Day 1920 and the

Memorial fund, they handed over £355 7s 7d (£355.38) towards the cost of the Village Hall which was

eventually opened in October 1923 by the Hon Mrs Mary Herbert. For a detailed account of the

opening ceremony go to the hall website (ksmvillagehall.co.uk).

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Air Mechanic William Samways

Some memorials are in the most unlikely

places. This plaque stands beside the

drive to Volis Farm, now the home of the

Taylor family.

William Samways was the eldest son of

Alfred Edward Samways, a shepherd on

Lord Portman’s estate, and his wife Flora

(nee Watts) who lived at 14 Volis,

Kingston.

After serving with an artillery unit, he

transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. He

was killed in action over France less than

three weeks later.

Playing Field

In 1948 the Hon Mrs Mary Herbert of Tetton House gifted into Trust a parcel of land of just

over two acres for the purpose of providing “a recreation ground mainly for the use of

children and young people”.

In 1984 the Trust became a registered charity (No: 288912) under the title “The Kingston

War Memorial”. The Parish Council is the managing trustee with the day to day running of

the playing field being carried out by a volunteer general management committee.

The playing field provides play equipment for children of all ages, a football pitch, croquet

lawn and a small pavilion for small meetings and children’s birthday parties.

It was also the venue for the village’s celebrations to mark the Queen’s Jubilee in 2012 and

Her Majesty’s 90th birthday in 2016.

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FIRST WORLD WAR

1914 - 1918

The names of 35 men who died in the First World War are inscribed

on the War Memorial Cross.

Twenty-eight died in battle or as a result of wounds - the youngest

Frank Woodley, aged 17, the oldest Sidney Clemow, who was 42.

The other seven died from illness or disease – five of them in the closing

months of the war or just after the Armistice suggesting they may have

been victims of the flu pandemic that swept Europe.

It has been calculated that one in five Kingston men in the 18 to 44 age

group died in the war. Almost every family suffered the loss of a direct

relative or an in-law because many local families were related by marriage.

Details of all these men, their families and links to the village, where known,

are listed.

9

Geoffrey Francis ARNOLD

Captain

1/5 battalion (Prince Albert’s) Somerset Light Infantry

Killed in Action

8 March 1916, aged 24

Mesopotamia (now Iraq)

Geoffrey Francis Arnold was the son of brewer Francis Stephen and Mary Elizabeth Arnold (nee

Benson) of Northway House, Kingston Road, and later Crossways, Kingston. He was a pupil at

Blundell’s School, Tiverton, where his name appears on the memorial, and a former member of

Kingston BP Scout troop. His family bought Kingston brewery in the 1880s. His uncle Thomas Percy

Arnold lived at Marsh House from 1904 until his death in 1922.

Captain Arnold was killed during the attack on Turkish-held Dujailah Redoubt during an

unsuccessful attempt to relieve the besieged garrison town of Kut. He has no known grave.

His name is commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq, and by the plaque set into the pillar of the

gate to the churchyard at Kingston St Mary.

There is also an engraved brass plaque in St Andrew’s Church, Rowbarton, where he was baptised,

which records that he was attached to the 37 Brigade, Signal Section.

The memorial plaque set into the gate pillar of the church

10

Percival Arthur BERRY

Royal Navy Stoker 2nd class

HMS Vivid

Died

26 February 1919, aged 18

UK

Percival Berry was the youngest of three sons of Henry and Elizabeth Annie Berry (nee Seaward) of

Fulford, Kingston.

HMS.Vivid was the Royal Naval Barracks at Devonport. He died three months after the end of the

war. The cause of his death is not specified but he may have been a victim of the flu pandemic

(Spanish flu) that claimed millions of lives between June 1918 and December 1920.

Stoker Berry is buried in Kingston St Mary churchyard.

11

Charles BILLING Private 3/6671

1/5 battalion (Prince Albert’s) Somerset Light Infantry

Died

1 November 1917, aged 19

Egypt

Charles Billing was born at Hele, near Taunton, the middle of five sons of Elias William and Ann

Billing (nee Salter). Soon after his birth the family moved to the Old Tanyard, Kingston. His father

was a farm carter/groom and Charles also worked on a farm starting as a “milk boy”.

In 1915 Elias, despite being 51 years old, volunteered for army service and served in the Somerset

Mule Remount Squadron of the Army Service Corps, a unit that obtained and trained horses &

mules for the Army, but was discharged in March 1916 as unfit because of a long-standing medical

problem (hernia).

It appears his son Charles put his age up to join the Army. He was born in the first months of 1898

and in the 1911 census his age was given correctly as 13. His medal card (below) shows he arrived

overseas on 11 November 1914 when he would have been 16 years old. He died from disease (his

Army record does not specify which illness) almost exactly three years later – at the age of 19.

The 1/5 Somersets left Southampton on 9 October aboard the troopship Alnwick Castle bound for

India, accompanied by two cruisers. It arrived in Bombay on 9 November. Over the next two and a

half years the 1/5 battalion were deployed, in several drafts, to Egypt, Palestine and Mesopotamia

to fight Turkish forces. The battalion lost more than 170 men in battle or as the result of illness.

Private Billing is buried in (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria.

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* William BLACKMORE

Trooper 923

C Squadron, 1st battalion West Somerset Yeomanry

Killed in Action

17 October 1915, aged 39

Gallipoli

**Listed on memorial as Wilfred Blackmore**

William Blackmore was the son of George and Marie Blackmore, of Lewes, Sussex, and husband of

Annie Lucy Blackmore (nee Streeter), of Lancaster St., Lewes, Sussex. He had worked as a groom

and coachman but immediately before the war was working as chauffeur to the Austin family who

lived at Blagdon Hill, Taunton. In 1911 William and his wife were living at Brookfield Cottages,

Blagdon Hill. It is not known what connection they had with Kingston St Mary. Possibly he had

worked in the village previously. His name appears on the war memorial at Lewes.

He enlisted in the West Somerset Yeomanry in Taunton in August 1914.Enlisted at Taunton. His

death came just eight days after the battalion landed at Suvla Bay.

Trooper Blackmore is buried in Hill 10 Cemetery, Turkey.

Obituary from the Sussex Express 12 Nov 1915

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Arthur CHIDGEY

Lance Corporal 20406

6th battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry

Killed in Action

13 June 1915, aged 29

France

Arthur Chidgey was one of nine children of widow Elizabeth Chidgey (nee Daveridge) and the late

John Chidgey of Church Gate, Kingston. Arthur was ‘an estate labourer’. The Chidgeys, an old

established Kingston family, lived in one of the cottages that was demolished to enlarge the

churchyard.

Lance Corporal Chidgey is buried in Le Touquet Railway Crossing Cemetery, France.

Sidney CLEMOW

Private 64452

Otago Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force

Died of wounds

2 September 1918, aged 42

Bapaume, France

Sidney Clemow was born in Lambeth. He was the son of former hotelier, postmaster and wine

merchant Charles E. Clemow and his wife Annie, who retired to Kingston Cottage (now Davestones)

around 1905. Sidney went to a boarding school in Bideford and then worked as a hotel manager in

Kingston-on-Thames before emigrating to New Zealand where he became a farmer. He and his wife

Daisy Mary Clemow lived at Deep Creek, Oneroa, Auckland. He enlisted and sailed from

Wellington on 21 November 1917 for Liverpool aboard the HMNZT Maunganui.

Private Clemow is buried in the Bancourt Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais

14

Victor DICKS

Private 3/6037

1st Battalion Somerset Light Infantry

Died of wounds

12 July 1916, aged 25

France

Farm labourer Victor Dicks was the second son of Albert and Matilda Dicks of Curland, near Trull.

His father, a labourer, died in 1897, aged 35. Matilda then married George Keitch. They lived at the

Old Rectory, Curland. Victor Dicks married Lottie Holley in Kingston St Mary church in June 1913.

He was wounded during the early stages of the Battle of the Somme when 26 officers and 438

others ranks of his battalion were killed, wounded or missing.

Pte Dicks is buried in the Ste Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, France.

Daniel Macpherson DYKES

Private DM2/181324

688th MT Coy, Royal Army Service Corps

Died

6 November 1918, aged 31

Balkans

Born in Glasgow in 1887, Daniel Dykes was the son

of Jane Dykes. He was chauffeur to the Gault family

and moved down from Scotland with them when they

rented Tetton House. He married the family’s nanny

Margaret Waddell in Kingston Church. They had one

son James (Jimmy) Dykes who is buried in Kingston

churchyard.

Pte Dykes is buried in the British Cemetery in Skopje

(now Macedonia). The great majority of those buried

here were men of the RASC (MT) who died of

influenza after the Armistice with Bulgaria.

The commemorative scroll given to the families of

those who died in the First World War, each

personalised at the bottom, in red ink.

15

Edward FERRIS

Private 12331

6th battalion Somerset Light Infantry

Killed in Action

18 August 1916, aged 36

France

Edward Ferris was the son of William and Eliza Ferris of Stall Barton, Kingston.

He married Elizabeth Annie Crabbe in Kingston church and they had four daughters. The family

lived in Lilac Cottage (now called Mallows) in the main street of the village.

Like many local men, he travelled to South Wales (according to family legend he walked there) to

obtain better paid employment and worked as a ‘timber man assistant below ground’ in a colliery.

He enlisted in Pontypridd and arrived in France on 21 May 1915. His unit fought with great

distinction in the two-day Battle of Delville Wood (known to the troops as Devil’s Wood) in northern

France in August 1916. Five officers and 48 other ranks were killed and more than 220 wounded or

missing.

After the war his widow and daughters, who were all under the age of 10 at the time of his death,

left Lilac Cottage and moved into Taunton.

Private Ferris is buried in Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval, France

16

Reginald FURZER

Private First Class

361st Infantry Regt, 91st Infantry Division, US Army

Died

3 October 1918, aged 25

France

Reginald was the younger of two Furzer brothers killed in the war. Reginald emigrated to USA in

1913 and was a pipe fitter in Seattle. He became a US citizen in May 1918 and enlisted in

Washington State. A total of 26,277 Americans died in the Mesue-Argonne offensive (Sept 25 - Nov

1, 1918) and another 96,000 were wounded.

Private Furzer is buried in Mesue-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne, France.

William FURZER

Private A38011

8th battalion Manitoba Regiment, Canadian Army

Killed in Action

3 June 1916, aged 36

Belgium

William Furzer was the eldest son of widow Rebecca Furzer (nee Pugsley) and the late Simeon

Furzer (died 1913) of The Conies, Kingston. William, a labourer, had previously served for 7 years

in the Field Artillery. He emigrated to Canada but following the outbreak of war he enlisted at Port

Arthur, Canada on Dec 18 1915. He was killed in battle in the Ypres Salient and has no known

grave.

Private Furzer’s name appears on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres

Ernest GAMBLIN

Private 22582

1st Battalion Somerset Light Infantry

Killed in Action

8 August 1916, aged 24

Belgium

Farm labourer Ernest Gamblin was the second of four sons of farm worker George Gamblin and his

wife Mary Ann Gamblin (nee White) of Mill Cross, Kingston.

After its terrible losses in the Battle of Albert (1st-14th July), the 1st battalion moved back to the

Ypres Salient. At 10.30pm on 8 August just as they were being relieved at the end of a week in the

front line, the unit diary says “the enemy made a violent gas attack accompanied by heavy shelling”.

A total of 173 suffered from gas poisoning. Of these 33 died.

Pte Gamblin is buried in Essex Farm Cemetery, Belgium. This farm was a medical dressing station

and it was in this cemetery that Lt Col John McCrae, a Canadian doctor, wrote perhaps the best

known poem of the war “In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow between the crosses row on row…..”

17

Robert Anderson GAULT

Lieutenant

4th battalion Grenadier Guards

Killed in Action

16 September 1916, aged 19

France

Robert Anderson Gault was the son of Mr Leslie Hamilton Gault and his wife Marion (nee Anderson) of

Tetton House, Kingston.

Of Irish descent, the family lived in Montreal, Canada, where they were wealthy merchants and noted

philanthropists. Mr and Mrs Leslie Gault rented Tetton House in 1914. Their son, born in Canada, had

just finished at Harrow School when the war broke out. He joined the Grenadier Guards in January 1916

and was promoted Lieutenant six days before his death on the Somme. He has no known grave.

Lt Gault’s name appears on the Thiepval memorial, France.

NOTE: A relative Brig Andrew Hamilton Gault, also born in Montreal, was Taunton’s MP from 1924-35

and lived at Hatch Beauchamp. The Hamilton Gault playing fields, in Hamilton Road, Taunton, are

named after the family.

William George GILLETT

Private 27178

7th battalion, Somerset Light Infantry (Formerly Trooper 1964 WSY)

Died

3 November 1918 aged 22

Germany

Farm labourer William Gillett was one of six children of Frank and Anna Maria Gillett (nee Davis). He

was born at Ashill and baptised in the village church on 27 October 1895.

In 1911 he was living with his family at Crabbs, Capland, Hatch Beauchamp, and when he enlisted he

gave his home address as Hayden, Somerset. His connection with Kingston St Mary is not known.

The Taunton Courier of 12 June 1918 reported that Private Gillett was among prisoners of war interned

in Germany. He died just a week before the end of the war. His record is marked “Died of disease”.

He is buried in Cologne Southern Cemetery, Germany, which was used for the burial of more than 1,000

Allied POWs.

18

William HAKE

Sergeant 581

6th battalion Leinster Regiment

Died of wounds

12 August 1915, aged 35

Gallipoli, Turkey

Eldest son of labourer Alfred Hake, and his wife Sarah (nee Hines) of Nailsbourne, William, a farm

labourer, joined the Somerset Light Infantry in 1896 and served for seven years – three of them in South

Africa during the Boer War. In 1903 he married Fannie Elizabeth Andrews, of Mill Cross, Kingston, in

Kingston church and the couple had at least two children.

His battalion landed at Suvla Bay on August 6 1915 and over the next six days was involved in the

attacks on Sari Bair (Anzac Cove) and Rhododendron Spur. Losses were high. Sgt Hake was wounded

and died aboard the hospital ship HMHS Neuralia which was anchored off the coast. He was

presumably buried at sea.

Sgt Hake’s name appears on the memorial at Helles in Turkey, for those with no known grave.

NOTE: His widow Fannie later married John Billett and their only son James Billett was killed in the

Second World. See later entry.

19

Charles HAYES

Sergeant 240174

1/5th battalion (Prince Albert’s) Somerset Light Infantry

Died of wounds

24 December 1917, aged 25

Palestine

Charles Hayes – known as Charlie - was the son of William and Bessie Sutton Hayes (nee Langdon) of

Cushuish, Kingston. He was born at Lydeard St Lawrence in 1893 and baptised in the local church on 16

April that year. He moved to Cushuish with his parents and like his father he was a mason working on a

local estate. During November and early December 1917 his battalion was involved in a series of battles

as they advanced towards Jerusalem. Like many other wounded he would probably have been taken

back to the military hospitals in Alexandria in Egypt for treatment. After the war his parents moved to

Portland Street in Taunton.

Sgt Hayes is buried Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery.

Gilbert Henry HURFORD

Private TF202429

22nd battalion Middlesex Regiment

Died of wounds

29 December 1918 aged 21

in Southern Hospital Oxford

Gilbert Hurford was the second of four sons of farmer George Hurford and his wife Elizabeth. He was

born in Bishops Lydeard and baptised in the local church on 31 May 1896. But sometime before 1901

the family moved to Parsonage Farm, Kingston. Before the war, Gilbert worked on his father’s farm.

He joined Army on 9 May 1916 and was initially graded for “field service at home”. However, on 1

December 1916 he was posted to France. He received a gunshot wound to the head and on 2 October

1918 was transferred to 3rd Southern Hospital, Oxford, where he died almost three months later.

Private Hurford is buried in Kingston St Mary churchyard

20

Frederick Elworthy KIDNER

Rifleman 2546

No 1 Company, 16th battalion, London Regt (Queen’s Westminster Rifles)

Died of wounds

20 February 1915, aged 26

France

Frederick Kidner was the son of John and Emily Kidner, of Dodhill House, Taunton. His parents

bought the house and farm in 1894. Frederick’s eldest brother William Kidner lived there until 1954

while his sister was well known in the parish for running the local scouts and guides.

According to a family archive (available online) Frederick was born at Nynehead on 16 June 1888

and attended Mary Street House School, Taunton, before going to Sherborne School where he was

a prefect. He won an exhibition to Worcester College, Oxford. In 1912, after gaining his degree, he

went to Russia and joined his uncle’s business. R. & T. Elworthy Co. Ltd. at Elizabethgrad (now

known as Kirovograd in the Ukraine). The firm designed, manufactured and distributed agricultural

machinery on a large scale in Russia and Siberia. With the outbreak of war, he travelled back to

London and joined the QWR being posted to France in Jan 1915. He was shot in the stomach by a

German sniper on the afternoon of 19 February.

Rifleman Kidner died the following day at a Field Ambulance station and is buried at Cite Bonjean

Military Cemetery, Armentières.

Eli William LOWMAN

Private PO 19278

1st battalion Royal Marine Light Infantry

Killed in Action

5 September 1918 aged 21

France

Eli Lowman was born on 29 July 1897, the second of three sons of Mark and Rhoda Lowman (nee

Pring) of Nailsbourne, Kingston, and baptised in St Mary’s church on 10 October 1897.

He joined the Royal Marine Light Infantry at Portsmouth on 2 March 1916 and was posted to France in

July 1917 but was invalided back to the UK (through illness) on 10 April 1918. He returned to France on

13 May, to re-join the 1st battalion RMLI.

Private Lowman is buried in Queant Road Cemetery, Buissy, Pas de Calais.

21

William Harry LYE

Private R/387484

75th Remount Sqn Army Service Corps

Died

24 May 1919 aged 43

UK

William Lye was born in Ilchester, the son of agricultural labourer Charles Lye and his wife Sarah. He

married Elsie Clara Drayton in her home parish of Bishops Lydeard on April 8 1901 and they had at least

two sons. In 1911 the family were living at Stall Barton, Kingston St Mary, and he was working as a

coachman. Later they moved to Grange Cottage, Kingston.

A Remount Squadron consisted approximately 200 soldiers, who obtained and trained horses and mules

for the Army. They were generally older, experienced soldiers used to working with horses. His death six

months after the Armistice suggests he may have been another victim of the Spanish Flu pandemic. He

died in a military hospital at Taunton while on demob leave.

Private Lye is buried in Kingston St Mary churchyard

22

William John MILES

Lance Corporal 1387

1st West Somerset Yeomanry

Died

14 January 1916 aged 29

Alexandria, Egypt

William Miles was born on March 8 1886, son of farmer and cattle dealer William and Elizabeth Miles

(nee Blackmore) of Hill Farm, Kingston (the farm occupied the area now known as Kingston Court). He

went to Wellington School and then worked on the farm. He served for five years in the West Somerset

Yeomanry and then enlisted in the Life Guards but was discharged owing to ill-health. He re-joined the

West Somerset Yeomanry on 28 Nov 1915; served with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in Egypt

and died in the General Hospital, Alexandria, from rheumatic fever contracted while on active service.

One of his officers wrote: “He had done very well during the time in the trenches and I was very sorry to

lose such a good soldier.” He was a keen rugby player and had played for Taunton for three seasons.

LCpl Miles is buried in the Alexandria (Chatby) Military Cemetery

23

Frank Ernest PALFREY

Private M2/177723

406 Mechanical Transport Company Army Service Corps

Died of wounds

21 July 1917 aged 28

Belgium

Frank Palfrey was the son of Metropolitan Police Sergeant Edward Charles Palfrey, who was born in

Kingston, and his wife Maud, from Goathurst. Frank was born in Streatham, London. In October 1909,

he married Lilly Rose Palfrey (nee May). In 1911 he and Lily were living at Comeytrowe, Trull, with his

father, who had retired from the police, and mother. His occupation was given as cab proprietor. At the

time of his death his wife was living in Boweys Lane, Kingston. They had two sons, Clifford and Edward,

who was born only months before his father’s death.

Pte Palfrey is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, near Ypres, Belgium

William RING

Private 7967

1st battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry

Killed in Action

19 May 1915 aged 29

Belgium

William Ring was born in Taunton in 1886, the son of farrier James Ring and his wife Sarah (nee

Holford). In 1901 William, then 15, was living with his family in Greenbrook Terrace, Taunton, and

working as an errand boy. His father died in 1903 (at the age of 48). William married Rose Ring (nee

Sealey) of Kingston, in the village church on Christmas Day 1912. On the certificate, he is described as

gardener/groom. Bride and groom both gave their address as Kingston.

He was killed in the Second Battle of Ypres which was fought from 22 April – 25 May 1915 for control of the

strategic Flemish town of Ypres in western Belgium.

Private Ring is buried in First DCLI Cemetery, The Bluff, Ypres, Belgium

Bertie ROWCLIFFE

Private 28240

11th battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment

Killed in Action

30 July 1916 aged 22

France

Bertie Rowcliffe was the son of farm labourer Frederick and Sarah Ann Rowcliffe (nee Duddridge) of

Volis, Kingston. He was born at Cheddon Fitzpaine and baptised in the local church on 12 April 1895.

After leaving school he became a labourer on a local farm. He appears in 1911 census as Herbert,

although both the birth and baptismal records give his name as Bertie. He was killed during the Battle of

the Somme and has no known grave.

Private Rowcliffe’s name appears on the Thiepval memorial, France

24

William Alfred SAMWAYS

Airman 1st class (Observer) 14262

49 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps

Killed in Action

29 Nov 1917 aged 20

France

William Samways was the eldest son of Alfred Edward Samways, a shepherd on Lord Portman’s

estate, and his wife Flora (nee Watts) of 14 Volis, Kingston. He was born in Bishops Lydeard on 3

Nov 1897, educated at Dowlish Wake Elementary School and became an apprentice Electrical

Engineer.

He joined the Somerset Royal Horse Artillery (Territorial Force) and was called up on mobilization 5

Aug 1914; transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on 9 Nov 1917 and was killed in aerial combat

during the fighting near Cambrai.

His Commanding Officer wrote expressing his regret at losing so promising a Gunner Observer and

so good a soldier who was genuinely popular and whose loss was regretted by officers and men

alike. A letter written and signed by six of his comrades stated that they would miss him as a

brother, for he always had a smile and a joke for everyone.

Airman Samways is buried in Cambrai East Military cemetery, France

Walter SAUNDERS

Private 16853

7th battalion Somerset Light Infantry

Died of wounds

19 May 1916 aged 33

Belgium

Husband of Annie Saunders of Nailsbourne He was born at Nether Stowey, his wife at Creech. It is

likely the couple, with their two young children, only moved to Nailsbourne in 1910. Both gave their

occupation as “cowman on farm” in the 1911 census.

On May 19 1916, after a month’s rest in Calais, the 7 SLI went back into the front line astride the Ypres-

Zonnebeke road and immediately came under heavy shell fire that continued through the night.

Private Saunders is buried in Potijze Cemetery, near Ypres.

25

Walter Edwin John SEALEY

Private 46688

11th battalion (Midland Pioneers) Leicestershire Regiment

formerly Royal Engineers

Died of wounds

15 Nov 1917 aged 36

London

The Sealey family had lived in Kingston since the early 18th century. Walter, a carpenter and joiner,

was the son of Albert and Mary Sealey of Yarford. He was born on 10 November 1881 and baptised

in St Mary’s, Kingston, the following month. He married Alice Best in her home town of Niton, Isle of

Wight, in 1908 and at the time of the census in 1911 he and Alice were living in Yarford. Alice died

in August 1916, at the age of 30. Her death was registered in the Isle of Wight. Walter died in King

George’s Hospital, Stamford Street, London, from a gunshot wound to the spine received in action

in France on October 27th 1917. He left a son, Albert Henry Sealey, aged 3 years, as an orphan.

Pte Sealey was buried in St John’s churchyard in Niton, Isle of Wight, his wife’s home town, where

his name appears on the war memorial.

Henry SHORT

Guardsman 21304

3rd battalion Grenadier Guards

Died of wounds

30 June 1916 aged 22

Belgium

Henry Short was born in Studley, near Calne, Wilts, the son of gardener Henry Short and his wife Isabel,

and baptised in Christ Church, Derry Hill, Wilts, on 16 Dec 1894.

At the time of the 1911 census Henry, then aged 16, was living with his parents in Rumsey House

Lodge, Calne, and working as a gardener. No known connection with Kingston but he enlisted in

Taunton and went to France with his regiment on 27 July 1915. It is likely he was wounded in the vicinity

of the Elverdinghe Chateau, north west of Ypres, which was occupied by the Guards Division. He was

taken to No 9 Field Ambulance station but they were unable to save him.

Guardsman Short is buried in Ferme-Oliver Cemetery, near Ypres, Belgium.

26

Frederick SLOLEY

Private PLY/17415

188th Brigade Machine Gun Company, Royal Marine Light Infantry

Died of wounds

26 November 1916 aged 18

England

Frederick Sloley was the third son of William and Mary Sloley of Harrises Cottages, Hillcommon,

previously of Vine Cottage, Kingston, Frederick was a member of Kingston Scout troop and is one of two

former scouts commemorated by the lantern and plaque at the south gate of the churchyard.

When he enlisted in the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 5 Oct 1914 his age was given as 17. In fact, he

was only 16. It is likely that like many other patriotic young men in the early stages of the war, he lied

about his age. The records show he was born in April 1898 and baptised in St Mary’s Church, Kingston,

the following month.

In August 1916, he suffered appendicitis. After treatment, he re-joined his unit in Sept 1916 and was

badly wounded on 13 Nov 1916. He was invalided to UK on 20 Nov 1916. He died in King George

Hospital, London, six days later as the result of gunshot wounds to the back, abdomen and spine.

Private Sloley is buried in Kingston St Mary churchyard.

27

William Edward James SULLY Military Medal

Lance Corporal PLY/17696

2nd battalion Royal Marine Light Infantry

Killed in Action

26 October 1917 aged 20

Belgium

Walter Sully was born on 9 April 1897, the eldest son of Samuel and Mary Ann Sully (nee Pilton) of

Nailsbourne. He was baptised in 1 May in Kingston Church.

He enlisted on 16 Nov 1914, just months after the outbreak of war, and was part of the Mediterranean

Expeditionary Force that landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey, on 21 October 1915.

His unit later deployed to the Western Front. He was listed as wounded, missing presumed dead during

the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele). During this battle, he was awarded the Military Medal for

gallantry in the presence of the enemy (London Gazette 4/2/1918). He has no known grave.

Lance Corporal Sully’s name appears on the Memorial Wall at the Tyne Cot cemetery, Belgium.

John Charles TEMPLEMAN

Private 8146

1st battalion Somerset Light Infantry

Killed in Action

26 August 1914 aged 25

France

John Templeman was born in Dinnington, near Hinton St George, the son of Charles and Charlotte

Templeman (nee Venn). At the time of the 1901 census he was staying with his maternal grandparents

in Staple Fitzpaine.

In 1911 he was serving with the Somerset Light Infantry and was stationed at Jellalabad Barracks in

Mount Street, Taunton. As a regular soldier, he would have been in the first drafts to France with the

British Expeditionary Force (BEF) almost immediately after the declaration of war ( Aug 4 1914).

The Somersets landed in France on Aug 23. Three days later they suffered heavy losses as they tried to

halt the German advance at Le Cateau, with 19 men killed, 150 wounded and 100 missing.

The Somerset Memorial Book, listing the thousands of soldiers from the county who died in WW1, gives

his home address as Kingston. His name also appears on the War Memorial Cross in the churchyard

and Book of Service in the church. But his connection with the village is unknown.

Private Templeman has no known grave. His name appears on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial.

This memorial, in north east France, commemorates the 3,740 officers and men of the BEF who fell in

the battles of Mons, Le Cateau, the Marne and the Aisne , between the end of August and early October

1914.

28

George TOTTERDELL

Guardsman 8014

1st battalion, Coldstream Guards

Killed in Action

14 Sept 1914 aged 24

France

George Totterdell was one of five children of thatcher Robert Gadd Totterdell and his wife Mary Jane

Totterdell (nee Hobbs) of Tetton Gate, Kingston. His father died in 1907. Four years later, at the time of

the 1911 census, George was serving with the Coldstream Guards in Victoria Barracks, Windsor. As a

serving trained soldier at the outbreak of war (4 Aug 1914), he would have been among the first to be

drafted to France to try to halt the advance by the Germans army which had far greater numbers and

was better equipped.

Guardsman Totterdell has no known grave. His name appears on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre

memorial in Seine-et-Marne, France.

Guardsman Totterdell’s medal card showing he arrived in France

on 13 August 1914 – just nine days after Britain declared war.

29

Frederick George TUCKER

Private 17568

F Company, 2nd battalion, Dorset Regiment

Killed in Action

25 March 1917 aged 19

Mesopotamia (now Iraq)

Frederick Tucker was the son of farm worker James and Annie Tucker (Eastment) of Tainfield Cottage,

Nailsbourne. Previously the family had lived in Soap House (on the Kingston to Taunton road).

Frederick was baptised in St Mary’s Church, Kingston, on 27 June 1897. After schooling, he worked as a

farm labourer and a gardener at Tetton House. Before the war he had been living in Bournemouth and

enlisted in Poole.

Private Tucker has no known grave. His name appears on the memorial at Basra, Iraq.

30

Frank WALFORD

Gunner 95552

248th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

Died of wounds

4 October 1917 aged 37

in Belgium

Frank Walford was born in Spaxton, the son of the late Charles and Hannah Walford, and baptised in the

local church on 1 Feb 1880. He was given the names Francis Frederick and although he uses these

names on census documents, all the military records give his name as Frank. In 1901 he was living his

family at Peartwater, Spaxton, and working as a labourer on a farm. But by 1908 he had obtained a job

as a farm carter and on 4 November married Clara Crouch in Broomfield church. In 1911 they were

living in Culverhay Cottages, Wiveliscome, but sometime later moved to Nailsbourne.

He attested his willingness to serve in the army on 23 Feb 1916 in Taunton – when he was 35 years and

one month old, and was immediately placed on the reserve. He was called up on 5 June 1916 but

remained in the UK until 15 Feb 1917 when he was posted to France. His death occurred during the

Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele).

According to the records he suffered a shell wound with lacerations to the right thigh. He died in No 10

Casualty Clearing Station.

Gunner Walford is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.

NOTE: According to Army records his widow Clara was given a pension of 26/6d (£1.35) a week to keep

herself and her three children, aged 7, 2 and one.

Frank WOODLEY

Lance Corporal 5604

2nd battalion Rifle Brigade

Killed in Action

9 May 1915 aged 17

France

Son of gardener Henry Woodley and his wife Lucy Emily (nee Venn) of 5 Alpha Cottages, Kingston St

Mary. Frank was born at Otterford, in the parish of Pitminster, and at the time of the census in 1911 was

working as a telegraph boy at the Post Office in Blagdon Hill. He enlisted in Hounslow, Middlesex.

According to his family, he lied about his age when he volunteered for military service. At the time of his

death he would have been only 17.

He was killed during the Battle of Aubers Ridge, south of Armentières in north east France, when his unit

was one of the lead battalions in the attack on well-prepared German positions. The British suffered

more than 11,000 casualties during the day, many of them killed within yards of their own front line.

Lance Corporal Woodley has no known grave. His name appears on the memorial at Ploegsteert,

Belgium

NOTE: His father Henry, aged 40, enlisted for Army service in December 1915, just six months after his

son’s death. He was placed on the reserve and eventually called up in July 1918 and posted to an Army

Service Corps Horse Transport unit. He did not serve outside the UK and was discharged in February

1919. His service record is stamped “No longer physically fit for war service” although it gives no reason.

31

SECOND WORLD WAR

1939-1945

The names of eight men from the parish who died in the

Second World War are inscribed on a plaque on the war

memorial in the churchyard.

Five of these men died while serving at sea, either in the

Royal Navy or as gunners on merchant ships. The youngest

was 19 years old.

32

James Lovelace BILLETT

Corporal 7946680

Royal Tank Regiment (RAC)

Killed in Action

23 January 1945 aged 22

Holland

James Billett was the son of John Billett and Fanny Elizabeth Billett (formerly Hake) of Kingston. Buried

in the Mook War cemetery, near Nijmegen. Most of those buried here were killed during the advance into

Germany during the winter months of 1944/1945

NOTE: His mother Fanny lost her first husband William Hake in WW1 (see earlier entry) and then

married John Billett, of Hob Lane, Kingston, in 1919. James Billett was the only child of her second

marriage which lasted just six years. Her second husband John Billett, a GWR railway porter, died in

1925. Family sources say he was struck by a lorry on December 25th and died the following day. Fanny

lived in Verbena Cottage, Kingston, for some years until her death in April 1957.

Marcus William FURZER

Able Seaman Gunner D/JX 528900

Royal Navy

Killed in action

16 August 1944 aged 19

off East Africa

Known as Billy, he was the son of Sidney and Edith V. Furzer (nee Berry) of Parks Cottages, Parsonage

Lane, Kingston, Somerset, and a nephew of the Furzer brothers who died in the First World War.

Initially he was based at HMS President III, a shore station beside the Thames that trained Royal Navy

gunners to serve aboard defensively equipped Merchant ships.

He was serving as a gunner on the 7,037 ton steam ship Empire Lancer which was sailing unescorted

from Durban to the UK via Aden carrying a cargo of copper and military stores. She was torpedoed and

sunk by U boat U-862 off Mozambique. Forty-two of her 79 crew died. The 37 survivors landed in

Portuguese East Africa ten days later.

AB Furzer’s name appears on Plymouth Naval Memorial commemorating those with no known grave,

most deaths having occurred at sea.

33

Robert Gairdner

Lieutenant Colonel

Royal Artillery

Killed

14 March 1944 aged 39

London

Robert Gairdner was the husband of Anne Savile Gairdner (nee Bailey) of Kingston Manor (married

1940).

Born in 1904, he was the son of Charles Dalrymple Gairdner and Beatrice Mary Gairdner (nee Ballock),

and was educated at Charterhouse and Cambridge. He became a stockbroker in Glasgow, where he

held a Territorial Army commission and rose to command the 80th Lowland Field Regiment, Royal

Artillery.

While serving in France, he was mentioned in despatches. He returned to this country to a staff post and

was killed in London during an air raid.

Lt Col Gairdner is buried in St Mary’s churchyard, Kingston St Mary, south-west of the church tower and

is also commemorated by a window in the north aisle of the church.

34

Max Frederic ISAAC

Lieutenant Royal Navy

HMS Cossack

Killed in action

23 October 1941 aged 31

in the Mediterranean

Max Isaac was born in Birkenhead in Cheshire, the eldest child of marine surveyor Gilbert J. Isaac and

his wife Florence. In the Royal Naval Reserve List, he is shown as a midshipman in 1926, a sub

lieutenant in 1931 and a lieutenant in 1934.

He was married on April 12 1938 at Christ Church, Radyr, Cardiff, to Stella Corner, whose father

Harry Corner, a wholesale clothier with a business in Taunton, bought Larch Cottage, Kingston St

Mary, for the couple who are seen in the photograph enjoying a pre-war stroll along an unknown

promenade.

In October 1941 Lt Isaac was serving aboard HMS Cossack, a destroyer on convoy escort duties in the

Mediterranean when she was torpedoed by a U-boat. A total of 159 crew died and 29 were injured.

Cossack remained afloat but sank the next day.

Lt Isaac’s name appears on Portsmouth Naval Memorial commemorating those who have no known

grave because they died at sea.

Following her husband’s death Stella Isaac continued to live alone in Larch Cottage (on the left just

past Quantock Rise on the road between Mill Cross and Upper Cheddon) until she moved into a

residential home in Bishops Hull where she died in January 2011.

35

Foster Moverley (Peter) McRAE

Surgeon Lieutenant

Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

HMS. Mahratta

Killed in Action

25 February 1944 aged 28

Barentz Sea, off northern Norway

Son of Sydney Spencer Redgrave McRae and Sophie Moverley McRae. Peter McRae was an

accomplished cricketer who played 25 times for Somerset between 1936 and 1939. A right-handed

batsman he scored 972 runs including one century and four 50s.

Born in Buenos Aires, where his father had business interests, he came to England with his mother and

older sister Sheila in 1919. He went to school at Christ’s Hospital (1926-34) before studying medicine at

St Mary’s in London.

With his parents abroad much of the time, many of his holidays were spent in Kingston, staying with the

Vicar, the Rev Percy Shattock and his wife Ethel who treated him as an “adopted” son. It is possible the

Vicar was a distant relative since his father also had the unusual forename of Foster.

HMS Mahratta was escorting an Arctic convoy when she was attacked by a German U boat and sank off

northern Norway. Although other ships were quickly on the scene, there were only 16 survivors - 220

crew lost their lives in the freezing Barentz Sea.

In “1941–1945 The Arctic Lookout”, Noel Simon recounts the story of McRae's actions after the sinking:

“Having managed to climb onto one of the few Carley floats to have come through the sinking, he set

about hauling the others aboard. The float soon became overcrowded. Remarking almost casually:

‘There's not enough room for us all’ the doctor slipped over the side into the sea and was never seen

again.”

Lt McRae’s name appears on Plymouth Naval Memorial.

36

Albert Thomas NATION

Leading Stoker D/KX 91438 Royal Navy

HMS Trinidad

Killed in Action

14 May 1942 aged 25

Albert Nation was the son of George and Anne Nation (nee Bond) of Fulford, Kingston; husband of Betty

Maud Nation (nee Holland) of Plymouth.

While on Arctic convoy HMS Trinidad, a light cruiser, was badly damaged during an engagement with

German destroyers when she was hit by one of her own torpedoes which had a faulty gyro system. After

it was launched, the torpedo went in a wide arc and returned to hit Trinidad killing 32 men. The ship

managed to limp into Murmansk for temporary repairs. Sailing back to UK, under escort and at reduced

speed, Trinidad was attacked by dive bombers and sank on 15 May.

Leading Stoker Nation’s name appears on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

Francis Richard VILLIS

Sergeant 5670432

7th battalion Parachute Regiment, Army Air Corps

Killed in Action

7 June 1944, aged 31

France

Francis Villis was the son of wood sawyer Francis Henry Villis and his wife Edith Maud Villis (n ee

Slocombe). He was born at Stogursey in December 1913 and baptised the following month. He was

married to Kathleen Jessie Villis (nee Kerton) of Kingston, Somerset.

The 7th battalion Parachute Regt (which had been formed in 1942 from the 10th Somerset Light Infantry)

parachuted into Normandy just after midnight on D Day (6th June). Their task was to relieve the glider-

borne troops who had captured the bridges across the river Orne and the Caen Canal.

They successfully defended the bridges from repeated German attacks despite being understrength

because many of their men and much equipment had been dropped miles away from the target. They

were eventually relieved in the early hours of 7th June having lost 19 killed and 36 wounded.

Sergeant Villis is buried in Hermanville Cemetery.

37

John WELCH

Gunner 4268877

1/1 Maritime Regiment, Royal Artillery

Died 30 July 1942 aged 26

at sea

John Welch was born in Durham, the son of Benjamin Archibald and Jane Welch (nee Nixon). He was

married to Beatrice Mary Welch (nee Nation) of Kingston, Somerset.

He joined the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers but transferred to RA and trained as a gunner on

Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships (DEMS). Of the 14,000 army gunners who served at sea

protecting the ships that brought essential supplies to Britain, at least 1,236 lost their lives. His death is

officially recorded as being “at sea” but it is not known on which ship he was serving.

Gunner Welch’s name appears on Portsmouth Naval Memorial commemorating those with no known

grave.

NOTE: His wife Beatrice Mary was the sister of Albert Thomas Nation (see previous page). In the space

of three months she lost her husband and brother

38

The Roll of Service

Having erected the Memorial Cross to commemorate those who died in the First World War

(1914-1919), it was decided to compile a book giving the names of all those from Kingston

St Mary who served in the armed forces or were involved in war work.

The Roll of Service was ordered in July 21 1923 at a cost of £3 15 shllings (£3.75). Bound

in a soft leather cover and hand written on parchment, the book contains the names of

more than 200 villagers, including nine women. The names of the fallen are denoted by a

red asterisk.

One or two of the names are out of alpabetical order or have been added later and the

wrong Clemow brother was marked as having died. A pencil circle in the original book

marks the error.

The frontispiece of the list is reproduced here – with a typed list of the names put into the

correct order. A key to the regiments is given at the end.

39

* Asterisk marks the names of the fallen

Abbott, Robert SLI

Ackland, Francis WSY

Arnold, Frederick OTC.

*Arnold, Geoffrey SLI.

Arnold, Reginald ASC

Berry, Bertie RN

Berry, Charles WSY

Berry, Edgar RGA

Berry, Fred RN

Berry, Henry RDC

Berry, Jack KOLI

Berry, Marcus W Yorks

*Berry, Percy RN

Bickham, Reginald SLI

Bidgood, Harry SLI

Bidgood, Herbert ASC

Biffen, Alfred WSY

Billett, Charles Canadians

Billing, Archibald WSY

*Billing, Charles, SLI

Billing, William R. Vety Corps

Bishop, Alfred, Hants

Bishop, Clifford, SLI

Bishop, William, Berks

*Blackmore, Wilfred, WSY

Bond, Charles SLI

Bowering, Cyril WSY

Bowering, William, Norfolk Y

Bradbury, Claude WSY

*Briggs, William SLI

Bromfield, Harry R Vety Corps

Bryer, George WSY

Burford, Frederick Worcesters

Burrows, Jack SLI

Burrows, Mark SLI

Burrows, Stanley ASC

Buswell, Martin SLI

Butter, Charles RGA

Caddick, Charles SLI

Caddick, Frederick SLI

Caddick, George SLI

Carnall, Frederick RE

Chamberlain, Thomas Worcesters

* Chidgey, Arthur SLI

Chidgey, James SLI

Chipling, William Devons

Clemow, Don NZMGC

*Clemow, Sidney NZR

Clermow, William RNVR

Coles, Samuel RE

Court, Frank DCLI

Court, John WSY

Curry, James, Rifle BDE

Daly, William RN

*Dicks, Victor SLI

40

*Dykes, Daniel ASC

Eden, Frederick (MBE) Mil Mission

Ewins, Henry SLI

Farmer, Frederick RHA

Farmer, George SLI

* Ferris, Edward SLI

Foyle, Frederick ASC

Foyle, Percy Dorsets

Fudge, George RGA

Fudge, Gilbert SLI

Fudge, Joseph Worcesters

Fudge, William RGA

Furzer, Bert SLI

Furzer, Ernest RMLI

Furzer, Harry DCLI

* Furzer, Reginald US Army

Furzer, Sidney (MM) Rifle Bde

* Furzer, William Canadians

Gamblin, Albert ASC

*Gamblin, Ernest SLI

Gamblin, Henry SLI

*Gault, Anderson Gren Gds

*Gillett, William WSY

Greed, Edmund WSY

Greed, Francis SLI

Grunter, Herbert RN

Hake, Frank RN

Hake, Jack, Cycle Corps

*Hake, William, Leinsters

Haste, John, RGA

Hawkings, Louis, RNAS

Hawkins, Lawrence, Glosters

Hawkins, William SLI

*Hayes, Charles SLI

Hayes, Robert SLI

Hole, Charles, Worcesters

Holley, Stanley RFA

Holley, William, Devons

Hooper, George ASC

Hosegood, William ASC

Humphris, Frederick Irish Gds

Hurford, Edward WSY

*Hurford, Gilbert Middx

Hurley, Gilbert RE

Huxley, Henry RFA

Huxman, William RGA

Jarvis, William RAF

*Kidner, Frederick Qn’s Westm R

Kidner, William RE

Knowles, Tom DCLI

Knowles, William DCLI

Leach, Daniel RAMC

Leach, Egerton WSY

Leach, Frank RAMC

Leach, Stanley WSY

Leakey, Albert RAMC

Leakey, Frank RAMC

Leakey, Harold 11th Hussars

Leatherby, William SLI

Lowman, Cecil RN

Lowman, Gilbert RN

Lowman, Hubert WSY

*Lowman, William RMLI

41

Lyddon, Herbert SLI

*Lye, William ASC

Manning, Fred Hants

Marks, Sydney WSY

Matravers, Samuel ASC

Matthews, John SLI

Mears, Edward Canadians

Mears, William Canadians

*Miles, William WSY

Mountstephens, Charles SLI

Nowles, Frederick SLI

Nutting, Harry SLI

Palfrey, Albert RE

Palfrey, Alfred RMLI

Palfrey, Ben SLI

Palfrey, Edward 6th DG

Palfrey, Eland, Devons

*Palfrey, Frank ASC

Palfrey, Harry RGA

Palfrey, James, ASC

Palfrey, Leslie RE

Palfrey, Sidney SLI

Parsons, Frank MP

Parsons, Harry ASC

Parsons, William Devons

Perrott, Thomas RN

Phillips, Frank RAMC

Pollard, Henry Devons

Porter, Charles SLI

Pugsley, Frederick WSY

Pugsley, Harry Australians

Pursey, Sidney Herts

*Ring, William DCLI

*Rowcliffe, Bertie Berks

Rowcliffe, Charles SLI

Rowcliffe, Ernest WSY

Rowcliffe, Frederick ASC

Rowcliffe, Joseph RE

Salisbury, Arthur SLI

*Samways, William RFC

Saunders, Ernest, RDC

*Saunders, Walter SLI

*Sealey, George RE

Selway, Harry RFA

Short, Henry Gren Gds

*Sloley, Frederick RMLI

Sloley, Walter SLI

Sloley, William Cycle Corps

Sly, Edward Red Cross

Smitheram Cecil, Rifle Bde

Smitheram, John WSY

Spear, James SALH

Spear, Stanley SALH

Spear, William WSY

Steevens, William RN

Sully, John Devon

*Sully, William (MM) RMLI

Sydenham, John Worcesters

Tantum, George Life Gds

Tantum, Mortimer RASC

Tavener, John SLI

*Templeman, John SLI

Thomas, Albert Devons

Thomas, Fred RAMC

42

Thomas, James ASC

Thomas, Robert SLI

Thomas, William Devons

Totterdell, Frank WSY

*Totterdell, George Coldstream Gds

Totterdell, Harry Coldstream Gds

Totterdell, James Berks

Totterdell, Robert Devons

Totterdell, William Canadians

Tottle, John RNR

Treeby, Henry SLI

*Tucker, Fred Dorsets

Tucker, Harry WSY

Tucker, Leonard WSY

Tucker, Sidney RAMC

Tucker, Reginald, RFA

Walford, Frank RGA

Walsh, Theobald Lomax SLI

Warren, Leonard SLI

Wells, Alfred 9th Lancers

White, Edward RN

White, Edward G SLI

White, ErnestRE

White, Robert Gren Gds

Wilson-Steele, John Chaplain

*Woodley, Frank Rifle Bd

Woodley, Harry ASC

Wyatt, Henry RMLI

Yandle, Henry RMLI

Yandle, Walter Hussars

Young, Herbert ASC

Women’s Auxiliary Forces

Kidner, Sybil, VAD

Leakey, Mabel, WAAC

Mear, Dorothy, WAAC

Palfrey, Lilian, WRAF

Platt, Edith, VAD (France)

Platt, Evelyn, VAD

Platt, Mabel, VAD

Smitheram, Mabel, Munitions

Thurstan, Violetta, MM, Br Red Cross

43

KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS

The information in this booklet has come from many sources, including: -

Soldiers Died in the Great War (1914-1918)

Somerset County Memorial Book 1914-1919

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Royal British Legion: Roll of Honour

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls

British Army WW1 Service Records

UK Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects 1901-1929

Birth, Marriage and Death Registers

Parish Registers

Census returns 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911

The 1939 Register

Somerset Light Infantry 1914-1919 (Everard Wyrall)

Book of Remembrance 5th Battalion (Prince Albert’s) Somerset LI

Absent Voters Taunton 1919

Newspaper archives

ASC = Army Service Corps RGA = Royal Garrison Artillery

DCLI – Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry RHA = Royal Horse Artillery

KOLI = King’s Own Light Infantry RMLI = Royal Marine Light Infantry

MP = Military Police RN = Royal Navy

NZMGC = New Zealand Machine Gun Corps RNR = Royal Navy Reserve

NZR = New Zealand Regt SALH = South African Light Horse

OTC = Officer Training Corps SLI = Somerset Light Infantry

RAMC = Royal Army Medical Corps VAD = Voluntary Aid Detachment

RE = Royal Engineers WAAC = Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps

RFA = Royal Field Artillery WRAF = Women’s Royal Air Force

RFC = Royal Flying Corps WSY = West Somerset Yeomanry

44

ADDENDUM

Nursing Sister Violetta THURSTAN MM

British Red Cross Society

Violetta Thurstan appears in the parish’s Roll of Service in WW1. It is not known whether she ever

lived in the village although she visited friends, including Miss Eden at the Grange, and played a

part in local events.

At the opening of the village hall in 1923 thanks were given to Miss Violetta Thurstan and Miss Eden for their donation of the “very charming and artistic pictures which grace the walls.” Violetta Thurstan achieved national fame as a Red Cross nurse in the First World War. Born Anna

Violet Thurstan in Ore, Sussex, on 4 Feb 1879, the daughter of Dr. Edward Paget Thurstan and

Anna Wilhelmina Reid, she trained as a nurse at The London Hospital and The Children’s Hospital,

Shadwell.

She went to Belgium early in the Great War and was subsequently ordered by the Germans to

leave Brussels when it fell. She then volunteered to worked with the Russian Red Cross. While

treating a wounded soldier she was hit in the leg by shrapnel and returned to England to

convalesce. During this time, she wrote a book of wartime experiences, Field Hospital and Flying

Column.

She returned to Belgium to become matron of a hospital at De Panne, only five miles from the front,

dealing with severe cases straight from the trenches. In 1917 she moved to a dressing station in a

farmhouse at Coxyde. When this building was bombed, despite being concussed by falling

masonry, she continued to evacuated the patients for which she was given the Military Medal.

In later life she moved to Cornwall, became an expert weaver and promoted the use of vegetable dyes, writing a book on the subject. She died at Penryn in 1978.

45

Jack Wilfrid GILL

Major

51st Royal Tank Regiment

Killed in Action

4 September 1944 aged 33

Italy

Although he does not appear on the village memorial Jack Gill had a very close family association

with the parish because his father and step-mother lived at Nailsbourne.

Jack Gill was born in Taunton, the only child of schoolmaster Edwin “Ted” Gill, who was deputy

head of Priory Boys School, and his wife May (Salmon). While he was still at school, his mother died

and his father married Betty Wolfenden and they moved to Orchard Cottage, Nailsbourne.

His son went on to Taunton School where he was Head Boy and won a scholarship to Bristol

University which he represented at rugby and cricket. On graduating, he became the history and

games master at the West Central School in Bath. A year later, in 1937, he married Evelyn

Moggridge, whose father was head of local building contractors TH Moggridge and Sons.

With the outbreak of war, he volunteered to join the Army and was commissioned in July 1941 and

posted to the 51st Royal Tank Regiment (RTR). He was promoted Lieutenant in 1943 and sailed

with the regiment to North Africa. After being hit by shrapnel at Pichon in Tunisia he was treated in a

military hospital and returned to his regiment which in April 1944 landed in Italy and was involved in

the ferocious battles to take Monte Casino and break the German’s defensive Adolf Line. For his

part in this action he was mentioned in despatches.

On 3 September he led his squadron in an attack on the Gothic Line, near Rimini. They successfully

crossed two rivers but had to remain on the objective all day, waiting for support. At night they

pulled back to the reverse side of the crest. He was out of his tank and talking to his second-in-

command when a shell landed in the tank harbour and killed both of them.

Major Gill, who left a wife and two daughters Barbara and Judith “Vicky”, is buried at Gradara

Cemetery, near Rimini. His name appears on the war memorials in Vivary Park, Taunton School

and the Temple Methodist Church.