MODBURY WAR MEMORIAL
World War 1 & 2 - Detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Roy Simms 2009
The Modbury memorial stands at the junction of High Street and Church Street, Modbury. It takes the form of a granite obelisk mounted on a plinth standing on a square base; the plinth bears the inscription:
ERECTED
TO HONOUR THE MODBURY MEN
WHO SERVED IN THE GREAT WAR
1914 - 1918.
AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF
28 OF THEM WHO
LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES FOR
THEIR COUNTRY AND HUMANITY
World War 1 (The Great War)
BLIGHT Harry
Private 435434, 31st Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment). Died 6th November 1917. Aged 23. Born 10th August 1895 in Modbury. Son of John and Emma Jane Blight, of Manor House, Modbury. Butcher by trade. Unmarried. Passed fit 4 th June 1915 and enlisted 23rd June 1915 at Calgary, Canada. Height 5 feet 10 inches, girth 37½ inches, complexion dark, eyes blue, hair dark, religion Church of England. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 24 - 28 - 30. National Archives of Canada Accession Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 821 - 28
BORNE John
Petty Officer Stoker 288252, H.M.S. Dolphin, Royal Navy. Died 24th January 1919. Aged 42. Son of Robert and Fanny Borne; husband of Margaret Borne, of 31, Galpin St., Modbury. Buried on the south boundary of ST. GEORGE CHURCHYARD, MODBURY, Devon.
BUNKER John
Chief Petty officer 143536 (RFR/DEV/A/3258), H.M.S. Goliath, Royal Navy. Lost with his ship 13th May 1915. Aged 47. Husband of Ellen Bunker, of 8, Poundwell St., Modbury. No known grave. Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 5.
Note: In April 1915 HMS Goliath went to the Dardanelle’s where she bombarded Cape Helles in support of the landings there, and was damaged by Turkish gun fire on the 28th April and 2nd May. On the night of 12-13 May, HMS Goliath and HMS Comwallis were chosen to support French troops on the right of the Allied line. The Goliath anchored off Morto Bay. On the same night, Lieutenant-Commander Fine, a German officer serving with the Turkish fleet, obtained permission to take the destroyer Muavertet-I-Milet (Built in 1909, 600 tons, top speed 33 knots, armed with three torpedo tubes,) through the Straits to attack the Allied battleships. Aided by fog, he got within torpedo range of the Goliath before he was spotted and challenged. He fired three torpedoes, and then escaped to safety. The first torpedo hit the Goliath by her forward 12in turret. She then began to list to port. The second torpedo hit by the forward funnel. The ship continued to turn over, and was nearly on her beam ends when the third torpedo hit near her aft 12in turret. She then turned turtle, floated upside down for a couple of minutes and then sank bows first. Of the 750 men then serving on her, 570 were lost.
COYTE Walter
Sergeant 416157, 60th Company, Chinese Labour Corps, formerly SS/16818, Depot, Royal Army Service Corps. Died of wounds 19th March 1918. Born Modbury, resident Torquay, enlisted London. Buried in DOZINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot IV. Row I. Grave 11.
DAVIS Maurice
Private 203373, 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Killed in action 16th August 1917. Aged 25. Born Stoke Fleming, enlisted Newton Abbot, resident Woodbury. Son of Mrs S. E. Davis, of "California," Modbury, Devon, and the late Mr. R. H. Davis. Formerly 1st Battalion, Devon Yeomanry. No known grave. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 38 to 40.
DILLON William
Sergeant 9687, 8th Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment). Killed in action 26th September 1917. Born Bolton, enlisted Manchester. No known grave. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 18 to 19. [Connection with Modbury unknown]
HASKELL Arthur John
Private 26123, 8th Battalion, Prince Albert’s (Somerset Light Infantry) . Killed in action 28th April 1917. Born Plympton, enlisted Newton Abbot, resident Modbury. Formerly 148653, Royal Field Artillery. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 4.
HILL Charles [Robert]
Leading Stoker 311712, H.M.S. Indefatigable, Royal Navy. Lost with his ship 31st May 1916. Aged 29. Husband of Amelia Hill, of 25, Galpin St., Modbury. No known grave. Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 15.
Note: HMS Indefatigable was sunk at Jutland at 1600 on 31 May 1916 by 11 inch shell fire from the Von Der Tann. The British ship was suddenly hidden in a burst of flame and smoke. A salvo of three shots had fallen on her upper deck and must have penetrated to a magazine. She staggered out of the line, sinking by the stern, when another salvo struck her; a second terrible explosion rent her, she turned over and in a moment all trace of her was gone. Only 2 of her 850 crew survived.
The sinking of HMS Indefatigable
HILL Sidney [Herbert]
Leading Stoker K/14449, H.M.S. Indefatigable, Royal Navy. Lost with his ship 31st May 1916. Aged 24. Son of Samuel Thomas and Elizabeth Ann Northcote Hill, of Galpin St., Modbury, Devon. No known grave. Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 15.
Note: HMS Indefatigable was sunk at Jutland at 1600 on 31 May 1916 by 11 inch shell fire from the Von Der Tann. The British ship was suddenly hidden in a burst of flame and smoke. A salvo of three shots had fallen on her upper deck and must have penetrated to a magazine. She staggered out of the line, sinking by the stern, when another salvo struck her; a second terrible explosion rent her, she turned over and in a moment all trace of her was gone. Only 2 of her 850 crew survived.
HOSKIN Edward Benjamin
Private M2/203888, Base M.T. Depot, Royal Army Service Corps. Died in Mesopotamia 17th May 1917. Aged 25. Born Modbury, enlisted and resident Bude. Son of William and Mary Hoskin; husband of Annie Hoskin, of Church View, Kilkhampton, Halsworthy, Devon. Buried in BAGHDAD (NORTH GATE) WAR CEMETERY, Iraq. Plot XV. Row K. Grave 1.
HOWARD James
Private PLY/10759, H.M.S. Monmouth, Royal Marine Light Infantry. Died 1st November 1914. No known grave. Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 5.
HURRELL Alfred
Private 11327, 11th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Died in United Kingdom 16th February 1915. Aged 29. Born Ivybridge, enlisted Exeter. Son of Frank and Hannah Hurrell, 16 Galpin Street, Modbury. Buried in PAIGNTON CEMETERY, Devon. Grave 2771.
KENNARD James
Blacksmith 342680, H.M.S. Monmouth, Royal Navy. Died 1st November 1914. Aged 42. Son of Richard and Eliza Kennard, of Modbury; husband of Annie G. Kennard, of 24, Brownston St., Modbury, Devon. No known grave. Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 4.
Note: HMS Monmouth was lost at the Battle of Coronel 1st November 1914.
KENNARD Sidney George
Private 5061, 1st/4th Battalion (Territorial), Devonshire Regiment. Killed in action in Mesopotamia 3rd February 1917. Aged 19. Enlisted Plymouth, resident Modbury. Buried in AMARA WAR CEMETERY, Iraq. Plot XVIII. Row F. Grave 2.
LAKEMAN John Pearse
[Listed as John Pearce Lakeman on SDGW] Second Lieutenant, 20th (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Died of wounds 20th April 1917. Aged 19. Son of Nicholas Frank and Ethel Lakeman, of Modbury. Buried in ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot XVII. Row C. Grave 7.
LUSCOMBE Sidney Thomas
Private 2172, Lewis Gun Section, 19th Battalion, Australian Infantry, A.I.F. Killed in action at Bullecourt 3rd May 1917. Aged 25. Born Ley Farm, Modbury. Draper by trade. Educated Modbury. Emigrated in 1912. Son of Caroline Grace Luscombe, Little Orcheton, Modbury. No known grave. Commemorated on VILLERS-BRETONNEUX MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Australian Roll of Honour details
MARTIN Charles
Chief Petty Officer probably Chief Petty Officer 172603, H.M.S. Defence, Royal Navy. Lost with his ship 31st May 1916. No known grave. Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 11.
MITCHELMORE Horace John
Private 10043, 2nd Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh’s (Wiltshire Regiment). Killed in action 28th July 1915. Born Modbury, enlisted and resident Warminster, Wiltshire. Buried in ST. VAAST POST MILITARY CEMETERY, RICHEBOURG-L'AVOUE, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row H. Grave 4.
MORTIMORE Harry Elford
Private 290424, 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Killed in action 25th November 1917. Aged 23. Born Modbury, enlisted at Liskeard. Son of Alfred J. and Jessie A. Mortimore, of New Rd., Modbury. Buried in TYNE COT CEMETERY, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot LVII. Row C. Grave 43.
RENDLE Alan
[Listed as Allan RUNDLE on SDGW] Corporal 10665, 8th (Service) battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Died 14th February 1916. Born Modbury, enlisted Devonport. Buried in VILLE-SUR-ANCRE COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Somme, France. plot/Row/Section C. Row 8.
RENDLE Warwick
Gunner 330211, 234th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Killed in action 18th July 1917. Aged 26. Born Modbury, enlisted Plymouth. Son of George and Annie Rendle, of Modbury, Devon; husband of Florence May Rendle, of 19, Stracey Rd., Forest Gate, London. Buried in VLAMERTINGHE NEW MILITARY CEMETERY, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot IV. Row E. Grave 13.
ROGERS Samuel
Private, 9th Devons possibly Samuel ROGERS 10563, 8th (Service) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Died of wounds 19th June 1917. Aged 23. Born Salcombe, enlisted Exeter. Son of the late John Adams Rogers and Elizabeth Rogers, of Portlemouth, Devon. Buried in ACHIET-LE-GRAND COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row L. Grave 25.
SHUTE Stephanas
Lance Corporal 100872, 134th A.T. Company, Royal Engineers. Killed in action 2nd August 1916. Aged 36. Born Modbury, resident Loddiswell, enlisted Exeter. Husband of Lily Maud Shute, of 1, Lyn Cliff Cottage, Watersmeet Rd., Lynmouth, Devon. Buried in DARTMOOR CEMETERY, BECORDEL-BECOURT, Somme, France. Plot I. Row F. Grave 67.
WEEKES Reginald P O
Second Lieutenant, 10th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps and General List. Killed in action 7th May 1917. Aged 19. Born Brixham, Devon. Son of Reginald Newton Weekes and Ida Mousell Weekes, of Modbury, Devon. Buried in CHOCQUES MILITARY CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row F. Grave 30. Also commemorated on a memorial in the Church.
WOOD, Ernest
Able Seaman 193330 (RFR/DEV/B/3034), H.M.S. Defence, Royal Navy. Lost with his ship 31st May 1916. Aged 39. Son of Isabell Wood, of Modbury, Devon; husband of Honor Wood, of Moorshead Cottages, Underwood, Plympton, Devon. Mentioned in Despatches (MiD). No known grave. Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon Panel 12.
Note: At the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916, the German cruiser Wiesbaden, had been badly damaged in a clash ahead of the British battlecruisers. Admiral Arbuthnot, commanding HMS Defence, continued the attack but was hit by two 1 2in salvoes from SMS Friedrich der Grosse, Admiral Scheer’s flagship. Admiral Arbuthnot and his flagship disappeared in a roar of flame, presumably as the magazines had been hit. 893 men were lost.
Jutland
WOOD Henry
Private, 1st Battalion, Devon and Cornwall Light Infantry. No further information currently available
WYATT Henry William
S4/217642, 8th Lines of Communication Supply Company, Royal Army Service Corps. Died 20th February 1918. Aged 27. Born Modbury, resident Salcombe, enlisted Plymouth. Husband of C. E. Wyatt, of Townend, Galmpton, Brixham. Buried in BLARGIES COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Oise, France. Plot I. Row B. Grave 2.
The plinth bears the inscription:
IN MEMORY OF
THOSE WHO FELL IN THE WAR
1939-1945
World War 2
DARE William Frederick
Private 5617238, 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Died 17th September 1944. Aged 31. Born and resident Devon. Son of William and Susan Dare; husband of Norah Evelyn Dare, of Loddiswell, Devon. Buried in VALKENSWAARD WAR CEMETERY, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands. Plot II. Row A. Grave 15.
Devonshire Regiment cap badge
DEVILLE Victor [Charles]
Private 5625156, 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Died 19th June 1944. Aged 28. Born and resident Devon. Son of Thomas and Mary Deville, of Modbury, Devon. Buried in HOTTOT-LES-BAGUES WAR CEMETERY, Calvados, France. Plot III. Row A. Grave 6.
FOX William [George Henry]
Chief Mechanician D/K 61141, H.M.S. Samphire, Royal Navy. Died 30th January 1943. Son of Richard and Hannah Fox; husband of Emily Hannah Fox, of Modbury. No known grave. Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 81, Column 2.
MILES George [John Arscott]
Sergeant (Air Gnr.) 900970, 49 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 2nd June 1942. Aged 29. Son of Henry Pode Miles and Marjorie Helen Miles, of Modbury, Devon. B.A. (Cantab.). Buried in HEVERLEE WAR CEMETERY, Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium. Plot 8. Row F. Collective grave 1-5.
LOWRY Harry
Royal Navy probably Harry Pearce LOWRY, Petty Officer Stoker D/K 60918, H.M.S. Basilisk, Royal Navy. Died 1st June 1940. Aged 36. Husband of Bertha Edith Lowry, of Elburton, Devon. No known grave. Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 40, Column 2.
WATTS Edgar [George]
Chief Petty Officer Cook (S) D/MX 47250, H.M.S. Repulse, Royal Navy. Died 10th December 1941. Aged 34. Son of George and Amy Watts; husband of Olive Susan Watts, of Camel's Head, Plymouth. No known grave. Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 55, Column 2.
TOMS Fred
Petty Officer Stoker D/K 32894, H.M.S. Itchen, Royal Navy. Died 23rd September 1943. No known grave. Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 81, Column 3.
YOUNG James [Andrew]
Able Seaman D/J 11882, H.M.S. Rawalpindi, Royal Navy. Died 23rd November 1939. Aged 45. Son of James and Mary Ann Young, of Modbury, Devon; husband of Olive Young, of Dorking, Surrey. No known grave. Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 33, Column 3.