Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence

Lest We Forget
British Legion
The Royal British Legion

SEATON WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Avalon Eastman 2006

The memorial is to be found in St Gregory's Churchyard, Seaton. The memorial is in the form of a wheel cross of stone atop a three stepped base. There are Celtic-style carvings on the head and the shaft of the cross. There are 32 names for the First World War and 30 for the Second World War all listed by surname and forename.

Photograph Copyright © Avalon Eastman 2006

SEATON’S TRIBUTE
TO HER GLORIOUS DEAD
1914 – 1919

ACKERMAN

Francis Le G aka Frank
[Spelt AKERMAN on the SDGW & CWGC] Corporal 500488, "R" Corps, G.H.Q. Signal Company (52nd Signal Company), Royal Engineers. Died of Wounds 22nd August 1918. Born and resident Seaton, enlisted Bristol. Buried in DUISANS BRITISH CEMETERY, ETRUN, Pas de Calais, France. Plot V Row H Grave 13.

ALLARDYCE

Colin [McDiarmid]
Lieutenant 14th King George's Own Ferozepore Sikhs attached 47th Sikhs. Killed in action 26th April 1915. Brother of Harry (below). Buried in WHITE HOUSE CEMETERY, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot III. Row A. Grave 18.

Detail kindly supplied by Chris Rondel, School Staff Instructor, Victoria College Combined Cadet Force.

CAPTAIN COLIN McDIARMID ALLARDICE
Anno Actatis 28.

Colin Allardice was two years younger than his brother Harry, and was also born at Mylemoney, Mysore.

He entered College in 1899 and was with us for six years. An athlete of uncommon merit he was in the Football XV of 1902, the last year in which we played rugby, and in the XI OF 1903 and 1904, and was a prominent player in the Cricket XI’s from ’03 to ’05. He was also one of the first Non-Commissioned Officers in the Victoria College Officer Training Corp. The popularity he enjoyed with us continued at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and in the army, where he earned a great reputation for polo.

He received his commissioned in the East Lancashire Regiment in 1906, becoming Lieutenant in 1908, and was transferred to the Indian Army in 1911 and posted to the 14th King George’s Own Ferozepore Sikhs. Being at home on leave at the beginning of the war, he was ordered to Aldershot and attached to the 21st Battalion Royal Scots, in which he held the rank of temporary Captain. In November, he went to France and was attached to the 47th Sikhs. He was with them at Neuve Chapelle, and until he was killed on the 26th April 1915 at the second battle of Ypres. He was then Acting Adjutant.

He was mentioned Sir John French’s despatch of May 31st, 1915.

ALLARDYCE

Harry
Lieutenant Colonel, 36th Jacob's Horse attached 13th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Killed in action 1st July 1916. Brother of Colin (above). Buried in DARTMOOR CEMETERY, BECORDEL-BECOURT, Somme, France. Plot I. Row F. Grave 42.

Extract from Victoria College, Jersey, 'BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE'

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HARRY ALLARDICE
Anno Aetatis 31.

Harry Allardice was born at Mylemoney, Mysore, on April 30th, 1886, and was the fourth son of W.A . Allardice. Entering College in January, 1898, he got into the Football XV at the age of 14, and was in it for three years, 1900, ’01, ’02. His last year, 1903, was his only year in the Cricket XI. In the same year he passed 14th into Sandhurst, and was gazetted to the Indian Army in 1905.

In 1907 he became Lieutenant in the 36th Jacob’s Horse, in which Regiment he was Captain and Adjutant at the outbreak of the war. Later he served with the Royal West Surreys at temporary Major. He was killed on July 1st, 1916, in the advance on the Somme while commanding the 13th Northumberland Fusliers.

BALL

Percy Charles
Private 42290, 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment. Killed in action 28th March 1918. Aged 20. Born Seaton, enlisted and resident Dorking. Son of Robert Henry Ball, of 28, Fore St., Seaton, Devon. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 7

CARSLAKE

George
Private 20110, 1st/5th Battalion, Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) formerly 13664, 12th Reserve Cavalry Regiment. Killed in action 15th July 1916. Born 12th November 1889 in Beer, Devon, enlisted Exeter. Brother of William (below). Admitted to Beer Church of England School, Beer, Devon, 12th June 1894, son of John Carslake, left 3rd April 1896 through sickness. In the 1901 census he was aged 11, born Beer, Devon, son of John and Annie Carslake, resident Ridgeway, Colyton, Axminster, Devon. In the 1911 census he was aged 21, born Beer, Devon, a Farm Labourer, son of John and Annie Carslake, resident 4, Manor Cottages, Seaton, Devon. Buried in AUTHUILE MILITARY CEMETERY, Somme, France. Section H Grave 15. See also Beer

CARSLAKE

William
Private 241746, 1st/5th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Killed in action 19th June 1917. Born 7 May 1896 in Colyton, Devon, enlisted Hounslow, Middlesex, resident Crewkerne. Brother of George (above). In the 1901 census he was aged 4, born Colyton, Devon, son of John and Annie Carslake, resident Ridgeway, Colyton, Axminster, Devon. Admitted to Seaton County Primary School, 1902, son of John Carslake, resident Seaton, previously at school in Axminster Board School, obtained Labour certficate and left school at 12. In the 1911 census he was aged 14, born Colyton, Devon, a Butcher's Assistant, son of John and Annie Carslake, resident 4, Manor Cottages, Seaton, Devon. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bays 3 and 4. See also Beer

DOMMETT

Henry [Alfred] Lionel
Rifleman A/200537, 12th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps. Died 2nd April 1918 according to SDGW and 21st March 1918 acording to CWGC. Aged 23. Enlisted Wellington, resident Seaton. Son of Mr A.E.W. Dommett of 2 Manor Cottages Seaton. No known grave. Commemorated on POZIERES MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Panel 61 to 64.

FRY

Thomas
Fireman, H.M.S. India, Mercantile Marine Reserve. Killed or died as a direct result of enemy action 8th August 1915. Son of Margaret Fry, of 5 Smith Street, Victoria Dock Road, London. E. No known grave. Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 9.

Note: H.M.S. India was an ex P & O Ship, converted to an Armed Merchant Cruiser. She was torpedoed by “U-22” only 2 miles off the Norwegian Coast, and was therefore the subject of Norwegian Protests at her sinking, which they considered to be within Home Waters. (See H.M.S. India Association Web Site)

GOSNEY

Reginald Wilkie
Second Lieutenant, Indian Army Reserve of Officers attached 76th Punjabis. Killed in action on the way to Baghdad in Mesopotamia 22nd November 1915. Son of Charles Frederick Gosney. Tea Planter in Ceylon prior to the war. Born 3 August 1888, baptised 29 October 1888 in Seaton & Beer, son of Charles Frederick and Isabella Mary Gosney. In the 1891 census he was aged 2, born Seaton, Devon, resident The Square, Seaton and Beer, Axminster, Devon. In the 1901 census he was a schoolboy, a boarder, aged 12, born Seaton, Devon, resident Crewkerne Grammar School, Crewkerne, Somerset. No known grave. Commemorated on BASRA MEMORIAL, Iraq. Panel 43 and 65

GIGG

Reginald Percy
Private 18726, “D” Company, 9th Battalion Devonshire Regiment. Killed in action 1st July 1916. Aged 19. Born and enlisted Seaton. Son of Sidney and Elizabeth Ann Gigg, 12 Summerland Place, Seaton; brother of Sidney (below). Buried in DEVONSHIRE CEMETERY, MAMETZ, Somme, France. Section A Grave 1

GIGG

Sidney Francis Harry
Private 8705, 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Died 10th March 1915. Born Honiyton, enlisted Exeter, resident Seaton. Aged 26. Son of Sidney and Elizabeth Ann Gigg, 12 Summerland Place, Seaton; brother of Reginald (above). No known grave. Commemorated on LE TOURET MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 8 and 9.

GREEN

Alfred John
Private 8122, 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Killed in action 14th February 1915. Born Colyton, enlisted Axminster. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 21

GROVES

Charles William
Gunner 172354, “B” Battery, 311th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Died of wounds 26th September 1918. Aged 24. Born and enlisted Southampton. Son of William and Phoebe Emma Aplin Groves, 1, Parklands Seaton. Buried in FILLIEVRES BRITISH CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Section A. Grave 24.

GUSH

William George
Acting Captain (Second Leiutenant), 7th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Killed in acion 23rd April 1917. Aged 23. Son of George and Emily Hannah Gush of 2 Laburnum Place Seaton. Buried in ORCHARD DUMP CEMETERY, ARLEUX-EN-GOHELLE, Pas de Calais, France. Plot V1. Row J. Grave 10

HAYMES

Charles William
[Listed as W HAYMES on CWGC] Sergeant 10079, 8th (Service) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment Died in United Kingdom 29thApril 1920. Buried east of the church in ST. MICHAEL CHURCHYARD, AXMOUTH, Devon.

HOLMES

Cyril
[SDGW lists him as Lieutenant] Captain, "D" Company, 8th (Pioneer) Battalion, Welsh Regiment. Died 21st December 1915 Aged 33. Son of Benjamin and Alice Holmes, of Grey Towers, Hornchurch, Essex; husband of Maud F. Holmes, of 3, Trevelyan Rd., Seaton, Devon. Buried in PORTIANOS MILITARY CEMETERY, Lemnos, Greece. Plot V. Row D. Grave 179.

HOOPER

Reginald Thomas
Gunner 121012, Royal Garrison Artillery. Died 26th August 1920. Aged 32. Son of the late Philip Hooper of Seaton. Buried in ST. GREGORY CHURCHYARD, SEATON. Grave 143.

INGE

Percy
No further information currently available

JONES

William G
Private 13666, 12th Reserve Cavalry Regiment. Died 8th March 1927. Aged 25. Buried in ST. GREGORY CHURCHYARD, SEATON. Grave

MORTIMER

Reginald
Private G/52045, 24th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Aged 29. Died of wounds 1st March 1918. Born Torquay, enlisted Axminster, resident Seaton. Son of Mr W.H. Mortimer and Mrs D.M. Mortimer of Chestnut House Kingkerswell Devon. Formerly TP/10/73094, Training Reserve Battalion. Buried in METZ-EN-COUTURE COMMUNAL CEMETERY BRITISH EXTENSION, Pas de Calais, France. Plot II. Row H. Grave 25.

NEWTON

James Henry
Private 10119, 8th (Service) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Killed in action 25th September 1915. Born and resident Seaton, enlisted Exeter. Son of James and Fanny Newton of Seaton. No known grave. Commemorated on LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 35 to 37.

NEWTON

Walter Norris
Private 10120, 8th (Service) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Killed in action 25th September 1915. Aged 21. Born and resident Seaton, enlisted Exeter. Son of Samuel and Emily Newton, 62 Fore Street, Seaton. No known grave. Commemorated on LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 35 to 37.

NORTHCOTT

Arthur John
Private M/340077, Mobilization and Embarkation Area Motor Transport Company (Bulford), Royal Army Service Corps. Died in United Kingdom 31st October 1918. Aged 32. Born and resident Seaton, enlisted Axminster. Son of Thomas Northcott, of 12, Manor Cottages, Seaton and the late Mary Ann Northcott. Buried in ST. GREGORY CHURCHYARD, SEATON. Grave 291

NORTHCOTT

George Thomas
[Listed as Thomas George on SDGW and CWGC] Private 28213, 1st Battalion, Prince Albert's (Somerset Light Infantry). Killed in action 5th December 1917. Aged 19. Born and resident Seaton, enlisted Axminster. Son of Thomas George and Elizabeth Spiller Northcott of 2 Rosedale Terrace, Seaton. Buried in HAPPY VALLEY BRITISH CEMETERY, FAMPOUX, Pas de Calais, France. Section A Grave 3

OLDRIDGE

Wilfred George

Private 345304, 16th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Died 6th August 1921. Born 6 June 1896, baptised 12 July 1896 at Seaton & Beer, son of John George and Lucilla Mary Oldridge. Buried in ST. GREGORY CHURCHYARD, SEATON. Grave 145.

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1922:

OLDRIDGE Wilfrid George of Burgenstock Seaton Devonshire died 6 August 1921 Administration (with Will) London 2 February to Lucy Oldridge (wife of John George Oldridge). Effects £103 12s. 6d.

PALMER

Arthur
Private 14409, 8th (Service) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Killed in action 25th September 1915. Born East Budleigh, enlisted Exmouth. No known grave. Commemorated on LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 35 to 37.

PEACH

Alfred Charles
Private 64138, King's Royal Rifle Corps. Died July to September Quarter 1923. Aged 24. Born 21st April 1899, baptised 11 June 1899 in Seaton & Beer, son of Alfred William Moss and Alice Mary Peach. In the 1911 census he was aged 12, born Seaton, Devon, at school, son of Alfred William Moss and Alice Mary Peach, resident 1, Manor Cottages, Seaton, Devon. Discharged 18 February 1919 with Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Attested as TR/9/25200, Training Reserve Battalion, at Axminster 30 May 1917, resident 1, Manor Cottage, Sidmouth Street, Seaton, Devon, aged 18 years 1 month, a Baker's Apprentice, single, height 5 feet, religious denomination Church of England, transferred 11th December 1917 to 536515, 6th Battalion, Rifle Brigade then transferred 20 February 1919 to 64138, King' Royal Rifle Corps.

PERRY

William
Private 25825, 9th (Service) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Died of wounds 26th April 1917. Born and enlisted Axminster, resident Seaton. Husband of Mrs E. E. Perry of 3 Stock Lane, Seaton. Buried in ACHIET-LE-GRAND COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row D. Grave 11.

REAL

William George
Private 201193, 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Killed in action 6th November 1917. Aged 19. Born and resident Seaton, enlisted Beer. Son of W. J. and Eva Real, 5 Manor Cottages, Seaton. No known grave. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 38 to 40

SUTTON

Richard Charles
Private 38610, 2nd Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Regiment). Died 13th August 1918. Aged 19. Born Churn, Somerset, enlisted Exeter, resident Seaton. Son of Mr E.G. and Mrs E.H. Sutton of “Marsh View”, Seaton. Buried in NIEDERZWEHREN CEMETERY, Kassel, Hessen, Germany. Plot V111. Row F. Grave 11.

TRINEMAN

Charles Frederick

Sergeant 62, "B" Company, 18th Battalion, Australian Infantry, A.I.F. Killed in action at Gallipoli, Dardanelles, Turkey, 22nd August 1915. Aged 35. Born Seaton, Devon. Husband of Amelia Trineman, of Scarfield, Seaton, Devon (listed in Embarkation rolls as resident "Southfield," New-road, Water orton, Birmngham, England. Chef by trade, also Golf Professional. Also served in the South African War 1899-1902. Religious denomination Church of England. Enlisted 29 September 1914.Embarked 25 June 1915 at Sydney aboard HMAT Ceramic A40. No known grave. Commemorated on LONE PINE MEMORIAL, Turkey (including Gallipoli). Panel 60. Australian Circuar details

TRIVETT

Eugene
Bombadier 82163, 4th Depot, Royal Field Artillery. Died 7th February 1917. Born 7th May 1895. Admitted to 9th March 1908 to Beer Church Of England School, Beer, Devon, left 31 July 1909, son of Eli Trivett, resident Bovey, Devon, previous school Widworthy. In the 1911 census he was aged 16, born Colyton, Devon, a Grocers apprentice, son of Eli and Annie Trivett, resident Bovey Dairy, Beer, Devon Buried in ST. GREGORY CHURCHYARD, SEATON, Devon. Grave 263

WHITE

Robert Henry
Corporal 2851, 2nd/4th Battalion (Territorials), Devonshire Regiment. Died in India 27th January 1915. Born and enlisted Axminster, resident Seaton. Grave in outlying cantonment. Commemorated on MADRAS 1914-1918 WAR MEMORIAL, MADRAS WAR CEMETERY, CHENNAI, India. Face 9.

1939-1945

AYRES

Frederick George
Gunner 1645939, 239 Battery, 77 H.A.A. Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died 18th July 1943 as a prisoner of war. Aged 32. Son of Jesse and Ada Ayres; husband of Irene Rose Ayres, of Seaton, Devon. Buried in KANCHANABURI WAR CEMETERY, Thailand. Plot 8. Row E. Grave 12.

BARKWORTH

Henry Edmund
Major 8005, Royal Artillery. Died 10th March 1940. Aged 47. Son of Edmund and Clara Barkworth Husband of Irene Barkworth of Seaton. Buried in south-east part, near boundary wall, in ST. MICHAEL CHURCHYARD, AXMOUTH, Devon.

BOYCE

Leicester John
Supply Assistant D/MX574117, H.M.S. “Charybdis”, Royal Navy. Died 23rd October 19143. Aged 37. Son of Arthur John and Louise Marrie Boyce Husband of Lily Boyce of Seaton. Buried in DINARD ENGLISH CEMETERY, Ille-et-Vilaine, France. Row D. Grave 11.

CHOPE

Arthur Valentine
Arcraftsman 1st Class 845095, 907 Balloon Squadron, Royal Air Force (Auxiliary Air Force). Died 12th November 1940. Buried in BROOKWOOD MILITARY CEMETERY, Surrey. Plot 20. Row A. Grave 16.

CHOPE

Christopher Augustine
Pilot Officer 90826, 904 Balloon Squadron, Royal Air Force (Auxiliary Air Force). Died 21st April 1940. Aged 33. Cremated and commemorated in PUTNEY VALE CREMATORIUM, WANDSWORTH, London. Screen Wall Panel 2

CHOPE

Geoffrey Leonard
Observer Corps. Died at Homestead Nursing Home, Seaton, 23 March 1945. Aged 33. Born 25 July 1911 in Wandsworth. Son of Leonard Augustine and Ida Florence (nee Mair) Chope; brother of Arthur Chope and Christopher Chope. In 1939 he was a School Teacher, unmarried, resident Little Stocks Farm, Tenterden R.D., Kent.

Extract from Probate Calendars of England & Wales 1945:

CHOPE Geoffrey Leonard of Fortfield Seaton Devonshire died 23 March 1945 at The Homestead Nursing Home Seaton Administration Exeter 20 November [1945] to Ida Florence Chope (wife of Leonard Augustine Chope). Effects £791 7s. 7d.

CLAPP

Thomas Hill

Sergeant (Flight Engineer) 1587325, 103 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Died during an air test flying in an Avro Lancaster III, serual number JB346, when it crashed having taken off from Elsham Wolds, crashed almost immediately onto an adjacent farm and burst into flames 3rd October 1943. Aged 19. Buried in ST. GREGORY CHURCHYARD, SEATON. West part. Grave A.36.

COLE

Dennis William Metherell
Assistant Cook P/MX 535353, H.M.S. Cato, Royal Navy. Died 6th July 1944. No known grave. Commemorated on PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire. Panel 87, Column 2.

Note: HMS Cato was an Auk Class Minesweeper (J 16) built by Associated Shipbuilders (Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.). She was launched 7th September 1942 and commissioned 28th July 1943. HMS Cato was sunk off Normandy, France on 6th July 1944 by a German human torpedo (Neger).

COLES

Ronald Stuart
Flight Sergeant (Observer) 966989, 242 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 6th July 1942. Aged 27. Son of John Henry and Rose Coles of Seaton. Buried in HALFAYA SOLLUM WAR CEMETERY, Egypt. Plot 4. Row A. Joint grave 9-10.

COLES

Samuel Albert
Flying Officer (Navigator) 124952, 35 (Madras Presidency) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Killed while flying in a Handley Page Halifax II, serial number DT489, 5th May 1943, when flying out of R.A.F. Graveley on their return to base the aircrat crashed. Aged 30. Son of John Henry and Rose Coles; husband of Margaret Louise Mary Coles, of Ensbury Park, Bournemouth. Buried in ST. MARK CHURCHYARD, TALBOT VILLAGE, Bournemouth. Grave 988. See also Talbot Village, Dorset, Memorial

ETESON, MC

Arthur Deakin
Captain 148196, King’s Own Royal (Lancaster) Regiment attached to 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Died 19th June 1944. Aged 27. Son of Fred and Alice Eteson; husband of Elizabeth Eteson of Wethersfield, Essex. Awarded the Military Cross (M.C.). Buried in HOTTOT-LES-BAGUES WAR CEMETERY, Calvados, France. Plot X11. Row J. Grave 1.

EVANS-LOMBE

Richard Charles
Midshipman, H.M.S. Norfolk, Royal Navy. Died 16th March 1940. Aged 18. Son of Lt-Col Charles Spencer Browne Evans-Lombe and Evelyn Gaitskell Evans-Lombe. Buried in LYNESS ROYAL NAVAL CEMETERY, Orkney. Plot P. Row 2. Grave 10.

Note: HMS Norfolk served in the Atlantic and Home Fleets during 1930-32, then went to the America and West Indies Station between 1932 and 1934. From 1935 to 1939 she served on the East Indies Station before coming home to refit in 1939, being still in dockyard hands when war was declared. On 6th September she joined the 18th Cruiser Squadron with the Home Fleet in the Denmark Straits. In early December, with the return of Berwiek from the West Indies and Devonshire from the Mediterranean, Norfolk, with Suffolk, reformed the 1st Cruiser Squadron, operating with the Home Fleet in northern waters. On the 15th March 1940, while at Scapa, she was hit by bombs and went to the Clyde to repair. She returned to service with the Home Fleet in June. It was proably in this action that Richard was killed.

FOWLER

Charles Thomas aka Charlie
Lance Bombardier 11255249, 96 Light A.A. Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died on service in Kenya, East Africa, 1st June 1943. Aged 41. Born 11th February 1902. Son of Henry Charles and Bessie Fowler; husband of Edna May Fowler, of Truro, Cornwall. In the 1939 Register he was an Omnibus Conductor, married to Edna M (nee White) Fowler, resident 2 Laburnum Place, Seaton, Seaton U.D., Devon. Buried in NAIROBI WAR CEMETERY, Kenya. Plot 2. Row F. Grave 33.

GOOD

Reginald Thomas
Seaman P/X7734, S.S. Draco, Royal Naval Reserve. Died in Tobruk Hospital 11th April 1941 from an injury sustained from enemy action . Aged 38. Born 4 January 1907 in Seaton, baptised 31 January 1907 in Seaton & Beer, son of Herbert Arthur and Henrietta Good, resident Seaton. In the 1911 census he was aged 4, born Seaton, Devon, son of Herbert Arthur and Henrietta Good, resident 5, Castle Hill, Seaton, Devon. Buried in TOBRUK WAR CEMETERY, Libya. Plot 3. Row E. Grave 13.

HARRIS

Peter Ernest
Sapper 5621866, 18 Field Squadron, Royal Engineers. Died 29th April 1943. Aged 22. Son of Ernest and Amy Jane Harris of Seaton. Buried in ST. GREGORY CHURCHYARD, SEATON. West part. Grave D.33

HOOPER

Arthur William George
Marine PLY/X 100963, No 43 R.M. Commando, Royal Marines. Died 23rd May 1944 in Yugoslavia. Aged 32. Born 1st October 1911 in Seaton. Baptised 17 December 1911 in Seaton & Beer. Son of Frederick William (a butcher in Seaton) and Louisa Hooper. In the 1939 Register he was a Builder's Labourer, unmarried, resident Pretoria Cott, Harepath Road, Seaton, Seaton U.D., Devon. Buried in BELGRADE WAR CEMETERY, Serbia and Montenegro. Plot 5. Row D. Grave 8.

KENNEDY

Alastair Baird
Surgeon Lieutenant H.M.S. Algerine, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Died 15th November 1942. Aged 37. Son of Alexander Anderson Kennedy and Letitia Kennedy, Husband of Gillian Barbara Kennedy of Charlton Kings, Gloucestershire. No known grave. Commemorated on PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire. Panel 71, Column 2

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1943:

KENNEDY Alastair Baird of Sea Close Seaton Devonshire died on or since 15. November 1942 on war service Probate Llandudno 14 July to National Provincial Bank Limited.
Effects £954 10s. 1d.

Note: H.M.S. Algerine was sunk by a U-boat torpedo at Bougie, Algeria. There is a memorial in Old Portsmouth to the “Algerine” Class Minesweepers and to the men who served in the Algerine Class. The memorial is on Governor’s Green adjacent to the path from the Royal Garrison Church to King’s Bastion.

LAMBERT

John Dirom
Flying Officer (Pilot) 141540, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Killed in air accident, in Pakistan, 29th September 1944. Aged 31. Son of Henry and Violet Lambert, of Seaton, Devon. B.A. (Cantab.). Educated Charterhouse School & Magdalene College, Cambridge. MCS 1935 - Police Magistrate SS, Assistant Controller of Labour, Perak, based at Ipoh. Buried in KARACHI WAR CEMETERY, Paskistan. Plot 5 Row A Grave 8. See also Charterhouse School World War 2 Memorial and Singapore Civil Service World War 2 Memorial.

MAKEIG-JONES

William Totfield

Captain, H.M.S. Courageous, Royal Navy. Died when his ship was torpedoed 7th September 1939. Aged 49. Son of William and Anne Totfield Makieg-Jones, Husband of Dorothy Maud (nee Faulkener) Makieg-Jones of Torquay Devon, married April to June Quarter 1921 in Newton Abbot Registration Distict. No known grave. Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 33, Column 1. See also Beer

Note: On 17th September 1939 Kapitanleutnant Otto Schuhart in the type V11 U-boat U29 torpedoed and sank H.M.S. Courageous in the south-west approaches, south west of Ireland. She went down within 20 minutes taking 518 of her compliment of 1200 with her, including her Commander Captain W.T. Makeig-Jones. Courageous started life as a large Light Cruiser and was converted to a fast Aircraft Carrier. Her 15 inch guns were removed and fitted to H.M.S. Vanguard.

MORTIMER

P E
No further information currently available

NEWTON

Alner George

Pilot Officer Alner George Newton, 61 Squadron, Royal Air Force, died 6 June 1939, aged 25, when his Handley Page Hampden bomber (L4107) stalled and crashed during air firing exercises off the coast of Fife in Scotland. 61 Squadron was then based at RAF Hemswell in Lincolnshire. Alner was a member of a long-established Seaton family although he was born in South Africa, the elder son of Mr and Mrs George Newton of Springs, Transvaal, South Africa and a grandson of the late Mr Edwin Newton and of Mrs Elizabeth Newton of Beach House, Seaton, with whom he stayed when he came over from South Africa to join the RAF. With war approaching the call went out across the Dominions for volunteers and he answered that call. He qualified as an RAF pilot but died in a training accident in Scotland in June 1939 just weeks before hostilities began. Apparently, in an earlier training accident the previous year he had escaped by parachute. The second time he was not so lucky. Buried June 1939 in the north-west corner near the gate into Colyford Road in ST. GREGORY CHURCHYARD, SEATON.

As Alner’s death was outside the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s date limits he is not mentioned in the CWGC’s records and does not have a CWGC headstone. However, his father was born in Seaton and his grandmother was still living there. That, and the fact that with war looming he came over from South Africa to answer the call for volunteers from the Dominions and then died in RAF service, his name was included after the war on the War Memorial in St Gregory’s Churchyard, Seaton.

Extract from The Times - 7 June 1939:

Extract from Western Times - Friday 16 June 1939, page 14:

R.A.F. PILOT BURIED AT SEATON
Killed When Bomber Crashed in Sea
The funeral took place in Seaton Churchyard on Friday afternoon of Pilot Officer Alner George Newton, one of the three men who lost their lives when an R.A.F. bomber crashed into the sea off Tentsmuir, five miles from the R.A.F. aerodrome at Leuchars, Fife, last week. Aged 26, Pilot Officer Newton was the elder son Mr. and Mrs. Geoigc Newton, of Springs, Transvaal, South Africa, and a grandson of the late Mr. Edwin Newton and of Mrs. Newton, Bench House, Seaton. He was member of the Caterpillar Club.
The body was brought to Seaton by rail in charge of Pilot Officer Glover, R.A.F.
The service was conducted by the Vicar (Rev. H. R. Cooke, M.C., C.F.).
The mourners were Mrs. E. Newton, grand parent; Mr. and Mrs. S. Newton, Mr. and Mrs. T. Newton, Mr. and Mrs. J. Newton, and Mr and Mrs. B. Gifford, uncles and aunts; Mrs. A. Newton and Mrs. V. Newton, aunts; Mr. T. Wayne, uncle; Miss Wayne, Miss P. Gifford, Miss M. Newton, and Mr. and Mrs. R. Newton (Colyford), cousins.
Others present included Mr. and Mrs. H. Sandford-Ridley (Gainsborough), Mr. C. C. Gould Mr. W. Head, Mr. R. J. Tregaskis, Mr. A. S. Clapp, Mr. A. E. Haslop, Mr. G. Hazelden (representing J. Hazelden), Mr. F. R. Brown, Mr. T. Hooper. Mr. F. L. Baker, Mr. W. A. Parker, Mr. E. Harris, Mr. M. A. Godbeer, Mr. A. E. Northcott, Mr. A. Beer, Mr. and Mrs. W. Real, Mrs. H. R. Cooke. Mrs. R. Jones, Mrs. G. Munday, Mrs. W. J. Newton, Mrs. J. Green, Mrs. J. Northcott, Mrs. W. Wilkins, Mrs. V. G. Smith, Mrs. E. J. Peach, Mrs. C. Hawker, Mrs. Perry, Mrs. C. Shepherd, Mrs. R. Harrison, Mrs. A. Gigg, Mrs. C. Hooper, Mrs. F. Shutter, Mrs. L. Webber (Axmouth), Miss Spickett, and Miss F. Beer.
The large number of floral tributes included the following:—Officers, 61 (B) Squadron; Airmen, 61 (B) Squadron; Sergeants' Mess, Hemswell; Officers. R.A.F., Hemswell; and Airmen, R A.F.. Hemswell.

Details researched and supplied by Chris Salter 31 May 2022

RODGERS

Arthur Charles
Gunner 1134050, 65 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died from infective uraemia 10th November 1942. Aged 33. Born and resident Seaton Devon. Son of Charles Henry and Lily Bertha Rodgers of Seaton. Buried in MOASCAR WAR CEMETERY, Egypt. Plot 1. Row E. Grave 18.

SANSOM

P H
No further information currently available

SMITH

W
No further information currently available

STREET

Norman Sydney
Leading Aircraftsman 1182033, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died as a Japanese Prisoner of War 18th September 1943. Buried in AMBON WAR CEMETERY, Indonesia. Plot 8. Row C. Grave 7.

STANLEY

George Herbert
Warrant Officer 1st Class (Armourer S.M.) 7583070, 18 Division Workshop, Royal Army Ordnance Corps. Died 5th February 1942, during the Japanese invasion of Malaya and Singapore. Aged 29. Son of Herbert Walter and Sarah Ann Stanley; husband of Evelyn Winifred Klava Stanley of Seaton. Commemorated in KRANJI WAR CEMETERY, Kranji, Singapore. Special Memorial Plot 24. Row E. Grave 10.

TURNER

Stanley Charles

Lieutenant, H.M.S. Copra, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Died 15th January 1946. Buried in MAZARGUES WAR CEMETERY, MARSEILLES, Bouches-du-Rhone, France. Plot 10. Row A. Grave 10.

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1946:

TURNER Stanley Charles of Hill Bungalow Townsend Seaton Devonshire died 15 January 1946 at Marseilles France Probate Exeter 11 June to Harry Charles Turner retired estate clerk. Effects £1233 6s.

Note: HMS COPRA was an acronym for Combined Operations Pay, Ratings and Accounts.

YEATES

Reginald
Private 5734895, 5th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. Died 10th July 1944. Aged 26. Buried in ST. MANVIEU WAR CEMETERY, CHEUX, Calvados, France. Plot X. Row E. Grave 18.

Another casualty is remembered on the memorial. He died as a result of wounds received during the First World War, but it was too late to be commemorated by the C.W.G.C.

GREENE

Stanley H
Devonshire Regiment “Died For His Country”

CZECH SOLDIERS - WORLD WAR 2

Two other men are buried in Seaton, St. Gregory’s Churchyard from World War 2. They were Czech soldiers posted for guard duty at Seaton and unfortunately during one of their first patrols they strayed into the minefield on Seaton Beach. Flowers are laid regularly at their grave.

DRAZKA

Vojtech
Czech Soldier. Desatnik (Corporal) J.994, 1 Smisena Brigada, Czechoslovakian Army.Died 23rd June 1942. Born 25th August 1919. Buried in South West part of SEATON (ST. GREGORY) CHURCHYARD, Devon. Row A. Joint Grave 50.

ROCEK

Frantisek
Czech Soldier. Svobodnik (Freeman) F.3282, 1 Smisena Brigada, Czechoslovakian Army. Died 23rd June 1942. Born 29th March 1919. Buried in South West part of SEATON (ST. GREGORY) CHURCHYARD, Devon. Row A. Joint Grave 50.

Last updated 3 August, 2022

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