HARTLEY, MC

Temporary Lieutenant, 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars. Died of wounds 22 March 1918 at Hotel Regina, Mentone, France. Aged 21. Son of Holliday Hartley and the late Marie Gabriel Hartley. Enlisted in Public Schools Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, 1914. No known grave. Commemorated on Poziers Memorial, Somme, France. Panels 3 & 4.

There is a window dedicated to him at All Angels Chaffcombe St Mary Magdalene.

Birth registered in Streatham, Surrey, July to September Quarter 1896. Educated at Harrow - joined Term Easter Midsummer 1910. Commissioned 10th Reserve Regiment Cavalry, 4 August 1916. Went to France 1917. Wounded in 1917. Killed in action or died of wounds (not clear) whilst holding a trench between Hervilly & Herbecourt. He was seen to be treated by a German Medical Officer. An attempt to rescue him failed. Body not recovered.

Military Cross Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his patrol with marked skill and determination and having posted sentries at crossroads he went forward with a small party, himself crawling to within a few yards of the enemy wire, in bright moonlight, and established the fact that the trenches were strongly held at the point of their junction with the road.<br>His ability, initiative and in difference to danger are always so strongly marked that his presence with any patrol is of inestimable value. [MC:- London Gazette, 22 April 1918 number 30643 (4827)]

Medals: Qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory medals

Census and other sources:-

In the 1911 census he was aged 14, a boarder, pupil at Harrow School, Newlands, The Park, Harrow-On-The-Hill, born Ottery St Mary, Devon. In the 1901 census he was aged 4, son of Holliday and Marie Gabriel Hartley, resident Broad Street, Ottery St Mary, Honiton, Devon.

In the 1901 census his father was Holiday (sic) Hartley, aged 29, a solicitor, born Boston, Lincolnshire; his mother was Marie G Hartley, aged 29, born Littleton, Middlesex; also present was his sister Margaret H Hartley, aged 5, born Hastings, Sussex. They were all resident in Broad Street, Ottery St Mary, Honiton, Devon.

In the 1911 census his father was Holliday Hartley, aged 38, (1873 -1959) a Solicitor, born Boston Lincs. His mother was Marie Gabrielle (nee Norsworthy), aged 39, (1872 - 7 December 1923), born Littleton, Middlesex. They married in 1894. Also his sister Mary Elizabeth, aged 7 (1904), born Ottery St Mary, Devon, emigrated to New Zealand.

BARBER

Qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal Medal Card Ref: C/2/102B.99

Census and other sources:-

In the 1911 census he was living with his family. He was aged 13, born Chard, a Part Time Newsboy, son of John Barber, a Floral Carter, aged 43, born Chard, and Edith, aged 38, born Chard/ He had three sisters, Florence, aged 15, Alice, aged 11, at School and Lydia, aged 6, at school; he also had a brother, Charles, aged 3. They were all born in Chard and were resident at Paintmoor (Near Chard), Chard, Somerset.

BOARD

1911 Census & other sources

Frederick was born 9 July 1894 at Kingstone, Somerset. In the 1911 census he was aged 16, born Kinstone, Somerset, a Labourer on Farm, son of James Board, aged 42, a Labourer on Farm, born Farway, Devon, and Harriett, aged 40, born Dowlish Wake, Somerset. He had five brothers, Cahrlie, aged 19, born Thurlbear,. Somerset, a Labourer on Farm, Robert, aged 14, a Labourer on Farm, born Kingstone, Frank, aged 12, at school, born Kingstone, James, aged 9, at school, born Kingstone, and Sydney, aged 7, born Kingstone.

According to his attestation papers he was born in Somerset 9 July 1894, son of James Board. He was a cheesemaker by trade, unmarried. He enlisted, and was passed fit at Wesport, Ontario, 23 November 1916, aged 21, height 5 feet 4 inches, girth 37½ inches, complexion dark, eyes brown, hair dark, religious denomination Church of England.

National Archives of Canada Accession Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 836 - 6

BODGER

Medals: Qualified British War & Victory Medals
Medal Card Ref: C/2/103/B2/150

1911 Census and other sources

His birth was registered in the January to March Quarter 1899 in the Taunton Registration District. In the 1911 census he was aged 12, at school, born Heathfield, Somerset living with his parents, George Bodger, aged 41, a Shepderd on a Farm, born Heathfield and Bessie, his mother, aged 35, born Ashill, Somerset; he had one brother, Frank, aged 16, a Farm Labourer, born Heathfield; they were all resident at Heathfield Taunton, Halse Heathfield, Somerset.

BOWDITCH

Census and other sources

His birth was registered in April to June Quarter 1886 in the Axminster Registration District. He was baptised 30 May 1886, son of William and Ann Bowditch, in Wambrook, Dorset. In the 1891 census he was aged 5, born Wambrook, Dorset, son of William Bowditch, aged 40, born Whitchurch, Dorset, a Farmer, and his wife, Ann, aged 38. borm Weston, Devon; he had three sisters, Elsie A, aged 11, born Wambrook, Florence M, aged 9, born Wambrook, and Lucy M, aged 5 months, born Hawkchurch, Dorset; he had four brothers William I, aged 10, born Wambrook, Dorset, Thomas H, aged 8, born Wambrook, Dorset, Herbert C, aged 6, born Wambrook, Dorset, and Sydney E, aged 3, born Ilminster; all resident at Higher Stoneham, Hawkechurch, Axminster.

In the 1911 his family were resident at Dairy House Weston Farm Near Chard, Combe St Nicholas, Somerset, his father William, aged 60 (1851) a Dairyman, born Whitechurch, Dorset, his mother, Ann , aged 57 (1854), born Weston, near, Houston, Devon; also his siblings John, aged 30, (1881), born Wambrook, a Threshing Engine Driver, Jessie, aged 22, a Dairymade, born Dowlish, Somerset, Lucey, aged 20 (1891), born Hawkchurch, a Dairymaid, Reginald, aged 17 (1894), born Southleigh, Devon, a Cowman on Farm, Frank, aged 15 (1896), born Whitechurch, Cowman on Farm, and Edward, aged 11 (1900), born Fairway, Devon, a School Boy. They were all resident at Dairy House, Weston Farm, Chard.

He emigrated to Halifax, Canada leaving from Bristol, aged 25, aboard the ship Royal George, 23 March 1912.

According to his attestation papers he was born 6 April 1886 in Chard, Somerset, his next of kin were resident in Chard, Somerset. He was a farmer, unmarried. Attested 19 September 1914 (he had been passed fit 31 August 1914) at Valcartier, Quebec, Canada, aged 28. height 5 feet 6½ inches, girth 33½ inches, complexion fair, eyes hazel, hair light brown, religious denomination Church of England.

National Archives of Canada Accession Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 947 - 35

CLARKE

Medals: Qualified 1914/1915 Star Trio
France & Flanders 18 August 1915
Medal card ref: Star: TP58/B/12
Pair: TP104/B8/762

Census and other records:

His birth was registered in the October to December Quarter 1889 in the Chard Registration District.

In the 1901 census he was aged 11, born Cudworth, Somerset, son of William Clarke, aged 40 a Gamekkeper, born Devon and his wife Cicely A, aged 36, born Dorset; his siblings were Mabel M, aged 12, born Dinnington, Somerset, Dora M, aged 10, born Cudworth and Arthur Henry, aged 6, born Cudworth; they were all resident at Knapp's Cottage, Cudworth, Chard, Somerset.

In the 1911 census he was aged 21, a Printer, born Chaffcombe, Somerset, a boarder with John and Miriam Dunster at 6 Silver Street, Chard, Somerset.

In the 1911 census his parents, William Clarke, aged 50 (1861), a Game Keeper, born Luppitt, Devon and his wife Cecily Ann, aged 46 (1865), born Tonerspuddle, Devon, and his siblings Emily Mabel May, aged 22 (1889), born Dinnington, Somerset and Arthur Henry, aged 16 (1890), an Ironmonger's Apprenctice, born Cudworth, were all living at Knapps, Cudworth, Ilminster, Somerset.

COOK

Medals: Qualified 1914/1915 Star Trio
Medal Card Ref: 1915 Star: C/2/1/B1/59
France & Flanders 22 June 1915 Pair: C/12/102/B4/471

Census and other records:

His birth was registered in the July to September Quarter 1887 in the Chard Registration District.

In the 1891 census he was aged 4, a scholar, born Chaffcombe, living with his parents William Cook, aged 28, a Thatcher, born Chaffcombe, and Harriet Cook, aged 28, born Dorset, all resident Chaffcombe, Chard, Somerset.

In the 1911 census he was aged 23, a Waggoner at the Coal Depot, born Chaffcombe, son of William James Cook, aged 47, born Chaffcombe, a Thatcher of Roofs and Ricks, and Harriett, aged 48, born Broadwinsor, Dorset; also present were his two siblings Thomas John, aged 17, a Shop Assistant, born Chard, and Beatrice Sarah, aged 13, at school, born Chaffcombe; all resident at Paintmoor, near Chard, Chard, Somerset.

HALLETT

Medals: Qualified 1914/1915 Star Trio
Medal Card Ref: 1915 Star L/2/B/270
Pair L/101/B12/2096
Balcons; 26 November 1915

Census and other records:

Birth registered in the July to September Quarter 1896 in the Chard Registration District.

In the 1901 census he was aged 4, at school, born Chaffcombe,son of John Hallett, aged 43 (1859), an Agricultural Labourer, born Chaffcombe, and Emily Hallett, aged 41 (1860), born Devon; siblings, Thomas, aged 16 (1885), a Domestic Under Gardener, born Chaffcombe, and Albert, aged 8 (1893), at school, born Chaffcombe; all resident at Lydmarsh, Chaffcombe, Chard.

In the 1911 census he was aged 14 (1896), a Farm Servant, born Chaffcombe, son of John Hallett, aged 52 (1859), a General Labourer, born Chaffcombe, and Emily Hallett, aged 51 (1860), born Axminster, Devon; siblings, Mary, aged 6 (1905), born Chaffcombe, and Daisy, aged 4 (1907), born Chaffcombe; all resident at Lydmarsh, Chaffcombe, Chard.

HARRIS

Medals: Qualified 1914/1915 Star Trio
Medal Card Ref: 1915 Star: CG/1B/67
Pair: CG/101/B5/309
France & Flanders 22 December 1914

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, Volume 1, page 173:

HARRIS, ARTHUR, Private No. 11622, 3rd Battn. Coldstream Guards, s. of James Harris, of Chaffe, Combe, Chard, Somerset, Farm Bailiff, by his wife, Elizabeth, dau. of John Kenner; b. Ottery St. Mary, co. Devon, 26 Dec. 1889; educ. there; was a Mason's Labourer; enlisted 2 Sept. 1914; went to France 21 Dec. 1914, and was killed in action at vermelles, Belgium, 4 Oct. 1915; unm.

Census and other records:

In the 1891 census he was aged 2, son of James and Eliza Harris, born Ottery St Mary, sibling of William (16), Elizabeth (14), James (12), Lucy (10), herbert (8), Thomas (5), Beatrice (3) and Elsie (2), resident Rag Lane, Ottery St Mary, Honiton, Devon.

In the 1901 Census he is aged 11, born Ottery St Mary, son of James, aged 47 (1854), Gardener, born bruishford, Devon, and Eliza, aged 46 (1855), born Winkleigh, Devon; sibling to Hebert, aged 18 (1883), a Groom, born Devon, Thomas, aged 15, a Grocer's Errand Boy, born Ottery St Mary, Beatrice. aged 13 (1888), born Ottery St Mary, Elsie, aged 12 (1889), born Ottery St Mary and Feed, aged 7, born Ottery St mAry; all resident at 4, North Street Bay Lane, Town, Ottery St Mary, Honiton, Devon.

In the 1911 census he is aged 21 (1890), a Contractor's Labourer, born Ottery St Mary, son of James Harris, aged 59 (1854), a Farm Bailiff, born Brush Ford, and Eliza, aged 58 (1855), born Winkleigh, Devon, sibling of Beatrice, aged 23 (1888), born Ottery St Mary, a Collar Machinist, and Fred, aged 17 (1894), a Tailor's Apprentice, born Ottery St Mary, resident Bingham Lodge Stud, Ottery St Mary.

Arthur’s brother Thomas was also killed, see next entry.

For some reason the family gave details to the CWGC of next of kin for Thomas, but not for Arthur.

HARRIS

Medals: Qualified for British War & Victory Medals
Medal Card Ref: C/2/103/B10/714

Census and other records:

In the 1911 Census Thomas is living with future wife and Mother in Law:

Harriet Clements (1837) Farm/ Labourer Widow Born: Ashreigney
Bertha Clements (1878) Domestic Servant Winkleigh
Thomas Harris (1885) Gardner Domestic Ottery St Mary

See previous entry for other family members 1901 and 1911

KNIGHT

Medals: Qualified 1914/1915 Star Trio:
Medal Card Ref|: 1915 Star: C/2/102/163
Pair: C/2/102/B11/12968
France & Flanders: 24 July 1915

Census and other records:

[Subsequent research indicates that his wife's first name was Minnie, Robert married Minnie, nee Evans, marriage register in the Chard registration district in the July to September Quarter 1913]

In the 1901 Census he was aged 9, at school, born Chard, Somerset, son of Giles Knight, aged 49 (1852), an Agricultural; Labourer, born Chard and Mary, aged 45 (1856), born Dorchester; brother of Lilley, aged 16 (1885), a Factory Hand Lace Mill, born Chard, Elizabeth, aged 14 (1887), a Factory Hand Lace Mill, born Chard, Thomas, aged 12 (1889), at school, born Chard, Frederick, aged 6, at school (1895), born Chard. All resident Lydmarsh, Chaffcombe, Chard, Somerset.

In the 1911 Census he is aged 19, born Forton, Somerset,a farm Labourer, his father is dead and he is living with his mother Mary, aged 53, at Lidmarsh, Chaffcombe, Chard Somerset.

His father's death, Giles Knight, was registered in the October to December Quarter 1909 in the Cahrd Registration District.

THOMAS KNIGHT

Research of Soldiers Documents indicate that Thomas Knight joined The Dorset Regiment (8188) as at 19 November 1906. Qualified for the 1914/15 Trio. He served in India and Mesopotamia and was medically discharged 1 November 1918. His parents given as Giles & Mary, with a brother Robert. He is shown as being born in Chaffcombe.

*The initial S for the parent Forename, on the CWGC list would seem to be in error.

RUSSELL

[See research details at the bottom of the page, concerning his wife]

Medals: Qualified British War & Victory Medals
Medal Card Ref: C/2/102/B16/1932

Census and other records:

Birth registered in the April to June Quarter 1891 in the Chard registration district.

In the 1901 census he was aged 10, born Cricket St Thomas, son of John Russell, aged 39 (1862), a Carter on Farm, born Cudworth, Somerset and Mary J Russell, aged 39 (1862), born Thorncombe, Dorset, brother to Kate, aged 13 (1888), Charles A, aged 11 (!890), Will, aged 6 (1895), Robert, aged 4 (1897) and Rosa, aged 2 (1899), all; born Cricket St Thomas; family resident Whitedown, Cricket St Thomas, Chard, Somerset.

In the 1911 Census he was aged 20 (1891), an Assistant Game Keeper, born Cricket St Thomas, son of John Russell, aged 49 (1862), a Carter on Farm, born Cudworth, Somerset and Mary Jane Russell, aged 39 (1862), born Laymore, Dorset; brother to William, aged 16 (1895), a Farm Labourer, Robert, aged 14 (1897), and Assistant Mason on Estate, Rosa, aged 12 (1899), at School, Hilda Minnie, aged 7 (1904), at school and Olive May, aged 6, (1905), at school, all born Cricket St Thomas; family resident at Grosvenor Lodge, Cricket St Thomas.

ANNIE ELIZABETH RUSSELL nee PAUL, born 1888 at Winsham Somerset. Married Albert Russell, marriage registered in the April to June Quarter 1915 in the Chard registration district. (She died in the April to June Quarter 1967). Resident Claypot, Winsham, Somerset (1911).

WILLIAM RUSSELL

William Russell attempted to join the Army as 64714 Gunner, Royal Garrison Artillery. He enlisted 9 November 1915 but was discharged 16 November 1915 as he was “Not likely to become an efficient soldier” - Epileptic.

TROTT

Medals; Qualified 1914/1915 Star Trio
France & Flanders 14 July 1915
Medal Card Ref : 1915 Star: C/2/1 B4/281
Pair: C/2/102/B18/2267

Census and other records:

Birth registered in the March to June Quarter 1886 in the Chard registration district.

In the 1901 census he was aged 5, born Ilminster, Somerset, son of Charles Trott, aged 34 (1857), an Agricultural Labourer, born Donyatt, and Eliza Trott, aged 34 (1857), born Blackdopwn, Dorset; he had a sister, Emily, aged 8, a Scholar, born Ilminster, Somerset. Family resident Crock Street, Ilminster, Chard, Somerset.

In the 1901 Census he was aged 16, a Farm Carter, born Donyatt, Somerset, son of Charles Trott, aged 41 (1860), a Farm Carter, born Donyatt and Eliza Trott, aged 42 (1859), born Beaminster; brother of Bertie C, aged 8 (1893), at school, born Donyatt, and Gladys May, aged 2 (1899)l, born Donyatt; family resident at Chaffcombe, Chard, Somerset.

In the 1911 Census he was married, aged 25, born Peasemarsh, Ilminster, husband of Bessie Troot, aged 27 (1884), born Manchester; they had three children, Gertrude, aged 4 (1907(, at school, born Chard, Richard T H, aged 2 (1909), born Saltford and Florence J B, under 1 (1911), born Saltford; family resident Bath Road, Saltford, Somerset.

BESSIE TROTT nee TAYLOR

Bessie, married Richard Taylor; the marriage was registered in the July to September Quarter 1905 in the Chard registration district.

PHIPPIN

Medals: Qualified: 1914 Star Trio. (Did not qualify for the bar)
France & Flanders 20 September 1915
Medal Card Ref 1914 Star: C/2/1/86
Pair: C/2/103/B17/1267

Census and other records:

His birth was registered in the March to June Quarter 1887 in the Chard registration district.

In the 1891 census he is listed as Frederick Phippen, aged 8 (1883), born Chaffcombe, Somerset, son of Thomas Phippen, aged 30 (1861), an Agricultural Labourer, born Chard, and Susan Phippen, aged 30, born Chaffcombe; he had one brother, Hubert, aged 4 (1887), born Chaffcombe. Family were resident in Chaffcombe, Chard, Somerset.

In the 1901 Census he is recorded as Phippen, aged 17 (1884), a Florist, born Chaffcombe, son of Robert Phippen, aged 40 (1861), a Gardener, born Tatworth, Somerset and Susan Phippen, aged 40 (1861), born Chaffcombe, brother of Hubert, aged 14 (1887), a Domestic Groom, born Chaffcombe; the family were resident on Forton Farm, Chard, Somerset.

In the 1911 Census he was aged 23 (1888), a Railway Porter (GWR), born Ilminster, Somerset married to Ada, aged 26 (1885), born Plymouth and they had one child, Kathleen, aged 3 (1908), born Plymouth. They were resident in Church Street, Buckfastleigh, Devon.

ADA PHIPPIN nee SPRATT

Ada, married Frederick Phippin, the marriage was registered in the Jully to September Quarter 1907 in the Plymouth Registration District.

AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN AND IN THE MORNING
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM. THE LORD GAVE AND THE LORD HATH
TAKEN AWAY. BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD
1939 - 1945

JEFFERY

HMS MATABELE

She was a Tribal Class Destroyer. In January 1942 she formed the screen with others on Convoy PQ.8, from Iceland to Murmansk.

On 17 January she was hit by a torpedo from a German Submarine U.454. She sank almost immediately. Only two out of a crew of 238 survived. Many who succeeded in escaping the sinking died in the ice cold water before rescue was possible.

NEALE

Sergeant 911409 (Observer), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Killed 26 March 1941, Aged 21. Only son of Mr Morley Havelock Neale & Mrs Ida Walker Neale of Chaffcombe House. Buried in St Michael Churchyard, Chaffcombe, Somerset. Grave 236.

A sad irony. W H Hartley was the only son of the family who occupied Chaffcombe House in the First War. R M Neale was the only son of the occupier of the House in the Second War.

NOBLETT

WILMINGTON

There is no obvious connection between this family and Chaffcombe. However there were Wilmingtons around.

In 1923 A Mr Fred Wilmington purchased Court Farm In Chaffcombe

In the 1911 Census the head of the family was William Wilmington (1874), Foreman Telephone Company, born Taunton and his wife Hannah (1871), born Birmingham. Their children were Fanny (1898), Hannah Margaret (1900), Alice (1902), William (1905), John (1907) and Samuel Thomas (1911), all born Bath; family reident 13 Upper Street, Walcot, Bath.

GILLARD

This grave is slightly easier to read in actuality, but it is ‘going’ fast. Lettering was all in metal, possibly lead. However some of the letters are gone and only the shadow in the stone remains. Weathering is doing a fine job of destruction

The wording as best can be read states

JAMES GILLARD
Died July 13 1906 Aged 80
Served in the Royal Artillery, through the:

Crimea Campaign in 1854
Indian mutiny Campaign 1857

The 6th Kings Royal Rifles

Red River Expedition 1866

Receiving 4 Medals + Stripes for Good Conduct