Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence

Lest We Forget
British Legion
The Royal British Legion

HORRABRIDGE WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Martyn Woodbridge-Harris 2012

The memorial is situated in Horrabirgde, West Devon at the roadside, built into the churchyard wall at the junction of the road leading down to the centre of the village, from the direction of Walkhampton. It takes the form of a Celtic cross with the names of the World War 1 dead on the plinth, the whole stands on a three stepped base; a tablet on the wall behind the memorial names those who died in Word War 2. There are sixteen names for World War 1 and nine names for World War 2. There is also a document online by Peter Hamilton-Leggett with short biographies of the men

Photographs Copyright © Martyn Woodbridge-Harris 2012

TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF
THE BRAVE MEN WHO FELL
IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918

BALDWIN Alfred Barnett
Colour Sergeant PLY/4690, Plymouth Battalion, Royal Naval Division, Royal Marine Light Infantry. Died of wounds at Sedd-ul-Bahr (Gun Shot/General Shrapnel Wound to Head) 4 March 1915. Aged 43. Born April 1871 in Southsea, Portsmouth. Son of Alfred and Julia Baldwin, of Southsea, Portsmouth; husband of Alice Greedy (nee Dyke) Baldwin, of 2, Walkham Terrace, Horrabridge, Devon, married October to December Quarter 1895 in East Stonehouse Registration District. In the 1911 census he was aged 39, born Southsea, Hampshire, a Royal Marine Pensioner and Auxiliary Postman, married to Alice with two children, resident Beals Mill, Callington, Stoke Climsland, Cornwall. No known grave. Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 7.
BRIMBLECOMBE Percy John
Sapper 28306, 12th Field Company, Royal Engineers. Killed in action 9 August 1915. Born Plymouth, enlisted Devonport. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 8 A and 8 D.
CAVE Christopher Alfred
[Listed as C L J CAVE and Private on memorial]. Lance Corporal 6362, "D" Company, 2nd/4th (City of Bristol) Battalion (Territorial), Gloucestershire Regiment. Died of wounds 22 July 1916. Aged 32. SDGW states born and enlisted Tavistock, Devon. Born 23 October 1884 in Plymouth, baptised as Christopher Alfred Augustus Ludlow Jenking Willcoc Cave, 28 January 1885 in Plymouth, Charles the Martyr Church, son of William james and Mary An Matilda Cave. Son of William James and Mary Ann M. Cave, of "Bibiani," Horrabridge, Devon. In the 1901 census he is listed as Christopher A A L J W Cave, aged 17, born Plymouth. son of William J and Mary A M Cave, resident Madeira Villas, 7, Horrabridge, Whitchurch, Tavistock, Devon. In the 1911 census he was aged 26, born Plymouth, a House Carpenter, son of William and Mary Cave, resident 7, Madeira Villas, Horrabridge, Whitchurch, Devon. Buried in LONGUENESSE (ST. OMER) SOUVENIR CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot IV. Row A. Grave 11.
FOX Reginald Wilson

Lieutenant Colonel, 6th Battalion (Territorial), Devonshire Regiment. Killed in action 8 March 1916. Aged 49. Born November 1866. Younger son of Charles H. Fox, of Shute Leigh, Wellington, Somerset; husband of Mabel Fox (nee Pease), of Orchard Cottage, Fownhope, Herefordshire. Educated Clare College 1885. In the 1911 census he was aged 44, a Banker, born Wellington, Somerset, married to Mabel, resident Grimstone, Horrabridge, Devon. No known grave. Commemorated on BASRA MEMORIAL, Iraq. Panel 11.

A plaque in St. Giles' Church, Bradford-on-Tone, Taunton Deane, Somerset, reads:

TO THE GLORY OF GOD - AND
IN EVER LOVING MEMORY OF
LT. COL. REGINALD WILSON FOX
OF GRIMSTONE HORRABRIDGE, DEVON,
BORN NOVR 1ST 1866,
WHO COMMANDED THE DEVONSHIRE REGT. T.F.
FROM 1909 TO 1913,
AND WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN THE ATTACK
ON THE DUJAILAH REDOUBT ON THE TIGRIS
ON MARCH 8TH 1916 WHILE SERVING IN MESOPOTAMIA
IN THE 1/6 BATT. DEVONSHIRE REGT. T.F.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course I have
kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown
which the Lord shall given, not only me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing." ii TIM. IV. 7.8.

FRISE Frederick William
Private 74043, 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Died on service 20 October 1918. Aged 19. Born 22 November 1899, and resident, Horrabridge, Devon, enlisted Plymouth. Baptised 1899. Son of Frederick William and Jessie Elizabeth Frise, of Dostabrook Cottages, Horrabridge, Devon. Religious denomination Wesleyan Methodist. In the 1911 census he was aged 11, born Horrabridge, Devon, at school, son of Fredeick W and jessie Frise, resident Dostabrook, Horrabridge, Devon. Prisoner of War of the Germans 27 May 1918. Buried in ST. AVOLD MILITARY CEMETERY, Moselle, France. Grave 18.
HARDING William Henry
Gunner 1364, Royal Field Artillery. Died on service 9 October 1914. Aged 22. In the 1911 census he was aged 19, born Tavistock, Devon, a Harness Maker, son of Charles John and Catherine Sarah Garding, resident Station Road, Horrabridge, Devon. Buried 13 October 1914 South-East of Church in HORRABRIDGE (ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST) CHURCHYARD, Devon.
HARRIS Malclom Alfred Milner
Midshipman, H.M.S. "Defence," Royal Navy. Killed in action at the Battle of Jutland 31 May 1916. Aged 17. Son of Admiral Sir Robert Harris, K.C.B., and Florence Cordelia Harris, of The Brake, Yelverton, Devon. No known grave. Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 10.
HODGE Lionel Archibald
Private 346061, 16th (Royal Devon and Royal North Devon Yeomanry) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Killed in action with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force 3 December 1917. Aged 22. Born and enlisted Plymouth. Son of Richard William and Thirza Hodge, of East Crowndale, Whitchurch, Tavistock, Devon. In the 1911 census he was aged 15, born Princetown, Lydford, Devon, at school, resident 5, Old Cottage Prison Quarters, Princetown, Lydford, Devon. No known grave. Commemorated on JERUSALEM MEMORIAL, Israel and Palestine (including Gaza). Panel 16.
MUNTZ Joseph Oscar

Captain, "B" Company, 16th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Died of wounds 4 September 1918. Aged 42. Son of George Frederick Muntz, J.P., D.L., and Sara Matilda Muntz (nee Kell), of Warwickshire; husband of Imogen Mary Muntz, of "Foxhams", Horrabridge, Devon. Educated at Clifton College and Cirencester R.A. College. Joined the Imperial Yeomanry (N. Devon Hussars) 5 March, 1902. Joined the B.E.F. 5 October 1914. In the 1911 census he was a boarder, aged 34, a Farmer, born Birmingham, resident R W Yacht Club, Plymouth, Devon. Buried in HEILLY STATION CEMETERY, MERICOURT-L'ABBE, Somme, France. Plot VII. Row B. Grave 7.

Extract from Western Times - Friday 13 September 1918, page 7:

Devon Yeomanry Officer Dies from Wounds

Capt. Oscar Muntz. Devon Best., of Foxhams, Horrabridge, who has died from wounds in France was serving with the Yeomanry Battalion formed from the Royal 1st Devon Yeomanry and the North Devon Hussars. He was member of well-known Warwickshire family, but had resided for many years in Devonshire, and was very popular with the agriculturists in the Tavistock Division. He farmed land at Sheepstor, and was a successful breeder of pigs and polo ponies. He was past-president of the Dartmoor Sheep Breeders' Association, and a member of the Dartmoor Hunt. Capt. Muntz was some years ago a lieutenant in the North Devon Hussars, and immediately after the outbreak of the war applied for and received commission as captain in the Devonshire Regt. He was severely wounded while commanding his company at Loos September. 1915, and had only recently been passed as fit for service. Capt. Muntz married in 1915 Miss Imogene Collier, second daughter of the late Mr. Mortimer Collier, of Foxhams.

RADMORE William Edward
Corporal S1/114, A Company, Army Service Corps. Died on service in United Kingdom 23 November 1916. Aged 39. Born 6 June 1877 and baptised 5 July 1877 in Plymouth, resident and enlisted Warrington. Son of George Adams Radmore and Anna Maria Radmore, of Haytown, Horrabridge, Devon. In the 1891 census he was aged 13, born Devon, a Grocers Junior Clerk, son of George Adams and Anna Marie Radmore, resident Clarence Place, East Stonehouse, Devon. In the 1901 census he was age 22, born Plymouth, Devon, a Commercial Traveller, boarding at 2, Summerland Terrace, Plymouth, Devon. In the 1911 census he was a baorder, aged 32, born Plymouth, Devon, an Advertising Inspector, visiting 16, Thomas Street, Rowbarton Taunton, Taunton St James Within, Somerset. Buried in FORD PARK CEMETERY (FORMERLY PLYMOUTH OLD CEMETERY) (PENNYCOMEQUICK), Devon. Church Plot S. Row 10. Grave 78.
RIDMORE Fredrick George
Carpenter's Crew M/12375, H.M.S. "Raglan", Royal Navy. Killed in action during the Battle of Imbros when his ship wa sunk by Turkish ships 20 January 1918. Born 25 July 1896 in Horrabridge. Son of Amelia Ridmore, of Coles Cottage, Horrabridge, S. Devon. Carpenter and Joiner by trade. Enlisted 8 March 1915 for the duration of hostilities, heoght 5 feet 4½ inches, chest 34 inches, black hair, grown eyes, fresh complexion. No known grave. Commmeorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 28.
SMITH William Henry
Petty Officer Stoker K/1723, H.M.S. "Indefatigable", Royal Navy. Killed in actin at the Battle of Jutland when his ship was sunk 31 May 1916. Aged 26. Born 18 July 1890 in Plymouth. Son of William Henry and Edith L. Smith, of 1, Madeira Villas, Horrabridge, Devon. An Engine Cleaner by trade. Enlisted 7 January 1909 for 12 years. height 5 feet 7 inches, chest 36½ inches, brown hair, brown eyes, fresh complexion. No known grave.Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 14.
SOPER George
Private 3/5165, 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Killed in action 14 May 1916. Aged 30. Born Chudleigh, Devon, resident Horrabridge, Devon, enlisted Plymouth. Son of William and Mary Ann Soper, of Horrabridge, Devon. In the 1901 census he was aged 14, born Chudleigh, Devon, a Butcher's Boy, son of William and Mary A Soper, resident Highertown Cottages, 3, Horrabridge, Whitchurch, Tavistock, Devon. Buried in AVELUY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Somme, France. Row D. Grave 34.
TREMBATH Ernest Walter
Private 288754, 78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry. Died of wounds at No. 1 Casualty Clearing Hospital 1 February 1918 dur to shell gas. Aged 25. Born 27 January 1893 in Devon. Farmer by trade. Unmarried. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Trembath, of Rosser, Manitoba. Attested 12 June 1916 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, aged 23 years 5 months, height 5 feet 5 inches, 147 lbs, chest 37½ inches, ruddy complexion, brown eyes, dark brown hair, religious denomination Methodist. Sailed to United Kingdom from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, aboard S.S. "Ansonia" 18 April 1917, disembarked Liverpool. Buried in BARLIN COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Pas de Calais, France. Plot III.Row E. Grave 6. National Archives of Canada Accession Reference: Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 9771 - 9
WOODROW Reginald John

Private 240655, 1st/5th (P.O.W.) Battalion (Territorials), Devonshire Regiment. Killed in action 20 July 1918. Aged 24. Enlisted Tavistock. Baptised 19 August 1894 at Witham Friary, Someset. Son of James and Louisa Priscilla Woodrow, of Furze Cottage, Moortown, Tavistock, Devon; brother of Walter (below). Employed as a Porter in the Traffic Department at Tavistock on the Great Western Railway. In the 1901 census he was aged 6, born Witham, Somerset, a School Boy, son of James and Louisa P Woodrow, resident Eggworthy, Walkhampton, Tavistock, Devon. Buried in MARFAUX BRITISH CEMETERY, Marne, France. Plot VI. Row J. Grave 7.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918, volume 4, page 243:

WOODROW, REGINALD JOHN, Private, No. 240655, 5th (Territorial) Battn. The Devonshire Regt., s. of James Woodrow, of Langster Moortown, near Tavistock, Gamekeeper, by his wife, Louisa Priscilla, dau. of George Alexander Petty ; and brother to L.-Corpl. W. G. Woodrow (q.v.) ; b. Holt, Witham Friary, co. Somerset, 9 July, 1894 ; educ. Samppond Spinney, Hornebridge ; volunteered for active service soon after the outbreak of war, and joined the 5th Battn. The Devonshire Regt. in Sept. 1914 ; served with the Expeditionary Forces in India, Egypt, Palestine, also in France and Flanders, and was killed in action in the Forest of Rheims 20 July, 1918. Buried where he fell ; unm.

WOODROW Walter George

Lance Corporal 240684, 5th (P.O.W.) Battalion (Territorials), Devonshire Regiment. Killed in action 20 July 1918. Aged 25. Born Witham, Somerset, enlisted Tavistock, Devon. Son of James and Louisa Priscilla Woodrow, of, Furze Cottage, Moortown, Tavistock, Devon; brother of Reginald (above). In the 1901 census he was aged 8, born Witham, Somerset, a School Boy, son of James and Louisa P Woodrow, resident Eggworthy, Walkhampton, Tavistock, Devon. No known grave. Commemorated on SOISSONS MEMORIAL, Aisne, France.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918, volume 4, page 243:

WOODROW, WALTER GEORGE, L.-Corpl., No. 240684, 1st Battn. (11th Foot) The Devonshire Regt., s. of James Woodrow, of Langster Moortown, near Tavistock, Gamekeeper, by his wife, Louisa Priscilla, dau. of George Alexander Petty ; and brother to Private R. J. Woodrow (q.v.); b. Holt, Witham Friary, co. Somerset, 26 July, 1892 ; educ. Samppond Spinney, Hornebridge ; volunteered for active service soon after the outbreak of war, and enlisted in the 1st Battn. The Devonshire Regt. in Sept. 1914 ; served with the Expeditionary Forces in India, Egypt, Palestine, also in France and Flanders, and was killed in action in the Forest of Rheims 20 July, 1918. Buried where he fell ; unm.

'THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE.'

TO THE MEMORY OF
THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
1939-45

BOWHAY [Albert] Archibald aka Archie
Private 14356000, Royal Army Ordnance Corps. Died on service 10 May 1943. Aged 34. Born and resident Devon. Son of Joseph and Amanda L. C. Bowhay; husband of Enid Bowhay, of Horrabridge, Devon. In the 1939 Register gives his date of birth as 23 December 1907, Stone Quarry Porter, married to Enid, resident 13 New Park, Horrabridge, Tavistock R.D., Devon. Buried in EL ALIA CEMETERY, Algeria. Plot 12. Row H. Grave 7.
CHAMMINGS [William] Edgar
Driver T/17558, Royal Army Service Corps. Died as a result of an accident 5 March 1941. Aged 38. Son of Rodney and Edith Chammings; husband of Daphne Elsie Dorothy Chammings, of Perranwell, Cornwall. Married Daphne Elsie Dorothy Harris 25 September 1940 at Plymouth, St Gabriel. Buried in EL ALAMEIN WAR CEMETERY, Egypt. Plot XXX. Row J. Grave 3.
DAVIS George
No further information currently available
DAWE William
No further information currently available
DEACON John
No further information currently available
EMPSON Kenneth [Henry]
Lieutenant, H.M.S. Reed, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Died 8 November 1940. Aged 35. Born 8 January 1905. Son of James and Louisa Amy Empson; husband of Winnifred May Empson, of Bognor Regis, Sussex. In the 1939 Register he was born 8 January 1905, a Mechanical Engineer, married to Winifred M (nee Griffiths) Empson, resident Upton, Tavistock R.D., Devon. Cremated and commemorated in IPSWICH CREMATORIUM, Suffolk. Screen Wall.
FARE Ernest [Thomas]
Leading Stoker D/KX 77546, H.M.S. Albatross, Royal Navy. Died at sea 11 August 1944. Aged 36. Born 11 July 1908 in Plymouth, Devon. Son of Ernest Thomas Fare and Lavina Fare; husband of Lucy Elizabeth Fare, of Yelverton, Devon. IN the 1911 census he was aged 2, born Plymouth,Devon, son of Ernest Thomas and Lavina Fare, resident 46 Richmond Street, Plymouth, Devon. No known grave. Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 89, Column 2.
HOCKING Frank [Ernest James]
Petty Officer D/J 101363, H.M.S. Hermes, Royal Navy. Died at sea 9 April 1942. Born 9 September 1905 in Devonport, Devon. Enlisted 9 September 1923 for 12 years, height 5 feet 7 inches, chest 34 inches, dark brown hair, hazel eyes, ruddy complexion. IN the 1911 census he was aged 5, biorn Devonport, Devon, son of Frederick and Louisa Hocking, resident 4, Carlton Terrace Street, Budeaux, Devonport, Devon. No known grave. Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 63, Column 2.
HICKS Russell
Staff Serjeant 744568, 153 Battery, 51 Light A.A. Regiment, Royal Artillery. Killed in action 27 May 1940. Aged 35. Born and resident Horrabridge, Devon. Son of Mrs. B. Hicks, of Commercial Road, Horrabridge. Attested 19 January 1922 at Tavistock, Devon. Trade before enlisting Wheelwright. Buried in DUNKIRK TOWN CEMETERY, Nord, France. Plot 2. Row 14. Grave 4.
MABEN Sidney [Alfred John]
Chief Stoker D/K 156, H.M.S. Ambrose, Royal Navy. Died 15 June 1943. Born 27 April 1889 in Tavistrock, Devon. His birth was registered in the April to June Quarter 1889 in the Tavistock Registration District, Devon. In the 1901 census he was aged 11, born Devon, son of Robert and Jane M Maben, resident Village Cottage, Buckland, Buckland Monachorum, Tavistock, Devon. He enlisted 7 January 1908 for 12 years, a Farm Labourer, re-enlisted 7 January 1920, height 5 feet 6¼ inches, chest 35¾ inches, light brown hair, light blue eyes, fresh complexion. Served in World War 1 in the Navy and was at the Battle of Jutland aboard H.M.S. "Conqueror". Electoral register 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1930 gives his address as Greencliffe, Milton, also resident were Harold and Maria Jane Maben and from 1930 Miss Edith Maud Maben. The 1925 Electoral register gives him as resident Greencliffe, Milton, K/156 S.P.O., H.M.S. "Valiant", in 1929 it was H.M.S. "Valhalla". In the April to June Quarter 1934 he married Laura E Long in the Tavistock Registration District, Devon. Buried in BUCKLAND MONACHORUM CEMETERY, Devon. Section J. Unconsecrated Grave 6.
PALMER William [John]
Private 5626689, 12th (Airborne) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Killed in action 6 June 1944. Aged 27. Born and resident Devon. Son of Mr. and Mrs. William John Palmer; husband of Doris Beatrice Palmer, of Horrabridge, Devon. In the 1939 Register his date of birth is given as 26 September 1917, he was a Gardener, unmarried, resident Furze Park, Tavistock R.D., Devon. Buried in STE. MARIE CEMETERY, LE HAVRE , Division 67. Row H. Grave 10.
ROWE Francis [William Frederick] aka Frank

Marine PLY/X 3619, H.M.S. Galatea, Royal Marines. Died at sea 15 December 1941. Aged 21. Born 13 November 1920 in Mhaw, Cape Province, India. Son of Courtney George and Heather Anna Rowe, of Horrabridge, Devon. No known grave. Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 59, Column 3.

Note: On 15 December 1941 before midnight Galatea (Captain E.W.B. Sim) was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-557 off Alexandria, Egypt. Captain Sim, 22 officers and 447 ratings were killed. Some 100 survivors were picked up by the destroyers Griffin and Hotspur. Less than 48 hours later, U-557 was rammed by the Italian torpedo boat Orione and sunk with all hands. [Source: Wikipedia - HMS Galtea]

SHIPTON John
No further information currently available
STEER Gerald [Rupert]
Corporal 870685, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers formerly Royal Army Ordnance Corps (28 June 1941) attested for Royal Artillery. Died 25 March 1946. In the 1939 Register he was the son of Sydney A J and Emily E Steer, born 23 December 1929, at school, resident 23, Tamerton Avenue, Plymouth C.B., Devon. Buried N.E. of Church in HORRABRIDGE (ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST) CHURCHYARD, Devon.
SMITH Jack
No further information currently available
SPEECHLY Agatha [Muriel]
Private W/49424, Auxiliary Territorial Service. Died 27 April 1942. Aged 35. Daughter of Tom Burge Speechly and Jessie Speechly, of Horrabridge. In the 1911 census she was aged 5, born Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, daughter of Tom Burge (Bank Manager, Lloyds Bank Ltd) and Jessie Speechly, resident Carter Street, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. Buried in HORRABRIDGE (ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST) CHURCHYARD, Devon.
MARWOOD-TUCKER Neville
Flight Lieutenant (Pilot) 114383, 101 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 13 August 1944. Aged 34. Son of Charles and Norna Marwood Tucker, of Sortridge, Devon; husband of Margaret Marwood Tucker. He attained a B.A. (Oxon.). Buried in HANOVER WAR CEMETERY, Niedersachsen, Germany. Plot 8. Row K. Grave 3.
WHITFORD Jack
Aircraftman 1st Class 1289704, 913 Balloon Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 22 October 1941. Born 30 April 1907 and baptised 21 June 1907 in Horrabridge. Birth registered in the April to June Quarter 1907 in the Tavistock Registration District, Devon. Son of John Whitford, and of Mary Grace (nee Hawke) Whitford, of Horrabridge. In the 1911 census he was aged 3, born Horrabridge, Devon, son of John and Mary Grace Whitford, resident The Green Horrabridge, Sampford Spiney, Devon,. In the 1939 Register his date of birth is given as 30 April 1907, he was unmarried, a Builders Labourer Heavy Work, resident Dosterbrook Cottage, Tavistock R.D., Devon; his mother was a widow at this time. Buried in HORRABRIDGE (ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST) CHURCHYARD, Devon.

Last updated 16 November, 2019

Friends of the War Memorials
War Memorials Trust
Main page
Commonweath War Graves Commission
Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Copyright © Roll-of-Honour.com 2002- | GDPR Cookies
Email: webmaster@roll-of-honour.com