St Peter’s Church remembers those from the parish who died in the two world wars. The following accounts summarise their lives and service, based on parish research and surviving records.
Thomas Bickle was born in 1885 at Coryton to James and Maria Bickle. He married Mary Jane Hitt of Marystowe in 1904 and worked as a farm labourer. He enlisted with the 9th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment as a Private, Regimental No. 25735. He died of wounds on 26 October 1917 aged 33 and was interred in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave XXII. C. 11. He is also commemorated on the Marystowe Memorial.
Frank Maitland Carver was born on 19 February 1894 in Paddington to Frank and Leila Carver (née Baring-Gould). He was educated at Wellington College and Magdalen College, Oxford. He was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant to the Devonshire Regiment on 26 August 1914 and promoted Lieutenant in February 1915. Serving with A Company, 8th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, he was killed in action at the Battle of Loos on 25 September 1915 aged 21. His name is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Panel 35 to 37.
James Horrell Cockwill was born in 1888 at Lewtrenchard to John and Ellen Cockwill. He worked at East Raddon Farm before enlisting with the Royal North Devon Hussars, Regimental No. 2432, later transferring to the 7th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, Regimental No. 28852. He was killed in action on 21 November 1917 aged 29 and is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, Panel 6.
Ronald Dawe was born in 1893 at Lewtrenchard to William Henry and Emily Dawe of Lewdown School. He worked as a bank clerk and enlisted first with the Devon Regiment, Regimental No. 2128, later transferring to the XIX Corps Cyclist Battalion, Army Cyclist Corps, Regimental No. 18986. He was dangerously wounded on 17 June 1917 and died of his wounds on 19 June 1917 aged 24. He was interred in Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium, Plot I. E. 47.
Paschal Palmer Dustan was born in 1899 at Lewdown to Charles Henry and Eliza Dustan of Lew Quarry. He enlisted with the 15th (Hampshire Yeomanry) Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, Regimental No. 45612. He was killed in action on 8 August 1918 during the opening phase of the Hundred Days Offensive. His name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Panels 88 to 90.
Horace John Palmer was born on 18 April 1893 at Lewtrenchard to William and Mary Palmer of Foxcombe. He enlisted on 24 September 1914 with the Royal North Devon Hussars, later transferring to the 7th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, and subsequently receiving a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. He was killed in action on 8 August 1918 aged 25 and was interred in Beacon Cemetery, Sailly Laurette, Plot 5, Row I, Grave 6.
Arthur White was born in 1885 at Bridestowe to Arthur and Mary White of Alder Quarry, Lewdown. He enlisted with the 11th Field Company, Royal Engineers, Regimental No. 12964, in 1903. He was wounded on 31 October 1914 and killed in action on 14 July 1915 aged 30. He was interred in Cambrin Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France, Grave B. 17.
Bert White was born in 1883 at Beechcombe, Lewtrenchard, brother of Arthur. He worked as a carter and married Rose Alice Hawkins in 1908. He enlisted with the 9th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, Regimental No. 15246. He died of meningitis on 25 April 1917 aged 33 and was interred in Puchevillers British Cemetery, France.
Benjamin Gordon Baring-Gould was born on 14 July 1918 at Kuching, Malaysia, to Julian and Elizabeth Joan Baring-Gould. He joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve as a Pilot Officer, Service No. 88441. He was killed on 7 February 1941 when Tiger Moth T7160 struck high-tension wires and crashed into Diglis Weir, Worcester. He was interred in Worcester (Astwood) Cemetery, Grave 34864.
Jasper Julian Baring-Gould, younger brother of Benjamin, was born on 20 October 1920 at Lewtrenchard. He enlisted with the Royal Tank Regiment, Regimental No. 7891674, and served with the 42nd Royal Tank Regiment in the North African campaign. He was killed on 23 November 1941 during Operation Crusader when his tank was hit in the fighting around Sidi Rezegh. He was interred in Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery, Egypt, Collective Grave 19. H. 1–4.
