Bideford memorial opening page

BIDEFORD WAR MEMORIAL 1914 - 1919

The First World War memorial in St Mary's Church, Bideford

This memorial plaque in St Mary's Church, Bideford, gives an excellent idea of the scale of Bideford's losses in the Great War and represents the wiping-out of most of a generation of young men in what was a relatively small town.

Another 1914 - 1918 War Memorial in St. Mary's Church

Another 1914 memorial hangs in St Mary's. Its dedication reads:

"To the the glory of God and in grateful memory of the members of the (No. 414) Bideford Company who made the supreme sacrifice during the Great War."

Our thanks to Ian Arnold for explaining that the "No 414 Company" referred to membership of the Church Lad's Brigade - one of a number of diocesan battalions which provided the young men of a parish with their first contact with military life in the early 1900s..

NAMES APPEARING ON THE ABOVE MEMORIAL WHICH HAVE BEEN OMITTED FROM THE MAIN MARBLE MEMORIAL
E. POTTER	Believed to be Edmond Potter, son of George and Jane Potter who was born in the December Quarter of 1876.
S. SHUTE	15194 Private Studley John Shute of the 10th (Service) Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment. Son of Thomas and Mary Shute of Northam. Born in Northam in 1894 but grew up in Bideford. Died 5 May 1917 aged 23.
W. T. SMALLDON	8110 Private William Thomas Smalldon of the 1st Battalion, the devonshire Regiment. Son of Thomas and Grace Smalldon. Born in Bideford in 1891. Died 14 January 1915 aged 24.
A. WHITE	Not yet confirmed.

A - C

D - F

G - I

J - L

M - O

P - R

S - V

W - Z

The town War Memorial on he Churchilll Fort

Bideford's town War Memorial on Churchill Fort sited for its commanding view of the town and high visibility from most of Bideford. The land on which the Memorial stands forms part of the actual memorial and is known as The Peace Park.