Talaton War Memorial

TALATON - THE WAR MEMORIAL

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To find the memorial:

At the red post box in the village centre turn down a small lane which leads to the church car park. Continue along the footpath to the churchyard where the memorial stands.

©Richard Brine

The inscription reads:

1914 - 1918

"To the Glory of God and in memory of the brave men of this parish who fell in the Great Wars"

The final "s" was added when the names of the three men killed between 1939 and 1945 were inscribed on the rear face of the plinth.

Thirteen men are commemorated on the 1914 - 1918 memorial:

W. H. ARBERY	Information researched and shared by David Drury: Private William Henry Arbery of the 19th Army Cyclist Corps; formerly 213 Wessex Division Cycling Company. Son of Henry and Ada Arbery of Larkbeare Farm . Born in Talaton in the December Quarter of 1896.. Died as a Prisoner of War 7 June 1918 aged 22
J. ASH	Private John Ash of the 9th Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment. Son of John and Bessie Ash who later moved to Exeter. Born1898 March Quarter in Ottery St.Mary. Died on 1 July 1916 aged 18.
A. J. AYRES	Sergeant Arthur James Ayres of the 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Son of Fredrick and Maria B. Ayres of Talaton and brother of Thomas below. Born 1890 December Quarter in Talaton. December Quarter. Died 18 September 1918 aged 27. Awarded the DCM and the MM. Commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial.*
T. AYRES	Lance Corporal Thomas Ayres of the 1st Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment. Son of Fredrick and Maria B. Ayres of Talaton and brother of Arthur above. Born 1894 in Talaton. Died 29 October 1917 aged 23. Resting place unknown.
I. CHARD	Private Isaac Chard of the 3rd Battalion, the Coldstream Guards. Son of Isaac and Louisa Chard of Newtown, Talaton. Born 1884 in Whimple. Died 14 September 1914 aged 30. Resting place unknown.
W. DAVEY	Still to be confirmed but may be William Davey, the son of John and Mary Davey who at one time lived near Talaton.
D. GRIFFIN	Private Donald Griffin of the 24th Battalion of the Royal Fusilliers. Son of John and Mary Jane Griffin of Talaton and probably brother of Harry below. Born 1896 in Talaton. Died 25 August 1918 aged 22.
H. GRIFFIN	Not yet confirmed but thought to be Harry Griffin who was born in Talaton in 1894.
G. HUGHES	Not yet confirmed.
J. LOCK	Not yet confirmed.
W. STONEMAN	Private William Stoneman of the Royal Marine Light Infantry. Son of W. J and Maria Stoneman of Plymtree. Born 1899 in Whimple. Died 27 March 1918 aged 19. Resting place unknown.
A. YOUNG	Private Arthur Young of the 2nd battalion, the Devonshire Regiment. Son of James and Margaret Young of Newtown, Talaton and brother to Sidney below. Born 1889 March Quarter in Feniton. Died 23 February 1915 aged 27. Resting place unknown.
S. YOUNG	Private Sidney Young of the 1st/4th Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment. Son of James and Margaret Young of Newtown, Talaton and brother to Arthur above. Born 1898 March Quarter in Talaton. Died 28 January 1919 aged 21.

Three men are commemorated on the 1939 - 1945 memorial:

C. DAVEY	Not yet confirmed
R . DAVEY	Not yet confirmed
M . RABJOHNS	Lance Corporal Malcolm Robert Rabjohns of the 1st Battalion, the Coldstream Guards. Son of Charles and Lilian Rabjohns of Talaton and husband of Mary Madeleine Rabjohns of Yeovil. Born in 1922. Killed on 17 May 1943 aged 21. There was a family connection between this man and the Chard family mentioned on the World War 1 panel.

*We are indebted to a reader for these last two pieces of information.