Doddiscombsleigh The Church War Memorials

DODDISCOMBSLEIGH - THE CHURCH WAR MEMORIALS

The War Memorials of Doddiscombsleigh are not quite as straightforward as usual. A short list of names from the 1914 - 1918 war appears below a stained glass window inside the church. A stone cross in an enclosure in the village bears a greater number of names from the 1914 - 1918 war and, in addition, two names from World War 2. Some of the names on the stone cross have proved very difficult to connect with Doddiscombsleigh. We shall continue to research the stone Memorial in an effort to solve this particular puzzle.

In addition, the parents of Lieutenant T. N. Buckingham erected a screen or reredos inside the church in his memory.This is described below.

The brass Memorial inside Doddiscombsleigh Church

The brass Memorial inside the parish church at Doddiscombsleigh

On the left brass plaque

TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN PROUD AND GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THOSE

WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR GOD, THEIR KING AND THEIR COUNTRY

The following names appear on the right brass plaque plus the date 1914- 1918

CAPT. J. F. C. BANNATYNE	Captain (later Major) James Fitzgerald Bannatyne of the 11th Hussars attached to the 23rd Battalion of the Manchester Regiment. Son of the late James Fitzgerald Bannatyne, JP; DL; of Haldon, Exeter and Fanningstown, Co. Limerick and Emily Gertrude Bannatyne (formerly Wilson) of Collipriest Cottage, Tiverton.. Born in Ireland in 1884. Died 14 May 1916 aged 32.
LIEUT. T. N. BUCKINGHAM	Lieutenant Thomas Noel Buckingham of the 6th and 8th Battalions, the Devonshire Regiment. Son of Prebendary Frederick Finney Buckingham (parish priest of Doddiscombsleigh for many years) and his wife Emily Heywood Buckingham. Born in Doddiscombsleigh in the March Quarter of 1893. Died 26 October 1917 aged 24.
PRIVATE R. BROMFIELD	Private Robert Richard Bromfield of the 1st Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment. Son of James and the late Ann Bromfield of Honiton and husband of Ellen (formerly Fowler) also of Honiton. Born in the September Quarter of 1882 at Honiton. Died 30 October 1914 aged 31.
PRIVATE J. EVELEIGH	There are two Eveleigh brothers associated with the area - James and John. It is not yet known which brother is named on the Memorial.
PRIVATE F. GREENSLADE	Believed to be Private Frank John Greenslade of the 8th Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment, the son of William and Louisa Greenslade, who was killed 20 July 1916 aged 20.
PRIVATE R. HOLWILL	Private Robert Henry Holwill of the 1/4th Battalion, the Loyal North Lancs Regiment. Son of Robert and Elizabeth Holwill and husband of Rhoda Susan Holwill of 29 South Lawn Terrace, Exeter. Born in Chudleigh in the December Quarter of 1881. Died 23 May 1918 aged 35.
PRIVATE G. JONES	115643 Pioneer George Jones of the Royal Engineers. Son of the late Samuel and Emma Jones; husband of Hannah Jones of Sydney Road Post Office, St Thomas, Exeter. Died 28 March 1918 aged 42. Buried in Doddiscombsleigh Churchyard.
PRIVATE E. WONNACOTT	Private Ernest Wonnacott. Son of James and Lily Wonnacott. Born in Bovey Tracey in the September Quarter of 1895. Found in Doddiscombsleigh in the 1901 census aged 5. Believed to have served in the RAMC and died 27 August 1914 aged 19.
PRIVATE T. WOOD	Not yet confirmed but believed to be a family member of Thomas and Ann Wood of Rectory Cottage, Doddiscomsleigh.

The reredos erected in memory of Thomas Noel Buckingham by his parents

The plaque reads:

"This reredos is erected by Prebendary and Mrs. Buckingham to the Glory of God and in most loving remembrance of their youngest son Thomas Noel Buckingham, Lieutenant in the Devonshire Regiment who fell at Gheluvelf, Flanders, in the Great War, October 26th 1917.

Look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come."