Hele'sSchoolWarMemorial1939-1945

EXETER - HELE'S SCHOOL WAR MEMORIAL - PART 2 1939 - 1945

ABOUT THE MEMORIAL

The Hele's School War Memorial relating to the Second World War was added below the World War 1 Memorial completed in 1922 and erected in the Assembly Hall of the School. Three additional panels matching in style and wood colour carry the names of the 71 ex pupils who gave their lives for their country between 1939 and 1945. For many years, it was the focal point of Remembrance Day Services held at the school by the Old Heleans Association. The wall panelling below the Memorial was carved with military symbols.

In 1959, Hele's School moved to a new site at Southam, Exeter, and the Memorial was re-sited in the Assembly/Dining Hall of the new building there. The years which followed saw much restructuring of the educational system in Exeter and in the 1970s, after the loss of Hele's School sixth form, a new co-educational, church-aided school called St. Peters emerged on this site.

In 2000, the Old Helean Association reviewed the condition of the Memorial which was then 78 years old and decided to renovate it as a Millennium Project, raising money themselves and receiving a grant from the War Memorials Trust.

2005 has seen the building of a brand new school on the Southam site to which St. Peter's will be moving in the Autumn, taking the War Memorial to yet another a new home.

The Memorial, 13 feet wide and made from English oak, has been described as the work of Harry Hems, an Exeter stone and wood carver of great merit. However, he died on 5 January 1916, two years before the end of World War I. After his death, his workshop continued to be run by his son Wilfred Hems and his partner, Harry Turner Hems. After the First World War, they produced a number of imposing and beautiful Memorials in both wood and stone, which can be seen throughout the British Isles and, like this one, undoubtedly show the influence of the firm's founder - Harry Hems.

Above the Memorial is carved

"LIVE THOU FOR ENGLAND - WE FOR ENGLAND DIED"

The central panel has the school badge and motto at its head. It reads:

"TO THE PROUD AND GLORIOUS MEMORY OF THE OLD BOYS OF THIS SCHOOL WHO FELL IN THE WORLD WARS 1914 - 1918

AND 1939 - 1945

FOR GOD, KING AND RIGHT THEY GAVE THEIR ALL

SEMPER FIDELUS"

H. F. AMBROSE	Lance Corporal Harry Francis Ambrose of C Squadron, the Royal Tank Regiment. Son of Richard and Hetty Ambrose and husband of Marjorie Ambrose of Exeter. Born in 1909. Died 20 April 1944 aged 35.
T. BARTLE	Leading Aircraftman Thomas Bartle of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, 691 Squadron. Died 19 December 1943. Buried in All Saints Churchyard, Whipton, Exeter..
J. P. BAKER	Flight Sergeant (Pilot) James Potter Baker, of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, 40 Squadron. Son of William and Alice Baker of Exeter. Born in 1921. Died 11 November 1944 aged 23.
J. E. S. BEVAN	Sergeant (Pilot) James Eric Singleton Bevan, of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, 21 Squadron. Died 16 July 1941
J. C. BLACKMORE	Sergeant (Flight Engineer) John Charles Blackmore, RAF, 44 Squadron. Son of Percival and Edith Blackmore of Exeter. Born in 1923. Died 16 December 1943 aged 20.
W. S. BOWDEN	Leading Aircraftman Walter Samuel Bowden of the RAF Volunteer Reserve. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Bowden of Exeter. Born in 1922. Died 13 June 1942 aged 20.
F. R. BOYCE	Corporal Francis Reginald Boyce of the Army Dental Corps. Son of Arthur and Louise Boyce of Sidmouth. Born in 1917. Died 10 November 1944 aged 27.
A. J. BROWNING	Major Alfred James Browning of the 28th Light AA Regiment, the Royal Artillery. Son of Alfred and Lucy Browning of Exeter. Born in the June Quarter of 1898 in Exeter. Died 5 April 1944 aged 46.
J. E. G. BURRINGTON	Gunner Jack Eric Gore Burrington of the 51st Light AA Regiment, the Royal Artillery. Son of Benjamin and Amy Burrington of Exeter. Born in 1913. Died between 28 May 1940 and 4 June 1940 aged 27.
G. W. CAMPION	Captain Gordon Wilmore Campion of the Dorsetshire Regiment. Son of Lawrence and Mabel Campion of Heavitree, Exeter. Born in 1921. Died 17 February 1945 aged 24.
F. G. CANN	Guardsman Francis George Cann of the 1st Battalion, the Grenadier Guards. Son of Francis and Annie Cann of Exeter. Born in 1923. Died 11 April 1945 aged 22.
S. G. CAPEL	Sergeant Stanley George Capel of 53 Squadron, the RAF Volunteer Reserve. Son of Albert and Emma Capel of Exmouth. Born in 1916. Died 18 April 1941 aged 25.
J. E. CARAH	Trooper James Edmund Carah of the First Northamptonshire Yeomanry, the Royal Armoured Corps. Born in 1924. Died 28 August 1944 aged 20.
K. J. CHILES	Coder Kenneth James Chiles of the Royal Navy, HMS Niger. Died 6 July 1942.
F. J. COURT	Flight Sergeant Frederick John Court of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, 102 Squadron. Son of William and Elsie Court. His brother, Stanley Peter Court, also died on active service. Frederick died 25 July 1944 aged 26.
P. A. DAVIS	Captain Peter Alexander Davis of the Devonshire Regiment attached to the 2nd Airborn Battalion of the Staffordshire Regiment. Son of Mr. and Mrs. H. C. E Davis. Born in 1917. Died 9 September 1943 aged 26. He gained a BA at Oxford University.
D. F. EVANS	Private Douglas Frederick Evans of the 2nd/12th Division of the Australian Infantry. He held Australian citizenship. Son of Hugh and Esther Evans of Alphington, Exeter. Born in the June Quarter of 1904 in St. Thomas. Died 20 January 1943 aged 38.
D. S. FAWCETT	Sergeant (Flight Engineer) Dudley Sydney Fawcett of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, 100 Squadron. Died 2 January 1944.
A. K. FEWINS	Engine Room Artificer 4th Class Arthur Kingsley Fewins of the Royal Navy, HMS Neptune. Son of Archibald and Adeline Fewins. Born in 1919. Died 19 December 1941 aged 22.
C. W. FRY	Sergeant Observer Charles Williams Fry of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, 100 Squadron. Son of Sidney and Katherine Fry and husband of Florence Maud Fry of Whipton, Exeter. Born in 1912. Died 13 March 1941 aged 29.
R. W. M. FULFORD	Sergeant Navigator Roy Warren Melvin Fulford of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, 90 Squadron. Son of Sydney and Ethel Fulford of Exeter. Born 1914. Died 26 August 1944 aged 30. He was a Chartered Accountant.
M. S. GILBERT	Sergeant Pilot Michael Sidney Gilbert of the RAF Volunteer Reserve. Son of Sidney and Helen Gilbert of Kenton. Born in 1923. Died 30 October 1942 aged 19. Buried in St. Clement's churchyard, Powderham.
A. C. GOSTLING	Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Capel Gostling of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada. Son of Charles and Millicent Gostling. Born in the September Quarter of 1903 in Westbury, Somerset. Died 19 August 1942 aged 39. He was a Canadian citizen.
O. M. GOULD	Lieutenant Owen Marshall Gould of the 19th Field Regiment, the Royal Artillery. Died 20 February 1944.
F. T. GREET	Chief Engine Room Artificer Frederick Thomas Greet of the Royal Navy, HMS Diamond. Son of John and Sophia Greet and husband of Ruby Greet. Born in 1912. Died 27 April 1941 aged 29.
K. J. HARRISON	Gunner Kenneth John Harrison of the Royal Artillery. Died 6 January 1944.
L. A. T. HAWKER	Sergeant Pilot Lenox Atlas Hawker of the RAF Volunteer Reserve. Son of Walter and Laura Hawker of Heavitree, Exeter. Born in 1921. Died 2 January 1941 aged 20.
N. H. HOARE	Lieutenant Norris Henry Hoare of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, HMS Hood. Son of Henry and Elizabeth Hoare of Whipton, Exeter. Born in 1913. Died 24 May 1941 aged 28. He was a member of the Institute of Bankers.
R. T. HOCKEY	Captain Reginald Thomas Hockey on the General List of the Devonshire Regiment. Son of Thomas and Jane Hockey of Heavitree, Exeter. Born in the September Quarter of 1877 in Chard. Died 9 May 1944 aged 66. Buried in the churchyard extension of St. Michael's, Heavitree. Awarded the MBE and the TD.
G. S. HODGSON	Aircraftsman 2nd Class (Pilot under training) George Stewart Hodgson of the RAF Volunteer Reserve. Son of Albert and Violet Hodgson of Exeter. Born in 1924. Died 9 October 1944 aged 20.
P. J. HORSHAM	Flight Sergeant Peter John Horsham of the RAF, 619 Squadron. Son of William and Clara Horsham and husband of Geraldine. Born in 1923. Died 18 August 1943 aged 20.
C. B. HULME	Flying Officer Colin Brunt Hulme of the RAF Volunteer reserve. Son of William and Edith Hulme and husband of Lilian. Born in 1911. Died 9 June 1946 aged 35.
V. F. HYATT	Sergeant Victor Frank Hyatt of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, 37 Squadron. Son of Sidney and Mary Hyatt and husband of Olive. Born in 1916. Died 5 September 1941 aged 25.
K. S. KEEPING	Flight Sergeant Kenneth Stanley Keeping of the RAF, 100 Squadron. Son of Allan and Nellie Keeping of Exeter. Born in 1922. Died 28 April 1944 aged 22.
R. H. J. KEVERNE	Petty Officer Airman Richard Henry James Keverne of the Royal Navy, HMS Dasher. Son of Mr and Mrs. C. Keverne and husband of Mrs. B. S. Keverne of St. Thomas, Exeter. Born in 1920. Died 27 March 1943 aged 23.
T. B. LLOYD	Air Mechanic 1st Class Thomas Bevan Lloyd of the Royal Navy, HMS Nabthorpe. Died 29 Jul 1945.
C. H. MAJOR	Captain Cyril Henry Major of the Royal Marines. Son of Harold and Emily Major of Exeter. Born in 1920. Died 6 October 1944 aged 24.
W. H. MARTIN	Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class William Henry Martin of the Royal Navy, H.M. Submarine P.32. Son of William and Elizabeth Martin and husband of Barbara. Born in 1909. Died 23 August 1941 aged 32.
W. M. McGRATH	Flight Sergeant William Milford McGrath of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, 217 Squadron. Son of Mr and Mrs W. J. McGrath. Born in 1920. Died 9 October 1942 aged 22.
P. E. MITCHELL	Sergeant (Air Gunner) Peter Edmund Mitchell of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, 178 Squadron. Died 7 July 1944.
T. J. NAISH	Sergeant (Flight Engineer) Thomas James Naish of the RAF, 78 Squadron. Son of Laurence and Nellie Naish of Exeter. Born in 1918. Died 29 April 1942 aged 24.
J. NASH	Not yet confirmed but believed to be Jack Nash.
T. J. M. NASH	Flying Officer (Pilot) Thomas James Michael Nash of the RAF, 157 Squadron. Son of Thomas and Evelena Nash of Exeter and husband of Joan. Born in 1919. Died 1 May 1945 aged 26.
R. A. NETHERWAY	Gunner Ronald Alan Netherway of the 124 Field Regiment, the Royal Artillery. Son of Charles and Alice Netherway of Exeter. Born in 1915. Died 29 June 1942 aged 27.
N. J. OLIVER	Sapper Norman James Oliver of the 2nd Field Squadron, the Royal Engineers. Son of Reginald and Mabel Oliver of St. Thomas, Exeter. Born in 1918. Died 22 January 1943 aged 25.
C. M. OSMAN	Captain Charles Marten Osman of the Army General List. Son of Charles and Marion Osman and husband of Elizabeth. Born in 1912. Died 24 July 1940 aged 28. He held the degree of B.A from Oxford University.
T. E. PAGE	Sergeant Thomas Edward Page of the RAF, 240 Squadron. Son of Herbert and Edith Page and husband of Eugenie. Born in 194. Died 3 November 1939 aged 25.
C. G. PARR	Not yet confirmed but believed to be Cyril George Parr.
I. S. PHILLIPS	Corporal Ivor Sydney Phillips of the RAF, 901 Balloon Squadron. Son of Sydney and Edith Phillips and husband of Blanche. Born in the June Quarter of 1909 in Exeter. Died 6 November 1943 aged 34.
R. E. PITHERS	Flight Sergeant Ronald Ernest Pithers of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron. Son of Ernest and Annie Pithers of Exeter. Born in 1921. Died 2 July 1942 aged 21.
W. E. G. PITT	Sergeant William Edward George Pitt of 131 Battery, the Royal Artillery. Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Pitt and husband of Lilian. Born in 1912. Died 23 April 1943 aged 31.
J. E. PRICE	Not yet confirmed.
A. J. RADDON	Warrant officer Class II Albert John Raddon of 153 Battery, the Royal Artillery. Born in 1918. Died 28 February 1943 aged 25.
D. A. ROBINS	Not yet confirmed by believed to be David Anson Robins.
E. M. ROGERS	Aircraftsman 2nd Class Eric Martyn Rogers of the RAF Volunteer Reserve attached to 57 Group, the 9th USAAF. Son of Fred and Blanche Rogers of Heavitree, Exeter. Born in 1921. Died 21 April 1943 aged 22.
E. D. ROOKES	Rifleman Edwin Douglas Rookes of the 9th Battalion. the Cameronians. Born in 1920. Died 20 November 1944 aged 24.
D. S. SABINE	Flight Sergeant Navigator David Shirley Sabine of the RAF Volunteer Reserve. Son of David and Emily Sabine of Dawlish Warren. Born in 1924. Died 27 March 1944 aged 20.
L. A. SEAMARK	Flight Sergeant Pilot Leslie Arthur Seamark of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, 142 Squadron. Son of Leonard and Elizabeth Seamark of Exeter. Born in 1915. Died 23 September 1942 aged 27.
(F.) J. SERCOMBE	Flight Lieutenant Frederick John Sercombe of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, 21 Squadron. Son of Fred and Florence Sercombe of Longdown, Devon. Born in 1920. Died 6 February 1944 aged 24.
C. C. SHARLAND	Flight Sergeant Clifford Cyril Sharland of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, 550 Squadron. Son of Samuel and Mabel Sharland of Exeter. Born in 1922. Died 22 May 1944 aged 22.
F. A. M. SHOOTER	Flying Officer Francis Arthur Mallet Shooter of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, 83 Squadron. Son of Arthur and Helen Shooter of Exeter and husband of Georgina. Born in the September Quarter of 1914. Died 28 February 1943 aged 28.
A. R. J. SMITH	Not yet confirmed
R. V. STONEMAN	Flight Lieutenant Robert Victor Stoneman of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, 7 Squadron. Son of Bob and Edith Stoneman of Exeter and husband of Lilian. Born in 1920. Died 12 September 1944 aged 24.
C. H. THOMAS	Not yet confirmed
H. F. TOLLIDAY	Warrant Officer Harold Freeman Tolliday of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, 18 Squadron. Son of Samson and Julia Tolliday of Exeter. Born in 1917. Died 18 January 1944 aged 27.
K. C. TUCKER	Sergeant Kenneth Charles Tucker of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, 110 Squadron. Son of Frederick and Florence Tucker. Born in 1921. Died 18 July 1941 aged 20.
P. J. WALSH	Gunner Patrick John Walsh ("Pat") of the 5th Field Regiment, the Royal Artillery. Son of John and Florence Walsh of Polsloe Park, Exeter. Born in 1919. Died 14 March 1945 aged 26.
C. H. WHITWELL	Aircraftsman 2nd Class Charles Herbert Whitwell of the RAF Volunteer reserve. Son of Charles and Edith Whitwell of Exeter. Born in 1925. Died 28 June 1944 aged 19.
S. T. J. WOODLAND	Not yet confirmed
E. V. WYNNE	Sergeant (Pilot) Ernest Victor Wynne of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, 185 Squadron. Son of Reginald and Florence Wynne of Exeter. Born in 1919. Died 15 May 1941.
F. J. YEATMAN	Staff Sergeant Frederick James Yeatman of the 1st Wing, the Glider Pilot Regiment, A.A.C. Son of Frederick and Bessie Yeatman of St. Thomas, Exeter. Born in 1916. Died between 24 September and 25 September 1944 aged 28.