290541 Private Wallace Anstey of the 8th Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment. Son of Sam and Emma Anstey (née Murphy) of White Street, Topsham. Born in Topsham in the March Quarter of 1897. Died 4 October 1917 aged 20.

457506 Private William Henry Baker of the 25th Field Ambulance, the Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of the late William Henry Baker and Sarah Baker of Topsham; husband of Florence Charlotte Baker of the Lighter Inn, Topsham. Born in Topsham in the December Quarter of 1888. Died 2 December 1917 aged 29.

202169 Private William Bolt of the 1/7th Battalion, the Worcestershire Regiment. Son of Robert and Emily Bolt (his father kept the Passage Inn). Born in Exminster in 1889. Died of wounds in Italy 5 August 1918 aged 29.

8415 Corporal Frank Bond of the 2nd Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment. Son of Samuel and Sarah Bond of Pound Lane, Topsham. Born in Topsham in 1889. Died 10 March 1915 aged 26.

8430 Private John Henry S. Bevan of the 1st Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment. Son of George and Francis Bevan of Paignton; husband of Edith May Bevan (née Boull) of 38 White Street, Topsham. Born  in Paignton in the September Quarter of 1888.  Died 20 July 1916 aged 28.

303658 Leading Stoker Henry ("Harry") Copland of the Royal Navy, HMS Amphion. Son of the late William Copland and Elizabeth Copland of 13 Higher Shapter Street, Topsham. (Both parents formerly worked at Exminster in the Devon County Lunatic Asylum where William was the gatekeeper); brother of William (see below). Born in Exminster 11 September 1884. Died 6 August 1914 aged 29. Officially declared joint-first casualty of the Great War (1 of 4) who all died at the same time.

271454 Engine Room Artificer William John Copland of the Royal Navy, HM Submarine D5. Son of the late William Copland and Elizabeth Copland of 13 Higher Shapter Street, Topsham. (Both parents formerly worked at Exminster in the Devon County Lunatic Asylum where William was the gatekeeper); brother of Henry (see above). Born in Exminster 22 January 1883. Died 3 November 1914 aged 33.

20171 Private William Chambers of the 1st Battalion, the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. Son of Henry and Charlotte Chambers; husband of Eliza Chambers of Ferry Road, Topsham. Died 17 June 1917 aged 49. Buried in the Cemetery at Topsham.

ALFRED COBLEY

20171 Alfred George Cobley of the Depot, the Devonshire Regiment. Son of Alfred and Fanny Cobley of Shapter Street, Topsham. Born in Topsham in the June Quarter of 1889.  Died 10 October 1918 aged 29. Buried in the Cemetery at Topsham.

Not yet confirmed

193997 Able Seaman Henry Frank Denham of the Royal Navy, HMS Valiant. Son of George and Mary Denham of Topsham; husband of Maud Eola Mardon (formerly Denham, née Snow). Born in Topsham 25 October 1879. Died 23 November 1916 aged 36. Buried in the Cemetery at Topsham.

7923 Sergeant William Robert Durrant of the 8th (Service) Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment. Son of John and Lucy Durrant (née Jerman)  Born in Topsham in the June Quarter of 1886. Died 8 May 1917 aged 31.

23697 Lance Corporal Frederick Thomas Dunscombe of the 1st Battalion, the Grenadier Guards. Son of Thomas and the late Alice Dunscombe (née Channing) of Cemetery Lodge, Topsham. Born in Topsham in the June Quarter of 1893. Died 29 May 1918 aged 25.

278271 Petty Officer Stoker John Dunscombe of the Royal Navy, HMS Vivid. Husband of Minnie Eva Dunscombe (née Crook) of 9 Denver Road, Topsham. Born in Topsham in the June Quarter of 1870. Died 5 December 1918 aged 47. Buried in the Cemetery in Topsham.

J/47908 Ordinary Seaman Frederick William Stabback Edworthy of the Royal Navy, HMS Pheasant. Son of Frederick John Turner Edworthy and the late Eliza (née Sanford). Born in Topsham 16 July 1896. Died 1 March 1917 aged 19.

Lieutenant Charles Stanley Garnsworthy of the Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Clan Mcnaughton. Son of the late Captain Charles Edward Garnsworthy and Maude Garnsworthy; husband of Ethel G. M. Garnsworthy. Born in Topsham in 1889. Died 3 February 1915 aged 26.

287982 Pioneer Herbert Marshall Gale of the 10th Division Signal Company, the Royal Engineers. Born in Topsham in the June Quarter of 1886. Died 17 August 1918 aged 32. Parents not yet identified.

865135 Gunner Sidney Allen Gale of the Royal Field Artillery. Son of Aaron Gale and Sarah Browning (formerly Gale) of Samco Terrace. Born in Topsham in the March Quarter of 1889. Died 28 June 1918 aged 29.

F C HAWKINGS

(aka HAWKINS)

2526C Leading Seaman William James Heard of the Royal Naval Reserve, SS Vine Branch. Son of John and Harriet of Monmouth Hill; husband of Maud Mary Heard (née Bush) of 2 Queen's Court, Exmouth.  Born in Lambeth in 1882. Died 11 April 1917 aged 35. 

30041 Private Maurice Arthur Hill of the 6th Battalion. the Somerset Light Infantry; formerly 1427 of the Devonshire Cyclist Battalion.  Son of the late Samuel and Prudence Hill of Exe Street, Topsham;. brother of Sidney (see  below). Born in Exton in the March Quarter of 1896. Died of wounds 18 December 1917 aged 21. Awarded the Military Medal.

88354 Driver Sidney John Hill of the Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery. Son of the late Samuel and Prudence Hill of Exe Street, Topsham;. brother of Maurice (see  above). Born in Gulliford, near Exmouth in the June Quarter of 1894; enlisted in Pontypridd. Killed in action 4 April 1918 aged 23.

37445 Private George Howard of the 8th Battalion, the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). Son of the late Robert John Howard and Mary Ann Howard of Topsham Lock House, Exminster; husband of Myra Howard  of Victoria Road, Topsham.  Born in Exminster in the September Quarter of 1881. Died 29 July 1918 aged 37. 

22715 Private George Hurford of the 1st Battalion, the Hampshire Regiment. Son of Henry and Ellen Hurford of Topsham. Born in Clyst St Mary in 1888. Died 23 October 1916 aged 28.

34687 Private Alfred Frank B. Kentsbeer of the 5th Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment. Son of Harry and Emma Kentsbeer of 2 Lower Shapter Street, Topsham; husband of Eliza of 7 Clara Square, Topsham; brother of Cecil and Herbert  (see below). Born in Topsham in the March Quarter of 1891. Died 30 May 1920 aged. Buried in Topsham Cemetery.

32742 Corporal Cecil Charles Kentsbeer of the 1st Battalion, the Lincolnshire Regiment. Son of Harry and Emma Kentsbeer of 2 Lower Shapter Street, Topsham; brother of Alfred (see above)  and Herbert  (see below). Born in Topsham in the March Quarter of 1893. Died 11 April 1917 aged 24.

29197 Private Herbert Henry Kentsbeer of the 7th Battalion, the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. Son of Harry and Emma Kentsbeer of 2 Lower Shapter Street, Topsham;  brother of Alfred and Cecil  (see above). Born in Topsham in the September Quarter of 1881.  Died 15 October 1917 aged 36.

Boy 1st Class Reginald John Kerslake of the Royal Navy, HMS Challenger. Son of Anna Kerslake of Monmouth Street. Born in Topsham 8 January 1901. Died 9 August 1918 aged 17.

The Rev. Archibald Owen Carwithen Longridge, MA. Chaplain 4th Class of the Army Chaplain's Department. Son of Michael and Georgina Longridge; husband of Constance Longridge (née Nevile) of 2 Clyst Lands, Topsham.  Born in Claverdon, Lancs, in the June Quarter of 1880. Died in the General Hospital, Boulogne October 12 1918, aged 38. Buried in Topsham Cemetery.

Formerly 341688  then 2195D Seaman (Henry) James Luxon of the Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Vestal. Son of William and Louisa Luxon of 3 Lorams Court, Topsham. Born in Topsham 6 February 1878. Died 30 October 1914 aged 36.

144775 Gunner Herbert Manning of 203rd Siege Battery, the Royal Garrison Artillery. Son of William and Elizabeth Manning of Brixton, nr. Plymouth; husband of Frances Ella Manning of London House, Topsham. Born in Ugborough in the September Quarter of 1881. Died 14 August 1918 aged 37.

203036 Private James John Matthews of the 2nd Battalion, the Duke of Edinburgh's Wiltshire Regiment; formerly 202813 Private Matthews of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. Son of George and Mary Mattthews of  Monmouth Street, Topsham. Born in Topsham in the June Quarter of 1884. Died 6 June 1918 aged 34.

140521 Able Seaman (Petty Officer in the Coast Guard) Richard May of the Royal Navy, HMS Bayano. Son of George and Elizabeth May of The Strand, Topsham; husband of Mrs May of Woolstan, Hants. Born in Topsham 8 February 1872.  Died 11 March 1915 aged 43.

Research by Vernon Rattenbury (currently working on the Lyme Regiis Memorial) has brought the following information to light for which we are very grateful.

WR 355219 Sapper Albert John Mills of the No.2 Light Railway Operating Company, the Royal Engineers.  He was the son of John and Elizabeth Mills of Dorset. Born in Lyme in 1888. But he came to live at Tress Court, Fore Street, Topsham working as an assistant to his landlord, a local butcher, before joining the Royal Engineers.  He died 21 March 1918 aged 30 when his Company was attacked by overwhelming strength.

Not yet confirmed

242042 Lance Corporal Albert Charles Mingo of the 2nd/8th Battalion, the Worcestershire Regiment. Son of Samuel and Annie Mingo of 96 Fore Street, Topsham. Born in Topsham in the December Quarter of 1895. Died 9 November 1918 aged 23.

Lieutenant Lewis Mogridge of the 5th Squadron, the Royal Air Force, attached to 8th Battalion, The King's (Liverpool) Regiment. Son of Thomas John and Laura Mogridge formerly of Allameira Cottage, Topsham. Born in Topsham in  the September Quarter of 1886. Died 12 April 1918 aged 31.

5203 Corporal John Mudge of the 2nd Battalion, the Worcestershire Regiment. Son of George and Charlotte Mudge of Monmouth Hill, Topsham. Born in Topsham in 1882. Died 24 April 1917 aged 38.

47330 Private Francis George B. Newman of the 20th (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion, the Northumberland Fusiliers. Son of George and Mary J Newman of 9 Follett Road, Topsham; husband of Mary Ann Newman (née Miller) of 10 Follett Road, Topsham. Born in Topsham in the December Quarter of 1878. Died 13 April 1917 aged 38.

K/39050 Stoker 2nd Class Christopher John Newman of the Royal Navy, HMS Vivid II. Born in Topsham 8 June 1883. Died 2 February 1917 aged 34. Buried in Topsham Cemetery.

3/4749 Private William Osborne of the 1st Battalion, the Hampshire Regiment. Believed to be connected with the family of Osbornes who had a drapery business in Fore street, Topsham. Born in Topsham . Enlisted in Newport, Isle of Wight. Died 1 July 1916. 

33192 Private Horace Cecil Palmer of the 2nd Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment. Son of Alfred William Gidley Palmer and Eliza Ann Palmer of Topsham; husband of Frances Palmer (née Bastin) of 1 Marine Villas, Beer. Born in Topsham in the March Quarter of 1894. Died 22 September 1916 aged 22. (married just weeks before his death)

T4/084728 Driver Richard  F Pike of the 798th Horse Transport Company, the Royal Army Service Corps. Son of George and Mary Pike of High Street, Topsham. Born in Topsham in 1885. Died 17 December 1918 aged

97255 Lance Corporal Alfred Polglass of the 83rd Field Company, the Royal Engineers. Son of the late John Polglass and Mildred Polglass of 11 Denver Road, Topsham. Born in St Germans in the September Quarter of 1883.  Died 25 September 1915 aged  32.

45400 Private Frederick William  Puddicombe of the 18th Battalion, the Northumberland Fusiliers. Son of Fred and Emma Puddicombe (née Andrews); husband of Lilian P Puddicombe (née Kennard) of 18 Higher Shapter Street, Topsham. Born in the St Thomas District of Exeter in the September Quarter of 1890. Died 6 May 1917 aged 26

11197 Battery Sergeant Major Frederick Rovery of the 2nd Ammunition Column, the Royal Field Artillery. Born in Hurst, Sussex in 1878.  Died 24 May 1917 aged 39. His connection with Topsham is not yet known.

241951 Private Harry James Rowe of the 2nd Battalion, the Worcestershire Regiment. Son of John and Lucy Rowe of 6 Monmouth Hill, Topsham. Born in Topsham in 1896. Died 26 September 1917 aged 22.

33215 Private Sidney Albert Rowe of the 2nd Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment. Son of Walter and Elizabeth Ann Rowe of 59 High Street, Topsham. Born in Topsham in 1898. Died 14 April 1917 aged 19.

Not yet confirmed.

865980 Gunner Henry ("Harry") Rustell of the 15th Division Small Arms section, the Royal Field Artillery. Son of Thomas and Mary Rustell. Born in Heavitree, Exeter, in the December Quarter of 1879.  Died 14 November 1917 aged 38.

M2/133160 Private Sydney John  H Salway of the Royal Army Service Corps, attached to the Park Section of the 52nd Brigade, the Royal Field Artillery. Born  in the June Quarter of 1897.  Died 28 November 1918 aged 21.

12006 Private Thomas Edward Sercombe of the 2nd Battalion, the Coldstream Guards. Son of Joseph and Emily Sercombe of Waverley, Monmouth hill, Topsham. Born in Clyst St Mary in the December Quarter of 1895. Died 24 June 1915 aged 20.

Not yet confirmed.

7885 Private Charles Ernest Trout of the 1st Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment. Son of John Voysey and Elizabeth Trout of Trees Court, Fore Street, Topsham. Born in Topsham in the March Quarter of 1888. Died 23 October 1914 aged 27.

154033 Chief Petty Officer Rupert Henry Trout of the Royal Navy, HMS Monmouth. Son of Samuel and Elizabeth Trout of Station Road,Topsham; husband of Bessie Trout of 8 Fore Street, Topsham; Born in Topsham 8 October 1874. Died 1 November 1914 aged 40.

10125 Private Sidney Ames Trout of "C" Coy, the 2nd battalion, the Devonshire Regiment. son of John Voysey and Elizabeth Trout of Trees Court, Fore Street, Topsham;cousin of Rupert Trout (see above). Born in  Topsham in the September Quarter of 1895. Died 9 May 1915 aged 19.

Ply 12146 Bugler George Frederick Taylor od the Royal Marines Light Infantry on HMS Monmouth. Husband of Laura Taylor of Battery Street, Stonehouse. Born in Topsham 5 September 1887. Died 1 November 1914 aged 27.

21623 Private William  E Turner of the 12th Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment, transferred to the Labour Corps (916313). Born in the September Quarter of 1891.  Died 12 June 1920 aged 29. Buried in Topsham Cemetery.

Not yet confirmed.

36963 Private Donald Emory Vowden of the 2nd Battalion, the Wiltshire Regiment. Son of James and Mary Vowden. Born in Topsham in the December Quarter of 1898. Died 31 May 1918 aged 20.

Not yet confirmed but believed to  be Frederick Wannell, son of Elias and Ellen Wannell (née Symes) of Higher Shapter Street, Topsham who was  born in 1879.

152805 Chief Petty Officer George Robert S. Wannell of the Royal Navy, HMS Lavender. Son of  Elias and Ellen Wannell (née Symes) of Higher Shapter Street, Topsham; brother of Frederick (see above) and Sidney (see below) Born in Topsham in the December Quarter of 1874. Died 5 May 1917 aged 42.

2264 Corporal Sidney Edgar Wannell of the 7th Battalion, the London Regiment.  Son of  Elias and Ellen Wannell (née Symes) of Higher Shapter Street, Topsham; husband of Lily G Wannell of 2 Trees Court, Fore Street, Topsham; brother of Frederick and George (see above). Born in Topsham in the March Quarter of 1892. Died 7 October 1916 aged 24.

58299 Signaller Arundell John Webster of the 20th Battalion, the Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment. Son of the late Edward Godfrey Webster and Selina Webster of Topsham; husband of Francis Stella Webster of Stone House, The Strand, Topsham. Born in Wellington, Somerset, in the September Quarter of 1879.  Died 10 October 1919 aged 38.

9649 Private Sidney Whitty of the 2nd Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment. Son of Alfred John and Mary Jane Whitty. Born in Pedmore, nr. Bromsgrove in the December Quarter of 1894.  Died 9 May 1915 aged 20. (His father was a gardener who may have worked in Topsham.)

8/1273 Private Ewart  Leslie Wilson of the 33rd Battalion, the Training Reserve. Son of Albert and Mary Wilson. Born in Topsham  in the March Quarter of 1899. Died 5 April 1917 aged 18. Buried in Topsham Cemetery.

K/54479 Stoker 2nd Class Lionel Samuel George Williams of the Royal Navy, HMS Vivid II. Son of W and Alice Jane Williams of Manchester. Born in Topsham 30 September 1900. Died 27 October 1918 aged 18. Buried  in Topsham Cemetery.

57495 Private Alfred John ("Jim") Wills of the 10th Battalion, the Worcestershire Regiment. Son of Walter Henry and Harriet Alma Wills of 11 Monmouth Street, Topsham; brother of Walter (see below). Born in Topsham in the September Quarter of 1898. Died 12 January 1920 aged 21. Buried in Topsham Cemetery.

39681 Private Walter Henry Wills of the 4th Battalion, the Worcestershire Regiment. Son of Walter Henry  and Harriet Alma Wills of 11 Monmouth Street, Topsham; brother of Jim (see above). Born in Topsham in the December Quarter of 1894.  Died 18 October 1916 aged 22.