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Post List
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Widecombe World War 1: William Robert Smerdon Nosworthy
William Robert Smerdon Nosworthy’s Life and War William (known as ‘Willie’) was born in Widecombe in December 1890, his father was William Robert Nosworthy and his mother Elizabeth Smerdon. William had three sisters Hilda Elizabeth, Ruby Annie and Maude Louise. The family lived at Southway Farm, Widecombe. William attended Widecombe School from 1897, but his…
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Widecombe World War 1: Sydney Arthur West
Sydney Arthur West’s Life and War Sydney was born in Leusdon, Widecombe in the Moor parish in January 1888 to parents Arthur West and Alice Stidson. Sydney, had two older sisters Ellen b 1873, and Eva Mary b 1879. He also had a younger brother Edward b 1890 and whose armed service is commemorated on…
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Widecombe World War 1: William Bolitho
William Torquil Macleod Bolitho William Torquil Macleod Bolitho William was born in Penzance in 1895, into the family where his father William Edward T. Bolitho was a distinguished serving soldier. William T was educated at Warren Hill, Eastbourne until the age of 12 when he was enlisted in the Royal Naval College at Osborne on…
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Widecombe World War 1: John Harvey Endacott
John Harvey Endacott’s Life and War John was born in Throwleigh Devon in 1893 to father Edwin Harvey Endacott and Elizabeth Jane Endacott. Little is known of John’s early life, but the 1911 census lists the family as living at Isaford farm in the Webbern valley north of Widecombe village. The next mention of John…
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Widecombe World War 1: John Henry Irish
John Henry Irish was born in Widecombe on 24th March 1895 to Edmund and Bessie Irish. Edmund farmed at Lower Cator. John was baptised at Leusdon Church on 24th May 1896. He had 2 elder sisters (Louisa and Ruth), 4 younger sisters, (Bessie, Frances, Thirza and Ethel) and 1 younger brother (Walter). John Henry attended…
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Widecombe World War 1: John Radcliffe
JOHN DOUGLAS HENDERSON RADCLIFFE John Radcliffe was born on 9th August 1885 in Kensington, London, to Alexander Nelson and Isobel Grace Radcliffe. He had three younger sisters Maude (b 1887), Ruth Isobel (b 1890), Margaret Joan (b 1894) and brother Edmund (b 1900). John attended Eton College and in 1904 was admitted to Balliol College,…
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Widecombe World War 1: Leicester F Struben
Leicester Frederick Struben Leicester Frederick Struben was born in Torquay on 25th April 1893. He lived there with his parents Frederick and Mabel Struben, together with his sisters Gertrude and Florence Lillian, and for a short while his younger brother John (who died in early childhood). At a later date the family moved to Spitchwick…
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Widecombe World War 1: George Nosworthy
George Nosworthy’s Life and War “The Royal Naval Division (of which Plymouth Battalion was a part) should reinforce a fresh attack to be made that afternoon, 13th July, on such portions of our original objectives as remained in enemy hands. The second attack was a success….” Extract from Sir Ian Hamilton’s Third Gallipoli Despatch. (Hamilton…
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Widecombe World War 1: Henry James Broome
Henry James Broome Henry James Broome was born in Wandsworth SW London in 1880, eldest son of Charles and Emily Broome. He had four sisters (Catherine, Emily, Charlotte and Bessie) and four brothers (Charles William Alfred and Arthur). Later the family moved to Chislehurst in Kent. Henry, at the age of 17, took employment with…
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Widecombe World War 1: Evelyn Anthony Cave Penney
Evelyn Anthony Cave Penney’s Life and War This photograph of Evelyn Anthony Cave Penney shows him in the uniform of the Queen Victoria’s Own Corps of Guides (Frontier Force) (Lumsdens). It was considered an “elite” regiment within the Indian Army. This photograph of Evelyn Anthony Cave Penney shows him in the uniform of the Queen…