Sticklepath 1914-1918 War Memorial is a plaque on the village hall wall facing the street. It shows just 8 names. Those who fell during the Great war. Far more will have been involved in the war in different ways, as well as those at home affected by it. The impact of death and disability on a family was huge.
Information can be checked online with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission with some additional information about the cemeteries etc. Just click on the name to link through.
Rifleman William Henry Bowden s/20341 1st Battalion, the Rifle Brigade, the Prince Consort’s Own. Enlisted. Poplar, Middlesex. Parents Emanuel Bowden and Mary Ann (nee Bennet). Born in Sticklepath in 1900, died 26 August 1917 aged 17y as a Prisoner of War (PoW). Buried in Hamburg Cemetery, Germany. Memorial in Sticklepath Quaker burying ground also.
Lance Corporal Alfred Hellier 3059 1st/6th Battalion, The Devonshire Regiment. Adopted son of John and Frances Hellier of Amara Cottage, Sticklepath. Born in Sampford Courtenay in 1900. Enlisted Barnstaple. Died of disease or injury in Mesopotamia (Iraq) . 10 April 1916 aged 16. Buried in Amara War Cemetery, Iraq. Western Times – Tuesday 25 April 1916 – says he died from fever, that he was apprenticed to an Okehampton firm and that he joined up soon after the start of the war.
Private Ernest Hellier 37209 3rd Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Son of Frank Hellier and Ellen Louisa (nee Coaker) of Skaigh Cottage, Sticklepath (Belstone). Born in Sticklepath in 1899. Enlisted Okehampton. Died at sea aged 18. He was drowned when his transport ship HMS Aragon was torpedoed while entering Alexandria Harbour on 30 Dec 1917. Commemorated on the Chatby Memorial, Alexandria, Egypt. See more about this family on blog post:
2nd Lt. Thomas James Lethbridge of 34th Squadron the RAF (formerly the Royal Flying Corps). Son of Emily and John Lethbridge. Born in South Tawton in the December Quarter of 1896. Died 25 September 1918 aged 22. Buried in Montecchio Precalcino Communal Cemetery Extension, Italy. Also on grave stone in South Tawton Churchyard.
Private Benjamin Albert Mallett 6012 6th Battalion, the Somerset Light Infantry. Son of John and Susan Mallett. Born in South Tawton in 1887. Enlisted Jersey. Killed in action 17 March 1917 aged 30. Buried Faubourg D’Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France.
Private Samuel Pearse 9007 2nd Battalion, The Devonshire Regiment. Son of William and Florence Pearse. Born in Sampford Courtenay in 1891. Enlisted Exeter. Died of wounds 5 August 1915 aged 24. Buried in Sailly-sur-la-Lys Canadian Cemetery, France. Also on Findagrave
Captain (William) Cecil Rowell of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. Commissioned 1913. He also served briefly in the newly-formed RAF, No. 50 Squadron, Kent. Born in London in 1885. Died in London, of injury received whilst serving with the RAF. Son of Mr Spencer Rowell of “Wood View”, Sticklepath. (OR ???Joseph and Elizabeth Rowell.) Died 22 May 1919 aged 34. Buried in Wolborough St Mary Churchyard, Newton Abbot, Devon.
Sapper Albert Norman White 165063 of 78 Field Company, the Royal Engineers. Son of Thomas and Mary White of Sticklepath. Husband of Ellen, Exeter. Born in Belstone in 1884. Enlisted Exeter. Died 1 December 1917 aged 33. Died of wounds. Buried Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Please let me know if you. have more information, or I have not got the facts correct and especially if you have a photo you are willing to share online: shields_h_f@hotmail.com
For other wartime effects. on Sticklepath and its residents please see ‘Themes‘. Copied here October 2021 (further links may have been added since):
Wartime Amy Beatrice Prickman VAD quartermaster and emergency nurse. Jim Cooper missing in action for 16 months. Roll of Honour St Mary’s. Aircraftman First Class Herbert Leslie Bowden.
Sticklepath a Village and its People 