One of the most beautiful memorials in Devon is this stained-glass window (above and below) at Ringmore church, the background of which pays tribute to all three services with, above the kneeling figure, soldiers crossing No Man’s Land and a British biplane circling above, while to the right the Royal Navy waits offshore (and what’s the betting there’s a tank hiding behind the Royal British Legion flag?). Pity I din’t get better photos really.
Three men, out of only eight in total, who died on the Passchendaele Ridge on the same date, 26th October 1917.
at last I have found my great uncle’s memorial – it’s a mystery to its place as so far as I know he never lived in this area.
Sometimes it is really really difficult to find out the reasons that a name appears on a particular memorial. I know of one name on a memorial that is only there because the deceased’s wife owned a property in the area! And you didn’t mention which name is your Great Uncle’s?
William Cox is my great-grand uncle, or great-great uncle, brother of my great-grandmother. It does get confusing. The family was from the Ringmore area. My mother speculates that it was William that introduced his sister, Alice to my great-grandfather, Edwin.
Hello Julie. Thanks for that. Are you aware that the Maritime Archaeology Trust did a ‘Forgotten Wrecks of the First World War’ site report just a few years ago on the S.S. Hazelwood which, unless I am wrong somehow, was the ship William Cox served and died in. You might be interested: https://maritimearchaeologytrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/FWFWW_Site-report_Hazelwood.pdf
I was right! Here are his details from their survey:
COX, WILLIAM JAMES (33), Leading Seaman (no. 204997), S.S. Hazelwood, †18/10/1917, Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. Son of James and Agnes Cox, of Brixham, Devon. Service: RFR/DEV/B/5623, Memorial: Plymouth Naval Memorial
Thank you, Magicfingers. I will look that up.
I am connected to another name on the window. Turns out George William James Freeman is my 1st cousin 3x removed, cousin to my great-grandmother, Alice Cox, nephew of my great-great grandmother, Agnes Freeman.
I must check out the Triggs, too, as my great-great-great grandfather’s sister married a William Triggs.
I’m thinking a visit to Ringmore might be fun, when Covid is well and truly gone. Until then, the internet does all my travelling for me.
You are welcome Julie. Yes, much as I want to be roaming churchyards or Flanders cemeteries – is that weird? – I too am not doing so yet awhile.