RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Devon Lookup Requests => Devon => England => Devon Completed Lookup Requests => Topic started by: kc09 on Monday 07 February 11 19:53 GMT (UK)
-
Evening all,
I just wondered if anyone knew if there is/was a monument in Tiverton for ww1 soldiers.
i have an ancester who died in france, his place of birth was in tiverton.
i just wondered (rather cheeky, i know!) if some one lives in tiverton could look for a Ian Joseph REEKS. i'm in france otherwise i'd go but i can't find any info as to whether a monument exists? or where i may find information
any help much appreciated
kim
-
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission may be able to help - see http://www.cwgc.org/debt_of_honour.asp?menuid=14 which contains a searchable database.
-
Thanks DOB7.
I've got a possible hit but the soldier is listed as a joseph reeks his full name being ian joseph reeks. i just thought if inscribed on a monument in his home town it may confirm this is the right reeks
cheers
kim
-
There is a Memorial Hall with names on a wall.
Try The Tiverton Museum
Email: research[at]tivertonmuseum.org.uk
If i get the chance i will have a look for you, but the museum also has a book containing names.
Best of luck
Corrie
-
Have checked the British Legion Memorial room at Tiverton. Unfortunatly there is know-one by the name Reeks mentioned.
I suggest trying Halberton, he was there on the 1901 Census age 13.
The Museum would help you.
Regards
Corrie
-
The National Inventory of War Memorials lists the BL board you mention, one for the anniversary of VE day in the church and two at the Natwest Bank. There is no entry for a town memorial.
http://www.ukniwm.org.uk/
You could try an enquiry on The Great War Forum where there are many researching names on memorials:
http://www.ukniwm.org.uk/
A
-
Soldiers Died in the Great War has him indexed as Joseph Reeks, born Tiverton, residence Halberton.
-
Hello Kim
I think this answers part of your question, Taken from a local newspaper 1915.
Tiverton Gazette November 23rd 1915
Roll of Honour
Private E J Reeks
Mr & Mrs J Reeks of 1 Passmore's Court, Halberton have been officially informed that their son Private E J Reeks of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers was killed in action on September 25th.
(The newspaper does read E J probably an error. )
Hope this has helped
Regards
Corrie
-
Thank you every one so much for the info. i think this is him. his father is also joseph. my nan always believed it was the battle of loos the family never talked of it, my father is named after him (ian not joseph).
he was the only reeks not to survive the war. as i now live in france and am certain this is our reeks may be dad and i can make the trip to see him.
cheers one and all for your amazing help
kim
-
Kim
I don't think this has been posted here, but this is the detail from the CWGC's Debt of Honour Register:
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1767440
This is a memorial to the missing, which means that there is no known grave for him.
This is part of the CWGC's description:
The Loos Memorial commemorates over 20,000 officers and men who have no known grave, who fell in the area from the River Lys to the old southern boundary of the First Army, east and west of Grenay. On either side of the cemetery is a wall 15 feet high, to which are fixed tablets on which are carved the names of those commemorated. At the back are four small circular courts, open to the sky, in which the lines of tablets are continued, and between these courts are three semicircular walls or apses, two of which carry tablets, while on the centre apse is erected the Cross of Sacrifice. The memorial was designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Charles Wheeler. It was unveiled by Sir Nevil Macready on 4 August 1930.
A
-
Thank you ainslie. My grandparents made several trips to france to find ian joseph, it seems they weren't aware where exactly he died or that he is listed as joseph. it would be good to go one day with my dad.
thanks again for the help and link
kim