WW1 incident at The Sun Inn St Nicholas At Wade

[LJD]

Hi!
Am researching the history of the Keeler family at The Sun Inn, St Nicholas at Wade , 1902-1927, and am hoping someone out there may be able to help me. My late grandmother remembered an incident involving a young soldier shooting himself while cleaning his rifle while biletted at the pub during WW1. She was about 8 at the time. I would love to know more but am unable to investigate locally as I'm based in Devon.
Many thanks in anticipation!

[spongebob]

Hi LJD

Just started looking, and found this - sounds closely related?

"There is an unsubstantiated story of a court martial staged in the pub during the first world war, which resulted in the convicted man being executed in the garden at the back. The village was teeming with soldiers during the war, but as yet the story has not been verified."

http://snaw.me.uk/suninn.html

Matt

[LJD]

Hi Matt,

Yes, I've come across this one too! My grandmother remembered a young soldier shooting himself in the pub while cleaning his rifle. There was a door with the mark of a bullet in it many years ago.

Thank you for your interest and for taking the time to reply.

Best wishes,
Louise

[spongebob]

I regularly pass by St Nicholas, now maybe I have an excuse for a detour for a pint!

[LJD]

If you do pop into the pub there are family photos on the wall of my great grandparents in 1903! We went in the summer and it was quite busy.

[spongebob]

If we do make it is there any photos you want?

[LJD]

Thanks but we have copies of them!