THIS year for the first time, crosses were laid on the gravestones of World War One servicemen buried in the churchyard at Crediton Parish Church.

The crosses were laid after the dedication of the Garden of Remembrance by assistant curate, the Rev Dominic Doble.

Crosses were laid on the graves of four men who have Commonwealth Ware Graves Commission headstones, clean and white. Nine others are buried at Crediton with non-CWG headstones.

Gunner William Sargent Doddridge 172126 270th Siege Bn Royal Garrison Artillery died aged 19 on Monday, January 13, 1919.

He was the son of William and Ellen Doddridge of 34 High Street and he died at Pennsylvania Hospital, Exeter. Original cause of illness was he had been gassed while serving at the Front

Private Sidney John Tucker 8/40207 53rd Bn Devonshire Regiment died aged 18 on Friday, December 13, 1918.

The son of Charles Henry and Sarah Jane Tucker of Dean Street, he died at a military hospital in the Midlands.

Pte Tucker was interred on Wednesday, December 18. The 1st Troop of Bullers' Own Scouts with their bugles, attended and blew the Last Post.

Private Edward Adams 171583 3rd Bn Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Reg) died on Tuesday, January 1, 1918 aged 56.

The eldest son of the late Richard and Mary Adams of Crediton, he died at Shornecliffe Hospital and was buried on Tuesday, January 8 with a Military funeral.

Sergeant John Parkyn 9195 2nd Bn Devonshire Regt. died on June 28, 1918. He was the son in law of Mr and Mrs E Moore of Mill Street.  Sgt Parkyn died of wounds at the War Hospital, Halifax having been for some time a patient at Crediton V A Hospital.  

He was buried on July 2 with full military honours. Sgt Parkyn won the Military Medal for bravery and had received his promotion to Sergeant on the battlefield.

Nine others known from WW1 with headstones (non CWG) buried in the Holy Cross churchyard. They were: A J Borne (SE corner); W Coleman (NE of church); S W Dymond (south of church); J Elston (NE corner); W H Mann (SE corner); H C Neiass (near north railings); H H Pitts (south of church); L G Tothill (north of west end) and H Webb (east end). 

Thanks go to Bill Jerman for supplying this information.

Sue Read