Surviving participants in WW1, R - S
RICHARDS Harold b 31 Oct 1899, Tiverton. Youngest of 5 children of Josiah and Edith (née Phillips). The family lived at Roberts Cottage, Boobery (2018: 16 Boobery), SP in the 1911 census where his father was a Prudential Assurance Agent. The family moved away shortly after the date of the census. Harold was called to colours 18 Jan 1918 RNAS as air mechanic (gave occupation on enlistment as fitter and turner). Transferred 2 Feb 1918 to Daedalus, Cranwell, which would become part of the newly formed RAF two months later. On leaving in 1919 he was transferred to the RAF reserve. In the 1939 Register he lived at Park Street, Tiverton, working as a milkman and retail food dealer, living with his wife, Winifred, and at least one child. He died in 1949.
RIDLER Walter Sidney William, known as Sid – b 21 Dec 1898 in SP (but declared Dec 1897 as his birthday when he signed up!), 1st of 4 children of Walter John Ridler (Harness Maker) 1872-1942 and Thomazine (née Ashman) 1878-1968. In the 1911 census the family lived in Higher Town (2018: in or near 40 HT). He enlisted 31 Jan 1916, in the RN, #M18762, shortly after his “18th”birthday for a period of 12 years. He gave his occupation as “Baker”. A newspaper article of September 1917 reported that “Cooks’ Mate Sydney Ridler” was home on leave. He worked as an apprentice Cooks Mate on Vivid I (shore based) for 9 months then transferred to HMS Devonshire where he worked as Cooks Mate until May 1919. He then transferred back to Vivid I (shore based) where he was promoted to Cook, then Leading Cook. He then worked in many different vessels (20 in all) as a Cook until Feb 1927 when he was invalided out with Pulmonary Tuberculosis. He married Alice Maud Jarman in Tiverton in 1922 and they had two sons. Sid died in Mar 1931, aged just 33 – presumably TB. His niece told us that he was on the Atlantic convoys and was twice on ships that sank. He had his own hand-written recipe book, and he was good at painting. His widow Alice remarried (to Leonard Legge) in 1934, and Sid’s sons moved to Australia in the 1950s. Family tree:
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/tree/75041917/family
RUSSELL William Henry – b 1896 Uffculme, bp 1 Aug 1896 2ndof 4 children of William, (b Oct 1864 Uffculme, Ag Lab) and his wife Elizabeth Ann Payne (1865 Wiveliscombe – Apr 1917 SP). In 1911 census the family lived at Baileys Cottages (2018: site of 9 Boobery) and Henry William was described as a butchers boy (aged 14). He enlisted early in the war in the ASC and was in Egypt on 6 Jul 1915. His service record shows he held the rank of Corporal and was acting Staff Sergeant. He was mentioned in despatches on 14 Jun 1918. On the 1919 Absent Voters list for SP a William Henry Russell S/2/12026 Sgt 21stP.O.L. Sup. Co. RASC is listed. This may be a supply company for Petroleum, Oil, Lubricants. He was discharged 10 Jun 1920. He lived with his widowed father in Boobery according to the 1920 ER. His father William Russell continued to live in Boobery until 1925, occupation labourer, when he left the village.
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/tree/75041917/family
RUSSELL William Henry – b 1896 Uffculme, bp 1 Aug 1896 2ndof 4 children of William, (b Oct 1864 Uffculme, Ag Lab) and his wife Elizabeth Ann Payne (1865 Wiveliscombe – Apr 1917 SP). In 1911 census the family lived at Baileys Cottages (2018: site of 9 Boobery) and Henry William was described as a butchers boy (aged 14). He enlisted early in the war in the ASC and was in Egypt on 6 Jul 1915. His service record shows he held the rank of Corporal and was acting Staff Sergeant. He was mentioned in despatches on 14 Jun 1918. On the 1919 Absent Voters list for SP a William Henry Russell S/2/12026 Sgt 21stP.O.L. Sup. Co. RASC is listed. This may be a supply company for Petroleum, Oil, Lubricants. He was discharged 10 Jun 1920. He lived with his widowed father in Boobery according to the 1920 ER. His father William Russell continued to live in Boobery until 1925, occupation labourer, when he left the village.
SALTER Edmund James - b 21 Apr 1892 SP to James Salter (1867, Uffculme -Butcher) and his wife Mary Annie (1865 – Oakford). In the 1911 census they lived at Paulett, Higher Town (2018: number 9) where Edmund was an assistant butcher to his father. On 11 Oct 1915 in Exeter he married Elia Mary Woodrow, a farmer’s daughter from Wiltshire. He gave his occupation as cattle dealer. Served in the ASC and the Devonshire Regiment (Service Number 67142), including at least 2 years with the ASC in Egypt, as the Western Times reported on 12th April 1918: “information has just been received by Mr and Mrs J Salter, butcher, of Paulett House, SP, that their only son, Pte. E.J. Salter, A.S.C., has just won a certificate and bronze medallion, and is now qualified as an Instructor, having passed all the necessary tests. Mr Salter has been in Egypt over two years”. He was wounded and discharged on 3rd July 1919. Edmund returned to SP and lived at “The Cottage” on Higher Town. He and Ella had one daughter. He died 21 Feb 1929 in SP, aged 36.
SALTER Joseph – b Apr 1878 Washfield, Tiverton 2nd/3 children of Joseph Salter (farmer) 1835-1919 and his second wife Sarah Ann Langdon 1855-1941. The family moved around from farm to farm, but in 1891 census they were at Pitt Farm, just N of SP. In 1898 Joseph married Laura Kerslake (b Apr 1876), whose father managed Hill Kiln quarry. In 1901 Joseph (a quarry worker) and his wife lived at Smoke Alley, Boobery (2018: 22-24 Boobery). In 1911 they still lived at Boobery – at his mother-in-laws’ house. He gave his occupation as Inn Publican - he was landlord of the Globe inn until 1916. No military record found, however he clearly did serve as he is shown on the electoral roll after the end of the war with “NM” after his name. He appeared to leave the village, but his wife Laura was on ER for SP in Boobery from 1921 to 1934 and was also there on the 1939 register, while Joseph was in Axbridge, Somerset. Laura died 1940 in Willand. He died Jan 1953 in Weston Super Mare, Somerset, aged 74. Family tree: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/tree/74614375/family
SALTER Joseph – b Apr 1878 Washfield, Tiverton 2nd/3 children of Joseph Salter (farmer) 1835-1919 and his second wife Sarah Ann Langdon 1855-1941. The family moved around from farm to farm, but in 1891 census they were at Pitt Farm, just N of SP. In 1898 Joseph married Laura Kerslake (b Apr 1876), whose father managed Hill Kiln quarry. In 1901 Joseph (a quarry worker) and his wife lived at Smoke Alley, Boobery (2018: 22-24 Boobery). In 1911 they still lived at Boobery – at his mother-in-laws’ house. He gave his occupation as Inn Publican - he was landlord of the Globe inn until 1916. No military record found, however he clearly did serve as he is shown on the electoral roll after the end of the war with “NM” after his name. He appeared to leave the village, but his wife Laura was on ER for SP in Boobery from 1921 to 1934 and was also there on the 1939 register, while Joseph was in Axbridge, Somerset. Laura died 1940 in Willand. He died Jan 1953 in Weston Super Mare, Somerset, aged 74. Family tree: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/tree/74614375/family
SAUNDERS William Mark – b 22 Jan 1877 (bp 18 Feb) SP, eldest of 8 children of Robert (1850 -1937 SP, builder) and Ellen née Arthurs (1850 Uplowman). In 1911 census they lived at Bridge House, SP next to the Canal in Lower Town. William was a mason, assisting his father. He enlisted after his application in Mar 1916 to be “starred” was rejected. Service number 23168 in Devon Regiment, No 2 Devon Works Company at Wearde Camp, Saltash, attached to E Surrey Regiment, then Larkhill Camp Salisbury. In the 1918 electoral roll he lived at Bridge House with “NM” after his name so was still away. He returned to Bridge House (4 Lower Town) where he worked as a mason, and the family were still there in 1934 Electoral Roll. In Sep 1928 he married Hilda Minnie Bass (b Jul 1901) in SP. They had a daughter in 1929 in SP. In 1939 Register he still lived at Bridge House, but with occupation Dairy Farmer. William died Dec 1955 in SP. Family tree:
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/tree/55070480/family
SAYER Herbert – b 27 Jun 1885 Stogursey, Somerset 11th/12 children of Joseph Sayer (farmer 1837-1887) and Charlotte Phillips (1837-1911). Herbert lived and worked in Somerset but on 17 Apr 1911 in SP he married Mary Ellen Russell (B Apr 1890 Uffculme) who lived with her parents William and Elizabeth Ann in Boobery (2018: site of 9 Boobery). Herbert gave his occupation as Chauffeur – in 1911! Herbert enlisted Jan 1915 into the ASC, occupation Driver - private M2/046421, seeing active servce in France from Feb 1915. He was discharged to Z reserves Mar 1919 and returned briefly to SP after the war, was included on the Spring 1919 ER with occupation Chauffeur and lived in Kiln Cottage from Autumn 1919 to Autumn 1920. He re-enlisted in the RASC and finally left 18 Jun 1930. Herbert and Mary Ellen had three children – Joseph William b 5 Oct 1912, Williton, Kathleen Nancy b 1923 Cardiff, d 2003 and Herbert Kenneth b 13 Mar 1926, Taunton. In the 1939 register the family lived at Rumwell Park, Taunton where Herbert was a gardener. Herbert died in 1949 in Taunton.
SCORSE John – b 30 Jul 1889 SP 8thof 10 children of Charles Scorse (1844 Halberton-1910, Plate Layer GWR) and Elizabeth Scorse (née Trevellyan b1851 SP). In 1891 the family lived at Wink Cottage, Whitnage Road. By 1901 they had moved to Easton Cottage in Easton Lane – a property which no longer exists. Charles, the father died 1910 and his widow and three sons moved to Always Cottage on Chains Road (2018: 1-3 Chains), where John was employed as a railway worker. On 5 Apr 1915 John married Alice Ponsford (1888 SP) and gave occupation as plate layer GWR. He enlisted shortly afterwards in the Royal Engineers (#175210) and was later transferred to the 275thRailway Co – part of RE. He was a Corporal, but an Acting Sergeant at the end of the war. They had a son Charles John b 23 Nov 1916 and bp 4 Feb 1917, where father declared occupation as “Royal Engineers”. He returned to SP and lived in Boobery until 1929 where they had two more children. In the 1920 Gregory’s Directory his occupation is shown as (railway) packer. In 1930 the family moved to Turnpike Cottage which became the family home. John died 22 Jun 1937 in SP. John had two nephews, Arthur Scorse and Bertie Scorse, who both lost their lives in 1917 during the war – aged 19 and 21 (more details earlier in this book). Family tree: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/tree/75159961/family
SELWAY Albert – b 1 Mar 1884, only child of James Selway (ag Lab 1846-1909 Uffculme) and Eliza Taylor (1843-1913 b Cullompton, d SP). In the 1901 census Albert had left his parents and was working as an Ag Lab at Shutehanger, ½ mile S of SP, but technically in Halberton. By 1911 he was living with his widowed mother Eliza at Lower Turberfield Cottages, Moorend (2018: on the road to the station) where his occupation was shown as quarryman. His mother died in July 1913, one month before he married Florence Bristow of Ayshford (1879-1939) 7th/8 children of Noah Bristow and Elizabeth Buncombe. They had their first child, Albert J Selway, 1 Oct 1915 and he was baptized on 31 Oct where his father gave his occupation as labourer. He must have enlisted shortly afterwards, but it has proved hard to determine exactly which service record is his. Our best guess is CMT/2347 in the RASC. He was on leave from the trenches in 1917 according to a newspaper report. His first cousin Francis George Selway, b Apr 1892 Exeter, enlisted with the 2nd Battalion of the Dublin Fusilliers and lost his life in France & Flanders 21 Mar 1918.
Albert and his wife had a second child Hetty, b 2 May 1917 in SP. After the war, in Spring 1919 electoral roll, the family lived in Uffculme. In 1939 register Albert (widower) lived at Colliers Court Cottages, Honiton RD with his married daughter, Hetty Snow. Albert died in 1949 in Honiton, his wife died 10 years earlier. Family tree: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/tree/109895825/family
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/tree/55070480/family
SAYER Herbert – b 27 Jun 1885 Stogursey, Somerset 11th/12 children of Joseph Sayer (farmer 1837-1887) and Charlotte Phillips (1837-1911). Herbert lived and worked in Somerset but on 17 Apr 1911 in SP he married Mary Ellen Russell (B Apr 1890 Uffculme) who lived with her parents William and Elizabeth Ann in Boobery (2018: site of 9 Boobery). Herbert gave his occupation as Chauffeur – in 1911! Herbert enlisted Jan 1915 into the ASC, occupation Driver - private M2/046421, seeing active servce in France from Feb 1915. He was discharged to Z reserves Mar 1919 and returned briefly to SP after the war, was included on the Spring 1919 ER with occupation Chauffeur and lived in Kiln Cottage from Autumn 1919 to Autumn 1920. He re-enlisted in the RASC and finally left 18 Jun 1930. Herbert and Mary Ellen had three children – Joseph William b 5 Oct 1912, Williton, Kathleen Nancy b 1923 Cardiff, d 2003 and Herbert Kenneth b 13 Mar 1926, Taunton. In the 1939 register the family lived at Rumwell Park, Taunton where Herbert was a gardener. Herbert died in 1949 in Taunton.
SCORSE John – b 30 Jul 1889 SP 8thof 10 children of Charles Scorse (1844 Halberton-1910, Plate Layer GWR) and Elizabeth Scorse (née Trevellyan b1851 SP). In 1891 the family lived at Wink Cottage, Whitnage Road. By 1901 they had moved to Easton Cottage in Easton Lane – a property which no longer exists. Charles, the father died 1910 and his widow and three sons moved to Always Cottage on Chains Road (2018: 1-3 Chains), where John was employed as a railway worker. On 5 Apr 1915 John married Alice Ponsford (1888 SP) and gave occupation as plate layer GWR. He enlisted shortly afterwards in the Royal Engineers (#175210) and was later transferred to the 275thRailway Co – part of RE. He was a Corporal, but an Acting Sergeant at the end of the war. They had a son Charles John b 23 Nov 1916 and bp 4 Feb 1917, where father declared occupation as “Royal Engineers”. He returned to SP and lived in Boobery until 1929 where they had two more children. In the 1920 Gregory’s Directory his occupation is shown as (railway) packer. In 1930 the family moved to Turnpike Cottage which became the family home. John died 22 Jun 1937 in SP. John had two nephews, Arthur Scorse and Bertie Scorse, who both lost their lives in 1917 during the war – aged 19 and 21 (more details earlier in this book). Family tree: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/tree/75159961/family
SELWAY Albert – b 1 Mar 1884, only child of James Selway (ag Lab 1846-1909 Uffculme) and Eliza Taylor (1843-1913 b Cullompton, d SP). In the 1901 census Albert had left his parents and was working as an Ag Lab at Shutehanger, ½ mile S of SP, but technically in Halberton. By 1911 he was living with his widowed mother Eliza at Lower Turberfield Cottages, Moorend (2018: on the road to the station) where his occupation was shown as quarryman. His mother died in July 1913, one month before he married Florence Bristow of Ayshford (1879-1939) 7th/8 children of Noah Bristow and Elizabeth Buncombe. They had their first child, Albert J Selway, 1 Oct 1915 and he was baptized on 31 Oct where his father gave his occupation as labourer. He must have enlisted shortly afterwards, but it has proved hard to determine exactly which service record is his. Our best guess is CMT/2347 in the RASC. He was on leave from the trenches in 1917 according to a newspaper report. His first cousin Francis George Selway, b Apr 1892 Exeter, enlisted with the 2nd Battalion of the Dublin Fusilliers and lost his life in France & Flanders 21 Mar 1918.
Albert and his wife had a second child Hetty, b 2 May 1917 in SP. After the war, in Spring 1919 electoral roll, the family lived in Uffculme. In 1939 register Albert (widower) lived at Colliers Court Cottages, Honiton RD with his married daughter, Hetty Snow. Albert died in 1949 in Honiton, his wife died 10 years earlier. Family tree: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/tree/109895825/family
SMITH Ernest James – b Jul 1887 Ash Thomas, Halberton 1st/5 children of James Smith (1865 Ash Thomas, Carter) and Caroline (1856, Upottery, Honiton) – this was Caroline’s second marriage, her 1sthusband (Mr Davies) d 1884, shortly after the birth of their second child, Tasmina. The family lived in the Ash Thomas/ Pigsfoot area, just S of Halberton. On 28 Dec 1903 Ernest, aged 17y 6m signed up for 6 years’ service in the Militia – serving in 4thBattalion of the Devon Regt, #4446. He was however discharged 3 Jun 1907 as being permanently unfit for duty. In 1911 census Ernest James (and indeed his younger brother Samuel) were Traction Driver Steersmen. Ernest re-enlisted as private 468927 in the 697thAgric Co. He married Caroline Hodder (b 1892 Newton Abbot) in the Tiverton area in 1917 and in 1918 was listed on the ER in Higher Town as NM. In the Autumn 1919 Electoral roll for SP he was a lodger at Wink Cottage marked as NM, with Samuel and Eliza Selway (former neighbours from Ash Thomas) whose son Francis George was killed in action Mar 1918. Ernest left the village by Spring 1920 and lived at Five Bridges, Halberton but returned Spring 1923 with his wife Caroline and worked as a labourer. By 1925 they had moved to Pond Cottage in Higher Town and continued to live there until the end of 1933, then left the village. They had three children.