WAR MEMORIAL

Compiled by Barbara Wilkinson

The War Memorial at Gwennap was unveiled on Saturday 17 July 1920 to commemorate the dead of the First World War, and the ceremony was reported in the West Briton and Advertiser on Thursday 22 July 1920. Other local newspapers also carried the story.

GWENAPP’S CROSS

UNVEILED BY THE LORD LIEUTENANT

The Lord‐Lieutenant of Cornwall (Mr. J.C. Williams), on Saturday, unveiled the memorial erected by the parishioners of Gwennap in memory of 16 men from the parish who made the supreme sacrifice in the war. The memorial consists of a beautiful cross of Cornish granite, standing eleven feet high, which has been placed on a piece of elevated ground near the boundary wall of the parish churchyard. The inscription reads:‐

“To the honour of those who at the call of King and Country gave up all that was dear to them that others might live in freedom, 1914‐1918”

Underneath are the following names: Harry Powys Rogers, James Phillips, Thomas Collins, James Gleed, Arthur Prowse, William Trenery, William Hitchins, Richard Ford, Thomas Carbis, William Tregoning, William Collins, John Hooker, Gilbert Pelmear, James Annear, Philip Russell, George Pelmear.

The arrangements for the memorial, costing about £70, were made by a committee, consisting of the vicar, Rev. J.L. Parker (chairman) Messrs. Towan Hancock, G.E. Prowse and R.T. Harris. The clergy and ministers taking part in Saturday’s unveiling ceremony were the Revs. J.L. Parker (vicar), W.H.C. Nalton (vicar of Lannarth), H. Hopkinson (superintendant minister of Gwennap Wesleyan Circuit), and W. Veale (pastor of Hicks Mill United Methodist Circuit). Those present included relatives of the deceased men, who carried wreaths, which were placed on the memorial, members of Gwennap branch of the Comrades of the Great War, under Major Ford and Sergt. Butler, R.N.A. (commandant), the first Lanner Troop of Boy Scouts, and a large number of the general public. The hymns sung were “Brief life is here our portion,“ and “Jesu, lover of my soul.”

In unveiling the memorial the Lord Lieutenant described the purpose for which they were met that day as unique in the history of the parish, and he trusted no such event would ever again occur in the lifetime of the youngest person present. There was little that could be said to lighten the sorrow of those who had lost their loved ones, but they must feel legitimate pride in the fact that those belonging to them did their upmost, and indeed gave their all in the hour of their country’s need. He referred to the bravery, unity, and self‐sacrifice of the men who had fought, and appealed to those remaining behind to get rid of many little difficulties and grievances which now separated them, and to live self‐sacrificing and charitable lives.

The impressive service concluded with the singing of the hymn “Jerusalem the Golden,” after which the “Last Post” was sounded.

The War Memorial also shows the dates that each man died during World War I, and the names are listed in the order they died:

Harry P Rogers 1 November 1914 William T J Phillips 15 May 1915 Thomas Collins 12 August 1915 James Gleed 31 January 1916 Arthur Prowse 3 September 1916 William T Trenery 15 March 1917 William J Hitchens 10 December 1917 Richard N Ford 6 January 1918 Thomas Carbis 21 March 1918 William J Tregonning 22 March 1918 William J Collins 14 April 1918 John Hooker 1 September 1918 Gilbert F W H Pelmear 29 September 1918 James Annear 28 October 1918 Philip Russell 27 November 1918 George Pelmear 27 November 1918

Interestingly, the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, John Charles Williams, had been born in Gwennap, and baptised in Gwennap church on 4 January 1862, the son of John Michael Williams and Elizabeth Maria, née Davey. He died in 1939 at his home, Caerhays Castle, and there is a memorial to him inside the church at Gwennap.

Mr G E Prowse, a member of the committee that made the arrangements for the War Memorial, was the father of one of those commemorated – Arthur Prowse, who died on 3 September 1916.

The names of those who died in the Second World War are inscribed at the foot of the memorial:

1939‐1945 THOMAS JOHN BROAD THOMAS JOHN STANLEY POPE REGINALD CLINTON EDWARD JOHN STEPHENS ARTHUR RONALD HAROLD ROBERT ARTHUR STEPHENS EDWARD MACLAREN ERNEST ALBERT WILLS ERIC LAWRY

A few brief facts about each of the men commemorated is available:

WORLD WAR I

Lieutenant HARRY POWYS ROGERS, Royal Navy, HMS Monmouth, was born on 11 August 1887, the son of Edward Powys Rogers and Charlotte, née Williams. He was baptised on 15 September 1887 at Werrington. Harry was killed in action aboard HMS Monmouth at the Battle of Coronel off the coast of Chile; HMS Monmouth was lost will all hands. He is commemorated on Panel 1 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial; there is also a memorial to him and his sister, Elizabeth, inside Gwennap church. Harry was awarded the 1914‐15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Petty Officer 2nd Class, 144192, WILLIAM THOMAS JAMES PHILLIPS, Royal Navy, HMS Vivid, was born in 1871, the son of William John Phillips and Araminta, née Cook. He was baptised on 6 October 1871 at St Gluvias. William married Mary Rosalie Jane on 9 November 1896 at Perwerris William died on 15 May 1915 whilst serving on HMS Vivid, and was buried at sea. He died on board prize vessel “Hanns Woermana” at sea between Accra and Sierra Leone from dysentery and heart failure. He is commemorated on Panel 5 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial, and also on the Falmouth War Memorial.

Private, 17183, THOMAS COLLINS, 6th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, was born in 1895; one of 10 children born to James Collins and Emily, née Bray, who were married on 12 November 1887 at . Thomas died on 12 August 1915 on the Somme; he was one of 16 officers and men of the 6th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry who were billeted in the vaults of the cathedral at Ypres and killed on 12 August 1915 by shelling from the "Ypres Express" firing from Houthulst Forest. The survivors were rescued by the 11th King's Liverpools, but these 16 bodies, including Thomas’, were not recovered until after the Armistice. He is buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Belgium; grave reference VAA1. Thomas was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Sapper, 132191, JAMES GLEED, 251st Tunn Co, Royal Engineers (formerly 209511, 10th Service Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (Cornwall Pioneers)) was born in 1887 in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, the son of Charles Gleed and Maria, née Woodward. James married Elizabeth Lobb on 11 July 1908 at Register Office and they had 2 children; Maurice James, born 1908, and Hazel Maria Barbara Irene, born February 1916 after her father’s death. James was killed in action on 31 January 1916, and buried at Cambrian Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France (Plot E4). James was awarded the1914‐15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Private, 31776, ARTHUR PROWSE, 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, was born in 1896, the son of George Edwin Prowse and Mary Anne, née Harvey. Arthur was killed in action on 3 September 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier 6, Face B. Arthur was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Arthur’s father, George Edwin Prowse, served on the committee that organised and arranged the erection of the War Memorial in Gwennap. Private, 47951, WILLIAM THOMAS TRENERY, 25th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, was born in 1889, the son of Abraham Trenery and Mary Jane, née Williams. William died of wounds sustained in France on 15 March 1917, and was buried in plot I.H.15 at Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France. The inscription reads “Worthy of Everlasting Rememberance”. William was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Sapper, 132236, WILLIAM JOHN HITCHENS, Royal Engineers (Tunnelling Depot) was born in 1893, the son of Elijah Hitchens and Emily, née Northey; he was baptised on 31 January 1899 at St Day, with his brother, Elijah. At the time of the 1911 census, he was a tin miner, living with his parents and also his orphaned cousin, James Annear, who is also commemorated on the Gwennap War Memorial. William died on 10 December 1917 at the 2nd Eastern General Hospial, Brighton, as a result of injuries from serving with the British Expeditionary Force in France. He is buried in the churchyard at Gwennap Church; grave 123. William was awarded the 1914‐15 Star.

Major RICHARD NAGLE FORD, 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, was born in 1884, and baptised on 20 July 1884 at St Michael and All Angels, Paddington, London. He was the son of Edmund Salwey Ford and Caroline, née Artindale. He was a career soldier who started his Army career as a Gentleman Cadet at the Royal Military College. Richard was killed in action on 6 January 1918; unconfirmed reports on the net state he was “killed whilst flying whilst on a senior office course”, attached to the Royal Flying Corps. He is buried at Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No 1, Doullens, France (Grave IV.A.10). Richard was awarded the Military Cross “For conspicuous gallantry in action. He twice went out under very heavy fire to ascertain the situation, thereby rendering most valuable assistance at a critical time. He set a fine example throughout.” Richard’s will showed his usual residence as Pengreep, Gwennap; probate was granted to his brother Robert Edmund Ford. Richard is also commemorated on the War Memorial at St John’s Church, Hyde Park, London, and by a window in Gwennap church.

Lance Bombardier, 110094, THOMAS CARBIS, 227th Siege Bty, Royal Garrison Artillery, was born in 1894, the son of Nicholas Carbis and Harriet, née Goldsworthy, late Bennetts. Nicholas was a manufacturer of mineral water, and his maternal grandfather, Thomas Goldsworthy, a ginger beer maker. Thomas worked in the family business before enlisting. Thomas died on 21 March 1918 on the Somme. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 10 of the Pozieres Memorial, France. Thomas was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Private, 202923, WILLIAM JOHN TREGONNING, 7th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, was born in 1894, the son of Edward John Tregoning and Grace, née Burrows. Spelling of name is consistently Tregoning on all documents, but Tregonning on memorial William was killed in action on 2 April 1918 according to official document, although the war memorial gives the date as 22 March 1918; he is commemorated on Panel 45 of the Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France. William was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Private,21968, WILLIAM JAMES COLLINS, 10th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, was born in 1890, one of nine children born to William Collins and Ellen Jane, née Collins. His father was a stone mason, and William also is shown as a stone mason on the 1911 census. William was killed in action on the Somme on 14 April 1918; he is commemorated on Pier 6, Face B the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. William was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Private, 7923, JOHN HOOKER, XV Corps Cyclist Battalion, Army Cyclist Corps, was born in 1896, the son of William Henry Hooker and Agnes, late Gregor, née Trevail. John was killed in action on 1 September 1918, and is commemorated on Panel 11, the Ploegsteert Memorial, Hainaut, Belgium. John was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Private, 57681, GILBERT FREDERICK WILLIAM HENRY PELMEAR (or more properly Frederick William Henry Gilbert), 2nd battalion, Worcestershire Regiment (formerly 32093, Dorsetshire Regiment) was born in 1899, the son of Frederick William Pelmear and Thurza, née Symons. He was killed in action on 29 September 1918, and was buried at Pigeon Ravine Cemetery, Epehy, France. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Private, 27314, JAMES ANNEAR, 6th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment, was born in 1899, the son of James Annear and Mary Elizabeth, née Northey, who were married on 19 February 1894 at St Day. James was baptised at St Day on 9 March 1900. By the time of the 1911 census, both his parents had died, and he was living with his aunt, Emily, his mother’s sister. Emily had married Elijah Hitchins in 1890, and one of their sons, William, also died during the First World War, and is also commemorated on the Gwennap War Memorial. James died on 28 October 1918 and is buried at Niederzwehren Cemetery, Kassel, Germany, which suggests that he had been a prisoner of war. James was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Private, 34772, PHILIP RUSSELL, 1st Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry (formerly 16687, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry) was born in 1878, the son of William George Russell and Mary, née Dunstan. Phillip married Ethel Rosalie Pears in 1899, and they appear to have had nine children. Philip died on 27 November 1918 whilst serving in India, and is buried at Jhajha Cemetery, India, grave 43. He is also commemorated on the Madras 1914‐1918 Memorial. Philip was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Private, 50689, GEORGE PELMEAR, Royal Defence Corps, was born in 1888, the son of Richard Pelmear and Louisa Ann, née Simmons. He married Omyra Ivey Paddy in 1915, and they probably had a daughter, Hilda Louisa, born 1917. George died on 27 November 1918 at the Voluntary Aid Detachment Hospital, Ashford, Kent; he is buried in the churchyard at Gwennap Church (grave 321).

WORLD WAR II

Flight Sergeant, 1205696, THOMAS JOHN BROAD (sometimes John Thomas Broad), 582 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, was born in 1920, the son of George Broad and Katie, née Pollard. Thomas John Broad died on 13 August 1944, when his plane was lost over Germany. He is buried at the Rheinberg War Cemetery, Nordrhein‐Westfalen, Germany, plot 8. G. 22‐24. He is also commemorated on the RAF Memorial, London. The inscription on the headstone reads “As the years go by love and memories never die. From Mum and Dad”.

Private, 5513033, REGINALD ARTHUR CLINTON, The Parachute Regiment, Army Air Corps, HQ 3 Para Bde was born in 1924, the son of Mrs W T Burley, née Lilian Clinton. Reginald died on 19 June 1944 in France, and is buried at the Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France. The inscription on the headstone reads “Memories of you we love so well within our hearts will ever dwell”.

Third Engineer Officer ARTHUR RONALD HAROLD, Merchant Navy, SS Rosenborg, was born in 1918, the son of Arthur James Harold and Edith Ivy Gladys, née Richards. Arthur died at sea whilst serving on the SS Rosenborg, Port of Spain, Trinidad; he is commemorated on Panel 88 of the Tower Hill Memorial, London, and there is also a memorial in Gwennap Church. The Probate entry shows Arthur’s usual address as the Fox and Hounds Hotel, , Redruth; administration was granted to his mother, Edith Ivy Gladys Harold (wife of Arthur James Harold).

Lance Corporal, 5511086, ERIC LAWRY, 1st Battalion, Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment, was born c1923, the son of Thomas Alfred Lawry and Maud. Eric died on 17 May 1944, and is buried at the Cassino War Cemetery, Italy, grave XVI.D.9. The inscription on the headstone reads “We will try to live as nobly as you died, Mum”. He was awarded the Military Medal, and this was reported in the London Gazette of3 August 1944, with the added remark that he had been killed in action.

Second Lieutenant, 193292, MALCOLM EDWARD MONTIETH MACLAREN, 2nd County of London Yeomanry (Westminster Dragoons), Royal Armoured Corps was born in 1915, the son of James Malcolm Maclaren and Charlotte Harriet, née Rogers. He died on 10 October 1941, accidentally killed on war service, and was buried at Helmsley Cemetery, Yorkshire. He is also commemorated on the Feock war memorial and the Royal Tank Corps memorial in London.

Leading Stoker, D/KX88692, THOMAS JOHN STANLEY POPE, Royal Navy, HMS Hermione was born on 9 May 1917, the son of George Stanley Pope and Annie Maud, née Woolcock. Thomas died on 16 June 1942; he was listed as missing, death on war service presumed after HMS Hermione was torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U‐205 in the Mediterranean. Thomas is also commemorated on Panel 69, column 3 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

Chief Engine Room Artificer, D/M3569, EDWARD JOHN STEPHENS, Royal Navy, HMS Courageous, was born on 24 September 1890, the son of Robert Curtis Stephens and Mary Ellen, née Richards. Edward married Olive. Edward died on 17 September 1939; he was listed as missing, death on war service presumed after HMS Courageous was torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U‐29 off the coast of Ireland (Western Approaches). HMS Courageous was the first naval ship lost during World War II. Edward is also commemorated on Panel 34, column 1 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial. Edward was the uncle of Robert Arthur Stephens, also commemorated on the War Memorial; he and Robert’s father, Edgar, were brothers, sons of Robert Curtis Stephens and Mary Ellen, née Richards.

Flight Sergeant (Wireless Op/Air Gunner), 551633, ROBERT ARTHUR STEPHENS, Royal Air Force, 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit, was born in 1921, the son of Edgar Stephens and Gladys, née Triniman. Robert died on 14 April 1941, and is buried at Row A, grave 8, Flushing (Vlissingen) Northern Cemetery, Holland. The inscription on the headstone reads “This corner of a foreign field will be forever ”. Robert was the nephew of Edward John Stephens, also commemorated on the War Memorial; his father, Edgar, and Edward were brothers, sons of Robert Curtis Stephens and Mary Ellen, née Richards.

ERNEST ALBERT WILLS – by implication, died of wounds sustained during the war. No details found on Commonwealth War Grave Commission website or any other military website Ernest Albert Wills was born in 1918 (September quarter 1918, Redruth), the son of Ernest Albert Willis and Lilie, née Dunstan. He died in 1948 (June quarter 1948, Redruth).

From the Cornishman newspaper ‐ 20 May 1948 The death occurred on Thursday of Mr Ernest Albert Wills at his home New‐road, . Aged 29 years, Mr Wills served with the DCLI and the QRR in Egypt and Normandy, where he was severely wounded. Prior to his war service, he was employed by the Cornwall County Council. The funeral took place at Lanner; prior to the interment a service was conducted in Billy Bray's Memorial Church by Rev F E White who also officiated at the graveside. Mr Philp was the organist.

From the Cornishman newspaper ‐ 27 May 1949 At the Lanner funeral of Mr. Ernest Albert Wills, of New‐road, Carharrack, mourners were: Mrs. Wills (mother); Messrs. H., S., J. and B. Wills and W. J. Murton (uncles); Mrs. Paddy (aunt); Miss E. Pope, St. Day (fiancée); Miss G. Murton, Mesdames L. Smitheram, C. Wills, and C. Thomas (cousins). Represented were the choir of Billy Bray’s Memorial Church; workmates of Cornwall County Council; and St. Day and Redruth branches of the British Legion. Members of the Choir and St. Day British Legion were bearers, and the coffin was draped with the Union Jack. Mr. J. C. Treweek carried out the funeral arrangements.