Decades of dedicated research by a volunteer at Newton Abbot Museum have identified 21 individuals from the First World War whose sacrifices were not officially recognised on the town's War Memorial. The oversight occurred when grieving relatives were given only a fortnight to submit nominations in 1920.
John Ellis, a retired civilian senior administrator, spent thousands of hours examining archives, newspaper cuttings, and official documents. His research revealed that 21 local men, whose deaths were attributable to the 1914-1918 conflict, had never been formally honoured.
Mr Ellis, who joined the museum in 2011, has brought this omission to the attention of Newton Abbot Town Council, where plans are now underway to rectify the situation. His earlier research into Newton Abbot's Great War led to the publication of his book, 'Newton Abbot’s Great War, Forgotten Times - Forgotten Men' in 2014.
His extensive work involved transcribing war-related information from local newspapers between 1914 and 1920, and subsequently tracing the resting places of the 232 men already on the memorial. This process uncovered the names of those who had been missed.
Since 1999, Mr Ellis has made annual trips to the Western Front, visiting over 120 cemeteries and placing a Remembrance Cross, often endorsed with 'From a Fellow Newtonian', typically donated by the Newton Abbot branch of the Royal British Legion.
He expressed his pride in the town's achievements and his belief that this omission needed to be corrected. He has been in contact with a descendant of one of the families, who was pleased to hear of the planned recognition.
Among the individuals identified are Bugler Charles Symons, aged 17, who died of dysentery in Egypt, and Private Frederick Tucker, 32, who had a complex past including living in the Newton Abbot Union Workhouse and a period in Devizes Gaol before serving and dying in action in November 1914. Mr Ellis noted that Tucker's sacrifice surely settled any debt to society.
Another name is Sgt Charles Smith, a Linotype operator and native of Newton Abbot, who emigrated to Australia, enlisted in its Infantry Force, was wounded in action, and later killed on the Western Front.
Mr Ellis stated he would feel relieved to see the names added to the memorial, ensuring these men receive the recognition they deserve. Museum Curator Joanna Eccles commended Mr Ellis's exhaustive research, stating that his work has corrected a century-old oversight.
