Chiefs launch search for WW1 players
Exeter Rugby Club are hoping that Chiefs supporters and the local community can help them in their quest to find out more about the brave former players who gave their lives during World War One.
Regular visitors to the Devon venue will know that a special memorial plaque is already located within the County Suite to commemorate former Exeter Rugby players who paid the ultimate sacrifice during World War II.
Now, with the centenary well underway, the club is looking to ensure this tribute includes those that gave their lives in WW1.
To this end, Chief Executive Tony Rowe OBE is calling on club supporters and the local community at large to help in the search for information on the 11 former players who lost their lives in the 1914-1918 conflict.
He said: “We obviously know there were a number of former players who were involved in active duty during WWII and sadly did not return home, but we’ve also been told recently there were 11 players who were involved during WWI and did not return home.
“As a club, we not only want to find out more about these people, but we also want to acknowledge their ultimate sacrifice they made by having a new commemorative plaque installed in their honour within the club.”
Mr Rowe has already been in detailed dialogue with local historian Roy Hough, who has been able to compile a list of former players who lost their lives in WWI that had playing links to the club.
What we would like to do is trace their living relatives if possible, we have some information on these players but any further information on the personnel listed below or any information that is missing would be welcomed by the club.
Those with information are asked to contact Exeter Chiefs Communications Manager Mark Stevens by email at markstevens@exeterchiefs.co.uk
WORLD WAR I
GEORGE HOWARD BICKLEY Rank: Captain Date of Death: 4/10/1917 Regiment/Service: Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) Age: 25 Panel Reference: Panel 154 ro 159 and 163A Additional Information: Son of H.O Bickley, JP of Holm Lea, Lyme Regis, Dorset. Formerly Lt Devonshire Regiment
HARRY JOHN CARRINGTON Rank: Sergeant Service No: 290544 Date of Death: 19/7/1918 Regiment/Service: Middlesex Regiment 1st/10th Bn Age: 25 Panel Reference: Face 7
JAMES HENRY COOK Rank: Rifleman Service No: 5/4856 Date of Death: 3/7/1915 Regiment/Service: King’s Rifle Corps Age: 28 Additional Information: Son of Charles Henry and Ellen Cook of 68 Buller Road, St Thomas, Exeter, Devon
GEOFFREY HERBERT CULVERWELL Rank: Private Service No: 1694 Date of Death: 10/6/1916 Regiment/Service: Devonshire Regiment Age: 21 Panel Reference: Panel 11 Additional Information: Son of the late Mr and Mrs E Culverwell of Minehead, Somerset
WILLIAM SETTEN GOFF Rank: Lieutenant Date of Death: 22/4/1918 Regiment/Service: Royal Welsh Fusiliers 7th Bn Age: 36 Additional Information: Brother of Charles W Goff of 27 Woburn Square, Bloomsbury, London
S E HUCKLEBRIDGE Rank: Lieutenant Date of Death: 7/3/1919 Regiment/Service: West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Own) 21st Bn
EMRYS JONES Rank: Sergeant Service No: 1829 Date of Death: 22/11/1915 Regiment/Service: Devonshire Regiment 1st/4th Bn Panel Reference: Panel 11
MAURICE HARRY DONNE PARSONS Rank: Captain Date of Death: 18/7/1916 Regiment/Service: Royal Horse Artillery ‘O’ Bty 5th Bde Age: 35 Additional Information: Eldest son of the late HJD Parsons of Exeter, husband of Louisa Mary Parsons of ‘The Elms’ Clevelands, Exeter
CHARLES EDWARD TUDOR-JONES Rank: Second Lieutenant Date of Death: 15/12/1915 Regiment/Service: Royal Flying Corps 3rd Sqdn & East Lancashire Regiment
JOHN LEONARD VEITCH Rank: Major Date of Death: 21/5/1918 Regiment/Service: Devonshire Regiment 7th Bn attd 1st Bn Age: 31 Additional Information: Son of Peter Christian Masyn Veitch and Harriet Veitch (nee Drew) of Exeter
ALBERT HENRY WEBBER Rank: Lance Corporal Service No: 20793 Date of Death: 1/91/1918 Regiment/Service: Gloucestershire Regiment 2nd Bn Age: 30 Additional Information: Son of John Cleave Webber of Tiverton, Devon; husband of Eveelyn A Webber of Park Lane, Swindon
