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L/Cpl James Watson, 5071 2nd Devonshire Regiment. He served as 3/8143 7th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment in WW1. Killed in action, 1st July 1916. Battle of the Somme. From London.

Picture courtesy of Morton and Eden

QSA (4) Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (4502. Pte. J.M. Donovan. Dorset: Rgt.), engraved;
KSA (2) (4502 Pte J. Donovan. Dorset Regt);
British War and Victory Medals (375388 Pte. J.M. Donovan. 8-Lond. R.).

After the Boer War he served in the Great War with the 8th Battalion, London Regiment (Post Office Rifles).

Pictures courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, unofficial rivets between third and fourth, and fourth and fifth clasps (5809 Pte. F. R. A. Towell. Devon: Regt.);
British War Medal 1914-20 (2631 A. Sjt. F. R. Towell. Devon. R.);
Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, E.VII.R. (662 Sjt: F. R. A. Towell. 4/Devon: Regt.)

Frank Ruben Ashley Towell was born in Honiton, Devon in 1870. A Hairdresser by occupation and serving with the 3rd Volunteer Battalion Devonshire Regiment, he volunteered for one year’s service with the Colours to serve in South Africa and was attested on 2 February 1900, embarking with the Volunteer Company, Devonshire Regiment for South Africa on 15 February 1900. The Volunteer Company was employed as a Rifle Company with 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment and was present at the capture of Botha’s Pass (Laing’s Nek) in June 1900. Returning to Exeter on 8 June 1901 he finally returned home to Honiton and is recorded as being carried shoulder high to Market Place on 10 June 1901. A local newspaper, recounting the scene, had the headline: ‘By Jove, Sir! That Pte Towell’s a grat chappie.’

Towell was discharged on 17 June 1901. He paraded again at Higher Barracks, Exeter with the Volunteer Company to be presented with his Queen’s South Africa Medal by Lord Roberts on 12 September 1901. Continuing to serve with 3rd Volunteer Battalion he re-enlisted as Sergeant in the 4th Territorial Battalion Devonshire Regiment on formation of the Territorial Army 7 April 1908 and awarded his Territorial Force Efficiency Medal in January 1909. Embodied for Great War service on 4 September 1914 he was posted to the 2/4th Battalion in India. Later transferring to the 1st Garrison Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment for continued service in India and appointed Sergeant Cook, he returned home and was discharged ‘Sick’ on 17 July 1919. Well respected as the local hairdresser in Honiton, he died on 17 August 1931, aged 60.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (4) Natal, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, date clasp loose on riband (5525 Pte. W. Bazley, Devon: Regt.).

Together with two silver Shooting Medals, both hallmarked, the obverses both engraved ‘WB’, the reverses engraved ‘Greenhill Cup won by Sergt Bazley 1906’ and ‘Greenhill Cup won by Sergt Bazley 1907’ respectively.

William John Bazley was born in Dawlish, South Devon in 1881. A Carpenter by occupation and serving with the 1st Volunteer Battalion Devonshire Regiment, he volunteered for one year’s service with the Colours to serve in South Africa and was attested 17 January 1900. He embarked with the Volunteer Company, Devonshire Regiment for South Africa on 15 February 1900; the volunteers were employed as a Rifle Company with the 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment and first came under fire at Elandslaagte on 10 April 1900. Returning home to Exeter 8 June 1901 he was discharged on 17 June 1901. He paraded again at Higher Barracks, Exeter with the Volunteer Company to be presented with his Queen’s South Africa medal by Lord Roberts on 12 September 1901. He continued to serve with ‘H’ Company (Dawlish and Starcross) 1st Volunteers and was a member of ‘H’ Company’s shooting team when they won the Greenhill Cup in both 1906 and 1907. He is subsequently recording as emigrating with his brother for Canada in March 1912.

A Carpenter residing at The Western Hotel, Saskatoon, Bazley attested ‘Duration of War’ for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at Saskatoon on 29 March 1916 and declared his previous service with the Devonshire Regiment. Enlisting as Private with the 203rd Battalion he was promoted Sergeant on 25 April 1916 and embarked at Halifax, Nova Scotia for Liverpool, arriving on 4 November 1916. Landing in France he reverted to Private at his own request and was transferred to the 8th Canadian Battalion on 18 December 1917. Appointed Lance Corporal he received a gunshot wound to the face on 11 August 1918 and was evacuated to England. Admitted to Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester his wounds are described as ‘Gun Shot Wound Left Side and Gun Shot Wound Left Eye’. Transferring to the 14th Reserve Battalion with 20% Disability due to Defective Vision and Hearing he was evacuated to Canada on 7 December 1918 and was discharged at Winnipeg being medically unfit on 24 January 1919. Returning home to England with the White Star Dominion Line disembarking at Liverpool on 27 July 1920 he returned to Devon and was employed as a Clerk of Works (Builders) at Exeter. He died in Warwickshire on 26 July 1955, aged 73.