Thomas Pratt. b. 1894. d. 1918.
Thomas grew up in Lower Coombe, Tipton st John, with his parents William and Emma, and many siblings. His father worked as a stonemason at the quarry and Thomas worked as a roadman. He joined up in August 1914 and went out to France with the BEF in 1915, within 4 months he was wounded. He was discharged in 1916 from his wounds and TB. He died the following year, most likely from TB and is buried in Tipton st John churchyard.
We will remember you Thomas.
Samuel Lowe Bennet. b. 1891 d.1917.
Samuel was born in Tipton st John, he grew up in Tipton Hall with his parents and sister Estella.
After finishing college he joined the RN in 1914, where he was an interpreter and driver on the front line. Then he took his flying certificate and joined the RNAS. On the 29th April 1917 Flight sub Lieut Samuel l Bennett was shot down over France, (the life expectancy of a fighter pilot in the war was around 4 weeks), and was reported missing presumed dead. He is remembered on the memorial at Arras in France. He was only 25 years old.
We will remember you Samuel.
We will remember them.
Private William Charles Pottinger. b. 1889 d. 1915.
William was born in Exmouth and later moved to Tipton st John where he became a farm labourer. He lived in Metcombe with his father Charles.
In 1914 he joined the 1st /4th battalion of the Devonshire Regiment and was sent to Mesopatamia (Iraq), where the British forces were protecting the oilfields near Basra. Britain relied heavily on oil to keep its dominant navy at sea. William died of his wounds on the 30th September 1915. He was 27 years old.
He is remembered on his grandfather and fathers grave in Tipton churchyard. His parents lost 9 of their 13 children, William was the 10th child that they mourned....
We will remember you William.
