Remembering 100 years ago.
Harry (Wheaton) Channon was born in 1893 to parents Emily and Robert Channon. Harrys mother Emily (Wheaton) was born and raised in Venn Ottery along with 10 other siblings. Her mother died when she was only 10 and after finishing school and helping to look after her younger siblings she left home to work as a housemaid for the Rector at Combe Raleigh. Whilst there she fell in love with the local postman and they went on to marry in 1892 . The following year Harry was born but unfortunately his father Robert died and Emily was left to bring up Harry alone. She quickly returned to Venn Ottery and took on lacemaking work to bring in some money. Harry attended Tipton st John School and when he was old enough he went to work as a farm labourer. As WW1 loomed Harry signed up to the 8th Battalion of the Devon Yeomanry and left Tipton and his mother Emily far behind when he was sent to war. Sadly on the 5th October 1917 at just 24 years of age Harry was killed in battle in France. A battle fought in atrocious conditions exasperated by bad weather conditions. He is buried at Zonnebeke.
After the war, in 1923 a marble memorial was mounted on the wall in Tipton st John Church dedicated to Harry Channon, along with William Pottinger (Metcombe) Thomas Pratt (Coombe), Samuel Bennet,(Tipton Lodge) William James (Metcombe) and Donald Bastin (Tipton) who all gave their lives during the Great War. At the service the church was so crowded that every seat was taken long before the service began, the gallery was packed and people stood on the stairs. The Rev Every took the service and began with the hymn 'Soldiers of Christ Arise'. Sir John Kennaway on behalf of 195 subscribers unveiled the memorial and 'the mournful notes of the last post rang out with remarkable clearness' from the church, across the valley . 'A verse of the National Anthem concluded the service which will never be forgotten by those privileged to be present'
So on the 5th of October maybe say a little prayer for Harry, for his life that he bravely gave for his country and also for Emily, his mother, who lost her beloved son 100 years ago.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.
