Showcase result

Filleigh

The Grade II listed war memorial in the north Devon village of Filleigh, south west of Exmoor, is a plain Cornish granite cross on a three-stepped octagonal base. Names, regiments and places and dates of death are recorded in raised letters around the risers of the top two steps. The memorial stands in the churchyard of St Paul’s.

In October 2001 War Memorials Trust made a grant of £250 towards work to clean the memorial and repaint the raised lead lettering.

The inscription on the panels on the top step read:

"L.H.D.F.

Lieutenant Vicount
Ebrington
Royal Scots Greys
killed at El Alamein
July 17 1942.

Grenville Fortescue
Captain
11th Rifle Brigade
killed at
Laventie
Sept. IV MCMXV.

Third son of Hugh
Third Earl Fortescue
He was born on
XIX November
MDCCCLVII
at Castle Hill.

To the memory of
one who never
wearied in helping
others
Lionel
H. D. Fortescue
Major Second in
Command
XVII Lancers.

He fell in the action
of Diamond Hill
in South Africa
on June XI MCM
and was
buried hard by
the field of
battle.

Frederick J. Harris
Trooper
VII Batt. Imp. Yeo.
died aged XXVIII
at Pretoria Oct.
MCM.

Charles Hulland
Private II Batt.
Devon Regt.
died at Standerton
June VIII MCMI
aged XVII."

The inscriptions on the panels on the second step read:

"Erected by his
friends and
neighbours of
all conditions in
the county of Devon.

Gunner Henry Tucker R.A.
killed in Italy May 23 1944
Sapper Gerald Greenslade R.C.S.
killed in Italy July 21 1944.

Not here they lie not here
but far away
in other earth by other
grass o’vergrown
yet by their home this cross
shall stand and say
they dwell among their own.

William Blight L’Cpl. 9th Devons
killed in France Apr. 11 MCMXVII
Frederick Blight Pte. 8th Devons
killed in France Sept. XXV MCMXV
Walter Blight Pte. 1’6th Devons
died at Basra July XVIII MCMXVII.

And further dedicated to
the honour of all brave men
of this parish of Filleigh
who like him shall lay down
their lives in the service of
their country.

Frederick Bendle Pte 6 Devons killed
in Mesopotamia Mar. VIII MCMXVI
Arthur Pugsley Pte. 1st Devons
killed at La Bassee Dec. XX MCMXVI
Arthur Gregory Pte. 1’6 Devons killed
in Mesopotamia Sept. XXVIII MCMXV.

Henry Palmer L’Cpl. 1st R.D.C. killed
at Ypres Oct. X MCMXIV
George Steed Pte. 1st Gren. Gds.
died Oct. XXI MCMXVIII
Thomas Stone Sgt. R.N.D.H. died
at Alexandria Oct. XXVIII MCMXV.

Private Josiah F. Fry Cheshire Regt.
killed at Sheffield Dec. 13 1940
Signaller Gordon William McRae R.N.
killed at sea Feb. 8 1943."

The memorial was originally erected in 1900 in memory of Major L. H. D. Fortesque of Castle Hill, who was killed in action in the Boer War. The memorial was rededicated after the First World War and now carries the names of the fallen of the Boer and First and Second World Wars.

Further information

War Memorials Trust reference WM652
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: 25536

The memorial is listed building number 487890

If you have a concern about this memorial please contact the Trust on conservation@warmemorials.org

Return to search results | Start a new search