George Symonds VC DCM

We also remember George Symons a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was awarded Victoria Cross, Distinguished Conduct Medal, Légion d’honneur (France), Medal of Military Valour (Sardinia)

http://www.vconline.org.uk/george-symons-vc/4588315903

George Symons was born in South Hill parish on the 18th March 1826 and baptised on the 2^nd April 1826 at St Sampson’s Church. Son of William a farm labourer, and Anne Symons, living at Lower Trewassick with their daughter Mary Ann. (William possibly born 1760 and died in 1842).

The 1841 census shows George aged 15, living with a Blacksmith called Widger and his family at The Lodge which appears to be connected to Manaton Mill. The other various properties surveyed at Manaton Mill were: Manaton Mill, which contained three dwellings containing the miller and family, and 2 agricultural labourers and families; a property listed as Shop where a farmer and his children lived with 3 agricultural labourers, and Higher Ford where a farmer and his family lived.

George enlisted in the Royal Artillery on the 29th June 1845 and by the 1st January 1853 he had been promoted to the rank of Sergeant.’ The act of his gallantry for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross was on 6th June 1855. He recovered from his wounds and was later commissioned into the Military Train, transferred back to the Royal Artillery in 1862 and reached the rank of Captain. On 15 January 1862 he was appointed Adjutant of the 1st Administrative Brigade of Yorkshire (East Riding) Artillery Volunteers.

He retired to Yorkshire, where on 18th November 1871 he died in Bridlington, aged 45 years. He was buried in the churchyard of Bridlington Priory. His medals are held by the Royal Logistic Corps Museum, Camberley, Surrey.

An amazing life for the son of an agricultural labourer: Arising from his act of gallantry, he was commissioned at a time when officers were almost exclusively upper class, and eventually reached the rank of Captain.

The names of those on our war memorial
Private John Garfield Doney Aged 21 The London Regiment.
Son of William & Martha Doney, Wagmuggle. Read more

Private Thomas Drew Aged 29 The Somerset Light Infantry
Son of Mr & Mrs William Drew from Pensilva Read more

Private Percy Jenkin Aged 22 The Duke of Cornwall’s
Light Infantry. Before enlisting, he lived at Manaton where he worked as a waggoner. Read more

Private William Gordon Landry Aged 24 The Essex
Regiment Son of William & Elizabeth Landry, Trevigro. Read more

2nd Lieutenant Herbert Gloyne Forster-Morris Aged 19 The South Wales Borderers Only son of the Reverend Herbert & Mrs Forster-Morris, the Rector of South Hill. Read more

Private William Nicholas Stephens Aged 28 The Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. Son of Stephen & Harriet Stephens, of Pear Tree Row, Callington. Read more

Sapper Vernon William Buckingham Aged 21 The Royal Engineers Uncle of Jill Reynolds & Shirley Shears. Read more.

Also remembered from this parish, but not named on the war memorial.

Able Seaman Stanley Jenkin, brother of Percy. Aged 18 Lived at Trewassick where he looked after the cattle. Read more also

Chief Petty Officer John Henry Dennis Chief Stoker aboard HMS Earnest. Drowned aged 39 Read more and
Petty Officer Aaron Rogers on HMS Vivid died aged 40, awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his part in the battle at Gallipoli. Both are buried in South Hill churchyard. Their graves can be found next to each other in the row of graves nearest to the road wall. Read more

Also remember not previously listed: Private Herbert Dawe Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry died aged 23 in France, son of Richard and Hannah of Trewoodloe Read more

Plus on 2nd April 1826 a baby by the name of George Symons was baptised in the font at St. Sampson’s. At the age of 30 he was one of the first people to be awarded the Victoria Cross for ‘conspicuous gallantry under terrific fire’ during the Crimean war. Read More
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Who has information or would like to help research these young men?
Thank you for those that have helped so far. Contact Ali if interested.
iamalihumphreys@yahoo.com

Private Herbert Dawe Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry Died: Wednesday 11 September 1918 (aged 23) Service no 23854 MOEUVRES COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, NORD, FRANCE Son of Richard and Hannah Dawe, of Trewoodloe Southhill,

1911 Census Richard D Dawe aged 43′ Farm lab Born Callington Hannah. South Hill Herbert. V. 15. Farm lab. South Hill

Sapper Vernon William Buckingham died aged 21 The Royal Engineers Uncle of Jill Reynolds & Shirley Shears.

BIRTH 1918 Cornwall Unitary Authority, Cornwall, England

DEATH 22 Feb 1940 (aged 21) Kent, England

BURIAL Golberdon Methodist Burial Ground

Golberdon, Cornwall Unitary Authority, Cornwall, England  Show Map

PLOT N.E. corner of burial ground. Grave A. 2.

Only Son of George and Beatrice Ann Buckingham, of Golberdon.

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Private Thomas Drew died aged 29 The Somerset Light Infantry

Son of William Henry a tailor (originally from Guernsey) and Elizabeth (of Calstock) living in Miners Row, St Ive.

Thomas Lewis John Drew

• Born at Miners cottage, St Ive in 1886, to William Henry and Elizabeth Ann.
• He enlisted in Callington where he joined the Prince Albert’s (Somerset Light Infantry), 9^th (Reserve) Battalion. Service number: 22326
• 9^th Battalion was formed at Plymouth as a service battalion of the Fourth New Army (K4) as part of the 98th Brigade of the 33rd Division then moved to St. Austell, Cornwall.
• He died in Poole, Dorset on 30/3/1916 and is buried there. No record of him being married.

Source: https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7685174

The 1891 census shows William & Elizabeth with 7 children, including Thomas, ages ranging from 12 – 2years old (Samual, Robina, Mable, Ann, Thomas 5 yrs, Alice, Joseph) (Mabel died just 13 years old. Born 1883 died 1896)

His Dad remarried when Elizabeth died aged 36. Born 1858 died Feb. 17th 1894. Buried Mission church. Pensilva. Thomas was 8 years old when his mum died.

1901 census shows Step Mother Annie/Fanny aged 30. Born 1871 St. Ive died 1950 aged 79 buried Mission church, Pensilva (William was 53) Thomas aged 15 plus Alice, Harry & Edward living at home.

1911 census shows William & wife Annie now married 13 years with 4 children of their own (Harry, Edward, Stewart, Howard) and Thomas aged 24 a labourer living at home in St. Ive.

Dad William Henry born 1848 died 1934 aged 86 buried Mission church, Pensilva

Sources from Callington Heritage Museum. Find my Past and census records.

Private William Gordon Landry died aged 24

The Essex Regiment

Son of William & Elizabeth Landry, Trevigro

BIRTH unknown

DEATH 12 Oct 1916

MEMORIAL SITE* Thiepval Memorial

Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Contains the names of 72,000 soldiers with no known grave, 90% died between July and November 1916.

* A structure erected in honor of someone whose remains lie elsewhere.