West Hill

WAR MEMORIAL

UNVEILING CEREMONY

The unveiling of West Hill war memorial, which took place Sunday afternoon, was witnessed by a large concourse of people, not only from the village of West Hill, but the neighbouring town of Ottery St. Mary. The Ottery Post of the Comrades of the Great War, headed by the Ottery St. Mary Town Band, under Bandmaster W. Cann, marched to St. Michael's Church, for the short preliminary service. At the conclusion of the service a procession was formed, headed by the Otter Vale Temperance Band conducted by Bandmaster J. Sparkes and the surpliced choir, which marched to the village green, where the memorial stands. Here the Vicar read a portion of the Burial Service, and then Major Morrison-Bell, who was accompanied by the Hon. Mrs. Morrison-Bell, pulled aside a Union Jack which draped the base of the memorial, revealing to view the names of those it was erected commemorate. The memorial is in the shape of a cross, composed of roughly-axed grey granite, standing on a base block, with a smaller block resting upon it. On the latter is another smaller block with a smooth panel cut in it. Above is an obelisk standing eight feet six inches in height, surmounted by a Maltese cross. The inscription on the panel reads "To the glory of God and in memory of the men of West Hill who died in the Great War. Corpl. F. Bess, Pte G. Baker, Pte J. T. Cumming, Pte W. Churchman, Pte H. Churchman, Petty-officer I. Hill, Pte W. A. James, Pte R. T. Lee, Corpl. C. J. Piney, Pte H. J. Salter. Pte W. M. Sandford, Stoker W. H. Thompson. Their names shall live for ever, and their glory shall not be blotted out."

(Extracted from the Exeter & Plymouth Gazette dated Tuesday 01 February 1921.)


On the same plinth and to the left face is inscribed :-

1939 1945
MAJ. P.R. WILLIAMS P/O. R.G. HANSFORD
F/SGT. R.W. HANSFORD A/B. E.J. POTTER
S/LDR. A. TRAILL LT/R.N.V.R. G.B.P. HALL