War
Memorials Elsewhere, - Torquay |
The
War Memorial for Torquay.
Photo : © Copyright Derek
Harper and licensed for reuse under this
Creative Commons Licence.
The Torquay War Memorial is located in Princess Gardens, Torquay.
Beyond the memorial which is set within a hedged enclosure in the gardens
(in the photo above), is the Pavilion, Torquay. The flats behind are on Vane
Hill.
Terry Leaman has created a website on which all of the names on this memorial have been transcribed, and has kindly allowed this website to refer to it.
Two soldiers who served with the Yorkshire Regiment are commemorated on the memorial.
Private Albert Henry Bowden. 42264. 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire
Regiment, formerly 164308 R F A. Nephew of A. J. Bowden, of 21, Princes Rd.,
East Ellacombe, Torquay, Devon. Died at home 1 May 1918.
Born Torquay (Devon), Enlisted South Molton, Resided Molland.
Buried BROOKWOOD MILITARY CEMETERY.
Captain Charles Neville Carleton Stiff. 4th Battalion Yorkshire
Regiment. Son of John Thomas Carleton Stiff and Maria Eliza, his wife, of
"Alfoxden", Chestnut Avenue, Torquay. Killed 22 Mar 1918. Aged 36.
Commemorated Panel 31 and 32, POZIERES MEMORIAL.
The following biographical remarks can be found in Robert Coulson's Biographies
of Officers of the Yorkshire Regiment;-
"Charles Carleton-Stiff was born in Eastbourne in 1882 and in the early
stages of the war served in the ranks of the Yorkshire Hussars before his
commission.
He joined the 4th Battalion towards the end of the Somme offensive in October
of 1916 and remained in this area through Christmas and the New Year of 1917.
Captain Carleton-Stiff and the battalion were moved to the Arras sector towards
the end of March 1917 and fought in the area of Wancourt during the Battle
of Arras.
When the German spring offensive opened in March 1918 the 4th Battalion were
in training at Ignaucourt and were rushed up to the line at Hancourt and positioned
between the Cologne and Omignon rivers.
On March 22nd the 66th Division retreated through the battalion line leaving
the 4th Battalion in the forward area.
Under the German onslaught they were forced to retire to a line of old trenches
in rear of the battalion HQ at Hancourt.
Captain Charles Neville Carleton-Stiff was killed during this retreat on March
22nd 1918 at the age of 36.
His body lost his name is remembered today on the Pozieres Memorial just off
the road between Albert and Bapaume and also on the orquay War Memorial.
Captain Carleton-Stiff was the son of John Thomas and Maria Eliza Carleton-Stiff
of “Alfoxden”, Chestnut Avenue in Torquay."
-----------------> Return to top of the page