Branch Wilfred

Rank: Lance Corporal

Regiment: 1st Bn Devonshire Regiment

Died: April 23, 1917

Number: 9644

Aged: 22

Son of Mary and the late James Branch of North St Northam. 1911 Masons Labourer. Younger brother to James who was lost on 20th November 1914.

Sid mentioned in the press cutting was Marys eldest son he married his cousin Rose and lived at vinegar hill in the 1911 census 

Mary had moved Vinegar Hill Bideford by the time of James death in 1914.

Press cutting from February 1919 leaves a question was Wilfred actually killed? I think the fact that Wilfred is in `St Margarets book of remembrance, is on the Northam War Memorial (Aug 1920) and is recorder on the family gravestone indicates he was.

The picture of the family is from The Devon and Exeter Gazette April 16th 1915. It reads Mrs Branch of Vinegar Hill Bideford and her four soldier sons. Private S Branch is in the 1st  Devons, Trooper W Branch Life Guards is aprisoner in Germany,Pte J Branch has died of wounds received in action, and Pte W Branch is with the 1st Devons. (Names not in picture order)

Sons in date order from 1901 census. Sidney b 1886. William H b 1889. James b 1890. Wilfred b 1895

Memorial: Northam

Remembered with honour:

Arras Memorial Bay 4, Northam war Memorial, St Margarets Book of remembrance

 Family grave in St Margarets Churchyard Xc 9

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