THE stories of the men from Camelford and the surrounding area who perished in conflict have been displayed in the window of a funeral directors to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Graeme Sutherland, funeral director of Arthur W Bryant Funeral Service in Camelford, has this year dedicated a memorial window display to the fallen heroes from Camelford of WWI and WWII as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives during both conflicts.

The soldiers have their name, rank, battalion and where possible an extract taken from the Cornish and Devon Post newspaper, placed on to a wooden cross, with a poppy attached and placed in the ‘Garden of Remembrance’ in the office window.

Among those lsited was the first Camelfordian to be lost in the conflict. Frederick Baker of the D Battery 14th Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery died on August 31, 1916, aged 33.

Frederick was the son of Richard and Eliza Baker of High Street, Camelford, and husband of Ellen Baker.

The extract taken from the Post dated September 9, 1916 reads: “News has been received this week that Driver F Baker of the RFA has been killed in action, the first Camelfordian to have fallen in the fight. He was the son of Mr Richard and Eliza Baker of High Street and was in the army for some years before the present hostilities commenced.

“He landed in France nine days after the declaration of the war. 33 years of age he leaves a wife and two boys in Ireland and his relatives in Camelford where he bore a good character and respected, much sympathy is expressed.”

The second casualty for the area was Private Richard Tabb of the 1st/4th Battalion Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry. He died on December 7, 1916, aged just 19.

Son of Joseph and Bessie Tabb, of Tregoodwell, Camelford, the extract from the Post on January 27, 1917, reads: “Private R Tabb, son of Mr Henry Tabb Tregoodwell, is the second Camelfordian to make the supreme sacrifice. Captain Blamey, the officer commanding, has written an appreciatory letter of the young man’s conduct to the parents, in which he stated: ‘He was in the front firing line and was unfortunately struck in the head by a Turkish bullet, dying immediately.

“You will, I am sure feel proud that your son died whilst doing his duty nobly for his King and Country. We were in a tight fix and had it not been for the gallantry of your son and his comrades there might have been a far different tale. Since he has been here he has proved himself a soldier of sterling merit; a splendid worker, full of pluck, always ready to take on tasks when called for men of courage and endurance. On behalf of my brother officers, the NCO’s and men of his company I should like to express our deepest regret at the loss of your son and offer you our sincerest sympathies.”

At the age of 17, Private Tabb, then employed at the Stannon Clay Works, enlisted just over two years since and after being drafted to India volunteered for service in Aden. Mr Tabb had two other sons serving.

It has taken Graeme several weeks to compile all the information that can be seen at the office in Camelford.

He said he has enjoyed working on this project and has learnt a great deal and so many interesting facts. He has had numerous passers by stopping and reading the extracts and many comments on social media which include future generations of the soldiers getting in touch and thanking him for remembering their loved ones.

He added: “One lady has asked for a copy of an extract about her uncle as her family are doing research over in New Zealand.”

To view more stories of the war heroes from the area visit Arthur W Bryant’s Funeral Service in Camelford.