IN advance of a Heritage Open Day to be held at Crediton Parish Church on Saturday August 26, from 10am to 4pm, Bill Jerman is researching the 41 names of the Crediton men who sadly lost their lives in World War Two.

These are the names that are listed on the war memorial in Union Road and in a memorial book held at the parish church.

The memorial book was completed in 1949 by the well-known artist and calligrapher of the time, Heather Child, and the oak cabinet for its display was made by local firm Dart and Francis in 1950.

The book and cabinet were dedicated on Easter Sunday in 1950.

The pages of the memorial book are turned at the end of every month. Research so far has found several very sad stories and has found men serving everywhere from the Arctic convoys to Russia, in Borneo, Africa and in home waters.

To go with the research Bill is trying to locate photographs of as many of the men as possible.

Through local knowledge some photos have already been located including one of Lance Corporal George Ernest White, who served in the Royal Army Service Corps and lost his life aged 33 in Palestine. He is buried at the Khagat Beach War Cemetery near Haifa.

Prior to World War Two he worked as a railway maintenance engineer based at Exmouth Junction and lived with his wife Ada and sons Vic and Michael at Ivy Drum, Crediton.

If you have a photo of any relatives commemorated on the war memorial and in the church memorial book Bill would be pleased to hear from you. He can be contacted on 01363 772865.