Dawlish World War One Project

James Brimicombe enlisted, was considered fit for service on examination at Exeter on 16 August 1915, and was posted to the 4th Wessex Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery. His service was short as he became an Acting Bombardier (unpaid) on 12 October 1915 but was discharged as “no longer physically fit for War Service” on 1 April 1916. He served for 230 days and did not leave the country.

His death occurred at Southbrook Cottage, Starcross, on 4 April 1919. His death was registered by A.Bennett and the cause is shown as Pulmonary Tuberculosis. He is described as Bombardier, Royal Field Artillery (pensioner). He was buried in the churchyard of St Mary’s, Cofton and the CWGC headstone is placed east of the church. The Cofton War Memorial panel shows him with an incorrect date of death as April 3rd 1919.

James Brimicombe was born on 7 February 1890 (GRO ref St Thomas, 1890 Jan-Mar, vol 5b, p 76) at Higher Thornton, Kenn, to Edwin George and Mary Brimicombe.

Edwin George Brimicombe (1862-1929) was born to Samuel and Sophia Brimicombe. Samuel Brimicombe (1832-1884) was an agricultural labourer who married Sophia Dodge in 1853. The Census of 1871 shows their son Edwin George Brimicombe, 8, born in Mamhead.

A marriage was registered of Edward (sic) G Brimicombe to Mary Martin (1861- ) in 1879. In the 1901 Census, Edwin and Mary are living at No 5 Court, Chudleigh and the household is:

Geo Brimicombe, Head 42, General Labourer born Mamhead,  Mary “ Wife, 44, George Son, 19 General Labourer, James Son, 11, William Son, 9, Joseph Son, 7, and Frederick Son, 5.

The 1911 Census shows Edwin George and Mary Brimicombe at Brickyard Cottage, with three children:

Edwin George, son, 29 born in Newton Abbot

Joseph son, 17 Chudleigh

Frederick, son, 14 Chudleigh

The form also shows that they had been married 30 years and that they had ten children, all still living.

James is missing from the 1911 census. His Service Record shows that he “married Louisa Dodge at Newton Abbot 29.9.1912”.