Liskeard Parish Church

Story

The death occurred on the 7th ult from injuries received in action at Messines, of Pte. Ernest Gummow, a stretcher bearer attached to the New Zealand Forces. Thirty two years of age, deceased was the son of Mar and Mrs R Gummow, Higher Lux Street, Liskeard and was well known in the town and district. About eight years ago he emigrated to New Zealand with Messrs W Snell, C Snell and John Jay of Liskeard, and they were all employed at Wellington. Deceased responded to his country’s call there about two years ago, and after training was drafted to France, where he has been on active service for fourteen months. His chum, C Snell, who joined with him and was killed some time ago, and according to arrangements between the tow, Gummow buried him. His chum Pte. Gummow’s death so soon after will be regretted by a large circle of friends, and genuine sympathy will be extended to Mr and Mrs Gummow and family. Deceased came to Liskeard when very young and was educated at the Board School. It was his intention to come home last month and marry a Liskeard young lady, to whom sympathy will also be extended. (Cornish Times July 1917)

Story

The funeral took place at Liskeard Parish Church on Sunday morning of Samuel William HICKS eldest son of Mr J H Hicks, who is at present in South Africa, and of Mrs Hicks, Pound Street, Liskeard. The case is a particularly sad one, the deceased being only 19. He had, however, done his bit for his King and Country in two of the theatres of war. In Apr 1914, with a younger brother, he went to join his father in Johannesburg but later in the same year left his father and brother and went to Pretoria, where he was making good. In August 1915 he offered his services to his Country and joined the 3rd South African Regiment and after serving preliminary training in that Country came to England in October. On New Year’s Eve he was on his way to Egypt and took part in the big engagement of February 26th last. He narrowly escaped death for whilst he only received a wound in his arm his comrade beside him was blown to pieces. He made a good recovery, but was subsequently in hospital again for treatment for one of the diseases to which soldiers are liable in that Country. In April he was drafted to France and though in no big engagement was in the fighting line until invalided to London with diabetes, which he contracted in Egypt. After treatment in two hospitals he was pronounced unfit for the hardships of active service and arrangements were made to send him back to South Africa for his discharge. But the appeal of his mother prevailed and he received his discharge in London and came to Liskeard early last August. The change and rest seemed to improve for him for a time and in November he entered a agricultural college in Cheshire with the idea of learning fruit culture, which would be useful to him if he returned to South Africa. But after three weeks he was obliged to give up and returned home, passing away on the 6th February, 1917. There were many indications of respect at the funeral. There was also a good attendance of sympathisers. From the home in Pound Street the body was borne to the Church by relays composed of Boy Scouts, from the Parochial Schools of which the deceased was a scholar, under Scoutmaster J C Richards and chums of the deceased. (Cornish Times 16 February, 1917)