Lockdown 3 Walks: #1: Stoke Climsland Circular

Covid Lockdown 3 has just been imposed and we are restricted to walking within our 'local area' only. Although this has not been officially defined in terms of miles, the general consensus is that 'local area' means 'within your parish'. This being the case, we'll be walking around Stoke Climsland parish, a mix of new and old routes. We'll start off with one we've done before, starting at the Old School and heading up Rowden Lane, across to Downhouse and Pempwell and then back to the Old School via Climson.

The route was around 4.5 miles which, today, was about right. Bright and dry but frosty.

In those parts where the sun had yet to penetrate, the frost still lay and make the commonplace, like these strands of barbed wire, a little more interesting. And, perhaps, rather more sinister?

Panorama looking east-ish towards the ridge of Hingston Down. Look closely and the old chimney stack of the Hingston Mine can be seen on the horizon. Reputedly the site (the ridge, not the mine) of a battle between the Danes and the Cornish.

Looking almost directly east with the partially snow-covered North Hessary Tor on Dartmoor visible in the distance. The mist is still hanging over this part of the River Tamar. 

Looking south-ish now towards Kit Hill.

Sky, clouds, trees and mist. A glorious combination. Made all the better by walking with Mrs P. In order of preference, I'd say my best walking combinations are: with Mrs P, by myself, with small groups of friends and then with larger groups. For me, the best walks are those when you can hear the sounds of the countryside as well as seeing the sights. I find walking with too many people too noisy and intrusive. Not that I don't enjoy them but they are more social occasions rather than opportunities to really experience the environment.

Frosty leaves.

Clouds and trees on the Daniel's farmland. 

Stoke Climsland church, with its 15th century pinnacled tower.

I've always admired this headstone in the graveyard. Almost completely covered in lichen, a testament to the fresh air in these parts.

For the first time, I looked at the inscription on the face of the 'lichen headstone' and it was rather intriguing. It reads:
Sacred to the memory of
William R Buckingham
Q.M.Sgt M.A.Sect A.O.C
Entered into Rest
Sept 19th 1914
Aged 43
Also Edith
Beloved wife of the above
Died July 16th 1955
Also Irene May
Devoted daughter of the above
Died June 16th 1956
Age 54
So, what's the story of William Buckingham? He was a military man and died during WW1. Was there any connection? Looks like a job for Mr Google and a few genealogy sites.

My first thought when I saw the inscription was "here's someone else who was involved in WW1 and who should feature in our Roll of Honour". It turns out that this is not the case but is none the less interesting for that. Luckily a quick search on Find-my-Past produces William Robert Buckingham's service record and this does not just give a lot of detail about his life but also brings up some serendipitous 'sideways' information. I do like these unexpected digressions when they come up.

William Buckingham was born in Landrake, just outside of Saltash, and joined the army on January 4th 1898 when he was 26 years old. Prior to joining up, he appears to have worked as a millwright (Millwrights are responsible for installing and maintaining machinery) at the Lynher Iron Works in Polbathic, near St Germans. His mechanical background made him a good fit for his army role in the Machinery Artificer Section of the Army Ordnance Corps. He enlisted as an Armament Artificer and was promoted through Armament Sergeant and Armament Staff Sergeant to Armament Quarter Master Sergeant. His duties took him abroad and he served in Singapore, Aden and, latterly, India. He married Edith and they had three children: the daughter mentioned on the headstone, Irene Mary, was born in Devonport and baptised in Singapore. William's final posting was to Kirkee in the Punjab in India. Although he was a career soldier and had enlisted for a 21 year period, he was discharged as being medically unfit whilst in India when he had served just over 15 years. Why he was discharged is not given in his discharge certificate but the fact that he was serving abroad and finally left the army from the Royal Victoria Military Hospital in Netley, Hampshire, which specialised in, amongst other things, tropical diseases, would suggest that, perhaps, he succumbed to some untreatable malady. He was discharged on 15th February 15th 1913 and died in Kelly Bray on September 19th 1914. Quite a story, really, and I'll remember William's career every time I mow around his headstone when I'm on graveyard maintenance duties.

Another digression: William's service record is formally recorded as 'Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Soldier Service Record'. From 1692 until 1955, all Army pensions were administered by and paid from the Royal Hospital Chelsea, which is why all Army pensioners were often referred to as Chelsea Pensioners. Those who lived 'Out', in the UK or abroad and received their pension in cash from agents around the country were known as Out-Pensioners. Over time, the term Out-Pensioner fell out of common usage and, in more recent times, it's only those Pensioners who retire to and live within the Royal Hospital who are now officially known as Chelsea Pensioners. In case you are wondering, the pension William was granted when he was discharged was 30d per day (around £400 a year) for the rest of his life. He left £157 to his widow in his will.