Lance Corporal Holroyd Edward Hamlyn
7th Battalion, Prince Albert’s (Somerset Light Infantry)
Killed in Action
Date of Birth: March 1895
Place of Birth: West Teignmouth, Devon
Date of Death: Died 16 September 1917 in France, aged 22
Buried: Remembered on Tyne Cot Memorial; Seafront Memorial and St James’ Church Memorial Window, Teignmouth, Devon. Also on Cofton Memorial.
Awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal
Lance Corporal Holroyd (Roy) Edward Hamlyn, age 22. Roy was born in March 1895 to Thomas and Emma Hamlyn of West Teignmouth; he was shown living with his parents and siblings at 26 Bitton Hill in the 1901 and 1911 census, and working as a mason’s labourer in 1911.
His father was a hardwood merchant of Bitton Hill, and he was one of 4 brothers all serving with the army; only one of whom survived the war. In 1915 he married Caroline Crews, who came from Cofton.
Roy had volunteered at the outbreak of war but was rejected on health grounds. He later enlisted with the Devonshire Labour Regiment, service no. 17269, and went to the Front with them and eventually was invalided home.
Somerset Light Infantry Cap Badge.
On returning to the Front he was attached to 7th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, service no. 28018; he was serving with them when he was killed in action by a German shell on 16 September 1917.
Remembered on Tyne Cot Memorial; Seafront Memorial and St James’ Church Memorial Window, Teignmouth. Also on Cofton Memorial.
Memorial in Cofton, Devon
“Mrs Hamlyn of Park Street learnt of the death of her husband Lance Cpl H E Hamlyn of Somerset Light Infantry. A letter from his officer said that he was killed on 16th, by a shell. He was rejected at outbreak of war. Worked for government at Devonport, re-examined sent to Labour Corps then sent to France. Known as Roy, he was in the Devon’s and after recovering from illness rejoined regt in France transfer to Somerset L I.
Teignmouth Post
28 September 1917
The Hamlyn Brothers
Henry Thomas Hamlyn died in France the 1st July 1916 aged 23.
Holroyd Edward Hamlyn died in France on the 16 September 1917 aged 22.
Thomas William Hamlyn died in France on 9 April 1918 aged 18.
The Hamlyn's surviving son, Sidney Hector, served in WW1, he also served in WW2 and was on active service in North Africa in 1942 when his wife and two daughters were killed by enemy action in Teignmouth on 31 July 1942.
