Edwin Charles Serpell was born in Stoke Climsland, East Cornwall on 8 March 1887, the son of Samuel Henry Serpell & Mary Johns. On 3rd June 1913 he left Bristol on the RMS Royal Edward to find a new life in Canada. On 1st July 1915 he joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He travelled to France as a private in the 49th Btn, Canadian Infantry. The Alberta Regiment. He was killed during heavy fighting on 4th October 1916 close to the village of Courcelette on the Somme. He was 24 years old. The local newspaper in Cornwall referred to his death. "Private Serpell was much respected and especially will his loss be felt in the village, and the Wesleyan Sunday School, Venterdon, of which he was a member from childhood. His even temper and transparent goodness remains as 'lessons in life' for all the young people of his acquaintance. At the Sunday morning service the organist (Mr. T.Mutten) played 'O Rest in the Lord' in memoriam morning and much sympathy is felt for Mr and Mrs Serpell and family.

Nick Serpell