Blessed Virgin Mary
Saturday, 14 April 2018 in 16m (11–2–0 in G)
100 Call Changes
1 Ian Avery (C)
2 Sylvia Johns
3 Elaine Grant
4 Liz Slade
5 Rob Franklin
6 James Grant
2 and 4 are ringers at Aylesbeare. Thanks to Rob Franklin for ringing at short notice.
Rung in memory of Lieutenant Eric West Brutton MC of Aylesbeare, Devon, killed in action on 14/04/1918 aged 22. Devonshire Regiment ''D'' Coy. 3rd Bn. attd. Machine Gun Corps. Commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium, Panel 3.
Born 04/07/1895. One of two children; both surviving the 1911 census. Son of Rev. Ernest Bartholemew Brutton and Mrs. Elsie Maud Mary Brutton of Aylesbeare Vicarage. He was at Keble College, Oxford from Michaelmas Term 1914, where he joined the University Contingent of the Officers' Training Corps. He commenced his military service on 08/04/1915 as a 2nd Lieutenant, Devonshire Regiment, joining the 25th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps later in 1915.
He was awarded the Military Cross for ''conspicuous gallantry during operations. On the night of 06/08/1916 he supported the infantry attack with a machine gun. After practically all his gun team had become casualties he served the gun himself and remained in action as long as the gun could be of any use''. He was presented his Military Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 05/10/1916.
He was promoted to Lieutenant on 21/12/1916. He was back in France from 02/09/1917 and was involved in severe fighting from 21/03/1918 until he was killed in action at Ravelsburg Ridge, near Neuve Elise, Belgium.
In 1919 the bells at Aylesbeare were augmented with the addition of a treble bell which bears an inscription to his memory.