George Joce

What a wonderful experience it was for the people of a remote community in North Devon to commemorate literally – ONE OF THEIR OWN.

George Joce, from a family of dairy farmers who supplied the milk to his little town of Chulmleigh paid the ultimate price and so desperately sadly on the final day of the First World War, November 11 1918, he was 25-years-old.

The James Garnett Foundation with the magnificent support of his local community was able to repatriate his original Great War Victory Medal back to the quaint town after over a century. Around 100-people attended a beautiful memorial service to him at the church of St. Mary Magdalene and a very special talk and tea party about his life and times was given by Charles and Martin from the JGF at the town hall.

Our very special thanks go to the Chulmleigh Historical Society, Chulmleigh Academy and Holly and Colin Burls who accommodated us so well. Also to the regional BBC NEWS film crew who ensured that George’s special service was reported to the wider community across the entire south-west of England.