A lost officer who died in Cameroon, W Africa

[Neil Clark]

I was wondering if anyone with an interest in African conflicts during the Great War could assist me work out how this officer probably came to lose his life. He is one of the men who I am working on at the moment with a view to submiting his case to the MoD for belated commemoration. At the present time he's a potential non com.

He lost his life in BAMENDA, Cameroon. Were there any major battles or skirmishes in this area during the Great War? He could have died of disease too who knows?

Any additional information gratefully accepted including confirmations he actually existed etc... I can't locate him on the Army Lists. It will all be useful if I am going to have the record put straight...

(Chris, I posted it here instead of non coms in order to find a W African specialist)

Neil

_________________________________________________________________________

Captain George Sibbit PODEVIN. Special List, Attached Sourthern Nigeria Regiment. Killed in Action 2 December 1918 aged 40 years. Born 1878 Dover. Son of Joseph G and Catherine Podevin (sometimes spelt Podwin).

George had served in the South African Constabulary between 1901 and 1908, and was an Acting District Commissioner at Ogoja, Nigeria between May and August 1910, later holding the same position at Obudu, Nigeria prior to being promoted and becoming the District Officer in Bamenda, Cameroons. George had served with his regiment as a Transport Officer in the Cameroons during the Great War.

At the time of the 1881 census the Podevin family and household staff resided at 16 Guildford Terrace, Charlton, Dover, Kent:-

Joseph G. PODWIN Aged 29. Born Dover, Kent.

Catherine PODWIN Aged 24. Born Dover, Kent.

George S. PODWIN Aged 3. Born Dover, Kent.

Richard I. PODWIN Aged 1. Born Dover, Kent.

Margaret C. PODWIN Aged 3 months. Born Dover, Kent.

Emma J. HOGBEN Aged 27. Born Whitstable, Kent. Cook

Eliza A. HOLLIS Aged 19. Born Sittingbourne, Kent. Nurse

Agnes E. C. WOOD Aged 17. Born Whitstable, Kent. Maid.

There are only two casualties commemorated by the CWGC with the surname PODEVIN, one of whom died in the Great War and is buried in Charlton Cemetery, Dover, Kent. It would seem at first glance that the Kent (probably Dover) native Private CHARLES PODEVIN of the 43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment) was related to the above GEORGE SIBBIT PODEVIN. It was also noted when checking Canadian data that he is commemorated on page 486 of the Canadian First World War Book of Remembrance, and that his mothers Christian name was CATHERINE it being the same as the mother on the census, which of course means that G.S. and C PODEVIN might have actually have been brothers.

The following information has been taken directly from Dave Dixon’s website Faded Genes - http://www.fadedgenes.co.uk/

1. George Sibbit PODEVIN, born Abt 1878 in Dover (Kent), baptized 16 Feb 1878 at St James the Apostle, Dover (Kent), census 1881 at 16 Guildford Terrace, Charlton, Dover (Kent), census 1891 in St James parish, Dover (Kent), occupation 1901 - 1908 South African Constabulary, occupation 1910 Acting Assistant District Commissioner - Ogoja, Nigeria, occupation 1918 Assistant District Commissioner and Political Officer (Transport), died 2 Dec 1918 at Bamenda, Cameroon, Africa.

Parents

2. Joseph George PODEVIN, born 13 Aug 1851 in Dover (Kent), census 1881 at 16 Guildford Terrace, Charlton, Dover (Kent), census 1891 in St James parish, Dover (Kent), census 1901 at 2 Church Villas, Harold Street, Dover (Kent), occupation 1877 - 1909 Secretary, Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club, died 7 May 1909 at 2 Church Villas, Harold Street, Dover (Kent) - Aged 57. He married Catherine IRONS, 24 Mar 1877 at St James the Apostle, Dover (Kent).

Children:

1. i George Sibbit PODEVIN, born Abt 1878 in Dover (Kent), baptized 16 Feb 1878 at St James the Apostle, Dover (Kent), census 1881 at 16 Guildford Terrace, Charlton, Dover (Kent), census 1891 in St James parish, Dover (Kent), occupation 1901 - 1908 South African Constabulary, occupation 1910 Acting Assistant District Commissioner - Ogoja, Nigeria, occupation 1918 Assistant District Commissioner and Political Officer (Transport), died 2 Dec 1918 at Bamenda, Cameroon, Africa.

ii Richard Irons PODEVIN, born Abt 1879 in Dover (Kent), census 1881 at 16 Guildford Terrace, Charlton, Dover (Kent), census 1891 in St James parish, Dover (Kent), died 15 Nov 1909 in Johannesburg, South Africa - Aged 30.

iii Margaret Catherine PODEVIN, born 1881 in Dover (Kent), census 1881 at 16 Guildford Terrace, Charlton, Dover (Kent), census 1891 in St James parish, Dover (Kent), census 1901 at 2 Church Villas, Harold Street, Dover (Kent).

3. Catherine IRONS, born Sep 1856 in Dover (Kent), census 1881 at 16 Guildford Terrace, Charlton, Dover (Kent), census 1891 in St James parish, Dover (Kent), census 1901 at 2 Church Villas, Harold Street, Dover (Kent), resided 1918 at 16 Pembridge Square, London.

Grandparents

4.Joseph John Jackson PODEVIN, born 1 May 1807, baptized 17 May 1807 at St Mary the Virgin, Dover (Kent), occupation 1840 - 1850 Publican - The Kings Head, 10 Clarence Place, Dover (Kent), died Mar 1875 in Dover (Kent) - Aged 67. He married Margaret DIVERS, 28 Jun 1849 at St Mary the Virgin, Dover (Kent).

[SteveE]

Neil

There was a campaign in the Cameroons during the Great War but it had been concluded by the early part of 1916.

However, it would appear from his obituary in the Times (December 17th 1918) that your man died from Pneumonia following influenza.

Regards

Steve

[SteveE]

Neil

I would imagine that this, from the London Gazette (#29942, dated 13th February 1917), may have some considerable bearing on his acceptance as a non-commemoration by CWGC..........

[bushfighter]

Neil

I've looked through Haywood & Clarke's "History of the RWAFF" & Gorge's "The Great War in WA" but your lad is not mentioned.

My reading of your information is that at the time of his death he was out of the Army & probably employed by another government agency responsible for occupying Kamerun.

Good Luck

Harry

[chrisharley9]

LG 5 Dec 1916 page 4

The undermentioned to be temp.

•Copts. : —

G. S. Podevin, from 8th Aug. 1914 to

•28th Feb. 1915.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 14 FEBRUAEY, 1917. page 4

The date of the relinquishment of his

commn. by temp. Capt. G. S. Podevin is

22nd Sept. 1915, and not as in the Gazette

of 6th Dec. 1916.

So I would reckon that he was a government officer by the time of his death

Chris

Sorry didnot see Steves post

Chris

[Neil Clark]

Lads,

Fantastic stuff! I agree at the time of his death he was in fact a Civil Servant in one of our overseas dominions. Not a non com as I first thought. A real puzzle bearing in mind his name appears on the Dover Civic War Memorial.

Oh well that solves that one then. On to the next man...

Thanks very much for all that. This forum is invaluable.

Sincerely

Neil

[rarpos]

I am also trying to find information on a man who was part of the West African Field Force, and who died in April 1915, in Cameroon.

He was Lieut. Donald Lynott Daly.

He is buried at the Limbe Botanical Gardens Burial Ground.

Can anyone assist?

Thanks,

Ross.

[SteveE]

Ross

London Gazette (#29337, dated 23rd October 1915) has his commission as a Temporary Lieutenant.....

Donald Lynott Daly.

Dated 28th November, 1914 (died 12th April, 1915).

Link to the Gazette is Here

Hope this helps.

Steve

[bushfighter]

Ross

As SteveE's post shows he died (rather than was killed), I'm inclined to think that he either died of wounds previously suffered in the upcountry fighting or died of disease.

There is no mention of him in the RWAFF history or Gorge's account of the Campaign.

However six Europeans in the Force did die of disease.

For a view of his burial ground see:

Good Luck

Harry