DURING last weekend and on the 11th, we paid tribute to the fallen of past conflicts, and the plaintive sounds of the Last Post have died away. But the memories linger on, as well they should.

Hanging proudly on my sitting room wall is a faded sepia photograph of a handsome young man in the uniform of the Devonshire Regiment. If you look closely you can tell from his expression that he was on the verge of laughter when the shutter clicked. I have always imagined that his image was captured at the regimental photographers while his comrades crowded in the doorway, grinning and calling out unhelpful suggestions. His name was George Saffin and he bears a strong resemblance to my wife — she is his grand-daughter.

George was no warrior — few of them were — he was a farm worker from Drewsteignton, a son of the soil who, exactly why we don't know, enlisted in the Territorial Army. Possibly because in those far off days before radio and TV, it was considered a bit of a lark to travel with his chums in a motor lorry all the way to Okehampton Drill Hall and train to be soldiers; and possibly it was.

Until September 1914 when Private George Saffin 7339 was called to the colours and that same motor lorry took him into Exeter on the first leg of his long journey to France. His family never saw him again.

After a hard winter, on March 27 1915, the First Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment were entrenched at Kemmel, a few miles south west of Ypres. They were to be relieved that evening so that they could withdraw for three days in billets. For them, at that time, it had been what was considered a quiet day. However, they had received the following casualties — one officer wounded, four soldiers wounded and two soldiers killed. One of those who died was George Saffin. He left a young wife and five children. He was 27 years of age.

It is a sad little story, but by no means unique, there must be millions more like it and at least we know what happened to him and where he lies. But it is George Saffin's story and his alone. And yes, we will remember him.

Richard G Williamson

Castle Road, Okehampton