Budleigh Notables: F

 

Ralph George FELTHAM Diplomat, pictured above. Founding Director (1969-1986) of Oxford University’s Foreign Service Programme, which offers the annual Ralph Feltham Prize for student diplomats from developing countries. Author of the Diplomatic Handbook.  He lived at 19 Fore Street.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford_University_Diplomatic_Studies_Programme

Cecile Violet D'Oyly FINNIS, née D'Oyly O'Malley (unknown-1976), described as ‘of Budleigh Salterton, Devon’ in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records.

* She was born into an Indian Army background, her father being Colonel William Arthur D'Oyly O'Malley, CB (1853-unknown), pictured above. Image credit:  www.britishempire.co.uk 

* Her husband was Sir Henry Finnis KCB, CSI, MC.

* Their son was Major Neville D’Oyly Finnis (1919-1970). 

* You can read about her at https://budleighpastandpresent.blogspot.com/2023/11/ww2-75-31-may-1945-no-one-could-help.html

Sir Henry FINNIS KCB, CSI, MC kia WW2 (1890-1945) 

* His parents were Colonel Henry Finnis, CSI, CBE (1853-1929) and Mary Finnis, née Leahy (1859-1928). They had married in 1878. 

* His wife was Cecile Violet D'Oyly FINNIS, née D'Oyly O'Malley (unknown-1976). She has been described as ‘of Budleigh Salterton’.

* Their son was Major Neville D’Oyly Finnis (1919-2016).

* In 1943 Henry Finnis was appointed as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief North Western Army in India, with the rank of a full general.

* He did not recover from illness and died on 31 May 1945.

* His grave is in Rawalpindi War Cemetery, Pakistan.

* You can read about him at https://budleighpastandpresent.blogspot.com/2023/11/ww2-75-31-may-1945-no-one-could-help.html

Frederick William Fley (1868-1932). 

* He founded a coffee planting dynasty in Nicaragua.

* Originally from Lympstone he moved with his family to Budleigh.

* His parents were James John Godfrey Fley (1832-1916) and Jane Fley, née Abell (1832-1868).

* Aged 25 he travelled with nine friends to Nicaragua and became a coffee farmer.

* His wife was Paula Landero (1880-1975). They are pictured above with some of their children. Image credit: Jane Gray

* Among their children were Lily Fley Landero (1900-unknown), Josefina Fley (1904-1987), Federico Fley Landero (1906-unknown), Rosa Fley (1907-2002), Jose Fley Landero (1908-unknown), Doris Fley (1918-2016), Cloris Fley Landero (dates unknown), Guillermo Fley Landero (dates unknown), and Ritana Fley Landero (dates unknown).  

* His grandson, son of Federico Fley Landero (1906-unknown), was Luis Adan Fley (1951- ) who stood as a candidate in the Nicaraguan 2021 presidential election but withdrew under threats from the government and fled into exile.

*You can read about Frederick William Fley (1868-1932) at https://budleighpastandpresent.blogspot.com/2023/12/from-budleigh-to-nicaragua-fascinating.html

Frances FRAYNE (unknown-1905), née Williams.

* Her parents were (unknown name) Williams.

* Her husband was George John Frayne (unknown-1957).

* They moved from Westward Ho! in North Devon – pictured above –  to Budleigh Salterton by 1894, and lived in Queen Street and 6 Poplar Row.

* Their children were William Stanley FRAYNE (1892-1917) who was killed while serving with the 1^st/5^th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment during WW1; Arthur George Frayne (1895-unknown); Albert Frayne (1898-unknown); and Wilfred Frank Frayne (1901-c.1968).

http://www.devonremembers.co.uk/content/the-honoured/frayne-william-stanley

George John FRAYNE (unknown-1957)

* His wife was Frances Frayne (unknown-1905), née Williams.

* They moved from Westward Ho! in North Devon to Budleigh Salterton by 1894, and lived in Queen Street and 6 Poplar Row.

* Their children were William Stanley FRAYNE (1892-1917) who was killed in the Middle East while serving with the 1^st/5^th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment during WW1; Arthur George Frayne (1895-unknown); Albert Frayne (1898-unknown); and Wilfred Frank Frayne (1901-c.1968).

* A George Frayne is pictured in a photo of St Peter’s Church officials published in D. Richard Cann’s Book of Budleigh Salterton, page 126.

* The grave of Lilian Frayne (1883-1969) - pictured above - ‘wife of late George Frayne’ with death recorded as 11 January 1969, aged 86, is in St Peter’s Burial Ground, Moor Lane. She may have been the second wife of George John Frayne (unknown-1957).  Image credit: www.findagrave.com

http://www.devonremembers.co.uk/content/the-honoured/frayne-william-stanley

  

William Stanley FRAYNE (1892-1917)  

* His parents were George John Frayne (unknown-1957) and Frances Frayne (unknown-1905), née Williams. They moved from Westward Ho! in North Devon to Budleigh Salterton by 1894, and lived in Queen Street.

* His siblings were Arthur George Frayne (1895-unknown); Albert Frayne (1898-unknown); and Wilfred Frank Frayne (1901-c.1968).

* In 1911 he was working at Torpoint as an ostler with horses.

* He was killed aged 25 while serving with the 1^st/5^th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment during WW1. His rank was given as Corporal.

* His grave is in Jerusalem War Cemetery; his headstone is pictured above.  Image credit: www.findagrave.com

* He is remembered on Budleigh Salterton’s War Memorial.

* You can read about him at http://www.devonremembers.co.uk/content/the-honoured/frayne-william-stanley

Edwin Archibald French (unknown-1953)

* His wife was Melina French, née Litten (unknown-1936). Another source gives 'née Litting'.  The Devon Heritage website www.devonheritage.org lists her as Malera French of Knowle, Budleigh Salterton.

* The family lived on Budleigh Salterton’s High Street, and later in Knowle. 

 * Their son was Walter Henry French (1896-1918) who died while serving with the Army Cyclist Corps during WW1 and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium. Their other children were three boys and a girl, Hilda Stuart, née French (unknown-1977) who married Percy Stuart.

* Local researchers believe that Edwin Archibald French (unknown-1953) was buried in Honiton.  Above: St Michael’s Churchyard, image credit: findagrave.com

http://www.devonremembers.co.uk/content/the-honoured/french-walter-henry

Melina French, née Litten (1869-1936). 

Another source gives 'née Litting'.  The Devon Heritage website www.devonheritage.org lists her as Malera French of Knowle, Budleigh Salterton.

* Her husband was Edwin Archibald French (unknown-1953).

* The family lived on Budleigh Salterton’s High Street, and later in Knowle.

* Their son was Walter Henry French (1896-1918), who died while serving with the Army Cyclist Corps during WW1 and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium. Their other children were three boys and a girl, Hilda Stuart, née French (unknown-1977) who married Percy Stuart.

* She died in Knowle, aged 67, and was buried in St Peter’s Burial Ground, Moor Lane, pictured above. Image credit: Commonwealth War Graves Commission. 

http://www.devonremembers.co.uk/content/the-honoured/french-walter-henry

Walter Henry French (1896-1918)  

* His parents were Edwin Archibald French (unknown-1953) and Melina French, née Litten (unknown-1936). Another source gives 'née Litting'.  The Devon Heritage website www.devonheritage.org lists her as Malera French of Knowle, Budleigh Salterton.

* The family lived on Budleigh Salterton’s High Street, and later in Knowle. The Commonwealth War Grave Commission record is: ‘Son of Mr. E. A. and Mrs. M. French, of Knowle, Budleigh Salterton, Devon.

* He died while serving with the Army Cyclist Corps during WW1 and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium, pictured above. Image credit: Commonwealth War Graves Commission. His rank was given as Private.

* His siblings consisted of three brothers and a sister, Hilda Stuart, née French (unknown-1977) who married Percy Stuart.

* You can read about Walter Henry French (1896-1918) at http://www.devonremembers.co.uk/content/the-honoured/french-walter-henry

and also at

https://fairlynchgreatwar.blogspot.com/2014/09/horsepower-or-pedal-power.html (18 Sept 2014)