A PHOTOGRAPH taken 69 years ago is to go on display in the Royal British Legion Social Club in Okehampton — and it is hoped it may jog some memories.

The picture shows members of C Company, 6th Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment.

It was taken at Exmouth Pavilion in early 1940 after the company had been mobilised in 1939 and sent to Plymouth and Exeter, before its final posting to Northampton.

Okehampton RBL would like to know if anyone can put names to faces to help preserve the historical photograph.

It was passed on by Dennis Evely, a member of the Devonshire Regiment throughout the second world war.

Mr Evely, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday, can be seen 16th from the left on the front row. His older brother Reginald, was killed in Normany in 1944, serving with the King's Own Shropshire Light Infantry and is commemorated on Sticklepath War Memorial.

Approximately 75 of those shown in the picture are from the Okehampton area and the other 25 are from the London area.

Mr Evely said the Londoners found their Devonshire comrades somewhat difficult to understand.

'They would often have a little smile at our accent.' Dennis recalls. "It does up like this", was one phrase they found particularly amusing.'

Many of Dennis' Army comrades were sent to other units after the 6th Battalion was disbanded in 1943, while Dennis remained in Northampton as a drill and weapon training instructor until his demobilisation in 1946.

After the war, he went back to work in a grocer's shop in Fore Street and later worked for Drew and Son Outfitters. He then worked at the Prudential and finally the cheese factory in North Tawton until 1978, when he retired as a supervisor.

Dennis married his sweetheart, "Girlie" Kelly, on October 17 1939 — she sadly died several years ago. Her sister Florence, 96, still lives in Okehampton.

He also served as a Special Constable in the Devonshire Constabulary and later the amalgamated Devon and Cornwall force until 1978.

After almost 70 years, Dennis is still able to identify many of those in the photograph but there are blanks. The Royal British Legion in Okehampton is hoping readers will be able to complete the list.

Dennis has lived in Sticklepath almost all his life and has a great collection of photographs and stories to tell.

Both the RBL and the village intend to record this information for the benefit of future generations.

Some of those already known are: front row eleventh from left, Lt Webber of the Chagford shop, second row 16th from left, Les Gratton, president of the RBL Social Club until his death last year, and third row third from left, Bill Rattenbury.

If you can identify anyone in the photograph, the RBL on 01837 53310 would be glad to hear from you.