James Edmond and Sarah Ann Wood

Ponchydown House, formerly Ponchydown Inn
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Maigheach-gheal - geograph.org.uk/p/2856863

Sarah Ann Wood, eldest daughter of James Wood and Mary Ann Melhuish, married James Edmond (who was born, in 1888, in Prestonpans, Midlothian, approximately eight miles east of Edinburgh, Scotland), son of George Edmond, at the bride's parish of St. Mary’s, Kentisbeare on 8 May 1911. James Edmond's profession at the time of the marriage was Lodging House Keeper and Sarah's was Domestic Servant. Both gave their address as Ponchydown, Kentisbeare, undoubtedly the former Ponchydown Inn in Blackborough.

James and Sarah Ann had three children:

1. James Roland George Edmond b. 24 Jul 1912, bap. 29 Dec 1912 at Blackborough, Devon, although the family's address on the baptism record was given as 2 New St, Prestonpans.
2. Arthur Cecil Ronald Edmond born 23 Dec 1914
3. Constance Mary Helen Edmond born 11 May 1917

On 23 Jun 1906, James Edmond had enlisted for Short Service in the Scots Guards and his trade on enlistment was Pithead Worker. Clearly he was brought back into service during World War I, because he died of wounds, in France, on 25 May 1918. His rank at discharge was Sergeant. His regiment had fought at the Second Battle of the Somme in Mar-Apr 1918, which may have been where he was wounded. I've not been able to discover where he might be buried.

On 12 Feb 1932, James Roland George Edmond enlisted in the Scots Guards.

Devington Park, Exminster
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Sarah Charlesworth - geograph.org.uk/p/990195
A huge complex of apartments, housed in what was once the Devon Mental Hospital.

Sarah Ann Edmond of The Mental Hospital, Exminster (originally Devon County Lunatic Asylum, Exminster), widow, died on 4 Dec 1933, leaving her effects to her son James Roland George Edmond, Guardsman. 

James R G Edmond married Elizabeth Thompson, in 1937, in Paddington, London. In 1939, having been discharged from the guards on 13 Jan 1939 (under Paragraph 383 (xviii) of the Kings Regulations 1935), we find James R G Edmond, Attendant Amusement, wife Elizabeth (b. 25 Mar 1914) and George Thompson (b. 27 May 1917), Luggage Porter, at 25 Penywern Road, Earls Court (this now is the address of the Lord Jim Hotel). Elizabeth Edmond died in 2000 and James R G Edmond in 2001, both in Peterborough.

Arthur Cecil Ronald Edmond in 1939, was a Motor Driver, living at 3 Higher Summerlands, Whipton, Exeter. At the end of 1940, he married Mildred Hettie Dunn. The Western Times, Friday 10th January, 1941, reports: 

CLAYHIDON WEDDING

The wedding took place at the Blackdown Mission Room, Clayhidon, of Miss Mildred Hettie Dunn (eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs H J Dunn of Ashill, Craddock) and Mr Arthur Cecil Ronald Edmond of Stentwood Farm, Dunkeswell (youngest son of the late Sergeant-Major James Edmond, Scots Guards, and the late Mrs Edmond). Mr D W Brealey officiated. The organist was Mrs Venn of London. The bride, given away by her father, wore a navy striped costume and pink blouse, with a navy hat, shoes and gloves en suite. She carried a bouquet of shaded pink chrysanthemums and fern. There were no bridesmaids. The best man was Mr Ivor Colman, friend of the bridegroom. Mr Escott was usher. There was no reception. Later in the day Mr and Mrs Cecil Edmond went to their future home at Stentwood Farm, Dunkeswell. There were many presents.

In another prime example of how family stories so often contain exaggeration and "self-aggrandisement", note that James Edmond has managed to progress another two ranks, despite having been dead for over 20 years. Neat trick! 

Arthur Cecil Ronald Edmond died in 1974, at 59. Mildred Hettie Edmond died on 5 Jun 2012, in Hampshire. She will have been 93.

Constance M H Edmond, in 1939, Incapacitated, was resident at the The Royal Western Counties Institution For Training And Treatment Of Mental Defectives, Starcross. "Originally known as the Western Counties Idiot Asylum, this institution opened in 1864 in a house and land, rented from W.R. Courtenay, 11th Earl of Devon." "It later became known as the Western Counties Institution, Starcross, and was certified as 'a residential special school for mental defectives'. Residents were trained in carving, weaving, basketry, lace-making and carpentry, and worked on the institution's agricultural holdings." The institution was closed in 1986, and demolished. 

Constance M H Edmond had died in 1949, aged 32.