Captain T S Wickham DSO of the 2nd Manchester Regiment who was the youngest son of T. T. Wickham JP and former mayor of Bideford was one of the first deaths of the First World War to be reported in the 1st September 1914 edition of the Bideford Gazette. The circumstances and the whereabouts of his death are unknown at this time.

There were public Meetings across North Devon to raise money for the Devon Patriotic Fund and to encourage men to volunteer for military service. The first was held at Clovelly Court at the end of August and a considerable sum of money was pledged. Bideford held its mass meeting in the Market Hall which was "packed with every class and section of the communitV'
The Devonshire Patriotic Fund was swelled by E715:2:3d. this week from collections across the area and as a result of a benefit night sponsored by Hancock's Steam Circus E3:4:10d was added to the fund.

Owners of Homing pigeons have been advised by Bideford Police to keep their birds in as they run a great risk of being shot by military authorities. Several have already been killed but the newspaper gives no indication why and one can only assume the birds are used as target practice.

Pte Jones and Pte Kelly and other recruits who have joined Kitchener's Army from Bideford & North Devon districts have written interesting letters home about their experiences in Exeter and Aldershot. They claim to be "well cared for and are having a good time".

The Board of Trade confirm an Order made by the Light Railway Commissioners for North Devon & Cornwall Junction Light Railway, Order No. 191, authorising the construction of a light railway from Torrington to Halwill including the reconstruction of part of the mineral line known as the Torrington & Marland Railway.