Memorial 

During World War I, Belgium experienced a significant exodus of refugees with over a quarter of a million fleeing their country to seek sanctuary in Britain. This was the largest influx of political refugees in British history at the time.

There is a memorial to the Belgian refugees who died in Bideford during World War 1 and who are buried in Bideford Higher Cemetery. 

By User:Jack1956 - Own work by the original uploader, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63621600

Elizabeth Deneys

July 31, 1917

“Distressing railway accident at Bideford

Last evening a girl aged eleven years, daughter of a Belgian, M Denys, of the Gas Works Cottages, East-the-Water, and employed at the Government Works, whilst playing ran on to the railway line as a train was passing, and sustained serious injuries. She was at once carried to the Bideford Hospital but the injuries are of such a serious nature that little hope is entertained of her recovery.”

August 7, 1917

“Dr Ellis Pearson held an inquest at Bideford Hospital on Wednesday evening, on the body of Elizabeth Deneys, who died at the institution on Monday night as the result of an accident. Mr J Bright was foreman of the jury.

John Baptiste Deneys identified the body as that of his daughter, who was eleven years of age. She was quite alright when he left home on Monday evening to go for a walk. He heard of the accident some time after. He did not know that the children played on the line. He always told them not to go there and did not blame anyone for the accident.

Beatrice Beer, 13, of Torridge Street, said the deceased asked her to come on to the line. She at first refused, but they went on to the bridge, where she had been before. They sat on the side of the bridge whilst the train was coming, and when Deneys saw it coming she jumped off and the train knocked her down.

1934 map

John Dobbs said he was driving the 6.40 train from Torrington on Monday night. Walter Fewins, fireman on the train, said he first saw the girl just as they were going into the station.

On 13 September 2025, the Mayor of Bideford, Peter Lawrence, unveiled a memorial plaque to Elizabeth Deneys.