Lieutenant Richard Douglas Sandford VC, Royal Navy Was born near here. Awarded the VC for his actions in command of HM Submarine C.3 during the hazardous Zeebrugge Raid on the 22nd April 1918. He skilfully placed his vessel in between the piles of the viaduct before lighting the fuse and abandoning her, aware that if they were not rescued they would all be killed by the force of the explosion.

see Exeter VC hero to have plaque unveiled at Exeter birthplace