If his birthplace was Honiton (rather than him just giving the nearest 'big' place when asked), For example, there is a TOM RENDELL baptised in 1862 in Honiton, mother Susan (single). Born in the Workhouse.
FMP has it indexed as BENDELL but it looks like RENDELL to me.
I can't find a match in that name in 1871 or a death before then. Not Rendell/Harr*s marriage either.