100 Years Ago

Christmas Eve at the Front

An interesting letter has just been received by Mrs Packer, of Broadclyst, from her husband, Corpl Packer of A Company, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who is serving with the Expeditionary Force in Northern France. In the course of a letter he describes a remarkable incident which occurred on Christmas Eve between the British and German trenches.

100 Years Ago - Christmas Traditions

Farmers from across North Devon gathered every year end to celebrate what had become known as 'Capt W Ascott's Manure Audit' and Dinner at the New Inn, Bideford. In 1915 Capt Ascott was unable to attend the dinner as he was 'somewhere in France' and 'leave was difficult to obtain, in fact Impossible just now!' He had sent a letter which Acting President Mr C S Carnegie, JP, read to the assembled farmers. At the conclusion of an excellent and well served repast, a toast was submitted to the King and Queen and Royal Family which was heartily honoured.

In a tradition dating back to the 1900s the Town Alderman entertained a number of the aged poor in Bideford to a tea and social evening at the Baptist Schoolroom. In 1901 the Revd H Trotman addressed a few cheery and comforting words to the old folk. The Revd J B Heard, having recently returned to this Borough, expressed as most encouraging the fact that, despite a larger population, there were fewer public houses and licences issued. Oranges were distributed to the guests as they left after having a very happy -time.

In 1915, the Bideford and District Emergency League had collected and sent away a box of comforts for troops at the Dardenelles. It included 12 Christmas puddings from Mrs Thrupp, mufflers and socks from Mrs Norman and preserved cream in tins, pure Devon chocolate, a parcel of Oxo cubes, tobacco and cigarettes.

On 7 December 1915 the Bideford Wesleyan Band of Hope Society held its Christmas tea and entertainment which was described as 'a real good one'. The Hon. Secretary, Miss A E Langbridge, was assisted by many ladies and there was standing room only for the entertainment which was arranged by Miss E M Luxton. Unfortunately the esteemed Minister, the Revd J T Tyreman, was indisposed but the Revd E B Crocker rose to the occasion 'right well' The singing of the National Anthem brought to an end one of the most successful events this Society had experienced.

On New Year's Day 1916, Mr A G Duncan, JP, chairman of the Bideford Board of Guardians, provided his annual treat to the indoor poor in the Workhouse. This event had continued for many years and this year the special fare included rounds of beef, vegetables, plum pudding and coffee. Mr Duncan distributed tobacco, tea, sugar, sweets, oranges and some money to the 90 inmates.

100 Years Ago - November 1916

Several farms are advertised this month under the "To be let by Tender" columns. Lot 1 South Hill Farm Little Torrington comprising 157 acres and all the usual farmhouse , buildings and two workers cottages, Lot 2 Higher Cross Lawn 11% acres, Lot 3 Lower Cross Lawn 32 acres, Lot 4 Broad Parks 28 acres. All currently in the occupation of Mr D Howard.
Also to be let - Sudden Farm, Newton St Petrock, comprising 162 acres that are stocked with sheep. The taker will be required to keep the oil engine running together with the barn machinery. Farm labour is a worry with all able bodies conscripted to the War and several farms are unable to continue in these circumstances.

Mr S J Williams of Rothsay Abbotsham Road Bideford has been "Called to the Colours" and is selling his beloved Rover 3% hp motor cycle and coach built side-car together with lots of household furniture.

A correspondent to the paper signing himself as "Rouge et NOW' was answering queries about the number of grist mills in the area and he states that in 1866 there were 14 operating. Of these Upcott, Edge, Littleham, Halsbury, Goldworthy and Tithecott Mills have been discontinued. The only mill still working full time is Orleigh Mill where the Sanders family continue to flourish.
Farleigh's Stores are now stocking "Nu-Way" Egg Flour. One packet makes a big cake 21b in weight, needs no eggs, yeast or baking powder. Each packet costs 3%d and the thrifty can buy 2 packets for 61/2d.

A strange Public Notice appears in several weeks during November headed "To men now serving in the Army who were employed on roadwork". It goes on to say that if these men or their relatives will send a considerable amount of personal information including their regimental number to R A Stone, County Surveyor at Barnstaple, they will "hear something to their advantage". (Has anyone heard of this? Was this genuine or a very early and callous scam.)

After a wet month the reservoir at Melbury is overflowing and millions of gallons of water are going to waste. The rainfall during October was over 9 inches.

We reported last month on a great storm which affected the area. Bideford Workhouse Guardians were told of considerable damage to Meddon Street premises. Slates were torn from the main roof; a piece of lead weighing 1 cwt was lifted from the SE corner of the boardroom and carried to within a few feet of the gates, 30 feet of guttering was knocked down and destroyed and a number of the Infirmary roof lights were blown in. No injuries were recorded. It seems this area escaped the heavy and early snowfall that accompanied the gale.

Under the auspices of Bideford Farmers Union, in the cattle market and in support of the British Farmers Red Cross Fund, a guess-the-weight of a bullock, sheep and a pig is to be held. Prizes consist of silver jug, tea pot and sugar basin and if one person wins all three J M Metherell President will give the Winner £5.

100 Years Ago - October 1916

This month the newspaper is overwhelmed with news from the war. Several pages are given over to "reports from the Front". All the villages without exception are announcing casualties' injuries and, sadly, deaths to their men who had been called up to fight. Occasionally the news is gladdened with an account of heroism and a medal award.

An advert appears in the mid October edition covering 5 columns wide and half a page deep by the British American Tobacco Company offering to send cigarettes by post to soldiers in France. Orders may be taken in to any tobacconist and the smallest order was for 280 Wild Woodbines for 3/3d, 1000 will cost 9/-. More expensive Gold Flake are 280 for 5/- and 1000 for 15/- and the most expensive cigarette Navy Cut will cost 8/6d for 500 and 16/- for 000. Orders can also be posted to troops in India. The advert concludes with this ditty: "There aint no shops to shop in and there aint no grand hotels. When you spend your days in dugouts doin' olesale trade in shells"

At home men aged 41 and over will now be called up and Notice papers A F W 3195 will be sent to all men shown on the military registers as belonging to one or other of those groups, attested or not unless they have been marked on the register as having some form of excusable work. It has been reported before of exemption courts hearing pleas from traders, farmers and businesses to keep what male labour they have, usually without much success.

Harvest has been completed and festival services are taking place across the area. However a great gale springs up towards the end of the month and a Norwegian steamer '{Rollon" laden with coal for the war and France which had recently loaded and left Wales suffered a catastrophic shifting of her cargo which capsized the ship totally. Fortunately all the crew were saved but the same gale in South Devon sent coastal trading schooners running for shelter. One was lost with 13 crew drowned.

In Clovelly there is a "Capital Opportunity for a person accustomed to the catering trade" To be Let by Tender from next Lady Day is The Red Lion Hotel currently in the occupation of Mr John Moss who is retiring. Enquiries should be made to the Estate Office at Clovelly.

We do not normally report on Court cases but the following illustrates the current situation on men's reluctance to volunteer for the war. At a local Police Court Ronald Hupert Waldorf Jeffery aged 24 of a local address and described as an agent or tipster was charged on remand with obtaining from a local shop a gold watch and chain valued at £26.10.Od by false pretences and further that being a British national he did on an earlier date this year represent himself to be an American subject contrary to the Aliens Registration Order, further, with being an absentee from the Military Reserve. He was found guilty on all counts, fined 40/- and sent to prison for 6 months to be followed by military service.