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 - December 1914/January 1915

In early December the well-known local song "The Lads that are away" is published by Vernon Boyle and Keal Parkhouse as a tribute to all who have volunteered for the war effort and are now spread as far as India and around the world. Copies were available at 7d from Mr Parkhouse at his home in Lime Grove and the newspaper suggests that it will make a "timely and seasonal gift".

We had been warned last month to expect shortages of goods that have to be imported and the traditional plum puddings and Christmas cakes might have been in jeopardy. However, Farleighs Stores in Old Town are now advertising fresh stocks of: Stoneless Raisins 6%d per pound; Currants from 3% to 5d per pound; Sultanas from 6d to 7d depending on quality; Candied Peel, orange, lemon and citron from 3d per pound; Barbados sugar at 3d per pound. If you are unable to make your own cake, Mr J Madge of 40 High Street Bideford (29 years in business) will make and decorate it for you at his new Hygienic Machine Bakery.

The latest Bideford recruits to have taken the Queen's shilling and volunteered for the New Army are Frederick George Colwill, John Baker, Alfred Lewis, Ernest Violet and John Harris. In addition, volunteering for the 6^thDevon Territorials are Herbert F Fulford, Hedley James, Howard Cameron Hart and Jason Giddy.

Messrs Toner, Oerton & Balsdon have written to the newspaper to refute the rumour circulating that a nursing sister, Miss Constance M Schmidt, is a German. Miss Schmidt's father was a naturalised Englishman for 30 years before his death. Her mother is Scottish and she herself was born here in Bideford and her brothers are now serving in His Majesty's Navy.

The first edition in January 1915 has a banner advert on the front page for Bideford Motor Works. The all-British Swift 10 motor car has all modern accessories and a spare wheel and costs E200 on the road. Heywood & Heywood, 1-2 Grenville Street will be closed on Friday 8^thJanuary to prepare for their Sale the next day prompt at 9.00 am . They promise that no article will be taken from the window display until 9.30am on Saturday.

A H Butler Esq will be giving a lecture entitled "The Great War to Date" with lantern slides, including the latest photographs from the seat of war, in the Church Institute. It will be chaired by the Mayor, S R Chope. No start time is advertised but tickets for the front row will be 2/-, the 2^ndrow 1/- and a limited number of 6d tickets will be available on the door. Profits will go to the War Fund.

Several inches of snow fell overnight on Bideford on the 22^ndJanuary but, as usual, it had melted quickly during the following morning.

Dairymen and milk sellers in Bideford give notice that on the 1^stFebruary the price of milk will increase to 4d per quart.

100 Years Ago - November 1914

The town is beginning to receive civilian and military casualties from the war across the channel. Six Belgian refugees have arrived in Bideford and will be looked after by Dr Goddard in his Bridgeland Street house. A total of 21 are staying at the Bath House and another group are in a cottage at Westward Ho! One has served in the Belgian army and has been wounded twice.

The death is announced of Major Humphrey St Leger Stucley of the Grenadier Guards who died from his injuries received at the Front. He was 38 years old and the youngest son of Sir George & Lady Stucley of Moreton Park, Bideford.

The newly formed Royal North Devon Hussars enrolled Herbert Baglow, F Heath, J H Palmer, W E Galliford, J H Parsons and C E Linceey . All these men are from the town of Bideford.
Bideford Rural District Council sent a Vote of Condolence to the widow of Mr J Pennington, the town Sanitary Inspector, who has recently died. At a council meeting it was decided to advertise for another Inspector of Nuisances at a salary of E65 per annum.

Farleighs Stores advertise choice Sweet Hog brand bacon, Breakfast bacon at 101/2d per 1b and boast that all their bacon is now sliced by "modern machinery". To accompany this they have choice cooking eggs at 10 for one shilling. Tattersalls in Market Place Bideford warn that Christmas Pudding Fruits will be dearer this year due to the obvious hardships and shortages, however Bideford & District Hospital acknowledge with thanks the receipt of 10 brace of pheasants from Lord Clinton and his estate.

A rare treat in the newspaper during the month was a picture of the newly elected Mayor and Mayoress of Bideford, Councillor S Redclift and Mrs Chope.

100 Years Ago - October 1914

War News

One hundred and twenty recruits from Bideford have joined the 6^thDevon Territorials since the outbreak of war. Those leaving recently include H Woodyatt, E Taylor, R Stoneman, E W Kelway, E Bray, H J Harding, E Symons and J and W Woodland. Steps have been taken to furnish Bath House,* Bideford, for the reception of twenty five Belgian refugees. Weekly fund raising concerts are being held, at which patriotic songs are to be sung. One such concert given by the West Buckland School Nursery Boarders raised 10s 6d.

Other news.

Councillor S R Chope has been nominated for a further term as Mayor.

A cart belonging to Mr Baglow of Old Town was upset due to the horse shying. The accident happened near The Downes, Alverdiscott Road, the home of Rev. C H G Vivian JP. Fortunately Mr Vivian's daughters have received practical Red Cross training. After first aid had been administered, Mr Vivian took the injured to Bideford Hospital in his motor car. All are expected to make a good recovery. (From Bideford Archives, Windmill Lane, Northam)

*Bath House.

Can anyone corfirm the location of Bath House, Bideford? We know there were hot and cold seawater baths somewhere in the library/Tantons location but can't pin it down exactly.

As promised in last month's Buzz here is the poem about Appledore written by George Douglas, Warden, father of Audrey Jones of Bideford, who lost both eyes in World War 1. Sent in by Audrey's daughter-in law, Eleanor Jones

A little port

In Appledore, the cobbled floor of many a steep and narrow way seems ready to leap across the quay over the bar and out to sea, dancing away with a thousand years of Devon lore from Appledore. Like a wandering child by love beguiled a coaster hugs the maternal quay her lullaby the sound afar of the lone low beat of the harbour bar.

So old, this place that time it seems is kept in store at Appledore. Within a maze of weathered stays of stocks and struts and stilted beams a toy ship waits in a toy dry dock for her overhaul and painted frock they're 'boidering' "Laura" on her breast say the crew ashore in Appledore.

Old men tell tales of winter gales clattering boots on cobbled ways of daunting wave and doleful bell when they launched the lifeboat into hell of widows mourning measured by the weeds they wore in Appledore. But lazy days in summer haze and idling on the quiet quay put thoughts winter far behind like migrant swallows outward bound. So on this splendid tragedy, I'll swell no more in Appledore.