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 - June 1917

Many of the items of interest in this month’s editions are centred around agriculture and the implications the War is having on local businesses and farms.

Heard Bros is advertising Avery Farm Tractors for sale with additional tractors on their way “by Rail in this Country from America”.

Tattersills, grocers in Bideford, announce that growers of fruit may apply for sugar for preserving their produce. Special arrangements have been put in place by the Government and to obtain a supply you must apply in writing to Mr C. S. Rewcastle, Mincing Lane, London.

With the advent of some fine weather and the stopping of the Bideford to Appledore railway, there has been a considerable renewal of boating between Appledore and Bideford for marketing purposes. On Tuesday last over 20 boats brought marketgoers from Appledore and were moored near the flagstaff on Bideford Quay.

In local news, at Appledore 12 boats fishing in the estuary took 100 salmon ranging up to 23 lbs each on one tide.

At a meeting held in Hartland School and chaired by W T Braddick, a scheme for food production was discussed. Of 150,000 acres in Devon in food production, 60,000 are in North Devon and 5,000 additional men would be asked for from the government. 100 motor ploughs could be needed to achieve the target but ploughing small fields would be a problem.

In the editorial columns local soldiers are mentioned. Private W S Panter, Bideford, promoted to Corporal at 1/6 Devonshire Regt HQ. Gunner Henry Hopper of Meddon Street, Bideford, wounded. Two sons of Charles Northcott, Clifton Street, Bideford, promoted. Gunner Turner, Kingsley Terrace, Bideford, recently gassed is now in hospital. Gunner Wilfred Foley, Cornwall Terrace, Clovelly Road, awarded DSM. Sgt Edward Hoooper, the third son of Thomas Hooper, Geneva Place, was missing is now confirmed dead. Randolph Goodenough of Meddon Street, passed away in France. There are six more reported deaths in the village and district news columns in one week alone.

Men aged between 41 and 50 are no longer considered for conscription but fit men will still be able to enlist.

Property for Sale: 11 Milton Place, Bideford, tenanted by Mr George Violet, 12 Milton Place, tenanted by William Verran and 13 Milton Place tenanted by Miss Nancekivell. Woodbine Cottage, Cross Street, Northam. A pasture field of 3 acres known as East Lamb Park adjoining Commons Farm, Northam.

100 Years Ago - July 1917

Of immediate interest this month is a Notice of Sale of the entire Appledore Gas Works. It was established in 1874 on land in a field called Barn Close which is part of Watertown in the Parish of Northam. The site, leasehold at £4 per annum comprises extensive buildings, Plant and Machinery, Manager’s Dwelling house, Retort House, Smith’s shop, Engine House and stores, 2 complete Gasometers, a Crossley Gas engine and many other tools, furniture and fittings. All for Sale on Thursday 19th July 1917 at the Rechabite Hall in Appledore. The site eventually became part of Hinks boatyard.

To be Let at Hallsannery 26 acres of productive farml in four separate fields for the next 4 years. The Taker is to crop these fields with 2 crops of corn followed by a root crop and then followed by another corn crop. The seeds will be supplied by the Landlord. The tenant is to pay all the rates, taxes, and is required to keep all the fences and gates in good repair. The owner reserves the sporting rights.

From an earlier month we reported on the Call-up relaxation for farm workers. In this month’s newspaper any worker in full-time employ since 31st March this year who receives his call up papers should take them to his employer and the Recruiting Officer who will have them rescinded. Of 500 soldiers held in Exeter, 400 have been placed with farms needing immediate labour. However several have been returned to Barracks because “They could not milk”.

Bideford Guardians in Meddon Street report that the numbers using the Workhouse are the lowest for several years. There are 65 inmates compared with 87 during the same period last year. The committee have accepted a tender for the supply of butter at 2/- per pound, surprising considering the hard times many of the public are experiencing and the Guardians are seeking Tenders for the supply of 120 tons of coal for the winter.

At Weare Giffard the strawberry season is over for this year, most of a considerable crop has been sent to Wales. Mr K P Balson of The Barton has 2 lady assistants on his farm who are doing most useful work. Throughout the village the potato crop has been sprayed and Mr Lock from Locks Beam Farm was relieved to hear that a prize bullock originally presumed drowned in the river Torridge during a flood spate has been found downstream on the other bank among a herd of cows.

100 Years Ago - February 1917

February 1917 saw several radical changes in the Bideford Gazette newspaper.

The Great War headlines were still most depressing. There was a least one page in each issue devoted to news from the action across the world. One of the February pages proclaims “British Raiders take 1228 prisoners”, “big Turkish losses”, “German Sink-at-sight claims” and “U.S.action - Liner seized and torpedoed”. There was a day by day diary of events and further reading explains that the Anchor liner “California” was sunk with considerable casualties. It is feared that this action was designed to provoke President Wilson into joining the War.
Completely new are three photographs showing Devon soldiers setting up sawmills to cut timber for use at the Front. This is the first time photographs have been printed in the Gazette, albeit for apparent propaganda purposes. The tribunal hearings continue across North Devon and the shortage of male labour is becoming acute.

February was a very cold month. The lake at Stevenstone has been frozen for some time, and in Hartland the frost has split pipes and radiators at the new United Methodist church and at the council school. It has also cracked several cylinder blocks of internal combustion engines and cars. Clamps of mangolds have been seriously damaged. In Appledore Mrs Vaggars and Mr Tom Barkwell have both fell on ice and injured limbs. On the 20th February the frost lifted allowing work on the land to recommence but fears are expressed regarding the autumn wheat that is looking very poor because of the cold weather.

Property for sale this month includes 39 and 40 Geneva Place, Bideford, currently let to tenants Messrs J Found and A J Mills on a weekly tenancy. The sale will be later in the month.